High Country History Group

The Reverend James Ford was born in Canterbury and educated at Trinity College, Oxford, obtaining the degrees of Master of Arts in 1804 and Bachelor of Divinity in 1812. In 1830 he was presented to the vicarage of Navestock, where he was to remain until his death in 1850.

Ford was a collector and compiler on antiquarian subjects. His large collection for a new edition of Philip Morant's History of Essex is in the library of Trinity College, Oxford, and his manuscript collections for a history of bishops from the Revolution onwards were purchased by the British Museum.

He was also a contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine and to Nichols's Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century vols. vi. and viii.

A collection of portraits, drawings, landscapes and illustrations collected by Ford is held by the Suffolk Record Office

Ford was a significant benefactor of Trinity College, Oxford, and the Ford Lectures are named for him. In his will, Ford left a number of bequests, some of which were held in trust for the support of his surviving siblings. After they had all died, Oxford University received his bequest of £2,000 to fund a professorship of English history, which was to be established when the principal had grown to support payment of £100 per year. When this goal was reached in 1894, the sum was not enough to support a professor at the current stipend. After considerable discussion within the University, the funds were assigned to fund an annual lectureship in English history by a lecturer who was to be chosen annually by a board of electors. The first Ford's Lecturer in English History was S. R. Gardiner, elected for the academic year beginning in 1896. He also left £4,000 to Trinity College, for the purchase of advowsons.

It is also said that he made manuscript notes towards a history of the hundred of Ongar, which he left to Trinity College. They are now lost.

There is a monument to him in Navestock Church, and a portrait of him in the common room of Trinity College, Oxford.

In 1830 he married Laetitia Jermyn (born 1788), who was a British entomologist illustrator and author.

In 1824, Jermyn had published The Butterfly Collector’s Vade Mecum.

Ford was said to be 'an ardent bibliophile, studious, punctilious, meditative, but also rather pompous and intolerant.' One Sunday he rebuked his wife mid-sermon for arriving late to the service, asking "I wonder where you will be Madam when the last trumpet sounds?'

The couple had no children.

Laetitia died in 1848 and was buried (under her maiden name) in Navestock. She is commemorated in Navestock Church with a memorial tablet, which names her as 'Mistress Ford'.

