Explore the High Country History Group archive

11th century

1013

Greenstead Church

St Edmund tradition at Greenstead

The wooden church tradition links Greenstead with the resting place of St Edmunds body on its journey from London to Bury St Edmunds.

1086

Ongar Hundred Settlement

Domesday records Ongar Hundred

Domesday Book lists about forty estates under Ongar hundred, with other estates later understood to belong to it, covering named villages that later shaped the parishes.

1086

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Stanford Rivers recorded as a large manor

The main Stanford estate contained twenty ploughteams, woodland for hundreds of swine, and a mill, making it one of the substantial Domesday entries in the area.

1086

Greenstead Settlement

Greenstead in Domesday

Greenstead had eight ploughteams, meadow, woodland for swine, livestock, and a mill, showing a small but well-established rural manor.

1086

Stapleford Tawney Settlement

Stapleford Tawney before the Tawney name

The manor was held by Godric before the Conquest and later by Swein of Essex, long before the Tany or Tawney family gave the parish its distinguishing name.

1086

Theydon Mount Settlement

Theydon Mount manor in Domesday

The manor was assessed at three hides and eighty acres, with one villein and seventeen bordars, forming the early base of the later Theydon Mount estate.

12th century

c. 1170

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead enters the honor of Ongar

William, Earl of Gloucester, granted Greenstead to Richard de Lucy, drawing the manor into the wider honor of Ongar.

12th century

Stanford Rivers Church

Nave of St Margaret built

The nave of Stanford Rivers church dates from the middle of the twelfth century, with round-headed windows and the original south doorway still traceable.

13th century

c. 1220

Stapleford Tawney Church

Chancel built at St Marys

The chancel of Stapleford Tawney church was built around 1220, with the nave following shortly afterwards.

1225

Theydon Mount Manors

Market and fair at Theydon

Paulinus de Theydon received licence for a weekly market and an annual fair, although these did not survive into modern times.

1227

Theydon Mount Landscape

Deer granted for Theydon park

Paulinus de Theydon was granted deer for the park, an early sign of the designed estate landscape later dominated by Hill Hall.

1236

Theydon Mount Church

Early evidence for the church

A dispute involving Robert, parson of Theydon, shows that a church was already established at Theydon Mount by the early thirteenth century.

1248

Theydon Mount Manors

Manor and advowson pass to John de Lessington

The manor and church patronage were sub-infeudated to John de Lessington, beginning another phase in the descent of Theydon Mount.

c. 1250

Greenstead Church

Walter de Baskerville patron of Greenstead

Walter de Baskerville was patron of Greenstead church by the mid thirteenth century, tying the advowson to the manor.

1260

Stanford Rivers Manors

Littlebury mill recorded

A conveyance of land, rent, and a mill at Littlebury marks one of the early references to the Littlebury estate.

1264

Stapleford Tawney Landscape

Park made at Stapleford Tawney

Richard de Tany obtained licence to enclose woodland and adjoining demesne land to make a park within the forest bounds.

1271

Ongar Hundred Government

Paslow Hall court leet active

Courts leet were being held for Paslow Hall in High Ongar by at least 1271, one of several manorial jurisdictions within the hundred.

1277

Ongar Hundred Government

John de Rivers claims hundred rights

In quo warranto proceedings, John de Rivers claimed rights connected with the hundred, including view of frankpledge and pleas of withernam.

1279

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead exchanged to Roger de la Hay

Walter de Baskerville granted Greenstead to Roger de la Hay in exchange for land in Great Cowarne.

c. 1280

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Possible enlargement of Stanford Rivers

The northern part of the parish, including Toot Hill and Ongar Park Wood, may have transferred from High Ongar around this period.

1291

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Suttons first appears

The Suttons estate is first traced through a grant to John de Sutton and his wife Maud of land, a mill, pasture, wood, and rent.

1294

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Park leased before Gascony service

John de Rivers conveyed Stanford Park for six years before departing to Gascony in the kings service.

14th century

1308-1309

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers granted to Richer de Refham

John de Rivers first granted the manor to Richer de Refham for life and later converted the grant into a tenancy in fee.

1324-1329

Stanford Rivers Government

Early manor court records

Court records survive for Stanford Rivers in the 1320s, with continuous rolls beginning later in the sixteenth century.

