Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    A
  • Title
    Austin of Luton Archive
  • Production date
    From: 1554 To: 1997
  • Admin/biog history
    The Firm Although the firm of Austin & Carnley claimed to have started in 1886, its origins go back at least to the mid 18C. William (died 1799) and Leonard Hampson (1759-1824) Leonard Hampson was baptised on the 21 October 1759 at Luton St Mary, the son of William and Ann Hampson. William was a lawyer and banker of considerable local importance. He is not listed as a Voter in the 1734 Election & therefore probably came to Luton c 1734-1757 when the birth of his first child was recorded. In his Will of 1799 (RY126), he refers to lands in Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, so he may well have come from Hertfordshire. He and his wife Ann had a number of children, of whom Leonard, Edward and the Reverend William survived until 1799. Ann had been buried at Luton on 24 May 1784. In 1759 William purchased the George and Red Lion Inns from Francis Herne of Luton Hoo (Austin's History of Luton Volume II Page 78) His own house was in George Street, next to the Inn itself. William was Steward of the Manor of Luton from 1774-1795. On 8 June 1775, he was admitted to a messuage in Dunstable Lane, Luton and an Orchard & Close of pasture (X312/1) On 12 June 1783 he was admitted to a Messuage in the North End of Luton, then occupied by the vendor, Edward Humphrey (X312/1). The 1785 Commercial Directory lists Hampson & Son as Attorney at Law, showing Leonard was a partner by this stage. By 1794, Leonard Hampson of Luton was a lawyer acting as Under Sheriff. On his father's death in 1799, he took on John Griffiths as partner. The firm then became Hampson & Griffiths (listed in 1822-3 Directory). Charles Austin served articles with Griffiths, who was his Uncle. The Williamsons & the Austins On Griffiths's death, Edward Chilwell Williamson became a partner in the Solicitors Firm and Charles Austin a partner with Hampson in his Luton Bank, which was now called Hampson & Austin. Hampson died in 1824 and the Bank closed because Austin had not enough Capital to keep it going. He then joined with Williamson to form Williamson & Austin, Solicitors. (See William Austin's History of Luton, Volume II pages 117-118) (listed in 1839 Directory). On 21 & 22 February 1834 Charles Austin had purchased The George, Luton from the Bute Estate (X312/2 Page 387) On 7 June 1838, Charles Austin was admitted to a Messuage at the corner off Barber's Lane, Luton. He was buried on 21 April 1842, aged 52. The 1847 Commercial Directory lists Edward C. Williamson of George Street, Solicitor. At the same time Thomas Erskine Austin was an Actuary to the Savings Bank, based in Stuart Street Luton. It is unclear whether he was a partner of the Firm but was clearly closely associated with it. 1850 Commercial Directory lists Charles Addington Austin and Edward Chilwell Williamson as Solicitors in George Street. In the 1851 Census, Thomas Erskine Austin, aged 45, with his wife & six children (including William aged 1) was living in Stuart Street, Luton. He was the Clerk of the Luton Union and Superintendent Registrar. Charles Addington Austin, aged 28, (born Luton) was living in George Street with his mother Emily A. Austin (aged 59) (born at St Martin's in the Field). He had been baptised on 13 April 1823 at St Mary Luton the son of Charles & Emily Agnes Austin and married there on 8 January 1855 to Dorothy Little. Two houses down lived Edward C.Williamson, Solicitor, (born St Marylebone.) He was unmarried aged 65. The 1853 Directory indicates how the two partners were beginning to corner the jobs for official bodies in Luton. Charles Addington Austin, Solicitor was Clerk to the Town Hall Commissioners and Edward Chilwell Williamson was Clerk to the Magistrates and Clerk to the County Court. Luton Anglican Burials list the burial of Edward Chilwell Williamson on 31 March 1863, aged 77. On 28 May 1863, Charles Addington Austin was appointed Steward of Luton Manor on the death of Edward Chilwell Williamson. (X312/2) The 1864 Commercial Directory lists Charles Addington Austin, Solicitor, Commissioner in Chancery and all Law Courts, Registrar of County Court , Clerk to the County Magistrates and Clerk to Luton Road Trustees. A rival, George Bailey, was Clerk to the Luton Board of Health. In 1871 Commercial Directory, Charles Addington Austin seems to have been acting on his own. Anglican Burials in Luton record his Burial on 7 July 1875, aged 52. In the 1877 Commercial Directory, Richard Cooke is recorded as being Solicitor in George Street West. He was probably keeping the seat warm for the eventual chief partner William Austin. Thomas Erskine Austin was buried on 20 November 1883 aged 77 (Anglican Burials in Luton) William Austin was the son of Thomas Erskine Austin. He was