LYDNEY with the Tithing of AYLBURTON

Lydney is a parish town and railway station: the parish is bounded on the east by the river Severn, which is here connected with the Wye by means of the Severn and Wye railway, which at Lydney forms a junction with the Great Western railway; the town is situated on the high road from Gloucester to Chepstow and Swansea. 9 miles north-east from Chepstow, 123 from London by road and 134 by rail and 20 south-west from Gloucester, in the Western division of the county, Bledisloe hundred, Chepstow union and county court district, rural deanery of South Forest, archdeaconry of Gloucester and diocese of Gloucester and Bristol.

The town is in the district of the Forest of Dean: about 500,000 tons of coal, iron ore, stone, timber, iron and tin plates are annually conveyed on the Severn and Wye railway, for the most part to the harbour at Lydney, and on to the Great Western railway system: the Lydney station on the Great Western railway (South Wales Division) lies about midway between the town and the port, 1 mile distant from either point. Lydney Creek, port of Gloucester is the term given to the harbour; the width of the outer harbour gates is 34 feet: and within vessels of 700 tons find berth.

Petty Sessions are held at the Sessions court every four weeks, or oftener, as occasions arise.

The church of St. Mary is a large structure, in the Early English style, having chancel, nave, and aisles, with a square tower (surmounted by a handsome spire) containing clock and a peal of 6 bells; it has been restored and re-pewed at considerable expense: a beautifully-carved stone pulpit and several handsome stained windows have been added: the large east window, filled with stained glass of gorgeous colouring, was placed by James Cookson, esq. in memory of his uncle Joseph Cookson, esq. late of Clifton: the floor of the chancel is laid with encaustic tiles of rich design, by Godwin: an organ was erected in 1869, at a cost of £280. The register dates from the year 1678.

The living is a vicarage, with the tithing of Aylburton annexed, yearly value £680, with residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford, and held by the Rev. John Joseph Trollope, M.A. of Pembroke College, Oxford, rural dean, prebendary of Hereford Cathedral and surrogate.

There are places of worship for Baptists, Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists.

A charity of £2 7s is distributed to the poor yearly.

Here is a Mechanics’ Institute, which was established in 1843; it has a library and reading room, the latter supplied with newspapers and periodicals.

The vicinity of Lydney, forming part of the estate of Charles Bathurst esq. is rich in mineral produce, more especially in iron mines: they are now worked by Thomas & Co. Who have large tin plate works near the railway station.

Fairs are held on May 4^th and November 8^th, and a general wool and stock fair on 25^th June.

Lydney is by some writers supposed to have been the Roman station “Abona” and there are certain evidences of its occupation by the Romans. In Lydney Park, where stands the mansion of Charles Bathurst, esq. J.P. are the remains of a Roman military station, where fragments of tessellate pavements and hypocausts, together with a large number of coins, broken pottery and implements of various kinds have been discovered: the station included also a temple, dedicated to a deity called Nodens or Nodons.

The mansion at Lydney Park, is a picturesque Elizabethan stone building, built in 1875 from the designs of C.H. Howell, esq. Architect, of Lancaster place, London; the park is 120 acres in extent.

Charles Bathurst, esq. who is lord of the manor, Mrs Edward Owen Jones and Thomas Breadstone Croome, esq. are chief landowners. The soil is various, in some places light sandy, and in others principally marl and clay, on the ironstone formation; sub soil, sandstone and ironstone. The stratifications in the neighbourhood of Lydney are the out-croppings of the Forest lower coal measures, after which are the sandstone rock, ironstone and partial formations of the new red sandstone.

The chief crops are wheat, barley, beans and oats: steam machinery for ploughing and reaping has been in use for some years The area of the parish is 6,723 acres of land and 1,350 of water; rateable value, £18,094: the population in 1871 was, township, 2,692, parish 3,353

AYLBURTON is a tithing in the parish of Lydney, and lies on the high road, 1 mile south-by-west.

The church of St. Mary’s was rebuilt in 1857, at the expense of the late Charles Bathurst, esq. except £25 given by the lessee of the great tithes. The hamlet of Aylburton has charities of £16 yearly value.

Near the church and in connection therewith, are situated the schools, erected in 1866 by subscriptions, aided by a government grant of £350: the buildings consist of three separate rooms for the pupils, and a residence for the master; they are spacious and handsome, built of Forest stone with Bath stone facings: the total cost was £2,000, and the ground they occupy was the gift of the late Rev. W.H. Bathurst, of Lydney Park. A schoolroom was erected in 1868, with a house for a mistress, the expense of which was defrayed by the late Rev. W.H. Bathurst, assisted by contributions from friends: the school is designed for young children only.

