Diss Family History Group

SHELFANGER, 2½ miles N. of Diss, is a parish in Guiltcross union, Diss hundred, petty sessional division, und county court district, Ipswich bankruptcy district, Redenhall rural deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry. It had 341 inhabitants in 1881, living on 1,719 acres. The Duke of Norfolk owns part of the soil, und is lord of the manor, in which the fines are arbitrary; but Chas. 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 register dates from 1685. 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. Of 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 arrive at 7.40 a.m., despatched at 5.40 p.m.; Sundays, 7.40 a.m. via Diss, which is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.

Baker Edward, farmer
Baker Mr., Tonbridge villa
Banham James, bricklayer
Blakelock Rev Clement Ogle, M.A. rector, The Rectory
Chaplin Edward, carpenter and builder
Chapman Thomas, farmer, The Hall
Clarke James, shopkeeper & blacksmith
Cobb Stimson, shoemaker
Edwards John, farmer
Ellis Charles, farmer and owner, The Lodge
Elsey Philip, farmer
Farrington Mr Anthony Charles, Spa house
Fisher Joseph King, victualler, Crown
Flogdell Joseph, farmer, Westall
Lanham Nelson, farmer, Green farm
Layn John, wheelwright
Parker Samuel, farm steward to Duke of Norfolk
Pearce Arthur, carpenter
Porcher Harvey, shoemaker
Rout Geo. butcher & victualler, Cross Keys
Shulver James (Exors. of), farmer
Spurdens Robert, farmer
Welton William, parish clerk
Youells George, tailor and postmaster