[Transcription © SA Whittle-Bruce 2003]

Downham, Norfolk

Universal British Directory 1791

The soil, except the parts lying near the marshes, is in part light sand and part clay; here are sand - pits which have beautiful veins of various colours.

The church is situated on the East side of town, on the top of the hill on which the town is built; and is ascended on the North-west by brick steps, and on the South by a gradual ascent, ornamented with lime-trees, &c. in regular order, from the centre of the town. This church has a peal of eight bells. There are several good inns in the town; likewise bowling-greens, &c. for the amusement of the inhabitants.

C O A C H

Lynn and London stage-coach, by Stradset, up every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, in the afternoon, from the Duke's Head, Lynn; and down, every Tuesday, Thursday, and saturday, by noon, from the Green Dragon, Bishopgate-street.

W A G G O N S

Burleigh's boats, leave the Butter-market about eleven o'clock on Monday, arrive at Cambridge on Tuesday,where they meet the following waggons, viz, Burleigh's waggon from the Bull, Bishopgate-street, London; Cock's waggon, from the Green Dragon, Bishopgate-street; and Gillham's ditto, from his warehouse in the same street. The above waggons come from their respective inns at about one o'clock on Thursday; goods by them are conveyed to Downham, and places adjacent, by Burleigh's boats, and delivered early at the Butter-market. Thomas Fuzzy's waggon, from the Catherine Wheel, Bishopgate-street, om Wednesday morning; arrives at the Swan inn, Downham, on Saturday noon; proceeds forward to the Angel inn, Lynn, and returns on Sunday morning; stops at the same inn about two hours, from whence it proceeds to London, where it arrives on Tuesday. Boyden's Norwich waggon arrives at the Bridge-house, Butter-market, on Monday morning; returns the same day; arrives at his house in East Dereham on Tuesday; at the White Lion, St Bennet's, Norwich, on Wednesday; and returns to East Dereham on Thursday evening. Millar's Methwold waggon arrives at the Butter-market on Monday, and returns to his house in Methwold the same evening. Thorpe's Stoke waggon arrives at the Butter-market on Monday, and returns to his house in Stoke the same evening. Browning's Setch waggon arrives at the Butter-market on Monday, returns to his house the same evening. goes forward to Lynn on Tuesday morning; and returns home the same evening.

C A R T S

Steven's cart, to the Maid's Head, Tuesday; market-place, Lynn, every Tuesday and Saturday morning; returns and returns to his house in Downham the same evening. Hubbard's cat to the Globe, as above, returns as above . Weston's cart to the Angel as above, returns as above. Johnson's cart to Wisbeach, every Saturday morning by three o'clock; arrives at the George in Wisbeach about eight; and returns the same evening. Negus, a Downham carrier, sets out from the King's Arms on Tuesday morning; arrives at the Duke's Palace, Norwich, on Wednesday; returns from thence on Thursday morning; and arrives at Downham on Friday evening.

B O A T S

Harles's Oxload boats arrive at the Butter-market on Monday, and returns the same evening. Hunt's Upwell boats arrive at the Butter-market on Monday morning, and return the same evening.

The following are the principal inhabitants:

