Matson
MATSON, a parish, in the Middle division of the hundred of Dudstone and King's-Barton, union and E. division of the county of Gloucester, 2 miles (S. by E.) from Gloucester; containing 61 inhabitants. This place, during the siege of Gloucester, became the head-quarters of Charles I.; and the ancient manor-house, erected by Sir Ambrose Willoughby, Knt., in the reign of Elizabeth, was on that occasion occupied by the king's sons, Charles and James. Matson House belonged to the celebrated George Selwyn. The parish comprises 466a. 3r. 1p. Out of the vale rises Robin Hood's Hill, of conical form, a beautiful object in the scenery: it has for centuries supplied Gloucester with water by means of aqueducts, which are mentioned in numerous ancient documents; and it is said, that before the Conquest it produced iron-ore for the forges of that city. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £3. 16. 5½.; net income, £184; patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The tithes were commuted for land and corn-rents in 1796.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.