William FENN [31250]
- Born: Cir 1490
- Marriage (1): UNKNOWN [31733] circa 1513
Another name for William was FENNE.
Research Notes:
Mike Fenn in 2019 after research at the Ipswich RO concludes the the Kenton Fenns descend from a Fenne family in Thorndon SFK some 4.4 miles from Kenton.
Mike compared the Thorndon Registers with transcriptions on public websites eg Findmypast, with the Parish Register. He found it a difficult task, each line of the register whilst in Latin and chronological order, was in very cramped writing, approx 2 millimetres in size with virtually no gap between each line.
The transcriptions used in each persons file on this record are extracted from Ancestry in 2019
Research instructed April 2019: Mike Fenn Kent
Y Massingham Research Assistant Suffolk Record Office Our Ref: 2019 - 8412 Date: 25 April 2019 Dear Mike Please find enclosed the results of the search that you requested. lts interesting. Yours sincerely
SOURCES CONSULTED
FB155/L2/1 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 20 Nov 1575 ·FB155/L2/2 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 20 August 1612 ·FB155/L2/3 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 10 September 1612 ·HA171/A2/2 Extent of Manor…some relating to the Manors of Thorndon and Occold Rectory June 1577 ·X1/5/5.1 Duke of Suffolk 'Town of Thorndon' 1476 ·X1/5/8.9 Lands & Tenements (1482 - 1528) ·www.nationalarchives.gov.uk <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk> ·HB10/427/6/(6) Court Book Manor of Thorndon with Members 1597 - 1612 ·FB155/D1/1 Original Parish Register Thorndon 1538 - 1711
1.Making a search of our catalogues for any pre-1600 documents for Thorndon gave a few from the 'Town Estate Charity'. FB155/L2/1 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 20 Nov 1575, is an indentured document a little larger in size than A3, in English with a wax seal. Names are certainly included, although the catalogue entry contains the following overview of contents:-
Thomas Heneage Esq, Treasurer of the Chamber to Her Majesty the Queen and Lord of the Manor of Thorndon to Edward Grymston Esq, John Pretyman and Thomas his son, John Cullum of Stannell and John his son, John Cullum of The Hill and John his son, John Shorke, Thomas Byshop, Robert Nune and Thomas his son, Edmund Maryot, John Calver and William Clarke, inhabitants of Thorndon; tenement called Gayes alias Gyles with 3 acres of land adjoining, one acre of land of same tenement in Hollmeare, one acre and half of meadow of same tenement, lying in one piece in Gandersike, one tenement lying upon Stannell Grene with 5 acres and 1 rood of land belonging with other lands belonging to demesne of manor of Thorndon
FB155/L2/2 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 20 August 1612 is similar to the above in size and content, and the catalogue overview notes:-
John Cullum of The Hill, Thorndon, yeoman, Thomas Byshoppe of same, yeoman, Thomas Nunne of Redgrave, servant to Rt. Worshipful Sir Nicholas Bacon, Edmund Marrotte of Mendlesham, yeoman, to Thomas Brankinge of Thorndon, yeoman, one tenement called Gayes or Giles with 3 acres of land, adjoining, one acre in same tenement lying in Hollemear, one acre of meadow in same tenement in Gandersicke, one tenement upon Stannellgrove with land belonging, one acre called Smithes and other land belonging to demesne of manor of Thorndon
FB155/L2/3 Thorndon Town Estate Charity Grant 10 sept 1612, unfortunately is classed as Fragile, so is not accessible.
