1802
 

SALE: Freehold Estate, Bridge Street, Beccles: Edmund Skipper.
Substantial Dwelling House, Cottage in the Yard in three dwellings, back house, Granary, Slaughter
House,  Stable  for  six  horses, hog styes & all other necessary outbuildings for a Butcher in large
business.
SALE by George Crowe at the Angel Inn: Freehold Cottages in Bridge Street: [Poor Rate 9-13]
All let to tenants from year to year. The Valuation of occupied Cottages in 1824 was £4-4s
LOT 1: Brick & Tiled Cottage, small Yard & wash house occupied by Mary Boreham 
LOT 2: Brick & Tiled Cottage, small Yard & wash house occupied by Thomas Galer
LOT 3: Brick & Tiled Cottage, small Yard & wash house occupied by Robert Turrell
LOT 4: Brick & Tiled Cottage, small Yard & wash house occupied by William Greenacre
LOT 5: Brick & Tiled Cottage, large Yard & quay leading to the River, well situated for a coal yard,
now untenanted
Particulars from the Auctioneer or Mr Crowe, the Post Office.
SALE of TREES: Auction Sale, Beccles. To be Sold by R Oswald the entire Stock of Fruit & Forest
Trees, evergreens & flowering shrubs of HW Gill, Nurseryman near the Bridge. c 400,000 finest trees.
Most Trees including ash, alder, beech, birch, horse & Spanish chestnut, elms, firs, poplars, hazels,
holly, hornbeams, limes and  oaks, sycamore; 10,000 Evergreens & flowering Shrubs. Variety of Roses.
TURNPIKE ROAD from Little Yarmouth to Blythburgh: AGM of Trustees in King’s Head, Beccles on
Monday 18 March at 12 o’clock “taking into consideration of erecting a new Bridge across part of the
Road called Gillingham Dam at or near the present wooden Footbridge”.
FATAL ACCIDENT: On Friday Morning as “Hope” the Yarmouth COACH on its way to Bury on
entering Beccles the Leader shyed at the Town near the Bridge, where the Pavement commences. The
off  wheel  runs  against a wall, the Coach overturns, woman killed. Several of Jury wish to protest
against driving unicorn teams - unsafe. Coroner: Can’t do it.
RESCUED: As a Party of Ladies & Gents coming up the River intending to land near the Bridge after
an afternoon’s excursion, one of the party, Miss Everett of Corton injudiciously leaned over the Boat
and fell in. No assistance was near, all hope of saving her life was lost until Mr Garnham (although no
swimmer) sprang into the stream & succeeded in landing her on a barge.... she recovered.
RAILWAY LINES: Meeting at Public Hall, Beccles on possible Railway Lines. Capt Moorsom & Mr
Bedder  ... latter proposes line crossing Bridge Street [Northgate] & across Playground of Mr Cowles
Academy “near which spot the Station will be erected.”
BUSINESS: Sam Haward’s Business as Stone, Brick & Tile Merchant taken by Sam Stearn in Bridge
Street
CHOLERA: MEETING 7 September: Paving Committee to put down Stench Traps in Bridge Street near
John Fisher’s.  Thomas Wright to empty privy premises in Northgate.
ADVERTISEMENT: James Marshall, Dyer & Scourer, Bridge Street: Moreens dyed to various colours,
& watered. Chintz furniture cleaned & glazed. Ladies’ dresses, shawls & scarfs cleaned.
SALE: Furniture of Mr C Leighton (who declines housekeeping) near the Bridge.

1824
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
1834

8 Oct 
2 Dec
31 Oct
8 May
16 May
17 Jun

Bridge 
Bridge 
Bridge Street 
Bridge Street 
Bridge Street 
Bridge Street 

1884
1884
1905
1906
1911
1913

Old Bridge: Chairman to purchase rubble if desired.
Old Bridge: 29 Loads of stone purchased at 1s per load

Planning
Planning
Planning
Planning
Planning
Planning

Edgar Osborne, Maltster's Arms registered cow keeper
Alterations to the Ship Inn, Bridge Street
Alterations to old Mission Room in Bridge Street
Telephone poles from boundary, Bridge Street, Ravensmere, Station Rd

approved 
approved 

EARLIEST WILL of the 110 wills to mention the Bridge is that of the Rector, Edmund de Wellis in
1388. who left 6s 8d for the bridge. In 1437 John Monk left 1 shilling for the foundations of the bridge
and the same year Edmund Candeler left 6s 8d for the bridge and causeway and then six years later
money was left for “making the bridge,”. In 1455 the hermit at the bridge makes his appearance when
he is named as the executor of a will and then in 1462:
“to William Ward, hermit of Beccles, to dispose on the reparation of Beccles Bridge.”
The following year 1463 we get a little more information from a will:
“to William Ward, the hermit of Beccles, to dispose about the reparation of the chapel of the Blessed
Mary at the Great Bridge of Beccles and on the reparation of the Bridge.”
He must have been well thought of for he appears in a number of wills by name.
A slightly more ambiguous entry is made 20 years later when 4d is left to the hermit of Beccles, but no
name is given, and the same will leaves 6d for the reparation of the Great Bridge.
No other Beccles hermit is mentioned. It is after all an acquired taste becoming a hermit.
Celia  Finnes  mentioned  the  difficulties  of  crossing  the  bridge  in times of flood when she visited
Beccles in 1697. The Chapel would have been destroyed by that time as the result of Reformation
activities.
“At the town’s end one passes over the River Waveney on a wooden bridge railed with timber and so
you enter Norfolk, it is a low flat ground all here about so that the least rains they are overflowed by
the River and lie under water, as they did when I was there, so that the road lay under water, which

