A History Of Horncastle, From The Earliest Period To The Present Time - free ebook by J. Conway (James Conway) Walter

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A History Of Horncastle, From The Earliest Period To The Present Time

J. Conway (James Conway) Walter

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a History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present time.

a History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present time.

ILLUSTRATED . by James Conway Walter , author of Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood , Parishes around Horncastle , The Ayscoughs , The Coitani , &amp;c. , &amp;c. HORNCASTLE: W. K. Morton &amp; Sons , Ltd. , Printers , High Street , 1908. Market Place and Stanhope Memorial...

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

The following pages may truthfully be said to be the result of labours, extending over many years, and of researches in directions too many to tell. Born within almost a mile of Horncastle, and only by a few months escaping being born in it, since his father, on first coming to the neighbourhood, resided for a time in Horncastle, [0] the author, from his earliest years (except for periodical absences) has been connected with the life, social or civil, of the place, probably more closely and more

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PART I—PREHISTORIC. HORNCASTLE—ITS INFANCY.

PART I—PREHISTORIC. HORNCASTLE—ITS INFANCY.

In dealing with what may be called “the dark ages” of local history, we are often compelled to be content with little more than reasonable conjecture. Still, there are generally certain surviving data, in place-names, natural features, and so forth, which enable those who can detect them, and make use of them, to piece together something like a connected outline of what we may take, with some degree of probability, as an approximation to what have been actual facts, although lacking, at the tim

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PART II—THE DIMLY HISTORIC PERIOD.

PART II—THE DIMLY HISTORIC PERIOD.

The headquarters of the Roman forces in our own part of Britain were at York, where more than one Roman Emperor lived and died, but Lindum, now Lincoln, was an important station. About A.D. 71 Petillius Cerealis was appointed governor of the province by the Emperor Vespasian, he was succeeded by Julius Frontinus, both being able generals. From A.D. 78 to 85 that admirable soldier and administrator, Julius Agricola, over-ran the whole of the north as far as the Grampians, establishing forts in

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CHAPTER II. RECORDS OF THE MANOR, &c., FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST.

CHAPTER II. RECORDS OF THE MANOR, &c., FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST.

A recent historian [11a] has said “In the 13th century the northern counties of England were so unsettled that there was little security north of the Humber, and in 1250 the powerful Bishop of Carlisle found it necessary to buy the manor of Horncastle (his own residence in the north, Rose Castle, having been destroyed by marauders), and the Pope granted him the Parish Church (of Horncastle) for his use;” [11b] but we can carry our history back to a considerably earlier period than this. As a fo

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ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

This is probably not the original parish church. There is no mention of a church in Domesday Book , and although this is not quite conclusive evidence, it is likely that no church existed at that date (circa 1085 A.D.); but in Testa de Nevill (temp. Richard I.) we find “Ecclesia de Horncastre,” named with those of (West) Ashby, High Toynton, Mareham (-on-the-Hill), and (Wood) Enderby, as being in the gift of the King; [33a] while at an Inquisition post mortem, taken at Horncastle, 8 Richard II.

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RECTORS AND VICARS.

RECTORS AND VICARS.

We here give a list of these as compiled by Canon J. Clare Hudson, in his 1st volume of the Horncastle Parish Register Book , 1892. A.D. rectors . 1236–7 Geoffrey de Leueknor by the Bishop of Carlisle (admitted on condition it be found the same church with the churches of [Wood] Enderby, and [High] Toynton and another, which Osbert the last rector held, be one benefice). 1239–40 (Delegates of the Pope in a dispute between G. parson of the church of Horncastre and Francis, parson of the church of

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CHAPTER IV. THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

CHAPTER IV. THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

Was built in the years 1847 and 1848, as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary’s Church, in the vicariate of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, at a cost of about £2,500; £500 having been bequeathed towards that purpose by his predecessor, Dr. Clement Madely, and the rest being raised by public subscriptions. The foundation stone was laid April 6, in the former year, by Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., the Queen’s Champion. The roof of the nave was reared Oct. 12, and the cross on the east end of the chancel erected Nov.

