Author Margaret Dowland
The village census 1841 and 1921 and today.
This article compares the village through time using the earliest and the latest available censuses. We hope in due course to add the intervening censuses. If you would like to help in that task please contact us via the website.
In 1841 there were 192 households in the village by 1921 this had increased by only two. However the population had decreased by 176 from 908 to 732. There were more multiple occupancy dwellings and larger families. The population today is about 800 with significantly more houses.
In 1841 there were 428 males and 480 females a difference of 52,by 1921 there was little difference with 370 males and 362 females. The 1841 census only lists the county of birth of the 908 only 23 were born outside Norfolk, as you might expect this had changed by 1921 with 50 born outside Norfolk of the remaining 682, 401 were born in Southrepps. Today this is markedly different with the majority coming from outside Norfolk let alone Southrepps.
The changes in occupations and types of occupation are interesting. In 1841 most people were employed in the village or in neighbouring villages. With the arrival of the railway the number of people working outside the village increased, now the vast majority work outside he village or are retired.
In 1841 there were only six listed occupations for women. One schoolmistress, Elizabeth Pell 45, who would probably have worked at a private school in Upper Street. One silk weaver 65-year-old Charlotte Blyth. Two farmers, Eleanor Starling who was widow, and Christiana Harmer she was 70, so likely to have been a widow, she was also a bee-keeper. Four house keepers, 12 dressmakers of which two were apprentices and the largest group were female servants 23. The youngest employed was Elizabeth Foulger aged 10 live-in servant to Robert Chaplain, tailor of Upper Street.
In 1921 The women’s occupations remained much the same. In that there were 17 female servants compared to 23, one dressmaker as compared to 12 in 1841. The number of female farmers remains the same who, again were probably widows. Two teachers. New were an evangelist, shop assistants and an organist. The largest group were those listed as home duties. Evelyn Moy at 14 was recorded as mothers help and Ester Bane also 14 a live-in servant to Laura Howes farmer of Beechlands Southrepps
For the men in 1841 there were 31 occupations by 1921 it was 59. In the following tables some have been linked together as in agricultural workers and horsemen.
Three men were employed by the Government Instructional Factory in Norwich which was set up to retrain those maimed during the First World War. They were George Glister and James Dix, training to be cabinet makers and Frank Skipper training as a French polisher.
1841
| 113 | Agricultural labourers |
| 19 | Carpenters/ wheelwrights |
| 13 | Shoemakers |
| 10 | Farmers |
| 8 | Servants |
| 7 | Gardeners |
| 5 | Bricklayers |
| 5 | Tailors |
| 4 | Grooms |
| 3 | Bakers |
| 3 | Clerks one to the Union |
| 3 | Millers |
| 2 | Blacksmiths+ 1apprentice |
| 2 | Braziers one a foundry brazier |
| 2 | Butchers |
| 2 | Lime-burners |
| 2 | Policemen |
| 2 | Publicans |
| 2 | Woodmen |
One each of the following
Butler, carter, chemist, gamekeeper, glazier and apprentice, grinder, harness maker, mole catcher, relieving officer, shopkeeper, Vicar.
John Newland at 10 years is the youngest male employed, he was a live-in servant to John Cook farmer in Upper Street. Thomas and James Earle 13 and 11 years respectively are recorded as agricultural labourers.
Two occupations could not be deciphered.
1921
| 76 | Agricultural Labourers |
| 13 | Gardeners |
| 11 | Farmers |
| 10 | Horsemen or team men |
| 10 | Carpenters/wheelwrights as well as 3 cabinetmakers and a French polisher |
| 7 | Grocers and assistants |
| 8 | Bricklayers and labourers |
| 5 | Market gardeners |
| 4 | Woodmen |
| 4 | Game keepers |
| 4 | Railway porters and I fireman |
| 4 | General labourers |
| 3 | Butchers one of whom worked in North Walsham |
| 3 | Bakers and assistant |
| 2 | Drapers and assistant |
| 2 | Grooms |
| 2 | Small holders |
| 2 | Poultry dealers |
| 2 | Inn Keepers |
| 2 | Saddler and harness makers |
| 2 | Groundsmen |
| 2 | Boot and shoe workers |
| 2 | Soldiers |
| 2 | Blacksmith both worked at the same forge. |
New occupations for the men were jobs on the railway, porters and firemen, Clerks in various roles, Postman and sub postmasters, traction engine driver. Other occupations or jobs listed were, sawyer, Royal Navy, riveter, grinder, land work, coach painter warrener, corn merchant painter, police constable, carter, milkman, teacher, cattle dealer, Rector.
Reggie George worked as an errand boy for the ?London Central Meal Committee North Walsham, John Tuthill agricultural labourer for the Tyler Brothers were both 14 years old. There are entries of children of school age that have no entry next to them, neither school or job.
Millers and lime-burners were gone from the occupations.