Nayland (St. Stephen)

NAYLAND (St. Stephen), a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union of Sudbury, hundred of Babergh, W. division of Suffolk, 6 miles (N. by W.) from Colchester, 16 miles (S. W. by W.) from Ipswich, and 57 (N. E.) from London; containing 1114 inhabitants. The town is situated on the navigable river Stour, in a fertile valley surrounded by hills commanding fine views, and on the road to Hadleigh. It consists of several streets, the principal of which contains some good houses, and has three large flour-mills in the centre; the inhabitants are supplied with water from springs. The trade is chiefly in flour; and a factory, established in 1838, for the purpose of winding and drawing silk, furnishes employment to about 200 women and children. A fair takes place on the second Wednesday in October, for horses, cattle, and toys. A court leet is held on Easter-Monday, at which the steward of the manor presides. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £139; patron, Sir J. R. Rowley, Bart.: the impropriate tithes have been commuted for £220, and the incumbent's for £50. 10. The church, situated in the centre of the town, is a fine structure in the later English style, containing a good painting of Our Saviour, and several ancient marble monuments inlaid with brass. There is a place of worship for Independents. A fund, arising from land, is appropriated for the benefit of the clergyman, and various charitable purposes; and a national school is supported by subscription. An ancient building here, erected in the reign of Henry VIII., and now occupied as a private residence, is supposed to have been a religious house. Sir Richard Weston was in 1628 made lord treasurer, and created Baron of Nayland. The Rev. William Jones, the intimate friend of Bishop Horne, and author of some theological works of high reputation, was incumbent of the parish.