Ramsden Crays

71. RAMSDEN CRAYS. (C.c.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)lx. S.E. ^(b)lxviii. N.E.)

Ramsden Crays is a parish 2 m. E. of Billericay.

Ecclesiastical

^b(l). Parish Church of St. Mary stands near the middle of the parish. The church has been entirely re-built in modern times, but incorporates some old work. In the S. wall of the chancel is a window with two 15th-century cinque-foiled heads to the lights and part of the moulded label of the same date. The N. wall of the nave has two windows, both with old splays and rear-arches; the eastern window has also jambs and head of two trefoiled lights with a moulded label, all of c. 1400. In the S. wall are two old windows, the eastern of the 15th century and of two cinque-foiled lights in a square head with a moulded label and modern jambs, mullion and sill; the second window is similar but smaller and the label is partly modern; between them is the early 15th-century S. doorway, with moulded jambs and two-centred arch. In the W. wall is a modern window with old head-stops. The nave has a 15th-century roof with moulded plates and three tie-beams with king-posts having four-way struts. The bell-turret at the W. end stands on four 15th-century posts, with heavy braces forming two-centred arches and square framing above to support the turret.

Fittings—Bells: two, inaccessible, but said to be 2nd by Thomas Bartlet, 1617. Font: octagonal bowl and stem, entirely retooled and of doubtful date.

Condition—Rebuilt.

Secular

^b(2). Homestead Moat, at Parsonage Farm, immediately S. of the church.

^a(3). Hunt's Farm, about 1½ m. N. of the church, is of two storeys, timber-framed and plastered; the roofs are tiled. It was built probably in the 17th century on an L-shaped plan with the wings extending towards the S. and W. The main chimney-stack is original. Inside the building some of the rooms have exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Good, considerably altered.