is very unsafe for strangers to pass, by reason of the holes and quicksands and loose bottom.” [It is
unlikely that it was a wooden bridge at this time, but the approach might have been wooden.]
So that is what she thought of Beccles in winter.
MANOR of BECCLES: Water Leet: Amongst the Regulations are some referring to Beccles Bridge:
Secondly that whosoever... shall put any boat or keel through Beccles Bridge on the Sabbath Day in
time of Divine prayer or in the Sermon time shall forfeit to the lord of this leet for every such offence 3s
4d ...
Thirdly  that  whosoever...  shall  fasten  any  boat  or  keel  whatsoever by any means whatsoever to
Beccles Bridge or St Olives Bridge on the half next Beccles shall forfeit 12d
Fourthly ... any keel or great boat through Beccles Bridge downwards between sunset and sunrise
shall forfeit 3s 4d.
Fifthly... shall set any load or keel or boat fast  in Beccles Bridge or the half of St Olives bridge next to
Beccles shall with any quant[?] or boathook shod with iron thrust against the bridges to put such
loaden keel or boat through the said bridge or either of them shall forfeit 3s 4d.
AGREEMENT on BRIDGE: [Norfolk Record Office - Gillingham Estate Papers:  GIL/2/10, 717 x 8 ]
It is agreed between Nicholas Bacon, Esq of Gillingham of the County of Norfolk & Symon Smyth of
Wiston in the County of Norfolk Esq of the first part & William Emerton of Norwich freemason on the
other side that he the said William Emerton shall well & sufficiently repair the two piers or buttresses
that join on the side of the middle arch of the bridge with freestone with wrought & tarrace mortar a
yard high & the rest with freestone mortar & to take down & well joint all the battlements now lying &
new lay them as they ought to be & to repair both sides of the bridge now decayed with freestone
battlements near having the old battlements fallen off & to repair which said sides were formerly &
lastly built with freestone as also to repair all that wall of the east side formerly & lastly built with brick
& stone again & under the table of flintstone & above with brick & quoined with such brick as Trouse
bridge the quoin wall under the table wall is to be about two foot thick & above the table a brick & an
half as also to repair all such stone as shall be broken or wanting on Norfolk side of Beccles bridge
concerning which all this said work is intended to be bestowed as also he is to make a pillar on the
east side answerable to the standing on the west side & all this he is well & sufficiently to do within a
month after the date of these presents. And now the said Nicholas & the said Symon do covenant &
agree that the said William shall for his work well & sufficiently done have the full sum of eighteen
pounds of lawful money of England viz six pounds at the beginning four pounds more when he hath
half finished & the rest when he hath fully finished it in witness whereof we have hereunto put our
hands & seals the day & year above written.
Nicholas Bacon, Will Emerton, Simon Smyth
Sealed in the presence of          Dan Rayner   John Wolnough

 
1649
 

1654
 

There is no mention in the Corporation Minutes of the Bridge between 1670 and the termination of the
Corporation in  1835.
There may have been some small running expenses that are listed under the name of the stone mason
concerned in the accounts, but obviously there was no major restoration. I have not been through the
accounts thoroughly, but often there is a sum of money paid to a craftsman with no explanation as to
what the cost relates, so it would not be possible to identify
PAYMENT: Paid Nick Morse and Jo Crowe for breaking the ice to preserve the bridge.
WEATHER:  This  Winter  was particularly bitter with an average temperature of minus 1.2 degrees
Centigrade for December, January and February. The Thames froze. There were ice flows measuring
five kilometers off the Channel coasts and thirty kilometers in the north sea. Where there was no snow
cover in the South of England the frost  went down to a depth of nearly four feet. The snow cover
lasted for over a hundred and twelve days, when the average at that time was seventy five days.
Besides other charges, the purpose of which is not stated, the book records many upon the county for
repair  and  building  of  bridges.  Among  these  are  mentioned  the  bridges  of  Stratford,  Bourne,
Martlesham,  Claydon,  Wilford,  Bungay,  Mendham,  Brandeston,  Blythburgh,  Beccles, Cretingham,
Cosford  near  Hadleigh,  Seamour  [Semer], and Kettleburgh. In 1689 the money raised for repairing
bridges was ordered “to lye as a stock in banke, in Mr. Robert Clarke’s bands of Ipswich, who is
appointed treasurer for the same.” And again, in July 1696, when there was an order to raise £410. in
the county for similar purposes, the money is directed to be paid “to Mr. Robert Snelling of Ipswich,
treasurer for the bridge money.” In the following January £500 were ordered at the Beccles sessions
for “ye rebuilding of Bungay Bridge” and repairing others. In July 1699 an order was made at Beccles
quarter  sessions  for  raising  £100  in  Beccles,  Woodbridge,  and  Ipswich  divisions,  towards  the
repairing of St. Olave’s and other county bridges. And in January 1701, £200 were raised in the same
division of the county towards building and repairing Blythburgh and Beccles  bridges.
MUTFORD  BRIDGE:  23  June:  Portreeve  to  pay  £20  towards  the  repairing  of  Mutford  Bridge  or
Causeway according to a warrant from the Court of Commissioners of Sewers bearing date 9 June.
MUTFORD  BRIDGE:  20  November:  Portreeve  to  pay  £5  being  charged  towards  the  repairing  of
Mutford Bridge.
Allowed Mr Purvis for a rate for the repair of Mutford Bridge 2s 0d.
[Jeffrey Purvis senior had been made a Feoffee in 1717. A Jeoffrey Purvis had been Portreeve in 1693,
but in 1710 the Corporation ordered that "Jeoffrey Purvis, one of the XII be discharged for that by
virtue or colour of a lease made to him by Mr Armstrong the Rector of Beccles of the tythes and
herbage  belonging  to  the  Rectory  hath  unduly  and illegally taken and exacted tythes or herbage
money in payment in lieu thereof of divers persons for and in respect of their keeping and depasturing
cattle on the fen contrary to the laws agreements and constitutions relating to the Fen"].!
Vestry Minutes 1733 to 1857:  There is no mention of Beccles Bridge
“BECCLES A PORT”. Meeting at Town Hall. HS Davey, Portreeve: “..A matter of First importance to
make it a Shipping Place & obtain direct navigation to the Sea.”
The best way to make River along to the Town deep enough to have vessels lay alongside the Quay
& wide enough for a Dock or Harbour. The Bridge could be converted to draw or swing Bridge or
removed higher up the River.
PLAN for CONVERTING the 3 arches of the present Bridge siuated in the parishes of Beccles in the
County of Suffolk &Gillingham in the County of Norfolk & converting it into a Balance Bridge [iron].
Joseph Stannard ? jun, Achitect & Surveyor, Norwich. 28 Nov 1834 [with plan]
Committee appointed to look at Beccles Bridge question
Beccles Bridge: Beccles Navigation Commissioners to hand over £1,000 to Waveney Valley Drainage
Commissioners when bridge is completed.
Beccles Bridge: Discussion of payment for new Bridge. [previous week also]
Beccles Bridge: Norfolk & Suffolk both interested in improving the Bridge. Would Beccles Council
contribute?. Agreed to offer £500
Beccles   Bridge:   Cost   would   be   £5,000.   Waveney   Valley   Navigation   offered  £1,100,  Beccles
Corporation £500. Cost would be £3,500 between Norfolk & Suffolk. Inconvenience caused by bend in
road at its two extremities. Norfolk City Magistrates did not recommend such an expenditure.
Adaire of Flixton advocated concrete bridge with iron girders for strengthening, like Homersfield
Beccles Bridge: Suffolk had refused to consider a new bridge any further on account of its expense.

