Eye Genealogical Records

Eye 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.

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.

Birth Notices from The Times (1983-2003)

An index to over 100,000 birth and christening notices from The London Times.

Eye 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.

Eye Marriage Registers (1813-1837)

An index to marriages in Eye listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1815-1839)

Abstracts of marriage licences from the Sudbury Archdeaconry. These records may contain more details than marriage registers, including occupations, ages and parents' names.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1782-1814)

Abstracts of marriage licences from the Sudbury Archdeaconry. These records may contain more details than marriage registers, including occupations, ages and parents' names.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1755-1781)

Abstracts of marriage licences from the Sudbury Archdeaconry. These records may contain more details than marriage registers, including occupations, ages and parents' names.

Eye 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 Peter & St Paul, Eye Burial Records (1538-1900)

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

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.

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.

British Death and Burial Records (1379-2014)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Eye 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 Eye

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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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 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.

England & Wales Electoral Registers (1832-1932)

Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.

Eye 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.

Eye Land & Property 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.

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.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Eye 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.

Eye Cemeteries

Cemetery, Eye Cemetery Records (1855-1899)

An index to burials at Cemetery, Eye. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of their death or burial and their age.

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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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 Eye

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.

Eye 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.

Eye Church Records

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.

England Parish Registers (1914-2013)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at England. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Biographical Directories Covering Eye

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.

Eye 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.

Eye 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

Eye, or Aye, is seated in a bottom, and is almost surrounded by a brook, which runs close to the town, from whence it had its name, Aye signifying a brook. It is seated in the road from Ipswich to Norwich, at the distance of eighty-nine miles from Loudon, and was incorporated by King John. It is governed by two bailiffs, ten principal burgesses, and twenty-four common-councilmen. It enjoys several privileges at present, but they were formerly much more extensive, and sends two members to parliament. The church is a large and handsome structure, and the town is of late years much improved in its buildings; but from its situation, the streets are very dirty. Here are the ruinous walls of a castle, built by Robert Mallet, a Norman baron, who came over with the Conqueror, and obtained from him the lordship of Eye, with all its appendages; but he was deprived of the lordship by Henry the First, who gave it to Stephen, Earl of Bologne, afterwards king of England, who left it to his natural son; and he dying without heirs, it reverted to the crown. A part of the ancient manor now belongs to the Marquis Cornwallis.

On the east side of the town appear the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, founded in the reign of William the Conqueror, by the above Robert Mallet, who dedicated it to St. Peter. No sooner were the foundations of this house laid, than it found considerable benefactors; and in the reign of King Stephen, all the benefactions were confirmed to this house, with a grievous curse upon those who should presume to violate them. This was first an alien monastery, subordinate to the Abbey of Berney in Normandy, whose abbots, in token of their dominion, during the vacancy of a prior, used to place a porter at the gate, to be maintained out of the house, and who, at the instalment of the next prior, was to receive five shillings to buy him an ox; but it was made denizen by King Richard the Second, and so continued till the suppression, when it had ten monks, whose annual revenues were valued at 161l. 2s. clear. Eye has a small market on Saturdays, and has lately much improved in buildings, and in 1821 contained 1882 persons.

At Eye a plan has been projected for forming a canal between the port of Ipswich and the hundreds of Hartesmere, Hoxne, and Diss; thus rendering less expensive the conveyance of corn, coals, and other merchandize.

The streets of Eye are narrow, and, the houses in general old and mean, but the church is a large handsome structure. The town’s people have been much employed in manufacturing bone lace. It sends two members to parliament, and the number of voters is about two hundred, the right of election being in the corporation, and in the inhabitants paying scot and lot. In July 1818, some workmen in the employ of Benjamin Fincham, esq. of Oakley in Suffolk, while sinking a pit in the borough of Eye, struck on several Roman urns, and when, from the hardness of the soil, by the repeated strokes of the men, the urns were all, except three, broken in pieces. The site had probably been the cemetery of a Roman camp; the manner of their arrangement formed a circle, whose diameter might be about three yards, and something more. Of those preserved entire, the form is not inelegant, and their mouths were filled with a stone by way of cover. The substance of their composition appears to be a common pot-earth baked hard, and the insides capable of holding about six quarts. Many were broken to pieces in removing, and all appeared to be full of ashes. One of them is in the possession of Mr. W Fincham, draper and mercer of Diss. One, more elegantly ornamented than the others, placed in the centre of the circle, contained, besides ashes, a small silver instrument, in some degree resembling a pair of tweezers. The height of these urns, which had remained undisturbed 1800 years, varies from five to nine inches, and some were much more elegant than others. Besides these urns, a few fragments of iron shears, like those used by grooms, were picked up, although the length did not exceed that of small scissors. The metal was exceedingly corroded, and none were perfect. Two ivory buttons, resembling a globe in shape, were found half an inch in diameter, divided in the centre: the shank of the buttons was Consumed; but the holes where it was inserted were clearly visible. "The most curious thing," said an eye witness, "was a pair of tweezers, about two inches and a half long, as perfect as if recently taken from the hands of the artisan, and corresponding so exactly in shape with those now in general use, that they might have been taken for the manufacture of the present day. The site of the ground containing these curiosities is an enclosure belonging to the Abbey-farm, a mile from the town of Eye, and on the southern side of a rivulet which divides Eye from the parish of Brome, about 150 yards distant from the water.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

