Hulver+Street

In Whites's Suffolk directory for the 1840s, Hulver Street is classed as a substantial hamlet of the parish of Henstead, being about 40% smaller in area but with the same number of people. In the past it was included in Wangford Hundred indicating that it orginated as a late settlement on vaguely defined boundary lands in the marshes of the Hundred River. Hulver means Holly Tree and 'Street' in Suffolk signifies a small hamlet that developed as a geographical sub-division of a parish, either around a new economic centre or an enclosed village green. There are still holly trees in the hedgerows on the higher land above Hulver Street road.

The community of Hulver grew up at the a point where the roads from Beccles to Benacre and Carlton Coleville to Stoven cross the Hundred River. These roads are marked in red in the sketch map and at Hulver Bridge there is a meeting of four parish boundaries; Ellough, Mutford, Hulver and Sotterley. This suggests that the settlement's origins were as a local economic centre. It may well have come into being when the river marshes were reclaimed, improving communications and making common fenland available for commercial grazing.

At this point Hulver Street is a small projection of Blything Hundred into Wangford Hundred, squeezed between Mutford and Sotterley, which are both in the hundred of Wangford. Hulver is not mentioned in Domesday Book. It must be borne in mind that a thousand years ago the valley of the Hundred River would have been a tidal marsh with imprecise boundaries between the communities on either side of the valley. Another important point is that Domesday Henstead was classed as an estate of Wrentham. These considerations, together with Hulver's geographical position suggests that it was originally part of either Mutford or Sotterley. The positions of the two arrows mark a logical boundary between Sotterley and Henstead, with Sotterley sharing the river as its natural boundary with Mutford.

All of this supports the idea that Hulver was originally part of Sotterley. A possible origin is the smaller of the two Domesday estates belonging to the manor of Sotterley. The larger of the two contained the church and woodland for 100 pigs. The smaller holding, called Crosscroft, had pannage for only 10 pigs and was worth about half as much.

Very little has come to light about the recent history of Hulver Street. In Hodskinson's map of 1783 Hulver is described as Hulver Heath, a large area that extends from the Hundred boundary to the Hundred River. In fact, at this time the villages on both sides of the boundary had much unenclosed land variously described as 'heaths', 'commons' and 'greens'.



As far as Hulver is concerned, its semi-wild landscape suggests that the modern community originated after the enclosure of the sandy upland and the Hundred River fen sometime post-1785. This is supported by the fact that in the Tithe Apportionment many of the agricultural labourers living there held small fields in the grazing marsh (see below). The enclosure may have happened just before the Methodists established a chapel in the community, a fact that also points to the independent character of its residents at that time. The influx of labourers may have been in response to the need for manpower to service the agricultural improvements resulting from enclosure in Henstead and its neighbouring villages.



From the Tithe Apportionment, the biggest landowner in Hulver was the Rev. Charles Clarke, who as owner and tenant occupied about 136 acres including 26 acres of glebe land. . A Mr Clark(e) held land at Rushmere Bridge in the 1780s (Hodskinson's map). Charles Clarke's land was, centred on the rectory, is highlighted in green. He was a curate of Henstead. Thomas Sheriffe, the rector, occupied Henstead Hall, which was then owned by his uncle, Robert Sheriffe. Robert, a brewer and landed proprietor of Diss was by far the greatest landowner of the parish. Next in order of size is the allocation of Elizabeth Wigg and her tenant Charles Jessup with 23 acres and a cottage and garden (highlighted in pink). Of a similar area was the land of Frederick Barne, of Sotterley Hall, which was farmed by Hannah Wattling (highlighted in blue). These two smaller estates had a combination of higher arable fields and lower pasture in the grazing marsh. The remaining fields were owned in much smaller parcels, some of which were farmed by the inhabitants of Hulver Street.


