HORNCASTLE WORTHIES, &c.
MISS ANNIE DIXON.
Miss Annie Dixon, the artist, was a native of Horncastle of whom the town
may well be proud. She was the eldest daughter of a corn chandler,
living on the Spilsby Road, now called East Street; he had two sons and
five daughters. We know nothing of the sons, but Miss Annie early
developed great taste in water-colour painting; and among her early
productions was a miniature of a near relative of the present writer,
done in 1855. Another of Miss H. A. Palmer, eldest daughter of Captain
Moffat Palmer, of Horncastle, and widow of the late George Storer, Esq.,
of Thoroton Hall, Notts., late M.P. for S. Notts., was done about the
same time. She afterwards removed to London, and became the first
miniature painter of her day; was a frequent exhibitor in the Royal
Academy, and a favourite with Queen Victoria and the Royal family, of
most of whom she painted miniatures. She died unmarried Feb 15th, 1901,
aged 83, and was buried in the Horncastle cemetery.
Another daughter, Leonora, married a Mr. F. Stapleforth, of Holbeach.
Two other sisters, Fanny and Emily, unmarried, carried on a ladies'
school at Spalding; and another, Charlotte, married a former Under Master
of the Horncastle Grammar School, Rev. W. Hutchinson, who in 1862 was
appointed by the Lord Chancellor Vicar of Howden, in Yorkshire. Of these
Emily, died unmarried, May 28th, 1903, aged 80, and was also buried in
the cemetery; as well as Charlotte (Mrs. Hutchinson), who died Oct. 19th,
in the same year, aged 73. Their graves are situated to the east of the
chapel.
LORD ALLERTON.
Lord Allerton, formerly Mr. William Lawnes Jackson, is a member of a
Horncastle family. A near relative was a well-known object, a few years
ago, in our streets as a cripple, going about on a donkey, lying flat on
a large saddle or "pad," his only means of locomotion. Lord Allerton's
father, William Jackson, left Horncastle for Leeds, somewhere in the
"thirties," or the "forties," going it is said, with only half a
sovereign in his pocket, given by an aunt, and a spare shirt given by an
uncle. At Leeds he found employment in the tanyard of a Mr. Robert
Barker, where he presently became foreman. He afterwards returned to
Horncastle and worked in the tanyard of the late Mr. Hawling; but went
back to Leeds and commenced tanning on his own account, at Meanwood near
Leeds, and afterwards on a still larger scale at Buslingthorpe. He
speedily began to prosper, and in due course was succeeded by his son;
who made a large fortune in the same business. He became a magistrate of
Leeds, and was elected to the Mayoralty in 1895. He represented North
Leeds in Parliament for many years, as a conservative, being first
elected in April, 1880, and re-elected five times, with ever increasing
majorities. He was for many years a Director and Chairman of G.N.R.
Company, and held other public offices. In 1896 he succeeded Mr. A. J.
Balfour, under Lord Salisbury's administration, as Chief Secretary for
Ireland, being also, for several years, Financial Secretary of the
Treasury; and was raised to the peerage in June, 1902. He was born in
1840, married in 1860, Grace, the only daughter of George Tempest, Esq.
He owns, as his country seat, Allerton Hall, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, and
27, Cadogan Square, as his town residence. His uncle, Mr. John Green,
still lives in Horncastle, on the Edlington Road.
EDWARD GILLIAT.
Edward Gilliat was the eldest son of the late Mr. George Gilliat, of the
Manor House (now called "Banovallum"), by his second wife. He was
educated partly at the Grammar School, being afterwards a pupil of Canon
Sanderson, at Seaford, Sussex. He entered at Pembroke College, Oxford,
where he obtained a scholarship in 1861. In 1862 he took a 1st class in
Classical Moderations, and 1st Literae Humaniores, 1864. In 1867 he was
_Proxime accessit_ for the Latin essay. He was appointed Assistant
Master at Westminster School, Sept., 1867, holding the post to Dec.,
1870. He was ordained deacon in 1870 and priest in 1871, by the Bishop
of London. In Sep. 1871, he was appointed Assistant Master at Harrow,
where he remained till 1900. He has been a voluminous writer, publishing
his first work, _Asylum Christi_, 3 vols., in 1875; _On the Wolds_, 1879;
_Under the Downs_, 1882; _Forest Outlaws_, 1886; _John Standish_, 1889;
_In Lincoln Green_, 1893; _Wolf Head_, 1898; _The King's Reeve_, 1899;
_Romance of Modern Sieges_, 1907; and _God save King Alfred_, in the same
year. He also published, for the S.P.C.K., _Dorothy Dymoke_, and
_Champion of the Right_. He has now retired from scholastic work and
resides at St. Catherine's Hill, Worcester.
FREDERICK GROSVENOR.
We have already in our notice of the Grammar School (p. 98) given an
account of the Rev. Francis Grosvenor, son of an ironmonger in the town;
there was also another son, Frederick, educated under Dr. J. Bainbridge
Smith, at the school, who graduated at Oxford, and was ordained deacon in
1860, and priest in 1861. He held a curacy at Basford, Notts, 1860-62;
was travelling Chaplain to the Bishop of Brisbane, 1862-65; Curate of
Holy Trinity, Westminster, 1866-67; of St. Mary's, Hulme, Manchester,
1867-69; of St. Gabriel's, Canning Town, London, 1869-73; at Dudley,
1874-76; and at Hornsea, near Hull, 1876-85; when he, like his brother
Francis, retired to Epsom, and succeeded him as Chaplain to the Union
there, until his decease.
WILLIAM BARTON CAPARN.
Mr. John Caparn, Chemist, having a shop in the High Street (now occupied
by Mr. Herbert Carlton), had a son, William Barton Caparn, who graduated
at Brazenose College, Oxford, taking honours, in 1843. He was ordained
deacon in 1843, and priest in 1845, in the diocese of Ripon. He became
Vicar of East and West Torrington, near Wragby, in 1846, which he held
till 1859. He held the benefice, as Vicar, of Drayton, Somersetshire,
from 1866 to 1875. Having private means, he gave up that benefice, and
became Curate of Angersleigh, in the same county, 1877-79; which he then
gave up, and undertook the Chaplaincy of the Taunton Union, and local
hospital. These he resigned after a few years, and resided at Taunfield
House, Taunton, until his death, April 10th, 1892. He published various
minor works; the first being a small volume on _Epitaphs_, later
productions were _Meditations to be used in Church before Divine
Service_; _Councils and warnings before and after Confirmation_, &c.
George Gilliat, Esq., late of The Wharf, Horncastle, married, as his
first wife, Miss Caparn, a sister. Miss Helen Caparn, another sister,
married Mr. William Sharples, Surgeon, a partner of the late Mr. T.
Snaith, of Horncastle, and one of the first doctors at Woodhall Spa. Mr.
Sharples left Horncastle for Wisbech, being appointed by the trustees
first resident physician at the hospital founded in that town by Miss
Trafford Southwell. Losing an only daughter while there, the shock was
so great, that he resigned the post, and removed to Taunton, and took up
there the practice of a deceased brother, which he carried on until his
death, Feb. 8th, 1897. At Horncastle he resided for some years in the
old vicarage, south of the churchyard, afterwards moving to the house
next the "Fighting Cocks" Inn, called "Westholme House." For some years
he was a very popular Secretary to the Southwold Hunt.
W. H. BENSON BROWN.
Among more recent natives of Horncastle, who have distinguished
themselves, is the son of the late Mr. Robert Brown, of the Market Place.
He graduated at University College, Durham, as Licentiate in Theology,
1887, and was ordained deacon in 1890, priest in 1891, holding the curacy
of North Ormsby, near Middlesborough; and was appointed Rector of
Bucknall, near Horncastle, in 1898, by the patron his father-in-law, the
late Mr. James Dunham, Merchant, of Horncastle. He was appointed
Inspector of Schools, 1899. Mr. Benson Brown is an energetic worker, has
restored his church, adding a carved reredos of oak, a handsome lectern,
and filling the east window with good stained glass. He has also
introduced various reforms and improvements in the parish.
WILLIAM HENEAGE SHARP.
Another native of Horncastle, who has already done credit to the town is
the son of Mr. Henry Sharp, Saddler, in the Bull Ring; of a very old
firm, established in 1760, and doing an European business. William
Heneage Sharp was educated at the local Grammar School, 1885-9, where he
gained the first scholarship granted by the Governors, under the reformed
system. He then went to the college at Framlingham, Suffolk, 1889-90, a
county institution founded as a memorial of the late Prince Consort, and
there gained several prizes. He then became a Junior Master in a private
school at Devizes; and during his stay there took the 2nd and 4th prizes
at the College of Preceptors. He next accepted a Mastership at John
Ellis's endowed school in South London (Gospel Oak). After which he
studied at King's College, London, 1899-1901, where he gained the Jelf
prize for Dogmatic Theology, the Senior Wordsworth prize for Latin, and
the Barry Divinity Prize. He was also appointed Precentor, and
afterwards Dean, of the college, being senior student of his year, and
taking a first-class in the final examination. He was ordained by the
Bishop of London, in St. Paul's Cathedral, in 1901, being appointed
"Gospellor" on the occasion. He was Curate of Staines, Middlesex,
1901-3, removing afterwards to St. John the Evangelist, Holborn, 1903-8;
and was then appointed Theological Tutor and Sub-Warden at the College of
the Resurrection, Mirfield, in the Diocese of Ripon.
ALFRED H. HEALEY.
A youth of Horncastle who has distinguished himself, though chiefly in
another line, is Alfred H. Healey, son of the late Mr. Alfred Healey,
Brewer and Merchant, of Horncastle, Branston and Lincoln. He was
appointed to a Mastership of Ardingly College, Sussex, but removed to
Alnwick College more recently. A member of a family remarkable for their
ability; a brother, though still young, being high up in the Civil
Service; he is specially distinguished as an athlete. Among his
performances are the following:
Olympic Games, at Athens, 1906, 2nd in 110 metres hurdle race.
English Championship, 120 yards hurdle race, at Manchester, 1907, 2nd.
Northern Counties' 100 yards Championship, hurdle race, Darlington, 1905,
2nd.
Northern Counties' Champion, 100 yards, at Batley, 1907, 1st.
Northern Counties' Champion, 120 yards, at Batley, 1907, 1st.
Northern Counties' Champion, 220 yards, at Darlington, 1907, 1st.
Northern Counties' Champion, long jump, at Darlington, 1907, 1st.
A record, no one before having won more than two events. His "bests"
have been: 100 yards in 10 seconds; 120 yards (hurdles) 16 and
three-fifth seconds; 220 yards (hurdles) 23 seconds; high jump, 5-ft.
8-in.; long jump, 22-ft. 4-in. He was also selected to represent England
in the foot races at the Franco-British Exhibition, at Shepherd's Bush,
1908.
WILLIAM MARWOOD.
Horncastle had, for some years, the dubious honour of being the home of
the public hangman. William Marwood was born at Goulceby, about six
miles from Horncastle, and afterwards lived some years in Old
Bolingbroke, coming to Horncastle about 1860; where he was a shoemaker,
having a small shop in Church Street, now occupied by Mr. Joseph Borrill,
of the same trade. Before being himself appointed hangman he assisted
his predecessor in that office, Calcraft, and succeeded him in 1872;
continuing the duties until his death, Sept. 4th, 1883; when he in turn
was succeeded by Bartholomew Binns. He was rather short in stature, with
large square head and large hands, indicative of firmness of character.
