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BRESSINGHAM, is a large scattered village, on the north side of the open vale of the Waveney, 2 miles W. by N. of Diss, and has in its parish 647 inhabitants, and 2287A. of land, lying mostly in the Duke of Norfolk's manors of Bressingham and Boyland, (fines arbitrary,) and partly in the rectory manor, and Buckenham Priory manor. L. Palmer, Esq., is lord of the latter.
Boyland Hall, an ancient mansion, with a large farm, is the Duke's property, and was built by Sir Richard de Boyland, an itinerant judge of the time of Edward I., who formed here a subterraneous walk, or conduit, by which water was brought to his baths and moats from an overflowing well, which still remains.
The Church (St. John the Baptist,) was rebuilt by Sir Roger Pilkington, in 1526, and repaired after the civil wars. It is a large structure, with a fine tower and five bells. The east window has four figures in stained glass.
The rectory, valued in the King's Book at £15, is in the gift of the Duke of Norfolk, and incumbency of the Rev. G. H. C. Bidwell, A.B., who has 36A. 12P. of glebe, a handsome Rectory-House, built in 1842, and a yearly rent of £613, awarded in 1843 in lieu of tithes.
In 1728, Elizabeth Barker left a house and land, to be applied by the rector and churchwardens in the support of a school for poor children. The property, including an allotment awarded to it at the enclosure, consists of a house and school-room, and 5A. 3R. 8P. of land, worth about £15 a year. The master teaches eight free scholars reading and writing.
A yearly rent-charge of £2, left by John Welham, in 1702, is distributed among the poor in bread. The Fuel Allotment, 24A. 15P., was awarded at the enclosure, in 1802, and is divided into small lots, on which the poor cut turf, &c. The Town Lands, partly acquired at the enclosure, comprise 10A. 31P., let for about £20 a year, which is carried in equal moieties to the church and poor rates. Here are also two houses and 3R. of land occupied by paupers.
Bidwell Rev. Geo. Henry rector Clarke, A.B. Eaton Peter wheelwright Fisher Mr. Benj. Kent John gent Linstead George carpenter Taylor Burgess cabinet maker Thwaites Jas. shopr. & vict. Chequers Blacksmiths. Loveless J. and Wm. F. Punt Jeremiah Corn Millers. Eaton John Fisher Nathaniel Hewson Henry FARMERS (* are Owners). Annis John Jolly George *Baldry John Knights Robert *Betts John *Murton Wm. Bryant John *Page Jeremiah Bryant Samuel Palmer Richard Bunn Robert Potter Rt. Roper Crich Simon Punt George *Davy John *Robinson Thos. Diver Thomas H. Rodwell Samuel Eaton Isaac Roper Edward Elliott Wm. *Smith Thomas Fisher Benj. Tacon Abraham Boyland Hall Fuller Garrard Whitmore Richd. Hall Garnham John Woodcock Robt. Hart Nathaniel Wright John *Hoskins James Shoemakers. Landemore John Porcher John Thwaites Jas. H.
Copyright © Pat Newby.
April 2001