Wichenford (St. Lawrence)

WICHENFORD (St. Lawrence), a parish, in the union of Martley, Lower division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, Worcester and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 6¼ miles (N. W. by N.) from Worcester; containing 350 inhabitants. It comprises 2699a. 1r. 33p.: the soil is generally clay, resting on deep red marl; the surface is flat, and watered by several small brooks. The living is a vicarage, endowed with the rectorial tithes, valued in the king's books at £9. 10., and in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester: the tithes have been commuted for £420. 6., and the glebe comprises 8 acres. The church is a small structure, built in 1269. It contains several monuments to the Washbourne family, who were proprietors of the parish, but lost much of their property for their attachment to the royal cause, in support of which one of its members fought at the battle of Worcester. Some Roman coins were lately discovered, on digging-up the foundations of an old building at Woodend.