The Universal British Directory 1793 - 1798

The promoters of the Universal British Directory were Peter Barfoot and John Wilkes.

Peter Barfoot, the senior partner was a wealthy Lawyer who retired to live the life of a country gentleman near Droxford in Hampshire. (He probably financed the publication)

John Wilkes was a successful journalist and Printer and the proprietor of the Hampshire Cronicle between 1778-83 & 1791-95.  He was granted a Royal Patent to produce the Universal British Directory and he dedicated the first part to George III in 1790.

In London, Wilkes employed paid researchers to gather the necessary information, but occasionally his agents cannibalised already published directories.

Of the 1600 towns and villages listed in the directory, over 1500 had never appeared before.

The following Sussex Entries are all the Principle Inhabitants listed as being within our county. 

(F) Denotes Freeman of the Borough