High Country History Group

THEYDON BOIS.

THIs parish church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a small low building, with a
cupola of wood, containing three bells: the east end has lately been re-built
with brick.
On the south side of the chancel is a marble tablet, with the following in-
scription:
" To the memory of John Marmaduke Grafton Dare, esq. died November
22, 1810, aged 49.

Etate jam florente, miles sese relinquens Patriæque
Penitus addixit, maturis autem annis omnia.
Munera civilis vitæ ftliciter peregit, magisterio
Officio potitus ; ob quietatem animique acumen
Sese elarum reddidit omnibus: mariti, patris,
Filii, fratrisque officiis summo cum amore et
Pietate perfunctus est ; in amicos denique
Maxime ingeniis studioque semper incensus.
Ut inseriberetur hæc tabella in testimonium
Illius virtutum, suisque plorabilis infortunii
Curavit Elizabetha Grafton Dare, ejus vidua,
Henrici Eaton, armigeri, nuper de villa
Rainham, filia ex uxore Elizabetha unica,
Prole Georgii Mildmay, armigeri, de consanguineo
Generis veteris prosapie diu commorantis apud Marks.

In the chancel is the family vault of the Meggots, ancestors of the Elwes family.
In the church-yard is a table monument to the memory of Thomas Clark, esq.
died May 13, 1814, aged 60.
The church and advowson of Theydon Bois were given by William de Bosco
to the prior and canons of St. Bartholomew, West Smithfield, and confirmed to
them by king Henry III. in a charter, dated June 15, 1253 *. In the taxation of
Pope Nicholas, in 1291, Theydon Bois was valued at 47. 13s. 4d. By the London
Register there appear but two presentations to it as a rectory, in 1320 and 1330;
after this it was entirely appropriated to the monks, who retained the tithes in
their own possession, and it became a curacyt. At the dissolution of St. Bar-
tholomew's priory it fell to the crown, and was granted by king Henry VIII.t
to Edward Elrington, chief butler to king Edward VI. queen Mary, and queen
Elizabeth. It continued in his family until purchased by John Smart, esq.s In
the report of the committee, appointed, in 1650, to inquire into ecclesiastical
benefices, Theydon Bois is described as a parsonage impropriate, and without
any officiating minister|. It was purchased from the descendants of John
Smart, by John Hopkins, esq. (and has passed with the manor); whose
nephew and heir, John Hopkins, esq. in 1771, devised it to John Dare, esq.
whose widow, Mrs. Grafton Dare, is the present patroness of the living, which
has been augmented by queen Anne's bounty, and is now a donative: the in-
cumbent possesses the whole of the tithes.
Rev. Thomas Layton, M.A. the present curate, succeeded, the 4th of June, 1803, on George Hol-
gate's deccase.
In this bundred are three contiguous parishes, now denominated Theydon
Bois, Theydon Gernon, and Theydon Mount; which were antiently but one
lordship. In the record of Domesday they are mentioned under the general ap-
pellation of Teindena, and, when afterwards divided, two of them appear to
have been named from their situations, and one from the owner.
Theydon Bois, the smallest of the three, was probably so named from being
more embosomed in trees than the others. It belonged, in the reign of Edward
the Confessor, to Hacun, Uluuin, and seven freemen, and at the Norman Sur-
vey, to Peter de Valoines, "who held Teindena for a manor of three hides and a
half and eighty acres; then seven villans, now twelve; then three bordars, now
four; always five servants, pannage for 400 hogs, 16 acres of meadow, one
mill; then 2 cows, 3 baggage horses, 74 hogs, 40 sheep; now 2 baggage horses,
92 hogs, 147 sheep, 12 hives of bees; then valued at 60s. now 100s. and seven
freemen held eleven hides and a virgate and a half, which now Peter holds; al-
ways eleven servants and one bordar; then and afterwards 6 carucates, now 4;
pannage for 140 hogs, 20 acres of meadow, always valued at 46s. this is for an
exchange. Peter himself says, Walter holds half a hide and 40 acres of Peter,
which Ulwin held, and Peter retains for a security, by the king's consent; then
was one villan, now none; then two carucates; afterwards, and at present, one;
panuage for 100 hogs, seven acres of meadow ; then worth 16s. now 20s .* "
In 1166, Osbert de Thaiden held a knight's fee heret under Robert
son of Peter de Valoines, and William de Bosco held one of the new
feoffmentt. This manor was afterwards the property of John son of Peter
de Taney, who gave it to the abbot and canons of Waltham Abbeys: it
continued in their possession till the dissolution of the abbey; when it fell to.
the crown, and was granted by king Edward VI. to sir Thomas Wroth|, who
died, October 9, 1573, possessed of this and other estates in this county. He
was succeeded by his son Robert, knighted in 1603: it continued through seve-
ral generations in this family, from whom it was purchased by Edward Elring-
ton, who possessed the advowson of the living, and the tithes: it remained with
his heirs till about 1656, when it was sold to John Smart, merchant, of London.
He was succeeded by his three sons successively; John, who died without
issue; Joseph; and Benjamin. Joseph, in whom the whole finally settled, was
sheriff of this county in 1685, and sheriff of London in 1699, and knighted: he
died in 1702, and was buried with Ann, his wife, in Theydon Bois, (of whom there
are now no memorials left). This estate was soon after the property of Robert
Meggot, esq. ; from his successors it was purchased by Smart Lethieullier, of
Aldersbrooke; whose heirs sold it to John Hopkins, esq .; who bequeathed it, in
1771, to John Dare, esq .; whose widow (since married to Johu Marmaduke
Grafton, esq. who died November 22, 1810) is the present proprietor.
The manor of Blake-hall was purchased by the above mentioned Edward
Elrington, from Thomas Wroth, esq. who held estates in this and the neigh-
bouring parishes. This manor has descended with that of Theydon Bois, and
is in the possession of the same proprietor, Mrs. Grafton Dare.
There are courts held for these manors.
The manor of Gregories was the property of John Crewe, esq. of Bolesworth
Castle, in the county of Chester; from whom it was purchased, in 1783, by John
Tysoe Read, esq. of London, banker; whose assignees sold this estate, in 1785,
to Daniel Giles, esq. of London; who is succeeded by his son Daniel Giles, esq.
of Youngsbury, the present proprietor.
Theydon-hall is situated near the church, and about a quarter of a mile
from the village of Abridge, of which it commands a pleasing prospect, and an
extensive view over the surrounding country. This house was the property of
Robert Meggot, esq. who left it to his nephew John Meggot, esq. (who took the
name of Elwes from his uncle sir Harry Elwes, of Stoke, in Suffolk); he left
this estate at Theydon Bois to his two sons; the youngest, John Elwes, esq.
died lately possessed of Theydon-hall; it is now the property of Henry Elwes,
esq. and is at present the residence of S. Wild, esq.
At Theydon Green are a number of houses pleasantly situated, having a fine
avenue of trees before them, which lead to Debden Green. A great part of
this parish is tythe-free, having formerly belonged to Waltham Abbey, and pos-
sesses by prescription the privilege of cutting wood in the forest. Theydon
Bois pays to the land tax 196l. 6s. 2d.
There are here four cottages, which were occupied as alms-houses ; but, the
endowment being lost, they are now used as a poor-house.
That celebrated ecclesiastical historian and antiquary, John Strype, was pre-
sented to the curacy of this parish July 14, 1669, which he retained but a short
time, being appointed miuister of Low Layton, where he continued sixty-eight
years, till his decease, at the advanced age of 94, Dec. 11, 1763. The princi-
pal of his works are, Ecclesiastical Memoirs, Annals of the Reformation, Ad-
dition to Stow's Survey, Lives of Sir Thomas Smith, Archbishops Cranmer,
Grindal, Parker, and Whitgift, &c. &c. &c.

