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Norfolk: Sprowston
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1883
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]
SPROWSTON is a scattered but well-built village, 2 miles N. by E. of Norwich. The parish is in St. Faith's union, Taverham hundred and petty sessional division, Norwich county court and bankruptcy district, Norwich polling district of South Norfolk, Taverham rural deanery, and Norwich archdeaconry. It had 1782 inhabitants in 1881, living on 2576 acres, and has a rateable value of £6131. It had only 310 inhabitants in 1811, but many handsome villas and houses have since been erected, especially on the south side of the parish, which adjoins the city suburbs, and is commonly called New Sprowston.
The manor anciently belonged to the Corbets, but was sold by Sir Thomas Corbet (the last baronet of his family), in 1645, to Sir Thomas Adams, from whose family it passed by sale to Sir Lambert Blackwell, who was created baronet of Sprowston, in 1718. It was held by three successive baronets of this family; but the last, who died in 1801, sold it to Mr. Boycott, of Norwich, and after passing through the hands of various owners, by whom a large portion of the soil was alienated, it became the property of John Gurney, Esq., who is the chief owner. The Rev. W.J. Stracey, W.H. Cozens-Hardy, Esq., Sir H. Stracey, Bart., and some smaller proprietors have estates here.
The fair formerly held on August 2nd was discontinued in 1826.
There are many good mansions here, occupied by their owners. The Hall, a pretty Elizabethan house, said to have been originally erected in 1559 was rebuilt and greatly improved in 1876 by John Gurney, Esq., the present occupier. The Lodge, a spacious white brick mansion, 3½ miles N. by E. of Norwich is the seat of Gilbert Stracey, Esq. The Grange is the handsome modern residence of Edward Stracey, Esq. Sprowston Lodge near the city boundary is the beautiful residence of W.H. Tillett, Esq., and near it is the remains of a St. Magdalen chapel, now converted into cottages.
The CHURCH (SS. Mary and Margaret) is an ancient structure but has undergone many repairs, and now presents a curious appearance, the chancel roof being considerably higher than that of the nave, and the tower and some other parts having been rebuilt of brick. It is chiefly in the Perpendicular style, and comprises nave with aisles and clerestory, chancel, lady-chapel, and square tower with three bells.
Its interior is remarkable for the number and beauty of its monuments. One of white marble is especially fine, and depicts Lady Wilhelmina Micklethwait (who died in 1805) watching over her infant, which is in the arms of its nurse. Another, of alabaster, bears recumbent figures of Sir T. Adams (who was lord mayor of London in 1645) and his wife. The north aisle contains several ancient tombs with kneeling and recumbent effigies of the Corbets, much mutilated. Miles Corbet, a member of this family, sat as one of the judges and signed the death-warrant of Charles I., but does not appear to have been interred here. Here are also marble tablets to Sir P. Painter, and J. Morse and N. Micklethwait, Esqs., and a well-carved font given by the Rev. W. Stracey.
A new Decorated east window of three lights, filled with beautiful stained glass, representing the six mercies, was inserted in 1863, at a cost of £160, by Mr. and Mrs. Rushmore, in memory of Mr. Hy. Suffield Wm. Farman, son of the latter by a former marriage. Mr. Rushmore has also presented the handsomely carved reredos, at an expense of about £30.
The benefice is a vicarage, not in charge and now valued at £300 per annum. It was augmented in 1790 and 1794 with £400 of Queen Anne's Bounty, laid out in land; and in 1824 with a Parliamentary grant of £1000, now at interest. The Rev. Edward F. Linton, M.A., is the incumbent, and in 1882, aided by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, he has built a new and commodious vicarage house. The Commissioners have also joined with John Gurney, Esq., in presenting a site consisting of two acres. The Dean and Chapter of Norwich are the patrons and appropriators; but the tithes are leased to the landowners.
The National School, a neat brick structure built in 1860 by Mrs. Arkwright, and much enlarged in 1874 by John Gurney, Esq., is attended by 190 children.
The Primitive Methodists and the Baptists have each a small chapel here, the former built in 1830, the latter in 1875.
At the inclosure in 1800 about 1000 acres of Mousehold Heath (partly in this parish) were charged with the yearly payment of £30, for distribution in coal to the poor of Sprowston who have also 5s. a year left by John Warner in 1648 for a distribution of bread on St. Thomas' Day.
