Diss Family History Group

1841 Census

Nothing definite yet found ….. There was a record of a Levi BOWELL, a farmer, living in The Street, North Lopham, and named as landlord in 1836. As there were future references to landlords of the Bell also being farmers, maybe Levi is also the landlord at this time. If correct, information may be: Levi BOWELL, 45, farmer, born in Norfolk, living with Mary (50, wife?) and William (85, farmer, father?). [HO107 Piece 775 Book 8 Folio 15 Page 14 Schedule 1141]

1851 Census

John NUNN, 50, innkeeper and farmer of 4 acres, born in Finningham, Suffolk, living with wife Susan (49), son John (22, journeyman miller), and lodgers Richard DRAKE (42) and John WARNES (28, gardener); address The Street, North Lopham. [HO107 Piece 1822 Folio 217 Page 25 Schedule 105]

[John NUNN was born on 12 June 1801 and baptised in Finningham, Suffolk on 2 May 1802, parents John and Elizabeth. The 1961 Census shows John as sick, infirmed, living in Bingley, Yorkshire, with wife Susan, in the household of John, his son, an innkeeper, and their children. John and wife Susan were buried in Keithley, Yorkshire, with memorial showing: “In The Memory of / Susan Nunn, / The Beloved Wife of John Nunn, / Of This Town, / Who Departed This Life 26th of November 1865 / In Her 64th Year. / Also of the Above-Named / John Nunn, / Who Departed This Life 16th of January 1866, / In His 65th Year.”]

1861 Census

Samuel PORTER, age 43, innkeeper and farmer, born in North Lopham, living with wife Esther (42), children John (17, carter), George (13, scholar) and Mary A (11), servant Sophia PORTER (13, house maid), and lodger Daniel TAYLOR (23, boot maker master). [RG09 Piece 1236 Folio 1521 Page 13 Schedule 68]

[Samuel PORTER, son of Samuel and Mary SARJENT, was baptised in North Lopham on 3 May 1918. He married Esther TALBOT (b. c.1819 in Gissing) on 5 Nov 1839 in Hargham, Norfolk. Prior to taking over the Bell Inn, he is shown in the 1851 Census as a carrier and baker in North Lopham. By 1871 Samuel and some of his family had moved to Worksop, Nottinghamshire, where he became a colliery worker. He died in 1903.]

1871 Census

William PEARCE, 42, innkeeper and butcher, born in Redgrave, Suffolk, living with wife Mary Ann (39), children Sarah Ann (10) and Walter (7), and lodgers Robert LING (47) and Thomas HOLDEN (25), address The Bell Inn, The Street, North Lopham. [RG10 Piece 1840 Folio 68 Pagen 10 Schedule 57]

23 Jun 1871 : Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, page 5

NORTH LOPHAM
On Friday last, the 16th inst., the workmen employed on the North Lopham Royal Albert National School were entertained, in celebration of the “Roof-raising,” with a supper at the Bell Inn, by the Rev. J. F. Bateman, who occupied the chair, …..

1881 Census

William PEARCE, 53, licensed victualler and farmer of 40½ acres employing 3 labourers, born in Redgrave, Suffolk, living with wife Mary Ann (48), children Sarah Ann (19) and Walter (17, farmer’s son), and servant George LONG (19, farm servant indoors), address The Bell Inn, The Street, North Lopham. [RG11 Piece 1973 Folio 44 Page 1 Schedule 1]

[By 1859, William was a widower, marrying for a second time to Mary Ann LEGOOD (surname uncertain) on 7 Nov 1859. The 1861 Census shows William as a farmer and beer house keeper, living on Garboldisham Road, with wife Mary A. – currently the only possible establishment on Garboldisham Road was The Graden House but little is known of this inn.]

4 Nov 1882 : The Norfolk News, page 3

To Innkeepers and Dealers
TO LET, the BELL INN at North Lopham. – Apply to Mr. Bidwell, Brewery, Thetford.

30 Jan 1891 : Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, page 5

DEATHS.
PEARCE. – January 27th, at South Lopham, Mr. William Pearce, farmer, of the above parish, and late landlord of the Bell Inn, North Lopham. – Much respected.