1331

Ongar Hundred Government

Earliest found reference to the wardstaff

A Lambourne landholder was recorded as owing duties connected with the wardstaff, the distinctive ceremonial obligation of Ongar Hundred.

1346

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead granted to Sir Robert Bourchier

William de la Hay granted Greenstead to Sir Robert Bourchier, whose family later held the manor with the Bourchier title.

1348

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers reunited with Chipping Ongar

Pauline de Gras granted Stanford Rivers to Ralph Stafford, bringing it back into the same descent as Chipping Ongar.

1349

Greenstead Landscape

Greenstead demesne and mills

The manor was described with arable land, meadow, pasture, wood, and two mills, one water-driven and one wind-driven.

1355

Stanford Rivers Manors

Littlebury lands granted to Richard de Salyng

John de Munteny granted his lands in Stanford Rivers to Richard de Salyng, beginning the Salyng connection with Littlebury.

1382

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Stapleford Tawney leased to Thomas Lampet

Thomas and Anne Mandeville granted Thomas Lampet a life interest in the manor at an annual rent of twenty pounds.

1390

Theydon Mount Church

Hill Hall income supports a chantry

A licence was issued to endow a chantry in Theydon Mount church from rent connected with Hill Hall.

1398

Stanford Rivers Manors

Littlebury and Rowenho settled

Richard Salyng the younger granted Littlebury and Rowenho to Master Richard Salyng and Lore his wife, with complex remainders for their family.

1400

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Mandeville inheritance divided

After Thomas Mandeville died as a minor, the inheritance was divided between his sisters Alice Legat and Joan Barry.

15th century

1412

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Hall and Littlebury valued

Stanford Hall and Littlebury both appear in records around this date, each valued at twenty pounds.

1418

Theydon Mount Manors

Theydon Mount and Hill Hall conveyed to feoffees

Reynold and Alice Malyns conveyed Theydon Mount and Hill Hall to feoffees with remainder to Reynolds heirs and then to Edmund Hampden.

1420

Stanford Rivers Manors

Piggsland and Traceys held by Sir Hugh Stafford

Sir Hugh Stafford died holding Piggsland, Botelers, and Traceys, showing the clustered manor structure of Stanford Rivers.

1428

Theydon Mount Settlement

Small population noted

Theydon Mount was exempted from taxation because it had fewer than ten households, suggesting a smaller population than at Domesday.

1453

Stanford Rivers Manors

Bellhouse name appears

A quitclaim refers to ground called the Belhous, an early record of the Bellhouse estate in Stanford Rivers.

1485

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Scott settlement of Stapleford Tawney

William Scott settled the manor on himself and his wife Margery for their lives, with remainder to their eldest son John.

1491

Stapleford Tawney Church

William Scott brass at St Marys

The chancel floor contains a slab and brass commemorating William Scott, later paired with Margery Scott who died in 1505.

c. 1500

Greenstead Church

Martyrdom of St Edmund panel

The nave contains an oil painting on a wooden panel showing the martyrdom of St Edmund, dating from around 1500.

16th century

1521

Ongar Hundred Government

Ongar Hundred forfeited to the Crown

The hundred was forfeited to the Crown with the manor of Chipping Ongar, and Henry VIII appointed Robert Stoner as bailiff and wardstaff.

1524

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers granted to William and Mary Cary

The king granted the manor of Stanford Rivers to William Cary and Mary his wife, before it later reverted to the Crown.

1534

Stanford Rivers Church

Thomas Grene endows a chantry priest

Thomas Grene devised rent from Bellhouse to support a stipendiary priest serving in Stanford Rivers church.

1543-1546

Ongar Hundred Government

Hundred customs written down

A document prepared for John Stoner listed vills, parishes, hamlets, suit obligations, prisons, pounds, tourn duties, and the wardstaff ceremony.

1547

Ongar Hundred Government

Richard Rich receives the hundred

The hundred was granted to Richard Rich on his creation as a baron and later descended with Paslow Hall.

1548-1554

Greenstead Church

Greenstead united with Chipping Ongar

Greenstead and Chipping Ongar were briefly united by Act of Parliament, before Greenstead returned to its separate parish status.

