Martley, Worcestershire Family History Guide

Martley is an Ancient Parish in the county of Worcestershire.

Other places in the parish include: Hillhampton.

Parish church: St. Peter

Parish registers begin: 1625

Nonconformists include:

Table of Contents

Adjacent Parishes

Parish History

The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870

MARTLEY, a village, a parish, a sub-district, and a district in Worcestershire.

The village stands on a pretty spot, near the river Teme, 2 miles from the boundary with Herefordshire, and 7¼ NW by W of Worcester r. station; is a polling-place; and has a post office under Worcester.

The parish contains also the hamlet of Hillhampton, and comprises 5,124 acres. Real property, £7,603. Pop., 1,298. Houses, 271. The property is divided among a few. The manor belongs to the Earl of Dudley. Horsham House is the seat of N. J. Smith, Esq.; the Noak, of J. Nash, Esq.; and Hill Top, of R. A. Moule, Esq. Hops and fruit are extensively grown.

The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester. Value, £1,100. Patron, the Rev. H. J. Hastings. The church is Norman; consists of nave and chancel, with a tower; and was recently repaired.

There are two endowed national schools, with £59 and £15 a year, and charities £15.

The sub-district excludes Hillhampton hamlet, but includes the parishes of Stockton, Stanford-on-Teme, Shelsley-Walsh, Shelsley-Beauchamp, and Clifton-upon-Teme, and the chapelry of Pensax. Acres, 13,335. Pop., 3,128. Houses, 652.

The district comprehends also the sub-district of Great Witley, containing the parishes of Great Witley, Abberley, Areley-Kings, Astley, and Shrawley, the chapelry of Little Witley, and the hamlet of Hillhampton; the sub-district of Holt, containing the Holt proper part of Holt parish, the parishes of Grimley, Hallow, Cotheridge, Broad was, and Wichenford, and the extra-parochial tract of Kenswick; and the sub-district of Leigh, containing the parishes of Leigh, Knightwick, Suckley, and Doddenham.

Acres, 53,718. Poor rates in 1863, £7,840. Pop. in 1851, 13,811; in 1861, 15,098. Houses, 3,166. Marriages in 1863, 91; births, 470, of which 39 were illegitimate; deaths, 243, of which 73 were at ages under 5 years, and 17 at ages above 85. Marriages in the ten years 1851-60, 826; births, 4,049; deaths, 2,581.

The places of worship, in 1851, were 29 of the Church of England, with 6,399 sittings; 2 of Independents, with 250 s.; 3 of Wesleyan Methodists, with 155 s.; 1 of the Wesleyan Association, with 30 s.; and 3 of Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion, with 280 s.

The schools were 19 public day schools, with 1,183 scholars; 8 private day schools, with 178 s.; and 21 Sunday schools, with 1,284 s.

The workhouse is at Martley; and, at the census of 1861, had 117 inmates.

Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].

The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales 1851

Martley, a parish in the upper division of the hund. of Doddingtree, union of Martley, county of Worcester; 6½ miles north-west by west of Worcester, and east of the river Teme.

The parish includes the hamlet of Hillhampton. Acres 4,340. Houses 273. A. P. £8,796. Pop., in 1801, 1,192; in 1831, 1,395. Living, a rectory in the archd. and dio. of Worcester; rated at £22 10s.; gross income £999. Patron, in 1835, the Rev. J. Hastings. Here are 3 daily schools, 2 of which are endowed; one with a small estate in the parish producing about £60 per annum, the other with property amounting to nearly £20 per annum. Other charities, in 1830, £14 10s. per annum. Poor rates, in 1838, £604 11s.

A workhouse has been erected here for the union of Martley, by the poor-law commissioners, capable of accommodating 150 persons. The Martley poor-law union comprehends 28 parishes, embracing 78 square miles; with a population returned, in 1831, at 13,093. The average annual expenditure on the poor of this district, during the three years preceding the formation of the union, was £5,520. Expenditure, in 1838, £3,942 ; in 1839, £4,543 7s. On an average of 7 years, to 1835, hops have annually been cultivated in this parish to the extent of 165¾ acres; average of hops charged 42,341 lbs.; of duty paid, £352 16s. 10d.

