Newnham Gloucestershire Family History Guide
Newnham is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Gloucestershire.
Other places in the parish include: Ayleford, Aylesford, Ruddle, Rudhall, and Rhuddle.
Parish church: St Peter
Parish registers begin: 1547
Nonconformists include: Independent/Congregational and Wesleyan Methodist.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
NEWNHAM, a small town, a parish, and a sub-district, in Westbury-on-Severn district, Gloucester. The town stands on the river Severn, adjacent to the Gloucester and South Wales railway, 11 miles SW of Gloucester.
It was the place where Earl Strongbow and Henry II. met in 1171, and the place whence they set sail for Ireland; it received from King John a sword of office, which is still kept in perfect preservation; it received also a charter from King John; it sent a member to parliament in the time of Edward I.; it afterwards got exemption from sending one, on account of poverty; it was, for some time, governed by a mayor and corporation; and it afterwards became governed only by two constables.
A castle was built at it soon after the Norman conquest; was garrisoned, by Wyntoun, for Charles I.; and was surrendered to Col. Massie. Some remains of fortification may still be traced; and a long raised ancient fosse has been converted into a pleasant promenade. The Severn here is nearly a mile wide; shows beautiful scenery; and has a ferry at high and low water. A proposal was made about 1837 to erect a suspension-bridge, 1,125 feet long, with two main arches, each 45 feet in span, and with side-openings; but has never been carried into effect.
The town is a seat of petty sessions and county-courts, and a polling-place; and has a head post-office, a railway station with telegraph, a banking office, two good hotels, a neat town hall, a church, an Independent chapel, a national school, and charities £50. The church stands on an eminence, at the S end of the town; is an ancient building, in pointed architecture, with traces of Norman; consists of nave, chancel, and small side chapel, with an embattled tower; and contains a very curious carved Norman font.
A weekly market is held on Friday; fairs are held on 11 June and 18 Oct.; a considerable commerce in bark, timber, slate, and coal is carried on; and there is a large tannery. A branch railway runs to a wharf at Bullo Pill; and tram railways go to collieries and iron-mines in Dean forest.
The parish comprises 1,890 acres of land, and 215 of water. Real property, £6,235; of which £42 are in fisheries. Pop.in 1851, 1,288; in 1861, 1,325. Houses, 251. The manor of Newnham is held by the trustees of John James, Esq.; and the manor of Rodley, part of which is within Newnham parish, belongs to Gen. John W. Guise, Bart. The living is a p. curacy in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. Value, £140. Patrons, the Charity Trustees in Gloucester.
The sub-district contains also five other parishes, East Dean township, and five extra-parochial tracts. Acres, 24,023. Pop., 14,474. Houses, 2,920.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Church
The church of St Peter, which stands on an eminence at the south end of the town, is an old stone building in the Pointed style of architecture, and consists of a nave, chancel, and small side chapelry, and a square embattled tower containing 6 bells and clock; in the church is a very curious Anglo Norman font, surrounded with carved figures of the twelve apostles. The living is a perpetual curacy, worth £140 yearly, with residence, in the gift of the Board of Charity Trustees in Gloucester; the Rev. Edward Cowell Brice, B.A., of St John’s College, Cambridge, is the incumbent1.
Courts
County courts are held monthly, at the Town hall, on a Wednesday, and the following are within its jurisdiction, viz. :- Abbenhall, Arlingham, Awre, Blaisdon, East Dean, Flaxley, Littledean, Longhope, Micheldean, Newnham, and Westbury-on-Severn1.
Petty sessions are held monthly, at the Town hall, and tax meetings are held at the Bear hotel1.
Parish Registers
Marriage Licences and Allegations
London Marriage Licences and Allegations 1521 to 1869
The following have been extracted from London Marriage Licences 1521 to 1869.
Abbreviations. — B. Bishop of London’s Office; D. Dean and Chapter of Westminster; F. Faculty Office of Archbishop of Canterbury; V. Registry of the Vicar-General of Canterbury.
Borne, Ralph, and Johanna Price, of Trinity, Minories, London, spinster, daughter of — Price, late of Newnam, co. Gloucester, yeoman, deceased — at St. Ethelburg, London. 10 Feb. 1588/9. B.
Source: London Marriage Licences 1521 to 1869; Edited by Joseph Foster; London 1887
Parish Records
FamilySearch
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.
