[Transcription © SA Whittle-Bruce 2002]

 Donington,Lincs

Universal British Directory 1791

Donnington, or Dunnington, is 110 miles from London. 10 from Spalding, and 11 from Boston. The market-day is Saturday; there are two large fairs for horses, &c. one on the 25th of May, the other the 17th of October. The town, which is very much improved within the last ten years, is noted for a large sale of hemp and hemp-seed; it has a port for barges, by which goods are carried to and from Boston and the Washes. A firm rampart of earth, of a considerable breadth, has lately been made from hence, through the Fens to Sempringham, by which the road has been rendered passable in winter, which before was attended with great difficulty. Here is a parish-church, in the lower part of the steeple of which is a remarkably antique inscription. Here is also a large free-school, and two small ones; these are supported by a donation of about 500 l. a-year, given by lord Cowley. The principal inns are, the Red Cow, Black Bull, and Peacock. Gibbeson's stage-waggon passes through the town every week from London to Boston.