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The Reading Mercury was first published in 1723, and it is a rich source of information on
18th and 19th century Hungerford. This section of the museum brings together a number of extracts from the paper, including advertisements and short articles, many of which were transcribed by Eric and
Eileen Bunt. They are in chronological order:
2 Jul 1798 - List of Voluntary Subscriptions "for the Defence of the
Country" (See also Berkshire Yeomanry)
6 Aug 1798 - Hungerford Volunteer Association. John Pearce to be Captain-Commandant. Francis Lovelock, gent, to be Lieutenant, James Hall, gent, to be Cornet. (See also Berkshire Yeomanry)
6 Aug 1798 - Advertisement for the sale of contents of a shop of a local surgeon:
"To the Faculty: To be sold, at Hungerford, Berks, at a fair valuation, the contents of a shop of a medical gentleman, lately deceased (probably Edward Duke, Surgeon, buried 31 Jul 1797) it consists of a number of useful articles well worthy of attention of one of the Profession, some Drugs, and a good Still, with warm &c. Letters, post-paid, addressed to O.L. to be left at the Post office, Hungerford, will be duly answered. ..... part of the House to be lett, ready-furnished".
17 Sep 1798 - Phoenix Fire Office. Agent for Hungerford: Mr John Banister. (See also Fire-marks)
17 Sep 1798 - Royal Exchange Assurance Office: Agent for Hungerford: James Hall. (See also Fire-marks)
8 Oct 1798 - Berkshire Game Duty: Hungerford: Thomas Banbury, James Hall, Francis Kilvert, John Lidderdale, Esq, Thomas Pike, George Story, Jun, Esq.
13 Jan 1800 - Mrs Wheeler's School: "Hungerford. Mrs Wheeler returns her grateful acknowledgements to he friends and the public. Her school opens on Monday January the
20th 1800." (See also Schools)
13 Jan 1800 - Sale of the Hungerford to Leckford Turnpike licence: "To be Sold for £400: The principal Sum of £480 secured by mortgage of the Tolls, arising from the
Turnpike Road leading from Hungerford in the county of Berks to Leckford, otherwise Soudley Water, in the county of Wilts; Also the sum of £109 7s due on the 21st December 1799, for interest of the said
sum of £480.
The Tolls (exclusive of the expences of collecting) amount annually to the sum of £80, and the whole principal debt on the road amounts only to £986.
The Vendor for the last four
years has received £36 9s per annum; and there is every reason to believe that a purchaser would for the above sum of £400 receive for the Nine succeeding years the annual sum of £36 9s at which time the
arrear of interest would be liquidated, and the purchaser will receive 5 per cent for the said principle sum of £486 till the same is paid off.
For the particulars apply to Messrs Hall and Ryley,
Attornies, Hungerford.
(See also Turnpike Trusts)
20 Jan 1800 - "The Grammar-School
at Hungerford, berks, will be opened again on Monday the 20th instant, where young gentlemen will be boarded and properly instructed in penmanship, the classicks, mathematics &c on moderate terms by W Francis and Assistants." (See also Schools)
27 Jan 1800 - Sale of Freehold Estate at Hungerford:
"Freehold Estate at Hungerford, Berks.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
B
Joseph Faulknor,
At the Black Bear Inn, on Wednesday next the 29th instant, on One Lot,
A FREEHOLD DWELLING-HOUSE, with a
TENEMENT and GARDEN adjoining, situate near
the Wharf, in
Hungerford aforesaid, with an extensive
Right of Common for two horses or four cows upon the Down and other commonable places there;
now in the tenure or occupation of
Mr William Dubler
(?Dubber), and Philip Alexander.
The tenants will shew the premises,
and further particulars
may be had by applying to
Mr Joseph Faulknor, the Auctioneer."
27 Jan 1800 -
Sale of Stock, Furniture and Effects at Hungerford:
TO be SOLD by AUCTION,
By JOSEPH FAULKNOR,
On the Premises of Friday,
the 31st January, 1800,
The FARMING STOCK, HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
and other Effects, belonging to
Mr. RICHARD HOLLOWAY,
At EDDINGTON, near HUNGERFORD, BERKS.
