Gunton Parish

Gunton or Gabbatuna

The lordship of this parish was anciently the estate of the Lowdhams; then it belonged to the Ingloses; and Sir Henry Inglose by his will, dated in 1451, directs his manors of Gunton and Hop-ton, to be disposed of by his executors, to discharge his just debts. This manor became since vested in the Blomviles, Wroths, and Holies; and afterwards in Sir Charles Saunders, K.B., a gallant Vice-Admiral, who for his distinguished services was much honored by his Sovereign, and respected by his country. He died in 1775.

Sir Charles purchased this estate in 1762, of Hewling Luson, Esq., who resided at the old Hall, adjoining the churchyard. It has subsequently been in the possession of his descendant, Richard H. Saunders, M.D., who bequeathed it to his two daughters and co-heirs, Jane, Countess of Westmorland, and Mrs. (since Viscountess) Dundas; who sold the same to Thomas Fowler, Esq., and it is now occupied by the Rev. Frederick Cooke Fowler. The manor, warren, and patronage of the rectory, are vested in the proprietor of Gunton Hall: a modern erection, built by Thomas Fowler, Esq.

Mem. In 1756, Hewling Luson, of this parish, Esq., erected a temporary furnace upon his estate here, and succeeded in establishing a china manufactory, something superior to Delft ware. In the following year the project was revived by Messrs. Aldred, Richman, Walker, and Brown, at Lowestoft; who established a very respectable manufactory, upon a more extended scale, but it has long since been relinquished.

County of Suffolk

Topographical and Genealogical, The County of Suffolk, 1844, Augustine Page

British Isles Genealogy

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