A History of Preston
in Hertfordshire
The census was taken on 5 April. There were 315 residents in Preston -
They occupied 62 cottages, an average of 4.7 inhabitants in each home. Also inhabited were six farms and ‘The Cottage’. Fifteen houses were empty.
The following ‘core’ families were in Preston. They made up 37 % of the village’s population:
Peters
Jenkins
Thrussell
Brown
Jeeves
34 members
26
20
18
18
These were the most popular Christian names:
Male
George
William
Henry
Thomas
Frederick
Arthur
Frank
16
16
11
10
8
6
6
Female
Mary
Sarah
Emma
Mary Ann
Elizabeth
Rosa
Emily
11
10
10
8
8
7
6
One hundred and sixty-
Of the surviving villagers from 1881, 163 were still living in Preston 10 years later
-
On the land
Farmers
Farm labourers inc.
hay-
Woodmen
Gamekeeper
Hurdle-
Ploughman
Shepherds
Gardener
6
61
4
1
1
1
2
1
Women
Straw plaiters
Dressmaker
School mistresses
Postmistress/grocer
Housekeepers
Tailoress
Servants
12
1
3
1
1
1
3
Tradesmen
Grocer
Victuallers
Painter
Tailor
Wheelwright
Apprentice
Butler
Auctioneer
Baker
Curate
Estate agent
Hay dealer
Painter
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
The straw-
Four villagers were ‘on own means’ and two had retired. George Jeeves (55) was noted as a cripple.
Chart of movement of villagers 1881-
Link to transcription of 1891 Preston census.