Fyfield 1863 Whites directory
FYFIELD, a village and parish in the vale of the river Roding, 3 miles N. of Chipping Ongar, and 10 miles W. of Chelmsford, contains 589 souls, and 2390 acres of land. In old records it is variously spelt Fyfhide, Fishide, &c. At the Norman survey it belonged to the Earl of Boulogne and John Waleron, and it afterwards passed to the Tani, Scrope, Wentworth, Child, and other families. The Earl of Mornington is now lord of the manor of Fyfield Hall, but Herons, Lampetts, Whitney Green, and other estates, belong to Lord Dacre, J. B. Stane, Esq. , E. F. Maitland, Esq., and several smaller owners.
The Church (St. Nicholas) is an ancient structure, except the tower, which rises between the nave and chancel, and was rebuilt of wood after the old one had been blown down. The church was restored about nine years ago, and five new bells were hung in 1862, in lieu of the old ones. In the south wall of the chancel are three arches, rising above each other, and supported by two columns of grey marble. The east window is decorated with ancient carvings in stone. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £25. 7s. 6d., and now at £451, is in the patronage of the Earl of Mornington, and incumbency of the Rev. Henry Gibson, B.A., who has agood residence, and 64A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1841.
Dr. A. WALKER, a former rector of this parish, in 1687, left two dwelling houses, with gardens, &c. , for the free occupation of the parish clerk and the schoolmaster ; and he also left for the support of a Free School for poor children, and for distributions of bread and bibles, a farm of 564. 28. 32p , at High Ongar, let for £45, and an orchard in this parish, let for £2. 7s. The School was built in 1819, at the cost of £170, derived from savings of the charity income. There are generally about 80 free scholars, boys and girls. In 1751, John Collins left for the poor of Fyfield, 84. of land, at Moreton, let for £5, and directed £2. 12s. per annum to be divided among them in a weekly distribution of 1s. worth of bread, and the rest of the rent to be given to them on the Sunday after Chistmas Day. The churchwardens hold three houses and two pieces of land, let for about £13, and three rent-charges, aounting to 6s. 5d. per annum, but the donors are unknown.
POST OFFICE at Nathan Oram’s. Letters via Ongar.
Bentley John, brickmaker
Bretton Charles, vict. Bull Inn
Bright John, blacksmith
Bright Mrs Susan, glover
Brookes Thos. veterinary surgeon
Corder Octavius, Esq. Fyfield Hall
Ellson Mrs Ann, grocer and draper
Finch William, saddler, &c.
Fogg James, thatcher, &c.
Gibson Rev. Henry, B.A. rector
Howe Charles, parish clerk
Hughes Hy. relieving officer & registrar
Johnson Oliver, Esq. Whitney Hs.
Mead Mr Thos.
Perry Mr Jas.
Mumford Mrs Martha, victualler, Queen’s Head
Oliver James, shoemaker
Oram Nathan, schoolmaster, &c.
Ravenhill Miss Harriet, bdg. school
Rolfe Joseph William, tailor
Thorne Joseph, shoemaker
Travell William, baker, &c.
Travell Richard, shopkeeper
FARMERS
Barker Charles
Bates William Crabb
Corder Octavius
Eve John Chpn.
Flack Edward
Fogg William
Johnson Oliver
King William
Madell Thomas
Mead Ambrose
Mumford John
Noakes William
Reynolds James, and miller
Welch Daniel
White John
Wilmot Thomas
Wright Thomas
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Blatch John
Waight Henry
COACH to London at 7 a.m.
CARRIERS, &c. pass to London &c.