Bream is a village, tithing, and chapelry in the parish of Newland, 4 miles from Lydney station on the South Wales Railway, 4 1/2 miles from Lydney station on the South Wales Railway, 4 1/2 miles from Coleford, 8 from Monmouth, and 15 from Ross, in the Western division of the country, hundred of St. Briavels, and union and county court district of Monmouth, rural deanery of Forest north, archdeanconry of Gloucester, and diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. The church of St. James was partially rebuilt in 1861, and consists of nave, north aisle, and chancel, with organ and 1 bell. The register dates from the year 1680. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £200, with residence, in the gift of the bishop of the diocese, and held by the Rev. John Frederick Gosling, M.A., of Balliol College, Oxford. Here are National schools for boys and girls, built in 1862, for 180 children. There are chapels for Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists. South of the village are some very interesting ancient Roman mines, called Scowles, one part being known as the Devil's Chapel. The Crown is lord of the manor. The soil is light gravelly; subsoil, sandstone, limestone and iron ore. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. The population of the tithing in 1861 was 824.
POST OFFICE - Richard Tilsley Heighway, postmaster. Letters are received through Lydney, arrive at 7.10am & 1 p.m.; dispatched at 3.30pm & 6.16pm. Parkend is the nearest money order office.
National Schools (boys & girls), Albert Carey, master; Mrs. Marrian Carey, mistress
Gentry & Clergy
ADDISON Mrs. Woodlands
GEM George, esp. The Warren
GOSLING Rev. John Frederick, M.A. [vicar], Vicarage
HILL Mr. Thomas, Rylands terrace
WILLIAMS Rev. Henry [curate]
COMMERCIAL
AMES James, blacksmith
AMES Thomas, grocer
BATTEN Thomas, beer retailer
BILLY Thomas, beer retailer
BOWES William, mine agent, Old Park iron mines
Ebbw Vale Coal Company, Oakwood valley
Flour Mill Colliery (Arthur James Price, proprietor; George Atkinson, manager), Oakwood valley
HEIGHWAY Richard Tilsey, grocer, linen draper & postmaster
HEWLETT George, grocer & linen draper
HEWLETT Jane, New Inn
HEWLETT Richard, farmer
HEWLETT Thomas, farmer
HOPKINS Charles, beer retailer
JACKSON John, farmer, Bream court
JAMES William, miller
JAMES William, mine agent, Bream Woodside
JENKINS Samuel, coal master. Princess Royal colliery
JONES Charles, wheelwright
KEAR Thomas, butcher
LUCAS Emanuel, farmer
MORSE James, farmer & grocer
PHILLIPS Richard, farmer
POTTER James, farmer, The Blister house
PRIEST William, butcher
SHINGLES John, King's Head, & iron ore merchant
SMITH George, stone mer. Woodlands
SMITH William, grocer & butcher
WATKINS Alfred, grocer & mason
WILLIAMS Joseph, stone merchant, Knockley quarries
WILDIN Richard, Rising Sun
WINTOUR George, Cross Keys