EYE (A.S. ea, Teutonic ey, an island) is an ancient municipal borough, market town, parish, head of a county court district and a petty sessional division, occupying a low situation at the confluence of two rivulets, with a station 20 miles north from Ipswich, 24 south from Norwich and 94 ½ from London, through Colchester and Ipswich, and 5 south from Diss, Norfolk, in the North Eastern division of the county, hundred and union of Hartismere, rural deanery of North Hartismere, archdeaconry of Suffolk and diocese of Norwich. A line of railway joins the main line at Mellis to this town, passing through Yaxley; it is worked by the Great Eastern Company.

The town was incorporated by King John, by a charter granted in 1205 and confirmed by Queen Elizabeth and William III. and is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve common councilmen, and has a commission of peace. The town returned two members to Parliament from 13 Eliz. (1570—1) until the passing of the Beform Act of 1832 (2 & 3 Wm. IV. c. 45), which gave it one member only, and by the “Redistribution of Seats Act 1885” (48 & 49 Vict. c. 23), the representation was merged in that of the county.

The town is lighted with gas from works belonging to the Eye Gas Light & Coke Co. and supplied with water from private wells.

The parish church of SS. Peter and Paul is a large structure of flint with stone dressings in the Early English and later styles, consisting of chancel with clerestory and aisles, clerestoried nave, aisles and a fine embattled western tower with pinnacles 101 feet in height, and containing a clock with chimes and 8 bells, two of which were cast in 1640: the tower was erected about 1470 by the parish oners, aided, it is believed, by John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, whose arms, quartering Burghersh, are sculptured on the centre panel of the battlements on the south side and also appear on the south porch: there are several ancient monuments, including two of Purbeck marble, dating from the reign of Queen Elizabeth: the chancel is separated from the nave by an elaborately carved and decorated road screen dating from about 1480, the lower portion having panels with painted figures of saints, including a portrait of Hen. VI. whose canonization, though proposed, was never completed, but that this king was honoured as a saint in many parts of England seems quite certain. The carved stone reredos was the gift of the neighbouring clergy: there is a memorial window to Gen. Sir Edward Kerrison bart. K.C.B., G.C.H. who served at Waterloo and was some time M.P. for Eye and recorder of the borough; he died 9 March, 1853; another window was erected in 1873 to George Herbert, for 74 years parish clerk, and there are some others: the south porch has an Early English doorway with, dog tooth moulding dating from about 1230: the south chancel aisle, formerly the Abbey chapel, was built about 1410: fin 1868—9 the chancel was restored by the late Sir E. C. Kerrison bart. and the rest of the church by subscription, and it now affords 800 sittings, about 300 being free. The register dates from the year 1538. The living is a vicarage, commuted tithe rent-charge £450, net yearly value £250, including 14 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Lady Bateman, and held since 1893 by the Rev. Arthur John Spencer MA. of Trinity College, Cambridge, rural dean of North Hartismere, surrogate, and chaplain to Hartismere Union.

The Wesleyan chapel in Castle street was erected in 1877 and has 120 sittings; the Baptist chapel in Church street, erected in 1810, was re-built in 1868.

The Cemetery on the Ipswich road, originally of 2 acres, was laid out in 1856, but in 1889 it was enlarged by the addition of two acres of land adjoining, a cottage being at the same time built as a keeper’s lodge: there are two mortuary chapels and the whole is under the control of a Burial Board of nine members.

The Corn Market and Town Hall, which occupy the site of the old building, were opened 12 May, 1857. The market is on Monday for corn, and a fair is held on Whit Monday for pleasure. A fortnightly sale of cattle is held close to the railway station by Messrs. Bond, of Ipswich.

Here are two breweries. This is also a station for collecting corn returns.

There are two branch banks here.

