The High Shrievalties are the oldest secular titles under the Crown in England and Wales, their purpose being to represent the monarch at a local level, historically in the shires.
The office was a powerful position in earlier times, as sheriffs were responsible for the maintenance of law and order and various other roles. It was only in 1908 under Edward VII that the Lord Lieutenant became more senior than the High Sheriff. Since then the position of High Sheriff has become more ceremonial, with many of its previous responsibilities transferred to High Court judges, magistrates, coroners, local authorities and the police.
The following is a list of people who were appointed to the position of Sheriff of Essex and who lived in the local area.
1615. Sir William Smith, of Hill Hall, Theydon Mount
1619. William Smith of Mounthall, Theydon Mount
1703. Sir Thomas Webster, 1st Baronet of Copped Hall, Epping
1768. Richard Lomas of Loughton
1799. Capel Cure – Blake Hall, Bobbingworth
1809. Rutherford Abdy – Albyns, Stapleford Abbotts
1811. Charles Smith – Suttons, Stapleford Tawney
1828. Charles Joshua Smith – Suttons
1830. Capel Cure – Blake Hall
1843. Henry John Conyers – Copped Hall
1844. Stanes Brocket Brocket – Spains Hall, Willingale Spain
1846. John Clarmont Whiteman – The Grove, Theydon Garnon
1847. William Coxhead Marsh – Park Hall, Theydon Garnon
1852. Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith – Suttons
1857. John Francis Wright – Kelvedon Hall, Kelvedon Hatch
1875. Sir Thomas Abdy – Albyns
1878. Philip John Budworth – Greensted Hall, Greensted
1884. Sir William Neville Abdy – Albyns
1889. Sir William Bowyer-Smyth – Hill Hall
1892. Willian Swain Chisenhall Marsh – Gaynes Park, Coopersale
1901. Ernest James Wythes – Copped Hall
1915. Sir Drummond Cunliffe Smith – Suttons
1932. Harold McCorquodale - Forest Hall, Ongar
1951. Major George Nigel Capel-Cure - Blake Hall