Table of population, 1801-1951

TABLE OF POPULATION 1801 to 1951

The population table printed below follows the pattern of that published in the History of Leicestershire. (fn. 1) It shows the population of every area mentioned as a parish or as a distinct part of a parish for civil administrative purposes in any Census Report between 1801 and 1951, and that of the more important of the other local government areas for which totals have been struck. (fn. 2) The administrative areas chosen for inclusion are ancient counties (1801–1901) and administrative counties (1891– 1951), hundreds (1801–81), urban and rural districts (1881–1951), boroughs (1801–41) and municipal boroughs (1851–1951), ancient parishes (1801–71), townships, chapelries, &c. (1801–71), and civil parishes (1881–1951). The population is always expressed for the area as constituted at the date of the census concerned, except in certain cases where, however, the fact is always noted. The choice of these areas, and the dates at which each is given, has depended upon a series of alterations made in the 19th century in the conduct and areas of local government. (fn. 3)

Counties. The boundaries of the ancient county (fn. 4) were altered in 1844, (fn. 5) when detached parts of Shinfield ancient parish (A.P)., Swallowfield A.P., and Wokingham A.P., together with the liberty of Broad Hinton, were transferred from Wiltshire to Berkshire, and a detached part of Inglesham was transferred from Berkshire to Wiltshire. The whole of Kingswood A.P. and Poulton A.P. were transferred to Gloucestershire, in which they were locally situated, and the whole of Minety A.P. was transferred from Gloucestershire to Wiltshire. These changes had already been made for parliamentary purposes in 1832. Under the Divided Parishes Acts, 1876–82, changes were made in parish boundaries as a result of which the Wiltshire part of Coleshill civil parish (C.P.) was transferred to Inglesham C.P. in 1881, and the Hampshire part of West Dean C.P. was transferred to West Tytherley C.P. (Hants) in 1883, so that fewer parishes were divided by the county boundary. The Local Government Act of 1888 created administrative counties: in the case of Wiltshire, the administrative county was identical with the ancient county until further adjustments of the administrative county boundaries were made under the Local Government Act of 1894. This Act made possible changes in county boundaries to conform with those of civil parishes and rural districts. Wiltshire gained parts of Maiden Bradley and Stourton from Somerset, but lost the parishes of East Bramshaw, Martin, Melchet Park, Plaitford, South Damerham, Toyd Farm with Allenford, West Wellow, and Whitsbury to Hampshire. The Berkshire part of Chilton Foliat C.P. was transferred to Hungerford C.P. Further changes in the county boundaries were made by three local Acts. In 1895 (fn. 6) the part of Hungerford C.P. in Wiltshire was transferred to Berkshire and the part of Shalbourne C.P. in Berkshire was transferred to Wiltshire. The following year (fn. 7) the whole of Kilmington C.P. was transferred from Somerset to Wiltshire, and Kemble C.P., Poole Keynes C.P., and Somerford Keynes C.P. (in which was included Shorncote A.P.) were transferred from Wiltshire to Gloucestershire. (fn. 8) Finally, Wiltshire was affected by changes made under the Local Government Act of 1929, as a result of which Ashley C.P. and Long Newnton C.P. were transferred to Gloucestershire in 1930.

Hundreds were included in all the Census Reports until 1881. The constituent parishes of hundreds in 1831 are shown on pp. 326–30 with notes to show differences 1801–21 and 1841. From 1851 to 1881 the Census Reports give the total population of the hundreds but do not show their constituent parishes.

Urban and rural districts. These appeared first as urban and rural sanitary districts under the Public Health Act of 1872. These districts were based upon the poor law unions: the rural sanitary districts comprised the remainder of the unions after the urban sanitary districts had been taken out. (fn. 9) In the case of Devizes, Marlborough, and Salisbury, the urban sanitary district was coextensive with the municipal borough, but although the urban sanitary districts of Calne and Chippenham were administered by the existing town councils, they comprised a larger area than the municipal boroughs of Calne and Chippenham. In 1889, however, the boundaries of these two municipal boroughs were enlarged to correspond with those of the urban sanitary districts. The functions of a sanitary authority became an automatic part of all town councils' responsibilities, and the term 'urban sanitary district' became redundant as far as the municipal boroughs were concerned. The Local Government Act of 1894 changed the rural sanitary districts, and those urban sanitary districts which were not in municipal boroughs, into rural and urban districts respectively. This Act and the Local Government Act of 1929 authorized changes in the number and areas of the districts.

The constituent civil parishes of urban districts are grouped in the population table under the urban districts, since these form compact and administratively unified areas: in many cases the civil parishes have been united to form one parish coextensive with the urban district. Where changes in boundaries of urban districts are mentioned in the Census Reports, they have been shown in the notes to the population table. Where the date of the district's formation is not mentioned, it may be assumed to have been formed under the Act of 1872.

The constituent civil parishes of rural districts are shown on pp. 331–8, where a brief history of each district as an area is also given. Changes in the boundaries of rural districts have been so frequent and complex that it has not been possible to express them in the notes to the population table, and apparently large changes in the population of rural districts must be considered with caution. Since changes which involved the transference or amalgamation of whole parishes are shown in the list on pp. 331–8, reference to this list makes possible a rough comparison of population at different dates, but for exact comparison the figures and notes for each constituent parish should also be consulted.

Boroughs and municipal boroughs. The subdivision of boroughs into municipal and parliamentary was made necessary by the Reform Act of 1832, which took away parliamentary representation from some boroughs, created boroughs with parliamentary status, and altered the parliamentary limits of others. The Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 confirmed the position of five Wiltshire municipal boroughs but deprived the other ancient boroughs of their charters. Of the five municipal boroughs, Calne and Marlborough included the same area as the ancient boroughs; Devizes and Salisbury were larger than the ancient boroughs; and only Chippenham was smaller. Two of the boroughs deprived of their charters, Wilton and Malmesbury, were reincorporated in 1885 and 1886 respectively. It is possible for new municipal boroughs to be created, and Swindon was granted a charter of incorporation in 1899. No county boroughs lie in Wiltshire.

Parishes. The bulk of the figures in the population table relate to parishes or parts of parishes, and the alteration in the boundaries and status of parishes are the most important factors influencing the form of the table. (fn. 10) Where ancient parishes were subdivided into chapelries, hamlets, or townships with recognizable boundaries, their population was often given in the early Census Reports, though these areas were not regularly returned. The Census Report of 1841 was much the fullest in this respect.

An ancient parish divided between two or more hundreds is entered only once in the table, with the total population of all its parts together. The distribution of the parts, however, is shown in the table of hundreds (see pp. 326–30).

In 1871 areas which levied their own poor rates, whether ancient parishes or not, were renamed civil parishes, but the grouping under ancient parishes was retained in the Census Reports until 1881, although ancient parishes as such had no civil significance by then. For the purpose of this table it has been found best to make the change between 1871 and 1881. The Census Reports, hampered by the complicated administrative and historical background, make no clear division between the old and new systems, and this date is convenient since the urban and rural districts first appear in the 1881 Census Report, and the new grouping under urban districts can, where necessary, follow upon grouping under ancient parishes. The component parts of ancient parishes, there fore, are grouped in the table under the ancient parishes until 1871, while from 1881 each civil parish has a separate entry unless it was part of an urban district. Cross-references and notes make it possible to trace these changes in each case.

