Lydney 1876
LYDNEY is a parish, including the tything of AYLBURTON, in Chepstow union, containing, by the census of 1861, in Lydney, 2285, and in Aylburton 604, making a total of 2889 inhabitants, and in 1871, in Lydney, 2692 inhabitants, and 4861 acres, and in Aylburton, 661 inhabitants, and 1568 acres, making a total of 3353 inhabitants, and 6429 acres of land; in the southern division of the deanery of the Forest, archdeaconry of Gloucester, diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, hundred of Bledisloe, West Gloucestershire, on the west bank of the River Severn; half a mile west from its Station on the South Wales Section of the Great Western Railway, at its Junction with the Severn and Wye Railway, 9 north-east from Chepstow, and 20 south-west from Gloucester, on the road between these places, 123 by road and 134 by rail from London. This is supposed to have been the Roman Station Abona, and there are numerous evidences of Roman occupation. The rivers Severn and Wye are connected by a Railway from this place, passing through the Forest of Dean to Lydbrook, which was first opened as a Tramway, but was converted into a Railway a few years since, and has lately been opened for passenger traffic under the name of the Severn and Wye Railway. There is an extensive traffic in coal, iron, stone, &c, more than half-a-million tons being annually carried upon it, of which some 300,000 tons are shipped at this harbor for exportation, and about 100,000 tons pass to the Great Western Railway Junction. An extension of this Railway, by means of a branch from Parkend to Coleford, has just been opened for passengers, thus bringing the chief towns of the Forest of Dean into easy communication with Gloucester and South Wales.The Severn Bridge Railway, five miles in length, commences here by a junction with the Great Western and the Severn and Wye Railways, and crosses the River Severn near Purton Passage, terminating at the Berkeley New Docks by a junction with the Midland Railway, and forms the long desired communication between South Wales and the Coal and Iron Mines of the Forest of Dean, and the South of England; it will shorten the distance from South Wales to London 14 miles, and from South Wales to Bristol 30 miles. The necessity for crossing the River Severn by a bridge having been long felt by all parties interested in the neighbourhood, no less than five schemes were introduced in the Session of 1872 for bridges, three of which were at the point now selected, and one scheme was for a tunnel under the river near Portskewett. After a hard struggle in Parliament the present plan was ultimately adopted, but in consequence of conflicting interests which had to be arranged, considerable delay was caused in the commencement of the works; but the contracts were let in March 1875, and on the 4th June the directors and their friends met at the site of the bridge, and the chairman, Mr Lucy, laid the foundation stone of the first pier. When complete, the bridge will consist of "bowstring girders resting upon piers composed of cast-iron cyclinders, sunk down into the rock and filled with concrete or brickwork, commencing from the north shore, the span will be as follows:- One, 134 ft. 6 in., centre to centre; two, 327 ft. centre to centre; five, 171 ft,; thirteen, 134 ft. The two spans of 327 ft. are across the navigable channel, and leave a headway of 70 feet above high water ordinary spring tides. The headway of the remaining spans gradually decreases from 70 to 50 ft. The piers, of 627 ft. spans, will consist of four cyclinders, each 10 ft. in diameter, and will be founded about 44 ft. below low water. The piers of the 171 ft. span, will consist of two cyclinders, each 9 ft. in diameter, and will be founded at an average depth of 36 ft. below low water. The piers of the remaining spans also consist of two cyclinders, each of a diameter of 6 ft., and will be founded at an average depth of 15 ft. below low water. The bed of the