Chigwell

CHIGWELL.

Etymology.

This place is called, in the most ancient records, Cingwella, which some suppose to signify the King's Well; others derive the last syllable from the Saxon word Weald, or wood (fn. 1). This etymology, perhaps, is the more probable, as it was in ancient times a part of the royal demesnes. Later records have varied the name to Chykwell and Chigwell.

Situation.

Boundaries.

Quantity of land.

Soil.

Land-tax.

This village lies in the hundred of Ongar, at the distance of about ten miles and a half from London on the Ongar road. The parish is bounded on the east by Lambourn, north-east by Loughton, north by Chingford, west by Woodford, south-west by Barking, and south by Dagenham. It contains, according to a survey made in 1611 (fn. 2), 2527 acres of cultivated land. The proportion of arable to pasture is about three to one. Its share of Epping and Hainault forests (both included in the ancient forest of Waltham) is not ascertained, but is known to be very considerable (fn. 3). The soil in the neighbourhood of the village is a light gravel mixed with sand, and abounding with springs; in other parts of the parish a stiff clay, without water. This parish pays the sum of 577l. 2s. to the land-tax, which is at the rate of about 2s. in the pound.

Manor of Chigwell-hall.

The manor of Chigwell-hall was held under Edward the Confessor by Earl Harold. In William the Conqueror's reign it was the property of Ralph de Limesei (fn. 4), whose great grandson Alan granted it to Richard de Luci, and the latter to Ralph Briton (fn. 5). A subsequent grant was made by Richard de Luci to William Goldyngham, at the petition of Briton; and another at the request of Goldyngham to Robert, son of Ralph Briton, to whom Goldyngham granted this manor in see and for ever. A sum of money was given each time, and homage paid (fn. 6). All this happened in the reign of Henry II.: the manor, nevertheless, appears to have been continued after this for several generations in the family of Goldyngham, who held it under the Lords Fitzwalter (fn. 7). In the year 1382, Sir Alexander Goldyngham had the royal licence to impark 50 acres of land in Waltham forest, adjoining to his manor of Chigwell (fn. 8). It appears to have been afterwards in the Bourchier family (fn. 9). John Mannock died seised of it in 1476 (fn. 10). In 1534, his son George sold it to Sir Thomas Audley and others (fn. 11) for the use of the crown, as it is supposed. In 1538, being then vested in the crown, it was leased to William Rolt (fn. 12). King Edward VI. in 1550, granted it to Sir Thomas Wroth (fn. 13); in whose family it continued till the year 1669, when it was sold to Sir William Hickes, Bart. (fn. 14); from whom it has descended to the present proprietor Michael Hickes Beach, Esq. M. P. for Cirencester, (second son of Sir Howe Hickes, Bart.) who enjoys it under the wills of Sir Harry Hickes, who died in 1755, and Michael Hickes, Esq. who died in 1764.

Manor-house and demesne lands.

Sir Harry Hickes sold the manor-house (called Chigwell Hall) and the demesne lands to William Davy, Esq.; of whose executors they were purchased by James Urmston, Esq.: Mr. Urmston sold this estate to — Mossat, Esq.; of whom it was purchased by Eliab Harvey, Esq. the present proprietor. The house is in the occupation of Mr. Blackman.

Manor of West-hatch.

The manor of West-hatch was the property of the Goldynghams. In the year 1410, Sir Walter Goldyngham settled it (in default of issue from himself and his wife Elizabeth) on Robert Wrytele or Writtle (fn. 15). Walter Writtle died seised of it in 1476 (fn. 16). In 1534, it was vested in George Mannock, Esq. who then sold it with the manor of Chigwell Hall to Sir Thomas Audley, and others (fn. 17). It has since passed through the same hands.

The manor-house, which stands about a mile from the church, on the road to Woodford, was the residence of Sir William Nutt, who died in 1673 (fn. 18). James Crokatt, Esq. of Luxborough-house, having purchased it (about the middle of this century), it was sold by his heirs to Sir Edward Walpole, K. B. It afterwards became the property of Mr. Nutt, whose widow conveyed it to George Curling, Esq.; Mr. Curling sold it to Lady Hughes, (relict of Sir Edward Hughes, K. B.) the present proprietor. A new house having been lately built near the same site, the old house is about to be taken down.

