History
Bracebridge may have had its origins in the Old English braesc + brycg, meaning 'bridge or causeway made of branches'. The River Witham runs 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west, lending some credibility to this theory.
The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Brachebrige". Before the Norman Conquest lordship was held by Ulf Fenman, and after by Bishop Geoffrey of Coutances, who also became Tenant-in-chief.
Bracebridge Heath lies on the route of the Roman Ermine Street that runs approximately 200 miles (320 km) from London to York. The central road junction in Bracebridge Heath is the junction of three Roman roads, now the A15 (the Sleaford Road), the A607 (the Grantham Road), and Cross O'Cliffe Hill into Lincoln. The line of Ermine Street, when extended from its last traceable part at Harmston, south of Bracebridge Heath, runs north through Waddington to Heath Road in Bracebridge Heath. Heath Road continues the line of Ermine Street.
According to White's 1876 Lincolnshire, the parish of 1,482 acres (6.00 km2) was part of Boothby Graffoe Wapentake, and consisted of the Lincoln County Lunatic Asylum on Sleaford Road, All Saints' church, and a vicarage. In 1876, 340 persons were recorded as living in the parish, the most notable of which included:
- Thomas Allen, MD (at the Asylum)
- William Andrew, Solicitor
- Rev. William Bromehead BA, Vicar
- William Coupland, Blacksmith and Beerhouse
- William Green, Blacksmith
- George Kirkup, Asylum Steward
- William Mills, Wards Brickyard
- Edward Palmer, MD, Asylum Superintendent
- George Wheatley, Carpenter
- Charles White, Pattern and Clog Maker
- John Wollfit, Licensed Victualler, at The John Bull
- Thomas Butler, Farmer
- Charles Clarke, Farmer
- Edwin Scrivener, Farmer
- William Toulson, Farmer
- Mrs Mary Winn, Post and Carrier from Lincoln
- Harry Webber, Hall Farm hand
Read more about this topic: Bracebridge Heath
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