The boundaries of parishes have undergone changes at many times. In 1857 (fn. 11) extra-parochial places were made into parishes for poor-relief purposes, unless they were very small, in which case, if the owners and occupiers of two-thirds of the land consented, they were annexed to an adjoining parish. In 1868 (fn. 12) any extra-parochial place which had by chance evaded the provisions of this Act was joined to the civil parish with which it had the longest common boundary. The Divided Parishes Acts of 1876, 1879, and 1882 provided for the annexation of detached or nearly detached parts of civil parishes to one or more of the surrounding civil parishes. The Local Government Act of 1888 permitted the alteration of civil parish boundaries and the amalgamation of civil parishes by Local Government Board orders. Under the Local Government Act of 1894 a civil parish divided between two urban districts or between an urban and a rural district became two separate civil parishes. The overlapping of local government boundaries before this was so great that it has been found necessary to make duplicate entries in some cases to show the population of entire civil parishes as well as of their component parts in various districts.

Place-names. The spelling of place-names follows that in the Ordnance Survey maps. The names of obsolete areas are given in the form they took in their last occurrence under the relevant status in the Census Reports. Occasional variants are not mentioned unless they reflect boundary changes.

Census Reports. The population table is based almost solely upon the information given in the Census Reports. From 1801 to 1831 the returns were usually made by the parish overseers, more than one day was allowed for enumeration, and the army (including the militia), navy, seamen in registered shipping, and convicts in the hulks were omitted. From 1841 the conduct of the census passed to the General Register Office, the enumeration was more strictly completed on the fixed day, and members of the classes formerly excluded from the returns were included in the parishes in which they happened to pass the night of the census. The dates of the censuses were: (fn. 13)

10 March 18011

27 May 1811

28 May 1821

30 May 1831

6 June 1841

30 March 1851

7 April 1861

2 April 1871

3 April 1881

5 April 1891

31 March 1901

2 April 1911

19 June 1921

26 April 1931

8 April 1951

The notes and commentary. Changes in boundaries and comments on extraordinary changes in administrative status are shown in the notes on each page of the table. These notes do not purport to supply a complete list of such changes: all changes recorded in the Census Reports are included in the notes, except those involving very small areas with no population, but the Census Reports do not apparently give particulars of every change. It is improbable, however, that any changes of importance are omitted.

The explanations in the Census Reports of the reasons for particular changes in population, excluding boundary changes, and the comments on the occupations or condition of persons have been formed into a separate commentary (see below, pp. 318–26), where their chronological arrangement makes it more possible to trace social and economic tendencies in the county as a whole. An asterisk (*) placed by the relevant figure in the table indicates the existence of such a note.

Acreages. The acreages of parishes, though included in population tables in earlier volumes of the Victoria County History, have been excluded from the present table. Acreages were first expressed in the Census Reports in 1831, when they were calculated on a system devised by John Rickman. Some were corrected in 1851 from information derived from Tithe Commission records and Ordnance Survey maps. (fn. 14) Later, at dates varying from one parish to another, these figures were again amended from information received from the Ordnance Survey Department. After 1881 changes in boundaries which made any important difference to areas were explained in the Census Reports and the explanations have been copied in the notes to this table. Small changes were apparently not always notified and the assessment of areas seems sometimes to have varied slightly. It would therefore be difficult to choose a date for which areas could be given with equal certainty for all parishes. To supply all the different assessments given in the Census Reports would add greatly to the complexity of the table.

COMMENTARY

The notes in the Census Reports which either explain changes in population not caused by boundary alterations, or comment upon the occupations or condition of the population, are listed below. The notes occur with varying frequency and seem to follow no particular plan. The presence of a note of this nature relating to any return is indicated in the Population Table by an asterisk.

1801

Wiltshire. The population of the gaols was not included in that of the county.

1811

Wiltshire. The population of the county included the Third Regiment of Local Militia (numbering 911 including the officers) and the Fifth Regiment of Local Militia (numbering 751 including the officers), which were assembled for 14 days' exercise on 17 May 1811.

Cricklade St. Sampson. Temporary increase attributed to workmen employed in constructing a canal.

1821

Ashton, Steeple. Increase attributed to the inclosure of common land.

Hilperton. Increase attributed to the growth of woollen manufacture.

Horningsham. Included one man over 100 years old.

Kingswood. The flourishing state of fine woollen manufacture attracted many strangers: marriages, population, and children finding profitable employment were much increased.

Marlborough, St. Mary. The staff of the Wiltshire Militia were quartered in this parish and their families crowded the cottages.

Marlborough, St. Peter and St. Paul. Many labourers who worked in the neighbouring parishes resided in this parish in order to evade parochial settlement where they worked.

Melchet Park. The manor house was not inhabited in May 1821.

Melksham. Increase partly attributed to the discovery of a saline spring.

Trowbridge. Increase attributed to the growth of woollen manufacture.

Wellow, West. Increase attributed to the inclosure of common land.

Wilton. The woollen trade was not prosperous and many workmen previously employed in woollen manufacture were employed in Lord Pembroke's Park and in making roads and other alterations about the town.

1831

Box. 60 labourers were employed in stone quarries and road construction.

Boyton. Increase attributed to the 'evil effects' of the Poor Law, which in all cases provided for married men.

Bradford, Great. 105 labourers were employed in the stone quarries in the tithing of Winsley. The decrease in the population in the chapelry of South Wraxall was attributed to the removal of a school.

Corsley. Population had increased despite the emigration of 200 persons to America.

Deverill, Longbridge. Over 100 persons had emigrated to America since 1821.

Downton. Increase attributed to 'early and improvident' marriages.

Keevil. Decrease in the population of the township of Bulkington attributed to the closing of a cloth factory.

Lavington, West or Bishop's. Increase attributed to the Poor Laws because they encouraged 'early and improvident' marriages in order to obtain the married allowance.

Westwood. Decrease attributed to the absence of a large family and the scarcity of employment.

Wilton. Decrease attributed to the closing down of a factory.

1841

Alderbury. The return for the tithing of Farley included 33 persons in Farley hospital.

Amesbury. Included 106 persons in Amesbury Union Workhouse.

Ashton, Steeple. The return for the chapelry of Semington included 179 persons in Melksham Union Workhouse.

Bedwyn, Great. Included 5 persons living on barges.

Bishopstone (S.). Decrease attributed to emigration and the demolition of several houses.

Blackland. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Box. Included 49 persons in Kingsdown House Lunatic Asylum and 149 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Bradford, Great. Included 47 persons living on barges.

Bremhill. Included 30 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Brinkworth. Included 235 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Britford. The return for the tithing of East Harnham included 90 persons in Alderbury Union Workhouse.

Brokenborough. Included 131 persons in Malmesbury Union Workhouse.

Calne. Included 98 persons in the Calne Union Workhouse, 11 persons in a private lunatic asylum, and 11 persons living in barns.

Calne, Blackland, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, and Highway. Calne was growing at the expense of the surrounding parishes.

Cannings, Bishop's. The return for the chapelry of St. James or Southbroom included 154 persons in Devizes Union Workhouse and 90 persons in a private lunatic asylum.

Cherhill. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Chippenham. Included 84 persons in Chippenham Union Workhouse, 15 persons living on barges, 45 persons living in barns, and 315 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Chirton. Included 6 persons living in barns.

Christian Malford. Included about 150 labourers on the Gt. Western Railway.

Chute. 5 persons had emigrated since 31 Dec. 1840.

Colerne. Included 66 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Compton Bassett. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Corsham. Included 52 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway and 6 persons living in barns.

Cricklade. Temporary increase attributed to labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Deverill, Longbridge. 17 persons had emigrated to America since 31 Dec. 1840.

Devizes, St. John. Included 187 persons in the New Prison.

Easton. 24 persons attending the annual fair were living in barns and tents.

Figheldean. 5 persons had emigrated since 31 Dec. 1840.

Fisherton Anger. Included 96 persons in Salisbury Infirmary, 94 persons in Fisherton Anger Lunatic Asylum, and 73 in the county gaol.

Fittleton. Included 15 persons living in tents.

Fonthill Gifford. Included 11 persons in a private lunatic asylum.

Froxfield. Included 85 persons living in the Duchess of Somerset's Almshouses.

