Norfolk - Sparham

Francis White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory, of Norfolk 1854, p. 446

SPARHAM, 3 miles S.W. of Reepham, is a pleasant village, on the Norwich and Fakenham road, and has in its parish 373 souls, 90 houses, and 1,700 acres of land, principally belonging to the Earl of Leicester, who is also lord of the manor ; but Clarke Stoughton, Esq., and Mr. William George, of Reepham, have estates here. The Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, has a tower and three bells. The rectory, valued in the King's book at £9 17s. 11d., has 92a. of glebe, and a yearly rent of £481 awarded in 1842, in lieu of tithes. Charles Lombe, Esq. is patron, and the Rev. Thomas Starling Norgate, the incumbent. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel here. A school was erected in 1852, by subscriptions. At the enclosure in 1806, an allotment of 20a. was awarded to the poor, for fuel. They have also two tenements, purchased with £35, left by various donors. Letters are brought by foot post from Norwich, at 11 a.m., and return at 2 p.m.