History on the village of Trysull and Seisdon in the county of Staffordshire. Research is augmented with photographs, details of licensees, stories of local folklore, census data, newspaper articles and a genealogy connections section for those studying their family history.

Trysull

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Trysull is a charming South Staffordshire village located five miles south-west of Wolverhampton. The place name is thought to be of Saxon origin and pronounced Tree-sul. It is an ancient settlement which possibly dates back to pre-Saxon times as the neighbouring villages of Swindon and Greensforge were settled by the Romans. Certainly the village was once held by the Saxon Turgot, along with the long-since vanished settlement of Cocertune. His lands were seized by the Normans and the manor passed to the powerful William Fitz Ansculf.

The manor was leased to a number of tenants including the de Tresel family who held it until 1312. By 1396 the manor had been acquired by the Lowe family, Lords of Whittington in Worcestershire. However, Trysull was united with Seisdon when the Grey family of Enville bought the lands in 1557. They remained together after the purchase by Sir Hugh Wrottesley whose family held the estates until 1929. Meanwhile the parish remained part of the Wombourne "cure of souls" until 1880 when a separate parish was created.

It is thought that a chapel may have existed at Trysull in Saxon times though the present structure dates back to the Norman period. The building has been much altered over the centuries but there remains a reset Norman arch outside the north aisle and the tower dates from the 12th century. The latter however was raised and strengthened in the 15th century. The rest of the building was rebuilt in the late 13th and early 14th centuries and, like many neighbouring churches, was reconstructed in the Victorian period. There is a curious carving above the vestry door which is thought to depict a 12th century bishop with a mitre and crosier though it has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Other notable features are a Jacobean pulpit and the east window of the chancel which contains fragments of 14th century glass. In addition, there is a parish chest thought to date from the late 1100's. Carved from one tree trunk and banded with iron, it is one of the finest examples in the county.

Trysull has many fine old buildings for the visitor to enjoy. For example, in School Road, the lane leading up towards The Plough Inn, has a number of fine old dwellings including the adjacent Plough Cottage. This box-framed building dates from the late 17th century. The 18th century Rose Cottage is also located in School Road. This has a dated stone of 1746. Another box-framed construction is Four Ways which also features a Regency cross wing on the front. Out on Feiashall Road is Willow Thatch, a half-timbered building dated 1696 and which, for many years, served as the village's bakery. A separate out-building was also used as a wheelwrights shop.

Ketley House is also located in School Lane. The above tablet can found in All Saints' Church and details the legacy that he left to Trysull. Before his death in the early 18th century he stipulated that a sum of 12s. per annum should be paid out of the profits of two closed of land called The Nimmins. These funds were to be used for the provision for the children and poor of the parish. The core of the timber-framed Ketley House [pictured in the main gallery above] is an early 17th century dwelling that has some later additions. One of these alterations, a gabled wing, bears the date of 1707.

Trysull's school is located close to the green, a short distance from its predecessor. The lovely photograph above dates from just after the First World War. The headmaster, John Salmon, is stood to the left of the image. The children's names are: Back Row: Peter Corns, Silas Jewiss [1909-1984], Richard Harper, Arthur Cresswell, Ernest Morris, Fred Newman, Bill Davies, Cecil Reynolds, Middle Row: Mildred Annie Fazey [b.1909], Cissie Dean, Joyce Leith, Ginny Bedworth, Laura Price, Lilly Cresswell, Laura Cresswell, Doris Pedley, Percy Farrington, Raymond Gregory. Front Row: Maggie Jordan, Eunice Fazey, Nellie Cooper, Ada McLachlan, Olive Davies, Lillian Leith and Edith Yeomans.

There is an old mill close to the bridge over the Smestow Brook. Originally owned by Lord Wrottesley, it dates from 1854 and was one of the first buildings to feature an iron frame. The village has had a mill since Saxon times and one was recorded in the Domesday Book however this was probably located further downstream. The bridge has an oddly-placed plaque which details the Heavy Motor Car Order of 1904. It informs the traveller that the bridge is insufficient to carry a Heavy Motor Car with an axle weight exceeding 4 tons. If this was the original position of the plaque it would be a bit late to warn drivers that the bridge was about to collapse!

