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Hedon, Yorkshire, England. Geographical and Historical information from 1868.

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HEDON:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1868.

"HEDON, (or Heydon), a parish, municipal borough, and decayed market town, in the middle division of the wapentake of Holderness, East Riding county York, 5¼ miles E. of Hull, and 40 S.E. of York. It is a station on the Hull and Holderness section of the North-Eastern railway. The town, which is of ancient date, is situated on the Keyingham level drain, near the river Humber. It returned two members to parliament from the reign of Edward I. till 1832, when it was disfranchised by the Reform Act. It is still a polling place for the county elections. The borough, which was first chartered by King Athelstan, is governed by a mayor, recorder, 2 bailiffs, 9 aldermen, &c. It is well paved, and lighted with gas. A portion of the town was destroyed by fire in 1656, at which period it was a seaport town. The harbour having become choked, a small canal in connection with the river Humber is now used in its stead. A considerable amount of traffic is carried on in the shipment of corn, coals, lime, &c. for the West Riding. The public buildings are the townhall, mechanics' institution, and a large cattle market. The gas works are near the railway station. A county court is held monthly for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50. Quarter sessions are held here, and petty sessions weekly. The Holderness Agricultural Society meet quarterly, and have a cattle show every March and September. There is also an exhibition of poultry, fruit, vegetables, and flowers every autumn. Here are extensive brick and tile works, a brewery, rope-walk, corn-mill, &c. The land is very flat, but extremely fertile. It is a meet for Sir C. Constable's hounds. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of York, value £45. The church, dedicated to St. Augustine, is the mother church of three others formerly existing in this parish. It is an ancient cruciform structure, with a tower containing a chime clock and six bells. The register dates from 1552. The charities comprise several almshouses, with other small bequests. Here is a National school for both sexes. The Wesleyans, Roman Catholics, and Baptists, have each a chapel. In the grounds of William Watson, Esq., is an ancient cross, figured with emblems of our Saviour and the Virgin Mary, supposed to have been erected in commemoration of the Duke of Lancaster's landing at Ravenspur, from which place it was removed. A market is held every alternate Monday for cattle. The four annual fairs are held August 2nd, September 22nd, November 17th, and December 6th, for cattle and horses."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2013