1848 Whites directory Widford
WIDFORD, a small parish on the London road, and the banks of the small river Wid, 1 mile S.S.W. of Chelmsford, is crossed by the Eastern Counties Railway, and contains 692 acres of land, and about 190 inhabitants. When the census was taken in July 1841 , its population was swelled by railway labourers to 362. The villaye has about 300 souls, but half of it is in Moulsham hamlet, and Chelms- ford parish . John Attwood, Esq. , M.P., owner of most of the soil , andlord of the manor, has a handsome seat here, called HYLANDS, on the western acclivity of the valley, commanding extensive views.
Though the house was large and handsome, he is now (1848) erecting amore elegant and spacious mansion. The park and pleasure grounds are extensive and beautiful. The old house was erected by Chief Justice Comyns, Kt , about 1730, and much improved by the late P. C. Labouchere, Esq. Mr. Attwood is one of the parliamentary representatives of Harwich. In 1329, the mauor of Widford was held by Edward of Woodstock, Earl of Kent; and it afterwards passed to the Mortimer, Bacon, Altham, and other families. The CHURCH (St. Mary,) is a small neat structure of mixed architecture, but evi- dently of Saxon origin. The wooden turret, at the west end, has two bells, and is crowned by a small spire. There is a chapel belonging to the lord of the manor, and near it is a monument in memory of Viscountess Falkland. The rectorg, valued in K.B. at £8, and in 1831 , at £225, is in the patronage of J. Attwood, Esq., and incum- bency of the Rev. Wm. Buswell, B.A., who has a good residence, which he has lately much improved. The tithes were commuted in 1838, for £257 per annum. Mr. Attwood built a School-house in the churchyard, in 1843. In 1776, Lady Falkland left £200 to this parish , to provide for a weekly distribution of bread among the poor attending the church. To increase this charity, the Rev. John Saunders left £100, in 1814. These bequests now form a fund of £379. 4s. 9d. three per cent Consols, and the dividends are applied in aweekly dis- tribution of 17 threepenny loaves. In 1738, Benj. Sarjant left £100 three per cent. Reduced Annuities, in trust, to apply the dividends yearly in clothing, for two poor widows, and two poor widowers.
WIDFORD.
(Marked are in Chelmsford Parish.
Attwood John, Esq. , M.P., Hylands
*Abbott Chas. , vict. Silent Women
*Aldridge Philip, baker
Bentley Joseph, corn miller
Buswell Rev. Wm. , B.A., Rectory
Bunting John, shoemaker
Chevely Mr. Charles, Lodge
Crozier Peter, farmer
*Durrant Joseph Taylor, farmer
*Earle Francis, grocer, &c.
Garwood William, farmer
Hammond Robert, farmer, Hall
Kennedy Charles, bailiff, Hylands
Perry Mrs. , National School
*Shelley John, blacksmith
Thorn Geo. butcher. & vict. White Horse