34 Volume of deeds, with index at front 1603 - 1843 Bedfordshire Archives

 The Bedfordshire Archive Service 

• Reference
  FR24/22/1
• Title
  Volume of deeds, with index at front
• Date free text
  1602-1843
• Production date
  From: 1602 To: 1843
• https://bedsarchivescat.bedford.gov.uk/Details/archive/110084856

I've extracted text that references various people with the surname Brown. Not claiming that any or all are related to each other or to Frederick Brown born St Albans.

Property: (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E Proviso: - for appointment of new trustees Memoranda: - 19 Sep 1701 Henry Seare, Giles Deane and Joseph Deane, surviving trustees were joined by: Joseph Deane the younger of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; Thomas Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; Henry Fountayne of Ringshall, Ivinghoe, husbandman; Edward Deane of Wardes, Ivinghoe, yeoman; John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; Robert Seare of Dagnall, yeoman; John Barton of Studham, husbandman - 24 Apr 1730 John Barnes, Joseph Deane and John Barton junior, surviving trustees were joined by: John Freeth of Luton; John Gunnis of Luton; Daniel Brown junior of Luton; John Horn of Leagrave; Thomas Larance of Ward [Buckinghamshire]; Henry Austin of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire] - 7 Feb 1771 Daniel Brown and John Brown, surviving trustees were joined by John Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; John Freeth of Luton, currier; William Freeth of Dunstable, baker; Daniel Brown jnuior of Luton, bakee; Joseph Brown junior of Luton, miller; John Brown of Ampthill; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley - 10 Apr 1812 Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer.

(IV) Bargain & Sale of 12 Feb 1741 Parties: (1) John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; (2) John Chester of Dunstable, baker; Joseph Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], husbandman; (3) Henry Austin of Ringshall, yeoman; John Horn of Leagrave, tailor; Thomas Lawrence, son of Mordecai Lawrence of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; John Jenkins of Eaton Bray, tailor; Thomas Ringham of Markyate Street, Caddington [Hertfordshire], carpenter; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper (4) Joseph Chessey of Dunstable, baker; John Freeth of Luton, linen draper; John Gunnis of Luton, baker; John Brown of Luton, mealman; Joseph Brown of Luton, tallow chandler; Charles Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston, yeoman

Property: (a) 1 rood of pasture ground at W end of a Tylers Close, Sewell, abutting on Whitehillway to W reserving to late owner Richard Chester all timber of ash and elm (V) Feoffment of 27 Apr 1742 Parties: (1) Richard Chester of London, furrier (son of John Chester of Dunstable, baker); (2) Henry Austin of Ringsall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; John Horn of Leagrave, tailor; Thomas Lawrence (son of Mordecai Lawrence) of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; John Jenkins of Eaton Bray, tailor; Thomas Bingham of Markyate, Caddington [Hertfordshire], carpenter; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper Operative Part: - (2) paid 10/- to (1); - (1) enfeoffed (a) to (2)

(VI) Feoffment of 8 Apr 1777 Parties: (1) Thomas Lawrence (son of Mordecai Lawrence) of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper, [surviving trustees in (IV)]; (2) John Freeth of Luton, currier; Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown jnuior of Luton, miller; Christopher Pryor junior of Luton, maltster; Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster Operative Part: - (1) enfeoffed (a) in (V) to (2) in trust

(VIII) Will of Richard Chester of Wandsworth [Surrey] on 12 Mar 1761, devising: - all freehold estate purchased from James Adcock in Sewell in Houghton Regis and Totternhoe, except a half acre of meadow adjoining the Quaker burial ground to his nephew Richard Chester; - half acre of land in Sewell adjoining the burial ground to John Frith of Luton, shopkeeper and Daniel Brown of Luton, baker upon trust to annexe it to the burial ground and use it as a burial ground for the Quakers belonging to late Market Street Monthly Meeting; - will proved on 4 Nov 1763 by Richard Chester, sole executor in PCC (IX) Bargain & Sale of 10 Apr 1812 Parties: (1) Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Richard Brown of Luton, maltster [surviving trustees in (VI)]; (2) Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown (son of Richard Brown), of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley (son of Christopher Pryor); Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; Thomas Squire of Hempstead [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer Operative Part: - (2) paid 10/- to (1); - (1) released (a)-(c) to (2) in trust

