Squire (Cambs/Hunts/Northants)
The Squire surname appears to have been fairly common in parts of Cambs/Hunts/Northants and Norfolk in C17th/C18/C19th and earlier, with the marriage of a Thomas Squire being recorded in Peterborough in 1629. The family may have originated in the Midlands, but more work is required on that. The Squires certainly appear as industrious business people and landowners. Between 1726-30, a Thomas Squire and his partner Robert Wright were contracted to make the river Nene navigable between Peterborough and Oundle, then later down to Thrapston. Baileys British Directory for St Neots in 1784, includes James Squire (merchant) and Thomas Squire (plumber and glazier), while the Universal British Directory in 1798 lists Thomas W Squire and William Squire - both merchants. In 1710 a document mentions 'coals brought by Squires boats' (to Peterborough), while another of 1769 about the transport of timber for the navy on the Nene notes 'Mr Wright Squire who has many lighters'. As