Debden Whites Directory in 1863
DEBDEN, a scattered village, including Debden-Green, Smith-Green, Amberden-End, &c., is pleasantly situated 4 miles S.S.E. of Saffron-Walden, and nearly 2 miles E. of Newport Railway Sta- tion. It has a fair for toys, &c., on June 1st. Its parish is picturesquely broken into hill and dale, and contains 942 inhabitants, and 4404 acres of land, which belonged to Ralph Peverel at Domesday Survey, but was afterwards divided into several manors and estates.
DEBDEN HALL, a large and handsome mansion in an extensive and well-wooded park, is the property of, and gives name to a manor belonging to Sir Francis Vincent, Bart.; but it is occupied by Captain Lane. It was built in 1791, and stands in a finely-wooded park. C. W. E. Spicer, Esq. , and several smaller owners, have estates here.
The Church (St. Mary) is a handsome Gothic structure within the park, shaded by a fine grove. It was originally built in the cathedral form, with two aisles, a nave and chancel, and a tower in the centre. The tower fell down many years ago, and demolished the chancel, which was rebuilt in its original style, with elegant and appropriate ornaments. The building owes much of its neatness to the late R. M. T. Chiswell, Esq. , who erected several family monuments, richly ornamented in the pointed-Arch style, in an octangular chapel at the east end. He also gave the font, an elegant piece of workmanship, in Coade’s artificial stone, ornamented with statues. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £34, and in 1831 at £880, is in the patronage of Sir Fras. Vincent, Bart. , and incumbency of the Rev. A. W. Hall, M.A. , who has a large and handsome residence, and 50A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1842 for £1010 per annum. Here is an Independent Chapel.
The poor of Debden have £6 a year from Measant’s Charity (see Henham), and a yearly rent-charge of 20s. , left by Wm. Bendlowe, out of land at Bardfield, now belonging to Mr. Fitch . The rector distributes £3 yearly among three poor labourers, as charged on the tithes by Dr. Thos. Carter, in 1697. The overseers have long held a house and cottage, and 3A. of land, given by unknown donors, and now let for £15.5s. a year, which is carried to the poor rates. The Almshouses , which were given, in 1774, by Mr. Chiswell, in lieu of others left by Sir John Stonehouse, consist of eight tenements, occupied by poor people, at nominal rents.
BATHURST’S CHARITY to the poor of Debden consists of ahouse at Bucklersbury, now let for £78 per annum, and said to have been given by a Mr. Bathurst, merchant, of London, whose will cannot be found, as appears by the last trust deed, dated 1810. Sir F. Vincent pays £18 yearly, in consideration of £600 said to have been retained by his family from unapplied income ; but he does not hold himself legally responsible for this payment. More than half of the income of this charity is applied by the rector in educating and clothing poor children, and the rest is distributed among the aged and infirm poor parishioners.
Boatman John, smith & vict. Ship
Bunting Joseph, corn miller, &c.
Foster Isaac, bricklayer
Francis Sophia, schoolmistress
Hall Rev. Ambrose William M.A. rector
Housden Joseph & Mrs, National School
Kitteridge Allen, wheelwright
Lane Douglas, Esq. Debden Hall
Newling John, vict. White Hart
Perrin Thomas, bricklayer
Randall Mr John
Hawley Mrs
Thomason John, carpenter & parish clerk
FARMERS
Boatman John
Andrew William
Clarke Philip
Barltrop Joseph
Barnard John
Bass Henry
Bass William
Clarke William
Edwick John
Gilder Peter
Holland James
Holland John
Holland Joseph
Perry Richard
Perry Robert
Pool Thomas
Smith George
Smith Samuel
Smith Saml. jun.
Starling Joseph
Stubbing Robert
Thomason Peter
Thurgood Benj.
Thurgood Joseph.
Tofts Rt. Hall farm
Willett Eliz
BEERHOUSES .
Barltrop Ammon – Three Horse Shoes
Kitteridge Josa.
Tant James – Cross
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
Johns Charles
Lindsell Charles
Simpson George
SHOPKEEPERS .
Holgate Luke
Lacey Mary
Marten Margaret
Moull William
Richardson Har.
Tant Thomas
TAILORS.
Bright Thomas
Monk James
Monk Stephen
POST via Saffron Walden.