Rowley’s Mansion, or Hill’s Mansion
said to have been the first brick building erected in Shrewsbury. From dates still visible on the leaden pipes, it appears to have been built in 1618, by William Rowley, an eminent brewer. This gentleman was a favourer of Puritanism, and an intimate friend of Richard Baxter the Nonconformist, and is stated to have been instrumental in strengthening the prejudices of the latter against the church. He amassed a large property by fortunate speculations in Barbadoes, and is related to have planted Rowley’s Islands in the Caribbees. His son, Roger Rowley, Esq. was of Gray’s Inn, and was the first person in this town who kept his carriage. His eldest daughter and co-heiress Priscilla married John Hill, Esq. of Shrewsbury, who made this mansion his residence, and gave to it, and the street in which it stands, their present names.
At the bottom of Mardol are extensive Quays and Warehouses, at which the numerous vessels which navigate the Severn load and unload their burdens. Here also is