The village of Somersby is pleasantly situated on the wolds, in the
hundred of Hill, at about the distance of six miles east from Horncastle.
“The Topcliffes were an ancient family at Somersby, of which family
Richard Topcliffe was the representative in 1592. He was the eldest son
of Robert Topcliffe, by Margaret one of the daughters of Thomas Lord
Borough, and married Jane, daughter of Sir Edward Willoughby of Wollaton
Nottinghamshire, and had issue Charles his heir, and three other sons who
died infants, and a daughter Susannah. He was a most implacable
persecutor of the Roman Catholics, so much so, that the use of the rack
and other tortures were called Topcliffian customs.” {60a}
The manorial estates, which comprise the whole parish, have for many
years been the property of a family named Burton. The present proprietor
is William Raynor Burton, Esquire, which latter name he assumed on coming
into possession of the estates on the death of his uncle, Robert Burton,
Esquire, of Lincoln.
On the south side of the church, near to the porch, is an elegant stone
cross, which having escaped both the ravages of time, and the destruction
of the Puritans, remains in so perfect a state as to be justly esteemed
of unrivalled excellence and beauty. The extreme height of it, including
the subcourse, is fifteen feet. The shaft is octagonal, and decorated
with a capital, surmounted by a coronal of small embattlements. The
cross, with its pediment, which rises from this, is ornamented on the
south face with the representation of the crucified founder of the
christian faith, and on the opposite side with that of the virgin and
child.
The church is a small building consisting of a tower, nave, and chancel,
and is void of architectural interest. {60b} In the wall at the end of
the chancel is a plate of brass, on which is sculptured the
representation of a person full robed, kneeling on a cushion before a
reading desk, in the sinister upper corner is a shield containing arms,
and under the figure this inscription:
“Here lyeth GEORGE LITTLEBVRY of Somersby seventh Sonne of Thomas
Littlebvry of Stainsbie Esq. who died the 13 daye of Octob. in ye
yeare of our Lord 1612 being abovt the age of 73 yeares.”
The shield contains these arms:—1. Two lioncels statant guardant in pale
Quarterly, 1 and 4, Barry of six; 2 and 3 A bend. 3. Three shark bolts.
4. A mullet between three crescents, a dexter canton. On the fesse point
a rose for difference.
Against the skreen between the nave and chancel is a marble tablet
surmounted by a shield containing the arms of BURTON, Sable, a chevron
argent, between three owls argent, ducally crowned or; the crest, an owl
argent, crowned as before. Under the arms is this inscription:
“Here lieth Mrs. KATH. BURTON Daughter of Richard Langhorne Esq. She
died Aug. 25 A.D. 1742. Also ROBERT BURTON Esq. Citizen of London,
Husband of the said Mrs. Katherine Burton. He died Nov. 30 1753.”
The advowson of the rectory belongs to the lord of the manor.
In a woody dell in this parish is a spring, gently bursting from the
rock, called Holy-well, but the name of the saint to whom it was
dedicated is not preserved.
According to the returns of 1811, this village at that time contained 14
houses and 73 inhabitants.