BEDFORD, WILLIAM, son of Thomas Bedford, Little Barford, Beds.; bapt. Great Barford, Beds. 19 Sep 1699; adm.; KS (aged 14) 1715; at school four years; St. John’s Coll. Cambridge, adm. pens. 22 Jul 1717, matr. 1718/9; BA 1721/2; MA 1725 (incorp. Oxford 9 Jul 1733); ordained deacon (Lincoln) 10 Mar 1722/3, priest 31 May 1724; Curate Willen, Bucks.; Rector of Finningley, Notts., 9 Feb 1725/6, res Apr 1733; Rector of Yelden, Beds., from 26 Jan 1732/3; Rector of Shelton, Beds., 15 Mar 1734/5-46; Rector of St. John’s, Bedford (and Master of Hospital of St. John), from 9 Jun 1746; m. 1736 Sarah, widow of Peter Haslewood, Bedford, draper, Alderman of Bedford, and dau. of Matthew Lacy, Shillington, Beds.; d. 30 May 1754.