HANNINGFIELD, (WEST) a pleasant village and parish,
between two sources of the Sandon brook, 5 miles E. of Ingatestone, and 6 miles S.S.E. of Chelmsford, has 527 inhabitants, and 2884 acres of land, including 1964. of wood and 39A. of waste. Lord Petre is lord of the manor; but a great part of the soil belongs to Sir W. B. Proctor, William Wright, Esq., and several smaller proprietors. The parish comprises the estates or subordinate manors of Clovilles, Hanningfield Temple, (formerly belonging to the Knight Templars), Peverels, and Chervilles ; and also Bensted Green.
The CHURCH (St. Mary and St. Edward) is an ancient structure in the perpendicular style, with a singular wooden tower, containing four bells and crowned by a spire. The nave and chancel have each a south aisle. In the chancel is an altar tomb and an ancient brass , belonging to the Cloville family, formerly seated here. The Rectory, valued in K.B. at £16, and in 1831 at £934, with that of South Hanningfield annexed to it, is in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. William Kemble, M.A., who has 25A. of glebe and a neat modern Rectory House. The tithes of this parish were commuted, in 1844, for £778 per annum. Here is a National School, for which a new building was erected in 1848. Richard Cannon, in 1605, left for the poor of this parish and Rettendon, a cottage, barn, and 19 A. of land, at Hockley, now let for £23 a year. One moiety is distributed in this parish, in weekly doles of bread, together with ayearly rent- charge of 10s. out of Tanfield Tay Farm, left by an unknown donor. In 1635, Lady Casar gave a yearly rent-charge of £5, out ofthe manor of Fremnalls, at Crow Heath, to be divided poor of the four parishes of East and West Hanningfield, Downham, and Ramsden Crays. The poor widows of this parish have 40s. a year, left by Ann Humphries, out of Helmon’s Farm. Post via Chelmsford.
Benson Mrs My.
Brown William, baker
Burgis Selina, shopkeeper
Cheek William, parish clerk
Clark John, bricklayer
Kemble William, M.A. rector
Lambirth William Hy. victualler, Compasses
Parnell John, blacksmith
Potter George, shoemkr. & victualler, Ship
Punt Robert, wheelwright
Root Samuel, carpenter
Sparrow William, shoemaker
Sparrow George, baker, &c.
Stanier John, schoolmaster
Westwood Sarah, beerseller
Wright John, shoemaker
FARMERS. ( * are Owners.)
Benson Colin
Benson William
Bewers Abraham
Bewers Patrick G. Five Chimneys
*Cole George, New Barn
Cole Henry
Farrow Joseph
*Green George, and butcher
Hutton Mr, Hill Farm
Kirkham Daniel
Mulcock Thos.
*Lambirth W. H.
*Sidney Charles Algernon Philip
Smith Edward A. Union Farm
Smith Frederick, auctioneer and estate agent, &c. Slough House
Stevens John
*Taylor Thomas
Witney George, Hill Farm
CARRIERS pass to Chelmsford.