NEEDLE MANUFACTURERS

IN

BEVERLEY

BEVERLEY  

by James Pigot  (1818)

Beverley is situated near the river Hull, and a canal made from that river capable of bearing vessels with coals, timber, &c. It being the nearest town of note to the centre of the riding, the sessions are always held here, in a spacious and beautiful hall, which has a public garden and walks, inferior to none of their kind in the kingdom. In the Hallgarth, as it is called, is a handsome register-office for deeds and wills within this division of the county, which is the only one besides Middlesex, which has such a registry. Beverley formerly contained four churches, at present there are only two, but the largest and finest parochial ones in the kingdom. It has one Quaker's meeting, three Methodist, and sundry other chapels. There are two weekly markets: one on Wednesday for cattle; the other on Saturday for corn. The market-place is handsome and spacious, containing no less than four acres of ground, and has a beautiful cross, supported by eight free-stone columns, of one entire stone each The fairs are 25th. February, 5th, April, 12th. May, Holy Thursday, 5th. July, 14th. September, 5th. November, and 25th. December. The principal trade carried on is making of malt, oatmeal, and tanned leather. It is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and twenty-four common council men. There are four common pastures near the town, containing one thousand acres, in which every burgess or freeman may keep twelve head of cattle. There is a Spa in one of them to the east, called Swinemoor, said to be serviceable in sores, ulcers, &c. Several springs run through the town. There are seven alms-houses, and legacies left for two more, besides a workhouse, which cost £700. It has an excellent free-school, to the scholars of which are appropriated two fellowships in St. John's College, Cambridge, six scholarships, and three exhibitions. The population, according to the last census, is 6.731. Is distant from Hull 7 miles.