Lydbrook 1876
LYDBROOK (UPPER AND LOWER) is a village and Eccleslastical district or parish, which was formed, in 1852, out of the township of East Dean, in Westbury-on-Severn union, the township of West Dean, and the parishes of Newland and English Bicknor, in Monmouth union, and the parish of Ruardean in Ross union, containing by the census of 1861, 1776, and in 1871, 2358 inhabitants; in the southern division of the deanery of the Forest, archdeaconry of Gloucester, diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, hundred of St. Briavels, West Gloucestershire; 4 miles north from Coleford, 8 north-east from Monmouth, and 8 north-west from Newnham, romantically situated in a long valley with high and steep hills on each side, from the summits of which some fine views of woodland scenery may be obtained. The River Wye bounds the west side of the parish, flowing at the bottom of Lower Lydbrook. The vicarage, is the incumbency of the Rev. Henry Thomas Hoitt, M.A., is valued at £130 per annum, and is in the alternate patronage of the Crown and Queen's College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to Holy Jesus, is in the Early English style, and consists of nave, chancel, north and south aisles, with tower and one bell, and is seated with open benches. The Baptists have a place of worship, which was erected in 1864, and enlarged in 1875, and will accommodate about 500; the Wesleyan Chapel was erected in 1864, and the Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1828, and rebuilt in 1852. There are National Schools for children of both sexes. There are some Tin and Iron Works and Collieries, which form the chief source of employment for the population. The village is likely to be much improved by the Severn and Wye Railway, which has recently been opened from Lydney to a Junction of the Ross and Monmouth Line, about a mile from thence. There are two Stations, one at Upper and the other at Lower Lydbrook, each of which is built on the hill on the north side of the valley, along which the line runs. Immediately after leaving the Lower Lydbrook Station, it crosses the valley by means of a fine viaduct 110 feet above the road beneath, which is a noble specimen of engineering skill, and combined with the beautiful scenery of the neighbourhood is well worthy of a visit.
UPPER LYDBROOK
Clergy and Gentry
FLETCHER Henry Studd, Esq.
HARRIS Mr. Henry
HOITT Rev. Henry Thomas, M.A., vicar, The vicarage
LEWIS Oliver, Esq., Waterloo house
RUSSELL William, Esq.
THOMAS Richard, Esq., The Poplars
Trades and Professions
ADDIS Frederick, mason
BARBER Joseph, grocer
BURDOCK Thos., miller and grocer, Waterloo mill
COOPER Alfred, miller, Newland Bridge mill
COOPER Arnold, clerk
COOPER William, haulier
DAVIS George, stone merchant and beer retailer
FLETCHER Henry Studd, surgeon
FRENCH Samuel, police constable
GURNEY Mrs. Mary Ann, grocer
GWILLIAM John, beer retailer and carpenter
HAINES Richard, mining engineer, colliery proprietor, and coal merchant
HALE William, haulier and shopkeeper
HARPER James, painter and glazier
HARRIS Rowland, farmer, Joy's green
HARRIS William, agent for W. and A. Gilbey's wines and spirits
HOWE John, tailor
JENKINS Samuel, carpenter and joiner
JONES James, "Crown and Sceptre" inn
JONES William, beer retailer
LERIGO James, beer retailer
LEWIS Mrs. Eliza, grocer and draper
LUSTY Giles, shoemaker
LYDBROOK DEEP LEVEL COLLIERY COMPANY, colliery proprietors
MARSHALL Abraham, mason and shopkeeper, Aston bridge
MORRIS James, boot and shoe manufacturer
PHELPS James, shopkeeper and beer retailer
ROBERTS William, shoemaker
ROBINSON George, greengrocer and shopkeeper
RUSSELL BROTHERS, iron rod and wire manufacturers, Lydbrook Iron Works
THOMAS Samuel, chemical manufacturer
WARD John, "Bell" inn
WING John, stationmaster
LOWER LYDBROOK
Clergy and Gentry
REEVES Rev. Thomas (Baptist)
RUSSELL George, Esq., Lydbrook house
Trades and Professions
BAKER Stephen, "Recruiting Sergeant" inn
BENNETT John, haulier, Waters cross
BENNETT John, Jun., "Queen's Head" inn, Waters cross
COWMEADOW William, stone merchant
CRISP Thomas, shopkeeper and sub-postmaster
DAMSELL George, linen and woollen draper
FLAY John, manager for Lydbrook Store Company
HALE Mrs. Mary, beer and wine retailer
HARDING Henry, blacksmith
JONES Edwin, "Anchor" inn
JONES Thomas, "Sawyer's Arms" inn
LITTLE Edwin, miller, baker, and farmer, Steam flour mill
LITTLE William, "New" inn
LYDBROOK STORE COMPANY, grocers and drapers - John Flay, manager
MAGNESS Richard, beer retailer and shopkeeper
MANNING John, stationmaster
PARRY Thomas, butcher and refreshment rooms keeper
TAMPLIN Edward, mill manager
THOMAS Richard and Company, colliery proprietors and iron and tin-plate manufacturers, Lydbrook Iron and Tin Plate Works; and at Lydney
TRIGG George, farmer, Tibbs green
WARD John, farmer, Vention farm
WHETSTONE Stephen, beer retailer, Vention lane
WILCE James, farmer, Waters Cross farm
WYSHAM Esaias, shopkeeper, Waters cross
Post Office and Postal Telegraph Office, Lower Lydbrook - Thomas Crisp, postmaster. Letters through Ross delivered at 7.45 a.m.; dispatched at 7.20 p.m. On Sundays delivered at 8.30 a.m., dispatched at 10.55 p.m. Money orders issued and paid, savings bank, insurance, and annuity business transacted, and Inland Revenue licenses granted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays until 8 p.m.
Telegraph Office - Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on sundays from 8 to 10 a.m.
Wall Letter Box, Upper Lydbrook - Cleared at 7 p.m. on week days, and 10.40 a.m. on Sundays.
Police Station, Upper Lydbrook - Samuel French, constable in charge.
Church of the Holy Jeses, Upper Lydbrook - Rev. Henry Thomas Hoitt, M.A., vicar
Baptist Chapel, Lower Lydbrook - Rev. Thomas Reeves, minister
Primitive Methodist Chaper, Upper Lydbrook
Wesleyan Chapel, Lower Lydbrook
National School, Upper Lydbrook - Charles Bishop, master; Miss Olivia Churcher, mistress
Ross and Monmouth Railway Station (Junction with the Severn and Wye Railway), Stowfield - Richard D. Pressick, stationmaster
Severn and Wye Railway Station, Upper Lydbrook - John Wing, stationmaster
Severn and Wye Railway Station, Lower Lydbrook - John Manning, stationmaster