William Thomas Mellows (1882-1950) was the moving force behind
the publication of the records of Peterborough Abbey and Cathedral,
a task he began himself and then, when it became evident that he
would not live to see its completion, he established the Anthony
Mellows Memorial Trust to ensure that the work would continue.
William Mellows was a country solicitor in the family firm
founded by his father. He also followed his father in becoming Town
Clerk of Peterborough. In 1930 he relinquished the clerkship, but
was immediately elected to the Soke of Peterborough County Council,
of which he was a member for one year.
In 1907 he married Beatrice Edith, daughter of William Alfred
Pitt and from 1937 onwards he was Chapter Clerk for Peterborough
Cathedral and its first lay Treasurer. Three years later he also
became the Cathedral Librarian. Around this time he moved his
family into the Precincts, to a house called the Vineyard.
In 1944, Anthony Mellows, William's son was killed while on
special service with the Maquis in the south of France. This was
followed in 1948 by the death, at a level-crossing, of his brother
Arthur Mellows. This ultimately led to his death in 1950.
The Mellows collection is held at Northamptonshire Record Office
and comprises 28 bound volumes of transcripts and notes.
Back to Archives A-Z
index