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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.
Woodbridge Public Houses