Norfolk: Ryston

William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1883

RYSTON parish, 3 miles S. by E. of Downham, is in Downham union and county court district, Clackclose hundred and petty sessional division, Lynn bankruptcy district, Downham polling district of West Norfolk, Fincham rural deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry. It had 35 inhabitants in 1881, living on 591A. 3R. 17P. of land, and has a rateable value of £983 5s. All the soil belongs to E.R.M. Pratt, Esq., of Ryston Hall, a neat mansion in a beautiful park.

The CHURCH (St. Michael) is a small edifice, comprising nave, chancel, south porch, and square tower with one bell. The tower was restored in 1858, and the rest of the building in 1863. The nave is furnished with neat open sittings of oak, and the chancel with handsome stalls having poppies. The pulpit is also of carved oak, and the floor is laid with tiles.

Here are several mural tablets and stained windows in memory of members of the Pratt family. A marble slab covers the remains of Sir Roger Pratt, who died in 1684, and on an altar-tomb lies the effigy of his lady.

The perpetual curacy of Ryston with Roxham was augmented from 1810 to 1824, with £800 of Queen Anne's Bounty, and was consolidated with Fordham in 1876, and is now valued at £300, in the incumbency of the Rev. Robert Rogers, M.A., of Fordham. The Dean and Chapter of Norwich are patrons.

The children attend the school at Fordham.

POST from Downham, which is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office. Fordham is the nearest railway station.

	Newell  George           farm bailiff to E.R.M. Pratt, Esq.
	Porter  Henry            parish clerk
	Pratt   Mr Edward Roger  Ryston hall
	          Murray