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Westerleigh (St. James)

WESTERLEIGH (St. James), a parish, in the union of Chipping-Sodbury, hundred of Puckle-Church, W. division of the county of Gloucester, 3 miles (S. W. by W.) from Chipping-Sodbury; containing, with the hamlets of Coal-Pit-Heath, Henfield, Kendalshire, Mayshill, and Nibley, 1776 inhabitants. This place anciently formed part of the parish of Puckle-Church, and was not invested with parochial rights, nor had a church, till the fourteenth century. The parish comprises 4009 acres, of which 577 are common or waste land. Coal is procured in considerable quantities, and conveyed to Bristol by railway. The living is united, with that of Abson, to the vicarage of Puckle-Church: the church is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a lofty tower, and a stone pulpit. There is a second church at Coal-Pit-Heath. Sir John Smythe, Bart., in 1715 gave an annuity of £20 in support of schools. Edward Fowler, Bishop of Gloucester, a theological writer of the 17th century, was born here.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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