Newspaper Articles
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13 February 1729 Stamford Mercury
Whereas a strongbox of mahogany wood, hinged and bound with brass near 2 foot long and about 15 or 16 inches broad, has been stolen out of the house of the Right Hon, The Lord St John of Woodford near Thrapston in the County of Northampton, between Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th Instant January 1728-9 wherein there were a pair of brilliant ear rings with large drops, two diamond rings, one with a single brilliant near the bigness of a pea, the other a brilliant about the same size, set round with small brilliants; and round the hoop roses. A Gold Coral with six Gold Bells and a whistle at the end, two silver seals, with coats of arms, some money and several papers of no use to any but the owner. If any person brings the said box with the things abovementioned to Mr Dexter at the Post Office in Thrapston aforesaid shall receive the sum of twenty guineas reward of the said Mr Dexter and no questions asked, or if any person shall have the same offered to sale and stop the goods and the party so that he or they may be brought to justice shall be entitled to the same reward
12 March 1770 Northampton Mercury
"Stolen lately from the newly planted hedgerows belonging to the Right Honorable Lady Dowager St John at Woodford near Thrapston, in Northamptonshire, several young trees. Whoever will give information of the person or persons who took away any such trees to Mr Yorke of Thrapston will upon the conviction of the offender or offenders receive the sum of five guineas reward. By order of her Ladyship.
Daniel Yorke"
The St Johns owned the Manor House in the field known as the Warren at the east end of Church Street Only the two garden terraces are now visible.
Five Guineas in today's money be equal to about £337. In 1770 it would have paid a crafts man in the building trade for about 52 days or have been sufficient to purchase a cow.
1770 was just six years after the enclosure Act was enacted by parliament, so these trees had been recently planted in the newly created hedgerows.
24 December 1770 Northampton Mercury
"This is to inform gentleman sportsmen that have liberty to shoot in the Manor of Woodford that they will not kill any pheasants, as they are very tame, on account of their being lately turned out; therefore it is expected that this is sufficient notice to hinder them being destroyed"
The Gentleman sportsmen might have read, understood and acted as requested, but what about the poachers?............................
14 April 1777 Northampton Mercury
"Lost on Monday 7th April between Irthlingborough Stanwick and Chelston (Chelveston), A white bitch of the Pomeranian breed. Answers to the name of Sonp. Whoever brings her to the Falcon at Woodford shall receive five shillings reward"
The Falcon was the name of the pub presently called the Dukes Arms. The dog may well have been called "Soup" but the typesetter erroneosuly inverted the letter "u".
15 December 1777 Northampton Mercury
The Manor of Woodford near Thrapston in the County of Northampton
Whereas many qualified and unqualified persons have for some time past taken liberty to shoot and course within the Manor of Woodford. This is therefore to give notice to all persons that shall in future be found trespassing, they will be protected according to law.
11 May 1778 Northampton Mercury
"Whereas a fishpond in the Parish of Woodford in the County of Northampton belonging to the Right Hon Lady St John was a few nights ago robbed of a considerable number of pike and other fish. If anyone will give information to her ladyship or to Mr Yorke at Thrapston of the said person or persons concerned in the said robbery such informer shall upon the conviction of the offender or offenders receive five guineas reward"
26 April 1779 Northampton Mercury
"Lost at Melchburn in Bedfordshire an old brown and white pointer dog answers to the name of Carlo. Whoever, will bring him to Lord St John at Woodford, Dr Syme at Northampton or to John Harpur Gamekeeper at Melchburn shall receive a reward of half guinea. No higher reward will not be given."
11 August 1783 Northampton Mercury
"To be sold by auction by J Robinson, on Wednesday the 20th and Thursday the 21st of this instant August. The materials of a large Mansion House at Woodford near Thrapston in the County of Northampton belonging to the Right Hon. Lord St John: consisting of Ketton and other stone, paving brick, slate, tile, lead, timber, marble and other chimney pieces, iron glass, deal and oak floors, wainscot etc. etc. Three months credit will be given upon approved security, to purchasers of teen pounds and upwards. NB Woodford is situate near the River Nene which is very convenient for carriage to Northampton, Wellingborough, Oundle, Peterborough, etc. etc." (The House on the Warren Hill was sold a salvage)
19 January 1784 Northampton Mercury
"To be lett in Woodford near Thrapston in the County of Northampton. a large garden almost encompassed with brick walls, fully planted with the choicest fruit trees, in High perfection and espalier trees of apples, pears and plumbs with sufficient room for a kitchen garden. For particulars, please enquire of Mr Yorke, of Thrapston"
(This was most probably the walled garden where The Moorings is now built.)