1684:
1683/84  

1719
 

1733
1830

1865
1869

1869
1870

 
1871

Norfolk Magistrates then came to the same conclusion.
Waterworks Company, unauthorised, dug a trench over the Bridge, buried a pipe in it & filled up the
trench.
BECCLES BRIDGE: The steps which led to its construction were briefly as follows :—In consequence
of the disastrous floods which occurred in October, 1882, a committee was appointed by the Town
Council, first, to consider if any steps could be taken to improve the drainage of the Waveney Valley
and, secondly, to urge upon the Magistrates of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk the importance of
constructing a now bridge over the Waveney at Beccles. With respect to the first object for which
they were appointed, the labours of the committee have, we regret to say, not yet been crowned with
success ; but with regard to the second, it has been otherwise. After negotiations, which lasted for
some months, a grant of £500 was obtained first from the Magistrates for the county of Norfolk, and
this was followed a few months later by a corresponding grant from the Suffolk Magistrates, which
was  made  on  the  condition  that  the  work  should  be  carried  on  by,  and  at  the  wish  of,  the
Commissioners  appointed  under  the  Beccles  Navigation  Act;  that  the  town  of  Beccles  should
contribute a sum of £2,000 towards the cost of the bridge; that the county of Suffolk should not be
asked to contribute more than £500 ; and that the work should be done under the supervision and to
the satisfaction of the Surveyors for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The £2,000 contributed by
the town of Beccles was made up of a sum of rather less than £1,700, which was vested in the Beccles
Navigation Commissioners, and which resulted from tolls levied during the time that the Navigation
Act was in force; and a sum of rather mere than £300 contributed mainly by a few merchants who had
a special interest is improving the waterway of the river, and the communication between the two
counties by road.
The new bridge was erected in 1884 by the Beccles Navigation Commissioners, who had powers under
their Act of Parliament to remove the old bridge which was rebuilt in 1653, and which consisted of
three arches, and supported a roadway of only 11 feet in width. The new structure is a wrought-iron
bridge, consisting of two main continuous lattice girders, each 94 feet in length, resting, at the ends,
upon masonry abutment piers, and upon four screw piers, which are 2 an 1/2 feet in diameter—giving
47 foot clear waterway in the centre of the river, and 18 inches more headway for navigation than the
old bridge. The width over the bridge between the main girders is 20 feet, giving 17 feet of carriage-
way and three feet foot-way. The road is supported between the main girders upon rolled steel plates,
known as “Lindsay’s Patent.” The new bridge is repairable, as was the old one, jointly by the County
Authorities of Norfolk and East Suffolk. The stonework in the old bridge was used, as far as it could
be, in the construction of the abutments and wings of the new bridge. The new bridge was designed
by R.M. Brereton, Esq., M.I.C.E., the County Bridge and Road Surveyor for the County of Norfolk, and
executed under the joint directions of the said engineer and of B. M. Eyton, Esq., the County Surveyor
for East Suffolk. The iron work was executed by Messrs Head, Wrightson, and Co, of Stockton-on-
Tees, and the rest of the bridge work by Mr T.H. Blyth, of Foulsham in Norfolk,  who had previously
built the Falcon Bridge at Bungay.

[1530
 

BOXFORD  CHURCHWARDENS’ ACCOUNTS 1530-61: Edited by Peter Northeast
“Until 1547, the whole of the expenditure relates to the upkeep of the church, churchyard and parish
properties,  together  with  that  of  the  bridge  which  seems  to  have  been  the  responsibility  of  the
churchwardens. Regular payments are made to the sexton, parish clerk and other employees, for wax,
frankincense  and  oil,  and  for  repairs  to  the  church  fabric,  furniture,  vestment  and  books,  and
especially to the bells. On several occasions there are legal expenses to do with the protection of the
parish’s title to its land and property. But never, apart from the bridge and the property, is anything
spent for the wider community, as in the repair of roads or the relief of the poor.”
payd for the postys too the breg (bridge) 
payd to John coo for castyng of gravel onto the breg
payd to herd for tember to the brege and workmanschep 
It. to Robert Tyler & Rycherd smythe for spredyng off Gravell on the brydge  
It. to hertwell For an yren to steye the same powpe the brydg 
It. to John barker for hys werk by the space of viij dayes 
It. for hys mette by the same tyme at iii d. the day 
It. for vj ankers with dobyll keyes 

[1531 Boxford Churchwardens 
[1532 Boxford Churchwardens 
[1533 Boxford Churchwardens 
[1540 Boxford Churchwardens 
[1543 Boxford Churchwardens 
 