river is sand, and overlies the rock at an average depth of 15 ft. On the north side of the river the bridge will be approached by a masonry viaduct, consisting of twelve arches about 70 ft. in height, and on the south side of the river will terminate by an Iron Swing Bridge over the Gloucester and Berkeley Ship Canal. The Swing Bridge will consist of bowstring girders 196 ft. in length, swinging on their centre and covering the openings. The total length of the bridge, including the masonry viaduct and swing span, will be 4162 ft. The total weight of iron in the Severn Bridge is about 6800 tons. The contractors for the bridge are Messrs. Hamilton's Windsor Iron Company, Liverpool. The price is £190,000. The contractors for the Railway and masonry portion of the bridge are Messrs. Vickers and Cook, London, and the price is £90,000. The Engineers who promoted the scheme, designed the structure, and are now carrying out the work, are Mr. George William Keeling, M.I.C.E., Lydney, and Mr. George Wells Owen, C.E., Westminster. The Consulting Engineer is Mr. Thomas E. Harrison, M.I.C.E." The Harbor, which will accommodate vessels of 450 tons burden, is styled Lydney Creek, Port of Gloucester; the width of the entrance is 35 ft., and the Canal which has been cut from thence to the Railway Station is three quarter mile in length, with a depth of water 11 ft. There is a Mechanic's Institute, with small Library and Reading Room well supplied with the literature of the day. A Police Station and Petty Sessional Court are now in the course of erection, at which, when finished, the magistrates will hold their Petty Sessions monthly, instead of the "Feathers," as heretofore. The vicarage, with the Chapelry of Aylburton annexed, is in the incumbency of the Rev. John J. Trollope, M.A., Prebendary of Hereford, and the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford; annual value £600, with residence. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, consists of nave, chancel, and north and south aisles, with tower, surmounted by a handsome spire, and containing a peal of six bells; it was restored in 1872, and some beautiful stained glass windows, by Wailes of Newcastle, were added. The Baptists have a place of worship here, which was erected in 1837. The Primitive Methodists have a Chapel, which was erected in 1869, and the Wesleyans have also a place of worship here. There are National Schools for children of both sexes, with residence for the master, which were erected in 1867, at a cost of £2000; and other schools have also been erected at Primrose Hill, in which divine service in connection with the Parish Church is celebrated every Sunday. Fairs are held annually on the 4th May and the 8th November, and a general wool and stock fair on the 25th June. The rateable value of this parish if £16,081.
LYDNEY PARK, the seat of the Rev. William Hiley Bathurst, M.A., is a newly erected mansion in the Tudor style, on the side of a hill at the rear of the old house, and commanding some extensive views of the Severn and the surrounding country. There are the remains of a Roman Military Station in the Park, and old coins, ancient implements, and the fragments of tesselated pavements have been found at various times, which are in possession of the owner, and form a very interesting collection.
AYLBURTON is a tything of this parish; 1 mile south-west from thence on the Chepstow road. The church, which is a chapel-of-ease to Lydney, consists of nave, chancel, south aisle, and porch, with tower containing one bell; it formerly stood on a hill, a short distance from its present site, and was removed to the village in 1856, and rebuilt without deviation from its original plan at the expense of the late Charles Bathurst, Esq. A new organ has lately been added, at a cost of £140, raised by subscription. There is a Church of England School for children of both sexes, with house for the mistress attached. The rateable value of this tything is £3141.