Charitable Benefactions.
A charity was left here by a Mr. Hyates, which has not heen received for some years by the parish: it is thus
described in the church-books, as a paragraph out of his will :- " I give and bequeath to Mr. Thomas Bland, and to
Mr. Conrade Digolls, and their heirs for ever, ome annuity or yearly sum of five pounds, to commence at the end of two
years next after the decease of me and my said wife, upon trust, that they from time to time pay and employ the same
in manner following: that is to say, for the patting forth apprentice, one in a year, the son of some poor man living or
inhabiting on some part of my manor of Gregories, near Epping, in the county of Essex, such as those my executors, ot
their heirs and executors, shall from time to time nominate and choose."
This annuity did commence at the feast of St. Michael, 1721.

THEYDON MOUNT.

THIs church, dedicated to St. Michael, (it is said,) was burnt by lightning, and
the present one rebuilt by the first sir William Smith. The tower is of brick,
embattled, and contains one bell. The church is rich in monuments of the
Smith family, and in the east window are placed their arms in painted glass.
At the west end there is a gallery.
On the north side of the chancel is a monument to the memory of sir Tho-
mas Smith, whose effigy is placed in a recumbent posture, leaning on his right
hand, under an arched canopy : over the figure is the following inscription :
" Thomas Smithus, eques auratus, hujus manerii dominus cum regis Edwardi
sexti, tum Elizabetha reginæ consiliarius; ac primi nominis secretarius, eorun-
demque principum ad maximos reges legatus; nobilis ordinis Garterii cancella-
rius, arda Australisque Claneboy in Hibernia Collenellus, juris civilis supremo
titulo etiam cùm adolescens insignitus, orator, mathematicus, philosophus excel-
lentissimus, linguarum Latinæ, Græca, Hebraica, Gallic etiam et Italica cal-
lentissimus. Proborum et ingeniosorum hominum fautor eximius, plurimis
commodans, nemini nocens, ab injuriis ulscilcendis alienissimus. Denique sapi-
entia, pietate, integritate insignis, et in omni vitâ, seu æger seu valens, intrepidus
mori, cum ætatis suæ 65 annum complevisset in ædibus suis Montaulensibus,
12° die Augusti, anno salutis 1577, pie et suaviter in Domino obdormivit."
Beneath the figure is
" Gloria vita anteacta celebrem facit in terræ
Visceribus sepultum.
Innocuus vixi; si me post funera lædis,
Cælesti Domino facta (sceleste) lues."
Dame Philippa, his wife, died the 20th day of June, 1578, and lies with him
here buried. Around the arch of the canopy are these words:
What yearth, or sea, or skies conteyne, what creatures in them be,
My minde did seeke to knowe, my soule the heavens continually.
Over the monument are the arms* in marble, with these words:
Tabificus quamvis serpens oppresseret ignem,
Qua tamen erumpendi sit data copia lucet.
Under the coat is this motto-" Qua pota lucet."
On the opposite side of the chancel is a handsome monument erected to the
memory of sir William Smith and his lady. He is represented in armour, his
lady with a book in her hand, and their three sons and four daughters in atti-
tudes of devotion under them. Over the figures, on the back of the canopy, is
inscribed as follows:
" To the pious memory of her loved and loving husband, sir William Smith,
of Hil !- hall, in the county of Essex, knt .; who, till he was thirty years old, fol-
lowed the wars in Ireland with such approbation, that he was chosen one of the
colonels of the army; but his uncle, sir Thomas, chancellor of the garter, and
principal secretary of state to two princes, king Edward the Sixth and the late
queen Elizabeth, of famous memorie, dying, he returned to a fair and full inheri-
tance, and so bent himself to the affairs of the country, that he grew alike famous
in the arts of peace as of warre. All offices there, that sorted with a man of
his quality, he right worshipfully performed, and died one of the deputy lieute-
nants of the shire, a place of no small trust and credit.

