Last updated 8th April 1999

Introduction

Hi there and welcome to the Barnwell Family Genealogy Homepage for BARNWELL ‘s and BARNWALL ‘s of ENGLAND

My name is Dave Barnwell. I have been researching the BARNWELL family for a couple years and during that time have collected items that may be interesting to other BARNWELL and BARNWALL researchers. The information on these pages I hope will help fellow Barnwell's and Barnwall's in search of their roots.

If you have any related information that you'd like to share, I'd be happy to include it in this web page, and if you wish, add a link. You can reach me, at Dave Barnwell

Click here if you If you would like to go to the Barnwell & Barnwall guestbook

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Barnwell History in England

Barnwell’s and Barnwall’s in England

In Norfolk (William de Bernwell, Vicar of Frethorp, 1307) recorded in the Norfolk Feet of Fines; Suffolk (Barnwell Turnor of Bury St Edmunds); Northamptonshire (Barnewell of Cransley); Lincolnshire (Barnewall or Barnawella of Stamford) and in Somerset, recorded in the Somerset Hundred Rolls (Robert de Barnevile).

The marriage between Robert Barnewall and Ann Hervey is recorded in St. Georges Church, Hanover Square, London, in 1778

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Barnwell Nobility in England

Barnwell, formerly of Mileham, Norfolk

THOMAS BARNEWALL , of Offaly, Ireland (3rd son of Sir Nicholas de Barnewall of Crickstown Castle, co. Meath, Ireland ) married Blanche daughter of -Nugent, Lord of Delvin and Howth , fled to Offaly following a dispute with De Bermingham in the great hall of Trim Castle, living in 1452. He had with other issue a 3rd son,

THOMAS BARNEWALL, 2nd Baron of the Exchequer, 4th Oct. 1494 (superseded 2nd May 1496). Married Alice, daughter of James Cusack , Master of the Rolls, and left with other issue, a 3rd son,

ROBERT BARNEWALL, of Lenton, Nottinghamshire, married Abigail, daughter of Thomas Manley, and left, with other issue, an elder son.

SYMOND BARNEWALL, of Cransley, Northamptonshire, had issue, three sons, of whom the eldest,

THOMAS BARNEWALL, Lord of the Manors of Cransley and Pultons, Northamptonshire. Married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Cradock of Dingley, Northamptonshire, and had issue, five sons and one daughter, of whom the eldest son,

EDWARD BARNWALL, Lord of the Manors of Cransley and Pultons, Northamptonshire, aet. 27 at his father’s death, exchanged the above estates by deed dated 15th July, 1575, with Sir Thomas Cecil (afterwards Lord Salisbury), for the Manors of Mileham and Beeston, Norfolk, married firstly, Eleanor (d. 5th May, 1557), daughter of Thomas Brooke of Oakeley, Northamptonshire, and had issue a daughter, Jane, died unmarried,. He married secondly, Ann (d. 21st April 1573), only daughter of John Spencer, of Blunham, Bedfordshire, and died 1602, at Walgrave, leaving issue, with six daughters, seven sons, of whom the eldest,

STEPHEN BARNEWALL, Lord of the Manors of Mileham and Beeston, Norfolk, settled there in 1585, married ca. 1585 Mary (d. 5th March, 1608, at Mileham), daughter of Nicholas Calton, of Hedingworth, Huntingdonshire, and died 19th September, 1625, leaving issue, with three yr. sons and a daughter, an eldest son,

EDWARD BARNEWELL Lord of the Manors of Mileham and Beeston, Norfolk,, admitted to Lincoln’s Inn, 30th June 1614, born 1596, married 1618, Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Playters, Bt. of Sotterley, Suffolk, and died 30th Nov. 1666, having had issue, eight sons and four daughters, of whom the 3rd son,

CHARLES BARNEWELL, of Matteshall, Norfolk, born 1626, married Susan daughter and co-heir of William Sydnor , of Blundeston, Suffolk, and had issue, with a daughter, Anne and an elder son, Edward, who d.s.p. a 2nd son,

CHARLES BARNWELL, of Mileham and Beeston, married 11th July 1678, Ann, daughter of Clement Heigham, of Barrow, Suffolk, and died 19th Dec. 1702, leaving with other issue, an eldest son,

CHARLES BARNWELL, of Mileham and Beeston, married firstly, Elizabeth (d. 1st November 1705), daughter of John Neale, Rector of Mileham, and had issue, a son,