His first official act was to hang a man named Francis Horry, at Lincoln,
who murdered his wife at Boston, in 1872; his last was to hang a man,
James Burton, at Durham, who murdered his young wife, aged only 18, from
jealousy. On this occasion the man fainted on the scaffold, and got
entangled with the rope under his arm, and Marwood had to lift him in his
arms to get him disentangled, and then drop the unconscious man down--a
painful scene. {155} This was only about a fortnight before his own
death. Among his last executions was that of Charles Peace, a notorious
burglar, who shot a man at Banner Cross, near Sheffield. In May, 1882,
he went to Dublin to execute the perpetrators of the Phoenix Park
murders, three Fenians, who shot Lord E. Cavendish, and his secretary,
Mr. Burke. In his last illness, which was short, it was suspected that
his health had been in some way injured through Fenian agency, and a post
mortem examination was held by order of the Home Secretary, but a verdict
was returned of "natural death." Mr. Henry Sharp, Saddler, of the Bull
Ring, was one of the jury on this occasion.
Marwood's wife was, for some years, ignorant of her husband's official
occupation, as he generally accounted for his absence by saying that he
had to go away to settle some legal question. Visiting the
slaughter-house of a neighbouring butcher, he observed to him that he
could "do" for men as the butcher did for cattle, because the men whom he
had to deal with were themselves "beasts."
Some of Marwood's official paraphernalia are still preserved at the
Portland Arms Inn, Portland Street, Lincoln, where he generally stayed at
an execution. The late Mr. Charles Chicken, who resided in Foundry
Street, Horncastle, had a rope 1.25-in. thick, given him by Marwood, with
which he had hanged six or seven criminals. Other ropes used by him are
in Madam Tussaud's exhibition, in Baker Street, London, where there is
also a bust of himself. He used to exhibit his ropes to foreign
horse-dealers, who attended the great August Fair at Horncastle, at a
charge of 6d. each. There was recently a portrait of Marwood, in
crayons, in a barber's shop, 29, Bridge Street, drawn by J. S. Lill,
postman, but this has now disappeared. Marwood's favourite dog, Nero,
and other effects were sold by auction, after his death in 1883, by Mr.
W. B. Parish.
* * * * *
Other Horncastrians whose lives, or circumstances, were more or less
exceptional, may be here also briefly noticed.
HENRY TURNER.
Mr. Henry Turner, about the middle of the 19th century, was a corn and
coal merchant, and also land agent for Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., of
Scrivelsby Court. He occupied the house at the corner of South Street,
next the water side, then a private residence, but now the shop of Mr. F.
Stuchbery, Ironmonger. He married the widow of Arthur Thistlewood, a
native of Horsington, noted, in his later years, as the leader of the
"Cato Street Conspiracy," which proposed to assassinate the ministers of
the government, in London, when attending a dinner at Lord Harrowby's
residence, in February, 1820. The plot was discovered and frustrated,
and Thistlewood, with others of his guilty confreres, was executed on May
1st in that year. Mrs. Turner was the daughter of a butcher, named
Wilkinson, whose shop was situated in the High Street, where is now the
shop of Mr. Uriah Spratt.
MARTIN BROWN.
Mr. Martin Brown, grandfather of Mr. W. H. Brown, Plumber and Glazier, of
Church Lane, was in the early part of the 19th century captured by the
press gang in Horncastle, and made to serve in H.M.S. Mars, in the war
with Napoleon. In one contest his ship was lashed to a French
man-of-war, to fight it out, and his captain was killed. He survived to
tell the story till 90 years of age, with scarcely a day's illness, until
his death, Nov. 9th, 1866. He lies buried in Holy Trinity churchyard,
his wife, who predeceased him by several years, being buried in St.
Mary's churchyard, on the south-east side.
CAPTAIN SHEPHERD.
Captain Shepherd, an old naval officer, lived many years, and died, in
Union Street, now called Queen Street. He had had many voyages and
experiences, which he was fond of recounting to his many friends. He had
brought home many trophies and curiosities; among other things he gave an
Indian bow, made of sugar cane, and poisoned arrows, to the present
writer, when a boy.
MISS FRANKLIN.
In the next house to Captain Shepherd resided Miss Franklin, sister of
the great arctic navigator, Sir John Franklin. Much interest was taken
in Horncastle in the fate of Sir John, when absent on his last polar
voyage, and considerable sums were raised, more than once, among the
residents in the town, to assist Lady Franklin in sending out vessels in
search of her husband, under the command of Captain Leopold MacClintock
and others. We have mentioned elsewhere that a public dinner was given
to Sir John, at the Bull Hotel, just before he sailed for the last time
to the north.
In connection with this it may be added that the son of another great
arctic explorer, Sir John Ross, used to visit friends in Horncastle, and
is still remembered. Sir John Ross sailed in search of Sir John Franklin
in 1848, but was unsuccessful.
EDMUND KEANE.
Edmund Keane, the Tragedian visited Horncastle with his company, in the
first half of the 19th century, and acted in a large building, which is
now the warehouse of Mr. Herbert Carlton, Chemist. The mother of Mr.
Henry Sharp, Saddler, and the late Mr. Henry Boulton, of St. Mary's
Square, among others, witnessed these performances. In connection with
this, it may be added, that Mr. Charles Keane, Actor, son of the above,
sent two nieces to be educated at a ladies' school, kept by Mrs.
Nicholson, Bank Street, Horncastle, and on their leaving he made her a
present of a valuable pianoforte.
AMBROSE LANGLEY.
About 30 years ago Robert Langley kept an inn in South Street, called the
"Coach and Horses," on the premises now occupied by Mr. Crowson, Grocer.
His son, Ambrose Langley, became a noted footballer, in Horncastle and
neighbourhood. He afterwards left the town and joined the Grimsby Town
Football Club; subsequently he went to Middlesborough, Yorkshire, playing
for the Ironopolis Football Club. He afterwards joined the Sheffield
Wednesday Football Club, which team he was with eight years, being
captain three years; playing in the final for the English Cup, for that
team, when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by two goals to one, in
1896. Leaving Sheffield Wednesday he became manager of the Hull City
Football Club, which position he now (season 1907-8) holds.
CAPTAIN SURGEON SMITH.
Captain Surgeon Smith, son of a draper, Mr. Walker Smith, who occupied,
about 25 years ago, the shop near the Post Office, on the south side of
the High Street, now occupied by Mr. Redmore, enlisted as a private in
the Army Hospital Corps; and, afterwards, passing all examinations with
credit, he rose from the ranks to become medical officer in the corps; an
exceptional instance of such promotion.
HENRY ALLENBY.
Henry Allenby, son of a fellmonger, Mr. Richard Allenby, residing near
the Wong, and having a tanyard on the Lincoln Road, became an assistant
chemist at St. Albans. Afterwards coming under notice, in a chemist's
shop in London, he was selected to accompany the Duke of Edinburgh in his
tour round the world, in H.M.S. Galatea, as dispenser to the expedition.
This was in 1866; and in this capacity he visited India, Japan, China,
Australia, &c.
JOHN SCHOFIELD.
Mr. Robert Schofield, Landlord (in the middle of the last century) of the
Saracen's Head Inn, Bridge Street, Horncastle, had a son, John, who left
Horncastle for London, and became a member of the Stock Exchange, where,
from small beginnings, he became so successful in business, that he
eventually married a daughter of Bishop Blomfield, of London.
MISS ROBINSON.
The Rev. W. Robinson, Vicar of Wood Enderby and Wilkesby, in the middle
of the 19th century, like several other clergy, who at that time had no
country residences, lived in Horncastle. His daughter, happening to be
of the same size and figure as Queen Victoria, was for several years
engaged in the Queen's service, as a living model, on whom were "tried"
all dresses intended for the Queen. In return for this she received, as
a perquisite, her Majesty's cast-off dresses, from the sale of which she
realised an acceptable income. It is said that, through her, on the
marriage of a lady friend, the dresses of both bride and bridesmaids were
all royal attire. It was generally understood that this appointment was
due to the representations, in her favour, of Miss Annie Dixon, the
artist (herself a native of Horncastle, mentioned elsewhere), who was at
that time a _grata persona_ with the royal family.
JOHN CUSSONS.
Mr. John Cussons, son of the late Mr. John Cussons, Baker, in the Bull
Ring, and nephew of the late Mr. David Cussons, Printer and Bookseller,
High Street, Horncastle, ran away before his apprenticeship had expired,
and went to America, settling in the Confederate States. He there
espoused the Confederate cause against the Federals, and took a leading
part in the civil war, commanding Confederate forces in several important
engagements. Since that time he has visited Horncastle, and has
published a history of his military operations. He now resides on his
own property, at Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, Virginia. His last
publication, in 1908, is _Jack Sterry_, _the Jessie Scout_. He is also
the author of _A Glance at Current History_, _The Passage of the
Thoroughfare Gap_, _Some Modern Pillars of State_, _Principles of
Cryptiography_, _Assimilating the Indian_, &c.
HENRY ALLISON.
Henry Allison, son of Mr. Allison, Miller, formerly residing in West
Street, married a daughter of Mr. David Cussons, and leaving the town
about 1848, settled in Hull, where he established a large business as
paper manufacturer. He was elected Mayor of Hull; and died some years
ago, leaving a widow, who resides in a large mansion, which he built on
the outskirts of the town, Marlborough House, Anlaby Road. The business,
with several branches, is still carried on by members of his family.
JOHN BROWN.
John Brown, the "Poet Laureate" of Horncastle, has already been
mentioned; he is chiefly known by the volume _Literae Laureatoe_,
published in 1890, dedicated to Lord Tennyson, by permission, and
containing most of his poetical productions. These are remarkable for
his knowledge of Lincolnshire dialect and local folk-lore. The volume
was published, after his death, on behalf of his widow.
He was born in the first workhouse, adjoining St. Mary's churchyard, his
parents being in charge of that institution. Being first apprenticed to
a cabinet maker, Mr. J. Williams, when only just "in his teens," he ran
away to Hull, and took service on a vessel, the Margaret, bound for
Cronstadt. His first voyage, however, was sufficient to disgust him with
marine life. When about 15 he found employment with a theatrical scene
painter from London, who settled in Horncastle. He afterwards went to
London to learn his trade as a house decorator. He married in 1833 a
Miss Gainsborough, of Alford. In 1838 he went to Lincoln, and for some
years carried on his trade there. In 1848 he returned to Horncastle, and
still carrying on his trade, became a member of a literary coterie, who
used to hold meetings in the coffee room of the Bull Hotel. In 1860 he
bought a house on the Louth Road, which he opened as the Globe Inn, and
which became the resort of his literary friends. Literature, however,
did not conduce to business. In 1872 his health failing, and his savings
having evaporated, he was granted a residence in the Whelpton Almshouses,
where he continued to employ his pen, in comfort, until his death in
1890. {159}
THOMAS BAKER.
The late Mr. Thomas Baker has already been referred to, but is worthy of
a fuller account. He was not a native of Horncastle, but lived in the
town more than 60 years, and became so identified with its interests, in
many ways, that he may well be regarded as one of its "worthies." Born
in 1814, at Braintree, in Essex, he was the son of a veterinary surgeon
in that town, his family having previously there owned the once
well-known coaching house, named The Horn Inn; although earlier members
of his family had occupied a higher position; one of them, named
Thorowgood, having founded the Grammar School at Oxford.
Before coming to Horncastle, in 1841, Mr. Baker was known on more than
one county cricket ground, and had distinguished himself on the
University ground at Cambridge, "Parker's Piece." On coming to
Horncastle he immediately made his mark in cricket as a round-hand
bowler; and the leading young men of the neighbourhood became his pupils.
One of his feats was, in a match between an 11 of All England and 22
gentlemen of the county; when he bowled out, with his first ball,
Iddison, Captain of the All England team. The great matches in which he
took part for many years were too many to tell. Among other things he
had the distinction of being employed by Sir Evelyn Wood to train a
village club in his parish.
Besides his cricketing skill he was remarkable for his ventriloquial
powers; and the story was told, that, while sitting in conversation with
two strangers, at the Bull Hotel, he threw his voice under the table.
