It was the market town for the area, the surrounding population would come to the Market Square to sell and buy goods.
In 1761 the square was surrounded by shops and trades with flats and accommodation above. Today it is less common to live above your business but with limited transport 250 years ago, it made more sense. Hexham had busy days in the Market Square. However, the crowd which assembled on Monday the 9th of March was not a normal occurrence.
The square was actually smaller than it is today. Think about that on your next time walking through and thinking about the Riot of 1761.
In 1761, what is known today as the Moot Hall was referred to as Town Hall, it is in there that the Government gentlemen were preparing the ballot.
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