Wroughton (St. John the Baptist and St. Helen)

WROUGHTON (St. John the Baptist and St. Helen), a parish, in the union of Highworth and Swindon, hundred of Elstub and Everley, Swindon and N. divisions of Wilts, 3 miles (S. W. by S.) from Swindon; containing, with the tythings of Elcombe, Overtown, Salthrop, and Westlecott, 1963 inhabitants, of whom 1445 are in Wroughton tything. The parish comprises 6283 acres, of which the upper portion is principally arable, with some sheep-walks; the lower lands are chiefly in dairy-farms, and considerable quantities of cheese are produced. The soil varies from loam to clay. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £12, and has a net income of £160; the rectory, a sinecure, is valued at £31. 4. 4½.: patron of both, the Bishop of Winchester. The church is an ancient structure, with a handsome Norman arch at the principal entrance. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. Thomas Benit, in 1743, gave some land at present worth more than £20 a year, for the endowment of a school. In the parish are some remains of a British encampment called Barbary Castle.