JOSEPH KIDDLE

(also with references to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Richards)

Mr Joseph Kiddle purchased Canal House in 1778 for £2,400. He was born c. 1719 probably in Norfolk and had farmed at Markshall, Caistor St Edmund for 42 years before purchasing Canal House and moving from Markshall to Ashwellthorpe on 13 August 1778, along with his wife Elizabeth and grandson Joseph Kiddle Richards (then aged 12).

Markshall (sometimes Merkeshall/Marketshall) was a deserted village with a ruined church dedicated to St Edmund. A visit documented by Thomas Martin on 27 May 1737, whilst Joseph Kiddle occupied the farm, is given on the Norfolk Heritage Explorer website:.