1891 Census

Robert HOWARD, 54, publican, born in Brandon Parva, Norfolk, living with wife Caroline (53), son Robert E (23, wheelwright) and visitor Alice HOARE (27), address The Bell Inn, The Street, North Lopham. [RG12 Piece 1548 Folio 113 Page 8 Schedule 50]

1901 Census

Robert HOWARD, 63, publican, born in Brandon Parva, Norfolk, living with wife Caroline (62), and boarder Tom KEEBLE (49, agricultural labourer), address The Bell Inn, The Village, North Lopham. [RG13 Piece 1866 Folio 9 Page 9 Schedule 56]

[Robert, son of James and Elizabeth, was christened on 19 Feb 1837 in Brandon Parva, Norfolk. He married Caroline TUCK on 24 Nov 1858 in Colton, Norfolk. For much of his earlier working life he was a shoemaker but was listed in the 1881 Census in Saham Toney as an innkeeper as well as a shoemaker (no confirmation as to which establishment this was has been found). His wife Caroline died in 1905. Later, in 1910, he went on to marry Elizabeth DRIVER, marriage registered in Thetford. Robert was buried in North Lopham on 6 Jan 1927, aged 89 years.]

1911 Census

Harry BURT, 51, innkeeper, born in Old Duston, Northamptonshire, living with wife Alice Jane (50), address The Bell Inn, North Lopham. [RG14 PN11745 RD239 SD2 ED18 SN84]

Harry (seated) with possibly his 3 brothers

[Harry bas born in 1860 [reg: 1860 Q1 Northampton Vol 3B Page 89] to parents Henry and Hannah (nee Wilcox) and was baptised on 7 October 1860 in Duston, Northamptonshire. He married Alice Jane BULL in 1879 [reg: 1879 Q3 Northampton Vol 3B Page 150]. They were known to have had two children, Walter Henry (b. 1880) and Mary Anna (b. 1886). Harry died on 24 February 1912 and was buried in London Road Cemetery, Thetford.]

1912 Electoral Register

Name: Alva ROLPH, Abode: North Lopham, Qualification: Land and tenement (successive), Description: Market Weston and Bell Inn.

Alva ROLPH

[Alva ROLPH was born on 28 December 1882 in Lakenheath, Suffolk to Thomas Jabez (1836-1913) and Maria (nee COLEMAN, 1839-1909). He married Martha M WILES in 1911. They7 had 2 children, Alva Ernest (1912-1993) and Sidney William (1916-2006). He died 28 February 1947 [reg: 1947 Q1 Newmarket Vol 4B Page 1349] age 65. His estate was probated: “ROLPH Alva of Brakey Hill Farm Lakenham Suffolk died 28 February 1947 Administration Ipswich 24 July to Martha Rolph widow. Effects £680 16s. 5d.” No reference to Alva having been an innkeeper has been found (only references were to farming) so maybe he just owned the property.]

28 Apr 1917 : Downham Market Gazette, page 2

TO BE LET
TO LET, THE “BELL INN”, situate at North Lopham: 5 Acres of Land, fully licensed. Apply Bidwell & Co., Brewers, Thetford.

1916 – 1919 : Military Service

Ellis Ernest Albert TAYLOR (see below), served with the British Army, enlisting on 28 Jul 1916 at Norwich, aged 43, and joined the Depot Company of The Queen’s Regiment. He spent some time with the Royal Army Medical Corp as an ambulance driver. Ellis transferred to the 421 Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps, Private 495496 on 6 Dec 1917. He was demobilised on 1 Jun 1919 returning home to Bell Inn, North Lopham. (The service record is somewhat unreadable and is also disjointed.)

Autumn 1919 : Absent Voters List

1175, Taylor , Ellis Ernest Albert, “Bell” Inn, North Lopham

1921 Census

E E A [Ellis Ernest Albert] TAYLOR, 45, labourer, born in Redgrave, Suffolk, living with wife Isabella (41), children Gilbert (17, blacksmith), Royal (9), Ethel (7) and Freddie (1), and granddaughter Iris (1). [RG15 Piece 08801 Schedule 104 RD 239 RS 2 ED 1?]

