MUCKING, a small scattered village near a small creek of the river Thames, 4 miles N.N.E. of Tilbury Fort, and 10 miles S. of Billericay, has in its parish 236 souls, and 2146 acres of cultivated land, and about 200 acres of open heath and waste. The south-east part is low but fertile marsh land, adjoining that part of the Thames called The Hope. Mucking was held by Barking Abbey from the Saxon era till the dissolution, when it was granted by Edward VI. to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, London, who are still lords of the manor, and owners of a great part of the soil. A. Z. Cox, Esq. , the Rev. C. B. Cooper, and several others have estates here.
J. H. Sawell, Esq., is lessee of the Hall Farm. The Church (St. John the Baptist) has a nave, south aisle, and chancel, with a small tower. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £10, and in 1831 at £224, is in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, who are also impropriators of the rectory. The Rev. Charles Day, LL.B.,is the incumbent, and has about 30 acres of glebe, and a handsome Vicarage House, erected by him in 1843. The tithes were commuted in 1846- the rectorial for £400, and the vicarial for £200 per annum. Besides the latter sum, the vicar has £30 a-year from the impropriators . The poor parishioners have a yearly rent- charge of £6. 13s. 4d. , out of Old and New Jenkins Farms, left in 1607 by Elizabeth Downes, to whom there is a monument in the church, recording her christian virtues, and stating that she lived ” in happy matrimony with four several husbands.” At an unknown period, John Ladd left, for the church and poor, a yearly rent of £4, out of Blue House Farm. In 1722, Ann Grey left for the poor of this parish, 10s. a-year out of land at Orsett. The School and teacher’s house were built by the vicar.
Ashford Hy. farmer, Merry Loots
Barnard Mr, farmer
Blyth (John) and Squier (S. W.) steam ploughers and thrashers
Clark Samuel, carpenter, &c.
Clark Wm. farmer (& Rawreth)
Creed Edw. shopkpr. & victualler, Crown
Day Rev. Charles, LL.B. Vicarage
Francis Eliz . victualler, George & Dragon
Hanson Misses, farmers
Moyes Miss, schoolmistress
Sawell John Hill, Esq. Hall
Post from Horndon- on-the-Hill , via Romford.