I often pass these flats and read the two large address plates on the back saying that this is “The Old Mayor’s House”.
Today I read about that building in Historic Abingdon, Fifty-six articles by Agnes C Baker. On the 18th April 1952 she wrote “The house breakers are at work in Abingdon … at No 9, High Street … workmen hurl down masonry … just as close on 400 years ago the house was build.”
Number 9, The High Street, was once the house of Richard Mayott, the first Mayor of Abingdon – 1556. He was also Mayor 1568-69, and for the third time in 1578, during which time he died.
Miss Baker writes that elaborate carving have been discovered on the back of one stone fireplace, and says that people conjecture that the stone is from Abingdon Abbey.
Back then the building was being rebuilt to provide better premises for the Co-operative Society.
That same shop is currently To Let. Two letting agents seem to be involved – one of whose sign fell down at the end of November, and is still to be seen in a heap on the ground.
Where can ‘Historic Abingdon, Fifty-six articles by Agnes C Baker’ be found?
I can only find ‘Historic Abingdon, Parlimentry History’ by Agnes C Baker for sale on eBay, which was printed by Abbey Press.
Are the articles in a similar vien to ‘The Story of Abingdon’ series by the late Mieneke Cox? I managed to obtain the complete set last year in almost mint condition.
Ooops! Meant to say ‘Parliamentary History’.
Very interesting. I too have often been intrigued by that sign.