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Norfolk: Sprowston
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]
SPROWSTON is a scattered but well-built village, 2 miles N. by E. of Norwich. The parish contains about 2700 acres of land, and has increased its population, since 1811, from 310 to 1235 souls; many handsome villas and houses having been erected here during the last 30 years, especially on the south side of the parish, which adjoins the city suburbs, and is commonly called New Sprowston.
The manor anciently belonged to the Corbets, but was sold by Sir Thos. Corbet, (the last baronet of his family,) in 1645, to Sir Thos. Adams, from whose family it passed, by sale, to Sir Lambert Blackwell, who was created baronet of Sprowston, in 1718. It was held by three successive baronets of this family; but the last, who died in 1801, sold it to Mr. Boycott, of Norwich, whose grandson, John Morse, Esq., sold it in 1802; and after passing through the hands of Alderman Davey and others, by whom a large portion was separately sold to various persons, the manor-house and principal part of the estate were sold to Thos. Woodruffe Smythe, Esq., of Stockwell park, Surrey, whose executors sold the manor and Hall estate to T.H. Head, Esq., their present owner.
The Hall, said to have been erected in 1559, was much improved some years ago, and is now occupied by E. Steward, Esq. Sprowston Lodge, a neat white brick mansion, 3½ miles N. by E. of Norwich, is the seat of John Stracey, Esq., who has in his pleasure-grounds, a flourishing willow, lopped from the tree that overshadows the tomb of Napoleon, on the island of St. Helena. Here are several other rural seats, occupied by their owners; and near Sprowston Cottage are the remains of St. Magdalen's Chapel, now converted into a barn.
The CHURCH (St. Margaret,) is an ancient structure, but has undergone many modern repairs, the tower and several other parts having been rebuilt of brick. In the interior are two Gothic stalls, and several monuments and effigies of the Corbet family; one of whom was Miles Corbet, Esq., who sat as one of the judges, and signed the death-warrant of King Charles; and after the Restoration, fled to Holland, where he was pursued and taken, but afterwards pardoned.
The benefice is a curacy, not in charge, but was augmented in 1790 and 1794 with £400 of Queen Anne's Bounty, laid out in land; and in 1824, with a Parliamentary grant of £1000, now at interest. The Rev. Henry Banfather, B.D., of Norwich Grammar School, is the incumbent, and the Dean and Chapter of Norwich are the patrons and appropriators; but the tithes are leased to the landowners.
At the enclosure, in 1800, about 1000 acres of Mousehold Heath (partly in this parish,) were charged with the yearly payment of £30 to the poor of Sprowston, for distribution in coals. They have also six cottages, left by Catherine and Ann Corbet.
The fair, formerly held here on August 2nd, was discontinued in 1826. The Huntingdonians built a Sunday-school here in 1839.
Aldridge Jno. gent Andrews Frederick parish clerk Andrews Mary blacksmith Bailey Anthony thatcher Barnes Mrs M. Blake Robert brick maker Bond Henry corn miller Burrows Peter vict., Norwich and Norfolk Arms Calver Robert sawing mill Chapman James gentleman Chambers Jacob [see note below] Cobb Wm. gent [see note below] Daynes Mr W. Durrant Wm. relieving officer Edwards Thomas lime burner King Austin brick maker Millard Wm. Salter & Son land agts Myhill Jno. glover Olyott Thomas vict., Blue Boar Pratt Mr Wm. South Lodge Robertson Sarah & Son corn millers Steward Edw., Esq. solicitor, Hall Steward Isaac gentleman Stracey John, Esq. Sprowston Lodge Stracey Capt. Henry J. Grange Walne Daniel gentleman, Cottage Wiley Thomas Wrigley gentleman Wilkinson John police superintendt Boot & Shoe Mkrs. Beer Houses. Paul Wm. Allen Wm. Roffe Nathaniel Pearce Wm. Butchers. Blake Benjamin Bilby Mary Ann Lutkins David Wells Wm. FARMERS. Barnes George Millard Wm. S. Blake Robert Riches Robert Felton Clement Walker Benj. Garman John Wiley Jph., Villa Lloyd Edward Yallop Wm Lutkins Richard Gardeners. Bacon Thomas Burrows Thomas Bird Wm. Catton James Fitt John Goldson James JOINERS. SHOPKEEPERS. (* are Wheelgts.) (* are Bakers.) * Eastoe Edmund * Anderson Wm. * Fox John * Burrows John Sidney John Dickinson John Sidney John Swash John
Note, in the original this is
Chambers Jacob, & Cobb Wm. gent
See also the Sprowston parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
February 2010