The Genoot Library - Universal British Directory, 1791

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Universal British Directory, 1791

Bedford, Bedfordshire

Is the county-town, and gives title to his Grace the Duke of Bedford; it is also of great antiquity. The bridge, which is built of stone, over the river Ouse, is a particular vestige of antiquity, having been built out of the ruins of an ancient castle which stood in the North East, and which was pulled down in the reign of Henry the Third, having been rendered obnoxious to the royal party, in consequence of its having afforded a shelter to malcontent barons in the reign of his father, King John. Offa, King of the Mercians, is also buried here, in a small island, lying South East of the town, called Jermyn's Harbour. One of the lanes of this town now goes by his name, being called Offa-lane to this day. The town, which has five parish-churches, and four meeting-houses for Dissenters, consists of one long street, extending nearly a mile in length, from South to North, and several side-streets.

Bedford is larger and more populous than many cities in England. It sends two members to parliament, the present members are, William Colhoun, Esq. and Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. son of the late member. This place has few manufactures, except those of straw and bone-lace. The river Ouse is made navigable, and runs through the town, diving it in two parts.

It is a town-corporate, consisting of a mayor, aldermen, recorder, (the present his Grace the Duke of Bedford,) 2 bailiffs, 13 common-council men, and a town-clerk.

In the year 900, Edward the Elder caused that part of the town to be built which lies on the South side of the river, and called it Mikesgate.

The market on the North of the town is held on a Saturday, and is chiefly for all sorts of corn; that on the South side is held for the sale of cattle on Mondays. The annual fairs are, the first Tuesday in Lent, April 21, July 5, August 21, October 11, and December 19.

The adjacent soil being very fruitful in corn, especially barley, and the best wheat; the former is exported by its navigable river to Holland, by way of [vol. 2, page 320] Lynn, and the latter is carried by waggons 20 miles off to the markets of Hitchin and Hertford, where it is bought again, ground, and carried in the meal to London. Its river sometimes, after rain, makes such an inundation of the isle of Ely, that at such times it is common for the people there to say, "the bailiff of Bedford is coming."

The priory to the North West, now belonging to the Earl of Ashburnham, was founded before the Norman conquest for secular canons. In the year 1561, a free-school was built and endowed by Sir William Harper, a knight of the gilt spurs, and lord mayor of the city of London, whose effigy stands in a niche over the school door. The revenue which supports this school, and some other charities, amounts to more than 2000l. per annum, and is vested in the hands of the body corporate and joint trustees. However, the warden and fellows of New College, Oxford, are nominated as visitors, in the will of the founder; and two fellows from that learned society always fill the separate posts of master, and under-master, to the above-mentioned school.

The present magistrates are, Thomas Small, Esq. mayor, and William Theed, Esq. justices.

The post-office opens at nine o'clock in the morning, and shuts at five in the afternoon. The letters are brought in bags from St. Alban's.

The principal inns are, the Swan, Red Lion, and George.

The coaches, &c. from London to Bedford, set out from the under-mentioned inns, viz. a coach from the Cross Keys, St. John's-street, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, mornings, at six; White Hart, St. John's-street, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, at six. A diligence, from the White Hart, St. John's-street, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, mornings, at five. A waggon, from the White Hart, St. John's-street, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at noon; and from the Windmill, Wednesday and Saturday at noon. — The following are the principal inhabitants:

