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(Worcestershire, now Gloucestershire (since 1931), England)
BLOCKLEY - Is a hamlet, in the parish of its name, in the upper division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, 90 miles N.W. from London, 25 S.E. from Worcester, 10 S.E. from Evesham, and 3 N.W. by W. from Moreton-in-the-Marsh in Gloucestershire, to which latter place letters are forwarded and received from, daily. It is surrounded by the county of Gloucester and a small portion of Warwickshire : is pleasantly situate amidst sloping hills fruitful valleys, and noted for the fine springs of crystal water that rise in Dove-dale and flow through the village in all directions, affording great convenience to those employed in the silk-throwing business, for which, in this little, place, there are no fewer than seven establishments. According to tradition, Dorn, a village in this parish, was formerly a city of some consequence, and the many old foundations and Roman and British coins found in this neighbourhood, seem to countenance the truth of the report. At present, however, the habitations in Dorn consist of only farm houses. Before the reformation there stood, in this hamlet, a palace belonging to the bishops, of Worcester, at which they frequently resided; the house has long bean demolished, but a hill opposite to the village still retains the name of 'Parks.' In the 9th of George IV, Blockley was made the head of a division, the petty sessions for which are held here; and the Bishop of Worcester, as lord of the manor, holds, by his steward, a manorial court occasionally.
The places of worship are the parish church and a chapel for Baptists. The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is partly Norman and partly in the early style of English architecture, with a tower; the later re-built in 1725. The living is a vicarage in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Bishop of Worcester; the Rev. Miles Coyle is the present incumbent. A free school for twenty boys and six girls, is partly supported by bequests and partly by subscription. Within a mile of the village is Northwick park, the seat of Lord Northwick and in the vicinity of the town are a few other elegant residences. Fairs are held on the Tuesday after Easter-week for cattle, and the 10th October for hiring servants. The parish contained in 1821 1,890 inhabitants ; and in 1831, 2,015 of which last number 1,158 were returned for the hamlet of Blockley.
POST OFFICE, John Bearcroft, Post Master,-- Letters from all parts of the Kingdom arrive (by horse post) from Moreton-in-the-Marsh every morning a quarter before eight, and are despatched every evening at a quarter before six.DIRECTORY.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY
Cockerill Sir Chs. bart. Season cote
Collier Capt Edwd R.N. Blockley
Coyle Rev. Miles, Vicarage House
Lygon Col. Edward, Blockley
Lygon Col. Hnry, Blockley
Northwick Hon. Lord, Northwick park
Ridsdale Hon. Lord, Batsford
Roberts Henry esq. Packsford
Roberts Mrs. Mary, Blockley
Wilkes Mr. George, Blockley
SILK THROWSTERS.
Banbury Edward
Franklin Henry
Russell Lucy
Smith Crescens
Smith Edwin
Stanley Richard
Westmacott John
PUBLIC HOUSES.
Bell, John Humphriss
Crown, Elizabeth Gilson
SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS.
Baldwin Charles, fellmonger and woolstapler
Barcroft John, baker
Blackford Wm. baker
Coles Benjamin, master of free school
Coling William, boot & shoe maker
Cudd William, miller
Dowell William, blacksmith
Dyde Joseph, wheelwright
Figgures Charles, plasterer
Fisher Thomas, blacksmith
Foster John, boot and shoe, maker
Haines Jonathan, miller
Hale John, bricklayer
Herbert George, draper & grocer,
and agent to Phoenix fire office
Herbert John, schoolmaster,
Herbert John, butcher
Hobbs John, grocer & maltster
Hobbs Mary, miller and baker
Howes Richard, miller
Kempson John, joiner
Lloyd Samuel, cooper
Mace John, shopkeeper
Pain Jonathan, miller
Penson Samuel, joiner
Powell William, bricklayer
Smith James, draper, grocer, and druggist
Smith John, fellmonger
Taylor John, tailor, draper, and maltster
Westmacott William, millwright
CARRIERS.
To LONDON, John Ward, from the Bell Inn, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
To BIRMINGHAM, STRATFORD and WARWICK Joseph Penson, from the Bell Inn every Saturday.
To CHIPPING NORTON, John Ward, from the Bell Inn every Thursday and Saturday
To EVESHAM, William Hopes, from his home, every Monday and Friday.
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