Samuel ALSTON [85]

  General Notes:

Samuel Alston was admitted an Attorney in the Court of Common Pleas on 26th June 1746 and later viz on 20 May 1760 before Judge Sir Thomas Alay? he was admitted and enrolled as a solicitor of the Court of Chancery.
Samuel commenced practising as an attorney-at-law in Nayland in 1746, when he succeeded his father-in-law Jacobus Vanderzee.
There are extensive records from Samuel's practice etc on deposit at Bury St Edmonds PRO ref HA541.
Samuel was retained as Steward of various Manors, some records of his profession life are included below, he also practised with his sons James and George, further records of some of their work are recorded under George's research notes.

Sam Alston's Latin phrase book dated 1739 is in the books section of this website.

Samuel married 2nd August 1758 at St James, Westminster, Mary, daughter of Jacobus Vanderzee, Attorney of Nayland, to whom Samuel had been articled. Ref: Alstoniana

A portrait of Samuel by Beeston Coyte is inscribed on the back " Sam Alston Attorney at Nayland aged 31 Beeston Coyte 1752" sighted E L Fenn 2001. This was gifted to Christchurch Mansion Ipswich SFK by Nancy Hadwen 2003. An unsigned miniature is in possession of E L Fenn N.Z. 1999.

Samuel purchased (copyhold?) his Nayland house (Groom) after his married, it was formerly owned by J Vanderzee, Nayland Manor Rentals 1755 - 62 Ips RO HA108/1/4/11 show John Williams as owner of Groom, Sam Alston occupier. Dr E L Fenn renamed the house Alston Court after its restoration early in the 20th cent. The Alston's had a messuage in Edwardstone named Groomes mentioned in Samuel Alston of Rogers Will 1631, in occupation of Thomas Martin.

Entry in the Alston Law Practice Diary
"My son William went to Mr Alefounders School - My daur Anna Maria went there to learn to write & my daur Harriot went to Mrs Bachlors? School all of them on the 22nd day of June 1778"
Manor of Weeley ESS Court Records 1696-1793.
Both Thomas Alefounder & Samuel Alston were involved with the Manor of Weeley ESS.
8 Aug 1764: Thomas Alefounder of Nayland Suffolk schoolmaster; Samuel Alston; Sarah Savill; John Hockford. 31 Dec 1763 TA surr to his will; SA in place of Lords Bailiff; SS and JH copyholders wits All land held by copy of court roll. Ref: ERO. D/DU6/3 fo 41v
30 Jly 1772: Thomas Alefounder of Nayland Suffolk schoolmaster; Samuel Alston gent.; Danl. Partridge; John Barnby; Susannah Cole widow; Richard Hayward; Bennett Foster of East Donyland Essex 1 Jun 1772; surr TA to BF; SA in place of Lords Bailiff; DP and JB copyholders wits; BF did not attend court to take adm; 1st proc made Barn with land and appts 30 A more or less formerly in occ SC, then RH & his assigns
Ref: ERO. D/DU6/3 fo 63r
Peter Alefounder writes 2013 "Thomas Alefounder (died 1789), was schoolmaster there (Nayland) for 50 years, he was a tenant of the market cross in 1764-5 and possibly later. He may very well have used it or "the Chamber over the same" as a schoolroom.
Ref: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alefounder/index.html

Samuel paid Quit Rent to Samuel Gibbs Lord of the Manor of Nayland Michaelmas 1781 (29 Sep 1781)
Alston Samuel: Freeholder
For a house called the Groom 6d.
For the brick wall on the left hand of the door 4d.
For the garden behind the house called the Groom 1s 0d.
For Chamberlains 4d.
For a tenement pulled down inclosed with a brick wall 9d.
For another late Doomsdales in the said yard 4d.
For ground where a tenant stood formerly John Robertson's 4d.
For ground where a house lately stood now called Harlins 4d.
For a tenement behind the church called Whitebread Hall 1s 0d.
For a house near the Court Meadow Gate late Thos Alsops 2d.
For ground in Town Street where a tenant lately stood forml
Mary Franas (sic) Gusterson widow late Edward Gusterson 2d.
For ground in Town Street where a tenant lately stood late
Edw Gusterson late in the occupation of Mr Lingwood Smith 2d.
For a yard in town Street where a house forml stood forml Smiths
& late Edw Gusterson late in occupation Mr Lingwood Smith 2d.
5s 7d

As Copy holder of ground called Kemballs 3s and where Bretts
Barn stood 1s 4d both laid into meadow the bottom of the garden. 4s 4d
Total as at Michaelas Day (29 Sept) 1781 9s 11d
Ref: HA541/2/1/13 (ii)
Also assesed in 1795.

The following are personal extracts from his 1757 diary:
14/2 Paid Mr Todd my subscription for relieving the poor. 10/6d.
19/2 Taken ill with asthma.
26/2 Taken with the gout.
30/3 Paid Mr Church for a ticket in the Guin. . . . . lottery.
21/5 Set first crop of kidney beans and cauliflowers.
27/5 Brewed 6 bush of malt. 2lb1/2 of good hops.
30/5 Mon Mr Samuel Gledhill came to my house in the morn th stayd till Wed 2nd after breakfast at parting he borrowed 5 shills of me.
1/6 Phamplet Club at it.
2/6 Book Club at it.
3/6 Musick Club paid my forfoits 4p.
13/6 Paid Hannah my servant half a guinea.
28/6 Phamplet Club absent, but sent my pamps.
30/6 Book club at it.
1/7 Music Club at it.
27/9 Pam - Club - day afesembly.
22/11 Phamplet Club pd Mr Sheldon my years subs 6 shillings.
23/11 Paid Mr Darby 20s subscription for the Book Club for a year ensuing.
24/11 Music Club.
28/11 Began to cut my vines.
1/12 Pd Mr Rigby for 4 days work 6 shills.

1776 - An Americus Backers grand piano of that date appears to have been bought for the house, as recorded in the National Trust Magazine of Autumn 1976 No 26. Pg10:
Benton Fletcher Collection of Musical Instruments by Augustine Ford. The Benton Fletcher Collection, now at Fenton House, Hampstead, London was formed by Major George Benton Fletcher . . . . . Sometimes instruments would be given to him as was the the grand piano of 1776 by Americus Backers. One of the earliest English grand pianos extant, it came from Dr and Mrs Fenn of Alston Court Nayland Suffolk, where it had stood ever since it was made.

Samuel was a Church Warden at Nayland Church from time to time between 1756 and 1795.

MINUTES OF NAYLAND COURT BARON.
Elizabeth Gibbs widow was Lady of the Manor, then from 1739 Samuel & Elizabeth Gibbs, with Jacobus Vanderzee appointed Steward of the Manor. Samuel Alston sat as Deputy Steward in 1745, then Steward in 1746.

Dated 1754 to 1767 (Latin to 1727, gap to 1754)
9 Aug 1756 - Samuel sold a Tenement to J N Sadler.
12 Nov 1758 - Richard Williams sold to John Williams, Grooms & other lands held at an annual rent of 6d of the Manor of Nayland.
12 Nov 1758 - Mary Vanderzee widow sold a messuage to John Boor (?) another to Hugh Green.
1758 - William Greenwood sold a messuage named White Bread Hall and another in Court St to Samuel Alston.
Ref: Bury RO HA108/1/4/8

Dated 1729 - 1775. (searched from 1734 in English)
1752 - mentions death of John Fenn Customary Tenant, his son Joseph and wife of 3 years Sarah, all family of George Fenn.
1754 - Samuel Alston acquired a Tenement in Bear St from Thomas Lyme.
1767 - Admission of Samuel Alston to the use of his Will.
1768 - Alienation of Grooms from John Williams Snr. & Jnr. to Samuel Alston
Ref: Bury RO HA108/1/4/2

1780 Nov 1 - Thomas Alsop the elder hath since the last General Court Baron alienated to Samuel Alston and his heirs a certain Messuage and tenement with the lands yards and appurtenances situated in Court Street Nayland near the gate leading into the Court Meadows now in the occupation of Daniel King clog maker and pattern maker.
Ref: Dr Edward L Fenns book of notes pg 29

Samuel Alston attorney of Nayland Master, Apprentice James Vanderzee, date of Indenture 16 Sep 1785, date of Duty 14 Oct 1785, Term 1yr 3 mths. Fee L10.0.0 Ref:The Genealogist IR 1/32

Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch:
RINGSHALL PARISH RECORDS
Catalogue Ref. FB4/N1
FILE - Office copy decree in the Court of Chancery, in the case between Samuel Alston, executor of the last will of Rev. Stephen White, clerk, deceased and John Males and others - ref. FB4/N1/52 - date: 6 Dec. 1785

FILE - Attested copy of Chancery report of the auction of two lots lands, belonging to Rev. Stephen White, rector of Holton, and purchased by Samuel Alston of Stoke-by-Nayland, in the case between Samuel Alston plt. and John Males and others def. - ref. FB4/N1/53 - date: 17 Nov. 1786

FILE - Certificate of transfer of L1027.5s.9d - ref. FB4/N1/57 - date: 8 May 1787. Joint Stock of Bank, 3 per cent annuities to the Accountant General, by Samuel Alston on the order of the Court of Chancery, in the above mentioned case (FB4/N1/53)

General Evening Post London 16 Feb 1788
Sale by Kings College Cambridge:
. . . . . Also about Eight Acres and a Half of Free Hold Land in Edwardftone now in the occupation of Mr Samuel Alston under a leafe which will expire at Michaelmas 1795 at the rent of 4L per annum.