Consisting of two Draught Horses,
12 pair Cart Harness,
12 Plough Ditto, 5 Bell Halters, 3 Ploughs,
6 Harrows, one six inch wheel Waggon, two narrow
wheel Ditto, one six inch wheel Dung Cart, one narrow
wheel Ditto, Timber
Carriage, 8-hole Hog Trunk,
two Ladders, Winnowing-Fan, two Corn Screens,
Barley Choppers, Chaff Box, Corn Binns, Willow
Baskets, Sieves, Riddels, Prongs, Shovels,
lot of Old Iron &c
&c.
The Household Furniture consists of bedheads, beds,
blankets, quilts, tables, chairs, brewing kettle, large
mash tub, coolers, iron bound casks, 3 churns, &c.
Sale to begin at 11
o'clock.
3 Feb 1800 - Midwifery:
"Mrs Linnell begs to acquaint the Ladies of Hungerford and its vicinity that she purposes residing in that town in order to follow the above business, and respectfully solicits their patronage and support, presuming the testimonies she can produce of her skill and attention to her profession, will give them entire satisfaction. Mrs Linnell may be heard of at Mr Coxhead's, Cabinet Maker, Hungerford, Berks." (See also Medicine in Hungerford)
17 Feb 1800 - J Coxhead, Cabinet-maker:
"Hungerford Berks, near the Market-Place. J Coxhead, Upholsterer, Cabinet maker and Appraiser return his most grateful thanks to the gentry and others, who now employ him in the above-mentioned branches, for the many favors already conferred on him, and begs leave to assure them and his friends in general, that neither prime articles, assiduity or diligence shall on his part be wanting to merit their future favors. NB Experienced workmen sent to any part of the country."
24 Feb 1800 - Hungerford Assembly: The next Hungerford Assembly will be at the Town Hall, Hungerford on Tuesday the 25th instant.
3 Mar 1800 - Notice of sale of goods: "Whereas John Phelps, late of Hungerford, yeoman, did some time ago leave in the possession of me, John Brown, of the same place,
gardener (with whom he lodged) divers articles of goods and wearing apparel. Notice is therefore hereby given that unless the said John Phelps shall take away the same on or before Tuesday the first day
of April next, they will be sold to defray the expenses of his lodging. Hungerford, February 28, 1800. John Brown."
3 Mar 1800 - Sale of Timber at Hungerford:
TIMBER
TO be SOLD by AUCTION,
By Mr. STROUD,
At the Bear Inn,
Hungerford, on Monday the 17th
of March, 1800, at two o'clock in the afternoon,
The following Lots of fine OAK, ELM, and ASH
TIMBER, and ASH POLLARDS, with the Lops,
Tops, and Bark thereof,
standing in and near Littlectote
and Chilton, Wilts; about 11 miles from Newbury,
eight from Marlborough, three from the Kennet and
Avon Canal, now navigable from Great Bedwin, and
completing the navigation to London.
(For further details, see scan above)
14 Apr 1800 - Hungerford Cavalry:
"The next meeting of this Corps will be on Hungerford Down on Monday the 21st of this instant, April, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when a full attendance is desired." (See also Berkshire Yeomanry)
14 Apr 1800 - Mr Viner's Furniture Sale:
"Hungerford Berks, To be sold by Auction by Joseph Faulknor, 14 April 1800, on the premises on Monday the 21st of April. The household furniture and other ..?.. belonging to Mr A Viner, leaving his residence at Hungerford.
Consisting of mahogany four-poster bedsteads with chintz, cotton, check and other furnitures, goose feather beds, counterpanes, quilts and blankets, a solid mahogany wardrobe,
mahogany chest of drawers, dressing tables, pier and dressing glasses, a neat mahogany desk and bookcase, with glass doors, mahogany ..?.. with ditto, mahogany cellarets, china glass and stone ware, six
mahogany chairs and two arm ditto, mahogany dining. pillar and claw tables, two ..?.. carpets, wind-up kitchen stove, good kitchen requisites, brewing copper, iron bound casks &c, a contracting beam
and scales, a strong cart with ..?.., a fine nag horse by ..?.. .