The Chelmsford Chronicle in its edition of the 4th April 1834 printed a list of those people who had been executed in Essex over the past 65 years. Below are a those listed from this area.
26th July 1771: John Lunday for an offence of bruglary at Theydon Mount.
22nd August 1783: George Spradbury and William Fox for horse stealing at Theydon Bois.
18th March 1784: Will West for an offence of burglary at Theydon Garnon.
22nd August 1786: William Smith for an offence of horse stealing at Theydon Bois.
29th July 1796: Richard Saunders for an offence of highway robbery at Coopersale.
27th March 1801: John Salmon and Thomas Serjeant for an offence of burglary at Navestock.
16th August 1816: William Naylor for an offence of burglary at Stanford Rivers.
5th August1825: James Mallett for an offence of horse stealing at Stanford Rivers.
The case of James Mallett was widely reported.
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Friday 29 July 1825
James Mallett, convicted of stealing four geldings, belonging to Mr. Edward Rayncr, Stanford Rivers, on the 25th of March. — Mr. Rayner stated that on the night of the 24th he had seven horses in the stable — in the morning four of them were gone, a set of harness, and a cart. In consequence of information given at Bow-street, Hall, the officer, went to the Queen's Head yard, in the Borough, where the prisoner was found, and being searched, a key was found upon him, with which the stable-door was opened, and in which one of Mr. Rayner's horses was found, and some of the harness. At about 200 yards distance, another stable, which was opened with a key, also taken from the prisoner, a quantity of ropes, dark lantern, and a canvas bag containing pick-lock keys, were found. The prisoner told the officer, that in a stable in Blackfriars-road, three other horses would be found, and on going there they were discovered tied with a hay-rope and part of Rayncr's harness. — The prisoner, in his defence said he received the horses and cart from his master a Mr. Smith, but did not call him as a witness.
In the case of Mallett, the Berkshire Chronicle in its article of the 13th August had this to say:
James Mallett, for horse stealing, suffered here on Friday last, without any exposure of his accomplices, or even confessing himself guilty. The public voice demanded the sacrifice of life, in expiation of a crime of which this man had been clearly convicted; it has, perhaps, been better for society that he had lived to remove the veil which still hangs over this extraordinary description of felony: but to effect this he showed no disposition. Although he must have been in possession of much information, which if communicated, had proved a much better atonement for his offence. The extraordinary means used to secrete or dispose of stolen horses, remains as great a mystery as before; one horse-stealer, it is true, has been removed, but every day convinces us that, notwithstanding the severity of the punishment, the crime still exists. Chelmsford, August 9.
SURREY ASSIZES. - CROYDON, Thursday George Smith, who was acquitted on a former day of a charge of horse stealing, was now indicted for receiving of James Mullen, on the 23rd March last, at St. Olaves, Southwark, a cart and a set of harness, the property ot Edward Rayner, knowing the same to have been stolen.
In the night of the 25th of March last, Mr. Rayncr, a farmer of Stanford Rivers, in the county of Essex, had stolen from his stable and cartlodge, four horses, four sets of harness, and a cart; his name and address were painted on a board affixed to the latter. At the last assizes for the county of Essex, James Mallet was convicted of this offence, and was executed for it at Chelmsford on Friday last.
On Sunday morning, the 3rd of April last, Hall and Pople, two active officers of Union Hall, went to search the premises of the prisoner, who carries on the business of a coal-dealer and carter, in Vinegar- yard, Bermondsey. — In the back part of his coal-shed two cart wheels were found, and in another place, where he kept hay, were found the parts of a cart which had been taken to pieces. They were covered over with some loose hay, and were not visible at first sight. — A set of cart-harness was also found on the premises. When these articles were shown to the prosecutor, he immediately identified them to be his property, having been taken from his farm on the night of the 25th of March. The prisoner being asked how he came possessed of these things, said he had purchased them on the 26th of March of a countryman, whose name he did not know, but offered to go and find him out in the Borough of Southwark. The officers took him to the place he directed, but the man was not to be found. The defence set up was, that he received the cart and harness for James Mallett, at his request, on the morning of the 26th of March, in order to take care of it until he could conveniently take them away. Having no room at his premises for the cart, he had taken it to pieces, but did not keep the parts in any place of secrecy, as was alleged. It was denied that he had any knowledge of the property having been stolen.
Evidence having been examined, tbe prisoner was found Guilty, and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment and hard labour in the House of Correction.

On Sunday 2nd October a memorial was unveiled on the site of the Chipping Ongar airfield at Willingale, which was constructed in 1942 and was one of 15 USAAF airfields in Essex from which the US Army Air Forces bombed coastal defences in Northern France and supported the Allied invasion of Europe.

The airfield was built by the US Army 831st Engineer (Aviation) Battalion and on June 25, 1943, the 387th Bombardment group arrived from Kentucky assigned to the 3rd Bomb Wing flying Martin B–26B/C Marauders.

Willingale Parish Council, farmers, and the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust had worked together to prepare the memorial, with local people contributing to the costs.

During eight months of operations from Willingale Airfield, the 387th Bombardment group flew 204 missions and lost 10 aircraft. While they were stationed in Willingale, the airmen used St Andrew's Church as their parish church, organised dances in the village hall and were generous to the children of the village who were living under tight rationing.

Hundreds of people attended the unveiling of the memorial, including the Director general of the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust Kenneth Bannerman and Brentwood and Ongar MP Alex Burghart. US servicemen and women also took part in the unveiling. Wartime vehicles took part in the commemoration.

A memorial will also be unveiled at the site of Matching Airfield.

Further details can be obtained from the excellent website of the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust which has maps and photographs of all sites in Britain.
www.abct.org.uk

A memorial to four American airmen who were killed when their aeroplane crashed in a field in Blackmore on 24 September 1944 was officially unveiled 78 years later to the day at St Laurence Church. (The memorial was erected in 2019 but the Covid pandemic intervened delaying its dedication.)

It is a visible and permanent reminder of the brave contribution made by 30,000 American Army Air Force personnel stationed in Essex between 1943-45.

Neil McCarthy, Parish Councillor, and author of the commemorative book, wrote in the September 2019 edition of 'Church Matters',
"It was on the evening of 24 September 1944 that a Martin Marauder B26, attempting to reach its base at Matching Green while returning from France in appalling weather, disintegrated on impact in a field adjacent to Fingrith Hall Lane. Two other planes in the same homeward-bound squadron also crashed elsewhere in Essex that night in almost identical circumstances as the Blackmore crash".

