Dunwich Genealogical Records

Dunwich Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St. Peter, Dunwich Baptism Records (1549-1658)

A printed register recording the baptism of children at St. Peter, Dunwich. This work essentially records births in and around Dunwich between 1549 and 1658.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.

Dunwich Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St James, Dunwich Marriage Registers (1832-1837)

Brief notes on marriages occurring in St James, Dunwich from 1832 to 1837.

Dunwich Marriage Index (1677-1752)

An index to marriages in between 1677 and 1752, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

St. Peter, Dunwich Marriage Records (1549-1658)

A searchable transcript of the marriage registers of St. Peter, Dunwich. Church marriage registers are the primary source for pre-1837 marriages. They may record the bride and groom's residence, the groom's occupation, parents' names, marital status and witnesses.

Dunwich, St Peter Marriages (1549-1658)

A transcript of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

Dunwich Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St James, Dunwich Burial Records (1829-1900)

Burial records covering those buried at St James, Dunwich_. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the burial registers from which they were extracted.

All Saints, Dunwich Burial Records (1689-1848)

An index of burials recorded at All Saints, Dunwich_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.

St. Peter, Dunwich Burial Records (1549-1658)

A printed book recording burials in the churchyard of St. Peter, Dunwich. These records essentially record deaths in and around Dunwich between 1549 and 1658. Details may include the age of the deceased, their residence and name of relations.

Suffolk Quaker Burials (1813-1837)

An index to burials recorded at Quaker meetings. The records contain the name of the deceased, the date they were buried and their age.

Dunwich Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A list of Suffolk householders and the number of hearths they possessed.

Suffolk Subsidy Returns (1568)

A list of taxes paid by heads of households.

Newspapers Covering Dunwich

Bury and Norwich Post (1801-1900)

A regional newspaper covering news and events in Norfolk and Suffolk. The newspaper contains numerous notices and articles useful to family historians, such as notices of birth, marriage and death.

The Colchester Gazette and General Advertiser (1814-1817)

A newspaper covering Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Around 50% of issues from 1814-1817. Original images, searchable by an OCR index.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

Daily Mirror (1914-1918)

Digital images, searchable by text, of a British daily tabloid.

Dunwich Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1751-1818)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1370-1603)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Will Transcripts (1630-1638)

Full transcriptions of around 1,400 17th century wills from the Archdeaconry of Sudbury in Suffolk. Contains an index of all the people and places mentioned in the wills.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Will Transcripts (1439-1474)

Full transcriptions of several hundred early wills from the Archdeaconry of Sudbury in Suffolk.

Dunwich Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Dunwich Military Records

History of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959)

An introductory history to an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army.

A Suffolk Regiment Calendar (1685-1962)

A calendar that lists most of the important dates in the history of the Regiment.

Suffolk WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Suffolk, with some service details.

Suffolk WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Suffolk, with some service details.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

Suffolk, Eastern Division Poll Book (1832)

A book recording people who voted, who they voted for and where the voter lived.

Suffolk Eyre Roll Civil Pleas (1240)

Transcriptions and translations of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes. A number of cases relate to Suffolk.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Dunwich Taxation Records

Poll for the Knights of Suffolk (1830)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1790)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1710)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A list of Suffolk householders and the number of hearths they possessed.

Dunwich Land & Property Records

Suffolk, Eastern Division Poll Book (1832)

A book recording people who voted, who they voted for and where the voter lived.

Poll for the Knights of Suffolk (1830)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1790)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1710)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Dunwich Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1938)

A directory of settlements in Suffolk detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1927)

Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private residents..

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1925-1926)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1916)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1912)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Dunwich Cemeteries

Suffolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Suffolk's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Dunwich Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Dunwich Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Suffolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Suckling's History and Antiquities of Suffolk (1066-1846)

Describes the parishes in the three hundreds of Wangford, Mutford and Lothingland, in the north-east of the county.

Suffolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Suffolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Norfolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Norfolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Handbook: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire (1892)

A traveller's guide to four Southern counties.

