Norfolk: Wilby

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

WILBY is a small village and parish, 3½ miles E.N.E. of East Harling. It is in Guiltcross union, Shropham hundred, Guiltcross and Shropham petty sessional division, Attleborough county court district, Norwich bankruptcy court district, Attleborough polling district of South Norfolk, Rockland rural deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry. It had 86 inhabitants in 1881, and comprises 1400 acres of land. The rateable value is £1524. The soil belongs to the Earl of Albemarle and Sir Thomas B. Beevor, Bart., the latter of whom is lord of the manor. Wilby Hall was formerly surrounded by a moat, a small portion of which still remains on the south side.

The CHURCH (All Saints) comprises nave, chancel, and square tower with five bells, and was re-roofed and repaired by the rector about ten years ago. The rectory, valued in the King's Book at £7 4s. 7d., is consolidated with Hargham, in the incumbency of the Rev. Francis Burges Goodacre, M.D., who has here 40A. of glebe, and a good residence. The tithes of Wilby were commuted in 1839 for £205 2s. 5d. per annum, and the joint rectories are now valued at £396 per annum, and are in the patronage of John Goodacre, Esq.

An Almshouse, in three tenements, with small gardens, was given by one of the Wilton family, for the residence of poor parishioners. Here is a small Primitive Methodist Chapel, erected in 1851. The late Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., who died in 1880, left 8 acres of land for the support of the school - about £10 per annum.

POST from Attleborough, arrive at 8.30 a.m. Pillar Box, the Green, cleared at 6.45 p.m. Attleborough is the nearest Money Order Office.

	Atkins   Thomas William   farm bailiff to Lord Albemarle,
	                            Wilby farm
	Colman   Samuel           farmer, The Hall
	Goodacre Rev. Francis
	           Burges, M.D.   The Rectory
	Hall     Robert           parish clerk and sexton
	Rix      John             farmer, Red House farm