"For the first time, in 2016, the names of those onboard B26 aircraft, no 42-95823, "Baby Doll III", were able to be known and honoured in the place where they died".

The wording, as commissioned, on the wall mounted plaque reads:

To the glory of God and in commemoration of
The United States Army Air Force Stationed at Essex Airfields
During World War II who died so we would remain free
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of
FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD E. BAEHR
FIRST LIEUTENANT FRANK I. YAWITZ
STAFF SERGEANT EDWARD G. DEMYANOVICH
CORPORAL JOHN M. MYERS
Of the 391st Bombardment Group who were killed
When their aircraft crashed in a Blackmore field
On 24th September 1944

On 26 June 1697 Sir John Bramston, of Skreens near Roxwell, decided to visit friends at Albyns near Stapleford Tawney. His daughter had taken the coach horses to London, so he was reduced to using two borrowed horses (one of which was young and inexperienced), as well as a borrowed coachman. All went well until ‘goeinge apace downe a hill beyond Ongar, a butcher comeing up loden, and not getting out of the way, the chariot run upon him, and threw the butcher off, and I was afraid had mischeived the fellow, for he cried out on his back; but my men helped him up again, and I presume he had no hurt, for I never heard more of it.’

He resumed his journey to Albyns but the younger horse proved excitable and difficult to control. On driving up the chase to the house, the young horse refused to stop and, on being reined in hard, fell to the ground kicking. It succeeded in dislodging the footboard, causing the coachman to topple off the box and fall between the animal’s legs. Only the swift intervention of the Albyn’s servants in restraining the horse saved the man’s life, as well as preventing the death or injury of those still inside the coach.

The footboard was nailed back, and Sir John returned to Skreens after his visit with a horse borrowed from Albyns to replace the excitable youngster, as well as another coachman. It should be noted that Sir John was nearly 88 years of age when this incident occurred, but reported these events in his autobiography in a matter-of-fact way. Accidents involving horses were probably a part of daily life.

How well do you know Christmas? Ten questions to amuse you over the festive season. The answers are on page…

1. What did you get for celebrating Christmas in Massachusetts in the 1600’s?
2. What did 2590 Britons decide to do on Christmas Day in 2017?
3. In which country were anti-Christmases popular in the 1920’s?
4. What did the Holly and the Ivy originally represent in the carol?
5. Good King Wencelas is set to a version of a 13th century carol usually sung when?
6. Why did Father Christmas stop smoking a pipe?
7. What did the placing of a mistletoe branch on the High Altar of York Minster on Christmas Eve indicate?
8. Why were holly bushes traditionally left uncut in British hedges?
9. By what name was the pagan Roman winter solstice festival, celebrated around 25 December, known?
10. Who was responsible for bringing this tradition of Christmas trees to the UK?

A great number of attached friends will learn with sorrow that Mary, widow of Charles Edward Hunter, late of Hill Hall, Epping, died on Wednesday at her residence in Ashley Gardens, Westminster.

Mrs. Charles Hunter was one of hearty and turbulent family of six girs and two boys, the offspring of General J. H. Smyth, a fine old soldier of the Indian Army, and a mother who mingles a little French blood and a French education with her English heritage. One of her sisters is Dame Ethel Smyth, the composer, and Brigadier General R. N. Smyth, D.S.O., is her brother.
She was a lady of remarkable beauty and a famous hostess who possessed in a supreme degree the art of hospitality.

She was specialy a friend of artists, and knew well the most distinguished of them among her contempories, who delighted in her parties at Hill Hall. But her immense circle was not limited to any one type or profession, and she was indeed a great social figure who, in the common phrase, knew and was known by “everyone.”
Her special attraction may be hard to define, but it is certain that people of the most varied callings and natures found irresistible. Her wide interest in literature and the arts, as well as in current affairs, was not peculiar to herself but there was something in the breadth of her sympathies and her personal charm which seemed to set her apart among Englishwomen of her generation. She was often painted, and Rodin made a wonderful bust of her. In memory of her great friend Sargent she presented to the Tate Gallery, through the National Art Collection Fund, his portrait of the three Misses Hunter, painted in 1902.

