Bromsgrove with Stoke Prior, Tardebigge, Upton Warren and Neighbourhoods Pigot and Co’s National Commercial Directory 1835

Bromsgrove, a market-town in the parish of its name, in the upper division of the hundred of Halfshire, is 116 miles N. W. from London, 13 N.E. by N. from Worcester, the like distance S. W. from Birmingham, and 13 N. W. from Alcester. This place, anciently called Bremesgrave, was a royal demesne at the time of the Conquest, and continued to be so till the reign of Henry III. During the parliamentary war it was the head quarters of a party of royalists employed in the siege of Hawkesley house, about three miles distant, which, in 1645, was fortified and garrisoned by the parliament. The town is cheerfully seated on the small river Spadesbourn (which falls into the Severn after passing Droitwich) and upon the great western road from Birmingham; deriving a considerable share of prosperity from such thoroughfare situation: added to which, there is an extensive manufactory of silk buttons, which furnishes employment to many hands, particularly children; and the making of nails, and malt are also branches of consequence. In the reign of Edward I, Bromsgrove returned two members to parliament, but it has for a long period ceased to enjoy such privilege. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates: a bailiff and other officers are annually appointed at the courts-leet of the lords of the manor, Earl Amherst and John Drummond, Esq.; and a court baron is held every three weeks for the recovery of debts under forty shillings.

The church, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a very ancient and beautiful structure, combining portions in the Norman style, and others in the early decorated and later styles of English architecture, of which last, the tower add spire, and most of the exterior of the church, are fine specimens. The tower is surmounted by a lofty, well-proportioned spire; and the edifice is approached one way by a flight of sixty-two steps: the interior contains many curious and interesting monuments. The church-yard is large, and from it may be contemplated most extensive and pleasing prospects, over a fertile country, varied by hill and dale, and irrigated by clear streams of water. The living is a vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of King’s Norton annexed, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Worcester. The other places of worship are a chapel each for the baptists, Wesleyan methodists, and unitarians. The principal charities comprise a free grammar school, founded in the reign of Edward VI, with scholarships and fellowships to Worcester College, Oxford; and some endowed almshouses. The neighbourhood of Bromsgrove is adorned with several fine seats, amongst which are Hewell Grange, belonging to the Hon. Robert Henry Clive, M. P.; and the elegant residence of the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Aston, at Tardebigg. The market is held on Tuesday; and the fairs on the 24th of June for horses, 1st October for horses, cattle, &c, and a statute meeting for hiring servants on the 24th of September; besides which there are toll free markets for fat cattle, on the last Tuesday in the months of February, March, April, May and August. The parish of Bromsgrove contained, by the census taken in 1821, 7,519 inhabitants, and by that for 1831, 8,612.

Stoke Prior is a parish, in the middle division of the hundred of Oswaldslow; the village being situate about two miles, south, from Bromsgrove. Some extensive salt, soap, and vitriol works are in this parish. The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and the living is a vicarage, in the same patronage as that of Bromsgrove. The parish contained, in 1831, 1,100 inhabitants.

Tardebigg is a parish, partly in the upper division of the hundred of Halfshire, and extending into the Alcester division of the hundred of Barlichway, county of Warwick: the village, which is three miles E. S. E. from Bromsgrove, is pleasantly situate upon the banks of the Worcester and Birmingham canal.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is a neat stone structure, and being placed upon an eminence, presents an object from the road pleasing and picturesque. The living is a vicarage, in the incumbency of the Hon. and Rev. Lord Aston. The parish, (which includes the hamlets of Bentley, Redditch, and Webheath Yields,) contained, at the last census (1831), 4,145 inhabitants.

Upton-Warren is a parish, in the upper division of the hundred Halfshire; the village being situate on the main road leading to Bromsgrove and Droitwich, two miles and a half S. S. W. from the former, and three miles and a half N. N. E. from the latter town. The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, was some years since partly rebuilt, and the interior is neatly fitted-up: the living is a rectory, in the patronage of the Earl of Shrewsbury. The parish contained, in 1821, 463 inhabitants, and in 1831, 474.

POST OFFICE, High-street, Bromsgrove, Ann Gardner, Post Mistress.— Letters from London arrive every morning (Monday excepted) at a quarter past nine, and are despatched every afternoon (Saturday excepted) at half-past four. — Letters from the North arrive every morning at a quarter past nine, and are despatched every afternoon at half-past four. — Letters from the South arrive every afternoon at four, and are despatched every morning at a quarter before ten. — Letters from the West arrive every morning at three, and are despatched every evening at half-past nine.

NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.

