Bilston in 1842
Bildeston, or Bilston, is in Cosford hundred, on a small stream which flows into the river Bret, about 14 miles west-north-west from Ipswich. It had formerly a considerable manufacture of blue cloth and blankets ; but this branch of trade has long been given up. Some yarn is spun. The market, which was on Wednesday, is disused ; but there are two yearly fairs. The area of the parish is 1,420 acres : the population in 1831 was 836, about one-third agricultural. The church is a good building, on a hill west of the village ; and there is a Baptist meeting-house. |