Hadleigh is a small market town in Suffolk, England, and the ancestral home of the Alabaster family. From at least the sixteenth century, the Alabasters were a prominent family here — merchants, landowners, and civic figures whose influence shaped the town’s history.

St Mary’s Church

The magnificent medieval church of St Mary the Virgin is the spiritual heart of the Alabaster family’s story. Inside, a series of memorial brasses commemorates several generations of Alabasters, including Thomas Alabaster, the founding ancestor of all known descendants. Hilary Griffin leads guided tours of the church for Society members at Gatherings.

The Guildhall

Hadleigh’s magnificent timber-framed Guildhall dates from the fifteenth century and would have been known to our Alabaster ancestors. It has hosted the Alabaster Gathering on several occasions, serving as the venue for the General Meeting, talks, and the buffet lunch.

The Deanery Tower

The Deanery Tower stands at the east end of St Mary’s Church. It is a rare surviving example of a medieval gatehouse tower and offers views across the town. Roger Kennell, a specialist in historic buildings, has led Gathering visits to the tower.

Kersey Mill

Kersey Mill, situated a short distance north of Hadleigh, was owned by the Alabaster family during the seventeenth century and is one of several local properties with a documented family connection.

Further reading

For a detailed history of the town and its connections to the Alabaster family, see Hadleigh and the Alabaster Family by Sue Andrews and Tony Springall, available from the Society. See our Publications page for details.