GENUKI: Norfolk: Guestwick, Norfolk

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

GUESTWICK, a scattered village and parish, 5 miles N.W. of Reepham, is in Aylsham union and county court district, Norwich bankruptcy district, Eynsford hundred and petty sessional division, Reepham polling district of North Norfolk, Sparham rural deanery, and Norwich archdeaconry. It had 183 inhabitants in 1881, living on 1646 acres, and has a rateable value of £2184. Lt.-Col. W.E.G.L. Bulwer owns most of the soil. Edwd. Twiss, W.H. Stone, and Jas. Gay, Esqrs., Mrs Heath, and the Marquis of Salisbury have estates here.

The CHURCH (St. Peter), which was appropriated to Waltham Abbey by Everard de Geiste, and comprises nave with aisles, chancel, south porch, and ancient tower, the upper portion of which is of brick. The latter stands at the east end of the north aisle, and its peculiar position is explained by its belonging to a former church which was built in the cathedral style. The arches which led from the nave into the choir are plainly seen, though filled up. The building was reroofed and reseated about 1854, when the west window was filled with stained glass by the patron. The east window has been filled with stained glass in memory of F.R. Gilbert, B.A., eldest son of the present vicar. Here are several mural tablets of the Bulwers.

The vicarage, valued in the King's Book at £5 10s., and now at £88, has 18A. of glebe, and was augmented with £200 of Queen Anne's Bounty, in 1809. It is in the patronage of Lt.-Col. W.E.G.L. Bulwer, the impropriator of the great tithes, and in the incumbency of the Rev. Richard Gilbert, M.A., who has a small brick residence.

Here is a large Independent Chapel, founded in 1652, but rebuilt in 1809, and repaired and partly rebuilt in the Tudor style in 1840. The minister's house was erected in 1721, and attached to it are 17A. of land.

The poor have 20s. a year out of 3A., left by William Bulwer, in 1678.

William Godwin, author of 'Caleb Williams,' and other works, was born here, and was the son of a late Independent minister. The NATIONAL SCHOOL, with teacher's residence attached, was built by the lord of the manor, and is supported by subscription.

POST OFFICE at Mr. S. Porrett's. Letters are received at 8.30 a.m., and are despatched at 4.10 p.m., and on Sundays at 9 a.m., viâ East Dereham. Foulsham is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.

         Butler    J.W.               farmer; h Barney
         Chapman   Miss Mary A.       schoolmistress
         Eke       Robert             blacksmith
         Gilbert   Rev. Richard, M.A. vicar
         Hickman   Rev. Edwd. B.      (Independent)
         Ireland   Anthony William    farmer, auctioneer, valuer,
                                        and estate agent
         Merrison  Mrs Mary Ann
         Neale     Anthony            farmer
         Palmer    Stephen            farmer
         Porrett   Saml.              wheelwrt. & postmaster
         Seaman    Peter              farmer
         Seaman    Robert             farmer
         Spencer   John Redman        frmr. Old hall
         Whyley    Matthew            farm bailiff

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Norfolk: Guestwick

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