SANDON, a parish in the southern division of the
hundred of PIREHILL, county of STAFFORD, 4 miles
(N. N. E.) from Stafford, containing 513 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Stafford, and dibcese of Lichfield and Coventry,
rated in the king's books at £7- 10., and in the patronage
of the Earl of Harrowby. The church, dedicated
to All Saints, contains an elegant monument to the
memory of the well-known genealogist and antiquary,
Sampson, the last of the Eardwicks, formerly proprietors
of the manor, who was born here, and died in 1603;
the site of their ancient mansion, encompassed by a
moat, is still distinguishable. In the grounds of the
hall, a noble stone structure belonging to the Earl
of Harrowby, is an obelisk, erected to the memory of
the late Rt. Hon. William Pitt, which bears date 1806,
and is encircled with iron palisades. The stone with
which this mansion and pillar are built was obtained in
a quarry on the spot. The Grand Trunk canal passes
through the parish, in a line parallel with the Trent.
Sandon is in the honour of Tutbury, duchy of Lancaster,
and within the jurisdiction of a court of pleas held
at Tutbury every third Tuesday, for the recovery of
debts under 40s. Sandon confers the inferior title of
viscount on the family of Ryder, Earls of Harrowby.