COLEFORD, a market-town and chapelry in the
parish of NEWLAND, hundred of ST-BRIAVELLS, county
of GLOUCESTER, 19 miles (W. S. W.) from Gloucester,
and 124 ("W. by N.) from London, containing 1804 inhabitants.
This place, which is pleasantly situated on
the verge of the county, next Monmouthshire, obtained
the grant of a market from James I. During the parliamentary
war, a skirmish took place previously to the
siege of Gloucester, between a party of the royalists
commanded by Lord Herbert and the parliamentary
forces under Col. Barrow, in which the market-house
was destroyed, and Sir Richard Lawdy, major-general
of South Wales, and several officers, were killed: at a
subsequent period, during the same war, the ancient
chapel was demolished. The town consists principally
of one spacious, street, in which is the market-place 5 the
houses are in general neat and well built; the environs
are pleasant, and in some points beautifully picturesque;
and in the vicinity are several elegant mansions and
handsome villas. The inhabitants are principally employed
in agriculture, and many of the labouring class"
are occupied in the extensive iron-works in the neighbourhood;
a great quantity of apples is cultivated for
cider. The market is on Friday: fairs are held on
June 20th for wool, and November 24th for cattle and
cheese. The market-house was rebuilt in 1679, towards
defraying the expense of which Charles II. contributed
£50. The living is a perpetual curacy, .in the
archdeaconry. of Hereford, and diocese of Gloucester,
endowed with £200 private benefaction, £600 royal
bounty, and £1200 parliamentary grant, and in .the
patronage of the Bishop of Gloucester. The chapel,
rebuilt in the reign of Queen Anne, who contributed
£300 towards its erection, is dedicated to All Saints.
There is a place of worship for Particular Baptists. Vestiges
of King Offa's dyke may be distinctly traced in
some parts of the town.