Hello Geraldine,
Welcome to Rootschat.
At the time of posting the query I was researching my late wife's family history. With her death I sort of got knocked off my stride but have recently gone back to the research.
Shortly after my post I came across a sales advertisement for Chalk House and contacted the estate agents. They sent me a couple of photographs of the house and suggested that I write to an elderly gentleman who had been born in Benhall Place. His daughter replied and said that he remembered that the 10 acre field behind Chalk House had always been known as Newby's field.
With regard to the house, her grandfather had bought it from the Benhall Lodge Estate. It was known then as Silverdene. Eventually after several other owners it was renamed in the 1960's back to Chalk House. The field got its name from a pit from which was extracted chalk.
I then went to the Suffolk Record Office and looked at the Tithe Apportionment records for 1845. Listed in those is Landowner John Moseley Esq., Occupier Thomas Newby and the plan references 205 house and garden, 206 orchard and 207 oziers, a total of 2 acres, 2 roods and 28 perches.
Next door, in plot no. 208 lived James Newby jnr, Thomas' son, occupying 2 roods and 13 perches of cottage and pasture. This cottage is shown as being on the corner of Benhall Street and Silverlace Green.
I think you might find it interesting to visit the SRO and have a look at the documents and maps yourself. However, I may be going back there some time in the future and if I can help I will.
Kind regards, Jack