The two sprang up to catch the supposed eavesdropper, when he at once
calmed them by throwing his voice in another direction, and then letting
them into the secret. He was also, in his way, a fair actor; and, with
the late Mr. John Brown, the Horncastle Laureate, and others, he helped
to amuse considerable audiences, in town and neighbourhood. In comedy he
could take all the parts himself, rapidly changing his dress, and at one
moment adopting the high falsetto tones of an old crone, and the next
moment speaking in the deeper accents of a strong man. It is greatly to
his credit that, only having for many years a small shop, famed chiefly
for his two specialites, "bull eyes" and "Grantham ginger-bread," he
brought up a large family, who have taken good positions in various parts
of the country. He was a staunch conservative and churchman.
In his later years he was often visited by strangers, who were
entertained by his fund of anecdote and cricketing reminiscences. Among
these we may name the novelist, Miss Marie Corelli, who, while staying at
Woodhall Spa, sought his acquaintance, as being one of the "characters"
of the neighbourhood, and to his delight she gave him her autograph. Mr.
J. J. Hissey, the author of _A Driving Tour in Lincolnshire_, also
visited him at his house in Horncastle, and says of him "although wearing
a shabby garb, he struck me with his perfect self-possession, and
superior manners. . . . I have met many characters, but Mr. Baker struck
me as being the most remarkable." He died Feb. 12th, 1903, aged 88; and
in his last illness letters poured in upon him from old friends and
pupils, expressing their sympathy and their pleasant recollections of his
company.
ODDITIES.
To these "worthies" of the town we here add two or three of its
"oddities." About 1844 Billy Boulton, who kept an inn in Millstone
Street, now called North Street, named the Tom Cat, was noted for his
great strength; for a wager he dragged a "dung cart" on the turnpike
road, from Lincoln, to his own yard in Horncastle, a distance of over 21
miles. It is said, however, that he suffered from rupture for the rest
of his life, as a consequence of the great and continued exertion
involved in this feat. The inn is now named The Cricketers' Arms, but it
may be noticed that the figure of a cat is still engraven on a pane of
the front window.
The same man bought the wife of a man named Rogers, a boatman, who put
her up for auction, standing on a tub, with a halter round her neck, in
the public street; the price paid being 20 pounds. She had a son and
daughter by Boulton, who both lived to be married, but died early. In
after years, having lost her (so called) husband, Boulton, she removed to
Lincoln, and there meeting her former husband, Rogers, she became
reconciled to him, and both again lived together, as man and wife, until
death. {160}
A man, known as Aty Rushton (short for Horatio), who lived in Horncastle,
on the West Ashby Road, about the same period, and let out horses on
hire, being in Lincoln, laid a wager that he would set off from Lincoln,
above hill, just after the moon rose, and ride to Horncastle, 21 miles,
before the moon should rise there; which would be later, the town being
in a hollow, with a steep hill in the west to hide the moon for some
time; while Lincoln is on a hill, with a view to the west over low
county, where the moon would be seen earlier. He rode a swift animal of
his own. and strained all its powers in the effort. Unfortunately there
was then a toll bar on the Lincoln road about a mile from Horncastle,
where he found the gate closed, and was delayed two or three minutes
before the keeper could pass him through. He pressed on with all speed,
galloping through the town, shouting in his excitement "Now me! now
moon!"; but as he dashed into his own yard, he saw the moon shining in a
bucket of water, standing by the stable door. The delay at the toll-bar
had lost him his wager.
A son of the above, Thomas Rushton, was a great fisherman, and not always
particular where he followed his sport. Walking in the night to a
certain lake in a park, about 6 miles from Horncastle, he fished it and
landed two or three brace of good trout, and then about eight o'clock in
the morning, he called at the hall, and sold them to the squire for his
breakfast. He used to tell this anecdote to his confidants, with his
well-known chuckle of satisfaction, as a satisfactory stroke of business.
Many other stories of his performances with "the angle" could be also
related, but this may suffice.
The following relates not to a native of Horncastle, but to one whom we
may call an "intruder," although he was to play his part (not a very
creditable one) in the town. We avoid, for obvious reasons, giving names
and dates. There had occurred a number of petty thefts, which made,
those who possessed anything of value, uneasy about their treasures, lest
their turn for spoliation might come next. The police arrangements for
the town were still of a very primitive character, and quite inadequate
for due protection of the householder. The days of the "bobby" and
"peeler" were not yet, at least in country districts; although Sir Robert
Peel had done away with the old watchman, and established the present
police system in the metropolis; and some other of our larger towns had
followed suit. But in Horncastle the constable, by way of setting a
thief to catch a thief, had, it was said, himself in his earlier years
been a great smuggler, while in his age he was a spindle-shanked old man,
whom a boy could knock down. Roused by the insecurity of property, the
authorities decided to import a London detective, disguised in plain
clothes. He came, and for a while marauders, among whom the secret soon
leaked out, carefully stayed their hands. After a time, however,
robberies began to recur; especially a corner shop near "the far bridge,"
was the scene of considerable pilfering. The detective was called in to
investigate. He took up the matter, but did not succeed in making any
arrests.
It was noticed by someone that a brass button was missing from the sort
of gamekeeper's velveteen coat which he wore; and, strange to say, a
button of the exact kind was found behind the counter of the shop where
the thefts occurred. No public action was taken in the matter, but it
came to be strongly suspected that the professional thief-taker had
himself been guilty of thieving. Other suspicious circumstances
occurred, but he was a clever man, and nothing was brought home against
him. It was believed, however, that something of the truth had become
known at head quarters, as his appointment was a few months later
cancelled, and he was not appointed elsewhere. He continued to reside in
Horncastle and, having no employment, he accepted the post of water
bailiff to the local angling association, which he filled for some time,
until he eventually disappeared from the scene of his labours, which were
thought by not a few to be somewhat "fishy" in the unfavourable sense of
being at least questionable in their nature.
He had not left the town very long when it became known that certain
parties had received from him some of the goods which had disappeared
from the grocer's shop, which had been robbed. Sundry hams were found
concealed in a hay loft, and it was generally believed that the robbery
of an inn in the town, not far from the shop in question, as well as
other thefts in the country around, had been perpetrated by him.
PUBLICHOUSES
One of the remarkable features of Horncastle is the number of its
publichouses, and these were far more numerous formerly than at the
present day. This was, of course, mainly due to the great number of
dealers who attended the horse fairs, not only from all parts of England
and Ireland, but from most countries on the continent; especially the
great August fair, which formerly lasted no less than three weeks. The
present facilities for rapid travel, by rail, and quicker means of
communication, which now enable dealers to hear of horses for sale, and
to visit them in their owners stables, before they are brought to the
fair, has altered all this, and the fairs now last only a few days at the
most.
These publichouses had also generally attached to them large yards, and
extensive stabling (as may still be seen), where the best horses were
shewn and tried, without appearing in the streets. In consequence of the
reduced need for such accommodation many of these publichouses have
disappeared. Among the names of those which have been lost, are the
Royal Oak, the Peal of Bells, Cock and Breeches, Chequers, Hammer and
Pincers, Dolphin, Pack Horse, Woolpack, Fox and Goose, Marquis of Granby,
Blue Bell, Horseshoes, Axe and Cleaver, Three Maids' Heads, Queen's Head,
the George, and others which are only traditionally remembered. {162}
Several of these were almost contiguous. For instance, on the west side
of the market, on the site of No. 1, now (1908) occupied by Mr. R. W.
Clitherow, formerly stood a good-sized publichouse, which was destroyed
by fire. Being rebuilt, it became the private residence of Mr. H.
Sellwood, Solicitor, father-in-law of the late Poet Laureate, Lord
Tennyson. Separated from this, northward, by only two houses, was the
Black Horse Inn, still existing, and next to this, on what is now part of
the shop of Messrs. Lunn and Dodson, was the Peal of Bells, and not more
than half-a-dozen yards distant, on the opposite side of the street, was
the very old Saracen's Head, still existing.
On the north side of the Market Place, next to what is now Mr. Cammack's
cycle depot, was the Queen's Head Inn, now gone; and at the north-east
corner of the Market Place, one door removed from St. Lawrence Street,
was the Nelson Inn, still existing; while at the south-east corner stood
the large George Inn, no longer existing; and near the churchyard, under
the same roof with the old vicarage, was a much patronized dram shop,
kept by a Mrs. Clayton, long since removed.
Of some of these we are able to give particulars, not without interest.
The Cock and Breeches was kept by Roland Oliver, a breeches maker, whose
daughter migrated to London, and, as Mrs. Hibbert, kept an inn, the
Elephant, in Fenchurch Street, City. At the Queen's Head were, early
last century, barracks for volunteers or soldiers, with their drill
sergeants; who performed their drill and practiced with "Brown Bess" in a
chalk pit, on the west side of the Edlington Road, now disused, but still
represented by a deep depression in the field below the footpath to
Thimbleby, and at the back of the gardens of Mr. Frank Heane, of the
Garth House, and other adjoining residents.
At this same inn, the Queen's Head, some 20 years or more ago, on
removing the bricks of the kitchen floor, the workmen found a skeleton,
probably that of a man who had been murdered for his money at the August
fair, and in connection with this, it was remembered that a farmer living
at Stourton, who used to frequent this inn, had some years before
attended the fair, but never returned home, nor could enquiring friends
find any trace of him.
The Nelson Hotel, on the same side of the Market Place, was formerly kept
by an old man named Vesey, who was said to have been, in his earlier
years, a great smuggler on the coast, but coming to Horncastle, he
reformed, and was appointed constable. The sign of this inn is a
portrait of the great hero of Trafalgar and the Nile, originally well
painted by the artist, Northouse, but it has recently been repainted in
the worst style, and almost "improved" out of recognition.
The George stood on the sites now occupied by the Post Office, and the
adjoining shop of Messrs. Salter, Shoemakers, the original archway of the
inn yard still remaining between them. This was formerly one of the
principle inns of the town, equal in size to the Bull and the Red Lion;
and from it, before the railway line was opened to Horncastle, the
landlord, Mr. Hackford, ran a coach, to meet the train at Kirkstead. An
incident, in connection with the George may here be mentioned, which is
not likely to occur again. A wealthy lady, Miss Heald (who had also a
house in London, where the writer, as a boy, visited her), occupied in
those days the old hall (now demolished) in Edlington Park. She was of
the family of Chancellor Heald, to whose memory there is a marble tablet,
on the north wall of the chancel of St. Mary's Church. She had a nephew,
who was an officer in the fashionable regiment of the Guards. He became
enamoured of the once famous courtesan, Lola Montez, who had been
mistress to the King of Bavaria, attracted by her beauty, it was said, as
she drove, and he rode, along Rotten Row, the resort of fashion, in Hyde
Park, London. She wished to make the most of the opportunity to regain a
respectable position, and pressed her attentions of the young officer too
persistently. She was a woman of daring and reckless temperament; and
his love and admiration gradually, on closer acquaintance, gave way to
fear. At length he did all he could to avoid her, which roused her
bitter resentment, and at length he became in daily terror of her
revengeful nature. Coming down from London to Horncastle, to collect his
rents, he put up at the George, and was there found, by a friend who
called upon him, sitting at his luncheon, but with a brace of pistols
lying on the table, fully expecting that she would follow him, and force
him into matrimony. It is said that she ended her days in an American
prison, after perpetrating a murder in a railway carriage.
[Picture: Old Thatched Inn in the Bull Ring]
Another inn worthy of mention here is the Fighting Cocks. Here this once
fashionable but cruel sport used to be practised, until it was made
illegal by Act of Parliament, in 1849, and it is said to have been
clandestinely continued for some time longer, although a penalty of 5
pounds was imposed. An old man working on the premises in 1902 could
remember the last fight. The "pit" was in the present garden, at the
rear of the inn yard.
In the Fighting Cocks yard were formerly the kennels of the South Wold
hounds, and the writer can well remember going frequently, as a boy,
while he attended the Grammar School, to see them fed, as well as
occasionally being mounted by the whips on one of the horses of the hunt,
when, after the hunting season, they went out for exercise. Mr. "Jack"
Musters, the whilom rival of Byron for the hand of Miss Chaworth, was at
that time Master.