The funeral will be at St. Michael’s, Theydon Mount, on Monday at 2 o’ clock. There will be a memorial service at St. Mark’s, North Audley Street, at 2.15 the same day.

At Ongar the fine main street was utilised for the purpose of entertaining to dinner all the residents of Ongar, Shelley, and Marden Ash. This was the unique feature of the day’s festivities, which commenced with a service in the Parish Church at noon, at which the Rev. J. Tanner officiated. This was followed by the dinner in the High Street, at which over 400 sat down. At 5.30 a tea was provided for children of the three parishes, and the youngsters had a thoroughbly enjoyable time, being afterwards presented with Coronation mugs by Mr. R. Hall. A capital programme of sport was carried out in a field kindly lent by Mr. Barron, who also gave a display of fireworks in the evening.

On Thursday last, the annual meeting this society was held under the presidency Sir Ed ward North Buxton, Bart. M.P. and though the weather was exceedingly unfavourable, there appeared be no falling off numbers or in numbers or in the interest felt in the proceedings. In the ploughing, which took place in field occupied by Mr. J. Cooper, there were 24 competitors, and the furrows were turned in a very superior style. The show of vegetables took place the meadow near the church, where two marquees had been erected for the purpose, and certainly la finer collection of cottage productions we have scarcely seen this season, the potatoes, onions, and savoys being a most superior description, and indeed every article showing the skill and industrious attention that must have been bestowed upon them. One end of the marquee was occupied by a beautiful collection of articles sent from Kelvedon Hall, by J. F. Wright, Esq. amongst which the butter from the hall dairy attracted much attention, being worked with much ingenuity and taste into various kinds of figures, comprising a man and woman arm in arm, animals, bird's rest, &c; amongst the other articles were some mangel wurzel weighing 11lbs. and swedes 10lbs. a root, the whole being tastefully arranged with fruit and flowers. Sir C. C. Smith also sent a collection of fruits, including red currants in a high state perfection; and amongst the other extra articles was a finely executed model of Greenstead Church, or St. Edmund's Shrine, made by Mr. Dowsett, of Ongar.
The prizes were distributed about two o'clock from a platform in front of the marquee, the proceedings being opened by the Rev. P. Ray, the honorary secretary, in a feeling address to the labourer, in the course of which he stated that since the formation of the society there had been distributed no less than £650 amongst those who received the prizes.

Prizes were then distributed for Skills in Husbandry – Allotment and Garden Produce – Industry, Service and Economy and Home Duties.

However it was the prizes awarded under the category Home Duties that caught my attention.
Tidiest Cottage.
10s. each Lucy Sutton, Blackmore; Sarah Byford, High Laver; Simon Knight, High Ongar; Wm. Dorrington, Navestock; Sarah Summons, Stapleford Tawney.
7s. 6d. each, Charles Asser, Stondon; John Caton, Little Laver; James Saltmarsh, Shelley; James Flanders, Navestock; Charles French, Lambourne.

5s. each, Sarah Pond, Blackmore; James Barker, Fyfield; James Felton, Shelley; Susan Boreham, Stanford Rivers.

Bringing Up Family, above 12 years.
£l. 5s. John Clark and wife, 55 and 53, Stapleford Tawney, 9 children.

£1. George Pavitt and wife, 58 and 56, Moreton, 8 children.

Ditto under 12.
£1.5s. Samuel Strange, and wife, 44 and 37, Navestock, 8 children;

£1. Thomas Clark, and wife, 48 and 43, Stanford Rivers, 5 children;

10s. William Grayling, and wife, 41 and 37, Navestock, 7 children.

Widow with the least Parochial Relief.
£1.5s. Sarah Eliot, 34, Chipping Ongar, 4½ years

It was reported that “We are in the habit of going from year to year-round to the cottages in the parish and exhorting them to keep them tidy; the first year we had great difficulty of selecting one to be recommended. That is the parish of Stapleford Tawney, and the three prizes gained in 1848 for tidy cottages were in that parish.”
Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 12 October 1849

Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser,
Dublin, October 16th, 1865.

Her Majesty’s Privy Council have now ordered an official enquiry to be made into the nature of the pestilence now raging at Thoydon, near Epping.