1548

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers given to Princess Mary

The manor was given to Princess Mary and was later annexed to the Duchy of Lancaster.

1552

Greenstead Church

Greenstead bells recorded

Church goods records listed two Rogation bells and two great bells at Greenstead.

1557-1577

Theydon Mount Manors

Sir Thomas Smyth builds at Hill Hall

Sir Thomas Smyth lived at Theydon Mount and began the ambitious rebuilding of Hill Hall, noted for its early Renaissance detail.

1557

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers annexed to Duchy of Lancaster

Letters patent annexed Stanford Rivers to the Duchy of Lancaster, where it remained until the early seventeenth century.

1560

Stanford Rivers Government

Continuous manor court rolls begin

From 1560 the manor court records of Stanford Rivers become continuous, giving a detailed view of local government and obligations.

1564

Greenstead Settlement

Little Thorbens dated

A date cut on a roof timber records 1564 at Little Thorbens, now The Cottage, at Greenstead Green.

1566

Stanford Rivers Transport

Stewards Bridge needs repair

Stewards Bridge, later associated with Hawkes or Hallyngford, was recorded as needing repair.

1568-1569

Theydon Mount Manors

Major phase of Hill Hall building

Smyths diary records stronger and more splendid building work on the north and west parts of Hill Hall.

1576

Ongar Hundred Landscape

Saxtons map shows the hundred

Saxtons Map of Essex placed the twenty-six churches of Ongar Hundred, although some boundary detail was inaccurate.

1577

Theydon Mount Church

Sir Thomas Smyth monument begins its story

The monument to Sir Thomas Smyth, who died in 1577, was preserved from the earlier church and remains central to Theydon Mounts church history.

1579

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Cottage and forge on Bridges Green

Bartholomew Combers was granted permission to build a cottage and forge on waste ground called Bridges Green.

1582-1583

Theydon Mount Transport

Hobbs Cross road presented

The road from Mount End toward Hobbs Cross was presented at Quarter Sessions as a troublesome way.

1589

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Stapleford Tawney divided after George Scott

After George Scott died, the manor passed to his daughters Elizabeth and Mary before being allotted to Elizabeth and Sir Edward Aleyn.

1598

Greenstead Transport

Greenstead highways presented

Greenstead was presented at Quarter Sessions for the poor state of its highways.

17th century

1606

Stanford Rivers Church

Chancel disrepair reported

Churchwardens reported broken glass and stonework and dirty chancel walls at an archdeacons visitation.

1611-1614

Theydon Mount Church

Theydon Mount church rebuilt

The original church burned in 1611, reportedly after lightning, and the present brick church was in use by 1614.

1611

Stapleford Tawney Church

Broken bell replaced

After a visitation reported a broken bell, the dated William Carter bell suggests a quick replacement in the same year.

1613

Stanford Rivers Manors

James I sells Stanford Rivers

James I sold the manor to Richard Cartwright and Thomas Cowley of London, ending the Duchy of Lancaster phase.

1617

Greenstead Church

Young family presentation

Richard Young and Anne his wife presented Edward Young to the rectory of Greenstead.

1623

Stanford Rivers Manors

Petres acquire Stanford Rivers

William, Baron Petre bought the manor, and the Stanford Rivers estate became known from Bellhouse, the family seat.

c. 1633

Stanford Rivers Church

Jesuit mission served from Bellhouse

Roman Catholic worship at Bellhouse was connected with the secret Jesuit mission in eastern England, largely financed by the Petres.

1637

Stanford Rivers Government

Vestry starts nominating constables

Constables began to be chosen by the vestry while the manor court leet was inactive, showing the shift toward parish government.

1645

Stanford Rivers Manors

Parliament grants Stanford Rivers to Earl of Essex

During the Civil War period, Parliament granted Stanford Rivers to the Earl of Essex because of William Petres adherence to Charles I.

1652

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead Hall possession disputed

Quarter Sessions ordered that Richard Bourne, owner of Greenstead Hall, should be restored to possession after dispossession by named local people.

1662

Stanford Rivers Government

Stanford Rivers courts resume

After a long gap, courts for Stanford Rivers were again held regularly around Easter until 1690.

1676

Stanford Rivers Church

Roman Catholics recorded at Stanford Rivers

There was an unusually large number of Roman Catholics in Stanford Rivers, probably connected with the Petres at Bellhouse.

