BOWERS GIFFORD, or Bures Gifford, a small village, 4 miles W.S.W. of Rayleigh, has in its parish 283 souls, and 2606 acres of land, partly in low marshes, extending southward to South Benfleet creek, and including part of Canvey Island. Before the Conquest, it belonged to Westminster Abbey, but at Domesday Survey it was held by Ralph Peverel and Walter the Deacon. It afterwards passed to the Leyborn, Sutton, Bigod, Gifford, Vere, Lewen, Honychurch, and other families.
Capt. Spitty, the Rev. T. S. Scratton, and C. C. Baillie, Esqrs. , own a great part of the soil, and Capt. Spitty is lord ofthe manor. The Church(St. Margaret) is a neat structure, with a nave and chancel of one pace, and a tower containing three bells, and crowned by a shingled spire.
The rectory, valued in K.B. at £25, and in 1831 at £571, is in the patronage of Mrs. Curtis, and incumbency of the Rev. W. W. Tireman, M.A., who has 33 acres of glebe, and a commodious residence, with pleasant grounds.
with pleasant grounds.
POST OFFICE at Mrs. Chaplin’s. Letters via Rayleigh.
Bell Eliza, schoolmistress
Ellison Chas. blacksmith & victualler, Gun
Gates James, policeman
Pumfleet J. shoemaker
Read Mrs Sus
Saveall George, shoemaker
Smith James, parish clerk
Tireman Rev. William Walter, M.A.
Webb William, grocer and draper
FARMERS.
Blakeley Mrs Sarah A. Blue House
Masters Chas. T.
Revans Chas.
rector
Moore William, Little Charlton
Shuttleworth Charles, Bower’s Hall