Bacton Manor and St. Mary’s Church

Bacton Manor Photos – St. Mary the Virgin Photos

Bacton Manor

Bacton, Suffolk is a beautiful village near Stowmarket in the UK. Bacton Manor is the ancestral home of the Prettyman family. My father was born in 1921, and named Daniel Landon Prettyman (after his paternal grandfather). His father died when he was 3 years old, and he was subsequently adopted by Fred McCornack, and thereafter assumed the McCornack surname. As part of a journey of discovery of my biological family, I made a trip to Bacton in the spring of 2025 to learn more about the family. We were graciously hosted by the current owners of the house, David and Diana Chambers, who have been lovingly restoring the house for a number of years.

George Prettyman, Daniel L. Prettyman (later McCornack), Erma Prettyman

Our father Daniel Landon Prettyman (later McCornack) as a baby with father George Prettyman and Erma Prettyman (later McCornack) in 1921.

The front view of Bacton Manor.

A side view of Bacton Manor today.

Stairway in the front room of Bacton Manor.

The stairway in the front room of Bacton Manor.

A section of the original stone flooring that has been uncovered during the restoration of Bacton Manor.

George, a mannequin character from a UK bank commercial.

Cecil, a mannequin character from a UK bank commercial.

One of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

One of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor. David Chambers is explaining details.

Paneled walls in one of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

A newer fireplace in one of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

One of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

A close up of old paneling in one of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

One of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor.

One of the first floor rooms in Bacton Manor with a view to the front yard.

A convertible dining/pool table in the dining room of Bacton Manor.

Original stone floor in Bacton Manor.

Artwork on an original wall in Bacton Manor.

The Chambers have left an opening in one of the old walls of Bacton Manor to show the original “wattle and daub” (sticks and mud) construction of the interior walls.

Old wood floors on the 2nd floor of Bacton Manor.

A second story room in Bacton Manor.

A view out the window of a second story room in Bacton Manor, looking into the front yard.

The top floor room in Bacton Manor.

The construction of the roof and upper part of Bacton Manor, showing a mix of new and old materials and techniques.

The construction of the roof and upper part of Bacton Manor, showing a mix of new and old materials and techniques. Some of these timbers date to the 1500’s.

The construction of the roof and upper part of Bacton Manor, showing a mix of new and old materials and techniques.

The construction of the roof and upper part of Bacton Manor, showing a mix of new and old materials and techniques. Some of these timbers date to the 1500’s.

A mix of old brick and repair brick in the attic of Bacton Manor.

Wood paneling on the second floor of Bacton Manor.

An upper bedroom in Bacton Manor, with a very short door!

Wood paneling on the second floor of Bacton Manor.

Wood paneling from different eras, including some repairs, on the second floor of Bacton Manor.

Part of the roof of Bacton Manor looking towards the back yard.

A view of the ceiling of the basement in Bacton Manor.

A view of the ceiling of the basement in Bacton Manor, with ancient timbers.

The contemporary living room in Bacton Manor.

View to the backyard from the contemporary living room in Bacton Manor.

An article about Bacton Manor.

David and Diana Chambers waving goodbye at the train station in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

St. Mary the Virgin

St. Mary the Virgin is a 12th century church in the center of Bacton. The Prettyman (frequently spelled “Pretyman” here) family is prominently represented in scrolls and artwork, as well as a number of final resting places marked with ledger stones in the floor of the church. The church is still an active faith community.

St. Mary, the Virgin church in Bacton, Suffolk.

St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Scroll on the interior of St. Mary, the Virgin church in Bacton, Suffolk.

Prettyman descendants Tim McCornack, Rose Soriano and Mike McCornack in the Virgin church in Bacton, Suffolk.

The ceiling of St. Mary, the Virgin church in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for Ann Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for George Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for Peter Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for George Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for Jane Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

A list of Rectors of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for Elizabeth Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

Ledger Stone for William Prettyman in the floor of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

The sanctuary of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

The tile floor in the sanctuary of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

The sanctuary of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

The bulletin board in the entryway of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.

A pew end-piece in the sanctuary of St. Mary the Virgin in Bacton, Suffolk.