Brailes Warwickshire Family History Guide
Brailes is an Ancient Parish in the county of Warwickshire.
Other places in the parish include: Upper Brailes, Chelmscott, Lower Brailes, and Winderton.
Fairs: Brails, April 10
Parish church: St. George
Parish registers begin: 1570
Nonconformists include: Primitive Methodist, Roman Catholic, Society of Friends/Quaker, and Wesleyan Methodist.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
- Barcheston
- Compton Wynyates
- Whatcote
- Hook Norton Oxfordshire
- Idlicote
- Whichford
- Burmington
- Honington
- Sutton Under Brailes
- Sibford Oxfordshire
Parish History
Brailes
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
BRAILES, two hamlets, a parish, and a division in Warwick. The hamlets are Upper and Lower Brailes; they lie 3 and 4 miles ESE of Shipston-on-Stour, and about 6 NE by E of Moreton r. station; they have a post office, of the name of Brailes, under Shipston-on-Stour; and one of them was formerly a market-town, and has still a fair on Easter Thursday.
The parish includes also the hamlets of Chelmscott and Winderton; and is in the district of Shipston-on-Stour. Acres, 5,220. Real property, £10,548. Pop., 1,347. Houses, 305. The property is divided among a few.
The manor belonged, before the Conquest, to Edwin Earl of Mercia; was given, by the Conqueror, to Henry de Newburgh; and passed to the Beauchamps. Brailes House is now the seat of the Sheldons. Brailes Cover is a meet of the Warwick hounds. Some parts of the surface are hilly and have fine views.
The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Worcester. Value, £344. Patron, J. Jordan. Esq. The church is partly early English, partly perpendicular, and is in good condition.
There are a Quakers chapel, a Roman Catholic chapel and school, an endowed school with £64 a year, a national school, a library and reading room, and charities £68. The division contains fifteen parishes; and is in Kington hundred. Acres, 35,242. Pop., 7,369. Houses, 1,575.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Leonards Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850
Brails, 3¾ miles E. Shipston-on-Stour. P. 1284.
Source: Leonards Gazetteer of England and Wales; Second Edition; C. W. Leonard, London; 1850.
The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales 1851
Brailes, a parish and village in the Brailes division of the hund. of Kington, union of Shipston-upon-Stour, Warwickshire; 4½ miles east by south of Shipston-upon-Stour.
Living, a vicarage in the archd. and dio. of Worcester; valued at £25; gross income £344. Patron, in 1835, S. Thornton, Esq. The great and small tithes, the property of the lay-impropriator and vicar, were commuted in 1784. The Roman Catholics have a chapel here.
Here is a school founded in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, with an annuity of £8 1s. 8d., and since augmented to £64 8s. 2d. It is free to all poor children resident in the parish. There are also 3 daily schools in this parish, besides a day and Sunday school, and two Sunday National schools.
The hills in this parish present fine prospects. A fair is held here on Easter Tuesday for horses, cows, and sheep. Pop., in 1801, 980; in 1831, 1,272. Houses 255. Acres 5,220. A. P. £11,196. Poor rates, in 1838, £631 17s.
Source: The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales; A Fullarton & Co. Glasgow; 1851.
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1845
Brailes (St. George), a parish, in the union of Shipston-upon-Stour, Brailes division of the hundred of Kington, S. division of the county of Warwick, 4 miles (E. by S.) from Shipston; containing, with the hamlets of Chelmscott and Winderton, 1284 inhabitants.
Prior to the Conquest, this lordship was in the possession of Edwin, Earl of Mercia; and subsequently, including the hamlets of Chelmscott and Winderton, it yielded to the Conqueror “no less than £55 yearly, with 20 horse loads of salt”. Henry III., in 1248, granted a charter for a market to be held here on Monday, which has been long discontinued; also a fair, on the eve of the festival of St. George and the two following days, now inconsiderable.
In the 13th of Edward I., William de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, then owner of the manor, claimed by prescription, and was allowed certain privileges; viz., a gallows, with assize of bread and beer. The parish contains 5407 acres of land, of which about 2000 are arable and 3000 pasture; the village is situated on the turnpike-road to Banbury, and is of considerable extent.
There is a manufactory for livery shag, plush, &c., in which nearly 100 persons are employed.
