Oswestry is one of the principal towns on the Welsh borders, and is now the most flourishing and prosperous of any in the county. In 1801 there were 2,672 inhabitants; in 1831, 4,478; and in 1841, 987 houses and 4,566 souls; of whom 2,121 were males, and 2,445 females. The entire parish of Oswestry, including the town and liberties of Oswestry in 1841, contained 8,843 inhabitants. The town is situated on a gentle eminence, the streets are in general spacious, and there are many good houses, and retail shops in all the different branches of trade; yet vestiges of its antiquity, timbered buildings with projecting gables, are still to be seen in various parts of the town. The beautiful prospects from the high ground above the town are perhaps not surpassed by any in the county. The rich and luxuriant vale of Shropshire lies as it were a map beneath the feet; while the Staffordshire hills, Nesscliff, the Wrekin, and the Styperstones, are seen in the distance. Towards Wales, the alpine heights and lovely vales are seen in rich profusion; and here the beholder glances upon a country which was eminently distinguished as the birth-place and residence of the children of freedom—a people, who, by their independent spirit and martial prowess, for centuries chastised rapacity and injustice, and made oppression and tyranny tremble upon the throne. The parish of Oswestry contains the townships of Aston, Cynyion, Crickheath, Hisland, Llanvorda, Maesbury, Middleton, Morton, Oswestry, Pentregaer, Sweeney Trefraclawdd, Trevlock, Trefonen, Weston Cotton, and Wootton.