Between
AD 926 and AD 940, Athelstan King of
Britain granted two manses in Moreton to
his servant Ethelnoth. These are
probably to be identified with the two
hides at Moreton granted to Beorhnaege
and Byrhstan by Bishop Oswald in 990. The
two hides were held by Robert de Moreton
at the beginning of the 13th century.
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 John's 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
about 1631 John Washbourne (XII)
emigrated to America. His wife and
family followed on 13th April
1635 on the ship Elizabeth and Ann bound
for New England. In
1992 two descendants, Mr and Mrs A L
Washburn from Missouri USA stayed at The
Moretons and discovered that their
family, some eleven generations earlier,
had owned it for 252 years! |
