HAVERHILL, a parish (formerly a market-town), partly in the hundred of HINCKFORD, county of ESSEX, but chiefly in the hundred of RISBRIDGE, county of SUFFOLK, 28 miles (S. W.) from Bury-St. Edmund's, and 58r (N.N.E.) from London, containing 1649 inhabitants. This place was formerly of greater extent than it is at present, and had a castle, of which the only memorial is preserved in the name of a farm now occupying the site; and tradition reports the existence of another church, of which there are at present no visible traces. The greater part of the town was destroyed by fire iii 1665, from the effects of which, though it has recently experienced some improvements, it has not entirely recovered. The town is pleasantly situated in a valley, and consists of one spacious street, nearly a mile in length, of which the northern extremity is in Essex, and the southern in Suffolk: the houses are in general badly built, and of mean appearance; the inhabitants are amply supplied with water. The principal articles of manufacture are silk (for which two factories have been recently established), and fustian, which is made in private looms. The market, formerly on Wednesday, has been discontinued: the fairs are, May 12th, for cattle and toys, and October 10th, for toys only. Constables, aletasters, and other officers, are annually appointed at the court held for the manor. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and diocese of Norwich, rated in the long's books at £6. 5., and the patronage of Lady Beaumont. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a large ancient structure. There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents. A National school for boys, and another for girls, in each of which about sixty children are instructed, are supported by subscription.