BOSBURY is a parish and village, in Radlow hundred, Ledbury union and county court district, rural deanery of Frome, archdeaconry and diocese of Hereford, 4 miles from Ledbury and 145 from London. The parish is divided into three townships — Bosbury, Upleadon, and Catley. The church of the Holy Trinity is an ancient building consisting of nave, chancel, and aisles; the chancel is separated from the nave by a fine oak screen; the nave has been partially restored, and the roof opened; the restoration of the chancel and repewing of the nave is now progressing under the superintendence of Ewan Christian, esq. architect, Whitehall place, London: there are some ancient monuments to the Harford family, also some fine specimens of old carving in the pulpit: there is an organ: the tower, which is square and of great thickness and strength, was erected in the thirteenth century: it is detached from the church: there are 6 bells and a clock. The register dates from the year 1558.

The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £400, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Hereford, and held by the Rev. John Edmund Cheese. There is a Grammar school for boys, with an endowment of the value of £107 per annum; also a National School for girls. Bosbury House, the residence of Rev. Edward Higgins, M.A., D.L. for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, is an Italian structure of red brick and stone, with balustrades and portico; it contains a rare collection of curiosities, ancient and modern. Old Court, which is now a farm, was formerly a palace of the Bishops of Hereford; the refectory is used as a cider cellar: the doorway and wicket are still perfect. Temple Court, the residence of John Pitt, esq., was formerly occupied by the Knights Templar. There is also an ancient panelled room in the Crown Inn, with the arms of different members of the Harford family. The Bishop of Hereford is lord of the manor. The Rev. Edward Higgins and John Pitt, esq., are the principal landowners. The soil is heavy; subsoil, clay. This is a cider and hop district.The chief crops are wheat, beans, hops and barley. The area is 4,769 acresand the population in 1861 was 1,090; gross estimated rental, £8,943; rateable value, £8,015.

   Parish Clerk, Edwin Peacock.

POST OFFICE.—Frederick Kendrick, sub-postmaster. Letters are received through Ledbury at 8.30 a.m.; dispatched thereto at 3.55 p.m. Ledbury is the nearest money order office.
Grammar Schoolmaster & Organist, Edwin Peacock.
National School (girls), Mrs. Lavinia Peacock, mistress

Acton Mrs. School house
Cheese Rev. John Edmund, Vicarage
Higgins Rev. Edward, M.A., D.L. Bosbury House
Palmer Mr. John, Upper House
Pitt John, esq. Temple Court
Pitt Mr. Thomas, Stonehouse

COMMERCIAL
Allcott John, farmer, The Brook
Andrews John, hop grower, landowner & farmer, Catley’s cross
Andrews William, farmer, Shin’s croft
Baggott James, haulier
Barrett James, farmer & landowner, Stapelow house
Beddington William, farmer, The Brook [should be Bettington, see PO 1879]
Berry Edward, farmer, New house
Berry William, landowner, farmer & hop grower, The Vern
Bosley Thomas, landowner & farmer, Long acre
Bosley Thomas, jun. farmer, Bentleys
Brazier James Herbert, Crown inn
Brooke George, farmer, Stanley hill
Brooke George, jun. farmer, Little Catley
Burrows Alfred Joe, farmer & hop grower, Grange
Caundel Henry, Bell Inn
Chadd Joseph, boot & shoe maker
Chadd William, farmer, Brier croft
Collett William, grocer
Cope Fanny (Miss), miliner and dress ma[ker]
Cotton John, farmer & hop grower, Catley Court
Cotton Robert, farmer & hop grower, The Hill
Crouch Thomas, miller, Lower mill
Cummings Wiliam, farmer, Slatch
Dodd James, wheelwright
Drinkwater Edward, farmer & hop grower, The Farm
Edwards Thomas, farmer, Nelmes
Fidoe James, carrier
Gardiner Joseph, farmer, Paddles
Gardiner Thomas, butcher & farmer
Green Thomas, farmer & hop grower, Upper Catley
Hall John, farmer, Merrings
Hall Thomas, farmer. Long acre
Harding John, farmer, The Green
Harding Richd. cider retailer, Stapelow
Harford Richd. beer retailer, Swinmore
Hiatt Matthew Edwd. farmer, Nash end
Hickox Thomas, blacksmith
Hickman, Richard, farmer & hop grower, Old Court
Hoar Wm. farmer, Little Noverings
Holden Joseph, beer retailer
Jackson Joseph, farmer, Noverings
Jennings William, cooper
Kendrick James, farmer & hop grower, Hill house
Kendrick William, farmer, Arbour hill
Matthews John, farmer, Sugar croft
Morris Thomas, farmer & miller, Upper mill
Mutlow James, landowner, farmer & hop grower, Gold hill
Mutlow Richard, farmer & hop grower, Cold green
Newman Joseph, farmer, Upleadon
Orgee Kenelm, farmer & beer retailer, Old country
Palmer John, farmer, Townend
Palmer William, farmer & hop grower, Notehouse
Parry Thomas, well sinker & pump maker
Pitt John, landowner, farmer & hop grower, Temple court
Preece John, haulier
Reynolds James, shopkeeper
Shaw John, beer retailer
Shayle George, yeoman & hop grower, Upleadon house
Sirrell Alfred, blacksmith
Smith John, farmer & beer retailer, The Brook
Spencer Edward, farmer & hop grower, Woodlow
Townsend James, blacksmith
Turner Samuel, farmer & hop grower, Lower house
Vobe William, farmer & landowner, Hill park
Winter John, shoe maker

Source: Post Office Directory of Herefordshire. Published 1870.