MITCHELDEAN 1876
MITCHELDEAN, MICHELDEAN (or DEAN MAGNA) is a parish in Westbury-on-Severn union, containing, by the census of 1861, 689, and in 1871, 742 inhabitants, and 623 acres; in the southern division of the deanery of the Forest, archdeanconry of Gloucester, diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, hundred of St. Briavels, West Gloucestershire; 1 and a half mile south from Mitcheldean Road and the same distance west from Longhope Stations on the Hereford, Ross, and Gloucester Railway, 6 north from Newnham, 6 north-west from Westbury-on-Severn, and 12 west from Gloucester, on the road from thence through Dean Forest to Monmouth. This place is mentioned by Sir Robert Atkyn, in his History of Gloucestershire, as far back as Edward the Confessor, and at the time of the Norman Conquest, "was held by William the son of Norman, amd was taxed at two hides and two yard lands; there were twelve plow tillages and an half, whereof three were in demean. It paid a yearly rent of 33s. in King Edward's reign. He exempted these lands from payment of taxes for the better preservation of the Forest of Dean." The manor in remote ages belonged to the De Laceys; in the reign of Richard I. It was held by Geoffrey de Dene; it afterwards passed by marriage to the Earl of Coventry, who was executed for treason in the reign of Edward IV.; on his death it reverted to Alice, wife of Thomas Baynham, who built the north aisle of the church, and founded a chantry dedicated to the Trinity. The manor continued in the possession of the Baynhams until 1600, when it passed to Sir Richard Woodruff, then to a family named Roberts, and from then to Richard Colchester, a nephew. The descendant and next successor was Duncomb Colchester, who was knighted, and married the daughter of the noted lawyer, Sergeant Maynard. This son and successor built the Wilderness House, in 1710, for himself, and the Market Place at Mitcheldean for his tenants. Sir Robert Woodruff was lord of the manor in 1708. Maynard Colchester, Esq., and Mr. Nathaniel Rudge are now the joint lords of the manor. The room over the Market Place was opened as a Town Hall in April, 1861, having been restored, at a considerable expense, by some of the inhabitants. In early times it was believed that coarse cloth was manufactured here; afterwards, tanning formed the staple trade of the town, which was superseded by a manufactory of pins. A market was granted by a charter of Henry VII., which was held on the Easter Monday and the 12th October annually, but have now become obsolete. The rectory, in the incumbency of the Rev. Charles Edward Dighton, B. A., is valued at £176 per annum, with residence and five acres of glebe land, and is in the patronage of Mrs. H. Davies, of the Wilderness. The church is an ancient edifice, dedicated to St. Michael, consisting of nave, chancel, one south and two north aisles, and porch, with tower surmounted by a spire and containing a peal of eight bells, with clofk and a set of chimes, which play every three hours. The restoration of the church was commenced about 1858, and is still being carried on, and since 1860 five handsome stained glass windows have been added. The Independents and Bible Christians have places of worship here, and there is a Free School, which was endowed in 1790 by Mr. and Mrs. Lane; the present school was built by the late rector, on the rectory grounds, and enlarged two years ago to meet the Government requirements. The poor have charitable bequests producing £125 per annum. The rateable value of this parish is £2,418.Clergy, Gentry, and Private Residents
ABELL John, Esq., Dean house
BEADLES John Nathanial Esq., Bachelor's house
BORLASE Christopher Gulllett, Esq., Hocker hill
BORLASE James John Grenfell, Esq., Hocker hill
BOSSOM Mrs. Silvia, High street
CRACKLOW Mrs. George, Forest cottage
DIGHTON Rev. Charles Edward, B. A., J. P., rector, The Rectory
DIGHTON John, Esq., The Rectory
FRYER Mr. Joseph, Rose cottage
JONES Herbert F., Esq., New street
PEARCE Mrs. Eliza, Platt's row
TYLER Mrs. Ann, Holly cottage
WHATLEY George Lawson, Esq.
WHATLEY Thomas, Esq.
