Wherstead Parish

Wherstead
Querstede or Wervestede

Wherstead was for many generations vested in the family of Reymes. Gilbert de Reymes, who also had large property in Bramford and Sproughton, was lord of this manor in the time of King John; and Hugh de Reymes held it in 1280. It afterwards belonged to the Butlers: and, upon the attainder of James Butler, Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire, in 1461, it was granted, by the Crown, to Sir John Howard, the ancestor of the Dukes of Norfolk. How long it continued in this family we have not the means of ascertaining, but in 1619, it was the property of Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice of England; and continued in Ms family till within a few years, when it was purchased by Sir Robert Harland, Bart., who built the present mansion.¹

"In an old deed, without date, to which Gerard, prior of Ipswich, is one of the witnesses, is mention of the monastery of Wervestede; perhaps some small foundation, of short continuance, united to the priory of St. Peter and St. Paul, in Ipswich; to which belonged the church and manor, and several lands in this village." Tanner.

The Rev. William Gee, vicar of this parish, and Bentley, in this county, and rector of St. Stephen's, in Ipswich, died April 19, 1815, aged 84 years. Mr. Gee was, for many years, steward to the charity of Grey Coat Boys and Blue Coat Girls, in Ipswich, and treasurer to the Fund for the Belief of poor Widows and Orphans of Clergymen, in Suffolk; and was ever distinguished for a uniform; and conscientious discharge of the duties of his sacred profession.

1. A view of the Hall is engraved in Neale's "Seats."

County of Suffolk

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

British Isles Genealogy

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