HA171/A2/2 Extent of Manor…some relating to the Manors of Thorndon and Occold Rectory June 1577 This is from the 'Voysey Family Collection HA171, and came up in a search of 'Thorndon' This is a soft bound volume, about A4 size, and ¾" thick Regular paragraph entries to record the change of occupation etc of land held from the Manor Latin
2.Searches of the old paper 'slip list' catalogues for the place of Thorndon, contains several early entries:- X1/5/5.1 Duke of Suffolk 'Town of Thorndon' 1476 This is a small (A5-ish) piece in English. As this was small, I skimmed across it to see if any FENNE-type name leapt out, but none did although that doesn't mean it wasn't there! X1/5/8.9 Lands & Tenements (1482 - 1528) In Latin, bigger than A4 nearly A3 size, with large wax seal
3.Considering any Manorial Documents, I accessed the main listing on National Archives MDR webpage, which lists several named manors for Thorndon in Suffolk:- Hestley Hall Manor 1558 - 1930 Court book index, with Thorndon with Members Collection held privately
Little Thorndon Manor Various Court books and Court rolls held in Suffolk Record Office (SRO), but none before 1629 in date
Thorndon Rectory Manor Several dozen records listed as held at SRO, but none before 1650
Thorndon with Members Manor Some 36 documents listed, with the earliest being - 'Surrenders' 1429 to 1631, held at Bury Record Office Court Book 1558 - 1567 Collection held privately Valuation, Thorndon 1574 held here at IRO, but 'Fragile' so not able to access Court Book 1597 - 1612 held here at IRO reference - HB10/427/6/(6) (See below)
HB10/427/6/(6) Court Book Manor of Thorndon with Members 1597 - 1612 This is a soft bound volume of about A4 size, and about 1cm thick Regular paragraph entries to record the change of occupation etc of land held from the Manor Latin
Our Bury St Edmunds Record Office (BRO) has an archive of the Barnardiston Family under Collection reference 613, containing over 700 separate items containing 'Thorndon' in the catalogue entry, of which over 100 or so have a date before 1600. A Research colleague who works there has very good palaeography skills in English, so you may wish to ask them for some research of that collection.
I had a final thought regarding Parish Registers, although I'm not sure whether you have searched all those for Thorndon Parish?
FB155/D1/1 Original Parish Register Thorndon 1538 - 1711, is the earliest volume for the parish (and one of the earliest possible, dating from 1538). On the first page is an entry for a baptism of an Elizabeth daughter of Thomas FENNE, January 1540 A little further down is a baptism for a William son of Robert FENNE 1541
At this point in time, no further details are entered so that it's just a simple one line. However, you may wish to have the earliest entries in this register searched and all FENNE (and surname variants) noted? Do get back in touch if you do.
Mike Fenn Dec 1919 Beccles I have come to the conclusion that John Applewhayte son of Bartholomew baptised 27 November 1569 is indeed the 'illegitimate' son of Bartholomew Fenne. 1.There is no other Bartholomew with children baptised in Eye 2.There is no sign of a Bartholomew Applewhayte or family living in Eye 3.Bartholomew Fenne had a son Nicholas baptised in Eye 26 Aug 1570 and was buried 23 September 1570 two weeks after his mother Joan who probably died from the after effects of childbirth. You suggested earlier shall remayne above indicates Bartholomew was living with his father Robert & step mother Margery in Kenton 1573 which would not be unusual if he was a widower. I imagine that this would include the 'illegitimate' John Applewhayte for whom Bartholomew Fenne had taken responsibility supported by his father Robert who became John's godfather and included him in his will. (I need to look at bastardy records on my next visit to Ipswich). 4.The clincher for me is that a John Applewhayte was buried in Thorndon 23 March 1629 the parish in which all the children of Robert (c1520-1574) and Agnes Palle were baptised and three were buried. 5.We have not as yet found a date for the burial of Bartholomew Fenne. There was a Bartholomew Fene buried in Mendlesham 18 Mar 1637. Mendlesham is 7.1 miles from Eye the latter being the burial place of his wife Joan in 1570. There is no other candidate in the Suffolk Burial Record so I think this must be him although he would have been quite elderly at abt 98 years of age.
