Great Yeldham 1863 Whites directory
YELDHAM ( GREAT) , or Lower Yeldham, is a neat and pleasant scattered village, on the high road, and on the banks of the small river Colne and two of its tributary streams, 7 miles N.N.W. of Halstead, and 3 miles N.W. of Castle Hedingham. Its parish contains 696 souls, and 1793 acres of land. The Colne Valley and Halstead Railway was extended to Yeldham in 1861-2.
The village is interspered with trees and gardens, and surrounded by fine rural scenery; and at the place where the road branches off to Haverhill and Cambridge, stands Yeldham Oak, a large and venerable tree, the stem of which is 27 feet in circumference, and its height from the ground to the first branch was 12, and to the top 80 feet. The trustees of the late Sir W. B. Rush own a great part of the parish, and are lords of the manor of Yeldham Hall, now occupied by a farmer, and formerly belonging to the Jeffrey, Humphrey, Darcy, Doreward, Plume, and other families. John Way, Esq. , is owner and lord of the manor of Spaynes Hall, a fine old mansion, with pleasant grounds, on the east side of the river, and anciently belonging to the De Hispania family. Spencer Grange is the residence and property of Mrs. C. Way and L. J. Way, Esq. , and is a handsome modern mansion, erected by the late Viscountess Bateman, daughter of Charles Spencer, Earl of Sunderland. It was purchased in 1783, by Gregory Lewis Way, Esq. Lovingtons is a farm belonging to Earl Amherst, and was the seat of Sir Geoffrey Amherst, governor of Quebec.
The CHURCH (St. Andrew) is a handsome stone building, in the perpendicular style, with a stately tower containing six bells. It has a nave, north aisle, and chancel, with asmall chapel on the south side, in which there are monumental memorials of various
members of the Symonds, Quarle, and other families. A fine oak screen separates the nave and chancel, on which are carved the arms of the De Vere and other families, who contributed towards the erection of the church. A stained glass window has lately been inserted in the chancel. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £20, and now at £512, is in the patronage of the trustees of the late Sir W. B. Rush, and incumbency of the Rev. J. M. Cripps, M.A., who has 424. of glebe, and an ancient residence. The tithes were commuted in 1842, for £508 per annum. The FREE SCHOOL, for ten poor boys, occupies the site of an old tenement called Ford’s, which had been long held by the parish for charitable uses, but was converted into a school and master’s house in 1692, when John Symonds left for the support of a schoolmaster, a farm at Halstead, now let for about £30 per annum. There are also belonging to the school £250 three per cent. Reduced Annuities, derived from the sale of old buildings and the savings of income. Here is also a National School. The ALMSHOUSE, with an acre of land attached to it, is divided into six tenements, occupied rent free by poor people; but according to a trust deed, dated 1658, it ought to be let, and the rent applied to the reparation of the church, bridges, and highways. The CHURCH LAND, 2A. , with two houses upon it, is let for £18, and TILBURY LAND, 1.5 A., for £1 10s. a year. According to a trust deed, dated 1658, these rents are applied in repairing the church, and keeping up the causeways and foot-bridges of the parish. The poor have £5 5s. per annum, as the rent of 3.5 A. of land purchased in 1658, with £20, left by Richard Moseley, and £5 out of the parish stock.
GREAT YELDHAM.
POST OFFICE at Eliza Fuller’s. Letters via Halstead. Nearest Money Order Office at Castle Hedingham.
Bareham Mrs M. herbalist
Boosey Nathaniel, watchmaker, &c.
Bowyer Benjamin, butcher & dealer
Chapman Josiah, wheelwright
Cripps Rev. John Marten, M.A. Rectory
Fentiman Edw. free schoolmaster
French Geo. wheelwright & blacksmith
Fuller Mrs Eliza, post office
Hart Samuel, tailor and glover
Hutton Rt. Richbell, veterinary surgeon
Ives Henry, blacksmith
Russell Mr Robert
Scotcher Jas. woolstapler & fellmonger
Sefton John, vict. White Hart
Smoothy John, shoemaker
WayJohn, Esq. Spaynes Hall
Way Mrs Car. and Lewis Jno. Esq.
Spencer Grange
Woolmer William, relieving officer
FARMERS.
Goodchil dGeorge, Gunces
Mitson Joseph, Waybridge
Norden Robert, Potter’s Hall
Nunn James Hardy, Pool Farm
Playle William, Change Farm
Scotcher James, Bull’s Farm
Smith Benjamin, Man’s Cross
Whitlock John, and coal and coke merchant, Yeldham Hall
Whitlock Francis, Lovington’s
BAKERS .
Laver Thomas
Read John, and carpenter
BEERHOUSES
Finch James
Jephson Mary
Mitson Thomas – Three Bottles
BRICKLAYERS
Bareham John
Bareham J. jun.
Hardy Edmd.
SHOPKEEPERS .
Bowtell Sophia
Coller Robert
Finch James
Jephson Mary
Mitson Thomas
RAILWAY
Trains several times a day to Colchester,London, &c.
CARRIER. George Butcher, to Braintree , M. W. & F.