Scoltons
This is still a work in progress, but the details we have relating to Scoltons tell us that in the 19th century its story was closely linked to a property called Lacy’s. Scoltons is usually described as being ‘wasted’ with Lacey’s being the more desirable property.
On the 1930 map below the area outlined in red shows the 47 roods of the combined land of Laceys and Scoltons.
Research tells us that there was a link between Scoltons and Stowupland Congregational Chapel. He suggests that Scoltons might have been the original Stowupland Methodist Chapel but in the 1850s an arrangement was made whereby land was exchanged so the new congregational chapel could be build with a frontage onto the Main Road. The image shows the Congregational Chapel in the 1930s.
A William Harbour from Wortham (near Diss) had founded a Methodist chapel in Stowupland though it was to be short lived. In 1831 William Harbour took possession of a property called Scoltons which was described as “All those two messuages (now wasted) …. with 1 rood of copyhold land …..however by 1853 he had to surrender the property as he was then ‘a prisoner in gaol for debt”.
In 1831 William Harbour surrenders a mortgage bond to James Gudgeon.
A conveyance of the 1820s tells us that a John Robinson surrended property to William Harbour, refers to a will of James Moyes (executors George Chittock and Jonathan Thurlow).
In 1791 John Robinson is named in Church Farm deeds as living in a property near Crown Farm. In 1806 Esther Dove and John Robinson are associated with the property.In 1818 when Mrs (widow) Carter put Crown Farm up for auction John Robinson was named as living in an adjoining cottage that was offered for sale in a separate lot. Could this be Scoltons?
In the 1840 tithe apportionments the Dissenters House was tm415, owned by Charles Rayner Freeman of Stowupland Hall. John Harbour was recorded as the owner of an orchard (tm410 so near by to Scoltons, the occupier was John Hannibal.
1846 Thomas Prentice (late of Stowmarket) had lent £100 to William Harbour.
By 1853 William Harbour had to surrender Scoltons as he was then ‘a prisoner in gaol for debt”.
August 1865 John Dent, watchman of Stowupland, bought the copyhold of 1 rood of land on Thorney Green, he was named as the previous occupier. It was copyhold of the Manor of Thorney Mumpliers. This was one of several lots being offered for sale following the death of Thomas Prentice Esq. John Dent paid £24.6s This is probably Scoltons
For more of Scoltons story see Laceys as the properties seem to have been merged.
What is the earlier history of Scoltons? There are various similar names such as Skowens or Scowen that maybe linked to land known in the 17th century as Scowtons.
A will of Margaret Tylar of Stowupland made 27 March 1629, amongst other bequests she leaves to her son John Tylar “all that my tenement lande called or knowne by the name of Scowtons lyinge in Stowupland wherein John Wells & —– Thinge now of late doe dwellwth the yarde & appurtenances.” 9She also bequeaths the land called Sparrows and Bucks Meadow.)
In 1726 Susanna Scowen married a William Wileden in Stowupland.
In 1790 there is mention of Skowers Farm- A barn in Saxham Street is mentioned in the records of Stowupland Hall and research by Ena Carter mentions Coopers barn in relation to sale in October 9th 1790 by John Newsteads at Skowers farm in Stowupland.
{Most of the above information comes from copies of deeds donated to and held in the SLHG Archives/BBF}
