Norfolk - Gressenhall

Francis White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory, of Norfolk 1854, pp. 790-791

GRESSENHALL, 3 miles N.W. of East Dereham, is a village comprising 181 houses, and 1,141 souls, of whom 400 were in the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, already noticed. The parish contains 2,600 acres of land, including 350a. which formed part of the dissolved parish of Great Bittering. J. D. H. Hill, Esq., and A. C. Spurgeon, Esq., are lords of the manors ; but part of the soil belongs to other proprietors. The CHURCH is a spacious cruciform structure, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and contains memorials to the L'Estrange, Vessey, Davy, and other families. The rectory, valued in the King's book at £15 13s. 4d., is in the patronage of King's College, Cambridge, and incumbency of the Rev. Dennis Hill, who rebuilt the rectory house in 1808. There are 56a. of glebe, and the tithes are commuted for £750. Here was formerly a chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas. Fairs are held December 6th, and the Tuesday before Whit-Sunday. A National school was built here, in 1842, by J. D. H. Hill, Esq. The Poor's land, 7a. 3r. 34p., is let for £8. The Church land is 2a. 1r. The poor have £6 a year from 6a, received at the enclosure in exchange for 4a. left by John Curson, in 1667 ; and 10s. 6d. yearly for the right of setting stalls on the "Fairstead."

Post Office at Eliz. Waller's. Letters arrive at 8.30 a.m. and are despatched at 4 p.m.

Alpe Mrs. Ann
Barnes Jas. beerhouse
Barnes Thos. blacksmith
Bradfield Robt. Union school
Clarke Robt. wheelwright
Crown Martin, blacksmith
Dodman John, sen. & jun. wheelwrights
Emery Jno. Hill, farm bailiff
Frost Saml. bricklayer
Harman Geo, nurseryman
Harman Rebecca, shopkpr
Harrison Hy. & Mrs. master and matron of the Union
Heaton Robt. National school
Hill Rev. Dennis, Rectory
Hill Mr. Jph.
Howard Mr. Wm.
Kerrison Geo. tailor
Lamon Jas. shoemkr
Makins Wm. shoemkr
Porrett Richd. Esq. Hall
Peck Robt. farrier
Spragg Wm. carpenter
Spurgeon Astley Cooper, Esq. Woodlands
Stammers Robt. corn miller, Chapel Hill [sic: Chapel Mill]
Twigg Thos. carpenter
Tye Benj. shopkpr

Inns and Taverns.
Chequers, Robt. Tye, (& cooper)
Royal Oak, David Pease
Swan, Hannah Dodman
Three Horse Shoes, Jno. Hewitt

Farmers.
Alpe Wm.
Bayes Mary
Halliday chas.
Hill E. & H.
Matthews —
Nicholson Jas.
Pearse Saml.
Riches Jno.
Rosher Jno.
Wormer Benj.