Hedon, Yorkshire, England. Geographical and Historical information from 1829.

HEDON:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1829.

"HEDON, Headon, or Headon, is a market-town and borough, in the parish of its name, in the middle division of Holderness wapentake, cast riding, 179 miles from London, 102 from Manchester, 46 from York, 10 W. N. W. of Patrington, and 8 from Hull. It is a small, pleasant and well-built town, situated on a creek, called Hedon haven, within two miles of the Humber, and at one time enjoyed a considerable trade, which was materially impaired by the choaking up of the harbour; and although there is a cut made at the south-east part of the town, which helps to scour that part of the harbour remaining, it is to be feared that it will never regain its former usefulness, and the town of Hull offering such superior accommodation for shipping has also tended to reduce this place. Hedon is a corporate town, governed by a mayor, nine aldermen, two bailiffs, and burgesses (number unlimited); and has returned members to parliament since the twenty-third year of the reign of Edward I.; the right of voting is vested in the burgesses; the number polled at the last election was 331, when Thomas Hyde Villiers, Esq. and Lieut. Colonel Baillie were returned for the borough. A court of record for pleas, to an unlimited extent, is held here; another for tile wapentake of Holderness takes cognizance of debts under forty shillings; and a quarter sessions for the borough; the two latter are held in the town hall. There were formerly three churches here, St. Nicholas', St. James' and St. Augustine's; the latter is the only one now remaining, the living of which is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Archbishop of York, and incumbency of the Rev. John Dixon. There are besides a chapel each belonging to the Calvinists, Methodists and Roman Catholics. The charities are two free schools, for the education of children of poor burgesses, supported mainly by the members for the borough; and several alms-houses have been erected by the corporation, for poor and infirm burgesses, Or their widows. The chief trade here now is in grain, which is conveyed by means of the navigable creek before-mentioned, connecting this place with the estuary of the Humber, to London and the west riding, and coals and lime are introduced in return. The weekly market is on Saturday; and there are, markets on alternate Mondays, for cattle. The fairs are August 2nd, September 22nd, November 17th, and December 6th. By the census of 1821 this town and borough contained 902 inhabitants."

[Transcribed from Pigot's National Commericial Directory for 1828-29 ]
by Colin Hinson ©2007