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Edwardstone
Introduction
Edwardstone is set in the undulating countryside close to the river Box, with most of the buildings set around Mill green. The village was recorded in Domesday as "Eduardestuna". More recently the village name was spelled "Edwardston"; according to Charlie Haylock, the final "e" was added by cartographers who were paid by the letter. The locals' pronunciation of the village name reflects this older variation, they say Edw'dst'n. It appears on John Speed's 1610 map as "Edwardſton".
Priory Farm marks the site of a Benedictine priory founded in 1114 but abandoned about 1160.
The (now closed) village school was built in 1853 and cost the princely sum of £250.
History
The 1844 White's Directory lists a beer house run by Saml. Smith (also listed as a miller). (The 1841 census shows Saml. Smith as a Thatcher, Mill Green, Head/40y/born Suffolk).
The 1865 Kelly Directory lists Mrs Elizabeth Goat as a beer retailer.
The 1869 Kelly Directory lists Mrs Betsey Everitt and Benjamin Smith as beer retailers.
The 1874 White's Directory lists Benjamin Smith as a beer house keeper. (The 1871 & 1881 censuses show Benjamin Smith as a Thatcher, Mill Green, Head/Married/49y & 59y/born Edwardstone).
The 1888 Kelly's Directory lists Benjamin Smith as a beer retailer.
Acknowledgements
Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.