GENTRY, &C. Alderman George, Esq. (F.) Birt Mrs. Belsham Miss Backhouse Mrs. Blestoe Mrs. Belsham William, Esq. (F.) Beech Phillip, Esq. (F.) Cressy Mrs. Cockman Thomas, Esq. Foster Mrs. sen. Gisberne Mrs. Hinde Mrs. Jackson Mrs. Ann Jackson Thomas, Esq. King Benjamin, Esq. (F.) Lipipre Mrs. Lewis Mrs. Livius George, Esq. (F.) Langley William, Esq. Mason Mrs. Odell Mrs. Palmer Benjamin, Esq. (F.) Symonds Mrs. Stone Thomas, Esq. Sawell Richard, Esq. Towersey Mrs. Towersey Misses Thongs Mrs. Vaux Thomas, Esq. (F.)		Watkins Miss Watkins Mrs. Williamson James, Esq. CLERGY. Abbot Rev. Mr. Curate and Lecturer of St. Mary's and St. Catherine's Cave Rev. Mr. Curate of Tempsford Crowe Rev. Mr. Curate of St. Paul's Flemming Rev. Mr. (F.) Rector of Oakley Fisher Rev. Mr. Curate of Kempston Foster Rev. Mr. Moravian Minister Gregory Rev. Mr. (F.) Rector of Henlow Gadsby Rev. Mr. (F.) Vicar of Wootton, and Curate of Elstow Hook Rev. Mr. (F.) Curate of St. Peter's and St. John's Hornbuckle Rev. Mr. (F.) Vicar of Goldington Hellyar Rev. Mr. Dissenting Minister Marsh Rev. Mr. (F.) Porter Rev. Mr. Moravian Minister Parmenter Rev. Mr. Moravian Minister Smith Rev. Mr. (F.) Dissenting Minister Whitehouse Rev. Mr. Curate of Houghton Conquest Yarrell Rev. Mr. Moravian Minister PHYSIC. Campion Wm. Surgeon & Apothecary
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Dowset John, Apothecary Gadsby Thomas, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary Jackson Edward, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary Palgreave Robert, Chymist & Druggist Parker Dr. John, (F.) M. D. Pully Anthony, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary Pully Joseph, Surgeon & Apothecary LAW. Blackwell John, (F.) Attorney Gregory Dimie, (F.) Attorney Kidman Thomas, Attorney Lovesey Richard, (F.) Attorney Pateman William, (F.) Town Clerk Palmer Miles Rook, Attorney Palmer Jeremy Fish, (F.) Clerk of the Peace Pearse Theed, Attorney TRADERS, &C. Allen Thomas, Carpenter Allen Elizabeth, Fellmonger Arch Samuel, Victualler, (Bay & Oar) Allison George, (F.) Proprietor of the Bedford Coach Ashby Samuel, (F.) Farmer Bass William, Carpenter Biggs Thomas, Bricklayer Bailley James, Proprietor of the Bedford and Sheffield Waggons Barnes Thomas, Glover Barnes John, sen. Victualler Bradley James, Cutler Brown John, Pipe-maker Bright Samuel, (F.) Carpenter Bradley Benjamin, Grocer Bass Thomas, Plumber and Glazier Busby John, Taylor Bolney Samuel, Usher to Harpur's Charity School Brazier John, Baker Bradnock Thomas, Victualler, (Cock) Baxter Jonathan, Victualler, (3 Fishes) Brown William, Hosier Brown Wm. Victualler, (Angel) Barnard Joseph, (F.) Coal and Raft-merchant Bailley James, (F.) Linen and Woollen-draper Barker Thomas, (F.) Baker Bright Thomas, Carpenter and Joiner Berril Thomas, (F.) Mason Button Mrs. Victualler, (Cross Keys) Blackwell Mrs. Milliner		Butler Mrs. Victualler, (Peacock) Brown William, Cheese-factor Button Thomas, (F.) Butcher Clare William, Keeper of the County Bridewell Church Samuel, Baker Castleman Robert, (F.) Bricklayer Cockman William, Victualler Cave John, (F.) Draper Chapman Thomas. Victualler Chapman Edward, sen. (F.) Currier Coombes William, Lime-merchant Carver Thomas, Baker Cavit Ebenezer, Clock and Watch-maker Coombes John, Cordwainer Chapman William, Currier Crochford Joshua, Corn-cutter Coleman Thomas, (F.) Victualler Chapman Edward, Clerk to the Trustees of the Harpur Charity Castleman James, Victualler Clements Robert, sen. (F.) Master of the Hospital Costin John, (F.) Woolstapler Colson Miss, Boarding-school-keeper