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THE WESLEYANS.

THE WESLEYANS.

The founder of this Society was, as its name implies, John Wesley, probably of the same stock as the great Duke of Wellington, whose family name was variously written Wellesley, or Wesley. [64] We take the immediately following particulars mainly from the History of England , by Henry Walter, B.D. and F.R.S., Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge, Professor in the East India College, Hertford, Chaplain to the Duke of Northumberland, &amp;c., &amp;c., himself a Lincolnshire man. John

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THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

We have given an account of the rise and progress of Wesleyanism, but, as that society eventually made a complete separation from the Church of England, of which its founder remained through life an ordained minister and communicant, so the seeds of disruption spread in itself. At different periods it threw out off-shoots, amounting in all to some eight different daughter societies; such as those which are named “The Original Connection,” “The New Connection,” “The Primitive Methodists,” &a

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THE INDEPENDENTS.

THE INDEPENDENTS.

Next in size to the Wesleyan Chapel and its Sunday Schools, on the west side of Queen Street, are the Chapel and Sunday Schools of the Independent, or Congregational, community, which stand nearly opposite, on the east side of the same street; the former being a handsome substantial building of brick, enclosed by a high wall, and tall iron rails and gate, to the precincts in front, at the north end. Its dimensions are 50-ft. by 36-ft., with schools behind, of the same solid structure, as will b

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THE BAPTIST CHAPEL.

THE BAPTIST CHAPEL.

This is the oldest nonconformist building in Horncastle. It is generally supposed that there was a still earlier chapel, situated near what is called the Bow Bridge, which spans the southern branch of the canal, between Cagthorpe and St. Mary’s Square, but we have no definite proof of this beyond a vague tradition. The Baptist community date their origin from the time of the Commonwealth. The earliest person of note connected with this religious body being John Bunyon, author of The Pilgrim’s

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THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

The Croft Street Chapel, or New Jerusalem Church, is both structurally and intellectually, the most recent developement of Nonconformity in Horncastle. The founder of this community was a personality so remarkable that it may be well here to give a brief sketch of him. Emanuel Swedenborg, son of a Lutheran bishop, was born at Stockholm, in 1689. During more than the first half of his life he was distinguished as a hard worker in the field of science, and from his many clever inventions, and va

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THE REV. THOMAS LORD.

THE REV. THOMAS LORD.

The subject of this notice, no longer holding a ministerial charge, is by many years the doyen among Nonconformist preachers in Horncastle, being the oldest Congregational Minister in England. He completed his hundredth year on April 22, 1908; on which occasion he received a congratulatory telegram from His Majesty the King; while a public fund was instituted for a presentation to be made to him in recognition of the occasion, which he desired to be given in his name to the local Institution of

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Addendum I.

Addendum I.

It will have been observed that we have so far adopted the prevalent nomenclature, and spoken of this school as an Elizabethan institution, founded in 1571. It must now be added that, venerable as that date of origin would make it, it has a higher claim to our veneration still. Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona . There were grammar schools before that date. Edward VI. is said to have established several, in various parts of the country, and we have already named two such in our own neighbourhood

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Addendum II.

Addendum II.

The Governors of the Grammar School are about to erect, in this year, 1908, new and more commodious premises for the school, in the grounds of what is now called “The Chestnuts,” near the west end of West Street. Next in importance to the Grammar School, and prior to the existence of the two well appointed National Schools, Church and Wesleyan, possibly even of greater utility than at present, is Watson’s Free Infant School; the founder of which placed it under the control of the Grammar School.

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THE LANCASTERIAN & THE BELL SCHOOLS.

THE LANCASTERIAN & THE BELL SCHOOLS.