The medical gentlemen who have given attention to the subject are divided in opinion as to whether or not it is the Asiatic cholera, the black fever of the West Indies, or the Russian rinderpest, that is now attacking the human system. The reason for thinking that it is a form of rinderpest is because a large quantity of manure from a London dairy was purchased and brought upon the premises.

Since the report which appeared on Thursday, we have been able to obtain fuller and more authentic particulars relative to the persons who have been attacked and died by the disease, and we are sorry to state that the death of the medical gentleman who attended the family is corroborated.

The following may be relied upon:

The house where the pestilence has raged is situated at Thoydon, upon a high hill, and is half a mile distant from any other house, and before the disease made such a frightening havoc was inhabited by a family named Groombridge, who farmed a considerable estate. In the early part of last week Mrs Groombridge returned from Weymouth but was shortly taken very ill. Her daughter very soon after was seized with similar symptoms, and the medical attendant, Dr McNab, was sent for, and immediately attended them. Mrs Groombridge recovered, but the daughter died in six hours, viz., on Tuesday evening, the 3rd instant. The next morning, Dr McNab was seized and died within a few hours. The following day Mr Groombridge was attacked and died, but his death was kept a secret from his wife. Friday passed over and no death, but on Saturday last, the groom was seized and died within a few hours, though he himself it is said had not been in the house. The woman who laid his body out was shortly afterwards attacked and died the following day. Mrs Groombridge was again seized with the disease and died on Tuesday night.

There is a strong prevailing opinion that the disease was not brought by Mrs Groombridge from the watering town, as was first supposed; but that was the bad smell of the manure brought form the London dairy. The neighbouring farmers, especially those who have lost cattle, have taken great alarm, and instead of the wagons that go to London with cabbages and other green produce, returning as usual with manure, they are going along the streets of Stratford in numbers loaded with quicklime, which is being thrown upon the dung fresh brought.

The subject was brought before the West Ham Board of Guardians on Thursday, when Mr Meeson called the attention of the board to the subject, and strongly pressed upon certain members the positive necessity of removing several nuisances in East Ham – several members of the board being a committee for that purpose.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT

The Asiatic cholera in a very virulent form has made its appearance in the neighbourhood of Epping, and up to the present time there have been twelve cases, out of which six deaths have occurred, but one of which is not attributed to the epidemic. The remaining cases have either recovered or are progressing favourably.

The disease appears to have been imported into the neighbourhood, and, up to the present time, not to have extended beyond the house into which it was brought and those directly connected with it, or with those who were connected with the parties who belonged to the house.

The circumstances leading to this sad occurrence are remarkable. Mr Groombridge, a farmer, residing at Thoydon, a village about two miles west of Epping, had been to Weymoth for change of air, and whilst there he had a severe attack of cholera. He, however, got better from it, and returned to his home on Sunday 24th of September. On Tuesday, the 26th, Mrs Groombridge was attacked, but recovered from it, although left in a very delicate state after it. On Saturday, the 30th, a little daughter of Mr Groombridge’s was attacked and died in about eight hours. The same night a boy who used to sleep in a room in one of the outbuildings was taken ill but recovered.

These patients had been attended by Dr McNab, sen., Dr. McNab, jun., and Dr. Clegg, all of whom were unremitting in their attention to the patients, but they were not long destined to work together. On Monday, Dr McNab, sen., was seized with cholera and was attended by his son and Dr Clegg, but all their exertions could not save him for he died on Tuesday morning, about ten hours after he was first attacked. On Tuesday another daughter of Mr Groombridge was taken ill, but under the treatment of the medical man above named has recovered. The next day the housemaid was attacked, but has also got over it.

The disease however, had not left the house; for on Friday last Mr Groombridge was again attacked by it and died after an illness of ten hours. A man named Riley, a farm labourer at work on the premises, was attacked by it on Friday night, and died early on Saturday morning. The mother of Mrs Groombridge, a lady of eighty-seven years of age, also caught the disease on the same day, but is at present alive. Mrs Groombridge has got over the attack of cholera, and was doing very well until she heard that her husband was dead, and then she said she had nothing more to live for. She refused to take food or anything that was proper for her in her then state of health, and the consequence was that she soon sank and died, but her death cannot be attributed to cholera. The next and last victim of this fearful malady up to the present time is Mrs Saville, a poor woman who went to lay Riley out. She was attacked a day or two after, and died o Tuesday, the 10th.

