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Norfolk: Watton
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]
WATTON is a small but neat MARKET TOWN, pleasantly situated at the junction of roads from Norwich and Dereham to Brandon and Thetford; on the south side of the vale of a rivulet, 21 miles W. by S. of Norwich, 10 miles S.S.W. of East Dereham, 9 miles S.E. by E. of Swaffham, and 90 miles N.N.E. of London. It consists chiefly of one broad street of considerable length, and being at the junction of several cross roads, it is a great thoroughfare. Its PARISH contains 1808 acres of land, belonging to a number of proprietors, and has increased its population since the year 1801, from 693 to 1188 souls.
It is in two MANORS, viz., Watton Hall, of which W.H. Hicks, Esq., (now a minor,) is lord; and Rockolls, of which Mr. John Land is lord. In 1204, there was a writ brought to enquire whether the market here, granted to John de Vaux, was not prejudicial to Saham, and being found so, the market was recalled; but before the expiration of the year, Oliver de Vaux, having the manor of Watton Hall conveyed to him by his brother, and having great influence with the King, obtained a new charter for a MARKET to be held every Wednesday, as it still continues, chiefly for corn; but it was formerly celebrated as a great butter mart, immense quantities of that article being purchased here weekly, and sent by factors to London. Here are five annual FAIRS, on July 10, October 11, and November 8, for cattle; on the first Wednesday in July, for stock; and on the second Wednesday in October, for sheep.
In 1673, on Saturday, April 25th, this town suffered greatly by an accidental FIRE, which destroyed above sixty houses, with the Butchers' Shambles, and other property to the amount of £7450 in buildings, and £2660 in goods and chattels. To alleviate the distress to which the inhabitants were reduced by this dreadful conflagration, "a brief was granted to gather all England over, till the 20th of September, 1675."
In 1820, a neat obelisk was erected on the site of the old Market Cross, on which the town's name was oddly expressed by a rebus carved in oak, viz., a W., a hare, and a tun. On the demolition of the cross, these devices were placed in front of the Bell-house and lock-up, - a small square building, erected soon after the fire, but now called the Clock-house, from a clock placed in it about 20 years ago at the expense of Mr. Edw Stevens. This building has recently been repaired and beautified.
The Church (St. Mary,) stands about a quarter of a mile out of the town, near the site of the old Manor-house. It is a small edifice, erected about the time of Henry I., being only 26 yards long, and 11 broad, but in 1840, the aisles were taken down and rebuilt on a larger scale. Its tower is round at the base, and octangular at top, surmounted by a spire, and containing three bells. The remains of a curious crucifix, carved in stone, may still be seen at the east end. The interior is neatly pewed, and has several monumental inscriptions to the Hammond, Wodehouse, Samwell, and other families.
The benefice is a discharged vicarage, valued in the King's Book at £7. 0s. 4d., and in 1840, at £90. W.H. Hicks, Esq., is patron, and also impropriator of the rectorial tithes; and the Rev. Peter Blomfield Jeckell, B.A. is the incumbent. The glebe is 13A. The Church Land, 14A. 1R. 20. [sic], is let for about £38 per annum.
The Independents and the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists have each a chapel in the town.
The National School, built by Wm. Robinson, Esq., in 1819, was rebuilt on a larger scale in 1842. The play-ground, about 2A., was given by Mrs. C. Harvey, in 1834. Six boys of Watton are entitled to free instruction at Saham Toney school.
The Savings' Bank, established in 1819, has deposits amounting to more than £10,000. At the Bull Inn, is a Cricket Ground, said to be one of the best in the county; and on the south side of the parish is Wayland Wood (75A.) aready noticed at page 365 [which is the entry for Griston].
In the town are Almshouses, with small gardens, for four poor widows, founded in 1611, by Edward Goaffe, who endowed them with a yearly rent-charge of £5. An allotment of 1A. 22P., awarded to them at the enclosure, in 1801, is let for 28s. per annum. Mr. Edward Stevens, a living benefactor, built four cottages about 12 years ago, for the residence of four of the oldest poor couples in the parish. The Fuel Allotments, awarded at the enclosure, comprise 54A. 2R. 25P., let for about £75 per annum, which is distributed in coals among the poor parishioners, who have also £23. 10s. yearly from 9A. 35P. of land, left by Richard Turner and Thomas Scott, in 1643 and 1727, except some small allotments awarded at the enclosure. The poor have likewise the yearly sum of 10s., left by Edward Goaffe, in 1611.
