XXXVI The Old Forge

 The smithy after which this lovely cottage is named appears here at its further side, flanked by the maltings which were destroyed in 1902.

Page 123	Raynham	Sherman	29
		Maryanne	30
		Joseph	21.6.67

Sherman Raynham, a bricklayer, although born in Kersey, was related to the Chelsworth branch of the family, and became a key resident of the village as parish clerk for a number of years. He was the son of Robert Frost Raynham and his wife Hannah, and the grandson of Thomas and Susan Raynham of Chelsworth. His wife Maryanne was from Whatfield.

Sherman’s first name was in fact Thomas, but he may have adopted his second name - his mother’s maiden name - to distinguish himself from the thatching line.

Maryanne and Sherman had sons born in 1867 and 1873. They later lived in the newly-built Hill House (the work of Clement Poole) and he died there in 1911 at the age of 72, just a year after Maryanne, who was also 72. He was evidently a successful property developer and builder, as in addition to Hill House he left properties in Stone Street, Hadleigh, Kersey, Lindsey, Hitcham and Raydon between his two builder sons, Frederick Benjamin and Joseph John.

Page 125	Claydon	Daniel	65
		Elizabeth	60

Blacksmith Daniel Claydon lived beside his smithy, replacement for an earlier forge which stood across the road in Shop Meadow. The father of John who lived in Cakebridge Lane, he was born in Copford in 1805 and died in 1877. His wife Elizabeth (1808-1888) is shown as coming from either Groton or Bures. Strangely, her name appears in the registers of Monks Eleigh, where her four children were born, as both Elizabeth and Mary.

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