Children of Edward Rushe We know that son Thomas was baptised in Tannington in 1547 and daughter Hansard in 1548 but no sign of his other children Robert, Edward, Ann and Margaret named in Edward's will. We also have no dates for the baptism of John, William and Robert Browne. I am beginning to wonder if Edward Rushe and the father of the Browne children were born earlier than we envisage and hence the children were all born before 1540. We have Edward as born c1515-1520 but if so he died rather young in 1550 having sired six children two of whom are shown as baptised in Tannington and four still to be placed. None born in Tannington 1540 - 1546 A thought - could Margery have been Edwards 2nd wife and that Robert, Edward, Ann and Margaret are children of a 1st marriage? The names of all the children are listed in the findings of Charles Partridge and in Edward's will but we only have the names of two baptisms in Tannington. In the Suffolk Burial Index there is a total of six burials shown in Tannington and they are between 1548 and 1563 which makes me believe that Edward lived and was born elsewhere. There is no obvious clues in the Suffolk Burial Index bearing in mind that the parish records of many villages do not go back as far as 1540. We will never know the true position but it is possible that Robert, Edward, Ann and Margaret were baptised in an unknown village late 1530's early 1540's to a first wife of Edward Rushe. Worlingworth 1. is a possibility Possible burials of 'missing' children: Robert Rushe - Tannington 1558 Edward Rushe - Not found Ann Rush - Not found Margaret - Married Thomas Huntynge 5 April 1566 in Thornham Magna I will look in Dennington for missing baptisms 1540-1546 2.9 miles from Tannington
Kenton 26 Mar 1542 Elizabeth d. of George Drane 10 Aug 1544 Rose d. of George Drane 27 April 1547 Agnes d. of George Drane 8 Nov 1549 William d. of George Drane He possibly had sons George and John born before 1540 5 May 1553 Elizabeth Drane widow buried (widow of William?) Son George first married Anne ? c1560 and had three children: 18 Oct 1562 son Thomas Drane. He was buried in Kenton 23 Oct 1562 son of George & Anne 8 June 1563 son James Drane buried in Kenton son of George and Anne (I appear to have missed his baptism c1561) 29 June 1564 daughter Frances Drane was buried in Kenton 24 July 1564 d. of George and Anne I suspect this was the George Drane of Kenton who was buried in London 14 Feb 1565. Anne Drane widow was buried in Kenton 20 January 1595 Son George secondly married Jane Fenne in Kenton 1 Jul 1571 and had a daughter Thomasin. Baptism date still to be established either in Kenton or Bedingfield A William Drane (father of George ?) blacksmith was buried in Kenton 19 Aug 1540 and a John Drane blacksmith was buried in Kenton 22 April 1560 (son of George?) I still need to look at the parish record for Dranes of Bedingfield which is 2.3 miles from Kenton.
1552 John Browne=Christian Appelwith 15 Jan 1561 Rose Browne d. of John Browne baptised 22 Feb 1563 Thomas Browne son of John and Alice baptised 28 Sep 1551 Anne Browne d of Edmund buried 18 Nov 1551 Edward Browne buried 23 July 1554 John Browne buried
Tannington Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms 1542 13 May Elizabeth d. of Nicholas Drane 1543 16 Feb Margaret d. of Nicholas Drane 1545 11 May Robert s. of Nicholas Drane 1547 7 May George s. of Nicholas Drane 1747 11 June Thomas s. of Edward Rushe - We are aware 1548 11 Mar Rose d. of Nicholas Drane 1549 30 April Hansarde d. of Edward Rushe - we are aware 1550 19 Jan Marie d. Nicholas Drane 1552 17 Dec Dorothy d. of John Rushe 1554 1 Aug John s. of Nicholas Drane 1557 19 April Susan d. of Robarte Rushe 1558 27 Mar Edward s. of Robarte Rushe 1559 27 Aug Richarde s. of Nicholas Drane 1559 12 Feb Thomas s. of Robarte Rushe 1560 12 July Lianle s. of Robarte Rushe 1562 1 Jan Prudence d. of Robarte Rushe and Catherine 1564 1 Mar Margaret d. of Robarte Rushe and Catherine 1589 30 Dec Elizabeth d. of Thomas Dade and Anne Gent 1604 31 John s. of Nicholas Garnish and Adrave Dade d. of Thomas Gent 1605 2 Dec Anne d. of -------------------------- " ----------------------------------- 1606 21 Sep Anne d. of -------------------------" ----------------------------------- 1614 8 Sep Thomas s. of Thomas Dade and Ann Gent 1617 29 May Ann d. of -------------------" ----------------- 1618 7 Mar Margery d. of ----------------" ----------------- 1623 15 Jan Martha d. of William Dade and Marie Gent 1624 23 Jan Charles and Audrey of --------" --------------- Nothing further 1625-1637 Marriages 1566 7 Oct Thomas Drane to Hansard Rasse 1567 26 April Thomas Girling to Anne Drane 1603 19 Sep Nicholas Garnish to Adrye Dade 1618 23 Feb Thomas Fletcher to Elizabeth Dade d. of Thomas Dade 1635 25 May John Soanes to Maria Dade 1663 1 Nov Thomas Rushe to Maria Goodale Nothing further 1663-1676
