GELDESTON or Geldestone, a village on an acclivity overlooking the Waveney, 2½ miles W.N.W. of Beccles, and 6 miles S.S.E. of Loddon, comprises in its parish 419 souls, 83 houses, and 819 acres of land, chiefly the property of John Kerrich, Esq., the lord of the manor, who resides at the Hall, a handsome mansion of white brick, pleasantly situated in a well wooded park. About 50 years ago, in digging the cellars of the hall, a curious Roman bracelet of pure gold was found. H. G. Dowson Esq., and others have estates here. Here are several malt houses, a brewery, and a staith, with a navigable cut to the Waveney. The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure, with a round tower, and the living is a discharged rectory, valued in the King's book at £6, and in 1831, at £196. The patronage is vested in the Crown : the Rev. John Mainwaring is the incumbent, who has 24a. of glebe land. The school, conducted on the British system, was built in 1825, by H. G. Dowson, Esq. The poor have 7a. 0r. 20p. of land, awarded at the enclosure. Post Office at Saml. Clarke's ; letters arrive at 8 A.M., and are despatched at 4 P.M.
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