Woodchester

"WOODCHESTER, a parish in the hundred of Longtree, county Gloucester, 2½ miles S.W. of Stroud. This place is supposed to derive its name from having been the site of a Roman station, where a tesselated pavement 48¾ feet square, with a bath, pottery, coins, and other signs of a large Roman villa, were found. The village is situated on an eminence forming part of the Cotswold range of hills. There are several woollen mills. Spring Park, the seat of the Earl of Ducie, anciently belonged to the Maltravers, from whom it came to the Arundels, Huntleys, and Ducies. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £350. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, contains a monument to Sir G. Huntley. The Priory, late the seat of Sir S. Wathen, is now a monastery. The Baptists have a chapel. There are several schools partially endowed."

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