The road out towards Seisdon features a collection of architectural gems including the odd mish-mash of Manor Farm looking much older than its construction date. Further along the lane is The Red House, a superb Georgian red-brick construction featuring six bays with Venetian windows. The Old Manor House is much harder to look at because of a high tree hedge and electronic gates. The half-timbered building dates from 1684, though it was remodelled and extended in the mid-19th century. The roof looks rather fanciful due to the parapet corner pilaster strips surmounted by ball finials, along with the star shaped and filleted shafts of the chimneys.

The wind vane is dated 1746 and the porch has the date of 1633. The latter is thought to be false however because the correct date of the porch has been determined as 1810. Another date of 1589 can be found in the painted glass segments of the windows. It's all a bit confusing. There is an inscription on the porch which reads 'stranger, should this catch your eye do a favour, passing by Bless this House...'
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"Committed to Stafford county gaol, Ann Glase, charged with the wilful murder of a new born, female bastard child, at Trysull."
Derby Mercury 25th February 1802

"In the evening of Thursday last as Mr. Thomas Norris, the high constable, was returning home to his residence at Trysull, Wolverhampton, his horse suddenly took fright and ran away. On reaching the toll gate at Grazeley on the Penn Road, he threw Mr. Norris with great violence against the corner of the house. Mr. Norris's head was dreadfully crushed, and surgical assistance was immediately procured, but in vain. The sufferer was carried to a house near, where in less than a quarter of an hour he expired. He was a single man and highly respected. It is not a little remarkable, that the brother of the deceased, Mr. John Norris, who held at that time the situation of high constable, in which he was succeeded by the deceased, about two years ago, was thrown from his gig, not more than one hundred yards from the same place, and killed upon the spot."
Jackson's Oxford Journal 21st May 1831

"On Tuesday last, at the ordinary meeting of the Board of Guardians, Lord Wrottesley in the chair, the contract for the erection of the new workhouse for the Seisdon Union was signed. The site is on an eminence overlooking the village of Trysull. The contractor for the work is Mr. Heveningham, and it will be carried out under the superintendence of Mr. Bidlake."
Birmingham Daily Post 10th February 1859

"At Wolverhampton court, yesterday, before J. Leigh, J. Walker, and S. Cartwright, Esqrs., Benjamin Hughes and Frederick Screen were charged, both of them, with trespassing in pursuit of game, the previous day, on two separate occasions, and Screen with, in addition, killing a partridge out of season. William Gadsby deposed that he followed the prisoners from Smestow to Wombourn, where he saw Screen in a field in which there were several pheasants. Elizabeth Mitchell stated that on the previous day she saw the prisoner Screen in a field in Trysull, in the possession of Mr. Joseph Carter, that she heard a gun fired, and saw Screen run and pick up something of a brown colour. Police Constable Garner, accompanied Gadsby in pursuit of the prisoners. He took Screen into custody in a field near to a preserve which belonged to the Earl of Dudley. He found in his possession some gunpowder and caps, and in a hedge close by a gun in two pieces. Hughes was taken in an adjoining lane, and a partridge found on him. Hughes was discharged, but Screen, who returned from a four years' term of transportation in January last, was fined £2. for each trespass, £1. for killing game out of season, with five months' imprisonment in default."
Birmingham Daily Post 17th May 1860

"At the County Petty Sessions yesterday, Robert Heywood, pensioner and drill sergeant to the Trysull Rifle Corps, was fined £1. and costs for an indecent assault upon a young girl of Orton, named Elizabeth Lampitt, aged 12 years, whom he met in or near Trysull last Wednesday night, as he was returning from a drill of the above corps."
Birmingham Daily Post 17th July 1860

"Sometime during the night of Tuesday some evil-disposed person cut off the hair from the manes and tails of no less than nine horses, the property of Mr. J. Wilson, of the Wildmoors Farm. A reward of £5. is offered for the conviction of the offender."
Birmingham Daily Post 9th August 1861

Bell Inn
Fox Inn
Plough Inn
Seven Stars Inn
Vine Inn

If you have a genealogy story or query regarding the Trysull and Seisdon area you can contact me and I will post it here in addition to including your message within the website pages for Staffordshire Genealogy.

