Kensington & Acton, Middlesex, London Beggars Bush 1736

Proceedings of the Old Bailey record the case against Thomas Dwyer and James O Neal for highway robbery. On 8^th September 1736 the evidence of the victim, “James Maintrew . July the 31st, I was coming from Horton in Buckinghamshire; at Beggars-bush, between Acton and Kensington, there is a Bridge, and by that Bridge there is a Dunghill and a Gate”.

There is no other record of the name in this area. It may have been ephemeral. It is possibly an error for Shepherd’s Bush which is recorded as Sheppards Bush Green in 1635. Although Shepherds Bush may have originated from the use of the grazing here as a resting point for shepherds on their way to Smithfield Market in the City of London, it may have from a personal
name.

Sources

Proceedings of the Old Bailey Online
Ref: t17360908-11

Field, J., Place-names of Greater London, Batsford, London, 1980, p.85

Thanks

Ealing Record Office, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Record Offices, none of whom were able to locate any other reference to the name in this area.

Posted: October 9th, 2011 | Filed under: Places | Tags: London, errors | No Comments »