Abbots Bromley in 1859

BROMLEY, ABBOTS (ST. NICHOLAS), a parish, in the union of UTTOXETER, S. division of the hundred of PIREHILL, N. division of the county of STAFFORD, 12 miles (E.) from Stafford, and 130 (N.W. by N.) from London; containing, with the lordships of Bagots-Bromley and the liberty of Bromley-Hurst, 1508 inhabitants. This place is situated near the river Blythe, by which it is bounded on the south-west, and derives its distinguishing name from a Benedictine monastery founded at Blythebury, in the neighbourhood, in the latter part of the reign of Henry I., or in the beginning of that of Stephen, by Hugh Malveysin, and dedicated to St. Giles, which was suppressed at the instance of Cardinal Wolsey.

The parish comprises 9392a.17p., upwards of 900 acres of which belong to the manor of Bromley Park. The trade is principally in malt, which is carried on to some extent. The market has been discontinued for many years; the market-house is an ancient building covered with shingles. The fairs are on March 11th, May 22nd, and Sept. 4th, chiefly for cattle.

The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £5.1.8. net income, £187; patron and impropriator, Marquess of Anglesey. The church is an ancient structure, partly in the decorated, and partly in the later English style, with a Norman entrance; it has recently undergone considerable repairs, and been much modernised. There is a place of worship for Independents.

The free school was founded in 1606, by Richard Clarke, who left £300 to purchase land for its endowment 5 the annual income is £137.11. A hospital was founded in 1702, by Lambard Bagot, Esq., who bequeathed £800 for its erection and endowment, for six aged men, three of this parish, and one from each of the parishes of Yoxhall, Hanbury, and Tatenhill; the income was augmented by Charles Bagot, Esq., and a matron has been added, who, with each of the inmates, receives a stipend of £10 per annum. 

An 1859 Gazetteer description of the following places in Abbots Bromley is to be found on a supplementary page.

Bagots Bromley Bromley-Hurst

 

[Description(s) from The Topographical Dictionary of England (1859) by Samuel Lewis - Transcribed by Mike Harbach ©2020]