The Genoot Library - Universal British Directory, 1791

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Universal British Directory, 1791

Henley upon Thames, Oxfordshire

HENLEY is supposed to be the most ancient town in the county, its name being derived from the British word Henillery, i.e. Old Place. It was formerly part of the estate of the barons of Hungerford. It is now a corporate town, governed by a high-steward, recorder, mayor, ten aldermen, and sixteen burgesses. It formerly was a borough, and sent two members to parliament. It is exceeding pleasently situated on the west side of the river Thames, over which has lately been erected an handsome stone bridge. On the keystones of the centre arch are two well-executed heads in sculpture (done by the Hon. Mrs. Damer) emblematically representing Thames and Isis. Dr. Plott, in his History of Oxfordshire, says, it is the most ancient town in the county, and notices there having been a glass-house here. It has of late years undergone very considerable improvements; the buildings in general being modernized, and the streets widened, paved, and lighted, so that few traces of its antiquity are now to be seen. Roman coins have been often found in its market-place. The Chiltern hills run in a ridge from hence, and separate this county from Bucks.

A considerable trade is carried on from hence to London by means of the Thames, in malt, grain, flour, and beech-wood; about thirty thousand quarters of the being annually made here. the inhabitants are generally maltsters, mealmen, and bargemen. The bounty of nature itself to this town is seen in the following articles, viz. a sort of marchasite; and a black flint, which, if polished, would serve as a touch-stone (it is used in making glass); and there is a sort of sand here which gives it a consistency and body.

It has a weekly market on Thursday for grain, cattle, poultry, and fish, with all of which it is well supplied. Here are also four annual fairs, viz. March 7, Holy Thursday, the first Thursday after Trinity-Sunday, and the first Thursday after the 21st of September. It is thought that on many market-days in the year, there are sold three hundred cart-loads of malt and other corn.

The church is an ancient and spacious edifice, but has nothing in it particularly worth attention except a monument to the memory of dame Elizabeth Periam. It has a handsome lofty tower, built by Cardinal Woolsey, and a good peal of eight bells.

Here are three free-schools: a royal grammar-school, founded and endowed by king James the First, for educating twenty-five boys in the classics only. A blue-coat school, founded and endowed by dame Elizabeth Periam, for educating and clothing twenty poor boys, annually apprenticing the four senior boys, and allowing a fee of five pounds to each. And a green-coat school, founded and endowed by John Stevens, Esq. for educating and clothing four boys and four girls, with an annual donation of thirty shillings to each.

Here are also alms-houses for twenty-poor persons, founded by Dr. Longland, sometime bishop of Lincoln, and others. There are likewise various other benefactions to a considerable amount for the relief of the poor.

A bank is established here under the firm of Hayward, Fishers, and Brackspear, whose bills are payable at Messrs. Staples, Day, Cox, and Co. bankers, in London.

The post-office opens at eight o'clock in the morning, and shuts at eight in the evening.

This town, being a great thoroughfare to Oxford and the western parts of the kingdom, has several good inns, the principal of which are, the Red Lion and the Bell.

A stage coach goes from the White Hart inn, every morning as six o'clock (Sundays excepted), to the Angel inn, behind St. Clement's Church, Strand, and returns again in the evening, stopping at the old and new White Horse Cellars, Piccadilly, alternately, going in and coming out. — The following stage-coaches pass through to and from London every day, viz. Holyhead and Shrewsbury, Worcester, Birmingham and Liverpool, Cheltenham and Gloucester, Stroud and Tedbury, Wantage and Wallingford, Abingdon, Cirencester, and several from Oxford.

Also two stage-waggons every week; one by William Cook, the other by John Walkling; both set out on Monday mornings, and return Wednesday evenings; the former to the White Horse, and the latter to the Saracen's Head, Friday-street, Cheapside. The following pass through the town to and from London every week, viz. Abingdon, Wantage, Rodborough, Monmouth, Cirencester, Gloucester and Burford, Fairford, Wotton-under-Edge, Witney and Oxford, and Hereford. — The principal inhabitants are as follows:

GENTRY.