1683

Stanford Rivers Church

Porches and steeple ordered repaired

A visitation ordered repairs to the porches, the steeple crack, and tiling near the lower end of St Margarets church.

1683

Greenstead Church

Greenstead church under repair

Repairs were underway at Greenstead church, although concern remained about cracks on both sides of the east window.

1694

Ongar Hundred Government

Hundred conveyed to Sir Eliab Harvey

Philip and Rowland Traherne conveyed Ongar Hundred to Sir Eliab Harvey of Barringtons in Chigwell.

1695-1698

Greenstead Manors

Cleeve period at Greenstead Hall

Alexander Cleeve bought Greenstead and the hall was substantially rebuilt or refashioned around this period, with dates of 1695 and 1698 recorded on the house.

1698

Greenstead Church

Cleeve pulpit and church plate

Alexander Cleeve presented the octagonal oak pulpit and Alexander and Mary Cleeve gave the paten still recorded with the church plate.

18th century

1701

Stanford Rivers Manors

Littlebury water-mill recorded

A water-mill at Littlebury was recorded in 1701, before the present mill building of early nineteenth-century date.

1714

Theydon Mount Church

Dame Jane Smyth gives paten

Theydon Mount church plate includes a paten given by Dame Jane Smyth in 1714.

1715

Theydon Mount Government

Vestry minute books begin

The surviving vestry minute books for Theydon Mount start in 1715 and trace parish rates, officers, and poor relief.

1724

Stanford Rivers Government

Monthly vestry ordered

Standing orders required Stanford Rivers vestry to meet monthly on the first Thursday at 3 p.m.

1725-1726

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Early schoolhouse established

A schoolhouse was built for poor children, with the vestry deciding to employ a schoolteacher at an annual salary.

1728

Stanford Rivers Manors

William Petre the elder dies

William Petre died, leading to further family settlements, administration, and later financial pressure on the Stanford Rivers estate.

1738-1744

Stanford Rivers Manors

Bellhouse estate rent roll recorded

Estate accounts show the Bellhouse estate, including several Stanford Rivers manors, producing a rent roll of a little over one thousand pounds a year.

1745

Greenstead Manors

Anne Cleeve dies

After Anne Cleeves death, the Greenstead estate was divided among Alexander Cleeves children.

1745

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Jane Luther confirms schoolhouse gift

Jane Luthers will stated that she had built the Stapleford Tawney schoolhouse at her own expense and provided for its upkeep.

1748

Greenstead Church

Antiquarian description of the wooden church

Smart Lethieullier sent a description and drawings of Greensteads timber church to the Society of Antiquaries.

1750

Greenstead Manors

Cleeve estate divided

After Anne Cleeves life interest ended, New House Farm, Hardings, Repentance Farm, Lodge Farm, and Greenstead Hall were divided among the family.

1752

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead Hall sold to David Rebotier

The surviving children of Alexander Cleeve sold Greenstead Hall and the manorial estate to David Rebotier of London.

1755

Stapleford Tawney Church

Joint rectory with Theydon Mount

From 1755 Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount were held by the same rector, while remaining separate parishes for civil purposes.

1762

Stanford Rivers Manors

John Petre dies

After John Petres death the Stanford Rivers estate was administered by a steward acting for his executor John Tempest.

1769

Stanford Rivers Poor relief

Stanford Rivers workhouse built

The parish built a workhouse near the church, where later payments for wool and spindles show inmates engaged in spinning.

1771

Greenstead Manors

Redman buys Greenstead manor

Charles and Esther Rebotier sold Greenstead to John Redman of Mile End.

1771

Stapleford Tawney Settlement

Stapleford Tawney described as husbandry country

A writer noted that the parish had few houses and seemed to carry on no business beyond husbandry.

1775

Stanford Rivers Manors

Estate conveyed to Lord Petre as guardian

John Tempest conveyed the Stanford Rivers estate to Lord Petre as guardian of George William Petre.

1777

Ongar Hundred Landscape

Chapman and Andre map the boundaries

Chapman and Andres Essex map showed hundred boundaries with much greater precision than earlier county maps.

