MINSTERWORTH anciently called MORTUNE, is a parish and straggling village, 4½ milrd west from Gloucester, intersected by the turnpike road from Gloucester to Chepstow, in the Western division of the county. Westbury-on-Severn union, Duchy of Lancaster, Gloucester county court district, rural deanery of North Forest, archdeaconry of Gloucester and diocese of Gloucester & Bristol.

The church of St. Peter was rebuilt in the Decorated style in 1870, and consists of chancel and nave, with north aisle, and tower with 6 bells; the chancel east window is stained and very handsome, and there are other stained windows; the former church having been liable to be flooded by the Severn, the new building is raised four feet. The register dates from the year 1633.

The living is a vicarage, yearly value £250, with residence and 2½ acres glebe, in the gift of the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol and held by the Rev.William Balfour, M.A. of Magdalene College, Oxford, and Rural Dean of Gloucester.

There is a mixed National school under Government inspection.

The charities are of about £40 yearly value.

Duni House is the seat of William Viner Ellis, esq. and Hygrove is the property of Charles Barrow-Evans, esq. the lord of the manor: these gentlemen are the principal landowners.

Here is a Wesleyan chapel.

The soil is alluvial, and very productive, well adapted to the growth of apples for cider. The chief crops are wheat, apples and pasture. The area is 1.938 acres; rateable value, £5,840; the population in 1871 was 459.

Parish Clerk, Samuel Meadows.

Letters arrive from Gloucester at 8.45. PILLAR LETTER BOX is cleared at 5.30 p.m. The nearest money order office is at Gloucester.

National School Mrs. Eliza Mays, mistress

CARRIERS TO GLOUCESTER (returning same days):- Thomas Butler & William Morgan, from Littledean, mon.wed. & sat. Giles Cox, from Westbury, mon. wed. & sat.

RESIDENTS

Balfour Rev. William M.A. Vicarage

Ellis George, Severn Bank house

Ellis The Misses, Severn Bank House

Ellis William Viner, Duni house

Hawkins Mrs. Minsterworth court

Stephens James, Severn side

Syms William, Hygrove house

Amphlett Eliza (Mrs.), shopkeeper

Amphlett Henry, cooper

Barrett James, butcher

Barrett Ralph, farmer

Bennett John, farmer & overseer

Bick Henry, tailor

Binns James, blacksmith & shopkeeper

Bridges Thomas, farmer

Cole Richard, jun. Farmer Highcross farm

Fletcher Harriet (Mrs.), shopkeeper

Hampton Edmund, farm bailiff to Frederick Harvey, esq. of Churcham, Morecroft farm

Hooper Joseph, baker

James William, farmer

Jones Charles, farmer

Jones Mary (Mrs.), farmer

Littleton William, farmer

Luker Henry, farmer

Mayo James, fruiterer

Mayo Joseph, coal merchant

Pugh John, farmer, Morecroft farm

Stevens Richard, commercial traveller

Stevens William, farmer

Wells Chas. Edwd. Farmer & overseer.