From Kelly’s Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867
AMBERLEY is a parish in the Western division of the county, Arundel county court district, rape and rural deanery, West Easwrith hundred, diocese and archdeaconry of Chichester, about 55 miles south-south-west from London, 4 north from Arundel railway station, 4 west from Storrington, on one of the roads to Chichester. The church is a very fine old specimen of the Norman period, consisting of nave, chancel, south aisle, tower with 5 bells, and south porch, and some good Norman windows. The register dates from 1560. The living is a vicarage, with that of Houghton annexed, joint annual value about £300, in the gift of the Bishop of Chichester, and held by the Rev. George Arthur Clarkson, M.A. of Jesus College, Cambridge. There a school, chiefly supported by the vicar, the building being his private property. The remains of the old castle of Amberley occupy an elevated position on the east side of the navigable river Arun: It was the seat of the bishops of Chichester during many centuries, the site having been anciently granted to them: the edifice was built in 1369 by Bishop Rede, in the form of a rectangle: in 1613 the castle was captured by Waller: in the state apartments is the Queen’s room, containing some curious paintings, in a state of decay, and a series of ten female figures. The population in 1861 was 456; area 2,900 acres.
RACKHAM is a hamlet of Amberley, in Thakeham union, with an area of 960 acres, and a population in 1861 of 194.
Parish Clerk, William Wakeham.
Letters received through Arundel. The nearest money order offices are at Arundel & Storrington
CARRIER TO ARUNDEL.- Robert Hayling, on friday, returning the same day
Clarkson Rev. George Arthur, M.A. Vicarage
Gratwick Miss
COMMERCIAL.
Bidstead Frances (Mrs.), Black Horse
Blackman Michael, Fighting Cocks, & butcher, Rackham
Cooper James, lime burner
Cooter James, grocer
Ede George, blacksmith
Elliott Edwin, farmer, Rackham
Gearing James, bricklayer
Harwood Henry, farmer, Castle farm
Hayling Robert, carrier
Hersey George, beer retailer
Humphrey Henry, farmer
Humphrey Thomas, grocer & butcher
Lee Richard, lime burner
Mills James, millwright
Newell Philip Henry, beer retailer
Pacey Philip, bricklayer
Parsons John, carpenter
Pearless Elizabeth (Mrs.), wheelwright
Ratley Henry, beer retailer
Robinson Charles, farmer
Ruff Edward, shoe maker
Ruff George, farmer
Ruff John, dealer in reeds
Ruff William, farmer, Rackham
Saunders Walter, lime burner (Wm. Lee, agent)
Searle Esther (Mrs,} & Henry, grocers
Searle George, beer retailer
Smart Willlam, Houghton Bridge inn, & lime burner
West Henry, farmer, Rackham