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Purley

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"PURLEY, a parish in the hundred of Theale, county Berks, 4 miles N.W. of Reading, its post town. The village, which is of small extent, is situated on the Thames and near the line of the Great Western railway. It is chiefly agricultural. The greater portion of the land is arable, with some pasture and woodland. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £300, and the glebe comprises 48 acres. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Oxford, value £281. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is situated about a mile distant from the village."

From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland(1868). Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003.

Other descriptions can be found from other periods in various trade directories covering Berkshire from the early 19th century onwards from Berkshire FHS (members only) and from A Vision of Britain Through Time.

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Archives & Libraries

In addition to those listed on the Berkshire home page, see the Research Wiki from Family Search (the Church of Latter-day Saints (Genealogical Society of Utah))

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Description & Travel

You can see pictures of Purley which are provided by:

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Gazetteers

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Historical Geography

  • Purley was in the hundred of Theale
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History

  • Two floods in 18th century Purley from Vol 54, page 3 of the Berkshire Echo).
  • Deeds of Purley manor and the Purley Park estate, 1677-1913 (D/EZ25) are held by the BRO
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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SU660763 (Lat/Lon: 51.481814, -1.050954), Purley which are provided by:

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Poor Houses, Poor Law

Purley was in the Bradfield Union.  For more information, see Poorhouses.

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Societies