Cooch Edward, (F.) Maltster Clark John, (F.) Carpenter Corly John, (F.) Grocer Dover Joseph, Victualler Day Edmund, Victualler Day John, (F.) Tanner Drage James, (F.) Baker Drew Charles, Stone-mason Downman William, (F.) Carpenter & Joiner Davis John, Victualler Dickins George, Cordwainer Davis Jeremiah, Butcher Denis Mrs. Grocer Dickins John, (F.) Grazier Eagles Thomas, sen. Turner Eavans Thomas, Baker Eston Negus, (F.) Carpenter Estwick James, Farmer Emery John, (F.) Grocer and Tallow-chandler Elger Isaac, Victualler Ford Joseph, Victualler Furnival Thomas, sen. Serjeant Major of the Bedfordshire Militia Field Henry, (F.) Farmer Field James, Gardener Farnell Charles, (F.) Brazier, Appraiser, and Auctioneer Field Thomas, (F.) Farmer Furnival James, Victualler Furness Richard, (F.) Peruke-maker Fletcher Mrs. Victualler
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Green Eleanor and Son, (F.) Coal and Raft-merchants Green William, Dyer Goodman Thomas, Victualler Griffin Richard, Grocer and Laceman Garner John, Innkeeper Gilham William, Hatter Gell Richard, Innkeeper Harradine Isaac, (F.) Milk-man Hine William, Victualler How William, (F.) Shopkeeper Hodgkins Tho. sen. (F.) Staymaker Hensman Richard, Butcher Hill William, (F.) Licensed to let Post Chaises and Horses Hill John, Victualler Howard John Moore, (F.) Keeper of the County Gaol Hensman William, Staymaker Hewlet Nathaniel, Carpenter Hodgkins Thomas, Cooper Harding John, Gingerbread-baker Hensman Thomas, (F.) Stamp-office Hodson Joseph, Victualler How Spencer, (F.) Shoemaker Ireland Joseph, Sexton of St. Mary's Parish Impey Tho. (F.) Plumber & Glazier Jordan John, Victualler Jackson George, Master of the Harpur Free School Jefferys Edward, (F.) Shopkeeper Johnson Thomas Sumpter, Cordwainer Jones Humphrey, Victualler Jackson John, (F.) Hosier Joseph Michael, Silversmith Kenworthy John, Joiner Kennings Henry, Collar-maker Kilpin Elizabeth, Upholsterer, and Agent to the Phœnix Fire Office Kilpin John, sen. (F.) Ironmonger Kilpin John, jun. Appraiser and Auctioneer Kimment Mark, Blacksmith Kay William, Taylor and Habit-maker King Mrs. Fishmonger Layton Handscombe, (F.) Shopkeeper Lilburn John, Victualler Lilly John, Ironmonger Lovell John, Cordwainer Langley John, Taylor & Habit-maker Lovelidge John, (F.) School-master & Clerk of St. Paul's Leach Richard, (F.) Ironmonger Lloyde Mrs. Boarding-school Law Abraham, (F.) Watch-maker Meynard James, Wheelwright Mingay John, (F.) Sadler		Meers Tho. Hair-dresser & Perfumer Macdonald ——, Victualler Mawbey John, Wine-vaults Meynard John, Wheelwright Munn Thomas, Weaver Moll Mary, Victualler Nash Peregrine, (F.) Common Brewer Negus Ebenezer, Glover Negus Samuel, Taylor Negus William, (F.) Grocer Negus William, jun. Common-cryer Odell Tho. (F.) Farmer and Butcher Okeley William, (F.) Tea-dealer Pheasant John, (F.) Maltster Peet Richard, (F.) Carpenter Purton James, sen. Glover Parsons Richard, Coachman from Bedford to Kettering Purton James, jun. Glover Purton Edward, Glover and Breeches-maker Peach John, Victualler Patstons Abraham, (F.) Tin-man and Basket-maker Purser John, Farmer Purton Thomas, Glover Palmer William, (F.) Peruke-maker Parker Wm. (F.) Meal-man & Baker Prior Stephen, Taylor Page Miss, Victualler Partridge Mrs. Draper, and Agent to the Royal Exchange Assurance Office Partridge Susannah, Milliner Pavier Thomas, Victualler Palmer John, (F.) Maltster Rayment William, Currier Robinson Thomas, Taylor Ruffhead Robert, Draper Read John, (F.) Painter in general Rush William, Grocer Rush Thomas, Grocer Robinson R. W. Grocer and Tallow-chandler Shevington Robert, Baker Simmons John, Victualler Smith John, Butcher and Grazier Smith William, (F.) Victualler Sammons Robert, Cooper Savage Ann and Son, Glovers and Breeches-makers Sims William, Peruke-maker Swepson William, Whitesmith Shevington Mercer, Sexton of St. Paul's Sergeant William, Taylor Shelton John, Butcher Savill John, (F.) Linen and Woollen-draper Stevens George, (F.) Grocer
