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Norfolk: Billingford near East Dereham

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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845

[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]

BILLINGFORD, a village and parish on the east side of the vale of the Wensum, 6 miles W. by S. of Reepham, has 353 inhabitants, and 1797A. of land. The Earl of Leicester owns most of the soil, and is lord of the manor, and patron of the Church, which has an octangular tower and one bell. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the King's Book at £7. 10s., and has 27A. 2R. of glebe, and a yearly rent of £365. 10s., awarded in 1840, in lieu of tithes. The Rev. Thos. A. Anson, B.A., is the incumbent.

A National School was built here by subscription in 1844. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel in the village.

Beck Hall, which gives name to a large farm extending into the parishes of Bylaugh and Foxley, stands on the site of an hospital for poor travellers, founded by Wm. de Beck, at an early period. Bedlam House, which gives name to another farm, was built about 22 years ago, on the site of a tumulus, in which were found a Roman urn, and a variety of petrified shells and other fossils.

The Fuel Allotment, awarded under an act of the 46th Geo. III., is 50A., on which the poor cut whins, &c., and let the herbage for about £25. They have also the interest of £5, left by Mr. Ruggs.

         Anson     Rev Thos. A., B.A.  Rectory
         Allison   Wm.                 shoemaker
         Bunn      James               butcher
         Capps     Jemima              shopkeeper
         Dack      Wm.                 carpenter and par. clerk
         Emerson   John                carpenter and vict. Three Tuns
         Good      Philip              maltster, brewer, and vict. Bell
         Leeds     Jno. Parmeter, Esq. Beck Hall
         Leveridge John                baker
         Long      Wm.                 corn miller
         Millett   James               blacksmith
         Wightman  Thomas              gentleman
 
            FARMERS.
 
         Bear      Rt.                 (to J.B. Gill, Esq.)
         Freeman   George
         Hartt     Jas.                Bedlam House
         Harvey    Burton              (to J.P. Leeds)
         Leeder    Cullum
         Sharman   John
         Wilson    John
         Wightman  Freeman
 

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See also the Billingford near East Dereham parish page.

Copyright © Pat Newby.
November 2005