 * Hulver St. |||||||| agricultural labourers with tenancy 1841 ||  ||
 * ||  ||   || A R P ||   ||   ||
 * Joshua Clarke ||  || 2. 2. 22 ||   ||   ||
 * George Beales ||  || 1. 3. 16 ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Raven ||  || 2. 1. 00 ||   ||   ||
 * John Gunton ||  || 15 ||   ||   ||
 * Charles Butcher ||  || 1. 0. 00 ||   ||   ||
 * Robert White ||  || 18 ||   ||   ||
 * Isaac Butcher ||  || 2. 38 |||| also landowner ||
 * David Wale ||  || 2. 19 ||   ||   ||
 * John Rouse ||  || 3. 0. 32 ||   ||   ||
 * James Muttitt ||  || 2. 33 ||   ||   ||
 * James Brown ||  || 1. 26 ||   ||   ||
 * Edward Smith ||  || 1. 09 ||   ||   ||
 * There were 46 agricultural labourers in Hulver St in 1841 ||
 * There were 46 agricultural labourers in Hulver St in 1841 ||

[|Notes on the Sheriffe Family of Uggeshall,Southwold and Henstead]

In the 1851 census, the inhabitants of Hulver are distinguished from those in the rest of the parish. Of the 71 heads of household 46% were classed as agricultural labourers. A third of these were employed by Rev. Charles Clarke who was still a farmer-curate and the biggest landowner. In fact there was only one other resident farmer in the hamlet. The community had 9 paupers which was not an unusual proportion for this part of Suffolk at that time.


 * Hulver Heads of Households in 1851 ||  ||
 * Charles Clarke parsonage curate of Henstead and Mutford ||  ||
 * |||||||||| magistrate farmer of 199 acres empl.11 labourers ||  ||
 * Edgar Girling police station constable ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Alfred Cooper ||  || constable ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Roberts ||  || carter ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Jarvis ||  |||||| master bricklayer empl.2 men ||   ||
 * Charles Crisp grocer ||  ||   ||   ||
 * John Mitchells ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Delf ||  ||   || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Edward Rouse ag.lab. ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Elizabeth Manning ||  || pauper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Adam Tyrell ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Benjamin Jessup ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Fanny Elwin ||  || laundress ||   ||   ||   ||
 * George Butcher ||  |||||| journeyman bricklayer ||   ||
 * James Muttitt ||  |||| pauper ret. ag.lab. ||   ||   ||
 * Jonathan Crickmore ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Thomas Pleasance ||  |||| master blacksmith ||   ||   ||
 * Charles Elwin ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Botwright ||  || gardener ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Mary Ann Howell ||  |||| beerhouse keeper ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Townshend ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Fisk ||  ||   || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Joseph Prior ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Ling ||  |||| tailor 1 journeyman ||   ||   ||
 * James Buller ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Ann Julians ||  |||| shopkeeper ||   ||   ||
 * William Hicklestone ||  |||| market gardener ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Neach ||  |||| cattle dealer ||   ||   ||
 * William Aggas ||  |||| pauper ret. ag.lab. ||   ||   ||
 * William Adams ||  || innkeeper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Liddmore ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Batley ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Tyrell ||  || thatcher ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Letitia Wale ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Robert Rouse ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Jabez Haward ||  |||| ret. Farmer ||   ||   ||
 * James Rouse ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Emma Butcher ||  || pauper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Elizabeth Gurney ||  || pauper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Gross ||  |||| farmer 22 acres 1 lab ||   ||   ||
 * Amos Harper ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Gunton ||  |||| gardener and groom ||   ||   ||
 * Robert Foulger ||  |||| pauper ret. ag.lab. ||   ||   ||
 * Joshua Clarke ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * John Rouse ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Rouse ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * George Peck ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Butcher ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Sarah Parsley ||  |||| independent ||   ||   ||
 * George Bauldry ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Martin Bauldry ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Phebe Smith ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Charles Pleasance ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * William Easter ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Woolnough ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * James Browne ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * James Smith ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Isaac Benns ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Mary Raven ||  |||| formerly nurse ||   ||   ||
 * Robert Smith ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * James Fish ||  |||||||| master shoemaker empl.1 man 1 app. ||
 * Isaac Butcher ||  |||| master bricklayer ||   ||   ||
 * Samuel Layer ||  || ag.lab. ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Mary Botwright ||  || pauper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * George Beales ||  |||| pauper ret. ag.lab. ||   ||   ||
 * Honor Ellis ||  || pauper ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Alfred Crickmore ||  |||||| journeyman shoemaker ||   ||
 * Sarah Mitchells ||  || tailoress ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Christoper Harling ||  |||| coach wheeler ||   ||   ||
 * Robert Oxborrow ||  |||| coach painter ||   ||   ||
 * Mary Ann Botwright ||  |||| seamstress ||   ||   ||
 * Mary Ann Botwright ||  |||| seamstress ||   ||   ||

