TOPCROFT, 5 miles N.W. by W. of Bungay, and 12 miles S. of Norwich, is a parish with 477 souls, 90 houses, and 1,864 acres of land, of which 90 acres are in woods and plantations. The Church, dedicated to St. Margaret, has a tower, round at the base and octangular above, and contains memorials to the Chilcote, Tennison, and Smyth families. The rectory, valued in the King's book at £10 13s. 4d., and in 1831 at £400, is in the gift of the bishop of Norwich, and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Wilson, who has 40 acres of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £396 per annum. The father of Tennison, Archbishop of Canterbury, was rector of Topcroft, in 1646. Here is a small independent chapel. The Poor's allotment, 1a. 2r., was awarded at the enclosure in 1807. The poor have also £9 a year, arising from 3a., left by Robt. Goodwin, in 1659.
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