Lydney Church Schools, John Wild, master; Mrs. Tearle, mistress: Miss Badham, infants mistress.

The area is 1,506 A. 1R. 16P; gross estimated rental, £4,678; rateable value, £3,947; the population in 1871 was 661

POST, MONEY ORDER & TELEGRAPH OFFICE, Savings Bank & Government Annuity & Insurance Office.- Henry Imm, postmaster.

Letters from London & all parts arrive at 1.45 a.m. & are delivered at 7; dispatched at 9.40 p.m.; box closes at 9.15. Letters with an extra stamp affixed may be posted till 9.30 p.m.; letters with two extra stamps may be given to the guard on duty in the railway post office at 10.9 p.m. Day mail from London at 10.20 a.m.; second day mail from London at 5 p.m.; London letters can be posted 10.30 p.m. & with extra stamp 10.40 a.m.; dispatched to London 10.45 a.m. North mail arrives at 7 a.m.; letters delivered at 7.30 a.m.; dispatched at 6.45 p.m.; box closes at 6.30 p.m. and may be posted with an extra stamp till 6.40 p.m.; dispatched at 12 noon and 9.45 p.m. There is a first arrival of the mail from Coleford at 7.15 p.m. & 2^nd arrival at 9.40 p.m.

POST OFFICE, Newerne.- John Rowe Smale, receiver. Letters are posted here till 6.45 p.m.

POST OFFICE, Aylburton.- William Hancock, receiver. Letters arrive fromLydney at 6.30 a.m.; dispatched at 6.40 p.m.

COUNTY MAGISTRATES FOR LYDNEY PETTY SESSIONAL DIVISION:-

Samuel Stephens Marling, Esq. M.P. Sedbury pk, Chepstow

Colonel Edward A. Noel, Clannafalls

Robert Castle Jenkins,esq. Beachley lodge

William Aeneas Seys, esq. Tutshill lodge

Keeling George Baker, esq. Severn house

Rev. Feilding Palmer, Eastcliffe

Charles Bathurst, esq. Lydney Park

Clerk, James Evans, esq. Chepstow

Petty Sessions are held at the new Police station every month. The following places are included in the Petty Sessional division:- Aylburton, Alvington, Woolastone, Tidenham and Hewelsfield.

INSURANCE AGENTS

Crown Life & Phoenix Fire, J Cholditch, Bank

London & Lancashire Life & Fire, G.J. Harris

Norwich Union Fire & Life, E Bromfield, Bank

Staffordshire Fire, T.A.H. Smith, Wye cottage

PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS

Stamp Office, George J Harris, distributor

Harbour office, Lydney lock, James Pick, harbour master

Inland Revenue Office, Feathers hotel, A Hegarty, division officer

County Police Station,

Gloucestershire Rifle Volunteers (12^th), Captain A.H. Maule

Assistant Overseer & Collector of Assessed & Land Taxes, Charles Garland

CONVEYANCE:-

Severn & Wye Railway & Canal Office, George Baker Keeling, secretary & general manager

Great Western Railway Station, T.E. Trickey, station master

CARRIERS:-

Lydney Carrying Co. (Jones & Son), between Lydney & Bristol, takes in goods at the former place every Monday & leaves on Tuesday morning & takes in goods at the latter place on Thursday & leaves for Lydney on Friday morning.

Bristol & Forest of Dean Carrying Co.

Lydney

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Bathurst Charles J.P. Lydney park

Blackwell Charles, Newerne

Bromfield Edwin, Highfield cottage

Browne Rev. David George Lathom, B.A. [curate]

Cholditch John, Bank House

Courteen George, Newerne

Croome Daniel, jun.

Currie A.S., M.B.

Currie Andrew Stark, M.B. Oakfield vil

Gillman, Edward

Gollop James, Moorlands

Goulton Wm. James, Highbury house

Hill William Yevily, Moorlands

Keeling Geo. Baker, J.P. Severn house

Keeling Geo William, Tuthill house

Lawrence, George, Lydney park

Lewis Mrs. Churchfield

Peters William, Tutnills

Portman Major Henry Wm. Berkeley, Red hill

Proudfoot Thomas, M.D.

