Kingsclere in 1838
Kingsclere is in Kingsclere hundred, 55 miles from London through Basingstoke. The parish is large, containing 17,240 acres, and had in 1831 a population of 3,151, three-fourths agricultural : the parish extends into the hundred of Evingar. Kingsclere is a small town of mean appearance. There is some trade in malt carried on : the market is on Tuesday, and there are two fairs in the year. The living is a vicarage, with the chapelries of Ecchinwell and Sidmonton annexed, in the diocese and archdeaconry of Winchester ; of the yearly value of £400. There were in the parish in 1833 seven day-schools with 124 children, one of which (with 27 boys) is endowed ; and one day and Sunday-school with 50 children daily and 60 on Sundays. At Kingsclere was anciently a residence of the West Saxon kings, and there was a royal residence in the neighbourhood as late as the time of King John.
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