Hameringham.
Hameringham is about 4 miles from Horncastle, in a south-east direction, the road passing through Mareham-on-the-Hill. The marriage register dates from 1744, those for burials and baptisms from 1777. Letters, via Horncastle, arrive at 10 a.m.
We know little of the early history of this village; it is not named in Domesday Book, but in a list of military tenures, of the reign of Henry I. about A.D. 1108, the “Hundred of Hamringeheim” is mentioned, and “Count Richard,” probably the Norman Earl of Chester, is said to hold there eleven carucates and four oxgangs, or nearly 1400 acres, and Gilbert Fitz Gocelin had four oxgangs, or about 60 acres (“Old Lincolnshire,” vol. i. pp. 213, 214).
In the year 1208 Henry, son of Geoffrey, granted to Ralph, Abbot of Revesby, and his successors, an oxgang of land and a messuage in Hameringham; the said Ralph giving to the said Henry 20s., in consideration thereof.
In the year 1529, Jane Sheffield, widow, of Croxby, in her will dated 7 January, refers to a deed of feoffment, dated 4 June, 8 Henry VIII., whereby Sir John Sheffield, Parson of Hameringham, and others are feoffed of certain lands, for her life; Sir John Sheffield and Alexander Amcotts, Gent., being supervisors. (“Lincolnshire Wills,” page 6, No. 14).
In 1540 John Angevin of Ashby by Horncastle, by will, dated 10 Oct. makes his wife Margaret, executrix, and confirms to her lands in Ashby and Hameringham, to remain in her hands “unto suche tyme, as all suche goods as I am bownden, and myne heyres, in covenants by indenture to Sir Rycherde Warde, and to Sir Robert, be fully paid.” To which is added, in a different hand, “I Robert Awngeven agreed to this wyll.” The Angevins disappear in the 17th century; but one of the family held land in Hameringham in the reign of Henry VIII. (“Lincolnshire Wills,” p. 28, No. 72). By will, dated 20 April, 1545, Robert Angevin, of Langton by Horncastle, leaves his land in Hameringham to his son William. (Ibidem p. 36, No. 96). [83]
By will, dated 10 Sept. 1612, George Litilburie, of Somersby, leaves to his nephew Jeffery Litelburie all his apparell, and lands in Winceby and Hameringham. He wishes his armes to be “sette in the walle (of the church) as my grandfather’s was at Ashby (Puerorum).”
Among the Revesby charters is one, of date 1198, whereby Richard I. grants and confirms to the monks of Revesby certain lands in Hameringham, Enderby, and elsewhere (Dugdale v. 456).
By a deed in the reign of Richard I., or John, William, son of Gaufrid, clerk, of Hameringham, gives to the monks of Revesby 9 acres of arable land in Hameringham, a meadow called “Baldvinegaire [84a] and pasture near the 9 acres, and other lands; free of all service,” save that the monks are to pay to the donor annually “two spurs of the cost of one nummus,” at Michaelmas.
By a deed early in the 13th century Symon, son of Hugo, of Dunsthorpe, gives to the monks one toft in Hameringham, and 10 acres, and one selion in a place called Thyrne, and 2 selions in Pesedalegate, [84b] free from all claims.