In the yard of this inn there still remain two large scythe blades
affixed to the wall of an outhouse. The history of these is that they
were formerly on the front of the inn, facing the street, because was
annually held, on August 21st, what was called the Scythe Fair, when the
county blacksmiths gathered to purchase scythes, to supply the Irish, and
other reapers, for the coming harvest. This was discontinued when the
machinery for reaping came into use.
The Three Maids' Inn was situated in the High Street, on part of the site
now occupied by the Corn Exchange, and was demolished when that building
was erected. A small inn, on the east side of North Street, now called
the Cricketer's Arms, was formerly named the Tom Cat, because here was
sold the strong old gin of the well-known distillers, Swagne and Borde,
whose trademark was a cat. Hence gin took its name of "Old Tom." There
is still the figure of a cat engraven on the front window, with the words
"Unrivalled Tom" beneath it.
Opposite the Bull, the leading hotel in the town, replete with all modern
requirements, stands the King's Head, an old "public," still remarkable
for its low thatched roof; the reason for which is said to be, that by
the forms of the will of a former owner, it was bequeathed to his
successor, with the condition attached, that it should continue to be
thatched: a condition which the advance of civilization may, in a few
years' time, make it difficult to fulfil.
And here we may make the concluding remark that 100 years ago most of the
houses in Horncastle were thatched. It is on record (Overton MS.) that
the first slated house in the town was built for a Mr. Storr, a gardener,
in what is now the back passage from the Bow Bridge to the Wong, near the
Baptist Chapel. This was afterwards occupied (1790-1800) by Mrs. L'Oste,
widow of a former Rector of Langton. The next house to be slated was
that of Mr. Titus Overton, lately the residence of Mr. John Overton,
Grocer.
APPENDIX.
THIMBLEBY.
This parish is contiguous to Horncastle, but the village and church are
distant about 1.25 miles from the town, in a north-westerly direction.
Letters arrive at 8.30 a.m., from Horncastle, where are the nearest money
order and telegraph office and railway station.
As to the name Thimbleby, given in _Domesday Book_ as Stimbelbi, it
doubtless meant originally the Bye (scotice "Byre"), or farmstead, of a
thane, or owner, in pre-Norman times named stimel. {165} In the survey
made by the Conqueror, A.D. 1085, there are two mentions of this parish,
(1) It is included among the 1,442 lordships, or manors, of which King
William took possession on his own behalf, ejecting the previous owners;
none of whom, in this instance, are named. Under him it was occupied by
22 soc-men, or free tenants, and 18 villeins, or bondsmen, who cultivated
4.5 carucates (540 acres), with 240 acres of meadow. This, however, did
not comprise the whole parish, for (2) another mention gives Thimbleby
among the lands granted by the Conqueror to Odo, Bishop of Baieux, who
was half brother to King William, on his mother's side, and was created
by him Earl of Kent. His brother was Earl of Moretaine, and his sister
Adeliza was Countess of Albermarle. He had been consecrated Bishop of
Baieux before William's conquest of England, in 1049. He was
subsequently made Count Palatine and Justiciary of England. The old
historian, Ordericus Vitalis, says "he was reputed to be the wisest man
in England, and 'totius Angliae Vice-comes sub Rege, et . . . Regi
secundus'"; and this was hardly an exaggeration, since he was granted by
William 76 manors in Lincolnshire, besides 363 in other counties. But we
have observed in several other instances how insecure was the tenure of
property in those unsettled times, when might was deemed right, and this
ambitious Prelate was no exception. He aspired to the Papacy, the
highest ecclesiastical office in Christendom, and was about to start for
Rome, with the view of securing it through his wealth, when he was
arrested and imprisoned by his royal kinsman, and his estates
confiscated.
The portion of Thimbleby granted to this Odo comprised 250 acres of
cultivated land, with 12 acres of meadow and 30 acres of underwood. This
was worked for him by three free tenants and five bondmen. {166a} On the
attainder of Odo, this land passed again into the King's hands, to be
bestowed doubtless upon some other favourite follower. Accordingly we
find that, shortly after this, the powerful Flemish noble, Drogo de
Bevere, who had distinguished himself greatly at the battle of Hastings,
along with many other manors in Lincolnshire, held that of Thimbleby. He
was, by Royal Charter, Lord of all Holderness, and took his title de
Bevere from Beverley, the chief town in that division. As is also
related elsewhere, {166b} the Conqueror gave him his niece in marriage;
but, being of a violent temperament, Drogo got rid of her by poison, and
then, having thus incurred the anger of William, he fled the country.
His estates, in turn, were probably confiscated, for we find that a few
years later Stephen, Earl of Ambemarle, {166c} had five carucates (_i.e._
600 acres) of land between Thimbleby, Langton and Coningsby.
This noble was distinguished for his piety, as well as his other great
qualities. The chronicler describes him as "praeclarus comes, et eximius
monasteriorum fundator," an illustrious earl and distinguished founder of
monasteries. Among other such institutions he founded, on the feast of
St. Hilary, A.D. 1139, the Priory of Thornton, in North Lincolnshire.
This Stephen also received the lordship of Holderness, which had been
held by Drogo. He was succeeded by his son William, who was surnamed
Crassus, or "The Gross," from his unwieldy frame. His
great-granddaughter, Avelin, succeeding to the property in her turn,
married Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, surnamed Gibbosus, or humpback. But
they had no issue, and so, as the "Book of Meux Abbey" says, "for want of
heirs the Earldom of Albemarle and the Honour of Holderness were seized
(once again) into the King's hands." What became of the demesne of
Thimbleby is not specified; but we find from the survey, already quoted,
that in the same century Walter de Gaunt, son of Gilbert de Gaunt, {166d}
held Thimbleby and other neighbouring parishes 24 carucates, or in all
2,880 acres of land. We have traced elsewhere {166e} the descent of the
Willoughby family from the Gaunts, and about 100 years later (circa 1213,
Survey, as before) William de Willoughby succeeded to these estates,
including the demesne of Thimbleby. He was ancestor of the present Earl
of Ancaster, and Lord Willoughby de Eresby, who now represents this
division in Parliament. How long the estates, in whole or in part,
remained with the Willoughbys is not clear; but we have evidence of their
connection with Thimbleby nearly 100 years later, in a document dated
1302, {167a} concerning a dispute as to lands in Thimbleby, Langton,
Woodhall, and several other parishes, between John de Bec and Robert
Wylgherby, the two families being related; in which the said Robert
surrenders to the said John all property in dispute, for his lifetime, on
condition that, after his decease, the whole shall revert to the said
John Willoughby, and his heirs, for ever. {167b}
From this time we find other names connected with the parish. Indeed
prior to this, in a charter of Bardney Abbey, dated "at the Chapter of
the Convent, on Sunday next after the Ascension of our Lord" (22nd May)
1281; we have among the witnesses, along with others belonging to
Edlington, Wispington, and Baumber, "Master Bartholomew of Thimbleby,"
and John Crayck of the same, the former being probably the Rector. {167c}
This charter refers to certain lands and tenements, the gift to the abbey
of "Walter, son of Gilbert, de Bolingbrog," _i.e._ Walter, the son of
Gilbert de Gaunt, already named. In another Bardney charter, dated four
years later (30th Sept., 1285), we find again the same Thimbleby
witnesses, with Alured of Woodhall, and others. {167d}
Three years later than this, in an official inquiry, held at Lincoln, as
to certain knights' fees, which belonged to Elyas de Rabayn and his wife
Matilda (12th Nov., 1288), the jurors declare that "Robert de Rothwell
holds in Thymelby and Horncastre," certain "rents of assize, to be paid
at the Feast of St. Michael, the Nativity of the Lord, Easter, and St.
Botulph" (June 17), amounting to 12s.
A more interesting record is the following. We may premise that the
Norman noble, St. Quintin (so named from a town of France, in the
department of Aisne, the Augusta Veromanduorum of the Romans), came over
among the followers of William the Conqueror, and his name appears in the
famous "Battle Roll" of 1066. A Final Concord, of date A.D. 1293, states
that on the Quindene of the purification of the Blessed Mary (_i.e._ the
5th day after), a dispute having arisen between Herbert de St. Quintin on
the one part, and Ascelina de Waterville and Matilda de Diva on the other
part, the two latter being tenants of 3.5 carucates of land (_i.e._ 420
acres) in Thymeleby; it was settled that the said Ascelina and Matilda
should acknowledge the said land to be the right of Herbert; and for this
Herbert granted them, as his tenants, all the said lands, except six
oxgangs (_i.e._ 90 acres) which were occupied in separate parcels, by
Baldrick, Hogge, Alfsi, Godric, Walfric, and others; and for this the
said Ascelina and Matilda gave him, in acknowledgment, 40 marks.
A few years after this date it would appear that the Bishop of Carlisle
exercised a kind of ecclesiastical lordship over this parish. Thimbleby
was in the soke of Horncastle, and Ralph de Rhodes, the former Lord of
the demesne of Horncastle, with its appurtenances, West Ashby, High
Toynton, &c., had granted these (by charter confirmed by Henry III., A.D.
1230) to Walter Mauclerk, Bishop of Carlisle, and his successors.
Accordingly in an old document of the early 14th century, we find that
John de Halghton, Bishop of Carlisle, gave consent for William de Foletby
to convey certain lands in Thimelby, Langton, and Horncastle, to the
Abbot and Convent of Kirkstead, to provide two monks, to celebrate daily
services for the souls of the faithful deceased. The witnesses were
Richard de Wodehall, William de Polam (Poolham), and others. "Dated at
Horncastre, on this day of St. Barnabas, 5 Ed. II., 11 June, A.D. 1312"
{168a} This shows a connection with the monastery of Kirkstead, to which
we shall refer hereafter.
We next come to a record of special interest, of rather later date. The
family of Thimbleby, Thymelby, Thimoldby, &c., doubtless took their name
from this parish, at a period lost in hoar antiquity. They acquired in
course of time extensive property in various parts of the county. The
chief branch of the family resided at Irnham Park, near Grantham, which
was acquired (about 1510) by Richard Thimbleby, through his marriage with
the heiress of Godfrey Hilton, whose ancestor, Sir Geoffrey Hilton,
Knight, had obtained it by marriage with the heiress of the Luterels, a
very ancient family, several members of which were summoned to Parliament
as Barons, in the 12th century.
The earlier members of the Thimbleby family are called, expressly, Thomas
de Thymelby, Nicholas de Thymbylby, and so forth, shewing their
connection with this parish. The family name of Thimelby still survives
in the neighbourhood of Spilsby.
The first mention of a Thimbleby, as an owner in Thimbleby, occurs in a
Post Mortem Inquisition, held at Holtham (Haltham), on Friday next after
the Feast of St. Matthew (Sept. 21), A.D. 1333; where the jurors say that
Nicholas de Thymelby held, with certain other lands in the neighbourhood,
two messuages and four acres of land in Thymelby, of the Bishop of
Carlisle, and that the said Nicholas died on the Feast of the
Purification (Feb. 2nd); and that his son Thomas, aged 19, was heir.
{168b}
Then follow a grant of land and other privileges, by the Bishop of
Carlisle, in Horncastle and Upper Toynton, to Thomas, son of Nicholas de
Thymelby. Thomas presented to the Benefice of Ruckland in 1381. His son
John married Joan, daughter of Sir Walter Taillebois; whose mother was
daughter and heir of Gilbert Burdon (or Barradon), whose wife was sister
and heir of Gilbert Umfraville, Earl of Angus. Thus the family kept
growing in importance. {168c}
Our last mention of this family, in connection with Thimbleby, shows a
still greater expansion. An Inquisition taken 12th August, 4 Ed. VI.
(1550), after the death of Matthew Thimbleby, of Polam, Esq., shows that
he married Anne, daughter of Sir John Hussey, and that he was seised of
six manors besides that of Thimelby; also of lands in eight other
parishes, with the advowsons of the churches of Tetforde, Farrafford,
Ruckland, and Somersby. {168d} His widow married Sir Robert Savile, Knt.