Dunwich School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Dunwich Occupation & Business Records

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

Lost Pubs of Suffolk (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Dunwich

Victoria County History: Suffolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dunwich Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Suffolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Suffolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Suffolk's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Dunwich Church Records

Dunwich Parish Registers (1549-1658)

A printed book comprised of baptism, marriage and burial transcriptions from the registers of the church at Dunwich. These records document relations between people, detail where they live and may offer other details such as occupations.

Suffolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Suffolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Norfolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Norfolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

British Church Albums (1990-Present)

Photographs of churches of all denominations throughout England and part of Wales.

Biographical Directories Covering Dunwich

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Dunwich Maps

Essex and Suffolk Maps (1360-1910)

A collection of maps plotting the counties of Essex and Suffolk, and some of their settlements.

Maps of Suffolk (1607-1886)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Dunwich Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Dunwich, a market-town, pleasantly situated, having an extensive view of the German Ocean, and is very convenient for sea-bathing, machines being kept for that purpose. This place is reduced very much by the encroachments of the sea, most of its parishes having; been destroyed; and the encroachment that is still making, will probably, in a few years, oblige the constituent body to betake themselves to a boat, whenever the king’s writ shall summon them to the exercise of their elective functions; as the necessity of adhering to forms, in the farcical solemnity of borough elections, is not to be dispensed with. This town sends members ab origine. The right of election is in the freemen, inhabiting within the remains of the borough, and not receiving alms. The corporation consists of two bailiffs, and twelve capital burgesses; so that the number of voters is only fourteen. Returning officers, the bailiffs. The market, which is very mean, is held on Monday; and the town consisted, according to the late population act, of 38 houses, and 200 inhabitants.

With respect to antiquity, this place is supposed to vie with most others in the kingdom. It is thought to have been a station of the Romans, from Roman coins having been found in its neighbourhood; while others maintain that it was a British town, under the protection of the Romans. It is seated on a cliff 40 feet high, and on the east and west of the town were raised ramparts of earth, fortified on the top with palisades, and at the foot with a deep ditch, part of which, with the bank, is still to be seen. It was filled with handsome buildings, and particularly contained the royal palaces of the kings of the East- Angles, and was the first episcopal see of that kingdom. Felix, the Burgundian bishop, whom Sigebert, king of the East-Angles, brought hither to revive the knowledge of Christianity, which his subjects had almost forgotten, fixed his episcopal see here, in the year 636. After him three bishops enjoyed the see, and had jurisdiction over the whole kingdom of the East-Angles; but in the latter part of his third successor’s time, the see was divided, and a bishop for the Norfolk part of that kingdom being placed at Elmham, the bishop of Dunwich, or as it was then called, Domoc and Donmuc, had the Suffolk part only; after the division of the see, there are said to have sat 11 bishops at Dunwich; but about the year 820, or soon after, the troublesome times put a period to this bishopric, before it had lasted 200 years.

When Domesday-book was made, this place paid 50l. or, in other words, 50 pounds weight of silver, to the king, and 60,000 herrings. In the reign of King Henry the Second, it was a famous city, filled with great riches; and, it is said, that there was, for some time, a mint here. In the first year of the reign of King John, it had a charter of liberties, in which the burgesses, among other things, had the privilege of giving, selling, or otherwise disposing of their lands and houses, within the town, at pleasure. This charter cost the citizens 300 marks, besides 10 falcons, and five ger-falcons. In the reign of Richard the First, Dunwich was fined 1060 marks, Orford 15, Ipswich 200, and Yarmouth 200, for the unlawful practice of supplying the enemy with corn; which may give some insight into the trade of these towns at that time. On the north side of the town was the entrance into the haven, which rendered Dunwich a place of great trade, and on the north side of it was erected & pier; the place, which was part of the quay, may be still known by the piles yet standing.