1788 March 24 - the Lord of the Manor by his Deputy Steward with the consent of all the homage, granted licence to Samuel Alston to enclose half a rod and 14 feet of ground by measurement lying next the Meadow of him the said Samuel Alston from the corner of the messuages of him the said Samuel Alston situate in Court Street in Nayland now in the occupation of Daniel King pattern maker to the post or stile for a foot passage into certain meadows called the Court Meadows in Nayland.
Vide 1802 April 19 - George Alston alienated above to Mary Baker.
Ref: Dr Edward L Fenns book of notes pg 32

FILE - Copy will of Samuel Alston of Nayland - ref. FB4/N1/64 - date: 1795,1796
FILE - Copy admission - ref. FB4/N1/65 - date: 25 Jul. 1796 Mrs. Mary Alston, widow, admitted to copyhold lands in Ringshall (8a.) by virtue of the last will of Samuel Alston
FILE - Lease and release - ref. FB4/N1/66-67 - date: 19-20 Sep. 1796
1. Mrs. Mary Alston of Nayland, widow
2. James Alston of Bocking (Ess.)
George Alston of Nayland
Samuel Alston of Leicester
Charlotte Alston of Nayland
Anna Maria Alston of Nayland
Harriett Alston of Nayland

FILE - Copy absolute surrender: manor of Ringshall Charles Rockells and Rawlings - ref. FB4/N1/68 - date: 30 Sep. 1796
1. Mrs. Mary Alston

FILE - Copy admission: manor of Ringshall Charles Rockells and Rawlings - ref. FB4/N1/69 - date: 21 Oct. 1796
2. Mrs. Mary Alston

FILE - Copy acknowledgement of the receipt of L500, by Sarah Alston, from her mother, Mary Alston, widow, given to her under the will of her late father Samuel Alston - ref. FB4/N1/76 - date: 25 Jun. 1805
Ref A2A (This is an extract of the complete catalogue)

Essex Record Office D/DC/23/19
MISCELLANEOUS ESSEX DOCUMENTS
Series D/DC 18/48-57 Manor of Greenstead: copyhold property called Freemans
Dates of Creation 5 & 6 July 1791
Scope and Content Lease & Release to make a tenant to the precipe for suffering a Recovery. (i)Wm. Dawson [as in D/DC 23/17], and w. Eliz.; (ii)Rev. Hen. Dawson of Great Waldingfield (co. Suff.), clerk (s. of said W.D.); (iii) Samuel Alston senior of Nayland (co. Suff.), gent., to (iv) Jn. Whishaw of Castle street, Holborn, London, gentleman Property as in D/DC 23/13.]

Essex Record Office D/DC/23/18
MISCELLANEOUS ESSEX DOCUMENTS
Series D/DC 18/48-57 Manor of Greenstead: copyhold property called Freemans
Dates of Creation 5 & 6 July 1791
Scope and Content Lease & Release to make a tenant to the precipe for suffering a Recovery. (i)Wm. Dawson [as in D/DC 23/17], and w. Eliz.; (ii)Rev. Hen. Dawson of Great Waldingfield (co. Suff.), clerk (s. of said W.D.); (iii) Samuel Alston senior of Nayland (co. Suff.), gent., to (iv) Jn. Whishaw of Castle street, Holborn, London, gentleman Property as in D/DC 23/13.]

Essex Record Office D/DU 133/6
DEEDS AND RECORDS OF LANGHAM AREA.
Dates of Creation 1,2 April 1778
Scope and Content Conveyance (Lease and Release) for L1200; with bond to indemnify against dower (i) Henry Nunn, as in 133/3; (ii) Thomas Blyth, as in 133/3; (iii) Samuel Alston of Nayland (co. Suff.), gentleman (trustee of Thomas Blyth) (a) Field (formerly 5 fields) (7a.) called Lynches, abutting E. on the highway, N. and W. on lands sometime of Robert Potter, now of Richard Foster and formerly in the occupation of Samuel Blyth and now of James Blyth, sen., and S. on lands sometime of Robert Coleman, afterwards of Richard Houlding and now of Mary Blyth, called Crane Grove; which field is situate in Langham and was sometime in the occupation of Samuel Debition, late of Samuel Young, decd., and now of Samuel Young, his s. And all other freehold lands of Henry Nunn in Langham

Essex Record Office D/DYz/36
DEEDS OF VARIOUS PARISHES
Dates of Creation 21 AUg. 1775
Execx W. Elizabeth
Wtn: Sam., James & Jacob Alston [996]

Suffolk Poll Book 1790 Nayland: records Samuel as a voter but not his vote.
NZSOG.

He died on 3rd June 1796, "Tuesday last, died at advanced age, Mr Alston, of Nayland Attorney at Law" so says the Ipswich Journal June 11th 1796.

Samuel is presumed buried in the Alston family vault he built under the tower of St James Church Nayland.

Image Sam Alston - 1752

  Research Notes:

HISTORY of ALSTON COURT (Formerly GROOM/S) Postcode CO64JL
Record of the pictures known to have been hung at Alston Court (Grooms) as described in "Portraits in Suffolk Houses" by Rev E Farrar.
John Alston - Farmer and Inn Keeper at Nayland born at Edwardstone 1680 portrait painted 1754.
Samuel Alston - Maltster of Boxford born at Edwardstone 1690 died 1754, Date of portrait 1752.
Thomas Alston - Maltster at Kirby in Essex born 1693 died 1774, date of portrait 1754.
The above were sons of John Alston farmer of Edwardstone Suffolk. Samuel and Thomas were children of his second marriage with Martha Stock of Wethersfield Essex.
The children of Samuel Alston, Maltster at Boxford :
Samuel Alston - Attorney at Nayland born 172, died 1796, Date of portrait 1752.
Mary Alston - m. John Smith of Groton Suffolk schoolmaster, date of portrait 1752.
Sarah Alston - m. William Sudell of Wytiahe? painted 1753
Ann Alston - m. (1) Jacob Alston of Boxford and
m.(2) John East of Hadleigh. date of portrait 1753.
Rachel Brown - Housekeeper to Samuel Alston Snr.
All these portraits are in pastels painted by Beeston Coyte. Ref also pg 359 Alstoniana.
Note: this is not an exact transcription from the back of the portraits, the exact wording transcribed by Edward L Fenn in 2001 is recorded in the individual notes to each person. The relationships with John Alston remain unproven 2001.
A family myth has survived the years to the effect that Beeston Coyte, who appears to be an unknown artist, completed the above set of pastels in settlement of a debt to Samuel Alston Jnr, for legal services.
E L Fenn 1999.

10 Bathgate Rd,
Wimbledon,
London. SW19 5PN
17th July 2003.
The Curator,
Christchurch Mansion,
Ipswich, Suffolk.
Re. 8 Alston Family Portraits.
This letter serves to confirm my offer of the above portraits to the Gallery for posterity on the understanding that they will be maintained together as a group and conserved.
The pastel Portraits by Beeston Coyte are of my maternal Great Grandmother's family and hung for more than 200 years in our family home Alston Court Nayland. Oral history has that they were done by Coyte for Samuel Alston Attorney of Nayland in discharge of a debt owed Alston by Coyte.
Their provenance follows the death of Samuel Alstons grandson Samuel in 1887 and subsequent death of his sister Margaret in 1902 when ownership of Alston Court and its contents passed to my grandfather Dr E L Fenn then-to my fathei- Dr C E Fenn in 1938. The portraits passed to me on the death of my father in 1947, they remained hung at Alston Court in the custody of my cousin Arthur Alston Fenn who had bought the house from my father, after his death in 1966 and the sale of Alston Court, they have been hung by my late cousin Mrs D M Burn at Little Bealings. It has been my desire that the portraits remain in Suffolk.
The portraits are described as follows: Samuel Alston, maltster painted 1752. Samuel Alston, attorney 1752. Thomas Alston, maltster 1754. John Alston, farmer & innkeeper 1754. Sarah Alston, 1753. Ann Alston, 1753. Mary Alston, 1752. Rachel Brown, the family housekeeper.
My cousin E L Fenn will supply you with a family history of the Alston family in Suffolk, it is an ancient family stretching back to John Alston of Newton in the 15th C whose sons became Lords of their Manors, titled or as with the family above Suffolk yeoman/business men. It is my hope that this collection will be preserved to illustrate to future generations this important section of Suffolk's community in the 18th C.
Yours faithfully
E.N.A. Hadwen (nee Fenn)

COYTE, BEESTON - Adm.sizar (aged 16) at Peterhouse Feb 17th 1726/7. Of Suffolk. School Ipswich. Matric 1727; Scholar 1727; BA 1730-1. Artist. Died at Kingston, Jamaica.
Alumni Cantabriensis
("Admitted sizar" - In the 19th century, a sizar was one of a body of students who, having passed a certain examination, were exempted from paying college fees and charges. They were probably so called from being thus employed in distributing the size, or provisions)

