Lower Gornal in 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"UPPER GORNALL, (and Lower Gornall) villages in the parish of Sedgley, hundred of North Seisdon, county Stafford, 2 miles N.W. of Dudley, their post town. The inhabitants are for the most part engaged in the iron trade, and in its various branches of chain, nail, and fire-iron manufacture. Firebricks are also extensively made from a peculiar kind of clay abounding in the neighbourhood.

There is a district church in each of the villages; the living of Upper Gornall being a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Lichfield, value £145, in the gift of the vicar of the parish; and that of Lower Gornall, also a perpetual curacy, value £129, in the patronage of the Earl of Dudley.

The Independents, Wesleyans, Primitive and New Connexion Methodists have chapels, and there are good National, British, and infant schools.

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]