Guildhall Manuscripts. Churchwardens’ Presentments (Part 3): 1750-1846. Supplementary information

Having covered in the previous two articles Churchwardens Presentments to the Bishop of London, 1750 to 1842, for the High Country parishes, I now add some supplementary information from these, and other returns.

On a separate schedule to the Churchwardens Presentment in 1753 is a list of clergy and churchwardens for all parishes³. The serving clergy were:

Greensted: John Harris. Rector
Stanford Rivers. Nathaniel Lancaster DD. Rector
Stapleford Tawney John Lloyd. Rector
Theydon Mount. Stewart Sparkes. Rector

The Bishops Act Book 1775 to 1792⁴ records:

[1775 Stanford Rivers]. September 2. Richard Beadon Clerk BD was admitted and instituted by the said Bishop to the Rectory of Stanford Rivers in the County of Essex and Diocese of London, void by the Death of Nathaniel Lancaster DD the last Incumbent upon the presentation of his most sacred Majesty King George the Third, Patron thereof by Full Right, by Virtue of his Dutchy of Lancaster, as is attested.

In 1822⁵ the serving clergy were:

Greensted: Wm Hamilton Warren. Rector
Stanford Rivers.E C Dowdeswell DD. resides Rector
Stapleford Tawney with Theydon Mount
Richard Smyth Rector
Wm St Andrew Vincent Curate

In addition to William Laundy, Sir Wm Smyth Bart is also recorded as a Churchwarden at Theydon Mount.

Episcopal Visitation returns for four-yearly intervals between 1826 and 1842° record that Dr Edward Christopher Dowdeswell, Rector of Stanford Rivers was served by a Curate: Craven Ord (in 1830), Richard Thomas (1834), Richard Harris (1838) and Gilbert Alder (1842). The List of Parishes Incumbent Rate & Churchwardens 1810⁷ shows WW Warren as his Curate.

Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount operated as a single benefice with Richard Smyth as Rector (1810, 1826, 1830, 1834), then Edward Smyth MA (1838) and Henry Scamer MA (1842). Serving as Curates were William Vincent (1826), John Jenkyn (1830), Edward Smyth and Francis Gregory (1834), William Bond (1838). The entry for 1842 is blank. Both churches had their own churchwardens.

A Richard Smyth was appointed incumbent at Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount as early as 1780. I am uncertain whether this was the same person. The following information is taken from the Bishops Act Book 1775 to 1792³.

[1780] Rectory of Stapleford Tawney w Theydon Mount Resigned March 29h Samuel Smith Clerk DD Rector of the Rectory and Parish Church of Stapleford Tawney with Theydon Mount Annexed in the County of Essex and Diocese of London by his Proctor Thomas Haytor Clerk MA Resigned into the Hands of the Lord Bishop of London the said Rectory and Parish Church which Resignation the said Lord Bishop accepted and declared the said Rectory Void and to be void of the person of the said Samuel Smith to all intents & purposes in Law and Decreed Notice of the Avoidance to be given to the Patron thereof.

[1780] May 22d Richard Smyth Clerk was admitted and instituted to the Rectory of Stapleford Tawney with Theydon Mount Annexed in the County of Essex and Diocese of London Vacant by the Resignation of Samuel Smith Clk the last Incumbent upon the presentation of Sir William Smyth of Hill Hall in the said County Past the true and undoubted Patron thereof in full right as asserted.