In 1851 Baswich, or Berkswich, near Stafford, was described as a large parish without a village of its own name, divided into the two townships of Baswich & Brockton, in Stafford Union, and the township of Acton-Trussell with Bednall, in Penkridge Union. The whole parish contains 1448 souls and 6200 acres of land, including parts of Cannock Chase, in which the farmers have common rights. The parish is skirted on the north by the River Sow, and on the west by the Penk.