Alcester Warwickshire Family History Guide
Alcester is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Warwickshire.
Parish church: The parish church of St. Nicholas was rebuilt in 1792, and again largely restored in 1869.
Parish registers begin: 1560
Nonconformists include: Particular Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends/Quaker, and Wesleyan Methodist.
Industries:- Agriculture and the manufacture of needles and cycles.
Fairs: Alcester, Jan. 23, March 20, April 17, May 18, July 31. Sept. 18, Oct. 17, Dec. 4.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
ALCESTER, a town, a parish, a sub district, and a district in Warwick. The town stands at the confluence of the Alne and the Arrow, and on the Birmingham and Malvern railway, 9 miles NNE of Evesham.
The Roman station Alanna stood on its site; and the Roman road, Icknield street, passed through, and may still be traced in the vicinity. Roman pavements, substructions, coins, and urns have been found. The place had great importance in the times of the Saxons, and was a royal residence at the period of the Conquest. A Benedictine Abbey was founded, in 1140, on an island about ½ a mile to the N; but fell into decay, became a cell of Evesham Abbey, and has long disappeared.
Alcester was made a borough by Henry I.; and it continued to be of note in the 16th and 17th centuries, but it is now within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates. It consists of one principal street, and some small diverging ones; and presents a clean and neat appearance. The townhall was built in 1641; the corn exchange, in 1857. The parish church, rebuilt in 1732, and retaining the previous tower, is a fine Gothic structure, and contains a well preserved altar-tomb of Sir Fulke Greville and his lady, and a splendid monument of the Marquis of Hertford.
There are three dissenting chapels, two public schools, eight alms-houses, and other charities £270. The town has a post-office under Redditch, a r. station, a banking office, a weekly market on Tuesday, and fairs on the Tuesday before 29 Jan., on the Tuesday before 25 March, on the third Tuesday of April, May, and Sept., on the second Tuesday of July, on 17 Oct., and on the first Tuesday of Dec. The manufacture of needles and fish hooks is carried on. Pop., not separately returned. The railway past Alcester was partly projected in 1861, but not all opened till 1868.
The parish of Alcester comprises 1,530 acres. Real property, £8,920. Pop., 2,128. Houses, 491. The manor belongs to the Marquis of Hertford; whose seat, Ragley Park, is about 2 miles SW of the town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester. Value, £259. Patron, the Marquis of Hertford.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850
Alcester, Jan. 23, March 20, April 17, May 18, July 31. Sept. 18, Oct. 17, Dec. 4.
Source: History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Warwickshire; Francis White & Co.; 1850.
The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales 1840
Alcester, a parish and market-town in the Alcester division of the hund. of Barlichway, union of Alcester, county of Warwick; 16 miles west-south-west of Warwick, and 103 north-west of London.
It is situated in a fine valley, on the western bank of the Alne, at its confluence with the Arrow; and consists of one principal street, with several small diverging ones. Living, a discharged rectory in the archd. and dio. of Worcester; rated at £14 2s. 10d.; gross income £260. The church, a fine structure, was rebuilt in 1792. Patron, in 1835, the marquis of Hertford, who is lord of the manor, and holds his courts in the market-hall.
There are also chapels of the Baptists, Old Presbyterians, Wesleyan Methodists, and Quakers, in this town. The Baptist church has existed since 1655. The free grammar-school was founded by Walter Newport in 1592. In 1780, Brook Bridges endowed a school here for 12 boys and 12 girls, with £20 per annum. There a also an alms-house for 4 men and 4 women. The yearly amount of these and the other charities, connected with this parish, is £279 4s.
Tanner says: “Ralph Pincerna, or Le Botelre, of Oversley, built, A. d. 1140, upon an island about half-a-mile north of this town, an abbey of Benedictine monks, which he dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist. But this house, being much decayed, was, about A.D. 1467, united and made a cell to the abbey of Evesham. Its revenues were valued, 26° Henry VIII., at £65 7s. 11d. per annum, Dugd.; £101 14s., Speed; and were granted first to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex; after his attainder to Foulk Grevill; and 36° Henry VIII., to William and John Sewster.” Traces of this abbey are still visible.
Alcester was made a free borough in the reign of Henry I., and was of some note in the 16th and 17th centuries. It afterwards became the property of the Beauchamps, and subsequently of the Grevilles. It is now within the jurisdiction of the county-magistrates for the Alcester division of the hundred, who hold petty-sessions at Alcester.
The Alcester poor-law union comprehends a district of 74 square miles, containing 22 parishes; and a pop. returned, in 1831, at 15,933. The average annual expenditure on the poor of this district, during the three years preceding the formation of the union, was £6,593; expenditure, in 1838, £4,410.
The Gloucestershire Banking Company has a branch here. The principal manufacture is that of needles; there are also several malt-kilns and corn-mills. The market is held on Tuesday, and is well supplied with corn. Fairs are held on the Tuesday before the 25th of March, 18th May, 2d Tuesday in July, and 17th October, principally for horses and cheese.
Alcester is supposed to have been a Roman station. The Roman way called Icknild Street passed through it, and may still be traced in the vicinity. Some antiquaries identify Alcester with the Alana of Richard of Cirencester. In Saxon times it was a place of great importance; and, at the period of the Conquest, was a royal residence. Pop., in 1801, 1,625; in 1831, 2,405. Houses 491. Acres 1,530. A. P. £6,354. Poor rates, in 1837, £714 — Beauchamp court, in the neighbourhood of Alcester, was the seat of Fulke Greville, Sir Philip Sidney’s beloved friend.
Source: The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales; A Fullarton & Co. Glasgow; 1840.
