Bromyard

"BROMYARD, a market-town and parish in the hundred of BROXASH, county of HEREFORD, 14 miles (N.E.) from Hereford, and 126 (N. W. by W.) from London, on the road from Worcester to Hereford;, containing, with the townships of Linton, Norton, and Winslow, 2767 inhabitants. This town is situated near the river Frome, in a district abounding with orchards, and consists of several irregular streets, indifferently paved, but well lighted: many of the houses are built of wood and the inhabitants are tolerably supplied with water. Races were formerly held annually for two days, but they haye been for some time discontinued. The market is on Monday, chiefly for grain, butter, and cheese: the fairs are on the Thursday before March 25th, May 3rd, the Thursday before St. James' day, Thursday before October 29th, and the last Monday in January. The county magistrates hold petty sessions for the hundred here weekly on Monday, and courts leet and baron are held twice in the year. The living forms a rectory and a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Hereford: the rectory is divided into three portions, the first of which is rated in the king's books at £5, and the two others at £6 each; they are all in the patronage of the Bishop of Hereford: the vicarage is rated at £9. 10. 7., and is in the gift of the three Portionists. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a spacious structure, in the Norman style of architecture. There is a meeting-house for Independents, The free grammar school was founded by Queen Elizabeth, and endowed with £16. 14. 11 ½ per annum, subsequently augmented with £20 per annum, by John Perrins, Esq.: though originally intended for the classics, the rudiments of an English education only are taught at present. The National school, in which ninety girls and thirty boys are instructed, is supported by subscription; the master's salary is £30 per annum. There are almshouses for seven aged women, endowed by the Rev. Phineas Jackson, formerly vicar of this parish." [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England  (1831) ©Mel Lockie]