Jefferies William, Aylesford, Newnham, Gloucestershire; and William Mortimer Spiring, Newnham; smelters and dealers in iron, Feb. 10, 1829.
Lucas John, Newnham, Gloucestershire, scrivener, Oct. 4, 1839.
Todd William, Aylesford, Gloucestershire, colour manufacturer, Dec. 18, 1832.
The Legal Observer
Todd William Aylesford near Newnham Gloucester Colour Manufacturer Prince Halll & Co Cheltenham. – The Legal Observer, Digest, and Journal of Jurisprudence, Volume 33, Issue 974
Directories
Kellys Gloucestershire Directory 1863
Parish Clerk Edward Roberts
Brice Rev Edward Cowell BA
Carter Maurice Frederic esq
Collins John Stratford esq Belair
Elliott Rev Edward Edkins Baptist
Goold Alfred esq JP Merton house
Goold Tom esq
Holmes Miss
Jones Edward Owen esq DL JP
Kerr William Charles MD The Haie
Knowles Mrs Elizabeth
Mason Roynon esq Cliff lodge
Morris Mr Robert
O’Brien Mrs
Owen John esq Blythe court
Page William Sutton esq Bullo villa
Sells Rev Vincent Perronette Independent
Smith James Knight esq
Steven Robert esq Severn bank
Trotter John esq
Wintle James esq Hill house
COMMERCIAL
Bailey Charles shopkeeper coal merchant & parcels & delivery agent to the South Wales railway company
Bailey Henry blacksmith
Baker Elizabeth Mrs dressmaker
Balls Eliza Mrs coal mer & fruiterer
Banford Louisa Miss dressmaker
Barling William farrier & blacksmith
Barling Wm Victoria hotel & posting ho
Barnard & Playsted grocers & linen drprs
Barrett John Davenport high bailiff of the county court (circuit 53)
Beard Hannah Mrs shopkeeper
Beard James boot & shoe maker
Blanton Jane Ann Miss dressmaker
Blanton John plumber & glazier
Boucher Joseph wheelwright & builder
Bowyer John beer retailer
Brace Thomas tailor
Breen John Thomas Union
Camm William draper & grocer & tallow chandler
Carns Hannah Mrs lodging house
Carter & Goold solicitors
Carter Maurice Frederic, solicitor (firm Carter & Goold), clerk to the Westbury union assessment committee, commissioner for taking acknowledgments of married women, & superintendent registrar of births deaths & marriages
Cholditch John agent to the Phoenix fire, Crown life & Accidental Death insurance companies, & actuary to the savings bank
Clifford Elizabeth Mrs rope maker
Coleman & Mayo timber bark & slate merchants Hawkin’s pill
Collins John Stratford surgeon, medical officer to district No 2 of Westbury union & assistant surgeon to the 2nd Gloucestershire Artillery
Cotton Ann Mrs grocer & stationer
Davis Alfred, beer retailer, carpenter, & cabinet maker
Davis Charles saddle & harness maker
Davis Geo painter plumber & glazier
Edmands William tailor & agent for the Western Manchester & London & Metropolitan Counties life assurance society
Elton Elijah boot & shoe maker
Fream Richard farmer Lumber’s farm
Fryer William bookseller stationer & fancy repository
Gloucestershire Banking Company (Edward Owen Jones manager); draw on Williams Deacon & Co London
Goold Aaron & Co colliery proprietors
Goold Tom solicitr firm Carter & Goold
Greey William accountant
Hamlet Samuel Williamson
Harvey Samuel grocer fishmonger & poulterer
Headdon William baker confectioner & corn dealer
Hill Thomas farmer Cockshoot
Hobbs Selina Mrs beer retailer
Hobbs Wm Lower George & confectionr
Hook John cabinet maker upholsterer & wood carver & turner
Hurcomb Cornelius Joseph gasfitter
Hyett Mary Mrs farmer Ruddle
Jones John Anchor
Jones Joseph Chamberlain hairdresser
Karn James, Bear hotel, auctioneer, appraiser, beer, porter, & cider merchant, general commission agent, & agent to the Albert, Medical & Family Endowment life assurance companies
King Charles mason
King Joseph beer retailer & mason
King Oliver beer retailer & shoemaker
Knapp James beer retailer & black smith Bullo pill
Knowles George wine & spirit merchnt
Langdon Ann Mrs dressmaker
Mailes John Ship inn
Mason Roynon solicitor & commissioner for taking acknowledgments of married women
Matthews Matthew Upper George
Merrett Joseph wharfinger for Aaron Goold & Co Bullo pill
Merrick Charles carpenter
Merrick Richard carpenter & builder
Miles Ann Mrs farmer Bullo cross
Morris Ann Mrs farmer Steares
Morris Francis farmer Hyde farm
Morse Henry butcher
Morse John secretary to Newnham gas company
Morse Richd postmaster & tallow chandlr
Morse William shopkeeper & saddler & harness maker
Oldham Mrs ladies school
Page Willian Sutton solicitor
Palmer John tailor
Phillips Thos painter plumber & glazier
