The Nabobs of Berkshire
In the 18th century, Berkshire was known as the English Hindoostan. Numerous employees of the East India Company, known as Nabobs, an Anglicization of Nawabs, settled in Berkshire, more than anywhere else and this book tells their story.
The book contains a brief history of the East India Company, how its employees lived in the east, how they made their money and accounts of their lives back in Berkshire. Read about the notorious Gen Smith of Chilton; Diamond Pitt at Swallowfield; Major Marsac at Caversham - the illegitimate son of George II; Sykes of Basildon, whose grandson was the model for Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist; Henry Vansittart of Bray, who was involved in the Hell Fire Club; Benyon of Englefield, Warren Hastings at Purley and Old Windsor, the Metcalfes of Fernhill Park - in total there are 31 Berkshire Houses with Nabob associations.
The Book is hardback and has 157 illustrations, half in colour. There are 400 pages of text and maps. It is now available from the author at a cost of £20 (including P&P). For overseas orders please add £5. It is also available for £20 from the bookshops in Hungerford, Thatcham, Caversham, Woodley and Englefield Green and Bracknell & Wokingham College.
Clive Williams OBE; Honeycroft House, Pangbourne Rd, Upper Basildon, Reading RG8 8LP (01491-671631) clive@clivewilliams.orangehome.co.uk