GENUKI: Norfolk: Blakeney, Norfolk

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

BLAKENEY, a small sea port, 4¼ miles N.W. by N. of Holt, and nearly a mile W. of Cley, has in its parish 1021 inhabitants, and 988 acres of land, mostly the property of Lord Calthorpe, the lord of the manor. It was anciently called Snitterley, and much frequented by German merchants. Henry III. granted it a market, which has long been obsolete, but it still enjoys a considerable trade in malt, corn, coal, &c., and was once a noted fishing station.

The town is above a mile from the beach, but has a good harbour or creek, which winds to the sea by a circuitous route of four miles, and was much improved under an act passed in 1817, so that vessels of 150 tons can now get up to the wharfs, where the spring tides rise about ten feet. (For Custom House, see Cley.)

Here was a Friary of Carmelites, founded in the 24th of Edward I., by Richard and John Stormer and Thomas Thober, and granted at its dissolution to Wm. Rede. In this monastery was educated that eccentric character, John de Baconsthorpe. Some portions of the boundary wall of the Friary still remain, on a declivity south of the CHURCH (St. Nicholas,) which has a lofty tower, serving as a sea-mark. At the north-east corner of the chancel is a high turret, said to have been formerly used as a lighthouse.

The living is a rectory, valued in the King's Book at £26. 13s. 4d., and is consolidated with Cockthorpe, Glandford, and Langham Parva. The Rev. Joseph Cotterill, M.A., is incumbent, and Lord Calthorpe is patron. The joint benefices were valued in 1831 at £506 per annum. The rector has here a good residence, 7A. 1R. of glebe, and a yearly rent of £170, in lieu of tithes.

The Wesleyans have a small chapel here; and adjoining the churchyard is a National School, built in 1825.

The Poor's Land, 3A., in Morston, let for £4, was given to this parish, in 1694, by Wm. Styleman, in satisfaction of a rent-charge of 20s., left by an unknown donor. A yearly rent-charge of 12s., for distributions of coal, left by Robt. Bassett, in 1693, is paid out of Lord Calthorpe's estate. The interest of £24, left by Chpr. Ringer, is distributed in cloth or blankets. An old building, called the Guild Hall, with a vault capable of holding 60 chaldrons of coal, has belonged to the poor from an early period, and is now let for £4. 4s. a year.

The POST OFFICE is at Mrs. Ann Wells's, where letters arrive at ¼ before one, and are despatched at ¼ before two afternoon.

           Barnes      Stephen           hair dresser, druggist, and stationer
           Bond        Henry             glazier, painter, &c
           Boorne      Mrs Mary
           Cawston     John              sail maker
           Cotterill   Rev. Joseph, M.A. Rectory
           Cragg       James             Baptist minister
           Crofts      Eliz.
           Frankling   Felix             baker
           Haythorn    Rev. F.           curate
           Howard      Edward            butcher
           Jary        Jas.              clock and watch maker
           Jickling    Francis A.        clerk
           Kennedy     Wm.               bricklayer
           Pond        Wm.               brazier, smith, & ironmgr
           Sands       John              butcher
           Sparham     James             farmer
           Thompson    Sarah             beer seller
           Waller      Edward            bricklayer
           Whisker     Thomas C.         beer seller
           Wilson      Thomas            saddler, &c
 
              INNS AND PUBLIC HOUSES.
 
           Carroway    Richard           Calthorpe Arms
           Easter      John              King's Head
           Fitt        Bennington        Ship
           Storey      Ann               White Horse
 
              MERCHANTS. - (* are Maltsters.)
 
         * Brereton    Robert John,
                         & Randall
           Cook        Wm. and R.        (& Glandford)
           Starling    John              (and miller)
         * Temple      Wm. and Charles
 
              Academies.                     Master Mariners.
 
           Beart       Wm.                Ellis      Henry
           Newton      Richd.             Lane       Miles
           Storey      Eleanor            May        James
           Whittall    Job                Porter     Wm.
                                          Shaul      Thomas
 
              Grocers & Drprs.               Shoemakers.
 
           Doyle       Wm.                Billing    John
           Bullock     Richd. (& baker)   Doughty    James
           Leatherdale Wm.                Mayes      Robert
           Newton      Daniel             Mountain   Wm.
           Porter      Robert
           Tyrrell     Henry
           Wells       Ann
 
              Joiners and Wheelwrights.      Tailors.
 
           Allcock     James              Jordan     Wm.
           Butters     John               Mallett    Henry
           Dixon       Henry              Sands      Richard
           Howes       Richard
           Newland     Wm.

CARRIER. John Miller, to Norwich, Tues. & Friday

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Norfolk: Blakeney

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