History of the Reed family in Europe and America

AND HISTORY OF THE CLANS. 27
The ancient seats of the Reads in Mercia were Rocking-
ham Castle, at North Hampton ; so named from Roken, a
small stream and parish of the same name on the banks
of Redesdale, the residence of one branch of the Reads.
This castle was the residence of Robin of Riddisdale. The
Reeds had also an establishment at Wrangle, near Boston ;
and another, at Norwich. The manor called the Bowers of
Gifford, about eight miles from Billerica and thirty from
London, was owned by the Reeds a hundred and thirty
years, but was not one of their original seats. John died
in possession of it in 1627, and had a son and heir by the
name of Roger. Henry died seized of it in 1712 ; but
the manor passed out of the family in 1747, Henry having
sold it to George Montgomery, Esq. There was likewise
Boreplace in the county of Kent, and Barton Court, the
seat of a bloody battle between the Loyalists and the Parlia-
mentarians. The last-named manor was defended by its
owner, Robert Read, till it was burned down over his head.
The Reads also had an establishment at Barrie, Brocket
Hall, of Abington, and Renham, or Reedham. Chipchase
Castle, near the junction of the Reed with the Tyne, is oc-
cupied by Sir Christopher Reed at the present time ; as is
also Prestwich Lodge in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the owner,
son of Sir Christopher, being Deputy-Lieutenant of the
county. Ewellgrove, Ipsdenhouse, Ashmans, in the county
of Suffolk, Woodparks in the county of Galway, Ros-
senara in Kilkenny, and many other manors, are now
possessed by the Reeds. It was common to have several
establishments ; a portion of the household residing at one,
and another portion at another. Those in the remote parts
of England held the old country establishment, and, at the
same time, another seat at or near the metropolis. This
was the case with Robbin of Riddisdale, who held his pro-
perty on the banks of the Roken and also at Rockingham