Norfolk: Gaywood

William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1883

[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]

GAYWOOD is a considerable village, including Highgate, though a portion has lately been incorporated with the borough of Lynn, 1 mile E. of Lynn, in Freebridge Lynn union, hundred, and petty sessional division, Lynn county court and bankruptcy district, Lynn polling district of West Norfolk, Freebridge Lynn rural deanery, and Norfolk [sic] archdeaconry. The Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene - described with Lynn, to which it belongs - stands in this parish.

The parish of Gaywood has increased its population since the year 1821, from 474 to 805, and contains 2335 acres of land, of which nearly 1400 acres belong to Richard Bagge, Esq., the lord of the manor. Sir W.H. Ffolkes, Bart., and W. Birch, Esq., have also estates here. The rateable value is £5455. The common, about 500 acres, was enclosed in 1808. A great part of the soil is in grass, and a river runs through the vale on the north side of the parish, from the springs of Grimstone, Reffly, &c., to the water-works at Lynn. Two fairs were held here annually, on June 22 and October 17, the former for stock, and the latter for horses.

In the reign of Henry II., the Bishop of Norwich held Gaywood and Lynn in capite, and would not suffer the king's bailiffs or coroners to enter the lordship, where he had officers of his own, a gallows, assize of bread and beer, and other royalties. Bishop Grey built a palace here on the site now occupied by Gaywood hall, the seat of R. Bagge, Esq., nearly half a mile south of the village.

About one mile to the north is the wood and chalybeate spring of Reffly, belonging to Sir W.H. Ffolkes, Bart., but appropriated by the first baronet, as a place of resort for the people of Lynn, whom he long represented in Parliament. Reffly Spring is a fine rural fountain, over-canopied with foliage, and having a handsome obelisk rising from its centre. Round it are seats, and at a short distance is an elegant octagonal temple, built and supported by subscription, at the head of a verdant lawn encompassed by umbrageous trees and shrubs.

The CHURCH (St. Faith) is a plain cemented building, comprising nave, chancel, transepts, north porch, and brick tower with three bells. It is all of the Decorated period, except a bold Norman arch with the zigzag ornament, now forming the entrance to the porch. The rectory, valued in the King's Book at £5 13s. 4d., and now at £633, is in the gift of Richard Bagge, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Richard Ambrose Whalley, M.A., non-resident. The rectory house is occupied by the curate. The chapel of ease, at Highgate (St. Margaret), was built in 1879, at a cost of £1700, but was not consecrated until 1881. There are 250 sittings, of pitch pine.

The NATIONAL SCHOOLS were built in 1854-5, at a cost of £500, and are attended by about 140 children. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel at Highgate, and the Wesleyans have a chapel in the village. A SCHOOL BOARD was formed in 1875. A handsome school was erected in 1877, near Salter's road, at a cost of £1600, and the National school is held by the Board at a nominal rent. The members are Richard Bagge, Esq., J.P. and D.L. (chairman), Alfred Dodman, William Warnes, Thomas E. Bagge, Esq., and Charles Coldham, Esq.

At the enclosure, an allotment of 21A. 2R. 7P. was awarded to the poor parishioners, and it is now let in 23 lots to labouring men, at rents amounting to about £10, which is distributed in coals. The yearly sum of £2, left by Dr. Thomas Thurlyn, in 1708, to provide coats for three poor men, is paid by the Corporation of Lynn. The Church estate comprises a house, seven cottages with gardens, and 3A. 1R. 36P. of land, the whole producing about £70 a year.

POST OFFICE at Mr. Henry D. Middleton's. Letters arrive at 5.40 a.m., and are despatched at 7.10 p.m., viâ King's Lynn, which is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.

         Adams      Matthew           gamekeeper to Sir W.H.B. Ffolkes,
                                        Wootton gap
         Atmore     Richard           farmer, Victoria pl
         Bagge      Richard, Esq.,
                      J.P., D.L.      Gaywood hall
         Bagge      Capt. Richard
                      Salisbury       Gaywood hall
         Banyard    Thomas            market gardener
         Barnard    James             saddler
         Barnes     Mrs Charlotte     Denmark house
         Beal       Robert            market gardener
         Butcher    William           police constable
         Butler     John              tailor
         Carter     Elijah            blksmith, Wootton gap
         Chesson    Henry             saddler
         Coldham    Mr Charles
         Cooper     Thomas            vict. The Cock
         Crow       Daniel            engineer and machinist
         Dewing     Edward            corn miller
         Eglington  John Richard      bootmaker, grocer, & hardware
                                        dlr. Victoria pl
         Emmerson   Mr Edward Morris
         Engledow   Samuel            vict. White Horse
         Farrow     Edward            victualler, Ship Inn
         Fayers     Thomas            beerhse. Victoria pl
         Frost      Charles Alfred    baker
         Gray       Rev. Robert       curate in charge, The Rectory
         Harbour    James             gardener, Salter's rd
         Hudson     William           milkman
         Jex        John              blacksmith
         Middleton  Hy. David         grcr. & postmstr
         Nelson     Jas.              wheelwright, Wootton gap
         Osborne    R.                farm bailiff
         Porriman   Mrs Eliza         Victoria place
         Price      Mrs Ann           Victoria place
         Raines     Mrs Ruth Hannah   shopkeeper
         Richardson Frnk. Hubert      clk. Rose ctge
         Ringwood   James             vict. White Swan, and farmer
         Rippingill John              beerhs. & mkt. grdnr
         Santy      Edmund            farmer and horse dlr. Folly farm
         Savory     Albert            commercial traveller
         Sharpley   Miss Clara        Victoria place
         Skerrey    James             farmer
         Squirrell  Mr Hy. Freeman    The Villa, Salter's road
         Stebbon    Robert            victualler, New Inn, Wootton gap
         Turnbull   Jacob Armstrong   farm bailiff
         Vitty      Anthony           Board schoolmaster
         Woods      William           farmer, and registrar of births
                                        and deaths, Field house
 

See also the Gaywood parish page.

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Copyright © Pat Newby.
December 2008