Brede (St. George)
BREDE (St. George), a parish, in the union of
Rye, partly in the hundred of Staple, but chiefly in
that of Gostrow, rape of Hastings, E. division of
Sussex, 4 miles (S. by W.) from Northiam; containing
1151 inhabitants. This parish, distinguished by the
divisions of Broad Oak and Brede High, is bounded on
the south by the Brede channel, which is navigable for
barges, and over which is a bridge; and is intersected
in the eastern portion by the road from London to Rye.
It comprises 4834a. 3r. 8p., whereof 1960 acres are
arable, 1091 pasture, and 1316 woodland; the soil is
favourable for the growth of hops, which are successfully cultivated. The village is pleasantly situated on a
hill commanding extensive and finely varied prospects.
The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at
£12. 10. 5.; net income, £702; patron and incumbent,
the Rev. J. W. Maher. The church consists of a nave,
aisles, and chancel, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a low spire, the whole thoroughly repaired
in 1840. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans at
Broad Oak; and the union workhouse is in the parish.
Dr. Horne, Bishop of Norwich, in 1790, was a native of
Brede.
Bredenbury
BREDENBURY, a parish, in the union of Bromyard, hundred of Broxash, county of Hereford, 3
miles (W. N. W.) from Bromyard; containing 46 inhabitants. The parish comprises by measurement 540
acres, of which the soil is of a clayey nature, and the
surface for the most part hilly; it is intersected by the
road from Leominster to Bromyard. The living is a
discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at
£2. 1. 10½., and in the patronage of Charles Dutton,
Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for a yearly rentcharge of £53. 9., and the glebe consists of 50 acres, of
which 30 are in the parish of Bockleton. The church
is a neat small edifice.
Bredfield (St. Andrew)
BREDFIELD (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union
of Woodbridge, hundred of Wilford, E. division of
Suffolk, 2½ miles (N.) from Woodbridge; containing
468 inhabitants, and comprising by measurement 1067
acres. The living is a discharged vicarage endowed
with the rectorial tithes, with the livings of Lowdham
and Petistree consolidated in 1827; it is valued in the
king's books at £4. 4. 2., and is in the patronage of the
Crown. The tithes of the parish have been commuted
for £318, and the glebe comprises 27 acres. There is a
small placeof worship for Baptists.
Bredgar (St. John the Baptist)
BREDGAR (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in
the union and hundred of Milton, lathe of Scray, E.
division of Kent, 4 miles (S. W. by S.) from Sittingbourne; containing 540 inhabitants. The parish comprises by measurement 1727 acres, of which 1072 are
arable, 400 pasture, 180 woodland, and 21 acres hops:
the soil is in many parts a good marl, and the substratum chalk; the surface is undulated, and the higher
grounds crowned with woods. A fair is held on the
first Monday after the 29th of June. The living is a
discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £9;
patron and impropriator, Sir E. C. Dering, Bart.: the
great tithes have been commuted for £375, and the
vicarial for £210; there are about 2 acres of glebe, with
a house and garden. The church, which is partly of
Norman architecture, was built about five centuries ago,
and, prior to the Dissolution, had a small college attached
to it: it is endowed with land for repairs. A Methodist
meeting-house was erected about 1800.
Bredhurst (St. Peter)
BREDHURST (St. Peter), a parish, in the union
of Hollingbourn, hundred of Eyhorne, lathe of
Aylesford, W. division of Kent, 5 miles (S. S. E.)
from Chatham; containing 131 inhabitants. It comprises 600 acres, of which 274 are in wood. The ancient
village is said to have stood at a short distance, near a
wood, where several wells are still visible. The living is
a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Rector of
Hollingbourn, and endowed with the tithes, which have
been commuted for £130: there are 9 acres of glebe.
The church is a small edifice, consisting only of one aisle
and a chancel, with a tower surmounted by a low spire:
adjoining it is a small ruinous chapel in the early
English style, formerly the burial-place of the family
of Kemsley. There is a small dissenters' place of worship.