" Bridget, his unfortunate widow, (who, during the time of 37 years, bore him
three sonnes and four daughters,) was daughter of Thomas Fleetwood, esq. of the
Vache in the county of Bucks, and some time master of the Mint; to allay her
langour, and longing after so dear a companion of her life, rather to express her
affection, than his office, this monument erected, destinating the same to herself,
their children and posterity: he lived 76 years, and died Dec. 12th, 1626."
On the north side of the chancel, on a large monument, are the effigies of the
deceased in armour, leaning on his left hand, his other placed on his sword, with
his two ladies and son in praying attitudes behind him. Upon the base of the
tomb is the following inscription: "Here lies the body of sir William Smith,
kut. sonne of sir William Smith, of Theydon Mount, in the county of Essex,
where, after many sweet expressions of his confidence, in the mercies of his
Saviour, in the two-and-thirtieth yeare of his age, peaceably slept in the Lord
Jesus. He had two wives, the first Helegenwagh, the daughter of the right hon.
Edward viscount Conway; by her he had only one sonne and heir Edward, and
two daughters; the second, Anne, descended of the ancient family of Croft,
in Hertfordshire, is yet living, who (as a testimony of her loyal affection) erec-
ted this to the memorie of her dear consort deceased, on the 5th March, 1631."
Opposite this last, on the north side of the chancel, is the effigies of the de-
ceased, finely executed, in a recumbent posture, on an altar tomb, with this
inscription: "Here lies sir Thomas Smyth, of Hill-Hall, in the county of Essex,
bart. (son of sir William Smijth, of the same place, knt.). He had two wives,
the first Johanna, (the daughter of sir Edward Altham, of this county,) by her
he had eleven sons and two daughters, whereof nine sons are yet living. She
died July 14, 1658. The second, Beatrice, daughter of the right hon. Francis
viscount of Valentia, who died March 26, 1688. After he had lived 66 years,
with great reputation for loyalty to his prince, and conformity to the church of
England in apostate times, and served his king and country in chiefest places
of trust and credit in the county, peaceably departed this life in our Lord Jesus."
This monument, as testimony of the true affection of his son, sir Edward Smyth,
bart. was erected to the memory of his father deceased, on the 5th May, 1668.
On the north wall is a tablet to the memory of sir Edward Smijth, bart. died
24 June, 1713, aged 76, and his lady Jane, daughter of Peter Vandeput, esq.
died Jan. 28th, 1720, aged 67; and also of his second lady.
There are also white marble tablets, erected to the memory of sir Edward
Smijth, bart. 10th Aug. 1744, aged 59; and Ann, his first wife, daughter of the
right hon. sir Charles Hedges, secretary of state to king William and queen
Anne, died Oct. 18th, 1719; and his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John
Wood, esq. of London, died 23d of May, 1748, aged 57; and also his son, sir Ed-
ward Smijth, bart. died 4th Aug. 1760, aged 50; and his lady, daughter and
heiress of Thomas Johnson, esq. of Mitton, Bryant, Bedfordshire, who died 22th
June, 1770, aged 54; and to his next brother, sir Charles Smijth, bart. high
sheriff for the county of Essex, died Feb. 22d, 1773, aged 61.
On the skreen separating the nave from the chancel is a monument on which
is an urn, with the following inscription: "Near this place lie interred the re-
mains of the rev. sir William Smijth, bart. rector of this and Stapleford Tawny
parish more than twenty-two years: he was a student of Trinity Hall in Cam-
bridge, and admitted to the degree of LL.B. in that university: he was fifth son
of sir Edward Smijth, bart. of Hill Hall, to whose title and estates, after the
decease of his brothers sir Edward and sir Charles, who both died without male
issue, he married Abigail the daughter of Andrew Wood, esq. of Shrewsbury, by
whom he had seven children, four of whom (sir William, Elizabeth, Charles, and
Richard) are still living to lament with their disconsolate mother the very heavy
loss of so good a husband and father, and friend, to whose endearing memory
lady Smith has caused this monument to be erected, August, 1777.
Honeste vixit, neminem læsit, suum cuique tribuit.
Go, reader, and do so likewise.
Over the inscription is placed sir Wm. Smijth's obiit, Jan. 25, 1777, ætat 57.
Abigail his lady, died 18th Feb. 1787, aged 71.
In the church-yard is a black marble slab inscribed to the memory of John
Dodd, M. D. (" who, at his own particular desire, was interred as near as might
be to his worthy friend, sir Edward Smijth, bart.") died 20th Feb. 1762, aged 80:
and a table tomb erected to the memory of Mrs. Sarah Scrutton, daughter of
the late Mr. Joseph Law of this parish, died Dec. 16th, 1812, aged 56; and her
son Robert Scrutton died June 27th, 1803, aged 20; and also a younger son,
William Law Scrutton died March 11th, 1810:
This rectory is in the archdeaconry of Essex, and deanery of Ongar, and has
always been appendant to the manor. In the taxation of pope Nicholas,
in 1291, it was valued at 47. 6s. Newcourt* says, Edmund de Malyns,
who was styled Nobilis, presented to it in 1335. It continued in this family for
nearly one hundred years, and was afterwards possessed by the Hampden fa-
mily, till the death of sir John Hampden, in 1553. In 1558, sir Thomas Smith
and his wife Phillippa presented to it; and in this family it has since continued.
In the report of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of ecclesi-
astical benefices, it is described as being a parsonage presentative with cure of
souls; Walter Wells, clerk, incumbent: worth at that time 924. per annum, or
thereabouts; the presentation in Edward Smith, esq .* The patronage of the
rectory, which is now joined with Stapleford Tawny, belongs to sir William
Smijth, bart. of Hill Hall, Theydon Mount. It is valued, in the king's books,
at 137. 6s. 8d.

