Newton Bromshold or Bromswold, is bounded on the east and north by Bedfordshire, on the west by Rushden and on the south by Higham Park. It contains 800 acres of the rateable value of £913 and the gross estimated rental is £1,075. The population in 1801 was 101, in 1831, 122; in 1841, 161; in 1851, 178; in 1861, 163 and in 1871, 157 souls. The soil is strong cold clay and F W Sartoris Esq., H C Wise Esq. M.P., and the Warden and Fellows of All Souls’ College, Oxford, are the principal landowners.
Manor The Bishop of Constance held 2½ hides of land here at the general survey. In the reign of Henry II they were in the possession of the family of Bidun; and in the reign of Henry III, the family of Newton held ½ a knight’s fee here. In the twelfth of Henry VII (1496), John Druell or Drewell died seized of this manor and it descended to his posterity. It is now in the possession of the Crown as a parcel of the duchy of Lancaster.
The Village which is very small, is on the edge of the county, 3½ miles S.E. from Higham Ferrers.
The Church dedicated to St Peter, is a small edifice in the Decorated style, consisting of a nave, north aisle, south porch and chancel, and a tower containing three bells and a spire. In the south wall of the chancel are five sedilia and one piscina, and in the north wall, under a pointed arch, is what is supposed to be an Easter sepulchre, or probably a founder’s tomb; on the floor of the chancel are two brasses having effigies of priests in their vestments. The living is a rectory in the deanery of Higham Ferrers, rated in the king’s books at £8. 3s. 4d., and now worth £225 per annum. All Souls’ College, Oxford, possesses the patronage and the Rev. Wm. Taylor, M.A., is the present rector. The tithes were commuted for land in 1800.
The National School (of brick), was built by subscription in 1867, at a a cost of about £100.
Post-Office Wall Box. Letters arrive from Higham Ferrers at about 9 a.m. and the box is cleared at 4 p.m.