The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s books at £25; net income, £344; patron, Samuel Thornton, Esq.; impropriator, George Bishopp, Esq., M.D. Under an inclosure act passed in 1784, land and annual money payments were assigned, in lieu of all tithes and moduses, for Lower Brailes. The church was probably erected in the time of the Conqueror, and was given, in the reign of his son, Henry I., to the canons of Kenilworth; it is a large and handsome edifice, combining the early, decorated, and later English styles, with a lofty tower supported by tall buttresses, and crowned with battlements and pinnacles, containing six bells; the interior was modernised in 1824.
A guild, consisting of a warden, brethren, and sisters, was founded in the church by Richard Nevill, Earl of Warwick; the revenue, in the 37th of Henry VIII., was £18. 13. 2., out of which a grammar school was then supported.
There are places of worship for the Society of Friends and Roman Catholics. A free school, probably founded about the end of the reign of Henry VIII., is endowed with an improved income of £70. There are also a school for girls, and one for infants, besides a school for Roman Catholic children; and several bequests have been made for the benefit of the poor, of which the principal is one by William Prestidge in 1732, now producing £36 per annum.
There was anciently a chapel at Chelmscott, in which a chantry for four priests was founded by Thomas de Pakinton, of Brailes, in 1322. In Upper Brailes, at the distance of 1¼ mile from the church, is a chalybeate spring, the water of which has been used with considerable advantage in cases of scrofula.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.
Chelmscott
Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales Circa 1870
CHELMSCOTT, a hamlet in Brailes parish, Warwick; 4 ¼ miles E of Shipston-on-Stour.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Parish Records
FamilySearch
FamilySearch Historical Records
Directories
Shipston upon Stour, Brails & Neighbourhoods Pigot and Co’s National Commercial Directory 1835
Shipston upon Stour is a market town, in the parish of its name, forming, with the parishes of Tidmington and Tredington, a detached portion of the upper division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, county of Worcester; the town of Shipston being locally situate in the hundred of Kington, county of Warwick; 83 miles N. W. by W. from London, 33 S. S. E. from Birmingham, 29 S. by E. from Worcester, 16 S. by W. from Warwick, and 6 N. by E. from Moreton-in-the-Marsh, in Gloucestershire.
As its name implies, it is seated on the river Stour, within two miles of the railway from Stralford upon Avon to Moreton; and its prefix is derived from having been formerly one of the largest markets for sheep in the kingdom; but, at the present period, it is a place of little trade. The dean and chapter of Worcester, who possess the manorial rights, hold a court-leet annually, at which a constable is chosen. Shipston is appointed, under the new Boundary Act (an appendage to the Reform Bill), one of the polling stations, at the election of members to represent, in parliament, the eastern division of the county of Worcester.
The places of worship are, the parish church, dedicated to St. Edmund, and chapels for baptists, Wesleyan methodists, and the society of friends. The living of Shipston is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Tidmington annexed, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Worcester, and of the principal and fellows of Jesus’ College, Oxford; the former presenting to every third vacancy: the Rev. William Evans is the present incumbent.
Endowments for the instruction of children were bequeathed by John Pittway in 1706, and by George Marshall in 1747; and there are various small bequests for the poor of the town. The country around Shipston is fertile, rather hilly, and presenting, at several points, some pleasing and extensive views. The market is held on Saturday; and the fairs on the third Tuesday in April, the 22nd of June, the last Tuesday in August, and the first Tuesday after the 10th of October. The parish contained, by the census for 1821, 1,562 inhabiiants, and by that for 1831, 1,632; being an increase, in thirty years, of 339 persons.
Brails is a parish, in the division of its name, of the hundred of Kington, county of Warwick: the village, which is four miles E. by S. from Shipston, is very pleasantly situate, being surrounded by a country abouuding with pasture aud other land, highly cultivated.
A manufactory for shag, belonging to Messrs. Gilletts’, is the only establishment, in a commercial point of view, worth mentioning. The church, which is dedicated to St. George, is a stone structure, with a tower, containing a peal of six bells. The living is vicarage, in the patronage of J. Bailey, Esq.: the present incumbent is the Rev. Cornwall Smalley, and his curate the Rev. George Cromwell. The charities consist of a free school, endowed in the 23rd year of Elizabeth, for boys; a charity school for girls, and one for infants. The parish contained, in 1821, 1,233 inhabitants, and in 1831, 1,272.
POST OFFICE, Shipston, Richard Brain, Post Master.— Letters from London and the South arrive (by mail cart) from Chipping Norton every morning at seven, and are despatched every evening at seven — Letters from the North arrive (by mail cart) from Birmingham every evening at seven, and are despatched every morning at seven.