(XI) Bargain & sale of 7 May 1712 Parties: (1) John Chester of Dunstable, baker; (2) Richard Dodd of Kensworth, yeoman; John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; James Hawkins the younger of Dunstable, baker; Richard Chester of Dunstable, baker; (3) Zachary Neell of Caddington, yeoman; Daniel Brown of Luton, maltster; William Elknis of Luton, shopkeeper; Joseph Deane the younger of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], brickmaker Operative Part: - (2) paid " a competent sum of money" to (1); - (3) paid 5/- to (1) - (1) sold (a)-(b) in (X) to (3) in trust (XII) Bargain & Sale of 12 Dec 1766 Parties: (1) Richard Chester of Dunstable, furrier (nephew and heir of Richard Chester of Dunstable, baker, deceased); (2) Richard Brown of Luton, maltster; John Dean of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], brickmaker; John Freeth the younger of Luton, currier; William Freeth of Dunstable, baker; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, grocer; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, yeoman Reciting: - a building had beeen erected as a Quaker meeting house on (a)-(b) in (X) Operative Part: - (1) sold (a)-(b) in (X) with Quaker meeting house built on it to (2) for 5/- Habendum: - to (2) in trust to suffer meeting house to be used for worship by the Quakers with proviso for election of new trustees (XIII) assignment of Meeting House and grounds to new trustees of 14 Apr 1815 from (1) Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker and Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, gentleman to (2) Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], ironmonger; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; William Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], brazier; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans, brazier; Daniel Pearman of Luton, draper; Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; George Batch of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller; William Adams of Luton, farmer (D) CASTLE STREET MEETING HOUSE, LUTON [see also FR/24/15/1-9] (XIV) Bargain & Sale of 7 Aug 1799 Parties: (1) John Chase of Luton, surgeon; (2) William Anstee, late of Luton, now of Dunstable, draper (trustee for John Chase); (3) Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, yeoman; Joseph Brown the elder of Luton, miller; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, cornfactor; William Brown of Luton, maltster; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; William Brown of Luton, baker; William Adams of Luton, yeoman; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, a minor Operative Part: - (3) paid 105 to (1); - (3) paid 10/- to (2); - (1) and (2) sold (a) to (3)

(XV) Assignment of meeting house in new trustees of 30 Jun 1843 from (1) Daniel Brown of Luton, gentleman and William Adams of Luton, brewer to (2) Henry Coles Brown of Luton, mealman; Frederick Brown of Luton, ironmonger; William Drewett of Luton, baker; Robert Marsh of Luton, gentleman; William Adams the younger of Luton, gentleman; Richard Brown of Luton, gentleman (E) 2.5 ACRES IN MAULDEN (XVI) Feoffment of 14 Feb 1775 Parties: (1) William Brown of Ampthill, grocer; (2) Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; John Freeth, currier; Joseph Brown, miller; Richard Brown junior, maltster; Christopher Pryor, farmer all of Luton; John Brown now living with William Brown; John Adams of Pulloxhill, grazier; John Bennell of Ampthill, baker; George Exton of Ampthill, ironmonger Operative Part: - (1) sold (a) to (2) for 45 Property: (a) 6 lands containing 2.5 acres in Maulden abutting: NE on highway from Ampthill to Maulden; SW on land late of Everitt, now William Brown; SE on land of John Betts; NW on land in occupation of William Betts Habendum: - to (2) in trust to use rents, profits etc. for Quaker poor in Bedfordshire

(XX) Lease and Release of 24-25 Jun 1823 Parties: (1) Thomas How Masterman, late of White Hart Court, Lombard Street, City of London, goldsmith, now of Hoxton [Kent], gentleman; William Hawson of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], merchant; Philip Gutteridge of St.Albans, auctioneer; Emmett Skidmore of Rickmansworth [Hertfordshire], coal merchant; Joseph Skidmore of Rickmansworth, coal merchant; (2) Henry Brown of Luton, gentleman; ; (3) Daniel Pearman of Luton, draper; John Belch of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], draper; William Brown of Luton, baker; Thomas Marshall of Hemel Hempstead, confectioner; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Henry Coles Brown of Luton, gentleman; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; William Gutteridge of St.Albans, auctioneer; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; Thomas Belch the younger of Hemel Hempstead, draper; Alfred Pearman of Luton, gentleman Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) released (a) in (XVII) to (2) Habendum: - to (2) to use of (1) and (3) upon trust for use of St.Albans Monthly Meeting (XXI) Note of part of garden ground being taken by Commissioners under Act of Parliament to improve the Holyhead Road [Watling Street] and new wall to separate the road from the garden ground being built by trustees who had a sum from the Commissioners remaining after building the wall of 170 which was invested on 30 Apr 1828 in purchasing 164/17/- in 4% annuities in the names of trustees Henry Brown, Daniel Pearman, James Pryor and Joseph Cranstone

