Belleau

Description and Travel

This small village and parish is in the vale of the Eau rivulet, to which it contributes a small stream. It lies 4 miles northwest of Alford, 9 miles north of Spilsby and 8 miles southeast of Louth. The parish only covers about 700 acres.

Claythorpe is a hamlet and chapelry in Belleau parish. Although often called a parish, Claythorpe does not appear to have ever had a church of its own, or the church fell out of use in early Norman times. If you are planning a visit:

• By automobile, Belleau lies east of the A16 trunk road between Louth and Spilsby. Turn east off of the A16 at Swaby and drive about one mile beyond Swaby on the back roads.
  
  
• Visit our touring page for more sources.
  
  

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Census

• The parish was in the Withern sub-district of the Louth Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Census Resource page for county-wide resources.
  
  
• The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
  
  

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Church History

• The Anglican parish church was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
  
  
• The Anglican parish church is a sturdy stone building. It was rebuilt in the reign of Edward III and restored and almost totally rebuilt in 1862.
  
  
• The ecclesiastical parish included Aby, Greenfield and Claythorpe.
  
  
• The church seats about 250.
  
  
• There is a photograph of St. John's Church on the Wendy Parkinson Church Photos web site.
  
  
• Here is a photograph of St. John the Baptist Church supplied by Ron Cole (who retains the copyright):
  
  
  

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Church Records

• The Anglican parish register dates from 1640 and includes Aby and Claythorpe entries.
  
  
• We have a handful of entries in our parish register extract. Your additions to this are welcome.
  
  
• The LFHS has published several marriage indexes and a burial index for the Calcewaith and Candleshoe Deanery to make your search easier.
  
  
• Check our Church Records page for county-wide resources.
  
  

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Civil Registration

• The parish was in the Withern sub-district of the Louth Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Civil Registration page for sources and background on Civil Registration which began in July, 1837.
  
  

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History

• The Great Northern railway had a station at Claythorpe (called "Aby" by the railway).
  
  

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Manors

• Near the church are the remains of a large mansion, formerly the seat of the Lords Willoughby de Eresby. The manor was surrounded by a moat. Fragments of a gate house stood to the north.
  
  
• The HUSSEY family had a manor at Claythorpe. One of them was created a baronet in 1661.
  
  

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Maps

• The national grid reference is TF 4078.
  
  
• You'll want an Ordnance Survey Explorer map, which has a scale of 2.5 inches to the mile.
  
  
• See our Maps page for additional resources.
  
  

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Names, Geographical

• White's 1913 Directory advises us that the name was applied because of a "copious spring of excellent water which takes its rise here."
  
  
• Locals pronounce the name as "Bellow".
  
  

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Politics and Governance

• The parish was in the Marsh division of the ancient Calceworth Wapentake in the East Lindsey district in the parts of Lindsey.
  
  
• For today's governance, see the East Lindsey District Council.
  
  

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Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.

• After the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, the parish became part of the Louth Poorlaw Union.
  
  

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Population

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Schools

• The children of this parish attended the school at Aby.
  
  
• For more on researching school records, see our Schools Research page.
  
  

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