Clergy Gentry and Private Residents
BATHURST Charles, Esq., Lydney Park
BATHURST Rev. William Hiley, M.A., Lydney Park
BLACKWELL Mr. Charles, Newerne
BOUND Rev. Ambrose (Primitive Methodist), Queen street
COLLINS Mr. Thomas, Spring cottage
CROOME Daniel, Jun., Esq., High street
GILLMAN Edward, Esq., High street
GIMBLETT John, Esq., M.D., Oakfield villa
GOLLOP James, Esq., The Moorlands
GOULTON William James, Esq., Highbury house
KEELING George Baker, Esq., Severn house
KEELING George William, Esq., Tuthill house
KNAPP Mrs. Mary, High street
LUCKES Henry Richards, Esq., Highfield
NASH Francis, Esq., Highfield
PORTMAN Major Henry William Berkeley, Red hill
PROUDFOOT Thomas, Esq., M.D., High st
ROUGHTON Rev. George W. (Baptist), Stanford villa
SULLY Thomas, Esq., Raglan house
THOMAS Sidney J., Esq., Soilwell house
TROLLOPE Rev. John J., M.A., vicar of Lydney, Prebendary of Hereford, and surrogate, The Vicarage
WALLACE Rev. William Charles, curate, Lynton house
WOOD Mr. William, High street
Trades and Professions
ARMAN Mrs. Sarah, beer retailer, Newerne
BAILEY William, wheelwright, machinist, and blacksmith, Newerne
BALDWIN Miss Augusta, day school, The Cross
BARNARD A. AND S., "Feathers" family and commercial hotel and posting house, High street
BEARD Thomas, greengrocer, Newerne
BETTINGTON The Misses Harriet and Jane, milliners and dressmakers, Newerne
BETTINGTON William, builder and furniture dealer, Old Manor house, High street
BIRKS Mrs. Elizabeth, "True Heart" inn, Newerne
BRISTOL AND FOREST OF DEAN CARRYING COMPANY (Limited), carriers by water, The Docks
BROWN Charles John, beer retailer, Newerne
CARTER David H.F., principal coast officer, The Docks
CASTLE James, greengrocer and earthenware dealer, Newerne
CHALK Mrs. Mary, ladies boarding and day school, Althorpe house
CHAMBERS William, Inland Revenue officer, High street
CITY AND COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER EQUITABLE BUILDING SOCIETY - Charles Garland, agent.
CLARIDGE George, watchmaker and jeweller, High street
CLARK Benjamin, grocer and provision dealer, Newerne
CLEMENTS Thomas, National Schoolmaster, Church street
COLLINS John, ironmonger, Newerne
COTTON Richard, draper, grocer, and provision merchant, High street
COURTEEN George, malster and hop merchant, Newerne
CROOME Daniel, Jun., solicitor, commissioner in Chancery and Common Law, and perpetual commissioner for taking acknowledgments of deeds by married women, High street
DAVIES John, civil engineer, The Docks
DAVIES Joseph, boat builder and shopkeeper, Lydney lock
DEE Mrs. Harriet, day school, Queen street
DENBY Johnson, farmer, Dairy farm
DICKS Jas., draper and outfitter, Newerne
DOWLE Geo., baker and grocer, Primrose hill
DOWLE William, toy dealer and eatinghouse, Newerne
DUNNING BROTHERS, coal merchants, The Docks
DYKINS William, coal agent, Newerne
EDWARDS William, farmer, Gurse Hill farm
ELLAWAY John, "Royal Albert" inn, Newerne
ENSOR Benjamin, shoemaker
EVANS Edward, shoemaker, Newerne
GAMBLE Joh, bookkeeper, High street
GARLAND Charles, auctioneer, appraiser, estate agent, accountant, and overseer for the parish of Lydney, High street
GARTON Russell and Co., ale and porter stores, Newerne - Grantley Preest, agent
GILLMAN Edward, manager of Gloucestershire Banking Company, High street
GIMBLETT John, M.D., and surgeon, Oakfield villa
GLOUCESTERSHIRE BANKING COMPANY (Branch of) High street - Edward Gillman, manager
GODFREY Isaac, "Ship" inn, Purton Passage house
