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One hundred and thirteen miles from London, is a very ancient borough-town, but of late years much decayed, and is now without any trade. It is still governed by a mayor, and an indefinite number of aldermen, but sends no members. It has a nominal market-day on Monday; and two annual fairs, April 6 and June 24, the profits whereof belong to the mayor, who is an alderman ever after his office expired. The town is well watered by tow brooks, over one of which is a handsome stone-bridge, and the wastes of it afford plenty of coal. This parish is much obliged to one Alexander Hosea, a poor boy, a native of it, that ran away from his parents, but met with such fortune in the world, that he gave 600l to build a school-house here, endowing it with a very good house in Gray’s-inn-lane, London, for maintenance of the schoolmaster, which gift was settle by a decree in chancery. The church is a large edifice, with two aisles. The tower is at the west end, and is high, adorned with pinnacles. Wickwar is distant from Gloucester twenty-six miles, from Wotton five, and from Sodbury four. Wotton is the post-town. The principal inns are the King’s Arms and New Inn. – No coach or carrier to or from this place. The parish is ten miles in compass. – The following are the principal inhabitants:

GENTRY, &C.

Cullimore James, Gent. (F.)
Ducie Right Honourable Lord, Tortworth-court
Hobbs William, Gent. (F.)
Hockley Arthur, Gent. (F.)
Hockley William, Gent. (F.)
Pardoe John Woodman, Gent. (F.)
Wade Mrs.

CLERGY.

Chester Rev. John, (F.) D. D. Rector
Jones Rev. Richard, Charfield
Jones Rev. Thomas, Cromhall
Penny Rev. Robert, D. D. Cromhall
Thomas Rev. Thomas, Kingswood
Williams Rev. Mr. Curate, and Master of the Grammar-school

LAW.
Stokes Edward, (F.) Attorney

TRADERS, &C.

Bick Nathaniel, (F.) Yeoman
Canter William, (F.) Yeoman
Crew Samuel, New Inn
Fowler Richard, (F.) Shopkeeper
Morley William, King’s Arms
Wilkins Daniel, (F.) Yeoman

The village of Rangeworthy is three miles from Wickwar, and the same distance from Thornbury.

Source: Universal British Directory 1791