Sudbury History

The town Sudbury is an ancient market town and the birthplace of Gainsborough, a painter who lived 1727-1788. There are attractive medieval and 18th century houses in the streets below Market Hill, along with the Church of St. Gregory, with its west tower and large windows in the chancel that were built by Simon de Sudbury.

According to James Hamilton Sudberry "the name Sudberry first appeared over 300 years ago during the reign of King James I of England. King James was on a wild boar hunt near the Scottish border. A choice stand was arranged for the King by which the wild boar would likely pass when chased by the hounds. King James mortally wounded a wild boar. Dismounting the King drew his sword to finish the boar. Suddenly the beast came to life and rushed upon the King with the fury of a wounded boar. The King dodged behind a tree and the boar pursued him. A mountaineer huntsman rescued King James. The huntsman was an Englishman named Sudberry. The King rewarded him by giving him an estate in the Northern part of England which bore the name of Sudberry (Sudbury)Hall."

I don't know if the story is true or not, but many of the Sudberry's that I know are avid hunters. In fact, this love for the sport, evidently has been prevelent down through the generations. I have found a Coat of Arms for the Sudbery Family (spelled 1 r)and it had simply a picture of a hunting dog.

Early American History

After the rebellion of Charles I and the Cavaliers many faithful liegemen of Charles I fled to Virginia. Two brothers, Peter and Robert Sudberry (spelling?)landed at Norfolk, VA in 1638, just 31 years after the settlement of the Jamestown Colony. The spelling Sutberry, Sedberry, and Sudberry were found in a family Bible, dated in the 1700's.

Information by Marion Joyce Poynor 1982

The first known record of our family is that of Ezekiel Sudberry, who is mentioned in the Register of Henrico Parish Church, Henrico County VA. The Sudberry's migrated to NC and then to TN and other states.

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