Welsh Newton, Herefordshire - Kelly's Directory, 1856

Extract from Kelly's Directory of Herefordshire, 1856

WELSH NEWTON.

WITHINGTON is a parish and village 4½ miles east from Hereford (its post town), 12 north-east from Ledbury, 11 south- east from Leominster, and 30 south from Gloucester, in Broxash Hundred, Hereford Union, deanery, archdeaconry, and bishopric; it is situated on the turnpike road leading from Hereford to Bromyard, and on to the Hereford and Gloucester canal. The church of St. Peter is an ancient stone structure with substantial square tower, and has a very handsome stone spire with 5 fine-toned bells; the interior consists of nave, chancel, porch, and font; the ancient chancel screen remains, and is an elaborate piece of wood carving. The living is a vicarage (with the chapelry of Preston Wynn annexed), worth about £250 yearly, with residence, in the patronage of the Bishop of Hereford; the Rev., William Gretton, B.A., is the incumbent. There is a chapel for Baptists, and an endowed Dame's school for boys and girls. The population in 1851 was 713, and acreage is 2,399. The soil is clayey and loamy; subsoil is block stone. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are lords of the manor, and the Rev. Henry Glossop, Miss Terry, W. H. Apperley, Esq., John Jancey, Esq., and William Racster, Esq., are the landowners. The chief crops are wheat, beans, hops, and apples. Withington Court, prettily situated near the church, is an ancient mansion of stone, in the Gothic style of architecture, - now used as a farmhouse. Summer House Hill, at a short distance, commands a splendid view of the county around.

Dyser Charles, esq., Newton Lodge
TRADERS
Bartrum John, farmer	Lock George, farmer, Great House
Bills George, farmer, Tremahaid	Palmer John, Red Lion
Davis James, stonemason, Newton Common	Palmer John, mason
Davis John, farmer	Powell Edward, Elephant and Castle
Evans William, farmer, Mill farm	Silvey James, boot & shoe maker & parish Clerk
Frances Thomas, farmer	Wells John, blacksmith
George Timothy, boot & shoe maker	Wheeler Jane (Mrs.), farmer, Catlow
Kettle Jonas, farmer, Pembridge Castle	Wilcox Daniel, farmer, Summer House
Lane Henry, farmer, Gwenherion Farm	Williams James, carpenter & shopkeeper

   Letters arrive from Hereford by foot post at 9 a.m.; despatched at 2 p.m.. The nearest money order office is at Hereford

   Baptist Chapel, Rev. Joseph Moore, Minister

   Endowed School, Miss Elizabeth Barber, mistress

[Transcribed by Richard Lane in December 2002
from a copy of Kelly's Directory of Herefordshire, 1856 in Hereford Central Library]