Balls Pond, Middlesex Genealogy

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BALLS-POND, an ecclesiastical district, in the parish of Islington, Finsbury division of the hundred of Ossulstone, county of Middlesex, 2 miles (N.) from London. This populous suburb of the metropolis is of modern origin, and consists principally of uniform ranges of houses. A very large open area, surrounded by a wall and cattle-shed, with a handsome entrance, was formed for a market-place, intended to supersede the celebrated market in Smithfield; and an act for opening it as a general cattle-market was procured by its enterprising proprietor, Mr. Perkins; but it was soon after closed from want of business, and no cattle have been sold there for some years. A church dedicated to St. Paul was erected in 1827, at an expense of £10,947; it is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a low square tower embattled and crowned with pinnacles. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £335; patron, the Vicar of Islington. The Independents have a place of worship, and there are almshouses belonging to the London Benefit Societies, the Tilers' and Bricklayers' Company, the Cutlers' Company, and the Dyers' Company. Samuel Rogers, the eminent poet, was born in that part of Newington green which is within the district.

From: 'Balby - Bamford', A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 132-136. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50775 Date accessed: 02 April 2010.