Kelly’s Directory 1890 (Part 3): Stapleford Tawney

STAPLEFORD TAWNEY, which has this adjunct from the family of Tany, who owned it in the reign of Henry III, is a parish, on the north side of the Roding, opposite to Stapleford Abbots, 5 miles south-west from Ongar, 5 miles south-east from Epping, 7 north from Romford, 4¾ miles west from Theydon Bois station on the Great Eastern railway, and 17 from London, in the Western division of the county, Ongar hundred, petty sessional division and union, Romford county court district, rural deanery of Lambourne, archdeaconry of Essex and diocese of St. Albans.

St. Mary’s Church

The church of St. Mary is a small and ancient structure of flint in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, south porch and western belfry with spire containing 2 bells, dated 1611 and 1630.

An organ was presented in 1873 by Reginald H. Prance esq.

There are mural tablets to the Smith family and many flat stones to that of Luther from 1619 and later.

In the chancel is a tomb with a brass inscription to a member of the Scott family, dated 1510.

The church was restored in 1861 by public subscription, at a cost of £1,200, and during the progress of the work two stone coffins were discovered in the chancel.

A new panelled roof was added in 1884, and the late Sir Charles C. Smith, 3rd bart. (d. 1905), also presented a handsome mosaic reredos.

There are 350 sittings.

Parish Registers and Living

The register dates from the year 1558.

The living is a rectory, with that of Theydon Mount annexed, joint net yearly value from tithe rent-charge and 152 acres of glebe £650, with residence, in the gift of Sir W. Bowyer Smijth bart. and held since 1872 by the Rev. Lewis Newcomen Prance M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, F.S.A. and rural dean of Lambourne.

Charities and Suttons

Charities amounting to about £25, derived from interest on Consols., are yearly distributed.

Suttons, the seat of Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith bart. D.L. J.P. is a modern building of stone, picturesquely situated in a finely wooded park through which the river Roding flows.

Sir Wm. Bowyer Smijth bart. of Attleborough Hall, Norfolk, is lord of the manor, and principal landowner.

Agriculture and Population

The soil is mixed; subsoil, heavy clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, beans and oats.

The area is 1,649 acres; rateable value, £2,048; the population in 1881 was 222.

PASSINGFORD BRIDGE 1 mile south, is a place in this parish on the road from Ongar to London.

Parish and Postal Services

Parish Clerk: Thomas Merriday.

Post & M. O. O., S.B. & Annuity & Insurance Office, Passingford Bridge: William Pittam, receiver. Letters through Romford, arrive at 6a.m.; dispatched at 6.40p.m. The nearest telegraph office is at Havering-atte-Bower.

Church School

Church School (mixed), built in 1874, for 60 children; average attendance, 25; Miss Lucy Bowler, mistress.

(Marked thus + to receive their letters through Epping)

Residents

• Cooper Mrs.
• Prance, Rev. Lewis Newcomen M.A. Rectory
• Smith Sir Charles Cunliffe bart. D.L., J.P. Suttons

Commercial

• Fitch Cornell, farmer, Howfields
• Fry John Lovell, farmer, Suttons farm
• Miller Daniel, farmer, Wood hatch
• +Miller Jacob David, farmer, New farm
• Miller Jas. farmer, Little Tawney hall
• Perry Charles, blacksmith
• Pittam William, shopkeeper, Post-office
• +Stubbins Thomas, farmer, Common
• Sworder Harry, farmer, Tawney hall
• Threader John, farmer
• Threader Rebecca (Mrs.), beer retailer Common