 
 

             ij s. & ix d.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

viii d.
xxij d.
iiij d.
iid
ijs. viii d.
ij s.
vj s.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[1548

It. for xv steddys
It. for iij bord at iij s. the C & a quarter & odde Fotts 
It. to iij laborerys be the space of iiij dayes to stub & 
rame at vj d. a day eche of them for mett & wagys 
It. for x lodys of Cley 
It. to hertwell for ij li. of nayles 
It. to Jasper for xiij lodys of Gravell
It. to william Coo for stubbyng & Caryng of the same
It. to hertwell For a C of lede nayle wayng but ij li. 
It. to the same hertwell For makyng of a bend of  
owr owne Iren to the Caye (key) 
It. For a bord off xv ffotte to the brydge 
It. for nayles to the same 
It. to barker to ley the same For mette & wagys  
Itm. pd. for Caryenge of the gret stonys owt of the ryver 
Itm. pd. for lyme for the churche for the bredge & for
the churche houses xj seme & di 
Itm. pd. for gatherynge of two lodys of stonys for the bredge 
Itm. pd. for thr caryage of the seyde stonys 
Itrn. pd. For a lode di of Brycke & di lode of tyle 
Itm. pd. to Wylliam Coo for the sells of the churche 
house & for a post for the bredge 
ltm. pd. to Wyiliam Coo for the Caryage of a lode of  sande 
Itm. pd. to Thomas Marten for xxviij daye wurke 
wurkynge in the churche on the town shoppys on the
bredge on the churche house & on the churche walle
wagys & mete & drynke after vii d. le daye 
Itm. pd. to Marten men For xxx daye wurke upon that same wurke 
meate drynke & wages after vj d. le dayc
Itm. pd. to Thomas marten sarver for xxiiij daye wurke
upon that same wurke also meate drynke & wages after v d. le daye 
Itm. pd. for ij lodys of cleye for castynge & caryage 
pd. more for ij lodes of brycke for the brydge
payed to Rye for makyng of the corner of the bredge with 
bryk & for castyng of that syde of the bredge & for 
mendyng of the churche wall by yongs howse 
pd. to froste for castyng gravell owte of the ryver for the bredge
pd. to lambe & to marchante for carryeng of the gravell onto the bredge
payd for layeng off gravell on the brydg 

 
 
} 
}
 
 
 
 
 
} 
}
 
 
 

v s.
x s.
vj s.

iij s. iiij d.
v d.
iiij d.
xx d.
vij d.
ij d.

 
 
 
 
} 
}
 
 
 
 
 
 
} 
 
 
 

iiij d.
ij d.
vj d.
ij
xj  s.  vj  d.

 
 
 
} 
} 
 
 
}
}
}
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
xvj

iij d.
viij d.
vii
iij  s.  vj  d.

} 
 
 
 
 
 
}
 
 
 

x s.
}
 
 
} 
}

 
[1555
 

viii d
v s. iiij d.
iiij s. iiij d.

viij d.
 
 

 
[1561

xij d.
vij d.]

The River Waveney for the last week has been entirely frozen over. This has not occurred since the
winter of 1860-61. While this has put a stop to the trade of the Port & thrown out of employment those
who earn a livelihood by navigating the stream, it has also afforded a fund of intense enjoyment to
others who revel in the bracing exercise & delightful sport of skating. During the whole week the River
was literally crowded with people ... Each day the sport was continued until dusk, and in the evening
those who were prevented by business from skating at more seasonable times, turned night into day
by torches, and sped along the ice with equal safety.
Thomas  Farr,  Charles  Farr,  John  Farr  &  Charles  Sugden,  gentlemen  of  Geldeston  charged  with
assaulting Edwin Boaler of Beccles, ironmomger’s assistant at Barsham (before W Jecks, Esq [of 29
Ballygate],  Rev  RC  Denny,  Rev  JC  Safford  [of  Mettingham  Castle]  JF  Vincent  [of  Wrentham] &
Admiral Eden). The Bench tried to persuade the boys to settle out of Court.
Bealer & Chester Hadingham [son of the miller of London Road] were boating on the Waveney past
the engine house. They saw a boat coming straight towards them, about 10 yards off, they hailed it

and steered for the shore. The four defendants blackguarded them, saying “They didn’t know one end
of the boat to another”, “You ought to have your mother with you.” They all went ashore and had a
fight, but the defendants pushed him into the water. “As I was falling I caught hold of Thomas Farr by
the hair & pulled him in with me.” Defendants fined £1 each. Bealer also fined £1 in a separate case.

SALE at White Lion, Beccles by Mr Crowe: Freehold Estate (House, Office, Land, Granaries, etc) in
Gillingham near Beccles Bridge [Bridge House] Proprietor Mr Charles Carr Holland. - Corn, Coal &
Malt Trades.
SALE: Wharf, Granaries & Warehouses late occupied by Richard Thornton (foot of Beccles Bridge in
Gillingham) for Sale by B Rix

the Darby family from its foundation in 1844 by Mr Samuel Darby to the present day. A private limited
company was formed in 1912.
In the course of time considerable expansion has taken place and the company now posses extensive
timber  yards  and  a  well  equipped  electrically-driven  sawmill,  from  which timber in all its forms is
supplied to farmers and builders in the district. Messrs Darby Brothers, Ltd. also have an extensive

trade in coal, cement and other builders’ merchant supplies.
1844 on Beccles Town Guide 1998  DARBY BROS. LTD: Situated at the entrance to the town by the River Waveney, is one of the oldest

