HUNTINGDON, is a town of England, and the prin cipal town in Huntingdonshire. It is situated on a gently rising ground on the northern side of the river Ouse. It consists principally of one street, stretching in a north-west direction from the Ouse to nearly a mile from it, with several lanes branching off at right angles. The houses, which are built of brick, are genteel and commodious, and the streets are well paved and lighted. The town is nearly connected, by a causeway and three bridges, with the vil lage of Godmanchester.
The principal public buildings and establishments are St Mary's church, All Saints church, and the town-hall. St Mary's, which is the corporation church, was rebuilt between the years 1600 and 1620. It has an elegant em battled tower at the west end, with nave, chancel, and aisles. All Saints church stands on the north of the mar ket-place, and appears to have been built in the time of Henry VII. It is an embattled edifice, with nave, chancel, and aisles, and a small tower at the north-west angle. The town-hall, which stands on the south side of the market place, is a good modern brick building, with a piazza at the front and sides, and butchers' shambles behind. in the lower part of the building are the civil and criminal courts, where the assizes are held. Above is a spacious assembly-room, adorned with the portraits of George II.
and III. and their respective Queens, and of Lord Sand wich, who died in April 1792. The Free Grammar School is well endowed, and well conducted. There is also a greencoat school, called Walden's Charity, where 24 poor boys are clothed and educated. The county gaol, which stands at one end of the town, has recently been repaired and rendered more commodious. There are two places of worship here belonging to the dissenters, one for the Quakers, and the other for the sect patronised by the Coun tess of Huntingdon.
As Huntingdon is situated on the great north road, it has several good inns. The brewing trade is carried on here, though less extensively than formerly. It has also a small vinegar manufactory. Coals, wood, &c. are brought to the town by barges, which come up the river from Lynn in Norfolk, and return with the corn of the surround ing country.
This borough returns two members to Parliament, the right of election being vested in about 200 of the freemen and inhabitants. It is governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and a number of burgesses. The following is the popula tion of the borough of Huntingdon in 1811 : See the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. vii. p. 345.