"Early on Saturday morning, Police Constable Samuel Price, of the Staffordshire Constabulary, on duty at Trysull, discovered that the malthouse of Mr. Thomas Lane, of that place, was being robbed. After a desperate struggle, in which he was severely beaten about the head with a bludgeon, he succeeded in arresting one of the thieves. The man arrested turns out to be John Evans, well known among a certain class of persons in Wolverhampton, and to the police of that town as "Big Jack Evans." He will be brought before the county Magistrates at Wolverhampton today."
Birmingham Daily Post 9th November 1863

"It will be remembered that a few days since we noticed the courageous conduct displayed by a country policeman, named Price, in capturing a gigantic fellow, named "Big Jack Evans," whom he found attempting a burglary at Trysull. On Saturday, Price was examined by a doctor, and it was found that, besides other serious injuries, one of his ribs was broken in the desperate encounter. A subscription is being got up for the poor fellow's benefit by Captain Pridsey."
Birmingham Daily Post 17th November 1863

"At the County Police Court yesterday, before Messrs Hill, Pudsey, Hicklin, and Perks, two men named John Beebee and John Corns were charged with prize-fighting. John Corns, sen. [father of one of the fighters], Daniel Crutchley, John and George Holden, and John Parkinson, were charged with aiding and abetting in the fight. On the morning of Saturday, the 12th inst., Police Constable Smith found Beebee and Corns in a field at Shipley, near Trysull, fighting within a roped ring, and surrounded by more than two hundred people. They refused to desist; Police Constable Allen coming up, however, the fight ceased, the combatants running away, and John Holden preventing the policemen from seizing them. The fight was for £25. a side - Mr. Hill: You all deserve to be sent for trial, because the bonds into which you have before entered to keep the peace are only just expired. You much each find a surety in £20. to keep the peace for six months."
Birmingham Daily Post 29th December 1863

"John Evans [37], puddler, was indicted for breaking and entering a malthouse, at Trysull, with intent to commit a felony therein. He was also indicted for assaulting Samuel Price, at Trysull, he being a Police Constable in the execution of his duty. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Vaughan. On the night of the 6th November last Police Constable Price had occasion to watch the malthouse of the prosecutor, when he saw the prisoner coming down the steps, and apprehended him. A desperate struggle ensued, and the prisoner, who is a powerful fellow, commenced a savage assault upon the officer, beating him most unmercifully with a stick, and otherwise abusing him. The officer, however, retained his hold on the prisoner until the arrival of assistance, when he was secured and placed in safe custody. The prisoner, who was an old offender, was found guilty, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. The Assistant Chairman ordered a gratuity of £5. to be given to Price for his courageous conduct."
Birmingham Daily Post 6th January 1864

"Yesterday, at the County Petty Sessions, Thomas Wenson, bailiff of Mr. Whitehouse of Trysull, was charged with cruelty to two terrier dogs, belonging to Thomas Holloway, of the same place. Mr. Thurstans was for the prosecution, and Mr. Henry Underhill for the defence. The facts were that on last Wednesday week, the complainant went out and left his dogs at home. During the day the defendant saw them enter a rabbit hole on his master's land. He called two men, named respectively Bostock and Davis, had the hole stopped up, and the dogs dug out. Defendant then took them away to a stable, and complainant  was sent for to fetch them away. Complainant on reaching the stable found one of the dogs dead, the skin of the bowels having been burst through. The other dog was tied so tightly round the neck that one of its eyes were protruding, and the animal was for some time blind, but had since recovered. Bostock and Davis were called to support the complainant, but they said that the defendant led the dogs away quietly after they had been dug out, and the Magistrates said they were compelled to dismiss the case, but they promptly declined to allow the defendant's expenses."
Birmingham Daily Post 1st November 1864

"Richard Edwards, a carter, of Trysull, whilst out with his wagon near that place on Saturday, got wedged between the wheel and the bank by the roadside, and had his leg broken. He was recovered to the South Staffordshire Hospital."
Birmingham Daily Post 12th April 1870

