Watton Genealogical Records

Watton Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Baptisms (1813-1880)

Transcriptions of CoE and non-conformist baptism registers. They typically contain parents names', father's occupation, but not residence. Many include mothers' maiden names.

Watton Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Non-conformist Registers (1613-1901)

Registers recording birth or baptisms, marriages an burials for various denominations outside the Church of England. Also includes records for the Society of Friends in Pakefield, Suffolk.

Watton Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St Mary, Watton Burial Records (1800-1858)

Burial records covering those buried at St Mary, Watton_. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the burial registers from which they were extracted.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Watton Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Norfolk Electoral Rolls (1844-1952)

Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Norfolk.

Norfolk Poll Books (1714-1865)

Books recording votes cast in elections. These records name freeholders, and sometimes their tenants.

Norfolk and Norwich Hearth Tax Assessment (1666)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1666 for the county of Norfolk.

Newspapers Covering Watton

Norfolk News (1845-1870)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Norfolk area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Norfolk Chronicle (1776-1869)

Regional news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other regional information from the Norfolk district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Bury and Norwich Post (1801-1900)

A regional newspaper covering news and events in Norfolk and Suffolk. The newspaper contains numerous notices and articles useful to family historians, such as notices of birth, marriage and death.

The Colchester Gazette and General Advertiser (1814-1817)

A newspaper covering Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Around 50% of issues from 1814-1817. Original images, searchable by an OCR index.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Watton Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1751-1818)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1370-1603)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

Watton Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Watton Military Records

Watton WWI Roll of Honour (1914-1918)

Details of those who died in WWI.

St Mary, Watton WWI Roll of Honour (1914-1918)

Details of those who died in WWI.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

Norfolk Poor Law Union Records (1796-1900)

Over 130,000 browsable pages detailing the administration of the dependent poor in Norfolk. Records contain details on births, marriages & deaths; punishments; admissions and discharges and more.

Norfolk Poll Books (1714-1865)

Books recording votes cast in elections. These records name freeholders, and sometimes their tenants.

Suffolk Eyre Roll Civil Pleas (1240)

Transcriptions and translations of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes. A number of cases relate to Suffolk.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Watton Taxation Records

Poll Book for Norfolk East (1865)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Books for Norfolk (1768-1817)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted. Covers various years.

Norfolk and Norwich Hearth Tax Assessment (1666)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1666 for the county of Norfolk.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Watton Land & Property Records

Poll Book for Norfolk East (1865)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Poll Books for Norfolk (1768-1817)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted. Covers various years.

Norfolk Electoral Rolls (1844-1952)

Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Norfolk.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Watton Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1937)

A directory of settlements in Norfolk detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1933)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1929)

A directory of settlements in Norfolk detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1916)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1912)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Watton Cemeteries

Norfolk Monumental Inscriptions (1600-1999)

Browsable images of booklets containing transcriptions of hundreds-of-thousands of gravestones and other memorials. Maps are included to help locate memorials.

Norfolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Norfolk's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Norfolk Monumental Inscriptions (1700-1985)

An index to vital details engraved on over 5,000 gravestones and other monuments across the county of Norfolk.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Watton Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Watton Histories & Books

Picture Norfolk (1800-1950)

A database containing over 16,000 photographs, sketches and other images of the county.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

The History of Norfolk (1000-1810)

A detailed history of the county – its hundreds and parishes.

Handbook: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire (1892)

A traveller's guide to four Southern counties.

Norfolk Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Norfolk.

Watton School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Watton Occupation & Business Records

Norfolk Pubs (1300-Present)

Thousands of profiles of Norfolk pubs, arranged by location. Contains photographs, names of licensees or landlords, architectural details, name changes, historical extracts and more.

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Norfolk Mills (1600-Present)

Profiles and photographs of steam, water and windmills in the county.

Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (1744-1883)

A history of the early period of Norwich's hospital.

Lost Pubs of Norfolk (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Watton

The Visitation of Norfolk, Vol. 2 (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms. This volume also includes a number of transcripts of wills, inquisitions post mortems and other records.

The Visitation of Norfolk (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Watton Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of Norfolk, Vol. 2 (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms. This volume also includes a number of transcripts of wills, inquisitions post mortems and other records.