Bredicot (St. James)
BREDICOT (St. James), a parish, in the union of
Pershore, Lower division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, Worcester and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 3¾ miles (E.) from Worcester; containing 53
inhabitants. It is a small parish, comprising only 337
acres, whereof two-thirds are arable, and the remainder
pasture; the surface is undulated, the soil a good rich
marl, and the scenery picturesque. The Birmingham
and Gloucester railway intersects the parish from north
to south, nearly on a level with the surface. The living
is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at
£3. 18. 1½.; net income, £120, derived from land:
patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Worcester. The
church, an ancient structure, was thoroughly repaired,
re-pewed, and beautified, in 1843, at a cost of £300, defrayed principally by the rector, the Rev. William Godfery. In 1839, some workmen excavating for the railway, found a small Roman urn of red clay, containing
about 140 copper coins; it was met with at the depth
of two feet in the earth, under the boughs of an old pollard elm, just by Bredicot Court.
Bredon (St. Giles)
BREDON (St. Giles), a parish, in the union of
Tewkesbury, chiefly in the Middle, but partly in the
Upper, division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, Pershore and E. divisions of the county of Worcester,
3¾ miles (N. E. by N.) from Tewkesbury; containing,
with the chapelries of Norton and Cutsdean, and the
hamlets of Bredon, Hardwick with Mitton, Kinsham,
and Westmancote, 1567 inhabitants. This place was
given by Ethelbald, King of Mercia, before the year 716,
to his kinsman, Eanulph, who founded a monastery here
in honour of St. Peter, which, previously to the Conquest, was annexed to the bishopric of Worcester. The
parish comprises by computation between 5000 and
6000 acres, of which 963 are in the hamlet of Bredon,
and is situated on the road between Tewkesbury and
Pershore; the river Avon separates it from Gloucestershire. The soil is in general strong, producing good
wheat and beans. The Birmingham and Gloucester
railway passes through the village, where there is a station. From Bredon Hill (on which are quarries of stone
suitable for building) is a pleasing view of the vales of
Evesham and Cotswold, including the winding course of
the Severn: the hill is crowned by a Roman encampment with a double trench. The living is a rectory,
valued in the king's books at £72. 11. 0½.; net income,
£1498, arising from 1100 acres of land, assigned in lieu
of tithes, under inclosure acts, in 1775 and 1808; patron,
Jacob Jones, Esq.: there is a glebe-house. The church
has been recently restored by the incumbent and parishioners, and is a fine edifice with a tower and spire.
The porch and principal doorways are excellent examples of the Norman style: the tower, which stands between the nave and chancel, is supported by an arch
forming a good specimen of the transition style; the
south transept is early English, and the north transept
decorated English, as is also the chancel, remarkable for
its windows. The edifice contains some very old and
curious monuments; among them is a monument to the
memory of Dr. Prideaux, who was dismissed from the
bishopric of Worcester during the parliamentary war.
There are chapels of ease at Cutsdean and Norton; and
at Milton the ruins of a chapel. In the hamlet of Westmancote is a place of worship for Baptists. A Bluecoat school was founded in 1718, by William Hancocke,
who endowed it with lands, which, with accumulations,
now produce £115 per annum. An almshouse for eight
single women was founded in 1696, by Catherine Reed,
who endowed it with tithes, since exchanged for 138
acres of land worth £143 per annum.
Bredwardine (St. Andrew)
BREDWARDINE (St. Andrew), a parish, in the
union of Hay, hundred of Webtree, county of Hereford, 11½ miles (W. N. W.) from Hereford; containing
409 inhabitants. The parish comprises 2200 acres,
and is intersected by the road from Hay to Hereford.
The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's
books at £7. 8. 1½.; net income, £190; patron and
incumbent, the Rev. N. D. H. Newton; impropriator,
Sir Velters Cornewall, Bart. On the banks of the Wye,
about two miles above Moccas, are the ruins of Bredwardine Castle, in which the gallant Captain Cornewall
was born. A monument in Westminster Abbey, erected
by a vote of both houses of parliament, records his heroic
achievements.