Mellis Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Mellis Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms 1560 8 Nov John Browne s. of Thomas Browne 1562 20 May Thomas Browne - no father shown 1564 28 Oct Robert Browne ----------"---------- 1567 10 Jan Stephen Browne ----------" --------- 1569 8 Jan Elizabeth Browne ----------" --------- 1572 19 Oct Steven Browne ----------" --------- 1675 25 Dec Gile (?) Browne -----------" --------- 1678 22 June Humphrey Browne s. of Thomas and Margaret Nothing after 1568 My records suggest that Nicholas Fenne son of Elizeus and Margaret Richards was baptised in Mellis c1593 - to check on next visit Marriages 1560 6 Oct John Browne to Elizabeth Huntinge [Interesting] Placed this Elizabeth as sister of Thomas Huntynge husband of Margaret Rushe m 1566 Gt Thornham and married her conjecturally to John Browne* son of Robert & Margery 1561 12 Jul Steve Browne to Elizabeth -------- No name given Nothing after 1561 although I notice from my records that Elizeus Fenne=Margaret Richards on 30 April 1589 (Findmypast) Placed in notes of John Browne* above
Bedingfield Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms Lots of Dranes - not extracted. Future visit required 1543 25 June Thomas Browne s. of Walter Browne 1572 6 April Thomas Fenne shown d. of Thomas Fenne - typo? Not sure where he fits in. 1574 25 March Thomas s. of Thomas Rushe 1576 29 Oct Bridget d. of Thomas Rushe 1590 17 May John Browne s. John Brownee
Marriages Marriage c1572 of Thomas Rushe and Bridget not found. Placed in notes of Thomas Rushe father of Thomas bap 1574 above
Worlingworth Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms Records start 1558 1561 15 Dec Robert s. of Robert Browne 1562 31 Aug William s. of Edmund Browne 1563 6 Jan Nicholas s. of ---------"----------- 1565 10 June Faye d. of ---------"----------- 1566 8 Jan John s. of ---------"----------- 1568 4 April Joan d. of ---------"----------- 1569 17 April Diane d. of ---------"----------- 1570 14 May Elizabeth d. of ---------"--------- 1572 19 June John s. of ---------"----------- 1575 3 May Margaret Browne - no father shown 1578 1 June Oliver s. of Edmund Browne Nothing found 1579-1588
Marriages 1595 21 Aug William Browne to Alice Adams 1602 2 May John Browne to Martha Adams 1603 14 June Oliver Browne to Susan Dobbs 1605 24 Sep John Browne to Eliz Page Nothing between 1606-1653 Placed in notes of William Browne bur 1598 Worlingworth
Thrandeston Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms Records start 1558 1568 27 Dec Joane d. of Thomas and Joane Browne 1572 3 April Edward s. of Thomas and Bridget Rushe 1596 4 July Elizabeth d. of Elizeus and Margaret Fenne - already aware (Margaret Richards) 1600 15 June Elizeus se. of ----------------"------------------ - already aware -----------"----------- 1602 15 Aug John s. of ---------------- "------------------ - New -----------"----------- 1616 6 June Robert s. Thomas Rushe 1624 16 Sep Abigale d. Simon Rushe [1616 Rebecca Rushe d. of Thomas Rushe found by Yvonne not seen. I probably missed it. I will check next visit] Nothing 1625- 1628. C1593 Nicholas Fenne son of Elizeus and Margaret Fenne not seen . Possibly Mellis. To check next visit Marriages None found. Marriage of Thomas Rushe and Bridget c1572 not found. Placed in notes of Edward Rushe bap 1572 Thranderson
