From Pigot’s Directory of 1830

Somersham, a neat and small town in the parish of its name and Hundred of Hurstingstone is 64 miles from London, ten from Huntingdon and five from St Ives; situated in a very agreeable and fertile part of the county, well watered and abounding with Springs of purest and most transparent nature. It was formerly called Summersum and derived that appellation according to Mr Faux from a neighbouring hill that was the summer camp of the Romans. The only article that can be mentioned as manufactured here is that of rushes, for candles called rush lights, the preparation of which gives employment to considerable numbers of both sexes and are sent all over England.
The living of Somersham is a triple rectory embracing the hamlets of Colne and Pidley cum Fenton: there is one church which is situated in the centre of the town and a Baptist chapel.
There was once a market held here on Friday which has long been lost; here are still however two annual fairs one held in June the other in November. The parish contained by the last returns 1,166 inhabitants.

Post Office: Bartolomew Cox post master – letters from St Ives arrive by foot post every morning at eight and are despatched by mail cart every evening at eight.

Gentry and Clergy
Rev Thos. Chas. Brown
Mrs Eliz. Corthorn
William Dare gent.
Mrs Edith Ibbott
George Jewson gent.
Francis Lowe gent.
William Mason gent.
Robert Moseley gent.
John Nix gent.
Rev. William Orriss
Mrs Lucy Royston
George Thomson gent.
Charles Warner gent.
Jno. Oaks Wilson gent.
Joseph Wilson gent.
Mrs. Cathrn. Wilson

Academies and schools
Somersham free school – Thomas Orbell master
William Orriss (boys)
Rachel Smith (girls)

Bakers and Flour dealers
John Clifton
Samuel Freeman
John Parker
John Parker jun.
William Peck

Blacksmiths
John Bodger
Joseph Sarjeant

Boot and shoe makers
William Aspinall
William Behague
Thomas King (dealer)
Thomas Mast (dealer)
Frederick Murfey
Samuel Williamson

Bricklayers and plasterers
James Ibbott

Butchers
John Asplen
Richard jas. Heckford
Edward Hempsted
John Papworth
William Papworth
John Pedley
William Wheaton

China and Glass
Thomas King
Thomas Mast

Office Agents
Royal Exchange (fire and life) Thomas King
Suffolk and General County (fire and life) Thos. Mast

Grocers and Drapers
Thomas King
Thomas mast
Sarah Wiles

Inns and Public Houses
Black Bull - Js. Watson
Crown and Punch Bowl – John Darwood
George Inn – Jno. Bodger
Red Cow – Thomas Charity
Rose and Crown – Bartholomew Cox

Joiners and carpenters
Francis Ibbott (cabinet maker)
Joseph King
John Leuton (also machine maker)
Thomas Spriggs
Daniel Watson

Millers – Corn
Isaac Green
William Ibbott
Robert Leeds

Milliners and dressmakers
Ann Behague
Francis Bird
Ann Pedley
Elizabeth Stevens
Mary Wright

Painters Plumbers and Glaziers
Thomas ground
Robert Metcalfe

Rush Dealers
Thomas Aspinall
Charles Darby
John Hogson
William Hodson
Richard Wood

Saddlers and collar makers
Robert Barlow jnr.
John Marsh

Shopkeepers
John Clifton
Sarah Hobbs

Surgeons
Edward Castle
John Smith

Tailors
William Bailey
Joseph Briggs (also tailor)
John Doe
Sarah Gowler
John Martin (also tailor)
Henry Mitchell

Wheelwrights
John Smith

Miscellaneous
William Leuton – Parish Clerk
Anthony Spalding – watch and clockmaker

Coaches
To London – “The Day” (from Wisbeach) calls at the Crown and Punch Bowl Somersham, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, morning at ten and “The Defiance” calls at the Rose and Crown every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at the same hour. Both go through St Ives, Cambridge, Royston and Hoddesdon.

To Wisbeach - “The Day” (from Wisbeach) calls at the Crown and Punch Bowl Somersham, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon at half past four and “The Defiance” calls at the Rose and Crown every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, afternoon at the same hour. Both go through Chatteris and March.

Carriers
To London, St Ives and Cambridge – Day and Co’s “Waggon” every Monday and Thursday and Wallis and Gilby every Sunday and Thursday.
To St Ives – Thomas Phillip’s “cart” every Monday Wednesday and Friday morning.
To Wisbeach, Chatteris and March - Day and Co every Monday and Friday and Wallis and Gilby every Tuesday and Friday.