Written by Peter Allen. © Thatcham Historical Society
Post Office Directory, Thatcham, 1847
Thatcham with Greenham and Midgham. Thatcham includes the chaplainries of Greenham and Midgham and is one of the largest parishes in the county, and on the high road between London and Bath, in the Hundred of Reading and the Union of Newbury, from which last place it is 3 miles east and 14 miles west of Reading.
The church is a very ancient edifice in the perpendicular style with a mixture of the Saxon and Norman, in the dioceses of Oxford, archdeaconry of Berks, the gift of William Hanbury Esq. of Moreton House, Rugely, Staffordshire, and the incumbency of the Revd John Hanbury MA vicar, value £735. Here are the places of worship for the Independent, Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists. Thatcham is intersected by the River Kennet, and the Kennet and Avon Canal; it is favoured with several excellent Endowed Charities, almshouses, etc., among which is Lady Winchcombe's Blue Coat School for 40 boys, sometimes called Queen Elizabeth's School; the boys are taught Reading, Writing, etc. clothed, and the parent receives assistance towards their apprenticeship to some trade.
In 1845 a National School was built on a spot called Clappers Green, the ground being given by William Mount Esq. of Wasing who is Lord of the Manor. Another large school adjoining the Independent Chapel has just been finished at the expense of that body.
Thatcham formerly had a market but has long since disappeared. Fairs for cattle, etc., are held on the second Tuesday after Easter week and the first Tuesday after the 29th September.
Acreage - 12,960
Population - 2676
Greenham, a chapelry adjoining the town of Newbury, in the Parish of Thatcham, one and a half miles southeast of Newbury and south of the River Kennet, is in the Hundred of Faircross and the Union of Newbury.
The church is very small, seated on an eminence, and is remarkable only for its antique appearance. It is in the patronage of William Hanbury Esq. of Moreton House, Rugely, Staffordshire, and the incumbency of the Revd John Hanbury MA vicar of Thatcham. Here are chapels for the Baptists and Primitive Methodists.
The village is large and there is a considerable trade carried on in connection with Newbury, of which place from its proximity it appears a part. Boat building, tanning, felt mongering and the flour business are extensive. A charity school has very recently been built on the Common.
Population - 1,217
Midgham, a chapelry in the Parish of Thatcham, one and a half mile from Woolhampton and 7 miles east of Newbury and 11 miles west of Reading, is on the northern bank of the River Kennet. The church is a small ancient fabric in the patronage of William Hanbury Esq. of Moreton House, Rugely, Staffordshire, and the incumbency of the Revd John Hanbury MA vicar of Thatcham.
Thomas Thorp Fowke Esq., one of the County Magistrates has a handsome residence here and is Lord of the Manor. Midgham is in the hundred of Faircross and the Union of Newbury.
Population - 3,115
Post Office
Mrs. Elizabeth Justice,Postmistress; letters arrive from Newbury 1/2 past 8 am, dispatched 1/2 past 4pm.
Insurance Agents
Norwich Fire and Life, John Barfield, Farmers' General Fire & Life, William Henry Cave, Colthrop; Farmers' General Hail and Storm, W.H.Cave.
Releving officer for the Third District of the Union and Registrar of Births and Deaths
Robert Bradbury
Special Constable for the County and Bailiff for the Hundred of Faircross, Kintbury Eagle and Lambourne
Joseph Golding.
Carrier
Farrow, Harris and Wells to and from Newbury
Carrier to Newbury
Andrews to the "Black Bear".
Water Conveyancer
Quarrington's Barges to Reading and London.
Coaches to and from Newbury, Reading and Marlborough pass through daily, calling at the "White Hart Commercial Inn".
