Nursery Corner, Acton

‘In the little village of Acton, Suffolk, a legend was current not many years ago, that on certain occasions, which, by the way, were never accurately defined, the park gates were wont to fly open at midnight “withouten hands,” and a carriage drawn by four spectral horses, and accompanied by headless grooms and outriders, proceeded with great rapidity from the park to a spot called “the nursery corner.” What became of the ghostly cortege at this spot, I have never been able to learn; but though the sight has not been seen by any of the present inhabitants, yet some of them have heard the noise of the headlong race. The “Corner” tradition says it is the spot where a very bloody engagement took place, in olden time, when the Romans were governors of England. A few coins have, I believe, been found, but nothing else confirmatory of the tale’. [County Folk-Lore: Suffolk (1893), Lady Camilla Gurdon referencing W Sparrow Simpson in Notes and Queries 1889.]

The park and gates referred to are thought to be from the manison of Acton Place which was demolished in 1825. Acton Place was bought from the Daniels by Robert Jennens (Died 1725) around 1700. His son William Jennens (Born 1701 – Died 1798) was known as The Miser of Acton, who, unmarried, left a fortune. The will was contested, but the case was abandoned after 117 years (1915) when the estate had been swallowed up by legal fees.