. February 20, 1755, on Steward Sparkes' decease.

Samuel Smijth
Richard Smijth

Rev. Steward Sparkes, B.LL. succeeded January 6, 1728, on Henry Brown's decease.
William Smijth, B.LL ...

Stapleford Tawny, and Theydon Mount.
Samuel Smijth.. April 4, 1777, on William Smijth's decease.
Richard Smijjth.. May 22, 1780, on Samuel Smijth's decease.
Richard Smijth, the present vicar .. January 5, 1801, on Richard Smijth's cession.

Theydon Mount, or Ad Montem, so denominated from standing on the sum-
mit of the hill, is the part of Theydon, which, in the Confessor's reign, belonged
to Godric, and was one of the fifty-five lordships granted by William the Con-
queror to Suene, of Essex, whose chief residence being at his castle of Raleigh,
he gave this lordship to his father Robert. In the record of Domesday it is
described as being " The land formerly held by Godric, now by Robert, for a
manor, of three hides and eighteen acres. Then were five villans. now one;
then three bordars, now seventeen; then four servants, now none; then two
ploughs on the demesne, now three; and the tenants had four ploughs, now
three: pannage for 500 hogs, 28 acres of meadow; then 1 baggage-horse, 12
beasts, 60 hogs, 100 sheep; now 3 baggage-horses, 3 pullets, 13 beasts, 39 hogs,
148 sheep; then, and when he received it, valued at 6/. now 97.t Suene was
succeeded by his son Robert de Essex; whose son Henry de Essex was con-
stable to king Henry II. and hereditary standard-bearer of England. In 1163,
during a battle with the Welsh, Henry de Essex threw down the royal standard,
and flying, exclaimed, " the king is slain;" which spread such consterna-
tion through the English army, that the king was obliged to show himself, to
prevent a total defeat. For this act of cowardice he was punished by being shut
up in the monastery of Reading, and his estates confiscated to the crown *. In
1210, Henry de Theydene held three knights' fees here of the honour of Raleigh.
It was afterwards in the lord Robert de Brus; from whom it was held by John
de Lexington ; who, in 1250, had leave granted to make a park in Theydon, and,
in 1253, to hunt in the forest of Essex t. On his decease, in 1527, this estate
fell to his brother Henry de Lexington, bishop of Lincolnt; who was succeeded
in 1257, by his nephews, William de Sutton and Robert Markham. Richard
de Tany obtained, by fraudulent means, a grant of it; but this being discovered
on a trial before king Henry III. it was restored to Robert de Brus; who again
granted it to Robert Sutton; who held it at his death, together with the advowson
of the church, doing suit for it once every month to the honour of Raleigh, and
paying to lord Robert de Brus a pair of gilt spurs, or sixpence yearly, and scut-
age for two knights' fees when levied. His grandson, John de Sutton, in 1331,
granted this manor and advowson of the church to Henry de Malyns. In 1486,
Thomas Hampden died seised of the manor of Theydon Mount and Hill Hall ;
he was succeeded by his son and heir John§; whose grandson, sir John Hamp-
den, died December 21, 1553, possessed of this manor; then described as
1000 acres of arable, 200 of meadow, 300 of pasture, 200 of wood, 200 of furze
and heath, and 100s. rent. He left no issue by Philippa his wife, daughter of
John Welford, of London, gent. who had this estate for her jointure. This lady
afterwards became the second wife of that celebrated statesman, sir Thomas.
Smith, who purchased the reversion of this manor from the beirs of sir John
Hampden.
Sir Thomas Smith was a descendant of sir Roger de Clarendon, natural son of
Edward the Black Prince; whose grand-daughter, Agnes, daughter and heiress
of the antient family of Charnock, in Lancashire, was married to John Smith, of
Saffron Walden, and by her he had four sons; Thomas, the eldest, was born at
Saffron Walden in 1512, and was educated at Queen's college, Cambridge, where
he highly distinguished himself. In 1535, he travelled abroad, and studied in
the universities of France and Italy. In Padua he took the degree of doctor of
civil law, and, after his return, the same in Cambridge, and, jointly with Mr.
Cheeke (afterwards preceptor, and secretary of state to king Edward VI.)
introduced into the University a new way of pronouncing the Greek language,
and was also a zealous promoter of the Reformation. On the accession of
king Edward VI. he took up his residence in the family of his friend and patron,
the duke of Somerset, protector of the kingdom, who appointed him his master
of requests, steward of the stannaries, provost of Eton, and dean of Carlisle; he
was also employed in affairs of state, and in 1548 advanced to be secretary of
state, knighted, and sent to the emperor's council at Brussels. On the disgrace
of the duke of Somerset, he, with only two others, (archbishop Cranmer and sir
