Chalford

"CHALFORD, a tything and hamlet partly in the parish and hundred of Bisley, and partly in the parish of Minchinhampton, in the county of Gloucester, 3 miles S.E. of Stroud, its post town, and 12 from Gloucester. It is situated on the Thames and Severn canal, and that portion of the river Frome known as Chalford Bottom. The Great Western railway passes near the hamlet. The inhabitants are principally engaged in the broad-cloth trade and silk weaving, which employ many mills.

The living is a curacy in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £150, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, called Christ Church, is a stone edifice, erected in 1724 by the parishioners. The Wesleyans, Baptists, Primitive Methodists, and Independents have places of worship. There are National and British schools for both sexes. This place shares the charities of its parish. There are petrifying springs. T. M. Goodlake, Esq. is lord of the manor. In the vicinity are the remains of a Roman camp. A fair is held on the Monday following the 11th August."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]