Post Office Directory of 1865.
LIDGATE (or LYDGATE) is a parish and small village, in Risbridge
hundred, Newmarket union, rural deanery of Clare, Sudbury archdeaconry, and
diocese of Ely, West Suffolk, 7 miles south-east from Newmarket, and 12
west-south-west from Bury St. Edmund's. The church of St. Mary is a neat
building, consisting of nave, aisles,
chancel, and square tower with 5 bells: it was partially restored, and a
handsome stained glass window inserted in 1853: it was further restored in 1863.
The register dates from 1547. The living is a rectory, yearly rent-charge
£485, with residence, in the gift of, and held by, the Rev. Robert Haynes Cave,
M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford. John of Lidgate, a celebrated poet of the
fifteenth century, was born in this village. W. C. Kitchiner, Esq. (who is lord
of the manor), B. M. Praed, Esq., Wm. Little, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Jackson are
the principal landowners. There is a chapel belonging to the Independents, and
also a Parochial school in the village. A school-house was built in 1835, at a
cost of £160. Here are the remains of a castle. Rowling's charity, consisting of
12 acres of land, is partly applied to church purposes, and partly in aid of the
poor rates. The soil is clay; and the crops, wheat, barley, oats, beans and
peas. The population in 1861 was 443, and the area is about 1,957 acres.
Parish Clerk, George Charvill.
POST OFFICE.—Philip Hammond, receiver. Letters from Newmarket arrive at 9 a.m.;
dispatched at 5.45 p.m.
Wickhambrook is the nearest money order office
Parochial School, Miss Ellen Ross, mistress
CARRIERS TO:—
BURY—Thomas Balls, Wednesday & Saturday; Philip Balls, Wednesday; Charles Lee,
Wednesday
NEWMARKET—Thomas Balls, every tuesday; Philip Balls, tuesday
Cave Rev. Robert H. M.A. [rector |
Kerry Thomas, esq
COMMERCIAL.
Balls Thomas, shopkeeper
Deacon Joseph, boot & shoe maker
Deacon Roger G. beer retailer
Hammond Philip, harness maker
Harvey Thomas K. farmer
Kerry Thomas, surgeon
Lee Charles, Royal Oak
Mason John, farmer
Moore Ann (Mrs.), farmer
Moore Pomfret, farmer
Moore Simon, farmer
Parker John, beer retailer & bricklayer
Pawsey Frederick, farmer, Hall farm
Phillips Charles, farmer & landowner
Rannow Ann (Mrs.), grocer
Ransom Isaac, blacksmith
Smith Frederick, beer retailer