BENFLEET, (NORTH) a small village, 3 miles W. of Rayleigh, and 6 miles E.S.E. of Billericay, has in its parish 364 souls, and 2389 acres of land, including part of Canvey Island, distant 4miles S. of the church. It includes the estates ofNorth Benfleet Hall, Berdfelds, and Fan Hall, now belonging to the Wingfield, Goldson, Graham, Sparks, and other families. It was held by King Harold, and after wards by the Conqueror. In 1263, Alex. de Benfleet, or Bemfleet, held the hall estate, which afterwards passed successively to the Coggeshall, Tyrell, Wiseman, Goodwin, and Wingfield families.
The Church (All Saints,) is a small antique structure, with a tower and five bells ; and the rectory, valued in K.B. at £16, and in 1831 at £600, is in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. C. R. Rowlatt, M.A. , who has a good residence, and 20A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1839. Most of the farmers reside in the neighbouring parishes, and the three largest are Robert Goldson, John Sparks, and Edw. Fulford.
BENFLEET, (SOUTH) is a large and pleasant village, on the north side of the creek called Hadleigh Bay, opposite Canvey Island,
4 miles W. of Leigh. It has a fair on the 24th of August, and the bay and creeks in its vicinity are celebrated for oysters. Its parish contains 707 inhabitants, and 3056 acres of land, including a large portion of Canvey Island, to which there is a causeway, fordable at low water. In the ninth century, this parish was a frequent landing place of the Danes, one of whom, Hælsten, built a castle or fortification here, in which he used to lay up his plunder, under the guard of a numerous garrison ; but in 894, it was taken and destroyed by King Alfred, who took Hælsten’s wife and his two sons prisoners, with all the booty. Alfred also destroyed most of the Danish ships, and took the rest to London.
Before the Conquest, part of this parish belonged to Barking Abbey, but it was seized by William the Conqueror, and given to Westminster Abbey. The Dean and Chapter of Westminster are now lords and owners of ” the Manor of the Abbey, ” and also impropriators of the rectory; but the manor of South Benfleet belongs to J. Perry, Esq. , and a great part of the parish belongs to other proprietors. Jarvis Hall, now a farm-house, gives name to a small manor, and here is another estate, called Rich Marsh. The Church (St. Mary,) is a handsome and stately structure, with a nave, side aisles, chancel, and a stone tower, containing five bells, and crowned by a lofty wooden spire. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £16. 5s. 5d. , and in 1831 at £225, is in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, and incumbency of the Rev. H. R. Lloyd, M.A.
POST OFFICE, at Simeon Daine’s .
Letters despatched 2.30 afternoon. via Rochford Andrews Charles, blacksmith Andrews George Osborne, farmer, Jarvis Hall
Archer George, barge agent
Barnes William, farmer, Kent’s Hall
Benton William E., farmer
Blakeley Edward, shoemaker
Blakeley Thomas, wheelwright
Brewitt Henry, shoemaker
Buckenham Henry, butcher
Cross William, barge owner ( & Rayleigh)
Daines Mr Thomas, and Mr Simeon
Freeman William, blacksmith
Garrard James, shoemaker
Harridge John. butcher
Hills Mary Ann, shopkeeper
Howard Mary Ann, barge owner
Howard Mr William, Wharf
Lloyd Rev. H. R., M.A., vicar
Lockwood John, victualler , Hoy
Lucking Henry, victualler , Anchor
Mansfield Daniel, shoemaker
Nash Daniel, farmer
Palmer Chas. baker & coal merchant
Potter Jas. farmer, Read’s hill
Robinson James, farmer
Sopwith Miss C. E., boarding school,
Rose Cottage
Sopwith Wm. grocer and farmer
Spencer James, baker
Swain Mrs Maria, shopkeeper
Thomas Mr. William & Turner Mr. M.
Wilkins James, farmer
CARRIERS, John Wood and Abraham Moor, to Chelmsford, Friday