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Euston, Rymer, Blackbourn Hundred
EUSTON in 1844, is a neat village, is pleasantly situated on the east bank of
the southern Thet, near the confluence of that river with the Little Ouse, which
separates it from Norfolk; 4 miles S.E. of Thetford, and 10 miles N. by E. of
Bury St. Edmund's. Its parish contains 270 inhabitants, and 3,780 acres of land,
including part of the farm of Rymer House, which is 4 miles S. of Thetford, and
comprises 15 souls, and about 70 acres of Extra parochial land, and about 55O
acres lying in five different parishes. Euston also comprises Little Fakenham,
which has a small hamlet on the banks of the Thet, 1 1/2 mile S. of the Church,
and was formerly a separate parish, but nearly the whole of it was enclosed in
Euston Park, more than a century ago, and not a vestige of its Church (St.
Andrew) was remaining in Kirby's time. The Duke of Grafton is lord of the manor,
owner of the soil, and occupier of nearly all the parish. He resides generally
at Euston Hall, a large mansion of red brick, delightfully situated a little
south of the village, in the northern part of a beautiful Park nf more than
1,400 acres, extending more than two miles along the east bank of the river Thet,
richly clothed with wood, and stocked with about 700 head of deer. The mansion
is surrounded by trees of uncommon growth, and near it the Thet is crossed by a
neat wooden bridge, leading to the entrance Lodge on the western side of the
river. The scenery around it combines the most delightful assemblage of
picturesque objects, and is justly celebrated by Bloomfield, in his "Farmer's
Boy." The gardens are extensive, and around them, "woods and groves in solemn
grandeur rise." On an elevated situation, in the park, stands the Temple, an
elegant structure built by the second Duke of Grafton, in 1746, in the Grecian
style, and consisting of an upper and lower apartment, commanding extensive
prospects. This building was intended for a banquetting house, and was
constructed from a design by the celebrated Kent. Fakenham Wood, in the southern
part of the park, is one of the largest in the county, covering no less than 314
acres, and abounding in luxuriant timber. Euston was anciently the lordship of a
family of its own name, from whom it descended to the Pattishalls, and from them
to Sir Henry Bennet, who, for his adherence to the house of Stuart, was
appointed secretary of state by Charles II, and created Lord Arlington, Viscount
Thetford, and Earl of Arlington. He built Euston Hall, and left an only
daughter, who carried his estates in marriage to Henry Fitzroy, one of the
natural sons of Charles II., by the Duchess of Cleveland, who was created by his
father Earl of Euston, and Duke of Grafton, in 1675, and died in 1690. He was
succeeded by his son Charles, who died in 1757, and was succeeded by his
grandson, Augustus Henry, the late duke, who died in 1811. The present Most
Noble George Henry Fitzroy, K. G., Duke of Grafton, Earl of Arlington, Earl of
Euston, Viscount Thetford, Viscount Ipswich, Baron Arlington, and Baron Sudbury,
is son of the late duke, and was born in 1760, and married a daughter of the
second Earl of Waldegrave. He is Lord Lieutenant, Vice-Admiral, and Custos
Rotulorum of the county of Suffolk, and hereditary Ranger of Whittlebury Forest,
in Northamptonshire, where he has another seat called Wakefield Lodge. His
eldest son, the Rt. Hon. Charles Fitzroy, Earl of Euston, was born in 1791.
Euston Church (St. Genevieve) stands in the park, near the hall, and is a neat
structure with a tower and five bells. The rectory, valued in K.B. at �13 7s.
11d., has those of Fakenham Parva and Barnham consolidated with it, in the
patronage of the Duke of Grafton, and incumbency of the Rev. James D. Hustler,
M.A. The tithes of the two parishes have been commuted for a yearly modus of
�696 12s. 6d. The patron and incumbent support a school here for the instruction
of poor children.
The Most Noble Duke of Grafton; the Right Hon. Earl of Euston; and Lord Charles
Fitzroy, M. P., Euston Hall
Hustler Rev. Jas. D., M. A., Rectory
Cooper George Kersey, Esq., land agent to the Duke of Grafton
Baker William, house steward
Bell Francis, farmer
Gayford George,. farmer, Rymer House
Pretty Richard, victualler, Fox
Wylie Jas. gardener, Little Fakenham
Carr George, park-keeper
Tweed James, stud-groom