Abberley Worcestershire Family History Guide
Table of Contents
Parish Records
Registers at Worcestershire Archives
Available on microfilm:
Bapt. 1558-1968
Marr. 1560-1968
Bur. 1559-1968
Transcription copies:
Bapt. 1558-1848
Marr. 1560-1850
Bur. 1558-1847
Banns 1754-1812
FamilySearch
The records listed below are part of the FamilySearch Catalog Collection. The records may be Free to view and/or search online or can be ordered from your Local Family History Library.
Census
Census returns for Abberley, 1841-1891
Church Records
Computer printout of Abberley, Worcester, England
Genealogy
History
Occupations
Poorhouses, poor law, etc.
FreeReg
Abberley St Michael and St Mary Parish Register
Worcestershire Historical Directories
Directory Transcriptions
Littlebury’s Directory 1879
Abberley is a parish with a very interesting village, situate 12 miles N.W. from Worcester, on the road to Cleobury, 9½ E. from Tenbury, and 4 S.E. from Stourport; is in the western division of the county, Lower Doddingtree hundred, Martley union and highway district, Hundred House petty sessional division and polling district, Worcester county court district, Hereford diocese, Ludlow archdeaconry, and Burford rural deanery.
Its ancient names were Edboldelege, Abbodeley, and Abbot’s Lea. It is a hilly district, commanding charming views over many counties. The soil is marl and clay, with a gravelly subsoil; and the principal crops grown here are wheat, beans, vetches, oats, swedes, and turnips, but not much barley. The acreage is 2,636; annual rateable value, £3,706; population in 1861, 692; in 1871, 607; inhabited houses, 133; families or separate occupiers, 148.
Joseph Jones, Esq., D.L., is lord of the manor, which extends over the parishes of Rock, Bayton, Alton, Shelsley, and Astley. The court is still held at Bewdley, Mr. John Bury being the steward. J. Jones, Esq., is also the principal landowner.
The old Norman church of the parish being dilapidated, a new one in the Early English style was erected in 1850-52, at the expense of Mrs. Moilliet, and was dedicated to St. Mary. In 1873 the fabric was greatly injured by a destructive fire. It was restored in 1877. The local stone and Ombersley stone is principally used in the construction, the pillars, shafts, and steps in the interior being of Devonshire marble. A metal screen separates the chancel from the nave. The east window represents scenes in the life of Christ, and is executed by Messrs. Barraud, Lavers, & Westlake. The organ is placed north of the chancel; builders Messrs. Hill & Son. The chapel, south of the chancel, will seat 70 school children. There are 300 free sittings for adults in the nave. In the tower are six bells, rung by a mechanism which enables one person to ring the whole peal by playing with the fingers on a table with keys. The tower is surmounted by a plain spire. The chancel of the old church was left to be used as a mortuary chapel.
The earliest register is dated 1558. The living is a rectory in the patronage of Joseph Jones, Esq., yearly value £320, with residence, and about four acres of glebe; rector, the Rev. John Lewis Moilliet, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge, who was instituted in 1865.
There is a charity here, founded and supported by the ancient families of Walsh and Bromley, providing poor children with schooling and clothing; and the lord of the manor, the rector, and the churchwardens are trustees of the charity.
New schools were erected in 1859, being under Government inspection, having a certificated master, a sewing mistress, and a pupil teacher; supported by voluntary contributions; upwards of 100 children are taught.
There is a chapel for the Wesleyans.
Abberley Hall is the seat of Joseph Jones, Esq., J.P., D.L. It was built by Mr. Dawes, the well-known architect of Witley court, for Mr. Moilliet, who formerly possessed the estate, and was purchased by Mr. Jones. It has a lofty tower, commanding the beautiful valley of the Teme, and an immense range of fruitful country. The hamlets and places in Abberley are: – Netherton, ¾ of a miles N.E.; Brook End, ½ a mile E.; High Oaks, near Bewdley, E.; Abberley Hill is on the south side of the parish.
Postal Regulations. – Letters are received through Stourport. The letter-box is cleared at 4.45 p.m. Stourport is the nearest money-order and telegraph office and post town.
