Timeline of the History of Tring and District Villages

THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS (1714-1815)

Massive changes in industry, transport and social organisation. Growth of urbanisation, early political reform and the beginnings of the British Colonial Empire. End of the slave trade.
  • London grows rapidly to become the largest city in Europe
  • Jethro Tull invents the seed drill and speeds the Agricultural Revolution
  • Robert Walpole becomes the first British Prime Minister
  • The first few decades without war create a trading boom and a new class of nouveau riche
  • Bonnie Prince Charlie leads the Jacobite rebellion to ultimate failure, confirming the English/Scottish union
  • The Enlightenment Movement encourages reason and individualism rather than tradition
  • The Seven Years War becomes the first truly global conflict and deters France from their claims to America
  • The Americans declare independence and begin their successful fight for freedom
  • Britain strengthens its grip on other colonies – Canada, India, Caribbean – despite claims from other countries
  • Captain Cook claims Australia for Britain and criminals begin to be deported there
  • Britain leads the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the development of more major cities
  • Hargreaves invents the Spinning Jenny and James Watt invents the Steam Engine
  • The French Revolution strengthens the resistance to Royalist power
  • The Irish rebellion, supported by the French, fails but starts the long road to independence
  • William Wilberforce leads the successful move to abolish slavery
  • After defeating Napoleon, Britain are the World’s leading military and industrial power

What Happened in our villages?

1719
William Gore
William Gore, Lord of Wilstone Manor, commissions first map of the district
1720
Blacksmith
The Old Blacksmith’s house reported to be built on Wilstone Village Green
1748
Making ashes from bean straw

Potash Kiln mentioned by a Swedish traveller passing through Long Marston, making ashes from bean straw (costing fourteen shillings to cover one acre)

1751
The Witches Trial

The Witches Trial in Wilstone and surrounding villages

1767
Land on Potash Lane

Land on Potash Lane given by Tring Charities to Chapel Wardens of Long Marston

1790s
Reservoirs

Beginning of construction of reservoirs and Grand Union Canal

1793
Baptists

A barn licenced for worship in Wilstone (Baptists)

1798
Enclosure Act

Enclosure Act, causing the fencing off of common land, creates upheaval and impacts living standards

1798
Road Network

Modern road system begins to be introduced

1799
Allotments

Land on Potash Lane first rented out as allotments by Long Marston Chapel

1802
Wilstone Reservoir

First part of Wilstone Reservoir built

1810
Sunday School

Sunday School started in Wilstone

Circa 1810
The Manor of Puttenham

The Manor of Puttenham transferred to John William Egerton, Earl of Bridgewater (later passed on to Earl Brownlow and then Lord Rothschild)

1811
Population of Puttenham

Population of Puttenham recorded as 153, within 27 houses, in return sent to Parliament

1814
Aylesbury Arm

Aylesbury Arm of canal cut through and opened

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