The current Bessingham Manor House was built in 1870 for the lord of the manor, Daniel Spurrell, It stood empty and derelict for many years and was eventually scheduled for demolition.
The castle itself was bought by Robert John Spurrell (elder son of Daniel Spurrell of Bessingham, Norfolk), who remained there until his death in 1929.
The Reverend Augustus Shears (25 July 1827 - 25 May 1911) was the sixth and youngest son of Daniel Towers Shears (1784–1860), a partner of James Shears and Sons, and Frances Spurrell (1788–1834), daughter of John Spurrell of Bessingham, Norfolk.
Some years before his death, he retired to Bessingham Manor House in Norfolk, one of the seats of the Spurrell family, and was no longer active in the archaeological world.