No 1.

Stephens' Alley

At the top of High Street. It is called Stephens' Alley because of a man named Stephens who owned and occupied the parts next to the High Street and the old buildings partly up the alley, which he used a s a hosiery factory in which he manufactured stockings and other hosiery goods. At the time a man of the same name kept a fish shop in the front street; I think they were brothers. The time of which I am now speaking was the year 1812. Since that time the property has been modernised like many other front street houses; to the regret of the present inhabitants of the town, some of whom for many years past have been bringing out to view the features of the old houses, which makes town and the streets much more interesting. The Stephens' were respec table middle class people; well to do. I am not aware that there are any of the family left in the town. The last I knew of them was the town lamp-lighter, who through sickness and other troubles became poor about seven years ago. He was in the Blue Club, and his pay paid for his maintenance and funeral. One of his uncles was the Beadle of the Town Markethouse for many years of the present century.

No 2.

Well Alley

I think it was called the Well Alley because it is supposed that at one time, when the town was small or perhaps a village, the town or village well was there. The Romans settled in this neighbourhood soon after they had conquered the country. From discoveries made while the Gas Works were in progress of construction of pottery and Roman coins, it is presumed that a Roman encampment was very near to the top of what was in after years called the Well Alley as it led from the camp to the main road to Worcester. The village green and houses were near the well. The well and pumps were entrusted to the inhabitants. The well was covered and probably was the town well. There are some very old houses in the alley. The alley has never been called by any other name since my recollecton nor in the memory of those who were old when I was a little boy. The well is now covered and the town water supplied instead.

No 3.

Summers Court.

Called so because of a respectable widow named Summers who I believe lived in the house next to the High Street. She kept a lodging house for tramps or travellers etc. There are four very old wood build houses which show they were built in the very old style of Tewkesbury. The water of the Court has been condemned and the town water laid on , namely, the Severn water.

No 4.

Steel's Court.

Called so because of a man named Stephen Stell, who lived in the front street house and owned the property through to the Oldbury. He was a builder, and for several years carried on a brisk trade in that line. His health failed and he died rather suddenly. As a young man he was highly respected by his fellow townsmen. His son, after working for Mr. T. Collins, commenced business in Worcester.

No 5.

Bishop's Alley.

So called after Samuel Bishop a butcher who carried on business in the house in the High Street on the left hand of the alley. His slaughter-house was at the top of the alley and next to the Oldbury. He and his wife were rather of the old-fashioned style, in dress, manners and customs. They had several sons who followed their father's business. The eldest son carried on till he was an old man. He retired from business and for some years lived in Church Street where he died some years ago. Another son carried on the business now carried on by his son Mr. Henry Bishop in the High Street near the Town Hall . The family were respected and respectable middle class people. There is a grandson living at Coventry where he carries on a large and prosperous butcher's business. There is only one grandson residing in Tewkesbury.

No 6.

Unicorn Alley or as it is now called Red Lion Alley.

So called because a Public House was at the end of it next to the High Street called the Red Lion. The people who kept on the license were, I believe Mr. and Mrs. Walker, the father and mother of Mr. Thos. Walker the engineer in the Oldbury. The house had a very bad name before they went to it. All sorts of wickedness was practised there short of murder, so that no respectable persons went to it. At last the license was given up and it was afterwards let as a private house, but no one stayed there long, for reports spread through the town that the house was haunted, because of the great crimes which had been committed there. They said that supernatural noises were heard in the night which frightened the women and children. So at last the Red Lion was demolished and two nice houses were built on the site. A stop was put to the High Street of the alley. The cottages are still inhabited up the alley leading from the Oldbury.

No 7.

Marshalls Alley.

Now called Bedfords Court, because the upper part leading to the Red Lion is now stopped.

I knew Mr. Marshall. He kept a shop in the front house and sold provisions, vegetables, etc. I cannot say what trade he followed. He was a respectable looking man. When I returned to Tewkesbury in 1834 he had either left the town or was dead. I am not sure which. There are some very old timbered houses in the court all of which belong to Mr. Bedford who lives in the front strteet house. He is a painter by trade.

No 8.

Double Alley.

This is a very old alley and was so called because there were two entrances at the High Street end. A wall went up in the middle of the alley for some distance in line with the four brick pillars which support part of the house now used as a tramps' lodging house. A long time ago the wall was removed to give light to the cottages on the right hand side of the alley. It was noted as a tramps' lodging house when I was a boy. There were often row and sometimes lots of fighting in it. Mr. John Collins a respectable builder lived in the top house enclosed in walls.The family is now nearly extinct. I only know of a grandson or two. One is Mr. Leamington Collins, a bricklayer. The other, John Collins, a boatman. In the alley there lived 5 soldiers and one sailor who had served in the French war.

No 9.

Glovers Alley.

Called after a man named Glover, a carpenter. He was a very respectable man. He died many years ago. He had one son who left the town long ago. None of the family are now living in the town. This is a very old alley and quite of the old Tewkesbury style. It is very naroow, about four feet wide in the widest parts. The houses are very small and in the old time style. They were very dirty and dark and were something more like holes in the war. They were filled with stocking frames, winding wheels and bobbins. Many families lived and worked and got good livings in nthem and were not very particular how they spent their money. It was often spent in drink and other bad ways and their children were let run the streets dirty and ragged. The last workman that wore a pigtail lived in this alley, his name was Fame, and he was a stocking mender.

No 10.

Bronds Court.

Next after Glovers Alley. It was names after a man named Brond, a plumber and glazier, who lived in the front street house and owned all the property in the High Street and up the yard. He died about a year ago leaving a wife and family.

No 11.

Rice's Court.

A Mr. Rice, a fisherman lived in the front street house for many years. In old times it was Waldron's Alley because a man named Waldron lived there. Alleys used to change names when the end house changed tenants. The alley formerly led into the Oldbury but since the Cattle Market has been enlarged the thoroughfare has been stopped. There are some very old style cottages up the alley. A great many changes have taken place since then, some for the better, many for the worse. Mr. Rice lived at the Happy Return public house next the street. He was a fisherman by occupation. Both him and his wife died some few years ago.

No 12.

Eagles Alley.