COYTE, Beeston 1711 - 1776
Beeston Coyte, younger son of Revd William Coyte (1680-1745) rector of Hintlesham, Suffolk in 1709, and his wife Frances née Beeston. Educated at Ipswich School and matriculated at Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1727, aged 16, and graduated B.A. four years later. He was still living in Suffolk in 1754 but then settled at Kingston, Jamaica. 'The Dictionary of Pastellist before 1800' has under Beeston Coyte, eight pastel portraits of Nayland personalities, the works include John Alston (1680-1761); Samuel Alston (1690-1754); Rachel Bowen, housekeeper to Samuel Alston; Tobias Coyte (1718-1759); Samuel Alston (1721-1796); Mrs John East née Alston (1727-1761); Thomas Alston (1693-1774); Revd Tobias Coyte (1718-1759); Thomas Gordon (died 1780); Mrs William Rendell, née Alston (1726-1760) and Mrs John Smith née Mary Alston (1731-1768). His death was commemorated by a poem in the 'Gentleman's Magazine' in 1776, signed 'J.W.' for John Walker, one of the proprietors of the 'Jamaica Gazette', 'Elegy to the memory of of the ingenious artist Mr Beeston Coyte, who lately died in Kingston, Jamaica' and mentions two further portraits painted in Jamaica.
His father, another William Coyte, matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford on 15 May 1697, aged 16, graduating BA in 1700. Master of Woodbridge school in 1703, vicar of Tuddenham St Martin 1708, rector of Hintlesham 1709 and of Brantham and East Bergholt 1722-1745, all in Suffolk.
Ref: Suffolk Artists https://suffolkartists.co.uk/index.cgi?choice=painter&pid=178
Also: http://www.pastellists.com/Articles/Coyte.pdf

In 1968 Allison Redman & Angela Wilson lodged a number of Alston and associated documents with PRO Bury St Edmunds ref HA541/11253 uncatalogued 2001, (ref 1995 Letter from D Halliday to A Redman)

D J Halliday, Historian of Nayland records in a lecture given 11 June 1991 (on file E L Fenn 1991), that the 4 plaques set into the garden wall at Alston Court reading "Here stood a fenn house 1708" etc date from Thomas Parris, Attorney, ownership of the house.
HA541/2/1/11 Bury PRO SFK - Is an interesting record of Court Bills for the Manor of Nayland starting 5 Oct 1739 with Jacobus Vanderzee as Steward, then Samuel Alston, George Alston, then George Downing, ending 25 Sept 1804.
It records that at his death Sam's estate paid reliefs of L.1-18-6d (relief was paid on the transfer of a deceased's property)

NOTES ON ALSTON COURT - Nayland & Wissington Conservation Society.
Album lent by Mrs Nancy Hadwen
East Anglian Times (around 1900?)
Dr Fenn's great-great-grandfather was Jacob Vanderzee, a solicitor, and he came into the occupation of the house about 1734, succeeding a Mr Thomas Paris¹, also a solicitor, who had been in practice there since the days of William III. Mr Samuel Alston married a daughter of Mr Vanderzee and succeeded to his practice in this old house, which is still in the occupation of his granddaughter Miss Alston.
1. Mrs Paris is said to haunt the house, coming out of a cupboard in the third bedroom next to the main bedroom.

Death of Miss Alston, Saturday lst March 1902.
Her grandfather Samuel Alston commenced practising as an attorney-at-law in Nayland in 1746, when he succeeded his father-in-law Mr Jacobus Vanderzee, who appears to have settled in Nayland in 1728. Mr Alston was succeeded by his son George and his grandson Samuel (d.1887).

Country Life c.1920. Article by Christopher Hussey entitled 'Alston Court in Nayland, Suffolk; the residence of Mrs E.L.Fenn'.
[Looking down the village street] to the right was Mr Holmes Family Drapery and Grocery Shop [now Church Mews], said by tradition to be an old bay and say factory backing upon the churchyard. To the left was the baker's, formerly the guildhall . . . . . and beyond it the White Hart Inn . . . . . The Queen's Head, built 500 years ago as a weaving mill, with the master's house adjoining, on the banks of the millstream. . . . .
The older part [of Alston Court] . . . . . has been attributed to the reign of Edward IV. There is evidence to support this view, and to date the building about 1472. The hall . . . . . seems somewhat later, about 1510, and the wings forming the south and west sides of the court are later still in the sixteenth century . . . . . In the space between the west wing and the brick wall bordering the street, which at present is a strip of garden, where a house called Chamberlayne's seems to have stood: At the end of the eighteenth century, when it (Alston Court] had been for fifty years the home of a branch of the Alstons, it was known as Groom's. A clothier of the name of Grome is found to have worked in Lavenham.

East Anglian Times February 1922. In the East Anglian Miscellany of 1912, Mr Farrer described the appearance of Alston Court in 1900 . . . . . On Miss Alston's death, it passed to her nephew, Dr Fenn of Colchester. He had it repaired, made it his home and christened it Alston Court The heraldic glass is evidence that it was built for the Payne family. The Will of John Payne of Nayland was proved in 1526.
Other references : Articles by K.Morrison in Ideal Home Dec 1926, 450-452, Woman's Journal 1927, 169-171, and Town. & Country Homes 1927?, 12-13.

Presumed Succession of Occupiers/Owners of Grooms, re-named. Alston Court about 1905, up to shortly after World-War II, by D.J.Halliday 18.11.92

16th Century
[John PAYNE?]. Listed in the 1522 Muster Roll of Nayland as a clothmaker taxed on lands there worth L.1-6s-8d per year and on movables valued at L.50, his traditional association with Alston Court is based solely on the evidence of the armorial stained glass including a supposed Payn/Parker marriage, which would have taken place at some date around 1500. This evidence is discounted, however, by the suspicion that the stained glass may have been introduced from elsewhere at a later date. (See Note on Alston Court Armorial Stained Glass)
Andrew PARISH (or PARIS), clothier. Born around 1550s? Son of Thomas Paris whose Will was dated 1583. Acquired (Groom's probably after that date. (See Note on the Paris Family of Nayland also John Payne [19275])

17th, Century
John WALTER, clothier. Tenant of Andrew Parish, clothier, of Nayland, 1606. The house was then called Groomes.
Thomas PARISH, clothier. Born around 1580s? As the eldest son of Andrew Parish, he inherited Groomes from his father. [In 1640, Thomas Parrish (sic) was one of the four largest Suffolk Ship Money payers in Nayland, paying L.1-2s-0d out of a total of L.19-6s-8d. The other three were Christopher Scarlet, L.1-10s-0d; Edmund Goodwin, L.1-5s-0d: and Edward Garrard, gent., L.1-2s-0d.]

Probably Thomas PARIS (or PARISH) senior, gent. Born around 1620s? or Thomas PARIS (or PARISH) junior, gent. Born around 1650s? is believed to have demolished a number of nearby houses in order to enlarge garden. One of these was named Domesdales (mentioned in Will of Samuel Alston 1722-1796, as quoted in Nayland-with-Downings Manorial Minutes 1797). Sites are marked by stones inset into interior side of walls fronting Court Street (four labelled "Here stood a Fenn House 1708") and Church Lane (two labelled "Here stood a Fenn House 1714").

18th Century.
Thomas PARIS, attorney. Born in late 1680s or 1690s? Brother of Sarah, who married the Rev. John White, 'Vicar' of Nayland, in 1721.
(Nayland Rentals 1735 - 40. Ips RO HA108 /1/4/10 entry No. 62, Town St. Mr Paris for his home called Groom, tax 6d.)
Jacobus VANDERZEE, attorney. Acquired house about 1734. Died 17 Aug 1746. Mary VANDERZEE, his widow, died 17 Feb 1762, aged 38.
Samuel ALSTON (1722-1796), attorney. Baptised at Edwardstone 21 Oct 1722, only son of Samuel and Sarah Alston. Was articled to Jacobus Vanderzee, whose daughter Mary Vanderzee he married 2 Aug 1758 at St James, Westminster. Started practising at Nayland in 1746. His name appeared on the Rate Assessment list 4 Jan 1748.
Lionel Cresswell's book, 'Stemmata Alstoniana', indicates (in Table A) that he did not buy the house until after his marriage. Table A2 on page 80 of the same book states that it formerly belonged to the Parker family, now of Long Melford. Samuel died 3 June 1796.
Mary ALSTON, his widow, inherited the house after his death, together
with various other properties. She died in 1800.

19th. Century
1800-1831: George ALSTON (1763 -1831), second son of Samuel (1722 -1796) and Mary nee Vanderzee. The transfer into his name was recorded in the Nayland-with-Downings Manorial Minute Book 19 Apr 1802.
1831- ? : Ann ALSTON (1795/96 -1856), born Billericay, Essex, daughter of James Vanderzee and granddaughter of Jacobus Vanderzee, widow of George Alston (1763-1831).
? -1887: Samuel ALSTON (1809-1887), eldest son of George (1763-1831) by his second wife (first cousin Ann nee Vanderzee, daughter of James and grand-daughter of Jacobus). Died unmarried. Buried 23 Apr 1887.