The Visitation of Norfolk (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

The Visitation of Norfolk: 1664 (1000-1664)

Pedigrees compiled from a mid 17th century heraldic visitation of Norfolk. This work records the lineage, descendants and marriages of families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Norfolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Norfolk's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Watton Church Records

Norfolk Parish Map (1835)

A map delineating parishes in the county of Norfolk.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-2013)

Digital images of baptism, marriage and burial registers from Church of England places of worship in Norfolk.

Biographical Directories Covering Watton

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Watton Maps

Norfolk Parish Map (1835)

A map delineating parishes in the county of Norfolk.

Norfolk Historic Maps (1780-1988)

An online application that allows you to browse several types of maps, including tithe maps, enclosure maps and aerial photography.

Faden’s Map of Norfolk (1794)

A map charting settlements, streets, rivers, natural features etc.

Maps of Norfolk (1588-1922)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Watton Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Watton is a market-town, and distant from London, by Newmarket, 91 miles. It is in the hundred of Wayland; it contains 150 houses. The church is very small, only 20 yards long, and eleven broad; the steeple, which has three large bells, is round at bottom, and octangular at top. Watton is situated near the open part of the country, and is a place of considerable thoroughfare.

In April, 1673, a dreadful fire happened here, by which above 60 houses were burnt down, besides outhouses, &c. to the damage of 7,450l. and goods to the value of 2,6601. Great quantities of butter are sent hence to Downham, whence the factors send it to London. The market is on Wednesday.

On one side of Watton, at Carbrook, was a nunnery, and on the other side, at Thompson, a college. Wayland Wood, on the left hand, between Watton and Merton, is commonly called Wailing Wood, from a tradition that in this wood two infants were basely murdered by their uncle, on which basis was founded that simple, pathetic, and popular old ballad, "The children in the wood; or, the Norfolk gentleman’s last will and testament." On the right of Watton is Carbrook Hall, the seat of James Barker, Esq. Carbrook church is a fine old building. At Merton Park is the seat of Lord Walsingham. Two and a half miles from Watton is Clermont Lodge, the seat of Lord Clermont. Going to East Dereham on the right, there is a turnpike road to Norwich.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