Parish Church (St. Mary’s). – Rev. John Lewis Moilliet, M.A., Rector; Messrs. Thomas Warren and George Quarterman, Churchwardens; Thomas H. Brian, Parish Clerk.
National School (boys and girls). – Mr. T. W. Tidmarsh, Master.
Carriers to Worcester. – J. Edwards, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays; stops at the Pack Horse Inn, St. Nicholas street, Worcester; H. Fyfield, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
PRIVATE RESIDENTS.
Jones Joseph, Esq., D.L., Abberley hall
Moilliet Rev. John Lewis, M.A. (Rector), The Rectory
Pearson Mrs., The Elms
Pearson Captain E., The Elms
Turner Walter Henry, Esq.
AGRICULTURAL & COMMERCIAL.
Allcott Thomas, bricklayer
Austin Jas., farmer, Walsh’s Charity ho.
Bishop James, farmer, Crundelend farm
Bluck Mrs. Martha, farmer, Church farm
Booth & Hardcastle, coalmasters, pool House colliery
Brazier John, bricklayer
Brian Thomas H., boot and shoe maker, and parish clerk
Cawte J., farm bailiff for J. Jones, Esq.
Davis E., farmer, Brookend & Whopputs
Edwards James, farmer, Oldyates farm
Edwards J., carrier to Worcester
Evans John, cottage farmer, Orchard
Fletcher Oswald, farmer, Up. Crundelend
Freeman Allen, farmer, Bowling green
Freeman William, farmer, Hay oak
Gale Samuel, farmer, Field farm
Haywood James, shopkeeper, Rose cot.
Hill George, beer retailer (Royal George)
Hyde William, farmer, Hay oak
James Henry, farmer & butcher, Town fm.
James Henry, sen., farmer, Hazeland
Jones E., boot and shoe ma., Rosemary cot.
Jones John, Bromley Arms Inn
Jones Samuel, farmer, Hillhead
Jones Thomas, farmer, Crocketts
Jones William, farmer
Knott Joseph, blacksmith
Loveland Henry, wheelwright & carpenter
Merrell John s., farmer, Reynold’s farm
Middleton P., brick & tile ma., Town farm
Miles William, farmer, Elms green
Norwood John, farmer, Beehive farm
Nott James, farmer, Netherton
Palmer Richard, tailor
Phythian William, seedsman and florist, Ironmonger, &c.
Quarterman Mrs. Charlotte, shopkeeper
Quarterman George, grocer, draper, and hatter, Manchester house
Saunders Edwin, carpenter
Skelding William, blacksmith
Stallard James, boot and shoe maker
Tidmarsh T. W., schoolmaster
Turnor Walter Henry, estate agent
Warren Thomas, farmer, The Nurtons
Wilkes John, boot and shoe maker
Wilks Thomas, farmer, Field farm
Source: Littlebury, Littlebury’s Directory and Gazetteer of Worcester & District, Third Edition. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. 1879.
Lewis Directory of Worcestershire 1820
Abberley, 11 miles from Worcester, and 8 from Bewdley, near the Kingston Canal, containing 82 houses, and 495 inhabitants. The neighbourhood is greatly benefited by having coal-pits, from which the adjoining country is supplied.
DIRECTORY.
Angel Thomas, smith
Bowen John, farmer
Bromley Henry, Esq.
Cook Richard, farmer
Farmer Thomas, farmer
Gill Elizabeth, farmer
Harper George, farmer
Holmes Thomas, farmer
Jones John, victualler
Leeke Richard, farmer
Lingen Henry, farmer
Mantle Thomas, farmer
Mills William, farmer
Mills John, farmer
Palmer Thomas, gent.
Palmer Mrs. Gentlewoman
Palmer Benjamin, farmer
Powick Edward, farmer
Quarterman R. farmer
Severn Francis, gent.
Severn Rev. Thomas
Southall John, farmer
Southall William, farmer
Veal John, farmer
Walker Thomas, farmer
Webb John, Exciseman
White Thomas, farmer
Source: S Lewis Worcestershire General and Commercial Directory for 1820.
Administration
- County: Worcestershire
- Civil Registration District: Martley
- Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Before 1919 Hereford; After 1919 Worcester
- Rural Deanery: Burford
- Poor Law Union: Martley
- Hundred: Doddingtree
- Province: Canterbury