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Easthampstead

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"EASTHAMPSTEAD, a parish chiefly in the hundred of Ripplesmere, but partly in that of Cookham, county Berks, 5 miles S.E. of Wokingham. It comprises the postal village of Bracknell, where is a station on the London and South-Western railway. Here was anciently a royal hunting seat, frequently visited by Richard II. The surface is undulating, and nearly half the parish is covered with heath, with about 400 acres of wood and plantations. The soil is partly clay and partly a rich loam. There are several chalybeate springs. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Oxford, value £588, in the patronage of Christ Church College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a stone structure of the 12th century, with a square tower. The oak pulpit is beautifully carved, and there are tombs of the Downshire family. The Wesleyans have a chapel, and there are two schools for poor children. Easthampstead Park is the seat of the Marquis of Downshire (who is lord of the manor), and South Hill Park of the Earl of Limerick. Easthampstead is the head of a Poor-law Union, embracing five parishes. Near the village is an ancient earthwork called Caesar's Camp, in which many Roman coins have been found."

"BRACKNAL, (or Bracknell), a hamlet in the parish of Easthampstead, hundred of Ripplesmere, in the county of Berks, 4 miles from Wokingham. It is a station on the Richmond, Staines, and Reading branch of the London and South-Western railway. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Warfield, in the diocese of Oxford, in the gift of the bishop. The church, an elegant stone structure in the pointed style, was erected in 1851. There is much fine scenery and many good residences in the neighbourhood. [Since 1851, a separate parish formed from parts of Warfield and Winkfield.]

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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Church History

Further information about some of the churches can be found below:

  • Church of England:  Easthampstead Church - beautiful watercolour design for stained glass windows from the studio of Burne-Jones,  c. 1876 is held by the BRO (D/P49)
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      Description & Travel

      You can see pictures of Easthampstead which are provided by:

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      Gazetteers

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      Historical Geography

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      History

      • Bracknell is a parish formed from parts of Warfield and Winkfield in 1851
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      Maps

      You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SU863663 (Lat/Lon: 51.38919, -0.761121), Easthampstead which are provided by:

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      Poor Houses, Poor Law

      • Easthampstead was in the Easthampstead Union.  
      • Easthampstead Board of Guardians, 1899-1926 accounts are held by the BRO (G/E).  
      • For more information, see Poorhouses.