Thornham Magna Transcripts as extracted. I have not attempted to place them in our records. Baptisms 1553 15 Mar Anthonye s. of Anthonye Rushe 1559 28 Dec Margaret d. of Robert Dade 1560 15 Aug Francis s. of Anthonye Rushe 1561 15 Mar Thomas s. of John Browne 1563 30 Nov Robert s. of Robert Dade 1564 20 Mar Robert s. of John Browne 1564 9 May Thomas s. of Robert Dade 1564 15 Oct Wolfran s. of Nicholas Dade - already aware 1564 24 Aug Bartholomew s. of John Browne 1565 15 Nov Roger s. of Robert Dade 1566 15 Dec Mirable d. of Nicholas Dade - already aware 1567 1 Feb Elizabeth and Judith d. Robert Dade 1567 21 Mar Thomas s. of Robert Rushe 1569 26 June John s. of Robert Rushe 1570 3 Oct Margaret d. of William Browne 1578 7 Dec Nicholas s. of James Fenne - unknown 1581 24 Dec Symonde s. of Robert Rushe 1585 6 Sep Nicholas s. of Wolfran Dade - already aware 1586 20 Nov Edmond s. of Robert Browne Nothing 1586-1605 Marriages Nothing found before 1582 1584 3 July Wolfran Dade to Myrabel Robertson - already aware Nothing 1585-1619 Placed in notes of Wolfrand Dade bap 1564 Gt Thornham
Eye 1562 24 Feb baptism of William Browne mentioned in Yvonne's Report - ye son of William Browne. No other Browne's found at that time
Still need to look at Thorndon for all families
Other Records
1. Fenn & Variants: Research notes: Kenton Area Suffolk. Searched by Yvonne Massingham Ipswich Record Office 2018 As you are already aware, we do not have one simple searchable catalogue covering the full Suffolk Archives, so we therefore use a variety of indexes and finding aids to locate potentially relevant information.
However, our electronic catalogue of part of the Archive, CALM, is always a good starting point. Making use of this with search terms "Kenton", "Fenn", "Fyn*", "court" returned a number of potentially interesting documents for the time period. This included some Wills, which I believe you already have copies of or are aware of and will obtain copies in due course:- ntblGatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item IC/AA1/76/52 Original will of Richard Fenn of Kenton 1639 OpenntblGatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item IC/AA1/107/32 Original will of John Fenn the elder of Kenton 1677 OpenntblGatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item IC/AA1/138/7 Original will of John Fenn of Kenton 1708 Not Open
The following four items have been accessed, but they are all in Latin, although some of the catalogue entries have a short summary of the contents, and where this occurs, it has been copied underneath, so that you can see any FENN connection. 1 ntbl Gatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ item FC94/L/1/2/45 Conveyance 7 Aug 1587 OpenJohn Browne of Aspall, husbandman, Robert Fenne of Kenton, yeoman, Margery, wife of Robert Browne, dec'd, and William Browne of Thornham Magna, husbandman, brother of said John Browne to John Godbolde, sen, William Manshipp, sen, and Robert Gardiner of Worlingworth, yeoman; two pightells called Goneldis and clapirscroft with appurtenances, one piece of land in tenement called Hawys containing by estimation ½ a rood with part of a green way adjoining in Tannington, a garden with green way adjoining, a small grove and piece of arable land adjoining the garden
2 ntblGatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item HD850/1/3/5 Grant 7 Apr 1617 Openntbl Reuben Feveryear of Kenton, yeoman, and George Lord of Kenton, yeoman, to: Nicholas Garneys of Redisham,Charles Garneys of Boyland Hall, Morningthorpe (Norfolk), Thomas Bedingfield of Darsham, Thomas Garneys of Norwich (Norfolk), John Garneys of Redisham, Claro Garneys of Redisham, Christopher Robinson of Kenton, John Smith of Kenton, William Drane of Kenton, John Flowerdew of Kenton, John Aldriche of Kenton, Thomas Clodde of Kenton, Robert Clodde of Kenton, John Feveryear of Kenton, Edward Calver of Kenton, and Robert Fenn of Kenton; 6 acres of land, lately built upon in Bedfield; also, 10 acres of land in Monk Soham. (Latin; seals) 3ntbl Gatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item HD850/1/2/3 Lease 14 Nov 1661 OpenSimon Jeffery of Kenton and James Wythe of Framsden, to:
John Garneys of Somerleyton, William Drane of Kenton, John Warren senior of Kenton, William Warren, his son, John Fenn senior of Kenton, John Fenn junior of Kenton, John Nunn senior of Kenton, John Nunn junior of Kenton, Thomas Clodd, and James Shulward;
house with adjacent croft (1/2 acre) in Kenton, lying between road leading from Kenton to Occolt on east and lands of the manor of Kenton on west; also, enclosure (6 acres), now built upon in Bedfield.