Bradshaw Grace
Braund Alice
Brooks James, Esq. (F.)
Boteler John Palmer, Esq. (F.)
Coxhead Mrs.
Coombe —, Esq.
Ellison Frances
Gray Samuel, Gent.
Giles Mr. Gent. (F.)
Hollier John, Gent. (F.)
Hayward Richard, Esq. (F.)
Hall Mrs.
Hind Mrs.
Heyling —, Gent.
Hickman Mrs.
Jeffs Mrs.
Lee Charles, Gent. (F.)
Lovegrove Mrs.
Morson Richard, Gent.
Maccallister Mrs.
Newell Mrs.
Ormsby Mrs.
Ovey Richard, Esq. (F.)
Payne Miss
Prince Ann
Pearce Francis, Esq. (F.)
Pitt James, Esq. (F.)
Parker Mrs.
Robins Thomas, Gent.
Rolls —, Gent.
Smith Mrs.
Staverton Mrs.
Snow Mrs.
Simms E. Gent.
Tyrrel John, Gent. (F.)
Toovey William, Gent. (F.)
Turner —, Gent.
Wyett Mrs. Ann
Williams John, Gent. (F.)
Webb Miss

CLERGY.

Armstrong Rev. Mr. Boarding-school
   for young Gentlemen
Jeston Rev. Humphrey, Curate, and
   Master of the Royal
   Grammar-school
Scholfield Rev. Nathaniel,
   Dissenting-minister
Townshend Rev. Edward, (F.) Rector,
   non resident

PHYSIC.

Bealey Samuel, (F.) Surgeon, &c.
Bowling Thomas, Druggist, &c.
Coulson Luke, (F.) Surgeon, &c.
Pope Richard, (F.) Surgeon, &c.
Rickford Richard, (F.) Druggist, &c.

LAW.

Allnutt Henry, Attorney
Cooper Thomas, (F.) Attorney
Harrison —, Attorney

TRADERS, &c.

Allaway Misses, Plumers & Glaziers
Appleton Robert, (F.) Brewer
Andrews John, Carpenter
Andrews Joseph, Victualler
Andrews William, Taylor
Avery John, Hair-dresser
Avery Joseph, Innkeeper, (Swan)
Avery George, (F.) Hoop-shaver
Armstrong Joseph, (F.) Draper
Allen John, (F.) Grocer and
   Tallow-chandler
Ayris Mrs. Victualler, (Sun)
Applegarth William, (F.) Carpenter
   and Joiner
Allnutt Samuel, (F.) Brandy-merchant
Bates Miss, Mantua-maker
Birkhead Philipson, Cabinet-maker
   and Upholsterer
Benwell John, (F.) Mealman
Bacon John, (F.) Maltster
Bacon Stephen, (F.) Maltster
Bradshaw William, (F.) Builder
Bradford Edward, Taylor
Byles Mrs. Linen-draper
Bartlett Robert, (F.) Baker
Bartlett Robert, Wheelwright
Bartlett Thomas, (F.) Currier
Bartlett Thomas, (F.) Cordwainer
Brackspear Robert, (F.) Brewer
Bond Henry, Butcher
Bitley Joseph, Victualler,
   (Oxford Arms)
Bolton Samuel, (F.) Coach-master
Bland Thomas, (F.) Butcher
Baker Richard, Higler
Burrett Tho. Innkeeper, (White Hart)
Brooks William, (F.) Baker
Bennett Mary, Butcher
Bannister George, Jobber
Brookman Miss, Milliner
Binglee John, Victualler,
   (White Horse)
Chessall William, (F.) Cordwainer,
   Bell-street
Clements Samuel, Victualler, (Swan)
Cloas James, Grocer
Cook John, (F.) Halter
Cook William, Carrier
Cooper William, Cabinet-maker
Cooper John, Stamp-distributor
Cox Joseph, Grocer
Cox William, Victualler,
   (Broad Gates)
Cox John, Cooper
Colbourne William, Plumber,
   Glazier, and Painter
Chapman Wm. Bookseller &
   Stationer
Coles John, Maltster
Coles Joseph, (F.) Mealman
Chipp Henry, Farmer
Champion Basden, Grocer
Darby Richard, (F.) Ironfounder
   and Wire-worker
Darby Miss, Boarding-school
   for young Ladies
Dean John, Coal-merchant
Dee Mrs. Grocer
Dowling Richard, (F.) Victualler
Eaglesfield Robert, (F.) Yeoman
Eagleton William, Chandler
Fisher Ann, Confectioner
Fowler Mary, Plumber and Glazier
Farmer Richard, Butcher