Source: The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales; A Fullarton & Co. Glasgow; 1851.

Worcestershire Delineated C. and J. Greenwood 1822

Martley – a parish in the hundred of Doddingtree, upper division, 7 miles N.W. from Worcester, and 119 from London; containing 226 inhabited houses. The land in this parish is in a high state of cultivation, and fertile in fruit and hops. The living is a rectory; the Rev. James Hastings, incumbent in his own right; instituted 1795. Population, 1801, 1050 – 1811, 1256 – 1821, 1126.

Source: Worcestershire Delineated: Being a Topographical Description of Each Parish, Chapelry, Hamlet, &c. In the County; with the distances and bearings from their respective market towns, &c. By C. and J. Greenwood. Printed by T. Bensley, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, 1822.

Universal British Directory 1791

Martley, seven miles west from Worcester, a large populous parish. The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and the rectory the most valuable in the county, especially in a good year of hops, when the profits amount to 1200l. here are several good mansions and farm-houses; and a charity-school. The country, in general hilly, has good prospects, particularly about Berrow-green, &c. On Putford banks the black mountains in Wales are discernable.

Source: Universal British Directory 1791

Parish Records

FamilySearch

England, Worcestershire, Martley – Census ( 1 )
Census returns for Martley, 1841-1891
Author: Great Britain. Census Office

England, Worcestershire, Martley – Church records ( 5 )
Bishop’s transcripts for Martley, 1628-1875
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire)

Marriages 1933-1971
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire)

Parish registers for Martley, 1625-1953
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire)

Parish registers for Martley, 1699-1908
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire)

Registers of the church of St. Peter, Martley, Worcestershire : baptisms, 1626-1838, marriages & burials, 1626-1837
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire); Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry

England, Worcestershire, Martley – History ( 1 )
Tale of two villages : Clifton on Teme and Martley
Author: Barnard, Cliff

England, Worcestershire, Martley – Occupations ( 1 )
Parish registers for Martley, 1699-1908
Author: Church of England. Parish Church of Martley (Worcestershire)

England, Worcestershire, Martley – Poorhouses, poor law, etc. ( 1 )
Overseers of the poor and general accounts of the hamlet of Hillhampton, Worcester, England, 1826-1882

Directories

Online Directories

Bentley’s Directory of Martley 1840 – Archive.org

Directory Transcriptions

Martley (with the Hamlet of Hillhampton) Billings Directory 1855

Martley, with the Hamlet of Hillhampton, is pleasantly situated, nearly 8 miles N.W. from Worcester. Martley contained in 1851 a population of 1160, Hillhampton, 149; total, 1309 inhabitants.

Berrow Hill is of an oval form, with two lines of entrenchments round the brow of the hill, which evidently shows that it must have been the site of an ancient camp. The trenches are still perfect in some parts, particularly at the north and south ends of the oval; it is supposed to be as large as anything of the kind in the kingdom, measuring in length about 400 yards, and in width about 190 yards.

The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is an ancient edifice, comprising nave, chancel, and western tower, with a peal of six fine bells. The south doorway, and a portion of the walls, are in the Norman style of architecture; and the remaining portions of the building consists of repairs and improvements of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. At the south of the altar is a piscina. The ceiling is semicircular, and the walls are connected by rude tie-beams. In the south side of the chancel is a recumbent alabaster figure, said to be intended for Sir Hugh Mortimer, from whom Martley descended to the Barons de la Ware, the families of Mucklowe, Slaney, Foley, and the present Lord Ward. There are several older memorials, chiefly belonging to the Nash family. The edifice contains free accommodation for 261 persons, having been enlarged in 1829. In the churchyard are traces of an old school, which was recently pulled down, and was supposed to have been founded in the reign of Elizabeth (see notice of School below). The living is a Rectory, in the patronage of the Rev. H. J. Hastings, M.A., who is also Rector. Rev. Henry James Hastings, M.A., Rector of Arely Kings, Rector; Mr. James Merrick, Clerk. Service – 10 30 a.m. and 3 30 p.m.; winter months, 3 p.m.

