Almondsbury Gloucestershire Family History Guide
Almondsbury is an Ancient Parish in the county of Gloucestershire.
Other places in the parish include: Gaunts Earthcott, Hempton, Patchway, Lea, Lower Tockington, Over, and Hempton and Patchway.
Parish church: St. Mary
Parish registers begin: 1653
A chapel of ease was erected at the Cross Keys district in 1855.
Nonconformists include: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wesleyan Methodist, and Wesleyan Methodist Reform.
Schools: A National school for boys and girls and a branch school at Patchway.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
Almondsbury
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
Almondsbury, a village, a parish, and a subdistrict in the district of Thornbury, Gloucester. The village stands near the rivulet Boyd, at the foot of a ridge of limestone rocks, 1¾ mile from the Bristol and South Wales railway, 8 miles N of Bristol; and has a post office under Bristol.
It is said to have derived its name from Alcmond, King Egbert’s father, who was buried in the church, and from a fortification in the neighbourhood. The heights above it, and the grounds of Knole House, adjacent on the SW, command a very noble and extensive view, embracing the estuary of the Severn and the hills of Monmouth and Wales.
The parish includes the tythings of Almondsbury, Lea, Over, Gaunts-Earthcote. Lower Tockington, and Hempton and Patchway. Acres, 6,927. Real property, £15,078. Pop., 1,864. Houses, 394. The property is much subdivided. Some lands belonged anciently to the priory of St. Augustine in Bristol. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. Value, £915. Patron, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. The church is cruciform and early English, with tower and spire at the intersection.
There are a neat little chapel of ease at Cross Keys, two dissenting chapels, a national school, and charities £255. The sub district comprises six parishes-Acres, 23,087 Pop., 5,233. Houses, 1,084.
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
Almondbury, 4½ miles S.W. Thornbury. P. 1584
Source: Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales; Second Edition; C. W. Leonard, London; 1850.
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1845
Almondsbury (St. Mary the Virgin), a parish, in the union of Thornbury, comprising the tything of Almondsbury, in the lower division of the hundred of Berkeley, the tythings of Gaunts-Earthcote and Lea, in the Lower division of that of Thornbury, and the tythings of Hempton and Patchway, Over, and Lower Tockington, in the Lower division of the hundred of Langley and Swinehead, W. division of the county of Gloucester; and containing 1584 inhabitants, of whom 603 are in Almondsbury tything, 7 miles (N. by E.) from Bristol.
This parish, which is situated near the river Severn, comprises 6927 acres of rich pasture land in good cultivation; sandstone is quarried chiefly for rough building purposes. The village is situated at the foot of a ridge of limestone rocks, in which lead-ore has been found in small quantities, and of which the old roof of Berkeley castle was partly composed; and the views from the heights, along which passes the road from Gloucester to Bristol, are extensive, embracing the whole estuary of the Severn, and the opposite coast of Wales.
The living is a discharged vicarage, annexed to the see of Gloucester and Bristol, and valued in the King’s books at £20: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £1150. 13. 4., and there are two acres of glebe. The church, situated in that part of the parish which is in the hundred of Berkeley, is a very handsome cruciform structure, in the early English style, with a tower and spire at the intersection; it has been extensively repaired and altered within the last few years, and contains 700 free sittings.
There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. Here is a school with a small endowment, bequeathed by the late Mr. John Silcox; and a national school, erected at an expense of £250, is endowed with £30 per annum from lands left by an unknown benefactor for the use of the church, producing £210 per annum. A school is also supported by Mr. Lippincolt; and two cottages and three acres of land were bequeathed by Mr. Jefferies for widows or widowers.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.
The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales 1840
Almondsbury, a parish partly in the hund. of Berkeley, partly in that of Langley and Swinehead, and partly in that of Thornbury, Thornbury union, county of Gloucester; 6 miles north-east of Bristol.
It comprises the tythings of Almondsbury, Hempton and Patchway, Over with Lower Tockington, and Gaunt’s Earthcote. Living, a discharged vicarage, a peculiar of the bishop of Gloucester and Bristol; rated at £20. The church — a handsome building in the form of a cross, with a tower and spire at the intersection — contains some specimens of Norman architecture. The church-lands in this parish yield a revenue of £235 17s. 10d., part of which is applied to educational purposes, and part given to the poor.