WATTON is a parish and small market town, with a station on the Thetford and Watton branch of the Great Eastern railway, and is 10 miles south from Dereham and 9 south-east from Swaffham, 21 west-by-south from Norwich and 96 from London, in the South Western division of the county, Wayland hundred, petty sessional division and union, Attleborough county court district, rural deanery of Breccles, archdeaconry of Norfolk and diocese of Norwich. The town chiefly consists of one wide street, and is lighted with gas from works the property of the Watton Gas Light and Coke Co. Limited. The water supply is derived from the town pump and ponds. The church of St. Mary, originally dedicated to St. Giles, is a structure of flint in the Norman and Gothic styles, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave, aisles, organ chamber, vestry, north and west porches and a western tower, round at the base, with an octagonal belfry containing 3 bells: there are piscinae in the chancel and south aisle, and the former retains a lepers’ window: the font is of Caen stone and has an oaken cover: a curious poor-box is preserved, bearing the date of 1639: there are monuments to the families of Wodehouse 1720; Raby 1794; Hicks 1743—1813; Tellet 1755—70; Young 1770—1805: and to the Rev. Peter Barker Scott, d. 1811: six of the windows are stained, two of which were presented by the Rev. Walter Cotton Hodgson M.A. vicar 1861—5; the church was restored in 1852, when the floor was lowered to its original level, an oak screen, pulpit and lectern erected, a vestry built and the interior re-seated: in 1887 the vestry was converted into an organ-chamber, a new organ built and a carved oak reredos fixed, both the reredos and the chancel being enriched with subjects from designs by Mr. Thomas Waters, a local artist: in the chancel is a reading desk of oak, finely carved: in 1892 the church was renovated throughout and a stove provided: there are 480 sittings. The churchyard was enlarged and consecrated in 1891, but in February, 1893, was closed to interments with certain exceptions, and adjoining land purchased, half of which has been added to the churchyard and the other half conveyed to 12 trustees on behalf of the Nonconformists in the town. The register dates from the year 1539. The living is a discharged vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £138, net yearly value £150, with 7 ½ acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Joseph Trueman Mills esq, and held since 1890 by the Rev. William Bertram Russell Caley M.A. of Pembroke College, Cambridge. There are Congregational, Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan chapels. A parish room was erected in 1891, at a cost of £70. The Watton Green mission room was erected in 1889: the services and meetings are carried on under the control of the vicar. The Wayland Hall, standing in the Market place and erected in 1853, is an edifice of brick and stone, in the Late Perpendicular style, from the designs of Mr. C. Lamb, architect, and comprises a corn hall, magistrates’ rooms, library and committee rooms. In 1204 a writ was issued to inquire whether the market, granted to John de Vaux, who held the manor of Watton Hall, was not prejudicial to the market of Saham, and it being found to be so, the writ was recalled; but Oliver de Vaux, at the end of the same year, obtained a new charter, under which a market was to be held every Wednesday, and it still continues to be held on the same day. A town pump was erected at the west end of the town in 1887, and there is a clock tower, the bell in which is used as an alarm in case of fire: on the tower is a quaint rebus, expressive of the name of the town. The County Police Station, at the junction of the Norwich and Thetford roads, was built in 1856, and has attached an inspector and one constable. The Wayland Fire Brigade, formed in August, 1890, consists of a captain and 11 men; the fire station is at the Wayland Hall; the engine is a 16 manual by Shand and Mason and has a good supply of hose: it is maintained by voluntary contributions. There is a branch bank here of Messrs. Gurneys and Co. of Norwich (now Barclay & Co. Limited), and the National Provincial Bank of England has an agency here. There are two small iron foundries. The “George,” the “Bull” and the “Crown” are the principal hotels. A public recreation ground of 2 acres near the Gas works, was given to the town by the late Mrs. Harvey. In the town are almshouses for four poor widows, founded in 1612 by Edward Goffe, who endowed them with a yearly rent-charge of £5; they were rebuilt in 1820 by R. Harvey esq. Almshouses were also built by Mr. Edward Stevens, formerly of Watton, who in 1840 conveyed them to trustees for the benefit of four poor married couples of the ages of sixty years, who have resided in the parish for not less than thirty years. The local charities are now administered under a scheme framed in 1870 by the Charity Commissioners: by this scheme the “Poor’s Allotment Charity,” consisting of certain land in the parish, allotted under the Watton Inclosure Act of 1802 and amounting to about 60a. 1r. 28p. and let with the buildings thereon for £90 a year, is held by the lord of the manor, the vicar, churchwardens and overseers and two others, in trust for the benefit of such poor and deserving inhabitants of Watton as they may from time to time select: the income of the charities is usually expended in the purchase of coal and bread, but the trustees have power also to supply the deserving poor with clothes, bedding, medical and other aid in sickness and with pecuniary aid in special cases. “The Church Lands Charity,” consisting of certain land in the parish belonging to the church, amounting to about 12a. 1r. 26p. with the buildings thereon, and now (1896) let for £36 a year, was settled upon the vicar and churchwardens in trust to apply the income towards providing for the maintenance, repairs and insurance against fire of the parish church, and towards defraying the other expenses usually provided for by a church rate, or legally payable thereout. On the south side of the town is Wayland (or Wailing) Wood, the property of Lord Walsingham, and confidently believed by the country people to have been the scene of the murder of “The Babes in the Wood” by their cruel uncle: a carved mantelshelf displaying the story, belonging to an ancient mansion in this wood, probably gave rise to the tradition, which is in a measure corroborated by the old ballad entitled “The Two Children in the Wood; or the Norfolk Gentleman’s Last Will and Testament,” found in “Bishop Percy’s Reliques of Ancient English Poetry.” Joseph Trueman Mills esq. of Little Gressingham, is lord of the manor of Watton Hall, the manor of Rockholls belonging to John Edmund Alexander esq. The principal landowners are Lord Walsingham, Lieut.-Col. Sir Charles Harvey, bart. of Rainthorpe Hall, Joseph Trueman Mills esq. and Frederick Lake esq. The area is 1,807 acres; rateable value, £6,211; the population in 1801 was 1,365.

Petty Sessions are held at the Wayland hall on the first Wednesday in every month at 11 a.m.; the following places are included in the petty sessional division: -Ashill, Breckles, Carbrooke, Caston, Little Ellingham, Griston, Merton, Ovington, Rockland St. Peter, Saham Toney, Scoulton, Stow Bedon, Thompson, Threxton, Tottington & Watton.