Roughton Rev. Geo. Waters [Baptist]

Taylor Joseph, Raglan house

Taylor Walter, The Wards

Thomas S.J., Soilwell house

Trollope Rev. John Jsph. M.A. Vicarage

Westcott Mrs. Post Office buildings

Williams Thomas, Nass house

Wood William, High street

COMMERCIAL

Arman Sarah (Mrs.), Rifleman’s Arms

Bailey William, blacksmith, Newerne

Ballinger Henry, Carpenter

Barnard Samuel Fisher, Feathers Hotel

Bettington Mary (Miss), dress maker Newerne

Bettington Wm., Carpenter & Furniture dealer

Bevan Jane (Mrs.), dress maker

Birks Charles, Purton Passage hotel, and ferry, Purton

Birks George, True Heart

Bristol & Forest of Dean CARRYING Co. Limited (George Jackson, capt.), Lydney basin

Bromfield Edwin, accountant, Bank

Brown Charles John, White Horse inn, Newerne

Castle James, greengrocer, Newerne,

Chalk Mary (Miss) ladies boarding school, Althorpe House

Cholditch John, bank manager Bank

Claridge Geo. Watch maker High street,

Clark Benjamin, grocer, Newerne

Collins John, ironmonger, Newerne

Collins Sarah (Miss), dress maker

Cotton Richard, baker, draper & grocer

Courteen George, Maltster, Newerne

Craddock James, Haulier

Croome Daniel, jun. Solicitor

Curtis, Thomas, Red Lion inn

Davies John, engineer, Cookson ter

Davies Thomas, shoemaker

Davis Jsph. Shipwright, Lydney harbour

Denby John, farmer, Dairy farm

Dicks James, clothier, Newerne

Dowle George, grocer, Allaston meend

Dowle William, shopleeper, Newerne

Dykins Wm. Coal shipper, Cookson’s ter

Edwards Thomas, band master

Edwards Thomas, farmer, Gurshill farm

Edwards Wm. Farmer, Guershill farm

Ensor Benjamin, shoemaker, Albert st.

Finch William, baker, Newerne

Fletcher Thomas, dairyman, Queen st

Freeman George, carpenter

Garland Charles, accountant & assistant overseer

Garton Charles & Co. Beer stores

Gloucestershire Banking Company (branch of) (John Cholditch, man.) ; draw on Union Bank of London

Gollop, Ridler & Co. Coal merchants & shippers

Glyde Wm. Farmer, Allaston Meend

Gosling Fras. boarding ho. Sandford ho

Grimes John, master mariner, Newerne

Gwilliam Thomas, printer, Newerne

Haddock Sedona, grocer, Newerne

Haile Elisha, farmer Purton manor

Harris George James, boot & shoe maker, stationer & news agent, & stamp office

Harris Hy. Grocer & coal mer. The Cross

Harrison Albert Wm. Farmer, Holmes frm

Harwood Geo. Jun. Gas manager, Gas ho.

Hathaway Frederick Henry, chemist & druggist, stationer, & agent for W.& A. Gilbey, wine & spirit merchants.

Hawkins John, grocer & post office, Lydney Basin

Hegarty Alexander, inland revenue officer

Henderson Matthew, greengrocer

Hewlett Thomas, farmer

Hill & Hathaway, drapers & grocers

Holder Samuel, maltster & hop merchant

Holford Geo. Coal mer. Cookson’s ter

Holford Thomas, shopkeeper

Holford William, Moulders Arms

Howell James, mason

Howells Oliver, plumber, glazier & gasfitter

Hughes Wm. China dealer, The Cross

Hurle William Abercrombie, civil engineer Bath Place

Imm William, Postmaster

Jacobs Isaac, clothier, Newerne

James Mary (Mrs.), ironmonger, Newerne

Jones Edwin & Son, general merchants, Lydney basin

Jones William, shopkeeper, Churchfield

Jordan Charles, shoe maker

Keeling George Baker, secretary & general manager to the Severn & Wye Railway & Canal Company

Keeling George William, civil engineer, resident engineer to the Severn & Wye Railway & Can Co.