1. CHARLES (Rev.), Rector of Beeston -next- Mileham, Lord of the Manors and Patron of the Livings of Beeston and Mileham, born 1705, married 1735, Katherine (d. 23rd April 1774), daughter of Samuel Sparrow, of Lavenham, Suffolk, and died 26th April 1774, leaving issue,

1. Charles, of Mileham Hall, Norfolk, Lord of the Manors and Patron of the Livings of Beeston and Mileham, married Mary (d. 17th Dec. 1803), daughter and co-heiress of William Barwick, Surgeon, of Norwich, and d.s.p. 1 Dec. 1802, and was succeeded by his brother.

2. Edward, died an infant

3. William (Rev.) of Mileham Hall, Norfolk, Lord of the Manors, Rector and Patron of the Livings of Beeston and Mileham, succeeded his brother in 1802, married Mary (d. 31st July, 1825), daughter of George Patteson, of King’s Lynn, and died 6th January 1810, leaving issue,

George (Rev.) of Mileham Hall, Norfolk, Lord of the Manors, Rector and Patron of the Livings of Beeston and Mileham, died unmarried, 25th Dec. 1822, and was succeeded by his cousin, Rev. Charles Barnwell Herring (see below).

4. John, of Bale, Norfolk, married Anne Wilson, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Wright, of Stiffkey, Norfolk, and had issue, an only daughter and heiress, Catherine, married Alderman John HERRING, of Norwich, and d. 1840, having had, with other issue, who d.s.p.,

1a CHARLES BARNWELL HERRING BARNWELL (Rev.), of Mileham Hall, Norfolk, Lord of the Manors, Rector and Patron of the Livings of Beeston and Mileham, J.P. Norfolk, born 7th July 1801, succeeded his cousin, Rev. George Barnwell in Mileham Hall 1822, and assumed by Royal Licencethe name and arms of BARNWELL only 3 Oct. 1825, married 28th October 1829, Sophia, daughter of George Thomas Wyndham, of Cromer Hall, Norfolk , and had issue,

1b, Charles Wyndham, born 31st Aug., 1836, married 1866, Alice Anne, only child and heiress of Col, Skinner C.B.

1b, Sophia Catherine

2b Adelaide Horatio,

2a Henry Lee Warner HERRING, married Joanna, daughter of William Harlock, of Ely, Cambs.

1a Catherine Barnwell m. Rev. John Thomas Batchelor, 2nd son of Horner Batchelor, of Horstead, Norfolk.

1. Catherine Barnwell m. John Webster, of Norwich.

2. Sarah, m. Samuel Pye , of Norwich.

CHARLES BARNWELL (above 1a) married secondly Mary (died 17th Sept. 1720)daughter of Sir Thomas Berney, 2nd Bt. , and by her had issue, four sons and three daughters.(who all died as infants or d.s.p.) and thirdly married Mary only surviving child of John NOVEL, rector of Hillingdon , Norfolk, and died 24th July 1750 having by her had issue, with another son, John, died an infant, and 3 daughters, one being Anna Maria.

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Cambridgeshire

Barnwell Village, Cambridgeshire, England

The old parish of Barnwell derives it's name from an ancient festival of singing and dancing "Bairns well" held during midsummer. The earliest record of Christian influence in the district concerns the pious Saxon, Godesone. He was a solitary man and built a small wooden chapel in honour of St. Andrew by the springs of Bernewelle. These springs provided a good supply of pure clean water and were viewed as a great asset. The springs were to be found between the current Abbey church and the river. The slight hill up from the river presumably supplied the catchment area for the water and it was purified by passing through the gravel outcrop, later to be excavated in the 19th century

Barnwell Priory Abbey Church

King Henry I granted Pain Peverel 13 acres of land round the springs at Bernewelle to establish a religious household. Canons from St. Giles, situated by the castle on Castle Hill, moved there in 1112 to found the community under the leadership of the saintly Canon Geoffrey of Huntingdon. Sadly he died in the same year. About this time, there is no exact date, the Canons adopted the Rule of St. Augustine and the household became a Priory. Fortunately, a magnificent vellum manuscript exists in the British Museum, "Liber Memorandium Ecclesie Bernewelle", written in 1295, which describes in great detail the foundation of the Priory and the rules governing it. A new church was built in the Priory grounds and dedicated to St. Andrew, presumably to continue the tradition of Godesone. The church was consecrated by Longchamp, Bishop of Ely on Low Sunday, 21 April 1190. At a slightly later date another small church, also known as the Abbey Church but more correctly as St. Andrew-the-Less (see figure 1 below), was built adjacent to the Priory Church. This building survives and is still used for worship.

