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Norfolk: Topcroft
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1883
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]
TOPCROFT, a scattered village and parish, 12 miles S. by E. of Norwich, and 5 miles N.W. by W. of Bungay, in Loddon and Clavering union, Loddon hundred and petty sessional division, Beccles county court district, Yarmouth bankruptcy district, archdeaconry of Norfolk, and rural deanery of East Brooke. The rateable value is £3149. Its parish had 357 inhabitants in 1881, and comprises 1875A. 1R. 7P. of land, including 90 acres of wood.
Mr. John Isaac Hunter owns a part of the soil, and is lord of the manor conjointly with W.M. Hazard, Esq., in which the copyholders pay fines certain; but Alfred Massey, Esq., Mr. Samuel N. Delf, and others, have estates here.
The CHURCH (St. Margaret) comprises nave, chancel, south aisle, south porch, and tower. The latter is round at the base and octagonal above, and contains three bells. The nave and chancel were restored and reseated in 1861, at a cost of £750, and again in 1877, and contain 260 sittings. The seats are open benches, and the pulpit and reading-desk are of oak. Here are tablets of the Smyth, Cooke, Frost, and Wilton families. There are also a piscina and a small organ.
The rectory, valued in the King's Book at £10 13s. 4d., is in the patronage of the Bishop of Norwich. The Rev. J.G. Rowe, M.A., J.P., is the incumbent, and has here 48 acres of glebe, and a yearly tithe rent-charge of £411, awarded in 1839. The rectory house was rebuilt in 1878, at a cost of £1200.
The Independent Chapel is a neat brick building, which was rebuilt in 1850, and is under the ministry of the Rev. Frederick S. Basden, of Denton. It is also used as a British School, and attended by sixty children. The National School was built in 1847, and an Infants' class-room added in 1881, at a cost of £100.
The poor have 1A. 2R. allotted at the enclosure in 1807, and 3 acres left by Robert Goodwin in 1659. The rents amount to £18 a year.
POST OFFICE at Mr. W. Cook Pooley's. Letters viâ Bungay, arrive at 9 a.m., and despatched at 3.30 p.m. Hempnall is the nearest Money Order Office, distant 3½ miles.
Andrews Harry victualler, Swan Inn, and pig dealer Andrews William blacksmith Ashcroft Miss Eliza Reeve British schoolmistress Bentley John wheelwright Crickmer Jph. vict. Hare & Hounds Delf Saml. Newton farmer & owner Ellis Thomas farmer Everett Horace miller Fairhead James farmer and owner Farrow Arthur blacksmith Feaveayear Chas. fmr. & parish cnstble Feaveayear James farmer Foulger George farmer Hunter John Isaac farmer & owner, The Hall Lawn Thomas farmer Lewell John shoemaker Ling George farmer Long Samuel parish clerk Loynes John shoemaker & shopkpr Massey Alfred farmer and owner; h Cringleford Meek Edward cowkeeper Mobbs Henry bricklayer Moore George machine owner Moss William farmer & gamekeeper Newman Rbt. fmr. & owner, The Lodge Pooley William Cook grocer, draper, and postmaster Rowe Rev. John George, M.A., J.P. (Northumberland), rector, The Rectry Seaman Benj. fmr. guardian & overseer Smith Bryant farm steward Sutton Saul farmer & sheep dresser Wright William farmer & overseer Wylde William farmer
CARRIER to Norwich Wed. and Sat.
See also the Topcroft parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
April 2006