SAXMUNDHAM, a small town, a parish, and a sub-district, in Plomesgate district, Suffolk. The town stands between two hills, on a rivulet running into the Alde, and on the Ipswich and Yarmouth railway, at thejunction of the branch to Aldborough, 22½ miles N E of Ipswich; consists chiefly of one street, running N and S; is well-built, and has been much improved; and has a head post-office, ‡ a railway station with telegraph, two banking offices, a hotel, a public room for corn-market and other purposes, an ancient church, Independent and Baptist chapels, a free school, and charities £52. A weekly market is held on Wednesday; and fairs, on Whit-Tuesday and 23 Sept. The parish comprises 1,011acres. Real property, £4, 380; of which £50 are in gas-works. Pop. in 1851, 1, 180; in 1861, 1, 222. Houses, 273. The manor, with Hurts Hall, belongs to W. Long, Esq. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Norwich. Value, £300.* Patron, W. Long, Esq.—The sub-district contains 7 parishes. Acres, 9, 435. Pop., 3, 109. Houses, 696.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))