SMETHWICK, a chapelry in the parish of HARBONE,
southern division of the hundred of OFFLOW,
county of STAFFORD, 4 miles (W. by N.) from Birmingham,
containing 1950 inhabitants. The living is a
perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Harbone,
in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of
Lichfield. There are places of worship for Independents
and Calvinistic Methodists. The Birmingham canal
passes through the chapelry. About fifteen children are
instructed by a schoolmistress for £9. 9. a year, the
bequest of Dorothy Parkes, who erected the school premises
in 1723.