established companies in Beccles. Darby Bros. has been trading on this site for nearly 150 years. Up
until the early thirties, they owned two wherries which were used to transport timber and bricks from
their Darby Road brick works throughout broadland.
They are one of the few remaining English timber merchants in the district, specialising in oak and
other native hardwoods for construction and restoration work on churches, timber framed houses and
fumiture, etc. Although their base is home-grown timber, they also trade in a wide range of imported
hardwood and softwoods for the building and joinery trades.
Samuel Darby, innkeeper & George Whitehead, stone mason owned Mary & Sarah - built Yarmouth
1819; schooner, clench built 31 tons. Master, John Rand. Sold 1855. Lost off Filey 1860.
ADVERTISEMENT: Samuel Darby, Coal & Timber Merchant, Bridge Street. Every description of red &
white  Bricks,  Pavements, Pan & Roof Tiles, Drain Pipe, Chimney Pots etc. Stockholm & Coal Tar,
Pantile  Splines  &  Ceiling  Laths;  Scantling  of  every description cut to order. Wherries constantly
attending at Yarmouth upon the Steam Traders from London, Hull & Newcastle for conveyance of
goods to Norwich, Beccles & Lowestoft.
FLOODS OF 1879 There were disastrous floods at the end of July 1879, the worst for 60 years: Heavy
rains fell on Saturday night and for the next three days, almost without break. The Barsham marshes
became  a  great  lake.  Gillingham  dam  was  completely  covered.  The  only  communication  between
Gillingham and Beccles was by boats charging 2d per head. The Beccles fen was covered with  2 or 3
feet of water. 15 hay stacks were lost. The Yarmouth line was flooded and the ballast washed away.
On  Wednesday  the  water  was  rising  1  foot  an  hour  at  the  swing  bridge,  whose  pilot  had  to
accommodate his pigs in his own house until he could move them to safety. Mr Darby's timber in the
form of planks and logs floated away, while whole trees were carried long distances. His loss was
£2000. His house was flooded during Tuesday night with about 2 feet of water [This is Bridge House,
Monty Pitkin’s House]. The water was still standing in his house on Friday night. Mr Johnson, one of
his neighbours had to take refuge with his family in a yacht. In Bridge Street houses were flooded and
food and drink was handed in through the upper windows. At the brewery casks floated around in all
directions.
BRIDGE HOUSE, late Samuel Darby. Household Furniture; 337 Lots.
LIST OF BOATS REGISTERED IN 1900: Darby Brothers
Ethel - wherry, 20 tons; Leonard - wherry, 20 tons
Darby, AW: Bridge House, Yacht, Ormonde
Darby, AW: Bridge House, Yacht, Olive 
Darby, AW: Bridge House, Yacht, White Duck  ?

1885
1900
 
 
 
 

13 tons
15 tons

1745
 
 
 
 
 
1745
 
 

WILL of John Lillistone:-
ALL THOSE hid Marshes lying in Gillingham in the occupation of Robert Bond
To John Lillistone, his son all his Lands, but paying the following Legacies:
His son William Lillistone £100; His daughter Anne Lillistone £100.
Executors: John Lillistone, his son & Edward Utting of Beccles, baker
Died May 1746 aged 55; Will proved in Archdeaconry Court of Suffolk 30 May 1746
Indenture BETWEEN John Lillistone of Beccles, Wherryman of ONE PART
John Lillistone, son & heir apparent
ALL THOSE pieces of Land in Gillingham enclosures of Marsh or Meadow Land , then late the estate
of Edward Whitlock, and then late purchased by John Lillistone, (the father) of Matthew Cutlove in
the occupation of John Lillistone, the Father
ABUTTING upon Beccles Dam SOUTH
The Lands of Sir Edmund Bacon on the NORTH & WEST,
River Waveney towards the EAST
About 4 Acres
WILL of John Lillistone, the son
To my son Samuel Lillistone ALL my Estate & Effects in Gillingham, Beccles, Barsham, St Andrew &
Bungay, but paying Legacies:
To Elizabeth, his wife £50, & a further £100
To his daughter, Ann Freston £700
To his daughter Elizabeth Cole  £700
But if either of the daughters die, it should be divided between her children
To his daughter May Lillistone £1,000
To his brother William £20 every year as long as he lived.
To his sister Ann Crickmer £10 every year as long as she lived.
To Samuel Preston £50 when he reaches age of 21.
To his servant, Samuel Norman £5 5s 0d
Executors: Samuel Lillistone & Ann Freston.
Died February 1784. Will proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Suffolk 26 November 1785
WILL of Samuel Lillistone. Appointed his wife, Elizabeth & John, his son Executrix
Sell all his Messuages, Lands, Tenements etc
Died 26 June 1829; Proved in Prerogative Court of Canterbury 5 October 1829
Indenture BETWEEN Elizabeth Lillistone of Beccles, Widow, Rev John Lillistone of Barsham, Clerk of
the FIRST PART
Richard Thornton the younger of Beccles, beer brewer
William Hoddy of Loddon, gent 
for £400
ALL THOSE pieces of Land in the occupation of Riochard Thornton
ABUTTING on a Dam called Beccles or Gillingham Dam in part & on Land of Samuel Last SOUTH
Lands late of Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart & then of Susan Elizabeth Schutz, spinster NORTH & WEST
River Waveney in part & lands of Samuel Last EAST
by estimation 4 acres
Indenture 7 July
BETWEEN Richard Thornton FIRST PART
Samuel Last of Gilingham, gentleman SECOND PART
Edward Colby Sharpin of Beccles, gent THIRD PART
ALL THAT piece of Marsh Land (being part of the previous indenture) & now in the occupation of
Samuel Last, containing two perches; in LENGTH 141 ft from Gillingham Dam, counting in BREADTH
in the widest part 9 ft,
ABUTTING on the Premises of Samuel Last EAST
Upon a Dike recently cut by Richard Thornton WEST
AND ALL THAT part of Land which now forms part of the Dike & is covered with water, extending
along the whole of the WEST of the Land, in width 5ft from the Western Boundary
INDENTURE of Mortgage BETWEEN

 
 
 
 
1782
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1828
 
 
1833

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1833
 
 
 
 

Richard Thornton & Sarah his wife FIRST PART
Samuel Bignold of Norwich, Esq SECOND PART
James Copeman & William Hoddy THIRD PART
for the sum of £10,000 with other hereditaments

Others were involved in Indentures: Matin Bristowe of Burgh St Peter, farmer & James Copeman of
Loddon, gent. Then John Read of Langley in 1834 lent an extra £600

 
1834
1839

Richard Thornton built warehouses, granaries, Coal Bins & other buildings on the Land
John Read demanded of Richard Thornton repayment of his principal & interest.

