Elmdon Whites Directory in 1863
ELMDON is a retired village, among the chalky hills at the north-western extremity of the county adjoining Cambridgeshire, 6
miles W. by N. of Saffron Walden, and 34 miles W. by S. of Chesterford Railway Station. Its parish contains 731 souls, and 3106 acres of land, extending southward to Duddenhoe-end and Pond street, 2 miles S. of the church. Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, held it at the Domesday Survey, and it afterwards passed to various owners, under the names of Elmdon, Leebury, Dagworths, Mounteneys, Pigots, &c. Elmdonbury, the chief manor, belongs to the Rev. Robert Wilkes. A great part of the parish belongs to several smaller owners, mostly copyholders, subject to arbitrary fines.
The Church (St. Nicholas) is a neat structure, with a nave, side aisles, chancel, and tower, the latter containing four bells. The nave and aisles were rebuilt a few years ago. The rectory was appropriated by Robert de Lucy to the monastery at Lesnes, in Kent, but was afterwards given to Cardinal Wolsey, on whose fall it fell to the Crown. Henry VIII. gave it to Sheen priory. Edward VI. granted it to T. Crawley, Esq. , and, in 1739, it was purchased by an ancestor of the Rev. Robert Wilkes, of Wenden Lofts Hall, the present impropriator of the rectory, and patron of the vicarage, which is consolidated with the rectory of Wendon Lofts, and is now in the incumbency of the Rev. John Barr, M.D., who has a good residence here. The tithes were commuted for allotments of land at the enclosure in 1829. The National School was built in 1844.
Thos Crawley, in 1559, left a yearly rent-charge of £14, out of the rectory of Elmdon, to be paid to a priest for teaching grammar and good manners to the children of this and neighbouring parishes. An allotment of 2R. 20p. was awarded to the school at the enclosure.
The old school and master’s house were given many years ago by the parishioners. The latter is let for £3. The vicar is nominally appointed master, and applies the net income in supporting the Sunday Sunday School. The poor have £3. 18s. yearly from Martin’s Charity. (See Chrishall.)
POST OFFICE at William Crisp’s. Letters via Saffron Walden.
Bailey Nathan, beerhouse & shopkeeper – Woodman
Baker James, vict. King’s Head
Barr Rev. John, M.D. vicar of Elmdon and rector of Wenden Lofts, Vicarage
Barr Rev. Arthur, Vicarage
Brand John, blacksmith
Brand William, grocer and draper
Cowell Robert, butcher
Collin Rev. Joseph. rector of Strethall
Crisp William, cabinet maker & shopkeeper
Godfrey Mrs E. plumber, painter, &c.
Greenhill James, bricklayer ; and Mrs N. National school
Loft William, boot and shoe maker
Monk Charles, baker, &c.
RawlingsJas. smith and wheelwright
Smoothy Sarah, vict. Wilkes’s Arms
Walters John, tailor and beerhouse – Hoops
Waters William, parish clerk
Wright James, boot and shoe maker
FARMERS.
Pilgrim Ernst
Barnard William
Prime Moses
Brand John
Purkis Josiah
Burrell William R.
Rolfe John
Hayden Edward
Hayden Jas. jun.
Letchfield Susan
Mickley Charles
Perry Rebecca
CARRIERS to Cambridge Sat. & Royston Wed.
Grange Joseph
Miller Thomas