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Norfolk: Watton
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Pigot's Directory of Norfolk 1830
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]
WATTON
Is a small well built market town in the parish of its name, and hundred of Wayland, 91 miles from London, 21 from Norwich, and nine from Swaffham; situated in an open part of the country, and is a place of considerable thoroughfare; from the latter circumstance, the inhabitants reap considerable advantage. Great quantities of butter are sent from this town, the produce of neighbouring dairies, the principal proportion of which is for the London market.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a small building, being only 26 yards long, and including the two aisles, eleven yards in breadth: its tower is of singular construction, being round at the bottom, but octangular at the top; it contains three large bells. The living of Watton is a vicarage, in the gift of John C. Houghton, Esq.; the Rev. Fairfax Franklin is the present incumbent.
Between this town and Merton, a little on the left, is Wayland wood, commonly called 'Wailing wood,' from a tradition, of two children having been murdered by their uncle in this place, and upon which the old ballad preserved in Percy's relics of poetry (the two children in the wood) is said to be founded; and this story from the ballad subsequently dramatised. It was in this piece that the celebrated Mr. John Banister the comedian (familiarly called Jack Banister) took his leave of the stage, in the part of Walter.
Two miles hence on the Thetford road is Merton hall, a beautiful mansion of great antiquity, the seat of Lord Walsingham. The market at Watton is on Wednesday. The ancient fairs are held on the 10th July, October 11, and November 8: two others have lately been established, which take place on the 1st Wednesday in July, and the 1st Wednesday after old Michaelmas day. The parish contained, in 1821, 894 inhabitants.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Barker John, esq. Caston
Dewing Richard, esq. Carbrooke
Goodrick Sir Harry, bart. Clermont lodge
Harvey Mrs. Charlotte Watton
Tomkins Rev. B. Saham parsonage
Walsingham Right Honble. Lord Merton hall
BANKERS.
Harveys & Hudsons - Smith Wright, agent - (draw on Hankey & Co.)
NORWICH JOINT STOCK COMPANY, (branch of) - Smith Hastings, agt.
- (draw on Masterman and Co.)
PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.
Bacon William Vynne attorney
Buxton Mary Ann academy
Gedge William schoolmaster
Grigson Edward H. attorney
Hargreaves Thomas surgeon
Swallow Robert surgeon
INNS AND PUBLIC HOUSES.
Mann Charlotte Bull
Coe Robt. Crown Inn (commercial)
Waters Daniel Flower Pot
Wright Susanna George Inn (& posting-house)
Warren John Green Man
Clark Henry King's Arms
SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS.
Adcock Saml. watch & clock maker
Aldis Ephraim bricklayer
Alpe Philip chymist & druggist, & fire office agent
Balls James boot & shoe maker
Blade Sarah tailor & draper
Boyce Wm. joiner & machine makr.
Bruton James builder
Buxton Chas. glover & fellmonger
Buxton Maria saddler & harness mkr
Clark Henry tailor and draper
Dennis Robert butcher
Fendick Wm. bookseller, stationer, tea-dealer,
and fire office agent
Futter John land agent
Gathergood James tailor
George Daniel boot & shoe maker
Goddard William stone mason
Hastings John printer & bookbndr.
Hastings John Edwd. brandy merct
Hastings Smith miller, flour dealer, and fire office agent
Hastings Thos. bricklayer & plasterer
Hendry Thomas painter, plumber, and glazier
Hubbard William chair maker
Johnson Jeremiah James corn & seed merchant
Lacy Charles butcher
Mallows James butcher
Muncey Wm. saddler & harness mkr
Muskett Joseph &
William grocers and drapers
Peck Thomas cow leech & farrier
Pitts Jno. painter, plumber, & glazier
Platfoot Cath. baker & confectioner
Rackham William leather cutter
Rice George butcher
Rice William grocer and draper
Rolfe Elizabeth dress maker
Scott Walter tailor
Stebbings Richard blacksmith
Stebbings Thomas joiner
Stevens Edward maltster & brewer
Sturgeon William blacksmith
Taylor Wm. painter, plumber, &c.
Thompson John H. joiner
Thompson William wheelwright
Turner Kezia dress maker
Twaits Barnabas boot & shoe mkr
Vince William coach & gig builder
Walker Amos baker
Warren John wheelwright
Wenham Wm. watch & clock maker
Worn James cow leech & farrier
Wright & grocers & drapers, ironmongers,
Fisk & spirit merchants
Wright Dorothy spirit merchant
Wright Robert baker & flour dealer, & corn chandler
Young Robert boot & shoe maker
COACHES.
To LONDON, the Regulator (from Holt) calls at the Crown, every Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning at nine; goes through Brandon, Newmarket, &c.
To HOLT, the Regulator (from London) calls at the Crown, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at six; goes through East Dereham.
CARRIERS.
To LONDON, Smith Wright's Waggons, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening; - Archer's Waggons, from the Bull, every Monday and Thursday at noon - and - Bryant's Van, from the Crown, every Tues. & Friday morning.
To NORWICH, Smith Wright's Waggons, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - Jeremiah Hardy, from the Bull, every Tuesday and Friday morning - Robert Baley, every Tuesday and Friday - and Robert Pitts, from the George, every Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
To SWAFFHAM, Jeremiah Hardy, from the Bull, and Robert Baley, every Monday and Thursday.
To THETFORD, Abraham Woolsey, from the Bull, every Tuesday & Friday.
See also the Watton parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
May 2016