Description
Hatherton, a village and a township in Gailey-cum-Hatherton ecclesiastical parish, Wolverhampton parish, Staffordshire, 2 miles W of Cannock and 3 SE of Penkridge. Post town, Cannock, under Stafford. Acreage, 2015; population, 468. It gives the title of Baron to the family of Littleton. Hatherton Hall is the chief residence. The church was built in 1864. There is a Wesleyan chapel. The ancient inn at Four Crosses (date 1636) is picturesque and interesting. The following inscription is carved on an oak beam over one of the windows:- " Pleres si scires unum tna tempera mensem Rides cum non sit fasitan una dies."
Dean Swift stayed at this inn, and scratched the following distich on a window pane with his diamond King:- " Fool, to hang up Four Crosses at your door; Hang up your wife, she's crasser than the four."