1887-1902: Occupied until her death by Margaret ALSTON (1813-1902), sister of the above, daughter of George (1763-1831) and Ann. Died unmarried 1 Mar 1902.

20th-Century
1902-1907: (Dr) Edward Liveing FENN (1843-1907), Inherited from Samuel Alston his uncle, he extensively restored the house and changed the name from Groom's or The Groom to Alston Court.

1907-1930: Edith FENN, nee Todd, widow (second wife) of Dr Edward Liveing Fenn. Died 22 Dec 1938.

1930-1947: (Dr) Charles Edward FENN (1873-1947), son of Dr Edward Liveing Fenn by his first wife Katharine Pauline, nee Julius.
1947 - 1968 : (Col) A Alston FENN, cousin of Dr Charles Edward Fenn, son of Edward Liveing Fenn's brother Ernest Harrold Fenn. Paid Approx £7000
1968 -1978: STONOR, later LORD CAMOYS, son-in-law of the Hyde Parkers of Long Melford. Paid £25,000

1978 - 1990 Two buyers Knight & Cropper both families lived in the house, paid £120,000

1990 - 2002 Aldo an Italian banker & Carol Albasi paid approx £700,000

2002 - 2013 David Margrett CEO of Willis International paid £1.3 million

2013 Sept Dr Angela Clifton-Brown (Mrs Sills) paid £1.9 million. Mrs Sills has a longstanding passion for historic buildings and gardens, and has program of repair resulting from the ravages of time, and sensitive maintenance.

Notes from Index to Nayland Manor Court Rolls 1623 - 1728. (SRO Bury ref.
HA 541/2/1/4). All these items are believed to relate to what are now parts of Alston Court garden.
No.40a: 16 Apr 1677. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Robert Kemball and his wife to Thomas Paris, clerk; also, on same date, transfer of copyhold tenancy of property from Anna Brett to Thomas Paris, clerk.
No.45a: 8 Apr 1686. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Thomas Paris, clerk, to Mary Paris, spinster; also, on same date, agreement with Thomas Paris, gent.
Nos.51b & 52a: 25 May 1691. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Roger Walsh and his wife to Thomas Paris, gent.
No.53a: 5 May 1696. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Sarah,
wife, to Thomas Paris, gent.
In Libr. Curial: 6 Apr 1730. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Thomas Paris, gent, to Thomas Paris, gent.
Ditto: 7 Oct 1782. Copyhold tenancy of property transferred from Thomas
Paris, gent, to Jane Paris, widow.

Manuscript Note in Alston Family Papers (SRO Bury ref.HA 541/2/6/19)
Extracts from Nayland Court Minute Book:
8 Dec 1767 Samuel Alston admitted in fee on the surrender of John Williams the elder and John Williams the younger to . . . . . 3 rods of land called Kemballs with the garden thereto belonging and also that piece whereon formerly stood a cottage called Bretts Barn with the yard thereto belonging.
[In relation to Samuel Alston who died 7 Feb 1795 leaving everything to his wife Mary]. Samuel Alston, gent, who held while he lived . . . . . the capital messe called The Groom . . . . . also a piece of garden behind The Groom . . . . . also . . . . . the Wall garden . . . . . also another piece of garden whereon a house formerly stood called Harlin . . . . .

From Summary of Wendy Sparrow's Notes Nayland-with-Downings Manorial Court Minutes:
17 Apr 1797 Samuel Alston's Will left all freehold, copyhold, leasehold messuages etc to Mary Alston, living at The Groom: sites of 7 former houses incorporated into the walled garden; also messuage near Court Meadow gate and small area next to the gate ; also Whitebread Hall behind Church.
19 Apr 1802 All from Samuel Alston's Will to Mary Alston now altered to George Alston, including The groom, except cottage by Court Meadow gate to May Baker.
7 Apr 1806 G.Alston to Jas Potter Whitebread Hall in Newland Street.
25 May 1875 Town St. = Crown St.
5 Oct 1908 Land called Chamberlains, part of the Crown, and another formerly Doomsdale; also ground opposite church land into yard, piece of ground called Hawkins. Edith Fenn pays relief.
Deeds : 1693 Agreement re The Cock.

Extract from Will of Andrew Parish, clothier, of Nayland,1606.
To my son Thomas, my eldest son, my chief messuage called Groomes in which one John Walter, clothier, now lives, with all the houses, edifices, buildings, yards, gardens and orchards, plus 3 acres in the common meadow called Lewes Meadow. Also two other tenements to the said messuage adjoyning and belonging, with the yards and gardens appertayning, wherein John Oentne & Henry Turner now dwell . . . . .

Court Knoll.
Court Knoll, at the bottom of Alston Court Garden, is a circular field of five acres surrounded by a deep ditch with the remains of a wall on the inner side. The ditch contains the remains of earth works, early 20th century excavations found Roman flint, pottery and tile. Although the Archaeological survey of 2002 has revealed that the structures here are Norman, reusing much Roman material.The original site of the Lord of the Manor's house and seat of the Manorial Court is likely have been here, Court Knoll land now belongs to the Tendring Hall Estate.
A significant excavation took place in 2016, see http://www.naylandconservation.org.uk/LatestNews.html

From D J Halliday's letter to Mrs V. Cook of South Petherton Somerset.
We recently had a speaker on heraldry at the Nayland - with - Wissington Conservation Society who came to the same conclusion about the Alston Court armorial stained glass as others have done, that it is not original and has been introduced later; also that the purported Payn arms are not the arms of a Payn or Payne. He did, however, come up with some new information - a reference to the arms of a Payne of "Stokeneyland", which I think is described as "Sable a fess chequy or and gules between three leopards' faces or".
Rosemary Knox and I have been looking at the later history of Grooms/Alston Court after the death in 1735 of Thomas Parish 1696-1735. It now appears that Jacobus Vanderzee may not have himself been either the owner or occupier. According to the Manorial Rent Rolls, ownership passed to Mrs Williams in (or soon after) 1736 and remained in the hands of the Williams family until 1768 when Samuel Alston, who had been the tenant/occupier since 1755 or earlier (probably since 1746). The Williams were the Lords of the Manor, living at Stoke-by-Nayland, and we are wondering if there can have been any relationship between the Williams and the Parishes which might have resulted in the house passing by inheritance instead of by sale to the Williams, without any need for the transfer to have been recorded in the Manorial records (which are in any case incomplete).
The Stewardship of the Manor of Nayland, incidentally, passed from Vanderzee to Samuel Alston in 1746.

Undated manuscript note on the history of Alston Court - A. Alston Fenn (from Alston Family Papers) SRO Bury ref. HA 541/2/6/19
"Alston Court originally belonged to John Payne (to which a pencilled query has been added : 'John Abel ?), for account of whom see Country Life. We have never been able to trace the full history of the house.
"We know it belonged to Thomas Paris, attorney. And that the people who had it before the Alstons were called Williams. When the Alstons bought the house, a Miss Williams went to live at Tendring, Stoke.
"The Samuel Alston to whom these papers refer is the one who was born in 1722, his father another Samuel Alston from Edwardstone. Samuel (b1722) was the first to own the house, then known by the name of Groom. He was an attorney, also Steward of the Manor. He married Mary Vanderzee, daughter of Jacobus Vanderzee, attorney, to whom Sam Alston was articled. We have pastels of Sam Alston and his father in the drawing room and a small picture of J.Vanderzee.
"Samuel's son George Attorney, inherited the house and business and became Steward to Nayland Manor. He left the house to his wife Anne Vanderzee who left it to their son Samuel, Attorney. Samuel died 1887, unmarried; his sister Margaret lived in the house for the remainder of her life, their nephew Edward Fenn then inherited the place.
"This last Samuel built Nayland Vicarage and cemetery, being the first person to be buried in the cemetery.
"Our meadow with 3 big chestnuts is still called Kemballs. The Wall Garden referred to in the Manor Book is evidently our present bowling green and the houses must have stood where the lines 'Here stood a fen house' are engraved into the wall.
"I daresay Whitebread Hall stood on the site of the present Brewery House (or should it be The Butts !). Miss Cuddon might know this.
"An uncle of mine went recently to the British Museum and read a lot up about Nayland there. He said Mr Alston told the British Museum people that Alston Court was once a Roman Catholic chapel. This has puzzled us very much as the house is obviously built as a dwelling house. The explanation may be that there was an RC private chapel in the house and the owner allowed the villagers to attend services there. Fr Gerrharty could not tell me anything because after the Reformation for many years priests were allowed to keep no records, not even marriage certificates as they were not supposed to hold services in England."

Alston Court has a particularly fine solar or upper chamber, the heavily carved ceiling is of Spanish chestnut, which repels spiders and their cobwebs.

