NAYLAND, a parish (formerly a market-town) in
the hundred of BABERGH, county of SUFFOLK, 17 miles
(S. W. by W.) from Ipswich, and 57 (N. E.) from London,
containing 1019 inhabitants. The town is situated
on the river Stour, over which is a bridge of brick,
in a fertile valley surrounded by hills, on the high road
to Hadleigh; it consists of several streets, the principal
of which contains some good dwelling-houses, and
has three large flour -mills in the centre; the inhabitants
are supplied with water from springs; the adjacent
eminences command a fine view of the harbour
of Harwich and the surrounding country. The woollen
manufacture flourished here for many years, but is now
extinct, and, at present, the trade of the town is chiefly
in flour. The river is navigable from Sudbury to Harwich,
by which means a considerable quantity of corn
and flour is conveyed to Mistley, for the port of London,
and coal is brought back. The market, now discontinued,
was on Friday; a fair is held on the first
Wednesday in October, for horses, cattle, and toys. A
court leet is held twice a year, at which the steward of
the manor presides. The living is a perpetual curacy,
in the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and diocese of Norwich,
endowed with £400 private benefaction, and £400
royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Parishioners.
The church, dedicated to St. James, is situated in the
centre of the town, and is a fine structure in the later
style of English architecture; in the interior is a good
painting of our Saviour, and several ancient marble
monuments inlaid with brass. There is a place of worship
for Independents. A small fund, arising from the
rent of certain lands, is appropriated to the instruction
of about fourteen poor children; it is under the management
of feoffees. A National school, for all poor children
residing in the parish, is supported by annual
subscriptions; as is also a Sunday school in connexion
with the established church. There are several houses
belonging to the parish, in which poor families live rent-free.