REEPHAM, a market-town and parish in the
hundred of EYNSFORD, county of NORFOLK, 12 miles
(N. W. by N.) from Norwich, and 116 (N. E. by N.)
from London, containing 345 inhabitants. This town is
situated on an elevation near the small river Eyne,
and is neat and well built; in the market-place are
several good houses, which are fronted by a row of
evergreens. The chief trade is in malt, and there is
an extensive brewery. The market, obtained by charter
of Edward I., is on Wednesday; and there is a
fair for horses and toys on June 29th; both, for the
sake of convenience, are held at Hackford. The living
is a discharged rectory, with Kerdeston, in the archdeaconry
of Norfolk, and diocese of Norwich, rated in
the king's books at £18. 1. Of., and in the patronage
of the Rev. John Mathew. The church, dedicated to
St. Mary, contains some ancient monuments, and, formerly,
a celebrated image of the Virgin, which became
an object of general attraction, and was much enriched
by the offerings of religious votaries; there were formerly
three fine churches within one enclosure, one
for the town, and two for the lordships of Whitwell
and Hackford; that belonging to Hackford was burnt
down in 1600, the steeple only remaining, which was
taken down about thirty-two years ago. The living of
Whitwell is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Norwich, and in the patronage of George Hunt Holley,
Esq. The church contains a few marble tablets to the
memory of the Bircham family. There are places of worship
for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists. A National school
for girls is supported by voluntary contributions.