Extract from Alston & Vanderzee Family Tree (from Alston Family Papers, SRO Bury ref. HA 541/1)
Henry Gusterson (d.31 Nov 1729) married Constance Holton at Stoke-by-Nayland 1699;
Their daughter Mary Gusterson (bapt 21 Apr 1706 at Nayland, bur. 22 Feb 1766) married Jacobus Vanderzee (b, about 1688, settled Nayland c.1728?, bur. 23 Aug 1746 at Nayland);
Whose daughter Mary Vanderzee (bapt 3 Apr 1740, died aged 63, bur. 11 May 1803) married Samuel Alston (b, about 1722, died aged 75, bur. 11 Jun 1796, son of Samuel of Edwardstone) at St James, Westminster, 2 Aug 1758;
Whose son George Alston (b. 11 Sep, bapt 8 Oct 1763, died aged 69, bur. 5 Feb 1815) married first Mary Creek (who died 1802-08?) and second Ann Vanderzee [his cousin, daughter of his mother's brother James Vanderzee of Billericay];
Whose son Samuel Alston (bapt 17 Nov 1809), solicitor, died unmarried in 1887; and whose surviving daughters were Margaret Alston (bapt 27 Oct 1813) who lived at Alston Court all her life until her death in March 1902, and Maria Alston (bapt 18 Sep 1815) who married Thomas Harrold Fenn at Nayland 19 May 1840;
Whose eldest son was Edward Liveing Fenn [b. 1843, d. 1907].

Alston Court Armorial Stained Glass.
For the latest research on the Heraldic Glass in Alston Court by Edward Martin see:
https://suffolkinstitute.pdfsrv.co.uk/customers/Suffolk%20Institute/2021/07/30/wetransfer-024246/SIAH%202017%20005%20Heraldic%20Glass.pdf

Earlier research
The references are to : Rev.E.Farrar, East-Anglian Daily Times 1912, 18th & 25th May and 1st June ; Dr J.Blatchly, private communication with R.Knox.
North Window of Hall (left to right)
Jermy Hopton (quarterly:Swillington/Wyssett/Pert/Hopton) [Farrar I]
Narburgh/Clere (Farrar III)
Parker (of Honing,Norf.)/Wichingham [Farrar III]
Boys (of Hoston - Honing?)/Wichingham [Farrar IV]
Payne/Spelman (of Narburgh,Norf.) [Farrar V]
Payne/ "X"? [Farrar VI]
Spelman/Narburgh [Farrar VII]
Parker (of Honing)/Jermy [Farrar VIII)
Payne/Rookwood [Farrar IX)

South Window of Hall (left to right).
Jermy/Hemenhall (Farrar X]
Wingfield/Parker [Farrar XI]
Haultoft (of Outwell,Norf.) [Farrar 2nd ser.I]
Hotoft/ "Y"? [Blatchly; Farrar 2nd ser.II]

Willoughby (quarterly: Ufford/Haultoft/Haultoft/Beke) [Blatchly; Farrar 2nd ser III]
Hotoft [Blatchly; Farrar 2nd ser.VI)
"Y"? [Blatchly; Farrar 2nd ser.V)
Willoughby/Hotoft [Blatchly; Farrar 2nd ser IV]

First Floor Landing (left to right)
Jermy Wroth (of Enfield,Middx.) (Farrar XII]
Wingfield/Parker [Farrar XIII)

Oak Room
Upper Row (left to right):
Payne/Parker (Farrar XXIII]
Payne/Rookwood
Jermy/Wroth (of Enfield) [Farrar XV]
Pakenham/Parker [Farrar XX]
Jermy/Hopton (quarterly: Swillington/Wyssett/Pert/Hopton) (Farrar XIX)
Everard/Parker (Farrar XXII]

Lower Row (left to right):
Jenney/Boys (reversed) [Farrar XIV)
Appleyard/Parker [Farrar XVI]
Payne/Thwaites (reversed) [Farrar XVIII]
Parker/Jermy
Appleyard/Parker (Farrar XVII]

Pakenham/Parker (Farrar XXI]
Farrar suggested that "X" might be Thwaites but, although all colour
has gone from Farrar VI in the North Window of the Hall, the 5 or 6 pointed star which can still be seen top right (sinister chief) indicates that the coat-of-arms is not the same as in Farrar XVIII in the Oak Room.
"Y" not yet identified, is "Azure a cross crosslet (botonny ?) argent, three lions' (or leopards'?) heads erased or tongued argent on a chief sable". The reputed Payne (Payn) arms - argent three boars' heads couped gules - are listed in Papworth as belonging to two Suffolk families, Cudlow and Playstead. According to Dr John Blatchly the Nayland Paynes, clothiers,
were not armigerous; there was no mention of such a coat in early records.
If Alston Court stained glass is genuinely original to the house, it
would seemingly relate to a Payne/Parker marriage around 1500.
Andrew Paris/Parish, clothier, who owned Grooms (i.e. Alston Court) in
1606 married Jareth or Zareth (=Sarah) Wilson at Nayland in 1577 and is thought to have been born in about the 1550s, son of Thomas Paris of Nayland whose (second) wife was named Emma (his first wife is believed to have been Joane, who died in 1564). This Emma (1526/27-1588) who married Thomas Paris as a widow (her first husband being named Scarlet) might conceivably be a daughter of John Payne (1495?-1526), son of a Payne/Parker marriage, and his wife Agnes.
Andrew's father, Thomas Paris/Parish of Nayland, was the son of another Thomas of Nayland and his wife Margaret, whom he had married as a widow (of Robert Harvie); and this Thomas was the son of yet another Thomas, who married Eleanor Radcliffe of Nayland, and a first cousin of Emma Paris who married Robert Spring of Lavenham.

Alston Court Armorial Families
JermyArgent: a lion rampant gules.
HoptonArgent: on 2 bars sable 6 mullets of as many points, 3 and 3 or.
Narburgh: A chief ermine.
Clere: Argent, on a fess azure, 3 eagles displayed or. [Fees=broad horizontal band, displayed= wings extended]
Parker: Argent,a chevron between 3 mascles sable.
Wichingham: Ermine, on a chief sable 3 crosses pattee argent.
Boys: Argent, 2 bars gules on a bend sable an annulet or; a canton of the second. [Canton= a diminutive of thequarter]
Payn (?): Argent, 3 boars' heads couped gules.
Spelman: Sable, 11 plates between 2 flaunches argent.
Thwaites: Argent, on a fess sable between 2 fleurs-de-lys gules, as many bezants. [Bezant = round flat piece of gold]
Rookwood: Argent, 3 chess-rooks sable.
Hemenhall: Or, an a fess between 2 chevrons gules 3 escallops argent.
Wingfield: Argent, on a bend sinister gules, voided sable 3 pairs of wings in lure of the field. [Voided- with centre removed, pair of wings in lure= 2 wings joined together with their tips pointing downward]
Wroth: Argent, on a bend sable 3 lions' heads erased of the field, crowned or.
JenneyErmine, a bend gules, cotissed or.
Appleyard: Azure, a chevron or between3 owls argent, a crescent for difference.
Pakenham: Gules, a garb argent. [Garb= sheaf]
Everard: Gules, on a fess between 3 estoiles argent, as many mullets sable.
Ufford: Sable, a cross engrailed or.
Haultoft: Sable, 3 lozenges ermine, a bordure engrailed of the second.
Beke: Gules, a cross moline argent.
Swillington: Argent, a chevron azure, a label of 3 ermine.
Wyssett: Gules, a griffin segreant argent. [Segreant= erect with wings extended]
Pert: Argent, on a bend gules, 3 mascles or.

English Heritage - National Monuments Ref. ALB 84 - Pictures of Alston Court Ref A2A
Bury PRO - Sale particulars Alston Court, Nayland. (illus.) - ref. HD 1180/59 - date: Undated. Ref A2A
Bury PRO - Photographs and lantern slides of Nayland, Suffolk.
Catalogue Ref. HD 1391
FILE - Composite postcard showing winter snow and following floods - ref. HD 1391/1/1 - date: pre 1920 Views include: Anchor Bridge, views west and south from church tower, Alston Court, Church Street, Fen Street and Gravel Hill
FILE - Alston Court, Court Street - ref. HD 1391/1/30 - date: 1926
FILE - Nayland War Memorial unveiling ceremony, by Alston Court - ref. HD 1391/1/32 - date: 6 Mar. 1921
FILE - Lantern slides pre 1920 by Gowing, Nayland Church street towards Alston Court - ref. HD 1391/6/3 - date: nd
FILE - Copy of Hadleigh Weekly News with item on Alston Court, Nayland - ref. HD 1391/8/20 - date: Feb. 1968
FILE - Photograph of stone in the wall of Alston Court on site of a Fenn House - ref. HD 1391/8/23 - date: n.d.
Ref A2A
Bury PRO - Papers of the Reverend Edmund Farrer of Hinderclay, Suffolk
Catalogue Ref. HD526
NAYLAND
FILE - Copy of letter, Ed. L. Fenn to E. Farrer about the restoration of Alston Court - ref. HD526/101/1 - date: 7 Feb 1903
FILE - East Anglian Miscellany No. 3678, Alston Court - ref. HD526/101/2 - date: 7 Feb 1906
FILE - Article, by Charles J. Blomfield, "Some notes on Alston Court and its Reparation" (from The Architectural Review?) - ref. HD526/101/4 - date: Undated 1906?
FILE - Plates from Farrer's Portraits in Suffolk Houses (West) of Mr and Mrs. Samuel Alston - ref. HD526/101/6 - date: 1908
Bury PRO - Slides of West Suffolk Towns and villages
Catalogue Ref. K 963
Nayland
FILE - Alston Court - ref. K 963/143 - date: 1973
FILE - Alston Court - ref. K 963/156 - date: 1973
Ref A2A

The 1552 Military Survey shows two Awstens living in Nayland;
John Awsten clothmaker assessed for tax on land & moveables.
Robert Awsten assessed for tax on moveables.