The School was originally an Endowed Grammar School, founded in the reign of Elizabeth, fro we find that lands in Martley, Wichenford, &c., of the yearly value of thirty-three shillings, went for the maintenance of a learned schoolmaster; and in the time of Charles I., other property worth sixteen pounds per annum was exemplified out of Chancery for the same purpose; but whether the traces of the old school in the churchyard are the remains or not we have no means of ascertaining. The present building was erected some years ago, through the instrumentality of Lord Ward and others. His Lordship gave the land and £300; Rev. H. J. Hastings, £300; Dr. Nash, £50; and other parties equally liberal contributions. It is under Government and Diocesan inspection. Mr. William Henry Pennington, Master; Miss Sarah Sidley, Mistress. Number of scholars – boys, 36; girls 50.

The Union Workhouse is a commodious brick building, sufficiently large to accommodated 160 persons. The Union is comprised of twenty-eight parishes and townships. Chairman, Rev. John Pearson, Suckley; Vice-Chairman, Daniel Zachary, Esq., Areley Hall; Chaplain, Rev. H. J. Hastings, Martley Rectory; Surgeon, J. N. Greensill, Esq.; Clerk, John Walcott, Esq.; Master, Mr. James John Bigwood; Matron, Jane Eliza Bigwood; Schoolmistress, Sarah H. Hiam; Relieving Officers, Mr. John Wormington and Mr. William Hill. Board day is held once a fortnight, on Friday.
Charities – There are several charities belonging to this parish, viz., The Rev. John Vernon left £15; Mr. James Clark, £100; Mr. John Clark, £20; Alice Nash, £10; besides several other sums, amounting to £40, which are annually distributed on St. Thomas’s day.

DIRECTORY

Clarke Mr. James, Stony Bridge
Hastings Rev. Henry James, M.A., Rectory of Areley Kings, Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, Rural Dean, and Curate of Martley, Rectory.
Hughes William, S. P., Esq., Laughern House
Hurst Mrs. Mary
Husbands Mr. Edmund Thomas, Barfurlong Cottage
Nash James, Esq., M.D., The Noak
Smith Rev. William, B.A., Curate, Rectory Cottage
Smith Mr. Nathaniel, Horseham House

Allport Richard, farmer

Badger John, farmer, Upper Hollen
Ballard John, wheelwright and carpenter
Bigwood James John, Master of the Union
Bishop Thomas, blacksmith
Boughton Joseph Henry, farmer, Brook
Bradley Thomas Waldron, surgeon, Hope House

Clewer Ann, farmer, Hill Top, Horseham
Cooper John, cider retailer
Cowell Daniel, farmer, Martley Court

Davis Michael, farmer, Lingens; also of the Hope House
Davis Daniel, farmer
Davis John, farmer, Old House
Davis William, farmer, Hawksnest

Ennis Diana, farmer, Ham Bridge

Farmer William, shopkeeper
Farmer John, lime burner
Footman Richard, shoe maker

Gardner Elizabeth, farmer, Brook House
Gardner Edward, farmer, Brook House
Gittings John, tailor
Gould Marianne, farmer, Hill Side
Gould George, blacksmith
Gregg Frederick, tailor

Hill Matthew, farmer, Tompkins
Hill Thomas, wheelwright and carpenter
Hill John, victualler and shopkeeper, Crown
Hill Henry, shopkeeper
Holliday Charles, victualler, farmer, and farrier, Admiral Rodney
Holliday Charles, farmer

