Description:Farewell lies approximately two miles north-west of Lichfield. The name, meaning ‘clear spring’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon name of ‘frager’ meaning ‘fair’ or ‘clear’ and ‘wiell’ meaning ‘spring’.
Farewell does not feature separately in the Domesday Survey of 1086. However it is included in the list of families in the Archdeaconry of Stafford, 1532 – 33 when 33 families are recorded. Farewell does not appear separately as part of the Hearth Tax assessment of 1666 but it may be included in Chorley where 38 households were listed as paying tax.
During the 12th century there was a religious house at Farewell. It was founded originally as a place for hermits or monks by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (1129 – 48). However by 1140 the church at Farewell, and other lands had been transferred to nuns. The nunnery was originally established as an abbey but was later recorded as a Benedictine priory. The priory was dissolved in 1527 and the financial income granted to Lichfield Cathedral to support their choristers. The prioress and the four remaining nuns were moved to different nunneries. In 1550 the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield granted the lands of the former Farewell priory to William, Lord Paget.
The parish church of St. Bartholomew was entirely rebuilt in 1745, with the exception of the stone chancel. It was thought to be on the site of the chapel of the priory. During the rebuilding several earthenware vessels of varying sizes were found in the south wall. They were placed on their sides, the openings facing the inside of the church and all covered by a thin coat of plaster. The reason for their being there is unknown. The altar rails are 13th century as is the glass in the east window and the Miserere stalls. On the oak seats in the sanctuary, there are the carved initials ER or EH. ER, is probably a reference to the reign of Edward Regina or Elizabeth Regina. However, the initials could read EH. In that case, the initials would stand for Elizabeth Helshawe. Elizabeth was the last prioress at Farewell and went to the Benedictine priory at Nuneaton on the dissolution of the nunnery. There was further restoration of the church in 1848 when the church was re-roofed.
The lane from Lichfield to Farewell, known as ‘Cross in Hand Lane’, is thought to be so-called because travellers wanting sanctuary at the Benedictine priory would use that route, carrying a cross in their hand.
Farewell mill was part of the estate of the priory in the 12th century. It was transferred to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield in 1527 and to William, Lord Paget in1550. A new water corn mill was erected in 1856 which was working until 1940 when it was destroyed by fire.
Farewell Hall was built in the late 17th century by John Wightwick. It may have been built on the site of an earlier manor house owned by the Bagshawe family. John Wightwick died in 1703. An inventory of the house at the time of his death, as well as a copy of this will, is included in this section of Staffordshire Places. On one of the parlour windows at the hall is written on the glass “Humphrey Wightwick at New Romney in Kent, 5 August, 1749’.
Farewell has always been an agriculture area. The soil is a combination of gravel, clay and sand, particularly suitable for growing turnips, wheat and barley. There is evidence that the nuns were farming in the 1370s, growing crops and also keeping a substantial flock of sheep. Other farmers in the village at that time were also raising cattle. The emphasis on agriculture as the principle industry has been maintained through to this century.
There seems to have been some educational provision for children at the time of the Benedictine priory. In 1367 Bishop Robert Stretton visited the priory and would only allow boys up to the age of seven years at the priory stipulating that each nun could only teach one child for which they required the bishop’s permission.
Following the Education Act of 1870, a school board was set up in 1876 to allow educational provision in both Farewell and Chorley. This resulted in a mixed board school in 1877 for 70 children.