THRAPSTON, or Thrapstone (St. James), a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Navisford, N. division of the county of Northampton, 22 miles (N. E. by E.) from Northampton, and 75 (N. N. W.) from London; containing 1136 inhabitants. It is delightfully situated in a rich and luxuriant valley, on the eastern bank of the river Nen or Nene, over which is a bridge of several arches, constructed partly of wood and partly of stone, in 1795, in lieu of an old stone structure swept away by an inundation in that year. This bridge was enlarged a few years ago. The houses are neat and regularly built, and the inhabitants are supplied with excellent water. The vicinity is adorned with numerous residences of the nobility and gentry; there are 25 villages within five miles of the town, and from an adjacent eminence 32 churches may be seen. The town appears to have been more extensive than it is at present, as several traces of buildings destroyed by fire are visible. The principal articles of manufacture are whips and bobbin-lace; a few persons are employed in patten-making, and on the river are corn-mills and a paper-mill. Some trade is carried on in conveying grain by means of the Nene, which was made navigable in 1737, to Northampton, Peterborough, Lynn, and other places; and in bringing back timber, coal, and other commodities. Here is a station (a very handsome building in the Elizabethan style) of the Northampton and Peterborough railway; it is six miles from the Higham-Ferrers station, and eight from that of Oundle. The market, held on Tuesday, is the largest hog-market in the county, and is also for corn and seed. Fairs are held on the first Tuesday in May, for cattle and sheep, and on August 5th, for hiring servants, and for cattle, shoes, and pedlery: on the first Tuesday after Old Michaelmas-day, is a very large fair for cattle. There is a resident magistrate; and subordinate officers are appointed at the manorial court, at the court of the honour of Gloucester, and that for Navisford hundred, all of which are held here. The powers of the county debt-court of Thrapston, established in 1847, extend over the registration-district of Thrapston, and five adjacent parishes. The parish contains 1098 acres.
The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £14. 5. 5., and has a net income of £348; it is in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor. The glebe comprises 227½ acres, with a handsome house having a fine facade, built in 1837 by the present rector, the Rev. W. S. Bagshaw. The church is a cruciform structure combining the early, decorated, and later English styles, with a western tower and spire: the nave and aisles were recently rebuilt at a cost exceeding £1800. The chancel is of very chaste appearance, and has an elegant window ornamented in its foils with various specimens of stained glass; it contains three stone stalls with rich mouldings and crocketed canopies. The pews are uniform; ample accommodation is afforded to 500 persons, besides which are nearly 200 free sittings. In the churchyard is a very ancient and curious monument of the Vere family, former lords of the manor. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyans, a national school, and Church and Baptist Sunday schools; also a clothing institution, two friendly societies, and a society of Odd Fellows. The poor-law union comprises 26 parishes or places, 20 of which are in the county of Northampton, and 6 in that of Huntingdon; and contains a population of 12,041.