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Abinghall (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Westbury, hundred of St. Briavells, W. division of the county of Gloucester, 4 miles (N. by W.) from Newnham; containing 239 inhabitants. This place, formerly called Abbenhall, derived its name from having been the residence of the abbots of Flaxley. It contains 691 acres, of which 306 are arable, 238 pasture, and 121 woodland; the surface is hilly, and the soil in general sandy, but towards the east it is rich and fertile, and the scenery rurally picturesque. There are mines of coal and iron ore, and stone is quarried; and facilities of conveyance are afforded by tram-roads and the Severn. The manufacture of paper is carried on to a considerable extent at Gun’s mills, formerly an iron furnace; the machinery is worked by a stream issuing from St. Anthony’s well, the water of which is reputed to be efficacious in cutaneous diseases. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king’s books at £6 6. 8., and in the gift of the Dean of Llandaff: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £136 17., and there are 26 acres of glebe. The church is an old edifice, in the early English style.

Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.