The History Topography and Directory of Warwickshire 1830
Alcester or Aulcester, – usually called Auster, – is a bustling and considerable market town, in Barlichway hundred, 8 miles west from Stratford-on-Avon, 19 miles from Birmingham, and 103 from London; pleasantly, though remotely, situate on the western skirts of the county, at the confluence of the rivers Alne and Arrow, over each of which is a bridge.
In 1803 the sum raised by its parochial rates was £1009 8s. 6d, at 6s. 6d. in the pound. In 1811 it contained 416 houses and 1862 inhabitants. In 1821 it contained 465 houses and 2229 inhabitants, of whom, it is supposed, 500 are employed in the manufacture of needles. In 1826 it was valued at £6296; – its proportion to the county rate was £26 4s. 8d. It is a Rectory, value £14 2s. 10d. – Patron, the Earl of Warwick.
Alcester was formerly a place of much greater importance than at present, as well as a principle Roman station, ascertained not only from the various coins, urns, and bricks which have been found near it, but from the Roman way, called Ickneild Street, which passes through it. It is said formerly to have had three parish churches and an abbey, on a piece of ground encompassed by the Arrow and a moat. It was the residence of some of the kings, and anciently a borough, by prescription; and, as it has been already observed, “the buildings of Alcester prove the commercial respectability of the place in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The chief houses have now received modern fronts, but the interior of many is yet unaltered, and here are seen the massy timbers and abundant carvings of past days.” There is a Free School in the town, founded in the reign of Elizabeth, in pursuance of the will of Walter Newport, gent. There are also almshouses for aged men and women, and a workhouse. The church, a gothic structure, is much admired, and the monument of the Marquis of Hertford, recently erected, is particularly fine. It also contains the well preserved altar tomb of Sir Foulke Greville and Lady Elizabeth his wife. On the top are the recumbent effigies of the deceased.
Over the ornamented Market Hall the Marquis of Hertford, as Lord of the Manor, holds his courts. The colonnade below is appropriated to the market people. The market, on Tuesday, is always abundantly supplied with corn, and well attended. Not only Camden and Dugdale, but all modern writers agree on the antiquity and consequence of this place; and Mr. Brewer justly remarks, and agrees with Dugdale, “that this was a Roman station may be asserted on secure grounds.
Its name evinces its antiquity, as the word Cestre or Cester, was invariably used by the Saxons to express a fortified place; and the situation of the town Ickneild, or Ryknild Street, readily points to the people by whom those fortifications were raised. Vestiges of the Romans are, likewise, frequently discovered.” Dugdale mentions “old foundations of buildings, Roman bricks, and coins,” which were often found here in his time. Gibson says, that “about fifty years ago, in digging a cellar, there was an urn taken up, with 600 and odd pieces of Roman coin in it’” and Gough notices coins found in making the turnpike road, to lead from Alcester to Stratford.
Remains of the Romans are frequently turned up by the spade and plough, at the present period. In the 17th volume of the Archaelogia, is an account of two urns found in a piece of ground, termed Blacklands, near Alcester: one contained many fragments of human bones, which had evidently passed through the fire; the other was of squat proportion, and held on a small quantity of human dust or ashes. – These urns were submitted to the Society of Antiquaries, by Joseph Brandish, Esq. and are now in the possession of that gentleman, who kindly favoured us with a view of them.
From the remarks with which we were also favoured by Mr. Brandish, during our investigation respecting Alcester, we are enabled to observe, that urns are occasionally met with in every quarter of this vicinity, though they are usually knocked to pieces by the inadvertence of the rustic labourers: while here we also procured a vast number of small Roman coins. It is likewise a curious fact, that the earth is seldom penetrated to the depth of more than two feet, without the discovery of a human skeleton.
It seems evident that Alcester was a Roman station of some importance, and its situation shews it to be the Alauna of Richard of Cirencester. A general synod is supposed to have been held in this place early in the eighth century, at which were present Bertwald, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Wilfrid, Archbishop of York; but there is not any mention of Alcester in Doomsday-book, nor does the name directly occur in any record discovered by Dugdale, till the time of Henry I.; in that reign Alcester was styled a borough, and in 23rd of Henry II. it paid four marks to the King, amongst the other boroughs of this county.
A monastery was founded here by Ralph Boteler, in the 5th of King Stephen, and stood on the north of the town, on a spot now called Prior Close. The site was completely insulated; the river Arrow forming a boundary on the north and east, and a moat being constructed on the other sides. This moat is still apparent, though in many places filled with earth, and overgrown by trees. The area within comprehends somewhat less than two acres, and was considered arable in the early part of the 17th century. On ploughing within the limits of the monastery a few years back, a stone coffin was discovered, with places formed to admit the head, the elbows, and the heels of the corpse.
A moiety of the manor being purchased by the Beauchamps, in the latter part of the reign of Henry III, that powerful family fixed their chief seat in the vicinity, and became munificent patrons of the town. By the Beauchamps were procured several charters for fairs, and the family of Greville, which succeeded to the lordship by marriage of the daughter of Sir Richard Beauchamp, in the reign of Henry VIII, continued to reside in the ancient mansion, and to protect the interests of the town.
Some of the old materials of this city, (which stood where the Blacklands now are) are said to have been made use of in building Bidford Bridge. In the 15th century, there was a description of trade here called Town Knitters.
Source: The History Topography and Directory of Warwickshire 1830. Wm. West. Printed and Published by R. Wrightson, Athenaeum, New-Street; and sold by Baldwin and Craddock, and Hurst, Chance and Co., London. 1830.