May be viewed the morning of sale which will commence at ten o'clock.
Catalogues may be had at the Printing Office, Marlborough,
Bell, Ramsbury, Red Lion, Lambourn, Mrs Faulknor's, Newbury, and of the Auctioneer, Hungerford.
5 May 1800 - The Viner's business: Hungerford, Berks, April 17, 1800. John and Alexander Viner return grateful thanks to their numerous friends who have favoured them
with orders in the China, Glass and Earthenware trade, and respectfully inform them, and the public in general, that having dissolved partnership by mutual consent, the same line of business is now
carried on separately, by John Viner, at Hungerford, and Alexander Viner, at Oxford. Future orders transmitted to either of them will be kindly received and duly executed."
2 Jun 1800 - Three lost Geldings:
"Hungerford, berks, May 29, 1800. Stolen or strayed, from Hungerford Down, on Saturday night the 24th instant, three geldings, of the Nag kind, and following particular description:
A BLACK GELDING, four years old, about 15 hands high, a star in the forehead, two white heels behind, a little white on both fore-feet, a white mark on the off side below the saddle place, has been nicked, and is rather of large bone.
A BAY GELDING, about 14 hands and a half high, has a scratch on one knee, swelled on the back, and a cut tail.
A BLACK AGED GELDING, about 14 hands high, saddle marked, the off heel white, and a cut tail.
Whoever will give information of the above Horses, to John Banister, of Hungerford, so that they may be recovered, shall, if strayed, receive a reward of Half a Guinea for each horse, with reasonable expenses; and if stolen, Five Guineas, on conviction of the offender or offenders."
16 Jun 1800 - Footpads near Rudge:
"Whereas on Saturday 31st of May, 1800, as Mr Henry Pike, of Rudge, in the parish of Froxfield, was returning from Marlborough Market, he was stopped by two Footpads, near his own house, who presenting a pistol to his breast, robbed him of a Ten Pound Bank Note, some Cash in Gold and Silver, and his watch: Whoever will give intelligence of them, so that they may be apprehended, and brought to justice, shall, on their conviction, receive One Guinea reward, above the expence allowed by Act of Parliament.
One of them was a tall man, wore a blue coat, and a long shaggy blue apron, between 40 and 50 years of age; the other is about 5 feet 8 inches high, rather stout, ..?.. and had remarkable stout calves to his legs; had on a lightish coloured coat, and a canvas apron wrapped around him.
They were seen at Inkpen Revel on Tuesday the third instant."
4 Aug 1800 - Teacher seeking work: "Situation wanted, by a person who is steady and professes to teach the English language grammatically, Geography, and all the
fashionable works, wishes to engage herself as governess in a genteel family, teacher in a school, or companion to a lady. A respectable situation with liberal treatment is the chief object, emolument
being a secondary consideration. Letters addressed, post paid, to A B X to be left at the Post-Office, Hungerford, Berks, will receive immediate attention." (See also Schools)
1 Sep 1800 - Hungerford Race Ball:
"Monday the 8th of September next being the day of Hungerford Races, there will be a ball at the Town-hall, in the evening. Tickets for which may be had by applying to the bar of the Three Swans Inn, Hungerford, aforesaid."
1 Sep 1800 - Hungerford Assembly:
"The last Hungerford Assembly. being so very numerous, it is found necessary to limit the tickets to 60. No person but with a ticket can be admitted."
15 Sep 1800 - Mr John Banister, Agent for Phoenix Fire Office, Hungerford.
22 Sep 1800 - Robert Smith, Agent for British Fire Office, Hungerford.
13 Oct 1800 - Berkshire Game Duty, 1800:
"Persons despatched to kill game who have taken out certificates: Game-keeper: Joseph Birchley. By whom appointed: Thomas Pike. Manor or lands: Hungerford & Sandon Fee."
