John Heydon 

John Heydon is well-known for the map of Devon, John Heydon's Map of the Environs of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse, or Pedestrians Companion, which was published under his name in 1872. This was produced from the plates of the Improved Map by J Cary which were used extensively by other companies from 1872 to 1901 (see B&B 150 and Cary above). An earlier map, with the same title, was also taken from the same plates (see Cary 3).

Maxted lists four Heydons in the Plymouth district between 1795 and 1855 and it is not clear if any were related. John Heydon is given as registered in Devonport in 1832; at 98, Fore Street in 1840; and at 104, Fore Street 1844-1856. However, Martin Billing’s Directory and Gazetteer of Devon (1857) has him at two different addresses: 104, Fore Street, Devonport and at 47, Treville Street, Plymouth. Both of these addresses are given on the maps below, both produced in or around this date.

Heydon advertised himself as bookseller, stationer, printer, music seller as well as newsagent. However, he also offered both second-hand as well as new books and artist’s materials. The Devon Archive website lists him in addition as machine ruler. He married in 1832 and a son died in 1842. Meanwhile, Henry Haycock Heydon was operating as printer, bookseller, librarian, and agent at about the same time (1855) with premises at 1, Tavistock Street, Plymouth (1840) and Tavistock Street 1844-1855. He was also registrar of births and deaths 1844-1852. It was probably John Heydon who published the newspaper Heydon's Advertiser for the West of England published c.1851-52.

An interesting hand bill was recently offered for sale (Richard Ford; books, printed ephemera and manuscripts, 2022) which was the joint work of John Heydon and Henry Heycock Heydon. Purporting to be written by A Burgess and addressed to the city councillors. Printed in two columns on one side of a 45 x 28 cm piece of paper, the heading reads: 'PLYMOUTH | TOWN COUNCIL. | The following spirited and luminous Lettere on the management of the Municipal Affairs of this Town having appeared in the Conservative Paper of Wednesday last, several of the Burgesses have it re-printed for the general information of the Rate-Payers: -'. Apparently published in the West of Engand Conservative paper with John Heydon´s address given as Head of Old Town Street it is dated 30th April 1838. 

Heydon 1

 Size: 625 x 920 mm.    Scale - 12 Inches to a mile (5 + 40 chains = 166 mm). 

John Heydon's MAP OF PLYMOUTH, DEVONPORT, STONEHOUSE, STOKE, MORICE-TOWN, FORD, and the Neighbourhood. (De). Signature below: Lithographed & Printed by W. H. Maddock, 32 Frankfort St, Plymouth  Imprint below this: Published & Sold by JOHN HEYDON, 104, Fore St, Devonport; & 47, Treville St, Plymouth. Price 6/- (De below title). Scale (Ee). 

Description: Highly detailed block plan of the area from Hamoaze to west half of Catdown with Carrenter Rock. South Devon and Cornwall railways both shown. Map title illustrated.


1. 1859      John Heydon's Map of Plymouth, Stonehouse, Stoke, Morice-town, Ford 
                    Plymouth. John Heydon. (1859). DevA.


Heydon 2

Size: 205 x 355 mm (sheet 290 x 445 mm). No scale.

HEYDON'S VISITORS’ MAP GUIDE TO PLYMOUTH... (CaOS). Signature below: Lithographed & Printed by W. H. Maddock, 32 Frankfort St, Plymouth. Imprint below this: PUBLISHED BY JOHN HEYDON, 104, FORE ST, DEVONPORT; AND 47, TREVILLE ST, PLYMOUTH followed by price (CaOS below title).
Description: Rather simplified block plan of the area from Hamoaze to Catwater. South Devon and Cornwall railways both shown. The map is flanked left and right by a street list.

1. 1860      Heydon's Visitors’ Map Guide To Plymouth
                Plymouth. John Heydon. (1860). DevA[1].


[1] Unfortunately, since taking a quick snap of the map, it has gone missing.




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