Complete Pocket Gazetteer of England and Wales 1807
Alcester, or Aulcester, (Warw.) a market town situate at the confluence of the rivers Alne and Arrow, with a bridge over each. It is a neat town, with a consideiable manufacture of needles; and, from many Roman coins and other antiquities discovered here and in the neighbourhood, it was evidently a Roman station. It is also conjectured to have been formerly a place of greater importance than at present; and, according to some, it contained 3 parish churches.
Market Day, Fairs, Inn. The weekly market is held on Tuesday. Fairs, Thurs. before Ap. 5, May 18, and Oct. 17. Principal inn, the Swan.
Bankers. Messrs. Haynes and Co. draw on Bloxam and Co. Gracechurch-street.
Alcester is distant from London 103 miles. 3 furlongs. On the left is a turnpike-road to Evesham and. Worcester
Source: Complete Pocket Gazetteer of England and Wales; Crosby Rev. J. Malham; 1807.
Photographs
Photographs of Alcester town and church.
Parish Registers
Alcester Marriages Out of Parish
Below is a list of people who were from Alcester but who were married in another parish.
William Young, of Alcester, & Sarah Woodward 22 June 1763 at North & Middle Littleton, Worcestershire.
John Wall, of Alcester, w., & Margaret Cull, w., lic. 22 Oct. 1790 at North & Middle Littleton, Worcestershire.
Henry Mander, of Alcester, co. Warwick, b., & Sarah Brookes, s., lic. 28 Jan. 1808 at North & Middle Littleton, Worcestershire.
Parish Records
FamilySearch
Poll Books
Alcester Warwickshire Poll Book 1868
Below are the names of those that voted in the South Warwickshire Election, 1868.
1 Adkins, Jesse
2 Aldington, Thomas
3 Allwood, William, jun.
4 Archer, Joseph
5 Arnall, Francis
6 Averill, Thomas
7 Baylis, William
8 Bennett, Stephen
9 Boulton, John
10 Brandis, William
11 Brooks, John
12 Brown, Hugh Frazer
13 Bruton, George
14 Cale, William
15 Cook, Charles
16 Crow, Frederick Alfred
17 Davis, John
18 Dipple, John
19 Farr, Joseph
20 Findon, James
21 Fourt, Henry
22 Franklin, James
23 Freer, William
24 French, Francis Goodson Pantling
25 Garrard, George Henry
20 Grizzell, William
27 Grove, Charles
28 Haines, George Henry Heap
29 Haines, Henry
30 Harbridge, Richard Henry
31
32 Harrison, Joseph
33 Hawkins, William
34 Hill, Joseph
35 Hitchings, Thomas
36 Holyoake, Joseph
37 Hopkins, Thomas
38 Horton, Thomas
39 Hughes, Benjamin
40 Hughes, John
41 Hunt, William
42 Ingram, Thomas
43 Iorns, Thomas
44 Jackson, Alfred Herbert
45 Jephcott, Eobert William
46 Jones, Charles
47 Jones, John Langston
48 Lewis, William
49 Long, John
50 Malins, John
51 Malins, Thomas
52 Mander, Francis
53 Morgan, John
54 Morrall, Edwin
55
56 New, Herbert
57 Overbury, Henry
58 Parr, Edmund
59 Perry, John
60 Philpin, Moses
61 Prance, Courtenay Connell
62 Reeve, Edward
63 Richards, John
64 Rimmer, Thomas
65 Russen, William
66 Sherriff, Edward
67 Smallwood, William
68 Smith, Lant Thomas
69 Smith, Edwin
70 Smith, James Knight
71 Spilsbury, Francis Mosley
72 Stephens, John
73 Terrill, William
74 Terrill, Charles
75 Timms, Charles
76 Wadams, William
77 Walker, Henry
78 Ward, John
79 White, William
80
81 Williams, John
82 Windle, Richard William
83 Wright, Josiah
84 Wright, William
85 Wyman, George
List 2.
86 Ainge, John
87 Allwood, Joseph
88 Allwood, William
89 Archer, Edward
90 Baylis, George
91 Bennett, Thomas
92 Bomford, James
93 Brotherton, Enoch
94 Brown, John
95 Care, Joseph
96 Court, Thomas
97 Crossley, George
98 Cale, William
99 Chambers, Enoch
100 Currier, William
101 Day, Emanuel
102 Dowdeswell, Charles
103 Edginton, Joseph
104 Fisher, Richard
105 Hallam, Thomas
106 Hall, Charles
107 Hawtin, William
108 Hemming, John
109
110 Heath, Thomas
111 Hinton, William
112 Hunt, Charles
113 Hopkins, William
114 Harman, Joseph
115 Jackson, Thomas
116 Mortiboys, William
117 Oughton, Henry
118 Overbury, Joseph
119 Owen, John George
120 Perkins, William
121 Pinfield, Joseph
122 Raybould, Joseph
123 Richards, George
124 Slide, Samuel
125 Smout, Thomas
126
127 Thackwell, Rev. William Henry
128 White, William
129 Wright, Edward Moor
130 Wright, Charles Sheriff
Source: Poll Book, South Warwickshire Election, 1868: H Mills. Printed and Sold by H. T. Cooke and Son, High Street, Warwick; 1869
Directories
Alcester Bennett’s Business Directory for Warwickshire, 1914
Alcester The Universal British Directory 1791 – Google Books
Kelly’s Directory of the Electrical Industry and Wireless and Allied Trades 1926
ALCESTER
Pop 2,259 Market day Monday Early closing day Thursday
Engineers & Fitters – Electric Light & Supplies (Electrical & Wireless) Dealers
Stanley Isaac & Son High st
Source: Kelly’s Directory of the Electrical Industry and Wireless and Allied Trades Throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and the Principal Towns in Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man 1926
Kelly’s Directory of the Wine and Spirit Trades 1884
Marked thus * are Small Brewers who brew the beer they sell.