10 Nov 1800 - River Kennet Navigation tolls: (See scan above).
10 Nov 1800 - Kennet & Avon Canal open to Great Bedwyn:
"The Navigation of the KENNET AND AVON CANAL, capable of admitting Barges, 68 feet long and 13 wide, and of the burthen of 60 tons, being now completed from Newbury to Great Bedwin, near Marlborough, convenient Wharfs and Warehouses, Cranes, and every other accommodation for trade, have been erected adjoining the Turnpike Road from London to Bristol at Hungerford and Froxfield. The two Navigations, together in length 35 miles, and never subject to a deficiency of water, form the most direct line of inland communication between London and Bristol, the West of England, South Wales and Ireland."
17 Nov 1800 - Sale of Stephen Barrett's Shop:
"Freehold at Hungerford. To be sold by auction, by Joseph Faulknor, at the Three Swans Inn, in Hungerford, in the county of berks, between the hours of twelve and four o'clock, on Wednesday the 3rd day of December next, A Capital FREEHOLD MESSUAGE, situate in the High Street, Hungerford aforesaid, with a three stall Stable, Candle-house, Soap-house, Warehouses, large extensive Garden, ad Out-buildings, capable of great improvement, and fir for and equal to a very extensive trade, lately occupied by
STEPHEN BARRETT, Grocer and Chandler.
The premises are situate in the centre of the town of Hungerford aforesaid, thro' which passes the Kennet and Avon Canal, now navigable from London, and may be well worth the attention of a maltster.
The premises may be viewed, and other particulars had, by applying to Messrs. Hall and Ryley, or the Auctioneer, at Hungerford aforesaid."
29 Dec 1800 - Sale of Linen: "To Shopkeepers and Others. Hungerford, Berks. To be sold by Auction, by Joseph Faulknor, on Monday the 29th instant, and following day,
the stock in trade of a linen draper, hosier, hatter, and haberdasher, declining bushels, which for convenience of sale, is removed to a large commodious room, at the Three Swans Inn:
Consisting of
yard wide and 7.8 Irishes, York and housewife linen, table cloths, waistcoat pieces, counterpanes, silk and pocket handkerchiefs, ..?.., cotton and worsted hose; a large assortment of threads, tapes,
laces, pins, &c &c.
NB The above are well worth the attention of the public, and will for the accommodation of private families be put up in small lots." ... etc.
12 Jan 1824 - Hungerford Branch Bible Society:
The Second Anniversary of this Society will be held in the Town Hall, at Hungerford, on Tuesday the thirteenth of January, 1824; and the First Anniversary of the Hungerford Ladies Bible Association in the evening of that day at the same place.
A Deputation from the Parent Society will attend both of the Meetings - The Chair will be taken in the morning at 12 o'clock, and in the evening at six punctually.
An Ordinary will be provided at the Three swans Inn at 3 o'clock. Dec 29, 1823.
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 "1800 Reading Mercury Estate Sale 27 Jan(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Sale 27 Jan(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Sale 3 Mar(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Lost Geldings(w)1")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Footpads(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Kennet Navigation(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Sale of Barrett's Shop(w)")
 "1800 Reading Mercury Sale of Linen(w)")
 "1824 Reading Mercury Earle's Sale(w)")
 "1824 Reading Mercury Honey Furlong(w)")
 "1825 Reading Mercury Theft from John Gibbs(w)")
 "1825 Reading Mercury Sale of Tanyard(w)")
 "1834 Reading Mercury Stock sale at Anvilles(w)")
 "1834 Reading Mercury Sheer Hogs(w)")
 "1834 Reading Mercury Grocer's Shop(w)")
 "1835 Reading Mercury Carpenter's Premises(w)")
 "1840 Reading Mercury Felling Port Down Trees(w)")
 "1840 Reading Mercury Workhouse Drapers' Contract(w)")