Hinlip (St. James)

HINLIP (St. James), a parish, in the union of Droitwich, Lower division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, Worcester and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 3½ miles (N. E. by N.) from Worcester; containing 139 inhabitants. The name of this place, properly Hindlip, is derived from two Saxon words signifying the Hind's Leap. The parish is included in the borough of Droitwich, is situated on the Worcester and Droitwich road, and intersected by the Birmingham and Worcester canal; it comprises 1047a. 21p., of which the surface is undulated, the soil good bean land, and the scenery picturesque. Hinlip House, the property and seat of Viscount Southwell, is a fine modern mansion, erected on the site of Hinlip Hall, an ancient structure, formerly the residence of Thomas Habingdon or Abingdon, writer of the Habingdon papers in the British Museum. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £5. 16. 0½., and in the gift of Viscount Southwell: the tithes have been commuted for £202, and the glebe comprises 17 acres, with a house built in 1842. The church is in the Norman style, with a neat tower; the interior is in good repair, and contains 100 sittings. A Roman copper coin was found on the rectory grounds in 1840.