Grittleton. Decrease attributed to unusually high mortality and the demolition of several houses.

Harnham, West. 10 persons had emigrated since 31 Dec. 1840.

Highway. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Highworth. The return for the chapelry of South Marston included 5 persons living on barges and that for the tithing of Westrop included 125 persons in the Highworth and Swindon Union Workhouse.

Hindon. Decrease attributed to emigration and the demolition of several houses.

Idmiston. Included 9 persons living in barns.

Keevil. The return for the tithing of Bulkington included 5 gipsies living in tents.

Kemble. Included 21 persons living in barns and tents.

Kingswood. Included 80 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway. 8 persons had emigrated since 31 Dec. 1840.

Lacock. Many labourers were employed on the Gt. Western Railway. Included 136 persons in Lacock Workhouse.

Langley Burrell. Included 18 persons living in barns and tents.

Laverstock and Ford. Included 160 persons in Laverstock private lunatic asylum.

Lavington, Market. The return for the tithing of Easterton included 10 persons living in tents. Easterton supported its own poor.

Lavington, West. Included 185 persons in a private lunatic asylum.

Lydiard Millicent. Included 56 labourers employed on the Cheltenham and Gloucester Railway.

Lydiard Tregoze. Included 'many' labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Lyneham. Included 179 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Marlborough, St. Peter and St. Paul. Included 47 persons in the Bridewell.

Marston Meysey. Included 7 gipsies living in tents.

Mere. Included 104 persons in Mere Union Workhouse.

Newton, South. Included 121 persons in Wilton Union Workhouse.

Oaksey. Included 46 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Pewsey. Included 69 persons in Pewsey Union Workhouse.

Preshute. Included 103 persons in Marlborough Union Workhouse.

Purton. Included 75 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway and 76 persons in Cricklade and Wootten Bassett Union Workhouse.

Rodbourne Cheney. Included 125 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Salisbury, St. Thomas. Included 124 persons in the City of Salisbury Workhouse.

Salisbury, Canons' Close. Included 26 persons in St. Nicholas's Hospital.

Stanton St. Bernard. Included 6 persons living on barges.

Stratton St. Margaret. Included 289 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway, and their families.

Sutton Benger. Increase attributed to labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Sutton Veny. 7 persons had emigrated since 31 Dec. 1840.

Swindon. Included 507 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Tockenham. Included 'many' labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Trowbridge. Included 9 persons living on barges, and 43 soldiers and 30 civilians living in Trowbridge Barracks.

Wardour. Included 74 persons in Tisbury Union Workhouse.

Warminster. Included 96 persons in Warminster Workhouse.

Wellow, West. As there was no church, the inhabitants attended the church at East Wellow.

Westbury. Included 134 persons in the Westbury and Whorwellsdown Union Workhouse.

Westwood. Included 220 persons in Bradford Union Workhouse and 5 gipsies living in tents.

Winterslow. Included 6 persons living in barns or tents.

Wootton Bassett. Included 800 labourers employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

Wroughton. Included 220 labourers temporarily employed on the Gt. Western Railway.

1851

Alderbury. The return for the chapelries of Farley and Pitton included 28 persons in Farley Hospital.

Amesbury. Included 83 persons in Amesbury Union Workhouse.

Ashton, Steeple. The return for the chapelry of Semington included 192 persons in the Melksham Union Workhouse. Decrease in Steeple Ashton and Great Hinton attributed to emigration, and migration to Wales in search of employment at the iron works.

Baverstock. Several of the family and servants at Hurdcott House were absent.

Blackland. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Box. Included 42 persons in Kingsdown House Lunatic Asylum.

Bradford, Great. Decrease attributed to a depression in the woollen trade; this had caused emigration. A stone quarry at Winsley had almost ceased work.

Britford. Included 145 persons in Alderbury Union Workhouse.

Brokenborough. Included 160 persons in Malmesbury Union Workhouse.

Calne. Included 159 persons in the Calne Union Workhouse. Many persons had emigrated.

Calne, Blackland, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, and Highway. Calne was growing at the expense of the surrounding parishes.

Cannings, Bishop's. The return for the chapelry of St. James or Southbroom included 219 persons in Devizes Union Workhouse, and 175 persons in a private lunatic asylum. Increase in this chapelry was attributed to extension of building.

Cherhill. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Cheverell, Great and Cheverell, Little. Decrease attributed to emigration caused by a depression of agriculture and low wages throughout the whole Devizes area.

Chippenham. Included 143 persons in Chippenham Union Workhouse. Decrease attributed to emigration and the completion of the railway.

Combe, Castle. Several cottages had been demolished but some new ones were unoccupied.

Compton Bassett. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Corsley. Decrease attributed to migration to other parishes caused by the closing down of a large cloth factory.

Cricklade, St. Sampson. Many persons had emigrated.

Devizes, St. John. Included 128 persons in the New Prison. Decrease attributed to a large decline in the number of pupils attending four schools in Devizes.

Devizes Union. (Devizes and the constituent parishes of Devizes R.D., see below, p. 333.) Decrease in several parishes due to depression in agriculture, and to emigration.

Edington. Decrease attributed to the 'incorporation' of several small farms.

Eisey. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Farleigh, Monkton. A stone quarry had almost stopped work.

Fisherton Anger. Included 108 persons in Salisbury Infirmary, 244 persons in Fisherton Anger Lunatic Asylum, and 88 people in the county gaol.

Hankerton. Decrease attributed to lack of housing and migration of several families to other parishes.

Hannington. Cottages had been demolished since 1841.

Hardenhuish. Decrease attributed to emigration and the completion of the railway.

Heytesbury. Decrease attributed to a depression in cloth manufacture, emigration, and the absence of a number of scholars who usually attended a school there.

Highway. See comment for Calne, Blackland, &c.

Highworth. The Highworth and Swindon Union Workhouse, which had 125 inmates in 1841, had been moved from the tithing of Westrop to Stratton St. Margaret.

Hindon. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Knoyle, West. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Lacock. Included 113 persons in the Chippenham Union Workhouse. Decrease attributed to removal of temporary workmen present in 1841, and to emigration.

Laverstock and Ford. Included 120 persons in a private lunatic asylum.

Lavington, West. Included 193 persons in a private lunatic asylum.

Lea and Cleverton. Decrease attributed to migration to other parishes because of lack of housing.

Leigh Delamere. Decrease attributed to the demolition of cottages, but in fact some new ones were unoccupied.

Maddington. Decrease attributed to migration to other parishes in search of work.

Melksham. Decrease attributed to emigration and a depression in the cloth trade.

Mere. Included 52 persons in the Mere Union Workhouse.

Newton, South. Included 117 persons in Wilton Union Workhouse.

Pewsey. Included 122 persons in Pewsey Union Workhouse.

Preshute. Included 99 persons in Marlborough Union Workhouse.

Purton. Included 102 persons in Cricklade and Wootton Bassett Union Workhouse.

Salisbury, St. Thomas and St. Edmund. The former included 150 persons in the City of Salisbury Workhouse. Decrease in both parishes attributed to heavy mortality from cholera in 1849, and the closing of an iron foundry.

Salisbury, Canons' Close. Included 21 persons in St. Nicholas Hospital.

Slaughterford. Two paper-mills had closed down since 1841.

Somerford, Little. Decrease attributed to migration to other parishes because of lack of housing.

Stratton St. Margaret. Included 286 persons in the Highworth and Swindon Workhouse, which had been transferred from Highworth to Stratton St. Margaret.

Swindon. Increase attributed to the establishment of the railway station.

Trowbridge. Included 68 militia in Barracks.

Urchfont. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Wardour. Included 97 persons in Tisbury Union Workhouse.

Warminster. Included 155 persons in Warminster Union Workhouse.

Westbury. Included 214 persons in Westbury and Whorwellsdown Union Workhouse. Decrease in the total population attributed to emigration caused by a decline in the wool trade.

