Description
Marshfield, a small market-town and a parish in Gloucestershire. The town stands on a spur of the Cotswolds, 1 mile E of the boundary with Wiltshire, 2 N of the boundary with Somerset, 5 N by W of Box station on the G.W.R., and 8 NNE of Bath; consists chiefly of one street, nearly a mile in length; is governed by a bailiff; and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Chippenham, a police station, an endowed school, and almshouses. The church is of the 15th century; comprises nave, two aisles, and chancel, with porch and tower; and contains several tablets and monuments. The chancel retains some stone seats, erected by the Abbot of Tewkesbnry in the reign of Edward IV. There are Baptist, Congregational, and Primitive Methodist chapels. Fairs are held on 24 May and 24 Oct., and malting and brewing are carried on. The parish contains also what once-were the villages of Beeks and Weston Town, and the hamlets of Oakford and Ayford. Acreage, 5907; population, 1350. The manor belongs to the Horlock family. Ash-wick House was the ancient seat of the Webb family, passed. to the Hoi-locks, and was rebuilt in 1857. Rocks House,. or the Rocks, is a fine mansion on an eminence with extensive-view, 3 miles SE of the town. Some Druidical stones are near Beeks. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol; gross value, £534 with residence. Patron, New College, Oxford.
Villages, Hamlets, &c.
Ayford, a hamlet in Marshfield parish, Gloucestershire, 2 1/2 miles S of Marshfield.
