Wymondham is a pleasantly situated market town and parish in the Forehoe
hundred, 115½ miles from London, and 10½ miles S.W. from Norwich. The
town stands on an elevated position, and is of some antiquity. The
market is held on Friday, but from its vicinity to Norwich, is not well
attended. There are three annual Fairs, February 14th, May 17th, and
September 29th; the two former for cattle, and the latter a pleasure
fair.
The old market cross, situated in the centre of the town, is an object of
curiosity on account of its antique appearance, and its carved devices,
representing different articles of turnery, which originally formed one
of the staple branches of the trade of this place, but now nearly
extinct; the manufacture of bombazines, crapes, &c., is carried on to a
considerable extent for Norwich houses. There are a brewery and corn
mills. There are several respectable mansions and family residences in
the town and neighbourhood. Gas works are erected on Fairland, and the
town is well lighted. A Free Grammar School for the education of
tradesmen’s sons was established and endowed by Henry VI., and various
sums have been subsequently left by benevolent parties, which have
enabled the trustees to carry out fully the intentions of the founder, by
appointing a gentleman in holy orders as master of this important
establishment. St. Thomas à Becket’s chapel, a commodious building, has
been repaired, and is now used for the school-room.
There are several charities, bequeathed by sundry persons, for the
benefit of the poor, which funds are distributed annually, in money,
coals, &c., and for the repairs of the church, also for increasing the
stipend of the vicar.
The Bridewell, or House of Correction, is situated at the entrance of the
town from Norwich, and is devoted to the reception of female prisoners
only, who are sentenced to hard labour, where they serve their periods of
imprisonment in washing, sewing, &c., for the prisoners confined in
Norwich gaol. This well-conducted establishment is under the matronship
of Mrs. Greenfield.
The Norwich and Brandon railway passes close to the town, and here is the
junction with the Dereham branch line; a neat station is erected, as well
as warehouses for the reception of goods, &c.
The population was returned, in 1851, at 5,175 inhabitants, of whom about
3,300 are in the town. The number of acres is 10,600. The church, which
is a large noble edifice, had formerly a monastery attached, but it was
destroyed many years back; a portion of the ruins still remain. The
octagon tower at the east end of the church is in good preservation. At
the west end, a spacious and lofty square tower was built by the
inhabitants many years since, (and contains five bells,) which gives an
imposing effect to the whole structure; the interior is neat, with a
carved roof, supported by full-length figures of angels, and, and with
the valuable organ, underwent repair in 1845. There are several
monuments and tablets to the families of Clifton, Burroughes, Jermy, &c.
The living is a vicarage in the patronage of the Bishop of Ely, who is
appropriator of the great tithes.
The Quakers, Independents, Methodists, Wesleyans, Baptists, and Plymouth
Brethren, have each a chapel here.
POST-OFFICE—James Fison, postmaster. Money Orders are granted at this
office.
CLERGY, GENTRY, &c.
Abbott, Mrs. Charlotte, Fairland street
Anderson, Rev. J., Independent Minister
Cooper, Mr. James, Bridewell street
Culyer, Mrs., Town green
Daniel, Rev. William, Town green
Eden, Rev. Robert, vicar, Vicar street
Grisdale, Rev. Joseph, B.A., master of the Grammar school, Town green
Jones, Rev. David, chaplain to the Bridewell
Jones, Mrs. Sophia Ann, Hill House
Knapman, Capt. John, R.N.
Lloyd, Mrs., Fairland street
Poll, Mr. John, Town green
Rayner, Mr. William Edward, Town close
Skoulding, Charles, M.D., Market place
Sparkhall, Mrs. Elizabeth, Bridewell street
Stone, Mrs. Mary, Town green
Wiffen, Mrs. Ann, Bridewell street