"Yesterday, at an inquest in the Grand Jury Room, it was shown that William Lewis, a child of four years, was burnt at his home in Wood Street, on Friday, by going to a fire in a bedroom, and that he died in the Hospital on Sunday. The Jury recorded a verdict of accidental death; and afterwards similarly determined in relation to the death of the old man John Johnson, who, on Sunday evening, mistaking the cellar door for that leading to the parlour, in the house of his daughter at Trysull, fell to the bottom of the steps, broke his leg, and died on the same night in the South Staffordshire Hospital. Johnson's home was at Sedgley, near to the Court House; he was 86 years of age, and at one time was gamekeeper in the services of the Earl of Dudley."
Birmingham Daily Post 30th December 1870

"On Wednesday, it became known in Wolverhampton that William Yates [24], farm servant to Mr. John Owen, Clan Park Farm, Trysull, met with his death on Monday night while descending a steep hill leading to the village, by being knocked down and run over by the wagon which he was driving when drunk."
Birmingham Daily Post 25th March 1881

"Yesterday, at the County Police Court, Charles Davies [63], shoemaker, Draycott, and Thomas Radnor [23], his son-in-law, farm labourer, of the same address, were charged with stealing a carpenter's bench, worth 18s., from the Clan Park Farm, near Trysull, the property of the Earl of Dudley. On the morning of April 1st, the prisoners, who live three miles away from the farm, drove up in a pony and trap to one of the cowhouses, and took the bench away. The theft was witnessed by a wagoner. For the defence, Mr. Dallow said that the theft had been committed under a mistake. Radnor had imagined that the bench belonged to his late master, Mr. John Owen, who up to Lady-day last was the tenant of the farm. His clients wished to be tried by a jury. Prisoners were committed to the approaching Assizes.
Birmingham Daily Post 10th April 1883

"Yesterday, at the County Police Court, Thomas Mansell, bricklayer, and William Craddock, labourer, both living at Trysull, were charged with assaulting Edward Charles, labourer, also of Trysull. From the evidence it appeared that the defendants were members of a party of men who went about the village on Christmas Eve carol singing. At two o'clock on Christmas morn they aroused prosecutor, who is a very feeble old man, from his sleep, opened the door, lighted a piece of paper, telling the old man they had come to turn him out. Craddock threw a bottle at him, striking him on the nose and felling him to the ground. The other defendant then threw some boards and a brick etc. into the room. Two of the witnesses were severely reprimanded by the magistrates for not protecting the prosecutor when they saw the treatment he was receiving. Medical evidence proved that the blow from the bottle fractured prosecutor's nasal bone. Mr. Twentyman [presiding justice] said he was sorry he had not the power to order the defendants to be flogged, and regretted that their companions had not also been summoned. He sentenced the defendants to six weeks' hard labour."
Birmingham Daily Post 5th January 1886

"Edward Scriven [23], labourer, was indicted for stealing, on the 11th November, at Trysull, the sum of 10s., the property of James Smith, for whom he acted as a wagoner. On the date in question he was sent with a load of swedes, and was then told to go for a load of slack, and 10s. was given to pay for it. He came back without the slack, and without giving any account of himself went away. A warrant was issued for his arrest, which was not effected until the 27th September this year. There was a further charge of obtaining money by false pretences from Enoch Hickman on the same day. Having taken the swedes to him he asked for a sovereign to pay for 30cwt. of coal. He was not authorised to receive any money. He was sentenced to fourteen day on each indictment."
Birmingham Daily Post 18th October 1893

"On Wednesday morning three sheep were missed from a field at Trysull in the occupation of Mr. Joseph Baker, farmer, Park House, and on information being given to the police it was ascertained that on the previous night two men had been seen driving sheep in the direction of Dudley. Police Constable Martin at once proceeded to that place, where he succeeded in discovering the animals, and arrested two men named Felix Edward James Evans [21], butcher, St. John's Street, Kate's Hill, Dudley, and John Thomas Woolridge [17], butcher, 9 Prospect Road, Dudley. They were remanded, and will be brought up at Wolverhampton today charged with the theft of the sheep."
Birmingham Daily Post 30th April 1894

