37 High Street
This property was researched by John Thurston
The site roughly covering 37-41 High Street has a complex history. Early references can be found in conveyances and leases dating from the late 1790’s to the early 1800’s [X380/59-79]. It would appear that the site housed a messuage and former Public House/Inn - the “Ragged Staff” – on the site. According to an abstract of title, the site along in its yard, barns, stable and gardens was occupied by a William Faldo, gentleman and alderman of Bedford from c.1690 [X80/59].
From an extract of William Faldo's will made 1693 we know that the Ragged Staff had been in the tenure of a John Pawlin. The messuage was later inherited by William Faldo's grandson, Thomas Faldo, who later bequeathed the messuage to Melicent Austin, widow of Bedford St. Cuthbert. By 1767 Melicent had moved to Stanwick, Northamptonshire and conveyed the messuage by lease and release on the 7/8 August 1767 to William Parker, baker and alderman of Bedford for £400. [X380/59]
In William Parker's will made 15 February 1792 he devised all his real and personal estate to his elder sons William and Richard Parker. Subsequently, William and Richard conveyed the property to Benjamin Malden baker of Bedford on 28/28 July 1797. By this point, the property was no longer operating as an inn, and it's possible that the property had been split further as the conveyance of 1797 records a messuage which had previously been the Ragged Staff, a shop adjoining the former inn on the south, then in the occupation of a John Gillham, and another shop adjacent to the former inn on the North then in the occupation of William Serjeant [X380/59].
Benjamin Malden mortgaged the property in 1839 to John Addison, farmer, of Great Staughton for £1000 by this point the property was in the occupation of the same Benjamin Malden and his son David [X380/62-63].The 1841 Census then shows Ebenezer Parkins, a Draper, on site with his family. However all Trade directories and subsequent Censuses from 1847 up to at least 1887 still show William Goode Aston as the owner.Possibly Aston was leasing the business to Parkins for a short period, which may be borne out by No.37 being unoccupied/uninhabited on a couple of occasions (1871 and 1881). Further investigation is needed to resolve this problem.
Benjamin Malden died on the 5th June 1844 and on the 17 January 1846 Thomazin Lester, lace merchant, James Paine, brewer and executors of the will, and David Malden conveyed the property to his father-in-law Thomas Wells, of Bedford, gentleman for £2000 [X380/67]. Ten years later it seems that Thomas Wells conveyed the property to his daughter, and David's wife, Ann in 1854 [X380/70] subject to a mortgage charge of £2000.
On the 16th October 1860 the property was reconveyed to David Malden's wife Anne after they had repaid the sum of £2000 forming a mortgage to the executors and trustees of Matilda Rowles Wagstaffe [X380/72]. A month later on the 17th November 1860 the property was mortgaged by David Malden to William Ladds to secure £2000. The mortgage was later transferred to a George Day in 1862 [X380/73]. The interest of mortgage was further transferred to Joseph K Jackson, and C.J. Jennings in 1864 and 1867, with the property reconveyed to Ann Malden on the 29 September 1881 [X380/74]. Again, just over a month later, on the 1 November 1881 Ann Malden mortgaged the property to Henry Stewardson for £800. In this mortgage, the occuppier of the former Ragged Staff is recorded as Arthur Wellsley (haven taken over from David Malden), the shop adjoining on the south in the occupation of William Goode Aston, and the shop adjoining on the north in the occupation of Messrs. Underwood and Banks.Six years later the property was reconveyed to back to Ann Malden in 1887 [X380/75].
Ann Malden's will was proved on the 27 March 1888. At this point the property passed to Emma Owen, wife of the Reverend George Owen of Bedford. No. 37 is recorded as still being in the occupation of William Goode Aston, with No. 39 in the occupation of Arhtur Wellesley and No.41 of Underwood [X380/76/1]. By 1890 John William Griffin, also a draper, had taken over no.37 and would remain until at least 1915. Emma Owen had died by 22 February 1913 [X380/79] and it seems that nos 37-41 was later inherited by Sydney Malden Owen, by 1920 and the last known owner.
In 1920 a change of trade takes place when the Singer Sewing Machine Co Ltd are the occupants. They remain until 1923.The next business on site is Henry Bacchus Ltd, Ironmongers and Electricians in 1925. From 1926 until 1934 they share the occupancy with Frederick and Edward Parish, Photographers . In 1936 Bacchus Ltd have moved to No 35 and No 37 is now occupied by Frederick Parish and Lesleys (Proprietors John Large and Richard Leslie) listed as "Waterproof Specialists".
The next change is shown on the 1947 Directory when Frederick Parish now shares with Notts (Caterers) Ltd, Pastry Cooks.Briefly in 1959 Notts Ltd are sole occupants before sharing with Arthur and J Marshman (Marshman and Warren), Chartered Architects (1961) and Mellows and Sons, Solicitors (1963 – 65).
By 1966 Notts Bakers are again sole occupants for the next two years (1966 – 67). The site is empty during 1968 but is taken over in 1969 by Thompsons Cards and Toys. In 1973 a name change shows Club Cards the occupiers. They are joined briefly by Colorama Portraits, Photographers in 1976 . In 1985 Chubb Cards are the occupiers. In later years Wilkinson/Wilko were on site who occupied 29-41, until their closure in 2023.
See here for a more detailed list of occupiers of 37 High Street