The manor of Barringtons, alias Rolls, is supposed to have been that estate, which, in the reign of King Edward the Confessor, was held by one Doth; and at the time of the Norman survey, by Anschetill, under Robert Gernon (fn. 19). The manor of Barringtons was granted about the reign of Henry II. by Alberic de Vere to Sir Humphrey, son of Eustace de Barentone. It continued in this family (being still held under the Veres, Earls of Oxford, and called the manor of Chigwell, alias Little Chigwell,) as late as the year 1537, when John Barrington, Esq. died seised of it. Stephen Wiseman died seised of it in 1563 (fn. 20); Thomas Wiseman, Esq. in 1584. It was sold by another Thomas Wiseman to John Hawkins; and about the middle of the last century a moiety of it was purchased Eliab Harvey, Esq. (brother of the celebrated Dr. Harvey), whose descendant of the same name (Captain of the Valiant man of war) is the present proprietor. The other moiety was in the Comyns family about the year 1695, and afterwards came, by intermarriage, to Sir Hugh Myddelton, Bart. of whom it was purchased by the Harveys (fn. 21).

Rolls.

The manor-house is about a mile north of the church, and is the residence of Capt. Harvey. It was not originally the site of the manor, but a mansion unconnected with it, called Rolls, which was purchased by Sir Eliab Harvey, (son of Mr. Harvey who bought the manor,) and made the manerial residence (fn. 22).

Manor of Woolston, or Wolverstone.

The manor of Woolston or Wolverstone, anciently called Ulfeestun, was the property of Earl Harold. When the Norman survey was taken, it was a part of the royal demesnes (fn. 23). Henry the Second granted it to the family of Sandford (fn. 24), who held it in grand serjeanty as chamberlains to the Queen (fn. 25). Hugh Earl of Oxford purchased the wardship and marriage of Alice, daughter and heir of Gilbert de Saundford, for a thousand marks, as some records state it, King Henry III.; or, as others seem to represent it, of Fulk Basset, Bishop of London, who had bought it of the King for the same sum (fn. 26), perhaps as a trustee for the Earl; who bestowed her in marriage on his eldest son Robert, who succeeded him in the title, and in right of his wife became Baron Sandford. By this lady (besides Robert his son and heir) he had a daughter Joan, who married William, the eldest son of John Earl Warren and of Surrey, and had the reversion of this manor (fn. 27) as a part of her marriage portion. On the death of John Earl of Surrey (son of the said William and Joan) without lawful issue, in 1347, this and his other estates devolved upon his sister Alice, wife of Edmund Earl of Arundel (fn. 28). The possessions of this family were twice forfeited by attainder, and restored; after which Thomas Earl of Arundel died seised of this manor in 1414, when the inheritance came between his three surviving sisters (fn. 29). Sir Rowland Lenthall, who married Margaret Fitzalan, leaving no issue at his death, in 1451 (fn. 30), his share was divided between the Norfolk and Bergavenny families, who represented the other coheirs. John Duke of Norfolk was slain at Bosworth-field, and his estates became forfeited (fn. 31). The whole of this manor, being afterwards vested in the crown, was granted, about the beginning of Henry the Seventh's reign, to William Scott, Esq. a lineal descendant of Sir William Scott, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, who died in 1346 (fn. 32). It continued in that family till the death of George Scott, LL. D. in 1780, when it was inherited by Robert, son of William Bodle, Esq. (by Elizabeth, daughter of George Scott, Esq. who died in 1710 (fn. 33) ). It is now the property of Robert Bodle, Esq. son of Robert above mentioned.

The manor-house stands about a mile and a half eastward from the church: it is at present unoccupied.

Manor of Grange-hill.

The manor of Grange-hill, or Chigwell Grange, belonged to the priory of Tiltey; on the suppression of which it was granted, anno 1537, to Thomas Addington (fn. 34), who, in 1554, sold it to James Altham, Esq. (fn. 35) : of him it was purchased by Sir Anthony Browne, who made it a part of the endowment of his free school at Brentwood (fn. 36).

Manor of Luxbo-rough.

Luxbo-rough-house.

The first mention I have found of the manor of Luxborough is in 1605, when Sir Robert Wroth died seised of it (fn. 37); since that time it has passed with the manor of Chigwell-hall. The demesne lands of the manor of Luxborough were purchased in the early part of this century by Robert Knight, Esq. cashier of the South Sea Company, who built on them a noble mansion called Luxborough-house, which, upon the estates being seized and sold by the South Sea Company, was purchased by Sir Joseph Eyles (fn. 38). Upon his death, in 1740, it was repurchased by Mr. Knight. His son, who succeeded to this estate, was, in 1746, created an Irish peer, by the title of Baron Luxborough, and in 1763, Earl of Catherlough. In 1749, he sold the estate at Luxborough-house to James Crokatt, Esq. (fn. 39), whose heirs aliened it to Sir Edward Walpole, K. B.; Sir Edward sold it to Samuel Peach, Esq. who soon afterwards conveyed it to Sir Edward Hughes, K. B. That eminent naval officer made it his countryhouse, and died there, Jan. 17, 1794. It is now the property and residence of his widow.