1840
 
 
 

Indenture 7 January 1840
BETWEEN John Read FIRST PART
William Milnes Atkinson of Barsham, merchant SECOND PART
Richard Thornton not having repaid interest or principal of £1000, put up for auction, purchased by
WM Atkinson for £145: 2 acres 2 rods of Meadow or Pasure Land
ABUTTING on the Turnpike Road or Gillingham Dam SOUTH
Land of Miss Schutz NORTH & WEST
A Dike dividing the land from the Wharf & other part of the Premises sold by John Read to John Crisp
EAST      - WM Atkinson paying half the expense of draining & cleansing the Dike.
Indenture 14 February 1840
BETWEEN John Crisp the younger of Beccles, merchant ONE PART
William Milnes Atkinson OTHER PART
Purchased  recently  by  John  Crisp  one  acre  &  a  half,  with  the  spacious  Wharfs,  Warehouses,
Granaries, Coal-bins, Stables, & other buildings
ABUTTING  the  Land  of  Miss  Schutz  on the EAST by the River Waveney in part & by Land &
Premises of  late Samuel Last & then of WM Atkinson SOUTH
Land & Premises of WM Atkinson in part & Gillingham Dam & WEST
WM Atkinson bankrupt on 5 July
WM Atkinson owed Henry Boyce, of Giselham, gent £190 Mortgage
Indenture 26 August 1844
BETWEEN Henry Boyce ONE PART
John Banham SECOND PART
for £145

1840
 
 
 

 
1841
 
1844
 
 
 

The Cottages on the south side of the approach to the Bridge are to be demolished, would improve
access to the new Bridge.

1660c
 
1668
1717
1721

Fryers)  (folio 216)  
John Adams, for a tent in Bridge Street, (now Mrs Castle) 

Task 8d
Rent 1d
Task 8d
Rent 1d

Thomas Fryer, for a tent in Bridge Street, late John Adams 
Thomas Fryer, late Wiggins, Randall, Cully 

1857
1882

SALE: Dwelling: Benjamin Bensley
SALE: LOT 5, late Harriet Meen: BRIDGE STREET; a Brick & Tiled HOUSE & SHOP, with Yard  &
Shed, adjoining Lot 4 at the junction with Fen Lane, now occupied by by Mrs Neech
[passed over]

Philip Hayward, cooperage, Bridge Street, succeeded to the business carried on for many years by his
Father.
SALE:  LOT  4,  late  Harriet  Meen:  BRIDGE  STREET:  a  brick  &  Tiled  COTTAGE,  adjoining  the
Maltster’s Arms, two Coopers’ Shops with loft over, Cart Shed & Yard occupied by Philip Hayward
[passed over]

 
BRIDGE STREET 8

1882
1803
 

Abstract of Title to Estate of Sophia Meen decsd & Harriet Meen, decsd: LOTS 3 & 4
INDENTURE BETWEEN
William West, linen weaver, & Susannah, his wife, late the wife of John Brewer, stone cutter, decsd, &
his last Will, ONE PART
William Barnard, gent of the OTHER PART  
To the use of William West & Hannah his wife, the longest liver of them, & after to his heirs.

1829
 
 
1831
 

WILL of William West, 11 April
Executors to sell all his Messuages , shops, cottes, land & hereditaments in Bridge Street, Beccles.
He died 24 November 1829. Proved 19 February 1831,
INDENTURE : February:
BETWEEN:  Osborne  Clarke,  late  of  Westhall,  but  then  of  Uggeshall,  farmer  &  William  Draper,
Governor of the House of Industry there of FIRST PART
George William Brown Bohun of Beccles, SECOND PART
Hannah, Sophia & Harriet Meen all of Gillingham, THIRD PART
Sold for £460.  Yearly Costs: Land Tax & free rent to Manor of Frostenden.
ALL THOSE messuages formerly of John Woolby, after that of John Brewer (both deceased) & then
late of William West, with the houses, outhouses, shops, warehouses & gardens. Also a lean-to then
occupied as a cottage
BETWEEN the Malting Office (formerly a messuage & land of Martha Elmy, widow; after of William
Batten [Hatton?] & then of Messrs Gurneys, Turner & Brightwen) WEST
the next described Messuage & land formerly of John Calver EAST.
[Bridge Street No 10, - later Crisp]

 
 
 
 
1831

Bridge Street on the SOUTH;
Lands & hereditaments, and lands of Gillings, formerly of Mr West on the NORTH.
Late in the occupation of William West & Honor Turner
[Fen Lane - now part of the Maltings]
ALSO

ALL THAT piece of ground with the messuages, tenements or cottages & blacksmith’s shop with
outhouses, garden & a moiety of a well, formerly Thomas Westwood, & in the occupation of John
Calver & William Tripp; late of Richard Burwood & James Miller & a cottage was then untenanted.
BETWEEN a Messuage & yard late called an outhouse & yard formerly of Luke Crouching, since of