Beside the endowed schools, already described, the Grammar School for the middle and upper class, and Watson’s School for the children of the poorer classes; there were two other schools before the present National Schools came into existence, the history of which is of some interest. Weir, in his History of Horncastle , says “a school, on the Lancasterian, or British system, was established at a public meeting, held in October, 1813; and, a few days later, a meeting was held at the church, whe

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THE SCIENCE & ART SCHOOL.

THE SCIENCE & ART SCHOOL.

With the establishment of Technical Schools this country may be said to have entered on a new era, in national education, which, in its development, may lead to results, the importance of which can hardly yet be realized. The possibilities are almost unlimited. A wide-spread network has been created, which may bring even the humblest members of our artisan families within its deneficial meshes, while also working at intervals, as opportunities offer, in our remotest villages. This great moveme

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CHAPTER VIII. THE DISPENSARY

CHAPTER VIII. THE DISPENSARY

May well be said to be the most important charity in the town, not only from the valuable services which it has, through many years, rendered to the suffering poor, but because it was a pioneer institution of its kind; while the area of its usefulness has probably been more extensive than that of any similar charity in the county. Dispensaries were established at Louth in the year 1803, at Lincoln in 1826, at Grantham in 1838, at Boston in 1852, at Market Rasen in 1857; but Horncastle was in adv

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THE RAILWAY.

THE RAILWAY.

In few things has there been more remarkable evolution, or we might even say, revolution, than in our methods of locomotion. In these days of historic pageants we might well conceive of a series of scenes passing before us, shewing the means adopted at different periods, or under different conditions, in this respect. The war-chariot of Queen Boadicea, charging the legions of Cæsar, or (in our own neighbourhood) that of the British warrior Raengeires, routing his Saxon foes, at Tetford, with t

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THE COURT HOUSE.

THE COURT HOUSE.

The majesty of the law has not always been so worthily domiciled in Horncastle as during the last forty years. In Stukeley’s map of the town, dated 1722, the Sessions House is placed at the south-east corner of the “Mercat Place,” where there now (1908) stands a small refreshment house. The cells for prisoners probably formed the basement of this building, as there is no known record of their being confined elsewhere, until the year 1821, when what was called the “Round House” was built, at th

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THE STANHOPE MEMORIAL.

THE STANHOPE MEMORIAL.

This handsome structure was erected under the following circumstances. The Right Honble. Edward Stanhope, who had represented the Horncastle Division in Parliament, with much distinction, from the year 1874, died rather suddenly, as the result of hard work, in his official capacity, on Dec. 22, 1893, to the great grief of the entire constituency; when it was universally felt that his services merited some public recognition. Various meetings were held, and at length, on Jan. 22nd, 1897, at a g

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THE CLERICAL CLUB.

THE CLERICAL CLUB.

The Clerical Club was founded in 1822; a room was rented on the premises of Mr. James Babington, Bookseller, in the High Street (now occupied by Mr. J. S. Balding, Butcher), where the members met for discussion, and gradually established a good library. The Stanhope Memorial The first members enrolled were the Rev. the Hon. the King’s Champion, John Dymoke, Rector of Scrivelsby; the Revs. J. B. Smith, Head Master of the Grammar School; C. N. L’Oste, Rector of Claxby; Francis Rockliffe, Rector of

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THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Mechanics’ Institutes were first established in the earlier half of the 19th century. The first known was that founded in London by the famous Dr. Birkbeck in 1823; another being opened in the same year in Glasgow; after which they became general. As Horncastle was in advance of other towns in the county in its valuable Dispensary (see p. 119), so it would seem to have preceded other towns, with the exception of Lincoln, in catering for the growing taste for literature. The Mechanics’ Institu

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THE CORN EXCHANGE.

THE CORN EXCHANGE.

The Corn Exchange is a spacious and lofty building of brick, with stone facings, capable of holding 500 persons, situated on the south side of the High Street, and standing on what was formerly the eastern wall of the old Roman castle; a well of pure water, still in use, under the adjoining house, having been just within the wall of that fortress. It was opened on July 5th, 1856. From the terms of the original deed of settlement of the company we may give the following items. The Indenture, da

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THE WHELPTON ALMSHOUSES.