CLERGY Dashwood Rev. James (F.) Saffery Rev. Henry, (F.) PHYSIC. Bayfield Benjamin, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary Mouel John, jun. Druggist, &c. Perowne William, (F.) Surgeon and Apothecary LAW Brighton Thomas, (F.) Attorney Creasy William, (F.) Attorney Holman Thomas, (F.)Attorney Hovell James, (F.) Attorney Sewell James, Coroner for the Hundred and half of Clackclose Townshend William, Attorney TRADERS &c. Bird James, (F.) Carpenter & Joiner Bird Benjamin, Cabinet-maker and Auctioneer Barrow _____, Currier Bell Isaac, (F.) Cordwainer Buxton William, Woolcomber Barrett Edmund, (F.) Cordwainer Banyer John, School-master Balding John, (F.) Stone-mason Brighton William, Innkeeper Chapman William, (F.) Skinner and Furrier Clayden ______, Innkeeper, (Coffee-pot) Currey Richard, Patten-maker and Toy-man Carman Nathaniel, Wheelwright Craser Thomas, Taylor Chamberlin Thomas, Butcher Carter Isaac, (F.), Slopfeller Elfey Rich. (F.), Plumber & Glassmn Fuller Elizabeth, Hosier, &c. Fuller Christopher, Cordwainer Franklin Thomas, (F.),Brandy-merchant and Grocer Glasscock Edmund, sen. Sadler and collar-maker Glasscock Edmund, jun. Sadler , &c. Glasscock Thomas, Collar-maker Gager Robert, Blacksmith Gay John, Carpenter and Joiner Gray Daniel, Carpenter Glover John, Hair-dresser Garnet Mary, Confectioner Gorden Edmund, Taylor Goodchild John, Bricklayer Gillingham Thomas, Ironmonger Ground Jeremiah, Officer of the Customs Hampson Ja. (F.) Brandy-merchant Head John, (F.) Innkeeper, (Crown) Howes Suckling, Watch and clock-maker

Hourston Thomas, Taylor Hood William, Cordwainer Harris Thgomas, Ropemaker Hubbard William, (F.) Ironmonger Jecklin Tobias, Taylor Luff John, (F.) Grocer and Draper Lines John, Taylor and Draper Lefever Robert, Working Brazier Moon, James, (F.) Maltster and Coal-merchant Moon William, Grocer and Draper Mouel John, fen. Plumber & Pointer Maris Matthew, Carpenter Manby Mrs. Milliner and haberdasher Meers James, Innkeeper, (Bridge-house) Negus John, (F.) Linen-weaver and Innkeeper, (King's Arms) North Robert, Pastry-cook Osborn Thomas, (F.) Bell-founder and Hanger Overton Richard, (F.) Baker Patman John, Cordwainer Pidgeon Martin, Cordwainer Pidgeon Martin, (F.) Carter Parker James, Cordwainer Rosher Thomas, (F.) Basket-maker Robinson William, Grocer & Draper Raven Henry, Butcher Rose William, Blacksmith Steward Alex. Officer of the Customs Saffery Edmund, (F.) Malster Saffery Henry, Grocer and Draper Smith Susannah, Innkeeper, (Queen's Head) Swansborough Wm. Officer of Excise Stevens Francis, Carrier Stevens Henry, Fishmonger Stevens Thomas, Carpenter Shelton Alexander, Miller Tiffin Roger, (F.) Cooper Thorogood Simeon, (F.) School-master Thorogood Robert, (F.) Stationer, Grocer, and Glassman Taylor John, (F.) Innkeeper, (Chequers) Wright Thomas, (F.) Grocer, Draper, &c. Wright John, School-master Whatson Edward, (F.) Baker Wiles William, (F.) Merchant Webb Robert, Grocer, Draper, and Tallow-chandler Wyer George, (F.) Baker Whittam Daniel, Currier Weston Jonah, (F.) Breeches-maker and Glover Wells Henry, Taylor

In the neighbourhood of Downham are the following villages and seats: viz. Bexwell, one mile distant. Barton, seven. Crimplesham, two. Denver, one; here are Crow Hall, the seat of J.T.Deerling, Esq. and Denver Cot., the seat of the Rev. Mr Mann. Dereham(West,) four; in this village is Dereham Abbey, the seat of ____ Munford, Ezq. Stradset, four. Stoke, seven. Shouldham, five. Southery, eight. Stow, two; in which is Stow Hall, the seat of Thomas Leigh, Esq. Upwell, eight. Wereham, five. Wimbotsham, one. And Watlington, six; where is Watlington-hall, the seat of T.P.Plestow, Esq. Near the town are Riston Hall, the seat of E.R.Pratt, Esq. and Wallington-hall, the seat of Hnery Bell, Esq.