There are also some alms-houses, and two small charitable bequests connected with this parish. There are two daily and Sunday National schools here, with about 80 scholars. Pop., in 1801, 1,069; in 1831, 1,492. Houses 239. Acres 6,950. A. P. £13,293. Poor rates, in 1837, £799
The village of Almondsbury is situated near the small stream Boyd, at the foot of a ridge of limestone rocks; 4½ miles south by west of Thornbury. From the heights above, the view is very grand and extensive, embracing the estuary of the Severn and the opposite coast of Wales. This village is said to have derived its name from Alcmond, a West Saxon prince, father of King Egbert, who was buried in the church, and from a fortification in the neighbourhood. There is a daily school here with an endowment of £2 10s. annually. Pop., in 1801, 350; in 1831, 517. Houses 81. Acres 1,900. A. P. £5,045
Source: The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales; A Fullarton & Co. Glasgow; 1840.
A Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland 1833
Almondsbury, co. Gloucester.
P. T. Thornbury (122) 5 m. S b W. Pop. of Pa. 1408. Of Tyth. 477.
A parish and tything, partly in the lower division of the hundred of Berkeley, but mostly in the lower division of the hundred of Langley and Swinehead; the parish including the additional tythings of Hempton and Patchway, and Over and Lower Tockington; living, a dis. vicarage annexed to the see of Bristol; val. in K. B. 20l.; church ded. to St. Mary.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland by John Gorton. The Irish and Welsh articles by G. N. Wright; Vol. I; London; Chapman and Hall, 186, Strand; 1833.
Gaunts Earthcott
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1845
Gaunts-Earthcott, a tything, in the parish of Almondsbury, union of Thornbury, Lower division of the hundred of Berkeley, W. division of the county of Gloucester, 5¾ miles (S. by E.) from Thornbury; containing 55 inhabitants.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.
Hempton and Patchway
The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850
Hempton and Patchway, a tything in Almondsbury parish; county of Gloucester; 5 miles south-south-west of Thornbury. Acres 1,750. Houses 74. A. P. £2,811. Pop., in 1801, 324; in 1831, 424.
Source: The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales; A Fullarton & Co. Glasgow; 1851.
Lower Tockington
Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850
Tockington (Lower), in Almondsbury parish. P. 440
Source: Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales; Second Edition; C. W. Leonard, London; 1850
Over
Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850
Over, 5 miles N. Bristol. P. 73
Source: Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales; Second Edition; C. W. Leonard, London; 1850
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.
Edwards William, Over, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, dealer, Dec. 18, 1829.
Sheppard George, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, victualler, May 8, 1832.
Parish Records
FamilySearch
Directories
Kelly’s Directory of the Wine and Spirit Trades 1884
Marked thus * are Small Brewers who brew the beer they sell
ALMONDSBURY RSO
Cooper
Webb Charles Tockington
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. 1st-10th, 12th-16th ed. By Kelly’s directories, ltd. 1884
Almondsbury Kellys Gloucestershire Directory 1863
Almondsbury is a parish and village, with the tithings of Hempton and Patchway, Over and Tockington Lower annexed, 8 miles west-south-west from the Yate, and 8 north from the Bristol station, 4½ south from Thornbury, 20 north-west from Bath, and 116 from London, in Barton Regis, Berkeley, Thornbury, Lower Langley, and Swineshead hundreds, Thornbury union, rural deanery and county court district, West Gloucestershire, Bristol archdeaconry, and Gloucester and Bristol diocese ; it is situated on the Bristol and Gloucester road.
The church of St. Mary is an ancient stone building, principally in the Early English style; there is a handsome obituary east window erected in memory of Dr. Gray, late Bishop of Bristol, by his family. The church consists of nave, aisles, porch, chancel, organ, tower, spire, clock and 8 bells. The living is a vicarage, value £900 yearly, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol; the great tithes are in the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; the Rev. Henry Gray, M.A., of University College, Oxford, is the vicar.
There are two places of worship for Dissenters, and a National school for toys and girls, with master’s residence, and a branch school at Patchway. Knole Park is the seat of Col. Master; Over Court is the seat of Robert Cann Lippincott, Esq. The population in 1861 was 1,864; the acreage is 6,926. The soil is mostly clay ; the subsoil is limestone. Colonel Master (who is lord of the manor of the tithing of Almondsbury) and Robert Cann Lippincott, Esq. (who is lord of the manor of the tithings of Over and Hempton and Patchway), are chief landowners. Here was a Roman establishment.
There are charities of between £200 and £300 yearly value. A chapel of ease was erected at the Cross Keys district in 1855; it is a neat stone build ing, in the Early English style, with nave, chancel, porch, and bell-turret with 2 bells.