WILLIS Mrs. Georgiana, The Ferns
WINTLE Mrs. Sophia, High street
Trades and Professions
ABELL John, surgeon, Dean house
BARRY Edward, clock and watchmaker, and assistant overseer for the parish of Abinghall, High street
BIGGS Arthur, National schoolmaster, Mill End street
BORLASE AND SON, Solicitors, Hocker Hill
BORLASE Christopher Gullett (firm of Borlase and Son), solicitor, Hocker hill
BORLASE James John Grenfell (firm of Borlase and Son), solicitor, commissioner in Chancery and Common Law, perpetual commissioner for taking acknowledgements of deeds by married women, and agent for Sun Fire and Life Insurance Company, Hocker hill
BOSSOM Miss Lucy Julia, music seller and day school, High street
BOUGHTON John, haulier and seedsman, High street
BRIDGETT Mrs. Elizth., earthenware dealer, High street
BURGUM James, builder and grocer, Hocker hill
CHATE Egbert George, assistant surgeon, Old Court house
COLEMAN George Isaiah, farrier, Townsend
CONSTANCE Samuel, boot and shoemaker, Plump road; h. New street; and at Coleford
COOK Thomas, blacksmith, High street
COOPEY Miss Eliza, day school
DAVIS William, sugar boiler, Mill End st
DAWSON Joseph, grocer, draper, and general dealer, High st
DIGHTON John, solicitor and commissioner in Common Law
DOBBS William, farmer, Court farm
EDWARDS Charles, shopkeeper, High street
ESSEN John, grocer, Rock house, High st
EVANS Mrs. Mary Ann, baker and confectioner, High street
FITZ-MAURICE Wm., secretary and manager for the Lydney and Wigpool Iron Ore Company (Limited), Tusculum house
FUGGLE William M., "Red Lion" inn, High st
GREEN Miss Jane, laundress, New street
GRIFFITHS John, nailmaker, Plump road
HATTON AND LITTLE, drapers, tea dealers, family grocers, corn, flour, and meal factors, High street
HATTON Phineas (firm of Hatton & Little); h. High street
HODGES Alfred, carrier and greengrocer, High street
HUMPHREYS Henry, painter, plumber, and glazier, High street
HYETT Richard, shopkeeper, High street
JONES Herbert F., surgeon, New street
KATHRO James, chemist, stationer, sub-distributor of stamps, and agent for the Gloucestershire Banking Company, High street
LEGG George, grocer, The Cross
LITTLE Edmund, tailor, High street
LITTLE Henry, grocer and coal dealer, High street
LITTLE Henry jnr. (firm of Hatton & Little); h. High street
LLOYD William, carpenter and joiner, Dunstan house
MALLETT William, police sergeant, High st
MANNING George, poulterer, Mill End st
MANNING John, poulterer and butter dealer, High street
MANSELL Joseph, butcher, High street
MEEK James J. B., coal, stone, brick, and manure merchant, High street
MOORE Timothy, "Jovial Colliers" inn, Mill End st
NELMES Henry, farmer, Knockalls farm
PARKES Samuel, hairdresser and razor grinder, High street
PARRY Mrs. Maria, "White Horse" family and commercial hotel, High street
PASK Isaac, boot and shoemaker, High st
PEARCE John, painter, plumber, and glazier, High street
PHILPOT Charles, commercial traveller, Hocker hill
POWELL David, mason and eartheneare dealer, Mill End street
POWELL Thomas, mason and parish clerk, Mill End street
PREECE Mrs. Maria, milliner and draper, High st
PREECE Oliver, grocer, High st
PRICE Joseph, carrier, High street
ROBINSON John, solicitor, and commissioner in Chancery and Common Law, Newnham road
ROSS John, shoemaker, Platt's row
RUDGE Thomas, draper, grocer, corn and provision factor, agent for W. and A. Gilbey's wines and spirits, and licensed to let post horses, High street
SHIPSTON George, Inland Revenue Officer, Townsend
SILLEY John, butcher, High street
SMITH Absalom, baker and sub-postmaster, High street
SMITH James, saddler and harness maker, High street
SPARROW Alfred, baker and corn dealer, High street
SPEAK John, manager of Gas Works
TEAGUE Benjamin, "George" family and commercial hotel and posting house, High street
TROTTER John Birt, grocer, draper, and horse-letter, High street
TYLER Mrs. Jemima, tailoress, Mill End st
ULLETT Alfred, bookkeeper, High st
VIRGO Joseph, boot & shoemaker & leather seller, High st
VIRGO William "Greyhound" inn, High st
WHATLEY AND SON, solicitors
WHATLEY George Lawson (firm of Whatley and Son), solicitor, commissioner in Chancery and Common Law, and perpetual commissioner for taking acknowledgments of deeds by married women
WHATLEY Thomas (firm of Whatley and Son), solicitor
WILLIAMS Thomas, marine store dealer, High street
WINTLE James, shoemaker, Platt's row
WINTLE John, boot and pattern maker, The Cross
WINTLE Thomas, brewer, malster, and miller, Forest Steam Mills and Brewery; h. Forest House
WORKMAN Miss Eliza, shopkeeper, High st
Post Office and Postal Telegraph Office, High street - Absalom Smith, postmaster. Letters through Ross delivered at 7.30 a.m.; dispatched at 8.15 p.m.; box closes five minutes previously. On Sundays delivery commences at 9.40am; dispatched at 11.30 a.m. Money orders granted and paid, savings bank, annuity and insurance business transacted, and dog and gun licenses issued from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturdays until 8 p.m.
Postal Telegraph Office - Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; on Sudnays from 8 to 10 a.m.
Gas Works - James J. B. Meek, secretary; John Speaks, manager
Inland Revenue Office, "Red Lion: inn, High street - George Shipston, officer
Police Station - High street - Wm. Mallett, sergeant
Stamp Office, High street - James Kathro, sub-distributor
Assistant Overseer and Collector of Poor Rates - Thomas Powell
Town Crier - Joseph Mallett
National School - Arthur Biggs, master; Mrs. Maria Biggs, mistress
Great Western Railway Station - (Ross and Hereford Branch), The Lea - William Chinn, stationmaster
Carriers
Coleford - Alfred Hodges, Thurs.
Gloucester - Alfred Hodges and Joseph Price, Wed. and Sat.
Ruardean - Alfred Hodges, Fri.