Cokelers’ Chapels
Many areas of the country have in the past been the focus of small nonconformist congregations. Some remained local others expanded into a national movement.… Read More »Cokelers’ Chapels
Captain Jonathan Scott at Northampton
Jonathan Scott was a significant figure in the growth of Evangelical Christianity in the Midlands but came from a surprising background. A single-chapter biography of… Read More »Captain Jonathan Scott at Northampton
Southmyllewong or Semilong?
Semilong is an area of Northampton that was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The regular pattern of streets heading in an… Read More »Southmyllewong or Semilong?
Wren’s Shoe Polish and Northampton
It is no surprise that Northampton being the focus of the boot and shoe industry in the 19th century would also be the focus of the success of products in related industries. One of those was Wren’s boot polish and dubbin.
St Peter, Northampton and St Andrew & St Cuthman, Steyning compared
Matthew Bloxham in his “The Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture” (1845) made a comparison between St Peter’s, Northampton with St Andrew, Steyning.
Ann Elizabeth Baker and the Bakers of Hazelrigg House
There is less published biographical information about Ann and no portrait has been discovered. It would be a mistake though to assume that Ann was… Read More »Ann Elizabeth Baker and the Bakers of Hazelrigg House
George Baker and the Bakers of Hazelrigg House
Many present-day residents of Northampton will know of Hazelrigg House in Marefair. It’s likely though they will know little of the house’s former residents. It… Read More »George Baker and the Bakers of Hazelrigg House
Tracing the historical St Ragner of Northampton
The story of St Ragner (or Ragener) is well documented in Eleanor Parker’s highly recommended Dragon Lords. Teasing out the historical facts from the legend… Read More »Tracing the historical St Ragner of Northampton
Northampton St John Street Station
St John Street Station opened in 1871 on the site of the former monastic hospital of St John. It was the northern terminus of the… Read More »Northampton St John Street Station
1676 Compton Census in Northamptonshire
The ‘1676 Compton Census’ was the first comprehensive survey of the numerical strength of Catholic and Protestant Nonconformity in England that can be used on… Read More »1676 Compton Census in Northamptonshire