Duncombe, Puttenham & Long Marston, 17th/18th century

February 2003

Hans van Felius of Haarlem, the Netherlands, writes: My Duncombe ancestors lived at Long Marston in the 16th century, and they owned the manor of Puttenham as well for a short period. Later on (17th century) another branch of the family owned Puttenham. I wonder if something is recorded in 'The church and manor of Puttenham' by M.C. Vincent.

Living in the Netherlands I can't really get hold of it to check. If there is something of interest in it, I would like to buy a copy if that is still possible. Could you help me with this in any way? I would also be interested in contacting people who know something about the history of Long Marston.

The book 'The church and manor of Puttenham' is not indexed but I have had a quick scan for relevant information. There is a lot in the book about the Puttenham family - who sold the manor in 1560, and the church, the church records and its later ministers. However there is very little about the manor during the period of interest to you, and a check suggests that it contains is no more than a synopsis of the longer account in the Victoria County History for Hertfordshire, which shows that the Duncombe family was linked with Puttenham from the end of the 17th century. The following extract comesfrom the V.C.H.:

Richard [Puttenham] sold the manor in 1590 to John Saunders of Marston, who died seized of it in 1613, leaving a son Thomas aged thirteen. In 1623 Thomas conveyed the manor to John Benner and William Rowland probably for the purposes of some settlement. John son of Thomas predeceased his father in 1648, and his son Thomas Saunders of Beechwood succeeded his grandfather. Chauncy states that Thomas sold this manor in or about 1690 to Francis Duncombe of Ivinghoe, co. Bucks. Francis died about 1728. leaving the manor to his nephew John Duncombe, son of his brother William, who was succeeded by his daughter Rebecca, wife of the Rev. Edward Lucy. Sarah Lucy their daughter became heir to the manor on the death of her three brothers and sister. She married Thomas Meacher, and died leaving Edward Lucy Meacher, her son and heir, who in 1806 conveyed the manor for a settlement to William Elley. Edward sold it in 1810 to John William Egerton seventh earl of Bridgewater. From him hit passed to Earl Brownlow, who conveyed the estate to Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild in exchange for land in the parish of Northaw. From Baron Rothchild the manor passed to Lord Rothschild the present owner. The old manor-house has completely disappeared. It is said to have stood in a field at the east of the church. The are no courts held.

Vincent's book refers to the Puttenham enclosure map of 1816 - which records that a John Duncombe was the 4th biggest land holder in this tiny parish with 72 acres.

Historically Long Marston was part of Tring parish and I have found a reference to a Thomas Duncombe in the 1797 valuation of property in "A History of Tring". Thomas occupied land to the value of £6 15s belonging to Drummond Smith of Tring Park. [See Tring Mansion.]

Cussans' History of Hertfordshire records memorial inscriptions of the great and the good in parish churches in Hertfordshire, and there are no Duncombe records for Puttenham or for Tring/Long Marston. However there are records for the nearby parishes of Aldbury and Northchurch (part of modern Berkhamsted).

March 2003

Hans van Felius replied:  Thank you very much for your response to my question. At least now I know I need not focus on this book. The stay of my ancestors at the Puttenham manor was indeed a short one, because my ancestor failed to pay a rent to the Puttenhams, so his son was forced to hand it over to the original owner again...

I think that financial troubles made them leave Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire around that time. Since there was a Russell relation they most likely went to Bedfordshire (they had some properties there later on, near Woburn, and later to Northamptonshire. From there my Duncombe ancestor Jeremy moved on to the Netherlands and was an officer in the Dutch army in the first half of the 17th century.

Thanks again, finding people kind enough to answer questions is such a help if you are trying to conduct a research in a different country from your own!