There has been an official Postal service in Britain since 1516 established as a branch of the English Govenment by Henry VIII, but didn’t take on its recognisable form until mid 1800’s (more about the history of the Royal Mail)
There was a sub Post Office in Carbrooke by 1854, as Whites Directory of Norfolk states.
By 1871, Samuel Skipper and wife Charlotte, were running the post office.
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Their daughter Clara later married William Murrell, and they carried on running the Post Office.
1883 Whites Directory & Gazeteer of Norfolk POST OFFICE at Mr. Samuel Skipper’s. Letters from Watton arrive at 7.30 a.m. and are despatched at 5.25 p.m.; Sundays, 10.55 a.m. Watton is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.
![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Carbrooke-Post-Office-c1912-719x1024.jpg)
The original Post office, is in the line of buildings opposite the church. It is dated 1867, with the initials RD ( presumably Richard Dewing, local land owner).
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | SAMUEL | SKIPPER | 39 | M | HEAD-MARRIED | GROCER & DRAPER | SHROPHAM NFK |
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | CHARLOTTE | SKIPPER | 37 | F | WIFE-MARRIED | SHROPHAM NFK | |
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | ADELAIDE | SKIPPER | 11 | F | DAU | SCHOLAR | ERSWELL SFK |
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | CLARA | SKIPPER | 10 | F | DAU | SCHOLAR | SHIPDHAM NFK |
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | EMMA | HUNT | 22 | F | SHOPMAID | SHROPHAM NFK | |
1871 | RG10 1842 P34 West | CHURCH STREET | 8 | ELIZABETH | NICHOLS | 18 | F | DOMESTIC SERVANT | SAHAM TONEY NFK |
Name:Samuel Skipper Age:49 Estimated Birth Year: 1832 Head Spouse: Charlotte Skipper Age: 47 Where born: Shropham, Norfolk, England Occupation: Grocer & Draper Registration District: WaylandED, Piece:1975Folio:22Page Number:10 Other Household Members: Clara E. Skipper 19 Mary A. Wyer 17 (not transcribed) |
1891 | RG12 1550 P.42-53 | CHURCH STREET 4 | 99 | SAMUEL | SKIPPER | 60 | M | M | HEAD | GROCER & POSTMASTER | SHROPHAM NORFOLK | |
1891 | RG12 1550 P.42-53 | CHURCH STREET 4 | 99 | CHARLOTTE | SKIPPER | 58 | F | M | WIFE | GROCER ASSISTANT | SHROPHAM NORFOLK | |
1891 | RG12 1550 P.42-53 | CHURCH STREET 4 | 99 | CLARA | SKIPPER | 29 | F | S | DAU | GROCER ASSISTANT | SHIPDHAM NORFOLK |
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | CHARLOTTE | SKIPPER | 67 | F | HEAD | SUB POSTMISTRESS | SHROPHAM NORFOLK | WID |
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | WILLIAM | MURRELL | 49 | M | SON IN LAW | CARPENTER & FLOUR DEALER &RURAL POSTMAN | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | M |
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | CLARA ELIZA | MURRELL | 39 | F | DAU | ASST IN POST OFFICE | SHIPDHAM NORFOLK | M |
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | HILDA G | MURRELL | 8 | F | GRAND DAU | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | ||
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | GILBERT W | MURRELL | 7 | M | GRAND SON | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | ||
1901 | R13 1868 P.68-103 | POST OFFICE | 83 | ADELAIDE M | MURRELL | 1 | F | GRAND DAU | CARBROOKE NORFOLK |
1911 | 231-2-3 | POST OFFICE CHURCH STREET NORFOLK | 128 | WILLIAM | MURRELL | 50 | M | HEAD | SUBPOSMASTER & FLOUR DEALER | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | |||
1911 | 231-2-3 | POST OFFICE CHURCH STREET NORFOLK | 128 | CLARA ELIZA | MURRELL | 49 | M | WIFE | SUBPOSMASTER & FLOUR DEALER | SHIPDHAM NORFOLK | 19 | 4 | 4 |
1911 | 231-2-3 | POST OFFICE CHURCH STREET NORFOLK | 128 | GILBERT WILLIAM | MURRELL | 17 | S | SON | PAINTER | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | |||
1911 | 231-2-3 | POST OFFICE CHURCH STREET NORFOLK | 128 | ADELAIDE MARY | MURRELL | 11 | DAU | SCHOLAR | CARBROOKE NORFOLK | ||||
1911 | 231-2-3 | POST OFFICE CHURCH STREET NORFOLK | 128 | REGINALD HARRY | MURRELL | 9 | SON | SCHOLAR | CARBROOKE NORFOLK |
![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/carbrookepo1-1024x730.jpg)
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![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PO2.jpg)
Mrs Smith retired as Postmistress around 1980, and the post office was relocated for a short time in Broadmoor Road, before it closed late 1980’s.
![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BroadmoorStoreslate80s-1024x675.jpg)
A post office also operated from Maid Marian stores on Norwich Road. It later closed.
![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCN0843-1024x768.jpg)
A post office was installed into Spar mini Market around 2017, where it remains.
![](https://carbrookehistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCN1494-1024x768.jpg)
Page last Updated 17.08.20