Bredy, Little
BREDY, LITTLE, a chapelry, in the parish of
Long Bredy, union of Dorchester, hundred of
Uggscombe, Dorchester division of Dorset, 7 miles
(W. by S.) from Dorchester; containing 196 inhabitants.
The chapelry comprises by measurement 1637 acres;
and is situated one mile south of the London road,
through Dorchester, to Exeter. The soil is generally calcareous, and the surface hilly: there is a large quarry,
from which the stone for erecting Winterborne Abbey
was obtained. The river Brede, or Bride, has its source
in a small lake here called Bride Head, near which is a
Druidical circle of stones. The chapel, dedicated to St.
Michael, was rebuilt about 15 years since: the chancel
of the former edifice remains, and, from its style of
architecture, is supposed to have been erected in the
thirteenth century.
Bredy, Long (St. John the Baptist)
BREDY, LONG (St. John the Baptist), a parish,
in the union of Dorchester, hundred of Eggerton,
Dorchester division of Dorset, 8 miles (W.) from Dorchester; containing, with the hamlet of Upper Kingston
and the chapelry of Little Bredy, 536 inhabitants. It
comprises, exclusively of Little Bredy, 2060a. 1r. 19p.,
of which 1213 acres are meadow and pasture, 764 arable,
and 7 woodland. The living is a rectory, valued in the
king's books at £19. 12. 1., and in the patronage of R.
Williams, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for
£460, and there are 75 acres of glebe. At Little Bredy
is a chapel of ease.
Breedon (St. Mary and St. Hardulph)
BREEDON (St. Mary and St. Hardulph), a parish,
in the union of Shardlow, hundred of West Goscote,
N. division of the county of Leicester, 5¼ miles (N. E.
by N.) from Ashby-de-la-Zouch; containing 2625 inhabitants, and comprising the township of Staunton-Harrold, the hamlets of Tonge and Wilson, and the chapelry
of Worthington with Newbold liberty. A cell for Black
canons was founded soon after 1144, by the prior and
monks of St. Oswald, Nosthall, to whom the church and
some lands here had been given by Robert Ferrers, Earl
of Nottingham; its revenue, at the Dissolution, amounted
to the sum of £25. 8. 1. The church which belonged to
it is now the parochial church. The parish comprises
by computation between 2000 and 2500 acres: the soil
in general is very strong, and chiefly calculated for
growing wheat; the surface is hilly. The village is
situated at the foot of an elevated limestone rock, on the
summit of which stands the church: there are considerable lime-works. The living is a discharged vicarage,
valued in the king's books at £6. 2. 8.; net income,
£205; patron and impropriator, the Earl of Stamford
and Warrington: in 1759, land and money payments
were assigned in lieu of all tithes for the manor. At
Worthington is a separate incumbency. There is a place
of worship for Wesleyans. By deed in 1736, Francis
Commins gave £300 towards the support of a school
for boys, and Eliza Commins £583 for a girls' school;
on which endowments a national school has been established.
Breem
BREEM, a chapelry, in the parish of Newland,
union of Monmouth, hundred of St. Briavell's,
W. division of the county of Gloucester, 5½ miles
(W. by S.) from Blakeney; containing 441 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £52;
patron, the Vicar of Newland. The chapel is dedicated
to St. James.
Breightmet, or Brightmead
BREIGHTMET, or Brightmead, a township, in the
parish and union of Bolton, hundred of Salford, S.
division of the county of Lancaster, 2 miles (E. by N.)
from Bolton, on the road to Bury; containing 1309 inhabitants. The manor of this place, forming part of the
possessions of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, in the reign of
Edward III., seems to have been comprehended within
the manor of Manchester. In the 1st of Richard III.
