A History of Preston
in Hertfordshire
Chart showing movement of villagers 1871-
The census was taken on 3 April. There were 362 residents in Preston -
They occupied 69 cottages, an average of 4.2 inhabitants in each home. Other homes included six farms, Temple Dinsley and ‘The Cottage’. Six houses were unoccupied.
While researching this census, for the first time the variety of Christian names
is noticeable -
One hundred and seventy-
Of the surviving 385 villagers from 1871, 170 were still living in Preston ten years
later -
Twenty-
Following the purchase by Henry Pryor of Temple Dinsley in 1873, Eleanor Peters (the daughter of William and Mary who were living at Preston Green) was a maid at Henry’s house at Clifton, Beds. in 1881.
Three young men moved out of the village as they pursued their occupations on the
railway -
On the land
Farmers
Farm labourers (inc.
Haybinders)
Cowman
Grooms
Stable boy
Farm boy
Gardeners
Farm manager
Woodmen
Engine driver
Shepherds
Tradesmen
Baker/confectioner
Bootmaker
Butcher
Carpenter
Cattle dealer
General Dealer
Grocers
Police constable
Publicans
Tailor
Wheelwrights
Wood carrier
Apprentice
Butler
Coachman
Women
Straw-
Dressmakers
Laundress
Milliner
Governess
School mistress
School monitor
Maids/servants
Nurse
Cook
Mary Nash was recorded as being ‘blind’.
The modernisation of farming methods was shown as James Angell (born 1857 from Standon, Bedfordshire who was working at Hill End Farm) was described as a traction engine driver.
Peters
Jeeves
Jenkins
Sharp
Palmer
Smith
Andrews
33 members
22
21
17
16
12
9
Male
William
George
John
Thomas
27
21
16
15
Female
Mary
Sarah
Emma
Elizabeth
13
13
10
9
The following ‘core’ families were in Preston. They comprised 33% of the village
Link to transcription of 1881 Preston census.