Norfolk: Rockland St Mary

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

[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]

ROCKLAND ST. MARY is a large scattered village, 5½ miles S.E. by E. of Norwich, on the south side of the open vale of the Yare, near a rivulet which expands into a lake, or "broad," of 60 acres, navigable to the river. Its parish contains 473 inhabitants, and 1338A. 2R. 6P. of land, belonging to several proprietors, the largest of whom are Rt. Gilbert, jun., Esq., Rd. Crawshay, Esq., and Sir C.H. Rich. The latter is lord of the principal manor.

It was anciently in two parishes, called Rockland Major and Minor, or Rockland St. Mary and St. Margaret, and had two Churches in the same burial ground. St. Margaret's, which had no tower, was dilapidated several centuries ago, but part of its ruined walls still remain, covered with ivy. St. Mary's, the present parish church, is a small edifice, with a square tower and three bells.

The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the King's Book at £6. 13s. 4d., and in 1831 at £350, with a mediety of Holverstone rectory annexed to it, in the patronage of Queen's College, Cambridge, and incumbency of the Rev. Joseph Dewe, B.D. The glebe here is 30A. 2R. 29P., and the tithes were commuted in 1841 for £400 per annum. A new Rectory House was built in 1840. The rector has only a modus of £5. 5s. from Holverstone.

The parish is noted for an excellent bed of clay, of which great quantities of bricks are made.

Here is a National School, built in 1840, and attended by 50 children.

The Fuel Allotment, 8A. 1R. 24P., was awarded at the enclosure in 1809, and is let for about £10. The Town Land, 2A. 2R. 33P., is let for £6. 17s., which is carried to the poor rates. This parish has the yearly sum of 20s. for the poor, and £5 every fifth year for apprentice fees, from Cock's Charity. (See Hillington.)

DIRECTORY:-

         Blake     James             smith and ironfounder
         Blake     Robert            brickmaker [see note below]
         Coleman   John              vict. and bricklayer
         Dewe      Rev. Joseph, B.D. Rectory
         Forder    Richard           joiner     [see note below]
         Forder    Robert            gardener
         Gilbert   Robert            brickmaker [see note below]
         Minns     George            coal merchant
         Parker    Robert            joiner     [see note below]
         Reeder    Michael           vict., New Inn
         Roberts   James             wheelwright
         Rudd      Henry             vict., Star
         Rudd      Miss Jane
         Shreeve   Isaac             shoemaker
         Thurston  Robert            saddler
         Whickham  James             coal merchant
 
            farmers.
 
         George    Geo.
         Goodrum   Richd.
         Nobbs     Samuel
 

Note: in the original these are
     Robert Blake and Robert Gilbert, brickmakers
     Richard Forder and Robert Parker, joiners

See also the Rockland St Mary parish page.

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Copyright © Pat Newby.
September 2015