Neeves, Knights & Hubbard

A personal story ...

In historical terms this is not an old story but it gives an insight into how I, Peter Hubbard, became associated with Tharston and how there came to be Neeves and Knights buried in St. Mary's churchyard.

It all began at The Chestnuts on Chequers Road in Tharston. In the early 1930's The Chestnuts was owned by a Mr. Baxter. His housekeeper was Susan Neeve, sister to Amy, my grandmother. The Neeve family originated from Dennington in Suffolk with 11 children born between 1862 and 1885, the last 4 born in Starston.

Upon Mr. Baxter's death in about 1950, my great aunt Susan had free use of The Chestnuts for life. Amy and her husband Bertie Edgar Knights, my grandfather who was born in Wymondham, moved in about 1955 to The Chestnuts and lived with Susan. During this period he worked as a farm labourer for the owners of Tharston Hall and then for the Smith family at Picton Farm. In 1928 my mother Ellen Knights married Harry Hubbard, who was born and lived at Starston. From 1950 onwards my father and mother lived in Lowestoft. He was a carpenter & my mum ran a bed & breakfast on the sea front. My father died in 1969.

Upon Susan's death in 1969, Bertie and Amy purchased The Chestnuts from the Baxter family. Ownership then passed to my mother when they died. She did not want to live in Tharston so Susanne and I purchased the Chestnuts from her and moved in in July 1973.

My mother and father are buried in Lowestoft cemetery; Bertie, Amy & Susan in Tharston Churchyard.

(Please note there is no family connection between the NEEVES and NEAVES associated with Tharston and memorials within St. Mary's churchyard.)