Bridlington, Yorkshire Family History Guide

Bridlington is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Yorkshire. Buckton is a chapelry of Bridlington.

Other places in the parish include: Wilsthorpe, Hilderthorpe with Wilsthorpe, Hilderthorpe, and Easton.

Alternative names: Burlington

Parish church: St. Mary

Parish registers begin:

Parish registers: 1564
Bishop’s Transcripts: 1600

Nonconformists include: Baptist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Independent/Congregational, Particular Baptist, Primitive Methodist, Society of Friends/Quaker, and Wesleyan Methodist.

Table of Contents

Adjacent Parishes

Parish History

A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848

BRIDLINGTON, or Burlington (St. Mary), a parish, and the head of a union, in the wapentake of Dickering, E. riding of York; comprising the townships of Bridlington, Buckton, Hilderthorpe with Wilsthorpe, and Sewerby with Marton, the hamlet of Easton, and the chapelries of Grindall and Speeton; the whole containing 6070 inhabitants, of whom 5162 are in the sea-port and market-town of Bridlington with Quay, 3310 being in the Town portion, and 1852 forming the Quay portion; 38 miles (E. N. E.) from York, and 201 (N.) from London.

This place is of great antiquity; it is said to have had a Roman station in its immediate vicinity, as well as to have been afterwards occupied by the Saxons.

The manor was given by William the Conqueror to Earl Morcar, and subsequently, upon his attainder in 1072, to Gilbert de Gaunt; and is described in the Domesday survey as having a church and four burgesses.

Walter, the son of Gilbert, founded a magnificent priory for Augustine canons, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its commanding situation at the east end of the town gave it a fine prospect of the sea, but at the same time exposed it to the attacks of the enemy’s ships, which frequently entered the harbour; it was, therefore, in 1388, by permission of Richard II., defended with fortifications, the remains of which are an arched gateway, with a room over it, occasionally used as the town-hall, and some cells underneath, serving for a temporary prison.

The priory flourished till the dissolution of monastic institutions, when William Wode, the last prior, was executed for high treason, in 1537, upon the charge of being concerned in a rebellion of the same nature as that denominated the “Pilgrimage of Grace.”

In 1643, the queen of Charles I. bringing a supply of arms and ammunition from Holland, purchased with the crown jewels, narrowly escaped the squadron under Batten, the parliamentary admiral, who, after the queen’s debarkation, bombarded the town. In 1779, a desperate naval fight took place off the coast by moonlight, between the noted pirate Paul Jones and two British ships of war: the latter, after a sanguinary contest of two hours, were compelled to yield, being overpowered by a greatly superior force.

The Town portion is pleasantly situated on a gentle acclivity, in the recess of a beautiful bay, about a mile from the sea, and consists principally of one long street, intersected by some smaller ones, irregularly formed and narrow; the houses are in general ancient and of good appearance, and the inhabitants are amply supplied with water.

About a mile to the south-east is Bridlington-Quay, a small, handsome, and well-built town. The Town and Quay are lighted with gas, from works erected midway between them in 1833, at the cost of £4000. The latter district is much frequented for sea-bathing, and contains hot and cold baths fitted up for the accommodation of visiters.

About a quarter of a mile from the quay is a chalybeate spring, in much repute for its medicinal properties; and in the harbour is an ebbing and flowing spring, discovered in 1811, that furnishes an abundant supply of fresh water.

The quay, which has been rebuilt, presents an agreeable promenade; and the two piers forming the harbour, stretching out a considerable distance into the sea, command extensive prospects, especially the northern pier, from which are fine views of Flamborough Head and Bridlington Bay.

The harbour affords a retreat to numerous coasting vessels during contrary winds; and the bay, protected from the north-west winds by the coast, and from the north winds by the noble promontory of Flamborough Head, offers safe anchorage for ships in gales of wind. In 1837, an act was obtained for improving the piers and harbour, and for rendering it more commodious and safe as a harbour of refuge. The port is a member of the port of Hull.

There is a small manufactory for hats: the trade in corn, malt, and ale, formerly flourishing, declined after the opening of the Driffield canal to Hull, but subsequently the trade in corn improved, and in 1826 an exchange was built in the market-place, which is well attended; there are several windmills for corn, and a steam-mill for grinding bones for manure.

The Bridlington branch of the Hull and Selby railway, 31 miles in length, was opened in October 1846; and railway communication has since been established between the town and Scarborough. The market is on Saturday; and fairs for cattle, linen, and woollen-cloth, &c., are held on the Monday before Whitsuntide and the 21st of October. The powers of the county debt-court of Bridlington, established in 1847, extend over the registration-district of Bridlington.

The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £138; patrons, the Trustees of the late Rev. C. Simeon: the impropriation belongs to Mrs. Harland. Under an inclosure act in 1768, land and a money payment were assigned to the impropriator in lieu of all tithes, with certain exceptions for the township of Bridlington.

The church is a part of the ancient edifice belonging to the priory, formerly a magnificent structure of unrivalled beauty, and abounding with details of the most exquisite richness, but now lamentably mutilated; the central tower has been removed, the two towers at the western end have been made level with the nave, and the chancel and transepts destroyed.