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Smith William, Draper Smith Wm. (F.) Grazier and Butcher Simons John, Carpenter Smith Bartholomew, Gardener Savage Charles, (F.) Bricklayer Smith Thomas, Baker Smith John, (F.) Corn-factor Swepson Richard, Master of the Sunday Schools Stimpson Richard, (F.) Laceman Sheppard Thomas, (F.) Victualler Small John, Grocer Sharp William, (F.) Farmer Smith William, (F.) Printer, Bookseller, Binder, and Stationer Sharp George, Music-master Slimm Mrs. Victualler Spencer Mrs. Victualler Small Thomas, (F.) Plumber & Glazier Stewardson John, (F.) Blacksmith Tall William, Hemp-dresser Teedon William, (F.) Carpenter and Joiner Thompson Philip, (F.) Butcher Taylor Richard, (F.) Butcher Taylor William, Basket-maker Trap Simeon, (F.) Laceman Trap Benjamin, Baker Taylor John, Butcher Taylor William, sen. (F.) Butcher Thomas Mrs. Innkeeper & Post-mistress Tucker William, (F.) Carpenter		Veal Elizabeth, Milliner Wiles Samuel, Hair-dresser, &c. Wagstaff Wm. Appraiser & Auctioneer Webb Thomas, Organist Woodward Thomas, Schoolmaster White William, (F.) Victualler Wing John, Marble and Stone-mason Woodham Nathaniel, Cordwainer Woodham John, Cordwainer Woolston Charles, Cordwainer Watkins William, (F.) Coal and Raft-merchant Woodroffe John, sen. Victualler Whitehouse Joseph, Peruke-maker Woodroffe John, Brazier Woodroffe Wm. Eastwell, Staymaker White Thomas, Carpenter and Joiner West George, Hair-dresser & Perfumer Wells Edward, (F.) Baker & Mealman Willis William, Peruke-maker Whitehouse John, (F.) Gardener Willis Joseph, sen. Farmer Webb Charles, (F.) Draper White Robert, Carpenter and Joiner Woodroffe James, Carpenter Watford Alexander, Surveyor Webb Mrs. Draper Warr ——, Pork-merchant Waldeck Joseph Pierson, (F.) Mason Whittingstall and Long, (F.) Common Brewers York John, Victualler

Bedfordshire is one of the seven counties, which, they say, lie together, and have not one city among them; namely, Huntingdon, Bedford, Bucks, Berks, Hertford, Essex, and Suffolk. This county is remarkable for several curious and scarce plants; especially the woad, which, if it be good, is commonly worth 18l. per ton. The ancient Britons, by painting themselves with this plant, used to strike terror into their enemies; who, though not afraid of meeting men cased in complete armour, could not at first stand the shock of these naked barbarians; as was the case in the first invasion of this land by Cæsar.

Tempsford is noted for a camp, in which the Danes took up their winter-quarters when they mined the strong fort of Sandy, about four miles more Southward, by some supposed to have been built by the Romans, and the very Salinæ of Ptolemy. This is certain, that, in the grounds now occupied by gardeners, there have been many urns, and great numbers of Roman coins formerly dug up. Adjoining to Tempsford, on the East, is the little village of Everdon, noted for the birth of the learned and eminent John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, and lord high constable of England under Edward IV. and of Sylvester de Everdon, bishop of Carlisle in the reign of Henry III.