Called after George Eagle a butcher who lived on the left hand side of the alley in High Street. He was an old man when I was a little boy. He had one sun who I found in 1834 living. He was then keeping a provision shop in the High Street. It was not long after this that he died and was buried in the Abbey Churchyard. There is a stone to his memory. The family is extinct in Tewkesbury. At the top of the same alley there lived a rather noted man named G.Moss. He had several sons. He was a stocking maker. His sons he brought up to the same trade, but afterwards one became a travelling grinder, two others became chimney sweeps for the fore part of the day and stocking weavers in the after part. Several of the descendants are still living in Tewkesbury, Mr. D.Moss, a cycle repairer, and another who still follows the chimney sweeping. They are respectable, hard working people, getting good livings, and they are a credit to the town. One son settled in Worcester many years ago, his name was Daniel, and he held a respectable position in that city.

No 13.

Warder's Alley.

Names after Mr. Warder a respectable shoemaker who lived in the house now occupied by Mr. Hayward. It is a very old alley and contains some very old cottages , very small, like holes in a wall very dark and gloomy, and built mostly of timber and lath of the old Tewkesbury style. I knew Mr. Warder. He was a christian man and a member of the Independant Church. He was a highly respected tradesman of the town. There are none of the family in the borough that I know of.

No 14.

Scott's Alley.

This old alley is stopped up next to the High Street but a part of it now opens into the Oldbury. The alley was named after a man named Joseph Scot a white-smith and bell-hanger. He kept a small ironmongers shop in the High Street. His workshops were in the alley. He had some sons who carried on the business for some time but did not succeed and the business gradually sunk and dwindled away. I do not know if they died or left the town. I am not aware that any of the family remain in the town or neighbourhood at present. The generation is gone, and there is a tomb to their memory in the Abbey Churchyard.

No 15

Haywards Alley.

In this alley are only a few cottages which have been converted into warehouses by Mr. Hayward for the convenience of his business. In the old days when the stocking trade was flourishing there was a large frame smiths shop where several men were employed to make and repair frames. The men earned good wages. The masters name was Arthur Fletcher, a highly respectable man. The family has long since removed from Tewkesbury to Birmingham where some of his descendents are living now.

No 16.

Old Post Office Alley.

So called because the Post Office was kept in an old house on the left hand side of the alley in the High Street at the beginning of the present century. The house was pulled down about thirty years ago and a new one built by Mr. Flucks a farmer, who also built the flour mill ownes by Messrs.Rice & Son on the Quay. There are some very small cottages in it. They used to be filled with stocking frames. The people got their living at that trade. There was a large stocking shop at the top of the alley. It was kept by Mr. Key a big hosier who kept on a lot of men and women as stocking weavers. He and his wife travelled with the home made goods and sold them and made a good living. They brought up a large family respectably. Mrs. Godfrey in Church Street is a grand daughter. All their sons are dead.

No 17.

Walls Alley.

This is a very old alley and there are some very old houses in it. Mostly built of timber in the very old style of Tewkesbury. Mr. Wall was a very respectable man and a tailor by trade. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church. He has been dead a long time. None of his family I think are living in the town at the present time. The alley is called by his name while he is forgotten by most people of the town but the memory of the just is blessed.

No 18.

The Wheat Sheaf Alley.

This alley runs at the side of the Wheatsheaf into the Oldbury. It was the passage which led to the Theatre, also to the Fives Court and Cock Pit which were kept there In the cock-fighting days there was a cock-pit where cock-fighting was carried on a great deal at holiday times. A man named Cosneat was the landlord of the Inn in those days.

No 19.

Wilkes Alley.

So called because a man whose name was Wilkes lived and carried on a business of a tinman and brasier at the house on the right hand side of the alley in the High Street.For many years it seemed to prosper. The old man retired from business and went to live at Corse Lawn. He died an old man not long ago. The sons did not get on so well as their father and mother. The business fell off and the son became a bankrupt and seemed to come to poverty. The business was commenced in 1806 and ended in 1896. When I first knew this alley there lived a notable named Lemeds, a needle maker by trade. In after years he became no less a person than Lemes the 18th King of France. It came about in the following manner. When peace was proclaimed in 1814 after the end of the French War when Napoleon was made prisoner and sent to Elba, there was graet rejoicing all through the country. Somewhere about the 22nd of June, was celebrated in Tewkesbury, when every poor man received a shilling and every woman sixpence which ws by subscriptions. There was a grand procession through the town composed of the corporation and all the old soldiers who had been in the war. An effigy of Napoleon was carried on a platform at the head of the procession. After it had been carried round the town it was taken to the top of the High Street, where a gallows had been erected, and on this they hanged "Boney" as he was called. After it had hung for some time they took mit down, made a fire, and burned it to ashes near the old elm tree that stands there still and looks likely to stand there for another generation. After all this had been done, Lemes was dressed up as a King of France and carried in triumph through the town as Lemes the 18th King of France. Afterwards there was a banquet and ball at the Town Hall and King Lemes delivered a King's speech from a balcony in front of the Town Hall, thanking them for restoring him to the throne of his forefathers and promising to reign righteously in the future. Lemes was always called King Lemes to the day of his death. b ut we live in a chaging world and Lemes circumstances and position in time changed, for the stocking trade fell off and the needle making too. Lemes became poor and at last had to go into the Union Workhouse where I last saw him and he repeated to me the speech, from memory, which he delivered at the Town Hall on June 22nd 1814. Soon after this he was made superintendent of the sick mens' hospital in the Union Workhouse. Sometime after this he died on a pauperr's bed, was put into a pauper's coffin, and buried in a pauper's grave. Resting in peace. Princes and Kings may flourish and may fade, a breath can make them as a breath hath made.

No 20.

The Barrel Alley.

Named so because the inn on the right hand side of the alley in the High Street is named the Barrel. There is good reason for that name as you may see by looking up there a barrel hanging from an iron bracket. It is harmless enough up there. I wish all other barrels were as innocent as that one is. But there is a modern name for the alley. In 1848 it was called Machine Court. But courts and alleys changed names very often when they changed owners. I think at that time the premises were used as a wine and spirit stores and was considered very quiet and highly respectable as well. The ancient houses are owned by Fowler and Co., Brewers of Stratford on Avon.

No 21.

Dixon's Alley.

This is a very ancienyt alley as may be seen by the style of the cottages in the alley. They are occupied by respectable working men. It derives its name from a Mr. Dixon who, I believe, wasa Scotsman. For many years he carried on business as a grocer and baker. He was a strong Liberal in politics and a member of a Nonconformist Church. He took an active part in every movement organised for the advancement of the corporation and political reform. I may say he was a leader in them, but his health failed when he was at middle age and he died a comparatively young man. Hid son carried on the business after his father's death, and he also died at an early age. Several of the family are still living in the town and are very much respected.