GOLLOP, RIDLER, AND CO., coal factors, The Docks
GOODLAND Charles and Sons, coal merchants, The Docks; and at Taunton
GOSLING Charles, clerk, Stamford house
GOULTON William James, colliery proprietor, Highbury house
GRIMES John, master mariner, Albert st
GWILLIAM Thomas Cole, printer and publisher of the Lydney Observer, Newerne
HADDOCK Mrs. Sidona, shopkeeper, Newerne
HAILE Elisha, farmer, Purton Manor farm
HALFORD William, beer retailer, Queen st
HARRIS George J., printer, bookseller, stationer, newsagent, and stamp distributor, The Cross
HARRIS Henry, shopkeeper, Church street
HARRISON Albert William, estate agent and farmer, The Holms
HARWARD George, manager of Gas Works
HATHAWAY Charles, clerk, Tuthill lodge
HATHAWAY Frederick Henry, chemist, druggist, stationer, and agent for W. and A. Gilbey's wines and spirits, High street
HENDERSON Matthew, mineral surveyor
HEWLETT Thomas, farmer, Nurse Hill farm
HILL William Y., draper, grocer and tallow chandler, High street; h. The Moorlands
HOLDER Samuel, malster and hop merchant, High street
HOLFORD George, parish clerk, Church fields
HOWELL James, builder and shopkeeper, Albert street
HOWELL Thomas, butcher, Newerne
HOWELLS James (Exors. of), house decorators, plumbers and glaziers, High street
HUGHES William, marine store and earthenware dealer, High street
HYETT George, master mariner, Albert st
IMM Henry, postmaster, Post Office, High street
JACKSON George Frederick, coal merchant, The Docks
JAMES James, general contractor, Lydney Steam Saw Mills
JAMES Mrs. Mary, ironmonger, Newerne
JEWISSON William, beer retailer, Newerne
JONES Mrs. Ann, grocer, Church field
JONES Mrs. Ellen Selina, grocer and sub-postmistress, The Docks
JONES AND SON, corn, coal, slate, oil, and general merchants, The Docks
JONES Edwin (firm of Jones and Son); h. Rodley house
JONES William (firm of Jones and Son); h. Rodley house
KEELING George Baker, general manager to the Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company, Severn house
KEELING George William, M.I.C.E., civil engineer, and engineer to the Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company, Tuthill house
KING Edwin, farmer, Hill farm
KNOWLES Thomas, beer retailer, High street
LARKHAM Henry, stationmaster, Great Western Railway Station, The Docks
LEE William, farmer, Warrens farm
LONG George, farmer, Allastone farm
LUCKES, NASH, AND CO., colliery and iron ore proprietors, The Docks
LUCKES Henry Richard (firm of Luckes, Nash, and Co.); h. Highfield
LYDNEY CARRYING COMPANY, carriers by water, The Docks - William Jones, manager
LYDNEY AND WIGPOOL IRON ORE COMPANY (Limited), iron ore mine proprietors, Lydney Park Iron Mines; Office - The Docks; and at Wigpool, East Dean
MALLARD William, "Swan"commercial hotel and posting house, Newerne
MERRICK Samuel Hewlett, saddler, High st
MORGAN Richard, butcher and shoemaker, Newerne
MORGAN Thomas, builder and beer retailer, High street
MORGANS AND CO., wood distillers and chemical manufacturers, High street
MORGANS Thomas, M.I.M.E., consulting, mining, and mechanical engineer, High street; h. Newerne
MORRELL'S Trustees, colliery proprietors, Norchard Collieries; Office, High street - Thomas Exley, agent
MORSE Edwin, grocer and general dealer, Newerne
NASH Francis (firm of Luckes, Nash, and Co.); h. Highfield
NORRIS Joseph, general furnishing and builders ironmonger, iron and tin-plate worker, High street
O'LEARY Cornelius, shopkeeper, Newerne
PARKEND COAL COMPANY, colliery proprietors, The Docks
