HINTS

The late church was very antient, consisting of a nave and two small side-ailes, divided by round arches, and large pillars ornamented at the capitals  ... The church has been of late years rebuilt, and is a truly elegant specimen of Grecian architecture upon a small and simple scale ... (1801) [SHAW II 19]

HINTS (St. Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Tamworth, S. division of the hundred of Offlow and of the county of Stafford, 4 miles (W. by S.) from Tamworth; containing 213 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1831a. 3r. 12p., of which three-fourths are arable, and the remainder, with the exception of about 58 acres of woodland, meadow and pasture. Its surface is beautifully diversified with hills, some of which are finely wooded, and the lower grounds are watered by a clear rivulet, which flows through the centre of the parish; the soil is generally a rich loam, and the prevailing timber is oak and ash of luxuriant growth. The estate is the property of W. H. Cawley Floyer, Esq.: the mansion of the family has been enlarged by the present proprietor. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £80; patron, the Bishop of Lichfield; appropriators, the Dean and Chapter. The church is a modern structure in the Grecian style, and, from its situation, is a picturesque object in the scenery. A small school was founded, and is supported, by the Floyer family. Canwell was formerly distinguished for a priory, founded by Gever Riddle in 1142, for Benedictine monks, and which was one of those establishments assigned to Cardinal Wolsey, towards the erection and endowment of his intended colleges. On Hints Common, in 1792, a pig of lead was discovered, weighing 150lbs., on which was inscribed, in bas-relief, "imp. vesp. vii. t. imp. v. cos." [A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848)]

Hints Church, (St Bartholomew), is a small modern structure of Grecian architecture, and, from its lofty situation, is a very picturesque object in the scenery of this romantic vale. It has several monuments of the Floyers, who have held the manor for more than two centuries. The living is a perpetual curacy, consolidated with that of Weeford, in the patronage of the Bishop of Lichfield, and incumbency of the Rev Robert Cowpland, MA, of Weeford. [WHITE (1851)]

Parish History

The parishes of HINTS and WEEFORD were served together 1765-1884 and may for some of this period have been joined. They were again served together 1949-1977.

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Description of Church (St Bartholomew)

The original church may have been Norman.

A new church, was built late 18C (largely at the expense of XXXXX) to designs by ARCHITECT and consecrated DATE

The present church, was built 1882-3 (largely at the expense of ----- Chadwick cotton-manufacturer) to designs by John Oldrid Scott and consecrated DATE

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Type of incumbent

Perpetual Curate                                                         ....-1644

Minister (of Presbytery) (Feb 1644-29 May 1660)                          1644-1660

Perpetual Curate                                                         1660-1868

Vicar                                                                    1868-....

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Patrons

Prebendary of Freeford & Hansacre

Lichfield                                                                     1851

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Parish Registers

The register of St Bartholomew commences in 1559. The original registers for the period 1559-1948 (Bapts), 1559-1937 (Mar), & 1557-1812 (Bur), are deposited at Staffordshire Record Office. Burial registers for the period 1813-date remain with the incumbent. Bishops Transcripts for the period 1659-1828 (with gaps 1792-95) are deposited at Lichfield Record Office. A transcript of the register for the period 1558-1812 was published by the Staffordshire Parish Register Society in 1910, and has been reprinted by the Birmingham & Midland SGH. [GENUKI]

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Bells

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Special References

SHAW II 14-21