Tockenham

The parish lies 3 miles south west. of Royal Wootton Bassett, and includes the settlements of Tockenham and Tockenham Wick. It covers an area of around 779 acres. As the land lies over 350 feet. above sea level, and is therefore exposed to the elements, the parish contains mainly pasture with a small amount of arable land. However, a south facing slope in Teagle's Copse was previously known as Vineyards. It is suggested that Goddard Smith, who died in 1746 may have re-planted earlier terraced areas with vines here. West Tockenham was in the parish of Lyneham until around 1970 and was much larger than the small Domesday estates at Tockenham. Tockenham itself was referred to as East Tockenham to distinguish it from its neighbour, but by the 16th century it was referred to as both Tockenham and Tockenham Wick. In 1801 the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal crossed the parish but was closed in 1914. The London to Bristol Railway was completed in 1841 and also crossed the parish. In the 18th century the main road from Wootton Bassett entered the parish from the north east, leaving south of the Red Lion, which was in Lyneham parish.

There was a Roman villa nearby and a stone relief carving, which has been identified as representing a Roman household god, is built into the church wall and is likely to have come from this villa.

In 1377 East Tockenham had 64 poll-tax payers, there were 124 inhabitants in 1801, but by 1841 this had risen to 263. This figure included labourers working on the construction of the Great Western Railway. By 1851 the population was reduced to 190; in 1931 there were 131 residents, this was reduced to 119 by 1961.

During the period 755-7 Aethelbald granted Abbot Eanberht of Malmesbury 10 cassati at Toccansceaga. This is the area which became known as West Tockenham. However by 1086 the abbey had relinquished rights over this land, Before 1066 Doun held this Tockenham estate from Malmesbury Abbey whilst Alvin also held 2 1/2 hides in West Tockenham.

By 1086, in the Domesday Book, the modern civil parish consisted of one large and four smaller estates. The largest manor (West Tockenham) was held by Roger from Durand of Gloucester; Oideland held the estate of Alvin. In what was to become East Tockenham one hide was held by Alfric the Little, a further hide by Algar and Alric held half a hide, total value 33 shillings. It is possible these three were merged by the 12th century and held then by William Pinkney. Before 1265 Thomas of Tockenham granted an estate in Tockenham to Bradenstoke Priory. Around 1293 Nicholas Spellman was overlord of the manor of Tockenham or Tockenham Doygnel. In 1300 the manor formed part of the demesne of Hugh le Despenser. More land was also conveyed to Bradenstoke Priory in 1334. In 1341 Queen Isabel held a demesne in Tockenham and the taxation value of this was £1.

The oldest part of Tockenham Manor (Tockenham Wick) was probably built by Richard Danvers before 1604, with the main construction early 17th century; it was known as Manor Farm in 1887, but is now known by its original name. Queen Court Farm (East Tockenham) is early 18th century, but the plan suggests it was possibly re-built on the site of a 17th century building on an earlier moated site, as part of the moat survives. It is possible that the small settlement at Tockenham Wick, never more than a cluster of cottages, may have grown around a house built in the early 1600s by Richard Danvers. Tockenham Court Farm, a stone house possibly from the late 18th century, incorporates an L shaped building from late 15th/early 16th century and was owned in 1643 by Sir William Button, when it was looted by parliamentary troops. Five hundred yards north east of this is a house known as Tockenham House, built 1773. Meadow Court has two distinct periods, the south part is 16th century, remodelled in the 18th and 20th centuries, the north part was possibly rebuilt around 1720-30.
In 1086 Tockenham mill paid dues of 50d and in 1301-2, Robert Brut and others granted the mill in West Tockenham to Bradenstoke Priory while in 1364 the Priory established rights for all tithes in West Tockenham. In 1609 Timothy Stampe became the lessee of the Tockenham estate and agreed not to plough Tockenham Marsh. In 1673 Tockenham Court Farm was said to have 557 sheep and 35 beasts and cattle.

In 1839 Greenway Farm consisted of 89 acres, Wick Farm, 290 acres, Shaw Farm 39 acres, and Tockenham Fields Farm 87 acres; all were farmed by tenants and were mostly pasture. By 1877 Tockenham Fields Farm was part of the manorial estate, and at this time both it and Greenway Farm were sold.

A church is first recorded in 1276 and the advowson belonged to the lord of the manor until the 16th century. In 1291 the Rectory was taxed at £5, and in 1341 the benefice was valued at £5.18s.0d. At this time the water mill was paying tithes of 3 shillings. During the period 1369-70 it was said 16 tenants owed services to the lord of the manor - bean picking, sheep shearing, sheep washing, hoeing, weeding, hay making and stacking, also harvest duties. In addition they were said to be liable for ploughing and hay carting duties. Queen Katherine Parr held the manor and on her death in 1548 the advowson reverted to the Crown.

In 1780 a charity was established by Ann Jacob, part of which was to be used for the upkeep of family tombs and the rest to be distributed to the poor of the parish who did not receive alms. In 1784 Mary Clutterbuck left £200 - the interest to be given each Christmas to the poor of the parish. By 1905 the two were administered together and supplied coal and 'provident club' to parishoners. In 1834 £3 yearly was paid out of part of the Tockenham Estate known as the Marsh, this to be distributed by church wardens to poor parishioners who did not receive alms, this was still in existence in 1962.