PEARCE Thomas C., engineer, iron and brass founder, and manufacturer of Railway points and crossings, Lydney Foundry
PERKINS Henry, farmer, Hurst farm
PHILLIPS George, gasfitter, bellhanger, hot water apparatus manufacturer, and general smith, High street
PICK James, harbour master, The Creek
PINNEGAR Richard, shopkeeper, Queen st
PONTER Willm., eatinghouse-keeper, High st
POPE Alfred, tailor and draper, Bath villa, Newerne
POWELL John, carpenter, Newerne
POWELL Joseph, blacksmith and shopkeeper, Newerne
POWELL Trevor, coal factor, The Docks - John Lawson Whatley, manager
PROUDFOOT Thomas, M.D., High street
REMNANT Richard, haulier, Ayland's cottage
RIDLER Mrs. Emma, "Railway" hotel, The Docks
RIDLER William, coal agent, Queen street
ROBERTS Thomas, painter, plumber, glazier, and beer retailer, Bream road
ROBINSON Elijah, boot and shoe dealer, Newerne
ROBINSON James, clerk, Stamford road
SAINSBURY Thomas, farmer, Crump farm
SANDFORD James, beer retailer, Albert street
SAUNDERS John, farmer, Plummers farm
SAUNDERS John Jun., seedsman, Newerne
SAUNDERS Thomas, farmer, Black Rock farm
SAUNDERS William, butcher and haulier, "Bridge" inn, Newerne
SAUNDERS William, gardener and farmer, Newerne
SHARP William, gardener and farmer, Newerne
SHEPHERD James, clerk, The Docks
SMALE John Rowe, grocer, draper, outfitter, and sub-postmaster, Newerne
SMALLWOOD William, shoemaker, Newerne
SMITH Edward T., clerk, Wye cottage
SMITH James, coal merchant, The Docks; and at Brimscombe
SMITH Thomas, shoemaker, Albert street
SMITH William, shopkeeper, Newerne
SMITH William James, butcher and cattle dealer, Church street
STEPHENS John, saddler, Newerne
STEPHENS John, shopkeeper and beer retailer, Primrose hill
STOKES James, shoemaker, Newerne
SULLY AND CO., shipowners and coal merchants, The Docks
SWATTON Henry, police sergeant
TAYLOR Henry, carpenter and wheelwright, Queen street
TAYLOR Walter, farmer, The Wards
THOMAS Richard and Co., tin-plate manufacturers; and at Lydbrook
TOOMER BROTHERS, coal factors, The Docks; and at Reading, Berks.
TRIMMER Chas., railway inspector, Albert st
TROTTER Thomas and Co., coal and stone proprietors, The Docks; and at Coleford
TURNER Henry Prosser, chemist and druggist, Newerne
VIVIAN Edwin Henry, cashier, Highfield cottage
WALKER Joseph, mason, High street
WATKINS William, hairdresser and stationer, Newerne
WATTS Mrs. Elizabeth, grocer, baker, and draper, Newerne
WEBB Henry, watchmaker and jeweller, Newerne; and at Gloucester
WEEDON Richard B., coal merchant, The Docks
WHATLEY John Lawson, agent for the Forest of Dean Mineral Co., The Docks
WILKINS Robert, beer retailer, Church st
WILLIAMS Mrs. Mary Rose, cooper, Newerne
WILLIAMS Richard, coal merchant and ship owner, The Docks; and at Dudbridge, Stroud
WILLIAMS Thomas, farmer, Nass house, and Allastone Court
WILLIAMS Thomas, Jun., farmer, Clift farm
WINTOUR George, butcher, Newerne
WINTOUR Richard, farmer, High street
WITHERS Henry, farmer, Purlieu farm
WOOLES George, tiler and plasterer, Church street
WOOLES Mrs. Mary Ann, laundress, Church field
WOOLLES William, tiler, plasterer, and beer retailer, Newerne
ALYBURTON
Clergy, Gentry, and Private Residents
HUGHES Mr. James, Bream lodge
MARDEN Edward Kingsley Edmund, Esq., Prior's Mesne
RANDLE Mrs. Kate Maria, Vine house
STEELE Rev. William Ferguson, B.A., (curate in charge of Alvington), Rangemoor house
TAYLOR Joseph, Esq., Kingston house
TUCKWELL William John Stephens, Esq.
