1848 Whites directory Chignal St James
CHIGNAL ST. JAMES, is a small parish, 3 miles N.W. by W. of Chelmsford, containing only 252 souls, and about 909 acres of land, between two tributary streams of the river Can. It has been variously at the Domesday Survey. is in two manors, one called Chignal St.-Mary and St.-James, and the 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 gift of the Executors of the late Rev. B. Hanbury, and incumbency of the Rev. J. G. Milne, M.A. It has a good residence, and 35A. 1R. 6P. of glebe; and the tithes here, were commuted in 1846, for £261.8s. 10d. per annum.
In 1702, Thomas Woollard 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, belonging to General Strutt.
Crow Samuel Simmons, vict. Three Elms
Fewell Thomas, shoemaker
Frankland Robert, wheelwright
Howard Robert, cattle dealer
Lyons Timothy, shoemaker
Milne Rev. Jno. Gautier, M.A., rector
Tyler James, shopkeeper
FARMERS.
Crush William, (owner)
Stevens Eve John, Hard Oak
Harrington Susan, Britton’s Hall
Josling John, Brick Barns
Richardson George, Chignall Hall
Tilney Sarah, Hole Farm