"On Monday, William Weaver, 29, of St. Catherine's Cross, Darlaston, succumbed in the Wolverhampton General Hospital to injuries which he received whilst cycling on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was riding down a hill at Trysull when he lost control of the machine, and fell to the ground with a terrific crash."
Birmingham Daily Post 14th June 1899

1834 White's History, Gazetteer and Directory
Trysull, a small village, five miles south-west of Wolverhampton, comprising within its parish 562 inhabitants, and the hamlet of Seisdon. The waste land here was formerly very extensive, but it has all been enclosed. Sir John Wrottesley, Bart. is lord of the manor; but T. P, Pudsey, Esq., Mr. John Perry, and Dr. Jesson, have estates and neat mansions here. The Church is a small ancient edifice, dedicated to All Saints, and having the figure of a bishop carved upon its tower. The living is annexed to the vicarage of Wombourne, The feast is on the nearest Sunday to November 5th. The charities belonging to the parish are as follows: Lands at Bulwardine, in Claverley parish, comprising about eleven acres, now let for £15 a-year, were purchased in 1620, with several benefactions amounting to £63. 6s. 8d. The sum of £30, obtained by the sale of timber on this land, was laid out in 1753, in the purchase of Shinton's Meadow and Garden, at Seisdon, now let for 30s. a-year. At the same place is a cottage with land purchased with the bequest of Mary Andrews, in 1716, except a small allotment received at the enclosure in 1800. The poor of Trysull have also 2½ acres of land at Trimpley, near Kidderminster, purchased in 1712 with several donations, and now let for £4. 2s. per annum, of which, 15s. is to provide school books. They have likewise three annuities, amounting to £3. 12s., left by John Rudge, in 1725; Henry Wheeler, in 1695 ; and John Kelley, in 1728; and £1. 10s. arising yearly from £100 three per cent. stock, purchased with the benefactions of Thomas and Samuel Peach, in 1800, for the equal benefit of the school and poor. Of the foregoing funds [amounting to £31. 2s. 9d. per annum,) £26. 8s. 9d. is distributed in August, and the rest at Christmas. The Free School was endowed by Thomas Rudge with £200, which was laid out in the purchase of a barn and 18 acres of land, at Woodhull, near Trimpley, now let for £15 per annum, for which, and the yearly sum of 30s. from Peach's charity, the master instructs eleven poor children, and supplies them with necessary stationery. In 1820, there was timber on the school land worth £60. Seisdon, the small hamlet which gives name to this populous hundred, lies near the borders of Shropshire, one mile N. W. of Trysull, where there is a narrow bridge of several arches over the river Smestow. Upon a lofty height which forms the boundary line between the two counties, is the ancient entrenchment called Apewood Castle. The whole extent of the ridge for a mile in length, has hollows cut in the ground, over which the possessors are supposed to have set their tents, so as to form one continued line of defence. The lowes in the adjoining parish of Wombourne, are perhaps the cemeteries of some Romans of rank, who were slain in an attempt to dislodge the Britons from this strong position, which is so admirably calculated by nature as well as art for a vigorous resistance. Near Seisdon Common is a large triangular stone, called the War Stone, and at a short distance is a small square camp with a single ditch.
Marked 1 are at Seisdon, and the rest at Trysull.
Barnsley, Mrs. Rebecca
Blunt, Simeon, Day School
Bradley, William, Beer House
1 Casswell, John, Victualler, Seven Stars
Eld, Captain John
Eld, Mrs. Sarah
Higgs Joseph, Corn Miller
Jesson, Henry M. D.
Jesson, Rev. Wm, Curate
Law, Stephen, Gardener
Massey Fanny, Blacksmith
Perry John, Gent
1 Pudsey Thomas Peach, Esq.
Richards Benj. Victualler & Gardener
Robathon William, Overseer
Farmers
1 Ashton, John
1 Benton, Daniel
Bradley, Thomas
Tranter, Edward
1 Wilson, John