No 22.

Care's Alldey.

This is a very old alley and most of the houses are dark and wretched places to live in, but the rents are low and the poor people are very glad to get low-rented cottages because work is scarce and wages low. Mr. Care was a baker by trade. He was an old man when I knew him. He was a respectable man and was respected by his neighbours as an honest, industrious tradesman.

No 23.

Bray's Court.

Callded after a man named Bray, a stonemason of the town. It was built by Jackie Brimmell, a rope maker. Of course that was a nickname. His name was John Brimmell.

No 24.

Clark's Alley.

Two laides lived, in the large house a little above the alley, for many years. They were the Misses Clark. They kept a school for young ladies. I think it was their name which was adopted for the old alley. There are several cottages of the old style in it. The Misses Clark were highly respected.The alley leads down to the River Avon.

No 25.

Hammerton Court

It was named after a Mr. George Hammerton, a barge owner, who worked a market barge to Gloucester market every Saturday. He was a very respectable, industrious man. He has been dead for many years. He had three sons and two daughters. The railway took the carrying business off the river. The sons did not follow in the father's footsteps. They died and the barge was sold. One son went to sea, the others died, also the daughters. I do not know of any relic of the family that is left in the town. I knew the three sons and one daughter, they lived at Cheltenham.

No 26.

Lock's Court or Alley.

This alley leads down to the River Avon. Before threre was a lock-keeper he used to live at the top of the alley next to the street and kept a boat on the river at the bottom of the alley. When the locks had to be opened he had to ferry across the river. There are some houses in the court.

No 27.

Mann's Court.

So called after a man named Mr. Mann who lived in the house next the High Street. He was a barge owner and coal merchant. He owned the property from the street to the river. He was a respectable well-to-do man. I do not think any of his descendents are living in the town now. There are cottages in the alley and it goes down to the River Avon.

No 28.

Fryzer's Court.

This court derives its name fron an old respected Tewkesbury family. They lived in the house on the right hand side of the passage fronting the Barton Street. They carried on the business of brickmaking at the first brickyard on the Severnside above the Mythe Bridge. No relics of the family remain in the town that I know of. There were three sons and two daughters. One son was a solicitor and practiced in the town for many years, but never rose to any degree of eminence in his profession. He will be remembered by many of the townspeople as Sam Frazer. He has been dead for many years. The property, three cottages in the court, belongs to Mr. Coutts. The front street house is owned by Mr. W.G.Potter.

No 29.

Millard's Court.

It was so called because a man of that name owned the court. He was a very old man when I came back to Tewkesbury in 1834. He had then sold his property in the town and had gone to live in Bristol where he died long ago. It is now called Gardner's Court. The front street house and the three cottages in the court are now owned by Mrs. Gardner.

No 30.

Alexandra Court.

A new name. In old time it was called the Crooked Alley because there were five turnings in it as you went through from the Oldbury to Barton Street. It was used very much before Nelson Street was made a general thoroughfare. Some small cottages were pulled down and others were renewed and made more fit to live in, but it was closed as a pub lic thoroughfazre some years ago. There was formerly a hat manufactory carried on in it by a Mr. Holland who in olden days was thought something of. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church in Tewkesbury. Old Mrs. Holland was the first in connection the Baptist Church who kept a Sunday school for working mens' children. There was also a framesmith's shop kept by a man named Davies, where stockingframes were repaired. All these things are not known to the present generation.The Hollands had one son who carried on the business till it was extinct in Tewkesbury and then he became a poor man and was employed as a country postman for some time. At last his health failed and he had to give it up and soon after he died leaving one son behind him, who went to Bristol and carried on the business of a grocer and did well at it.

No 31.

Huntley's Alley.

Called after Mr. Thomas Huntley who lived in the house next to the alley for about 50 years. He carried on a baking business. He was a native of the town. He was born in humble circumstances, but by his industry and perseverance he became the owner of the two front houses and all the property at the back, through to the Oldbury. There is one of the family living in Australia, doing very well, but he seldom visits England.

No 32.

Nelson Alley.

So called because the Nelson Inn is at the street end of it. It goes through to the Oldbury.For some years the thoroughfare has been stopped as it is all private property.When I first remember the Nelson it was kept by an old man named Hyatt who was a shoe boy at the Star and Garter at the top of the yard leading down to the Baptist Chapel. That was at the beginning of the present century.

No 33.

Charlwood Alley.

An old respectable tradesman , who was a tailor and draper of that name, lived at the house and shop on the right hand side of the alley. After he retired from business he went to live in the house now occupied by Mr. Baylis the milkman in Hughes Alley, where he ended his days. I knew him and his wife and believe his character was blameless. His only son died before his father. For some years he kept the very old public house called the Quart Pot which stood on the site where the Wesleyan Minister's house now stands.

No 34.

Morris' Alley.

I have no remembrance of any one of the name of Morris living near the alley after whom it could be named. It is very old and there are some poor, dark, small houses in it of the very old style of Tewkesbury.

No 35.

Long's Alley.

In modern times this has been called Collins' Alley, because Mr. Edmund Collins, a builder, lived in front and owned it all the way through. This alley is notable because the first Wesleyan Chapel was in it, and there is no doubt that John Wesley used to preach in it. It is recorded that he followed George Whitfield who also preached in Tewkesbury. The old chapel was made of two houses. If you will go and look you will see the large flat entrance stone that was above the entrance door. After the chapel was built in the Tolsey Lane the old chapel was made into two houses again. There is a very great contrast between the first Wesleyan Chapel and the fine one which now stands on the site of the old market at the cross.

No 36.

Davies' Alley.

Named after Mr. George Davis who owned the front street house on the right hand side of the alley. He was highly respected and ranked among the well-to-do of the town. He was a pig dealer and bacon curer. He sold bacon, black puddings and chitterlings. In those old times almost every one had a nickname and Mr. Davies was called chitterlings George. The family is extinct in Tewkesbury as far as I know.

No 37.

Hayes' Alley.

