Hungerford Virtual Museum

Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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You are in [Places] [Bridge Street properties] [3 & 3a Bridge Street]

Summary

Earliest information: 1723
Original estate: Priory of St. John
Common Rights? Yes (3 & 3a)
Date of current building: Early 19th century (?1812 see below)
Grade II Listed (3 & 3a)

Thumbnail History

This property is referred to in many historic documents as "Little Priory House". The property was split into two in 1812.

All the properties on the "island" [1-7 Bridge Street] stand on land that was previously the Priory of St. John the Baptist, which had been established in 1232, and was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1546-47. In 1740 a new road incorporating two bridges was built for easier access to town from Charnham Street, replacing old road in front of Riverside House and through the ford across the River Dun (by Forge Cottage).

Description of Property

(3a) From Listed Building records: House, now house and shop. Early 19th century. Slate roof, wide eaves and end chimney to right. Grey brick with red rubbed flat arches. 3 storeys. 1 glazing, bar sash on first floor, late 19th century shop window and door to left under flat hood on cut brackets.




		3 (on right) and 3a (on left) Bridge Street Mar 2007



	North end of Bridge Street c1910

(3) From Listed Building records: House and shop. Early 19th century. Slate roof, brick walls grey headers and red dressings with red rubbed flat arches. 3 storeys. 2 plain sashes with, central glazing bar, canted bay window with sashes to right of first floor, 20th century fascia sign over. Fascia and cornice across building at first floor level, 19th century shop front with recessed central door to right and 4 panel house door under rectangular fanlight to left. Included for group value.
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Timeline

<1232: Priory of St. John the Baptist built on the "island".

1546-47: Priory of St. John dissolved by Henry VIII

1723 (DD) Joseph Wells (own), William Clifford (occ)

1740: New road and two bridges built for easier access to town from Charnham Street, replacing the old road in front of the Tannery (stood to rear of Riverside house) and the ford (by Forge Cottage)

1744 (DD) Bequest to Elizabeth Cook on death of J. Wells

1745-61 (DD & QR) John Coxhead, bought for £70, (tanner)

1766 (DD) Richard Gibbs (occ) (staymaker)

1773 (DD) Mortgage for John Coxhead (son of J.C.) (baker)

1774 (QR) Richard Gibbs for house late John Coxhead's, q.r. 4d.
1782-1805 (DD) Richard Gibbs bought for £95, (staymaker)

1805-07 (QR) William Marchment for house late J. Coxhead's, q.r. 4d.
1807 (DD) Trustees of Richard Gibbs sold to J.Taylor & R.Sadler

1808 (DD) J. Coxhead bought for £330, (cabinet maker)

1810 (DD) Thomas Dicker (trustee of John Coxhead)

1812 (DD) J. Finch buys at auction, transfers to William Marchment for £370.

Converted into 2 dwellings, single ownership.

1818-47 (QR) William Marchmant for house late J. Coxhead's, q.r 4d.

3 BRIDGE STREET (Southern property)

1841 (CS) William Marchment (60) (glover) [Constable 1838]
1847 (CL) 3 & 3a: Devisees of William Marchment (owner), Samuel Marchment & Thomas Hart (occupants)
1847 (KD) Samuel Marchment (tailor)
1850 (DD) S. Marchment bought for £350

1871-77 (CS) George Skinner (39) (draper)

1877 (DD) William Gee Taylor (chemist) bought for £290.

1895 (DD) W.G. Taylor bought 3a for £280 – both back in single ownership! No. 3 is occupied by W.G. Taylors (chemist); No. 3a is occupied by Henry Fernley Tayl

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3a BRIDGE STREET (Northern property)

1847 (KD) Thomas Hart (baker & Town Crier)
1847 (CL) 3 & 3a: Devisees of William Marchment (owner), Samuel Marchment & Thomas Hart (occupants)

1850 (DD) 3a bought by Thomas Hart (Constable in 1851) for £300. Thomas Hart is variously described as "landed proprietor" (1861 CS), cattle dealer (1871 CS) and retired baker (1881 CS)!

1886 (DD) Elizabeth J. Matthew bought for £250
1895 (DD) W.G. Taylor bought 3a for £280 – both back in single ownership!

1896 (CL) W.G. Taylor owns both: No. 3a is occupied by Henry Fernley Taylor

Back in joint ownership again:

1903 (KD) 3 W. G. Taylor (chemist)
1912 (DD) Both owned by Henry F. Taylor (known as "Fern"), dispensing & photographic chemist

1941 (DD) William Edward George Wickham - mortgage £1150
1950 (DD) Mrs. B.L.Wickham

1952 (CL) 3a Void

1956 (CL) 3 William Alfred Keech Betts (chemist)
(CL) 3a Mrs. Betts (off licence)

1962 (KH) Betts Chemist moved to 125 High Street. [Mr. Betts continued to own 3 & 3a until c1990. He lived at 4a Parsonage Laneand died c1991] (Alan Crook, 1983: "the dispensary at the back of 3 BS was like walking back 100 years! After Betts left, AC found all sorts of curiosities in the old garden shed, including gun-powder!")

196? (AC) Peter Priest (Hi - Fi shop)

1968? (AC) Ivor & Margaret Moyle (shoe shop)

197? (AC) Barnes Estate Agent

197? (AC) Margaret Stockland & Jill Benjamin (antiques)

1972 3: Jeanne Petitt (antiques)
3a Pandora's Box (antiques) Mrs. Joan Gleave (tenant)

1983 3 & 3a: Jeanne Petitt (ladies fashion clothes, shoes & leather accessories)
1984 (CL) 2 & 3a: Void
1985 (CL) 3 & 3a: Void
1988 3a: Pandora's Box (Joan Gleave) "Wide variety of Victorian items, both furniture and smaller. Specialists in Staffordshire figures".
2005 (CL) Void
2007 Jeanne Petitt "High-class Ladies Fashions" www.jeannepetitt.com/
2011 (CL) Void

Updated: 9.5.2011