CHIGNAL ST. JAMES is a small parish, 3½ miles N.W. by W. of Chelmsford, containing only 258 souls, and about 900 acres of land, between two tributary streams of the river Can. It has been variously spelt Chignall, Chighenale, and Cingehala. The latter was its name at the Domesday Survey. It is in two manors, one called Chignal St. Mary and St. James, and other Hawes or Hittats.
T. W. Bramston, Esq. , is lord of the manors, and owner of most of the soil; and the rest belongs to Mr. W. Crush and other proprietors. The Hall, now a farm house, is a large Elizabethan building, which was erected in 1552, and was a seat of the Rochester, Barker, and Petre families ; from the latter of whom it passed to the Bramstons. Many human bones were dug up some years ago, on the spot where St. Mary’s church is supposed to have stood.
St. James’ Church is a small antique fabric of brick and stone, with a wooden spire. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £10. 14s. 7d. , and in 1832, at £432, with those of St Mary and Mashbury annexed to it, is in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev J G Milne M.A. , who has a good residence, and 354. 1R. 6P. of glebe. The tithes here were commuted in 1846, for £261. 8s. 10d. per annum.
In 1702, Thomas Wollard left for the poor a cottage and three acres of land, now let for £11. 10s. , which is distributed in weekly doles of bread. The poor parishioners have also a yearly rent-charge of 6s. 8d. left by an unknown donor, out of Britton’s Hall, in this parish.
Crow Samuel Simmons, carpenter and victualler, Three Elms
Fewell Thomas, shoemaker
Firman William, swine dealer
Milne Rev. Jno. Gautier, M.A. Rectory
Rayner John, parish clerk
Ruffell Mary, shopkeeper
Wakelin Samuel, wheelwright & smith
FARMERS.
Catchpole James
Christy Robert
Cowlin John, Britton’s Hall
Marriage Wm. & Hy. Brick Barns
Richardson George, Chignal Hall
Warner Frederick, Hole Farm