The landowners and tenants of Henstead at the time of the Tithe Apportionment are listed below.


 * Andrews Sarah Herself ||  ||   || 7. 3. 02 ||
 * Andrews Robert Trustees Lyddamore John ||  || 2. 3. 01 ||
 * Barne Frederick |||| Watling Hannah ||  || 22. 1. 21 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Goodwin William ||   || 126. 0. 25 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Oakes John ||   || 2. 16 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Townshend George ||   || 23 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Martin Robert ||   || 3. 16 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Manning Johnathan ||   || 2. 24 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Rouse John ||   || 3. 0. 32 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Fisk William ||   || 2. 1. 29 ||
 * Brianton James ||  |||| Andrews John ||   || 5. 3. 38 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Cooper Jeremiah ||   || 1. 22 ||
 * Butcher James ||  |||| Himself & others ||   || 17 ||
 * ||  ||   || Himself ||   ||   || 19 ||
 * Barlow Francis George |||| Tallent William ||  || 1. 1. 17 ||
 * Balls Anthony ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 1. 1. 16 ||
 * Balls Thomas ||  |||| Peck Jonathan ||   || 14 ||
 * Butcher Isaac ||  |||| Himself & others ||   || 2. 38 ||
 * Baker James ||  |||| Roberts William ||   || 2. 3. 16 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Roberts William & others || 18 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Roberts William senior || 12 ||
 * Clarke Rev. Charles ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 136. 2. 04 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Gunton John ||   || 15 ||
 * Capps Mrs, Mary ||  |||||| Moore Edward & others || 11. 2. 13 ||
 * Cooper John ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 11. 3. 07 ||
 * Durrant John ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 1. 0. 36 ||
 * Fisk William ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 10. 2. 06 ||
 * Farr Thomas ||  |||| Fisk Edmund ||   || 6. 0. 00 ||
 * Fulcher Robert ||  |||| Wale David & others ||   || 2. 19 ||
 * Gosford Earl of ||  |||| Garrard Thomas ||   || 19. 1. 08 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Mudditt James ||   || 2. 33 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Benns William Jun. ||   || 1. 3. 00 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Pleasance Thomas ||   || 2. 3. 28 ||
 * Gent Richard ||  |||||| Townshend George & others || 2. 24 ||
 * Grimmer Robert ||  |||| Larke William Nuthall ||   || 12. 1. 23 ||
 * Gilbert Robert ||  |||| Lay Robert ||   || 4. 0. 11 ||
 * Garden John ||  |||| Benns William Jun. ||   || 4. 1. 15 ||
 * Gooch Sir Thomas Sherlock |||| Woodthorpe William ||  || 76. 1. 38 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Mayhew George ||   || 43. 0. 10 ||
 * Huke Charles ||  |||| Butcher Charles ||   || 2. 01 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Fisk James ||   || 1. 36 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Botwright William ||   || 12 ||
 * Lewis William ||  |||| Fisher John ||   || 38 ||
 * Mabson William ||  |||| Peck William ||   || 32. 1. 15 ||
 * Poor Trustees Bate Robert |||| Ardures John ||  || 14. 2. 14 ||
 * Peck Samuel ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 1. 3. 12 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Butcher Charles & others || 1. 0. 00 ||
 * Pigeon William ||  |||| Himself & another ||   || 1. 22 ||
 * Parsley Wlliam ||  |||| Himself & others ||   || 4. 3. 27 ||
 * Reeve Robert ||  |||| Reeve James ||   || 2. 3. 17 ||
 * Read William ||  |||| White Robert ||   || 18 ||
 * Read Mrs. Anne ||  |||||| Bachelor Jame & others || 18 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Raven Samuel ||   || 2. 1. 00 ||