Ancient palace, called Potteles, or Langford's, now King's-place farm.

Within this parish, in the forest, was an ancient palace, called Potteles, alias Langford's. A purchase was made by the crown in this parish as early as the year 1350 (fn. 40), and another purchase of a house and lands, by Edward IV. of Robert Langford, in 1477 (fn. 41). It is probable that the King granted this house and lands to his brother the Duke of Clarence; for it appears upon record, that Potteles-place, alias Langford's, came to the crown on the death of that prince (fn. 42). Henry VII. appointed Sir John Risley keeper of his palace at Chigwell (fn. 43); and, on his death, Sir William Compton had a grant of that place, anno 1513 (fn. 44). William Lord Compton obtained a renewed grant from Queen Elizabeth in 1596 (fn. 45). Sir Thomas Perient was possessed of the fee of this estate in 1650 (fn. 46). It was then called the manor or reputed manor of King's-place, alias Langford's, &c. Henry Goodricke, Esq. having married Mary Ernle, a relation of Lady Perient (fn. 47), this estate was settled on her; and, in 1658, was conveyed by the said Henry Goodricke and his wife Mary to William Livesaye, Gent. In 1679, William Livesaye the elder, and William Livesaye the younger, aliened it to Mrs. Elizabeth Collwall, widow. Thomas Gibson and John Jacob, trustees under the will of Daniel Colwall, Esq. who died in 1707 (fn. 48), conveyed it, in 1716, to Percival Chandler, whose son Thomas, in 1741, sold it to Oliver Marton, Esq. In 1759, it was purchased of the Rev. Oliver Marton, (brother and heir of Edward Marton, Esq. who was son and heir of Oliver,) by Robert Jones, Esq. It is now the property of his grandson R. Jones Adeane, Esq.

Buckhurst, alias Monk-hill, now Monkhams.

An estate in this parish and Woodford, called Buckhurst, alias Monkenhill, (now Monkhams,) belonged to the abbot and convent of Stratford Langthorn (fn. 49), and was granted, anno 1547, to John Lyon and his heirs (fn. 50). Henry Lyon died seised of it anno 1590 (fn. 51). It is now the property of Lady Hughes (fn. 52).

Buckhurst, alias Goldhurst.

There was an estate also (in the parishes of Chigwell and Barking) called Buckhurst, alias Goldhurst, which Sir Walter Goldyngham settled on Robert Writtle. Walter Writtle died seised of it in 1476 (fn. 53). It is most probable that it descended, with the manors of Chigwell-hall and West-hatch, which were also in the Goldynghams and the Writtles.

The church.

The parish-church, dedicated to St. Mary, consists of a chancel, nave, and north aisle. At the west end is a wooden belfry, with a spire. The south door is of Saxon architecture, with lozenge mouldings.

Monument of Thomas Coleshill.

Against the south wall of the chancel is a monument of alabaster and veined marble, (with the effigies of the deceased in kneeling attitudes,) to the memory of Thomas Coleshill, Esq. (fn. 54), servant to King Edward IV., Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, and inspector of the customs for the city of London, ob. 1595. Mary, his wife, daughter of George Crayford, Esq. died in 1599: they were married fifty years. The monument was put up by Sufanna, wife of Sir Edward Stanhope, and Anne, wife of Jasper Leeke, Esq. daughters and coheirs of the deceased.

Monument of Archbishop Harsnet.

On the north side of the chancel, against the wall, is fixed the effigies, in brass, of Archbishop Harsnet. It was removed from the floor, and is in perfect preservation. It is surrounded with a border of brass, on which is the following inscription, written by himself, and directed by his will to be put on his tomb (fn. 55) : "Hic jacet Samuel Harsnett, quondam vicarius (fn. 56) hujus ecclesiæ, primùm indignus Episcopus Cicestrensis, dein indignior Episcopus Norwicensis; demùm indignissimus Archiepiscopus Eboracensis qui obiit xxv die Maii, anno Domini 1631."

