Norfolk: Shernborne

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

SHERNBOURNE, or Sharnbourne, a small village in a deep valley, near the source of the Ingold rivulet, 11½ miles N.E. by N. of Lynn, has in its parish 133 inhabitants, and 1,221 acres of land, in two farms, one belonging to Henry Coldham, Esq., and the other, with the ancient hall, to the Masters and Fellows of Emanuel College, Cambridge, who are also lords of the manor, which, for six centuries, was possessed by an ancient family of its own name, the last of whom was Francis Sharnborne, Esq., who died during the usurpation of Oliver Cromwell. Their ancient hall, now occupied by a farmer, has been a large edifice, encompassed by a moat.

The CHURCH (St. Peter,) is said to be the second Christian church founded in East Anglia, by Felix the Burgundian, who came over to convert the Anglo Saxons, and is said to have founded the first church at Babingley, where he landed. The church here has undergone many repairs, and is now only a small pile, with a belfry, one bell, and a singular antique font.

The vicarage, valued in the King's Book at £8, and in 1831 at £69, has 65A. of glebe, and is now enjoyed by the Rev. Wm. Leech, M.A. The advowson belongs to the Bishop of Ely, and Hy. Coldham, Esq., the latter having one, and the former two turns, together with the appropriation of the tithes, which were commuted for allotments at the enclosure, in 1767, when 14 acres were allotted to the poor for fuel. They cut whins, and turn cows upon it. The Parish Land, about 2A., was given by an unknown donor.

Directory:-

         Cater       William     vict., Bull
         Kendall     Ann Maria   Hall farm
         Williamson  John        Coldham farm
 

See also the Shernborne parish page.

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Copyright © Pat Newby.
June 2003