Almondsbury tithing contained 686 inhabitants in 1861; Gaunt’s Earthcott tithing, 41; Lea tithing, 51; Hempton and Patchway tithing, 548; Over tithing, 74; Lower Tockington tithing, 464.
There are some Roman roads; near Knole Park is a camp, and a barrow near Over Court. To the west are marshes.
Parish Clerk, John Williams.
Almondsbury.
Gray Rev. Henry M.A. [vicar], Oaklands
Lippincott Robert Cann, esq. Over court
Master Col. Wm. Chester, Knole park
Commercial.
Adams Samuel, farmer
Anstey Cornelius, farmer
Arnold Thos. farmer, Targout farm, Lea
Bennett John, farmer, Lea
Bennett John Henry, shopkeeper
Caise John, shopkeeper
Collins William, blacksmith
Fisher Geo. farmer, Knap House farm
Hall Hannah (Mrs.), farmer
Hall John, farmer
Harcombe Thomas, tailor & postmaster
Hunt Eliza & Charlotte (Misses), ladies’ school, Grosvenor house
Hunt James, farmer, Haise farm
Huxley William, beer retailer, Lea
James John, veterinary surgeon
Lippiatt Charles, tiler &. plasterer
Luton Daniel, farmer
Luton George, jun. farmer, Court farm
Parker Jane (Mrs.), farmer
Pearce Thomas, blacksmith
Smith William, carpenter
Thomas Jacob, farmer, Gaunt’s Earthcott
Thomas James, farmer, Gaunt’s Earthcott
Thomas John, farmer, Woodhouse farm
Watkins George, farmer, Lea
Watkins Luke, farmer, Lea
Wilcox Henry, shopkeeper
Williams Charles, stonemason
Williams Edwin, Bowl
Williams Francis, shopkeeper
Wither Thomas, boot & shoe maker
Young George, stonemason
Young Jacob, farmer, Gaunt’s Earthcott
Young Samuel, farmer, Hortham farm
Young William, farmer, Callicroft farm
Post Office. — Thomas Harcombe, postmaster, arrive through Bristol. First arrival, 8 a.m.; second arrival, 6.30 p.m.; first dispatch, 9 a.m.; second dispatch, 5 p.m. Letters are not delivered at the second arrival, but can be had on application at the post office. On the second arrival letters are delivered in the village of Almondsbury that evening, but not elsewhere. The nearest money order office is at Thornbury
Tockington Lower.— Mrs. Lois Codrington, postmistress. Letters arrive through Bristol at 10.30 a.m.; dispatched at 4.30 p.m
Cribb’s Causeway, Over. — William Webb, receiver. Letters arrive thro’ Bristol 8.30 a.m.; dispatched 5.45 p.m
Police Station, Robert Porter, sergeant
Public Schools:—
National, T. Bunting Francis, master; Mrs. Francis, mistrs
Hempton Patchway (Branch), Miss M. Macfarlane, mistress
Conveyance. — Omnibuses pass from Thornbury to Bristol at 9 a.m. returning at 6.30 p.m
Carriers to Bristol. — Baylis, daily; Wilson, Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
Hempton &. Patchway.
Brown Jacob, farmer, Woodlands
Carter Henry, farmer
Chapman Charles, farmer
Chapman William, Swan
Chapman William, jun. farmer
Collard William, New inn
Cooper Charles, baker
George George, farmer & butcher
Hall Thomas, farmer
Hopkins Charles, carpenter, wheel wright & shopkeeper
Hunt George, baker & shopkeeper
Hunt James, farmer
Mount Steph. Thos. farmer, Woodlands fm
Ogborn John, grocer & butcher
Osborne Daniel, farmer
Sarah Ann (Miss), dressmaker
Over.
Fisher Henry, farmer, Washingpool frm
Fisher Walter, farmer, St. Swithin’s frm
Ford Joseph, farmer, Over Court farm
Hiscox James, cattle dealer
Hunt Charles, farmer, Redriff farm
Leigh Ann (Mrs.), farmer
Virgo Charles, farmer
Webb William, Black Horse, & farmer
Tocklngton Lower.
