A bit of Hingham history

Extract from “Kelly’s Directory of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk“

Published in 1883

Pages 345 – 347

HINGHAM is a small market town and parish about 116 miles from London, 6 west from Wymondham and 3 south – west from Kimberley and Hardingham stations on the Dereham branch line, in the Southern division of the county, Foreloe hundred and union, Wymondham county court district, rural deanery of Hingham, archdeaconry of Norfolk and diocese of Norwich.

The church of St. Andrew, a noble edifice of stone, is a fine specimen of the Decorated style, it has chancel, lofty nave, aisles, and a massive tower containing 8 bells: in the chancel is a stained window, placed there by John, first Lord Wodehouse, in 1813: the aisles are separated from the nave on either side by six arches: on the north side of the chancel is a lofty and highly – wrought monument to Thomas Lord Morley, Marshal of Ireland, who died in 1435; in the south aisle some fine cartoons were discovered in 1855, on scraping portions of the walls: the church interior has undergone various alterations and improvements during the past few years; a new organ was added in 1878 costing £ 550; in the same year a massive brass lectern was given by Lady Mary Currie; carved oak stalls were erected in the chancel, and a two – light window in the south wall of the chancel, which had been blocked up, was reopened and filled with stained glass: in the east end of the south aisle is a three – light stained window representing The Sermon on the Mount; ” it is in memory of Martin Baylie Darby, rector for nearly fifty years of the adjoining parish of Hackford and who resided at Hingham, and who died March 15th, 1880: the window was the gift of parishioners in the south aisle are three two – light stained windows, one to the memory of Elizabeth Hodgson, who died 16th August, 1850; another, representing St. Peter and St. Paul was erected to the memory of Edmond William West Clarke, a resident of Hingham who died 26th January, 1881; the other, representing an act of charity, is to the memory of Elizabeth Coekell, who died February 17th, 1879: the east end of the chancel has been raised and paved with marble mosaic work: in 1882 a handsome new Dosal ‘ or hanging, under the east window was put up; it is of red silk plush stamped with a pattern and has four Orphreys or stripes of silk embroidered in gold colour, two with corn and grapes and two with (conventional) roses, the whole at the expense of the rector.

The register dates from the year 1601.

The living is a rectory, yearly value, £ 1,260, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Kimberley, and held since 1873 by the Rev. Maynard Wodehouse Currie M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, rural dean.

The Rev. Robert Peck M.A. formerly rector of this parish, was a man of very violent schismatic temper, who pulled down the rails, and levelled the altar and the whole chancel a foot below the church (since raised two steps).

But being prosecuted for it by Bishop Wren, he fled the kingdom, and went over to New England, with many of his parishioners, who sold their estates for half their value, and conveying all their effects to that new plantation, erected a town and colony of the name of Hingham, where many of their posterity still remain.

Hearing that the bishops were deposed, he left the place, and came back to Hingham in the year 1646, after ten years voluntary banishment, resumed his rectory, and died in the year 1656.

Here is a Congregational chapel, and one belonging to the Primitive Methodists.

The fuel allotment of 34 acres produces £ 24 yearly, which is distributed among the resident poor of the parish in coals; and charities producing £ 41 13s. 11d. yearly are distributed in bread to the poor.

The Market day is Tuesday.

Hingham Hall, the seat of Rawdon Hunter – Makett es. J.P. is a large handsome brick mansion, standing in a well – wooded demesne of about 50 acres. The Earl of Kimberley is lord of the manor and chief landowner. Mrs. Hurnard is lady of the manor of Hingham Gurneys.

The soil is of a mixed nature; sub soil, clay and brick earth.

The chief crops are turnips, barley, wheat and marigolds.

The parish consists of 3,645 acres; rateable value £ 9,000; the population in 1881 was 1,554.

Parish Clerk, John Sare.

POST, MONEY ORDER & TELEGRAPH OFFICE & Savings Bank – Thomas Kingaby, receiver.

Letters are received from Attleborough at 5.15 a.m. dispatched at 8.15 p.m. Box closes at 8 p.m. Savings bank business transacted from 9a.in. to 6 p.m
Assistant Overseer, William Newson

INSURANCE AGENTS:
Norwich Union Fire & Life, J. Feltham
Sun Fire, T. P. Viall

SCHOOLS –
A School Board of 35 members was formed in 1873; P. H. Davis, clerk to the Board
An Endowed school was founded & handsomely endowed in 1727 by William Parlett esq.; the income now amounts to about £ 200 yearly.

By a new scheme, approved May, 1883, by the Privy Council, the school is called the Hingham Endowed School, & the present bead master is still to hold the appointment. The governing body consists of ten persons, of whom three are co – optative; three scholarships of not less than £ 8 or more than £ 10 are available for boys from the elementary schools of Hingham, Woodrising & South Burgh. A sum of £ 60 will be applied to establishing & maintaining exhibitions tenable at a school of a higher grade for boys who have been at this school for not less than three years.

The old National school is now used as a sunday school. Thomas Spencer Turner, head master; Arthur George Turner B.A. second master Board School, opened in 1875 for 275 children; average attendance, 243; Charles John King, master; Mrs. Elizabeth King, mistress; Miss Harriet Pottle, infants ‘ mistress

CARRIERS TO NORWICH. – John Laskey, mon. wed. & sat. returning same days; Jolin Risebrook, tues, thurs.
& sat

PRIVATE RESIDENTS.
Alexander George
Beevor Sir Thomas bert. J.P
Crawshay Charles J.P
Currie Rev. Maynard Wodehouse M.A.,
J.P. [ rector ], & Lady Mary
Davis Rev. Philip Henry [ Congregational ]
Dodman Mrs
Driver Mrs
Elsy George
Feltham Daniel
Feltham Henry
Feltham James
Griston Mrs
Gurdou Mrs. Bears farm
Heald Robert
Howard Philip
Hunter Muskett Rawdon J.P. Hingham hall
Hurnard Mrs. Gurneys manor
James Rev. Charles Warburton M.A. curate ]
King Charles John
Kirk James
Lack Thomas Lambert
Laing Mrs
Large William Hastings
Matthews Mrs
Miller Rev. John Lacy [ rector of Hackford ]
Mustard Rev. David M.A. [ curate ]
Ormsby Mrs
Sawyer Mrs
Smith George
Stedman Mrs.
Tallent Mrs. Beaconsfield house
Turner Arthur George B.A. [ second ] master of Endowed school ]
Turner Thomas Spencer [ head master of Endowed school ]
Watson Mrs
Withers Capt. W
Wood Capt. Robert John, The Limes

COMMERCIAL.