Westwood. Included 249 persons in Bradford Union Workhouse.

1861

N.B. From 1861 the notes to the main population table seldom contain information about persons in workhouses and other public institutions. Separate tables supply these figures in the Census Reports, and no attempt has been made to include this information in these notes.

Alderbury. Decrease attributed to emigration and migration to the towns in search of employment.

All Cannings. See comment for 1871.

Ansty and Barford St. Martin. Decrease attributed to emigration and migration to other parishes.

Barford St. Martin. See comment for Ansty.

Blackland and Calne. Some of the inhabitants had moved from Blackland to Calne.

Bradford, Great. Depression in the woollen trade had caused emigration. Some houses had been demolished.

Bradley, Maiden. Decrease attributed to lack of accommodation for the poorer classes.

Bromham. The installation of machinery in place of hand-looms had caused unemployment and emigration. Some houses had been demolished.

Calne. See comment for Blackland.

Cannings, Bishop's. Decrease attributed to young men having entered the army.

Chippenham. The workhouse had been moved from Lacock to Chippenham.

Chirton. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Coombe Bissett. Decrease attributed to migration to the large towns.

Corsley. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Deverill, Longbridge. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Donhead St. Mary. Decrease attributed to emigration and migration to other parishes.

Eaton, Castle. Many of the young people were migrating to the towns.

Edington and Keevil. Decrease attributed to emigration to New South Wales and migration to the mining districts.

Figheldean. Decrease partly attributed to the use of machinery in agriculture.

Fisherton Anger. Increase attributed to the opening of the railway.

Fugglestone St. Peter. Increase attributed to the sale in lots of the Bemerton manor lands; because of the favourable position between Salisbury and Wilton, houses were quickly built and tenanted.

Highworth. Decrease in the population of the tithings of Eastrop and Westrop and the chapelry of Broad Blunsdon attributed to the migration of young people to the towns.

Hilperton. Decrease attributed to the installation of power-looms in place of hand-looms in the manufacture of cloth.

Hindon. Decrease attributed to migration to other parishes caused by unemployment.

Imber and Knook. Decrease attributed to migration of several families to other parishes and the entrance of young men into the army.

Keevil. See comment for Edington.

Knook. See comment for Imber.

Lacock. Decrease attributed to the removal of the Workhouse from Lacock to Chippenham.

Langley. Burrell. Increase attributed to the erection of a large number of houses on the part of the parish adjoining Chippenham.

Laverstock and Ford. Decrease attributed to emigration and a reduction in the number of persons in the lunatic asylum.

Lavington, Market. Decrease attributed to the removal of a machinery works and a foundry.

Lydiard Millicent. Increase attributed to the proximity of this parish to Swindon G.W.R. station.

Melksham. Decrease attributed to diminished employment in clothing and dyeing works.

Patney. A number of families had moved to other parts.

Salisbury, Canons' Close. Increase attributed to additional scholars at a private school, and an institution for training schoolmistresses.

Stapleford. Decrease attributed to the diminishing of road traffic since the opening of the railway.

Westbury. Decrease attributed to the installation of power-looms in place of hand-looms.

1871

Alderbury. Decrease attributed to the migration of young persons to towns, where the wages were higher.

All Cannings. Decrease attributed to migration and the demolition of houses; in the tithing of Etchilhampton the population was less than in 1861 because many labourers employed in the construction of the Berks. & Hants Railway were lodging there temporarily when the 1861 census was taken.

Amesbury. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Baverstock. Decrease attributed to the demolition of dilapidated cottages.

Berwick St. John. Decrease attributed to scarcity of agricultural employment and the consequent migration of young men.

Berwick St. Leonard and Chicklade. Increase attributed to the migration of several farm labourers' families from Chicklade to Berwick St. Leonard.

Blundson St. Andrew. Increase attributed to an enlargement of the establishment of the principal family in the parish.

Box and Corsham. Increase attributed to improved trade at the stone quarries.

Boyton, Heytesbury, Imber, and Knook. Decrease attributed to the demolition of houses and the migration of young persons, chiefly as domestic servants, to the towns.

Bradford, Great. Decrease attributed to the emigration of weavers with their families to the United States.

Bradley, North. Decrease attributed to the migration of families to Trowbridge.

Brinkworth. Increase attributed to the erection of cottages for persons attracted there by the demand for labour.

Brokenborough. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Bromham. Decrease attributed to the demolition of houses on property recently purchased by the Crown; the occupants moved to adjoining places.

Bulford. Decrease attributed partly to the temporary absence of several families, partly to the high rate of mortality among the old people since 1861, and partly to migration.

Burbage, Easton, Manningford Abbots, Pewsey, Wilcot, and Woodborough. Decrease attributed to the fact that the 1861 census was taken when a considerable number of labourers employed in the construction of a railway were temporarily resident.

Burcombe. Decrease attributed to the demolition of dilapidated cottages.

Calne. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Charlton (N.). Decrease attributed to migration.

Cherhill. Decrease attributed to migration.

Cheverell, Little. Decrease attributed to demolition of houses and consequent migration and emigration.

Chicklade. See comment for Berwick St. Leonard.

Chilmark. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Chippenham. Decrease attributed to the closing of an iron-works, previously employing over 200 men; some of these men had emigrated.

Cholderton. Decrease attributed to the temporary absence of a large family.

Codford St. Mary and Codford St. Peter. Decrease attributed to the closing of a large woolstapling business; in Codford St. Mary the position was made worse by the closing of certain training stables.

Combe, Castle. Decrease attributed to migration.

Corsham. See comment for Box.

Deverill, Kingston. Decrease attributed to emigration caused by the use of steam power and machinery in agriculture.

Donhead St. Mary. Decrease attributed to the migration of young people caused by scarcity of agricultural employment.

Downton. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Draycot Cerne. The principal family in the parish were absent at the time of the 1861 census so there has been little real increase.

Easton. See comment for Burbage.

Eisey. Decrease in Eisey itself attributed partly to the demolition of old cottages and partly to the amalgamation of small farms and a consequent drop in the demand for labour. In the tithing of Water Eaton the increase is attributed to the erection of new cottages for farm labourers.

Enford. Decrease in the tithing of Fifield attributed to the migration of young men to large towns.

Erlestoke. Decrease attributed to the demolition of houses and consequent emigration and migration.

Fifield Bavant. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Fisherton Anger. Increase attributed to the development of railway traffic, the erection of houses, and the selection of this parish as a place of residence because of its reputedly healthy climate.

Fugglestone St. Peter. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses or cottages.

Heytesbury. See comment for Boyton.

Highworth. Decrease in the tithings of Eastrop and Westrop attributed to the migration to Swindon of men employed at the G.W.R. works there. Increase in the tithings of South Marston and Broad Blunsdon attributed to the immigration of men employed in the same works.

Hilperton. Increase attributed to the prosperity of cloth manufacture.

Horningsham. Decrease attributed to the demolition of old cottages.

Imber. See comment for Boyton.

Keevil. Decrease attributed to the demolition of old cottages.

Kington, West. Decrease attributed to migration.

Knook. See comment for Boyton.

Lacock. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Lavington, West. Decrease in the tithing of Littleton Pannell attributed to the demolition of houses and consequent migration and emigration.

Lydiard Millicent and Purton. Increase attributed to proximity to Swindon, where there was not sufficient accommodation for the additional number of mechanics employed at the G.W.R. works.

Malmesbury St. Paul. Decrease attributed to emigration; part of the labouring population had emigrated to the oil fields of Ohio.

Manningford Abbots. See comment for Burbage.

Marlborough, St. Peter and St. Paul. Included 229 persons living in Marlborough College; the rest of the college is in Preshute parish.

Mere. Increase attributed to the prosperous state of trade.

Mildenhall. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses.