Here were six, if not eight, parish churches, (as before mentioned, ) namely, St. John’s, which was a rectory, and seems to have been swallowed up by the sea about the year 1540; St. Martin’s, St. Nicholas’s and St. Peter’s, which were likewise rectories, and St. Leonard’s, and All-Saints, which were impropriated. These, and all the other churches, were given by Robert Mallet, to his priory at Eye, in the reign of William the Conqueror, and the prior and convent presented to all the instituted churches, out of most of which they had portions of tithes, and they had all the revenues of the impropriated ones, but were obliged to find a secular priest to serve, the cures. The register of Eye also mentions the churches of St. Michael and St. Bartholomew, which were swallowed up by the sea before the year 1331.

Besides these parish churches, Weaver mentions three chapels dedicated to St. Antony, St Francis, and St. Catharine. Here was also the Temple church, dedicated to St. Mary and St. John Baptist, which probably belonged, first to the Templars, and afterwards to the Hospitallers, who had a good estate, in this neighbourhood, and might, as other lords frequently did, build a church for the use of their own tenants; for it does not appear that they had any preceptory or commandery here. There was here likewise a noble and ancient church belonging to St. James’s hospital, which consisted of a master, and several leprous brethren and sisters; it is said to have been founded in the reign of Richard the First, and confirmed by him afterwards, when he came to the throne of England; but others suppose it to be founded by Walter de Ribo. The vast income of this once famous hospital, is now dwindled to about 22l. a year, of which 40s. per annum belongs to the master, and the remainder is applied towards the maintenance of three or four indigent people, who reside in a poor old house, which is all that is left of the building, except the shell of the church. Here was also an hospital, called Maison Dieu, or God’s House, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in the reign of Henry the Third, and was plentifully endowed for a master, six brethren, and several sisters, with tenements, houses, lands, and rents; but the yearly revenues do not amount, at present, to quite 12l. out of which the master has 2l., and the remainder is divided among a few poor people, who, with the master, live in two old decayed houses, which are all that are left of this hospital, except a a small part of the church belonging to it.

Here were also two houses of friars, one of Franciscan, or Grey Friars, founded by Fitz-John, and Alice his wife, and its revenues were enlarged by King Henry the Third. Its walls encompass upwards of seven acres of land, and in them were three gates. That to the eastward is quite demolished, but the arches of two gates to the westward, continue pretty firm, and have something curious in their work- manship, but are almost covered with ivy. The largest of these gates serves for the principal entrance to the house, the greatest part of which now lies in ruinous heaps; but the part which remains is converted into a tenement: here is a hall, in which are several apartments, where the affairs of the corporation are transacted, and the jail. The east front of this part of the building has been rebuilt with brick. The other monastery was for the Dominicans, or Preaching friars, and was founded by Sir Roger Holishe, knight. Both these monasteries had handsome churches belonging to them.

As the ruin of this town was principally owing to the encroachments of the sea from time to time, it will not be improper to give here a more particular account of these dreadful devastations. It is observable, that the coast is here destitute of rocks, and the principal part of Dunwich being built on a hill, consisting of loam and sand of a loose texture, it is no wonder that the surges of the sea, beating against the foot of the precipice, easily undermined it. —Gardner, in his historical account of Dunwich, observes, that one of the two carves of land, taxed in the reign of Edward the Confessor, was found to be swallowed up by the sea, at the time of the survey made by order of William the Conqueror. The church of St. Felix, and the cell of monks, were lost very early. In the first year of Edward the Third, the old port was rendered entirely useless, and before the 23rd year of that king’s reign, great part of the town, with upwards of 400 houses, which paid rent to the fee-farm, with certain shops and windmills, were devoured by the sea. After this the church of St. Leonard was overthrown; and in the 14th century, the churches of St. Martin and St. Nicholas were also destroyed by the waves. In 1543, the church of St. John Baptist was taken down, and in the same centuries, the chapels of St. Anthony, St., Francis, and St. Catharine, were overthrown, with the South gate and Gilden gate, and not one quarter of the town left standing. In the reign of Charles the First, the foundation of the Temple buildings yielded to the irresistible force of the undermining surges, and in 1677 the sea reached the market-place. In 1680 all the buildings north of Maison Dieu lane were demolished, and in 1702 the sea extended its dominion to St. Peter’s church, on which it was divested of the lead, timber, bells, and other materials, the walls only remaining, which tumbled over the cliff as the water undermined them; and the town-hall suffered the same fate. In 1715 the jail was undermined, and in 1729 the farthest bounds of St. Peter’s church-yard fell into the sea.