9^th January 1786
. . . . . order to Saml Alston
Whereas two several injunctions at the visitations of the Archdeacon of Sudbury have been made for new pewing ye South and North sides of the middle ayle in the Parish Church of Nayland in Suffolk and wear as these several meetings have been duly called and held when the churchwarden's were ordered and directed to carry the said instructions into . . . . . for the doing whereof materials are moved and proposed and it has since been . . . . . that the expense thereoff will fall heavily on such persons who occupy cottages and tenants in the said Parish now in order to assist such . . . . . persons and for other purposes . . . . . after maintained we are a major part of the . . . . . lands and tenements in Nayland Stoke next Nayland and Wiston in the Suffolkand and in Gt Horksley in Essex do hereby order and direct Samuel Alston of Nayland aforsaid . . . . .
Incomplete letter of untraced source 2011

Map of Nayland: http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/print.cfm#zoom=14&lat=51.9784&lon=0.8822&layers=1

Whites Directory 1844
NAYLAND, or Neyland, is a small ancient town, on the north side of the navigable river Stour, 9 miles S.E. by E. Sudbury ; 6 miles N. by W. of Colchester ; 8 miles S.W. by S. of Hadleigh ; and 56 miles N.E. of London. It had formerly a weekly market on Friday, and had a flourishing woollen manufacture, but both are now obsolete. It has still a fair for cattle, &c., on the Wednesday after October 2nd, and there are in the town several good inns and retail shops, a large silk throwsting mill, a soap manufactory, a brewery, and several malt kilns. It communicates with Essex by a large brick bridge of one arch, and its parish contains 1114 inhabitants, and 941 A. 1 R. 29P. of fertile land. Sir J. R. Rowley, Bart., is lord of the manor, and owner of most of the soil, and the remainder belongs to a number of small proprietors. It was one of the manors given to Hubert de Burgh by Henry III., when he created him Earl of Kent, but falling into disgrace with that monarch, he was obliged to part with several of his castles and estates to secure the quiet enjoyment of the rest. In the 13th of Edward HT., Nayland was the lordship of Lord Scrope, of Masham, in Yorkshire. In 1628, Richard Weston was created Baron Weston, of Neyland, and was afterwards raised to the dignity of Earl of Portland ; but on the death of the fourth earl, without issue, in 1688, these titles became extinct.
The town is well-built, and is about to be lighted with gas, from its low situation, it is subject to occasional inundations. The Church.(St. James) is a handsome structure, which had formerly ,a spire steeple, which, being much decayed, was taken down in 1834, when the present tower was erected at the cost of £500. In the tower are six musical bells, and in the chancel are several neat monuments, one of which is in memory of the Rev. Wm. Jones, M.A., a late rector, and author of the "Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity." Here are also several ancient memorials of persons formerly eminent in the clothing trade. Over the altar is a fine picture of the Redeemer, with a chalice. One Abel, a cloth worker, is said to have built the handsome porch of this church, in the wall of which he has a funeral monument, with letter A. and the figure of a bell upon it, to signify his name. There are a few brasses on the pavement, and on one of the slabs are the words " Queen of France," but the rest of the inscription is obliterated. The benefice is a perpetual curacy, valued in 1835 at £139, in the patronage of Sir J. R. Rowley, Bart., and incumbency of the Rev. W E. Sims, M.A., for whom the Rev. Fredk. Sims officiates. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for the yearly payment of £42. 2s. to the incumbent, and £244. 13s. 9d. to P. P. Mannock, Esq., the impropriator. Here is an Independent Chapel, belonging to a congregation, which dates its origin from 1732.
Persuant to a decree of the Court of Chancery, in 1822, various CHARITY Estates and Funds, belonging to Nayland and previously held under ancient deeds, were vested and settled in trustees, upon trust to apply the income in the manner proposed in a scheme approved by one of the Masters in Chancery, and sanctioned by the Court. This charity trust produces a yearly income of about £210, and consists of the following parcels of property viz., 8 tenements, let to the overseers for £20 a year ; a messuage, occupied by paupers ; a tenement, used as a National School; £103. 4s. 3d. three per cent. reduced annuities ;
£789 10s 3d three per cent. consols ; Ridhold farm, 36A. lr. 38p., and land called Fisher's, 19A. 18p., let together for £89. 4s. a year ; land called St. Mary's, 18a.3r.3p. let for £40 a year ; 17 common-rights on Nayland fen, let for about £15; LewisMeadow, Ia. in Wiston, let for £1. 13s. ; and £589. Is. 5d. three per cent. consols. From this trust, the following yearly sums are paid - viz., £38. to the perpetual curate of Nayland ; £6. 6s. to the parish clerk ; £15 for the repairs of the the church; £20 for apprenticing poor children; and the remainder, after payment of taxes, repairs, & is applied for the relief of the poor, and the education of 20 poor children. The poor parishioners have also £2 10s. yearly from an acre of land, in Lewis Meadow, left by Abm. Caley, in 1703, for distributions of bread ; and £2. 10s. yearly, left for the same purpose by Thos. Love, in 1564. They have likewise a share of White's Charity, as noticed with Holton.
Post Office at Wm. Littlebury's. Letters are despatched via Colchester 7 evening, & received at 7 mg.
Anchor, Charles Kirby Booking
Queen's Head, Thomas Crooks
Vine, John Tilby
White Hart Inn (& excise office) John Seabrook Mortimer
. . . . . .
Alston Samuel, solicitor
. . . . . .
Surgeons.
Daniel Jer Geo. & Will.
Fenn Thos Harrold
. . . . . .
Coaches: To Colchester & Stowmarket, call at the White Hart, morning & evening.
Wagon to London from the White Hart Tues. & Fri. Also Jno Parker to Ipswich & Mo& Colchester Wed. Thurs. Sat.

NEYLAND is seated on the north bank of the Stour, over which' is a large brick bridge of one arch, leading into Essex. This place is subject to inundations from the lowness of its situation. Here is a weekly market on Fridays, and an annual fair on the 2nd of October. Neyland contains 223 houses, and 1242 inhabitants. The church, standing in the middle of the town, with its spire steeple, is its principal ornament. The ancient monuments here are chiefly to the memory of persons formerly eminent in the clothiery line, for which this town was once famous. One Abel, a cloth-worker, is said to have built the handsome porch of this church, in the wall of which he has a monument, and to signify his name, and also to make up his coat armour, the letter A. and the picture of a bell are cast upon the monument.

STOKE JUXTA NEYLAND, or STOKE NEYLAND:. Here was a monastery of considerable celebrity before the conquest. The church, with its majestic steeple, is a noble structure. This may be seen as far off as Harwich, a distance of twenty miles. Neyland, though containing a much greater number of houses, is only a chapel of ease to the church of Stoke. The church at Neyland contains several handsome monuments for the Howards. In the south part, between the high altar and choir, is interred Catherine, first wife of John Howard, Duke of Norfolk, slain at the battle of Bosworth, in support of Richard III., with this inscription : " Under this stone is buried the body of the right honourable woman and ladie, sometime wife unto the right high and mighty prince Lord John Howard, Duke of Norfolk, and mother unto the right noble and puissant prince Lord Thomas Howard, Duke also of Norfolke, who departed this present life, Ann. Dom. 1452." Giffard's Hall, in this parish, with the estate, has been in possession of the Mannock family since the time of Henry VI., being then purchased by Philip Mannock, who had previously resided at the neighbouring village of Stoke. This house surrounds a quadrangular court ; the entrance by a tower gateway, said to have been built in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. by Peter Gifford, a distant relative to Anne Bullen: however, the whole is of brick, and the mouldings of the windows, doors, and other ornaments, are of the same material. Opposite to this entrance are some remains of an old chapel. A little to the left of Neyland, between that place and Stoke, is situated TENDRING HALL : this anciently belonged to a family of that name. William de Tendring had a grant of a market and fair at Stoke by Neyland, in the thirty-first of the reign of Edward I. Sir John Williams, knight, and Lord Mayor of London, one of its possessors, in the year 1736, built a fine seat here, which by purchase became the property of Sir William Rowley, one of the lords of the admiralty. Joshua, his son, gave several proofs of courage and conduct in the naval service, for which he was created a baronet in 1785. On his death, in 1700, Tendring Hall became the property of his son and successor, and is now in the possession of Sir William Rowley, bart. M. P. for Suffolk.
Ref Excursions in the county of Suffolk.

