years become an object of religious regard to the different bodies of
Congregationalists, most of whom are represented amongst the Foresters.
The wealthier coal and iron masters manifest a benevolent interest in the
welfare of their workmen, and in one instance have established a large
day-school, and built a place of worship for their use. The
Commissioners of the Crown have always attended to applications for help
in furtherance of these objects, and have at different times granted sums
to the amount of 10,347 pounds towards endowing the Forest churches, and
in some years have devoted as much as 800 pounds to the maintenance of
schools, which they annually aid by the following donations:

pounds _s._ _d._
St. Paul's 70 0 0
District (Park
End, 30 pounds,
Oldcroft 20
pounds, and
Blakeney
Woodside 20
pounds)
Christ Church 30 0 0
District
Holy Trinity 70 0 0
District
(Trinity 30
pounds,
Ruardean
Woodside 20
pounds,
Hawthorns 20
pounds)
Cinderford 30 0 0
Lydbrook 30 0 0
Bream 15 0 0
St. Briavel's 5 5 0
Mitcheldean 5 5 0
Blakeney 15 0 0
Staunton 10 0 0
Dixton 5 0 0
Coleford 5 0 0
English Bicknor 2 2 0
Whitchurch 5 0 0
---- --- ---
297 12 0

To the above must be added the handsome donation of 500 pounds from
Thomas Graham, Esq., formerly clerk to the Dean Forest Commissioners.

CHAPTER XI.

The history of the Abbey of Flaxley, or St. Mary de Dene--Its foundation
by Roger Earl of Hereford in 1140--Confirmed and enriched by Henry II.
and III., and Richard II.--Suppressed in 1541--Existing remains--St.
Anthony's Well--The Abbey, &c., granted to Sir W. Kingston--His
descendants--Mrs. C. Riches (Boevey), supposed to be Sir R. de Coverley's
"perverse widow;" her benevolent life, and death in 1726--Nature and
cessation of the