Barkway, Herts
Lewis Topographical Dictionary of England 1831
Barkway, a parish (formerly a market town) in the hundred of EDWINSTREE, county of HERTFORD, 13 3/4 miles (N. N. E.) from Hertford, and 35 (N.) from London, on the road to Cambridge, containing, with the hamlet of Nuthampstead, 993 inhabitants. In the reign of Henry III, a grant of a market, now disused, and of a fair, which is still held on July 20th, was obtained for this place. Nearly the whole town was destroyed by fire in the reign of Elizabeth, and again in 1748. It is pleasantly situated on rising ground, and consists principally of one street, which is a great thoroughfare; the houses in general are modern and neatly built and the inhabitants are well supplied with water. Constables and other officers are appointed at the court leet of the lord of the manor. The living is a vicarage, with the rectory of Reed, in the archdeaconry of Middlesex, and diocese of London, rated in the king's books at £14, and in the patronage of the Dowager Lady Selsea. The church, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, is a neat spacious structure with a tower. There is a place of worship for Independents. A charity school for twenty boys has an endowment of £10 per annum, and is further supported by subscription.