  Other Records

1. Samuel Alston: Attorney Duties paid on Apprenticeship Indentures, 1763, 1765, 1774, 1781. 1763 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures Peregrine D'Olyly
1765 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, Sam Meddows
1774 Duties Paid Apprentice Indentures Jacob Alston
1781 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures George Downing

2. Roger Payne: Manuscript, 1585.
Payne family were early owners, if not the builders of Alston Court.

3. Samuel Alston: Record of his private expenses, Jul 1740-20 May 1745, Nayland.
Bury Record Office SFK
Ref HA541/1/28.
Extracts from: My private expenses.
Oct 2 1740 At Colchester half a pint of wine 6 pence.
Nov 9 At Stoake Angell . . . Pint of wine 1 shilling.
Nov 30 At Three Nags . . . dram 3 pence
Dec 1 At White Hart . . . . cherry brandy 6 pence.
At Rose Pint of Ale 2 pence.
At Nayland Fair at Cock pint of wine I/6d
23 Dec Pint of Ale at Colchester Breakfast 4 pence

Expenses in a journey to London.
Nov 11 Spent with Mr Harris at Ingatestone 7 pence
Turnpikes 4 pence
At Stratford male [?] 8 pence
At Spread Eagle 6 pence
A pair of gloves 1/2d
Barber 3 pence
Oysters 2 pence

18th spent with Mr Jackson 3 pence
Breakfast 6 pence
Dinner 1/-
Supper 6 pence
Pd barbor 3 pence
Gave maid 1/-
Chamberlain 1/-
Hors lor 1/6d
Half a pint of wine with Willy 6 pence
Horse 3/4d
Breakfast Brook St 6 pence
Turnpikes 3 pence

Two pairs of Sale stockings 4 shillings
Paid for cleaning shoes 8 pence
A pair of buttons 1/3d
Paid for mending my cloaths 10 pence
Horse half a peck of oats & hay 6 pence

Bought a penknife 10 pense
etc.

4. Samuel Alston: Attorney Duties paid on Apprenticeship Indentures, 1758. 1758 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures Will Smithies

5. Household Inventory: Samuel Alston, 27 Aug 1762, Alston Court Nayland SFK.
An inventory of sundry household goods at the dwelling house of Mr Samuel Alston attorney at law at Nayland in Suffolk which were seen and appraised August 27, 1762.
By Hen^y Lodge.
In the Hall and on Staircase.
One eight-day clock three oval tables five old cane arm chairs and six others a couch and squab in old India pattern seven pictures eighteen prints and three old maps. L5 10s 0d.
In Parlour and Closet.
One looking glass one oval table three stone jars and a footman. L2 10s 0d.
In Kitchen and Closet.
One old cupboard 2 old oval tables 5 chairs a cloaths brusher to formes coal grates with col irons fender poker pewter tongs and crane in chimney and hooks dripping pan stand 2 split racks and one split and Jack pulleys and weight and a tin candle box. L2 0s 0d.
In the Cellar.
Four ale stalls two half hogs heads a 16 gallon vessel and a wood funnell. L1 11s 6d.
In the Backhouse and Laundry.
One old ? Browning copp a marsh tub and cooler 3 tubs and 2 ? a work line? and one pail two boylors 2 saucepans 2 skillets a store pan five Earth pots a safe a tin oven stone cistern and coal racks L5 7s 6d
In the Two Butterys.
A washing Engine useless till repair by Mr Alston three old Firkins a kneading trough one vessel and stall? and wood steps. L0 12s 6d
In the Best Parlour
A moving stove with brass moulding and fender 6 rush bolton chairs a corner cupboard a looking glass a small table 2 china bowls one of them broke 3 Delft bowls one of them broke 1 Delft dish and 9 plates 12 China plates 3 of them broke 40? Glasses of different sorts as jelly glasses wine glass and a two quart glass decanter and one pint. L5 5s 0d.
In the Laundry and Closet
An old 4 leaf screen one old ? iron one ? and 2 ? A stricking board and Deal Dresser an old napkin press and old chairs light pewter dishes 23 plates one water glass 2 pewter salvers 2 tin covers 2 iron dogs and 2 linen horses one copper chocolate pot and one ditto drinking pot. L2 15s 0d
In the Dining Room
A looking glass with glass arms a jappaned side? table 2 white cups a glass canister an old hearth brush 16 prints glazed in black frames an old piece of tapestry and a mahogany side? board. L3 3s 0d
In the Room Over the Cellar.
An old turn up bedstead with old flock bed mixed with feathers a bedstead with red handing? a feather bed 2 old blankets and quilt a bolster and 2 pillows a Deal hanging ? and old table and 3 old chairs. L2 12s 6d
In the Yellow Room.
A bedstead with old yellow hanging one old featherbed a bolster and one pillow an old under bed 2 blankets and old quilt a small old glass and old chest of drawers a small table 2 old cane chairs a childs chair old window curtains and rod and old trunk. L2 0s 0d.
In the Green Room.
A chest of drawers a dressing glass old dressing table an old skrowtore? and 4 chairs stove and fender old window curtains and rod. L1 11s 6d.
In the Dressing Room and Closet.
A swing glass one cane chair 6 small pictures and a trunk. L0 5s 0d.
In the Best? Chamber.
A bedstead with a featherbed a bolster one pillow 2 blankets green hanging and a gilt hanging of the room and window curtains 2 old stools an old easy chair 3 cane chairs a picture 7 blue & white china cups broke and whole. L3 7s 6d
In the Red Room
A bedstead a featherbed a bolster 3 pillows a mattress and old white quilt a looking glass a square table a chest of drawers and three old chairs. L5 0s 0d.
In the Blew Room Green Room and Closet and Stair Case.
Old looking glass and tinned night table a palla? and bedstead broke a feather bed and bolster an old clock case 10 old portraits? and three maps. L1 10s 0d
p?Patar?
One pint mug a cream pot 2 salts and shovels one scop spoon 5 tablespoons 8 tea spoons a strainer and a pepper crusher
L11 0s 0d
All the goods mentioned in this infantry were appraised at the sum of L56.10s 6d
per Hen^y Lodge.
Inventory in Other Records file, it uses many abbreviations.

6. Alston Law Practice: Day Book Sundry Charges, 1771, Nayland Suffolk.

7. Portraits of Samuel Alston, 1773, Nayland Suffolk.
Two minatures of Samuel: on left image 50mm x 45mm unsigned, endorsed "Samuel Alston of Nayland in the County of Suffolk Solicitor Attorney at Law died 3rd June 1796. Aged 74 years"
This is a much more sophisticated painting wth finer brushwork, George is dressed more formally.

The larger image 100mm x 125mm of George as an older man ? with a less formal wig and dress.
Endorsed "Saml Alston Attorney Nayland aet 51 G Roth¹ pinxit 1773"
In possession of The Kingscandlesticks Trust 2022.

1. George Roth was a minor painter born about 1739, son of George Roth. Information on George Roth, jun. is slight but is known to have worked both in London and Bath and exhibited at The Society of Arts 1771-1776. Portraits by George Roth of sitters from Ipswich are known which point to an East Anglian connection for the Roth family. George Roth, jun. was buried at St Anne, Westminster on 1 May 1821, aged 82.
https://suffolkartists.co.uk/index.cgi?choice=painter&pid=554

8. Alston Law Practice: Bill Book Extracts, 1774-1777, Nayland Suffolk. Details of bills rendered to customers of the practice, several of them Alston family

9. Alston Law Practice: Bill Book Extracts, 1774-1775, Nayland Suffolk. Details of bills rendered to customers of the practice, several of them Alston family

10. Alston Law Practice: Bill Book Extracts, 1775-1777, Nayland Suffolk. Details of bills rendered to customers of the practice, several of them Alston family

11. Alston Law Practice: Diary Extracts, 1777-1784, Nayland Suffolk. Diary of document service and other activities and includes notes and signatures of the various members of the practice.

12. Signatures and Notes Vanderzee/Alston law practice: Nayland Suffolk. Signatures of Jacobus Vanderzee and Sam Alston snr notes re Nayland Church fabric and the education of Sam's family.

13. Alston Court: Nayland Suffolk.
Views of the house including the Americus Backers piano which belonged in the house from the 18thC.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americus_Backers
Now part of the Benton Fletcher Collection of early musical instruments at Fenton House London.
See: http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/results?Categories=74a62315fffffe0702132e04994a82f5&Collections=e6d708f8fffffe0736b1466761a5837b

Also the original tester bed from the Solar (main bedroom), see Alston Court Reparation under books tab on this website. http://www.thekingscandlesticks.com/index_htm_files/Alston%20Court%2001a.pdf (Page 19)

14. Samuel Alston: Disbursments on a debt, managed by Samuel, 1780-1781.
Noted in his daughter Anna's work book dated 15 Feb 1780
24 November 1780.
Received of Samuel Alston Attorney for the trustees of John Glover the sum of ten pounds & one penny halfpenny being the second dividend of one shilling and seven pence in the pound which with four shillings in the pound paid before to the under mentioned persons is in full for the several debts hereunder mentioned due to the for those use is duly received by me.
Geo Connell,
2nd Dividend
Mr David Taylor £31 5s 0d £2 9s 6d
Thomas Ely 82 17s 10d 6 11 2
Weller & Delves 2 16 0 4 5
Nath Borehan 2 10 0 3 11½
Mr Hammond 7 0 0 11 1
£126 8s 10. £10 0 1½.
4 December 1780.
Received of Dr William Blair and Messrs William Jarrold and George Cornell Trustees for the Creditors of John Glover by the hands of Samuel Alston the sum of two pounds fifteen shillings and six pence being five shilling and seven pence in the pound for a debt of Ten pounds due from the said John Glover to me on a Note of Hand
Which I accept in full for the said Debt.
As Witness my hand.
£2 15s 6d
Daniel Steward
Received of Dr William Blair and Messrs William Jarrold and George Cornell Trustees for the Creditors of John Glover by the hands of Samuel Alston the sum of one pound seventeen shillings and six pence being the second dividend of one shilling and seven pence in the pound which with four shillings in the pound I received before I accept in full for a debt of twenty three pounds and fifteen shillings due from the said John Glover to me.
As Witness my hand this 13th day of December 1780/1
£1 17s 6d.
J G Smith.
Bury Archive, Alston HA541/1/57

15. Alston Law Practice: Diary Extracts, 1786-1794, Nayland Suffolk. Diary of document service and other activities and includes notes and signatures of the various members of the practice.

