History of Stockton, Warwickshire
Early Medieval Origins
Stockton’s history begins in the medieval period, though notably it does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086. The village’s earliest recorded history dates to the 12th century, when it was associated with Walter de Somerville, a Norman-born landowner who held property in Stockton during the reign of King Henry II (1133-1189). Walter de Somerville gave the church at Stockton to the Priory of Hertford, establishing an early religious connection.
The village’s name was first officially recorded in 1272 and derives from either “a fenced enclosure” or possibly from “Stoke,” meaning a dwelling place. For six centuries following its medieval origins, Stockton remained a small agricultural settlement covering approximately 1,400 acres.
Church and Religious Heritage
St. Michael’s Church has been a cornerstone of Stockton’s community for nearly 900 years. The first reference to a church in Stockton dates to the reign of Henry I (1100-1135), when it was founded by Rob de Limesi. The current church building incorporates several historical periods:
The oldest surviving section is the south wall of the chancel (14th century)
The tower dates to the 15th century
Major rebuilding occurred around 1530, with three main sections reconstructed
Victorian alterations began in 1809, with the nave and aisles rebuilt in 1863-1873
The church has a notable tradition of ecclesiastical figures, including the famous “Archdeacon” Colley, an Edwardian spiritualist who conducted séances in the old rectory and was known for conducting funeral services while lying in a glass-topped coffin to demonstrate that death was nothing to fear.
Medieval Settlement and Manor
Archaeological evidence suggests Stockton had a medieval manor house surrounded by a moat, located approximately 100 meters southeast of St. Michael’s Church. This rectangular moated site, visible on the 1886 Ordnance Survey map, likely housed the village’s medieval lords. Excavations have revealed medieval field boundaries dating to the 12th and 13th centuries, indicating organized agricultural activity during this period.
The Industrial Transformation
Discovery of Blue Lias Limestone
The most significant transformation in Stockton’s history occurred in 1792 with the discovery of “a rock of limestone”. This proved to be Blue Lias limestone, a Jurassic formation laid down 200 million years ago, consisting of alternating layers of limestone and clay that would become fundamental to the cement industry.
Population Explosion
The cement industry triggered dramatic demographic change. In 1801, Stockton’s population was just 274 people. By the end of the 19th century, it had grown to nearly 1,000 residents – more than tripling in size due to the influx of industrial workers.
The Cement Industry Era
Major Cement Companies
Several significant cement operations dominated Stockton’s industrial landscape:
Charles Nelson & Company
Established around 1844, initially as lime burners
Began cement production around 1860
Operated a fleet of narrowboats for transportation via the Grand Union Canal
Built a repair dock in 1870 for their canal boats
Provided extensive worker housing in Victoria Terrace, Napton Road, George Street, Elm Row, and Greaves Cottages
Built the Nelson Club in 1914, a working men’s club that still operates today
Faced near bankruptcy in 1937, was taken over by Rugby Portland Cement Company in 1945, and closed permanently in 1949
William Griffin’s Works
One of the earliest operations, Griffin’s combined 150 years of farming with lime and cement production. By World War I, the quarry had been exhausted and the land was sold.
Rugby Portland Cement Company
Acquired Nelson’s works in 1945 and several other local operations
Part of a major consolidation of the cement industry in the mid-20th century
Continued operations at nearby Long Itchington quarries, now operated by Cemex
The Blue Lias Cement Legacy
Stockton’s Blue Lias cement gained national and international recognition for its exceptional quality. The waterproof cement was used in iconic projects including:
The Eddystone Lighthouse
The Houses of Parliament
The British Museum
The Thames Embankment in London
The cement was renowned for its hydraulic properties, making it ideal for engineering projects requiring water resistance.
Transportation Networks
Canal Connections
The Grand Union Canal played a crucial role in Stockton’s industrial development. A dedicated canal arm connected directly to Nelson’s cement works, allowing efficient transport of both incoming coal and outgoing cement products. This canal spur has since been filled in and restored as part of a modern waterways training center.
Railway Era
Stockton was served by the Weedon to Leamington Spa railway line, with the station called “Napton and Stockton” (despite Napton being 2.5 miles away). The wooden station, built with two platforms and a passing loop, opened on August 1, 1895.
Passenger service ended on September 15, 1958, and freight operations ceased on December 2, 1963. The railway line was particularly important for transporting cement products and bringing in coal for the cement works.
Notable Archaeological Discoveries
Stockton has yielded significant paleontological discoveries due to its Blue Lias geology. Most notably, a fossilized ichthyosaur nearly three meters long was discovered in 1898 and is now housed in the Natural History Museum in London. The limestone is also famous for its ammonite fossils, reflecting the ancient marine environment that existed 200 million years ago.
Modern Legacy
Today, Stockton has transitioned from an industrial village to largely a commuter community with approximately 1,500 residents. The physical legacy of the cement industry remains visible in:
Deep water-filled quarry pools (known locally as “cally pits”) where cement workers once labored
Distinctive yellow brick cottages built for cement workers using clay from the local pits
Conservation areas developed in former quarry sites, including butterfly conservation areas
The Nelson Club, still operating as a working men’s club
The Grand Union Canal continues to serve the area, now primarily for recreational boating, with several marinas and a canal boat training center operating from the former cement works site.
Stockton’s transformation from a small medieval agricultural village to a major industrial center and back to a residential community represents a fascinating microcosm of England’s industrial revolution and its aftermath. The village’s history is literally built into its landscape – from medieval field boundaries still visible today to the water-filled quarries that remind residents of their industrial heritage.
