Northfield (St. Lawrence)

NORTHFIELD (St. Lawrence), a parish, in the union of King's-Norton, Upper division of the hundred of Halfshire, E. division of Worcestershire, 6 miles (S. W. by S.) from Birmingham; containing 2201 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the road from Birmingham to Worcester, comprises 5789 acres of land, held by various proprietors, of whom Joseph Frederick Ledsam, Esq., of Edgbaston, is lord of the manor. The surface is pleasingly undulated, and the soil generally a strong clayey loam, producing excellent crops of wheat and beans, with a due portion of good turnip soil; the substratum abounds with freestone, which is extensively quarried, and much of which has been used in the erection of the new churches in the surrounding districts. There are some elegant mansions belonging to professional gentlemen and merchants, whose business is chiefly in Birmingham. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the manufacture of nails; and some chemical-works are carried on upon the banks of the Netherton canal, which passes through the parish, as do also the small river Rea and the Birmingham and Worcester canal. The living is a rectory, with the living of Coston-Hacket annexed, valued in the king's books at £14. 15. 2½., and in the gift of Messrs. Fenwick, of Sunderland: the tithes have been commuted for £805, and the glebe comprises 44 acres. The church is an ancient structure, chiefly in the early and decorated English styles, with a Norman doorway; the interior is spacious, and consists of a nave, north and south aisles, and a splendid chancel, ornamented with beautiful representations of the Four Evangelists, several other figures, and coats of arms: of 639 sittings nearly all are free. A district church, dedicated to St. Michael, was erected at Bartley-Green in 1838. There are two places of worship for Wesleyans; and two schools, one of which is on the national system, are endowed with the dividends of £433. 6. 8. three per cents. Some remains exist of Weoley Castle, formerly belonging to the Jervoise family, and now the property of Mr. Ledsam: and vases, coins of Henry III. and Edward I., an old spur, the skeleton of a stag, and other relics of antiquity, have been found in and near the moat.