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The
Moretons’ buildings date back to the early 1800s. The owners, Tony
& Diana Soutar, started to convert and develop the buildings and
yards in 1971.
Between
AD926 and AD940 Athelstan King of Britain granted two manses in Moreton
to his servant Ethelnoth. These are probably to be identified with two
hides at Moreton granted to Beorhnaege and Byrhstan by Bishop Oswald in
AD990.
The two
hides were held at the beginning of the 13th century by
Robert de Moreton. Later, The Moretons was held by the Chamberlains
followed by the Le Pohers for five generations. In 1411, via his
marriage to Margaret Le Poher,it was conveyed to John Washbourne VI. In
1663 his descendant William Washbourne XVI sold it to William Hancock. A
manor called Moretons is mentioned in deeds of the 16th
century and the present Moretons’ farm probably marks its site.
In around 1631 John
Washbourne XII emigrated to America; his wife and family followed on 13
April 1635 on the ship Elizabeth and Ann bound for New England.
In
1992 Mr and Mrs A L Washburn, two descendants from Missouri USA, stayed
at The Moretons and discovered that their family, some eleven
generations earlier, had owned it for 252 years! |