A builder of that name once lived there. Since then Mr. W. Potter lived in the front street house for many years. It now belongs to Mr. W. Potter of Barton Street. What makes this alley of public interest is the fact that the family of the Harts owned the property and lived there for nearly 100 years and from what I know of the family, I think much longer than that. They carried on the trade of chair making and were a well-to-do family and highly respected by their fellow townsmen. They were descendentsof the poet Shakespeare. There is a very fine memorial stone in the Abbey Churchyard to the memory of Thomas Hart who died in the year 1800. It is stated on the stone that he was the sixth descendent of the poet Shakespeare. I knew his son Thomas Hart who claimes to be the seventh descendent of the famous play writer, I was well acquainted with him. His full name was Thomas Shakespeare Hart. He died on Nov. 13th. 1830. There is a memorial stone in the old Baptist Chapel Burial Ground. which fully records his death, which was rather sudden. He had one son who left the town many years ago. I do not know of any relic in the town at the present time.

No 38.

Wood's Court.

This is very ancient court. No doubt so called by some one of that name who owned the front house or lived there. It is not very thickly inhabited.

No 39.

Gannaway's Court.

An aged and respectable widow owned the front street house. She died there a few years ago. The house is still owned by one of her family. a daughter, who married Mr. Pullin, a butcher, in Barton street, is living now and has a large family.

No 40.

Court.

Court at the back of No. 33 Barton Street. Its gets its name from the front house No. 33 Barton Street. It belongs to a Mr. Joseph Jones who lives at Corse Lawn in the parish of Turley, Gloucestershire.

No 41.

Orchard Court.

In the early history of our old towm before the streets went far from the cross, there was a footpath from the Barton Street to the Gloucester Road, without passing through the town. I think this path went through orchards and gardens as it does at the present time.A few years ago there was a quick set hedge on each side which gave it a more country appearance. It was then no doubt called the orchard path. After the houses were built and inhabited it was called Orchard Court, a name which will remain for ages to come. No doubt there is some very ancient timber built houses in it.

No 42.

Freeman's Court.

It is called so because a man names Mr. George Freeman a lace-maker, of Tewkesbury, had a large factory built in the Oldbury. He employed hundreds of workpeople and became very rich. He gave the court and all the houses to the Trustees of the Independent Chapel to whom it now belongs. Mr. Freeman on retiring from business went to live at Cheltenham. He became very childish, and like many very rich men, he feared he would come to poverty and die in the Union. He did not, and at the last he left his wealth to others. The rich and the poor meet together, the Lord is the maker of us all. He was a benefactor to the town and helped every good cause and promoted everything for the prosperity of the town and its people.

No 43.

Parker's Court.

This is a very old court. It was owned by a man named Parker at the beginning of the present century. He was then a well-to-do man. He was bacon dryer by trade. When he got old he was afflicted and became poor and had to mortgage his property time after time. Lawyers and money lenders got a hold of the writings to his property. He died leaving all his affairs in confusion. His son who was a stocking weaver and a poor man could not pay a lawyer to take the matter in hand and get him righted, so let the lawyer and motgages do as they liked. The property was sold ro Mr. William Potter for £300. About 11years ago it was sold by his trustees to Mr. Mayall for £650. He died about 30 years ago at the age of 82. His son is stil living but is very poor. He was employed for many years by the Trwkesbury Corporation and is now allowed a small pension for life as a reward for his faithful services to the town. He showed me some of his grandfather's furniture when I called to see him a short time ago. Of course he is very proud. He lives in a cottage on the Mill Bank and is quite unassuming and respected by most of all classes of people in the town. He now looks after the Victoria Grounds (June 22nd. 1897). H edied early in 1900 an old man and was buried in the Cemetery.

No 44.

Baughton's Court.

Called so on account of a man called Baughton who was a quiet respectable man. He was by trade a stocking-weaver, also a barber and mender of umbrellas. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church and a credit to his profession. The property formerly belonged to the late John Terrett Esq. After his death it was sold and was bought by the late Mr. John Potter who lived in the front house till his death which took place in February 1897. It is now occupied by his widow, Mrs. Mary Potter. None of the cottages were let because he wished to keep the yard privately to himself.

No 45.

Potter's Alley or Court.

It was so called because a man of that name lived in the front street house. It was a very old-fashioned house till it was modernised about 50 years ago by having a new front put to it. Mr. Potter was a very old man when I first knew him. He came to Tewkesbury some time during the 18th century. A stone in the Old Baptist Burial Ground records the death and ages of his two wives and his own. His wife Hannah died December 26th 1800 aged 44. His second wife Mary died February 14th 1825 aged 64 years.. William Potter died February 10th 1839 aged 87 years. He had four sons and two daughters. They all lived to be old and were highly respected. I think he was a weaver in the woollen trade, as I remember seeing rolls of woollen stuffs placed at the shop door in the Old man's time. The cottages are not let so there is no thoroughfare. The property was bought off the trustees of the late William Potter Esq. by Mrs. Rogers about 11 years ago. There are several descendants of the Potter family now living, but they are scattered about in many parts of the world. Several of them are highly respected tradesmen of their native town. I hope and trust they will be an honour to the town as the

No 46.

Evans' Alley.

A William Evans lived at the street end of the alley and as a matter of course it was so called after his name. He was a plain working man, a nailmaker. He had a shop down the alley where he and his two sons carried on their trade, a trade which has since died out.

No 47.

Yarnall's Alley.

The name as other alleys which get their names from the man who happened to live at the street end. I knew Mr. Yarnall when I was a very little boy, and he was then an old man, but he followed his trade, that of chairmaking, with his son. He was a sober man. In religion he was a Baptist. In politics he was, what we should now call , an advanced radical. He lived when the French revolution was in full swing. When Napoleon was going forth to conquer and conquering, he gloried in the liberty the French people were enjoying and longed that Englishmen might enjoy the same. He was called Jacobite, as one of the leaders of the French revolution of that name was committing such dreadful cruelties on the Royal family and higher classes in France. Two of his sons carried on the business of chairmaking in the town till about the year 1856. Some of his descendents are still living in the town. Our respected townsman Mr. G. Yarnall of Barton Street is a greatgrandson.

No 48.

Fish Alley.

There is nothing very interesting about this old alley. I have known it by thye name of Jeynes' Alley, called after an aged widow who lived in the fromt street house, and Bells Alley, after a widow named Bell who lived at one time in the front street house after widow Jeynes. I suppose it was called Fish Alley from the fact that at different times for many years past, men have lived in the alley who have been fish catchers and dealers. Such is the case now, for at the present time, one fish catcher and three men who go about selling fish live there. This seems to be the reason why it is called Fish Alley and is likely to be so named for many years to come. Joseph Witts who lived in this alley was a grandson of Joe Witts who was a saddler and who fought at the battle of Bunker's Hill in the American War of 1812.

