HUNTINGDON, the county-town of Huntingdonshire in England, seated upon an easy ascent, on the north side of the river Ouse. It was made a free borough by king John, consisting of a mayor, 12 aldermen, burgesses, &c. by whom the two members of parliament are chosen. It had anciently 15 parishes, and has now but two; in one of which, called St John's, Oliver Cromwell was born, in 1599. Here was formerly a castle, built by William the Conqueror, which afterwards belonged to David, a prince of Scotland, with the title of earl; but Henry VIII. gave it to George Hastings, with the earldom annexed, in whose family it still continues. It stands in the great north road; and has a bridge built of free-stone over the Ouse, which is made navigable for small vessels as high as Bedford. It is the place where the assizes are kept, and where the county jail stands. It has a good market-place, and several convenient inns, besides a grammar-school; and is very populous. W. Long. o. 15. N. Lat. 52. 23.