Phillpotts Joseph & Son chemists & druggists sub distributors of stamps & agents to the County fire office
Playsted John registrar of marriages for Westbury on Severn district
Powell James boot & shoe maker
Probert Ambrose mason
Probyn Thomas beer retailer & mason
Roberts Edward tinplate worker & parish clerk
Roberts Edward jun process server
Roper Richard Jas chemist & druggist
Sargeant James inland revenue officer
Sargeant John coach builder
Sargeant William Oliver painter
Shortman Samuel & William watch & clock makers
Simmonds William builder
Smith James Knight solicitor commissioner for taking acknowledgments of married women & solicitor of Dean Central railway company
Smith William farmer The Moors
Stinson Henry butcher
Stone John watch & clock maker
Tanner Charles carpenter
Taylor John Swayne tanner bark & timber merchant
Thomas Sarah Mrs farmer
Ware John beer retailer
Wellington Henry leather seller & boot & shoe maker
Wellington John mason
Wintle James solicitor commissioner for taking acknowledgments of married women, commissioner for taking affidavits, & clerk to Dean Forest turnpike trust
Workman Thomas boot & shoe maker
POST OFFICE & POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK – Richard Morse postmaster. Money orders are granted & paid at this office from 9 am till 6 pm. Letters from London & all parts arrive at 2.30 am; dispatched at 9.55 pm. Box closes at 9.25. but letters can be posted till 9.50 with an extra stamp affixed. North mail arrives 7.20 am; dispatched at 6.20 pm. Messengers are dispatched to Micheldean, Longhope, Ruardean, Hope Mansell, Westbury on Severn, Huntley, Blakeney, Awre, Littledean & Cinderford.
Savings Bank (John Cholditch actuary), open every monday from 11 till 1
MAGISTRATES :-
Edward Owen Jones esq Newnham
Edmund Probyn esq Huntley Gloucester
Alfred Goold esq Newnham
Henry Crawshay esq Oaklands
John Probyn esq Longhope
Rev Daniel Capper Huntley
Rev Charles Edward Dighton Micheldean
Clerk to the Magistrates for the Division of Newnham Roynon Mason
INSURANCE AGENTS :-
Accidental Death John Cholditch
Albert Medical & Family Endowment James Karn
Britannia Life Maurice Frederic Carter & Tom Goold
British Empire Mutual Life, Maurice F Carter, T Goold, & William Greey
Crown Life John Cholditch
Law Fire Maurice F. Carter & T Goold
Liverpool London Henry Wellington
Medical Life Maurice F Carter & T Goold
Mutual Life Maurice F Carter
Phoenix Fire John Cholditch
Western Manchester 3 London Life William Edmands
PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS :-
County Court Town hall James Francillon esq judge
Town Hall Thomas Roach hall keeper
Mutual Improvement & Reading Society William Morgan secretary
Stamp Office Joseph Philpotts & Son sub-distributors
Inland Revenue Office Bear hotel
Police Station Thomas Roach sergeant
Railway Station (Great Western 8 South Wales) Joseph George Harris station master
PUBLIC OFFICERS:-
Clerk to the Newnham Petty Sessional Division, Deputy Steward of Dean Forest Courts of Attachment, Registrar of Newnham County Court & Clerk to Commissioners of Taxes, Forest Division, & Clerk to the Trustees of Mitcheldean, Huntley & Elton turnpike roads, Roynon Mason
Clerk to Dean Forest Turnpike Trust, James Wintle
Clerk to the Westbury Union Assessment Committee & Superintendent Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages, Maurice Frederic Carter
Clerk to Board of Guardians & Solicitor to the Westbury on Severn Association for the Prosecution of Felons, Maurice Frederic Carter
Surveyors of Highways M.F. Carter & Thomas Hill (annually elected)
Superintendent Registrar of Births Deaths Marriages, Maurice Frederic Carter
Registrar of Marriages for Westbury on Severn District, John Playsted
Registrar of Births & Deaths for Newnham District, Edward Teague, Steam mill, East Dean
Registrar of Births & Deaths & Relieving Officer (Westbury on Severn District) Alfred William Kitsell, Assistant Overseer, John Jones
Town Crier & Bailiff to County Court, John Clarke
Ferryman William Bodenham
National School John Brew, master
Posting Houses:-
Bear hotel James Karn
Victoria hotel William Barling
WATER CONVEYANCE A sloop to Bristol weekly
Source: Post Office Directory of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the City of Bristol, Printed and Published by Kelly and Co., Old Boswell Court, St. Clement’s, Strand, London. 1863.
