The family of Attwood, of whom a pedigree is given by Manning,[1] had long been seated at Sanderstead, and were, I imagine, a yeoman family of the place. In a fine of land relating to Sanderstead, 19 Edw. III., I find the name of Peter Atte Wood, and in Coulsdon, the adjoining parish, the same name occurs in 6 Edw. II., when Peter at Wode, John and Roger de Bosco, (or of the Wood,) are returned as owning lands in that parish: their name is still retained in Wood Place, in Coulsdon. Aubrey mentions a brass in the south aisle to John Atwood and Dionise his wife,[2] 1525, and another to Nicholas Wood, son of John Atwood, 1586.[3]
Harinan Atwood died in 1653, aged eighty-three, as appears by the inscription on his monument in the church. He built Sanderstead Court, on which are his initials H. A., and the date 1676. After him we find his fourth son, Harman Atwood, in possession, and he by his will devised Sanderstead to his brother John and his sister Olive for their lives, with remainder to Harman Atwood, son of his elder brother John, deceased. There is this curious passage in his will, which does not present Harman Atwood in an attractive light.' He says: "Provided always that Harman Atwood my cousin keep himself in some good way of employment, and be not trouble or disturbance to any person enjoying my lands by his presence or abode with them further and other than by civill visits not exceeding 14 days time in any one year."
This Harman Atwood never succeeded, having predeceased Olive Atwood, who had a life estate, and who died, as appears from her monument, in February, 1681.[4]
- ↑ Hist. of Surrey, vol. ii. p. 570. Over the entrance to the house at Sanderstead Court is a shield with the arms of Atwood,—A lion rampant, between three acorns, surmounted by their crest, a woodman's axe.
- ↑ For her Will, see Appendix, p. 20.
- ↑ These have been replaced on the north and south walls of the chancel.
- ↑ She built the Rectory House, on the front of which are her initials, O. A., and the date 1680.
37 Hen. VIII. John Ownsted, of Farleigh, was one of the feoffees of John Leigh, of Addington, in 15 Hen. VII.
