Kelly’s Directory 1912 (Part 4): Theydon Mount

THEYDON MOUNT is a parish, on the banks of the Roding and on the London road, 3 miles south-east of Epping station on the Ongar branch of the Great Eastern railway, 7 south-west from Ongar 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 Chigwell, 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 bart. and is now an edifice of brick in the Jacobean style, consisting of a chancel, nave, south porch 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 250 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 £536, including 152 acres of glebe, 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, a quadrangular mansion of brick with stone dressings, built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, stands in a park and grounds, 239 acres in extent; it is now the property of Sir W. Bowyer-Smijth bart. and the residence of Charles Edward Hunter esq.

Sir W. Bowyer-Smijth bart. 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 1,564 acres; rateable value, £1,520; the population in 1901 was 123.

Postal Services

Pillar Letter Box, North Farm House: cleared at 7.30a.m. & 6.55 p.m. week days only. Letters from Epping, the nearest money order & telegraph office, 3 miles distant, arrive at 7.15 a.m.

Public Elementary School

Public Elementary School, built in 1846, for 56 children; average attendance, 42; Mrs. Evelyn Darby, mistress.

This school is under the control of the Essex Education (Ongar) District Sub-Committee, Arnold Richardson, Ongar, clerk.

Private Residents

• Hunter Charles Edward, Hill Hall
• James Samuel George (sec. to C. E. Hunter esq.), Norths

Commercial

• Bonner Herbert, brick & tile maker
• Miller Hy. C. farmer, Sawkins farm
• Miller Jacob David, farmer, New farm
• Raby George, farmer, Skinners farm
• Smith John, farmer, Brookhouse farm
• Tarling William John, blacksmith