(XXVII) Assignment of 22 Sep 1787 Parties: (1) Joseph Rickman of Stockwell [Surrey], bottle merchant; (2) Thomas Cowdry, previously of Croxley Green, Rickmansworth [Hertfordshire], now of Stockwell, mustard maker; William Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], yeoman; Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Joseph Hagger of Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, miller and mealman; James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, salesman; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper; William Brown of Luton, maltster; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, draper; John Pryor the younger Luton, maltster; Jonathan Freeth of Luton, ironmonger; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) assigned (a) in (XXIII) to (2) in trust for remainder of term of 1,000 years Endorsement: - deed poll of 16 Feb 1815 in which James Pollard, William Hawson the younger and Daniel Brown assigned (a) in (XXIII) to Henry Grover to enact (XXVIII) below (XXVIII) Assignment of 17 Feb 1815 Parties: (1) Henry Grover of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], gentleman; (2) James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, draper; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper; Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; Joseph Cranstone, ironmonger; Thomas Squire, gentleman; George Belch, linen draper, all of Hemel Hempstead; John Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Joseph Brown, farmer; Daniel Pearman, draper; John Foster, grocer; Richard Marks Brown, miller; William Adams, farmer all of Luton; William Gutteridge and Richard Gutteridge, both of St.Albans, braziers; Thomas Squire of Bowen End, Northchurch [Hertfordshire], gentleman Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) assigned (a) in (XXIII) to (2) in trust for remainder of term of 1,000 years

(XXXIII) Lease & Release of 24-25 Sep 1787 in which Thomas Cowdry, now of Stockwell [Surrey], mustard maker and will Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper, surviving trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house appointed as new trustees Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], yeoman, Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger, Joseph Hagger of Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, miller and mealman, James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, salesman, William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, draper, John Pryor the younger of Luton, maltster, James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper, William Brown of Luton, maltster, Jonathan Freeth of Luton, ironmonger, Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker and Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller (XXXIV) Lease & Release of 16-17 Feb 1815 in which James Pollard, William Hawson the younger and Daniel Brown the younger, surviving trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house appointed as new trustees Joseph Cranstone, ironmonger, Thomas Squire, gentleman, George Belch, linen draper, all of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer, Joseph Brown, farmer, Daniel Pearman, draper, John Foster, grocer, Richard Marks Brown, miller, William Adams, farmer all of Luton, William Gutteridge and Richard Gutteridge, both of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], braziers and Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Northchurch [Hertfordshire], gentleman

(XLIII) Lease and Release of 22-23 Feb 1787 in which Joseph Greenwood of Astwick, Hatfield [Hertfordshire], yeoman, William Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper and Zachariah Neale of Redbourne [Hertfordshire], gentleman, surviving trustees of St.Albans meeting house appointed James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, woolstapler; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], mealman; Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Joseph Haggar of Hemel Hempstead, mealman; James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Pryor the younger of Luton, maltster; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; William Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; John Freeth of Luton, currier; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker and Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, mealman as new trustees of (a)-(b) in (XXXVII) and (a) in (XL) (XLIV) Lease and Release of 21-22 May 1816 in which William Hawson now of Cowley, Uxbridge [Middlesex], James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], salesman and jn Freeth of Luton, currier, surviving trustees of St.Albans meeting house appointed Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; William Gutteridge of St.Albans, tin plate worker; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans, tin plate worker; Daniel Pearman of Luton, line draper; Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Northchurch, gentleman; George Belch of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller and William Adams of Luton, farmer as new trustees of (a)-(b) in (XXXVII) and (a) in (XL)

Summary of mentions of people by the name of Brown

1712 (XI) Bargain & sale 

Daniel Brown of Luton

1730 (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown junior of Luton; 

1741 (IV) Bargain & Sale 

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper  

John Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Joseph Brown of Luton, tallow chandler; 

1742 (V) Feoffment  

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper

1761 (VIII) Will of Richard Chester of Wandsworth [Surrey] devising:  

half acre of land in Sewell adjoining the burial ground to John Frith of Luton, shopkeeper and Daniel Brown of Luton, baker upon trust to annexe it to the burial ground and use it as a burial ground for the Quakers belonging to late Market Street Monthly Meeting;

1766 (XII) Bargain & Sale 

Richard Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, grocer

1771 (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown and John Brown, surviving trustees were joined by 

Daniel Brown jnuior of Luton, bakee; 

Joseph Brown junior of Luton, miller; 

John Brown of Ampthill;

 - 10 Apr 1812 Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer.

