Title:
Letter to William Holman from Thomas Bridge
Level: Category
Research papers
Level: Fonds
HOLMAN MANUSCRIPTS
Level: Series
Correspondence obtaining information for Holman's History of Essex
Level: Sub-Series
Thomas Bridge
Scope and Content:
With detailed account of Bradbury family of Wicken Bonhunt, who came over with William the Conqueror and have lived there ever since, although they are now reduced to one branch of the family. Gives details of the Bradbury coat of arms, the lands they held in Wickham Bonhunt and the charitable donations they made including the Free School at Saffron Walden and the almshouses at Saffron Walden. John Bradbury's was Commander in chief of the King's artillery and was killed at Abingdon during the Civil War. The present lord of the manor, Matthew Bradbury had two brothers who both died in the recent wars, one at Almanza in Spain and the other at Maulplackett in Flanders. Most of the deeds of the estate were destroyed by fire but it comprises Wicken Hall, Measdenbury, Langley Hall and several other very large farms. It used to be valued at £2,300 per annum but is now worth £700 per annum. Wicken Bonhunt is the source of a spring called Holmes Spring which is the source of the river Cam.
Endorsed: 'Abt the Bradbury family' (WH); 'Tho. Bridge' in another hand
Dates of Creation:
n.d
Extent:
1 letter

Key terms

TypeKey termsDescription
Personal Names Bradbury details of family of Wicken Bonhunt
Personal Names Thomas
Bridge 		about the Bradbury family of Wicken Bonhunt, n.d.
Place Names Free School
Saffron Walden 		given by Bradbury family of Wicken Bonhunt
Place Names Holmes Spring
Wicken Bonhunt 		source of River Cam
Place Names King Edward VI Almshouses
Saffron Walden 		given by Bradbury family from Wicken Bonhunt
Place Names Langley Hall
Wicken Bonhunt 		owned by the Bradbury family
Place Names Measdenbury
Wicken Bonhunt 		owned by the Bradbury family of Wicken Bonhunt
Place Names Measdenbury
Wicken Bonhunt 		owned by the Bradbury family of Wicken Bonhunt
Place Names Wicken Hall
Wicken Bonhunt 		Owned by the Bradbury family