MEREHAM (MERKHAM), John, of Reading, Berks.

A shoemaker, Mereham lived in Reading, being a parishioner of St. Laurence’s church, to the fabric of which he gave 13s. in 1410 and 6s.8d. in 1440. He witnessed deeds in the town on occasion. Though he held no municipal office, he was present at the parliamentary election of 1427; and in 1432 was among the burgesses chosen to treat with the abbot of Reading regarding disputes between town and abbey. He went surety for two burgesses entering the merchant guild, respectively in 1433 and 1435, and in 1442 contributed 16d. to the repair of the guildhall.Kerry, 22, 185; CAD, i. A565; Reading Pub. Lib. deeds, 110, 112; C219/13/5; Reading Recs. ed. Guilding, i. 1, 3, 5; cofferers’ acct. 1442-3.