Kilverstone Hall is a country house built in the early 17th century[1] which was passed down the Wright family of Kilverstone.[2] It was greatly enlarged by Josiah Vavasseur, technical director of the arms manufacturing firm William Armstrong Ltd.[3] It included a parkland estate of 3,000 acres (12 km2). Upon Vavasseur's death in 1908 the house and park were inherited by Cecil Fisher, son of Admiral Lord Fisher and adopted heir to Vavasseur. Admiral Fisher and his wife moved into the Hall by invitation of Cecil Fisher upon the Admiral's retirement as First Sea Lord in 1910 and lived there until he was recalled as First Sea Lord upon the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Lord Fisher's grave is in Kilverstone churchyard.[4] The house was remodelled in a Jacobean style in 1913. It still remains the property of the Fisher family and has the mailed fist and trident of Lord Fisher's baronial crest on its gateposts.[5]
Sarah, m. to James Ward, Esq. of Hindringham,[12] son and heir of Hamond Warde of Letheringsett, gentleman,[15] at Kilverstone on 8 August 1626. Their marriage settlement is dated 20 July the same year.[15] In 1695, a James Ward, Gent. of Hindringham, was lord of Great Snoring. He gave it with Thursford-Schelton's to Mr. Nun of Thorpland, who held it in 1715.[16] In about 1570 Nover's Manor in Hindringham was conveyed to Martin Hastings, who sold it to Giles Mabbs, or Nabbs, gentleman. He left two daughters and coheirs; Mary, married to Riches Brown, Esq. of Fulmodeston, and another daughter whose first name is unknown, married to a James Ward, gentleman of Hindringham.[17]