Woodbridge, Loes hundred, Suffolk 1855 part 2

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Woodbridge in the Loes hundred

Woodbridge 1855 Whites Directory

Transcribed by Colin Ager

Part one ; Part two ; Part three ; Part four ; Part five

The Town has been much improved during the last twenty years by the formation of several new streets, and the erection of many neat houses, and several handsome public buildings. The eminence on which it stands commands a pleasant view down the broad river Deben, which falls into the sea at a distance of nine miles. And is navigable for vessels of 120 tons burthen up to the town, where there are two commodious quays, extensive warehouses, and a shipyard with a patent slip. The principle streets called the Thoroughfare and Cumberland street, extend nearly a mile in length, and the Market-place is spacious and has in its centre a SHIRE HALL, built in the reign of Elizabeth, in which the Quarter and Petty Sessions and the County Court are held; but the prisoners are sent to the House of Correction at Ipswich, the old Bridewell here being now only used as a police station, and a place of temporary confinement, though it has twelve cells and accommodation for forty prisoners. The cross streets, though some of them are narrow, contain many good houses, and are well paved; and lighted from Gas Works, established in 1815, at the cost of about �6000, and now belonging to twelve shareholders, to whom Mr. B. Gall is agent and collector. Chas. Austin, Esq., is chairman of the quarter sessions for Woodbridge Division, and Mr. John Wood, jun., is clerk to the magistrates. Mr. Edward Fitzgerald is the police superintendent, and under him are three police constables. viz., Thos. Preston, Robt Kettle and Rt. Barnard. The Commissioners of Assessed Taxes meet at Shire Hall. Mr. Henry Pizey is tax collector.
The town stands on a salubrious eminence, and is surrounded by pleasant walks, commanding fine views of the Deben, on which a Yacht Club hold sailing and rowing matches frequently; and in July there is a grand Regatta, terminated by fireworks and festivities in the evening. The MARKET was held on Wednesday till July, 1854, when the market day was changed to Thursday, pursuant to the decision of several large meetings of the inhabitants, and the farmers, &c., of the neighbourhood, who considered that the declining state of the market during the last twenty years was owing to its being held on the same day as that at Bury, to which town there is a direct railway from Ipswich, whilst Woodbridge is still without a Railway. The corn market is held in the ground story of the Shire Hall. There are two annual Fairs, viz., on the first Tuesday in April, for cattle, horses, &c.; and October 12th for toys and pleasure. Salt was formerly made here, and ships of war, of small magnitude, were built here about eighty years ago; but one of the docks, then in use below the Common Quay, has been filled up. During the late war, there were barracks for about 6000 soldiers about a mile from the town, near the Ipswich road. Two Ferry Boats cross the river to Sutton. The commerce of Woodbridge has much declined of late years, but there are still belonging to the port about 70 vessels, having an aggregate burden of about 5000 tons. The number of coasting vessels, which arrive and sail with cargoes, is about 400 yearly, and their aggregate burden about 20,000 tons, and from 10 to 15 foreign cargoes arrive yearly. The exports consist chiefly of corn, flour, and malt; there being in the town extensive granaries, and several mills and malt kilns. The imports are chiefly coal, timber, wine, spirits, groceries, drapery, and iron wares. Here are bonded warehouses for timer, wood goods, wines and spirits; and the merchants trade with London, Newcastle, Hull, Liverpool, and occasionally with the continent of Europe and the Baltic. The Customs collected here in 1834 amounted to �2263, in 1840 to �4315, and in 1853 to �1565. This decrease is owing to the great reduction of duties. The CUSTOM HOUSE is in Quay lane, and the officers are Mr. Thomas M. Johnstone, collector; Mr. Peter Fawcett, comptroller; and Mr. Henry Fisher, locker and tide waiter. Wm. Henry Williams, R.N., is chief officer of the coast guard at Woodbridge Haven; and Captain D. Robertson is the inspecting commander. The INLAND REVENUE OFFICE is at the Bull Inn, and the Port is in the Ipswich collection. (See page 68). Mr. Jno. G. Sargent is the supervisor and port surveyor.


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