it was one of the forfeited estates of "our rebell" Sir
Thomas St. Leger, and was by that king conferred
upon Lord Stanley. The ill-fated Sir Thomas, although
he had married the Duchess of Exeter, sister of Richard,
lost, not only his estates by attainder, but his life by
the hands of the public executioner. The township
comprises 825 acres of land, mostly pasture; the soil is
red and gravelly, on a substratum of red rock, and the
scenery viewed from the hills is very extensive. Several
collieries are at work, in one of which the vein of coal
is three yards thick; and there is a stone-quarry. Two
cotton-mills are in operation, and a few of the inhabitants are employed in weaving quilts and counterpanes
by hand: at Breightmet-Fold are the extensive bleachworks, established seventy years ago, of John Seddon,
Esq. The river Irwell separates this township from
Tonge. Among the chief residences here, are, Breightmet Hall, a substantial stone building, long possessed
by the Parker family, who, and the Earl of Derby, are
the principal owners of the soil; Oaken Bottom, formerly
the residence of the Cromptons; and Crompton-Ford,
an elegant mansion. R. A. Hibbert, Esq., has a cottage
residence at West Breightmet, with good views. In
1729, William Hulton gave land for the erection of a
school, which was built in 1750, and is endowed with
£30 per annum. About sixty years ago, twelve Roman
urns of earthenware were found in the township, a little
below the surface, containing ashes of the dead; but on
being exposed to the air they mouldered into dust: the
vessels were of cylindrical form, and within the top of
each was a small bone. Camden supposed that the
Coccium of Antoninus was near this place.
Breighton
BREIGHTON, a township, in the parish of Bubwith, union of Howden, Holme-Beacon division of the
wapentake of Harthill, E. riding of York, 5¼ miles
(N. W. by N.) from Howden; containing 204 inhabitants. The village lies on the eastern bank of the river
Derwent, opposite to Menthorpe. The farm of Gunby,
in the township, was given by the Conqueror to his
standard-bearer, Gilbert Tison, whose posterity took the
name of De Guneby, and resided in the old mansionhouse for many generations.
Breinton (St. Michael)
BREINTON (St. Michael), a parish, in the hundred of Grimsworth, union and county of Hereford,
2 miles (W.) from Hereford; containing 362 inhabitants.
It comprises 1539a. 28p., of which about two-thirds are
arable; on the south it is bounded by the river Wye.
The living is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king's
books at £1. 10., and in the patronage of the Dean of
Hereford; appropriators, the Dean and Chapter. The
great tithes have been commuted for £210, and those of
the incumbent for £135.
Bremhill (St. Martin)
BREMHILL (St. Martin), a parish, chiefly in the
union of Calne, but partly in that of Chippenham,
hundred of Chippenham, Chippenham and Calne, and
N. divisions of Wilts, 4¼ miles (E.) from Chippenham;
containing 1550 inhabitants. This parish comprises by
computation 6000 acres: the soil is chiefly a sandy
loam; the surface is partly hilly, and partly a fine vale.
Facilities of communication are afforded by the Wilts
and Berks canal. The Roman Watling-street passed
through the parish, and in the vicinity is the course of
the ancient rampart Wansdyke. At the hamlet of Studley was a Roman station, thought to have been an outpost to the more important station of Verlucio, the site
of which was ascertained by Sir Richard Colt Hoare to
be near Wanshouse, about four miles distant: numerous
coins, chiefly of Constantine, and some British earthenware, have been dug up. Avebury, a celebrated temple
of the Britons, supposed to have been raised in honour
of Teutates, their chief Celtic deity; and Tan hill and
Silbury, two lofty eminences appropriated to the performance of their pagan rites, are situated within a short
distance: on Tan hill a fair is held on Aug. 6th. The
living is a vicarage, endowed with the rectorial tithes,
with the living of Highway annexed, valued in the king's
books at £15. 15.; net income, £406; patron, the Bishop
of Salisbury. Under an inclosure act in 1775, land and
a money payment were assigned to the impropriator in
lieu of tithes on certain lands in the parish: there are
about 230 acres of glebe, with a residence. The church
is a venerable and interesting edifice, with a massive
square tower adorned with battlements and pinnacles;
between the aisle and chancel is a handsome rood-loft,
beautifully carved: the chancel contains several monuments, and in the churchyard are numerous epitaphs
written by the late vicar, the Rev. Mr. Bowles, the poet,
who in 1827 published a description of the parish. Near
the church are the ivy-mantled remains of a portion of
the tenements belonging to the grange of the abbot of
Malmesbury. At Foxham is a chapel of ease, dedicated
to St. John the Baptist.
