ABENHALL is a beautiful, but small, rural parish and village on the road between Flaxley and Mitcheldean, set in the hundred of Westbury-on-Severn. Now a farming area, it was surrounded by the woods of Abenhall, Flaxley and Longhope (all used for the production of charcoal) and was originally a centre for mining and iron making. It is important for its 14th century church, the Church of St Michael (and All Angels), built of local red sandstone. The original Norman chapel was added to in the 1300’s by the addition of a nave, the south aisle and the tower. It was restored in 1874. Forest of Dean industries are reflected by the arms of the Freeminers (west wall) and the amazing octagonal font, which has carvings of tools belonging to miners and ironworkers who worked in the area. Abenhall had a poulation of 228 in the 1861 census and 307 in the 1871 census.
Several Burgums are buried in the churchyard of St Michael's Church, at Abenhall (picture right).
The National Gazetteer, 1868 says “There is a mineral spring in the parish, called St. Anthony's, which is in repute for its efficacy in cases of cutaneous eruption. Gun's paper-mills, a large establishment, gives employment to many hands.”
Morris & Co’s Commercial Directory of 1876 listed the following -
Clergy Gentry and Private Residents
Blood, Mrs Francis, - Ferneyfield
Borlase, Christopher Gullett, Esq., - Woodville
Borlase, James John Grenfell, Esq., - Woodvile
Davies, Mrs. Henrietta, - The Wilderness
Frazer, Capt. James Alexander
Gregg, Rev. John W., L.L.B. (rector) - The Rectory
Roberts, Rev. Lewis (Congregational), - The Manse
Robinson, John Esq., - Abinghall House
Trades and Professions
Affleck, Henry - paper manufacturer
Baker, Joseph - shoemaker
Barnard, Philip - farmer
Barnard, Thomas - farmer
Borlase and Son - Solicitors
Boughton , John - farmer
Constance, Samuel - boot and shoemaker
Cook, James - blacksmith
Gardiner, Edward Henry - baker, grocer, and draper
Griffiths, John - nailmaker
Haile, Mrs Charlotte - "Lamb Inn”
Hayward, John - tailor
Parry, Joseph - shopkeeper
Savidge, Charles - farmer, Shapridge Farm
Scudamore, John - farmer, Church Farm
Smith, Thomas - carpenter and wheelwright
Wakefield, William - shopkeeper
Yearsley, Richard - farmer, Folly Farm
FF Family Tree Part 1
FF Family Tree Part 2
FF Family Tree Part 3