The village of Somersby is pleasantly situated on the wolds, in the hundred of Hill, at about the distance of six miles east from Horncastle.“The Topcliffes were an ancient family at Somersby, of which family Richard Topcliffe was the representative in 1592. He was the eldest son of Robert Topcliffe, by Margaret one of the daughters of Thomas Lord Borough, and married Jane, daughter of Sir Edward Willoughby of Wollaton Nottinghamshire, and had issue Charles his heir, and three other sons who died infants, and a daughter Susannah. He was a most implacable persecutor of the Roman Catholics, so much so, that the use of the rack and other tortures were called Topcliffian customs.” [60a]

The manorial estates, which comprise the whole parish, have for many years been the property of a family named Burton. The present proprietor is William Raynor Burton, Esquire, which latter name he assumed on coming into possession of the estates on the death of his uncle, Robert Burton, Esquire, of Lincoln.

On the south side of the church, near to the porch, is an elegant stone cross, which having escaped both the ravages of time, and the destruction of the Puritans, remains in so perfect a state as to be justly esteemed of unrivalled excellence and beauty. The extreme height of it, including the subcourse, is fifteen feet. The shaft is octagonal, and decorated with a capital, surmounted by a coronal of small embattlements. The cross, with its pediment, which rises from this, is ornamented on the south face with the representation of the crucified founder of the christian faith, and on the opposite side with that of the virgin and child.

The church is a small building consisting of a tower, nave, and chancel, and is void of architectural interest. [60b] In the wall at the end of the chancel is a plate of brass, on which is sculptured the representation of a person full robed, kneeling on a cushion before a reading desk, in the sinister upper corner is a shield containing arms, and under the figure this inscription:

“Here lyeth GEORGE LITTLEBVRY of Somersby seventh Sonne of Thomas Littlebvry of Stainsbie Esq. who died the 13 daye of Octob. in ye yeare of our Lord 1612 being abovt the age of 73 yeares.”

The shield contains these arms:—1. Two lioncels statant guardant in pale Quarterly, 1 and 4, Barry of six; 2 and 3 A bend. 3. Three shark bolts. 4. A mullet between three crescents, a dexter canton. On the fesse point a rose for difference.

Against the skreen between the nave and chancel is a marble tablet surmounted by a shield containing the arms of Burton, Sable, a chevron argent, between three owls argent, ducally crowned or; the crest, an owl argent, crowned as before. Under the arms is this inscription:

“Here lieth Mrs. KATH. BURTON Daughter of Richard Langhorne Esq. She died Aug. 25 A.D. 1742. Also ROBERT BURTON Esq. Citizen of London, Husband of the said Mrs. Katherine Burton. He died Nov. 30 1753.”

The advowson of the rectory belongs to the lord of the manor.

In a woody dell in this parish is a spring, gently bursting from the rock, called Holy-well, but the name of the saint to whom it was dedicated is not preserved.

According to the returns of 1811, this village at that time contained 14 houses and 73 inhabitants.