Wallingford Timeline - 18th Century

Wallingford History Gateway

18th C

1700	BC AD 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000	top
1701	Jethro Tull invents the seed drill at Howbery Farm, Crowmarsh.	Jethro Tull's house in Crowmarsh
1704	St Leonard’s Church is reopened, following serious damage during the Civil War. A stage coach service between Wallingford and London begins operation.	Jethro Tull's house in Crowmarsh
1706-7	A smallpox epidemic hits Wallingford.	St Leonard's Church
1709	The return of Thomas Renda to parliament is disputed (on grounds of bribery and other illegal practices) by Edward Leigh, but the election is upheld.
1715	The return of William Hucks to parliament is disputed on grounds of bribery, by unsuccesful candidate Richard Bigg, but the election is upheld. Edmund Dunch, a member of the Kit-Kat Club, is elected, the last in a line of Dunchs to represent Wallingford.
1720	The Wells family opens Wallingford Brewery in Goldsmith's Lane.
1720	George Parker, astronomer, becomes MP for Wallingford and also a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his contribution to science.
1724	The Quakers' Meeting House in Castle Street was built. There is a flood.
1731	Thomas Tanner, antiquary, loses much of his valuable book collection when his barge sinks near Wallingford.
1733	Jethro Tull publishes "The Horse-hoeing husbandry" describing his research in which he developed the seed drill, a major step forward in the agricultural revolution.
1734	Flood
1737	William Hucks, MP for Wallingford, is robbed by Dick Turpin in Epping Forest, and 11 guineas taken.
1751	Stone arches in Wallingford Bridge removed during the civil war in 1643 are restored by Joseph Absolon. The first turnpike road to Wallingford is constructed.	Castle Priory
1752	Cristopher Crook of Wallingford is recorded as dying at the age of 102 following a healthy life, despite being a "free liver".
1759	William Blackstone moves into the recently built Castle Priory.
1764	Flood (Jan 17^th). The turnpike trust improves the Shillingford to Wallingford road.
1765	Turnpiking of the Wallingford-Nuffield road takes place.
1766	Mrs Bradfield of Wallingford is found apparently dead in a field and placed in a coffin, but 3 days later is found to be still alive.
1769	St Peter’s is rebuilt. William Blackstone completes his "Commentaries on the Laws of England".	William Blackstone
1770	There is a flood that carries away part of the bridge.
1777	A spire is added to St Peter’s, designed by Robert Taylor (who also designed 10 Downing Street and the Bank of England), paid for by William Blackstone and others. The death of George Pigot, MP for Wallingford, occurs in prison in Madras.
1778	John Wesley, Methodist leader, preaches in Wallingford.
1780	William Blackstone dies.
1781	The Presbyterian church closes in Wallingford.
1782	Work on first workhouse begins. Sir Francis Sykes, builder of Basildon Park, elected MP for Wallingford.	The memorial to Blackstone at St Peter's Church
1784	Wallingford to Wantage Road is improved by a turnpike trust. Sir Francis Sykes, builder of Basildon Park, is elected MP for Wallingford.
1789	Hedges Solicitors opens in Wallingford.
1790	Payne and Son jewellers opens - it will run for over 200 years. Nathaniel William Wraxall, writer of historical memoirs, is elected MP for Wallingford
1791	Edward Wells (brewer) and John Allnatt (ironmonger) establish a bank in Wallingford. A branch of the Marsh and Dean bank is also opened in Wallingford.
1794	Robert Lovegrove, a solicitor, builds the Baptist Chapel in his own back garden (of Calleva House) on Thames Street.
1797	An Act of Parliament for paving and lighting of Wallingford is passed. In addition, the Act bans cock throwing (hurling broom handles at a tethered cockerel).	Wallingford Baptist Church
1798	Wallingford raises a volunteer company – 3 officers and 86 men - to face the Napoleonic threat.
1799	A Congregationalist Church is built in the Market Place.
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