Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Boyes, Robert

1723 - 1782

The ‘first historian’ of Alresford, Robert Boyes, was a native of the town, born to John Boyes and his wife Mary (nee Russell).  Educated at the Free Grammar School, he was elected its master at the age of 21. Taking up residence in the schoolmaster’s house at 60 West Street, he was joined by Ann Bassett, having married her in December 1744.

Along with his teaching duties he was appointed as land agent by Perin Barton, great-nephew of the school’s founder, giving him responsibility for a large estate. As his social standing grew, he was elected a burgess in 1764 and bailiff in 1768 and 1777.  Ann died in 1762 and five years later he married Sarah Burrough, 24 years his junior.

Robert Boyes collected historical material relating to New Alresford and published, in 1771, with considerable additional information, the survey of the town made in 1552.  His reputation as a historian spread and he was commissioned by Sir Thomas Gatehouse of Hedley Park to compile a local history for his proposed survey of the county. This proved popular in the town and was occasionally reprinted, sometimes bearing the copier’s name in place of that of the original author.

Boyes’ historical manuscripts disappeared for a number of years but some of them were returned to Alresford in the 1930s, when their significance was recognized by the Rev A J Robertson. He used them extensively in his History of Alresford (1936) and they are now used at the Hampshire Record Office.

Sources

• HFC Newsletter, Raymond Elliott, News 6, 6-7

Portrait

Contribution to county’s history

Relevant published works

• Boyes (1771) Survey and Accounts of Titles in New Alresford - Revised 1781.

Critical Comments

Other Comments

Contributor

Dave Allen, Jan 2021

Key Words

County history; Bosmere

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