Fletcher William, Linen-draper
Flight John, Fisherman
Freeman Joseph, Maltster
Finch Wm. Victualler, (Hand-in-Hand)
Farrow Francis, Victualler, (Six Bells)
Golding John, Draper
Goff William, Taylor
Giles Richard, Basket-maker
Gregg Thomas, Pawnbroker
Griffiths John, Victualler, (Three Tuns)
Geering Tho. Victualler, (Packhorse)
Harris Thomas, (F.) Coal-merchant
Harris Ralph, Maltster
Harris John, School-master
Huffey Henry, (F.) Staymaker
Hewett William, Grocer
Hewett Henry, Farmer
Hewett William, Taylor
Hyde George, (F.) Timber-dealer
Hill John, (F.) Post-master
Harding Charles, Butcher
Harper Miss, Milliner
Hickman William, Grocer and
   Tallow-chandler
Hayes John, Cooper
Halley John, Victualler, (Old Angel)
Heath Mrs. Pastry-cook
Hobbs Francis, Taylor
Hobbs William, Taylor
Hedges Edward, Linen-draper
House William, Coach-maker
Hippesley —, Maltster
Ivermee James, Victualler
   (Red Cross)
Ilton William, Corn-chandler
Johnson Thomas, Carpenter
Johnson —, Surveyor of Windows
Jones William, Wheelwright
Jones William, Cabinet-maker
Jackson Jos. Watch-maker
James William, (F.) Grocer and
   Tallow-chandler
Knight John, Staymaker
Knight James, Plumber and Glazier
Keene Hugh, (F.) Baker and
   Victualler
Leaver James, Draper
Loveday Robert, Timber-dealer
   and Grocer
Ladd Edward, (F.) Maltster
Lawrence James, (F.) Cordwainer
May Joseph, Linen-draper
May Edward, sen. Watch-maker
May Edward, jun. Patten-maker
   and Maltster
May Thomas, (F.) School-master
Mason John, Sadler
Moorhouse B. (F.) Brandy-merchant
Mellett William, (F.) Farmer
Mellett John, Smith and Farrier
Mellett Mrs. Smith
March Barrett, (F.) Innholder
Munt Miss, Milliner
Maxey Thomas, (F.) Ironmonger
   and Joiner
Maynard Thomas, Butcher
Merrett John, (F.) Cordwainer
Mountford John, Grocer
Messenger Cadman, (F.) Carpenter
Milner Thomas, Supervisor
Munday William, Cordwainer
Munday James, Cordwainer
Matthews Jos. (F.) Flax-dresser
   and Sack-weaver
Mills William, Grinder
Marshall Joseph, School-master
Marklew John, Innkeeper
Minn —, Glassman
Nix William, Breeches-maker &
   Glover
Neville John, Baker
Norton Geo. Printer, Bookseller, &c.
Orme James, (F.) Sail-cloth-weaver
Owthwaite —, Upholsterer,
   Cabinet-maker, and Auctioneer
Pickman Peter, (F.) Maltster
Pickman Mary, Pipe-maker
Price William, Cordwainer
Peskud John, Brazier and
   Copper-smith
Pauling Mary, Innkeeper, (Bear)
Pratt Mrs. Ironmonger
Painton William, (F.) Grocer
Pearman Robert, Victualler
Preece Samuel, Farrier
Parsons James, Grocer
Riggs John, (F.) Maltster
Riggs William, Grocer
Rowden Mrs. Boarding-school
   for young Ladies
Randall Thomas, Whitesmith
Richards George, Grocer
Shaw John, Brewer
Shaw Thomas, Grocer
Slemaker William, Stone-mason
Smith Thomas, (F.) Fisherman
Smith Thomas, Baker
Shennan W. Carpenter and
   Wharfinger
Sawyer Miss, Boarding-school
   for young Ladies
Spindler Joseph, Grocer
Stevens John, Harness-maker
Stevens Jos. Corn-chandler
Seymour Robert, Peruke-maker
Swallow James, Gardener and Baker
Slater Matthew, (F.) Glover
Strange John, Bricklayer and
   Victualler
Stokes Charles, (F.) Gardener
Stone John, (F.) Watch-maker
Scott John, Cordwainer
Silver Elizabeth, Stone-mason
Sharpe John, Bricklayer
Soundy William, Ironmonger,
   Wharfinger, and Barge-master
Soundy John, Maltster and Farmer
Toomer Edward, Baker
Tripp Thomas, Innkeeper, (Bell)
Tutty —, Baker
Taylor James, Innkeeper, (Bull)
Timms Edward, Maltster
Warren Samuel, Hair-dresser
Wigginton Richard, Barge-master,
   Timber-dealer, and Coal-merchant
Ward Edward, Victualler, (Ship)
Whicheloe Miss, Glasswoman
White John, Carpenter
Webb Grace, Victualler, (Cross)
Walking John, Carrier
Williams Robert, Nursery &
   Seedsman
Williams Wm. Victualler, (Blue Bell)
Wilkins H. B. Tanner
Wilmott William, Grocer
West Benjamin, Maltster

