6 Mill Street

This property was researched by John Thurston.

First found listed on the 1861 Census, the occupant was Samuel Henshaw, a clothier then boot and shoemaker. Henshaw had been an apprentice previously and was a journeyman shoemaker at the age of 31 in Bedford.

By 1876, Daniel Dean, a bookbinder, was in residence who was followed Frederick Lennie Dean a year later. Walter Daniels took over the business as both a bookbinder and stationer in 1881 and would stay until 1898.

From 1900 until 1903 William Henry Elliott, also a stationer, was the resident. During 1903 the site was also used as the Midland Railway Goods and Parcels Receiving Office.

In 1904 Guscott and Pleasant, and then from 1905, George William Pleasant, drapers, would be the next occupants, staying until 1939. From 1931 onwards the premises were subdivided with the other co-owners business being Anthony and Son, chemists ,who would trade up to 1950.

The next dual occupants from 1952 – 1965 would be Douglas Stratford, Jones and Company, auctioneers, surveyors, valuers and estate agents, and Philip A Barnes (Insurance Brokers) Ltd. They would be joined by the Luton Building Society (1955 – 1972/3).

Also, from 1955 – 1961, No 6A is mentioned which were occupied presumably by two residents, namely Ernest G Bolton (1955 – 1957) and A G Gooderham (1959 – 1961).

By 1966 Philip A Barnes Barnes had left leaving Douglas Stratford, Jones and Company and the Luton Building Society to operate up to 1973/4. From that year the Luton Building Society was also no longer mentioned.

In recent times the traders on site have been the Mortgage Store (2009), Elevation, Estate Agents, 2012 - 2021 and Small Hours (The Gallery), grocers, bakery and gifts, (2024).

Summary of Occupiers

1837: Samuel Henshaw (31) mentioned, a Journeyman Shoemaker in Bedford

1861 – 1867: Samuel Henshaw, Clothier and Boot and Shoemaker

1876: Daniel Dean, Bookbinder

1877: Frederick Lennie Dean, Bookbinder

1881 – 1898: Walter Daniels, Bookbinder and Stationer

1900 – 1903: William Henry Elliott, Stationer

1903: Midland Railway Goods and Parcels Receiving Office

1904: Guscott and Pleasant, Drapers

1905 – 1939: George William Pleasant, Draper

1931 – 1949/50: Anthony and Son, Chemists

1952 – 1976: Douglas Stratford, Jones and Company, Auctioneers, Surveyors, Valuers and Estate Agents

1952 – 1965: Philip A Barnes (Insurance Brokers) Ltd

1955 – 1972/3: Luton Building Society

1955 – 1957: 6A Ernest G Bolton, ? Resident

1959 – 1961: 6A A G Gooderham, ? Resident

2009: Mortgage Store

2012 – 2021: Elevation, Estate Agents

2024: Small Hours (The Gallery), Grocers, Bakery and Gifts