1785

Stapleford Tawney Transport

Passingford Bridge rebuilt

Passingford Bridge, important on the main London to Ongar road, was rebuilt in brick after earlier uncertainty over repair responsibility.

1791

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Rivers estate heavily encumbered

The estate was found to be encumbered to the extent of 9,750 pounds, before further borrowing followed.

1792

Greenstead Schools

Sunday school opened

The rector opened a Sunday school at Greenstead, although many of its pupils came from Chipping Ongar.

1793

Stanford Rivers Transport

Postal receiving house at Stanford Rivers

Stanford Rivers had a postal receiving house by 1793 and later appeared on the daily horse ride shown on the 1813 post-office map.

1796

Stanford Rivers Manors

Stanford Hall sold

Part of the estate, evidently Stanford Hall, was sold to Charles Smith of Suttons.

19th century

1801

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Stanford Rivers population: 740

The first census recorded 740 people in Stanford Rivers, before a rise to a mid-century peak.

1801

Greenstead Settlement

Greenstead population: 102

Greenstead remained a very small parish, with just over a hundred people recorded in the first census.

1801

Stapleford Tawney Settlement

Stapleford Tawney population: 196

The parish had fewer than two hundred inhabitants, rose during the early nineteenth century, and then declined again.

1801

Theydon Mount Settlement

Theydon Mount population: 193

The population stood at 193 in 1801 and later peaked at 249 in 1831 before declining.

1811

Stanford Rivers Manors

Littlebury conveyed to Timothy Phillips

Joseph Waylet conveyed the manor of Littlebury to Timothy Phillips, with houses, mills, land, meadow, pasture, wood, and water.

1814

Ongar Hundred Government

Sir Eliab Harvey lord of the hundred

Vice-Admiral Sir Eliab Harvey was recorded as lord of Ongar Hundred.

1817

Stanford Rivers Church

Major repairs at St Margaret

Repairs and alterations costing about 350 pounds included the west entrance, gallery, and east window.

1818

Greenstead Schools

Greenstead Sunday school reopened

By 1818 the Sunday school had been reopened by the rector and lord of the manor, with twenty-two pupils.

1818

Theydon Mount Schools

No school at Theydon Mount

Returns stated that there was no school in the parish, although the poor wanted schooling for their children.

1819

Stanford Rivers Manors

Judith Smith buys Stanford Rivers estate

Judith Smith bought the remaining Stanford Rivers estate, including manorial rights, from George Petre.

20 October 1819

Stanford Rivers Church

Dissenting worship opens at Stanford Rivers

A small place of worship, originally a cottage, opened for Protestant dissenters with sermons by James Stratten and Edward Andrews.

27 June 1820

Stanford Rivers Church

New Stanford Rivers chapel opens

A purpose-built chapel seating three hundred opened in place of the converted cottage.

1823

Stapleford Tawney Government

Overseers accounts investigated

A dispute over poor relief and missing balances led the vestry to investigate accounts and tighten control over overseers disbursements.

1824

Ongar Hundred Landscape

Greenwood map adds parish boundaries

C. and J. Greenwoods Map of Essex was the first cited map to show parish boundaries, although the lines were often inaccurate.

1824

Stanford Rivers Government

Select vestry adopted

The Easter vestry of 1824 adopted the second Sturges Bourne Act and appointed a select vestry, a significant change in parish administration.

1825

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Isaac Taylor settles at Stanford House

Isaac Taylor, artist, author, and inventor, settled at Stanford House and lived there for the rest of his life.

1826

Theydon Mount Schools

Girls school set up

Letitia, later Lady, Bowyer Smijth set up a girls school and paid fees for needy children.

1827

Stanford Rivers Church

Stanford Rivers chapel trust deed

The chapel, vestry, stable, and outbuildings were conveyed to trustees for Calvinist Independent worship.

1829

Stanford Rivers Poor relief

Stanford Rivers joins voluntary poor law union

The parish joined nine others in a voluntary poor law union before the later Ongar Union.

1829

Stapleford Tawney Poor relief

Stapleford Tawney joins incorporated workhouse scheme

Stapleford Tawney joined nine other parishes in a voluntary incorporated workhouse under Gilberts Act.

1830-1831

Stanford Rivers Poor relief

Incorporated workhouse built at Little End

A new incorporated workhouse was built at Little End for a voluntary poor law union and later served the Ongar Union.

