Harborne in 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"HARBORNE, a parish in the S. division of the hundred of Offlow, county Stafford, 3 miles S.W. of Birmingham, its post town. The parish is large, and of late years greatly increased in population. It is watered by the stream Stonehouse Brook. It contains the township of Smethwick.

There are tinware works, a steel mill, and spectacle manufactory. In the village, which is very considerable, are benefit societies, clothing club, library for the use of the parishioners, and a police station. Market gardening is carried on to a great extent. The soil is gravelly, and the parish famous for its large produce of strawberries. The appropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £262, and the vicarial for £514.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield, value £600, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The parish church, dedicated to St. Peter, stands in the township of Smethwick. It is an ancient structure, with square stone tower containing six bells. In the interior is a fine organ. It also contains a good vestry-room, the walls of which are 6 feet thick. The register dates from the 16th century.

In addition to the parish church, there are three district churches, viz: St. John's, Harborne Heath, Smethwick, and St. Matthew's, the livings of which are all perpetual curacies, varying in value from £300 to £91. The parochial charities produce about £200 per annum, besides other small charities. There are five almshouses, four of which are for families, the other for four aged persons.

There are spacious National and infant schools, with Henry Hinckley's endowment of £28 per annum. Metchley Abbey, the seat of Lord Calthorpe, contains some antique carvings. The Marquis of Anglesey is lord of the manor."

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