Soon after the first mention of a Thymelby of Thimbleby, we find another
family of some note connected with this parish. In an agreement made at
"Langton near Horncaster, 8 August, A.D. 1370, Peter Skynner of Ely, and
Alice his wife, for some consideration not named, surrender to William de
Atherby and his heirs, all their rights in certain lands and tenements in
Woodhall, Langton, Thymelby, Horncastre, Thornton," &c. {169a} These
lands had evidently been held by the said Peter Skynner and his wife.
The Skynners were a family of wealth and position. In 1315 Robert and
Richard Skynner held the manor of Pinchbeck, near Spalding. {169b} They
were also land owners in Hareby and Bolingbroke. Henry Skynner, by will,
dated 29th May, 1612, leaves to his daughter Judith, all his copyhold in
Harebie, to his brother, Sir Vincent Skynner, Knight, lands in Hareby and
other places, with the advowson of the Benefice. Sir Vincent Skynner was
Lord of the Manor of Thornton Curtis; he was in 1604 appointed by the
crown Keeper of East Kirkby Park, as part of the Royal manor, or
"Honour," of Bolingbroke. His son William married a daughter of Sir
Edward Coke, Knight, and was buried at Thornton Curtis, August 17th, A.D.
1626.
We find mention of another owner of land in Thimbleby, in the 15th
century, whose apparent love of pelf would seem to have tempted him to
defraud the king of his dues. A certain Thomas Knyght, of the City of
Lincoln, Esquire, died in the 10th year of the reign of Henry VII. (A D
1495), seized of lands and tenements "in Thembleby," and other places.
At the Inquisition then held, the jurors found that he had alienated
certain parts of the property, "the Royal license therefor not being
obtained, to the prejudice and deception of the lord the King," and the
property passed to his son and heir William, who took possession, with "a
like evasion of dues, to the King's prejudice." What penalty was imposed
is not stated; but it was a somewhat remarkable coincidence, that, as
shewn in another Inquisition made the following year (A.D. 1496), certain
witnesses deposed that on the 20th day of June, A.D. 1476 (_i.e._ 19
years before his decease), the said Thomas Knyght, and his servants,
about the middle of the night "broke and dug the soil of the parlour of
his house, and found 1,000 pounds, and more, of the coinage of the
Treasury . . . there placed and hidden," which as "tresour-trove, by
reason of the prerogative of the lord the King, ought to come to his use,
&c." This has all a very suspicious look, Knyght would not have ordered
this search for the money if he had not himself known of its being there.
It looks like a previous attempt at concealment, in some way to defraud
the revenue, which Knyght himself afterwards felt was a failure, and that
it was safer to exhume the hoard himself, rather than that public
officials should do it. Altogether it would seem that "Thomas Knyght, of
the City of Lincoln, Esquire," was somewhat of a sordid character, and
not a proprietor for Thimbleby to be proud of.
We now proceed to records more ecclesiastical. We have already noted
that, with the consent of the Bishop of Carlisle, William de Foletby, in
the 14th century conveyed lands in Thimbleby to the Abbot of Kirkstead.
This would seem to imply a previous connection of this parish with that
monastery, to attract the Thimbleby proprietor to it. Accordingly we
find that, among the various properties of the Abbey, granted by Hugh
Brito, its founder (A.D. 1139), and other benefactors, were 90 acres of
land in Thimbleby, with the advowson of the Benefice. In those days
there was only a very limited number of resident clergy in the country
parishes, {170a} the churches being served largely by the monks of the
monasteries. In some cases these were "itinerant clerks," in other cases
there was a "grange," or dependency, of the monastery in the parish,
having a "cell," or "hermitage," for a priest.
Thimbleby was not among the number of parishes which had a church before
the conquest, as Edlington and several other neighbouring parishes had;
but there is no doubt that a church was erected here soon after that
period, which, like the neighbouring Woodhall, was connected with
Kirkstead, and here, as at Woodhall, there are traces of a moated
enclosure eastward of the church, which doubtless was the site of the
grange.
The Abbot of Kirkstead exercised the powers of a superior lord here in a
somewhat arbitrary fashion; it being complained against him before Royal
Commissioners as early as the reign of Edward I., that he had erected
here "furcoe," or a gallows, on which various criminals had been
executed; and that he had appropriated to himself the assize of bread and
beer here, and at Horncastle. {170b} But "blessed are the peacemakers,"
and the abbots, with wholesome influence, were able, when occasion
served, to produce harmony out of discordant elements; as the following
records show (quoted from Final Concords): "In three weeks from the day
of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, 10 Henry III. (28th Sept., A.D.
1226)," a dispute arising between Reginald, Rector of Thymelby, and
Peter, son of John, tenant of a certain messuage and toft in Thymelby.
Peter was induced to give up his claim, in favour of Reginald and his
successors; and for this the said Reginald gave him one mark, in
recognition of the concession. Which agreement was made in the presence
of Henry, Abbot of Kirkstead, who himself gave to the church of Thymelby
all right which he had in rent, which he was wont to receive; not however
without an equivalent, which--being wise in his generation--he was
careful to secure; for Reginald, in return, gave him a certain sum "to
buy a rent in another place."
The worldly wisdom of the same abbot appears again in the following
Concord: On the morrow of St. Michael, 10 Henry III. (30th Sept. A.D.
1226); a dispute between Sarah, the wife of Alan de Tymelby, and Henry,
Abbot of Kirkstead, about a certain meadow in Tymelby, was happily
settled (it being to the soul's peril to incur an abbot's anathema!) by
the said Sarah giving up all claim to the meadow in favour of the said
Abbot, and his successors; in recognition of which he gave her one mark.
A gap now occurs in our history, which can only be filled in, for a time,
by conjecture. On the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII., the
possessions of Kirkstead Abbey were granted by him to Charles Brandon,
Duke of Suffolk; on whose death without issue, they reverted to the
sovereign, and were re-granted to the Earl of Lincoln, of the Fiennes
Clinton family, subsequently Dukes of Newcastle. The Abbey lands in
Thimbleby are not, so far as we know, specially named in this grant, and
therefore we are unable to say positively whether that family acquired
property in Thimbleby or not; but they had undoubtedly property in
Horncastle and neighbourhood. For instance the manor of Baumber remained
in their hands, and Baumber Church continued to be the family burial
place, until the 3rd Duke of Newcastle, late in the 18th century, sold
that estate to T. Livesey, Esq.
A few years later, however, we have official evidence that the manor and
advowson of Thimbleby were vested in the sovereign. By a deed (a copy of
which is in the Rector's possession) dated 10th April, 7 Edward VI. (A.D.
1553), of the Court of Augmentations, a toft and messuage in Thimbleby
were granted by the King to John Welcome; also "the lordship and manor of
Thimblebye, with all its rights, &c., lately belonging to the monastery
of Kirkstead;" also "the advowson and right of patronage of the Rectory
and Church of Thymmelbie, aforesaid." In the next reign, of Mary, the
benefice was presented, by the Queen herself, to William Brantinghame,
being admitted on her nomination 19th Sept., 1554. {171a}
A deed of that reign, dated 6th Feb., 1 and 2 Philip and Mary (1554),
grants certain lands belonging to the manor of Thimblebie, to Anthony
Kyme, for 21 years, at 10s. per annum
[Picture: St. Margaret's Church, Thimbleby]
Next, in the reign of Elizabeth, a deed dated 9th March, 4 Elizabeth
(1562), grants certain tofts and lands to John Porter, for 21 years, at a
rent of 18s. per annum; and finally, by deed dated June 30th, 1564,
Elizabeth in consideration of the sum of 609 pounds 5s. 2d., confirms the
above grants and leases to William Conyers and William Haber, both of the
Middle Temple, the patronage of the Rectory, "to be held with the manor
of Est Grenwich, in the countie of Kent, free of all duty or military
service."
After a further hiatus in the parish history, we find another link in the
records. The former property of the Thimblebys, of Poolham, and
elsewhere, had been sold to a member of the Bolles family, in 1600; and
Mr. Weir {171b} tells us that in the reign of Charles II. the manor of
Thimbleby belonged to Sir Robert Bolles, of Scampton. From Liber Regis
we find that Sir John Bolles presented to the benefice of Thimbleby in
1697, and doubtless was Lord of the Manor. This Sir John sold his
property, and according to the antiquarian, Browne Willis (Ecton's
Thesaurus), in the reign of Queen Anne, the patronage of the benefice
belonged to "Mr. Kercheval"
In 1719 and 1725 John Hockin, Clerk, presented.
In 1720 the manor and advowson were bought by John Hotchkin, Esq., of
Tixover; and a Thimbleby record, preserved with the registers, shows that
the Hotchkins have presented from about that time till recently. In 1767
(Sept. 10th), Allen Corrance was admitted on the cession of John
Kercheval, by Thomas Hotchkin, Esq., of Alexton, Co. Leicester. In 1778
William Holmes, M.A., was admitted to the rectory by John Hotchkin, Esq.,
of South Luffenham, on the death of Allen Corrance. In 1831 (Sept. 21st)
Robert Charles Herbert Hotchkin, B.A., was instituted at the rectory, on
the death of William Holmes, on the nomination of Thomas Hotchkin, Esq.,
of Tixover. The late T. J. Stafford Hotchkin, Esq., of Woodhall Manor,
sold his property in Thimbleby and some other parishes in 1872; and the
advowson of this benefice, then in his gift, was subsequently sold to the
father of the present Rector, the Rev. C. A. Potter.
There is another name on record, connected with Thimbleby, which we have
not yet mentioned. Among a list of the gentry of Lincolnshire, made on
the Royal Herald's Visitation of the County, in 1634, which is still
preserved at the Heralds' office, is the name of "Robert Frieston, of
Thimbleby." What position he held, or whether he was a land owner, in
the parish, is not stated, but he ranked with Thomas Cressy (of a very
old family), of Kirkby-on-Bain; the Dymokes of Scrivelsby, Haltham, and
Kime; Heneage of Hainton, &c. {172a}
There is a smaller manor in this parish called the Hall-garth, the
residence attached to which is a picturesque old thatched mansion, with
an old-time garden, enclosed within high and thick hedges of yew, trimmed
in Dutch fashion. It has also a large "stew," or fish-pond, from which,
doubtless, in Roman Catholic times, the owners drew their supply of carp
and tench, for the numerous fast-days then observed. Old title deeds
show that this was at one time crown property. {172b} At a later date it
was owned by a family named Boulton, who also held land in Stixwould,
where there is still the slab of a Boulton tomb in the pavement of the
aisle of the church.
A slab, on the south side of Thimbleby Church, bears the inscription:
"Here lyeth the body of Michael, the son of Mr. Michael and Elizabeth
Boulton, buried the 7th of Septemr, 1692, aetatis suae 7. His mother the
28th of May, Anno Dom. 1725, aetat suae 61." The Register has the
following entries, "1725, Mrs. Boulton, ye wife of Mr. Mich. Boulton,
buried May 28th." "1738, Michael Boulton buried May 8th." The last
entry connected with this family is that of "Michael, son of Michael and
Mary Boulton," who was baptized in 1726 and buried in 1767.
These were the ancestors of the late Mr. Henry Boulton, of St. Mary's
Square, Horncastle. Michael Boulton, in 1719, left 40s. a year, from the
Hall estate, at Bransby near Stow, for the education of poor children at
Thimbleby; leaving also a bequest for the poor at Bransby.
At the beginning of the 19th century this manor was held jointly by
Richard Elmhirst, Esq., of Usselby, and Mr. Thomas Kemp, the latter of
whom resided at the Old Hall. {173a} There is a field at the west end of
the village, now the property of H. N. Coates, Esq., traversed by mounds
and ditches, which was formerly divided into three separate plots,
belonging to Elmhirst, Kemp, and Hotchkin. The Kemps were of an old
stock. In the Thimbleby Registers the first mention of them is in 1723,
{173b} but their name implies a much greater antiquity. One theory has
been that they were a Huguenot family, who came over to England at the
time of the French massacre of Protestants, on St. Bartholomew's day,
1572. Those refugees, in their enforced poverty, prosecuted various
kinds of useful industries; and the Kemps, it is suggested, acquired
their name from being kempsters, or comb makers.
