BLOCKLEY Is a hamlet and parish in 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; surrounded by the county of Gloucester and a small portion of Warwickshire. It is pleasantly situated amidst sloping hills and fruitful valleys, and noted for the fine springs of crystal water that rise in Dovedale, 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. 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, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is partly Norman and partly in the early style of English architecture, with a tower – the latter rebuilt in 1795: the benefice 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 fine 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 1831, 2,015 inhabitants; and in 1841, 2,134; of which last number about 1,500 belong to Blockley hamlet.
POST OFFICE, Mary Bearcroft, Post Mistress. – Letters form LONDON arrive every morning at seven, and are despatched every evening at twenty minutes past seven. – Letter from BIRMINGHAM, BRISTOL, COVENTRY, EVESHAM, GLOUCESTER, PERSHORE, TEWKESBURY and Worcester arrive every morning at ten, and are despatched every afternoon at twenty minutes before two.
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NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Cockerill Sir Charles, bart. Seizen cot
Collier Capt. Edward, R.N. Blockley
Coyle Rev. Miles, Vicarage house
Lygon Lieut.-Gen. Edward, Blockley
Lygon Lieut.-Gen. Henry, Blockley
Northwick Hon. Lord, Northwick park
Reddesdale Hon. Lord, Batsford park
Roberts Henry, esq. Paxford
Roberts Mrs. Mary, Blockley
Smith Mrs. Sarah, Rock cottage
Wheeler Rev. George D. Blockley
SILK THROWSTERS.
Banbury Edward
Russell Lucy
Smith Edwin
Smith James
Smith Mary
Stanley Richard
Westmacott John
PUBLIC HOUSES.
Bell, Martha Humphriss
Crown, Joshua Figgures
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SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS.
Allcock Wm. plumber and glazier
Atkins William, master of the Free School
Barcroft Mary, baker
Blackford William, baker
Broad William, butcher
Colling William, boot & shoe maker
Dowsell William, blacksmith
Dyde Joseph, wheelwright
Edgington Richard, baker
Figgures Charles, plasterer
Figgures George, relieving officer & registrar of births and deaths for the Moreton district
Fisher Thomas, blacksmith
Foster John, boot and shoe maker
Hale John, bricklayer
Herbert Eliza, draper, grocer and agent to Phoenix Fire Office
Herbert John, butcher
Hobbs Mary, miller and baker
Howes Richard, miller
Kempson John, joiner
Lloyd Samuel, cooper
Mace John, shopkeeper
Mace Richard, miller
Oliver Henry, maltster
Pain Jonathan, miller
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Perkins Thomas, saddler
Smith Jas. draper, grocer, & druggist
Smith John, fellmonger
Smith Thomas, turner & chair maker
Taylor John, tailor and draper
Thornton Richard, shopkeeper
Wells John, miller
Westmacott William, millwright
CARRIERS.
To London, John Ward, from the Bell Inn, every Tuesday, Thursday & Sat.
To Birmingham, Stratford and Warwick, Joseph Penson, from the Bell Inn, every Saturday, & Hawkin’s Waggon, from Cirencester, passes through every Tuesday.
To Chipping Norton, John Ward, from the Bell Inn, every Thursday and Saturday.
To Cirencester, Hawkin’s Waggon passes through every Friday.
To Evesham, William Hopes and Ambrose Milburn, from their houses, every Monday and Friday.
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