Nottinghamshire Contents

Caunton, Beesthorpe and Knapthorpe

Caunton is a large but indifferently built village and parish, upon a small rivulet, 5 miles north-east by north of Southwell, and 6 miles north-west of Newark. Its parish has 539 inhabitants and 2,961 acres of land, of which 1,600 acres are in Caunton, 800 acres in Beesthorpe, and 500 in Knapthorpe. These form three separate manors, containing about 176 acres of woods. Lord Middleton and Samuel Hole Esq. are the principal owners of Caunton, and the latter is lord of the manor, and resides in the Manor House, a handsome modern mansion.

The church, dedicated to St Andrew, is a vicarage, valued in the King's books at £4 2s 1d, now £140, with Beesthorpe annexed. The Bishops of Ripon and Manchester are joint patrons of the living, the latter of which has the next presentation. The Rev. Samuel Reynolds Hole B.A. is the incumbent. The church is an ancient structure with nave, chancel, aisles and tower, in which are three bells. A stone coffin, dug up in the church-yard a few years ago, stands in the vestry. At the enclosure in 1793, 171 acres of land was awarded to the appropriator, and 124 to the vicar, in lieu of tithes.

Dean Hall, an ancient farm house, stands 1½ miles south-east of the village, and belongs to the Earl of Scarborough, as also does Worney Wood, which together contain about 245 acres. The Manor Lodge and the "Friend in Need" Lodge (Odd-fellows) hold their annual fesival in the village, the former on Easter and the latter on Whit-Monday. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels here. In 1840 a neat school was erected by subscription. The master receives £20 a year for teaching the poor children of the parish. In a field adjoining the turnpike road and near the Mapplebeck bar, is a Boiling Spring, well worth the inspection of the curious, as it has been in existence a number of years, and never known to vary, from either a continuous rain or a lengthened drought.

Beesthorpe hamlet and manor, 1 mile west of Caunton, is the sole property of Samuel Ellis Bristowe Esq. The Hall, a spacious ancient mansion in the style of James I, is occupied by William Cook Esq. Near is Earlshaw, an ancient mansion, now occupied by Mr William Farrands. There are about 20 acres of woods in the manor.

Knapthorpe hamlet, 1 mile south-west of Caunton, belongs to John Parkinson Junr. Esq. of Hexgrave Park. It was anciently called Chenapethorpe, and was partly soc to Laxton. It contains 500 acres and 35 inhabitants.

White's Directory of Nottinghamshire 1853

[Last updated: Sunday 20th July 1997 - Clive Henly]

© Copyright C.R.G. Henly 1997