ALCESTER Redditch
Brewers
Baylis William George *
Chambers Enoch *
Dexter William *
Fourt Henry *
Fourt Richard *
Fryer Mrs Elizabeth *
Harvey William *
Millington George *
Perkins Ezekiel *
Whitford William *
Cooper
Davies Mrs Elizabeth
Hotels
Bear Joseph Coles
Swan Thomas Good
Maltster
Haines George Henry Heap
Wine & Spirit Merchants
Bird Richard Martin & Co
Source: The Post office directory of the brewers and maltsters [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of the wine and spirit trades, with which are included brewers and maltsters By Kelly’s directories, ltd. 1884
Kelly’s Directory of the Watch, Clock and Jewellery Trades 1880
ALCESTER
Fancy Repositories
Wright Edward M High street
Wrighton Mrs Amy Maria
Jeweller
Cuzner Henry Lionel
Watch & Clock Makers
Adkins Jesse
Cuzner Henry Lionel
Source: The Post office [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of the watch and clock trades, goldsmiths and jewellers [&c. afterw.] Kelly’s directory of the watch, clock and jewellery trades. Kelly’s directories, ltd. 1880
Kelly’s Directory of Birmingham, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire 1854
GENTRY
Boulton John esq
Brindley Mrs Eliza
Careless Mrs Elizabeth
Crow Rev Frederick Alfred rector
Fisher Richard esq
Jones Mrs
Langston Mrs
Mascall Mrs
Philpin Rev Moses
Pratt James Erasmus esq
Williams Mr William
Wilson Thomas esq
TRADERS
Adcock John bricklayer
Alcester Gas Light Coal & Coke Company, Richard Wm Windle sec
Allen Peter baker
Allen Thomas cooper
Allwood Charles & Son needle factors
Allwood George Greyhound
Allwood William baker
Allwood William needle manufacturer
Archer Edward glass & china dealer
Archer William shoemaker
Arnall Francis butcher
Averill Thomas rope maker
Baugh Ebenezer farmer
Baylis William butcher
Bennett George Dog & Partridge
Boddington Henry butcher
Booker Jonathan toy dealer
Brandis William ironmonger
Brooks John painter & glazier
Brotherton Enoch baker
Brown James seedsman
Bruton Edward plumber painter &c
Bruton George boot & shoe maker
Buckerfield John grocer
Butler Elizabeth Miss shopkeeper
Butler Thomas cowkeeper
Calcott James carrier
Care Joseph Globe commercial inn
Chambers Enoch haberdasher
Collett Susannah Mrs Red Horse
Collingbourne David painter
Cook Charles wheelwright
Cook John baker
Crow John baker
Cubberley Francis baker
Davies Martha Mrs milliner
Davis & Perkins agricltrl machine mkrs
Davis Harriet Miss milliner
Dipple John brickmaker
Dyer William blacksmith
Edkins William tailor & draper
Findon John tailor
Fortnam William grocer
Fourt Elijah grocer
Fourt Henry beer retailer & baker
Freeman Thomas fishmonger
Fryer William tailor
Gardner Hannah Mrs Three Horse Shoes
Gardner Wm watch & clock maker silversmith & jeweller
Grizzell Wm linen & woollen draper
Guy John Apollo
Haines Geo Hen Heap currier & mltstr
Hall William grocer
Hance John Worthy stationer
Hanson Richard farmer
Harbridge Rd Henry boys brding schl
Harman James needle scourer
Harrison Joseph needle stamper
Harvey Henry farmer
Hawkins William Blue Bell
Hawtin William hardware dealer
Heath Thomas relieving officer
Hill George Royal Oak
Hillier Joseph carrier
Hinton William baker
Hitchings Thomas ironmonger
Hollis Kitty Mrs linendraper
Holyoak Daniel blacksmith
Hopkins Henry hairdresser
Hopkins Thomas hairdresser
Hopkins William George baker
Huband Charles seedsman
Hughes John farmer
Hunt John millwright
Hunt William builder
Hutton Thomas Fox
Ingram Thomas builder
Iorns Thomas watch & clock maker
Jackson George farmer
Jephcott Richard grocer & tea dealer
Johnson James china & glass dealer
Johnson Sophia Miss ladies school
Jones Charles, solicitor, clerk to the union, clerk to petty sessions, clerk to the county court & superintendent registrar
Kendrick Fras Hen watch & clock ma
Kirby Joseph cooper
Layton William poulterer
Lea Joseph tailor
Lewis William corn & flour dealer
Long James needle stamper
Long Solomon Three Tuns
Malen Thomas bricklayer
Malins John Talbot
Marshall Joseph New inn
Matthews Richard hatter
Mills Joseph butcher
Mills Joseph jun butcher
Morrall Edwin plumber & glazier
Morrall Thomas teacher of music
Morris Bartholomew tailor
Mortiboys Isaac painter & glazier
Mortiboys William painter & glazier
Munslow Isaac shoemaker
Murrell James auctioneer
Overbury Henry druggist
Overbury Joseph Angel hotel
Parker John needle stamper
Parker Richard tailor
Parr Edmund shoemaker
Parr John tailor
Partington John saddler & harness ma
Pratt Henry linen & woollen draper High street
Prickett William Ward solicitor
Purton Astley physician
Reeve Edward maltster
Rimmer John & Son needle & fish hook manufacturers
Rimmer William Rose & Crown
Russon William Turk’s Head
Sanders Mabala Miss milliner
Sheppard George corn dealer
Simmons Charles shoemaker
Simmons William haberdasher
Smallwood William maltster
Smith Thomas Lant, surgeon
Spooner Jeremiah basket maker
Spooner Thomas ‘Mug’
Staples Thomas tailor
Stephens James shopkeeper
Stewart Charles saddler
Stiles Thomas shoemaker
Terrill Charles White Lion
Terrill William Swan family & commercial hotel & posting house
Thompson Christopher confectioner
Timms Charles grocer & tea dealer
Tompkins William blacksmith
Townsend Thomas needle stamper
Waddams John butcher
Ward James shoemaker
Warner Sarah Mrs staymaker
Warner Thomas baker
Waterhouse Thomas bricklayer
Watson John needle stamper
Wesson John shoemaker
Whissell James needle manufacturer
White William grocer tea dlr & druggist
Whitford William haircutter
Williams John wine & spirit dealer
Williams Robert William Bear commercial inn & veterinary surgeon
Windle Louisa Mrs habrdshr & milnr
Windle Richard William auctioneer land surveyor & commission agent
Woodfield William shopkeeper
Wright Edward Moore, bookseller stationer, printer, newsagent, fancy toy dealer, berlin wool repository circulating library & public reading rooms, High street
Wright Josiah pawnbrokr & leathr cutr
Wright William blacksmith
Wright William clothier
Wyman George surgeon
POST OFFICE John Worthy Hance, postmaster. Letters arrive at 20 min past 7 am & are dispatched at 25 min past 6 pm. Money orders are paid & granted from 9 am to to 6 pm.
