WAPPING

Wapping is situated due east of the City on the banks of the River Thames. It gets its name from the Saxon settlement of 'Waeppa's people', although this was probably situated further north in an area known as Wapping-Stepney or St. George-in-the-East.

In the late 16th century Wapping High Street was described as 'a continual street, with alleys of small tenements or cottages, built by sailors victuallers'. It became known for industries related to shipping and as a centre of entertainment for sailors (there were 36 taverns in 1750).

By 1617 there were sufficient inhabitants to justify the building of a chapel, St. John's, Wapping. An Act was passed in 1694 to create the new parish of Wapping and separate it from Whitechapel. The chapel was rebuilt in 1760 on the other side of the road, but only the old church tower remains.

The building of the London Docks destroyed many of the buildings and made Wapping an island surrounded by high walls, the population decreasing from about 6,000 in 1801 to about 2,000 in 1881. The area was bombed heavily during World War 2, St. John's, apart from the tower, being destroyed.

Greenwood's Maps 1827:

Wapping and surrounding area [326 Kbytes]

Church Records:

• St. John, Green Bank
  Baptisms 1618-1940,
  Marriages 1620-1940,
  Burials 1620-1881 : LMA
• St. Patrick (Roman Catholic), Dundee St
  Baptisms 1871- date (1953-1965 destroyed), &
  Marriages 1877- date : Not deposited
• The English Martyrs (Roman Catholic), Prescott St, Tower Hill
  Formed 1876
• Baptist Chapel
  Births 1786-1803 : PRO