Figure 1. Barnwell Priory Abbey Church

The Priory grew in size and stature and it is perhaps hard for us today to imagine the esteem in which it was held; it was widely acknowledged to be the best in the country. The old midsummer festival was made permanent by King John in 1200. John stayed there in March 1203; Henry III stayed there a number of times and confirmed the right of the priory to hold the midsummer fair. In 1293 Edward I stayed at the castle but stabled his horses at Barnwell. He visited Barnwell again in 1296 and made a splendid gift of wine to the priory. Edward II visited in 1315 and again in February 1326. The priory became very important in the diocese of Ely, various diocesan synods were held at the priory. Parliament met there with Richard II on 9th September to 17 October 1388. Richard II confirmed the right to hold the fair and extended it from 3 days to 14 in 1394 after the University tried to stop the fair. Henry VI stayed there and was treated well in 1438. The priory was surrendered by the last Prior, Jonas Badcock, to Henry VIII on 8 November 1538 and rapidly dismantled; the library was dispersed but the main books have been traced. A site plan of Barnwell Priory was pieced together from excavations and can be found in Clark's book about the Priory. Little remains of the old Priory, although there is an old etching (see figure 2 below) showing a tiny section, said to be the Cellarer's Chequer, being used as a stable. This building has been conserved. There are records of the stones being used in Corpus Christi College. Away from the Priory, about half a mile to the east along Newmarket Road, the leper hospital of St. Mary Magdalene was established; its chapel still remains by the bridge over the railway line. Lepers from the King's court, who recovered there, were given the right to dwell in Comberton.

Figure 2. Barnwell Priory

The monks who used the Priory were the Augustinian order (Black Canons) also known as Austin Canons they originally came to England and established themselves at St. Botolph's Priory in Colchester, c. 1106. They spread rapidly, reaching Scotland by 1120. At their height, the Augustinians had over 200 houses in England and Wales. Each of the houses was governed by a prelate, usually a prior, but sometimes, an abbot. The monastic "rule" followed by the Augustinians was that of St. Augustine of Hippo and was not particularly austere. Each of the Austin Canons was a priest and as such was not bound to his house, but was free to have outside responsibilities, such as to a parish. The Black Canons also ran schools, hospitals and almshouses. Their habit consisted of a hooded black cloak over top of a black cassock with white surplice. As well as Barnwell there were other well known Augustinian houses, these include: Holyrood, St. Andrews, Jedburgh, Lacock, St. Botolph's, Leeds (Kent), Llanthony and Walsingham.

The Priory became the largest religious foundation in the town and had the right to hold a fair every June, which evolved into Midsummer Fair. The Cambridge Fair, like most of the historic fairs in the country, dates back to a charter given in the middle ages. It was granted in 1211 by King John with the revenues from the fair going to the Priory of Barnwell, which was confirmed by Henry III in 1229 and certified to be held on or near the feast of St Etheldreda. The Cambridge Act of 1850 stated that the fair should begin on June 22nd and continue until and including the 25th of June. The fair is opened at 2.30 by the Mayor who used to throw newly minted coins to the children of the town.

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Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire, is a south-midland county of England, bounded N. by Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire, E. by Cambridgeshire, (Huntingdonshire - before this county was lost in county boundary changes), and Bedfordshire, S. by Bucks and Oxfordshire, and W. by Warwickshire; greatest length, NE. to SW., about 70 miles; greatest breadth, E. to W., about 26 miles; area, 629,912 acres. Although the surface appearance of the county is generally hilly there are no elevations of considerable altitude, the highest being near Daventry, where Arbury Hill reaches 804 ft. The NE. part of the county belongs to the Fen district. In some localities, particularly the W. and SW., the scenery is especially attractive; while here and there throughout the county rich woods and well-watered vales afford pleasing aspects. The chief rivers are the Nene and the Welland; the Avon forms a part of the N. boundary of the Co., the Cherwell of the SW. boundary, and the Leam of the W. boundary; the Ouse has its rise near Brackley in the S. The canal system includes the Union and Grand Junction Canal, besides other similar waterways. On the uplands the soil is a fine brown loam, but the richest portion is found in the black mould of the Fen district. Throughout the whole county, farming is successfully prosecuted, all kinds of cereal and green crops being raised; while upon the splendid pastures large numbers of cattle are reared, principally for the London market. Northampton is celebrated for its ash trees, old oaks, and elm avenues. Lias and oolite are the prevailing geological formations. Iron is largely found, and although worked as early as the time of the Roman occupation, its modern manufacture dates only from 1850, since which year remarkable progress has been made by the encouragement of the industry and its consequent productiveness..