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Brain Miss Hannah, Shipston
Cromwell Rev. George, Brails
Diokins William, esq. Sherington
Eastcourt Rev. Edmund, Wolford
Evans Rev. William, Shipston
Findon Mrs. Ann, Shipston
Freeman Mrs. Jane, Shipston
Hodgkin the Misses Mary and Susannah, Shipston
Miles Mrs. Ann, Shipston
Nicholl Rev. T. Cherington
Parry Mr. Thomas, Shipston
Phillips Sir George, bart. Weston house
Sheldon Edward, esq. M. P. Brails house
Snow Rev. Thomas, Tidmington
Wright Mrs. Mary, Shipston
Academies & Schools.
Free School (boys’), Brails— J. Long, master
Girls’ Charity, Brails— Isabella Attwoode, mistress
Hemmings Mary Ann (boarding) Shipston
Hoult Robert, Shipston
Infants’ School, Brails — Winifred Pickering, mistress
Poollin John, Museum academy
Savage Mary, Shipston
Snow Margaret (boarding) Shipston
Turner Sarah (preparatory) Shipston
Attorneys.
Banister Edward, Shipston
Bellamy John B. Shipston
Clarke John Henry, Shipston
Findon Frederick Francis, Shipston
Nail George, Shipston
Bakers & Flour Dealers.
Coleman John, Shipston
Jarrett Stephen, Shipston
Stephens Richard, Shipston
Bankers.
Cobb Timothy, Timothy Rhodes & Edward — (draw on Jones, Loyd & Co. London)— Thomas Wells, agent
Stourbridge & Kidderminster Banking Company (branch of) — (draw on Smith, Payne and Smiths, London)
Blacksmiths.
Hands John, Shipston
Hands Thomas, Shipston
Sadler William, Shipston
Sturch William, Shipston
Booksellers & Stationers
Colbourne Jane Wright, Shipston
White Samuel, Shipton
Boot & Shoe Makers,
Bailey John, Brails
Banner John, Shipston
Bolton Thomas, Shipston
Cockhill Richard, Shipston
Gibbs William, Shipston
Marshall Charles, Shipston
Braziers And Tin-Plate Workers.
Colbourne Robert, Shipston
Lovett Robert, Shipston
Savage Thomas, Shipston
Butchers.
Gillett Edmund, Shipston
Grimmett Timothy, Shipston
Hawks Francis, Shipston
Hunt George, Shipston
White John, Brails
Wiggin Solomon, Shipston
Worrall Robert, Shipston
Chymists & Druggists.
Hemmings Willliam, Shipston
Sale Henry, Shipston
Wilson Charles, Shipston
Curriers And Leather Cutters.
Lyne William, Shipston
White John Higgins, Shipston
Fire, &C. Office Agents.
County, John Hy. Clarke.Shipston
Phoenix, Thomas Parry, Shipston
Grocers & Tea Dealers.
(See also Shopkeepers, &c.)
Badger Richard (& tallow chandler) Shipston
Hemmings William, Shipston
Sale Henry, Shipston
Sturch Joseph, Shipston
Hat Manufacturers.
Chadband Henry, Shipston
Richardson Stephen, Shipston
Inns.
Bell, Thomas Payne, Shipston
George (& posting) John Starling, Shipston
White Horse (& posting, & excise office), Richard Brain, Shipston
Joiners.
Gardner Robert, Shipston
King David, Shipston
Parker George, Shipston
Slatter Joseph, Shipston
Linen & Woollen Draprs.
Badger John, Shipston
Clayton Richard, Shipston
Davis Thomas & Richard (& grocer) Brails
Greenhill John, Shipston
Hall & Clarke, Shipston
Rogers John, Shipston
Maltsters.
Hemmings Daniel, Shipston
Jarrett Stephen, Shipston
Marshall William, Shipston
Stephens Richard, Shipston
Milliners & Dress Makrs.
Cooke Caroline Mary, Shipston
Savage Mary, Shipston
Smith Ann, Shipston
Summerton Rose, Shipston
Painters, Plumbers And Glaziers.
Pimm William, Shipston
Sheldon Joseph, Shipston
Worrall Eleanor, Shipston
Patten Makers.
Chamberlain Thomas, Shipston
Lovett Ann, Shipston
Simmonds William, Shipston
Saddlers And Harness Makers.
Dowdeswell Samuel, Shipston
Payne Thomas, Shipston
Prew Richard, Shipston
Ray Thomas, Shipston
Shag Manufacturers.
