Benacre (St. Michael)

BENACRE (St. Michael) a parish, in the union and hundred of Blything, E. division of Suffolk, 5 miles (N. E.) from Wangford; containing 194 inhabitants. It comprises 259a. 1r. 37p., and is situated on the sea-coast: about half a mile from the shore is a sheet of fresh water, called Benacre Broad, comprising 100 acres, and abounding with pike and other fish. Benacre Hall, a large mansion, is the seat of Sir T. S. Gooch, Bart. The living is a rectory, with that of Easton-Bavent and the vicarage of North-Ales consolidated, valued in the king's books at £18, and in the gift of Sir T. S. Gooch; the tithes have been commuted for £354, and there are 24 acres of glebe. The church consists of a nave and chancel, with a square tower. An urn containing coins of Vespasian, Trajan, Adrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, was discovered here more than sixty years since, in forming a road from Yarmouth to London.