In 1885 "Kelly's Directory" noted that Ewerby was the former market town of "Ywarby". The parish area of produced crops of wheat, beans, barley, turnips and seeds—small potatoes used as seed stock—on a soil of clay and loam. Parish population in 1881 was 451. The parish register dates from 1562. There was a National School, built by subscription in 1841, which held 140 children, and had an average attendance of 92. The school was partially supported by Murray Finch-Hatton DL JP, who was also Lord of the Manor and a principal landowner. Parish occupations at the time included seven farmers, three of whom were variously a seed merchant; a proprietor of the Finch Hatton Arms hotel; and a surveyor and brick & tile maker. There was a grocer & draper, wheelwright, grazier, boot & shoe maker, and two butchers, one of whom was also a beer retailer. The post master also traded as a shopkeeper, and as the Monday post carrier to Sleaford.