On the chancel floor are the tombs of Elizabeth, wife of Francis Langston, Esq. serjeant at arms, and daughter of Sir Edwin Sandys, Knt. 1639; Anne, wife of John Nutt, Esq. and daughter of Sir Edward Master of East Langdon in Kent, 1641; Susanna, wife of William Nutt, and daughter of John James, Esq. 1643; Sir William Nutt, her husband, 1673; and Capt. Joseph Cave of the Royal Navy, 1781.

Scott's Chancel.

The east end of the north aisle is called Scott's Chancel, and belongs to Woolston-hall. In this chancel are monuments to the memory of George Scott, Esq. (fn. 57), 1683; Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Robert Cheyne, Esq. of Bramhanger, 1705; William Scott, Esq. (fn. 58), 1725; Catherine, his wife, daughter of Thomas Luther, Esq. 1710; and Thomas Scott, Esq. 1732. In this chancel also is an achievement for William Derham, D. D. president of St. John's College in Oxford, who died in 1757, and one for Bishop Gibson, whose daughter Jane married George Scott, LL. D.

In the north aisle is the monument of John Thomas Kilpatrick, 1791; on the south side, affixed to one of the pews, is a brass plate (with the effigies of the deceased) to the memory of John Hodgson, Gent. of the Middle Temple, (son of John Hodgson, merchant,) who married Mary, daughter of John Penington of Chigwell, ob. 1620. On the floor are the tombs of John Penington, Esq. (fn. 59), 1702; Sarah his wife, daughter of Sir Robert Abdy, Bart. 1690; Mrs. Ann Pelling, widow, 1712; and Mrs. Sarah Hunt, 1769.

Near the door of the north aisle is a brass plate with the following inscription: "Pray for the soule of Thomas Ilderton, stoksemonger of "London, who dyde inlentle (lengthen) this isle from y^e northe dore hitherto; and also dide gyfe certen lands towards y^e sustentation of a chantre prest to synge at treneteal, and to helpe devyne service in the quere upon holy daies, as by his wyll there made it does apere, on whos soule Jhu have mercy; whiche Thomas decessyd the day of—, an° Domini 1500."

On the pillars between the nave and the chancel on the north side are the monuments of Martin Capron (fn. 60), 1715; and the Rev. George Heriott (fn. 61), rector of South Fambridge, 1723.

In the church-yard are the tombs of Mr. William Browne, 1653; Thomas Browne, 1676; Mary, wife of Thomas Scott, Gent. 1720; Mr. Josiah Seale, 1772; John Sharp, engraver, 1786; Elizabeth, wife of John Moxon, 1788; and the Rev. Peter Thomas Burford, 1794.

The rectory.

The advowson of the church of Chigwell (which is in the diocese of London and the deanery of Ongar) was formerly annexed to the manor, and held together with it by the family of Goldyngham. In the year 1350, Thomas Ecclesle, parson of Lambeth, and others, had licence to appropriate the church of Chigwell (held under the Lords Fitzwalter) to the priory of Latton (fn. 62). How it became vested in the above parties, or how long it continued appropriated to that priory, does not appear; nor does it appear that they ever presented to the vicarage. In 1404, Bartholomew Lord Bourchier granted the church of Chigwell to John Doreward (fn. 63), who, in 1439, gave it to the priory of St. Botolph in Colchester (fn. 64), to which convent it was afterwards appropriated; but they had not been long in possession, before (by some exchange, it is probable) it came into the hands of Bishop Kemp, who, having founded a chantry in St. Paul's cathedral, made this rectory a part of its endowment (fn. 65). In 1474, the prebend of Pancras was appropriated also to the same chantry: after the chantry was suppressed, the rectory of Chigwell continued to be, as it still is, annexed to the prebend of Pancras (fn. 66), under which the great tithes are held upon a lease for three lives. In Bishop Grindall's time (the latter end of the sixteenth century) the rectory was on lease to Nicholas Fulham (fn. 67). In the year 1650, it was reported by the commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of ecclesiastical benefices, that there belonged to the parsonage of Chigwell (which was a sinecure) 28 acres of glebe, besides a grove of about 20 acres, which, with the great tithes, they valued all together at 70l. per annum, out of which a reserved rent of 15l. was payable to the prebendary of Pancras; the parsonage was then on lease to Thomas Andrews, Esq. (fn. 68) In the beginning of the present century, the lease was vested in Sir Joseph Eyles; it was afterwards purchased by James Crokatt, Esq. who, by his will dated 1776, bequeathed his interest therein to his daughter Jane, wife of Sir Alexander Craufurd, Bart. (since deceased). A new lease was granted, in 1791, to Sir Alexander Craufurd for the lives of his three children, James, John, and Cecilia (fn. 69).