Northamptonshire is the county of 'squires and spires', has houses, monuments and fine churches too numerous to mention. There's Sulgrave Manor, home of George Washington's ancestors; Rockingham Castle which was 'Arnescote Castle' in the BBC TV series 'By the Sword Divided'; Boughton House, modelled on Versailles; and Althorp, the home of Earl Spencer and burial place of his late sister, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Fotheringhay Castle (remains of ), is where the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots took place and where Richard III was born.

In the county of Northamptonshire, 2 miles south of Oundle, is Barnwell St. Andrew and Barnwell All Saints, Bernwelle as in Domesday book, Bernwell Omnium Sanctorum, Sancti Andree 1254 . ‘The stream by the burial-mound’, an old English byrg(e)ne-wella (old English byrgen ‘burial- mound’). The “village locals” say that the name comes from “Bairns Well” - and was derived from washing the children (bairn) in the stream at Barnwell. The village(s) have a stream bordered by green verges, tall trees and dipping willows, dividing Barnwell from end to end. Communication between the stone-built cottages, with their worn stone fronts and neatly thatched roofs, is provided by a variety of bridges, some stone and hump-backed, others wooden. The main bridge, which is reminiscent of a garden rockery, connects the Montagu Arms pub with the general store and its attendant cottages, making it a lovely calendar picture as anyone could wish for. From their the street climbs a hill towards the church, opposite which is a delightful little square of stone-tiled almshouses with their own chapel at the far end These could be of any age, but, in fact, they were built in 1864 on the site of an earlier charitable institution founded in 1601 by Nicholas Latham, the village parson from 1569 to 1620. ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters’, runs the inscription on the arch over the entrance to the almshouses.

Barnwell Castle, Northamptonshire, England

The remains of the 13th Barnwell medieval castle are situated in the grounds of the Barnwell Manor estate. The castle was built and founded during the reign of King Henry III by the powerful family of Berengar Le Moine, who ten years later ceded it to the Abbey of Ramsey.

The 12 foot thick walls still rise to a height of 30 feet and dominate the wonderful garden and grounds of Barnwell Manor. Small vaulted rooms are concealed within the fabric of the castle walls, as is the body of Berengar's brother, Wintner - if one is to believe the ancient Northamptonshire legend.

At the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it passed into the hands of the Montagu family. Since its construction in 1266, it has seen much of England's turbulent history. In 1621 it was used by its then owner, Sir Edward Montagu, as an arsenal for the Royal cause during the bitter struggle of the Civil War.

English Heritage have carried out an archaeological dig on the site. The castle needed consolidation of the fabric which gave opportunity to excavate in two of its angle-towers, where some details of the construction and early development were ascertained.

Barnwell Manor, Northamptonshire

Sir Edward, the grandson of the first Sir Edward Montagu, was an immensely wealthy man, and it was he who built the lovely, historic and important stone Tudor manor next door to the castle in 1568 after a gift of the land by King Henry VIII. They lived in it until the end of the 19th century. The original Elizabethan entrance hall, the oak panelled room inset with five magnificent seven foot paintings by James Seymour, the long gallery and Princess Alice's sitting room are wonderful backdrops for the vast array of furniture including pieces in oak, walnut, mahogany and satinwood. Much of this furniture is for sale since the house is partly occupied by Berengar Antiques. In August 1645 King Charles I stayed at Barnwell Manor and would have walked from room to room very much as visitors do today. Besides our present Royal Family, other notable historical characters such as Sir Philip Sydney, the Dukes of Buccleuch, the Earl of Sandwich and the poet John Dryden have all stayed or lived at Barnwell. Both castle and manor and 2,500 acre estate are now the property of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who are part of the royal aristocracy (related to the current royal line - House of Windsor). However, during 1995, and due to the ill health of Princess Alice (the Duke’s mother who originally purchased the estate) and financial considerations, the family moved to Kensington Palace in London. An antiques business now leases the property.