BANKERS :-
Gloucester Banking Company (Branch of) Henry Overbury agent
Stourbridge & Kidderminster Banking Co (Branch of)
Savings Bank, James Sayce, secretary
MAGISTRATES – Sir Francis L.H. Goodricke, Studley Castle; Rev Thos Boultbee, Salford; Rev Geo, Robert Grey, Inkberrow; Thomas Brown esq. Kinwarton; Hen. Milward esq. Redditch; Richard Fisher, esq. Alcester. Charles Jones clerk
INSURANCE AGENTS :-
Birmingham Fire Joseph Overbury
Birmingham District Fire William Terrill
Cgurch of England Fire & Life John Worthy Hance
Clerical & Medical Life Henry Overbury
County Fire & Hailstorm John Buckerfield
Hope Mutual Life & Honesty Guarantee, Rd Wm Windle
London Union Edward M Wright
Norwich Union Fire & Life William White
Phoeniz Fire Henry Overbury
Provident Life John Buckerfield
Standard Life William Terrill
PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS :-
Inland Revenue Office Swan hotel
Stamp Office Hy Overbury distributor
Union Workhouse John Boulton master; Rev Thomas Roberts chaplain; Charles Jones clerk to the union
PUBLIC OPPICERS :-
Superintendent Registrar Charles Jones
Registrar of Births & Deaths Henry Overbury
Registrar of Marriages Richard Henry Harbridge
POSTING HOUSES :-
Angel hotel Joseph Overbury
Swan hotel William Terrill
PUBLIC SCHOOLS :-
Endowed Richard Henry Harbridge master
National James Sayce master; Mrs Sayce mistress
COACHES TO :-
BIRMINGHAM – Tallo Ho! from Swan hotel daily (sun ex) at ½ past 3 aft; Britannia, from the White Lion inn, every mon thurs & sat at 7 morn returns same days at ½ past 7 even; Quicksilver, from Globe inn, daily at 7 morn (sun ex) returns at ½ past 8 even
CHELTENHAM – Star from Swan hotel every tues Thurs & sat at noon noon
EVESHAM – Star from Swan hotel tues thurs & sat at noon
LEAMINGTON – Shakspeare, from Globe inn, daily (sun ex) at 9 morn returns at ½ past 8 even. through Stratford on Avon & Warwick; Star from Swan hotel every mon wed & fri at ½ past 2 aft
CARRIERS TO :-
BIRMINGHAM – Joseph Hillier every mon & wed returns tues & fri; George Hill every tues & fri returns wed & sat
EVESHAM – James Calcott every mon thurs & sat returns same day; John Hemming mon thurs & sat returns same day; George Hill mon & thurs returns same day; Edward Archer mon returns same day
HENLEY IN ARDEN – John Cook every thurs
REDDITCH – John Cook mon wed fri & sat returns same day; John Crow mon wed fri & sat returns same day
STRATFORD ON AVON – James Calcott every fri returns same day; John Hemming mon & fri returns same day; Edward Archer fri returns same day
WORCESTER – John Hemming wed & sat returns same day
Source: Post office directory of Birmingham, Warwickshire, and part of Staffordshire (of Birmingham, with Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire) [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of Birmingham, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire By Kelly’s directories, ltd. 1854
Directory of Warwickshire 1850
POST OFFICE Mr John Hance, postmaster. Letters arrive from all parts at 8 am and are dispatched at 5 pm
Miscellaneous List of Nobility Gentry Clergy and others not arranged in the classified Lists
Ashwin Mr Ch Evesham st
Averall Th rope mk High s
Barker Mrs Ann Priory st
Blackwell John revenue officer Stratford street
Bleaney S straw hat mkr Stratford street
Boulton Mr Jno Evesham
Brindley Mrs Eliza Priory s
Careless Mrs Eliz High st
Cattell Mr J Birch Abbey In
Cox S needle mk Priory fld
Crow Rev Frederic Alfred MA rector High street
Edkins Mrs My Church st
Ellis J horsebrker High st
Farmer Robt relieving offc Evesham street
Fletcher Mrs Isbl Priory st
Franklin Mrs S Evesham st
Harman Jas needle scourer Alcester mill
Harper J auctioneer High st
Hill Henry confectioner Butter street
Ingram Mrs Srh Priory st
Jones T gunsmith High st
Jones Mrs Chlt Church st
Jones Chas attorney clerk to the union county court and magistrates & super intdnt registrar Henley st
King Mrs Sarah Priory st
Lea Joseph town crier and parish clerk Church street
Lewis Thomas highway inspector Coughton rd
Matthews Richard hat mkr High street
Morrall Thomas professor of music High street
Murrill James auctioneer Evesham street
Perkins Wm rope maker Maltby lane
Pinfield Jno needle scourer King’s Coughton Mills
Philpin Rev Moses baptist Henley street
Pollard Mr W Coughton rd
Pratt Jas E gent Priory st
Purton Astley MD Field hs
Savage T gardener High st
Smith Chas millwright and machine mkr Stratford st
Smith Miss Ann Priory st
Sorrill William whitesmith Bleachfield street
Spooner Jeremiah basket maker Evesham street
Tarplee Joseph chairmkr and beerhouse Priory st
Townsend Thomas needle maker Priory street