In December, 1740, the wind blowing very hard from the north-east, and continuing for several days, occasioned terrible devastations; for a great part of the cliffs were washed away, with the remains of St. Nicholas’s church-yard, as also the great road which formerly led into the town. —King’s-holm, otherwise.

called Leonard’s-marsh, which was then worth 100l. a year, was laid under water, and has ever since been so covered with shingles and sand, that it is now worth little. Besides, Cock and Hen hills, which the preceding summer were upwards of 40 feet high, had their heads levelled with their bases; and the foundation of St. Francis’s chapel was discovered. Several skeletons appeared on the Ouse, some lying in pretty good order, and others scattered about by the waves. At the same time, near the chapel, were found the pipes of an ancient aqueduct, some of which were of lead, and others of a grey earth, like that of some urns.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

DUNWICH is a small parish and quiet seaside watering place on the German Ocean, 4 miles south-east from Blythburgh station on the Southwold railway, miles east from Darsham station, and is between 4 and 5 miles south-by-west from Southwold by the beach, and 8 by the road, 9 south-east from Halesworth, and 9 north-east from Saxmundham, in the North Eastern division of the county, Blything hundred, petty sessional division and union, county court district of Halesworth, rural deanery of South Dunwich, archdeaconry of Suffolk and diocese of Norwich, This place gives the title of Viscount to the Rous family, Earls of Stradbroke.

Dunwich was formerly the capital of East Anglia and from A.D. 673 to 870 the head of a bishop’s see, a place of considerable commercial importance, and contained within its boundary 52 churches and chapels. The present decayed state of this place is owing to the encroachments of the sea which in the reign of Edward III. destroyed the church of St. Leonard, and not less than 400 houses, and is still gradually washing away its sandy cliffs. In the reign of Edward I. when the town had already declined to some extent, it possessed 11 ships of war, 16 fair ships, 20 barks, or vessels trading to the North seas, and 24 fishing boats. Dunwich sent two members to Parliament from 25 Edward I. (1296) until it was disfranchised by the Reform Act of 1832. It was incorporated by King John, whose charter was remodelled 22 Edw. III. (1348—9) and confirmed and extended by succeeding monarchs, including Edw. IV. who granted the borough Admiralty jurisdiction and other privileges. The corporation, was, however, abolished in 1886, under the provisions of the “Municipal Corporations Act” (46 and 47 Vict. c. 18). The church of St. James, erected in 1830, is a plain edifice of flint in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch and an embattled western tower containing one bell: in 1879 a new chancel was built, new windows inserted, a fine oak roof erected and stained windows' placed in the chancel, at a cost of nearly £2,000, wholly defrayed by the late Frederick Barne esq. of Sotterley, who represented the borough of Dunwieh in four successive Parliaments from 1812 to 1830: there are 200 sittings, all being free. In the churchyard stand the ruins of the hospital chapel. In 1886 a new cemetery was formed near the churchyard, and a lych gate erected, also at the cost of the late F. Barne esq. The register dates from the year 1830. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £45, in the gift of Miles Barne, esq. and held since 1895 by the Rev. Henry Dunsterville Day, who is also sequestrator of and resides at Wissett. There is a lifeboat station, established in Oct. 1873, by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, to whom a sum of £500 had been bequeathed by the late Rev. John Keble MA. vicar of Hursley, for the supply of a lifeboat on some part of the coast which most needed it: the lifeboat, named the “Ann Ferguson,” was presented in 1888. At Minsmere Haven, 2 miles south, is a coastguard station. The annual charities amount to £100 yearly, and there is also land belonging to the parishioners let for £18 yearly, and at present appropriated to church purposes. A Benedictine monastery was founded here in the time of William I. as a cell to the priory of Eye, but was long since swallowed up by the sea: here also was a preceptory of Knights Templars, founded before 1252, and dedicated to SS. Mary and John; a Dominican priory, founded by Sir Roger Holeshe, and a Franciscan priory by Hen. III. and R. Fitz John. There were also two hospitals, one dedicated to St. James, dating from the time of Rich. I. and the other, called “Maison Dieu,” to the Holy Trinity, and founded in the reign of Hen. III. Grey Friars is the seat of Miles Barne esq.; the grounds extend to the cliff and afford a full view of the German Ocean. Miles Barnes esq. and the town trustees are the chief landowners. The soil is sandy; subsoil, sand. Very little of the land is cultivated, being principally stocked with game. The area is 1,189 acres of land, 4 of water, 1 of tidal water and 43 of foreshore; rateable value, £896; the population in 1891 was 213.

