The Buxton family have a long and continuing association with Tibenham. Channonz Hall, their moated Tudor manor carries the date 1659 cut in stone, but the Buxton family were first resident in 1478, following the advantageous marriage of Robert Buxton to Christiana Glemham.  The intriguing name ‘Channonz’ derives from the family of Chauns who held the manor at the start of the 13th Century, and their house occupied a smaller moated site established before the Norman Conquest.   The Buxton family lived at Channonz Hall for the next 200 years. 

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the skill of Robert Buxton established the family’s wealth and influence by his service as Agent to Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel and his father the Duke of Norfolk, whilst they both languished in the Tower of London. 

Robert Buxton himself was imprisoned and tortured twice in the hope that he would give up his masters’ secrets, but held fast and said nothing. This loyalty did nothing for his masters; they both died in imprisonment. However, in response to the Window Tax, half of this imposing house was demolished.   An interesting way of tax avoidance that is probably not recommended by Tax Advisers ! 

The Buxtons continued to prosper owing to their skill in charting an uneasy course between Church and State and their ability to marry well and wisely.  The family changed between Catholic and Anglican doctrines according to the current fashion.

In the 17th Century, they bought much land in adjacent villages. Their elevated family pew in the church was licensed in 1635, and their coat of arms is prominently displayed on the Buxton Family Pew. There are also some brasses in St Nicholas’ Chapel in the church, the oldest to the memory of Johannes de Buxton who died in 1572. 

The organ in the church was installed in 1873 and the dedication service was attended by the Dowager Lady Buxton.   A newspaper cutting gives details of the funeral of Sir R J Buxton in 1888: 

We regret to announce the death of Sir. R.J.Buxton, Bart at his residence at Shadwell Court, near Thetford on 20th January (gives details of schooling and political career) The funeral procession took place on Thursday afternoon, at the quaint church of Rushford, near Thetford. The sad and solemn event cast a gloom over the whole neighbourhood ........... The procession left Shadwell Court, which is a distance of nearly two miles from Rushford Church, shortly after one o'clock and was composed of tenantry, the coffin, born by the eldest labourers on the estate, the mourners, and private carriages of country gentlemen.Slowly they wended their way along the road beside the heath, and through the narrow lanes that led to the Churchyard. The bared heads of chance passers-by, and the solemn demeanour of the villages, testified to the great respect in which the baronet was held.At the gate of the burying ground the corpse was met by the Rev. T. Robinson (Vicar of Rushford), Rev. Dr. Bennet (Bunwell) Rev. John Cholmeley (Carleton Rode) Rev. T.W. Thompson (Tibenham) and the Rev. W. Blunt (Brigham). Arrived at the church the coffin, which was of polished oak with brass furniture, and was heavily laden with wreathes, crosses and other floral tributes, was reverently placed in the chancel, the choir singing "On the resurrection morning soul and body meet again; no more sorrow, no more weeping, no more pain". ........long list of mourners names ....... The service at the grave was conducted in a solemn manner by the vicar in the presence of a large assemblage, who fervently joined in the responses and the Lords Prayer. ....... As the coffin was lowered into the grave the choir led by Mr Girling at the harmonium sang "Now the labourers task is over, now the battle is passed". The coffin lid bore a St. Andrews cross at the head, a Latin cross at the foot, and a handsome shield in brass upon which was this inscription - Sir R.Jacob Buxton, Bart. born 18 March 1829 died 20th January 1888.....

For a more detailed family history of the Buxtons, see The Buxton Family, a history written by Cambridge University.