The Drill House Public House

Situated on the very edge of Toot Hill adjoining Greensted. As will be noted from the extracts taken from Messrs. Whitbread's archives, quoted below, the first mention of this building dates back to 1757.

It appears to have been used as a workshop for the repair of farm implements. The present sign, hanging on the post, depicts seed drilling equipment with spiked wheels; this equipment was naturally horse-drawn.

Details of ownership and of some tenants will be seen below. It is said that in the latter part of the 19th century the then Licensee acted as a "Toothpuller" for a charge of 6d, which included a glass of beer!

The house stands in a very prominent position, within easy reach of Toot Hill, Greensted and North Weald, etc., and is fortunate to have a large car parking area adjoining. A Post Office telephone kiosk is placed therein. The P.O. letter-box on the front of the building is one of the very few still bearing the inscription "V.R.".

Internally, it has a most pleasant and comfortable appearance and it is obvious the present Licensee, Mr. Peter Mecklenburgh, has made it a popular venue for both local and passing trade.

Immediately entering, one cannot fail to notice the warmth of welcome and the pleasant personality of those behind the bar.

Historical Notes from Whitbread & Co. Ltd.

The notes regarding the Drill House given below were taken from documents inspected by me at the Estates Department of Whitbread & Co. Ltd., London, E.C.2., on March 4th, 1969.

It is to be regretted that the Indentures (Agreements) do not always clearly show to whom the property actually belonged. Neither is it possible to say when the premises were first used as a Public House — the first mention is of a "Beerhouse" in the Conveyance dated 1876.

Chronology of Historical Documents

3 September 1757

Indenture of release between Lucretia Purcas, Spinster, and the Rev. Rice Evans, Clerk, and Wm. Dore, Gentleman.

21 November 1757

Indenture between Rev. Rice Evans and Lucretia, his wife, and John Foster, Gentleman.

11 November 1784

Lease from Rice Evans to James Ives of Ganns Farm in Stanford Rivers.

11 June 1808

Agreement between Lucy Evans and James Scruby by way of lease of Ganns Farms. Executed by John Evans and John Mumford in consideration of £104.

7 July 1810

Indenture between Wm. Evans Esq. and Lucy Evans, Spinster, and Wm. Domville, Gentleman, and Edward Alderson, Gentleman, "exemplication" of recovery wherein the said Wm. Domville was demandant and the said Wm. Alderson, tenant of the said Wm. Evans and Lucy Evans, Vouchees.

18 October 1841

Release for part of Freehold lands and premises at Stanford Rivers — John Evans to Thomas Clements.

Receipt for £104 consideration money to be paid by John Evans.

1845

Abstract of the title of the Trustees for sale and the Will of the late Mr. T. Clements to a freehold messuage and land.

By her Will in writing (2 October 1839), Lucy Evans of Chipping Ongar (Spinster) gave and devised unto John Evans (son of her late brother, Wm. Evans) all that her freehold estate called Ganns Farm — approximately 29 acres — in the Parish of Stanford Rivers upon trust to raise the sum of £1,500 and to invest same in Government Stocks of Great Britain.

14 June 1876

Conveyance of a Beerhouse, land and premises at Stanford Rivers.

Mr. Henry Clements and Miss Eliza Clements — sold to Wm. Willett Esq. for £600.

14 June 1876

Conveyance between Henry Clements and Isaac Clements, of the first part, and Wm. Willett, of the second part.

Acknowledgement of Free tenure by Wm. Willett, 10 July 1876.

29 June 1876

Steward's Copy. Acknowledgement of Free tenure by Wm. Willett Esq. in Manors of Stanford Rivers and Traceys and Bellhouse.

10 July 1876 — Release of Free Rent

Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith, Bart., to Wm. Willett Esq.

"I, Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith, Bart., Lord of the Manor of Stanford Rivers, Traceys and Bellhouse in the County of Essex, in consideration of the sum of 5/- paid by Wm. Willett of Abridge, Brewer — do by these presents, grant and convey to the said Wm. Willett and his heirs, all that apportionment customary free rent of 2d payable to the said Lord of the Manor charged upon a certain field of arable land estimated at 1 acre, 5 roods and 18 poles being within the said Manors by free deed, fealty and Suit of Court at yearly rent of 2d.

The said hereditaments were lately purchased by Wm. Willett of the Trustees of Thomas Clements (deceased) and are now in the occupation of Josiah Piggott, to have and to hold at the said free rent — to the use of Wm. Willett and his heirs and assigns for ever — Free of all Claim of the Lord of the Manors for the time being in respect thereof.

Signed and sealed 10 July 1876.
Sir C. C. Smith, Bart."

Note: The above mentioned land abutting towards the N.E. on land belonging to the Rev. Philip Budworth, towards the S. and S.E. on land belonging to Capel Cure, Esq., and towards the West on the public highway leading from Greensted to Stanford Rivers Church, which said piece of land is part of the said farm called Ganns Farm devised by the late Lucy Evans and formerly in occupation of James Ives, then James Shruby, and later of John Mott.

10 July 1876 — Deed of Release of Free Rent

By Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith, Baronet, to Wm. Willett:

"Be it remembered that on 29 June 1876 Wm. Willett of Abridge, Brewer, came out of Court before me, John Windus, Gent, Steward of the Manors, and produced a certain indenture dated 14 June 1876 whereby the hereditaments hereinafter described and holden of the Manors by Free deed, fealty and at a yearly rent of 2d., were conveyed to him and his heirs by the Executors of Thomas Clements, deceased, that is to say all that field or close of land situated at Stanford Rivers, formerly part of Ganns Farm, and was conveyed to the said Thomas Clements by one John Evans whereupon there happened to the Lord of the Manor for a relief of the sum of 2d. which was paid to the said Wm. Willett and his fealty was respited."

15 August 1895

Release of Free Rent — Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith, Bart., Lord of the Manor, to Wm. Willett of Abridge Brewery.

15 August 1895

Conveyance W. Willett to Mrs. Willett.

18 February 1899

Conveyance, Mrs. Willett and others to Whitbread & Co. Ltd.

3 November 1926

Certificate given by Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries regarding Tithe Redemption of Drill House.

The Certificate of this redemption under Tithes Act 1836–1935 was confirmed.

1938–1939 — Inland Revenue Certificate

Agreed with Whitbread & Co. Ltd. to the redemption of Land Tax on lands with buildings known as Drill House and in occupation of Mrs. Helen May Freeland.

Annual Value: £28-10-0.
Rate: 1/- in £1.

21 February 1957

Receipt from Her Majesty's Postmaster General. Consent to the erection and maintenance of a Telephone Kiosk on the forecourt of the Drill House.

Signed by Whitbread & Co. Ltd. and H.M. Postmaster General.