Minety. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Netherhampton and Wilton. A school containing 39 persons had been moved from Wilton to Netherhampton.

Nettleton. Decrease attributed to migration.

Nunton and Bodenham. Increase attributed to the erection of new houses.

Overton. Decrease in West and East Overton attributed to the demolition of houses; the increase in the tithing of Lockeridge was attributed to the erection of houses.

Pewsey. See comment for Burbage.

Preshute. Included 380 persons living in Marlborough College. Increase of population attributed to a rise in the number of scholars at Marlborough College and a boarding-school; there were also additions to an establishment for training racehorses.

Purton. See comment for Lydiard Millicent.

Rodbourne Cheney. Increase attributed to the immigration of mechanics employed at the G.W.R. works in the neighbouring town of Swindon.

Salisbury. Decrease in the population of the Canons' Close attributed to the closing of certain boarding-schools and the migration of a number of families; decrease in the population of St. Edmund's parish attributed to the absence on vacation of boarders from a school, and a scarcity of visitors at the hotels; the increase of population in St. Martin's parish was attributed to the erection of new houses.

Sherston Magna and Westport St. Mary. Increase attributed to the sale of land and the erection of houses.

Stanton Fitzwarren. Decrease attributed to the migration to Swindon of men employed in the G.W.R. works.

Stanton St. Quintin. Decrease attributed to emigration.

Stratton St. Margaret. Increase attributed to the extension of the G.W.R. works in the neighbouring town of Swindon.

Swallowcliffe. Increase attributed to the occupation of newly erected cottages by families from other parishes.

Tilshead. Decrease attributed to migration.

Tisbury, East, Tisbury, West, and Wardour. Increase in population of West Tisbury attributed to the opening of a new Union Workhouse and the conversion of a range of buildings, formerly an iron foundry, into dwellings. The latter were occupied by families from an overcrowded part of East Tisbury, and the inmates of the new workhouse came from the old workhouse in Wardour.

Trowbridge. Increase attributed to the prosperity of cloth manufacture. A number of families had migrated to Trowbridge from North Bradley.

Wardour. See comment for Tisbury, East.

Warminster. Decrease attributed to the introduction of railway communication which had diverted the traffic connected with the corn market, caused many of the inns to be closed, and induced a large number of sack-carriers and others to seek employment elsewhere.

Westport, St. Mary. See comment for Sherston Magna.

Westwood. Increase attributed to the return of families forced to migrate nearly 20 years before by the demolition of their dwellings.

Whiteparish. Decrease attributed to the migration of young persons to towns in search of higher wages.

Wilcot. See comment for Burbage.

Wilsford (N.). Decrease attributed to the migration of young men to towns.

Wilsford (S.). Increase attributed to the erection of new houses.

Wilton. See comment for Netherhampton.

Winterbourne Stoke. Decrease attributed to the diminished demand for manual labour in agriculture and the preference of young women for domestic service in the towns.

Woodborough. See comment for Burbage.

Wootton Bassett. Increase attributed to the general prosperity of trade and the temporary presence of 13 persons engaged in restoring the parish church, and of 50 persons attending a fair.

1881

Rodbourne Cheney and Stratton St. Margaret. Increase of houses and population attributed to the fact that many of the employees at the G.W.R. works in Swindon resided at Rodbourne Cheney and Stratton St. Margaret.

Swindon. The increase of houses and population was caused by the G.W.R. transferring their carriage works from Wolverhampton and Saltley, their locomotive engine works from Bristol, and other branches of their works, previously carried on at places on the Bristol and Exeter railway, to Swindon.

1891

No comments were given for this year.

1901

Bulford. Included 435 persons employed in the construction of a military camp in which lived another 608 persons.

Hardenhuish. Increase attributed to the opening of a large signal works in Chippenham.

Hullavington. Increase attributed to the presence of workmen engaged in the construction of a new branch railway line.

Langley Burrell. Increase attributed to the opening of a large signal works in Chippenham.

Rodbourne Cheney. Increase attributed to its proximity to the G.W.R. works at Swindon.

1911

Bemerton. Increase attributed to its proximity to the City of Salisbury.

Bulford and Durrington. Increase attributed to the formation of a large military camp.

Durrington. See comment for Bulford.

Hullavington and Nettleton. Decrease attributed to the removal of the workmen employed on the construction of a new railway line in 1901.

Idmiston. Increase attributed to the development of smallholdings.

Ludgershall. Increase attributed to its proximity to the military barracks at North Tidworth.

Netheravon. Increase attributed to the formation of a cavalry training school.

Nettleton. See comment for Hullavington.

Tidworth, North. Increase attributed to the erection of a large military barracks.

1921

Chisledon. Increase attributed to the establishment of a military camp.

Durrington. Increase attributed to the presence of a large number of troops in a military camp at Larkhill.

Figheldean. Increase attributed to the presence of the Netheravon Flying School containing 328 men and 65 women.

Fittleton. Increase attributed to the Netheravon Flying School containing 166 men and 3 women.

Rollestone and Wilsford (S.). Increase attributed to the presence of military camps.

Tidworth, North. Decrease of population attributed to a fall in the number of soldiers in the barracks.

Upavon. Increase attributed to the presence of a Royal Air Force establishment.

Wilsford (S.). See comment for Rollestone.

1931

Amesbury, Chisledon, Durrington, Figheldean, Idmiston, Tilshead, Tidworth, North, and Wilsford (S.). Changes in the population of these parishes were caused by fluctuations in Army and Royal Air Force personnel.

Calne Without, Salisbury (Bemerton and St. Mark's parish), Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon, and Winterbourne Gunner. Increase attributed to residential development.

Marlborough. Decrease attributed to the absence on vacation of the pupils at the college.

Roundway. Increase attributed to a rise in the number of patients in the mental hospital and in the personnel of an army barracks.

Savernake, North. Increase attributed to a rise in the number of patients in the hospital.

1951

No comments were given for this year.

THE HUNDREDS AND THEIR CONSTITUENT PARISHES

This list of the hundreds and their constituent parishes is taken from the Census Report of 1831. Extra-parochial places are included. The footnotes show differences in the constituent parishes of the hundreds in 1801–21 and in 1841. After 1851 the parishes are grouped under registration districts and only the total population of the hundreds is given. Where a parish is divided, the location of the other part of the parish is shown in the footnotes.

Alderbury

Alderbury

Clarendon Park

Dean, West

Grimstead, West

Idmiston

Laverstock and Ford (fn. 15)

Melchet Park

Plaitford

Winterbourne Dauntsey

Winterbourne Earls

Winterbourne Gunner

Winterslow

Amesbury

Allington (S.)

Amesbury

Boscombe

Bulford

Cholderton, West

Durnford

Durrington

Figheldean

Hinton, Broad (fn. 16)

Ludgershall

Milston

Newton Tony

Shinfield (part of) (fn. 17)

Swallowfield (part of) (fn. 18)

Tidworth, North

Wellow, West

Wokingham (part of) (fn. 19)

Bradford

Bradford, Great

Broughton Gifford

Chalfield, Great

Farleigh, Monkton

Wingfield with Rowley

Branch and Dole

Berwick St. James

Fisherton Anger

Fugglestone St. Peter

Langford, Little

Langford, Steeple

Maddington

Newton, South

Orcheston St. Mary

Sherrington

Shrewton

Stapleford

Tilshead

Wilton (fn. 20)

Winterbourne Stoke

Wishford, Great (fn. 21)

Wylye

Calne

Berwick Bassett

Blackland

Bowood (fn. 22)

Calne

Calstone Wellington

Cherhill

Compton Bassett

Heddington

Yatesbury

Cawdon and Cadworth

Barford St. Martin

Baverstock

Bramshaw (fn. 23)

Britford

Burcombe, South

Coombe Bissett

Fovant

Grovely Wood (fn. 24)