1830

Stanford Rivers Transport

Wash Bridge taken over by the county

Wash Bridge, on the Roding boundary route, was taken over by the county.

1831

Stanford Rivers Poor relief

Old Stanford Rivers workhouse sold

The parish sold its own workhouse after contributing to the new incorporated workhouse.

1833

Greenstead Schools

Greenstead day school closed

A small day school that existed in 1828 had closed by 1833.

1836

Ongar Hundred Poor relief

Ongar Poor Law Union

Stanford Rivers, Greenstead, Stapleford Tawney, and Theydon Mount all became part of the Ongar Poor Law Union.

1836-1846

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount schools develop

A boys school was founded by Sir John Smijth in 1836, followed by a mixed school around 1846 supported by the Smijth family.

1837

Greenstead Manors

Philip Budworth buys Greenstead

The Revd. Philip Budworth bought the manor, later adding New House Farm and strengthening the Budworth family connection with Greenstead.

1837

Stapleford Tawney Poor relief

Parish cottages offered for sale

Stapleford Tawney parish property, including cottages on Tawney Common and near the church, was offered for sale to repay workhouse debt.

1838

Stapleford Tawney Landscape

Stapleford Tawney farming pattern recorded

The parish covered about 1,570 acres, with most land held by a few owners and let as tenant farms.

1838

Theydon Mount Manors

Hill Hall estate dominates the parish

Sir John Smijth owned almost all of Theydon Mount, leaving the parish strongly shaped by Hill Hall and its estate.

1839

Greenstead Schools

Greenstead parish school planned

The rector began collecting subscriptions for a parish school, which was active by the mid 1840s.

1839

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Poor children attend Theydon Mount school

By this date poor children from Stapleford Tawney were attending a day school in Theydon Mount.

1841

Greenstead Poor relief

Greenstead parish almshouses recorded

Almshouses belonging to the parish stood at Greenstead Green, probably serving as parish accommodation for the poor.

1842

Stanford Rivers Landscape

Tithe map records farms and woodland

The parish included seventeen farms of ninety acres or more, about four hundred acres of woodland, and a balance of arable and grassland.

1842

Stanford Rivers Church

Stanford Rivers tithe income fixed

At tithe commutation the rectors income from tithe rents was fixed at 1,038 pounds, with fifty-four acres of glebe.

1846-1847

Greenstead Schools

Greenstead parish school active

The parish school was attended by about thirty-four children and supervised closely by the rector.

1846-1847

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount school at its early height

About seventy pupils attended under a master and mistress, with the Smijth family as the chief supporters.

1848

Greenstead Church

Greenstead church restored

Major repairs shortened and reset the nave timbers, rebuilt parts of the chancel, and reshaped the timber church for modern use.

1850

Stanford Rivers Church

Henry Tattam becomes rector

Henry Tattam, a noted Coptic scholar and chaplain to the queen, became rector of Stanford Rivers.

1851

Stanford Rivers Schools

National School built

A National School was built between Toot Hill and Little End, replacing an earlier pattern of small dame schools.

1851

Stanford Rivers Settlement

Population peaks at Stanford Rivers

The population reached 1,082 in 1851 before gradually declining later in the century.

1854

Greenstead Manors

P. J. Budworth settles at Greenstead Hall

Captain Philip J. Budworth, heir of the Revd. Philip Budworth, settled at Greenstead Hall.

1858

Stanford Rivers Transport

Wash Bridge surveyed

The county surveyor described Wash Bridge in detail, adding to the long record of bridge maintenance in Stanford Rivers.

c. 1860

Ongar Hundred Landscape

Hainault Forest largely destroyed

Most of Hainault Forest was destroyed around 1860, while Epping Forest survived after a notable controversy.

c. 1860

Ongar Hundred Transport

Railway-driven development begins

Building development began in the south-west of the hundred around the extension of the railway from London to Loughton, Epping, and Ongar.

1862

Stapleford Tawney Church

St Marys church restored

Stapleford Tawney church was largely rebuilt and restored, with new windows, fittings, vestry, organ chamber, and porch.

1863

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Toot Hill sub-post-office

Toot Hill had a sub-post-office by 1863, supplementing the Stanford Rivers postal arrangements.

