1571.—Humphrey Onslow built the chapel of our Lady in St. Chad’s church, and paved the causeway from the Lord’s place, (the Council House) to the cross, at his own cost. 1575.—That fearful malady, the plague, again visited Shrewsbury. 1581.—John Capper, clerk of the Abbey Church, was hanged at Kingsland for treason. 1582.—John Prestige was hanged upon a gibbet near the abbey mill, for the murder of his wife. 1588.—Richard Reynolds was put into the pillory and had both his ears cut off, for setting fire to a sheep-cote. 1591.—After the assizes in September, eight men were hanged at the Old Heath, one of whom was hung in chains there. 1596.—Wheat sold for 20s. a bushel, rye for 16s. a bushel. 1630.—Great numbers died of the plague. In 1632 and 1634—many fell victims to the same malady. 1647.—December 23rd. A woman was burnt in the dingle of the quarry for poisoning her husband. 1683.—An earthquake felt here, February 7; a dreadful fire in the Abbey Foregate. 1708.—Wheat sold for 9s. a bushel, muncorn 8s., rye 7. 1715.—It being the time of the rebellion new gates were made to the walls and the trained band called together. 1726.—Lamps were put up in several parts of the town, at the expense of the several parishes. 1727.—An earthquake felt here. A great meeting of quakers from all parts of England. The judges of the assize were refused the usual compliments by the mayor, on which account the next assize was held at Bridgnorth. 1756.—Thirty-seven colliers brought to gaol for rioting and committing outrages in the county; four died in gaol, and two were executed. 1758.—The country butchers were again admitted to sell meat in the town, and shambles were erected for them near St. Alkmund’s church. 1762.—A great fire happened in New-street, Frankwell, on the 23rd February. 1766.—February 12th, 13th, and 14th, there fell a great snow in Shrewsbury, which lay on the ground several days, eighteen inches deep. 1772.—A smart shock of an earthquake was felt, which occasioned much terror and consternation. 1774.—On Good Friday, April 1st, a fire broke out in the Abbey Foregate, by which forty-seven houses were burnt down, and several others much damaged. 1775.—September 8th, the inhabitants were much alarmed with the shock of an earthquake; in the midst of a calm a rumbling noise much like that of a strong wind was heard; this was soon followed by two tremulous motions of the earth, succeeding each other instantaneously. 1778.—The Shropshire militia marched from Shrewsbury on May 7 to Bridgnorth, where they were reviewed; from thence they marched into Kent. 1780.—A stage coach began to run between Shrewsbury and Holyhead. 1782.—Baron Hotham laid a fine of £2000 upon the county, till they should build a new Shire Hall; the new hall was built 1786.