ALFORD, a market-town and parish in the Wold division of the hundred of CALCEWORTH, parts of LINDSEY, county of LINCOLN, 34 miles (E.) from Lincoln, and 137 (N. by E.) from London, containing 1506 inhabitants. It derives its name from an ancient ford over a stream that twice crosses the town, and consists principally of one street: the houses are in general built of brick and covered with tiles, though occasionally intermixed with some having thatched roofs. A canal from this town to the sea is now in progress, which promises to be productive of great benefit. The market is on Tuesday: the fairs are on Whit-Tuesday and the 8th of November. The living is a discharged vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Rigsby, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's books at £10, and in the patronage of the Bishop of Lincoln. The church, dedicated to St. Wilfrid, is a stone edifice repaired with brick, and contains many ancient monuments. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. A court of requests, for sums not exceeding £5, is held once a month, under an act passed in the 47th of George III., the jurisdiction of which extends over several other towns in the county. The free grammar school was founded and endowed by Mr. Francis Spanning, in 1565; its revenue, which was but small, has been considerably augmented by subsequent benefactions. By a charter obtained in 1576, it was made a royal foundation, and the management vested in governors, who are a body corporate, and have a common seal. There are two quinquennial fellowships at Magdalene College, Cambridge, for its scholars, and a scholarship of £6. 8. 6. per annum at Jesus' College, Cambridge, for students from Alford, Caistor, or Louth schools. The National school, in which one hundred and thirty children of both sexes are instructed, was founded by Mr. John Spenluffe, who endowed it with an estate now producing £70 per annum. Almshouses for six people were erected and endowed by Sir Robert Christopher, Knt., in 1668; the endowment was subsequently augmented by Lord Harborough, in 1716. Alford confers the title of viscount on the family of Brownlow.