THE WHELPTON ALMSHOUSES.

The Whelpton Almshouses are situated in Queen Street, on its east side, being six small residences, for the reception of deserving poor persons, natives of the town. They were established in the year 1861, under the following circumstances. The late Mr. Geo. Whelpton was a shoemaker, occupying a small shop, one of several then standing in the Market Place, on or near the site of the present Stanhope Memorial; [142a] the whole of these being cleared away when the late Honble. Edward Stanhope pre

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THE DRILL HALL.

THE DRILL HALL.

The present building is not the first structure erected in connection with the Volunteers, any more than the present Volunteers themselves are the first institution of the kind formed in Horncastle. In the early years of the 19th century, when there was a general feeling abroad that one great project, nurtured in the ambitious mind of the first Napoleon, was an invasion of England, volunteers were organized throughout the country, with a view to self-defence. As an instance of this, in the tow

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MISS ANNIE DIXON.

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 Pa

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LORD ALLERTON.

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.

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EDWARD GILLIAT.

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 Literæ Humaniores, 1864. In 1867 he was Proxime accessit for the Latin essay. He was appointed Assistant Mast

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FREDERICK GROSVENOR.

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,

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WILLIAM BARTON CAPARN.

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,

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W. H. BENSON BROWN.

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 o

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WILLIAM HENEAGE SHARP.

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, a

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ALFRED H. HEALEY.

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

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WILLIAM MARWOOD.

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

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HENRY TURNER.

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

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MARTIN BROWN.

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

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CAPTAIN SHEPHERD.

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....

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MISS FRANKLIN.

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

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EDMUND KEANE.

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

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AMBROSE LANGLEY.

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, bein

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CAPTAIN SURGEON SMITH.

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....

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HENRY ALLENBY.

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, &amp;c....

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JOHN SCHOFIELD.

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....

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MISS ROBINSON.

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 s

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JOHN CUSSONS.

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 publis

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HENRY ALLISON.

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....

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JOHN BROWN.

JOHN BROWN.

John Brown, the “Poet Laureate” of Horncastle, has already been mentioned; he is chiefly known by the volume Literæ Laureatœ , 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 inst

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THOMAS BAKER.

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

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ODDITIES.

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 f

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PUBLICHOUSES

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,

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THIMBLEBY.

THIMBLEBY.

This parish is contiguous to Horncastle, but the village and church are distant about 1¼ 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.

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WEST ASHBY.

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 &amp; 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 A

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HIGH TOYNTON.

HIGH TOYNTON.

High Toynton is situated about 1½ 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

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MAREHAM-ON-THE-HILL.

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. Th

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LOW TOYNTON.

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

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ROUGHTON.

ROUGHTON.

This village stands on the west bank of the river Bain, about 4 miles to the south of Horncastle. It is bounded on the north by Thornton and Martin, on the east by Haltham and Dalderby, on the south by Kirkby-on-Bain, and on the west by Kirkstead, Kirkby, and Woodhall. The area is 1020 acres, rateable value £945, population 137, entirely agricultural. The soil is loam, on kimeridge clay, with “Bain terrace” gravel deposits. The nearest railway stations are at Horncastle and Woodhall Spa, each

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HALTHAM.

HALTHAM.

This village is distant from Horncastle between four and five miles in a southerly direction, lying on the east side of the river Bain. It is bounded on the north by Dalderby and Scrivelsby, on the south by Kirkby and its hamlet of Fulsby, on the east by Scrivelsby, Wood Enderby and Wilksby, and on the west by Roughton. The area is 2380 acres, rateable value £1198. The soil is loam, with kimeridge clay below, and gravel deposits. Population 121, mainly agricultural. The main roads lead to Da

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MAREHAM-LE-FEN.

MAREHAM-LE-FEN.

