Berkeley & Newport 1837
A market town, 15 miles S.W. from Gloucester, 20 miles N. from Bristol, and 114 miles from London, is pleasantly situated on the Little Avon, in the midst of a fertile vale of Berkeley, and about one mile E. from the river Severn. The entire parish, which includes several populous townships, contained, in 1831, 3899 inhabitants, and the annual value of assessed property, in 1813, was 1600l. Berkeley is an ancient corporate town, under a mayor and twelve aldermen, and a court for the recovery of small debts is held every three weeks. The name is possibly derived from Berk, a beech, and Lea, a pasture; the adjacent country, consisting chiefly of rich meadow lands, is noted for its excellent cheese, in which, together with timber, coal, and malt, a considerable trade is carried on. The market is on Wednesday, and there is an animal fair on May 14th, for cattle and pigs. The Gloster and Berkeley canal, one of the finest in the kingdom, admits vessels of 500 tons burden, and enters the Severn near this place at Berkeley Pill, whence it passes Slimbridge, Frampton, Wheatenhurst, or Whitminster, Hardwick and Quedgley, and terminates on the south side of the city of Gloucester being 18 and 1/4 miles in length. The church dedicated to St. Mary is a large and handsome building; the living is a vicarage in the patronage of Lord Segrave.Southward of the town is Berkeley castle, the ancient baronial residence of the Lords Berkeley; it stands on rising ground, commanding a delightful view of the surrounding country and the river Severn, and is supposed from its structure to be of Norman origin. It was granted by King Henry II to Robert Fitzhardings, with power to enlarge and strengthen it, about 1150. The ground plan of the edifice is very compact, consisting of an irregular court, having on the south and east sides an extensive range of buildings. The Donjon Keep is built on a mount, and rises above the rest of the castle; it is flanked by three semicircular towers, and a square one of later date, all embattled. Berkeley Castle is rendered memorable in history by the murder of King Edward II, in 1327.
Name, Residence, & ProfessionALLEN John, Butcher
ALPAS Thos. & Stephen, Butchers
BATEMAN Alice, Boarding School
CLARK Jas., Shopkeeper
CLARK Mrs., Butcher
COOK Henry, George
DARKE Jas., Surgeon
DAW Geo., Sculptor
DAY Susan, Coal, Salt, Brick & Tile Wharf
DOWELL Chas., Beer Retailer
DOWELL Thos., Coal & Stone Merchant
ELEY Jas., Saddler & Harness Maker
FEAR Abraham, Cooper
GABB William, Grocer
GAISFORD William, Solicitor
GHOSTLEY Edwin, Bricklayer
GHOSTLEY Jas., Builder
GOLDING Sarah & Catherine, Drapers & Grocers
HALLETT J. B., Cabinet Maker
HANDS Francis, Surgeon
HICKES John C., Surgeon
JENNER Henry, Surgeon
KING Thomas, Blacksmith
LAIT Elizabeth, White Hart &Excise Office
LATCH John, Blacksmith
LUCE Henry, Butcher
LUCE William, Butcher
MARLING Geo., Shopkeeper
MICHAEL Jas., Berkeley Arms Com. Inn
PARSLOW John, Coal Merchants & Malster
PEARCE Alfred, Auctioneer & Appraiser, & Wine & Spirit Merchant
PEARCE Rob., Brewer & Malster
PHILLIPS Jas., Plumber
POPE William, Grocer and Baker
POWELL Mary, Shopkeeper
POWELL Sarah, Berkeley heath, The Bell
REEVES Benj., Watch Maker
RUELL John, Cooper
SEABARN Geo., Shopkeeper
SHEPPARD John, Cooper
SMITH Hannah, Boot & Shoemaker
SMITH William, Butcher & Shopkeeper
SUTTON Danl., Grocer & Draper
THORN John, Ironmonger
TROTMAN Timothy, Draper & Stamp Office
WATTS Thos., Boot & Shoemaker
WEBSTER Swan, White Lion
WHITE Joseph, Mariners Arms
WILLIAMS Henry, Confectioner
WILSON Robert, Stonemason
WILSON Robert, Beer Retailer
WOOLWRIGHT Thos., Wheelwright
Post Office:-
DAW James, Post Master. Letters from all parts arrive at 11 a.m., and are despatched every afternoon at 3.
Fire & Life Assurance Agents:-
Clerical, Medical, and General Life Assurance - GAISFORD William
Protector Office - TROTMAN Timothy
Free School:-
SHEPPARD George, Master
Carrier to:-
Bristol, J. THORN from his own house, Tues and Friday; return same days.
NEWPORT
ANDREWS Thomas, Spread Eagle
BURLEY John, Blacksmith
BURLEY Thomas, Blacksmith
EDMONDS Charles, Saddler & Harness Maker
GILES Robert, Red Lion Inn & Posting House
LAIT Wm., Crown Inn & Posting House
ORCHARD Richard, White Hart
WORKMAN Joseph, Bell & Castle Inn