4 ntbl Gatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item HA30/312/232 Copy of court roll, Kenton Hall; admission of Thomas Ryvett, to piece of land in Debenham called Lambesfield 7th June, 1536 Open The following two items for Manor of Kenton with Suddon Hall have been accessed and contain some items written in English. 1 ntbl Gatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item C/3/10/2/5/4/14 Copies of court roll in respect of lands and tenements in Debenham, copyhold of manors of Crow's Hall with Woodwards, Debenham Butley, Kenton with Suddon Hall, and Scotnetts with the Haugh 1720 - 1851 Open Lands and tenements in Debenham, copyhold of manors of Crow's Hall with Woodwards, Debenham Butley, Kenton with Suddon Hall, and Scotnetts with the Haugh Copies of court roll for admissions of successive trustees, to the purposes expressed in the will of Nicholas Phillips (7 docs) This consists of seven items ranging in date as indicated, and set out agreements made at a Court Baron, with one reference to Kenton. Three are dated 1851, two in Latin where I am unable to read the date, and the remaining two dated 1776, and 1782. Of these, the 1776 document names William Kirby "Gentleman Steward", and it is for a piece of land in the manor of Kenton with Suddon Hall. Browsing briefly this short document I did not see the name Fenn, and have not therefore searched it any further.
2 ntbl Gatacre Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2LQ Item HA193/D/1/17 Copy of Court Roll: Manor of Fleed Hall and Walthams Hall 8 Jul 1778 OpenAdmission of John Ringe of Earl Stonham to 'Squire Peice' on the surrender of John & Sarah Ringe, Kenton
This is a single page setting out agreement at a Court Baron before Edward Hasell, Gentleman Deputy Steward, for a piece of land in the Manor of Fleed Hall with Walthams Hall in Little Stonham. The reference to 'Kenton' is that the former Copyhold tenant is a John Ringe of Kenton. Browsing briefly the document I did not see the name Fenn noted.
Referring to the National Archives Manorial Document Register, the manorial rolls for the parish of Kenton list only the Manor of Kenton with Suddon Hall (as noted above) <http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/c?_sf=textstman&_tn=kenton&_ocn=Suffolk&_naet=M&_st=mdrc> and lists just one document reference held at Ipswich Record Office, this being HD64/1/11. Having now accessed this, it consists of several sheets of velum rolled tight and all in Latin, except that the details are well set out, and I was able to make out the names of the persons listed sitting to hear the Court, and some of these name John FENN. This name was seen on four of the sheets with the following dates:-
1659 - John Fenn, John Fenn 1669 - John Fenn 1676 - John Fenn Sen, John Fenn Jun 1677 - John Fenn
Two other manorial documents for Kenton are listed on the MDR :- Stewards Accounts, Kenton only 1282 Lowestoft Record Office Stewards Accounts, Kenton only 1300 - 1400 Lowestoft Record Office
Looking at the rates and taxes documents we hold for the parish of Kenton, there is only Land Tax for 1799 listed under our main guide, with others only for the twentieth century. Therefore, just B150/11/1.2 Land Tax Assessment 1799 was viewed. However, this consists of two bound leather volumes covering all the Hundreds of Suffolk, so not only Kenton was searched, but also the six other neighbouring parishes you have listed, namely Bedfield, Bedingfield, and Monks Soham (all in Hoxne Hundred), Earl Soham, and Cretingham (in Loes Hundred with Kenton), and Debenham (Thredling Hundred).
