Suckley (St. John the Baptist)

SUCKLEY (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union of Martley, Upper division of the hundred of Doddingtree, Worcester and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 10 miles (W. S. W.) from Worcester; containing, with the hamlets of Alfrick and Lulsley, 1153 inhabitants, of whom 599 are in the township of Suckley. This parish, which is bounded on the north by the river Teme, and on the west by the county of Hereford, comprises 5184 acres, whereof 2693 are in Suckley township. About two-thirds are arable, and the remainder meadow, pasture, orchard, and woodland; a part of the arable land is appropriated to the growth of hops. The surface is undulated; the soil, generally, a fertile clay, with a substratum of transition limestone and conglomerate; and the scenery, especially along the chain of the Suckley hills, beautifully picturesque. The lands, with the exception of a few acres, are all freehold: Earl Somers is lord of the manor. The population is chiefly employed in agricultural pursuits, and many of the females in making gloves for the Worcester manufacturers. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £26. 14. 9½., and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes have been commuted for £732 payable to the rector, and £51. 4. 6. to the grammar school of Stourbridge; the glebe consists of 16 acres, and there is a parsonage-house. The church is an ancient structure with a massive square tower, standing in the middle of the parish, and contains several monuments in good preservation. At Alfrick and Lulsley are chapels of ease; and in Suckley township is a place of worship for Lady Huntingdon's Connexion. A free school is endowed with £10. 10. per annum, arising from bequests by J. Palmer, Esq., in 1628, and by an unknown benefactor. Thomas Freeman, Esq., in 1794, bequeathed £1000, which were invested in lands now producing £46 per annum; and there are several smaller bequests for the poor.