Old Hampshire Mapped
Cox's Hampshire
Transcription (26)Stockbridge
Brage
Bladen, Martin
Broderick, Thomas
Stockbridge, a noted Thorough fare in the South western Road. It is a poor ragged Borough, and depends chiefly upon its Inns, which are fine and afford as good Conveniences for Horse and Man, as any in the Road. It had formerly a Market [ ] and was more considerable than it is now, especially if we take it to be the Brige or Brage, which Mr. Camden says, stood hereabouts, because Antoninus places it nine Miles from the old Sorbiodunum, for it lies exactly at that distance.
Here is a Mayor, but the Poverty of the Place is such, that 'tis said they have been forced to make an Hostler their Mayor, when at the same Time the Inn keeper carried the Mace. But however this be, 'tis evident that this Borough has been guilty of taking Bribes in electing of Parliament Men so notoriously, that they had like to have lost their Charter; but that Danger 'tis hoped, hath so affrighted them, that they will avoid such Practices for the future; or if not, such Gentlemen as would be chosen, will not do a Thing so much below them, and so much against Law: The present Members of Parliament are, Martin Bladen and Thomas Broderick Esqs;
Here is a sort of a Fair on [ ]
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