Mareham-le-Fen lies about six miles south from Horncastle, and five miles eastward of Tattershall station, with a population of more than 800. Letters via Boston arrive by mail cart at 7.30 a.m. This is the seat of a considerable industry, carried on by Mr. Titus Kime, as a grower of greatly improved varities of potatoes, agricultural seed, and, latterly on a large scale, of bulbs of different kinds, in which he seems likely to compete with the Dutch trade. The church, which is dedicated to St

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MOORBY.

MOORBY.

Moorby lies about 4½ miles from Horncastle, and about 1½ miles beyond Scrivelsby, in a south-easterly direction. Letters via Boston arrive at 9.30. The registers date from 1561, but contain no entries of any particular interest. The church, dedicated to All Saints, has undergone several transformations. This was one of the 222 parishes which possessed a church before the Norman conquest, and it still contains a fragment (to be noticed later on) which is apparently of Saxon origin. Both Weir

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WOOD ENDERBY.

WOOD ENDERBY.

Wood Enderby lies about four miles south by east from Horncastle. Letters via Boston arrive at 10.30 a.m. The church, dedicated to St. Benedict, consists of nave, north aisle, and chancel, a low tower, with graceful broach spire, containing one bell, and small vestry. It is built of a warm-tinted green sandstone, with free stone dressings; the style of its architecture is a combination of the early English and Decorated periods. It was almost entirely rebuilt in 1860, at a cost of about £1,00

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CONINGSBY.

CONINGSBY.

This is a large village, about 8 miles from Horncastle, in a southerly direction. It is bounded on the north by Tattershall Thorpe, on the west by Tattershall, on the south by Wildmore, and on the east by Tumby and Mareham-le-Fen. Its area is 3,442 acres, including the hamlet of Hawthorn Hill; rateable value £5,160; population 1,192. Apart from a limited number of shops and three inns, the people are engaged mainly in agriculture. The soil is mostly a light sand, with a subsoil of gravel dep

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WILKSBY.

WILKSBY.

Wilksby lies about halfway between the parishes of Wood Enderby and Moorby, at a distance of about five miles from Horncastle, in a south-easterly direction. Letters from Boston via Revesby, arrive about 10.30 a.m. The ancient history of this parish is much the same as that of the adjoining parish of Moorby on the east, and Wood Enderby on the west. It is called in Domesday Book Wilchesbi, and Wilgesbi. At the date of that survey (1086) there were four soc-men and five bordars, who had one ca

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LANGRIVILLE & THORNTON-LE-FEN.

LANGRIVILLE & THORNTON-LE-FEN.

These are modern accretions to the Soke of Horncastle, made in the early years of the 19th century. They are distant southward from Horncastle about 13 miles; situated in a tract of land called Wildmore Fen, lying about midway between Coningsby to the north, and Boston to the south. At various periods inundated by the sea, this continued, to the end of the 18th century, more or less a region of morass; available in the summer for grazing, but generally during the winter under water; when all c

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LANGRIVILLE.

LANGRIVILLE.

Langriville, so called because it is near Langrick (or Long Creek) on the Witham, has an area of 2,514 acres, including Langrick Ferry; rateable value £3,300. The population is entirely engaged in agriculture. The nearest railway station is at Langrick, in the parish. It consists of the southern portion of Wildmore Fen, which at the enclosure was allotted to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, in lieu of his manorial rights over Armtree and Wildmore; with other lands sold by the Drainage Comm

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THORNTON-LE-FEN.

THORNTON-LE-FEN.

Thornton-le-Fen adjoins Langriville, lying to the east of it, about three miles from Langrick railway station. The area was originally about 1,425 acres, including Bunkers Hill, part of Gipsy Bridge, and other scattered farms, which were sold by the Drainage Commissioners early in the 19th century, when it was made, by Act of Parliament, a parochial township. Rateable value £1,979. It has its name from the former chief proprietors, the Thornton family; but the chief land owners now are Lord M

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