Eye Municipal Charities:—

Bedingfeld’s Charity, founded by Nicholas Bedingfild in 1630, consists of almshouses in Lambseth st. for 4 widows or spinsters; the income is derived from the rental of the "Bedingfeld Arms” Public House and two cottages adjoining and about 4 acres of land at Cranley. Small’s Charity, founded by William Small in 1654, is a rent-charge of £10 yearly proceeding out of the Eye Park estate, now owned by Lady Bateman, the amount is devoted to the apprenticeship to trade or handicraft of poor boys born in Eye. Woodman’s Gift, founded in 1572 by William Woodman, consists of a rent-charge of 5 marks yearly (£3 6s. 8d.), chargeable on lands in Cranley, now owned by Lord Bateman, and is paid under the provisions of the donor’s will to the Parish Clerk of Eye. Herrings Gift, given by Thomas Herring, about the year 1684, consists of a farm of about 42 acres, at Old Newton, the rent of which is distributed in coals to the poor. Hilton’s Gift, bequeathed by Matthew Hilton in 1640, consists of a rent-charge of £1 12s. arising out of the Corporation Farm at Eye. Hawais' Charity, of unknown date, is a rent-charge of £2 10s. yearly, arising out of a house in Castle street, in Eye, called “Hasum House.” Loman’s charity, given by Ann Loman in 1641, consists of a rent-charge of £1 a year arising out of the Bull Inn at Eye. These three last charities are distributed to the poor in the form of tickets for which groceries and other goods may be obtained from the tradesmen of Eye.

A lodge of Foresters and one of Odd Fellows meet at the Three Horse Shoes inn, and the Hartismere Lodge of Freemasons, No. 1,663, at the White Lion hotel.

The castle was erected by Robert Mallet, a Norman baron, on an eminence near the west end of the church, now called Castle hill, but only portions of the walls are now existent, evidencing, by the Roman bricks they contain, the former existence here of a much more ancient building.

On the east side of the town are remains of a Benedictine priory, founded in the reign of William I. by Robert Mallet, & Norman baron, as a cell to Bernay, and dedicated to St. Peter. At the Dissolution, the revenues were estimated at £161.

A monument in the Gothic style, about 27 feet in height, was erected in 1888, in Broad street, to the memory of Sir E. C. Kerrison bart. who died in July, 1886.

Lady Bateman, of Brome Hall, daughter of the late General Sir Edward Kerrison, is lady of several of the surrounding manors, and proprietor of the greater part of the land.

The area is 4,394 acres of land and 16 of water; rateable value, £8,017; the population in 1891 was 2,064, including 107 officers and inmates of the workhouse. The municipal limits are co-extensive with the parish.

Petty Sessions are held at the Sessions Hall every alternate Monday at 1 p.m. The following places ore included in the Petty Sessional Division:-Aspall, Blacton, Botesdale, Braiseworth, Brome, Burgate, Cotton, Finningham, Gislingham, Mellis, Mendlesham, Oakley, Occold, Palgrave, Redgrave, Redlingfield, Rickinghall Superior, Rishamgles, Stoke-Ash, Stuston, Thorndon, Thornham Magna, Thornham Parva, Thrandeston, Thwaite, Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford, Whickham Skeith, Wortham, Wyverstone, Westhorpe, Yaxley.

HARTISMERE UNION

The union comprises the following places:-Aspall, Bacton, Botesdale, Braiseworth, Brome, Burgate, Cotton, Eye, Finningham, Gislingham, Mellis, Mendlesham, Oakley, Occold, Palgrave, Redgrave, Redlingfield, Rickinigihall Superior, Rishangles, Stoke-Ash, Stuston, Thorndon-All-Saints, Thornham Magna, Thornham Parva, Thrandeston, Thwaite, Westhorpe, Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford, Wickham-Skeith, Wortham, Wyverstone & Yaxley; the area of the union is 54,188 acres; reteable value in 1900, £61,599; the population in 1891 was 14,691.

Board day, alternate Mondays, at the Workhouse, at 10.30 a.m.

The workhouse, a building of red brick, at the east end of the town, is available for 320 inmates: the children are sent to a cottage home near the workhouse.

The Grammar school, rebuilt mainly through the generosity of the late Sir E. C. Kerrison, was enlarged in 1878 & in 1882 a large dining hall was erected: the headmaster’s house was completely restored in 1876 by Lady Caroline Kerrison: the buildings now consist of school & class rooms, master’s house, dining hall, excellent dormitories, library, bath rooms & a sanatorium. A large play ground, garden, tennis court, & boys’ gardens are attached to the premises, & a cricket field is rented by the governors. The endowment arises from land in the parishes of Bedfield & Burston. The science & art teaching is conducted in accordance with the regulations of the East Suffolk County Council, & the Department of Science & Art, South Kensington. The school is now administered under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 1876. The Governing Body, consisting of 5 co-optative & 6 representative governors. Co-optative: The Rt. Hon. Lord Henniker, chairman; E. G. Barnes esq. M.D. vice-chairman; The Rev. Thomas Lee French MA.; the Rev. Colin A. F. Campbell MA. & E. H. Peck esq. Representative: The Rev. A. J. Spencer MA.; Charles Tacom, D. C. Warnes, H. Warnes, W. Short & J. Rush esqs. Headmaster, William Geo. Watkins.

