The Manor of Groves - A History (The Origins)
From "The History of Hertfordshire" by N. Salmon, published in 1728
"The Manor of Groves was antiently a part of the Manor of Sabridgworth and given to the Monks of Reading by Henry Fitzgerald, as appears by the confirming Charter King Henry II. It is call the Manor of Sabridgworth in Henry VIII Grant of it to William Goding of Writtle in Essex. Goding sold it to Thomas Gooday of LittleByrch in Essex and he to Robert Hirst whose son inherited it. Henry Hirst held Court here.
It was then sold to John Duke. John Duke had Robert his son and heir who enjoyed it. Robert in the 4th year of Charles I's reign granted it to his son John Duke, Rector of High Roothing in Essex who married Joyce, daughter of William Bennet. Robert his son and heir, who inherited, sold it to Joyce his mother in 1665. She conveyed it to Thomas Rogers of Hunsdon. He left it to John, his son and heir, who sold it to Edmund Godwyn of Eastwick, Esquire. Godwyn sold it to Peter Godfrey, Esquire. From him it descended to his son Godfrey of London, Merchant, who is the present possessor."
From the heirs of the Godfrey family the property passed through various ownerships, many of whom improved or added to the property.
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| Coat of Arms of Reading Abbey (until 1539) |
Coat of Arms of Robert Hirst (1571) |