Fownhope, Herefordshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"FOWNHOPE, a parish in the hundred of Greytree, county Hereford, 6 miles S.E. of Hereford, its post town, and 13 S.W. of Ledbury. The Holme Lacy station on the Gloucester and Hereford branch of the Great Western railway, is 2 miles to the W. of the village. It includes the townships of Fawley and Woldbury. The river Wye passes through the parish. Silk throwing is carried on to a small extent. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Hereford, value £345, in the patronage of the dean and chapter.

The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, for the most part in the Norman style of architecture. It contains many objects of interest to the antiquary, among which may be mentioned two massive coffins, one of stone and the other of oak, and a granite font recently brought to light. The parochial charities consist of a school endowment of about £55 per annum, besides £20 for the poor and other purposes. The Baptists and Plymouth Brethren have each a chapel; and there are schools for both sexes in connection with the Church and the Baptists. In the vicinity are remains of camps and entrenchments. James Wood, Esq., is lord of the manor. Fownhope Court is the principal residence."

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