Norfolk: Bessingham

William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1864

BESSINGHAM, 8 miles N.N.W. of Aylsham, and 5 miles S.S.W. of Cromer, has in its parish 153 inhabitants, and 508 acres of land, mostly belonging to Daniel Spurrell, Esq., of the Hall; but W.H. Scott, Esq., of Aylsham, is lord of the manor, and F.E. Arden, Esq., is patron of the living which is a discharged rectory, valued in the King's Book at £4. 6s. 8d., and now in the incumbency of the Rev. Henry Cotton Arden, who is non-resident. The glebe is 25A., and the tithes were commuted in 1839, for £137 per annum. Near the church is a tumulus of half an acre. The Church (St. Mary) comprises nave, chancel, south porch, and round tower.

The chief residents are -

	Spurrell Daniel, Esq.  Hall

	Bishop   Charles       blacksmith
	Brown    Geo.          parish clerk
	Emery    Robert        carrier to Norwich on Fridays
	Franklin Maria         schoolmistress
	Puxley   Thomas        farmer
	Skivins  Robert        shopkeeper
	Thursby  Samuel        farmer
	White    Henry Stpn.   plumber, glazier and victualler, Horse Shoes

POST from Norwich, via Hanworth.