Ashwell Rev. Thomas, High st
Aston Right Honourable and Rev, Lord, Tardebigg
Biggs Rev. George, Upton Warren
Browne Capt. William, Strand
Campbell Rev. Henry,
Clive Honourable Robert Henry, M. P. Hewell grange
Harward Rev. John N. Bromsgrove
Roe — , esq. Grafton house
Rufford George, esq. Grafton manor

ACADEMIES AMD SCHOOLS.

Allen James (day) Worcester st
Brunton Daniel (day) King Edward Sixth’s Grammar School, Worcester street— G. A. Jacobs, master
Knight the Misses (boarding & day), High st
Lea Measham (day) High st
Pearce Esther Ann (brdng) High st
Rose William (day) Hanover st
Simpson Joseph (brdg) Worcester st

ATTORNEYS.

Doogood William, High st
Lawrence John, St. John’s st
Robeson Messrs. High st
Vernon & Minshall, St. John’s st

AUCTIONEERS.

Johnson William, High st
Ward Thomas, High st

BAKERS & FLOUR DEALERS.

Baylis William, Worcester st
Cooke Thomas, High st
Fawke John, St. John’s st
Harrison William, Worcester st
Holt Richard, High st
Tench James, High st
Webster George, Strand

BANKERS.

Rufford and Co. High st— (draw on Spooner, Attwoods & Co. London)
Stourbridge & Kidderminster Banking Co. (branch of— draw on Smith, Payne and Smiths, London)
Savings’ Bank, High street— Oliver Williams, secretary

BLACKSMITHS & FARRIERS.

Butler Ralph, Catshill
Croft Samuel, Worcester st
Harbach Thomas, Worcester st
Hartle William, High st
Ledbury William, Worcester st
Morris William, High st
Sutton Solomon, Bedlam

BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND PRINTERS.

Maund Benjamin (& sub-distributer of stamps) High st
Scroxton John, High st

BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.

Burton William, High st
Butler James, St. John’s st
Davis William, St. John’s st
Devenport, Edward, High st
Evans John, Worcester st
Groves John, Worcester st
Hughes Thos. Catshill
Lacey Mary Ann (shoe warehouse), High st
Morris William, Worcester st
Penrice Henry, Hanover
Tandy James, High st
Webb Elizabeth, High st
Wild William, Strand

BRAZIERS AND TINMEN.

Allbut Thomas, Worcester st
Brooke Charles, High st
Morris Edward, High st
Troth Benjamin, High st
Watton Edward, Worcester st

BRICKLAYRS & PLASTERERS.

Buggins William, Worcester st
Read Joseph, High st

BUTCHERS.

Beresford James, Strand
Bott Peter, Worcester st
Brasier Benjamin, Worcester st
Bullingham Henry, High st
Gardner William, Catshill
Harvey Joseph, High st
Haynes John, High st
Knight Henry, Worcester st
Layton James (pork) High st
Leek Richard, High st
Manly Joseph, Worcester st
Martin Francis, High st
Mills John, High st
Pardoe James, Worcester st
Snell John, Worcester st
Troth Benjamin (pork) High st
Wall William, High st
Watton William, High st

CARPENTERS & JOINERS.

Barley Thomas, Catshill
Bott Thomas, Birmingham road
Brooke Joseph, St. John’s st
Edwards Thomas, High st
Jones John, Catshill
King William, Worcester st
Skidmore James, High st
Wright Robert, High st

CHAIR MAKERS.

Blent Charles, High st
Wildsmith William, Worcester st

CHINA, GLASS & EARTHENWARE DEALERS.

Llewellyn William, Worcester st
Tench James, High st

CHYMISTS AND DRUGGISTS.

Cullwick John, High st
Greening Thomas & Son, High st
Haines John Jenkins, High st
Maund Benjamin, High st
Parry William, High st

CLOTHES DEALERS.

Connard Joseph, High st
Dowler William, St. John’s st

COOPERS.

Drury Ann (& hasket maker) High st
Featherstone Wm. Hope, High st
Nokes Moses, Worcester st

CORN & FLOUR DEALERS.

Kitchen John, High st
Wall Francis & Son, High st

CURRIERS.

Crane John Bell, High st
Tandy George, High st

FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.

Birmingham, John Holyoake, High street
Exeter, and West of England, John Dipple, High st
Norwich Union, Benjamin Maund, High st
Protector, John Hartell, High st
Sun, Thomas Ward; High st

FRUITERERS AND GREEN GROCERS.

Amos William, Worcester st
Burton William, High st

GROCERS & TEA DEALERS.

(See also Shopkeepers, &c.)
Amiss James, High st
Caswell & Son, Worcester st
Greening Thomas & Son, High st
Jones Robert Edward, Market place
Parry William, High st
Pearsall William, High st
Penn E. & P. High st
Tweedle John, High st
Wilson Thomas, High st

HAIR DRESSERS.

