The Parish Church of St James
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St. James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ (Parish Office 020 8941 6003)
 
PAST EVENTS AT St. JAMES'S IN THE 1880s
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Our Name - 1890 June


The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine

"At last there seems to be some probability of the settlement of a question which has been disturbing the minds of many for some time past. A requisition, signed by 37 tradesmen of the village, has been sent to the Vicar.


It is requesting him to summon a meeting of the inhabitants of the parish for the purpose of taking such steps as shalt be considered best to induce the post office authorities to adopt the legal title of “Hampton Hill”. The following are the words of the requisition :—“We, the undersigned tradesmen in “the village of Hampton Hill, beg you to summon a meeting of all “the inhabitants of the district for the purpose of taking such steps “as may be deemed advisable to induce the post office authorities to “adopt the legal title of the parish, viz., “Hampton Hill”. We feel “sure that the present uncertainty as to its name is prejudicial to the “interest of its business men. Whatever may be the arguments urged “in favour of either name, we not only prefer the name of “Hampton Hill”, but we cannot forget that it is its legal name, and has the authority of an Order in Council, and has also been adopted by the railway authority. We are anxious, moreover, that the settlement made now should be final, which, if the name of ‘New Hampton’ be retained by the post office, is not likely to be the case. We understand that even now half the letters are addressed to “Hampton Hill”, and we believe that a very large majority are in favour of “that designation.” A meeting therefore will be held at the school, on Wednesday, June 4th, at 8 p.m., and it is hoped that there may be a large attendance, and that it may result in the settlement of this vexed question. Whether those who nearly thirty years ago adopted the name were wise in so doing is not the question we have to consider. There can be no doubt that it is the legal name, and further, there can be little doubt that “Hampton Hill” is a more attractive name to strangers than “New Hampton”. It was no doubt intended to draw attention to the fact that the village does stand up higher than its neighbours, and to this doubtless it owes its well-deserved reputation as a particularly healthy locality. The prosperity of the place depends in no small degree upon its good reputation being preserved amongst those who are looking out for a fresh abode."

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1890 June

"In accordance with the requisition received by the vicar, a public meeting of the inhabitants of the parish was held in the Boys’ School, on Wednesday, June 4th, the Vicar in the chair. At that meeting, which was well attended, resolutions were passed unanimously in favour of the name of the legal title of “Hampton Hill”. A petition to the Postmaster General to change the name of the Post Office was adopted and signed by those present. This petition has since been taken round the parish, and has been signed by 412 out of 461 resident householders, and is now in the hands of the Postmaster General."

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1890 July

"A paragraph has lately appeared in our weekly paper, headed “Disappearance of New Hampton”. We rejoice to say this has not been due to any calamity, such as not long ago befell the inhabitants of the Island of Ischia, whose village an earthquake suddenly reduced to ruin. The Postmaster General, however, in response to the memorial signed by upwards of 400 householders, has dealt such a blow to the so called “old” name as will, we venture to think, settle the question definitely. The Post Office is in future to bear the name and stamp of “Hampton Hill.” If, indeed some may regret the disappearance of the title, which though not old, yet some 20 or 30 years had rendered familiar, yet we think all will agree to rejoice that the question has been settled, and that we no longer are saddled with the unenviable notoriety of having two names."

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1890 August


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