Wayland Union

Board day, every alternate Monday at 10 a.m. at the union The Union comprises the following places:-Attleborough, Besthorpe, Breckles, Carbrooke, Caston, Great Ellingham, Griston, Hargham, Hockham, Illington, Larling, Little Ellingham, Merton, Ovington, Rockland All Saints & St. Andrew, Rockland St. Peter' Roudham, Scoulton, Shropham, Snetterton, Stow Bedon, Thompson, Tottington & Watton. The population of the union in 1891 was 10,505; area, 51,392 acres; rateable value in 1896, £63,122.

The Workhouse, at Rockland All Saints, is a structure of brick, available for 299 inmates.

Schools: —

National (mixed), built in 1819 by William Robinson esq. rebuilt in 1842 & since enlarged; it will now hold 244 children; average attendance, 129.

Infants’, erected in 1876. for about 60 children; average attendance, 46.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1896)

Most Common Surnames in Watton

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wayland Hundred
1Howlett261:553.00%54
2Knott251:5733.78%1,179
2Adcock251:575.45%167
4Stebbing221:6519.30%820
5Balls191:752.14%53
5Whalebelly191:7543.18%1,761
7Lake181:792.26%69
7Jolly181:796.95%340
9Williams171:833.39%147
9Leggate171:8338.64%1,761
11Wright161:890.51%2
11Thompson161:890.94%14
13Taylor151:950.74%8
13Ward151:950.86%12
13Dalton151:9516.30%993
13Sayer151:952.54%111
13Baldry151:955.36%307
18Vincent141:1011.95%86
18Bowers141:1017.37%476
18Dunnett141:10114.43%950
21Fuller131:1091.30%40
21Rice131:1094.69%309
21Drew131:1092.75%158
21Wyer131:10910.83%771
25Moore121:1180.56%6
25Brunton121:1186.22%466
25Goward121:11811.76%910
28Wells111:1291.38%68
28Crane111:1292.41%169
28Knights111:1291.23%52
28Chaston111:12911.00%926
28Fickling111:1297.97%687
33Watson101:1420.68%18
33Garner101:1425.65%528
33Claxton101:1421.42%87
33McRow101:14212.66%1,134
37Smith91:1580.12%1
37Chapman91:1580.52%13
37Lawrence91:1583.80%379
37Waters91:1581.76%143
37Reeve91:1580.66%23
37Woolnough91:15813.85%1,309
37Powley91:1582.31%211
37Haws91:15812.33%1,197
37Semmence91:15817.31%1,572
46Robinson81:1771.37%113
46Henderson81:17733.33%2,565
46Harvey81:1770.75%33
46Fox81:1770.64%24
46Lane81:1772.17%224
46Nichols81:1770.95%59
46Lockwood81:1774.12%463
46Meek81:1773.40%382
46Tennant81:1775.88%696
46n81:17710.00%1,121
46Hurrell81:1774.62%545
46Culley81:1774.76%561
46Goodrick81:17719.05%1,813
46Elsegood81:17715.38%1,572
46Ingledow81:17753.33%3,321
61Johnson71:2030.33%7
61Martin71:2031.27%125
61Barker71:2030.59%28
61Crawford71:20310.14%1,249
61Davey71:2031.88%221
61Hook71:2032.62%328
61Hawes71:2031.94%233
61Button71:20310.94%1,326
61Girling71:2032.58%319
61Pease71:2035.07%687
61Gowing71:2033.27%415
61Precious71:20317.95%1,901
61Sample71:20333.33%2,766
61Twaits71:20317.95%1,901
75Hughes61:23710.53%1,470
75Palmer61:2370.37%15
75Long61:2370.56%31
75Cann61:2373.28%498
75Couzens61:2377.23%1,088
75Chaney61:2375.56%867
75Currey61:23735.29%3,121
75Greengrass61:2374.35%687
75Kemish61:237100.00%5,754
75Julius61:23760.00%4,171
75Snells61:237100.00%5,754
86Brown51:2840.16%3
86White51:2840.54%48
86Cook51:2840.52%46
86Alexander51:2841.36%224
