Twyford

TWYFORD, a chapelry, in the parish of Hurst, union of Wokingham, hundreds of Charlton and Sonning, county of Berks, 8 miles (S. W.) from Maidenhead. A battle was fought near this place in 1688, between the partizans of James II. and those of the Prince of Orange, afterwards William III. The village, which is neatly built, and populously inhabited, is situated on the Bath and Bristol road; the river Thames flows at a short distance, and the Great Western railway has a station here. Silk-throwing is extensively carried on. A fair for horses and other cattle is held on the 15th of July, but it is very indifferently attended. The chapel, dedicated to St. Swithin, was erected, and endowed with £30 per annum, by Edward Polehampton, who died in 1721: the living is a donative, in the patronage of three Trustees. Here is a place of worship for Independents. Mr. Polehampton also bequeathed a rent-charge of £10 with a dwelling-house for the master, to teach ten boys; and there is an hospital founded in 1640, by Lady Frances Winchcombe, for eight single women.