Bedfordshire 
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Nearby Places
Nearby churches
BIGGLESWADE, a market town and parish in the hundred of BIGGLESWADE, county of BEDFORD, 10 miles, (E. S. E.) from Bedford, and 45 (N. N. W.) from London, on the road to York, containing, with the hamlet of Holme with Stratton, 2778 inhabitants. This town is pleasantly situated on the river Ivel, which is crossed by two stone bridges, and which, by act of parliament, has been made navigable to its junction with the Ouse, whereby the neighbourhood is supplied with coal, timber, and various articles of merchandise. A considerable part of the town was destroyed by fire in 1785, to which circumstance its improved condition and handsome appearance way be attributed. The houses are uniformly built of brick, the air is pure and salubrious, and the inhabitants are amply supplied with excellent water from numerous springs. The environs, abounding with elegant villas and picturesque scenery, present a pleasing appearance. The making of white thread-lace and edging affords employment to a considerable part of the female population; but the town derives its principal support from being situated on the north road, whence the continued traffic it enjoys. The market, which is on Wednesday, is considerable for grain : fairs are held on February 13th, the Saturday in Easter week, Whit-Monday, August 2nd, and November 5th, for horses and live stock of every kind. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, who hold a petty session for the hundreds of Biggleswade, Clifton, and Wixamtree.
[A Topographical Dictionary of England - Samuel Lewis - 1831]
The 1851 Census Index for Biggleswade can be found in the 1851 Index to Census of Bedfordshire, Volume 3, Book 4 available from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.
Church of England
The church of St. Andrew is an edifice of sandstone, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower, rebuilt in 1720, and containing a clock and 5 bells : the chancel, rebuilt in 1467, by John Ruding, retains its piscina and sedilia for three priests; but the former has no basin and is now used as a credence table; a beautiful alter-piece, representing the "Last Supper," was presented by Charles Barnett esq. in 1865 : a reredos was added in 1877 : there are several brasses, one of which, to John Ruding, a former archdeacon of Bedford, has unfortunately been much mutilated, and the representation of an angel conversing with Death has disappeared: the lofty south porch, now much dilapidated, has interlaced stone vaulting, and a parvise above, formerly used as a school and reached from the exterior by a spiral stone stair : the outer doorway has an ogival arch, surmounted by a carved representation of the "Crucifixion" : in the church is a marble memorial to Thomas Bromsall, d. 1706, and there are mural tablets to Harriet, daughter of Admiral Sir Richard King and wife of Brigadier-General Charles Barnet, and to Thos. McGrath F.R.C.P. Edin. and his wife : the stained east window was erected in 1877 to Charles Barnett esq. of Stratton Park, and there are other memorial windows to Robert Lindsell esq. and Frances, his wife, to Mrs. Lindsell, of Fairfield, C. Fitzroy Barnett esq. of Stratton Park, and to Geo. J. Barnett, d. 1892 : the chancel has been enlarged by the Rev. Henry Thellusson Wood M.A. vicar here; 1884-9 ; the fine reredos of Venetian mosaic was designed by Mr. Withers, architect, of London : in 1892 a new organ was added at a cost of £680, raised by public subscription : the church was restored in 1832, and more completely in 1871, and now affords sittings for 800 persons. The register dates from the year 1670.
The church of St. John the Baptist, at the north end of the town, built in 1883, at a cost of £2,985, exclusive of the site, is an edifice of brick in the Lancet style, from the designs of Sir A. W. Blomfield M.A., A.R.A., F.S.A. consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, north porch, and a central turret containing 3 bells: the stained east window is a memorial to Sir Charles Talbot K.C.B. and Lady Talbot, and was erected in 1883 by the members of the family : there is a piscina (used as a credence table) and sedilia for two priests : the church affords 400 sittings.
[Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire - 1898]
Non-conformist
There are Strict Baptist, Baptist, Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels, and a meeting place for the Salvation Army.
[Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire - 1898]
The parish record transcripts for St Andrew are available on microfiche for the period 1670-1812 from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.
Genweb Bedfordshire contains a descriptive page about Biggleswade.
There is a Biggleswade & District Community Web site.
The Biggleswade History Society
The society was formed on 24th March 1975 and has continued to flourish over the years. The Society's objective is to promote the advancement of public education throught the study of local and family history in and around Biggleswade. From September to May they meet on the first Tuesday in each month at 7.45pm for an 8 p.m. start at Millennium House, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade. For the three meetings of June to August they arrange local walks or visits. A newsletter is produced monthly and circulated to all members and affiliated societies. They also hold exhibitions throughout the year and details of these can be found on their website.
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[Last updated 9 July 2006 Martin Edwards]