The Vicarage.

The present prebendary of Pancras, and, as such, rector of Chigwell, is the Rev. William Paley, Archdeacon of Carlisle.

The vicarage.

It appears that in ancient time a rector of this parish, having a plurality of benefices, instituted a vicarage here, and gave it to his kinsman, allowing him half the profits of the rectory. This practice of appointing vicars continued after his death; and in 1374, Henry Marmion being then rector, a vicarage was endowed with a house and glebe, the usual vicarial tithes, and the tithes of certain watermills (fn. 70). In 1440, the vicarage was valued at 18 marks per annum. In the King's books it was rated at 18l. Since its connexion with the prebend of Pancras it has been in the gift of the prebendary (fn. 71).

Guild of the Holy Trinity.

There was a guild, brotherhood or fraternity in the church of Chigwell, founded by Thomas Ilderton, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity; the lands belonging to which (being then valued at 2l. 3s. 4d. per annum) were granted to John Whitehorn and John Bailey, to be held of the manor of Sidmouth in Devonshire (fn. 72).

Vicars: Samuel Harsnet;

Samuel Harsnet, who was instituted to this vicarage in 1597, was a native of Colchester, and in the early part of his life was master of the grammar-school at that place. He afterwards became successively Bishop of Chichester and Norwich, and Archbishop of York. Before he was made a bishop, (being then chaplain to Bishop Bancroft,) he published an account of the impostures of one John Darrell, who had pretended to cure several persons possessed with devils. He was author also of a few other tracts (fn. 73). The Archbishop, after he had resigned the vicarage, continued to reside at Chigwell, where he had purchased a house and estate, now the property and residence of his descendant Mrs. Fisher.

Emanuel Utey.

Emanuel Utey, D. D. was ejected from this vicarage in the year 1641, in consequence of a petition from the inhabitants of Chigwell to the parliament, charging him with having erected an altar in the church, and having used offensive bowing and cringing; with having kissed the altar twice in one day; having read the prayers with his face to the altar, and his back to the people; and various other allegations of the like nature. A printed copy of the petition is in the British Museum. The commissioners, in 1650, found that there had been no settled minister at Chigwell since Dr. Utey's removal (fn. 74).

The present vicar is the Rev. Walter Kerrich, M. A. canon residentiary of Salisbury, collated in 1764, on the death of Fifield Allen, D.D.

Parish-register.

The earliest date of the register (fn. 75) of births, &c. is 1555.

Comparative state of population.

The present number of houses is about 210 (fn. 76).

Plague years.

In 1603, there were 28 burials; in 1625, 25; in 1665, 27. Six persons died of the plague in 1666.

Extracts from the Register.

Family of Leeke.

"Anne, daughter of S^r John Leeke (fn. 77), baptized Aug. 27, 1609; Dorothy, Nov. 3, 1610; John, buried March 8, 1611–12; Elizabeth, buried Ap^l 1, 1619; S^r John Lake, buried Sep. 24, 1646; the Lady Lake, Oct. 7, 1652."

"Elizabeth, daughter of S^r Peter Killigrew, Knt. baptized Aug. 3, 1626."

"Lake, son of Sir Joseph Jordan, baptized June 20, 1666; John, his son, buried June 21, 1666."

Instance of longevity.

"The widow Gouldring, 100 years old and upwards, buried Nov. 12, 1671."

"Robert, son of S^r George Jeffery (fn. 78) of the parish of Aldermanbury, buried Dec. 30, 1677."

"The Lady Periant of King's-place (fn. 79), buried Jan^y 5, 1678–9."

"The Lady Anne Hobart, widow, buried Feb. 18, 1683–4; Lady Anne Hubbard, Aug. 14, 1706."

"Susan, daughter of S^r Cæsar Child, Bart., and Lady Esther, (born in the parish of Barking,) baptized Ap^l 15, 1705; Anne, Feb. 23, 1706–7."

Family of Middelton.

"Anna, daughter of S^r Hugh Middelton, Bart. baptized Feb. 21, 1717–8; Hugh, July 31, 1719; another Hugh, baptized Oct. 21, 1722, buried Ap^l 8, 1723; a third Hugh, baptized Dec. 1, 1723; S^r Hugh Middelton, Bart. buried Nov. 16, 1756; Lady Anne Middelton, Dec. 31, 1764."

