Stuff and Nonsense

Edward Croxall, the younger of Sutton Coldfield, esquire

• mentioned in the title deeds (marriage settlement of William Dilke the younger and Louisa Anne Geast) of the Fetherston-Dilke family of Maxstoke Castle, November 1795. Sheriff of the County, 1796, and maternally descended from Randal Croxall, of
Warwick, etc..

Wriothesley Digby of Meriden

Sutton Manor House stood on Manor Hill and is documented as early as 1315. This may have been built as a hunting lodge for the earl and his guests. On the other hand, the position of the manor house may suggest that this was the location of the first settlement of Sutton. After 1540 a farm-house was built here by Bishop Vesey and occupied by one of his relations. The house passed through various owners but by 1762 was in a very poor state and occupied by a farm labourer. By now the freehold was held by Sir Lister Holte of Aston Hall, after whose death in 1770 the manor-house, its mills and pools descended to WRIOTHESLEY DIGBY of Meriden. His grandson, Lord Somerville owned the estate in 1860 and built a new house to replace the old farm. That house, known as The Manor in Manor Drive, still stands and is classified as a Grade II Listed building.

• Abstract of the title of Wriothesley Digby, esq., to property situate in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, co. War. 12 October, 1769-2 March, 1818 MS 3069/Acc1935-063/443137, 1827 [Deeds of Four Oaks Halle Estate 1751-1831, Birmingham City Archives, ref" MS3069/Acc1935-063/443137]

• Copy of lease for eleven years from Wriothesly Digby of Meriden, co. War., esq., to Benjamin Browne of the Park Forge in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, co. War., of three closes of land lately forming part of the Manor House Farm in the parish of Sutton Coldfield. MS 2 April, 1819. [Deeds of Four Oaks Halle Estate 1751-1831, Birmingham City Archives, ref: MS3069/Acc1935-063/443138]

• Lease for a year from Wriothesley Digby of Meriden, co. War., esq., and the Rev. Noel Digby of Brixton, [Brighstone] in the Isle of Wight, [co. Hants.], clerk, to Sir Edmund Cradock Hartopp of Four Oaks Hall, co. War., bart., and Edmund Cradock Hartopp of the same place, esq., of lands in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, co. War., situated between the Town of Sutton Coldfield and Sutton Park, and lands adjoining the New Forge pool or Stone House Forge pool and Sutton Park, being part of Booth's farm. [Deeds of Four Oaks Halle Estate 1751-1831, Birmingham City Archives, ref: MS3069/Acc1935-063/443139]

• Release from Wriothesley Digby of Meriden, co. War., esq., and surrender from the Rev. Noel Digby of Brixton, [Brighstone] in the Isle of Wight, [co. Hants.], clerk, to Sir Edmund Cradock Hartopp of Four Oaks Hall, co. War., bart., and Edmund Cradock Hartopp of the same place, esq., of lands in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, co. War., situated between the Town of Sutton Coldfield and Sutton Park, and lands adjoining the New Forge pool or Stone House Forge pool and Sutton Park, being part of Booth's farm. PLAN. [Deeds of Four Oaks Halle Estate 1751-1831, Birmingham City Archives, ref: MS3069/Acc1935-063/443140]

• Indenture between Wriothesley Digby of Meriden, co. War., esq., Sir Edmund Cradock Hartopp of Four Oaks Hall, co. War., bart., and Edmund Cradock Hartopp, esq., being a covenant for the production of title deeds [of lands in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, co. War., situated between the Town of Sutton Coldfield and Sutton Park, and lands adjoining the New Forge pool [**NOW POWELL'S POOL'**] or Stone House Forge pool and Sutton Park, being part of Booth's farm]. [Deeds of Four Oaks Halle Estate 1751-1831, Birmingham City Archives, ref: MS3069/Acc1935-063/443141]

Nothing on the other names.

POOLS

Blackroot Pool was built in the 18th century with the primary aim of powering a watermill. The lease which allowed the pool to be constructed was granted by the Sutton Corporationin 1757 for 2 shillings (£0.10), well below what appears to have been the 'market rate'. However, the lessees were the Corporation's Warden and his nephew. The mill was initially used for leather dressing, but later became a water-powered saw mill. The modern saw mill is used to make gates, fences and other timber products from timber produced within Sutton Park. The pool is approximately 12 acres (5 hectares) in size. Angling is permitted in the pool; the main species of fish found here are Bream, Roach, Carp and Pike.

Bracebridge Pool is one of the largest in the park. The views as you approach this pool are also amongst the finest in Sutton Park. The pool takes its name from Sir Ralph Bracebridge. Bracebridge obtained a life lease on the Chase of Sutton Coldfield in 1419 and had the pool constructed to provide a good supply of bream for his family and friends. The Boat House Restaurant can be found at the edge of Bracebridge Pool. The pool is approximately 16 acres (6.5 hectares) in size. Angling is permitted in the pool; the main species of fish found here are Roach, Tench and Pike.

Little Bracebridge Pool was probably originally part of Bracebridge Pool, although it may have been partially separated by a dam to provide an area in which small fish could be reared or in which fish could fattened for the lord of the manor's table. Over time, an area of wetland has developed between the two pools. One of the most peaceful places in the park, Little Bracebridge boasts an extensive range of flowering plants which specialize in wet habitats, including some which are now quite rare, such as the Greater Spearwort.Angling is not permitted in the pool.

WARDEN AND SOCIETY

In the years after the Norman Conquest the town was the fiefdom of the Earls of Warwick and later, after their disgrace, the Crown. The influence of Bishop Vesey with Henry V111 resulted in the town gaining its independance from the Crown by virtue of the Royal Charter of 1528.

The Charter, by the standards of the day was an amazing document, establishing the right to local government by the populace through a body of 25 residents appointed to form a Corporation known as Warden and Society.