Bremilham, or Cowich
BREMILHAM, or Cowich, a parish, in the union
and hundred of Malmesbury, Malmesbury and Kingswood, and N. divisions of Wilts, 2 miles (W. by S.)
from Malmesbury; containing 47 inhabitants. The
living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's
books at £4. 1. 8., and in the patronage of the Hon.
and Rev. R. Bowles: the tithes have been commuted for
£106.
Brenchley (All Saints)
BRENCHLEY (All Saints), a parish, in the union
of Tonbridge, hundred of Brenchley and Horsemonden, lathe of Aylesford, W. division of Kent, 4¼
miles (N.) from Lamberhurst; containing 2472 inhabitants. The parish comprises 7698 acres, of which 1693
are common or waste, and 1010 in wood. It abounds
with iron-ore; and there are some mineral springs,
similar in their properties to those of Tonbridge. A
cattle-fair is held annually at the hamlet of Matfield
Green. The South-Eastern railway passes through the
parish. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's
books at £12. 18. 9.; net income, £749; patron and
impropriator, G. Courthorpe, Esq. The church is an
ancient cruciform structure, built chiefly of sandstone,
with a lofty tower. There is a place of worship for
Particular Baptists.
Brendon (St. Brendon)
BRENDON (St. Brendon), a parish, in the union
of Barnstaple, hundred of Sherwill, Braunton and
N. divisions of Devon, 15½ miles (E.) from Ilfracombe;
containing 271 inhabitants. The parish comprises 4497
acres, of which 3000 are common or waste. The living
is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at
£9. 4., and in the patronage of John Knight, Esq.: the
tithes have been commuted for £167, and there are 50
acres of glebe.
Brenkley
BRENKLEY, a township, in the parish of Dinnington, union and W. division of Castle ward, S.
division of Northumberland, 7½ miles (N. by W.)
from Newcastle-upon-Tyne; containing 56 inhabitants.
It lies above three miles north-east from Ponteland,
and nearly a mile west from the great post road. The
tithes have been commuted for £141, payable to Merton
College, Oxford, and £9 to the vicar.
Brent, East (St. Mary)
BRENT, EAST (St. Mary), a parish, in the union
of Axbridge, hundred of Brent with Wrington, E.
division of Somerset, 4¾ miles (W. S. W.) from Axbridge; containing, with the hamlets of Edingworth
and Rooksbridge, 849 inhabitants. This place appears
to have been the scene of various military transactions
at an early period; and on the summit of a lofty conical hill termed Brent Knoll, are vestiges of a large
double intrenchment, within which, and at the base of
the hill, numerous Roman relics have been found. The
West Saxons are also supposed to have occupied this
position, in their contests with the Mercians; and it is
related that Alfred defended himself here against the
Danes. A plot of ground to the south retains the name
Battleborough, probably from some battle having been
fought upon it. The parish is situated on the road
from Bridgwater to Bristol, and near the Bristol and
Exeter railway; and comprises by computation 3000
acres. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's
books at £30. 11. 3.; patron and appropriator, the
Bishop of Bath and Wells: the great tithes have been
commuted for £90, and the vicarial for £690; the glebe
comprises about 70 acres. The church is a very ancient
structure, with a tower and spire together 130 feet
high; at the east end of the north aisle is a handsome
painted window. There is a place of worship for
Wesleyans; and a national school is supported by
subscription. Cornua ammonis and other fossils have
been found. Here was a cell to the abbey of Glastonbury.
