Widford (St. John the Baptist)

WIDFORD (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union of Ware, hundred of Braughin, county of Hertford, 4½ miles (E. by N.) from Ware; containing 539 inhabitants, and comprising by measurement 1150 acres. A pleasure-fair is held about the middle of June. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £12. 13. 4., and in the gift of W. P. Hamond, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for £290, and the glebe comprises 27 acres. The church has a square embattled tower with a tall slender spire, and occupies a considerable eminence. There is a rent-charge of £5, for teaching three boys; and the poor have 13½ acres of land, given by an unknown benefactor, producing £18 per annum, and £370 in the 3½ per cents., given by Mrs. Mason, producing £13 per annum.