Lipscombe Edwin, Registrar of Births and Deaths for Martley District

Merrick James, grocer and draper; Collector of Taxes
Matthews Mark, shoe maker

Payne John, farmer, Berrow Green
Perks Henry, butcher
Potter George, farmer, Rodge Hill; also of Lane End, Shelsley Beauchamp

Rimell William, castrator, Berrow Green
Rogers William, farmer, Berrow House; also of Upper and Lower Horseham
Rogers John, tanner, Tan House
Rowley George, cooper

Severn Samuel, farmer
Shepherd Richard, carpenter & builder, Kingswood
Shepherd Richard, carpenter and builder
Sidley Elizabeth Susannah, boarding school
Spilsbury Benjamin, farm bailiff to J. Nash, Esq., The Noak

Taylor Samuel, farmer, Hockhams
Thomas William, blacksmith
Turley Sarah, farmer, Pudford
Turley James, farmer, Prickley Farm
Turley Joseph, farmer, Aldon’s; also of the Park Farm, Great Witley
Turley Joseph, farmer, Lower Hollen; also of Barber’s Farm
Turley Edward, wheelwright and carpenter

Williams Thomas, Police Officer, Station

Young Thomas, farmer, Prickley Green
Young John, blacksmith

Hillhampton

Gibbons Benjamin, Esq., Hillhampton House
Bal Joseph, shopkeeper
Broom Wm., gamekeeper to Lord Ward
Croydon William, farmer, Hillhampton Farm
Dukes John, mason
Pearman Joseph, farmer
Williams Henry, beer retailer and mason, Rock Tavern

Post Office, Martley – Mr. James Merrick, Sub-Postmaster. Arrival, 10 a.m.; despatch, 4 p.m.

Carriers – Worcester, Lipscombe, Tue., Thur., and Sat., 9 a.m.; and Morris, Sat., 9 a.m.

Source: Billings Directory of Worcestershire 1855

Martley Lewis Worcestershire Directory 1820

Martley, 7 miles from Worcester, containing 173 houses, and 1050 inhabitants.

Adcock Edward, farmer
Alldridge J., carpenter
Alldridge Wm., carpenter

Badger John, farmer
Best Rev. Francis
Biddle Robert, farmer
Bishop George, farmer
Bradband William, farmer
Butt John, farmer

Cartridge Mark, farmer
Crisp Thomas, farmer

Dowding William, esq.
Dowding Charles, farmer
Davis John, farmer
Davis Daniel, butcher
Downes John, farmer

Ennes James, farmer

Footman J., shoemaker

Gardner Edward, farmer
Gardner Ed. jun., farmer
Gittens James, farmer
Gold Susannah, farmer

Harris Francis, farmer
Hickin John, farmer
Hodges George, farmer
Holliday John, farmer
Holmes Thomas, farmer
Howell Daniel, vict.

Key Thomas, victualler
Kilson Thomas, farmer

Lench John, farmer
Lench Thomas, farmer
Lewis John, farmer

Merrick J., shopkeeper
Mills William, farmer
Morton Thomas, farmer
Munn Edward, farmer

Nash George, esq.
Nurse Thomas, farmer

Palmer James, farmer
Pritchett Mary, farmer

Rastell John, shopkeeper
Rastell Sam., shoemaker
Rastell Joseph, smith
Rogers Arnold, tanner
Rowley George, cooper

Sanders Thomas, farmer
Smith Nathaniel, farmer
T

urley Jas. sen. farmer
Turley Jas. jun. farmer
Turley Edward, farmer
Turley Benjamin, farmer
Turley Edward, cooper

Watkins George, cooper
White Benjamin, farmer
Williams Rev. R.

Young Thomas, farmer

Source: S Lewis Worcestershire General and Commercial Directory for 1820.

Hillhampton Lewis Worcestershire Directory 1820

Adnams Giles, steward
Chester T., game keeper
Croydon Joseph, farmer
Flewitt – , farmer
Pearman Joseph, farmer
Piper Mary, smith
Thomas Watkin, farmer