EAST-DEAN, Gloucestershire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"EAST-DEAN, a parish (for all ecclesiastical purposes) and township, in the hundred of St. Briavel's, county Gloucester. It is an extensive district in the Forest of Dean, called Holy Trinity; its length from N. to S. is about 10 miles. It contains within its limits the several hamlets and villages of Cinderford, in which is the district post-office, Dry brook, the Hawthorns, Ruerdean Woodside, and Ruerdean Hill. Its principal church, Holy Trinity, is 32 miles S.W. of Mitcheldean Road station on the Hereford, Ross, and Gloucester branch of the Great Western railway, and 5 N.W. of Newnham.

The inhabitants are for the most part employed in the coal and iron mines, which abound in this neighbourhood. There are also iron smelting works and stone-quarries. The living of Holy Trinity is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £150, in the patronage of the crown. There is also the district church of St. John, at Cinderford. The Baptists and Wesleyans have chapels, and there are National schools, with endowments. The manor is held by the crown."

"DENBIGH LODGE, in the parish of East Dean and county of Gloucester, 3½ miles S.W. of Newnham. It is situated in Dean Forest."

"DENBY WALK, an extra-parochial place in the parish of East Dean, hundred of St. Briavell's, in the county of Gloucester."

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