born in 1858. He was educated at the Collegiate School, Luton and St John's College. He wrote a number of books etc about Luton. His two Volume History of Luton was published posthumously by J.H.Blundell (Who was Who in Bedfordshire 1911 and Obituary in BHRS Vol. XII). In 1881 Census he was recorded as aged 31, Solicitor's Articled Clerk, living with his father T.E.Austin. He was appointed deputy Steward of Luton Manor on 3 March 1881. The Steward seems to have been Frank Chapman Scargill, who had been appointed by the Leigh family in 1872, when he was out hunting! Austin's first Court as Steward was 21 May 1891. In 1885 Commercial Directory, William Austin was listed as Solicitor, Clerk to the Poor Law Guardians, Luton Rural Sanitary Authority, Assessment Committees of Luton Union and Superintendent Registrar for Luton District.. Richard Cooke had become the Registrar of the County Court in Park Street, based in Park Street West. 1886 official date firm started (see Article on Centenary Celebrations) In 1890 Commercial Directory, William Austin was listed as Solicitor, Clerk to the Poor Law Guardians, Luton Rural Sanitary Authority, Assessment Committees of Luton Union and Superintendent Registrar for Luton District AND Clerk to Caddington & Humbershoe Cemetery Co., Secretary to the Straw Manufacturers and Plait Dealers Association and Principal Conservative Agent for South Bedfordshire. His offices were in Upper George Street. 1898 Commercial Directory lists the address of his offices as 7 George Street West. In 1903 Commercial Directory William Austin was listed as Solicitor, Commissioner of Oaths, Clerk to the Borough Magistrates, Clerk to the Poor Law Guardians, School Attendance Committee and Assessment Committee for Luton Union, Superintendent Registrar for Luton District, Clerk to Luton Rural District Council and Clerk to Caddington & Humbershoe Burial Board and Deputy Steward of the Manor of Luton, based at 7 George Street West. By 1910 he had added the Clerkship of Dunstable Borough Magistrates By 1920, Austin had taken on 9 George Street West as well. The 1924 Commercial Directory shows that the firm was now called Austin & Barnard with William Austin holding all his previous posts. The Caddington & Humbershoe Burial Board was now called the Aley Green Cemetery Joint Committee. Arthur Frank Barnard was the junior partner and also had premises in Dunstable. Edward Bernard was Registrar of Births etc and Vaccination Officer at 17 George Street West but it is unclear whether he was a member of the partnership. By 1928 Commercial Directory, Barnard had left the partnership. Austin continued in most of his previous jobs. The new partner was William Birch Carnley, who kept on the Dunstable Office. By 1940 Carnley was Clerk to the Borough Magistrates. 1952 the Dunstable Office was started at 17 High Street North when they amalgamated with Middleton & Gutteridge (established 1882) Up to and including the 1975 Commercial Directory they were recorded as being in their old premises of 7-9 George Street West. 1974 Dunstable Branch moved to 43 High Street North In 1981 Alec Barnard (son of Arthur) retired as Senior Partner, according to an article of 1986. 1986 Senior Partner Denis Elvin. In addition to the Luton & Dunstable offices, the firm had offices at Leighton Buzzard (formerly Newton & Calcutt, taken over in 1956) and Berkhamsted (Penny and Thorne). In 1997 they are recorded at 36-40 Liverpool Road, Luton to which they moved after 1986
  • 263 deeds received 1925 and 1927 under multiple accession numbers.
  • Scope and Content
    Archives Deposited 1) Hampson Archive (X808) was not deposited by the firm but clearly relates to it. This Archive relates to the papers of the Executors of Leonard Hampson (1759-1824), especially relating to Hampson's Son in law, John Gibbard of Sharnbrook and the development of land in Bedford. See the Introduction to the Catalogue for X808). 2) Austin Archive (Reference number A) Detail of Cataloguing The first two deposits were made in January 1925 and August 1927. They were catalogued in the 1920's in ink, giving only the basic details. The cataloguer was probably F.G. Emmison. All documents giving field names were starred in the Catalogue with the intention no doubt of adding them to the Parish Field Names Listings (CRT120/125.) Michael Ashcroft copied the earlier of these in his own handwriting in the 1960's and added some detail. He also added a very short introduction & pedigree relating to the Norton family of Sharpenhoe. A further deposit was made in December 1947. These deeds etc were catalogued in much greater detail and the list typed. Austin Archive: What does it contain? a) Smyth of Sharpenhoe Estate Deeds of Title The records are mainly title deeds and there are no specifically firm's records. The title deeds represent a tiny fraction of the documents