William Paget,) steadily adhered to him; for which he most probably was sent to
the Tower, and displaced from his office of secretary of state, but afterwards
restored to it, and appointed one of the embassy that was sent to treat of a mar-
riage between king Edward VI. and the eldest daughter of the king of France.
On the accession of queen Mary, he was again deprived of his places, and or-
dered not to leave the kingdom; but, being highly favoured by Gardiner bishop
of Winchester and bishop Bonnert, he was allowed a pension of 1002. per annum.
In the commencement of Elizabeth's reign, he was engaged in settling religious
affairs, and was afterwards four times sent ambassador to France. In 1565,
during one of his embassies, he wrote his Treatise on the Commonwealth of Eng-
land. In 1572, he was made chancellor of the garter, and the same year princi-
pal secretary of state; in which employment he continued till his decease at
Hill-hall, Theydon Mount, August 12, 1577. Sir Thomas first married Eliza-
beth, daughter of William Karkeck, gent .; whose sister Ann married sir Thomas
Chamberlayne, ambassador in Flanders and Spain; secondly, Philippa, relict of
sir John Hampden. Sir Thomas was one of the great ornaments of queen Eli-
zabeth's reigu, being possessed of extraordinary abilities. He was a profound
scholar and philosopher, an enlightened statesman, and a fine orator; added to
these, a man of unblemished integrity, and a sincere and steady protestant. He
was also a great benefactor to Queen's college, Cambridge, and to the universi-
ties in general *. He left no issue by either of his wives, but was succeeded by
his nephew sir William Smith, son of his youngest brother George.
This estate of Theydon Mount has continued in his family for seven succeed-
ing generations. See the epitaphs in the church. The late rev. sir William
Smijth, bart. was succeeded in 1777 by the present sir William Smijth, bart.
who also possesses Horeham-hall, another antient seat of the Smijth family, at
Thaxted, in this county.
The manor-house, Hill-hall, was erected by sir Thomas Smith, secretary of state
to king Edward VI. and queen Elizabeth, near the site of the antient mansion on
the summit of the hill of Theydon Mount, in a commanding situation : this noble
structure is built of brick in the quadrangular form, with a handsome court yard
in the centre ; the grand entrance is from the north through a fine avenue of elm-
trees, the principal front is towards the east, which possesses an extensive view
over Warley common and lord Petre's woods; the prospect from the west is
beautiful, rich, and varied; from it may be seen the whole parish, together with
the church of Theydon Gernon, the town of Epping, and the boundaries of the
forest ; and from the south, great part of Lamborn. Sir Thomas had often the ho-
nour of entertaining his great friend the duke of Somerset, uncle to king Edward
VI .; the chamber that had been appropriated to him is called the duke's room to
the present time. This mansion is one of the residences inhabited by the present
proprietor, sir William Smijth, bart.
The village of Theydon Mount consists of a few houses; about seventeen
miles from London. The whole of the parish is the property of sir William
Smijth, bart. excepting about fifteen acres; eight of which belong to the poor
of Epping and Theydon Gernon, and the other seven acres form a small por-
tion of a farm called Serle's-hall ; the remainder, consisting of 79 acres, is situ-
ated in the parish of Theydon Gernon, and was bequeathed in 1777 by sir Charles
Smijth to his natural daughter Anne, afterwards married to the rev. Robert
Willan; this estate was sold in 1812 to William Coxhead Marsh, esq. of Gains
Park Hall, and is now occupied by Mrs. Newman.
Between Theydon Gernon and Theydon Mount there is a small wood called
Barbers, and on the north side of this parish is a range of woods; the largest of
which is called the Beechet wood, probably from having a number of Beech
trees formerly growing there.
The parish of Theydon Mount pays to the land tax 197l. 1s. 10d.
There are three tenements here occupied by poor persons.
In 1389, king Richard II .* granted licence to Nicholas Exton, citizen of Lon-
don, and Joane his wife, to found a chantry here; the endowment was half an
acre of land and ten marks rent, held of Florence Malyns, by the rent of 15s. 7d.
one pound of wax, one of pepper, two capons, and suit of court .- Salmon.

The White Bear is a grade II listed building. In 1848 the Post Office was located at the pub.

Advertisements:

Chelmsford Chronicle 2nd December, 1859

TO BE DISPOSED OF, an old-established road-side Inn, known as the WHITE BEAR, Stanford Rivers, Essex, well adapted for a dealer, having eight acres of land. Apply on the Premises.