Harnham, West

Homington

Netherhampton

Odstock

Stratford Tony

Sutton Mandeville

Whitsbury

and from 1841, part of Wilton (i.e. Bulbridge) (fn. 25)

Chalke

Alvediston

Berwick St. John

Chalke, Bower

Chalke, Broad

Ebbesborne Wake

Fifield Bavant

Semley

Tollard Royal (part of) (fn. 26)

Chippenham

Alderton

Biddestone St. Nicholas

Biddestone St. Peter

Box

Bremhill

Chippenham

Christian Malford (a small part—i.e. Avon) (fn. 27)

Colerne

Combe, Castle

Corsham

Ditteridge (fn. 28)

Easton Grey

Hardenhuish

Hullavington (part of—i.e. Surrendell) (fn. 29)

Kellaways

Kingswood (fn. 30)

Kington, West

Lacock

Langley Burrell

Leigh Delamere

Littleton Drew

Luckington

Pewsham

Sherston Magna

Sherston Parva

Slaughterford

Sopworth

Wraxall, North

Yatton Keynell

Damerham, North

Christian Malford (a large part) (fn. 31)

Grittleton

Kington St. Michael

Nettleton

Damerham, South

Compton Chamberlayne

Damerham, South

Deverill, Longbridge

Deverill, Monkton

Martin

Downton

Bishopstone (S.)

Downton

Fonthill Bishop

Hindon

Knoyle, East

Langley Wood

No Man's Land

Nunton and Bodenham

Standlynch

Dunworth

Ansty

Berwick St. Leonard

Chicklade

Chilmark

Donhead St. Andrew

Donhead St. Mary

Fonthill Gifford

Sedgehill

Swallowcliffe

Teffont Evias

Tisbury, East

Tisbury, West

Wardour

Elstub and Everleigh

Collingbourne Ducis

Enford

Everleigh

Fittleton

Fyfield (fn. 32)

Ham

Hinton, Little

Netheravon

Overton (part of—i.e. Alton Priors with Stowell) (fn. 33)

Patney

Rollestone

Stockton

Westwood

Wroughton

Frustfield

Landford

Whiteparish

Heytesbury

Boyton

Chitterne All Saints

Chitterne St. Mary

Codford St. Mary

Codford St. Peter

Deverill, Brixton

Deverill, Hill

Heytesbury

Horningsham

Imber (part of) (fn. 34)

Knook

Orcheston St. George

Tytherington (fn. 35)

Upton Lovell

Highworth, Cricklade, and Staple

Ashton Keynes

Blunsdon St. Andrew

Cricklade St. Mary

Cricklade St. Sampson

Eaton, Castle

Eisey

Hannington

Highworth

Inglesham (part of) (fn. 36)

Latton

Lydiard Millicent

Marston Meysey

Poulton (fn. 37)

Purton

Rodbourne Cheney

Shorncote

Somerford Keynes

Stanton Fitzwarren

Stratton St. Margaret

Kingsbridge

Chisledon

Clyffe Pypard

Draycot Foliat

Hilmarton (part of) (fn. 38)

Liddington

Lydiard Tregoze

Lyneham

Swindon

Tockenham

Wanborough

Wootton Bassett

Kinwardstone

Bedwyn, Great

Bedwyn, Little

Burbage

Buttermere

Chilton Foliat (fn. 39)

Chute

Chute Forest

Collingbourne Kingston

Easton

Froxfield

Hippenscombe

Hungerford (part of— i.e. Charnham Street) (fn. 40)

Milton Lilborne

Pewsey

Savernake, South with Brimslade and Cadley

Shalbourne (part of— i.e. Bagshot and Newtown) (fn. 41)

Tidcombe

Wootton Rivers

Malmesbury

Ashley

Bremilham (fn. 42)

Brinkworth

Brokenborough

Charlton (N.)

Crudwell

Dauntsey

Draycot Cerne

Foxley

Garsdon

Hankerton

Hullavington (part of) (fn. 43)

Kemble

Lea and Cleverton

Malmesbury

Malmesbury Abbey

Newnton, Long

Norton Colepark

Oaksey

Poole Keynes

Seagry

Somerford, Great

Somerford, Little

Stanton St. Quintin

Sutton Benger

Westport St. Mary

Melksham

Erlestoke

Hilperton

Keevil (part of—i.e. Bulkington) (fn. 44)

Melksham

Poulshot

Trowbridge (fn. 45)

Whaddon

Mere

Bradley, Maiden (a large part of) (fn. 46)

Deverill, Kingston (fn. 47)

Knoyle, West

Mere

Stourton (part of) (fn. 48)

Potterne and Cannings

Bromham

Cannings, Bishop's

Highway

Lavington, West

Potterne

Rowde

Ramsbury

Baydon

Bishopstone (N.)

Ramsbury

Selkley

Aldbourne

Avebury

Hinton, Broad

Kennett, East

Mildenhall

Ogbourne St. Andrew

Ogbourne St. George

Overton (part of—i.e. West Overton and Lockeridge) (fn. 49)

Overton Heath

Preshute

Savernake, North

Winterbourne Bassett

Winterbourne Monkton

And from 1841 part of Hilmarton (i.e. Catcomb) (fn. 50)

Swanborough

All Cannings

Alton Barnes

Beechingstoke

Charlton (S.)

Cheverell, Great

Cheverell, Little

Chirton

Huish

Imber (part of) (fn. 51)

Lavington, Market

Manningford Abbots

Manningford Bruce

Marden

Newnton, North

Rushall

Stanton St. Bernard

Stert

Upavon

Urchfont

Wilcot

Wilsford (N.)

Woodborough

Underditch

Laverstock and Ford (part of—i.e. Milford and part of Ford) (fn. 52)

Stratford-sub-Castle

Wilsford (S.)

Woodford

Warminster

Bishopstrow

Corsley

Dinton

Fisherton de la Mere

Norton Bavant

Pertwood, Upper

Sutton Veny

Teffont Magna

Upton Scudamore

Warminster

Westbury

Whorwellsdown

Ashton, Steeple

Bradley, North

Coulston, East

Edington

Keevil (a large part of) (fn. 53)

RURAL DISTRICTS AND THEIR CONSTITUENT CIVIL PARISHES

No attempt has been made in this list to trace changes in the composition of civil parishes or to show what happened to any parish when it ceased to form part of a rural district, unless it became part of another rural district. For such information the population table and its notes should be consulted.

The poor law unions comprised the constituent parishes of the rural districts as shown in this list, together with the urban districts and municipal boroughs geographically situated within the rural districts (see V.C.H. Wilts. v, map on p. 259).

Alderbury

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872, as a rural sanitary district. It was dissolved in 1894 when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Salisbury R.D.

Alderbury

Britford

Clarendon Park

Coombe Bissett

Dean, West—transferred from Stockbridge R.D. (Hants) 1884

Downton

Earldoms

Fisherton Anger (the part not in Salisbury M.B.)

Grimstead, East

Grimstead, West

Harnham, West

Homington

Landford

Langley Wood—dissolved 1894

Laverstock

Milford (the part not in Salisbury M.B.)

No Man's Land

Nunton and Bodenham

Odstock

Pitton and Farley

Sarum, Old—dissolved 1894

Standlynch

Stratford-sub-Castle

Stratford Tony

Whiteparish

Winterslow

Amesbury R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

Allington (S.)

Amesbury

Boscombe

Bulford

Cholderton

Durnford

Durrington

Figheldean

Idmiston

Maddington

Milston

Newton Tony

Orcheston—created 1934

Orcheston St. George—dissolved 1934

Orcheston St. Mary—dissolved 1934

Rollestone

Shrewton

Tilshead

Wilsford (S.)