No 49.

Peachey's Court.

So called because Mr. Peachey lived in the house next to the street. It led to Workhouse Alley, a lot of houses occupied by stocking makers and their families. At the bottom end a Mr. Thomas Andrews lived , who took boys and girls from the overseers of the parish at a low rate of pay and taught them his trade which I think was that of sack bag making. This is why it was called Workhouse Alley. It is now a private court with respectable tenants.

No 50.

Hughes' Alley.

A man named Joe Hughes gave a name to this alley. I knewe him when I was a boy. He also gave the name to Hughes' Meadow on Perry Hill. He was a tall man. He was a Quaker of the old sort, a very quiet man and highly respected by all who knew him. He kept cows in Hughes' Meadow and sold milk and butter. He lived in a house down the alley which has since been made into two or three cottages and let to working people after his death. In Hughes' Meadow there was a very fine elm tree standing on the highest part of the meadow, which was called Whitefield's Elm. It was under this tree that the Rev. George Whitfield preached to large congregations. SXome years ago the property came into the hands of the Rev. Scott, the Minister of Trinity Church, and he had the tree cut down, much to the regret of the people generally. The tree had a very interesting history, especially to the nonconformists of Tewkesbury. It was sometimes called Wesley's tree. I therefore believe that the Rev. John Wesley also preached under its shade, as the old chapel in Morris' Alley was very small to contain the increasing number of people who met together to hear those great preachers of the gospel. It was a beautiful spot where the tree stood, from it you can see the country for many miles round.

No 51.

Myrtle Court.

In Hughes' Alley. The six cottages in it a one time formed part of the Workhouse Alley. They are occupied by quiet respectable working people.

No 52.

Fletcher's Alley.

Called after Mr. W. Fletcher who lived in the front street house. He was a whitesmith and gunsmith. He was a quiet and respectable man. He lived to a great age. He was a very regular attendant at the Trinity Church. A credit to the town as an honest, upright tradesman.

No 53.

Compton's Alley.

The respected family of Compton has lived in the house next to the street for the past hundred years, if not longer. At the beginning of the present century it was a very old fashioned house. It was rebuilt and a moderrn fronted house made of it. The C ompton family is an ancient Tewkesbury family and have always been a credit to the town as honest and upright tradesmen. Their descendents are following the example of their forefathers, long may they live and prosper. There are two sons and some grandsons living, holding high and first class situations.

No 54.

Mason's Court.

So called because an old gentleman of that name owned it and lived in one of the cottages in the court. He was a Christian man and was very kind to the poor. I never knew him to be in any kind of business or trade. He kept a respectable housekeeper to whom he left the propertyt after he died. She afterwards married a Mr. Green, a tailor who lived in the front house and carried on the tailoring business till the time of his death.

No 55.

Extinct Alleys.

Two noted alleys in Barton Street are now extinct. One was called the Nailor's Alley because it was nearly filled with shops where men, women and children were employed making all sorts of nails. It belonged to Mr. Barnes, an ironmonger who carried on a large business for many years and retired a rich man. He built the Barnes' almshouses and left them in trust to the late Misses Mines and at their death to the Corporation of Tewkesbury as trustees for ever. Blessed are the dead who die in the lord, for they rest from their labours and their works do follow them. I knew the kind old gentleman when I was a little boy, he used to come into my father's shop and have a talk with him sometimes.

No 56.

Thomas' Alley.

So called because Mr. John Thomas owned and lived in the house next to Barton Street. He was a very respectable man. He was an auctioneer and ran a broker's shop. He carried on the business as John thomas and Son. After his death his sons carried on the business as Philip Thomas and sons. Both his sons died leaving no son to keep the name before the inhabitants of their native town. The only public material that is left is the one made by myself, namely, the iron arch sign which spans the entrance to the cattle market. I made it and fixed it with the iron gates etc., near 30 years ago. Man heaps up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them. There are two very grand tombstones to the memory of Frank Thomas and his wife who was a Miss Healing. Another to the memory of Edward Thomas. By their industry they became rich. Frank died very sudden but Edward was ill for a long time.

No 57.

The New Baptist Chapel Yard or Court.

It is of little interest as leading to the Baptist Chapel, but it may interest some people to know that the fine buildings on each side of the yard in Barton Street was once an Hotel and Posting House called the Star and Garter, and the yard led to the stables and Swilgate river. I knew a man who was at one time postboy at the Star and Garter. He kept the Nelson in Barton Street for many years. He was an old man named Hyatt. His nickname was "pony" Hyatt. Some of his descendents are still living in the town but not of the same name. Their names are Sweet and live in Fish Alley and Barton Street.

No 58.

Savings Bank Alley.

It was at one time called Quart Pot Alley because an ancient inn stood where the Wesleyan Minister's house now stands. It was kept by Mr. and Mrs. Charlwood. Mr. Charlwood was a tailor by trade but he went to keep the Quart Pot Inn when he gave up business. He was a well-to-do man.

No 59.

Ancill's Alley.

It was owned by a Mr. Ancill. It is an interesting alley, full of old timbered houses, but only two dwelling houses. It is needful to go through the alley to judge its interest. It will pay for an inspection very well. The house at the top of the alley is now the Berkeley Arms. It has been an inn for about 60 years. It has always been respectable. The old carved woodwork of this and the next house was hidden with plaster and whitewash for ages till it was brought to view by our worthy fellow townsman Mr. Thomas Collins.

No 60.

Lilley's Alley.

This alley takes its name from a widow lady who lived in the front street house. She kept a china shop. The property belonged to Mr. Packer, a hosier retired from business. He was called cork legged Packer, because he had lost a leg and wore a cork one. The street house is very old and as an ancient house is very interesting because of the fine old carved oak in the front of it, which has recently been discovered under the old lath and plaster, and has been restored by Mr. Thomas Collins, builder of Tewkesbury. There are some fine old houses down the alley which are greatly admired by visitors who come to see the old houses of the town.

No 61.

Gibb's Court.

Called after Mr. Gibbs who for many years carried on business as a baker. There were in his lifetime some cottages in the court, but those who succeeded him in the business, requiring more room, use the cottages for business.It is now called Abbey View Court. There is now a fine lawn where visitors can be provided with tea and other refreshments, in view of the fine old Abbey Church, which attracts so many visitors to the town, and of which we are all proud. As time goes on it will be admired and venerated by unborn generations.

No 62

The Aurora Court.

