1770 May 5th

To be sold to the Best bidder, at the Bull Inn in Royston, on Wednesday the 30th of May inst. between the hours of three and five, unless before disposed of by private Contract, of which timely Notice will be given in this Paper; A Copyhold Estate of Inheritance, at Melbourne in the County of Cambridgeshire, consisting of a good Farm House, Barns, Stables and all other convenient Outhouses, in good Repair, having had lately a Considerable Sum laid out on it; with a Close of Pasture adjoining to the said Farm House, and upwards of seventy-six Acres of Common Field land, with a Right of Common, in the Occupation of Edward Everett, at the yearly Rent of only 22l. being the old standing Rent for many Years, but improvable, and well worth 30 l. per Annum.

There are upwards of 40l. of Timber growing on the Homestall.

For Further Particulars enquire of Mr. Hooper, of Hitchin, who is to be spoke with at the Bull, or Hoops, at Royston, every Wednesday Fortnight. He has various sums to be put on approved securities.

1773 April 10th

To be sold by Auction, in Four Lots, at the Sign of the Chequer in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, on the Thursday the 22nd Day of this inst, April, 1773, between the hours of Three and Five in the Afternoon, subject to Conditions then and there to be produced;

The following Free and Copyhold Estates:

Lot 1. A Freehold Messuage, Barns, Stable, and Convenient Outhouses, a large dovecoat and Yard, with an orchard planted with Fruit Trees, by Estimation one Acre, late in the Occupation of Mrs Sarah Negus, deceased, but now empty, situate in Melbourn aforesaid, and valued at 8 l. per Ann. together with 40 Acres of Freehold Arable Land, more or less, lying dispersed in the Common Fields of Melbourn, now let to Mr. Peter Wedd, at the yearly Rent of 16l. also 10 Acres of Arable Land, lying dispersed in the Common Fields aforesaid, now let to Mr. Thoms Wood, at the yearly Rent of 4l. 5s.

These 10 Acres are Copyhold of the Manor of Melbourn Argentine and Trayles, and pay a Quitrent, of 8s. and 5d. yearly.

Lot 2. A Messuage, with an old-accustomed Blacksmiths Shop, Barn, Stable, and convenient Outhouses, with an orchard wll planted with Fruit tres, by Estimation One Acre, situate in Melbourn Aforesaid, now let to Mr. Joseph Stockbridge, at the yearly Rent of 6l.

This lot is copyhold of the Manor aforesaid and pays a Quitrent of 5s. yearly, also heriotable.

Lot 3. A Freehold Messuage, a small barn, and Outhouses, Yard, Garden, and Orchard, situate at Melbourn aforesaid, and now let to Mr. Bullen, at the yearly Rent of 2l.

Lot 4. A Messuage, with barns, Stable, and convenient Outhouses, two Orchards, and Close of Pasture adjoining, containing One Acre and two Roods, more or less, together with a Grove of five young Ash and Elm trees, about 200, situate in Sheprith in the County Aforesaid; also 19 Acres of Arable Land, more or less, being dispersed in the common fields of Sheprith aforesaid, and two acres, more or less, of Meadow land, with a Right of Common without stint, now let to Mr. Wm. Munn’s, at the yearly Rent of 14l.

This lot is Copyhold of the Manor of Sheprith, and pays a Quitrent of 16s. and 2d. yearly also heriotable on every death of Alienation.

The tenants wil show the Premises.

Further Particulars may be known by Application to Mr. Robert Chriftey, of Ashwell, Hertfordshire, or of Mr. Robert Bunyan, of Royston, who buys, sells, and values, Estates and effects of all kinds, by Commission or otherwise.