Newnham Universal British Directory 1791
Newnham is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Severn, and the out-post of Gloucester. It was anciently a borough, but is now governed by two beams or constables; has a market on Friday, and fairs on the 11th of June and 18th of October. Here is a very safe ferry over the Severn, which is near a mile wide, to Arlingham on the opposite side. At Ayleford, in this parish, are extensive forges for working bar-iron and iron-wire, the property of Messrs. Dobbs and Taylor.
Newnham is distant form Gloucester twelve miles, Mitchel Dean six, Chepstow seventeen, and London one hundred and sixteen.
Principal inns are, the Bear, George, Ship, and Red Lion.
A cross-post to Gloucester; Daniel Edmonds, post-master. – Here is a carrier to Gloucester every Saturday.
A market-boat to Bristol every spring. – Several coasting vessels are constantly employed, and vessels occasionally go to London.
The following are the principal inhabitants:
Gentry.
Fowler – , Esq.
Jones Raynon, Esq. (F.)
Jones Joseph, Gent. (F.)
Clergy.
Webb Rev. Benjamin, (F.) Curate
Physic.
Jones Charles, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary
Williams William, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary
Law.
Matthews John, (F.) Attorney
Tovey Thomas, Attorney
Traders, &c.
Baynham John, (F.) Carpenter and Builder
Baynham William, Carpenter
Boughton John, (F.) Merchant
Boughton Joseph, Timber-merchant and Shipbuilder
Cannock Lancelot, (F.) Grazier
Clarke John, (F.) Ship Inn
Clarke Richard, Butcher
Coleman John, Maltster and Baker
Dobbs and Taylor, Proprietors of the Iron Works
Edmonds Daniel, Bear Inn
Hill James, (F.) Grazier
Jones Mrs.
Knowles Elizabeth, Mercer
Martin George, (F.) Grazier
Marshall William, (F.) George Inn
Morgan John, (F.) Merchant
Morris Edward, (F.) Fellmonger
Morris Richard, (F.) Smith
Morris Thomas, (F.) Grazier
Pick James, (F.) Tanner
Playne Samuel, Sadler
Playsted John, (F.) Red Lion Inn
Playsted John, (F.) Mariner
Powell James, (F.) Grazier
Sargeant Richard, (F.) Mercer
Swayne Joseph, (F.) Merchant
Swayne John, (F.) Tanner
Williams James, (F.) Glazier
Wintle John, sen. (F.) Merchant
Wintle John, jun. (F.) Merchant
There are no gentlemens seats in the neighbourhood but what are nearer to, and have been noticed under the article, “Dean.”
Source: Universal British Directory 1791
Administration
- County: Gloucestershire
- Civil Registration District: Westbury on Severn
- Probate Court: Pre-1541 – Court of the Bishop of Hereford, Post-1541 – Court of the Bishop of Gloucester (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Pre 1836 – Gloucester, Post 1835 – Gloucester and Bristol
- Rural Deanery: Forest
- Poor Law Union: Westbury on Severn
- Hundred: Westbury (Gloucestershire)
- Province: Canterbury
1. Post Office Directory of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the City of Bristol, Printed and Published by Kelly and Co., Old Boswell Court, St. Clement’s, Strand, London. 1863.