1865

Stanford Rivers Transport

Railway stations open

North Weald and Blake Hall stations were probably opened when the railway to Chipping Ongar was completed.

1867

Greenstead Manors

Budworth buys Lodge Farm

P. J. Budworth bought Lodge Farm and came to own almost all of the land in Greenstead.

1868-1884

Ongar Hundred Landscape

Ordnance Survey fixes parish boundaries

The first edition Ordnance Survey six-inch map precisely indicated parish boundaries and detached parish parts.

1869

Stanford Rivers Transport

Coal wharf at Blake Hall Station

A coal merchants wharf was recorded at Blake Hall Station.

1869

Stapleford Tawney Poor relief

Church lands sold

The Stapleford Tawney Church lands were sold and the proceeds invested in stock for charitable use.

1871

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Education inspector proposes school places

An inspector proposed places for Stapleford Tawney children at Theydon Mount and Stapleford Abbots, prompting local churchmen to found their own school.

1873-1874

Stapleford Tawney Schools

New school beside the church

A new Anglican school with accommodation for sixty children was built next to the church, later becoming the village hall.

1873

Greenstead Poor relief

Mary Rayner charity

Mary Rayner left funds for clothing and blankets for the deserving poor of Greenstead and for clothing in Stanford Rivers.

1875

Greenstead Manors

Greenstead Hall altered by Budworth

P. J. Budworth carried out large alterations at Greenstead Hall, including rebuilding and refacing parts of the house.

1878-1882

Greenstead Schools

Greenstead school closes

The parish school closed between 1878 and 1882, after which children attended schools at Chipping Ongar and Stanford Rivers.

1880

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount school reopens officially

The school appears to have been reorganized and reopened as Theydon Mount Church of England school.

1881

Stapleford Tawney Modern services

Money-order office established

The post office at Passingford Bridge became a money-order office.

1882

Greenstead Poor relief

Edward Sammes charity

Edward Sammes left money connected with grave upkeep and gifts of tea and sugar to poor families in Greenstead.

1885

Greenstead Manors

P. J. Budworth dies

P. J. Budworth died after decades at Greenstead Hall and was commemorated by the Budworth Hall in Chipping Ongar.

1891-1892

Greenstead Church

Oak roof renewal at Greenstead church

After decay was found in the fir roof, a new oak roof was built under Frederic Chancellor, following the earlier design.

1896

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Sorting office at Stanford Rivers

By 1896 Stanford Rivers had a sorting office.

1897

Stapleford Tawney Modern services

Telegraph office guaranteed

A telegraph office was set up at Stapleford Tawney under guarantee.

c. 1900

Stanford Rivers Landscape

Toot Hill windmill ceases working

The wooden post-mill at Toot Hill continued working until about 1900 before final demolition in 1935.

20th century

1902

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Education Act changes school administration

Stapleford Tawney school passed under Essex Education Committee as a non-provided Church school.

1902

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount school under Essex Education Committee

Theydon Mount school became a non-provided mixed elementary school under the Essex Education Committee.

1904

Greenstead Poor relief

Greenstead charities consolidated

The Bourne, Rayner, and Sammes charities were united as the Greenstead Consolidated Charities.

1906

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Resident police constable

A resident police constable served Stanford Rivers from 1906.

1908

Greenstead Modern services

Water reaches part of Greenstead

Water was supplied from Chipping Ongar as far as Greenstead church, before later gas and electricity services followed.

1914

Theydon Mount Landscape

Brickworks still active

The brickworks north of Hill Hall was still operating, continuing a local brick and tile making tradition.

1919

Stanford Rivers Manors

Bridge House Farm offered for sale

Bridge House Farm, later known as Wash Farm, was put up for sale with outlying parts of the Blake Hall estate.

1921

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Village hall and parish room

Hare Street village hall and the parish room at Toot Hill both dated from 1921, reflecting growing local civic facilities.

1925

Theydon Mount Manors

Hill Hall sold to Sir Robert Hudson

After a period of tenancy and change, Hill Hall was bought by Sir Robert Hudson before its later acquisition for prison use.

1926

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Telephone service at Stanford Rivers

A telephone service was available in Stanford Rivers by 1926.

