Notes & Queries: Clergy in 1791, by Gerald. O. Rickwood

Source: The Essex Review, Vol. 51 (1942), p. 60.

It is interesting to note that the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ of January 1791, in recording the death, in his 81st year, of Rev. Thomas Smith, M.A., rector of Stondon [Massey] near Ongar, since 1735,²⁰³ commented that “He was one of the five rectors in the five adjoining parishes, whose united ages make 400 and upwards; exhibiting proof of the salubrity of the Essex air, than the temperance and longevity of Essex clergy.”

The other four long lived rectors were: Messrs, Harris²⁰⁴ r. of Greensted;²⁰⁵ Henshaw, r. of High Ongar; Salisbury, r. of Moreton; and Kippax, r. of Doddinghurst.

Footnotes

²⁰³ For Rectors of Stondon Massey 1735-1935, see Journal No 43: After Dinner Anecdotes – (Errata) – High Country History Group.

²⁰⁴ Rev. Harris opened Sunday School in Greensted, 1792 – see Journal No. 82: Education in Greensted – High Country History Group.

²⁰⁵ For Vicars and Rectors of Greensted, see Journal No. 65: Vicars and Rectors of St Andrew’s, Greensted from 1328 – High Country History Group.