HEMSWELL, a parish in the western division of the wapentake of ASLACOE, parts of LINDSEY, county of LINCOLN, 7 miles (E.) from Gainsborough, containing 271 inhabitants. The living, which was formerly a rectory, rated in the king's books at £27.13.4., is now a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Stow, and diocese of Lincoln, endowed with £400 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Mayor and Corporation of Lincoln. The church is dedicated to All Saints. There is a place of worship forWesleyan Methodists. In this parish is the hamlet of Spittal, which derives its name from an ancient hospital, founded for poor widows prior to the 16th of Edward II., which is under the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln; attached to it is a small chapel. A sessionshouse was built in 1620, by Chief Justice Wray. A fair is held annually in the hamlet on the 22nd of November.