GENUKI: Norfolk: Heacham, Norfolk

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

HEACHAM, 14 miles N.N.E. of Lynn, is a large and scattered village, on the sea-coast, sheltered behind by a bold acclivity, at the foot of which a small rivulet flows across the salt-marsh to the flat beach, where there is no harbour for shipping, though coal vessels and other small craft unlade their cargoes on the sands. The parish has increased its population, since 1801, from 524 to 811 souls, and contains 3,514 acres.

The principal owners of the soil are Henry L'Estrange Styleman Le Strange, Esq., the Rev. S.C.E.N. Rolfe, M.A., and Miss Davy. The two latter have handsome seats here, called the Hall, and the Lodge, and the first is lord of the manor, and impropriator. Mr. Rolfe is also patron and incumbent of the vicarage, valued in the King's Book at £6 13s. 4d., and augmented in 1779 with £200 of Queen Anne's Bounty.

The CHURCH (St. Mary,) has a square tower, rising between the nave and chancel, and formerly had transepts. It is a handsome structure, in which a new gallery and organ have recently been erected by the vicar, who has made other improvements in the interior. Here are inscriptions to the Redmaynes and Rolfes. One of the latter family sailed with Sir Walter Raleigh, in his voyages of discovery, and married the princess Powhatani, daughter of one of the most celebrated Indian chiefs, which greatly facilitated the friendly intercourse between the natives and the English.

The Independent Chapel, built here in 1832, is under the ministry of the Rev. Jas. Cooper.

A School, for 25 free scholars, was established here by subscription, in 1815, and it is now incorporated with the National School, recently erected by the present vicar.

The Poor's Land, 6A. 3R. 15P., with a cottage, is let for £13 10s., and has been vested, in trust, from an early period, but was partly exchanged at the enclosure, in 1781. The poor have also two yearly rent-charges of 10s. each, left by unknown donors; and the dividends of £500 three per cent. Consols, left by Mrs. Frances Rolfe, in 1837, to be distributed in clothing.

Heacham had a cell of Cluniac monks, under Lewes Abbey, to which this parish was given by Wm. de Warren, Earl of Surrey, in the reign of Wm. Rufus. After the dissolution, the manor and rectory were given to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk.

The present yearly value of the vicarage is £226.

         Bly        Benjamin           wheelwright
         Bly        Francis            carpenter
         Bly        George             plumber, painter, &c.
         Bond       William            builder & brick mkr.
         Browne     Mr. Robert
         Burcham    John Geo.          officer in customs
         Burrell    Ann                schoolmistress
         Cooper     Rev. Jas.          (Indept. minister)
         Crisp      William            farm bailiff
         Davy       Miss Emily         Lodge
         Dawes      William            joiner
         Foulsham   James              National School
         Granger    Robert             blacksmith
         Heugh      Henry P.           tailor
         Hill       Rev. Hy., M.A.     curate of Snettshm.
         Minns      William            wheelwright
         Norgate    Wm.                miller, (& Ringstead)
         Nurse      Rt.                bricklayer & parish clerk
         Richardson Clement            tinner, &c.
         Robinson   William            butcher
         Rolfe      Rev. Strickland
                      Chas. Edw.
                      Neville, M.A.    vicar, Heacham Hall
         Rowland    Geo., Esq.         Holly Lodge
         Roythorne  Edm. & Jas.        coal dealers
         Silcock    Mrs. & Miss Mary
         Steadman   John Buck          surgeon
         Wagg       James              miller and baker
         Wilton     Thomas             butcher
         Wright     Rev. Henry, B.A.   curate
         Yaxley     Cath.              vict., Wheat Sheaf
 
            Beer Houses.
 
         Bunting    E.
         Collinson  Thos.
         Cory       Robert
         Minns      Robert
 
                               FARMERS.
 
         Carter     Mrs.               Rix       Henry
         Clement    Stagg              Rix       William
         Crisp      Thos., butchr      Spanton   William
         Duffield   Thos.              Spencer   William
         Ellis      Robert             Wells     John
         Foule      Robert             Wells     Robert
         Harrison   John               Wilson    Jno., (& coal dealer)
         Land       William
 
            Grocers & Drapers.            Shoemakers.
 
         Massingham Geo.               Collings  Wm.
         Rowe       Charles            Hooks     Robert
         Russell    John               Jarrett   William
         Yaxley     James              Oughton   Samuel

POST OFFICE at the Wheat Sheaf.
Mail to Wells, 9 morning; and to Lynn, 5 evening

CARRIERS to Lynn, on Market days;
and Rd. High's Sociable, every Monday, at 8½ morning.

Towler's Cart to Norwich, Thursday; and Lynn, Monday

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Norfolk: Heacham

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