16. Samuel Alston: Attorney Duties paid on Apprenticeship Indentures, 1787-1790. 1787 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures Charles Fowle
1790 Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures Joseph Hoare

17. Samuel Alston: Will, 1795, Nayland SFK.
THE WILL OF SAMUEL ALSTON OF NAYLAND, CO. SUFFOLK, GENT.
DATED 7 FEBRUARY 1795
I give to my wife Mary Alston my real estates and all my goods and personal estate, chargeable with the payment of 100 pounds a piece to my daughter Mary, wife of George Downing Esq. and to my son William Alston.
I forgive my son James Alston his note of hand for 100 pounds with interest thereon due to me.
I also charge my estates with the sum of 100 pounds in favour of my grandson Charles Alston, to be paid to his father James Alston and used for said Charles's education.
Also with the sum of 500 pounds a piece to my sons George and Samuel and my daughters Charlotte, Anna Maria, Harriet and Sarah.
I appoint my wife sole executrix.
Signed Samuel Alston.
Witnesses T.C.Harrold, Isaac Nicholson, Thomas Marshall.
Proved 25th August 1796 by Mary Alston widow relict of deceased and sole executrix named in will.

18. Nayland surrounding Villages & River Stour, 1885-1900.
Courtesy National Library of Scotland.

19. Alston Vault: Family Burial Vault, 1777, Nayland Suffolk.
This Vault was made at the Expense of
Samuel Alston of this Parifh
Attorney at Law
for the use of his family
1777
It is recorded that the vault was built with the permission of the Church Wardens.
Samuel was a Church Warden from 1756 to 1795.

2 The Anchorage.
Pakuranga,
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND.
14th April 2001.

Nayland Parochial Church Council,
C/o Mr Carver, Hon Treasurer,
Mill House
Suffolk CO6 4HU
ENGLAND.

Re: Proposed Lavatory Facilities in St James Nayland.

Dear Mr Carver,
It has saddened me to learn that the above proposal, involving the desecration of my family burial vault, is again under consideration.
Over recent years while in Nayland I have discussed this with several Parishioners, please convey my considered sentiments below to those determining the matter.
For some 600 years St James has functioned as a spiritual and social centre for the village, without the need for a lavatory within its walls. However if for some reason one is now deemed to be necessary, then I believe siting it in a manner which disturbs an ancient and historical burial site is totally inappropriate.
The vault, is a unique feature of a sacred, beautiful, and historic structure, it seems inconceivable to me that a construction site external to the Church cannot be found.
Be that as it may I must however refer to my personal interest in that my Gt Gt Gt Grandfather Samuel Alston constructed the burial place more than 220 years ago, no doubt with the sanction of the Vestry and in good faith as to its future.
As one Sam's few living relatives I willingly take up the cause on his behalf to ask the Parochial Church Council to act in a way that will not desecrate his and his family's last resting place.
Yours sincerely,
Edward Liveing Fenn.
(To date this desecration has not taken place - 2019)

20. Nayland Suffolk: Church of St James.
Perhaps the most important incumbent of St James 1777 - 1800 was the High Churchman Rev William Jones of Nayland (see file number [26211] in this Tree)

The Old Vicarage Court St Nayland

The previous entry shows the burial vault built by Samuel Alston for he and his family

Outside view courtesy of Dogmarten Photography - 2020

21. Alston Court: The Great Yew, Garden Wall & Historic Land Holdings: Nayland Suffolk.
The Great Yew, in Alston Court garden is reputed to be of great age, it was formed into a "Summer House" within its branches and the researcher's father Harold (Harry) Fenn born 1877 remembered playing in it, it was regarded as very old then.

Alston Court garden wall to Court St Nayland, on the inside of this wall are two marble plaques which read
"Here Ftood a Fen Houfe 1708"

Aerial photograph of the property showing Court Knoll (See Books section) in the foreground, on the edge of the Stour river, through to the back to the house on the corner of Court & High Streets. The white roofs top right of centre are St James Church.

Up until the 20thC the Stour was navigable from Harwich on the North Sea to Sudbury, the river rises near Weston Colville Cambridgeshire 47 miles from the sea.
For most of its length it forms the boundary between Suffolk & Essex.
Scenes of the river around Dedham Vale have been imortalised by the Suffolk artists John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough, Alfred Munnings etc.
Wikipedia

22. Nayland Suffolk: The Buildings of England by Dr Nikolaus Pevsner: Suffolk.
Nayland
Pages 341 to 343.

St James. A surprising sight from Church St (picture on left) owing to the rich sw porch attached to the w tower and entered from the w. (see picture)
The porch was built of stone by a clothier, William Abell, in 1525, and rebuilt in 1884. It is panelled and castellated and has a (new) vault with many tiercerons but no liernes. The unbuttressed w tower is c 14 (but with a brick top of 1834 \emdash a terrible pity), and so are the chancel with its five-light a window displaying flowing tracery, the w window of the N aisle with intersected tracery, and the shape of the former s window. The rest is Perp. Handsome s aisle front with rood-stair turret. This seems the aisle referred to in a will of 1492-3. Arcades of six bays with finely moulded piers. Attached shafts with capitals only towards the arch openings. From shields in the spandrels of the arcade rise shafts which divide the clerestory into pairs of windows. The chancel has a clerestory too. No chancel chapels.
SCREENS. Eight painted panels of c. 1500 from the former rood screen are hung up in the s aisle. Indif-ferent quality. (Also early c 16 screenwork below the w gallery. ix)
FONT COVER. By R. Y. Goodden.
WEST GALLERY. Simple c a work.
NORTH DOOR. With linenfold panelling and a border of vine trails.
ALTAR PAINTING. Christ blessing bread and wine. By John Constable, 1809 and much less tied to the well-tried-out mannerisms of the late c 13 than his picture of 1804 at Brantham.
STAINED GLASS. N aisle w window by . Kempe, c. 1908.
PLATE. Cup 1562; Paten and Flagon 1825.
BRASSES.. Large double canopy (N aisle), c. 144o. Upper half of a Lady with butterfly head-dress under a canopy (Mrs Hacche), c. 1485. Original size c. 3 ft (nave). \emdash Civilian and wife under double canopy, c. 1500 (nave). The figures are 3 ft long. \emdash Civilian and wife with pedimented head-dress, probably Richard Davy t 1514 (N aisle); 18 in. figures.

ALSTON COURT. The hub of the village is Alston Court, a fine and varied house with great surprises. It lies at the s end of the N\emdash S run of Church Street, where this turns B to lead to the church and beyond. The front is plastered and has a w gable; a big doorway of c. 1700 with a semicircular deeply apsed hood on big carved brackets, a spectacular early c 16 nine-light window with two transoms, and an B gable with timbers show-ing. The E front has the timbers showing too, and brick-nogging. But the great surprise is the E wing as seen from the courtyard. It also has brick-nogging, and in addition carved bressumers, several oriel windows, and elegant buttress and angle-posts. The Hall has a big eight-light window also towards the courtyard. More exposed timber-framing in the other wings. The dates are not certain, but it is assumed that the E wing dates
from the later c 15. The finest rooms inside begin with the Hall, with a tie-beam on arched braces and a kingpost. The braces have traceried spandrels and rest on wall-shafts. Then N of the Hall the Dining Room, with heavily moulded and carved beams, and above this the beautiful Solar with a boarded roof of low pitch supported on generously carved arched braces. They rest on corbels in the shape of human figures. Much carving also of the wall-plate.

From Alston Court CHURCH STREET runs E past the S side of the church and ends by the handsome timber-framed WHITE HOUSE. It also runs N and here first, on the E side, an obelisk MILESTONE (56 M. to London, etc.), then on the w side the QUEEN'S HEAD with exposed timber work to the coaching yard as well as to the mill stream on the N. To the E the stream continues between the houses of FENN STREET, a very pretty sight. From the N end of Church Street to the E BIRCH STREET with several good timber-framed houses with jutting upper floors, to the W BEAR STREET With the BUTCHER'S ARMS (carved bressumer), and opposite a house with a date 1690 in a pargetted cartouche.

Samuel married Mary VANDERZEE [86] [MRIN: 62], daughter of Jacobus VANDERZEE [120] and Mary GUSTERSON [2071], on 1 Aug 1758 in St James (Piccadilly) Westminister. (Mary VANDERZEE [86] was born in 1740, baptised on 3 Apr 1740 in Nayland Register. and was buried on 11 May 1803 in Vault With Husband Nayland SFK.)