Trades and Professions
ADDIS John, shoemaker
BIRKS Joseph, "George" inn
BOWEN Richard, farmer, Sandford villa
CLARKE Mrs. Caroline, apartments
COLWELL Henry, cooper and grafter
ENGLISH William, Jun., shopkeeper
EVANS Joshua Thomas, clerk
GARDINER Miss Mary Ann, stationer
GARLAND Mrs. Hannah, farmer, Lodge farm
GARLAND Thomas, farmer, Park farm
GARLAND William, farmer, Cross farm
GARLAND William, Jun., farmer, The Tump
GAUDERN James, gamekeeper
GIPSON George, painter, plumber, and glazier
GRIFFITHS Eli, beer retailer
HANDCOCK William, shoemaker and sub-postmaster
HATHAWAY Thomas Allpass, under steward, Milling
HOPKINS John, beer retailer and farmer
HOSKINS Henry, farmer
HOSKINS Robert, beer retailer
JAMES Thomas, beer retailer, The Common
KNIGHT John, master mariner
LEWIS Richard, farm bailiff, Tankrope farm
MARDET -, Prior's Mesne
POWELL John W., farrier
POWELL Thomas, carpenter
POWELL William, blacksmith; h. Aylburton common
ROBINS Mrs. Sarah, shopkeeper
RUDGE William, farmer, Sandford house
SUMMERSGILL Miss Eliza, mistress of Church of England School
TUCKWELL William John Stephens, surgeon
WATKINS William, grocer and butcher
WILLIAMS Philip, miller, Wood mills
Post Office - William Handcock, sub-postmaster. Letters through Lydney delivered at 7 a.m., and dispatched at 6 p.m. on week days only.
Post Office and Postal Telegraph Office, High street, Henry Imm, postmaster.
Branch Post Office, Newerne - John Rowe Smale, sub-postmaster.
Branch Office, The Docks - Mrs. Ellen Selina Jones, sub-postmistress
Church of England School - Miss Eliza Summersgill, mistress.
Magistrates usually attending Petty Sessions
Colonel Edward A. Noel, Clannafalls
Robert Charles Jenkins Esq., Beachley lodge
William Aeneas Seys, Esq., Tutshill house
Charles Bathurst, Esq., Lydney park
Thomas Sully, Esq., Raglan house, Lydney
Clerk to the Magistrates - James Evans, Chepstow.
The Magistrates meet at the Feathers Hotel monthly.
Bank - Gloucestershire Banking Company (branch of), High street (draw on Union Bank of London), open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Edward Gillman, manager.
Newspaper - Lydney Observer, Office, Newerne; published every Friday - Thomas Cole Gwiliam, printer and publisher.
Public Establishments
Assembly Rooms, Newerne - Wm. Mallard, lessee
Custom House, The Docks - David Henry Frederick Carter, principal officer
Gas Works - George William Keeling, secretary; George Harward, manager
Harbour Office, Lydney creek - James Pick, harbour master
Inland Revenue Office, Feathers Hotel - Wm. Chambers, officer
Mechanics' Institute, High street - George Baker Keeling, president; Frederick H. Tearle, secretary
Police Station - Henry Swatton, sergeant in charge
Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Offices, High street - George Baker Keeling, general manager; George William Keeling, M.I.C.E., engineer
Stamp Office, The Cross - George J. Harris, sub-distributor
Overseer and Collector of Rates and Taxes - Charles Garland
Places of Worship
St. Mary's Parish Church - Rev. John J. Trollope, M.A., vicar; Rev. William Charles Wallace, curate
Chapel-of-Ease, Aylburton
Dissenting Place of Worship
Baptist Church, High street - Rev. George W. Roughton, minister
Primitive Methodist Chapel, Primrose hill - Rev. Ambrose Bound, minister
Wesleyan Chapel - Rev. Theophilus A. De La Mare, minister
Public Schools
National, Church street - Thos. Clements, master; Miss Elizabeth Ann Pegler, mistress; Mrs Louisa Clements, infant's mistress.
National, Primrose hill - Miss Annie Badham, mistress
Railways
Severn and Wye Railway Station, High st - William Thomas, stationmaster
Great Western Railway Station (Junction with the Severn and Wye Railway), The Docks - Henry Larkham, stationmaster and goods manager.
Conveyance
Coleford - A wagonette conveying the mail bags leaves the Railway Station every morning (Sundays excepted), calling at the Feathers Hotel - James Dobbs, Chepstow, proprietor.
Carriers by Water
Lydney Carrying Company - The trader, "Industry," sails for Bristol on Mondays, and the "Lioness" on Thursdays - William Jones, manager.