Diss Family History Group

SHELFANGER, 2½ miles N. of Diss, is a parish in Guiltcross union, Diss hundred, petty sessional division, and county court district, Ipswich bankruptcy district, Diss polling district of South Norfolk, Redenhall rural deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry. It had 341 inhabitants in 1881, living on 1681 acres, and has a rateable value of £2561 10s. The Duke of Norfolk owns part of the soil, and is lord of the manor, in which the fines are arbitrary; but Robert Ellis, R. Kershaw, and William Holmes, Esqs., have estates here. The CHURCH (All Saints) is of the Late-Decorated period. It comprises nave, chancel, and square tower with five bells, and was completely restored in 1866. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £17, is in the patronage of Albert Smith, Esq., of Sheffield, and in the incumbency of his son, the Rev. Clement Ogle Blakelock, M.A., who has 35A. 0R. 12P. of glebe, and a yearly tithe rent-charge of £555. The Rev. T. B. Morris, who died in 1863, was rector of this parish for the long period of 60 years. The School, a handsome building erected by the patron in 1864, is attended by about 40 children. A residence for the mistress is provided. The Baptists and the Wesleyans have each a chapel here. The Poor's Land, 3 acres, let for £12, 4 acres, let for £16 5s., and 3 acres, let for £7, left by Roger Dade, in 1684, and Sarah Franklin, in 1703. The rent is distributed in bread and money. A natural mineral spring was discovered a few years ago by Mr. A. C. Farrington, the water of which contains magnesia and iron. Among other objects of interest in the neighbourhood are the remains of some old mineral baths, supposed to have been built in the reign of Edward I.

POST OFFICE at Mr. George Youell’s. Letters from Diss arrive at 7.40 a.m., despatched at 5.40 p.m.; Sundays, 11.40 a.m.
Anness William Rutland, grocer, draper and farmer, Westhall
Baker Edward, farmer
Banham James, bricklayer
Barker -, farm steward to Duke of Norfolk
Bean James, fowl dealer. & victualler, Cross Keys
Betts William, dealer, Tonbridge villa
Blakelock Rev. Clement Ogle, M.A., rector
Chaplin Edward, carpenter and joiner
Chapman Thomas, farmer, Shelfanger hall
Clarke James, shopkeeper. & blacksmith
Cobb Stimson, shoemaker
Ellis Robert, farmer, The Lodge
Elsey Philip, farmer, Church farm
Farrington Anthony Charles, Esq., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Spa house
Fisher Joseph King, victualler, Crown
Huggins Charles, farmer
Kershaw Richard, farmer
Layn John, wheelwright
Pearce Arthur, carpenter
Porcher Harvey, shoemaker
Scarfe Edgar, farmer
Shulver, Exors. of the late James, farmers
Spurdens Robert, farmer
Wright Samuel, shoemaker
Welton W., parish clerk
Youells George, tailor