It is unknown but the first landlords appear to date back to Susannah and Robert Smith in 1739.

Susannah Smith made her will in 1765 her daughter Elizabeth Ruddis her daughter who married Thomas Ruddis, father of Samuel who was the publican.

Samuel Ruddis “publican” died in the parish in 1796. He was a labourer when he married Elizabeth Smyth in 1766. It is thought his son Samuel continued until in June 1800 he released his tenure to Vincent Wallis. In October 1801 the lease was transferred to Whittingstall & Long (brewers of Bedford).

In 1818 Thomas Wagstaff(e) was the landlord when a deed was drawn up and he purchased the house for £135 from Sir William Long. He died in 1841 and his eldest son made oath to administer the estate.

Ann Wagstaff, widow of Thomas, was the landlady in 1845 when she gave the “Checkers” by Deed of Gift to her daughter Elizabeth Wagstaff on condition that she paid each of her four brothers the sum of £10.

In 1876 Elizabeth Wagstaff made her will and decreed that The Chequers was to be sold to her nephew Thomas for £130 and the proceeds to be equally shared amongst her neices and nephews.

On 31st August 1880 a conveyance was drawn up for Messrs Robert Wagstaff & others to sell to Mr Thomas Wagstaff.

On 28th July 1898 a conveyance of freehold messuage or tenement and Public house known as “The Chequers” situate at Yelden in the County of Bedford was made from Mr Thomas Wagstaff to David Dulley Esq & Mrs Frances Dulley.

In 1904 William Dulley & Sons of Wellingborough purchased land surrounding The Chequers.

The Chequers was sold again in 1922 to Campbell Praed and Company Ltd. of Wellingborough, and Matilda Watts became landlady. Her son Charles took over the property in 1929 and extended it by adding two more bedrooms and a bathroom.

In 1939 James Leonard George became licensee and was still there in 1950 when a dreadful fire took hold and destroyed the old thatched property.

The present building of brick and tile was then built.