SPALDING, Lincolnehiro, a market-town, and the seat of • Poor Law Union, In the parish of Spalding, is situated on the banks of the river Welland, in 52' 45' N. 1st., 0° 9' W. long., distant 43 miles 9.S.E. from Lincoln, 99 mile. N.N.W. from London by road, and 93 miles by the Great Northern railway. The population of' the town in 1851 was 7627. The living is a perpetual curacy, In the archdeaconry and diocese of Lincoln. Spalding Poor-Law Union contains nine parishes and townships, with an area of 70,181 acres, and a population in 1551 of 21,290.
As early as the Saxon times Spalding was a place of some conse quence. A Benedictine monastery existed here. The district in which the town stands is fenny, but well drained. Tho town is clean, well paved, lighted with gas, and contains many neat houses. The town-hall is a strong brick bnilding. The sessions-house is a large and handsome structure. There are aasembly-rooms, a theatre, and a house of correction. The high bridge over the river Welland was rebuilt in 1838. The church, a fine edifice, chiefly of perpendicular
character, has an elegant tower, surmounted with a crocketed spire. The Wesleyan Methodists, Independents, Baptists, and Quakers have places of worship. The Royal Free Grammar school, founded In 1568, which has an Income from endowment of 1741. a year, had 10 scholars in 1851. There are also National schools, Endowed Blue Coat schools, Willesby's Endowed Charity school, a Union school, and a savings bank. There is a considerable trade in corn, meal, flour, coal, timber, wool, oil-cake, and wine. Brick-making, bone crushing, coach-making, brewing, and malting are carried on. There are some extensive steam fiour-milla Market, are held on Tuesday and Saturday. Fairs are held seven times a year. The river Welland is navigable up to the town for vessels of 70 tons burden. Quarter and petty sessions, and a county court, are held In the town.
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