But it is probable that the name had a much earlier origin. Kemp (Saxon
Cempa) meant a soldier {173c} being connected with the Norman-French and
modern English "Champion;" and although we might look back with pride to
forefathers who suffered for their religion, it is pleasanter, if only in
imagination, to regard them as having been a race of doughty warriors,
sufficiently distinguished to win a name by their deeds. {173d}
Mr. Thomas Kemp, in the first half of the 19th century, was a wealthy
bachelor, and added to the Hall-garth estate by the purchase, from time
to time, of adjacent property. He lived in some style, with two maiden
sisters to keep house for him. By his will the land at Thimbleby passed
into the possession of his great nephew, Robert Edwin Kemp; another
nephew, Samuel Harrison Kemp, inheriting most of the personal estate.
But alas! liveried servants, crests and arms, and other emblems of wealth
have become things of the past; for when this Robert died the property
passed to his son, Thomas Kemp, in whose hands the patrimony speedily
evaporated; and other members of the family are now dispersed, "their
places knowing them no more," save as a lingering memory, which will soon
be gone.
The interesting old hall and the manor were then bought by Reuben
Roberts, Esq., of Linden House, Horncastle, who resides there in the
summer. He also owns other land in the parish. Other owners are E.
Hassard, Esq., of Edlington Park; H. N. Coates, Esq., of Langton Manor;
the trustees of the late Mr. Samuel Goe, and several smaller proprietors.
Mrs. Tebbutt, of Horncastle, a relict of an old Thimbleby family, whose
name appears frequently in the parish books, is now Lady of the Manor.
Some 200 yards east of the church and on the south side of the main road
is a large field, the property of Mr. Henry N. Coates of Langton, which
is known as "The Butts." It has some fine trees, apparently the remains
of an extensive avenue, which have been more numerous even within living
memory. It has been sometimes called "The Park Close," but the title
"The Butts" is interesting, as probably indicating that it was formerly
the site on which (in the words of a rhymer, it may be said):
England's archers of old,
Village wights true and bold,
Unerring in hand and in eye,
Learned skill in their craft
With yew-bow and shaft,
Wand to splinter, or pierce the bull's-eye.
And while the youth gay,
Rough rivals, essay
To rive and riddle each butt,
Sage sires stand by,
And coy maidens cry,
To welcome the winning shot.
Full many such scene
Has been witnessed, I ween,
In that whilome time-honoured spot,
'Neath the wide-spreading shade
Of the green wood glade
Which is still named the "Thimbleby Butt."
In this "Butts" field rises a spring, which is the source of a small
runnel, called "Daubeny's Beck." This bearing westward, for some
distance forms the boundary between the parishes of Thimbleby and
Langton, then flowing through Woodhall falls into the "Monk's Beck," at
Poolham. The name "Daubeny" is doubtless a corruption of D' Albini. The
D' Albinis held the Barony, and built the castle of Belvoir, and had
other large possessions in this county and elsewhere; the name is not
uncommon as a field name, &c. There is a field in Langton called
"Daubeny's (_i.e._ D' Albini's) Walk."
In the grounds of Mr. W. A. Crowder, further to the east, near the
Lincoln "Ramper," as the highway is locally called, there was found, a
few years ago, a so-called "Roman" tomb, somewhat rudely constructed of
blocks of Spilsby sandstone. Within it was a human skeleton, with bones
of a dog, a sword, and the head of a spear. In connection with this, we
may also mention, that in the Rectory grounds there is an ancient well,
of great depth, lined also with Spilsby sandstone, and said to be Roman;
which in the immediate proximity of the Cornucastrum, or Roman fort of
Banovallum, would not seem to be at all improbable.
An old parish book of Thimbleby, recently shown to the writer, proves the
care which was taken by the parish officials, before the present poor law
system was established, to secure the comfort and maintenance of poorer
parishioners.
At a parish meeting, Nov. 1st, 1819, Thomas Kemp, Churchwarden, in the
chair, it was ordered that John Sharp's daughter was to have a gown and
pettycoat, worsted for two pairs of stockings, and one blue apron. Four
boys were to have two smocks each, and eight old people a strike of coals
each per week. At another meeting Margaret Day was to have worsted for
two pairs of socks for her two boys, herself to spin it; and one pair of
shoes for her daughter. Robert Kemp, and his son Richard, in order to
find them work were to be paid 2s. per day, to "gether" stones for the
parish.
Again, Maria Day's shoes were to be mended; Mary Atkin to have a pair of
blankets, and her chamber window put in and thatched. Benj. Benton one
pair of shoes, Willm. Adkin a waistcoat. Mary King's family four shirts,
two pairs of shoes, three frocks, three petticoats, and three dabs
(_i.e._ pinafores). A pair of breeches for George Skipworth; Willm.
Skipworth to have a spade.
Again, Mr. Thos. Kemp was "to be allowed 20 pounds for the use of the
poor-house, to be insured for 200 pounds by the parish, and, when given
up to be left in the same state."
At a meeting on 7th August, 1820, Robert Dixon in the chair, it was
ordered that all paupers receiving assistance should regularly attend
Divine Service, and on their non-attendance the assistance should be
stopped. Mary Todd was to receive her money (which had been stopped)
having given satisfaction to the vestry for not attending the church.
Mary Hobbins' boy to be put to school. "To get the Lord's Prayer, and
the 'I believe,' put in the church at the parish expense."
At a meeting held 27th August, 1830, Thomas Kemp in the chair, it was
agreed that 75 pounds be borrowed of Mr. Thos. Kemp, to pay Mrs. Farmer's
expenses to America, to be repaid by the parish, 30s. weekly, with legal
interest. Church rates are now among the "has beens," but in 1843 a rate
was passed of "1d. in the pound for the support of the church, and 10d.
in the pound for the highway repairs."
In the churchyard, along the south side of the church, are a group of
gravestones of the Kemp family. Eastward are several of the Marshall
family, formerly numerous here, and in the neighbourhood, holding a
respectable position, but now extinct. {175} There are also a number of
tombs of the Todd family, respectable small farmers, resident in the
parish, from the first notice of a burial, June 24th, 1738, down to
recent years. The Tebbuts and Dixons were also resident, as tenants or
small owners, for many years.
Among the marriage registers, which date from 1695, is the following
note: "March 23, 1779, a marriage was attempted to be solemnized; but the
intended bridegroom, to the great surprise of the congregation assembled,
remaining away, the ceremony, &c. . . ." The rest is illegible.
We have now to speak of the church. The present edifice stands on the
site of a former 14th century church, which, judging by the remains that
have been found, must have been of much larger dimensions, and consisted
of nave, two aisles, chancel, and bell tower; the total breadth having
been 52-ft. Several fragments of stained glass have, at various times,
been found in digging graves, showing that this early church, like
several others in the neighbourhood, had good coloured windows. This was
taken down in 1744, and from the materials remaining a small fabric was
erected in its place, consisting of nave and apsed chancel, with no
pretensions whatever to architectural beauty. This (as has been
generally the case with badly constructed edifices of that period) became
also, in turn, so decayed that the present Rector, on entering on the
benefice, decided to rebuild the church once more; and in 1879 the
present structure was completed at a cost of over 1,000 pounds, in the
best early Decorated style.
It consists of nave, chancel, organ chamber on the south, and an
octagonal bell turret, designed by the late Mr. James Fowler, the
Architect, and containing one small modern bell, graven with the date and
initials of W. Carey, Churchwarden in 1744, {176a} who demolished the old
church. The nave has three two-light windows, of the decorated style, in
the north and south walls; there is a square-headed two-light window in
the organ chamber; the chancel has a single-light window in the north and
south walls, with a good east window of three lights, trefoiled, and with
a triangle of trefoils above. In the north wall is a credence recess,
and in the south wall are two stone sedilia. The tiles within the
chancel rails are copied from ancient tiles, which were found some years
ago, at Revesby Abbey. In the west front, over the door, is a large
two-light window, and above it a clock, the only village church clock in
the neighbourhood, by Smith of Derby. Within the west doorway, let into
the north wall of the tower basement, is a fragment of an old battlement,
having a shield in the centre, probably a relic from the original church.
The font is modern, having a plain octagonal bowl, shaft, and pediment.
The roof is of pitch pine, the timbers being supported by plain corbels.
The lectern, chancel stalls, and communion table are of good modern oak
Used as a stile in the south fence of the churchyard is a large slab, on
which, above ground, is the matrix of a former brass, representing one
figure, with a broad transverse bar for an inscription, and connecting it
with other figures, which are now below the ground. {176b}
The church plate includes an interesting paten, presented to the church
in 1837, by the mother of the late Rector, but bearing hall-marks of
1727-8, with the letter M and a five-pointed star below. The chalice is
still more interesting, as it bears an old Lincoln hall-mark, of date
about 1570; there are only eight other known examples of this period in
the county.
The rectory is a commodious house, built in 1839, doubtless on the site
of the former monastic grange; it stands in an extensive garden,
embowered among trees of goodly growth. A fine oil painting at the
present time adorns the entrance hall. It is reputed to be by
Spagnoletto, and was formerly in the monastery of St. Jerome, in Lisbon.
Its size is 5-ft. by 4-ft., the subject being St. Jerome translating the
Vulgate scriptures.
WEST ASHBY.
This parish, like High Toynton, Mareham-on-the-Hill and Wood Enderby, was
formerly a hamlet of Horncastle, of which it adjoins the northern
boundary. We find them all coupled together in an extract from the Testa
de Nevill [folio 348 (556), quoted _Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. iii, p.
215] as follows: "The church of Horncastre, and of Askeby, and of Upper
Thinton, and of Meringes, and of Hinderby, are of the gift of the Lord,"
_i.e._ the Lord of the Manor. In _Domesday Book_ it is called Aschebi.
Queen Editha, wife of Edward the Confessor, who owned various lands in
this neighbourhood, was Lady of this Manor, as well as that of
Horncastle. She held here six carucates of land (or about 720 acres),
besides which there were 45 soc-men, 5 villeins, and 13 bordars, with
eight carucates (or about 960 acres), and 500 acres of meadow and
pasture. (_Domesday_, "Soke of Horncastle.")
[Picture: The Manor House, West Ashby]
_Domesday_ also mentions that the Saxon thane, Chetelburn, who had
property in Coningsby, Keal, Candlesby, Friskney, and other places in the
county, had at Ashby "a mill worth 12s. yearly," a very considerable sum
in those days. The manor was afterwards held by the Conqueror himself
(_Domesday_, "Property of the King"); and it would seem, although there
is no direct evidence of it, that he bestowed the manor on one of his
chief favourites, Ranulph de Paganall, who received from his sovereign
extensive grants in the counties of Somerset, Devon, York, Northampton,
and Lincoln, {177} including all the lands formerly held by the Saxon
Merleswain, in this county and elsewhere. Ranulph Paganall founded (A.D.
1089) the Priory of the Holy Trinity in York, said to have been built on
the site of a former Roman heathen temple; one of his family, Helias
Pagnall, being subsequently Prior of this institution, and Canon of
Selby. When the present Church of the Holy Trinity was restored in 1904,
among other ancient monuments, was found the slab of the tomb of Ralph
Ranulph, which is still preserved in the church, along with sculptures
commemorative of St. Benedict, St. Martin of Tours, Prior Helias, and
others. {178a}
Ranulph, by charter of that date, endowed the abbey with two-thirds of
the tithes of Ashby; which was further confirmed by charters of 1100,
1125, and 1179. This Ranulph Paganall was Sheriff of Yorkshire. The
last known representative of his family was William Paganall, summoned to
Parliament as a Baron in the reign of Edward III. Dugdale states {178b}
that the Priory of the Holy Trinity was made, by its founder, a
dependency or cell of the greater monastery (marmonstier) of the above,
St. Martin in Touraine; and by the Inquisition, taken at York, 34 Ed. I.,
it was found that he claimed no portion of the temporalities of the
Priory, beyond the right to place an official there, during the vacancy
of the priorate, as temporary custodian. The name Paganall became in
later times softened into Paynell; they were at one time Lords of
Bampton.