A court of the same name as the Public in the Church Street. The cottages are inhabited by respectable working people.

No 63.

Wakely's Court.

This court is at the end of Mill Bank. I think at one time there was a passage through to the Church Street. The houses in it are very old. They are Feoffee houses, that is they belong to the Tewkesbury Feoffee.

No 64.

Chandler's Court.

It is owned by Mr. D. Chandler who for a long time carried on the business of a malster there in a small malthouse up the yard where he used to make malt for sale. He was the poor rate collector for the Parish for a long time with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the time at large. He is highly respected for the honourable way in which he collected the poor rate for so long a time.

No 65.

Mayall's Court.

A lady of that name once lived in the front house and very likely owned the houses up the court.

No 66.

Insall's Alley.

Called after Mr. Insall, boot and shoemaker who has carried on business in the front street house fror many years. There are several cottages in this alley which go into St. Mary's Lane. It used to be called Smith's Alley but I do not remember anyone of that name living there.

No 67.

Turner's Alley.

So called because Mr. Turner lived in and owned the house next the street. He was by trade a stocking weaver. He was a steady, careful man and saved a little money and took to a carrying business from Tewkesbury to Cheltenham before there was any railway. After many years of careful industry he saved a small fortune and retired, and afterwards lived a quiet life and died an ols man. When a boy I think he was in the Royal Navy, but I think he got wounded and had to leave the service, and received sixpence a day pension for life. There is a full record of Mr. Turner, his wife, and two daughters, on a tomb erected to their memory in the Old Baptist Burial Ground.

No 68.

Batcheler's Court.

Mr. Thomas Batcheler was a carpenter of the old style. 50 years ago he lived in the front street house and worked and kept his timber in the yard. He was a quiet unassuming man. I am not aware that any of his famkily is still living in the town, but some of his grandsons by the name of Young are still living in the town.

No 69.

The Old Baptist Chapel Court.

The court is called so because the Old Baptist Chapel still stands where it has stood for neatrly 300 years. The two ends of the chapel have been made into cottages. The Baptist congregation left the old chapel and went to the new one in Barton Street in 1809. There is a large burial ground at the top of the court. All the houses from he front street house , in the court belong to the "Baptist Chapel Charities".

No 70

Bull Alley.

A great many years ago there was a butcher's shop at the front street house. It was kept by an old man named Rudge. His slaughter house was down the alley. I think it derived its name from the fact that bulls were driven down it for slaughter. It is very old, and the old features of the street house have been brought to light and the cottages in the alley very recently, and look well. This alley formerly led into Hartland's tanyard where most of the bark was kept in stores.

No 71.

Bank Alley.

This not the original name, for in some fine old carved oak over the entrance may be seen carved

                                                                    B.R.R.1664.

This date would be nearly 160 years before Hartland's Bank came into existence, for that date would make it nearly 300 years old. So when the Bank was established it dropped its old name for that of the Bank Alley. There is a long row of cottages in it. They are very small and afford very poor accommodation. They are of the old Tewkesbury style and seemed to satisfy the stocking weavers who lived and worked in them. At one time they earned very good wages but they were very low in their habits and spent a great deal in drink. The cottages werer crowded with children and stocking frames.

No 72.

Prayer's Alley.

This alley is in the Tolsey Lane. It at one time belonged to a Mr. Prayer, a hosier, who employed a lot of stocking weavers, and they rented the cottages and had the frames in their houses.They paid weekly for their frames as well as the rent for the houses This was stopped out of their wages every Saturday when they took their work in, so the master always got his rent whether they made a good week or a bad one. Mr. Thomas Collins bought the houses in the alley long ago and pulled them all down but one to enlarge his business premises.

No 73.

The Nail Square.

This is the name of a square at the bottom of Tolsey Lane. When the nailmaking trade flourished in the town I think Mr. Barnes had forges made in all the kitchens for making nails of all sorts, that the men, women, and children might work at the trade in the kitchens. All the families lived and slept in the two rooms over the shops. So anyone can guess in what an heathen way they lived. It was no wonder the nailers had a bad charater. Nail making is a thing of the past as will shortly be the case with the stocking weaving trade.

No 74.

Bird's Court.

A very old court in a road at the back of the Town Hall leading to the Quay. It took its name from a Mr. Bird, a wheelright who had a yard and workshop not far from the court. He was a respectable tradesman. His son, John Bird, who lived in his own cottage in Chance Street, died a short time ago.

No 75.

Sweet's Court.

This is called Sweet's Court because of the family of that name owned or occupied some of the cottages at one time. The houses are modern ones, all in good condition and tenanted by respectable working people. The old Sweet's family was rather numerous at one time. I knew some of the old men who belonged to it. There is a large grave stone in the Abbey Churchyard with the record of the deaths and ages of some of them. It is the last stone on the righgt hand side going from the street to the Church. The family has very much fallen off. There are a few still living in the town. Two of the family carry on the business of casrpenters and builders. Another family lives in Barton Street and some others of them in Fish Alley.

No 76.

The Oldbury.

The first court is Dobbins. The entrance to it is by the first or what is now called the Old Hospital Lane. It was once used by a man named Dobbins. He was a butcher and carried on business in the High Street. He owned other property in the court. His son visits the town sometimes, out of respect to his father's memory.

No 77.

The Oddfellows Alley.

Like many of the old alleys this one had changed its name. There was no Oddfellows Alley 50 years ago. Soon after the Oddfellows Arms was established, this alley, which leads to it, assumed the name. There are several houses in it. It leads to other houses in the High Street. I need not say it is very old and the cottages are not up to much.

No 78.

Scott's Alley.

A man named Joseph Scott lived in the High Street and the alley ran through into the street at that time. He carried on a flourishing business as a whitesmith and bellhanger. He died about 70 years ago. His son carried on the business for some years, but trade fell off and in a few years the shop was closed and the family was scattered about. There is not a relic of the family in the town nor any record of them to my memory, only a tombstone in the Abbey Churchyard recording the date of their deaths and their ages.

No 79.

The Bleach Yard.

A court in the Oldbury where stocking bleaching was carried on when the stocking trade flourished in the town. The stockings were rather brown when taken from the frames on which they were woven, and they had to go through the process of whitening.

No 80.

Merrett's Alley.

What its ancient name was it is hard to guess. I suspect it cast off some old name when it became Merrett's Yard. Be that as it may , that is its present name, and called so because a man of that name kept a butcher's shop in the High Street and the yard led to his house. I knew the man. I do not know any of his descendants. It is a fine open court and there are a lot of good cottages in it let to working men.

