WALTHAM, (LITTLE) a pleasant village on the east side of the river Chelmer, and on the Braintree road, 4 miles N. of Chelmsford, has in its parish 684 souls, and 2209A. of fertile land, including 118A. of wood. The village is on a gentle slope, and adjoining it are some houses in Great Waltham parish. About 24 years ago, a neat iron bridge was erected here, in lieu of an old wooden one, commonly called Wingford Bridge. J. J. Tufnell and M. W. Bird, Esqrs. , own a large portion of the soil, and the latter has a neat mansion here, on the south side of the village. The estates called Powers, Sheepcotes, Walkfares, Boycroft, Blastard’s- fee, Stonage, &c. , are held by various owners, and some of them were formerly called manors.
The Church (St. Martin) is an ancient fabric, mostly in the Norman style. It consists of a small nave, chancel and porch, with an embattled tower at the west end, containing five bells. The south chancel wall has lately been newly faced with flint, and a neat stained glass window inserted. The south and east windows are insertions of the time of Edward II. or III. , and contain some remains of stained glass. The porch is in the Tudor style, but the arch, opening into the church, is Norman, and has lately been restored. The tower has been raised a story, and buttresses added.
The rectory, valued in K.B. at £11.10s. , and in 1831 at £611, is in the gift of Exeter College, Oxford, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Fisher, M.A., who has 12A. of glebe, and a good residence. The tithes were commuted in 1839, for £673.12s. 6d. per annum. Here is an Independent Chapel, built in 1808, at the cost of £800. Attached to it is a school, supported by subscription.
Poole’s Charity.-Channel’s Farm, which comprises 129A. 1R. 11P. of land, in Little Waltham, Springfield, and Broomfield, was vested in trust for superstitious and charitable uses, in this parish, as early as the reign of Edward III. , but was seized by the Crown, in the reign of Henry VIII. , under the statute for the suppression of Chantries. In 1553, it was granted to Richard Chammond and Rodger Prideaux, who sold it to Roger Poole, who, in 1558, conveyed it to feoffees, in trust, for the support of the parish church, and the performance of pious uses and works of charity. It was conveyed to new trustees in 1833, and is now let for £121 per annum. Belonging to the same trust, are a cottage and 3A. 3R. 37P. of land, called Hulman’s, let for £12. 12s. , which used to be received by the parish clerk.
The trustees purchased, some years ago, a house and granary, let for £10. 10s. The rents are applied, by the trustees, in the repairs of the church, the maintenance of schools, the payment of £5 a year to the parish clerk, and in clothing for the poor. They contribute one-fourth towards the repairs of Wingford Bridge. The master of the Boys’ School teaches about 40 free-scholars, and is allowed a yearly salary of £26, and the free use of a small house, rented by the trustees. The mistress of the Girls’ School, teaches about the same number of free-scholars, and has a yearly salary of £18, and the free use of a house, which was built by the parish. The scholars are provided with books by the feoffees , to whom the rector is treasurer. M. W. Bird, Esq. , the Rev. A. Pearson, and others, are the feoffees.
John Alleyn, in 1660, left £500 to be laid out in land, and the yearly proceeds to be applied in apprenticing poor children ofthis parish, or, for want ofsuch, in repairing the (church and chancel. The land purchased comprises 60A. 3R. 15P. in Broxted and Takeley, now let for £65 per annum, which is applied in apprenticing poor boys with premiums of about
£65 per annum, which is applied in apprenticing poor boys with premiums ofabout £15 to £25 each. This charity has been long vested with the feoffees of Poole’s Charity.
LITTLE WALTHAM.
POST OFFICE at Mr. Henry James’.
Letters via Chelmsford.
Ardley William, veterinary surgeon
Bird Maurice Wm. Esq. Brick House
Barton John, shoemaker
Burton John J. grocer, draper, and ironmonger
Burton Josiah , baker
Charge Henry, saddler, &c.
ColeAbsalom, relieving officer
Fisher Rev. Thomas, M.A. Rectory
Flatman James, schoolmaster
Fowler Rev. Joseph, (Independent)
Francis William, gentleman
Furlong Josiah, plumbr. paintr. &c.
Goodchild Arthur, surgeon
Gosling Josiah, tailor
James Samuel, sexton
Joslin William, cooper
Linnett James, parish clerk
Milbank Thomas, shopkeeper
Radford John, Esq. Pratt’s Farm
SkinnerGeorge, shoemaker
Soper Henry, Esq. Lodge
Sorrell Henry, cattle dealer
Swallow Daniel, beerhouse
Taylor Charles, wheelwright
Taylor Elias, wheelwright
Turnidge Samuel, shopkeeper
Underwood Samuel, victualler, Bell
Webb Rev. Rt. Chapman, curate
Young George, blacksmith
FARMERS.
Bentall William
Allen Henry
Campen Mrs
Campen James
Darby John, Sheepcotes
Eve Joseph and Lambert Henry
Joyce Thomas
Poole James
Mallett Joshua, and miller
Quilter George
Rust Geo. Jno.
Snow Peter
Sylvester George
*Wells Joseph, and maltster
CARRIER, John Lucking, to Chelmsford, daily