National, Castle hill, for 300 boys & girls & 100 infants; average attendance, 215 boys & girls & 90 infants.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services

SS. Peter & Paul, Rev. Arthur John Spencer MA. vicar; 10.30 a.m. & 3 & 5.30 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. 11.30 a.m.

Baptist, Church street, Rev. Robert Smathers, 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon. 8 p.m. & Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Castle street, 2.30 & 6 p.m.; Tues. fortnightly, 6 p.m. in the winter, 7 p.m. in the summer.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1900)

Most Common Surnames in Eye

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Hartismere Hundred
1Mills401:574.10%27
2Chambers381:619.79%155
3Tuffs371:6234.26%699
4Smith361:640.47%1
5Beales341:6822.52%494
6Hines321:7211.51%249
7Woods301:772.43%15
7Marriott301:7727.27%682
7Cason301:7750.85%1,158
10Thorndike271:8529.03%800
11Burrows251:924.40%85
12Jessup241:9619.67%610
12Bowell241:9639.34%1,123
14Gooderham221:1059.09%303
15Jeffries211:10919.09%682
15Thorndyke211:10984.00%2,072
17Robinson201:1152.40%38
18Rampling191:12114.29%562
19Turner181:1281.05%8
19Ling181:1282.22%42
19Lay181:1289.89%417
22Evans171:1358.13%351
22Green171:1351.13%11
22Pooley171:1357.14%308
25Bond161:1444.37%174
25Mortimer161:14410.00%471
25Keeley161:14459.26%1,975
28Fellingham151:15329.41%1,277
28Garrood151:15351.72%1,891
30Harvey141:1641.30%21
30Knights141:1641.49%29
30Leader141:16438.89%1,620
30Noller141:16418.42%953
34Wright131:1770.59%4
34Moore131:1771.09%17
34Collins131:1772.17%76
34Read131:1771.25%24
34Hayward131:1771.75%54
34Runacres131:17727.66%1,336
34Bootman131:17737.14%1,649
34Scolding131:17743.33%1,861
42Leggett121:1922.27%97
42Self121:1923.13%159
42Cracknell121:1922.15%88
42Etheridge121:19212.77%794
46Martin111:2091.26%34
46Knight111:2096.79%467
46Hammond111:2090.88%13
46Balls111:2091.31%35
46Rush111:2092.26%112
46Fairweather111:2094.12%264
46Rands111:2099.09%615
46Blomfield111:2094.26%272
46Brunning111:2094.85%322
46Trudgill111:20961.11%2,498
46Muttock111:20978.57%2,863
57Howard101:2301.39%59
57Day101:2301.20%39
57Bishop101:2303.25%227
57Vine101:23031.25%1,766
57Airey101:2308.93%668
57Kerry101:2303.98%286
57Churchyard101:2304.69%349
57Bumstead101:2308.70%645
57Gissing101:2308.47%629
57Burredge101:230100.00%3,464
67Wood91:2552.88%219
67Clarke91:2550.37%3
67Cook91:2550.45%5
67Barker91:2551.10%40
67Fisher91:2551.35%69
67Rose91:2551.08%36
67Perry91:2554.00%324
67Harper91:2551.84%111
67Dalton91:25545.00%2,347
67Roper91:2552.36%160
67Oakes91:2556.25%524
67Grimes91:25517.31%1,263
67Thrower91:2555.36%452
67Stammers91:2553.93%321
67Dade91:2558.04%668
67Paxman91:25517.31%1,263
67Flowerdew91:25531.03%1,891
67Gayfer91:25521.43%1,451
67Artist91:25532.14%1,927
67Skuffham91:25569.23%2,968
87Potter81:2871.15%62
87Todd81:2872.07%157
87Blake81:2872.45%205
87Lockwood81:2872.13%166
87Browne81:2876.11%574
87Dye81:2877.08%658
87Welham81:2871.43%87
87Offord81:2873.19%286
87Woolnough81:2871.89%132
87Barfield81:2879.76%894
87Rowling81:28710.96%980
87Buckenham81:28721.05%1,562
87Woolsey81:28716.67%1,318