White Miss Lucy Priory st
Whitford William straw hat maker High street
Whitford Alfred net maker & horse clipper High st
Williams John wine and spirit mert Henley street
Williams W gent Church st
Wilson Thos Esq Priory st
Wright Edw public reading rooms circulating library & Berlin wool repository High street
Wright Wm broker High st
Wright Josiah pawnbroker Bleachfield street
Academies
Marked * are Boarding Schis
Butler Miss Eliz Henley st *
Franklin Mrs A Church st
Free Grammar School Richd Harbridge Birchabbey In
Johnson Joseph Henley st *
Johnson Miss Sophia Poplar cottage Evesham st *
National School Jas & Sarah Sayce Alcester moors
Attorneys
Jones Charles Henley street
Prickett William Ward Stratford street
Bakers & Flour Dealrs
Allen Peter Church street
Allwood William Swan st
Cook John High street
Crow John Bleachfield st
Davis John Evesham street
Hinton William High st
Hopkins William High st
Voile Thomas High street
Blacksmiths
Dyer William Swan street
Holyoak Daniel Priory st
Millington Hy Maltby In
Wright William Tibbets ln
Booksellers Printers and stationers
Hance John High street
Wright William High street
Boot and Shoe Makers
Archer John Swan street
Archer William Priory st
Bruton George Evesham st
Cooper David Bleachfield st
Edwards Wm Coughton rd
Fourt Elijah Henley street
Greenhill G Birchabbey ln
Higgins Geo Stratford st
Hitchings W Alcester moor
Ingram James carpenter Bleachfield street
Munslowe Isaac High st
Morphey Dan Bleachfield st
Parr Edward Priory street
Perkins Geo Alcester moors
Simmons Chas Henley st
Stiles Thomas Priory street
Stiles Edw Spring gardens
Ward James Evesham st
Wesson John Church street
Braziers & Tinplt Wks
Brandis William High st
Hitchings Thomas High st
Bricklayers
Adcock Th Alcester moors
Malins Thos Henley street
Waterhouse Thos Moors
Brickmakers
Chamberlains W Coughton r
Dipple John Alcester street
Ellens Wm Alcester moors
Whittingham James Alcester heath
Builders
Adcock John Church street
Hughes Thomas Swan st
Hunt William High street
Ingram Thos Priory street
Butchers
Arnall Francis High street
Baylis William Priory st
Boddington Henry High st
Mills Joseph Swan street
Smith Henry Evesham st
Wadams John High street
Chemists and Druggists
Overbury Henry High st
White William High street
Coal Dealers
Cook Charles Maltby lane
Gardner Richard High st
Powell William Henley st
Simmons Chas Henley st
Coopers
Allen Thomas High street
Kirby Joseph High street
Corn Millers
Haynes Henry Priory street
Sheppard George Swan st
Currier & Leather Cutr
Haines Geo Hy Church st
Farmers
Bamford Benj Warren farm
Chattaway J King’s Coughton
Chattaway Wm Priory st
Davis Wm Evesham street
Fisher Rd Alcester Lodge
Franch James Priory street
Hanson Sl., Alcester heath
Hearne Stephen Street, Beauchamp court
Harman My Bleachfield st
Horton Thos Bunker’s hill
Hughes John Alcester park
Hughes Thomas Abraham, Stratford street
Osbourne Henry High st
Stephens J Birchabbey lane
Whissell Geo Maltby lane
Fire and Life Offices
Church of England, John Hance High street
County, John Buckerfield High street
Farmers (fire) Jas Harper High street
Norwich Union, Wm White High street
Provident John Buckerfield High street
Phoenix (fire) Henry Overbury High street
Gardeners & Seedsmen
Fourt Jacob Henley street
Horton Charles King’s Coughton
Huband Charles Priory st
Savage Thomas High st
Glass and China Dlrs
Archer Edward High street
Archer William High street
Johnson James Swan street
Grocers & Tea Dealers
Buckerfield John High st
Fortnam Wm Butler street
Franklin Abel High street
Jephcott Richard High st
White Willian High street
Haberdashers & Hosiers
Guzzell Wm High street
Winsell My Church
Whittingham J Church st
Hair Dressers
Hopkins Henry High street
Hopkins Thos Evesham st
Whitford Alfred High st
Hotels Inns & Taverns
Angel Hotel Joseph Overbury Church street
Apollo John Guy High st
Bear Inn R Williams High st
Bell William Hawkins Evesham street
Dog and Partridge George Bennett Bleachfield st
Fox Jph Griffin High st
Globe Jph Care Swan st
Greyhound Geo Allwood Henley street
Mug House Geo Townsend Coughton road
Nelson Inn Henry Haynes Priory street
New Inn Joseph Marshall Bleachfield street
Red Horse Susanh Collitt Henley street
Rose & Crown Rt Puncker Evesham street
Royal Oak Thomas Savage High street
Swan Hotel Willm Serrill Swan street
Talbot J Malins High st
Three Horse Shoes Richard Gardner High street
Three Tuns Solomon Long High street
Turk’s Head Eliz Russen High street
White Lion Chas Terrill Evesham street
Beerhouses
Fourt James Henley street
Tarplee Joseph and chair maker Priory street
Ironmongers