Cox Samuel, High st
Houghton Robert, Worcester st
Powell John, Worcester st
Sealey Charles, High st

HAT MANUFACTURERS.

Garfield John, Worcester st
Nowell Richard, Worcester st

INNS & POSTING HOUSES.

Crown, Sarah Culwick, High st
Royal Hotel, Chas. Smith, High st
Star & Garter, Elizbth. Gill, High st

IRONMONGERS.

Dipple John, High st
Hedges Samuel, High st
Morris Edward, High st

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS

Curtler Henry, High st
Exley Matthew, High st
Hartell John, High st
Holyoake John, High st
Thomas Thomas Davies, High st
Weaver William, High st

MALTSTERS.

Curtler James, Worcester st
Gilbert Richard, High st
Greening Thomas & Son, High st
Holt Richard, High st
Llewellyn William, Worcester st
Parkes William, Catshill
Perks Benjamin, Worcester st
Taylor Benjamin, Strand
Ward James, High st
Ward William, High st
Watton William, High st

MILLERS.

Freeman Charles, Lickey’s end
Harris William, Stoke Prior
Harrison Thomas, Worcester st
Milton Joshua, Mill

MILLINERS & DRESS MAKRS.

Charles Elizabeth, Hanover st
Downes Ann, High st
Holmes Sarah, High st
Kings Mary Ann, High st
Moore Avis, High st
Sealey Sarah, High st
Skidmore Phoebe, High st
Steward Ann, St. John’s st
Yates Charlotte, Worcester st

MILLWRIGHTS.

Buckley John, Birmingham road
Langley William, Worcester st
Parkes Amos, Catshill

NAIL MANUFACTURERS.

Blew Joseph, High st
Chidley George, High st
Ellins George, High st
Ellins Henry, High st
Green James and Co. (and general factors) High st
Juggins Thomas, High st
Miles Thomas, High st
Perkins Francis, High st
Roberts John, Catshill
Scroxton Thomas, St. John’s st
Stanley Jabez, High st
Ward Jeffrey, Catshill

PAINTERS, PLUMBERS AND GLAZIERS.

Brown William, High st
Clarkson James, Worcester st
Dalton Joshua, Strand
Juggins John, Highst
Rogers John, High st

PATTEN MAKERS.

Price Richard, Worcester st
Walker Joseph, Worcester st

ROPE AND TWINE MAKERS.

Duffill John, High st
Ledbury Edward, Mill lane

SADDLERS.

Fisher Thomas, High st
Palmer Thomas. High st
Sealey James, High st

SALT PROPRIETORS.

Fardon, Gossage & Co. (& soap & vitriol manufacturers) Stoke Prior
Parker Richard, Stoke Prior

SHOPKEEPERS & DEALRS IN GROCERIES & SUNDRIES.

Banner Job, Catshill
Dalton Joshua, Strand
Fletcher William, St. John’s st
Griffin John, High st
Hartle Sarah, Worcester st
Lamb Sarah, Hanover st
Leek Isaac, High st
Llewellyn William, Worcester st
Mil’s John, High st
Read Joseph, High st
Skidmore Elizabeth, Strand
Steel William, High st
Trueman John, Strand
Vincent Charles, Holy lane
Witheford Benjamin, Worcester st

STRAW HAT MAKERS.

Cleague Mary, Worcester st
Frayne Louisa, High st
Pearce Ann, High st
Wiles Jane, High st

SURGEONS.

Haines Richard Jenkins, High st
Horton George, High st
Horton John, High st
Kenwrick Thomas, High st

TAILORS.

Barrett Henry, Worcester st
Chance Edward, Hanover st
Halfpenny John, Worcester st
Hall Thomas, High st
Houghton Edward (& draper) High st
Lacy Joseph, High st
Manning Job, Worcester st
Miles Benjamin, St. John’s st
Redding John, Strand
Robinson Samuel, Worcester st
Wilde John, High st

TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.

Bell, Henry Smith, High st
Bird-in-Hand, Charles Webb, High st
Black Cross, John Green, Worcester st
Crabb Mill, Wm. Flowers, Birmingham rd
Crown, Thomas Smith, Catshill
Dolphin, Richard Gilbert, High st
George, Mary Gabb, High st
Golden Lion, Thos. Amphlet, Worcester st
Green Dragon, Daniel Whitehouse, High st
Hop Pole, John Irish, High st
King’s Head, Charles Tidmarsh, High st
Mitre, Charles Wright, High st
Plymouth Arms, John Durham, Tardebigg
Red Lion, William Penn, Worcester st
Roebuck, James Ward, High st
Sampson, Joseph Witheford, Worcester st
Shoulder of Mutton, Catherine Bourne, St. John street
White Horse, Thos. Evans, Worcester st

Retailers of Beer.

