Slaters Directory 1850

Chatteris is a parish, in the northern division of Witchford hundred, Isle of Ely - the town which in 1834, obtained the priveledge of holding a market, is 71 miles N. from London (83 by rail), 28 N by W from Cambridge, 12 N by E from St Ives,and the like distance NW from the City of Ely; situated on the line of the Eastern Counties Railway for which the town is a station. Chatteris is a Place of considerable antiquity: in the Doomsday Book it is written CETRIZ and CATERIZ; by some old authors CHATERIZ; and Camden, differing from all the other authorities, writes it as CHEATERIZH.

A convent of Benedictine monks was founded here about the year 980, by Alwena, niece to King Edgar, and wife of Athelstan, Earl of the East Angles; in the reign of Henry 1, the nunnary was annexed to the Church Of Ely, and totally suppressed in 1538.

The manor house, an aincient edifice, stands upon the site of the nunnery.

There have been many antiquities dug up here, in excavations for gravel, not many years since, part of the skeleton of an elephant was found, ten feet below the surface of the ground; and in 1824 an earthen vessel, containing about 1000 copper coins was ploughed up about two miles from the village, they were of Roman Origin, cheifly of the Emperors Constantius and Constantine, and a few with the emblem of Romulus and Remus suckled by a wolf.

Several curious relics of the same nation have been found at different periods hereabout - amongst others, celts, and a double edged sword, the hilt embossed with figures of men fighting - this interesting antique was, when discovered, in a peculiarily perfect state of preservation.

In several parts of the fen lands large oak trees have been brought to the surface from a considerable depth.

The trade of the place is almost wholly of a domestic retail charecter, assisted by the neighbouring gentry and farmers; besides which it is a thoroughfare town, being the direct road from Norfolk to Huntingdon and the Western Counties; and also being on a fine line of road, between Peterborough and Newmarket: the opening of the Eastern Counties, and other railways have, however, diminished the road traffic through Cambridgeshire, and injured the trade of some of it's towns.

The Bishop of Ely is Lord of the manor, and a court-leet is held by him on St Matthew's day, when constables are appointed and nuisances presented, petty sessions are also held at the George Inn, on the first and third Tuesdays in each month; and Chatteris is included in the March circuit of towns under the act (passed 1846) for the recovery of debts not exceeding £20.

The parish Church,of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a handsome structure, with a square tower; the living is a vicarage, in the patronage and also present incumbency of the Rev. Michael Augustus Gathercole.

There are places of worship for Babtists, Independants, Calvinists, the Society of Friends and Methodists - both Primitive and Wesleyan.

There are public schools, conducted upon the British and National plans - the latter, for children of either sex, is a most efficient and useful establishment.

The market is held on Friday and the fairs on the last Friday in April and the first Friday in October.

The parish of Chatteris contained in 1831, 4177 inhabitants and in 1841, 4813.