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Norfolk: Acle
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]ACLE is a pleasant and well-built village, on two opposite acclivities, 11 miles E. of Norwich, and now only about 8 miles W. by N. of Yarmouth; a new turnpike from hence, across the marshes, to the latter place, having shortened the distance nearly four miles. (Vide p.235 [which is the entry for the History of Yarmouth].
At the Conquest, it was a fief of the Crown, and was granted by the Conqueror to Roger Bigod, who obtained for it a market and fair. The former has long been obsolete, but the latter is now held on Midsummer day. Richard the Second granted the inhabitants freedom from all tolls, suits of shire and of hundreds, with some other immunities.
The parish contains 864 inhabitants, and 3165 acres of land, the greater part of which is a marsh; a small portion of which is a detached allotment, made at the enclosure, in 1797, and lying near Yarmouth.
Lord Calthorpe is the principal owner, lord of the manor, and patron of the CHURCH, which is a neat structure, dedicated to St. Edmund the King, and has a highly florid Gothic screen. The organ was presented by the patron, in 1837. The living is a rectory, valued in the King's Book at £20, and now enjoyed by the Rev. Wm. Spooner, Archdeacon of Coventry. The tithes have recently been commuted for £720 per annum; and the glebe is 6A. 19P.
Acle Bridge, on the Bure, a mile east of the village, is called in all legal documents Weybridge; and a little below, a short canal branches to a staith or wharf. At a short distance east of the church, are some small remains of Weybridge Priory, founded in the reign of Edward I., by Roger Bigod, for regular canons of the order of St. Augustine. At the dissolution, it was valued at £7. 13s. 4d., and granted to the Duke of Norfolk.
A National School, established here about thirty years ago, is attended by about 100 children.
Land, left by an unknown donor, for the poor, and to pay 10s. 6d. for a sermon, and 1s. to the clerk, is now let for 30s. a-year.
The Post Office is at the Queen's Head; and letters are despatched to Yarmouth at 11 morning, and to Norwich, at 3 afternoon. Most of the Yarmouth and Norwich coaches and carriers, which formerly passed daily through the village, have been discontinued since the opening of the railway, which passes four miles south of Acle.
In the following DIRECTORY, those marked * live in that part of the parish called Damgate, where the marshes are now well drained.
Baker Benj. Heath gent. high constable, Acle Hall Bailey Wm. glover Bensley Wm. plumber & glazier Birt Wm. tailor and draper Boardman Geo. boarding academy Boyce Daniel glazier, painter, &c Clarke and Jay surgeons [see note below] Clarke Thos. Edw. surgeon [see note below] Case Robert tailor Cooper Rev. Robt. Henry, M.A. Crowe Sarah confectioner Cufaude Wm. Hy. surgeon, & registrar for Walsham District Dawson Thomas wheelwright Drake Lieut. Spencer, R.N. * Dunt Mr Adam Dunt James tailor and grocer England Geo. vict. Queen's Head * Fromow Geo. gent. Hill House * Fowler John joiner Farrance George bricklayer Gales and Banham grocers & drprs Garwood Benj. veterinary surgeon Hart Charles gentleman Hoste Rev. Geo. Chas. MA. curate of Stokesby and Runham Hunn Joseph thatcher and vict. Hermitage Hunn Jas. thatcher & beer seller Knight Wm. grocer and draper Leeder Richard hair dresser Lemmon John vict. King's Head Lemmon Thos. Jas. coach painter * Maddle Mr George Money John basket maker * Moore Edm. shopkeeper & joiner Newton Phillis National School Porter Benj. lime burner and vict. Angel, Acle Bridge Randell Henry Kemp surgeon Riches John W. veterinary surgeon Russell Robert blacksmith Sherrington Samuel Benjamin solicitor (and Yarmouth) Shingles Miss Mary ladies' school Sidney Rev. Edwin, M.A. curate Slipper Mrs My. Spendlove Robert saddler * Springall Edw. smith & vict. Crown Sword Thomas agent to Norwich Union Fire Office, &c Tice Danl. cooper Ward George baker Ward Robt. miller and maltster Wilkin Susan butcher Whittingham Thos. National School FARMERS. Shoemakers. * Adams Benj. Church John * Curtis Joseph * England Robert * Daniels James Evans Benj. Harrison Wm. Evans Wm. Harrison Henry * Hardy John * Newson James * Nicker Henry Watchmakers. * Riches Hy. Jno. Sparraw Wm. Last Wm. Robt. (& * Squires Mary sheriff's offcr) * Taylor Walne Thompson John Wigg George Wherry Owners. Gales Daniel Porter Wm.
CARRIER to Norwich, John Holmes, W. & Sat
Note: in the original, these two entries are bracketed together.
See also the Acle parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
November 2008