The History of Bawtry

Bawtry’s history – original content written by Bawtry Heritage Group, Bawtry census returns, and other material.

The History of Bawtry

A very brief history of Bawtry is presented on our home page. Here, we present original papers written by members of the Bawtry Heritage Group. This is very much “a work in progress”; more material will be added as it is created. There is also a “Timeline of Bawtry’s History”. That timeline, plus all the papers will also be lodged in the Heritage Centre at Bawtry Community Library. All of the papers may be downloaded or copied free of charge, although a donation to BHG would be appreciated. We will also include items written by third parties. There is a brief description of each paper or an extract from it, and they are to be found in several sections according to their historical era. The papers are followed by the Bawtry census returns from 1841 to 1911.

Detailed information, including images, about individual buildings or sites, is also accessible under the “Significant Buildings/Sites” tab. 

There is a wealth of material which includes information about Bawtry that has been published or is contained on other websites. This material is referenced under the “Other Resouces” tab, which also includes complete original historical works and historical maps where they have been digitised and are copyright free. These works and maps may be downloaded.

Although the history papers currently presented on the site are by BHG members, anyone may submit a paper for our consideration of whether it should go onto the site. Click here to see how.

The sub-sections of this page and their contents are as follows:

Prehistoric & Roman – BC to 5th century

  • Defining the Future of Roman Bawtry
  • Roman Bawtry – Speculation and Theories Unproven by Archaeological Evidence
  • The Hunt for Roman Bawtry – Summary of Conclusions and Observations

Medieval – 5th century to circa 1500

  • The Battle of the River Idle 616 AD (Bawtry’s Battling Saxons)
  • Bawtry – A Norman Planted Town
  • Bawtry Wharf
  • Bawtry Wharf Reimagined
  • Robert de Morton c.1339 – 1396

Early Modern – circa 1500 – 1714

  • The Pilgrim Fathers in the East Midlands, their exile in Holland and their journey to America

Georgian & Victorian – 1714 – 1901

  • Bawtry and the Coaching Era
  • The Toll Gate Keeper
  • Bawtry – a Railway and Coal Town rather than a Market and Inland Port
  • The life of William Gill and John Harrison, residents of Bawtry in the 1880s and 1890s
  • A Pencil Drawing by Alfred Wickham

Modern – 1901 & later

  • The Origins of Ida’s View, Bawtry
  • Bawtry’s Unmissable Landmark
  • Bawtry World War 1 Honour Roll
  • Ninety Years of Drama in Bawtry; the history of Methodism in Bawtry and its connection with the Phoenix Theatre and Bawtry Amateur Dramatic Society
  • Bawtry and its Military Connections
  • Bawtry in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s
  • Bawtry Pram Race
  • Electric Car in Bawtry in 1974
  • 12th Doncaster (Bawtry) Scout Group 1967 to 1977

Tall Tales and Horrible Histories

  • Contents self explanatory

Timeline of Bawtry’s History

  • Contents self explanatory
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If you have any questions about Bawtry or what we do, please do not hesitate to contact us here.  We will aim to reply to you as soon as we can.