41 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 [ref: 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 [ref: 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. [ref: 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 [ref: 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 [ref: X380/62-63].

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 [ref: X380/67].

The later 1851 shows the first Clothier at the address, Ebenezer Careless, who is living alone. Ten years later it seems that Thomas Wells conveyed the property to his daughter, and David's wife, Ann in 1854 [ref: X380/70] subject to a mortgage charge of £2000. The 1861 Census also shows the next occupant, John Alexander Banks, as a Clothier. He is joined by George Underwood the same year and Trade Directories up to 1869 show their company trading under several different names (i.e George Underwood and Co, Underwood and Co and Underwood and Banks). 

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 [ref: 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 [ref: 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 [ref: X380/74]. The 1871 Census divulges the family relationship as John Alexander Banks is shown living with his wife Eliza and Nephew Edward Underwood.

On the 1 November 1881 Ann Malden mortgaged the property to Henry Stewardson for £800. In this mortgage, the occupier 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 [ref: 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 [ref: X380/76/1]. In 1906 a new Company emerges, Webb Brothers, also Clothiers/Gents Outfitters, who remain until 1908. In 1910 the Premises are renamed “The Modern” and are listed as Gents Outfitters.

Emma Owen had died by 22 February 1913 [ref: X380/79] and it seems that nos 37-41 was later inherited by Sydney Malden Owen, by 1920 and the last known owner. 

A total change of use occurs around 1914 when Rudge-Whitworth Ltd  become the owners. Rudge Whitworth Cycles was a British bicycle, bicycle saddle, motorcycle and sports car wheel manufacturer that resulted from the merger of two bicycle manufacturers in 1894, Whitworth Cycle Co. of Birmingham, founded by Charles Henry Pugh and his two sons Charles Vernon and John, and Rudge Cycle Co. of Coventry (which descended from a bicycle company founded by Daniel Rudge of Wolverhampton). Rudge motorcycles were produced from 1911 to 1946. The firm was known for its innovations in engine and transmission design, and it’s racing successes. Their sales motto was "Rudge it, do not trudge it." The company also produced the first detachable wire wheel in 1907, and was known for its knockoff wheels on sports cars; that brand continued well into the 1960s. They remained at 41 High Street for ten years being listed as Cycle Makers. 

In 1925 Crafts Shoe Co Ltd , Shoe and Boot Makers take over with the Manager listed as William Lewis. In 1926 a new manager, Ronald Lewis, possibly brother or son of William is appointed and stays in the role until 1932 when George H. Edwards takes over.

In 1936 the shop is divided in two with Norman Mickle, a Radio Engineer and Dealer listed at No.41 with Charles F.Dawes, a Picture Framer listed at 41A. This arrangement continues until 1940. There is a gap in the records from 1941 – 1946, presumably because Directories were not produced during WW II. In 1947 N.Thierry Ltd, a Boot Maker is listed And between 1949 – 1963 Blindells are the owners, again Boot Makers. In 1965 they are succeeded by Shoefayre, Shoe Makers/Retailers. In 1967 there is no entry in Kellys Directory for No. 1941 so the assumption is that the shop is empty. Moores the Bakers took over in 1968 and remained onsite until at least 1976. In later years, the premises was occupied by Wilkinsons until its closure in 2023.   

Summary of Occupiers

c.1841 - c.1851: David Malden & Stephen Tyson Families, Bakers

c. 1851 - c.1861: Ebenezer Careless, Clothier

c. 1861 – c.1871: John Alexander Banks & George Underwood, Clothiers

1871 – c.1904: Underwood and Banks, Clothiers                                      

c. 1906 – c.1908: Webb Brothers, Clothiers/Gents Outfitters         

c. 1910 –  c.1913: “The Modern”, Gents Outfitters                        

c. 1914 – 1924: Rudge - Whitworth Ltd, Cycle Makers                           

1925 – c.1934: Crafts Shoe Co Ltd, Shoe Makers                                

1936 – c.1940:  Norman Mickle & Charles F Dawes, Radio Engineer & Picture Framer  

1947: N.Thierry Ltd, Boot Makers 

1949 – 1963: Blindells Ltd, Boot Makers                                

1965 – 1966: Shoefayre, Shoe Shop                                    

1967: ?Empty                                                      

1968 – 1976: Moores the Bakers                                    

1976 – 2008: UNKNOWN                                                                                        

 2008 – 2023 - Wilkinsons, Hardware Store                           

 See here for a more detailed list of occupiers of 41 High Street