Gillett Joseph & William, Brails
Shopkeepers & Dealrs In Groceries & Sundries.
Field Samuel, Brails
Freeman Edward, Shipston
Gardner William, Shipston
Godson Edward, Shipston
Greenhill Thomas, Brails
Grimes Ann, Shipston
Hawks Francis, Shipston
Knott John, Shipston
Lyne Jane, Shipston
Parker George, Shipston
Sturch Charlotte, Shipston
Watcham Robert, Shipston
Surgeons.
Collier Frederick, Shipston
Horniblow William, Shipston
Smiles William, Shipston
Wright Edward Welchman, M. D., Shipston
Tailors.
Ashfield James, Shipston
Baldwin Joseph, Shipston
Godson Edward, Shipston
Godson Thomas, Brails
Hyde Thomas, Shipston
Potter Daniel, Shipston
Taverns & Public Houses.
Black Bear, William Hands; Shipston
Black Swan, Daniel Hemmings,Shipston
Coach & Horses, Jeremiah Howse, Shipston
Crown, William Marshall, Shipston
Falstaff, William Pimm, Shipston
George, James Baldwin, Brails
Harrow, Joseph Harrison, Shipston
Horse Shoe, George Blackall, Shipston
Plough, Thomas Wood, Shipston
Red Horse, Elizabeth Marshall, Shipston
Talbot, Thomas Gardner, Shipston
Unicorn, Robert Watcham, Shipston
White Bear, John Green, Shipston
Retailers of Beer.
Hopkins William, Shipston
King David, Shipston
King William, Shipston
Savage William, Brails
Strong John, Shipston
Usher James, Shipston
Watch & Clock Makers.
Best Henry, Shipston
Wells George, Shipston
Wells Thomas, Shipston
Miscellaneous.
Baldwin James, brewer, Brails
Blackwell John, cooper, Shipston
Bradley Richard, haberdasher, Shipston
Calloway Thomas, glover, Shipston
Churchley John, basket maker, Shipston
Colbourn Robert, ironmonger and stamp distributer, Shipston
Coopper Thomas, cooper, Shipston
Day Emanuel, gardener, &c. Shipston
Gillett Thomas, hosier, Shipston
Grafton John, tanner, Shipston
Hendley Thomas, stone mason, Shipston
Henshaw Stephen, steelyard makr, Shipston
Hughes Jos. rope & twine maker, Shipston
Insall William, auctioneer and surveyor, Shipston
Mace William, china, glass, &c. dealer, Shipston
Marklew Thomas, architect, &c. Shipston
Milligan Alex, stay maker, Shipston
Phillips Edward, fellmonger, Shipston
Salmon Thomas, wheelwright, Shipston
Stephens William, miller, Shipston
Whitford Edward, hair dresser, Shipston
COACHES.
To LONDON, the Union (from Shrewsbury) calls at the George Inn, every evening at half-past seven— the Tantivy (from Birmingham) every forenoon at a quarter before eleven; and the Erin-go-bragh calls at the White Horse, every night at twelve; all go through Woodstock and Oxford.
To BIRMINGHAM, the Tantivy (from London) calls at the White Horse, every afternoon at half-past four, & the Erin-go-bragh, every afternoon at half-past two; both go thro’ Straftord-on-Avon.
To SHREWSBURY, the Union (from London) calls at the George, every morning at three; goes thro’ Stratford, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
CARRIERS.
To LONDON & BIRMINGHAM, — Jolly’s Waggons from the White Horse, daily
To BANBURY, George Godson & Joseph Bailey, from the White Horse, every Tuesday and Saturday
To BIRMINGHAM, — Eggleston, from the Plough, and Robert Nicholes, from his house, every Tuesday.
To CAMPDEN, Joseph Penson, from the White Bear, every Satuiday.
To CHIPPING NORTON, John Ward, from the Black Bear, every Tuesday and Saturday— and — Eggleston, from the Plough, every Saturday.
To STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, Wm. Coldecote, from his house, every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — Robert Nicholes, from his house, every Tuesday — and Joseph Penson, from the White Bear, every Saturday.
To WARWICK, Robert Nicholes, from his house, every Saturday.
Source: Pigot and Co’s National Commercial Directory 1835.
Maps
Vision of Britain historical maps
Administration
- County: Warwickshire
- Civil Registration District: Shipston on Stour
- Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Worcester (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Worcester
- Rural Deanery: Kineton
- Poor Law Union: Shipston on Stour
- Hundred: Kington
- Province: Canterbury