MELFORD (LONG), a parish (formerly a market town) in the hundred of BABERGH, county of SUFFOLK, 22 miles (W.) from Ipswich, and 5Sj (N. E. by N.) from London, containing 2288 inhabitants. This village is situated on a branch of the river Stour, in one of the most fertile parts of the county, and is surrounded by very beautiful scenery: silk-weaving is carried on to a limited extent. A large fair for cattle is held on the Thursday in Whitsun-week. A court baron is held annually by the lord of the manor, and petty sessions every fortnight by the county magistrates. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and diocese of Norwich, rated in the king's books at £28. 2. 6. The Executors of the Rev. J. Leroo were patrons in 1819. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, presents a fine specimen of the later style of English architecture; the tower is of more modern date: in the interior are several handsome monuments, especially one to the memory of Sir William Cordell, Knt., speaker of the House of Commons, and privy councillor, in;the reign of Mary, and Master of the Rolls under Elizabeth. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. A school for twelve boys is endowed with about £ 12 per annum, from a benefaction by John Hill, in 1495, and £2. 8. 1. payable out of the Exchequer, under a grant of Edward VI. j and a school for ten boys and ten girls is endowed with £9 per annum, arising from a bequest by John Moore, in 1713. An hospital, for a warden, twelve poor men, and two poor women, being decayed housekeepers of Melford, was founded, under the authority of letters patent in 1580, by Sir W. Cordell, and endowed an estate in land, now producing a very considerable income; it is subject to the visitation of the Bishop of Norwich.