EAST DEREHAM
East Dereham, or Market Dereham, is a market town, railway station, and parish, partly in Mitford and partly in Launditch hundred, West Norfolk, 12¼ miles E. by N. of Swaffham, 11 from Wymondham, 16 E. by N. of Norwich, and 102 N.N.E. of London. The parish contains 5,661 acres, and a population, in 1851, of 4,385. It is a very ancient town. The market is held on Friday. The fairs are held in the market-place on the Thursdays before July 6th and September 29th. Petty Sessions are held every alternate Friday, and there is a county court.
The church of St. Nicholas is an ancient building, on the site of the conventual chapel: the bell tower is square, and is detached from the church. It was built 1508–20, and contains a peal of 8 bells. Wm. Cowper, the poet, is buried in this church.
The vicarage of East Dereham, with the curacy of Hoe annexed to it, was valued, in 1831, at £480. Here is also a sinecure rectory, valued, in 1831 at £710. The Rev. Wm. Chas. Wollaston holds the sinecure rectory, in lease from the crown, and is also patron of the vicarage, which is enjoyed by the Rev. B. J. Armstrong.
The Baptists, Wesleyans, Independents, and Primitive Methodists, have chapels here. There is also a British and Foreign, and National School; the former situated on the London road, and the latter in Theatre Street. The town is well lighted with gas. The works were constructed by Mr. George Malan, but are now in the possession of a company of shareholders: the gasometer will hold 7,000 cubic feet of gas. Mr. Stephen Harvey is secretary, and Mr. C. Aldis is the manager.
Here are Assembly Rooms, built in 1756. In February, 1852, a Savings’ Bank was established here, under the auspices of the leading families, and will, undoubtedly, become a great benefit to the labouring classes.
Dillington is a hamlet of this parish, 1 mile N.W., with 40 inhabitants. Dumpling Green, 1 mile S. Etling Green, North Hall Green, South Green, and Toftwood, are other hamlets.
CLERGY, GENTRY, &c
Andrews, Thomas, Esq., Quebec road
Armstrong, Rev. B. J., M.A., vicar, Vicarage
Aufrere, Norris, Esq., the Dale
Baker, Misses, Quebec road
Browne, Mrs. Colville, Market-place
Cooper, Mrs. Edmund, Church street
Cooper, Mr. William, Back lane
Curtis, Rev. John, Market-place
De Groube, Mrs. Mary, Church street
Durrant, William, Esq., Gorgate hall
Ellis, Mrs., Norwich road
Girling, Barry, Esq., Hambletoft house
Gooch, Mrs. James, Market-place
Harvey, Thomas, Esq., South green
Holland, Miss, South green
Humphreys, Edward, Esq., Shipdham road
Jeffreys, Rev. George Y., Quebec road
Johnson, Mrs. Ann, High street
Lee Warner, Mrs., Quebec hall
Markant, Mrs. E., Quebec road
Minn, Lewis, Esq., Quebec road
Nalson, Mrs. Caroline, South green
Parke, James, Esq., Norwich road
Pillans, Mrs. Margaret, High street
Ramsdale, Mrs. Thomas, Quebec road
Warner, Mrs., Shrubland lodge
Wollaston, Rev. W. C., M.A., rector, South green
Wright, Miss M.A., Quebec road