1775 (XVI) Feoffment (6 lands containing 2.5 acres in Maulden abutting: NE on highway from Ampthill to Maulden; SW on land late of Everitt, now William Brown; SE on land of John Betts; NW on land in occupation of William Betts)

William Brown of Ampthill, grocer; 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown, of Luton, miller; 

Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster; 

John Brown now living with William Brown; 

(in trust to use rents, profits etc. for Quaker poor in Bedfordshire)

1777 (VI) Feoffment 

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper, 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown jnuior of Luton, miller; 

Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster

1787 (XXVII) 

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; 

William Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller

1787 (XXXIII) Trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house 

William Brown of Luton, maltster, Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller

1787 (XLIII) Trustees of St Albans Meeting House

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster

William Brown the younger of Luton, maltster

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, mealman

1799 (XIV) Bargain & Sale

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, cornfactor; 

William Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

William Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, a minor

1812 (IX) Bargain & Sale 

Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker;

Richard Brown of Luton, maltster 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Henry Brown (son of Richard Brown), of Luton;

1812  (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by 

Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Henry Brown of Luton; 

1815 (XIII) assignment of Meeting House and grounds to new trustees 

Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker 

Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1815 (XXXIV) Trustees of Hemel Hempstead Meeting House

Joseph Brown, of Luton, farmer, 

Richard Marks Brown, of Luton, miller

1815 (XXVIII)  (1) 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1816 (XLIV) Trustees of St Albans Meeting House

Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1823 (XX)

Henry Brown of Luton, gentleman; 

William Brown of Luton, baker; 

1828 (XXI) improve the Holyhead Road [Watling Street] and new wall 

Henry Brown,

1843 (XV) Assignment of meeting house

Daniel Brown of Luton, gentleman 

Henry Coles Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Frederick Brown of Luton, ironmonger; 

Richard Brown of Luton, gentleman

33 "A Walk Around Luton in 1804"

 If my research is correct (or even nearly) correct, there would be Brown family ancestors living in Luton in the late 1700s/early 1800s.  As noted in this record, there was only a few thousand people in that town on 1804 (though many thousand in around about).  It could be that some/many are related (brothers, parents, children, cousins) or not and it could be that some are connected to Frederick Brown born St Albans).  However Brown is and was a common name. Then again maltsters, brewers and bakers were all closely aligned occupations, I've copied some text that I found interesting as it mentions Brown(s) and occupations.  There are two more mentions of Brown in the text (J Brown involved in Methodist Chapel and Mr Brown. a Steward to Lord Bute).

The full text can be found by following the link (well done the Greg Harrison for putting all the information on line). The link has sketches and maps.

https://www.lutonheritageforum.org/exhibitions/buildings/a-walk-around-luton-in-1804

"In 1804, Luton contained just over 600 houses and slightly over 3000 people... Trade was confined mainly to malting, straw plaiting, straw hat manufacture and agriculture. The buildings were chiefly public houses, farm houses, maltings and old thatched cottages. The few shops had small low windows and the frontages of a few of the more respectable dwellings were paved with pebbles. Other parts were unpaved. Buildings projected far out into the roadway, which was further encroached upon by banks of earth, so that carts could pass each other only with some difficulty. Grass and weeds were much in evidence. The channels along both sides of the roadway were the receptacles of refuse, and planks were placed across these channels, opposite each front door, for the residents to get into the road. Sanitation was unheard of; the drainage and liquid refuse was conveyed down into the river Lea from the surface of the streets.

The directory that follows is taken from an article that appeared in the “Luton Times and Advertiser” in 1883. The origin was unquoted and its author unrecognised. The original text is in italics, to which I’ve attached my comments. The map below is not to scale and its only purpose is to assist with the location of the residents and their properties.

11. Hog Lane

“But keeping along George Street, next to Clark’s, is Stephen Taylor’s carpenter’s shop. Then Henry Cain’s the watchmaker; Thomas Foster, cooper; Mrs. Cain, whitesmith; Madame Barnet’s school; Edward Cain, tailor; Clarke, wood stainer; Olney, butcher; Mr. Richard Brown, maltster; Peregrine Nash, weaver; corner of Hog lane, up which are five cottages and Dame Henson’s school. There are also three cottages on the way to Farley Green”.

This little colony of trades-people speaks eloquently of life at this time. It was unusual to find a woman carrying on the business of a Whitesmith, a metalworker who does finishing work on iron and steel such as filing, lathing, burnishing or polishing, now called a silversmith. Mr Richard Brown’s malting was on the site of “The Old Bell” public house, not to be confused with the Bell Inn on the eastern side of George St (see no.28). Hog Lane would be re-named to Chapel Street in 1814, in consequence of a new Wesleyan chapel being built there. The schools mentioned above were probably Plait schools where young girls and boys would have to produce so many yards of plait as set by the parents. Conditions were deplorable and the rooms densely overcrowded.