A handsome district church, erected at Bridlington-Quay, on a site given by John Rickaby, Esq., was opened for divine service on May 23rd, 1841, having been completed at a cost of £2300, raised partly by subscription, and partly by grants from the Incorporated Society and Her Majesty’s Commissioners for Building Churches: it is dedicated to Christ, and contains 611 sittings, of which 320 are free. The living is a curacy, in the patronage of the Incumbent of Bridlington, with a net income of £150.

At Grindall and Speeton are other incumbencies.

There are places of worship for Baptists, the Society of Friends, Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists, and Independents; and a Roman Catholic chapel, St. Joseph’s, in St. Johnstreet, completed in 1846.

A free grammar school for twenty boys was founded by William Hustler, in 1637, and endowed with a rent-charge of £40.

The union of Bridlington comprises 32 parishes or places, and contains a population of 13,059.

Numerous fossil remains have been found; and in the vicinity the head of an enormous elk has been discovered, the extremities of the horns being more than eleven feet apart.

Sir George Ripley, a celebrated alchymist of the fifteenth century, author of a treatise on the philosopher’s stone, and, in the earlier part of his life, a canon of Bridlington; William de Newburgh, an eminent historian in the reign of John; John de Bridlington, prior of the monastery, and author of Carmina Vaticinalia, who died in 1379; and Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, a great patron of the fine arts, whose title was derived from this place, and became extinct at his death in 1753; were natives of Bridlington. “Burlington” now gives the title of Earl to a branch of the family of Cavendish, raised to the peerage in 1831.

Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848

Parish Records

FamilySearch

Use for:
England, Yorkshire, Burlington

Directories

Bridlington Yorkshire Principal Inhabitants Universal British Directory 1791

The following are the principal inhabitants:

Gentlemen

Booth Henry, Esq.

Brown George, Esq.

Creyke Ralph, Esq. Justice of Peace

Dales Thomas, Esq.

Darley George, Esq.

Foster William, Esq.

Ganton Benjamin, Esq.

Greame John, Esq.

Greame Robert, Esq.

Heblethwayte William, Esq.

Hodgson George, Esq.

Moon Thomas, sen. Esq.

Pitts John, Esq.

Sanders Nicholas, Esq.

Taylor Francis, sen. Esq.

Taylor Francis, jun. Esq.

Wall Isaac, Esq.

Clergy

Henderson Rev. Joseph

Lundy Rev. Francis, Vicar

Sanders Rev. William

Ward Rev. John, Curate

Physic

Doeg John, Surgeon and Man-Midwife

Dawson George, Surgeon and Man-Midwife

Kentish Richard, M.D.

Whiteacre Thomas, Surgeon and Man-Midwife

Law

Moon Thomas, jun. Notary Public

Prickett and Son, Notary Publics

Taylor and Harland, Notary Publics

Traders, &c.

y George, Sail-maker

Auther Francis, Anchorsmith

Allison Jos. Victualler, (Black Bull)

Allinson Moses, Cooper

Allison George, Plumber and Glazier

Atkinson Samuel, Ironmonger

Anlaby Tho. Victualler, (Nag’s-head)

Barker Wm. Victualler, (Pack Horse)

Brandom Robert, Horse-dealer

Brambles Thomas, Butcher

Brambles William, Butcher

Bell William, Taylor

Brown George, Butcher

Brown Rob. Hatter & Woollen-draper

Brown Thomas, Maltster

Baker William, Grocer, &c.

Broad Robert, Stay-maker, Mercer, & Linen-draper

Beilby Rob. Draper, Mercer, & Grocer

Baron Francis, Maltster and Manufacturer of Linens

Beverley John, Boot and Shoe-maker

Cape James, Victualler, (Boar)

Carr John, Victualler, (Shoulder Mutton)

Carr William, Sadler

Carter Luke, Peruke-maker

Cook Isaac, Grocer, Wine and Brandy-merchant

Cook John, Butcher

Cook Henry, Post-office, (Black Lion)

Cook Seth, Baker

Cowton Samuel, Stay-maker

Clubley Richard, Butcher

Collinson William, Butcher

Collinson Benj. Joiner & Cabinet-maker

Collinson Samuel, Common Brewer, &c.

Coates Francis, Joiner, &c.

Clarkson John, Maltster

Dandy John, Boot and Shoe-maker

Dixon George, Plumber and Glazier

Dale John, Ironmonger and Grocer

Dickinson Hannah, Grocer

Dickinson Anne, Milliner

Dickinson John, Tallow-chandler

Darley Jane, Grocer

Darley George, Butcher

Dawson Edward, Flax-dresser

Douglas Jos. Baker & Tallow-chandler

Dewell John, Cart and Waggonwright

Draper Robert, Taylor

Danby Robert, Cooper

Doeg James, Peruke-maker

Ellis Francis, Ship-builder

Elliott Robert, Baker

Eggleston John, Boot and Shoe-maker

Eggleston John, Victualler, (Globe)

Edmond Christopher, Taylor

Fletcher Francis, Boot & Shoe-maker

Furley John, Bookseller & Linen-draper

Fox Richard, Grocer and Draper

Forth William, Hatter

Ford Thomas, Cart and Waggonwright

Frankish Robert, Victualler

Frankish Richard, Victualler

Frost Henry, Butcher

Frost John, Butcher

Greenhead William, Victualler

Glover Robert, Joiner & Cabinet-maker

Greenwood William, Worsted-maker

Gawkrodger James, Grocer, &c.