1860 Post Office Directory
Trysull, is an extensive and pleasant village and parish, near the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, in Seisdon hundred, Lichfield diocese, Stafford archdeaconry, Trysull deanery, South Staffordshire, 5 miles from Wolverhampton south-west, 8 north-west from Stourbridge, and 7½ from Dudley north-west. The living is a vicarage, annexed to that of Wombourne, joint annual value £608, held by the Rev. W. James Heale. There is a National school for the education of children of both sexes. The church of All Saints is a very neat edifice. The area is 3,110 acres, and the population 559, with the liberty of Seisdon, giving name to the hundred, and anciently a place of importance. Orton, or Oreton, is a liberty, in the parish of Wombourne, with, about 170 inhabitants, 1 mile north-west. Ebstree is 1 mile north. Seisdon is about 6 miles south-west from Wolverhampton, and has about 200 inhabitants.
Private Residents
Aston, George, esq. Seisdon
Banton, Daniel, esq. Seisdon
Banton, William, esq. Seisdon
Green, Jonathan, Seisdon
Perry, John, esq. Trysull
Pudsey, Mrs. Seisdon
Richards, Mrs. Mary, Trysull
Sparrow, Frederick Turton, esq. Trysull
Tongue, Mrs. Trysull
Whitaker Rev. George Aytan, B.A.
[curate], Trysull
Willim, John, esq. Manor house, Trysull
Commercial
Aingworth, John, Bell, Trysull
Banton, Daniel, miller, Seisdon
Bowker, William, tailor & parish clerk, Trysull
Bradley, Thomas, farmer, Trysull
Cartwright, Joseph, farmer, Clan Park, Trysull
Caswell, George, Seven Stars, Seisdon
Clark, Benjamin, Butter Dealer and
Shopkeeper, Trysull
Dickins, Robert Archibald, Farmer,
Woodford, Grange, Trysull
Granger, George, Shoemaker, Trysull
Harley, Thomas, Blacksmith, Seisdon
Higgs, Joseph & Son, Millers, Trysull
Jones, Daniel, Shopkeeper, Seisdon
Lowe, Thomas, Farmer, Trysull
Mansell, Thomas, Bricklayer, Trysull
Meredith, Thos. Relieving Officer, Trysull
Mundy, Charles, Plough, Trysull
Perry, Thomas, Farmer & Shopkeeper, Trysull
Page, John, Farmer, Trysull
Shelley, James, Charcoal Dealer, Trysull
Vaughan, George, Blacksmith, Trysull
White, William, Wheelwright, Trysull
Woolley, William, Shopkeeper
Yates, Thomas, Shoemaker, Trysull

1896 Trade Directory for Trysull
Commercial
Baker, Joseph - Farmer, Park Farm
Clemson, John - Farmer, Woodford Grange
Clinton, William, Wheelwright
Gibson, John - Farmer, Clan Park
Grainger, Henry - Shoe Maker
Hamlington, Charles - Woodford Cottage
Higgs, Mrs Ann - Shopkeeper
Mansell, Thomas - Bricklayer
Monk, Samuel - Bell Inn
Munday, Charles Whitmore - Plough & Maltster
Murrary, John - Blacksmith
Perry, Benjamin - Farmer
Puddicombe, Rose - Ladies School
Russell, Arthur - Awbridge Farm
Simmons, William - Grocer
Smith, Joseph - Farmer
Stacey, Mrs Ellen - Carrier
Summerton, Alfred - Miller [Water]
Tranter, Sidney - Vine Inn
Walling, William - Farmer, Beech House
Whitehead, George - Shoemaker
Seisdon
Aston, William
Aston-Pudsey, George J.P. - Seisdon Hall
Banton, William - The Old House
Meurant, Mrs - The Elms
Aston, William - Farmer and Maltster
Harley, George - Blacksmith
Harris, James - Fox Inn & Farmer
Little, John - Seven Stars and Farmer
Monk, Robert - Farmer
Nicholls, Charles - Shopkeeper
Robinson, William - Farmer, Lanes Farm
Sant, Benjamin - Shopkeeper
Stanford, Jonathan - Farmer
Wilson, John - Farmer, Wildmoor Farm

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Trysull and Seisdon