No 81.

Hanford's Court.

Mr. Banford, a framesmith once owned the property through to the Barton Street. The way is now closed and the few cottages next to the Oldbury is called a court. The cottages are poor small places.

No 82.

Clay's Court.

The cottages in it were built a few years ago by Mr. Thomas Clay, a stocking maker. He began life in very poor circumstances, but by hard work and hard living he became the owner of a lot of property. He was an illegitimate child. He died in 1894 without a will, so it all fell to the Queen, but she gave it all to the widow.

No 83.

Gannaway's Court.

So called because the house next to the Barton Street was owned by Mrs. Gannaway where she lived till the time of her death. She died a few years ago. She was the widow of Mr. John Gannaway who for many years carried on a large business in the Barton Street where he died.

No 84.

Laight's Court.

I omitted to record this court in the Church Street records. The court received its name from a man named Laight whom I knew very well. He kept a private school in the top rooms of the house where Mr. Collins now lives, I believe. When he retired, Mr. Scott the Postmaster took to it. Many of the leading townsmen were educated by Mr. Laight at his school. Many who, at the time my brother went to school, were scholars, afterwards became tradesmen and merchants in the town. Mr. Laight died about the year 1836. He was an unassuming, respectable man. Up to the last record, No 84 are all the courts and alleys I have any recognition of. There are a few in the new part, or what may be called the new town. All the houses on the east side of the Oldbury have been built since the year 1810 when the first house, if I am not mistaken, was built in the Gravel Walk.

No 85.

Courts and Alleys on the East side of the Oldbury.

Trinity School Alley which leads through into Chance Streeet. The Trinity Church Schools, the Master's house and other buildings are in it.

No 86.

White's Court.

A small court with a few small cottages in it which were owned by the late Mr. White, a watchmaker.

No 87.

Newland Court.

This court is in the Barton Road. There are some very good cottages in it tenanted by respectable working people.

No 88.

Union Court.

This court is in Chance Street. It contains some very good houses with every accommodation which always let well and generally to good tenants.

No 89.

Union Passage.

This passage leads to some rows of houses and other single houses and gardens.

No 90.

Swilgate Road.

Yew Tree Court is a court containing only a few cottages.

No 91.

Saffron Road.

It is so called because it is on the side of the Saffron Gardens, one of the town charities. There are five cottages in it.

St. Mary's Lane.

It is called so because the Parish Church once stood at the corner of the entrance to the lane from the street. There may still be seen some parts of the church. It is a stone arch vaiult under the corner shop on the left hand side of the lane. There is another entrance to the lane by the Town Club, bu much narrower. This very old part of the town was in ancient times the main entrance to the town from Gloucester. Before the Monastery was destroyed, the road from Gloucester came up by the Abbey Mills and St.Mary's Lane into the town. A part of the Monastery is still standing opposite the Abbey Mills. It now forms the boundary wall for S. Hesling and Sons corn stores whose flour mills are at the Quay which were built in 1865. Two of the old names for this lane have been dropped, one of them many years ago. For a long time after the Civil Wars carried on by King Charles and Cromwell, it was called the Garrison because a large number of troops were stationed there to guard the entrance into the town and to repel the attcks of the enemy if they ventured to come near. That name was dropped a few years ago. It is now called St. Mary's Street. A number of houses have been taken down. They were hardly fit for human habitations.

The first Quakers Chapel or Meeting House at the lower part of this lane in the year 1660. The Burial Ground is enclosed which is well looked after. Each in his bed for ever laid, the forefathers slept. Bennett in his history of Tewkesbury expressed the opinion that, at one time, there was a Jewish Synagogue in the lane. There were two large tanneries or tan-yards in the lane. One was carried on by Edmund Rudge, the other by a Mr. Wicks. They employed a large number of people. Rudge lived very frugal and saved a large fortune of 90,000 pounds. He gave to the Baptist Church £200, and left the rest to a nephew who spent it all in bad living.

Gander Lane.

How it got its name is quite unknown. In ancient time it was the road out to Cheltenham. There are seven almshouses in it, Russell's Charity. There is a long length of road beyond the bridge which has been stopped, but I hope the Town Council will order it to be opened again soon.

The Bank Lane.

This lane formerley led to the Avonside but for many years has been stopped as a thoroughfare. It used to be great deal used when the tanning business flourished. The Hartlands had a very extensive business and this lane led to the tan yards. They employed a great many men. I think they must have carried on the business for a century at least. They were rckoned an ancient Tewkesbury family at the beginning of the present century. They were some of the leading men of the town. They were Quakers as they were called, but now Friends is the modern name, and certainly they were friends to the poor in the town. They promoted and supported every movement that was brought forward for the education of the poor children of the town. Nathaniel Hartland gave the ground upon which the British School is built, ands a piece of garden at the back of the building. The family took a leading part in the building of the Friends Meeting House in Barton Street in 1805. They were rich people and I believe they established Hartlands Bank which was successfully carried on till recent years. None of the family are living in town. Sir F. Dixon Hartland is a grandson of Nathaniel Hartland. He was a man of note in the political world.

Tolsey Lane.

So called because the old Tolsey or Town Hall stood at the end of the lane at the Cross. It leads down to the Avon side and the road runs up the side of the Avon through the Red Lane into the High Street nearly at the top. The old Town Hall was taken down and the present one built in the year 1788.

The Quay Lane.

The appearance of the lane is very different from what it was in my recollection. On the left hand side there was a row of small houses hardly fit for people to live in, but the poor people in those days were used to such dwellings. This lane was the highway into the town from Hereford and Ledbury and North Wales. Before the Mythe Bridge was built in 1825, the traffic was carried over the Ham which was once a common, and crossed the Severn at the Upper Lode, either by boat, or forded the river which was very shallow in ancient time. Every summer a vast number of cattle from North Wales passed through the town in their way to London. They walked through the river , over the Ham and up the Quay Lane, through the streets, up Barton Street Road, which was the old road to London. At one time in the early history of this county I think there was a draw bridge over the Severn wher the Iron Bridge now spans it. The bridge was erected in 1824.

Smith's Lane.

For ages there was a smith's shop at the corner where the brewery now stands. I expect it was from this fact that it received the name of Smith's Lane. Half of the lane has been taken down and a large brewery erected on that side.

The Red Lane.

