Person:George Perry (24)

George Perry was baptised on 6th May 1798 at Eversholt in Bedfordshire, son of Ann Perry, formerly Alce, and her husband John Perry.

George's father died in 1820.

By 1822, George seems to have been married to a woman named Sarah, who also claimed to have been born in Eversholt, although their marriage has not yet been found. They had three children baptised at Eversholt between 1822 and 1825. The 1841 census finds George and Sarah, their son John and George's brother Jonathan living at Berry End in Eversholt.

George's mother died in 1844. By 1851, George and Sarah had moved to the neighbouring parish of Ridgmont, where they lived at the lodge house at the Ridgmont entrance to Woburn Park, the estate of the Duke of Bedford. When George died he was described as having been "...for many years in the employ of His Grace the Duke of Bedford as a chief gardener...", so it seems likely the lodge house came with the job. George was described as gate keeper rather than gardener in the 1851 census, whilst Sarah was working as a lace maker, but it seems they shared the post of gate keeping between them, as in 1861 Sarah was listed as the lodge keeper and George was described as a gardener again. They also had a Mary Ann Perry who lived with them in both 1851 and 1861, who appears to have been a granddaughter.

George was one of the most successful exhibitors at the Woburn annual horticultural show and fête in 1866, with six of his twelve entries in the flower and fruit show winning prizes, totalling one pound and three shillings.

George died at the lodge house on 28th June 1867, aged 69. Sarah survived him by about ten years, continuing to live at the lodge house in Ridgmont.

1. ↑ Bedfordshire Family History Society. Eversholt Parish Register Transcript. (Bedford).

   1798 / May 6 Geo s Jn & Ann Perry

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 5; Book 12; Folio 3; Page 1, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: Berry End, Eversholt, Bedfordshire
   George Perry, male, 40 [1796-1801], Gardener, born in county
   Sarah Perry, female, 45 [1791-6], born in county
   John Perry, male, 15 [1821-6], born in county
   Jonathan Perry, male, 60 [1776-81], Lab[ourer], not born in county

3. ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1755; Folio 85; Page 4, 30 Mar 1851.

   Address: High Street North Side, Ridgmont, Bedfordshire
   George Perry, head, married, male, 53 [1797/8], Gate Keeper Toll, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire
   Sarah Perry, wife, married, female, 57 [1793/4], Lacemaker, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire
   Mary Ann Perry, daughter, female, 8 [1842/3], Plaitter, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire

   The "Toll" in George's occupation appears to have been added later. Given that the 1861 census finds George and Sarah living at the lodge house at the Ridgmont gate to Woburn Park it seems likely that he was not a toll gate keeper, but a lodge gate keeper. This is reinforced by the fact that George and Sarah were the last household listed on "High Street North Side" before the enumerator began "High Street South Side", and the Woburn Park lodge is the westernmost building on the north (more accurately north-west) side of High Street.

4. ↑ England. 1861 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG9; Piece 1003; Folio 118; Page 1, 7 Apr 1861.

   Address: Woburn Park Lodge, Ridgmont, Bedfordshire
   George Perry, head, married, male, 64 [1796/7], Gardner, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire
   Sarah Perry, wife, married, female, 67 [1793/4], Lodge Gate Keeper, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire
   Mary A. Perry, granddaughter, unmarried, female, 18 [1842/3], Dress Maker, b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire

5.   Bedfordshire Times and Independent
   Page 5, Saturday 28 Jul 1866.

   WOBURN.
   THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY.
   The much looked-for horticultural show and rural fête was held on Wednesday last in grounds adjacent to the town belonging to Mr. Gilby, and kindly lent for the occasion. The weather being, as usual, very fine, added to the facilities afforded by the London and North-Western Railway Company for the transmission of passengers at easy fares from long distances, induced large numbers to travel to the point of attraction with the view of participating in the day's entertainment. Independent of the visitors conveyed by rail the various approaches to the town were lined with vehicles, as well as pedestrians from the neighbouring towns and villages, all contributing to swell the general number, so that the town and park presented by mid-day a very brilliant and animated appearance. His Grace the Duke of Bedford having, with the liberal spirit for which he is so proverbial, opened the Abbey Gardens and Sculpture Gallery for the inspection of all fond of the rare and the beautiful, and to show how much the privilege thus accorded was appreciated, it may be mentioned that as many as 2,600 persons passed through these scenes of attraction, all in the most orderly manner, and expressing themselves highly satisfied with the treat they had enjoyed. Of the gardens, it is impossible adequately to speak of their splendour at the present season, and the highest commendations were awarded to Mr. McKay, His Grace's head gardener, for the beautiful manner in which the various shrubs and flowers were arranged; and it is highly gratifying to state that, notwithstanding the crowds of people passing to and fro, not the slightest damage was done to tree or shrub.
   The Bedford Militia band was stationed in the gardens during the morning, and contributed much to enliven the company during their promenade.
   SHOW OF FLOWERS, FRUIT, &c.
   This exhibition being got up under the auspices of a very powerful and influential body of patrons, of which Lord Charles Russell is the president, of it we cannot speak too highly. The arrangements were in every department most complete, and reflected the greatest credit on the committee of management. The following is the list of prizes:-
   Class A. 122 Exhibitors, 570 Entries.- The prices in this class were well distributed amongst the competitors, the following being the most successful: James Chance, Eversholt, £2 4s. 6d., 18 articles shewn, 11 prizes. George Smart, Milton, £2 2s. 6d., 21 articles shen, 16 prizes. Thomas Fookes, Woburn, £2 1s., 27 articles shewn, 14 prizes. George Perry, Ridgmount, £1 3s., 12 articles shewn, 6 prizes...

6. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. George PERRY, September Quarter 1867, Woburn Registration District, Volume 3b, page 221, aged 71 [1795/6]

7. ↑ Bedfordshire Times and Independent
   Page 5, 6 Jul 1867.

   DEATHS.
   On the 28th June, at Ridgmount Lodge, Mr. G. Perry, for many years in the employ of His Grace the Duke of Bedford as a chief gardener, aged 75.