6 December 1784 Northampton Mercury
"To be sold at Woodford and Islip in the County of Northampton Several Ricks and Cocks of hay, which was well got off good meadow land. It may be taken away, or if for beasts may be eaten on the premises so long as it is cleared by 25 March next. Please to apply to Mr. John Collins who has disposal of it"
This advert was repeated weekly until 21 March 1785
10 September 1791 Northampton Mercury
"Whereas the game on the Manor of Woodford in the County of Northampton has for some years past been destroyed by some unqualified persons; this is to inform all such persons found trespassing on the said manor that they will be prosecuted as the law directs. And all qualified persons are requested not to sport or shoot on the said manor."
5 April 1794 Northampton Mercury
"Wanted. A person to undertake the care and maintenance of the poor at Woodford near Thrapston, Apply to William Dickens or John Britten overseers on or before the 9th day of April next."
29 November 1794 Northampton Mercury
For the benefit of the creditors of William Hickes, to be sold by auction by William Smith without reserve.
On the premises at Woodford near Thrapston, Northamptonshire on Saturday 6th day of December 1794. All the household goods and stock in trade, horses and other effects of the said William Hickes. Comprising four post be and other bedsteads with check and other furnitures. Feather and flock beds, quilts and blankets, chest of drawers swing and other looking glasses, dining tea and other tables, chairs a thirty hour clock, twelve pairs of sheets and other linen, copper and grate, kitchen range and neat wind up jack, brass pots and kettles, barrels and tubs. Also some excellent dough troughs 12 sacks 1,500 faggots peals and other baking implements and also three useful horses and two carts one nearly new, horse harness , core of hay , manure etc. The sale to commence at 9o'clock in the forenoon as the whole is intended to be disposed of in one day."
4 July 1795 Northampton Mercury
To be sold by auction by Richard Smith. On Thursday the 9th day of July 1795 at the house of Mr. Fisher, the Lord St John's Arms at Woodford, near Thrapston, Northamptonshire.
The following wheels and other articles , viz one horse wheel, eight feet six inches, with a wallower two feet three inches and a counter wheel and heads, a dressing wheel a spur wheel five feet, a bevil pit wheel wallower three feet, a counter shaft, iron work and brasses, a counter wheel five feet, a spur, nut, spindle and Rine, a new crown wheel three feet six inches, two swim wheels and nuts, a small counter wheel and nut, three bolsters for a timber carriage, two trundle heads and blocks, a pair of lifting screws, a lathe, a jib with stout rope 100 yards, pulleys and blocks, carpenters bench, trestles etc. etc. The sale to commence at two o'clock in the afternoon and may be viewed in the morning of the sale day.
13 October 1798 Northampton Mercury
"For sale by auction by Mr. J Robinson. At Woodford near Thrapston Northamptonshire the household effects of the Rev Mr. Fancourt who has left the country. Consisting of feather and flock beds, bedsteads, mahogany dining and card tables, chairs in mahogany, stained and painted beech, large pier glasses in gilt and other frames; walnut tree chest of drawers, wainscot bureau, 30hour clock, bath stove and polished grates, smoke jack, kitchen range, and other re3quisites in copper, brass and pewter, 40 gallon copper, half hogsheads and smaller barrels. The Sale to begin precisely at 10 o'clock."
13 March 1799 Northampton Mercury
"All persons having any demands against Mr. John Chew, late of Woodford Lodge near Thrapston, in the county of Northampton, grazer deceased, are desired to send an account thereof to Mr. Thomas Chew of Woodford Lodge, aforesaid ...executor of the deceased. and all persons indebted to said Mr. John Chew at the time of his decease are desired forthwith to pay the same Thomas Chew."
26 December 1799 Northampton Mercury
"Stolen or strayed. A Bay Gelding of the nag kind, bald face, one wall eye, chaf'd on both sides by panels, cut tail four white legs, legs trimmed. If stolen any person or persons giving information if the offender or offenders shall on their conviction be rewarded with the sum of five guineas. And if it strayed all expenses and a liberal reward will be paid on the information above."
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