History of Suffolk - Lakenheath 1865

Post Office Directory of 1865.

LAKENHEATH is a parish and large village, formerly a market town, in Mildenhall union and county court district, Lockford hundred, Fordham rural deanery, Sudbury archdeaconry, diocese of Ely, West Suffolk, 2 miles south from Lakenheath station, 86 � from London, 5 west from Bandon, 6 north-east from Mildenhall, and within 2 miles of the Little Ouse river navigation, situated on a slight acclivity, surrounded by warrens of great extent, and commanding a most extensive view of the country around.
The church (St. Mary) is an ancient edifice, to which a new roof has been added, and the interior repaired; also a new doorway, constructed at the western entrance: it has a tower and 5 bells, and a lofty leaden spire, nave, chancel, with north and south aisles. The present register dates from 1706, the books containing the earlier ones having been burnt. The living is a vicarage, annual value �130, in the gilt of the Dean and Chapter of Ely, and held by the Rev. William Smart Prout, B.A. There is a Wesleyan chapel, also one for Baptists and one for Independents. There are also two Free schools, one endowed by George Goward, Esq., for 30 boys, and the other for 11 boys, endowed by Mr. Evans and Mr. Kitchiner; there is a competent master for each, the former receiving �40 per annum, and the latter �16 per annum. Here are clay and sand pits and limekilns. The soil is light and sandy, with a large portion of fen on the west, and has nearly 3,000 acres of open rabbit warren, 2,400 in the occupation of Mr. Phipps, and 250 acres occupied by Mr. Flack. The greater part of the land belongs to William Graham Eagle, Esq. There used to be a market held for the sale of corn, the farmers meeting weekly at the Bell inn, but it is now discontinued. There is a fair for cattle and toys, held on the first Thursday after Midsummer Day. The population in 1801 was 1,797; the area is 10,550 acres.
UNDLEY is a small hamlet, a mile west. Undley Hall is here situated.
Parish Clerk, Joseph Morley.
POST & MONEY ORDER OFFICE & POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK. � William Household, postmaster.
Letters received from Mildenhall at 7.40 a.m.; dispatched at 6.30 p.m
INSURANCE AGENTS:�
Liverpool & London & Globe, Samuel Williams
Norwich Fire & Life, William Household
SCHOOLS:�
Goward's Free, John Edmund Fletcher, master
Evans & Kitchiner's Free, John Rolph, master
CARRIERS TO BURY.�Samuel Williams & William Bowers, every Wednesday & Saturday

Chamberlain Mr. John
Edwards Frederick, esq
Howard James, esq
Prout Rev.Williain Smart, B.A. [vicarJ
Wright Rev. George [Baptist]

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