Brent Illeigh, Eleigh, or Ely (St. Mary)
BRENT ILLEIGH, ELEIGH, or ELY (St. Mary),
a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union
of Cosford, hundred of Babergh, W. division of Suffolk, 2½ miles (E. by S.) from Lavenham; containing
289 inhabitants, and comprising by measurement 1597
acres. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's
books at £8, and in the patronage of Dr. Browne: the
tithes have been commuted for £480, and the glebe
consists of 9 acres. At the end of the chancel of the
church, an apartment was built by Dr. Colman, Fellow
of Trinity College, Cambridge, who placed in it a
parochial library; and Edward Colman, Esq., endowed
an almshouse, for six widowers and six widows.
Brent, South (St. Patrick)
BRENT, SOUTH (St. Patrick), a parish, and
formerly a market-town, in the union of Totnes, hundred of Stanborough, Stanborough and Coleridge, and
S. divisions of Devon, 7¾ miles (S. W. by S.) from Ashburton; containing 1237 inhabitants. It is beautifully
situated on the river Avon, which pursues its course
for nearly six miles within the limits of the parish: the
number of acres is 9374; upwards of 6000 are inclosed
and in a high state of cultivation, and the remainder
chiefly common lands. The higher grounds are remarkably picturesque, and afford fine prospects over
Torbay and Plymouth Sound. The manor anciently
belonged to the abbot of Buckfastleigh, who possessed
the power of inflicting punishment for capital crimes.
Tin-works were formerly carried on: here is a small
establishment for spinning and carding wool; and slate
is quarried to a considerable extent. Fairs for cattle
are held on the last Tuesday in April and September.
The living is a vicarage, endowed with the great tithes,
and valued in the king's books at £29. 14. 4½.; patron,
the Rev. N. Cole: the tithes have been commuted for
£965, and the glebe comprises about 30 acres, with a
house. The church is an ancient structure. There are
places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans. A
school has a small endowment; and there are various
bequests for charitable purposes, amounting to about
£100 per annum.
Brent, South (St. Michael)
BRENT, SOUTH (St. Michael), a parish, in the
union of Axbridge, hundred of Brent with Wrington, E. division of Somerset, 6 miles (S. W. by S.) from
Axbridge; containing 1074 inhabitants. This parish,
which is situated on the Bristol and Exeter road, comprises by measurement 3533 acres, including 84 acres
of road; the soil is very rich, and the surface flat,
with the exception of a high hill called Brent Knoll,
partly in the parish. There is a canal from Highbridge,
distant about 2½ miles, to Glastonbury; and the Bristol
and Exeter railroad intersects the parish. Fairs for
sheep and horned-cattle are held on the second Monday
in July, and second Monday in October. The living
is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £25. 17. 8½.;
patron, the Archdeacon of Wells. The tithes have been
commuted for £780, of which the vicar receives £689;
the glebe consists of about half an acre, on which is the
vicarage-house. In the church is a monument to the
memory of Captain John Somersett, a zealous royalist
in the time of the civil war. There is a place of worship
for Bryanites.
Brentford
BRENTFORD, a market-town, and the head of a
union; comprising Old Brentford, in the parish of
Ealing, Kensington division of the hundred of Ossulstone, and New Brentford, in the parish of Hanwell,
hundred of Elthorne, county of Middlesex, of which
it is the county town; 7 miles (W. by S.) from Hydepark Corner, and on the great western road; New
Brentford containing 2174 inhabitants, and Old Brentford 5058. This place, formerly called Brainforde, takes
its name from an ancient ford on the small river Brent.
In 1016 Edmund Ironside, having compelled the Danes
to raise the siege of London, pursued them to this place,
where they were routed with great slaughter. A chapter
of the order of the Garter was held here in 1445; and,
in the 25th of Henry VI., an hospital for a master and
several brethren, of the Nine Orders of Angels, was
founded in a chapel beyond the bridge, at the western
end of the town, once known as West Brentford: the
revenue appears to have been £40, and the site was
granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset, in the 1st of
Edward VI. In 1558, six Protestants were burnt here
at the stake. In the great civil war the place was the
scene of a battle, in which the royalists, though victorious, were obliged to retire from the field, by the
sudden arrival of a strong reinforcement to the enemy
from London. For his services in this battle, which
occurred on the 12th of November, 1642, Patrick Ruthen,
Earl of Forth in Scotland, was created an English peer
by the title of Earl of Brentford, which title was subsequently conferred by William III. upon Mareschal
Schomberg, who had accompanied him to England at
the Revolution. Several skirmishes also took place in
1647, between the royal guards stationed here and the
parliamentary troops quartered at Hounslow.
