1842 Pigots Directory

Thornbury is governed by a Mayor and 12 Aldermen, a serjeant at mace and two constables, but the power of these officers is much limited by disuse.  The Hon. Henry Howard is lord of the manor and holds an annual court leet; a court for the borough, and another for the hundred, for the recovery of debts under 40s is held every three weeks, also a court of record for the Honour of Gloucester, which takes cognizance of pleas to any amount, once within the same period.  Thornbury is a polling station at the election of county members for West Gloucester.

The clothing business formerly flourished here, but has long been lost, and the town has now but little trade.

There are places of worship in the parish, apart from the church, situated for the use of Baptists, Independents, the Society of Friends and Wesleyan Methodists.  The charities are an almshouse, founded by Sir John Stafford; a free school for teaching poor children.

The market is now held on every second Wednesday, monthly instead of a weekly one as formerly on Saturday. Fairs, Easter Monday, August 15^th, and the Monday next before 21^st December.

Population – Thornbury parish with its several chapelries contained 4375 inhabitants in 1831 and at the late census (1841) the reduced number of 4,190. (Note that later directories say the number of inhabitants in 1841 census was 4706).

Post Office – George Shepherd, postmaster.  Letters from London, Birmingham etc  arrive every forenoon at eleven, and are despatched thereto every afternoon at half past three.  Letters from Bristol, the West of England and South Wales arrive every afternoon at half past four and are despatched thereto every morning at half past five.  Letters from Gloucester etc arrive every morning at half past five, and are despatched thereto every afternoon at half past four.

Coaches  

• To Birminham the Royal Mail (from Bristol) calls at the Swan, every afternoon at half past four; goes through Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Droitwich.

• To Bristol the Royal Mail (from Birmingham) calls at the Swan, every morning at six.

Railway

• the nearest station is Bristol 11 miles south for travel to Bath, London and intermediate places and westward to Bridgewater, Taunton etc.

• Gloucester Station is 22 miles distant for travel to Birmingham and thence to almost any part of England.

Vans for passengers and luggage

• To Berkeley & Dursley, Thomas Barnett, every Mon, Tues, Thurs & Sat.

• To Bristol, Thomas Barnett and James Prewett, daily.

Carriers

• To Bristol, Thomas Greenman and W. Baylis, from their houses, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

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