Suffolk Branch

Stow Market

Suffolk

 Robson's Commercial Directory of Beds, Bucks Cam, Hunts and Suffolk 1839

   A market town on the banks of the river Orwell, 69 and a half miles from London, through Chelmsford, Braintree, and Sudbury, 12 miles N. by W. from Ipswich and 3 and a half miles N.W.  from Needham Market; contained in 1831, 2672 inhabitants.

   The annual value of assessed property in 1815 was 6043/-. It stands nearly in the centre of the county, and consists principally of one street, disposed on the sides of the road by Bury to Ipswich. Being well situated for the barley trade, the market on Thursday is much frequented by farmers from a considerable distance' much business is also done in malting.

Stowmarket Church 1819

  Fairs are held on June 19 and August 1, for horses, cattle, sheep, lambs and hops, which are grown in the environs of the town and in September there is a cheese fair. There is a manufacture of sacking, cordage, &c. The petty sessions, a manorial court, and also the principal county meetings, are held here. The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Peter, is a beautiful structure, with a tower surmounted by a steeple 120 feet in height. The living is a vicarage, with Stow Upland, value 281/- per ann.

  Here are several schools and other charitable institutions. About a mile westward, situated on an eminence, is the house of industry for the hundred of Stow. Stow Market parish is in Stow Union. The village of Stow Upland, containing 826 inhabitants, and having in 1815 assessed property to  the amount of 3,773/- per annum, adjoins Stow Market. Thorney Hall, Fimborough Hall, Haughley Park, Haughley Place, Westerden Hall, and Gipping Hall, are seats in the neighbourhood.