Admiral Lestock.

"Richard, son of Richard Lestock, Esq. (fn. 80), baptized July 14, 1723."

There are several entries relating to the Harvey family. The present Eliab Harvey, Esq. married Lady Louisa, daughter of Earl Nugent, by whom he has one son and four daughters.

Archbishop Harsnet's schools.

Archbishop Harsnet, in the year 1629, founded two free-schools in this parish; the one for teaching children to read, write, and cast accounts, and the accidence; the other for teaching the Greek and Latin tongues. The Archbishop had previously built two schoolhouses at his own expence, and a house for the Latin master; he purchased also a house for the other master, and a garden for each house. The Archbishop, by an indenture, bearing date April 13, 1629, vested the above premises in certain feoffes (fn. 81), together with the impropriated rectory of Tottington in Norfolk, which he assigned as an endowment (fn. 82) for his schools. The advowson of the vicarage was vested also in the said feoffees, who were to present to it a fit person, who had been either educated at the Latin school at Chigwell, or was a native of that place; if such could be found. The vicar of Chigwell, and the rector of Loughton, are always to be among the number of the feoffees, and to be governors of the schools, together with ten other persons, being the most able and substantial parishioners of Chigwell (fn. 83). The governors elect the schoolmasters; the election must take place within ten days after the vacancy, otherwise the nomination lapses to the Bishop of London. The Latin schoolmaster must be a graduate in one of the universities; a man skilful in the Greek and Latin "tongues; a good "poet; of a sound religion; neither Papist nor Puritan; of a grave behaviour; of a sober and honest conversation; no tipler, nor haunter of alehouses; no puffer of tobacco; and, above all, apt to teach, and severe in his government." He is directed to teach Lilly's Latin, and Cleonard's Greek grammar;—for phrase and style, to infuse into his scholars no other than Tully and Terence;—for poets, to read the ancient Greek and Latin; no novelties, nor conceited modern writers." The qualifications requisite for the other master are, "that he write fair secretary and Roman hands; that he be skilful in cyphering and casting of accounts; and that he teach his scholars the same faculty."

The present grammar-master is James Stewart Freeman, B. D.; the English and writing-master, Mr. John Vickery.

The founder's ordinances contain many regulations for the government of his schools, and the behaviour of the scholars; prosessing himself much more solicitous that they should be instructed in the principles of the Christian religion (fn. 84), and nurtured and disciplined in good manners, than instructed in good arts.

The founder directs, that twelve, boys, natives of Chigwell, two of Loughton, two of Woodford, and two of Lambourn, shall be instructed gratis in the Latin school; in the other school, all the children of Chigwell, with the same number from Woodford, Loughton, and Lambourn, as in the other school. When it was found necessary to reduce the salary of the masters, the children in the Latin school were limited to half the number ordered by the founder; and those in the other school to twelve children of Chigwell, one of Woodford, one of Loughton, and one of Lambourn. This was done with the sanction of the Bishop of London, whom the founder appointed visitor; and to whom he directs the governors to present yearly an angel of gold as a new-year's gift (fn. 85).

William Penn educated at Chigwell. Girls' school.

William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, was educated at Chigwell; most probably at Archbishop Harsnet's school.

There is a charity-school in this parish for twelve girls, established about the beginning of the present century, and supported by the collections at an annual sermon, and the interest of 100l. left to it, in 1725, by William Scott. Esq.

Alms-houses.

There are alms-houses at Chigwell for three poor widows, who receive 1l. 5s. 8d. per annum each, paid quarterly, out of lands called Cardhams; formerly belonging to the Peningtons. It is not known by whom this endowment was left.

Benefactions.

Robert Rampston, anno 1585, gave 1l. per annum to the poor of this parish. Archbishop Harsnet charged the parsonage of Tottington with 10l. per annum, to be distributed weekly in bread to twenty-four poor persons of this parish.

Ancient benefaction for the repair of a footpath.

Mrs. Joan Sympson of Chigwell, in the year 1357, left certain lands, (now let at 14l. 14s. per annum,) for the purpose of keeping in repair the foot-path from Abridge in the parish of Lambourn, to Wynbridge in Woodford, being five miles in length, and leading through the village and parish of Chigwell from east to west.

Spring of mineral water.

There is a spring near the windmill at Chigwell-row, of a cathartic quality; the water of which was recommended by the celebrated physician Dr. Frewen, who was a native of this parish (fn. 86). It is now quite neglected.