Bourne in 1850

REPRODUCED FROM SLATER'S DIRECTORY
 FOR LINCOLNSHIRE 1850

Bourne is a parish in the wapentake of Aveland, parts of Kesteven, bordering on the fens - the market town which is clean and neat is 97 miles N from London, 10 NE from Stamford, 18 S from Sleaford and 11 W from Spalding; situated on the great road from London to Lincoln. Contiguous to the town is a fine perennial spring called the "Well Head" from which the town derives its name, Bourne being the Saxon word for brook: the water gushes forth with such copiousness, as to turn three mills within a short distance from its source.

There is a tradition that the stream flows underground from Stoke, a village sixteen miles distant; and that a white duck once sunk at that place, was, in a short time, seen to rise at the Bourne Well Head. Three of the mills turned by this brook paid an acquittance for many years to the lord of the manor of Stoke.

In some old MSS, in the possession of Mr Presgrave, who inherits the right of fishing here, it is styled "Peter's Pool". At the extremity of the town this stream forms a navigation, called the "Bourne Eau" which unites with the river Glen, and ultimately falls into the Welland. The remains of Roman works still existing here, tend to confirm the belief that Bourne was once a Roman station.

In 1764, the present abbey was erected upon the site of the ancient one, founded by Baldwin in 1138 - from which a subterraneous passage was supposed to have communicated with the then existing castle, a distance of one hundred and fifty yards. By whom and at what period this castle was founded, cannot be ascertained - its last vestige, termed the "gate-house", was taken down some years back, in order to furnish materials for a barn; the outer and inner moats are, however, still visible. The abbey, now the habitation of the vicar, is a commodious residence. Few places are more indebted to the spirit of improvement, which characterises the present age, than Bourne.

An elegant town hall, which embellishes the east side of the market place, was erected a few years since; beneath it are well constructed shambles for the butchers, and accommodation, also, for the vendors of poultry and butter: the Marquess of Exeter, who holds a large property here, was a munificent donor to this erection. The venerable building, now the Bull Inn, was built by an ancestor of the present Marquess. The sessions for the parts of Kesteven are held here four times a year, when much of the county business is transacted; and Bourne is also a polling station at the election of members to the parts of Kesteven and Holland. Bourne is included in the thirty-second circuit of County Court towns, under the new act (passed August, 1846) for the recovery of debts not exceeding £20.

The parish church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, or Saint Simon and Saint Jude, (John Moore, who wrote in 1809, states the latter to be correct,) originally possessed two towers, but a fragment only of one now remains. The west front exhibits specimens of early English architecture, with insertions of subsequent periods; the interior comprises a chancel, nave and aisles, with a southern transept, all in the early Norman style; and it contains a fine organ, built in 1830. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the gift of the Rev Joseph Dodsworth.

The Independents, Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists have places of worship - the building belonging to the latter denomination is a convenient structure. The school, in the church-yard, was endowed in the second year of Charles 1, with an annual income of £30. for the master, by William Trollope Esq., who likewise founded a hospital for six poor men, with an endowment of the same amount. A National school has been established; and there are almshouses for six poor women, endowed by William Fisher, Esq., in 1627, with £30 per annum.

Bourne is distinguished as the birth-place of the heroic Hereward, lord of Brun, who was buried in the abbey. The great Lord Burleigh and the unfortunate Dr Dodd were also born here; the latter was executed at Tyburn, for forgery, June 29th, 1777. The market is held on Saturday, and there are four annual fairs, namely, April 6th, May 7th, September 30th, and October 29th: two statute meetings are also held on the Saturdays next after old May day and old Martinmas. The parish of Bourne, including the hamlets of CAWTHORPE and DYKE, contained, in 1831, 2,589 inhabitants, and in 1841, 3,361,

POST OFFICE, Church-street, BOURNE, Towns Gatliff, Post Master. - Letters from LONDON and various parts arrive every morning at five and evening at half-past six, and from SLEAFORD every night at nine; and are despatched to LONDON and various parts at ten minutes past nine at night, and to SLEAFORD at five in the morning.

NOTE: This entry uses the modern spelling for Bourne which was already gaining popularity
over Bourn with no final "e" and was officially changed in 1893.