Haworth Pierson, Tinner and Brazier

Harrison Thomas, Horse-dealer

Hall John, Taylor

Hall Richard, Common Brewer, Corn & Coal-merchant

Hodgson James, Victualler (Swan)

Hardy Mat. Victualler (Pack Horse)

Hardy John, Butcher

Hardy Matthew, Cooper

Hardy Michael, Butcher

Hardy J. Confectioner and Linen-draper

Hardy Ruth, Linen-draper & Grocer

Holiday George, Blacksmith

Holmes Thomas, Hosier

Holmes Thomas, Boot and Shoe-maker

Holderness Thomas, Bricklayer, &c.

Husband Anthony, Taylor

Holder William, Taylor

Heselton Ebenezer, Fellmonger, &c.

Harward Robert, Sadler

Horsley Wm. Common Brewer & Maltster

Hunter John, Clock and Watch-maker

Holtby, Nightingale, and Haggit, Common Brewers and Maltsters

Holtby Wm. Draper, Mercer, & Grocer

Hopper Richard, Maltster and Grocer

Innis James, Nursery and Seedsman

Jackson Benjamin, Boot & Shoe-maker

Jefferson William, Butcher

Johnson Geo. Weaver & Linen-draper

Kerry William, Boot and Shoe-maker

Knowles Gabriel, Flax-dresser, &c.

Linton Thomas, Fellmonger

Lowery Wm. Glover & Breeches-maker

Leadley John, Linen-draper, Tea-dealer, Printer, Bookbinder, and Stationer

Meek John, Miller

Marshall Aaron, Corn & Coal-dealer

Marshall Stephen, Timber, Corn, and Coal-merchant, and Maltster

Molden John, Licensed to let Post-horses

Molden John, Victualler, (Ship)

Mackiever James, Taylor

Nickson John, Grocer

Noble John, Cheesemonger, &c.

Oliver John, Common Brewer & Maltster

Plummer Thomas and Son, Drapers, Mercers, Grocers, &c.

Porter Dan. Mercer, Draper, & Grocer

Porter Mary, Linen-draper

Popplewell John, Clock & Watch-maker

Pool William, Boot and Shoe-maker

Philiskirk Ann, Grocer & Linen-draper

Parrot John, Miller

Perrit Francis, Boot and Shoe-maker

Pool John, Weaver

Preston Francis, Peruke-maker

Preston Wm. Hair-dresser & Perfumer

Rape William, Excise-office

Rickaby John, Sadler

Redpeth Robert, Boot and Shoe-maker

Raffield Mark, Peruke-maker

Reaston Edward, Victualler, (Star)

Robinson Tho. Cart & Waggonwright

Robson Richard, Victualler

Sawdon Thomas, Currier

Sawdon Wm. Corn and Coal-merchant

Scott Richard, Currier

Stork Thomas, Blacksmith

Shield William, Shoe-maker

Stockell William, Taylor

Sales John, Taylor

State Charles, Horse-dealer

Smith Joseph, Horse-dealer

Simpson Hutchinson, Victualler (Ship)

Simpson Thomas, Maltster

Siver Richard, Maltster

Sedman Benjamin and Son, Plumbers, Glaziers, and Painters

Sinkler Matthew, Victualler

Stephenson William, Victualler

Skelton William, Bricklayer & Grocer

Savage Wm. Block and Mast-maker

Sutton Stephen, Victualler, (Angel)

Swan Anne, Milliner

Taylor John, Rope-maker

Taylor Wm. Grocer and Tea-dealer

Thompson Wm. Boot and Shoe-maker

Thompson Eliz. Milliner & Confectioner

Twisleton John, Ship Rope-maker

Teale James, Victualler (Red Lion)

Vickerman Edward, Butcher

Vickerman Tho. Boot and Shoe-maker

Vickerman W. Weaver & Linen-draper

Wright Esther, Mercer and Draper

Williamson Elizabeth, Milliner

Williamson Mat. Corn & Coal-merchant

Williamson M. Licensed to let Post-horses

Waring and Agar, Brandy-merchants

Winteringham John & Robert, Millers

Winteringham Wm. Cabinet-maker

Wilcock James, Blacksmith

Wiles William, Blacksmith

Wetman George, Miller

Watson Mich. Hair-dresser & Perfumer

Wilson Charles, Taylor

Ward John, Licensed to let Post-horses

White Yates, Butcher

Source: The Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce, and Manufacture 1791. Vol. 2.

Administration

County: Yorkshire
Civil Registration District: Bridlington
Probate Court: Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
Diocese: York
Rural Deanery: Dickering
Poor Law Union: Bridlington
Hundred: Dickering
Province: York