Newbury on the Kennet, was eminent in the reigns of Henry VII and VIII, for its manufactures of woollen cloth, which gave particular celebrity to one of its inhabitants names John Winschomb, vulgarly called Jack of Newbury. It has since so much declined that scarcely any article except serge is now made here: the town, however, retains a considerable population, and its poor find employment in spinning. It has a great and well regulated corn market. On the banks of the river are several mills, which supply London and Bristol with great quantities of flour.

Text: England Described etc (1818) by John Aiken M.D.

Map: Section from Berkshire by John Cary

Jane Austen References

Letter to Cassandra Austen dated 25th January 1801

Letter to Cassandra Austen dated 21st April 1805

Letter to Cassandra Austen dated 26th June 1808

Letter to Cassandra Austen dated 30th June 1808