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CHIPPING-SODBURY, Gloucestershire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]
"CHIPPING-SODBURY, a parish, market town, and municipal borough, in the lower division of the hundred of Grumbalds Ash, in the county of Gloucester, 1¾ mile N.E. of Yate railway station, 28 from Gloucester, and 11 N.E. from Bristol. It is situated near the river Frome, on the declivity of a hill, a spur of the Cotswolds. A considerable trade in cheese and malt was formerly carried on, but this is now transferred to Chippenham, which has become the great mart for cheese. The town contains a bank, free grammar school, with an endowment of £20 per annum, and the Union poor-house.

The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £156, in the patronage of the Vicar of Old Sodbury. The church, dedicated to SS. Mary and John the Baptist, is an ancient structure, in the Gothic style, with square embattled tower, and several tombs. The Baptists, Society of Friends, and Roman Catholics have places of worship; and there are grammar and National schools.

The town was incorporated by Charles II. for a mayor, &c., but the charter is now held by 1 bailiff and 12 burgesses, who have at their disposal several valuable charities. The town lands produce about £300 a year. Chipping Sodbury gives name to a Poor-law Union, comprising 26 parishes, though the Union poorhouse is situated in the parish of Yate.

The petty sessions are held for the division of Sodbury once a fortnight, the Duke of Beaufort being chairman; and the County Court is held on the last Saturday of each month. Sodbury is also a registration district and a polling place for the county elections.

The remains of a Roman encampment are to be seen on some hills about 3 miles distant, and near it is Little Sodbury Manor, where Tyndale began his translation of the Testament. The weekly market held on Friday has been made void by the monthly market established for cattle, pigs, sheep, cheese, &c., which is well attended, and held on the first Tuesday of each month. On Holy Thursday and 24th June fairs were formerly held for cattle, and on the Friday before the latter day, and on Michaelmas Day, for hiring servants."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]