Measham (St. Lawrence)

MEASHAM (St. Lawrence), a parish, in the union of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, hundred of Repton and Gresley, S. division of the county of Derby, 9 miles (N. by E.) from Atherstone; containing, with part of the hamlets of Donisthorpe and Oakthorpe, 1615 inhabitants. This parish is bounded on the south and east by the small river Mease, from which it derives its name, and comprises by measurement 1818 acres; coal is found, though no mines are in operation, and there are quarries of good stone, but not wrought at present. The manufacture of tape is carried on, affording employment to about 200 persons. The Ashby canal, and the road from Ashby to Tamworth, pass through the village. A market-house was built some years ago, but it was afterwards converted into a dwelling-house, and the market was discontinued: fairs are held on the 1st of May and the first Monday in November. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £97; patron and impropriator, the Marquess of Hastings: there is a glebe of 15 acres, with a house. The church is an elegant structure in the early English style, with later insertions, and has a square tower; the interior was completely restored in 1842, at a cost of £1400. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyans. National and infant schools are supported by a small endowment and by subscription: Queen Adelaide visited them in 1839.