17. The Crown Inn

“Then the Crown Inn, kept by Mr. Henry Taylor, who is the carrier to London. Next Mr. William Anstee, draper; Dr. John Chase; John Wesley, shoemaker; John Gardner, tailor; Mr. John Knowles, haberdasher; Mr. Robert Hill, auctioneer; Mr. Daniel Brown, the houses of the two latter being situated on Cross Pond. Mr. Daniel Brown, sen., is a baker and maltster, and next is Samuel Chase, surgeon”.

The Crown was yet another ancient hostelry, dating from the 16th century or before. The building still exists today and after a number of name changes is still The Crown. Cross Pond was the area now known as Park Square. The pond, which was of considerable size, lay at the corner of Church Street. It was enclosed with brick walls, except on the south-west side, which was left open for cattle, and freely used by children in summer for bathing, and for sliding when frozen over in winter.

At the south-east end of this pond stood the “Round House” and fire-engine house. The “Round House” was a lock-up for the temporary accommodation of malefactors pending their removal to Bedford prison. The pond was condemned at the Court Leet in 1836, and was filled up within two days therefrom, and the lock-up and fire-engine house taken down.

18. Park Street

“Then come the Hospital, the Workhouse, known as “the house with the three steps,” Workhouse Yard, the Tythe Barn and Tythe Barn Yard. These may now be said to be fronting Park Street, formerly called Sheep Street or South End. Down this street are Mr. Anthony Sherlock, painter and glazier; Mr. J. Woodward at the Cock; Mr. Richard Haselgrove, builder; Mr. Thomas Mead, grocer; Mr. Daniel Brown, Jnr., flour and pig dealer; Mr. John Wood, butcher; Thomas Battams, basket maker; Robert Whitting, Bland, Coleman, J. Sherlock, Jackson, Flitton, Richard Stone, Bull Inn, Horton, Wright, Glenister, Newman, and Prudden”.

View of Park St

The drawing  shows Park Street as it was in 1821 looking south from Park Square. Going from right to left, we see the workhouse, the Tithe Barn and the Cock inn further down. On the left we see the Cross Pond and the lock-up. As mentioned above, “Hospital” signified a place or building erected out of charity for the reception and support of the poor, aged, sick, and otherwise helpless.

Until 1766, part of a large house in Castle Street called Langleys was used for this purpose. In 1836, after the workhouse was transferred to Dunstable Road, this building was converted to a private dwelling, but later this became “The Brewery Tap“. The Cock Inn was trading till a few years ago but is now closed. The Bull later became “The Black Bull” in the 1940’s and was demolished in 1969 for road widening purposes.

19. Long Pond

“There are three houses in Old Yard. F. Newman lives at the corner of the street, opposite Long Pond. Next to him are three cottages (empty) and three more occupied by Mead, Buckthorpe, and Master Crawley, who sees after Burr’s farm-yard adjoining. Next to which is Mr. Samuel Ainsworth’s house with a cottage, and then a passage called Ainsworth’s passage, up which are three cottages and. a barn. There are three Church charity cottages between Mr. Ainsworth’s shop and The Chequers public-house, kept by Mr. Clarke, next to which lives Cookson, carpenter, and in the yard, Pates. Fronting the street there are four cottages, before the meadow which is in West Hyde hamlet. Carter and Jacob Chad live at the last two. Beyond is the Breache Mill, occupied by Mr. Brown”.

Long Pond was as insanitary as was Cross Pond. This can be guessed from the fact that today’s Lea Road bore the unsavory name of Blackwater Lane for the overflow from the pond ran through its ditches down to the river.

21. Towards St. Ann’s Lane

“Returning to Park Street by Mr. Bunn’s meadow, opposite the Baptist Meeting Burial Ground, live Nehemiah Munn, grave-digger, and pew-opener Dorrington, Whitley, Deamer, the watchman and lamp-lighter. Hunt, Harris, Crawley, and Godfrey, then Dr. Robert Kerby’s, “the Diel House”, Limbury the carrier, and next to him Quick and Pollie Knight. Next to her is Mr. Joseph Brown, and opposite to him is St. Ann’s Lane, down which dwelleth Walker, Brown, and Clark”.

No reference can be traced to Mr. Bunn and it is possible that it was a mistake for Mr. Burr. There remains the need for an explanation to “the Diel House”.