1774 December 31st

On Saturday evening about six o’clock, George Hall, a taylor of Melbourn in this County, was attacked in the portway, abour half a mile from his own house by two stout fellows, who demanded his money, and on his refusal they knocked him down and one of them kneeled on his body, while the other robbed him of 27s. 6d. After he was at liberty he remonstrated against their baseness, saying that they were rogues indeed to rob such a man as he was; on which with horrid imprecations they ran after him, and in all probability would have murdered him, had not his fright furnished him with an agility that outstripped them, and he got safe home, leaving behind him his hat, and a leg of mutton, which were afterwards found by the neighbours in the cartway. He was returning home from Cambridge market with provisions for a numerous family.

1775 August 12th

Thomas Newman, for breaking into the dwelling-house of Mr Harper, shoemaker, at Melbourn, in the dead of night, and stealing thereout two pairs of men’s and one pair of women’s shoes, was capitally convicted and received sentence of death; but was reprieved before the judge left town, and ordered for transportation for 14 years. It appeared in the course of his trial, that he had brought three other fellows with him into the country, with an intention to rob the house of John Hitch Esq; of Melbourn, with whom the convict lived formerly as a servant; and that these three fellows were assistants in the burglary and robbery at Harper’s.

1792 March 3rd

CAMBRIDGESHIRE
To be sold by Auction, by Robert Bunyan,

At the house of Mr James King, known by the sign of the Checker, in Melbourn, on Monday, the 5th day of March inst. precisely at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

A Messuage (called Doves) divided into Two Tenements, with a barn, stable, and other outhouses, yard, garden, and orchard, by estimation half an acre; and a close of pasture near adjoining, about three roods, upon which are now growing seventeen fine young Elm timber trees, and two large Ash trees. These premises are situated in Melbourn aforesaid, and are freehold.

Also two pieces of copyhold Arable Land, lying in the Common fields of Melbourn, containing 1A. 2R. 20P. which pay an annual quit rent of 9 _d. land-tax moderately assessed. This estate is now in the occupation of Henry Gray, or his under tenants, at a very low rent of 6l. per annum.

To be viewed at any time till the day of sale (Sundays excepted) and any further particulars may be known by applying to the Auctioneer, at Royston, Herts.

1792 May 26th

On Tuesday last an inquisition was taken at Melbourn, by Thomas Bullen, Gent. his Majesty’s coroner for this county, on view of the body of Martha the wife of Bennet Graves. Although it appeared from the evidence of two women examined by the Coroner, that the deceased had been ill used and beaten by her husband, and had, the morning previous to her death, complained of blows received from him upon her head; yet no bruise or swelling appeared to corroborate their evidence, and it being proved that the woman was dropsied and consumptive, the Jury found a verdict of Natural Death.

1794 October 18th

To be sold by Auction, by Bunyan & Cockett

On the Premises of Mr. Joseph Stockbridge, at Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, on Monday next, the 20th inst.

Eleven useful Waggon Horses, with geers and harness complete for do. a very good six inch wheel waggon, with iron axle-trees, sliding- iron, hoops and gable chains, useful old iron, &C.

The Sale to begin at ten o’clock.

Catalogues may be had at the neighbouring Inns; Place of Sale; and of the Auctioneers, at Royston, Herts.

1798 May 12th

Parish of Melbourne, Cambridgeshire

Voluntary contributions exclusive of Assessed Taxes, April 6 1798.

J. Hitch, Esq.	£10 0s 0d
J. Hitch, jun.	£1 1s 0d
Rev. Mr. Carter curate	£1 1s 0d
T. Wood, sen.	£1 1s 0d
Mrs Ellis	£0 10s 6d
J. Thurley	£0 10s 6d
I. Wood, jun.	£0 5s 0d
Jonathan Ellis	£0 2s 6d
S. Jarman	£0 2s 6d
T. Jarman	£0 2s 6d
Wm. Wrenn	£0 2s 6d
David Ellis	£0 2s 0d
J. Cunningham	£0 2s 0d
J. Dickerson	£0 2s 0d
J. Faircloth	£0 2s 0d
T. Ellis	£0 1s 0d
J. Stockbridge	£0 1s 0d
Total	£16 6s 0d