87Havers81:28747.06%2,583
87Breckon81:287100.00%4,007
87Jillings81:2878.25%771
87Torbell81:287100.00%4,007
104Brown71:3280.27%2
104Taylor71:3280.36%7
104Bailey71:3281.20%81
104Reynolds71:3281.14%73
104Walton71:3288.24%861
104Gibbs71:3282.81%291
104Norman71:3281.36%101
104Driver71:3282.06%191
104Boyce71:3283.52%372
104Cobb71:3284.67%497
104Tacon71:32820.00%1,649
115Williams61:3831.59%165
115Ward61:3830.49%14
115Brooks61:3832.05%239
115Ford61:3831.24%113
115Wells61:3831.10%91
115Page61:3830.60%25
115Riley61:38322.22%1,975
115Neale61:3838.33%994
115Betts61:3831.60%168
115Osborn61:3832.33%272
115Jolly61:3832.15%247
115Dykes61:3839.23%1,073
115Pettitt61:3833.06%378
115Murton61:3834.14%519
115Creasy61:3835.31%658
115Weavers61:3833.26%411
115Aldrich61:3834.76%590
115Kellock61:383100.00%4,877
115Vinson61:383100.00%4,877
115Frary61:38366.67%3,717
115Bery61:383100.00%4,877
115Greenard61:38317.14%1,649
115Havors61:383100.00%4,877
138Johnson51:4600.62%41
138Harris51:4601.64%230
138Phillips51:4600.95%98
138Mason51:4600.98%103
138Barnes51:4601.19%135
138Palmer51:4600.53%31
138Marsh51:4601.37%175
138Lawrence51:4602.43%357
138Cooke51:4601.54%206
138Gould51:4604.39%654
138Beckett51:4602.56%382
138Peck51:4600.65%50
138Denny51:4601.40%181
138Garrod51:4600.87%83
138Mudd51:4602.69%409
138Boughton51:46012.20%1,472
138Warnes51:4604.67%705
138Everson51:4604.03%598
138Pretty51:4603.60%536
138Cattermole51:4602.11%313
138Double51:4602.30%333
138Notley51:4606.76%969
138Mallows51:46018.52%1,975
138Killock51:46045.45%3,281
138Knevett51:46031.25%2,667
163King41:5750.20%6
163Parker41:5750.37%22
163Ball41:5757.55%1,243
163Bird41:5750.36%19
163George41:5751.72%317
163Abbott41:5750.60%68
163Howell41:5752.11%397
163Short41:5753.88%731
163Lynch41:57518.18%2,213
163Haines41:57521.05%2,429
163Crisp41:5750.93%129
163Scales41:5753.33%623
163Nurse41:57511.43%1,649
163Boston41:57516.67%2,116
163Canham41:5751.52%267
163Cullum41:5752.72%511
163Allum41:5753.25%606
163Moyse41:5752.22%423
163Tricker41:5751.00%151
163Kennell41:5759.76%1,472
163Mouser41:5753.70%699
163Bultitude41:57515.38%2,023
163Foulser41:57580.00%5,441
163Sparshot41:575100.00%6,084
163Engleheart41:575100.00%6,084
163Barlee41:575100.00%6,084
163Torble41:57580.00%5,441
163Thimblethorpe41:57540.00%3,464
163Coxage41:575100.00%6,084
192Mitchell31:7660.81%173
192Miller31:7660.53%84
192Ellis31:7660.56%96
192Chapman31:7660.34%32
192Holmes31:7660.76%154
192Rowe31:7660.87%186
192Kemp31:7660.36%36
192Nicholls31:7662.70%676
192Steel31:7662.56%633
192Rayner31:7660.83%177
192Coe31:7660.79%161
192Durrant31:7660.39%49
192Goldsmith31:7660.68%127
192Hawes31:7660.88%188
192Button31:7660.73%142
192Brindle31:766100.00%6,900
192Stannard31:7660.41%57
192Eames31:76633.33%3,717
192Baldry31:7660.61%109
192Hartwell31:76675.00%6,084
192Brighton31:7663.19%794
192Eldred31:7668.33%1,620
192Flatt31:7661.48%366
192Ablett31:7662.78%699
192Ship31:7663.53%861
192Reynold31:76650.00%4,877
192Pallant31:7661.13%265
192Crickmore31:7662.75%688
192Chittock31:7662.65%658
192Whayman31:7663.95%953
192Porley31:76616.67%2,498
192Stapp31:766100.00%6,900
192Gedny31:76660.00%5,441
192Wetmon31:76625.00%3,101
192Pith31:766100.00%6,900