1926

Theydon Mount Church

Theydon Mount church restored

Restoration exposed the roof rafters, removed the gallery, and replaced iron communion rails with oak.

1927

Stanford Rivers Modern services

County library branch opens

A branch of the county library opened in Stanford Rivers, adding a new public service to the parish.

1927

Stanford Rivers Church

Congregational chapel burns down

The Stanford Rivers chapel burned down, and a proposed David Livingstone memorial rebuilding scheme was not completed.

1930

Stanford Rivers Poor relief

Ongar Union ends

The Ongar Union was dissolved and the former workhouse at Little End was later converted for Piggott Bros. and Co.

1930

Stapleford Tawney Modern services

Rural auto-telephone exchange

A rural auto-telephone exchange was established at Stapleford Tawney.

1932

Greenstead Modern services

Electricity at Greenstead Green

Greenstead Green had electricity by 1932, with gas first supplied two years later.

1932

Stapleford Tawney Modern services

Electricity laid on

Electricity reached Stapleford Tawney in December 1932, although Tawney Common was not initially included.

1935

Stanford Rivers Landscape

Toot Hill windmill demolished

The windmill at Toot Hill, built around 1824, was finally demolished, though its brick piers remained visible.

1935

Theydon Mount Modern services

County library branch opens

A branch of the county library opened in Theydon Mount.

1936

Stanford Rivers Schools

Stanford Rivers school reorganized

The school was reorganized for mixed juniors and infants, with senior pupils transferred to Chipping Ongar.

1939

Stapleford Tawney Schools

Stapleford Tawney school closes

Low pupil numbers led to the closure of the parish school, whose building later served village activities.

1939

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount school reorganized

The school was reorganized for mixed juniors and infants before its closure in 1942.

1940

Theydon Mount Manors

Hill Hall damaged by a landmine

A German landmine exploded near the west range, causing significant damage before post-war restoration.

1942

Theydon Mount Schools

Theydon Mount school closes

The school closed because of insufficient pupils, with children transferred to Theydon Garnon school.

1944

Stanford Rivers Church

Flying bomb damages St Margaret

A flying bomb damaged the south side of Stanford Rivers church, leading to restoration work between 1948 and 1952.

after 1945

Ongar Hundred Settlement

Large housing estates at Debden and Hainault

Since 1945 the London County Council built large housing estates at Debden and Hainault, reshaping the south-western hundred.

1945

Stapleford Tawney Manors

Stanford Hall farm bought by Co-operative Society

The London Co-operative Society bought Stanford Hall farm, which later formed a large mixed arable and dairy holding.

1946

Stanford Rivers Landscape

Littlebury Mill changes to electric power

Littlebury Mill changed from water to electric power before the mill stream was filled in.

1949

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Water supplied to parts of Stanford Rivers

The Herts. and Essex Waterworks Co. supplied water to parts of the parish, followed by electricity in part of the parish in 1951.

1949

Stapleford Tawney Modern services

Water supplied to most of the parish

The Herts. and Essex Waterworks Co. supplied water to most of Stapleford Tawney.

1950

Greenstead Settlement

Brewhouse converted at Greenstead Hall

The detached seventeenth-century brewhouse at Greenstead Hall was converted into a cottage.

1950

Theydon Mount Modern services

Electricity supplied to Theydon Mount

Electricity was supplied by the Eastern Electricity Board.

1951

Greenstead Settlement

Greenstead population rises sharply

The population reached 785, mainly because of new housing adjoining Chipping Ongar.

1951

Theydon Mount Modern services

New rectory at Theydon Mount

A new red-brick rectory was built near the former brickfield north of Hill Hall.

1950-1952

Theydon Mount Manors

Hill Hall restored and opened as a prison

The Ministry of Works restored Hill Hall before it opened in 1952 as an open prison for women.

1952

Stanford Rivers Transport

Littlebury mill stream filled in later

The source notes that Littlebury Mill changed to electric power in 1946 and the mill stream was filled in by 1952, returning water to the old Roding course.

1952

Stanford Rivers Church

St Margaret restoration completed

Post-war restoration at Stanford Rivers church was completed, including new stained glass and electric heating.

1954

Stanford Rivers Modern services

Police houses built at Hare Street

Two new police houses were built at Hare Street.