Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for HAM

HAM, a hamlet and a chapelry in Kingston-on-Thames parish, Surrey. The hamlet is joined to Hatch, under the name of Ham-with-Hatch; lies on the Thames, near Richmond Park, nearly opposite Twickenham r. station, and 2 miles N of Kingston-on-Thames; and has a post office, of the name of Ham, under Petersham, London S. W., and a fair on 2, 30, and 31 May. Real property, £, 993. Pop. in 185, , 324; in 186, 1, 420. Houses, 249. The property is not much divided. Ham House stands on low ground, close to the river; was built, in 1610, by Sir Thomas Vavasor; has, over the principal entrance, the words '' Vivat Rex;'' was bought, 15 years after its erection, by the first Earl of Dysart; was the retreat of James II., before he escaped to France; continues to be little or none altered from its original condition; contains much antique furniture, a richly carved oak staircase, many interesting portraits and valuable pictures; includes the famous Duchess of Lauderdale's apartments, nearly as when she occupied them; and stands amid grounds with many fine old trees, and with a colossal statue representing the Thames. The National orphan home was established, on Ham Common, in 1849; was rebuilt, on a new site there, in 1862; is a brick structure, with stone dressings and with a portico; and contains accommodation for 200 orphan girls. There are a brewery and market gardens.—The chapelry is less extensive than the hamlet, and was constituted in 1834. Pop. in 186, , 265. Houses, 221. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Winchester. Value, £101. * Patron, the Vicar of Kingston. The church stands on the common; was built in 1832; and consists of nave, aisle, and chancel. The p. curacy of Robinhood Gate is a separate benefice. There is a national school.


(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "a hamlet and a chapelry"   (ADL Feature Type: "populated places")
Administrative units: Surrey AncC
Place: Ham

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