William  Allington,  decsd,  afterwards  of  John  Calver  &  then  of  Elizabeth  Bensley in part & the
premises described next in Fen Lane EAST
The  Messuage  &  Garden  formerly  of  Thomas  Burrell,  since  of  John  Newhouse  &  his  wife,
afterwards of John Brewer & Susannah, his wife, then late of William West, in Part, & lastly here
described WEST
And upon land late belonging to the last premises & sold by William West to -- Gillings NORTH
Upon Bridge Street SOUTH
(The last premises were formerly Edward Macham, then late of John Calver)
ALSO
INDENTURE: BETWEEN
John Calver of FIRST PART 
Matthias Abel, Edward Burton & Stephen Spratt SECOND PART
William West THIRD PART
George WB Bohun FOURTH PART
ALL THAT tenement late of John Calver, formerly used as an ash-house, afterwards used as a cow
house & stable & then converted into three cottages with a yard, late in the occupation of John
Calver
BETWEEN the Common Way leading from Northgate to the Beccles Fen [Fen Lane] EAST
part of the last described premises WEST
the Premises of Elizabeth Benslet SOUTH
the Premises of William West, then of  --- Gillings NORTH
late in the occupation of William Stubbs, Robert Webb & Robert Alger,
late also the estate of John Calver, formerly of William Allington
Hannah Meen died leaving her share of the Estate to Sophia & Harriet Meen

 
 
 
 
1798
 
 
 
 
1831

 
 
 
 
 
 
1852

1858
1880

LAW: James Crickmer, Landlord of the Maltster’s Arms, open at illegal hours 
DROWNING  Bungay  waterman,  James  Cossay  left  wherry  at  Mr  Crisp’s  quay  [probably  by  the
Bridge], went to Page’s beerhouse [Maltster’s Arms, Bridge Street] which he left at 11pm. returning to
wherry in the dark tripped over rope attaced to a wherry, fell into river and was drowned. Jury said
path should be wider and no ropes to stretch over path.
SALE: LOT3: late Harriet Meen: BRIDGE STREET: a well-accustomed Brick & Tiled BEERHOUSE, the
MALTSTER’S ARMS, with large Yard, Stable, Cow House & Cart Shed, approached  from Fen Lane,
now occupied by Robert Page. Rental £20
[withdrawn at £525]
LICENCES: Maltster’s Arms, Bridge Street to HC Cowles;
LICENCES: Maltster’s Arms to Wm R Johnson
One Bell to Harry C Cowles, late of the Maltster’s Arms.
MALSTER’S ARMS: House in BRIDGE STREET: Licence transferred to the present house in October
1913, Premises Poor Rate £20-18s. Income Tax £18. Annual licence duty £30.
Lodgers taken in. In the Summer a good Yard & Stall for 8 horses. 3 fully licensed houses & 2 Beer
Houses within 533 yards. Used by malsters & those in the neighbourhood. One of the Stables was let
from the house. A number of carts used the Yard.
Colchester Brewery Co, the owner’s trade in 1918: 80 & 1/4 barrels & 297 dozen bottlesof bottled beer.
Licence referred.

 
1885
1892
 
1918

SALE: Colchester Brewing Co: No 8 BRIDGE STREET, formerly The Malster’s Arms Beerhouse, the
licence of which has been surrendered. In the rear of the property is a spacious Yard, opening to FEN
LANE,  in  which  are  Brick  &  Tile  buildings,  comprising  Stabling  for  8  Horses & other buildings.

Another range of buildings comprising Stabling for 4 horses, in the occupation ofMr Fred Craske.
The Property is well adapted for alteration to a Shop or  Refreshment Rooms, being only a few yards
distant from the River Waveney. Tenure freehold.
[purchased Mr E Driver £300]

Br 
Br 
Br 
Br 
Br 
Br 
Br 

1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047

Dwelling:
William MOYSE 
Esther MOYSE 
Charles SMITH 
William WARD 
Samuel WARD 
Samual PURLARD 

M 
M 

29 
30 
9 
5 
3 
79 

M 
F 
M 
M 
M 
M 

Worlingham, Suffolk, England 
Beccles, Suffolk, England 
Ipswich, Suffolk, England 
Beccles, Suffolk, England 
Beccles, Suffolk, England 
Beccles, Suffolk, England 

Head 
Wife
Stepson ((Lodger))
Step Son
Step Son
Boarder

Br 
Br 

1035
1036

Dwelling:
Robert PAGE
Employ 1 Man
Sarah PAGE
Kate E. SUTTON 
Emma KEABLE 
Henry CAPON 

Br 
Br 
Br 
Br 

F 
10 
18 
54 

1037
1038
1039
1040

Halstow, Kent, England
F 
F 
M 

Wife
Beccles, Suffolk, England 
Thurlton, Norfolk, England 
Beccles, Suffolk, England 

Grandaur
Serv 
Lodger

Scholar
Domestic Servant General
General Lab

U 
U 

1576
1593
 
1633c
1637c
 
1662
 
1683

Robert Warpole, for his 2 tenements, the one late Botswaine, & the other late Cannes 
Edmund King, for his 2 tenements lying together, the one late Henry Botswaine &
the other Henry Cannes 
John Smyth, [will 1639] tenement sometime Edmund King, for Botswaine (folio 123) 
John Wells, tenement sometime Botswaine, after Nursey, before King 
(post Henry Harbor) [See Biography John Wells] 
John Smith, tenement in Bridge Street, sometime King, after Botswaine, late
John Smith (folio 227) 
INDENTURE between Martha Smith of  Beccles, widow, relict of John Smith the younger of Beccles,
tanner, deceased & John Smith, heir of the said John Smith of ONE PART
Isaac Smith, plumber, of the OTHER PART
ALL THAT Messuage with appurtenances wherein Martha Smith & Isaac Crisp now dwelleth & all
the houses, buildings, stables, yards, gardens & orchards
BETWEEN the Messuage & Yards late John Horning & now of Frances Burrell, widow EAST
The Messuage & Yards late of Richard Smith, deceased, WEST
Bridge Street, SOUTH
The Fen of Beccles NORTH
Will pay £4 per year for 50 years, in equal sums on the four feasts of the Church in the Porch of St
Michael’s Church
Henry Harbor, late Wells, sometime Botswaine, Nursey & King
John Stockwood, tenement in Bridge Street, late Smyth, King & Botswaine 
Margaret Stockwood, tenement in Bridge Street, formerly Smith, King & Botswaine 
Robert Le Grys, late Stockwood, the house by the Bridge 
Robert Le Grys, late Stockwood 
Robert Le Grys, Esq., tenement in Bridge Street, now a malthouse, late
Mr Stockwood, formerly Smith, King, Botswaine 
SALE: Robert Le Grys, 17 October 1767:
A large and convenient malthouse near the Bridge with half an acre of land,
under lease to a good tenant, who does the repairs at the yearly rent of £11.
Robert Le Grys, [died 1767] late Stockwood, vide William Crowfoot, under the title
Artis 

