LONGDON, a parish in the southern division of
the hundred of OFFLOW, county of STAFFORD, 4 miles
(N. W. by N.) from Lichfield, containing 1115 inhabitants.
The living is a vicarage,, in the peculiar jurisdiction
of the Prebendary of Longdon in the Cathedral
Church of Lichfield, rated in the king's books at £ 5. 5.,
and in the patronage of the Prebendary, but, after his
demise, in that of the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry.
The church, dedicated to St. James, has lately received an
addition of one hundred sittings, of: which sixty-four are
free, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement of
churches and chapels having contributed £30 towards
defraying the expense. There is a place of worship for
Independents. Several small bequests have been made
for the instruction of children. St. Mary's almshouses,
founded by Mrs. Jane Cotton, are ten in number, nine of
which are inhabited by poor women, each of whom receives
three shillings and sixpence weekly; the tenth is
occupied by a schoolmistress, who instructs twelve girls
and five boys. A court leet is held twice a year by the
lord of the manor. Indications of coal- are observable
here, but none has been raised. The Trent and Mersey
canal.passes about two miles northward of the church.
At Castle Ring, a. point in the Marquis of Anglesey's
park at Beaudesert, are the remains of a British encampment.
The Society of Friends have a very ancient
burial-ground at Gentle. Shaw, in this parish.