that have passed through the firm's hands. They relate mainly to the estates of the Norton Family at Sharpenhoe & Streatley The late 16C-17C Deeds show the Nortons, acquiring the Manor of Sharpenhoe, tenements called Clarkes, Carrington's & Peacocks and the Rectory of Streatley. Detailed Terriers survive for 1554 & 1592 (A1 & 9) By the 1670's the Nortons had left the parish and were gradually selling out to the Smyth Family (SM) The deeds of the Manor of Sharpenhoe 1686-1823 include a Marriage Settlement of 1727 that gives field names for the Smyth Estate, which included property in Streatley, Sundon, Westoning and Harlington (A66). Three properties purchased by the Smyths in the 1840's-1850's cover long periods beforehand. Particulars of the manor are given in 1805. A deed of 1807 includes field names for Sharpenhoe Manor with land in Streatley and Barton Abstracts of Title (A154-157) list deeds before they became part of the Smyth Estate. The originals are in the SM Archive. Other Smyth Documents relating to Property Book of Reference for Smyth Estate (A173/1) 1824 SEE Map X1/23 (probably also deposited by Austin,) The Book of Reference was bought up to date up to 1844 (A173/2). Sale Particulars of a Farm at Sharpenhoe 1804 and 1833 (A145 & 150}. The deed (A141) gives good detail of the Sharpenhoe Estate in 1805. A 167 gives full details of the Manor of Streatley in 1854, including a late strip map. This is related to a complex legal case (A172) of the same date, which gives useful evidence as to the previous history of the property Enclosure. Enclosure Agreement for Sharpenhoe (A69) 1771 AND under Award of Streatley & Sharpenhoe exchange of lands order (A171) 1859 b) Luton Deeds of a Chemists' Shop (24 Market Hill) AND Holly Lodge, Luton 1596-1855, give important topographical information on a town centre site In 1607 (A227) a terrier was made of Limbury. Rate Books for Luton & Hamlets c1706-1834 (A229/1-10) Luton Turnpike Trust Minutes 1833-1863 (A230) give details of the administration of the main (later A6) Road going through Luton. The Luton Highway Board administered all local public roads from 1863-1889. 3) X45 is a stray apprenticeship deed of 1830. 4) NC, NC/P and NC/T. The records of Newton & Calcutt of Leighton Buzzard taken over by Austin & Carnley in 1956. See Michael Ashcroft's Introduction to NC. 5) Z636 Miscellaneous documents that previously belonged to E.A.S. Barnard were deposited by Penny & Thorne of 175 High Street Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Related Archive 1) SM Smyth Archive, deposited by J.R.C Smyth 17 August 1962. It relates to the Smyth Family of Sharpenhoe
  • System of arrangement
    Generally by original bundle see below: A1-43 Deeds of Norton Family of Sharpenhoe Manor 1554-1647 A44-63 Bundle of deeds labelled "Deeds relating to Sharpenhoe Bury Estate", Manor of Sharpenhoe 1673-1800 A64-80 Deeds relating chiefly to Manor of Sharpenhoe 1686-1823 A81-95 Bundle labelled "Messuages and meadow ground caled Water-off in Streatley" 1684-1843 A96-133 Bundle of deeds relating chieflt to Sharpenhoe 1677-1855 A134-146 Bundle labelled "Deeds of two cottages in Sharpenhoe" 1670-1848 A147-152 Bundle labelled "Deeds relating to piece of land at Sharpenhoe purchased of Mr.Burton, 1845" 1762-1845 A153 Single conveyance of third part of Sharpenhoe Manor 1848 A154-163 Schedules an abstracts of deeds relating to lands at Sharpenhoe etc. 1553-1833 A164-166 Deeds of a messuage and close of pasture in Sharpenhoe 1805-1857 A167-170 Bundle labelled "Lots 2, 12, 14 & 16. Convayence of Freehold Estates in par. of Streatley" 1854-1855 A171 Streatley Inclosure Award 1859 A172 Chancery Case of Colston v.Lilley, Stapleton v.Carter 1854? A173 Bundle of miscellaneous documents relating to Sharpenhoe 1735-1913 A174-220 Bundle labelled by Mr.Austin "Deeds relating to the Chemist's shop, no.20, Market Hill and to the site of Holly Lodge in Castle Street, Luton" 1596-1855 A221 Overseers Accounts for Caddington 1648-1670 A222 Lists of Churchwardens, Overseers and Constables for Caddington 1696-1795 A223 Recatalogued as P24/12/1 A224 Transferred to Hertfordshire Record Office being ten deeds of property at Mangrove in Offley 1683-1811 A225 Transferred to Hertfordshire Record Office being 14 deeds to property at Pepsal End and Pepperstock in Flamstead 1688-1804; will of Joseph Everitt retained 1779 A226 Court Rolls of Manor of Haverings in Stopsley 1543-1569 A227 Terrier of lands of Michael Daldorne in Limbury, Biscot and Leagrave 1608 A228 Copy terrier of lands of Richard Woode in Limbury, Biscot, Luton and Leagrave 1607 A229 Rate Books of Luton and Hamlets ?1706-1834 A230 Luton District Turnpike Trust minute book 1833-1863 A231-262 Caddington deeds 1780-1828 A263-264 Acts of Parliament 1775, 1813
  • Level of description
    fonds
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