Henley is twenty-three miles from Oxford, eleven from Wallingford, eleven from Benson, ten from Watlington, eight from Reading, seven from Marlow, nine from Maidenhead, and thirty-five west from London.

The following are the villages in the neighbourhood, with their several distances from the town, viz. Ascendon distant one mile. Aston, two, Bix, three, Fawley, three; near which is Fawley Court, the seat of Strickland Freeman, Esq. — Grays, two miles; near which is Grays Court, the seat of Lady Stapleton. — Hambledon, four miles. — Harpsden, one mile; where is Harpsden Court, the seat of Thomas Hall, Esq. — Peppard, four miles. — Remenham, one mile. — Shiplake, four miles; near which is Shiplake Hill, the seat of Mrs. Fanshawe; and Shiplake Place, the seat of Elisha Briscoe, Esq. and not far distant is the small but pleasent seat of Knowel Jennings, Esq. — And, Wargrave, distant three miles.

The other seats in the neighbourhood are, Badgemore, the seat of Joseph Grote, Esq. one mile west. — Blount's Court, the seat of Edward Schaw, Esq. three miles distant. — Boulney Court, the seat of Lady Taylor, two miles south. — Culham Court, the seat of Evan Law, Esq. three miles east. — Crowsley Park, the seat of J. Atkyns, Esq. three miles south-west. — Henley Park, the seat of Mrs. Freeman, one mile north. — Park Place, the seat of the Right Honourable General Conway, one mile east. — Rose Hill, the seat of the Hon. Frederick West, three miles east. — Stonor, the seat of Thomas Stonor, Esq. four miles north-west. — Turvill Court, the seat of John Osborn, Esq. six miles north. — And, Turvill Place, the seat of B. Shelly, Esq. six miles north.