Of these, for 1799 Land Tax Assessment, only Bedingfield listed one FENN:- Charles FENN - Proprietor William Clarke - Occupier Sum Assessed - £2 An Appendix document to these two volumes also includes 'List of Commissioners', and 'List of Clerks', but the FENN surname was not seen listed here.
Turning to some of our hand-written 'slip list' catalogues compiled some years ago, and looking for 'Kenton' under the 'Place Index', brings a selection of entries, and the following were accessed, although only browsed briefly to see what they may contain:-
T5/7 - Suddon Hall and farms in Kenton 1687 A single sheet parchment indenture in English, regarding an agreement between a Wentworth Garney of Suffolk, and Anthony Adby of Essex
T4/33/4 - Suddon Hall and Kenton Hall Estates - Title Deeds 1678 - 1794 A collection (18) of lengthy agreements for the lease and release (exchange) of property over this time period. Whilst none were opened up, the title on the outer generally stating the names of the parties were viewed, but the name of Fenn wasn't seen.
HD21:50/15/34/1 Sales Particulars for a freehold estate with parts in Kenton with Suddon Hall 1794 This is a small printed document of sales particulars - no plan, no pictures, and the name(s) of the sellers were not given.
In my work at Suffolk Record Office, I spend every Tuesday at the Bury St Edmunds branch scanning documents to add to the digital archive. Recently I have come across two instances of the name FENN noted in items being scanned. These are:-
Marriage Licence Bond E14/8/1/1/344 Thomas Fenn and Elizabeth Cantwell both of Bardwell 17 May 1687 This single page printed form notes that Thomas is a tailor, and Elizabeth a single-woman. There is a signature for Thos. Fenn
E3/32/2 Will of Thomas Gainsborough, Clothier 1737 Sudbury [Uncle to the painter] from a collection of Miscellaneous Early Deposits of the Manners-Hervey Collection In this very large, lengthy document, reference is made to "…my loving sister Mrs Margaret Ffenn.."
In the remaining research time, I turned to a local studies publication 'The Manors of Suffolk and Notes on their History and Devolution', by W.A Coppinger 1910. A simple search of the name index in the volume for the Hundreds of Samford, Stow, and Thedwestry (includes the parish of Kenton) notes several entries for FENN, as follows:-
Coppinger Vol vi Samford, Stow and Thredwastre P222 Manor of Shelland "…preserved amongst the Additional Charters in the British Museum, whereby Eleanor the widow of Sir William who had died in 1365, grants this manor together with others to…and William Atte Fen…
P241 Manor of Wetherden Hall Here is given a Rental of the Rents payable to the Manor of Wetherden Hall with Pulham Hall in Wetherden for one whole year ending at Michlemas 1750. The list includes:-
"John Fenn, late Chenery's per Wm. Raffe…….Free…£0 2s 3d"
P262 Manor of Drinkstone Hall or Lovayne's Manor Mention is again made of certain entries in the Additional Charters in the British Museum noting that a deed dated 10th April 1386 grants land to a list of men including "William atte Fen"
Coppinger Vol v Manor of Kessingland and Kingston's P81 "It then passed to Hugh Atte Fenne in 1475".
P289 Eibury or Erbury Manor "…her gracious majesty granted a lease of the manor to…and John Fenne, and by letters patent in 1556 annexed the manor to the Duchy of Lancaster." It goes on to say "Amongst the Chancery proceedings in the time of Queen Elizabeth we find a claim made under the lease by William Weakes and Ellin his wife, showing that John Fenne survived and bequeathed the lease to his children, one of who married the plaintiff Ellin, and by his will gave her the said lease"
William married UNKNOWN [31733] [MRIN: 11075] circa 1513.
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