MITFORD POPULATION BETWEEN 1801 & 1871
As the Census returns for Mitford Hundred shows, the population of Dereham doubles between 1801 and 1871, the decade showing the largest growth being 1861 to 1871. At this time the population of Shipdham, situated three miles south of the town, and the second largest population in the Hundred, was falling, as were most other places in Mitford Hundred. Shipdham had only one hundred more people at the end of the nineteenth century than it had at the beginning. The population in England doubled between 1801 and 1851, but Dereham (and Norwich) did not expand at this rate. By the end of the nineteenth century Dereham’s population had doubled, but the average growth in England had reached 350%.
This area of Norfolk lost population by migration, and only Dereham increased in size. The arrival of the railway brought increased activity to Dereham, especially in malting and brewing. The agricultural markets became more organised and significant, and the Corn Hall was built in 1857 in the market place. At the same time there was work to improve the road connections to Dereham, and the water supply and drainage to the town. Dereham also was an education centre. The Assembly House hosted social events, although it is clear from Reverend Armstrong’s diaries that many went to Norwich for major social events.
Lady Fenn, the widow of the antiquarian Sir John Fenn, was living at Hill House, and bought property in that part of the town. The Lee Warners were an influential family living at Quebec Hall, and this property later passed to the Bulwers. At North Elmham Hall the Milles (Lord Sondes) family lived, who took part in the administration of justice, as JPs and, after 1834, the management of the new poor law as well.
During the second half of the century the Reverend B J Armstrong was Vicar of Dereham (1850 - 1888) and was a key figure in the town. His diaries survive. There were also industrialists who became important to the town. The Bidwell family were brewers at South Green; and the Elvins carriage makers in Norwich Street. Leading lawyers included George Carthew and Nathaniel Girling.
This area of Norfolk lost population by migration, and only Dereham increased in size. The arrival of the railway brought increased activity to Dereham, especially in malting and brewing. The agricultural markets became more organised and significant, and the Corn Hall was built in 1857 in the market place. At the same time there was work to improve the road connections to Dereham, and the water supply and drainage to the town. Dereham also was an education centre. The Assembly House hosted social events, although it is clear from Reverend Armstrong’s diaries that many went to Norwich for major social events.
Lady Fenn, the widow of the antiquarian Sir John Fenn, was living at Hill House, and bought property in that part of the town. The Lee Warners were an influential family living at Quebec Hall, and this property later passed to the Bulwers. At North Elmham Hall the Milles (Lord Sondes) family lived, who took part in the administration of justice, as JPs and, after 1834, the management of the new poor law as well.
During the second half of the century the Reverend B J Armstrong was Vicar of Dereham (1850 - 1888) and was a key figure in the town. His diaries survive. There were also industrialists who became important to the town. The Bidwell family were brewers at South Green; and the Elvins carriage makers in Norwich Street. Leading lawyers included George Carthew and Nathaniel Girling.
The information in this section is taken from a document written by members of Dereham WEA and the University of Cambridge Board of Extra-Mural Studies led by Chris Barringer in 1989, and given to the Dereham Archive in 1998.
The original authors were: Joan Adams, Chris Barringer, Ben Norton, Teddy O' Donnell, Brian and Ruth Warwick-Smith, with help and additional material from Colin and Anne Chambers, Joy Lodey, Sharon Lake and Beryl Flatt.
The text was prepared for this website by Steffi Spooner.
The original authors were: Joan Adams, Chris Barringer, Ben Norton, Teddy O' Donnell, Brian and Ruth Warwick-Smith, with help and additional material from Colin and Anne Chambers, Joy Lodey, Sharon Lake and Beryl Flatt.
The text was prepared for this website by Steffi Spooner.