Where can I find history of the 17th century building I live in, Beverley, East Yorkshire?

Answer 1

Quakers in Beverley

This history of Beverley Meeting was compiled by Fred Fletcher of Hull Preparative Meeting in 1986, for the 25th anniversary of the opening of Beverley Friends Meeting House.
A Brief History of a Quaker Meeting
The year 1986 sees the 25th Anniversary of the opening of a Meeting House for the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Beverley.

However, historically, Beverley had very early Quaker connections. The town of Beverley is an ancient one and is mentioned in Bede's "History of the English Church and People". The present Minster dates from the 13th century and probably began about 1230. This is the building which George Fox entered late in 1651, and spoke to the congregation there assembled.

The Rise and History of Quakers in Beverley
George Fox is regarded by most Friends as the man whose deep religious experience was the crystallising factor which brought together the groups of men and women of the mid 17th century to form what was to become "The Religious Society of Friends", to give them their correct title. They are more familiarly known as Quakers, although neither name was applied to them at first. Several of these men and women had undergone a similar experience to that of Fox, even before they met him, but his intense personal experience and his forthright manner of expression made him a natural leader among these people.

Born in Fenny Drayton, Leicestershire in 1624 of deeply religious parents he had left home at the age of nineteen and spent four years in agonising search for spiritual truth and a rock hard basis for his faith in an age that was well known for its spiritual shallowness. It was only when he ceased to expect his answer from a human source that he eventually found the deep conviction which was to remain with him for the rest of his life. As he puts it in his own words - "And when all my hopes in them (i.e. the established church) and in all men was gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, O then, I heard a voice which said, 'There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition' and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy".

After this experience Fox travelled about in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire, meeting groups of people and speaking in churches, or "steeple houses" as he called them, for he said "the church was the people and not the house."

Fox served prison sentences in Nottingham and Derby gaols, the latter sentence on account of refusing a captaincy in the Commonwealth army. His reason for this was, he said, "I told them I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion for all wars". This became the foundation of the Quaker Peace Testimony. He was finally set free about 8th October, 1651, and on 7th December of that year we find him entering Beverley after visiting Wakefield and Selby.

Answer 2

Is there anything particular you are looking for?

ie, first (and subsequent) owners, architect, architectural style, building costs?

Sadly for even quite well known houses a lot of this information does go. Are you able to provide any more details? Is your house when of many on the street of the same style and date?

If so, it is most likely they were commissioned by the then local authority and you should be able to find quite a bit of detail from local histories.

If your house is a one off, then it was probably commissioned by the first owner. In which case, your task is quite a bit harder, but potentially more fun. Try and identify the architectural style.

Architectural style developed massively over the 17th century as "tudor" at the beginning gave way to more classical influences brought on by the likes of Inigo Jones which evolved into a Baroque style, exemplified in the works of Wren, Vanbrugh, Gibbs and Hawksmore. (Hawksmore and Vanbrugh were ofcourse responsible together for two of the Norths most important pieces of architecture in Castle Howard and Seaton Delaval.)

Although these architects were working on a very grand scale and highly unlikely to have had any involvement with your house, their influences were widespread and it is highly probably that this can be seen in your design.

It is likely that a local architect would have been responsible, so perhaps try and find local buildings with similar features. If these building have records you can perhaps find a link to tie those buildings in with yours.

You would be amazed to see the influence that local architects at this time were able to have on buildings in their area and the similarities and consistencies in design and subsequently the marks they left on local landscapes.

I hope this has been of some help, and wish you best of luck. If you're prepared to go out there and look around, there's lots of exiting stuff you can find out.

Answer 3

you could try as a first port of call the local library, they should have a local history section, try asking the librarian for assistance with your search, they can and often do help out by giving advice, hints and tips, the local historical society or any archeological groups who meet locally often use the library reading rooms for research, the addresses of such groups and meetings can be often found on the notice board, if you are unsuccessfull try the parish council, the minutes of the council are normaly held in the reference section of the library if they do not have a parish hall that is secure. one of the answers you have been given is about the quakers meeting houses, although you made no reference to this in your original question, if it is such a building, the history will be well documented by the very groups i have mentioned, good luck with your worthy endevour. LF

Answer 4

There is a good chance that a 17 th century building is listed. Your local council will point you towards listed building records if this applies. If not, either your local, or central library will have research materials for local historical purposes. Your house has been around a long time, without doubt it is on record locally.

Answer 5

you lucky person i think beverly would be a great place to live, and a 17th century house? wonderful!! try searching the deeds they must be held somewhere, or search out local historians there are always some around, good luck with your search,

Answer 6

The town hall, the registry office, the library, these are the places I'd go for a start and they will I'm sure give you advice on how to go about your research.

Answer 7

try going to youre older churches they have information on older buildings,and youre library allso