This family seems originally to have come from Essex. As early as the time of Edw. I. we find a William Alston, of Stisted, in this county, for want of warranty of Brockscroft in Stisted granted and conferred to John de Carpenter of Naylinghurst in Braintree, so much of the better land in Stisted except his mansion house there. John Alston of Newton, descended from the above-mentioned William of Stisted, was father of William Alston of Newton who by Anne his wife daughter of Thomas Symons had a son and heir Edward Alston who resided at Saham Hall in Newton and married Elizabeth daughter of John Coleman by whom he had two sons William his successor in this manor and Thomas of Edwardston. William was born at Newton in 1537 and married Mary Holmsted of Maplested co. Essex by whom he had several children whose descendants became settled at Marlesford, Polstead, Lavenham and various other places in Suffolk and the adjoining counties. In the Calendar of Pleadings relating to the Duchy of Lancaster in 1600 will be found a suit as to a relief respecting the lands in