Task 6d
Task 6d

1711
1718
1723
1729
1761
1764
 
1767
 
 
1772
 
1800.1
1800.2
1828
 
 
1835

Task 6d
 

Task 6d
 
Rent 6d 1/2d

 
William Hatton
Charles Holland

Messrs Gurney, Turner & Brightwen, bankers. A malting office, granary and
premises in Bridge Street, late Charles Holland, William Hatton and Stockwood
(later Thornton & Crisp 1837) 
Richard Thornton, brewer and John Crisp, merchant. Malting office, granary and premises in Bridge
Street, late Messrs Gurney, Turner and Brightwen, before Charles Holland. 
jun) 
Thornton & Co
Richard Thornton, mortgage of £7,500 altogether to Samuel Bignold 
Fiat of Bankruptcy against Richard Thornton, the younger, of Beccles, beer brewer, dealer & chapman
Wharf, Granaries & warehouses late occupied by Richard Thornton (at foot of Beccles Bridge) for sale
by B Rix.
John Crisp
John Crisp exiting from the Manor [buying himself out of the Manor]

(later   John   Crisp,
Rent 6d

1836
1837
1839
1839

1849
1867

 
1756
1760
1765
1770
 
1775
 
1781
 
 
1807
1810
1814
1820
1824
1828
 
 
 
1832
 
 
 
1841
 
 
 
 
 

OCCUPANT 
Mr Robert Le Grys, Malt House 
Mr Robert Le Grys, Malt House 
Mr Robert Le Grys, Malt House 
Mrs Elizabeth Rede, House 
more Malt House
Mrs Elizabeth Rede, House 
more Malt House
Mr Hatten, for House 
more Malt House & Meadow 
more new Granary 
CC Holland, Malt, Granary & Counting House 
CC Holland 
CC Holland 
Messrs Stead 
Messrs Stead 
Messrs Stead & Granary
Stock 
New Malting Office 
Cinder Office 
Mr Patrick Stead Granary
Stock 
Cinder Oven 
Malting Office 
Atkinson, WM
Atkinson, WM
Atkinson, WM
Atkinson, WM
Atkinson, WM
Atkinson, WM

OWNER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

£6 - 10
£6 - 10
£6 - 10
£5 - 10
£6 - 10
£5 - 10
£6 - 10
£4
£5
£2 - 10
£16
£16
£20
£19
£25 - 13 -4
£28 - 13 -4
£1
£26
£1 - 6 - 8
£28 - 13 -4
£1
£1 - 6 - 8
£26
£77 
£3 
£7-10 
£10 
£2 
£2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atkinson, Wm 
Atkinson, Wm 
Atkinson, Wm 
Atkinson, Wm 
Atkinson, Wm 
Atkinson, Wm 

Malt Office
Barn 
Land 3-0-0 acres
Garden 3 acres
Cinder Oven
Coal House

1576
1593
 

Nicholas Boyce, for his three tents late Darnells 
John Bretteyne, for three tents lying together, Thomas Darnell, late Nicholas
Boyce 

1656c
1668
1679
 
1693
1700
1705
1728
 
 
 
1736
 
1751
1760

Thomas Burrell, cooper, for a tent late Simon Welton (folio 200)
Thomas Burrell, for a tent late John, since Thomas Bretton 
Frances Burrell, widow of Thomas Burrell, sometime Thomas John, after
Lockington & Bretton (folio 270) 
Widow Shepard, for part of  a tent in Northgate (Robert Barber)
Widow Sheppard, part of a tent in Northgate
Robert Sheppard, for a tent late Thomas Burrell 
TO BE LET: The Ship tavern, part of it new built with a good staithe
belonging to it, standing nigh the Bridge. Enquiries Tobias Chandler.
[Tobias Chandler, was the gaoler of the Prison in Beccles. He  seems to have
followed a subsidiary occupation as a house agent.]
Robert Barber & Robert Bond, for part of a tent in Northgate, formerly
Shepherd
Rebecca Wake, [widow, died 1764] for a tent in Northgate late Sheppard
To be let... Ancient & well accustomed Public House known by the sign of the Ship  situate in Beccles
near the Bridge & has a convenient Quay belonging to it upon the River which leads to Yarmouth &
Norwich. Late in occupation of John Holmay, now of his widow. Enquiries at House or Sam Caley,
Gorleston.
Rebecca Wake, late Folkard [Shepard?], late Glikess 
William Hatton, tent in Northgate late Robert Wake 
William Hatten, tent in Northgate, late Shephard, formerly Burrell & since of
Penelope Elizabeth Wake.
Thomas Farr, The Ship 
BECCLES QUARTER SESSIONS: 1.) John Mann, Landlord of the Ship Inn charged with permitting
persons of ill fame in the said House between 1 & 2 o’clock in the morning of Tuesday 14th February.
TRANSPORT: John Stanford informs the Public he has engaged a light Barge to sail between Beccles
& Yarmouth for the conveyance of Goods & Parcels. To be taken in & booked by Mr Lydamore’s The
Ship near the Bridge. Sails from Beccles Tuesday & Friday; from Yarmouth Wednesday & Saturdays
at 11 am. Handsome Cabin for accommodation of Passengers.
Thomas Farr, The Ship, late Hatton, formerly Wake 
Thomas Farr, The Ship, late Hatton, formerly Smith 
HS Farr
SALE: Beccles Brewery: Lot XVIII
The  Ship  at  Beccles,  situated  on  the  Quay,  near the Bridge, at the entrance of the Town; in the
occupation of Mr