 * Sheriffe Robert ||  |||| Robinson Samuel ||   || 414. 2. 18 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Bate Robert ||   || 224. 3. 07 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Smith William ||   || 163. 2. 13 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Smith William & Utton Charles || 1. 14 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Sayer William ||   || 120. 1. 35 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Peck William ||   || 11. 0. 18 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Rouse Joseph ||   || 87. 2. 11 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Andrews John ||   || 34.3. 05 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Sheriffe Rev. Thomas ||   || 41.0. 24 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Carter Wilby ||   || 57.2. 36 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Roberts William ||   || 7. 2. 36 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Peck Elizabeth ||   || 1. 0. 27 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Rivet Robert ||   || 1. 08 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Mitchell John ||   || 1. 07 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Dains Robert ||   || 33 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Raven William ||   || 15 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Peck Elizabeth ||   || 1. 2. 04 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Moyse John ||   || 35 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Thacker William ||   || 1. 15 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Goldby James ||   || 1. 16 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Gross John ||   || 1. 20 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| James Jonas ||   || 1. 0. 04 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Winyard Anthony ||   || 24 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Candler Samuel ||   || 2. 1. 32 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Bridges James ||   || 35 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Fisk Jesse ||   || 1. 38 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Hunn John ||   || 3. 09 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Andrews John ||   || 2. 39 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Peck Edward Baldry ||   || 2. 27 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Clarke Joshua ||   || 2. 2. 22 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Bales George ||   || 1. 3. 16 ||
 * ||  ||   || Himself ||   ||   || 10. 1. 02 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Lambert Samuel ||   || 30 ||
 * Sherrife Robert & ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Lincoln Mrs Ann ||  |||| Payne Sarah ||   || 2. 22 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Botwright William ||   || 30 ||
 * Smith Robert ||  |||| Himself & others ||   || 39 ||
 * Tallent William ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 24.1. 23 ||
 * Varley James ||  |||| Raven William ||   || 1. 2. 30 ||
 * Wigg Elizabeth ||  |||| Jessup Charles ||   || 23. 2. 27 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Botwright John ||   || 23 ||
 * Woodthorpe Thomas ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 35. 0. 32 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Himself & Bunn ||   || 27 ||
 * Wincup Lawrence ||  |||| Smith Edward ||   || 1. 09 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Julians John ||   || 2. 1. 29 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Julians John & others || 17 ||
 * ||  ||   |||||| Julians John & others || 33 ||
 * ||  ||   |||| Brown James ||   || 1. 26 ||
 * Warnes John ||  || Himself ||   ||   || 17 ||
 * Sheriffe Rev. Thomas || glebe |||| Himself & others ||  || 39.2. 04 ||
 * ||  ||   ||   || Total ||   || 1905.3.01 ||
 * Signed by Charles Etheridge |||| Charles Etheridge & ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * |||||||||||| Henry B Gunning assistant tithe commissioner 21. 11. 1839 ||
 * Signed by Charles Etheridge |||| Charles Etheridge & ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * |||||||||||| Henry B Gunning assistant tithe commissioner 21. 11. 1839 ||