Brandis Wm High street
Hitchings Thomas High st
Hughes Thomas Swan st
Joiners
Allwood Thos Church st
Bleaney Henry Henley st
Dyar Thomas High street
Franklin Thomas High st
Hughes Thomas Swan st
Hunt John Church street
Linen and Woollen Drapers
Grezzell Wm High street
Holliss Kitty High street
Pratt Henry High street
Maltsters
Guy John High street
Haines Geo Hy Church st
Lewis Wm Henley st
Reeve Edwd Maltby lane
Milliners and Dress Makers
Franklin Evesham st
Johnson Sar Evesham st
Mills Ann Evesham st
Quiney Reb Stratford st
Needle Manufrs
Allwood Chas Church st
Allwood W & Sons Henley s
Armand Jas Coughton road
Parsons Wm Henley st
Rimmer Thos & Sons Rose cottage Eresham st
Plumbers Glaziers and Painters
Bruton Ed Evesham st
Collingbourne Dvd High st
Franch Jas Priory st
Mortiboys Isaac Evesham s
Mortiboys Wm High st
Morrall Edwin Church st
Saddlers
Dowdeswell S Bleachfid st
Partington John High st
Steward Ch High street
Shopkeepers
Bleaney Hy Henley st
Booker Jonth. Bleachfld st
Brooke Soph Evesham st
Butler Martha Maltby lane
Clark Geo Butler street
Farr Henry Evesham st
Fourt Jacob Henley street
Hawton Wm Priory street
Smith Henry Evesham st
Stephens Jas Evesham st
Wissell Jas Evesham st
Woodfield Wm Bleachfld st
Surgeons
Smith Th. Lant Evesham s
Wyman Geo Church st
Tailors
Marked * are Drapers
Biddle Th Alcester moors
Bleaney Saml Stratford st
Edkins Wm High st *
Findon John Swan st
Fryer Wm Priory st
Holtam Rd Butler st
Hopkins Wm High st
Lea Joseph Church st *
Morris Barthl Maltby lane
Parr John High st *
Perry John Alcester heath
Tallow Chandlers
Franklin Abel High st
Jephcott Rd High st
Watch and Clock Makers
Iorns Thos High st
Kendrick Ch Evesham st
Wheelwrights
Cook Charles Maltby lane
Edwards John Priory st
Lewis Wm Cougliton rd
Coaches
From the Swan Hotel
Tally ho, to Evesham daily 11 am Sundays excp.
Star, to Leamington via Stratford & Warwick mon. wed. & fri. 2.30 pm and to Worcester tu thur and sat 12.30 noon
From the White Lion Inn
Britannia, to Birmingham mon. th. & sat. at 7 am
From the Globe Inn
Omnibus to Leamington via Stratford & Warwick daily at 9 am Sunday excp.
From the Bear Inn
Quicksilver to Birmingham via Studley Redditch & and Allchurch daily at 7 am Sunday excepted
Carriers
Birmingham J Hilliar m & w
Redditch Thos Voile High street mon wed and fri
Stratford on Avon Th Coles from the Fox tu; & John Hemming Henley st m & f
Worcester John Hemming Henley street wed & sat
Source: History, Gazetteer, and Directory, of Warwickshire By White Francis and co. 1850
Alcester 1791 (Principal Inhabitants of)
Gentlemen, &c.
Arnway John, Esq.
Brandish Samuel, Esq. (F.)
Cheston John, Esq. (F.)
Bartham, Mrs. Anne
Clergy
Rev. Matthew Booker, Curate, and Master of the Grammar School
Rev. Joseph Gill
Rev. Joseph Evans
Rev. –, Maurice, Dissenting Minister
Physic
Brandish Joseph, (F.) Surgeon, &c.
Bloxam Richard, (F.) Druggist and Apothecary
Oldham – , Surgeon & Man Midwife
Law
Jones Walter, (F.) Attorney, and Master in Chancery
Showel John, Attorney, and Master in Chancery
Traders, &c.
Adkins William, Blacksmith
Allen Thomas, Victualler, Red Horse
Ashmead H. Mantua-maker & Milliner
Archer and Mascall, Needle-makers
Archer James, Needle-maker
Avorill Thomas, Flax-dresser
Briggs Dimmok, Collar-maker
Brain John, Victualler & Salt Dealer
Bristow Francis, Shoe-maker
Bristow John, Baker
Bourne James, Excise Officer
Biddle George, Taylor
Brandis Anne, Ironmonger
Brandis John, Chandler
Butler Ed. Breeches-maker & Fellmonger
Bruton John, Victualler & Blacksmith
Crukshanks John, Book-keeper to London Carrier
Cheston and Morralls, Needle-makers
Clarson Thomas, (F.) Dyer
Clarson Robert and John, Hosiers
Cheston Thomas, (F.) Tanner
Corfield William, Victualler & Dealer
Clarke R. Maria, Brazier
Clarke Elizabeth, Shopkeeper
Clark Wm. Mercer & Liquor Merchant
Cox John, (F.) Grazier
Davis Charles, Clock & Watch-maker
Denton – , Mantua-maker
Davis James, Victualler
Doncaster Mary, Mantua-maker
Draper James, Blacksmith
Edkins John, Butcher
Edkins Margaret, Butcher
Edkins Rd. (F.) Butcher & Grazier
Edwards John, Farmer
Franklin Thomas, Joiner
Field Edward, Mercer & Draper
Fisher Richard, Farmer
Garfield Wm. Victualler, Rose & Crown
Gardner Thomas, Taylor
Greaves John, Farmer
Hicken Elizabeth, Mantua-maker
Higgins Henry, Breeches-maker
Haines William, Baker
Haines Margaret & Henry, (F.) Curriers and Maltsters
Haines Elizabeth, Milliner
Hands W. (F.) Victualler & Shopkeeper
Harbridge Thomas, (F.) Timber Merchant and Victualler
Harbridge Thomas, jun. Maltster
Hughes Benjamin, Gardener
Hodgets Lovel, Schoolmaster
Harris William, (F.) Sadler & Collar-maker, Ironmonger, &c.
