Little Dalby

Extract from White's Leicester and Rutland Directory 1877

DALBY (PARVA) or Little Dalby, is a village and parish, in Framland Hundred, 4 miles S. by E. of Melton Mowbray, and in that Union and County Court District, containing 210 persons, living in 80 houses, on 1848 acres of land, which has a rateable value of £2742 it is generally hilly, and the soil is a strong blue clay It has a chalybeate spring, and it is said that Mrs. Orton, a farmer's wife here, was the first who made Stilton cheese, about the year 1730 but priority in this manufacture has been claimed by others in this neighbourhood. Edward Bouchier Hartopp, Esq., is lord of the manor and owner of most of the soil. He resides at the Hall a large and handsome mansion, in a small park, built by one of his family, in the reign of Elizabeth; but the west wing was added in 1682, the east wing in 1816; the centre was rebuilt in 1838, and the offices in 1873. At the Domesday survey, 'Robert held under Goisfrid de Wirce 4j carucates; 1 plough was in the demesne; 4 socmen, 5 villans, and 1 bordar, had 2 ploughs; there were 10 acres of meadow. Roger held under Henry Ferrers 5 carucates, belonging to his manor of Somerby; 16 socmen, with a priest, had 6 ploughs; and here were 40 acres of meadow.' 'The manor was afterwards held in several fees, under Valle Dei Abbey, Lincolnshire, Castle Donnington, and the Mowbray, Tateshall, and other families. In 1399 the Duke of Norfolk held the manor, and in 1484 it was held by John Brookesby; hut most of the land and the advowson passed to the Hartopps in the reign of Elizabeth. The CHURCH (St. James), consisting of nave, transepts, aisles and chancel, is a handsome structure, in a mixed style of architecture. The tower, forming a sort of composite Gothic, containing three bells, was rebuilt by the Rev. S. Hartopp, LL,B., a late vicar, and the remainder the church was re-edified, and a new transept added by E. B. Hartopp, Esq., in 1852. The pulpit is of exquisitely carved oak, and the windows of the chancel, transepts, and baptistry are filled with beautiful stained glass. The north door is exquisite, and the chancel arch and many other parts are exceedingly good. The seats are open and of oak. A handsome cross of Ketton stone has been placed in the churchyard as a memorial of Captain Hartopp, who died in 1874, by his widow. The Register dates from 1580. The living, a vicarage, valued in K.B. at £9, and now at £263 per annum, is in the patronage of E. B. Hartopp, Esq., and in the incumbency of the Rev. John F. Hinde, BA., who has a good residence, which was thoroughly restored by the patron and vicar in 1876, and 61A. 2R. 20P. of glebe. The vicarial tithes yield about £230 per annum and the great tithes belong to E. B. Hartopp, Esq., as patron and impropriator. The SCHOOL, a neat brick building erected by E. B. Hartopp, Esq., and attended by about 20 children, was enlarged by him in 1875, and is entirely supported by him. The interest of £20, left by Francis Ellaby, is paid for schooling poor children and the interest of £15, left by Judith and John Briggs and another, is distributed among the poor parishioners; and the interest of £10, left by George Bunney, is given in bread to ten of the poorest inhabitants attend divine service on Christmas Day.
POST OFFICE at Mr. Mills Mantle's. Letters are received at 8.15 am., and are despatched at 5.80 p.m., viâ Melton Mowbray, which is the nearest Money Order Office.

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