GENUKI: Norfolk: Needham, Norfolk

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

NEEDHAM, on the Diss Road, 1 mile W.S.W. of Harleston, has its parish in Depwade union, Earsham hundred and petty sessional division, Harleston county court district, Ipswich bankruptcy district, Harleston polling district of South Norfolk, Redenhall rural deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry. The rateable value is £1655 10s., and the gross rental £1930 8s.

It had 349 inhabitants in 1881, and comprises 1200 acres of land, in five manors, of which the following are the names and owners:- Bourts, F.B. Frank, Esq.; Denisons, George Dunbar, Esq.; Seymours, George W. Lawton, Esq.; Witchingham, Lord Waveney; and Gunshaw, W.M. Hazard, Esq.; but the Duke of Norfolk has a paramount jurisdiction.

The CHURCH (St. Peter) was formerly a chapel to Mendham, and is an ancient fabric, except the chancel, which was rebuilt in 1735, and is about to be restored. The tower is round at the base and octagonal above. Lord Waveney is impropriator of the tithes; but the heirs of the late A. Adair, Esq., are patrons of the vicarage, which was certified at £15, and is now valued at £77, in the incumbency of the Rev. J.G. Richard. It was augmented from 1675 to 1817 with £1000 of Queen Anne's Bounty and £400 given by the Rev. A. Freston and Mrs. Pyncombe.

The NATIONAL SCHOOL was built in 1874, at a cost of £550, to accommodate 68 children, and is attended by about 30.

The Town Estate consists of several cottages and 24 acres of land, mostly granted in the reign of Elizabeth, and now let for £75, which is spent in coal for the poor, and towards paying church and educational expenses. In 1547, John Gowan left to the poor a yearly rent-charge of 6s. 8d., now lost.

POST viâ Scole. Pillar Letter-Box cleared at 5.15 p.m. on week days, and 9.30 a.m. on Sundays.

         Alger     George         farmer
         Bedford   Jno.           blacksmith, parish clerk, and constable
         Bichard   Rev. John
                     Gallienne    vicar, The Vicarage
         Bird      Robert         horsedealer
         Brigham   John T.        farmer, White house
         Brigham   Mrs Mary       fmr. White house
         Buxton    Saml.          grocer, plumber, painter, and overseer
         Candler   Robt.          farmer, and overseer, Gunshaw Hall farm
         Clark     Robert         farmer
         Collett   William        farm bailiff
         Crooks    Wm.            vict. Red Lion, & coal dlr.
         Drew      George         tailor
         Gibson    James          farmer
         Gillman   Wm.            machine owner and hurdle maker
         Goulder   Christopher    farmer, Hill farm
         Haywood   Chas.          farmer; h Withersdale
         Hudell    Mrs Louisa     market gardener and glover
         Kingsbury Mrs Elizabeth  shopkeeper
         Lewis     Mrs Susannah   schoolmistress
         Rayner    Robert         beerhouse
         Rivett    Mrs Elizabeth  farmer
         Rogers    William        shoemaker and rural postman
         Short     Thos.          vict. Fishmongers' Arms
         Simmens   Mrs Emma
         Smith     George         farmer
         Smith     Thomas         farmer
         Spink     John           farmer and scrap iron dlr.
         Took      John           farmer

Note: the vicar's surname is Richard in the text, and Bichard in the directory.

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Norfolk: Needham

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