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Imperial Gazatteer of England & Wales, 1866-9

Melchbourne, Bedfordshire

MELCHBOURNE, a village and a parish in the district and county of Bedford. The village stands 2 miles E of the boundary with Northampton, 5 NNE of Sharnbrook r. station, and 5½ ESE of Higham-Ferrers; and was once a market-town. The parish comprises 2,574 acres. Post-town, Higham-Ferrers. Real property, £3,170. Pop., 251. Houses, 52. The property belongs to Lord St. John. Melchbourne Hall is Lord St. John's seat; was built about the time of James I. or Charles I.; has been modernized in the front; and stands in a fine park of about 400 acres. A preceptory of Knights Hospitallers was founded here in the time of Henry I., by Alice, Countess of Pembroke; was given, by Queen Elizabeth, to the Russells; and has left some remains. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ely. Value, £150.* Patron, Lord St. John. The church is modern; consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with porch and tower; and contains a brass of 1377, and two monuments to the St. Johns.