A CORPORATE and borough town, and parish, in the hundred of Plomesgate; 88 miles
from London, 19 from Ipswich, and 10 from Saxmundham; situated on the north-west
side of the Ore, and supposed to have derived its name from this river. At a
former period this place must have been of much greater extent and consequence
than it is now,- for it is stated, by early historians, to have at one time
contained 12 churches: at this day its appearance is nothing more than that of a
scattered fishing village; and the only objects attached to it, that can be
likely to interest the stranger and tourist, are some pleasing marine and land
views, and the imposing ruins of its ancient castle. This fortress is situated
upon an eminence westward of the town, and the spot is said to have been in the
centre of the town; the ruins, as they now stand, form a good seamark for ships
coming from Holland. The decline of this place is ascribed to the loss of its
harbour from the retiring of the sea, and a dangerous bar thrown up at its mouth
by that overwhelming element. Orford, by its charter of incorporation, is
governed by a mayor, eight portmen and 12 burgesses; it sends two members to
parliament, which privilege was conferred in the reign of Edward I, and vested
in the corporation, burgesses, and inhabitants not receiving alms, in number
about 100; the present representatives are Sir H. F. Cooke, Baronet, and Quintin
Dick, Esquire.
The church, or rather chapel (for though a vicarage, in the gift of the crown,
it is under Sudbourn), when entire, was a very large and handsome building; the
present incumbent is the Rev. John Connor. At Sudbourn, to the north of Orford,
is ‘Sudbourn-hall,’ surrounded by a fine park, a seat belonging to the Marquis
of Hertford, and chiefly used by this nobleman as a sporting residence. There
are two annual fairs, held on Midsummer-day and Shrove-Monday. The Parish of
Orford contained, by last official returns, 1,119 inhabitants.