LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
As a member of the
barony of Wem, Eyton owed suit, probably from
c. 1245, to the leet court of the barony held at
Hinstock. In the late 15th century the townships
of Eyton, Horton, and Bratton made presentments together at the Hinstock leet but by 1540
separate presentments were made for each
township. The constables of Eyton and Horton
continued to appear at Hinstock as late as 1851. (fn. 90)
Rolls of the court baron of Eyton survive for
1359, 1360, 1362, 1422, and 1587. In the 14th
century the court's jurisdiction covered Bratton
(in Wrockwardine) and at least part of Horton in
addition to Eyton; by 1506 Malinslee (in Dawley), for which separate courts had been held in
the 14th century, was also included. The court's
work mostly concerned agricultural matters, the
roll for 1587 recording detailed pains governing
husbandry in each of the four townships. Admissions to copyhold land in Horton were enrolled in
1359 and 1422. There were no references to the
appointment of manorial officers, except for the
election of separate constables for the townships
of Bratton, Eyton, and Horton in 1506. The 1506
court, however, was unusual in being a leet held
for Eyton. (fn. 91)
The appointment of an overseer of the poor in
Eyton parish is recorded from 1724 (fn. 92) and two
overseers were appointed annually by 1809. (fn. 93) The
appointment of a churchwarden is recorded from
1764 to 1884, two wardens being appointed from
1885. In the later 18th century the office of
churchwarden was served alternately by
parishioners living in Eyton and Hortonwood
townships. (fn. 94)
In addition to weekly cash payments to the
poor, the parish occasionally provided clothing
and footwear, house repairs, and medical treatment during the 18th century. Communion
money and the church offertory were also distributed, in small amounts, mainly to widows, in the
late 18th and the mid 19th century. (fn. 95) The parish
poor appear to have been concentrated in the
industrial settlement at Trench Lane: in 1742 the
overseer had to make five journeys to Trench to
order the poor there to bring in their certificates. (fn. 96)
The parish was in Wellington poor-law union
1836-1930. (fn. 97)
Eyton civil parish and the Hoo, the detached
portion of the parish transferred to Wellington in
1884, became part of Wrekin highway district in
1863 and were part of Wellington rural district
from 1894 until 1974. Hortonwood, which had
been transferred to Wrockwardine Wood C.P. in
1884, became part of Oakengates urban district on
its creation in 1898. Both parts of the ancient
parish were included from 1974 within the district
of the Wrekin. Shawbirch, in Eyton C.P., Hortonwood, and the Hoo were included in 1968 in
the designated area of Telford new town. (fn. 98)