Social class structure in St Neots
In the 19th century there was a fairly rigid class structure which did not change much until after
World War One (1914 – 1918).
Aristocracy
Upper Class
Upper Middle Class
Middle Class
Lower Middle Class
Lower Class
There were some minor power and status struggles between classes and although it was possible to
progress up the social hierarchy it was uncommon.
In the time of Queen Victoria the rules were a lot clearer and people at least knew their position in
society. They knew where to find their friends, who to marry, where to find help if they were in
trouble and where to find charity.
Marriage out of one’s class was almost unknown. Aristocrats were the exception, often ‘marrying
beneath them’ - rich American heiresses from the merchant class.
Aristocracy
The local aristocrats were the Earls of Sandwich of Hinchingbrooke House and the Dukes of
Manchester at Kimbolton. For a short time there was also Lord Esme Gordon at Paxton Park.
The former two dominated political power in all South Huntingdonshire but this was ended by the
Reform Act of 1832. This gave power to Town Commissioners chosen from the Upper Middle
Classes.
Lord Sandwich was Lord of the Manor in St Neots. He owned the market and property around the
Market Square, appointed the rector of St Mary’s Church and owned much land and property in St
Neots’ parish including Manor Farm. As such he was a major employer and people’s livelihood
depended almost solely on him. He had a land agent who dealt with all his rents, employment and
wages.
In 1848 he sold most his St Neots’ property to the Rowley family. They built Priory Hill House
and, after the parish Enclosure Act, developed Priory Park.
The Dukes of Manchester had little influence in St Neots. They used to be involved in the Hunt
which met on the Market Square. Their guests included royalty and distinguished political and
aristocratic figures. They used to come by train to St Neots and do their shopping in town. Their
extravagances, near bankruptcies and marriages to American heiresses provided plenty of gossip.
Lord Esme Gordon of Paxton Park got involved in field sports and was patron of many sports clubs in
the town.
Upper Class
The Rowleys of Priory Hill were the most important. They put pressure on the railway board not to
allow the railway to go through their land. This explains why the railway station is a mile (1.6km.) east
of the Market Square. They were involved in local government, the administration of justice and the
welfare of St Mary’s Church. There were many cases of local people poaching on their estate and
trespassing which involved legal claims over public rights of way.
Other squires were the Reynolds of Paxton Hall. Some members of this family lived in St Neots
and were involved in local businesses. Captain (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Humbley of Cressener House
was the Lord of Eynesbury Manor. Francis Pym of Sandy was an absentee landlord. The Stanley
family at Paxton Park and the Alingtons of Little Barford were local employers on their farms but
took little part in town life except as patrons of sport.
Upper Middle Class
Prosperous and quite wealthy merchants, brewers and manufacturers were numerous in St Neots
because of the market and wharves which helped their trade. The railway line helped too. Most
owned land and property which they rented out. Some were engaged in banking and farming. In the
18th century the upper middle classes were the Wye (grocer, tallow chandler and brickmaker),
Bainton (draper), Hatley (property owner), Bailey (property owner), Billet (property owner), and
Fowley (farmer and brewer)families. In the first half of the 19th century they were the Ingersole
(grocer, corn merchant and wine merchant), Rix (merchant, banker), Foster (merchant, brewer and
banker) and Stevens (wool staplers)families. In the latter half it was the Paines (brewers), Days
(brewers and brickmakers) and Toogoods (Paper millowners).
Their houses and offices were mainly on the south side of the Market Square but in the second half
of the 19th century a number moved away to large houses in the town or nearby which they
surrounded with spacious lawns, gardens and greenhouses. They needed to employ a large number of
domestic servants, garders, grooms etc. In the summer some allowed their gardens to be used for
fetes and school treats.
The Town Commissioners came from this class. When the democratically elected Local Board, and
later the Urban District Council were set up, they did not stand for office.
Middle class
There were also professional people like doctors, lawyers and vicars. Nearly all had university
education and, with the squires, formed the basis of the town’s intellectual life. Most of them
supported the Tory (Conservative) party.
Lower middle class
This group consisted of mainly shopkeepers and small business men ranging from craftsmen with one
or more apprentices or assistants to the builder with a dozen labourers; from the one man
shopkeeper to the large shop keeper with a dressmaking establishment.
Clerks and office managers were in this class. Most supported the Liberal political party because
they wanted reforms, changes in the laws. A number of them became members of the Local Board
and Urban District Council. However, they did not want to spend the town rates on improvements like
sewerage and water supplies.
Lower (working) class
Wage earners, both skilled and unskilled were in this class, like office staff, apprentices, assistants,
domestic staff. Factory, workshop and agricultural labourers. Security of employment was poor.
Skilled workers were often given only a week’s notice. Labourers were paid by the hour and could get
an hour’s notice.
Unskilled wages were just above starvation level. All family members had to work and they could
easily be evicted from their rented cottage if they failed to pay the rent or were not seen at church
on Sundays.
Alcoholism was widespread. With so many inns and beer-houses which had long opening hours many
men spent much of their earnings. Wives and children used to wait outside work on Friday pay night
to get some of the money for the weekly budget.
There were also ballad mongers and street pedlars. One sold soft river water on washing day, one
tarred water butts, another carried washing but many sold pies, bloaters, herrings, rabbits, cows’
heels, childrens’ toys and muffins. Some pedlars made enough money to buy premises like the Wren
family’s fish shop and John Franks who set up a furniture shop.
The really poor and infirm had to go to the workhouse.
Source: Tebbutt, C. F. (1978), St Neots – History of a Huntingdonshire Town, Unwin Brothers, pp.1421