Nottinghamshire 
Contents
Sneinton Parish forms a populous eastern suburb of Nottingham, and has partaken so largely of the prosperity of that town, that since the year 1801 its population has increased more than twelve fold, so that it now amounts to 8,440 souls in 1851, living in the hamlets of Old Sneinton, Middle Sneinton, Element Hill and The Hermitage. Most of this augmentation has taken place during the last thirty years, and it now contains 1,728 houses, of which 37 were building and 9 were uninhabited. They now form many handsome streets, extending on the Southwell and Carlton Roads, to the eastern limits of Nottingham, though the old village is more than a mile east of the Market place. The parish contains 843 acres of rich, strong, clay land.
Earl Manvers is lord of the manor, and owns about two-thirds of the parish. It was originally crown land, but King John granted it to William de Brimere, from whom it went, in the reign of Edward I, to Tibetot, and was held of him at the same time by Robert Pierrepont, by the service of a pair of gloves or one penny. It has continued ever since in the Pierrepont family, who gave the common, near St Ann's Well, to the parishioners.
Its ancient name was Snottington or Nottington. Laird says that it rather curious that all the learned invesigations of the origin of Nottingham should have overlooked a particular circumstance, which seems to throw a new light upon its state, in the Saxon times, and perhaps for some ages previous to them. If the Saxon origin of the name of Nottingham be correct, may we not suppose also that Snottenga or Snottengaton may have been corrupted into Snenton or Sneinton. If then, there were two places existing in the Saxon times, bu the names of Snottingham and Snottington, it is a very probable conjecture that the spot designated by the appellative of ton was more considerable than that which had only the adjunct of ham, inasmuch as a town is larger than a village or hamlet. That such was the origin of the name of Sneinton, now a village adjoining to Nottingham, seems almost beyond a doubt, when we consider it possesses extensive caverns of an antiquity equal to those of the latter place.
The old village is very romantic, and contains a number of handsome villas and pleasant cottages. Some picturesque views are seen over the vales of the Trent and Belvoir, from the burial ground which occupies the summit of a bold excavated rock. And from this elevated spot, the spectator looks down upon the beautiful seat of Colwick Hall, and the wharfs and warehouses near the Trent Bridge, some of which are in this parish.
The church is a handsome structure, dedicated to St Stephen, erected in 1838-9 on the site of the old one, which had long been too small for the increased population. It is built in the form of a cross, with a beautiful tower in the centre in which are three bells, and cost upwards of £4,000. Over the western entrance is a spacious gallery and a small organ. It was consecrated September 26th 1839 by the Bishop of Lincoln. The Parsonage House is a neat edifice in the Elizabethan style, situated near the church. The benefice is a perpetual curacy, certified at £12, now £227. Earl Manvers is the patron, and the Rev. William H. Whyatt the incumbent. It was annexed to the vicarage of St Mary in Nottingham until 1831, When Dr Wilkins gave the living to the Rev. W. Whyatt. There is a National School near the church, for boys and girls, erected in 1836, but the boys school was not occupied until 1850. The [poor have £3 12s yearly from £120 2s 6d three per cent consols, purchased with £100 bequeathed in 1771 by Elizabeth Teage. The feast is on the first Sunday in August.
New Sneinton is a large new built village, situated between Old Sneinton and Nottingham. Here is an Operative Library, established in 1841,which has about 550 volumes.
Sneinton Villa is situated about a quarter of a mile north of the old village. About half a mile north-north-east are Blue Bell Hill Tea Gardens, which were establihed in 1832, and are much frequented by large parties in the summer season.
Sneinton Elements is situated on elevated ground, on the Carlton Road about a quarter of a mile north-east of Old Sneinton. Here are several extensive brick and tile yards. The Lunatic Asylum, with gardens and premises attached, containing 21 acres of land, are in this parish. Many fancy net machines are employed in this parish. The Navigation Inn, a large commodious house built in 1842, near the London Road, has excellent stabling and tea gardens &c.
White's Directory of Nottinghamshire 1853
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1851 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Last updated: Wednesday 3rd September 1997 - Clive Henly]
© Copyright C.R.G. Henly 1997