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Thrapston in Northampton County England History and GeographyTHRAPSTON, or THRAPSTONE, a market town and parish in the hundred of NAVISFORD, county of NORTHAMPTON, 21 miles (N.E. by E.) from Northampton, and 74 (N.N.W.) from London, containing 854 inhabitants. This small town is delightfully situated in a rich and luxuriant valley, on the eastern bank of the river Nen, over which is a handsome wooden bridge of several arches, built in 1795, in lieu of an old stone bridge, which was swept away by the inundation of that year: the houses are neat and regularly built, and the inhabitants are well supplied with excellent water: the vicinity is adorned with numerous residences of the nobility and gentry. The town appears to have been more extensive than it is at present, as several traces of buildings destroyed by fire are visible. The principal articles of manufacture are whips and bobbin-lace: on the river are corn-mills and a paper-mill; and in the vicinity are some stone and other quarries, which yield a beautiful white sand, much used for domestic purposes. Some trade is carried on in conveying grain, by means of the Nen, which was made navigable in 1737, to Northampton, Peterborough, Lynn, and other places; and bringing back timber, coal, and other commodities. The market is on Tuesday, for corn and seed, and is the largest hog market in the county. Fairs are held on the first Tuesday in May, for cattle and sheep; August 5th, for the hiring of servants, and for shoes and pedlary; and the first Tuesday after Michaelmas, a very large fair for cattle. There is a resident magistrate in the town, and subordinate officers are appointed at the manorial court, the court of the honour of Gloucester, and that for Navisford hundred, all which are held here. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Northampton, and diocese of Peterborough, rated in the king's books at £14. 5. 5., and in the patronage of the Crown. The church, dedicated to St. James, is a cruciform structure, with a western tower and spire, combining the early, decorated, and later styles of English architecture; it was extensively repaired in 1810: in the chancel are three stone stalls, with rich mouldings and crocketed canopies, and in the churchyard is an ancient and very curious monument. There is a place of worship for Baptists. In 1794, Mrs. Mary Ekins bequeathed £200 for the education of ten poor boys: the interest is paid to a master, under the direction of the trustees of the Baptist chapel. An 'Institution for bettering the condition, and increasing the comfort, of the poor,' established in 1826, is supported by voluntary contributions, and a weekly subscription of one penny, by the different members of the poorer families, forming a fund which is expended in bedding, clothing, &c., annually distributed on St. Thomas' day: it has been productive of much benefit, and similar institutions have been formed in the surrounding parishes. There are twenty-four villages within five miles of this town, and, from an adjacent eminence, thirty-two churches may be seen. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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