This list of Bedfordshire apprentices has been compiled from the Apprenticeship Books or Register of Apprentices, lately in the custody of the Inland Revenue authorities, but now transferred to the Public Record Office. The names have been extracted from two series of Registers, the City (Town) Registers and the County Registers, which run more or less concurrently. The volumes searched are 1 to 7 inclusive (Town Registers), dating from 1 October 1711 to 3 September 1720; and Vols. 41 to 46 inclusive (County Registers), dating from 1 May 1710 to 14 February 1721, covering that is to say a period of a little over 10 years.

These Registers were originally necessitated under a Statute passed in 1709, by which a duty was imposed on all members of professions or trades who received clerks apprentices or servants at a fee, and taught them their employment. The duty was assessed by Statute at 6d. in the pound for all fees received by the master or mistress under £50, and I/- in the pound where the apprenticeship fees exceeded £50.

The greater number of Bedfordshire apprenticeships were made to local masters; and the following trades or occupations are found mentioned as existing in the county:—Apothecary, Baker, Barber, Barber-Surgeon, Blacksmith, Bricklayer, Carpenter, Chandler, Clockmaker, Clothier, Collar maker, Cooper, Cordwainer, Currier, Cutler, Farrier, Fellmonger, Gardener, Gingerbread maker, Glasier, Glover, Grocer, Hair buyer, Hatter, Hemp dresser, Innholder, Jersey comber, Joiner, Lace maker, Linen draper, Locksmith, Maltster, Mantua maker, Mason, Mercer, Merchant tailor, Painter Stainer, Peruke maker, Pipe maker, Plough wright, Plumber, Poulterer, Rope maker, Saddler, Shoe maker, Stone cutter, Tailor, Tallow chandler, Tanner, Tyler, Victualler, Weaver, Wheelwright, Whitesmith, Wool comber, Wool stapler, Wool winder, Woollen draper.

But apprentices were by no means bound to masters within the limits of the county. Apprenticeship of Bedfordshire youths to London citizens was fairly frequent. As a rule, though not invariably, the fees were very much higher, and we find the apprentices drawn from a different class. Thus Robert Gilpin, gentleman, whose family had long been connected with Hockliffe, bound his son to Haldenby Langley, goldsmith of St. Clement Dane, for a fee of £40. Henry Whitbread, again, bound his son to Samuel Phillimore, silk-thrower, paying £100.