Kelly’s Directory 1890 (Part 4): Theydon Mount

THEYDON MOUNT is a parish, situated on the banks of the Roding and on the London road, 7 miles south-west from Ongar, 3 miles south-east of Epping station, and 17 from London, in the Western division of the county, Ongar union and hundred, Epping petty sessional division, Brentwood county court district, rural deanery of Lambourne, archdeaconry of Essex and diocese of St. Albans.

St. Michael’s Church

The church of St. Michael, which was struck by lightning and destroyed in the 17th century, was rebuilt by Sir William Bowyer-Smijth 1st bart. of that name, and is now an edifice of stone in the Norman style, consisting of a chancel and nave, and an embattled western tower containing one bell.

There are monuments of the Smijths from 1577 to 1815, including a canopied tomb, with effigy, to Sit Thomas Smijth kt. principal secretary of state to Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth, ob. 1577, and Philippa, his wife, ob. 1578, and another fine tomb with effigies to Col. Sir Wiilliam Smijth, of Hill Hall, kt. D.L. ob. 1626, erected by Bridget (Fleetwood), his widow.

There are 350 sittings.

Parish Registers and Living

The register dates from the year 1564.

The living is a rectory, united with that of Stapleford Tawney, joint net yearly value, including 152 acres of glebe, about £700, with residence, in the gift of Sir William Bowyer-Smijth bart. and held since 1872 by Rev. Lewis Newcomen Prance M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, F.S.A.Lond. and rural dean of Lambourne, who resides at Stapleford Tawney rectory, Romford.

Hill Hall and Landownership

Hill Hall, the seat of the Smijths, is a quadrangular mansion built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, but has now been for several years unoccupied.

Sir W. Bowyer Smijth bart. J.P. still owns the Hall, but resides at Attleborough Hall, Norfolk, is lord of the manor and principal landowner.

Agriculture and Population

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

The area is 1,500 acres; rateable value, £1,703; the population in 1881 was 148.

Parish and Postal Services

Parish Clerk: Thomas Merriday.

Pillar Letter Box: cleared at 7.15a.m. & 6.45 p.m. Letters from Epping, the nearest money order & telegraph office, arrive at 7.30 & 9.10a.m. & 7.30p.m.

Church School

Church School, built, with headteacher’s house, in 1846, for 50 children; average attendance, 29; Mrs. Mary Gray, mist.

Commercial

• Merriday Thomas, blacksmith
• Miller Jacob, farmer, New farm
• Miller Thomas, farmer
• Smith James, farmer, Skinners farm
• Stubbins Thomas, shoe maker