The whole of the above cases are most decided cases of cholera, amounting to twelve in number, and resulting in five deaths. There are besides several cases of severe diarrhoea, in which men go out to their work in the morning and return about noon scarcely able to stand, but they are not cases of cholera.

When Dr Clegg was called in to see the family of the Groombridges he discovered that there was a communication between the water-closet and the well from which the household drank, and he at once put a stop to their using it. He also examined the neighbourhood, and from what her saw he though it necessary to write to the Privy Council. In consequence of his communication, a sanitary inspector was sent down on Wednesday, and after an examination of the neighbourhood he left to draw up his report to the Board of Health.

When the epidemic appeared and proved so fatal the neighbourhood was greatly alarmed, and very vigorous efforts were made to meet and check the evil. Mr Smee, a gentleman of independent property has at his own expense supplied the poor people twice a day with pure water, by means of water barrels or carts, free of expense,

The Magistrates on the 7th of this month issued the following notice to the public:-

“Notice – in consequence of the cholera having caused the death of several persons in and near Epping, the inhabitants are warned to disinfect, by application of quicklime or other substance, any place in their occupation producing bad smells. A sanitary inspector is expected from London, and all parties are notified that they will incur the full penalties of the law by neglecting to disinfect premises.

By order of the Magistrates
Epping, Oct 7, 1865.”

Dr Clegg, who visits the neighbourhood once or twice daily, admits that there is a great deficiency in the supply of water, and the drainage sadly wants replacing.

The Glasgow Herald 25th October

CAUSE OF THE CHOLERA AT EPPING

Mr Thomas Forshall, consulting surgeon has written a letter to the London papers on the subject of the recent outbreak of cholera at Epping. He says:- “Having read this morning an announcement of the death of the late Mr Groombridge’s mother at Thoydon, near Epping, I am induced to send you the following statement, as it may in some measure tend to lessen the alarm and relieve Weymouth of the suspicion of having been tainted with Asiatic cholera during the period of the late Mr Groombridge’s stay there. Very early in June last the late Mr Groombridge consulted me and he told me he had felt unwell fir the last two years; that he had been troubled with indigestion and great depression of spirits, which he said he could not all account for, as his circumstances were comfortable, and that he had made money not only by farming, but also by brickmaking. I found that he had been under medical treatment frequently for a year or two past, but that he had only found very temporary relief. As the medicines I prescribed did not produce so much benefit as I expected, I inquired particularly as to the locality of his residence, the drainage and water supply. He told me that, with the exception of a little rain water occasionally, their sole supply was from a deep well and that the water was very hard, and made the tea very disagreeable. I requested him to bring me a bottle of water on the next visit, which he did on the 17th June last. I found that, although the water was perfectly limpid, it had an unpleasant odour and nauseous taste, amply accepted for by recent disclosures as to the leakage from the cesspool into the well. I handed the bottle of water to Mr. Goff, the well known operative chemist of Kingsland, who after examination of the contents, stated to me that he had detected sulpheretted hydrogen gas, with a considerable quantity of organic matter. Mr Groombridge got me to prescribe fir his wife, her mother, both of whom had been, to his own expression, out of sorts for a long time. Comment upon the forgoing statement is needless. I advised change to the sea coast; they went to Weymouth, came back to Thoydon to drink impure water – their constitutions enfeebled by long continued functional disorder of the digestive organs, and speedily succumbed to the cholera when attacked.”

The 1861 Census shows William Groombridge (45 years), living with his wife Elizabeth (also 45 years) at Little Gregories Farm, Theydon Bois. William is described as a farmer, employing 2 men and 2 boys.

William’s mother-in-law, Alice Parsell (82 years) is also living with them. A daughter Sarah Groombridge (16 years) and son Charles (14 years) are also shown.

There are a number of useful web-sites which allow the reader to access historical information regarding the County of Essex at no cost. These web-sites provide access to documents etc produced by a number of societies
The Essex Society for Archaeology and History provides free online access a number of useful publications that date back to the Society's foundation in 1852

Essex Archaeology and History (the Society's Transactions renamed in 1972) has been produced by the Society since its inception in 1852 and are a major scholarly contribution to the study of county archaeology and history. Essex Archaeology and History are the first port of call for anyone researching the past of Essex with over 70 volumes completed to date.

