Norfolk: Great Ringstead

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

RINGSTEAD (GREAT) is a pleasant village, in a fertile valley, 2 miles S.E. of Hunstanton, and 8 miles W. by S. of Burnham Market, comprising in its parish 526 inhabitants, and 3,280 acres of land, mostly belonging to Henry L'Estrange Styleman Le Strange, Esq., the lord of the manor, and patron of the rectory; but Wm. Herring, Esq., (180A.) of Norwich, and some others, have estates here.

It had formerly two parish CHURCHES, (St. Peter and St. Andrew,) but they were consolidated in 1771, when the former was pulled down, except its circular tower, which now forms an ivy-mantled dove-cote; and the other materials were used in repairing St. Andrew's, which has a nave, chancel, tower, and south porch.

The discharged and consolidated rectories, valued in the King's Book at £20.6s.8d., and now at £530, are enjoyed by the Rev. Fredk. Fitzroy, M.A., with a good rectory-house, (rebuilt about 5 years ago,) and 140A. of glebe.

Here is a fine Six-sail Mill, erected a few years ago, by Mr. Le Strange, at the cost of about £1,500.

The Fuel Allotment, 53A. 1R. 18P., was awarded at the enclosure, in 1782. The poor cut turf upon it, and let the shooting for £3 a year. They have the following yearly doles, viz:- 10s. left by the Rev. Timothy Swift, in 1719; 28s. 6d., from £28 10s. left by L. Hocknell, and other donors; and 20s. left by a Mr. Reed.

         Bunn       Mr. Anthony
         Cadaman    Thomas            vict., Compasses
         Campbell   Captain William
         Crown      John              shoemaker
         Fitzroy    Rev. Fredk., M.A. Rectory
         Goodman    Robert            miller & brewer
         Groom      William           relieving officer
         Habberton  John              saddler
         Holmes     William           schoolmaster
         Holmes     Thomas            carpenter
         Powell     Robert            mill manager
         Rumbold    Claxton           joiner
         Rutland    William           farm bailiff
         Southgate  Wm., sen.         parish clerk
 
            Blacksmiths.
 
         Gathercole James
         Hall       Elijah
 
            Butchers.
 
         Whiting    Robert
         Willoughby Jas.
 
            FARMERS.
 
         Beck       Thomas
         Kitton     Elizabeth
         Matsell    John
         Norton     James
         Rix        Robert
         Sudbury    William           (chief constbl.)
         Wells      Matthew
         Wharton    Thomas
         Wright     William
 
            Shopkeepers.
 
         Callaby    William
         Phillipo   James             (& watch maker)
         Smith      Henry
 
            Tailors.
 
         Daw        William
         Thompson   J.
 
            Wheelwrights.
 
         Chapman    Wm.               (& beer seller)
         Semmence   James
 

See also the Great Ringstead parish page.

Copyright © Pat Newby.
November 1999