Here is a Primitive Methodist Chapel, built in 1875.
POST at Mr. Henry Burrage's. Letters arrive at 4.15 a.m., and are despatched at 6 p.m., viâ Norwich, which is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.
Adcock Robert market gardener
Adcock Robert John schoolmaster
Adcock Mrs Jane Mills schoolmstrs
Allen John vict. and carter,
Norwich and Norfolk Arms
Atkinson Thomas rag merchant,
St. Mary's Plain, Norwich
Bacon James brick mert. (Graver & B.)
Banfather Rev. Henry, B.D.
Bishop Charles Walter baker & grcr
Blake Robert brickmaker, & Queen's road, Norwich
Blake Mr Robert Wiffen
Brown Joseph Benjamin master of Norman's Endowed Sch.
Cowgate st
Burrage Henry grocer and baker, and postmaster
Burrows Thomas cattle dealer and victualler, Ship
Burrows William joiner
Butcher Mr Walter Whitton
Butler Thomas clerk
Calver Mrs Rachel
Catton William market gardener
Chapman James vict. The Blue Boar
Cobb Mrs. Eliza Rose cottage
Codling John hay and straw dealer
Cole Stephen shoemaker
Cozens- Theobald, Esq.,
Hardy J.P. Oak Lodge
Cunnell Charles brick & tile maker; and at Miles
Cross, Hellesdon; h Eaton
Dixon Joseph farmer, Stone farm
Dixon Owen farmer
Easton Mr Isaac
Edwards William lime burner
Emms Herbert Robert bank clerk
Everitt John farmer, Church farm
Filby Richard Pumfrey frmr & btchr
Fisher John butcher, Constitution pl
Ford Thomas Rowland boot manufacturer, Colegate street
Frary Robert market grdnr. & cowkpr
Froggatt Mrs Ada Mary S. ladies' day school
Fuller Jno. shoemkr. Constitution hill
Gale Mr William
George William butcher; & Norwich
Goodson George farm bailiff
Goodson Henry shopkeeper
Gowing George David farmer, White Hall farm
Graver James brick mert. (G. & Bacon)
Graver William wheelwright and blacksmith
Gurney John, M.A., J.P. banker, The Hall
Guyton Robert Firth clerk
Holborn Thomas shopkeeper
Higgins Samuel vict. Royal Oak
Jarmy Thomas brickmaker
Johnson John shopkeeper
Kerry George Caythorpe accountant, Elm hill
King George hawker
Linton Rev. Edward
Francis, M.A. vicar, The Vicarage
Littleboy George Henry bank clerk
Mallett Mr Christopher
Mann Henry market gardener
Mason John brickmaker
Mears Robert miller
Minns George Edward shopkeeper
Moore Mr James
Moore John farmer, and Thorpe;
h Plumstead road, Norwich
Morris Mrs Elizabeth
Morris John joiner, wheelwright, and blacksmith
Newman Matthew Henry vict. Black Horse,
and brickmaker and carter
Oldman Frederick woodman to J. Gurney, Esq.
Page Alfred brush manufacturer,
St. George's Middle street
Paul William shoemaker
Pearce Daniel coal agent
Pointer Thomas cattle dealer and shopkeeper
Riches Edw. vict. Constitution Tavern
Risebrook Mrs Harriet shopkeeper
Robertson George Rockhil miller
Rouse Jesse Cantrill clerk
Rump Theophilus assist. overseer and tax collector
Seaman George Arthur cattle dealer
Seaman Lee cattle dealer
Shorten Daniel beer house, The Dove
Sidney Alfred carpenter and joiner
Slight James farmer
Smith James market gardener, Sprowston place
Smith Mrs Rebecca beer house
Stone Mark market gardener
Theobald George Edward valuer, County Court office
Tillett William Henry solicitor, Broad street, St. Andrews
Want George John agent to Prudential Assurance Co.
Weeds Miss Maria shopkeeper
White Samuel silk mfr. King street
Willis Reuben warehouseman
Wrench George brickmaker & carter
Wright E. vict. Brickmakers Arms
Wright William brick yard foreman
Yallop Henry farmer
Yaxley Thomas wheelwright and blacksmith
Sprowston United Cricket Club, J. Preston, secretary
See also the Sprowston parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
January 2015