Knowles Mary (Mrs.), beer retailer

Lawrence George, land steward to Charles Bathurst, Lydney park

Lee William, farmer, Warren’s farm

Leffler Aaron, watchmaker, High street

Long George, farmer, Duffield farm

Long William, farmer, Newerne

Lydney Trading & Carrying Co

Mallard William, Swan

Mechanics’ Institute Charles Bathurst, patron; G B Keeling esq. President: E.Wintour, sec,)

Merrick Samuel, saddler & harness maker

Morgan Richard, shoe maker & butcher

Morse Edwin, grocer, Newerne

Nicholls Charles, blacksmith, Newerne

Nurse Albert, railway contractor

Park End Coal Co. (J.G.Sully, man)

Pearse Thomas, iron foundry

Perkins Henry, farmer, Hurst Farm
Phillips George, blacksmith

Pick Jas. Harbour master, Lydney lock

Pinnegar Richard, grocer, New street

Ponter William, temperance hotel, & quarry owner

Pope Alfred, tailor, Bath place

Powell Brothers, blacksmiths, Newerne

Powell John, shopkeeper

Proudfoot Thomas, physician

Pughesley William John, manager of chemical works

Reece Reece, coal shippers, Cookson’s ter

Reichenbach Oscar, civil engineer, Severn & Wye offices

Ridler Emma (Mrs.), Railway Hotel

Remnant Richard, haulier & Bridge Inn

Ridler William coal shipper, Queen street

Roberts Thomas, beer retailer, plumber & glazier, Forest road

Sainsbury Thos. Jun., Farmer, Crump farm

Sainsbury, Thomas, Snr, Farmer, Rodley Manor farm

Sanders John, farmer, Ness

Sanders Thomas, farmer, Blackrock farm

Sandford James, beer retailer, Newerne

Saunders John, shopkeeper, Newerne

Severn & Wye Railway & Canal Office (George Baker Keeling, sec)

Smale John Rowe, grocer & draper

Smallwood William, shoe maker

Smith Edward, ironmonger

Smith Jas. Boot & shoe maker, Newerne

Smith Thos. Head gardener, Lydney Park

Smith Wm. Shopkeeper & baker, Newerne

Smith William James, butcher

Stephens & Co. Coal mer. Cookson’s ter.

Stephens John, saddler Newerne

Taylor Walter, farmer, Wards

Thomas & Co. Tin plate works

Trotter Thos. & Co. Coal & stone proprtrs

Turner Hy. Chemist & druggist, Newerne

Watts Bros. Grocers & drapers, Newerne

Walker William, Queens Head inn

Watkins William, hair dresser, Newerne

Webb Mary (Mrs.), dress makers, Old Furnace

Weedon & Co. Coal mers. Lydney basin.

Wilkins Robert, beer retailer

Williams Fredk. Farmer, Allistone court

Williams Mary Rose (Mrs.), cooper, Newerne

Williams Thomas farmer, Nass Court farm, Nass house & Clift farm

Wintour George, butcher, Newerne

Wintour Richard, farmer

Wooles William, beer retailer, tiler & plasterer

Aylburton

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Allaway Thomas W. Millend

Bowen Mrs. Sandford cottage

Cadman T. Kingstone house

Edwards Mrs. The Common

Edwards Rev. Samuel George, B.A. [curate] Old Park House

Gardiner Miss

Gardiner William

Gem George, Tankerhopes

Jones Edward, Tabor House

Tuckwell William John Stevens

COMMERCIAL

Addis John, shoe maker

Birks Elizabeth (Mrs.), George inn

Cadman Thomas, inspector of mines

Clatworthy Mary (Miss), schoolmistress, Schoolhouse

Colwell Henry, cooper

English William, grocer

Garland Hnnh. (Mrs.), farmer, Lodge frm

Garland Thomas, farmer, Park farm

Garland William, farmer, Tump farm

Gem George, farmer, The Warren,

Gipson George, painter

Handcock Wm. Shoe maker & postmaster

Harris James, mason, The Common

Harris Thomas, mason, The Common

Harris William, mason, The Common

Hopkins John, farmer, The Common

Hoskins Robert, The Cross

Hoskins William, farmer

James Thomas, Travellers’ Rest

Lucas Emanuel, farmer, Bream Lodge

Page George, farmer

Powell John Wm. Veterinary surgeon

Powell William, blacksmith

Robins Sarah Ann (Mrs.), grocer

Smith Thomas, gardener to Charles Bathurst, esq.

Toogood Henry, park keeper to Charles Bathurst, esq.

Tuckwell Wm. John Stevens, surgeon

Watkins William, shopkeeper & butcher

Williams Edward, farmer, The Common

Williams Philip, miller

Wood George, chimney sweeper