An Account of Blythburgh in 1792

The following description is taken from The Universal British Directory, Vol.2, p.309, compiled in 1792 and published by Peter Barfort and John Wilkes in 1793.

Blythburgh, or Blythingburgh, (with two hamlets,) is an ancient town, 22 miles from Yarmouth, 5 from Southwold, 5 from Halesworth, 3 from the ancient city of Dunwich, and 97 from London. It is seated on the river Blyth, between Dunwich and Halesworth, in the road to Yarmouth. It is reckoned ancient, from several Roman urns dug up not many years ago among old buildings; and the sessions is supposed to have been held here in the Saxons time, because of it having the gaol for the division of Beccles. It has a large ancient church, 142 feet long and 54 feet broad within the walls; here are also the ruins of an old abbey. It was formerly a market–town, but has lost its charter. There is a fair annually, on old Lady-day.

The Yarmouth mail–coach, to and from London, passes through this town every day at ten o’clock in the forenoon and six in the afternoon, Exclusive of this coach, there are four others, viz. one from the Swan with Two necks, Ladlane, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, at six o’clock; one from the Cross Keys, Gracechurch-street, every day, at six in the evening; one from the Saracen's Head, Aldgate, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at six in the morning; and the other from the Four Swans, Bishopsgate-street, every morning, at seven o’clock. - The waggons to this place are two; that from the Ipswich Arms, Cullum-street, sets out every Thursday at noon; and that from the Saracen’s Head, Aldgate, every Monday, at 10 o’clock in the morning. – The vessel to this place, sails from Harrison’s wharf.

The inhabitants of this place are as follow:

TRADERS, &co.

• Ashbey Joseph, Milwright
• Gooch Robert, Farmer
• Adams John, Farmer
• Hatcher Richard, Shoemaker
• Beaumont Roger, Wheelwright
• Howlett Robert, Farmer
• Burton William, Shoemaker
• Knights Richard, Farmer
• Coates H. Farmer
• Lincon Mary, Shopkeeper
• Collings William, Farmer
• Peek James, (F.) Governor of the House of Industry
• Dodd William, Farmer
• Ellis Arthur, Farmer
• Puttock Samuel, Taylor
• Elmey Robert, (F.) Farmer
• Sherington Robert, (F.) Victualler (White Hart) and Farmer
• Farmer John, Miller
• Fella John, Farmer
• Forster Amus, (F.) Farmer
• Scamon William, Farmer
• Garret William, (F.) Labourer
• Whincap George, Blacksmith
• Wigg John, Farmer

(F.) = Freeholders entitled to vote.

Alan Mackley, Blythburgh, April 1994.
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