At a later period the manor of Ashby, probably with that of Horncastle,
belonged to Gerard de Rhodes and his descendant, Ralph; since in a
Charter Roll of 14 Henry III. (pt. i, M. 12), we find that King's
confirmation of a grant, made by the said Ralph, to Walter, Bishop of
Carlisle, of "the manor of Horncastle, with the soke, and the advowsons
of the churches, and all other things pertaining to the same in all
places," evidently including the churches of the hamlets as well as that
of the town. Among the witnesses to this are Gervase, Archdeacon of
Carlisle; and Henry de Capella; the latter name being noticeable because,
as will be seen below, Ashby was called "Capella." {178c}
The Abbey of Kirkstead had a grange in Ashby, which after the dissolution
of the monasteries, was granted in the 5th year of Edward VI., to William
Cecil, Lord Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England; this is now part of
the Ashby Thorpe estate. {178d} In 1820 this was the property of Mr.
Joseph Rinder. It is now partly owned by the Booth family, and partly by
the Smedley trustees.
The parish is still divided into Far Thorpe, Church Thorpe, and Middle
Thorpe. Far Thorpe included the farms held by the late Mr. Griffin and
Mr. Addison. Mr. Wattam's house, which is moated, was the old Midthorpe
Hall. As being a hamlet of Horncastle, the benefice was formerly called
Ashby "Capella," or the Ashby Chapelry; and like Horncastle, Wood
Enderby, High Toynton, and Mareham is given in "Liber Regis" as in the
patronage of the Bishop of Carlisle. Until recently it was a perpetual
curacy, in value about 50 pounds a year; but about 30 years ago, on the
enfranchisement of certain episcopal lands, the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners endowed it to the extent of 300 pounds a year, and built a
substantial vicarage. The patronage is now with the Lord Chancellor by
exchange with Kirk Oswald, Cumberland.
The church, All Saints, is of considerable size, being one of the largest
village churches in the neighbourhood, mainly in the Perpendicular style,
and substantially built, consisting of tower, nave, and chancel, the two
latter of the same elevation throughout. The tower has three old bells,
and a peal of eight tubular bells. Gervase Holles gives the inscriptions
on the bells as being:
1. Sit nomen Domini benedictum.
2. Intonat e caelis vox campana Michaelis.
3. Sum rosa pulsata Mundi Maria vocata.
One of these was, some years ago, re-cast; and now bears the inscription
"voco ad templum, date 1759."
The main features of the church are as follows: the porch arch is
semi-circular, Norman, the west window in the tower is unusually high,
12-ft. by 4-ft. in width, of three lights. The north aisle has four
bays. The nave, in the south wall, has two three-light windows, the
western one perpendicular and having pointed arch, the eastern square
headed. In the north wall there is a three-light debased decorated
window. In the west wall of the north aisle is a two-light window of
coloured glass, in memory of Augustus Elmhirst; and in its eastern wall
is a three-light memorial window to his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Ruck
Keene. In the south wall of the chancel are two late four-centre
two-light windows; and in the north wall a three-light flamboyant window.
Gervase Holles mentions a north chancel window having "sa. a crosse
between 4 cinquefoyles arg. . . .," {179} but this has disappeared. The
east window is modern, with three lights. A new window was erected, in
1907, in the north aisle (corresponding to a window inserted in 1905, in
memory of General and Mrs. Elmhirst), by Mr. H. R. Elmhirst, to the
memory of his late wife, Lilian Frances, nee Hatfeild; the artists were
Powell and Sons; the subject Faith, Hope and Love represented by three
figures.
[Picture: All Saints' Church, West Ashby]
The communion table has a very handsome cover, with red frontal,
elaborately embroidered with old Roman work. A carved wooden reredos has
recently been presented by Col. and Mrs. Stack. On a tablet on the north
wall is an elaborate inscription, in memory of Lieutenant Richard
Calthrop, who was killed at the siege of Algiers; erected by his mother
and 10 surviving brothers and sisters; who are said to have lived to the
remarkable average age of 85 years. There are various tablets
commemorative of the families of Rockliffe, Drewry, Pierce and Elmhirst.
There is a north door, as well as south, to the nave. The font is a
plain octagonal one, perpendicular in style.
The church was restored and reseated in 1873; the tower being renovated
in memory of Mrs. Barnard, otherwise known as "Claribel," a well-known
musical composer, connected with the Elmhirst family. It is lofty and
massive, surmounted by four high pinnacles and large gurgoyles at the
angles.
The register dates from 1561. {180a} The communion plate consists of a
cup, with inscription "Ashby Chappell, 1758;" a paten presented by
"Elizabeth Pierce, Christmas Day, 1841," and flagon, given by the same,
in 1859. She was the wife of the Vicar of that day, the Rev. W. M.
Pierce, and an authoress. In the churchyard are the tombstones of John
Thistlewood and his wife; he was brother of the Cato Street conspirator,
and died at Louth, having formerly resided at Ashby and Wispington.
The late William Elmhirst, Esq., bought the lands here formerly belonging
to the Bishops of Carlisle, and erected a handsome and substantial
residence, in well-wooded grounds; which in later years passed by
purchase to the Booth family, by whom it, and the estates attached, are
now owned. It is at present occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Newstead. The
Elmhirsts are at present represented by H. R. Elmhirst, Esq., son of the
late General Charles Elmhirst, C.B., who resides at The Grove.
HIGH TOYNTON.
High Toynton is situated about 1.5 miles from Horncastle, in an easterly
direction, on the road to Partney and Spilsby. It would seem to have
been formerly, like West Ashby, an appendage to the Manor of Horncastle.
The old record {180b} says (as already quoted under West Ashby) "The
church of Horncastre, and of Askeby, and of Upper Thinton, and of
Maringes (Mareham), and of Hinderby, are of the gift of the lord," _i.e._
the Lord of the Manor. As thus not being a separate manor, it is barely
more than mentioned in _Domesday Book_, where it is called Todintune, and
Tedingtone. Queen Editha, wife of Edward the Confessor, would be Lady of
the Manor; but William the Conqueror took possession and held lands here,
in demesne, with tenants and dependants.
That the manor afterwards, along with that of Horncastle, became the
property of Gerard de Rhodes, is shewn by the following peculiar
circumstances. In a Feet of Fines, at Lincoln, 9 Henry III., No. 52, it
is recorded that an agreement was arranged in the King's Court at
Westminster, (3 Feb., A.D. 1224-5), between Henry del Ortiay and Sabina
his wife, plaintiffs, and Ralph de Rhodes, a descendant of Gerard,
defendant, whereby certain lands in Upper Tynton, Mareham, and other
places, were recognized by the plaintiffs as the property of Ralph de
Rhodes; they receiving, in lieu thereof, 100.5 acres of land, and 11
acres of meadow, with appurtenances, all in Upper Tynton. These lands
are further specified by name, as 24 acres next Graham (_i.e._ Greetham),
12 acres in culture called "Hethoten acre" (_i.e._ Heath of ten acres), 9
acres of land in "Pesewang" (_i.e._ Peas-field), 5.5 acres in "Sex acre,"
7 acres in Leir-mewang (or low mead-field), 4 acres in culture of Lange
landes, 6 acres in Whetewang (_i.e._ wheat-field), and 10 acres in
Kruncewang (_qy._ crown's-field?); and further plots not specially named.
The peculiar feature however of their tenure was, that they and their
heirs were "to have and to hold the said lands for ever . . . rendering
therefor by the year one pair of gilt spurs, or 6d., at Easter, for all
service and exaction."
[Picture: St. John the Baptist's Church, High Toynton]
A Pipe Roll (14 Henry III., Lincoln) states that "Walter, Bishop of
Carlisle, holds certain lands hereditarily of the aforesaid Ralph de
Rhodes;" and in a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, 34 Edward III., 2nd
Nrs., No. 29 (1360), mention is made of "Thomas, son of Nicholas de
Thymelby, and John his younger brother, and their heirs," as tenants of
the Manor of Horncastle, "and of lands in Over Tynton," which they "hold
of the said Bishop." These were scions of the wealthy family of the
Thimblebyies, Lords of Poolham, and other estates. One of them married a
daughter and co-heir of Sir William Fflete, Knt.; another married a
daughter of Sir Walter Tailboys; this Sir Walter being the son of Henry
Tailboys and his wife, Alianora, daughter and heir of Gilbert Burdon and
his wife, Elizabeth, sister and heir of Gilbert Umfraville, Earl of
Angus.
By a Close Roll, 20 Henry VII. (part 2 [No. 367] No. 33), it appears that
Sir Thomas Dymmok, Knight, had recently purchased lands in Over Tynton,
Nether Tynton, Maring next Horncastle, and other parishes; which he
granted to his son Leo, and his heirs for ever.
Further, by a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, 24 Henry VII., No. 61, it
is found that Humphrey Conyngesby, Sergeant at Law, and others instituted
a suit on behalf of William Stavely, and others, by which he recovered to
them the Manor of (apparently Upper) Taunton, the advowson of the church
of Nether Taunton, about 2,700 acres of various land, and the rent of 4.5
quarters of salt in Over Taunton, Nether Taunton, Tetford, and other
parishes.
The Manor, with that of Horncastle, continued for a long period in the
hands of the Bishops of Carlisle; who were patrons of the benefice until
the creation of a bishopric of Manchester, in 1848, when their patronage
in this neighbourhood was transferred to that See. The Manor, however,
with that of Horncastle, had previously passed to Sir Joseph Banks, and
came eventually to his successors, the Stanhopes. The benefice, until
late years, was a very poor one, being a perpetual curacy, annexed to
Mareham-on-the-Hill; their joint annual value being 160 pounds, without a
residence. But when the episcopal property (the Bishop being Rector) was
transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, they, with the aid of
Queen Anne's Bounty, raised the joint benefices to 300 pounds a year; and
in 1869 erected a good residence at Toynton, now occupied by the Vicar,
the Rev. W. Shaw.
The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was formerly a very mean
structure, dating from the 18th century (1772), in the worst of styles,
with wooden-framed windows, of large square panes of glass, and having a
flat whitewashed ceiling. The timbers of this had become so decayed that
a former curate-in-charge, mounting to the false roof, to examine them,
fell through, among the square pews below. This incident led, not too
soon, to the rebuilding of the fabric, at a cost of more than 1,200
pounds in 1872, on the site of the previous building, as also of an
original 13th century edifice. The present church is a substantial and
neat structure in the early English style, thoroughly well kept, and with
several pleasing features. It consists of nave, chancel, and porch, with
tower and low spire. The nave has, in the north wall, two single-light
narrow pointed windows, and at its eastern end a two-light window, having
a quatrefoil above. In the south wall there is one single-light and one
two-light window, corresponding to the above; the porch, taking place of
a window at its western end.
The two-light window in the north wall has coloured glass, with various
devices, one being a small copy of the famous Descent from the Cross, by
Rubens, in Antwerp Cathedral; another the Royal Arms, with the initials
V.R. below, and date 1848. The corresponding two-light window in the
south wall has coloured glass "In memory of Eliza, wife of the Rev. T.
Snead Hughes, late Vicar, she died March 9, 1872, aged 57." The subjects
in the two lights are the Ascension of our Lord, and the three women at
the sepulchre, with an angel pointing upward. In the west wall of the
nave are two pointed windows beneath a cusped circlet, all filled with
coloured glass; the lower subjects being John the Baptist preaching in
the wilderness, and the baptism of our Lord by John in the Jordan; the
upper subject is the angel appearing to Zachariah; all three having
reference to the patron saint of the church. An inscription states that
these are a memorial to the late Mark Harrison and his wife Ann, erected
by their family.