[Ellis was born in 1876 in Redgrave, Suffolk to George and Rebecca (nee GREEN. He married Isabella FROST on 5 April 1900 in North Lopham and they had 5 children. Ellis died in 1946 and was buried in North Lopham on 5 October 1946, aged 70.]

31 Jul 1931 : Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, page 8

NORTH LOPHAM
SCHOOL SUCCESS
Frederick Taylor, Bell Inn, North Lopham a pupil of North Lopham Council Schools, has been awarded a grant of £25 per year by the “Thomas Wall Trust” for 5 years. This grant has been supplemented by the Norfolk Education Committee with a grant of £15 per year for the same period.
He will attend Diss Secondary School as a boarder.

26 Oct 1937 : Norfolk and Suffolk Journal and Diss Express, page 4

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
Between 30 and 40 guests were entertained to a birthday supper at the Bell Inn, North Lopham, on Tuesday evening, when they were the guests of Mrs. E. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, hostess, was helped by Mrs. Rose Crowe, Mrs. Rene Crowe, Mrs. Potter, Mrs Napthan and Mrs. Vincent, who were responsible also for the decorating of the room and the tables in such tasteful fashion. Songs were rendered by Mr. M. Crowe, Mrs. W. Crowe, Mr. T. Carman, Mr. J. Baker, Mrs. Burbett, and others. A very enjoyable evening closed with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem.

11 Jun 1938 : Yarmouth Independent, page 11

LIGHTLESS CYCLISTS.
Herbert Page, 3, Railway Cottages, Roudham, was fined for cycling without a light at Bridgham on May 16th.
For a similar offence at Banham on May 22nd, Fred Taylor, of the Bell Inn, North Lopham, was fined 5s.

1939 National Registration

Ellis E A TAYLOR, b. 23 Jan 1876, publican, living with Isabella (b. 26 Oct 1879, unpaid domestic duties), Gilbert E (b. 2 Apr 1904, incapacitated), Joyce (b. 1 May 1922, later married name FULCHER), and 2 records officially closed, address The Bell Inn Public House, North Lopham.. [RG101/6588I/008/22 Letter Code: TSDI]

[Ellis Ernest Albert, son of George and Rebecca (nee GREENE), was born 1876, registered: 1876 Q1 Hartismere Suffolk Vol 4A Page 611, and baptised in Redgrave, Suffolk on 24 Jun 1877. He married Isabella FROST on 5 Apr 1900 in North Lopham. Ellis died in 1946, registered: 1946 Q4 Wayland Norfolk Vol 4B Page 632, and was buried in North Lopham on 5 Oct.]

27 Dec 1940 : Norfolk and Suffolk Journal and Diss Express, page 1

ENGAGEMENT
TAYLOR-JENKINS. The engagement has been announced between Frederick Charles Verdun Taylor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Taylor, Bell Inn, North Lopham, and Miss Isabella Violet Alice Jenkins of Barry, Glamorgan, Wales.

2 Jan 1942 : Norfolk and Suffolk Journal and Diss Express, page 4

LOPHAN, NORTH
WEDDINGS
Mr. G. Fulcher and Miss E. J. Taylor
A wedding which evoked considerable interest took place at St. Nicholas Church on Boxing Day, the contracting parties being Miss Eileen Joyce Taylor, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Tayloe, of the Bell Inn, North Lopham, and Mr. George Fulcher, of Thelnetham. …..

18 Jan 1946 : Norfolk and Suffolk Journal and Diss Express, page 8

THE LATE MR. G. TAYLOR
The funeral of Mr. Gilbert Taylor, of the Bell Inn, North Lopham, took place at St. Nicholas Parish Church, on Saturday, the Rev. J. C. Poole (Rector) officiating.
The mourners were Mrs. Taylor (mother), Mr. F. Taylor (brother), Mr. and Mrs. A. Carman (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. J. Betts (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. C. Potter (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. G. Fulcher (sister and brother-in-law), Mrs. Speer (niece). …..