TUXFORD, a market-town and parish in the Southclay
division of the wapentake of BASSETLAW, county of
NOTTINGHAM, 30 miles (N. E. by N.) from Nottingham,
and 139 (N. by W.) from London, on the great north road,
containing 979 inhabitants. This place, often denominated
Tuxford in the Clay, to designate its situation, is a
small town of modern appearance, having been rebuilt
since 1702, when the old town was destroyed by fire;
the inhabitants are well supplied with water. The
only branch of trade, which is somewhat extensive,
is in hops, of which large quantities are grown in the
neighbourhood. The market is on Monday: fairs are
on May 12th, for cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry;
and on September 28th, for hops. The living is a discharged
vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Nottingham, and
diocese of York, rated in the king's books at £4. 14.7.,
endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal
bounty, and in the patronage of the Master and Fellows
of Trinity College, Cambridge. The church, which is
dedicated to St. Nicholas, contains portions in various
styles of architecture. There is a place of worship
for Wesleyan Methodists. The free grammar school
was founded, in 1670, by Charles Read, Esq., who bequeathed
£200 for the erection of the buildings, endowed
it with lands, and directed a salary of £20 per
annum to be paid to the master, and £ 5 per annum
towards the maintenance of four boys, " being the
sons of poor widows of ministers, and of decayed
gentlemen and their widows," from the age of seven
to sixteen years: it is under the management of six
trustees, freeholders of Tuxford, and subject to the visitation
of the mayor and aldermen of Newark, with
the minister, and two justices of the peace living in, or
near the town. There are sundry benefactions for
teaching poor children.