The font is of stone, octagonal, having four different kinds of crosses
on the alternate faces, a circular shaft ending in octagon, and on
octagonal pediment. Within the south porch, over the outer and inner
doorways are old fragments of massive zigzag pattern, all that remains of
a whilom Norman structure. The modern doorway arch, externally, has a
dog-tooth moulding, with floriated finials. The tower, over the porch,
is square below, octagonal above, with small lancet windows in each face,
and is surmounted by a low spire; it contains one bell. The roof and
sittings are of pitchpine.
The chancel arch is of massive stone, plain, and of wide span. In the
east wall of the chancel are three narrow windows, the central higher
than the other two; they have good coloured glass by Clayton and Bell.
Beneath is a handsome reredos of Caen stone, erected in memory of the
late Mr. Thomas Terrot Taylor. It has one large central device, the
Agnus Dei within a circle, and on each side four divisions, containing a
dove with olive leaf, Fleur de Lys, ears of corn, a passion flower, vine
leaves and grapes, a crown, a rose, and a conventional flower. On each
side are memorial tablets of the Ball family. In the south wall is a
brass tablet in memory of Mr. Taylor, and a small pointed window. In the
north wall is a doorway leading to the vestry. Within the vestry,
lighted by a similar small pointed window, are three more Ball tablets,
and a priest's door. In the centre of the nave floor, close to the
chancel step, is a large slab "In memory of the Rev. William Robinson, 22
years Incumbent, who died May 8, 1830, aged 56." The register only dates
from 1715, and contains no entries of special interest.
In a List of Institutions to Benefices, preserved at Lincoln, it is shewn
that in 1562, on the resignation of the then Vicar, one John Howsone,
Michael West, Clerk, was appointed to this vicarage, along with that of
Nether Toynton, by Richard Bertie, Esq., the ancestor of the present Earl
of Ancaster. This was probably by some private arrangement with the
Bishop of Carlisle, as the Berties (as the Willoughbys are now) were
patrons of Low Toynton, but not of Upper, or High, Toynton. He was
instituted to the two benefices on July 9th of that year.
MAREHAM-ON-THE-HILL.
Of this parish, ecclesiastically annexed to High Toynton, little can be
said. The name was anciently written Maringes, {183a} or Marun {183b};
the former probably from the low "marish," or marsh, "ings," _i.e._
meadows, the suffix being the Saxon "ham," a homestead. It lies about
two miles south-east from Horncastle, connected with High Toynton by
footpath, and bridle road, across the fields barely a mile in length, but
for carriages a detour of more than double that distance has to be made.
This parish, like High Toynton and West Ashby, is in the soke of
Horncastle. In _Domesday Book_ it is stated that the manor comprised 3
carucates, or about 360 acres of land, with 21 soc-men and 11 bordars,
{183c} who had four carucates, or about 480 acres; there were further 60
acres of meadow, and, what no longer exists, 300 acres of underwood;
which was a very large proportion, considering that in Scrivelsby, now a
well wooded estate, closely adjoining, there were at that time only six
acres of underwood.
Sir Lionel Dymoke, a scion of the Scrivelsby family, once resided in this
parish. His will, dated 15th April, 1512, is a good specimen of the
orthography of the period. The following are portions of it: "I leon
Dymoke of maryng of the hill in the Countie of lincolne knyght being of
good and hoole mynde make and ordigne my testament and Last will in forme
following | First I bequeathe my soule to almyghty god and to the blessid
virgine his mother seint Mary and to all the holy Company of heven | And
forasmoch as no man is certeine of the houre of dethe nor what place he
shall die in and nothyng so certeine as dethe | and for as moch as I by
the kyngl pleasure shall goo in hys warrys in the parties by yonde the
see | Therefore my body to be buryed where it shall please almyghty god |
Also that I will that my Executours for the helth of my soule in as hasty
tyme as they may after my deceas paye or do to be paid all and singler my
detts . . . Also I bequethe and gyve to the Church warke of Maryng of al
halowes vjs viijd and to the highe aulter there for tythes and oblacions
forgoten xxd and to seint Jamys gild of maryng xxd . . . Also I gyve and
bequethe to the Convent of the black Freris of Boston for a trentall
{184a} to be song for me and all Christen Soules xs," &c., &c. On 17th
August, 1519 (when he was apparently on his death bed), witnesses certify
that he added a codicil to be annexed, "saying these words in his mother
tongue. I will that Sr John Heron knyght have my landes in nethertynton
whether I lyve or dye . . . and if my wif or myne executos thynk there be
any thyng expressed in my wille oute of goode ordre I will it be reformed
by Anne my wif as she and they thynke most pleasure to god profytt for my
soule." {184b}
As to the owners of the demesne nothing further is told us; but since in
Testa de Nevill, already quoted, it is stated that "the churches of
Horncastre, Askeby, Upper Thinton, Maringes, &c., are of the gift of the
Lord." Gerard de Rhodes was, doubtless, at one time, the common Lord of
all those manors, as well as his descendant Ralph de Rhodes. Mr. Weir
states that the manor at a later period belonged to Edward Marsh,
Esquire, of Hundle House, in the county of Lincoln; by a descendant of
whom it was sold to William Hudson, Esquire, of Gray's Inn. In 1659 it
was sold to one Duncombe, of whom it was purchased in 1688 by Sir Edmund
Turnor, of Stoke Rochford, Knight; in whose family it still continues.
Other proprietors are Richard Ward, Esq., and Dr. Parkinson.
In _Domesday Book_ there is mention of "a church and priest," the latter,
therefore, being doubtless resident in the parish; although for many
years there has been no residence for an incumbent. In 1830 the benefice
was held, with High Toynton, by the Rev. E. R. H. G. Palmer, a relative
of Viscount Halifax, who resided in Horncastle; in 1863 by the Rev. Isaac
Hall, who did the same; and it was not till 1869 that a residence was
erected at High Toynton for the united benefices.
Of the church, All Saints, we can only say that it stands in a good
position, on high ground; that its walls are substantial, but that its
style is of the meanest; it having been rebuilt in the early part of the
19th century (1813); and beyond a piscina, now in the north wall, it has
no features of interest; having wooden-framed windows, square painted
pews, walls whitewashed within and without, and a flat ceiling. It
greatly needs renovation, being now almost a solitary representative, in
the neighbourhood, of that very worst period of architectural decadence.
With fairly good sandstone in the present walls, and probably more in the
foundations of an earlier church, to be exhumed, and an abundance _in
situ_ not far away, restoration, or even re-erection, might be effected,
at a moderate outlay.
The one bell hangs in a shabby bell turret. While repairs were being
carried out in 1813 two nobles of Edward IV., two angels of Henry VII.,
and several silver coins of different reigns, contained in a leathern
purse, were found concealed in the wall. {185a}
LOW TOYNTON.
Low Toynton lies about a mile from Horncastle to the north-east. It is
approached through rich meadows, watered by the river Waring. {185b} The
Rector is the Rev. J. W. Bayldon, M.A., of Sidney Sussex College,
Cambridge. Overseers, G. E. Read and W. Scholey. Letters _via_
Horncastle arrive at 8.30.
The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a small structure with no
pretention to architectural beauty, and almost entirely covered with ivy.
It was rebuilt in 1811, a period when architectural taste was at its
lowest ebb, and barbarisms in stone, brick, and mortar were very
generally perpetrated. It was re-seated in 1863, during the incumbency
of the Rev. E. M. Chapman. It consists of chancel, nave, vestry, and
open belfry containing one bell. The chancel arch is the only remnant of
a former Norman structure. The font is apparently a 14th century one,
almost a replica of that in Huttoft Church, which is engraved in _Lincs.
Notes & Queries_, vol. iii, p. 225. The bowl is octagonal, its faces
filled with figures representing the Holy Trinity, the virgin and child,
and the 12 apostles. The bowl is joined to the shaft by angelic figures
round the lower part of it. The octagonal shaft has figures of St. Paul,
Mary Magdalen, a bishop with chalice, another with scourge, and other
subjects much mutilated, at the base are the winged lion, ox, man, and
eagle, emblematical of the evangelists. The walls of the church are
relieved by some coloured designs, and borders of ecclesiastical
patterns, running round the windows, &c., originally executed by that
genuine artist the late Rev. C. P. Terrot, Vicar of Wispington. These
decorations have been recently (1898) renewed by Mr. C. Hensman, of
Horncastle, when the church was thoroughly repaired, both inside and out;
new panelling placed in the nave, and a new window in the vestry; and in
the following year (1899) a new harmonium was purchased from Messrs.
Chappell and Co., London.
The east window is filled with modern coloured glass, the subjects being
the Transfiguration, the Crucifixion, and the Ascension. On the sill of
the east window are placed, over the communion table, two handsomely
carved old oak candlesticks, presented by the Rev. C. P. Terrot. On the
north wall of the nave there is a small oval brass tablet, which was
found in 1888, face downwards in the vestry floor. It bears the
following inscription: "Here lyeth the body of Edward Rolleston, Esquir,
who departed this life the 23rd of July, in the thirtey-fourth year of
his age; interr'd underneath this place the 4th of August, A.D. 1687."
As 12 days elapsed between death and burial it is probable that he died
abroad. The manor and whole parish, except the glebe, still belongs to
the Rolleston family; the benefice being in the patronage of the Earl of
Ancaster.
In the floor of the chancel are two memorial slabs, one of the Rev. R.
Spranger, D.C.L., late Rector of Low Toynton and Creeton, who enlarged
the rectory house, and was a munificent benefactor to the neighbourhood.
Among other good deeds he built the bridge over the river Waring, on the
road from Low Toynton to Horncastle. {186} He was a member of a family
of some distinction; had a residence in London, as well as his rectory
here; he was popularly said to drive the handsomest pair of horses in
London; and there exists a portrait in oil of an ancestor, Chancellor
Spranger, in one of the great galleries in Florence. Dr. Spranger was an
intimate friend of J. Keble, the author of _The Christian Year_, and his
son the Rev. Robert J. Spranger, Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, spent
the greater part of his life in Mr. Keble's parish, Hursley, Hants, as a
voluntary assistant in his clerical work.
The companion slab marks the last resting place of another rector, the
Rev. J. Hutchinson, who died in 1788. His history is singular. Although
well educated, he enlisted as a private in the army for foreign service;
a commission however was subsequently obtained for him by his friends.
He presently became attached to a lady who refused to marry a soldier.
He then determined to take holy orders. Chance threw him in the way of a
party of gentlemen at Manchester, one of them being the agent of Lord
Willoughby. The latter stated that he had it in power, at that moment,
to bestow a benefice, and that he would give it to anyone who could solve
for him a particular problem. Mr. Hutchinson succeeded in doing this,
and was eventually appointed Rector of Low Toynton. He held it, however,
only 18 months, dying at an early age. Whether he married the lady is
not stated.
In the List of Institutions to Benefices, preserved at Lincoln, it is
recorded that in 1562 Michael West, Clerk, was appointed Rector of Nether
Toynton and Vicar of Upper Toynton, by Richard Bertie, Esq., ancestor of
the Earl of Ancaster. This must have been by some private arrangement
with the Bishop of Carlisle, who was patron of High Toynton; the Berties
(as the Willoughbies are now) being only patrons of Low Toynton. From
Liber Regis we learn that the Earl of Lindsey appointed to the benefice
in 1692, the Duke of Ancaster in 1778, Sir Peter Burrell and Lady
Willoughby d' Eresby in 1783.
The register dates from 1585. Under date 1717, Feb. 2nd, occurs the
following entry: "Robert Willy, of Upper Toynton, did penance in the
parish church of Lower Toynton, for the heinous and great sin of
adultery." A note in the baptismal register states that on July 18th,
1818, Bishop George (Tomline) confirmed at Horncastle 683 candidates,
among them being five from Low Toynton. Confirmations were not held so
frequently then as they now are. In this parish Mr. Thomas Gibson, Vicar
of Horncastle, when turned out of his preferment by the Puritans, lived
for some "two years but poorly, teaching a few pupils."