Essex Archaeology and History features a variety of archaeological fieldwork reports and the results of historical research. All are peer
reviewed to ensure that consistently high standards are maintained.

Essex Archaeology and History is produced annually. Volumes for period from 1887 to 2015 are available as downloadable PDF files. Volumes for 2016 to 2019 are available free to members only or those who wish to join the Society.

The Essex Journal began publication in 1966. It is published twice a year (Spring and Autumn). It is fully illustrated and each issue consists of about 32 pages. There is an index for volumes 1-50.

Newsletters. Since 1973 the Essex Society for Archaeology and History has published a Newsletter containing articles of archaeological and historical interest.

Began in 1960 it is only since 1973 (with no.41) that articles of lasting interest have been included. In the early years the Newsletter was closely associated with staff working in the Essex County Council Archaeological Unit and focused on the many excavations taking place across the county. Since 2000 the emphasis has shifted towards local history content of a wide range of subjects.

The website makes available for the first time the newsletters published since 1973 together with an index covering newsletters 41 to 180 (1973-2016).

Occasional Papers. These include Field Systems in Essex; Medieval Lawyer, Clement Spice of Essex and Excavations along the M25.

The Essex Review: An illustrated quarterly record of everything of permanent interest in the county was published from 1892 to 1957 comprising 66 volumes (258 issues). The title is now owned by the Essex Society for Archaeology and History. The Essex Journal is now published as a successor to the Essex Review.
Three general indices were published as follows:

Volumes 1 (1892) to 36 (1927): published by Benham & Co. in 1930;

Volumes 37 (1928) to 61 (1952): compiled by Kenneth Walker and published by Benham & Co. in 1953; and

Volumes 62 (1953) to 65 (1957): compiled by Kenneth Walker and published in 1967.

Volumes will shortly be available as downloadable PDF files.

Volumes 25 (1916) to 52 (1943) are not currently available and are in the process of being digitised.
Essex Industrial Archaeology Group (EIAG)incorporating The Essex Mills Group. Essex had a wealth of traditional industry such as milling, malting, brewing, agricultural engineering, brick making etc., as well as more modern industries such as silk and artificial fibres, electrical engineering, radio communications, metal window manufacturing and shoe making; plus the transport infrastructure to support these industries. The newsletters of the group are available on line. In addition the group has produced publication including Chelmsford Industrial Trail and Discovering Essex Wind and Water Mills.
To view any of these sources visit the website at: www.esah1852.org.uk

POST WINDMILL TO LET, situate at Toot Hill. Stanford Rivers, driving two pairs of stones; in thorough state of repair, and capable of doing good trade, with Cottage and convenient premises. Possession to be had at Lady-day next — For particulars apply to Mr. Smith, Greensted, Ongar.

From the Essex Herald 18th March 1862.

TO BE DISPOSED OF, with immediate Possession
All that old-established, well known and respectable Inn and Brewery, in full trade, The GREEN MAN, at Toot Hill, in the parish of Stanford Rivers, on the old high road, about midway from Chipping Ongar to Epping, and 20 miles from London. The present proprietor wishing to retire in consequence of indisposition and having realized a competency. An eligible opportunity for an industrious person, with sufficient capital for entering into an immediate and lucrative business, capable of considerable improvement, situate in a respectable and populous neighbourhood, and at a considerable distance from any beer shop. For particulars apply to J. Lewis, Water End Farm, near Ongar.

From the Essex Herald 21st June 1842.

Mansion-house. Compulsory Marriage.

A pauper named Killula, belonging to the parish of Bishopsgate Without, was brought before the Lord Mayor, at the instance of the parochial authorities, in order that his Lordship might decide to the proper course to adopted in a case of a compulsory marriage between two paupers, under circumstances of a most extraordinary nature than had ever been made public.

Mr. Smart, the vestry clerk, stated that the pauper at the bar had been on the parish of Bishopsgate since 1817; that some time since the poor house was full, and that Killula, among others, was sent to the parish farm-house, at West Ham. There the pauper became acquainted with a female pauper belonging to Theydon Mount parish, Essex, the result of which was that the female became pregnant. As soon as the parish officers of Theydon Mount knew this fact, they learnt who was the father; and as Killula had returned to Bishopsgate, a warrant was obtained, and the boy (for Killula is not of age), was taken into custody, carried down to Theydon Mount, and preparations commenced for marrying the parties. It was found necessary to use special haste, as the period of the female's accouchement was near at hand, and it was essential to fix the parish of Bishopsgate with the maintenance of the child by “tying the knot” before it came into the world. A license was obtained, but then it was discovered that the parties were underage; and the gay Lothario dissented from the marriage, on the ground that he had no money, no business, no clothes, nor a place to put his head in. The banns of the parties were put up, but before the customary time has elapsed the nymph gave birth to a child, Killula the whole time remaining under strict custody, a person sitting up with him all night, to prevent escape.

