10 Mill Street
This property was researched by John Thurston.
Speculative census returns indicate that Robert Lane, stated as independent, and family may have been present in 1841 while John B Sewell and James B Sewell, printers, were possibly at the address in the early to late 1850’s.
The first authenticated family at No 10 were the Mercers, Elizabeth, a dressmaker and milliner and Thomas, a bricklayer, who were present from c.1859 – 1862. They were succeeded by Henry Burt, a printer and stationer, in 1864 who traded from the address until around 1914.
In 1910 Burt was joined by M E Radnor, a draper and haberdasher, who stayed until 1915. Also, for a single year, 1914, Burt and Radnor were joined by A Boutall and Company, Turf Accountants.
From 1920 until 1922, the two occupants were Alfred Gough, a signwriter, and William Lea Newton, an accountant and auditor. Newton, along with his son, would then trade until 1938 alongside several different businesses, some of which were associated with the Newton Family, and individuals who were presumably residents (see list below).
From 1939 until 1965, H Burt and Son Ltd, printers, would return to the premises as sole traders. In recent times the Sue Ryder Appeal, Charity, have been the occupants from 1970 – 1976 while currently John Medhurst, jewellers, have been present from 2002 – 2025.
Summary of Occupiers
1841: Robert Lane and family, independent means
1851 – 1857: John B Sewell & James Bollons Sewell, Printers, Stationers and Booksellers
1859 – 1862: Elizabeth Mercer, Dressmaker and Milliner and Thomas Mercer, Brickmaker
1864 – 1914: Henry Burt/Henry Burt and Son, Printers and Stationers
1910 – 1915: M E Radnor, Draper and Haberdasher
1914: A Boutall and Company, Turf Accountants
1920 – 1922: Alfred Gough, Signwriter
1920 – 1938: William Lea Newton/William Lea Newton and Son, Accountants and Auditors
1923 – 1926: Alfred Herbert Kimber, ? Tenant
1925 – 1926: George White, ? Tenant
1929 – 1932: John Eldridge, ? Tenant
1930 – 1938: Bedford District Chamber of Trade/Bedfordshire Property Trust, Henry Roff Newton Secretary
1934: Austin Roy Pursey, ? Tenant
1936: 10A Frederick William Fisher, ? Tenant
1939 – 1965: H Burt and Son Ltd, Printers
1970 – 1976: Sue Ryder Appeal, Charity
2002 – 2025: John Medhurst, Jewellers