The town consists of one street, more than a mile in
length, paved, and lighted with gas, under an act of
parliament obtained in 1825 and amended in 1842.
The river Thames runs parallel with the street; and
over it, at the eastern extremity of the town, is a handsome stone bridge leading to Kew: the Brent, uniting
the Grand Junction canal with the Thames, crosses
Brentford on the west; and over this is a neat stone
bridge erected by the county in 1825, replacing a bridge
of great antiquity, at one time supported by a toll levied
upon Jewish passengers exclusively. There are a large
malt-distillery, an extensive brewery, and a soap-manufactory; but the chief trade of the town is derived from
its situation on the great western road (now much
diminished, however, by the construction of the Great
Western railway), and from the union of the canal with
the Thames. The market is on Tuesday; and fairs are
held on May 17th, 18th, and 19th, for cattle, and September
12th, 13th, and 14th, for toys and pedlery. The town
is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, who
hold a petty-session for the division every alternate
week: the powers of the county debt-court of Brentford, established in 1847, extend over the registrationdistrict of Brentford. The parliamentary elections for
the county take place at New Brentford.
The living of New Brentford is a perpetual curacy;
net income, £283; patron, the Rector of Hanwell. The
rectorial tithes have been commuted for £60, and the
vicarial for £85. The chapel, dedicated to St. Lawrence, with the exception of the tower was rebuilt of
brick in 1762: annexed to it is the residence of the
minister. The chapel of Old Brentford, dedicated to
St. George, was rebuilt in 1770, by subscription: the
living was augmented in 1842 to £168 per annum by
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and is a perpetual
curacy in the gift of the Vicar of Ealing. There are
places of worship for Particular Baptists, Primitive
Methodists, and Wesleyans. A charity school for boys,
established by subscription in 1703, was endowed by
Lady Capel, in 1719, with the twelfth part of an estate,
yielding at present £37. 10. per annum: the endowment,
enlarged by subsequent benefactions, produces an annual
income of £143. There is a national school, partly supported by an endowment. The poor law union of
Brentford comprises 10 parishes or places, and contains
a population of 37,054. Human skeletons have at
various times been dug up in the neighbourhood.
Brentingby
BRENTINGBY, a chapelry, in the parish of Wyfordby, union of Melton-Mowbray, hundred of
Framland, N. division of the county of Leicester,
2½ miles (E. by S.) from Melton-Mowbray; containing
54 inhabitants. The chapelry comprises about 600
acres: the soil is partly a cold clay, and partly of much
richer quality; the pastures are luxuriant, and Stilton
cheese is made here and in the neighbourhood. There
is a curious old manor-house, repaired in 1846. The
Melton-Mowbray and Oakham canal passes through
the district. The chapel is an ancient structure.
Brent-Tor (St. Michael)
BRENT-TOR (St. Michael), a parish, in the union
and hundred of Tavistock, Tavistock and S. divisions
of Devon, 4 miles (N.) from Tavistock; containing 169
inhabitants. This place partly derives its name from its
situation on a lofty eminence or tor, which, differing
materially in its strata from all other tors in Dartmoor
Forest, is by geologists supposed to have been originally
a volcanic eruption. It comprises 887 acres, whereof
100 are common or waste. The small river Lid runs
through the parish; in which are also a fine sheet of
water called Stowford Lake, and some mines of manganese. The village is built on the acclivity of the
eminence; and the church, occupying its summit,
forms a conspicuous landmark to vessels entering
Plymouth harbour. The living is a perpetual curacy;
net income, £60; patron and impropriator, the Duke of
Bedford.