BROOMFIELD is a pleasant scattered village, with many good houses, 2½ miles N. of Chelmsford, on the road to Braintree, Dunmow, &c. , and on the western side of the vale of the Chelmer, of which it commands pleasing views. Its parish is very fertile, and contains 849 souls, and 1954 acres. Lady Stewart is lady of the principal manors ; but the greater part of the soil belongs to the Seabrook, Christy, Peacock, Blyth, and other families.
The CHURCH (St. Mary) stands on a gentle eminence, near the village green. It is an ancient structure, with a massive round tower at the west end, surmounted by a wooden spire, remarkable for the great quantity of timber used in its construction. Round towers are very common in Norfolk and Suffolk, and are generally attributed to the Danes. The nave has a north aisle, separated from it by pillars and circular arches, modernised. There is a remnant of a wooden screen between the nave and chancel, and in some of the windows are fragments of stained glass. A small north chancel was added about 45 years ago, but it is not in keeping with the rest of the fabric.
In 1226, Walter de Mandeville gave the rectory to the Prior of Holy Trinity, in London; but it now belongs to the Felsted Charity. The Vicarage, valued in K.B. at £7. 13s. 4d., and now at £224, is in the patronage of the Bishop of Rochester, and incumbency of the Rev. J. B. Whiting, M.A. The tithes were commuted in 1845, the rectorial for £517. 5s., and the vicarial for £194. 10s. per annum. The CHURCH LANDS, given by John Gyne, in 1561, comprise 21A. 1R. 27P. , let for £32, and Salmon croft, 1A. 1R. 29P. , let for £2. 10s. The rents are applied in the service of the church, and in paying the clerk’s salary. Three tenements, called Alms houses, are occupied by paupers, but the donor is unknown. A messuage, given to the poor by Thomas Woollard, in 1700, was used as the parish Workhouse till 1836, when it was divided into tenements for poor families. The Parish School was built by the late Thos. Christy, Esq. , in 1831, and is supported by subscription.
It is in two rooms for boys and girls, and is attended by about 160 children, who pay 1d. each per week. Post from Chelmsford.
Barker William, victualler, Angel
Warner Bobert, gentleman
Beadel James,. auctioneer, estate agent,
Wenden Mrs H.
Wells James, carter &c. Broomfield Lodge
Cass Mary, schoolmistress
Copland Hy. Esq. Broomfield Place
Day Thomas, house agent & overseer
Elgie Jno. carpenter, builder, painter, glazier, &c.
Everard Edward, blacksmith
Finch Misses
Hills Misses
Garland John, excise officer
Ketley James & Jno. bricklayers
Millington Mr J. & Mrs, School
Marriage William & Hy. & Son, millers
Parsons Sarah, baker, &c.
Seabrook Mrs Ann & Miss E. Butlers
Taylor William Edw. butcher and victualler, King’s Arms
Tunbridge Thomas, parish clerk
Whiting Rev. Jn. Bradford, M.A. vicar
FARMERS. (*Are Owners .)
Bott William, Priors
*Christy Thomas, Esq. Brooklands
*Christy David, Patching Hall
*Christy Jas. (brickmkr.) Brownings
Gopsill Thomas, and maltster
Impey William, Broomfield Hall
*Marriage Henry, Ayletts
*Marriage Henry, jun. Parsonage
*Marriage William, Mill, &c.
GARDENERS.
Dowsett Charles
Dowsett Charles
Hockley Charles
Harris David
Harris John
GROCERS, &c.
Bull Thomas
SHOEMAKERS .
Pitts Thomas
Pulley James