86Lyon51:28412.82%1,901
86Bone51:2841.18%189
86Durrant51:2840.71%87
86Gregson51:28441.67%3,756
86Gant51:2843.55%673
86Myhill51:2841.29%212
86Holl51:28414.29%2,038
86Wrenford51:28483.33%5,754
86Lygate51:284100.00%6,392
99Allen41:3550.27%17
99Carter41:3550.34%29
99Bailey41:3550.41%42
99Mason41:3550.49%64
99Rose41:3550.71%120
99Cross41:3550.86%163
99Barber41:3550.39%38
99Coleman41:3551.08%223
99French41:3552.13%482
99Clements41:3551.74%394
99Barnard41:3550.53%77
99Love41:3552.41%568
99Gosling41:3557.84%1,594
99Grimes41:3550.94%190
99Buckle41:3552.35%552
99Allcock41:3551.97%435
99Bunn41:3550.65%103
99Funnell41:3558.16%1,638
99Stace41:355100.00%7,164
99Lusher41:3551.75%396
99Lintott41:355100.00%7,164
99Drewry41:3559.09%1,761
99Buckenham41:3551.74%394
99Hunton41:35516.00%2,501
99Hensley41:35523.53%3,121
99Totman41:355100.00%7,164
99Siggins41:35525.00%3,214
99Mizon41:35557.14%5,200
99Hansley41:355100.00%7,164
128Clark31:4730.39%75
128Edwards31:4730.25%26
128Clarke31:4730.13%5
128James31:4731.03%293
128Barnes31:4730.25%27
128Spencer31:4731.05%300
128Sharp31:4733.37%1,019
128Payne31:4730.45%91
128Frost31:4730.31%43
128Baldwin31:4730.58%138
128Dennis31:4730.84%236
128Hubbard31:4730.30%41
128Hendry31:4731.59%479
128Langford31:4734.05%1,179
128Spicer31:4736.82%1,761
128Simons31:4732.44%753
128Murrell31:4731.10%315
128Thurston31:4730.68%178
128Cornwell31:4735.36%1,482
128Rix31:4730.35%58
128Branch31:4734.92%1,387
128Alderton31:4732.01%636
128Lawes31:4732.63%820
128Beales31:4730.69%182
128Reeder31:4731.51%445
128Curson31:4730.78%213
128Standley31:4734.62%1,309
128Massingham31:4731.14%332
128Rudland31:4733.66%1,103
128Cator31:4732.34%726
128Bicker31:47327.27%3,946
128Blanchflower31:4733.37%1,019
128Heyhoe31:4732.75%855
128Mallins31:473100.00%8,132
162Evans21:7101.16%549
162Green21:7100.08%4
162Turner21:7100.14%21
162Morris21:7100.74%322
162Bell21:7100.19%34
162Holmes21:7100.26%74
162Fisher21:7100.24%59
162Grant21:7101.04%473
162Howard21:7100.10%10
162Ford21:7100.83%367
162Newman21:7100.38%136
162Reed21:7100.90%404
162Perry21:7101.44%679
162Potter21:7100.31%96
162Hammond21:7100.26%73
162Morley21:7100.74%322
162Short21:7101.92%893
162John21:71033.33%5,754
162Beaumont21:7101.23%585
162Brett21:7100.51%207
162Graves21:7101.28%610
162Buxton21:7101.09%498
162Ayres21:7101.52%711
162Mayes21:7100.45%171
162William21:71015.38%3,581
162Whittingham21:71050.00%7,164
162Land21:7100.58%249
162Starling21:7100.41%151
162Ames21:7101.27%605
162Pettitt21:7104.65%1,780
162Towler21:7100.97%430
162Hobday21:710100.00%9,303
162Whitbread21:71011.11%3,014
162Rumble21:7102.70%1,179
162Hannan21:71050.00%7,164
162Bradfield21:7101.30%617
162Alger21:7102.63%1,163
162Targett21:71022.22%4,436
162Clubb21:71028.57%5,200
162Jex21:7101.16%549
162Hardwicke21:710100.00%9,303
162Margetson21:7104.35%1,712
162Lanes21:71066.67%8,132
162Mayle21:71020.00%4,171
162Thurling21:7103.28%1,387
162Agger21:7109.09%2,687
162Beets21:71013.33%3,321
162Brasnett21:7105.56%1,994
162Worm21:71022.22%4,436
162Bougham21:71018.18%3,946
162Knopwood21:71022.22%4,436
162Sebbell21:71050.00%7,164
162Eglenton21:71050.00%7,164