Barley Thomas, Catshill
Bolding Thomas, Worcester st
Davis Thomas, Worcester st
Dolphin Francis, Hundred house
Holt Richard, High st
Houghton John, Kidderminster road
Juggins William, Birmingham road
Lacy Joseph, High st
Leek Isaac, High st
Miles Thomas, High st
Pardoe William, Strand
Perks Benjamin, Worcester st
Read Joseph, High st
Smith Thomas, Worcester st
Tabberer James, High st
Vincent Charles, Holy lane

TRUSS MAKERS

ELastic Steel.
Byng William, Putcheon
Miles Thomas, High st

TURNERS IN WOOD.

Price Simeon, Worcester st
Walker Joshua, Worcester st

WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS.

Court Joseph, High st
Dutton Frederick N. High st

WHEELWRIGHTS

Cole William, High st
Croft Samuel, Worcester st

Miscellaneous.

Austin Joseph, brush maker, High st
Austin William, confectioner, High st
Boulton Anthony, dyer, Worcester st
Frayne William, hosier, High st
Grove Benjamin, gardener, &c. High st
Grove Sarah, seed dealer, High st
Haines Thomas & Co. linen, &c. bleachers, and manufacturers, High st
Hughes Mary, pork dealer, Worcester st
Jakeman Joseph, tanner, High st
Johnson William, cork cutter. High st
Langley Wm. machine maker, Worcester st
Male Edward, gunsmith, Worcester st
Nicholls Robert, glover & breeches maker, High street
Price Edward, veterinary surgeon, High street
Rose Joseph, stone cutter, St. John’s st
Sanders Benjamin and Sons, silk button manufacturers, High street
Taylor Charles, umbrella maker, High st
Tipper John, pawnbroker, Worcester st
Tipper John, jun. cabinet maker, Worcester street
Tranter James, brick and tile maker, Catshill
Ward Thomas, upholsterer, High st
Webb Charles, land surveyor, High st
White John, fellmonger, Worcester st
Woodhouse William, builder, Strand

COACHES.

The Mails call alternately at the Crown & Royal Hotel: the other Coaches call at the Crown, except the Alert & the York House which call at the Royal Hotel.
To BATH, the York House (from Birmingham) every morning at a quarter before ten) goes through Droitwich, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham — and the Mercury, every morning (Sunday excepted) at ten; goes thro’ Droitwich, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Petty France
To BIRMINGHAM, the Royal Mail (from Worcester) every afternoon at half-past four— the Star, every morning (Sunday excepted) at half-past nine— and the True Blue, every day at half-past twelve— the Alert (from Cheltenham) every afternoon at a quarter before two; and the Defiance, every afternoon (Sunday excepted) at two— the Wellington (from Bristol) every afternoon (Mon day excepted) at half-past four; & the Hero, every evening (Sunday excepted) at six— the Mercury (from Bath) every evening at six; and the York House every evening at half-past six.
To BRISTOL, the Royal Mail (from Manchester) every night at a quarter before ten— and the Wellington (from Birmingham) every morning (Monday excepted) at nine; both go thro’ Droitwich, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Cambridge Inn and Newport— and the Hero (from Birmingham) every mormng (Sunday excepted) at half-past eight; goes thro’ Droitwich , Worcester, Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Glo’ster. &c
To CHELTENHAM, the Defiance (from Birmingham) every day (Sunday excpt.) at half-past twelve; & the Alert, every afternoon at half-past one; both go thro’ Droitwich, Worcester & Tewkesbury.
To MANCHESTER, the Royal Mail (from Bristol) every morning at three; goes through Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stone, Stafford, &c.
To WORCESTER, the Royal Mail (from Birmingham) every morning at half-past nine — the Star, every afternoon (Sunday excepted) at five— & the True Blue, every evening at half-past seven; all go through Droitwich.

CARRIERS.

To BIRMINGHAM, from whence goods are forwarded to all parts of the Kingdom, Thomas Allbut, from Worcester street, and John Weaver, from the Strand, every Monday & Thursday – John and William Ashmore, from their warehouse, every day (and general carriers to all parts) – Charles Parton, from High street, every Monday, Thursday and Saturday— William Douglass, from the George, every Saturday— and — — Webley, from the same place. Thurs.
To DROITWICH, William Douglass, and — Webley, from the George. Friday.
To REDDITCH, William Bray, every Tuesday and Saturday.
To WORCESTER, John and William Ashmore, every day – Charles Parton, from High street, and Thomas Allbut from Worcestet street, every Wednesday and Saturday— and John Weaver, from the Strand, every Saturday.

Source: Pigot and Co’s National Commercial Directory 1835.