Matson

"MATSON, a parish in the middle division of the hundred of Dudstone, county Gloucester, 2½ miles S.E. of Gloucester, its nearest railway station and post town, and 8½ S. of Cheltenham. The parish, which is inconsiderable, is situated in a vale, out of which rises Robins-Woodhill, or, as it is sometimes called, "Robin Hood's Hill", an interesting conical mountain, which has for centuries supplied the city of Gloucester with water by means of aqueducts. The manor formerly belonged to the Bohuns and William Nottingham, who gave it to Gloucester Abbey. During the siege of Gloucester the ancient Manor House became the headquarters of King Charles, and was subsequently occupied by James II. The tithes were commuted for allotments of land and corn-rents under an Enclosure Act in 1796.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £184, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The church, rebuilt in 1730, is a neat brick structure, with a low tower containing two bells, The interior of the church contains a tablet to the Selwyn family. The chancel was rebuilt in 1852. Matson House, the principal residence, once belonged to the celebrated G. Selwyn, and was visited by George III. Viscount Sydney is owner of the soil and lord of the manor."

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