Wortham

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Introduction

A dispersed settlement with four distinct centres, unusual in retaining the same name recorded in Domesday (though "Wordam" was also recorded). On John Speed's 1610 map, it appears as "Wurtham". Long green is the most impressive unenclosed green to be found in the county today. Wortham Ling is an area of grassy heath and gorse scrub, now managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust as common land.

Richard Smith was a 19th century resident & soldier (a veteran of both Waterloo and the Peninsular campaign) who died on the common in his wheelbarrow leaving his wife to claim parish relief. Richard Cobbold, the twentieth child of John Cobbold (of brewing fame) was a 19th century rector here for over 50 years & who wrote about Margaret Catchpole and other characters, creating a fascinating local record.

The Tithe Wars Memorial on the Magpie Hill, marks a 1930s confrontation outside Wortham Rectory between landowners who resented having to pay for the up-keep of the church and hundreds of police, aided by Oswald Mosley's fascist black-shirts. The inscription reads, "The Tithe War; 134 pigs and 15 cattle (value £702) seized for tithe Feb 22nd 1934."…

Gallery

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History

The 1844 White's Directory also lists a beer house run by John Smith.

The 1861 Census also lists Elizabeth Stone (Innkeepers wife, Long Green [might not be at pub], Daughter/Unmarried[sic?], 36/born Ipswich)

1891 Census Sarah A Turner (Innkeeper, not at pub, Visitor/Married/51/born Wortham)

The Cherry Tree, Spear Hill [Brook Rd. in 1861], is thought to be off-sales only.

The 1855 White's Directory also lists a beer house run by Samuel Wood. [Cherry Tree?]

The 1861 Census also lists Samuel Woods (Publican House & Farmer, Cherry Tree, Brook Rd., Head/Married/44/born Bargate)…

Acknowledgements

Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.

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