The history of Clophill between 6000BC and 2012.
Including historical descriptions, maps and statistical analysis.
The history of Clophill between 6000BC and 2012.
Including historical descriptions, maps and statistical analysis.
This website was created to display information about Clophill's history. The site will grow as research proceeds.
Heritage is that part of history that we feel personally connected with. It may be the buildings and other objects that remind us of our past. It could be memories, customs and other valued reminders.
Clophill is a linear village with its High Street of three quarters of a mile lying between the River Flit valley to the south and the Greensand Ridge to the north. There is a secondary residential area mostly along Back Street. The village has developed by infill, but it used to be much more open with fields between the High Street and Back Street.
Clophill has a long history. There is evidence for a Roman road running east-west through the village. In the Domesday book of 1086, the village is called Clopelle,which means “tree-stump hill” Near Top Farm at Beadlow, is the site of the Benedictine Priory of Beaulieu which was founded between 1140 and 1146 by Robert D'Albini . At Cainhoe Castle is the remains of a motte and bailey castle dating from 1138.
If you are looking for particular information look at the resources page which includes census transcripts and other primary data.
A recent discovery in a villager's attic of some copies of the long-running, but forgotten, local paper The Clophill Times is an opportunity to delve into the past. As each copy is restored it will be displayed here for all to read. This will give villagers a useful insight into the history of the village and what it was like to live here.
Mike Pearson's "Clophill- A Photographic History" has been recreated here as the original site was taken down. There are over 200 photos of old Clophill.
It is arranged by time period with the locations of the photos shown on a map of the period.
The national Censuses from 1841 to 1911 tell us about the people who lived in Clophill, their ages, families and occupations.
The descriptions of Listed Buildings tells us something about the old buildings in the village. The 1910 Finance act survey tells us who owned what in the village. See the interactive map which brings all this information together.
I have recreated Mike Pearson's "Clophill- A Photographic History" as the original site was taken down. There are over 200 photos of old Clophill.
By combining data from the 1911 census and the 1910 Finance Act survey I have been able to identify who lived in over 80 houses in the village.
I have transcribed the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses for Clophill. They are presented in tabular form, one page per census.