Adams Ann (Mrs.), White Horse
Adams Samuel, farmer
Alvis Samuel, farmer
Griffith William, tailor
Harris James, Cross Hands
Harris Thomas, farmer
Harris William, farmer
Hewitt William, farmer
Hopkins Adam, farmer
Luce John, farmer
Parnell William Osborne, beer retailer & farmer
Pope James, boot & shoe maker
Robinson Elizabeth (Mrs.), beer retailr
Rosser Enos, carpenter & wheelwright
Rosser Mark, blacksmith
Scriven John, farmer
Shepherd George, farmer
Stevens Charles, grocer & draper
Sturge Edward, yeoman
Tanner Martin, farmer
Thomas Timothy, tailor
Watkins Charlotte (Mrs.), beer retailer
Webb John, farmer
Williams Henry, farmer
Williams Mark, farmer
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.
Almondsbury Kellys Gloucestershire Directory 1856
Almondsbury is a township, parish and village, with the tithings of Hempton and Patchway, Over and Tockington Lower, annexed, 8 miles west-south-west from Yate, and 8 north from the Bristol station, 4 ½ south from Thornbury, 20 north-west from Bath, and 116 from London, in Barton Regis, Berkeley, Thornbury, Lower Langley, and Swineshead Hundreds, Thornbury Union, West Gloucestershire, Bristol archdeaconry, and Gloucester and Bristol bishopric. It is situate on the Bristol and Gloucester road, or Ridgeway.
The church of St. Mary is an ancient stone building, principally in the early English style; there is a handsome obituary east window, erected to Dr. Gray, late bishop of Bristol, by his family. The church consists of nave, aisles, porch, chancel, organ, tower, spire, clock and 8 bells. The living is a vicarage, value £900 yearly, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, who also owns the great tithes; the Rev. Henry Gray, M.A., is the incumbent; the Rev. Walter Gray, M.A., is the curate.
There are two places of worship for Dissenters, and a National school for boys and girls, with master’s residence. Knole Park is the seat of Col. Master. Over Court in the seat of Robert Cann Lippincott, Esq. The population, in 1851, was 1,680, and the acreage is 6,926. The soil is mostly clay; the subsoil is limestone. Colonel Master is lord of the manor, and, with Robert Cann Lippincott, Esq., chief landowner. Here was a roman establishment.
There are charities of between £200 and £300 yearly value. A chapel of ease was erected at the Cross Keys district in 1855. It is a neat stone building, in the early English style, with nave, chancel, porch, bell turret, and 2 bells.
Almondsbury tithing contains 599 inhabitants; Gaunt’s Earthcott tithing, 58; Lea tithing, 37; Hampton and Patchway tithing, 436; Over tithing, 107; Lower Tockington tithing, 443.
Woodhouse is 1 mile north-east; Sunday’s Hill, half a mile south; Hampton or Hempton, 1 mile south; Woodcock Hill, 1 mile north, Patchway, 1½ miles south-east; Over, 2 miles south-west; Barrow Hill, 1 mile west; Gaunt’s Earthcott, 2½ miles east; Horsham, 2 miles east; Ringhurst, 3 miles east; The Groves, 2½ miles east; Middle Hanger, 3½ miles north-east; Oldfields, 4 miles north-east; Bagwood, 2 miles east.
Oakhill, 2½ miles east; Woodlands, 1½ miles southeast; Ellick’s Woods and Bowsland, 2 miles south-east; Halfway Bridge, 1½ miles south; Little Stoke, 2 miles south, Collicroft and Ramsleaze, 2 miles South; Catty Brook, or Knap House, 1½ miles south-west; Newman’s Hill and Bournehays, 2 miles west; Washingpool, 3 miles south-west; St. Swithin’s, 3 miles south-west; and Hayes, 3 miles south. Redriff is a farm.
There are some Roman roads; and near Knole Park is a camp, and a barrow near Over Court. To the west are marshes.
ALMONDSBURY
GENTRY
Gay Rev. Henry (vicar), Oaklands
Gray Rev. Walter (curate)
Lippincott Robert Cann, esq. Over Court
Master Col. William Chester, Knole pk.
TRADERS
Arnold Thomas, farmer, Targout fm. Lee
Barnett Sarah (Miss), dressmaker
Bennett John, farmer, Lee
Brown Jacob, farmer, Woodlands
Brown Stephen, farmer, Bagwood farm
Carter Henry, farmer
Chapman William, ‘Swan’
Collins William, blacksmith
Day George, farmer
Fisher George, farmer, Knap ho. farm
Gale Daniel, carpenter & wheelwright
Hall Hannah (Mrs.), farmer
Hall Thomas, farmer
Harcomb Thomas, tailor
Harris Thomas, farmer, Lee
Hiscox John, master mariner
Hopkins Adam, farmer, Lee
Hopkins Charles, carpenter, wheelwright & shopkeeper
Hunt Eliza & Matilda (the Misses), ladies’ school
Hunt George, baker
Hunt James, farmer, Hais farm
Huxley William, beer retailer, Lee
James John, veterinary surgeon
Lippiatt Charles, tiler & plasterer
Luce John, farmer Lee
Luton Daniel, farmer
Luton George, jun. farmer, Court farm
Luton George, sen. Farmer, Court farm
Mountstephen Thos. frmr. Woodlnds. frm.