Chelmsford Chronicle 16th August, 1861

G.ARCHER
WHITE BEAR INN, STANFORD RIVERS
ESSEX

G.A. respectfully informs the Public that he has TAKEN the above INN, which he intends conducting in a most respectable manner.

Wines and Spirits, Draught and Bottled Ales,
and Stout of the best quality.

COLD ORDINARY EVERY DAY AT 5 O’CLOCK; SUNDAYS AT 1.
DINNERS PROVIDED

Well- aired Beds, with spacious Accommodation.

GOOD STABLING AND LOOSE BOXES FOR HUNTERS

Dealers’ Cattle taken in to Grass

Chelmsford Chronicle 6th April 1877.

TO BE LET, that pleasantly situate Road-side INN and PUBLIC HOUSE, The WHITE BEAR, Stanford Rivers, together with about seven acres of rich pasture land. The house, through its convenient distance from London, ad picturesque surroundings, does a large and profitable summer trade with excursionists and pleasure parties, &c.
incoming by valuation, and early possession may be had.
Apply at the Brewery, Chelmsford.

Licensees

1819-1826 John Pavitt

1845 John Barnard (Baker)

1851 Thomas Agg

1851 George Sweeting

1855 H. Charge

1856 Eliza Archer

1861 G.A. Archer

1862 Mrs. Eliza Archer

1863 Mr Barlow (?)

1867 Francis Robinson

1870 Francis Robinson (Farmer)

1872 Mrs Hurman

1873 John Bush

1878 - 1885 George Mason

1885 (Dec) Frederick Tanner

1892 Mrs. Jane Tanner (widow of above)

1902 John William Charter

1905 John Lewis

1906 Charles William Green

1910 William C. Lane

1925 James Greenfield

1929 Louis Tasman Grimston

1933 Archibald William Aylmer

1952-1970 Albert Ireland

1970 Marjorie Ireland

The White Bear finally closed in 2001 and was converted into a private dwelling.

A brief note of two new booklets which give information on two excavations in the county.

‘The Colchester Archaeologist Vol. 27 (2013/14)’, 50pp, £3.95, produced by the Friends of Colchester Archaeological Trust, includes a dig diary on the site of Williams and Griffin in the town’s High Street, and the discovery on Day 94 of a collection of gold and silver jewellery, hidden away in a house destroyed by the Boudicca uprising of 61AD. Known locally as ‘The Fenwick Treasure’ conservation work unravelled earrings, bracelets and five gold finger-rings worn by a woman, and silver jewellery worn by a man.

‘From Demolition to Discovery: The Lost Mansions of Marks Hall’, 28pp, £7.00, reports on the archaeological dig carried out in the Country Park near Coggeshall between 2011 and 2014. Although the mansion of 1609 with Georgian additions was demolished in the 1950s its exact position was unknown. The excavation identified the layout of the mansion and discovered an earlier Tudor structure. Aside of this booklet, oral history research currently being undertaken is rediscovering the estate’s past.

Following major conservation work, Rainham Hall re-opened to the public in October 2015. The house was built by John Harle, mariner, in 1729 but has been owned by a succession of people since then until the National Trust acquired it in 1949. The Trust intends to change the display occasionally to depict a different resident but has started with its original owner whose 1742 will turned up at a car boot sale in Norfolk recently.

Source: National Trust magazine, Autumn 2015.

John Gladwine 19 April 1563

To be buried in Greenstead [-juxta Ongar] churchyard. To Alice my wife my house in Birchanger for her life; after her decease, to be sold, the money to be equally divided among my six children, William, Bartholomew, Geoffrey, John and Nicholas GLADWINE and Joan a PAGE my wife’s daughter. To Nicholas my fairest brass pot, my wife to have the keeping until he is 20: if he dies before it, to be freely my wife’s. To her 4 kine to help to discharge my debts and funeral withal. To Bartholomew and Geoffrey each a sheep. The rest of my sheep and lambs and also my mare and the olt to my wife. Towards the mending of Greenstead church steeple 8d. The residue of my household and cattle to my wife, whom I ordain my executrix. I make Geoffrey FYNCHE of Greenstead Hall, the overseer, and for his painstaking 12d. Witnesses: Thomas FYNCH of Stanford Rivers, Robert ROWLAND parson [rector] of Greenstead. Proved 26 May 1563.

John CLAYE the younger of Harlow, 6 Nov. 1564

To the poor people of Harlow 6s 8d. To John my son £6 13s. 4d. to be paid to him by John KYNGE of Latton Priory at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock with a star in the forehead being 3 years old, 2 sheep, a pair of new cart wheels, the best cheese, and the best brass pot. To Henry my son £6 13s. 4d. at 22 or marriage, to be delivered by John FYNCHE of Great Parndon; 1 brown bullock, 2 sheep, the 2nd brass pot, nd the second chest. To Joan my wife my house and lands in Stanford Rivers and Greenstead [juxta Ongar] for 8 years after my decease; afterwards Robert my son shall have the rent for other 8 years to be let at the discretion of my overseers, and the rent to him at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock, 2 sheep and 1 chest. To George my son my said house and lands after the said terms of years; 1 bullock of 3 years and 2 sheep at 15. To Joan my daughter £3 6s 8d at 18, a cupboard in thehall, a bed and 2 pewter dishes at 18. To Alice my daughter £3 6s. 8d., a featherbed, 2 pewter dishes and a hutch at 18. To John my servant 3s. 4d. and Joyce my maidservant 8d. The rest of my goods to Joan my wife, whom I make my executrix. I ordain John KYNGE and John FYNCH my overseers, and for the pains 5s each. Witnesses: John KINGE, Richard WELLES, Richard HARRYSON clerk [vicar of Harlow]. Proved 12 Mar 1564/5

