Norfolk: Geldeston

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

GELDESTON, or Geldestone, on an acclivity above the Waveney, 2½ miles W.N.W. of Beccles, and 6 miles S.S.E. of Loddon, has in its parish 386 souls, and 819A. of land, mostly the property of John Kerrich, Esq., the lord of the manor, who resides at the Hall, a modern white brick mansion, in a pleasant and well-wooded park. In digging the cellars of the hall, about 40 years ago, a curious Roman bracelet, of pure gold, was found.

Here are several malt-houses, a large brewery, and a staith, with a navigable cut to the Waveney. H.G. Dowson, Esq., the Rev. G. Hart, and others have estates here.

The Church (St. Michael,) has a round tower. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the King's Book at £6, and in 1831 at £196, in the patronage of the Crown, and incumbency of the Rev. John Mainwaring, for whom the Rev. E.J. Jones officiates. The glebe is 24A.

The Poor's Allotment, 7A. 20P., was awarded at the enclosure.

The School, conducted on the British system, was built by H.G. Dowson, Esq., in 1825.

DIRECTORY:-

	Bradnam  Wm.             gardener
	Clark    Saml.           schoolmaster
	Dowson   Henry Gibson    maltster, brewer, and spirit merchant
	Dowson   Edw. U. and
	           Septimus      corn and coal merchants, maltsters, &c.
	Dowson   Mrs. B.U. and
	           Mrs. J.W.     gentwn.
	Jones    Rev. Edward J.  curate
	Kerrich  John, Esq.      Hall
	King     George          vict., Wherry

	   shoemakers               shopkeepers

	Algar    Jas.            Balls    John
	Barkaway Wm.             Bensley  Margaret

	   joiners                  farmers

	Atkins   Benj.           Balls    Wm.
	Chaplin  Chas.           Hinsley  Thomas and Richd.
	                         Mapes    Mary
	                         Tovell   Samuel