Osbourne Daniel, farmer
Parker Jane (Mrs.), farmer
Pearce Thomas, blacksmith
Purser Danl., shopkpr. Almondsbury hl
Reynolds Geo. master of National school
Rosser Mark, blacksmith, Lee
Sarah Ann (Miss), dressmaker
Shepherd George, farmer, Lee
Smith William, carpenter
Tanner Martin, farmer Lee
Thomas Jacob, farmer, Gaunt’s Earthcott
Thomas James, farmer, Gaunt’s Earthcott
Thomas John, farmer Woodhouse farm
Tilney Joseph, shopkeeper
Watkins George, farmer, Lee
Watkins Luke, farmer, Lee
Williams Charles, stonemason
Williams Edwin, stonemason & ‘Bowl’
Williams Francis, shopkeeper
Williams Henry, farmer
Williams John, parish clerk
Williams Richard, farmer
Williams Richard, boot & shoe maker
Wither Thomas, boot & shoe maker
Wright John, schoolmaster
Young George, stonemason
Young Jacob, farmer Gaunt’s Earthcott
Young William, farmer, Collicroft farm
Young William, farmer, Hortham farm
HEMPTON
Chapman Charles, farmer
Hunt Josiah, farmer
PATCHWAY
TRADERS
Collard William, New inn
Cooper Charles, baker
George George, farmer & butcher
Jones Henry Nicholls, farmer
Pope George, farm bailiff
OVER
TRADERS
Cullimore Wm. frmr. Washingpool farm
Ford Joseph, farmer
Hiscox Joseph, cattle dealer
Hunt Charles, farmer, Redriff farm
Leigh George, auctioneer & farmer
Meredith Edwd. Frmr. St. Swithin’s frm.
Virgo Charles, farmer & stonemason
Webb William, ‘Black Horse’
TOCKINGTON LOWER
Adams James, ‘White Horse’
Dyer William, boot & shoe maker
Fisher Henry, farmer
Frankham Job, boot & shoe maker
Griffith William, tailor
Harris James, ‘Cross Hands’
Harris Samuel, boot & shoe maker
Hewitt William, farmer
Palmer Richard, farmer
Parnell William Osbourn, farmer
Pontin William, stonemason
Pope James, boot & shoe maker
Robinson Elizabeth (Mrs.), beer retailer
Rosser Enos, carpenter & wheelwright
Scriven John, farmer
Shepherd George, farmer
Tayler John, beer retailer
Thomas Timothy, tailor
Webb John, farmer
Williams Henry, farmer
Williams Mark, farmer & butcher
POST OFFICE. – Thomas Harcomb, postmaster. Letters arrive through Bristol. First arrival, 9 a.m.; second arrival ½ past 6 p.m.; first dispatch, 9 a.m.; second dispatch, 5 p.m. Letters are not delivered at the second arrival, but can be had on application at the post office. The nearest money order office is at Thornbury post office.
Tockington lower. – Mrs. Lois Codrington, postmistress. Letters arrive through Bristol at ¼ before 12 a.m.; dispatched at ½ past 5 p.m.
CARRIERS TO BRISTOL. – Baylis, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday; Greenman, Tuesday Thursday & Saturday
OMNIBUSES pass from Thornbury to Bristol, at 9 a.m.; return at ½ past 6 p.m.
Source: Post Office Directory of Gloucestershire with Bath and Bristol. Printed and Published by Kelly and Co., 19, 20 & 21, Old Boswell Court, St. Clement’s, Strand, London. 1856.
Maps
Administration
- County: Gloucestershire
- Civil Registration District: Thornbury
- Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Pre 1836 – Gloucester, Post 1835 – Gloucester and Bristol
- Rural Deanery: Bristol
- Poor Law Union: Thornbury
- Hundred: Berkeley (Gloucestershire); Langley and Swinehead; Thornbury
- Province: Canterbury
- Petty Sessional Division:
- Couty Court District: Thornbury