Higgins Anthony, Peruke-maker
Hopkins Joshua, (F.) Grocer & Chandler
Hooper Philip, Wool Comber
Heming Thomas, (F.) Mercer, Draper, and Bookseller
Heming Thomas, jun. Maltster, Dealer in Cheese and Horse Corn
Heming Elizabeth, Milliner
Hobbins S. Mercer, Draper, & Grocer
Hemming John, Butcher and Victualler
Hemming Thomas, Taylor
Hemming Sarah, Mantua-maker
Haines John, (F.) Mercer and Grocer
Harbone Thomas, (F.) Maltster
Hall Elizabeth, School Mistress
Harman W. (F.) Gardener & Seedsman
Huband R. Victualler, Cat & Bagpipes
Huband William, Baker & Maltster
Hart Thomas, Butcher
Hobbins John, Victualler, Mughoue [sic]
Jones Abel, Excise Officer
Johnson William, Schoolmaster, Boarding School for young Gentlemen
Jorns Thomas, Clock & Watch-maker
Jorns William, (F.) Victualler & Miller
Langston John, (F.) Baker & Miller
Murrell Mary, Victualler, Dog
Middleton Thomas, Victualler, Bear Inn
Millward Esther, Baker & Victualler
Morrall Abel, (F.) Peruke-maker and Victualler
Mascall Hannah, Milliner
Mills Anthony, (F.) Gardener
Morrell John, Baker
Morton Mary, Milliner
Nicholls Anne, Confectioner
Niblet Robert, Alcester, Evesham, and Birmingham, Carrier
Osborn Thomas, Hatter
Osborn Thomas, Whitesmith
Pumphrey Thomas, (F.) Cooper
Pumphrey Anne, Mantua-maker
Phillips William, Butcher
Perks George, Mercer, Draper, &c.
Padgett William, (F.) Joiner
Pritchett Richard, Victualler & Grazier
Pettypher James, Blacksmith, and Dealer in Bar Iron
Petford Robert, Farmer
Powell James, Alcester, Evesham, and Birmingham, Carrier
Patterson James, Shoe-maker & Broker
Smith Joseph, Glazier and Plumber
Skillet Frances, Victualler, Farrier’s Arms
Scriven Joseph & Tho. Needle-makers
Simes – , Widow, Ironmonger
Sarsons William, (F.) Stay-maker
Shakell Thomas, Maltster
Scriven John, Factor
Scambler John, Turner
Scriven – , Widow, Grocer
Scriven Joshua, (F.) Baker & Maltster
Scambler Edmund, turner, Chair-maker, and Parish Clerk
Stephens John, Victualler, Swan
Spooner Jerem. Sieve & Basket-maker
Stiles Arthur, (F.) Joiner
Smith William, Mason
Savage Thomas, Shoe-maker
Smith Ralph, Farmer
Tovey Joseph, Shoe-maker
Tidmarsh Richard, Wheelwright
Timms John, (F.) Shoe-maker
Timms Charles, (F.) Shoe-maker
Terrill Th. Nail-maker & Shopkeeper
Townsend Samuel, (F.) Mason
Terrill Margaret, (F.) Baker & Maltster
Vyse Edward, Shoe-maker
Wakefield William, Cooper
Watts M. Victualler, Buck & Breeches
Watts Joseph, Breeches-maker
Watton – , Widow, (F.) White Lion
Whissell Brandon, (F.) Mason
Whissell James, Toyman
Whissell Elizabeth, Post Office
Whissell George, Victualler & Mason
Wilks Joseph, Heel-maker
Warner Henry, Maltster
Whitford Thomas, Peruke-maker
Wall John, (F.) Victualler, White Lion
Warner Mary, (F.) Shopkeeper
Watson Wm. (F.) Plumber & Glazier
Source: Universal British Directory 1791
Bankrupts
Below is a list of people that were declared bankrupt between 1820 and 1843 extracted from The Bankrupt Directory; George Elwick; London; Simpkin, Marshall and Co.; 1843.
Allen Peter; and John Smith; Alcester, Warwickshire, millers, Aug. 11, 1826.
Butler Edward, Alcester, Warwickshire, fellmonger, March 18, 1823.
Butler Edward, Alcester, Warwickshire, fetlmonger, Oct. 22, 1839.
Grafton Martin Charles, Alcester, Warwickshire, tanner, July 15, 1836.
Harris Charles, Alcester, Warwickshire, saddler and seedsman. May 8, 1829.
Snow John, Worcester, and Alcester, scrivener, Feb. 12, 1830.
Stratton George Frederick, Park Hall, near Alcester, pipe manuf., Dec. 11, 1832.
Maps
Administration
- County: Warwickshire
- Civil Registration District: Alcester
- Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Worcester (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Worcester
- Rural Deanery: Warwick
- Poor Law Union: Alcester
- Hundred: Barlinchway
- Province: Canterbury