Kelly’s Directory 1933 (Part 4): Theydon Mount

Theydon Mount

Theydon Mount is a parish on the banks of the River Roding and on the London road, 3 miles south-east from Epping station on the Ongar branch of the London and North Eastern Railway, 7 miles south-west from Ongar and 17 miles from London.

It is situated in the Chelmsford division of the county, Ongar rural district and hundred, Epping petty sessional division, Waltham Abbey county court district, rural deanery of Chigwell, archdeaconry of Southend and Chelmsford diocese.

St. Michael's Church

The church of St. Michael, which was struck by lightning and destroyed in the year 1611, was rebuilt by Sir William Bowyer-Smith kt. and re-opened in 1614.

It is an edifice of brick in the Jacobean style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch and an embattled western tower, containing one bell.

There are monuments of the Smyths, or Smiths, dating from 1577 to 1815, including a canopied tomb with effigy to Sir Thomas Smith kt., Principal Secretary of State to Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth, who died in 1577, and Philippa, his wife, who died in 1578.

Another fine tomb, with effigies, commemorates Col. Sir William Smith, of Hill Hall, kt., D.L., who died in 1626. The monument was erected by Bridget (Fleetwood), his widow.

The church has 250 sittings.

Parish Registers and Rectory

The parish register dates from the year 1564.

The living is a rectory, united with that of Stapleford Tawney, with a joint net yearly value of £800, in the gift of Lady Edward Hay.

It has been held since 1913 by the Rev. Sidney Margetts Stanley M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, who resides at Stapleford Tawney Rectory, Romford.

Hill Hall and the Manor

Hill Hall, a quadrangular mansion of brick with stone dressings, built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, stands in a park and grounds extending to 239 acres.

It is the property and residence of Maj. Lord Edward Douglas John Hay.

Mrs. Northcote and Mrs. Battye are ladies of the manor and the principal landowners.

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; the population in 1931 was 169.

Postal Services

Letters through Epping, the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.

Theydon Mount Directory

Private Resident

• Hay, Maj. Lord Edward Douglas John – Hill Hall

Commercial Directory

° Indicates a farm of 150 acres or over.

• ° Calderbank, Thomas – Farmer, Colemans Farm. Tel: Stapleford 304
• Chambers, Jack – Farmer, Skinners Farm
• Freeman, Albert – Farmer, Peakes Farm
• Galloway, Kenneth – Farmer, Mount Farm
• ° Nosworthy, John – Farmer, Hobbs Cross Farm. Tel: Theydon Bois 137
• Tarling, William John – Blacksmith