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Alderley (St. Kenelme), a parish, in the union of Chipping-Sodbury, Upper division of the hundred of Grumbald’s-Ash, W division of the county of Gloucester, 2 miles (S.S.E.) from Wotton-under-Edge; containing 174 inhabitants. The village is pleasantly situated on an eminence between two streams which unite and fall into the river Severn at Berkeley, and commands an extensive and interesting view to the south and south-west. There is a manufactory of cloth which affords employment to between one and two hundred persons. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king’s books at £11 4. 7., and in the gift of R. H. B. Hale, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £155. 5. 8., and there are about 25 acres of glebe. The Rev. Potter Cole was, in 1730, presented to this benefice, which he held till the year 1800. Cornua ammonis and other fossils are found. Sir Matthew Hale, lord chief justice in the reign of Charles II, was born here, Nov. 1st, 1609, and lies interred in the churchyard.

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.