At length some of the parochial officers, the banns having been duly asked, accompanied the paupers to church, married them and then gave the husband a shilling, and told him and his wife to be about their business. They came to Bishopsgate parish, and now the Lord Mayor's interference was desired to compel the parish of Theydon Mount to find support for the child.

The Lord Mayor said that the case was more gross one than he had ever heard — it was little less than a conspiracy to have taken the parties from the work house, and to have kept Killula under coercion till he was married. Such conduct was most extraordinary. The parish of Bishopsgate had clearly a right to receive from the parish of Theydon Mount means to support the child. The case was a most disgraceful one. He thought it would be better for the parish of Bishopsgate to intimate to Mr. Tanner, the churchwarden of Theydon Mount parish, that some provision must be made for the child. Under the circumstances this was the best course present to be adopted.

Mr. Smart consented and retired.

In 1968 Ann and I were married and moved to Stanford Rivers where I was to spend 10 very happy years as the village policeman, before promotion took me off to a very different beat at Harlow. When I reflect over the past 50 years, a mere heartbeat in the history of the area, it is amazing the number of changes that have taken place.

In 1968 their were village policemen in Stanford Rivers, Abridge, Stapleford Abbots, High Ongar, Blackmore, Fyfield, and Moreton, all under the control of Ongar. Policing was carried out by bicycle. Today they have all gone and Ongar Police Station has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.

There were village shops/post offices at Stanford Rivers (Mrs Joyce Holland), Toot Hill (Mrs Pamela Chiltern) and Stapleford Tawney (Mr and Mrs Linwood) – all now closed. Toot Hill closed in 1970 after 80 years as a shop; followed by Stanford Rivers in 1974 and finally Stapleford Tawney.

Stanford Rivers village school had only just closed (1965) and was about to be demolished to make way for the first permanent site for Gypsies in Essex (now called the Hop Fields).

There was a rector at St Margaret’s, Stanford Rivers, (Rev. Joe Sykes), St Andrew’s Greensted (Rev John Garrington) and at Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount (Rev Frederick Stroud). Today Greensted and Stanford Rivers are part of the Ongar Benefice and Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount part of the Theydon Parishes,

The London Underground ran from Ongar to Epping and the station at Blake Hall was open. The line was closed in 1994 and the station converted into a private dwelling. There was a daily bus service that ran from Ongar to Romford, through Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Stapleford Abbotts.

There was a village hall at Little End and also Toot Hill, although a new hall was built in 1973 to replace the two.

Hill Hall was an open prison for women. However a fire in 1969 was to lead to many years of uncertainty for the house before it was restored by English Heritage to its former glory and converted into luxury flats.

Passingford Bridge was a narrow hump-backed bridge allowing only one vehicle at a time over it. It was soon to be replaced by the bridge we know today.

Public Houses included the White Bear at Stanford Rivers (Mrs Marjorie Ireland), now sadly closed; The Woodman Public House (Fred Creasey); The Drill House at Toot Hill (Peter Mecklenburgh) – now sadly a private residence, and the Green Man Toot Hill (John Roads) and at Tawney Common, the Mole Trap.

Piggott Brothers at Little End were a thriving business, and had the contract to provide the marquees for the Chelsea Flower Show, and also the Christmas lights for Regent Street in London.

I wonder if we reflect back in another 50 years what further changes will have taken place?

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1926

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AGM

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John Ray

Jennifer Rowland

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Napoleonic Invasion Plans

Neil Wiffen

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Jersey under the Jackboot – the occupation of Jersey during WW2

Patrick Griggs

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William Byrd

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The Prison at Hill Hall

Anne Padfield

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tbc

Meetings are held in Toot Hill Village Hall.
Meetings start at 8.00pm.

Members £2 ~ Visitors £5.
Refreshments