John CLAYE the younger of Harlow, 6 Nov. 1564

To the poor people of Harlow 6s 8d. To John my son £6 13s. 4d. to be paid to him by John KYNGE of Latton Priory at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock with a star in the forehead being 3 years old, 2 sheep, a pair of new cart wheels, the best cheese, and the best brass pot. To Henry my son £6 13s. 4d. at 22 or marriage, to be delivered by John FYNCHE of Great Parndon; 1 brown bullock, 2 sheep, the 2nd brass pot, nd the second chest. To Joan my wife my house and lands in Stanford Rivers and Greenstead [juxta Ongar] for 8 years after my decease; afterwards Robert my son shall have the rent for other 8 years to be let at the discretion of my overseers, and the rent to him at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock, 2 sheep and 1 chest. To George my son my said house and lands after the said terms of years; 1 bullock of 3 years and 2 sheep at 15. To Joan my daughter £3 6s 8d at 18, a cupboard in thehall, a bed and 2 pewter dishes at 18. To Alice my daughter £3 6s. 8d., a featherbed, 2 pewter dishes and a hutch at 18. To John my servant 3s. 4d. and Joyce my maidservant 8d. The rest of my goods to Joan my wife, whom I make my executrix. I ordain John KYNGE and John FYNCH my overseers, and for the pains 5s each. Witnesses: John KINGE, Richard WELLES, Richard HARRYSON clerk [vicar of Harlow]. Proved 12 Mar 1564/5

Craven Ord was born in London in 1756, the younger son of Harry Ord, of the King's Remembrancer's office, and Anne, daughter of Francis Hutchinson of Barnard Castle, Durham. His uncle, Robert Ord was chief baron of the Scottish Exchequer. Ord's schooling seems to be undocumented and he did not matriculate from either of the English universities. Ord’s life was mainly devoted to antiquarian researches and he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on the 26 January 1775 and of the Royal Society on the 3 May 1787. He was for several years vice-president of the former society.

He collected manuscripts, printed books, drawings, and engravings, and assembled and indexed some twenty volumes of material relating to Suffolk; but he also acquired fine manuscripts for their own sake, and large numbers of medieval deeds. His Suffolk collection is now in the British Museum.

He assisted with others on the ‘Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain,’ and in September 1780 he undertook a tour in search of brasses in East-Anglia. He left few churches in southern England unexplored, and formed a unique collection of impressions of brasses. His method of obtaining the impressions was as follows:
French paper kept damp in a specially prepared case; printer's ink; and rags. He inked the brass, wiped it clean, laid on the paper, covered it with some thicknesses of cloth, and then trod on it. He finished the outlines at home, cut out the figures, and pasted them in a large portfolio.

His collection of impressions of sepulchral brasses, were bound in two volumes, with deal boards over six feet in height, was purchased by Thorpe the bookseller in 1830.
Ord married in June 1784, Mary Smith daughter of John Redman of Greenstead Hall. They had five sons, and one daughter. When Redman died in 1798, he left Greenstead Hall to Craven Ord, and it was to remain his seat until 1828. It was provided in Redman’s will that Greenstead should be held in trust for the younger children of Ord and Mary. However Craven made sufficient profits from the sale of timber from the estate during the Napoleonic Wars, that he was able to satisfy the portions of his younger children.
Ord's library was mostly dispersed of in June 1829, on the occasion of his leaving England for the sake of his health. He died at Woolwich Common on the 29 January 1832, aged 76 years, and the manor passed to his eldest son, the Revd. Craven Ord (d. 1836).

Upon the death of his son the Revd. Craven Ord, the Greenstead Hall estate was put up for auction on the 23 June 1837, and was eventually purchased in the September by the Reverend Philip Budworth, and in 1854 Captain Philip Budworth took up residence, living there until his death in 1885.
Children of Craven Ord:
The Rev. Craven Ord (1786 – 14 Dec. 1836);
Major Robert Hutchinson Ord, K.H., of the Royal Artillery. (died 1828). Later Sir Robert H. Ord.
Captain William Redman Ord of the Royal Engineers;
John Ord, M.D., of Hertford;
Captain Harry Gough Ord,
Harriot Mary, married in 1815 the Rev. George Hughes, of Stanford Rivers.

Craven Ord is buried in Greensted churchyard.

Essex Chronicle 26th November 1824

Another most daring and impudent robbery was committed at Toothill, near Ongar, upon a farm occupied by Mrs Sarah Bailey, a widow. The stable which was locked, was broken open with considerable violence, and a strong iron bar within-side was also removed, from whence the thieves took a valuable bay mare: they also took a set of chaise harness, nearly new, two halters, and two whips, also a market cart, with the name legibly written in two places: in addition to all this property the depredators had the impudence to take about half a bushel of oats and a truss of clover hay. Thus provided, they proceeded to Tawney Common, a short distance, where they took a brown mare pony, belonging to a poor man called Threader.

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 6 Nov. 1906.