Winterbourne—created 1934

Winterbourne Dauntsey—dissolved 1934

Winterbourne Earls—dissolved 1934

Winterbourne Gunner—dissolved 1934

Winterbourne Stoke

Woodford

Andover R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Andover R.D. lay in Hants, but the Wilts. parishes of Chute, Chute Forest, Ludgershall, and North Tidworth were in this district until transferred to Pewsey R.D. in 1879.

Bradford-on-Avon R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except parts of Bradford Without, Broughton Gifford, and Winsley were transferred to Bradford and Melksham R.D.

Atworth—created 1885

Bradford Without—created 1894

Broughton Gifford

Chalfield, Great and Little—dissolved 1885

Farleigh, Monkton

Freshford—transferred to Bath R.D. (Som.) 1882

Holt—created 1894

Limpley Stoke—created 1894

Westwood

Wingfield

Winsley—created 1894

Wraxall, South—created 1894

Bradford and Melksham R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of almost the whole of Bradford-on-Avon R.D., part of Melksham R.D., and a small part of Trowbridge U.D.

Atworth

Broughton Gifford

Farleigh, Monkton

Hilperton

Holt

Limpley Stoke

Melksham Without

Semington

Staverton

Westwood

Wingfield

Winsley

Wraxall, South

Calne R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except part of Calne Without were transferred to Calne and Chippenham R.D.

Blackland—dissolved 1890

Bowood—dissolved 1890

Bremhill

Calne Without—created 1890

Calstone Wellington—dissolved 1890

Cherhill

Compton Bassett

Heddington

Highway—dissolved 1890

Hilmarton

Yatesbury

Calne and Chippenham R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of almost the whole of Calne R.D., the whole of Chippenham R.D., and a small part of Malmesbury R.D.

Biddestone

Box

Bremhill

Calne Without

Cherhill

Chippenham Without

Christian Malford

Colerne

Combe, Castle

Compton Bassett

Corsham

Grittleton

Heddington

Hilmarton

Kington Langley

Kington St. Michael

Lacock

Langley Burrell Without

Nettleton

Pewsham

Stanton St. Quintin

Sutton Benger

Wraxall, North

Yatton Keynell

Chippenham R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Calne and Chippenham R.D. Many of the parishes were combined at the time of the transfer.

Avon—dissolved 1895

Biddestone—created 1884

Biddestone St. Nicholas—dissolved 1884

Biddestone St. Peter—dissolved 1884

Box

Chippenham Without

Christian Malford

Colerne

Combe, Castle

Corsham

Ditteridge—dissolved 1884

Draycot Cerne—dissolved 1934

Grittleton

Hardenhuish—dissolved 1934

Kellaways—created 1895

Kington Langley

Kington St. Michael

Kington, West—dissolved 1934

Lacock

Langley Burrell Without

Leigh Delamere—dissolved 1934

Littleton Drew—dissolved 1934

Nettleton

Pewsham

Seagry—dissolved 1934

Slaughterford—dissolved 1934

Stanton St. Quintin

Sutton Benger

Tytherington Kellaways—dissolved 1895

Wraxall, North

Yatton Keynell

Cirencester R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Cirencester R.D. lay in Glos. but the Wilts. parish of Marston Meysey was in this district until transferred to Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D. in 1881. The following Wilts. parishes included in this district were transferred to Glos. in 1894–6.

Kemble

Poole Keynes

Somerford Keynes

Shorncote

Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

Ashton Keynes

Braydon

Broad Town—created 1884

Clyffe Pypard

Eisey—dissolved 1896

Latton

Leigh

Lydiard Millicent

Lydiard Tregoze

Lyneham

Marston Meysey—transferred from Cirencester R.D. (Glos.) 1881

Purton

Tockenham

Wootton Bassett

Devizes R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

All Cannings

Allington (N.)—dissolved 1934

Alton Barnes—transferred to Pewsey R.D. 1934 and dissolved: see Alton

Beechingstoke

Bromham

Cannings, Bishop's

Cheverell, Great

Cheverell, Little

Chirton

Chittoe

Easterton

Erlestoke

Etchilhampton

Lavington, Market

Lavington, West

Marden

Marston

Patney

Potterne

Poulshot

Roundway

Rowde

Seend—transferred from Melksham R.D. 1934

Stanton St. Bernard

Stert

Urchfont

Worton

Faringdon R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. Most of this district lay in Berks, but the Wilts. part of the parish of Coleshill was in this district until united with Inglesham C.P. in 1881.

Fordingbridge R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Fordingbridge R.D. lay in Hants, and the following Wilts. parishes included in this district were transferred to Hants under the Local Government Act, 1894.

Damerham, South

Martin

Toyd Farm with Allenford

Whitsbury

Highworth or Swindon R.D.

Known as Swindon R.D. 1881–1901 and Highworth R.D. 1911–51. Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

Bishopstone (N.)

Blunsdon St. Andrew

Chisledon

Draycot Foliat—dissolved 1894

Eaton, Castle

Hannington

Haydon Wick—created 1928

Highworth

Hinton, Little—dissolved 1934

Inglesham

Liddington

Marston, South

Rodbourne Cheney—dissolved 1928

Stanton Fitzwarren

Stratton St. Margaret

Wanborough

Wroughton

Hungerford R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Hungerford R.D. lay in Berks. but until 1894 it included the Wilts. parishes which were then formed into Ramsbury R.D. (q.v.) and the Wilts. part of Hungerford parish, which was transferred to Berks. under the Local Government Act, 1894.

Malmesbury R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

Alderton—dissolved 1934

Bremilham—dissolved 1884

Brinkworth

Brokenborough

Charlton (N.)

Crudwell

Dauntsey

Easton Grey

Foxley—dissolved 1934

Garsdon

Hankerton

Hullavington

Lea and Cleverton

Luckington

Malmesbury St. Paul Without

Minety

Norton

Oaksey

Sherston—created 1896

Sherston Magna—dissolved 1896

Sherston Parva—dissolved 1896

Somerford, Great

Somerford, Little

Sopworth

Marlborough R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except parts of Mildenhall, North Savernake, and Preshute were transferred to Marlborough and Ramsbury R.D.

Avebury

Berwick Bassett

Clatford Park—dissolved 1896

Fyfield

Hinton, Broad

Kennett, East

Mildenhall

Ogbourne St. Andrew

Ogbourne St. George

Overton, Heath—dissolved 1895

Overton, West

Preshute

Savernake, North—dissolved 1934

Savernake, South, with Brimslade and Cadley— dissolved 1934

Winterbourne Bassett

Winterbourne Monkton

Marlborough and Rambury R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of almost the whole of Marlborough R.D. and the whole of Ramsbury R.D.

Aldbourne

Avebury

Baydon

Bedwyn, Great

Bedwyn, Little

Berwick Bassett

Buttermere

Chilton Foliat

Froxfield

Fyfield

Grafton

Ham

Hinton, Broad

Kennett, East

Mildenhall

Ogbourne St. Andrew

Ogbourne St. George

Overton, West

Preshute

Ramsbury

Savernake—created 1934

Shalbourne

Tidcombe and Fosbury

Winterbourne Bassett

Winterbourne Monkton

Melksham R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except Seend, which was transferred to Devizes R.D., and part of Melksham Without, were transferred to Bradford and Melksham R.D.

Hilperton

Melksham Without

Seend

Semington

Staverton

Whaddon—dissolved 1894

Mere R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except Kingston Deverill and Monkton Deverill, which were united and transferred to Warminster and Westbury R.D., were transferred to Mere and Tisbury R.D.

Bourton—transferred to Shaftesbury R.D. (Dors.) 1896

Bradley, Maiden

Deverill, Kingston

Deverill, Monkton

Kilmington

Knoyle, East

Knoyle, West

Pertwood, Upper—dissolved 1885

Sedgehill

Silton—transferred to Shaftesbury R.D. (Dors.) 1896

Stourton

Zeals

Mere and Tisbury R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of almost the whole of Mere R.D. and the whole of Tisbury R.D.