School (mixed), supported by Miles Barne esq. for 70 children; average attendance, 45.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1900)

Most Common Surnames in Dunwich

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Blything Hundred
1Watling281:911.07%278
2Dix221:1135.48%1,106
3Butcher141:181.34%23
4Cook91:280.45%5
4Booth91:2813.85%1,073
6Brown81:310.31%2
6Swan81:314.35%411
6Stannard81:311.09%57
6Brinkley81:315.06%477
10Bloomfield71:360.80%33
11Wade61:421.55%155
12Green51:500.33%11
12Martin51:500.57%34
12Scarlett51:503.23%488
12Larter51:502.56%382
16Harris41:631.31%230
16Long41:630.70%85
16Thornton41:6319.05%2,275
16Baggott41:636.45%1,106
16Sadd41:634.88%894
16Vercoe41:63100.00%6,084
16Marker41:63100.00%6,084
16Ife41:637.14%1,196
16Rabbetts41:63100.00%6,084
25Ward31:830.24%14
25Goodall31:833.90%945
25Stockwell31:83100.00%6,900
25Packard31:832.36%587
25Riseborough31:8325.00%3,101
30Smith21:1250.03%1
30Fletcher21:1250.82%297
30Newman21:1250.40%108
30Coleman21:1250.43%120
30Osborne21:1250.40%106
30Browne21:1251.53%574
30Fiske21:1251.83%688
30Gissing21:1251.69%629
30Blandon21:12510.53%2,429
30Barne21:12525.00%4,007
40Johnson11:2500.12%41
40Cooper11:2500.06%10
40Moore11:2500.08%17
40Hunt11:2500.10%26
40Ross11:2503.13%1,766
40Andrews11:2500.13%46
40Webster11:2500.83%615
40Lane11:2501.25%911
40Woods11:2500.08%15
40Hammond11:2500.08%13
40Rowe11:2500.29%186
40Pugh11:2504.17%2,116
40Chamberlain11:2500.91%682
40Jacobs11:2500.31%211
40Garrett11:2500.67%503
40Leech11:2500.29%193
40Peck11:2500.13%50
40Cresswell11:2500.92%688
40Dyke11:2506.67%2,754
40Pitman11:25016.67%4,877
40Nutt11:25033.33%6,900
40Self11:2500.26%159
40Girling11:2500.15%67
40Borrett11:2500.48%350
40Sprunt11:25010.00%3,464
40Brands11:250100.00%9,362
40Orde11:25011.11%3,717
40Gooda11:2509.09%3,281
40Filch11:25016.67%4,877
40Shearne11:250100.00%9,362
40Skuffham11:2507.69%2,968
40Hargraft11:250100.00%9,362