Abbey of Aumerle, or Albemarle, in Normandy; and afterwards to the nunnery of Dartford in Kent. At the dissolution it was granted to sir Percival Hart, kut,

Within the bounds of this parish there was formerly another church, and perhaps a hamlet called Felchurch, or Velechurch, which was impropriated to the Abbey of Albemarle; and, upon the dissolution of the alien priories, given to the nunnery of Dartford; and 31 Henry VIII. granted to Sir Percival Hart, with the rectory and advowson of the vicarage of Washbrook. The vicarage of Felchurch was instituted into 1301, 1314, and 1338. We have been informed that in a field bordering on the road leading form Sproughton to Copdock water, about forty rods on this side the water next Sproughton, the ruins of the church if they are not now were not long since visible. This church has been consolidated to Copdock. This parish contains 377 inhabitants.

GREAT WENHAM, or Burnt Wenham. Robert de Vaux, who was one of the knights of Roger Bigod, earl of Norfolk, was admitted a freeman of Ipswich in the reign of king John, and paid fines for freedom from tolls, &c. for himself and villains in Wenham. The manor and advowson of the rectory belonged formerly to the priory of Leighs, in Essex, and was granted 28 Henry VIII. to R. Cavendish, and afterwards came to the heirs of sir Philip Parker bart. This parish contains 205 inhabitants.

LITTLE WENHAM.

Little Wenham hall ap

pears to have been a fine old building; it was formerly the seat of the Brews's, who built it in 1569 as appears by an inscription over the door why it is worthy of the antiquarian's attention. This parish contains 90 inhabitants.

WHERSTEAD. Gilbert de Reymes had this lordship in king John's time; for he was himself admitted a free burgess of Ipswich, and compounded for an exemption from toll, custom &c. for his villains in Wherstead. The church was early impropriated to the prior and convent of Ely; and the Rectory now belongs the dean and chapter there, but the advowson of the vicarage is in the crown.

In this parish is Worstead Lodge. beautifully situate of the banks of the Orwell. It was the mansion of the late John Vernon, esq but now of sir Robert Harland, whose ancestor, a distinguished naval officer, was created a baronet in 1771, by the title of sir Robert Harland, of Sproughton, where he had at that time a seat, since taken down. In the same year he sailed as commander in the chief of his majesty's fleet to the East Indies; in 1778 he was second in command to admiral Kepple; in 1782 he was appointed one of the lords of the admirality, and died in 1784. This parish contains 242 inhabitants.

WOOLVERSTON. The hall or manor-house in this parish stands in a most delightful situation

on the western banks of the Orwell, with a fine view from the park of the opposite shore of Nacton, through the trees which embellish the park. The interior of this edifice corresponds with its exterior. The apartments are fitted up with great taste; they contain some good pictures, and the ceilings are beautifully painted. The stables, which are an ornamental building, stand detached from the house, on the spot occupied by the old mansion. The present hall was erected in 1776, by the late William Berners, Esq. proprietor of the stately street in London called after his name.

At some distance from the house, in the park, and between it and the river, an interesting monument of filial affection presents a pleasing object, that is seen to a considerable distance in passing up and down the river. This is a square obelisk of free stone, ninety six feet high with an ascent in the interior to the top, which is surmounted by a globe, encircled with rays. The base is encompassed with iron railing. On one side is this inscription.

On the contrary side, next to the river, is the

following:

Gulielmus Berners

Natus

Jul. 10. A. D. 1709.
Denatus

Septemb. 18. 1783.

The park contains about 900 acres. It is well stocked with beautiful spotted deer, and abounds with game of every kind. The estate early in the last century belonged to a Mr. Tyson, who became a bankrupt in 1720, when the infamous John Ward, of Hackney, claimed it in right of a mortgage which he had upon it. The matter was brought before the Court of Chancery, and for upwards of half a century the cause remained undecided. At length, about 1773, the property was ordered to be sold, and was purchased by the father of Charles Berners, esq. 269 inhabitants.

1

HUNDREDS

OF

CARLFORD AND COLNEIS.

THE hundreds of Carlford and Colneis are bounded on the south by the ocean, on the east by the hundreds of Loes and Wilford, and on west by the hundreds of Bosmere and Claydon, the franchise of Ipswich, and the river Orwell, With regard to the maintenance and government of the poor, they have lately been incorporated, viz. in 29 George II. or 1755. Since which time the guardians of the poor have built a large house on Nacton common, wherein all the poor are maintained, that require parochial relief.

BEALINGS,-Was anciently the lordship of Hugh Petches, who fined to Ipswich for himself and his villains in Bealings; then Robert de Tuddenham had it; afterwards it came into the family of Clynch; from them to the Webbs; and from them it came by purchase to John Pitt, esq. who removed from Crows-hall in Debenham, and made Bealings-hall his seat. It was bought of Mr Pitt's heirs by George Bridges, esq. . Seckford-hall in this parish has been remarkable for a family of that name, who lived here