Pigot Directory 1830

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Chatteris is a populus, respectable and improving village, in the Hundred of North Witchford, In the Isle of Ely, 71 miles from London, 24 from Cambridge, 19 from Wisbeach, 12 from St Ives, the like distance from the City of Ely, and 8 miles from March. This is a village of very 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; the deriveration of it's name has not, however, been satisfactorily been given by any.

Here was formerly a convent of Benedictine monks, founded 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 building, stands upon the site of the nunnery.

There have been many antiquities dug up here, in making excavations for gravel, some years since, part of the skeleton of an elephant was found, ten feet below the surface of the ground; and in 1757 several human skeletons were dug up here. In 1824 an earthen vessel, containing about 1000 copper coins were ploughed up about two miles from the town, 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.

Mr John Smith, a respectable auctioneer of this town has some curious relics of the Roman nation, found at different times hereabout, amongst others, several celts and a double edged sword, the hilt embossed with figures of men fighting, this interesting antique is in a very perfect state of preservation.

The trade of Chatteris is almost entirely confined to the furnishing necessaries of it's own inhabitants; but it is also one of increasing thoroughfare, this being the direct road from Norfolk to Huntingdon and the Western Counties; and also situate on a fine line of road, good at all times of the year, between Peterborough and Newmarket.

The town boasts two excellently conducted inns and posting houses; they are The George and the Horse and Gate; both of which furnish superior acommodation to the traveller, at moderate charges.

The Bishop of Ely is Lord of the manor, and a court leet by him is held by him on St Matthew's day, when constables are appointed and nuisances presented. A petty sessions is held at the George Inn the first Tuesday in every month, and a court of requests at the Cross Keys on every sixth Friday.

The Church, which is a handsome one, with a square tower, is dedicated to St Matthew. The present patron and incumbant is the Rev. Robert Chatfield, L.L.D., a gentleman highly esteemed, not only by his own congregation, but by the whole population of the parish.

In the town are three babtist and two methodist chapels; and also two free schools, one upon Dr Bells's system and the other one on the Lancastrian plan..

The country round here, being fen-ground, is neither pleaseing, nor at present very productive, but great improvements are being made to draining the land, by a process called 'gaiting', which bids fair to render it, ere long,highly productive, and very profitable to the agriculturist.

In 1821 the population of Chatteris parish, according to the Census for that year was 3283; but it is now estimated somewhat to exceed 4000.