The following has been taken from the History Gazetteer & Directory of Cambridgeshire including the Isle of Ely, Printed & Published by Robert Gardener in 1851.signed by John Drage Camps, Haddenham, 1864.

Fordham Parish.

Fordham is an extensive Parish, containing 4050 acres; its population in 1801 was 700, in 1831 1325, and in 1841 1416 Souls. The soil is various, some being gravely, and a large portion is on a subsoil of chalk and limestone. The Principal Landowners are William Dunn Gardiner Esq., Eyre Coote, Esq., and the Rev. T Hall.
The Manor- Priory- in the reign of Henry III. A small Priory of Gilbertine Monks was founded here by Sir Robert De Fordham, as a cell to the great Gilbertine Monastery at Sempringham in Lincolnshire. At the Dissolution of Religious Houses, in the reign of Henry VIII, the revenues of this Priory, which was called Fordham or Bigging, were of the clear annual value of £40. 13s. 4d. and at that time there was only  one Monk besides the Prior in the house. After its suppression, the site and Priory were granted to Phillip Paris Esq., and at a later period it was the property of the Russell Family, a branch of the Russells of Chippenham. Fordham Abbey was afterwards purchased by Admiral Sir Charles Wager, who built a fine seat on the remains of the old Mansion. Edward Harrison Esq. Governor of Fort St George, purchased it of Sir Charles Wager, and his Daughter brought it in Marriage to Charles, Lord Townshend, who sold it to William Metcalfe Esq. In 1790 Francis Noble Esq. purchased it of James Metcalfe Esq. and pulled down the Mansion, which was esteemed one of the finest seats in the County. This Manor and Estate now belongs to William Dunn Gardiner Esq. The Family of Basingbourn had a Manor here which descended to the Tiptofts, Ingoldsthorpes, Nevilles, and Fortescues, and was purchased in 1509 of Sir Admiral Fortescue by St Johns College Cambridge. The Manor of Feltons or Hargraves was purchased of Thomas Poley in 1563 by the Society of Trinity Hall Cambridge.
The Village of Fordham is extensive and exceedingly beautiful, and contains many neat built houses, the most worthy of notice being the residences of Mrs Dix, R. D. Fyson Esq., and Mr Richard Fyson. It is distant 5 miles North from Newmarket, on the road from that Town to Ely.
The Church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, stands at the Eastern extremity of the Village, and is an ancient structure, consisting of a Naive, Side Aisles, Chancel, South Porch, and a Lofty Tower containing a peal of six bells. At the North side of the Tower is the '' Ladye Chapel,'' a very elegant building with an undercroft and groined roof. In the Chancel of the Church are some ancient oak stalls. The Benefice is a discharged Vicarage in the Deanery to which it gives name, rated in the K.B. at £13. 6s. 8d. , but now returned at £348. nett per annum. The Patronage is vested in Jesus College Cambridge, the advowson having been procured for it by Bishop Thirlby, and the Rev. E.Hibgame is the present Vicar. The great tithes belong to the See of Ely. the tithes were commuted in 1809. The Register contains the following record- 1604. Upon Wednesday the 27th February, the High and Mighty Prince James, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c, did hunt the hare with his own hounds in our fields of Fordham, and did kill six near a place called Blackland, and did afterwards take his repast in the fields, at a bush near the Kings Park.
A handsome Wesleyan Chapel, capable of seating 400 persons, was erected here in 1849, at a cost of about £400. It is partly in the early English style, and has a neat Porch. The Independent Chapel is a neat building, near to which is a residence for the Minister. The National School, with a house for the Teachers, was erected in 1849 at an expense of about £600. exclusive of the site. The British School was erected in 1844, and both Schools are well attended.
Fordham Abbey, the seat of William Dunn Gardiner Esq., is a modernised brick building, erected on the site of the offices of the original Mansion, and situated about a ¼ mile South from the Village.

Gentry &c.
Cotton Alexander Esq., of Landwade (Temporary residence)
Dix Mrs Mary, Island House.
Fyson R., Dillamore Esq.,
Gardiner William Dunn Esq., Fordham Abbey.
Seaber Mrs Mary.
Wilson Rev. Benjamin, Curate.

Farmers.
Bland Joseph.
Bland Samuel.
Boyce John.
Coote Eyre.
Dennis Benjamin.
Fyson Richard.
Minnett John.
Peacock Thomas, Biggin Cottage.
Roper John.
Seaber Robert Fyson.

Traders.
Bland Joseph Mainprice, Grocer, Draper & General Dealer.
Bland Robert H. Butcher.
Bland William Hills, Nursery & Seedsman & Farmer.
Boon William, Shopkeeper.
Brown Charles, Blacksmith.
Brown Edward.
Brown Charles, Beer Retailer.
Chapman Thomas, Miller.
Cooper R. Plumber & Glazier.
Cotton D. National School Master.
Ellis William Charles, School Master.
Covell George, Miller.
Covell John, Shopkeeper.
Dennis Robert George, Land Agent, Surveyor & Farmer.
Eden Edward, Hairdresser.
Edwards Robert, Wheelwright.
Ereth Robert, Beer Retailer.
Gardiner Mary, School Mistress.
Goodrich William, Shopkeeper.
Hills John, Tailor & Draper.
Heath Mary E. School Mistress.
King Thomas, Shopkeeper.
Mann John, Bricklayer.
Martin John, Wheelwright.
Martin Charles, Builder.
Neale William, Publican, Chequers.
Pettit John, Baker.
Pryke John, Beer Retailer.
Reed Thomas, Butcher.
Rumbelow E. Blacksmith.
Seaber Thomas, Grocer & Draper.
Smith & Co, Corn & Coal Merchants (& at Soham).
Smith W. Publican, Green Dragon.
Ware Jonathan, Beer Retailer.

Letters are received through the Newmarket Post Office.