HAMPSTED, (Middlesex) about 4 m. on the N. W. side of London, stands in a healthy air, on a fine rise, at the top of which
is a heath of about 2 m. every way, that is adorned with several pretty seats, in a most irregular romantic situation, and
has a most extensive prospect over the city, into the counties all round it, viz. Bucks and Hartfordshire, and even
Northamptonshire, Essex, Kent, Surry, Berks, &c. with an uninterrupted view of Shooter's-Hill, Bansted-Downs, and Windsor-
Castle. Its Ch. was anciently a chapel of ease to Hendon, till about 1478, when it was separated from it by the abbot and
convent of Westminster, then patrons of the rectory of Hendon, who made a curacy or donative of it in their gift, as it
remained till the suppression, at which time K Henry VIII. settled it on his newmade Bpk. of Westminster; but K. Edw. VI.
dissolving that See, granted the manor and chapel of Hampsted to Sir Tho. Wroth, for his good services done to the crown.
After this, it bel. to the Earls of Gainesborough; but was sold to Mr. Langworth, and is now the manor of Mr. Marion, a
clergyman of Essex. This village used to be resorted to formerly for its mineral waters, which have lately been neglected;
but the wells are still frequented by the gentry, who meet here in a fine assembly-room, to dance, &c. besides the long-
room, where they play every M. evening at cards, &c. Though it is now so crowded with good buildings, that even on the
very steep of the hill, where there is no walking 6 yards together without meeting a hillock, yet in the R. of Hen. VIII.
it was chiefly inhabited by the laundresses who washed for the Londoners. Its old ruinous Ch. the Ld. of the manor's
chapel, was lately pulled down, and a new one is just erected in its room. There is besides, a handsome chapel near the
wells, built by the contribution of the inh. who are chiefly citizens and merchants of London.