A gravestone in Theydon Garnon Churchyard, Essex, shows strange moist spots on the approach of rainy weather. The rector, the Rev. T. Lloyds, who discovered the phenomenon, states that it never fails in its prognostications, and he daily consults it.

Chelmsford Chronicle 20 June 1913
On Tuesday an historic event in the Church life of Essex was worthily commemorated at Greensted, when on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the old wooden church of the parish, clergy and choirs of the neighbouring parishes combined in a procession to the church, in front of which an open-air service was held, the Bishop of St Albans being the preacher.

At Budworth Hall, Ongar, the choirs formed in alphabetical order of parishes, these being Blackmore and Greensted leading the way. The two sons of Heron Maxwell, of Greensted Hall, walked behind the processional cross, which was brought by Blackmores. Several banners were displayed above the procession, which was led by the band of the Hackney Homes, under Bandmaster Seaborne.

Eighteen choirs attended the event.

Detailed maps that offer a fascinating glimpse into how every area of England and Wales developed from Victorian times to the 1950s are now available free online via the National Library of Scotland web-site

The series of Ordnance Survey maps shows how towns and cities have spread into the countryside and how the road and rail network developed. Individual buildings and streets can be identified clearly and smaller features can be seen including post boxes, bollards on quaysides and mile posts. The maps can be viewed over time for each place of interest.

Chris Fleet, Senior Map Curator at NLS said: “These new maps cover all of England and Wales and are immensely valuable for local and family history. People can search for the street their grandparents lived in or see how 19th century farmland has turned into today’s suburbs.”

The six-inch to a mile maps show all place names recorded by Ordnance Survey, including all street names in towns, and all smaller farms, hamlets and villages. The website allows viewers to zoom on the maps to pick out the detail they are interested in.

The maps were surveyed for the whole country twice - first between 1842-1893 and then between 1891-1914. They were subsequently updated regularly for urban or rapidly changing areas from 1914 to the 1940s. The result is that, for many towns there are three to five editions of mapping between the 1840s and the 1950s.

They can be searched in a number of different ways, by place names, street names, post codes and grid references. They are also available via county lists.

The website address is:
http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch-england-and-wales/

In medieval times many people believed that unexpected events such as a cow dying were the result of witches. Criminal action began in 1521 when the Pope Leo X issued a papal bull enabling a religious court to order the execution of people convicted of witchcraft. This began a major campaign throughout Europe which to some extent was inflamed by the church.

In England King Henry VII passed the first Witchcraft Act in 1542. This brought him some problems with some allegations being made that his wife Anne Boleyn was a witch as she had 6 fingers and a mole on her neck. These deformities were considered one of the marks of a witch. In 1547 the Witchcraft Act was repealed by King Edward VI but on the accession of Queen Elizabeth another Witchcraft Act was passed in 1562.

In 1604 James I passed a statute which contained his statement that witches were loathe to confess without torture. The notorious Matthew Hopkins 'The Witch-finder General' was born during this period and from 1644 launched his witch finding campaign in Essex and Suffolk, partly based on a book written by James I on the subject.

Between 1560 and 1675 some 750 persons were tried for witchcraft offences in Essex. Below are the names of local people who were put on trial.

1576
‘Mother’ Persorne from Navestock

1579
Tomas Longe from Lambourne

1579
Alice Nokes from Lambourne
Bewitched Elizabeth Barsett whereof she died instantly. Found guilty.
1584
‘Goodwife’ Joyce from Stanford Rivers

1586
Anne Joyce from Stanford Rivers

1599
Parnella Abbott from Greensted

1600
Petronella Abbott from Greensted

1616
John Godfrie from Lambourne
Indicted for murder by witchcraft of John White. Found not guilty.
1616
Sarah Godfrie from Lambourne
Bewitched 3 horses and a pig. Found not guilty.
1647
Jane Lavender and Francis Lavender from Navestock

1666
Anne Betts from Stapleford Tawney
Being a person of ill-fame, on 25 Jan., on the pretence of telling the fortune of Mary Prescott, fraudulently obtained from her 2 silk scarves worth 20s and 8s in money.
Result unknown.

Programme for 2016
February 25th February
‘Essex Heroes and Villains’
Martyn Lockwood
Thursday 31st March
Annual General Meeting
&
Zeppelins 1916
Thursday 28th April
Essex Trade Tokens
Roger Barrett
There are no meetings in January, August, September or December
Meetings are held in Toot Hill Village Hall.
Meetings start at 8.00pm.
Visitors £3.
Refreshments

The Essex History Group
The Essex History Group meets in the Essex Record Office lecture theatre for informal talks on a wide range of historical subjects. There is no formal membership, so drop in and discover something new! Talks start at 10.30am in the ERO lecture theatre. The lecture theatre is accessible to people in wheelchairs and is fitted with an induction loop.
Admission is £1, and includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit after the talk.
Forthcoming Talks
COPPED HALL – ITS HISTORY, ITS SAVING AND ITS FUTURE
Alan Cox, Copped Hall Trust
Tuesday 12 January 2016, 10.30am
KATE LUARD - ESSEX NURSE ON THE FRONT LINE, 1914 - 1918
Tim Luard, former BBC correspondent and great-nephew of Kate Tuesday 2 February 2016, 10.30am
THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ARTISANS OF SAFFRON WALDEN
Hilary Walker
Tuesday 1 March 2016, 10.30am