UPTON-upon-SEVERN, a market-town and parish
in the lower division of the hundred of PERSHORE
county of WORCESTER, 10 miles (S.) from-Worcester,
and 109 (N.W. by W.) from London, containing 2319
inhabitants. According to Dr. Stukeley, this was the
Upoessa of Ravennas; and the opinion that it was once
a Roman station has received confirmation from the
discovery of some ancient armour in the neighbourhood.
A bridge, consisting of six arches, was erected,
pursuant to act of parliament, in the reign of James I.,
which was broken down, and a battery placed in the
churchyard, to prevent the approach of Cromwell and
his forces; but the plan was ineffectual, and the parliamentary
forces entered the town. Upton is situated
on the right bank of the river Severn, which is here navigable
for vessels of one hundred tons' burden, and is
crossed by a bridge erected in 1606; it is neatly built,
and the streets are well paved. There is a subscription
library. The surrounding country is in a state of high
cultivation, and the prospects are varied and picturesque.
A considerable quantity of cider, brought from Hereford
and other places, is shipped here for conveyance to different
parts of England; there is a harbour for barges,
and a wharf on the river, for the convenience of loading
and discharging. The market is on Thursday: a plan
for the erection of a handsome market-house, to include
an assembly-room and apartments for the meetings
of the magistrates, has been agreed upon, and the
subscription for defraying the expense of its erection
nearly completed; an act will be applied for this present
session of parliament (1831), soon after which the
building will be commenced. Fairs are held April 2nd,
June 2nd, July 10th, and the Thursday before the 2nd
of October. A manorial court is held occasionally, and
petty sessions once a fortnight.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Worcester, rated in the king's books at £27,
and in the patronage of the Bishop of Worcester. The
church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is
a handsome structure, completed in 1758; the ancient
tower was once surmounted by a spire, which, from
an apprehension of insecurity, was taken down, and a
wooden cupola substituted. There is a place of worship
for Baptists. A charity school for instructing fifteen
girls was endowed, in 1718, by Richard and Anne Smith,
with property of the present value of £28 per annum,
which was augmented by a bequest of & 5 per annum'
in 1824, from Miss Sarah Husband; a boys' school was
added to it, in 1797, by means of a bequest from George
King, of property secured in the purchase of £100 three
per cents., and £100 four per cent, consols.; and these
are now incorporated into two National schools, which
are further supported by voluntary contributions; about
one hundred and sixty children are educated. Dr. John
Dee, a celebrated astrologer in the reign of Elizabeth,
was a native of this town; the Rev. 3. Davison, B. D.,
author of some highly-esteemed theological works, is
the present incumbent.