The POST-OFFICE is at Mr. Edmund Blade's, where letters are received and despatched at 7½ morning, and 6 evening, by the Thetford and Holt mail gig.
Aldis Ephraim bricklayer
Baley Robert auctioneer, &c
Banham Eliza glover
Buscall Mr Goddard
Buxton Charles broker, &c
Chaston Alfred stamp distributor
Chaston Benj. chemist and druggist
Claxton George charcoal burner
French Henry surgeon
George Geo. bookseller & leather dlr
Grigson Edward Robert solicitor
Hargraves George surgeon & agent to Clerical & Medical
Ins. Society
Hargraves John surgeon
Hargraves Thomas gentleman
Harper Saml. seed, sack, &c. dealer
Hart Mr Joseph
Harvey Mrs Chtte.
Hastings John bricklayer, &c
Kiddle Samuel flour factor
Jeckell Rev Peter
Blomfield, B.A. Vicarage
Lincoln Mrs Mildred
Lock David coach builder, &c
Massey Wm. solicitor, and master extraordinary
in Chancery
Pillans William Pott solicitor (and Swaffham)
Rice Mr Wm.
Sampson Mrs Dy.
Stevens Edward and Robert gent
Thurling John horse breaker
Walker Amos clerk & cigar dealer
Watson Burton turner & hairdresser
Whisker Mrs Mary Ann
BANKS.
Chaston Mr Benj. agent Harveys and Hudson (of Norwich, &c.)
Chaston Mr B. sec. Savings' Bank
FIRE & LIFE OFFICES.
Chaston Benjamin Farmers'
Massey W.
and Wright W. Norwich Union
Baley Robert Norwich Equitable
INNS & TAVERNS.
Canham John Bull Inn
Lusher Robert Crown Inn
Allen Wm. George Hotel
Coldham Jas. Green Man (& cooper)
Cooper Frederick King's Arms
Waters Daniel Rose (& seedsman)
Academies.
* take Boarders. Bakers, &c.
* Blade My. Ann Balls Chs. Everett
Bond Maria Newman Miles (and miller)
Groome Jn. Natl. Platfoot Cath.
* Short Wm. Wright Robert (& corn mert.)
Warren Miss
* Wright Misses
Basket Makers. Blacksmiths.
Reeve Barnabas Jacobs George
Secker Samuel Sturgeon Wm.
Beer Houses. Boot & Shoe Mkrs.
Lusher John Balls James
Reeve Barnabas Boreham John
Rice Rt. (brewer) Cobb Mary
Warren John (& Twaits Barnabas
wheelwright) Young James
Young Robert
Brewers. Butchers.
Canham John Barnard Robert
Rice Robert Feaks Charles
Stevens Robert Mallows James
(& maltster) Parker Joseph
Rice George
FARMERS. Grocers & Drprs.
Andrews Cphr. Alexander Eliz.
Dorr Charles Ames Charles (& glover)
Dorr Chas. jun George & (Robt. O.)
Land John Kiddle (Geo.) and ironmngrs
Russell Charles Rook Wm.
Ward Robt. Mayston Warnes Reuben
Wright Smith
Milliners, &c.
Joiners. * Straw Hat Mkrs.
Cornwall Wm. * Adcock Mary
Rice Samuel Alderton My. Ann
Sheering Rudd * Cobb Mary
Thompson John Hicks * Hendry Harriet and Hannah
Marsh Elizabeth
Siggins Sarah
* Watson Mrs.
Plumbers, Painters,
& Glaziers. Saddlers, &c.
Hendry Thomas Cornwall Robert
Pitts James Fox Wm.
Siggins Henry Philo Joseph
Tailors. Vety. Surgeons.
Ames George Smith Thomas
Ames John Worm James
Brown James
Gathergood Jas. Watchmakrs. &c.
James Wm.
Scott Machin Adcock Samuel
Standley James Wenham George
Watson John
Wine and Spirit Merchants.
Canham John
Hastings Jn. Edw
Stevens Rt. Edw.
- COACHES,
- from the Inns, to London, Mon. Wed. & Fri. 8½ mg;
to Holt, Tues. Thurs. & Sat. 5½ evg;
and to Norwich, Wed. & Sat. 7½ mg - CARRIERS' Vans, &c.
- from Norwich, Dereham, Holt, Hingham, Downham, Brandon, Thetford, &c call at the Inns several times a week
Jph. Payne, to Norwich, Tu. & Fri. and to Swaffham and Stoke Ferry, Monday and Thursday
James Harvey, to Norwich, Mon. and Thursday
See also the Watton parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
May 2016