09. PECKOVER FAMILYThe Peckovers were a Quaker family. Edmund Peckover was honourably discharged from Cromwell’s army. Cromwell himself spent a night in the eponymous barn in Oak Street. Edmund set up as a merchant in 1657 and the family name remained prominent in the town until Joseph died in 1836. The Peckovers lived in the Manor House for many years and later moved to the Market Place where they owned the buildings on the south and east sides of the Market Place as well as much other property. Peckover's Bank was in part of what is now Boots.
Joseph’s relations carried on under the guise of Sheringham & Overman which traded from the shop that became Woolworths and is now a Warehouse Clearance Shop. In 1953 the business moved to Holt Road where the Lidl store now stands. Joseph started banking in the town and eventually joined with other Norfolk family banks to become Barclays. Joseph’s brothers left Fakenham to set up similar banks in Bradford and Wisbech where Peckover House is a National Trust property. There is more information about the Peckovers at the Quaker Burial Ground and the Town Sign. Now leave Upper Market Place by Tunn Street in the south-west corner. Manor House is the pink house ahead on the right |
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