A Fire at Lilleshall

On Saturday night, August 31, 1867 a fire broke out in the Cottages just above the School and ‘Old Hall’ at Lilleshall. They were half timbered and thatched – and though forming only one building contained three dwellinghouses, for three families. viz: Joseph and Elizabeth Webb, labourer (with their two Grandsons, John and Thomas Webb) – Willam and Sarah Mason, Bricklayer of Duke of Sutherland, & their nephew Richard Moreton – and lastly Thomas Worrall with his lodgers, William & Sarah Webb, and their two boys – The fire broke out at 10.30 P.M. while all the inmates but one, Mrs Mason, were fast asleep in their beds. It was however seen by the young men, who were practising instrumental music in the Lilleshall Schoolroom, about 10.45. Alarm was given immediately and all the goods & furniture of the several families were saved, with the exception of a few bedsteads. The Fire Engine of Lilleshall Hall & the Fire Engine from Newport arrived about 12 o’clock – but long before it was clear that the Cottages could not be saved. The fire had evidently been smouldering in the timber of the roof for some days, previous to it breaking out. Everybody helped to the utmost of their power. The fire engines were pumped till 5 o’clock on Sunday morning, but the fire was not wholly extinguished till Monday Sept 2. Two of the families were lodged in the Girls’ School and classrooms and the others went into lodgings, and no one was seriously hurt.

Lilleshall H G de Bunsen

Monday Sept 1 1867 Vicar of Lilleshall

The above text was written by the Vicar of Lilleshall in St. Michaels Church

Register of Baptisms.

The location of the cottage is believed to be at the site of Lot 129 in the 1917

Estate Sale and now occupied by Bella Vista, The Lilacs and Wisteria Cottage.

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