I have never heard any suggestion why why this was called the Red Lane. There is nothing very red about it except some rede sandstone in the wall at the back of Tudor House garden. The front of the house is in High Street. I think it was called the Red Lane because there used to be a public house nearly opposite known as the Red Lion and when people talked about the lane instead of saying the lane by the Red Lion they called it the Red Lane. There is a large malthouse in it of modern build, a coal yard, and some cottages. It is a very old lane, almost as old as the town itself. To all appearance it was in ancient times a line which not only led to the Avon, but to the road which led into the old Gloucester Road at the bottom end of St. Mary's Lane. As at the present time there is only about 520 yards of it that commences at the bottom of Bank Alley and ends at King and Handley's workshops. It joined the old Gloucester Road. There is no doubt in my mind about it as it went down the side of the town in very ancient times. It passed the ancient stone wall where the Pleasure Grounds now and went on to Gloucester.

Rope Walk Lane.

At the early part of the present century or at the latter end of the last, the Oldbury was a common and belonged to the inhabitants of the town. When the common was enclosed this lane was made to the allotments and fields granted to those favoured people who had the land given to them as the right of Burgesses.Rope making was carried on to a large extent in the town at that time, and of course, the ropemakers could choose and form their ropewalks on the common as a right, and when the common was taken from them, they took possession of the sides of the lanes, fixed their wheels, and carried on their trade there without let or hindrance. It then took the name of Rope Walk Lane and has retained it to the present time. I expect it will soon be called a street or a fine name of some sort as lately there has been a fine row of houses built on the left hand side of the lane which certainly makes it deserving of a better name than Rope Walk Lane.

Lincoln Lane.

It leads to Lincoln Green. It is that which gives it its name. There is nothing very interesting in the lane itself. In the early history of England, it was the old Roman road from Gloucester to Tewkesbury, and it came through Leigh and Deerhurst. Many parts of the old road can be seen now. It leads to the Lodge fields where a great part of the Battle of Tewkesbury was fought 400 years ago, which resulted in the defeat of Queen Margaret's Army and the rout of the Yorkists. The second big field on the right hand side of the lane is the Bloody Meadow where the slaughter was the greatest.The old story is still told, as it has been for 400 years , that the brook in that meadow, after the battle, ran down with blood. The field was covered with dead and dying men. The reason the great slaughter was that, as the Severn was in flood, the retreating soldiers could not cross the river. As a result they were killed by hundreds, and christened the field with their blood, and gave it a name that it will retain as long as brave old England shall hold the first place among all the nations of the earth. There is another incident to record about the lane. A man who committed suicide was buried at the cross roads at the entrance to the lane, just above the workhouse. On August the 4th, 1791, John Burt, a carpenter, murdered a poor girl named Srah Pomell, with poison, whom he had seduced. He was sent to Gloucester for trial, was found guilty, and condemned to be hanged, but he hanged himself in his cell, robbed the hangman of his fee and was sent back to Tewkesbury to the officers of the corporation, like a dog. He was both murderer of another and of himself. The name of the wicked shall rot. He was buried like a dog and is rotting in the cross roads by the Workhouse.

Pagett's Lane and the Mythe.

This lane forms part of the old Roman Road between Tewkesbury and Upton on Severn and Worcester. It goes along the road by the side of the railway at the bottom of the lane.It passes over Shuthonger Common, over Bow Bridge, through Ripple, on from there to Worcester. At the entrance on the right hand side stands part of a very old house called King John's Casrtle. But it never was a castle. It belonged to Tewkesbury Monastery. The Abbots resided there in the summer for a change from their close quarters in the winters. When any Royal visitor came to Tewkesbury, or any dignitaries of the Church to the Monastery, they were entertained at the Mythe Mansion, where they had a beautiful view of the Severn, Malvern Hills and the long range of the Cotswold Hills, and could see down the Severn Valley almost to the Bristol Channel. At the bottom of the lane stands a fine elm tree. It was planted there to mark the spot of ground where a murderer's body was thrown in a grave without a coffin to enclose it, and was buried like a dog, without any religeous service being performed over him. He was buried according to the old law in a cross road. The following are the facts connected with the case. Feb. 15th. 1800, John Young, a carpenter of Longdon, when returning from Tewkesbury market with his wife, murdered her and threw her body into the Severn, where it was afterwards found with the hands tied to the sides, and a sack thrown over the head. On the 29th March he was sent to Gloucester for trial. On the 1st day of August, the day on which he was to be tried, he was found dead in the cell, having hanged himself and just cheated the hangman out of his fee. His body was sent back to Tewkesbury and the Corporation ordered the officials to bury him at the cross roads at the bottom of the lane, which they did and threw the coffin into the Severn and it floated to Deerhurst where it was picked up, and the story goes on to tell us that a carpenter bought it and made a lot of salt boxes out of it and sold them to the villagers around about the parishes.

As men sow so do they reap.
Blood for blood is God's law.

The Stocks and Flogging Posts.

There were in olden time five pairs of stocks and a flogging post fixed to each, for the punishment of evildoers. These were placed as follows:- One at the Mythe, one under the elm tree at the Top of High Street, one at the top of Barton Street, one in front of the Ancient Almshouses which was once the Abbey Churchyard, one under the large elm tree at Lincoln Green. Anyone wishing to see what the stocks were like can do so if they will take the trouble to go to Ashchurch or Forthampton, where they will find a pair in each Churchyard. They are kept there as relics of the past days of our nation. In the parish of Tewkesbury there used to be four constables, and it was their duty to take up all drunken men if seen in the public thoroughfares on Sunday and place them in the stocks. Also boys and men found gambling on Sunday were liable to the same punishment. Since I can remember it was a common thing to see boys in the stocks on Sundays, in the Borough of Tewkesbury and its hamlets. The last but one that was punished by being put in the stocks was a man. But he last was a woman. I saw them both in the stocks. They were movable stocks. I think they are in a cellar at the Corn Exchange at the present time and are for the use of the town any future time they may be required for any prisoner. There is a fine pair of stocks in the centre of the Parish of Ripple close to the Market Cross. The inhabitants value them highly and of late they have enclosed them and the cross in an iron fence in order to preserve them as ancient relics. In all probability they will be standing on the same ground at the end of the present century as they occupy at the present time.

Time like an ever rolling stream

Bears all her sons away

They fly forgotten as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

In my account of the Stephens' family I said there were none of them left in the town but I have since learnedthat he left one son who lives in St. Mary's Lane, and a daughter who lives at Cheltenham.