Alvediston

Ansty

Berwick St. John

Berwick St. Leonard

Bradley, Maiden

Chicklade

Chilmark

Donhead St. Andrew

Donhead St. Mary

Fonthill Bishop

Fonthill Gifford

Hindon

Kilmington

Knoyle, East

Knoyle, West

Mere

Sedgehill

Semley

Stourton

Sutton Mandeville

Swallowcliffe

Teffont—created 1934

Tisbury

Tisbury, West

Tollard Royal

Zeals

New Forest R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. Most of New Forest R.D. lay in Hants; the Wilts. parish of Bramshaw was included in this district, until it was dissolved in 1894 and transferred to the parish of East Bramshaw, Hants.

Pewsey R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872.

Alton—created 1934

Alton Priors—dissolved 1934

Burbage

Charlton (S.)

Chute—transferred from Andover R.D. (Hants) 1879

Chute Forest—transferred from Andover R.D. (Hants) 1879

Collingbourne Ducis

Collingbourne Kingston

Easton

Enford

Everleigh

Fittleton

Huish

Ludgershall—transferred from Andover R.D. (Hants) 1879

Manningford—created 1934

Manningford Abbots—dissolved 1934

Manningford Bohun—dissolved 1934

Manningford Bruce—dissolved 1934

Milton Lilborne

Netheravon

Newnton, North

Pewsey

Rushall

Tidworth, North—transferred from Andover R.D. (Hants) 1879

Upavon

Wilcot

Wilsford (N.)

Woodborough

Wootton Rivers

Ramsbury R.D.

Formed under the Local Government Act, 1894 out of the Wilts. parishes previously included in Hungerford R.D., the remainder of which lay in Berks. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Marlborough and Ramsbury R.D.

Aldbourne

Baydon

Bedwyn, Great

Bedwyn, Little

Buttermere

Chilton Foliat

Froxfield

Grafton

Ham

Ramsbury

Shalbourne

Tidcombe and Fosbury

Romsey R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Romsey R.D. lay in Hants, and the following Wilts. parishes included in this district were transferred to Hants under the Local Government Act, 1894.

Melchet Park

Plaitford

Wellow, West

Salisbury R.D.

Formed under the Local Government Act, 1894 out of the whole of Alderbury Rural Sanitary District. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Salisbury and Wilton R.D.

Alderbury

Britford

Clarendon Park

Coombe Bissett

Dean, West

Downton

Earldoms—dissolved 1896

Fisherton Anger Without—dissolved 1905

Grimstead, East—dissolved 1934

Grimstead, West—dissolved 1934

Harnham, East—created 1896, dissolved 1904

Harnham, West—dissolved 1934

Homington—dissolved 1934

Landford

Laverstock and Ford

Milford Without—dissolved 1904

Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls—created 1923, dissolved 1934

No Man's Land—dissolved 1934

Nunton and Bodenham—dissolved 1934

Odstock

Pitton and Farley

Redlynch—created 1896

Standlynch with Charlton All Saints—dissolved 1934

Stratford-sub-Castle

Stratford Tony

Whiteparish

Winterslow

Salisbury and Wilton R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of the whole of Salisbury R.D. and part of Wilton R.D.

Alderbury

Barford St. Martin

Berwick St. James

Bishopstone (S.)

Britford

Burcombe Without

Chalke, Bower

Chalke, Broad

Clarendon Park

Compton Chamberlayne

Coombe Bissett

Dean, West

Dinton

Downton

Ebbesborne Wake

Fovant

Grimstead—created 1934

Landford

Langford, Steeple

Laverstock and Ford

Netherhampton

Newton, South

Odstock

Pitton and Farley

Quidhampton—created 1934

Redlynch

Stapleford

Stratford-sub-Castle

Stratford Tony

Whiteparish

Winterslow

Wishford, Great

Wylye

Stockbridge R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. Most of this district lay in Hants, but the Wilts. part of the parish of West Dean was in this district until transferred to Alderbury R.D. in 1884.

Swindon R.D.

See Highworth or Swindon R.D.

Tetbury R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. The larger part of Tetbury R.D. lay in Glos. and the following Wilts. parishes included in this district were transferred to Glos. in 1930.

Ashley

Newnton, Long

Tisbury R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Mere and Tisbury R.D.

Alvediston

Ansty

Berwick St. John

Berwick St. Leonard

Chicklade

Chilmark

Donhead St. Andrew

Donhead St. Mary

Fonthill Bishop

Fonthill Gifford

Hindon

Semley

Sutton Mandeville

Swallowcliffe

Teffont Evias—dissolved 1934

Teffont Magna—dissolved 1934

Tisbury—created 1927

Tisbury, East—dissolved 1927

Tisbury, West

Tollard Royal

Wardour—dissolved 1927

Warminster R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Warminster and Westbury R.D.

Bishopstrow

Boyton

Chitterne—created 1907

Chitterne All Saints—dissolved 1907

Chitterne St. Mary—dissolved 1907

Codford St. Mary—dissolved 1934

Codford St. Peter—dissolved 1934

Corsley

Deverill, Brixton

Deverill, Hill—dissolved 1934

Deverill, Longbridge

Heytesbury

Horningsham

Imber

Knook

Norton Bavant

Sherrington

Stockton

Sutton Veny

Upton Lovell

Upton Scudamore

Warminster and Westbury R.D.

Formed in 1934 out of the whole of Warminster R.D. and the whole of Westbury and Whorwellsdown R.D. with small parts of Warminster U.D., Mere R.D., and Wilton R.D.

Ashton, Steeple

Ashton, West

Bishopstrow

Boyton

Bradley, North

Bratton

Bulkington

Chapmanslade—created 1934

Chitterne

Codford—created 1934

Corsley

Coulston, East

Deverill, Brixton

Deverill, Kingston

Deverill, Longbridge

Dilton Marsh

Edington

Heytesbury

Heywood

Hinton, Great

Horningsham

Imber

Keevil

Knook

Norton Bavant

Sherrington

Southwick

Stockton

Sutton Veny

Upton Lovell

Upton Scudamore

Westbury and Whorwellsdown R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes were transferred to Warminster and Westbury R.D.

Ashton, Steeple

Ashton, West

Bradley, North

Bratton—created 1894

Bulkington

Coulston, East

Dilton Marsh—created 1894

Edington

Heywood—created 1896

Hinton, Great

Keevil

Southwick

Wilton R.D.

Formed under the Public Health Act, 1872. It was dissolved in 1934, when all its constituent parishes except parts of Bemerton, Burcombe Without, Fisherton de la Mere, Netherhampton, and South Newton were transferred to Salisbury and Wilton R.D.

Barford St. Martin

Baverstock—dissolved 1934

Bemerton—created 1894, dissolved 1934

Berwick St. James

Bishopstone (S.)

Burcombe Without

Chalke, Bower

Chalke, Broad

Compton Chamberlayne

Dinton

Ebbesborne Wake

Fifield Bavant—dissolved 1894

Fisherton de la Mere—dissolved 1934

Fovant

Fugglestone St. Peter—dissolved 1894

Grovely Wood—dissolved 1934

Langford, Little—dissolved 1934

Langford, Steeple

Netherhampton

Newton, South

Stapleford

Wylye

POPULATION TABLE, 1801–1951

Abbreviations

A.p. Ancient Parish

bor. Ancient Borough

chap. Chapelry

C.P. Civil Parish

E.P.P. Extra-parochial Place

ham. Hamlet

lib. Liberty

M.B. Municipal Borough

pop. Population

R.D. 1872–94, Rural Sanitary District; from 1894, Rural District

tith. Tithing

tns. Township

U.D. Urban District

U.S.D. Urban Sanitary District

*Indicates note on pp. 318–26.