The best view of the manor and castle will be obtained from the top of church hill, the most picturesque is that from by the castle bridge.

Would you like to stay at Barnwell Manor with it's nearby Castle?"

Barnwell Country Park

Near Oundle the restored sand and gravel pits on the east bank of the River Nene offer bird watching, angling and a riverside walk.

Barnwell Mill, Oundle, Northamptonshire

Barnwell Mill (situated on the outskirts of Oundle in Northamptonshire) is a watermill dating back to the times of the Norman Conquest. It has been rebuilt (after a serious fire) and modified many times over the centuries since it was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The mill worked right up to the Second World War, utilising the power of the River Nene, but then it fell into disuse and gradually became derelict.

The Mill has been converted to a very fine restaurant and bars complex, which today is known as The Mill at Oundle. It is within driving distance of Kettering, Northampton, Peterborough, Stamford, Leicester and Wisbech, it sits astride the River Nene next to Barnwell country Park in a picture postcard setting.

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Norfolk

A county of England, lying on the North Sea; bounded by Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Suffolk. It extends 70 miles in length and 40 in breadth. It contains 33 hundreds, 1 city, 32 market towns, and 660 parishes . The face of this county varies less than in most tracts of equal extent in England. Not one hill of any considerable height is to be seen in the whole county; yet, in most parts, its surface is broken into gentle swells and depressions. At the western extremity is a considerable tract of flat ‘fenny’ land, which is part of the Bedford Level; and, on the east, a narrow tract of marshes runs from the sea, near Yarmouth, to some distance up the country. Between Lincolnshire and the western extremity, is a broad but shallow arm of the sea, called the Wash. The south western part is very sandy and light land, not very easy nor profitable for husbandry; but the rest is a good mixed soil, generally very productive in corn of all kinds, mangold-wurzel, turnips, &c. Excellent butter and cheese is made, especially in the marshlands, and is sold in London as Cambridge butter and Stilton cheese. Cattle, sheep, fowls, &c. are abundant. Game and rabbits are too plentiful by far for the farmers. A few bustards yet live in the western parts. On the sea-coast, herrings and mackerel are caught in great plenty; and Yarmouth, in particular, is noted for the curing of red herrings. The air of this county is sharp and piercing, which throws the seasons more backward than in other counties under the same latitude; but it is very wholesome, particularly in the inland parts. Its principal rivers are the Great Ouse, Nene, Little Ouse, Waveney, Wensum, Yare, and Bure. Norwich is the capital

Mileham

The name of Milam is a family name of Old English origin. It is believed that the name referred to someone who lived in or near the old Roman town of Mileham in County Norfolk, England. In England the e and h are silent, hence the eventual spelling Milam.

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Herfordshire

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Barnwell/ Barnwall’s from England

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Names I am researching

I am researching the following:

ALLEN, BARNWELL, BARNEWELL, BARNWALL, BARNEWALL, BERNEVAL, BACHELOR, BARLOW,
BELLINIE or BELLENIE, CHAPMAN, CORE, KNAGGS, GERLOCK, GIBBS, JAKES,
JESSUP, PRITCHARD, SEARCH, TAPLEY, WASTELL, WHITE

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Links

My Links

If you're interested in family history research, subscribing to a mailing list is a good way to share knowledge and make contact with others of similar interests. The ROOTSWEB site is the home of numerous such lists. It also houses the ROOTS-L surname list, a massive source of names.

East of London Family History Society is a wonderful site if you are researching your roots in the City and East of London. It is also well worth becoming a member details are shown on their homepage.

East Surrey Family History Society is also a useful site if you are researching your roots in and around South London and Surrey. Details on becoming a member are also shown on their homepage.

Ireland Genealogy - WorldGenWeb Project is a good starting point for Irish research

Family Tree Maker by Broderbund is an impressive searchable genealogy web site, which is a 'must visit'. It has several Barnwell references. They also sell a range of CDs containing a huge amount of genealogical information. It's pretty good even though it is mostly US biased and partly commercial.

Hugh and Marian Zorger's Heritage site is the one to use if you want a little more exposure of your own website. They have a list of genealogy homepages, and will add yours.

The Society of Genealogists have a new page. at: http://www.sog.org.uk/

Ask Jeeves if you want to search several search engines at the same time.

Would you like to stay at Barnwell Manor with it's nearby Castle"

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Your Links

References

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