Birch 1863 Whites Directory
BIRCH parish has a straggling village, on a pleasant acclivity, 5 miles S.W. of Colchester, and contains about 940 souls, and 3000 acres of dry loamy land, extending northward to Heckford Bridge, on the small river Roman, where there is a small assemblage of houses, four miles S.W. of Colchester. It was anciently in two parishes, called Great and Little Birch.
An artificial mound, near the church, is said to be the site of Birch Castle; but it was more probably an outpost of the stupendous Roman entrenchments, which extended round Colchester. P. Wright, Edw. Brett, and J. Harrison, Esqrs., have estates here; but the greater part of the soil, with the manor, belongs to Charles GrayRound, Esq. , of Birch Hall, a handsome mansion in the plain Ionic order, erected by him in 1847-8, near the site of the Old Hall, which was an ancient mansion, built chiefly by the Tendring and Golding families, and rebuilt by John Round, Esq. , in 1827-8.
The Hall has beautiful grounds, and stands in Little Birch, which has still some remains of a church. The Parish Church (St. Peter) was a small antique fabric, but it was rebuilt in 1850 at the cost of about £400. It is a neat fabric in the Early English style, with a slender tower and spire. The nave is fitted up with open benches, and has a good organ. The united rectories of Great and Little Birch, valued in K. B. at £11, and now at £500, have about 58 acres of glebe, and are in the incumbency of the Rev. William Harrison, M.A. The Bishop of Rochester and C. G. Round, Esq. , are the patrons, the former having two turns in three. The tithes were commuted in 1842, and a handsome new Rectory House was built by Mr. Round in 1860, at the cost of about £1400. A neat school of white brick was built here in 1847, by Mr. Round, and it is chiefly supported by him.
Several urns and other Roman relics were found in the school foundations. The poor parishioners have an annuity of 10s. left by Roger March, in 1614; and another of 20s. left by Robert Carr. The latter is paid out of a field belonging to Edward Brett, Esq.
POST OFFICE at Mrs. Branton’s. Letters via Colchester.
Bridges John William Esq. Lodge
Burnaby Rev. Hy. Fowke, B.A. curate
Dennis Mrs Charlotte, Mill House
Goody Thos. victualler, Angel Inn, Heckford Bridge
Harrison Rev. William M.A. rector
Locke William & Mrs. National School
Munson Isaac (exors. of) , blacksmiths and wheelwrights, Heckford Bridge
Round Chas. Gray, Esq. recorder of Colchester, Birch Hall
Royce John, baker and miller
Scott Thomas, baker and beerhouse – Victory
Stephenson Henry, gamekeeper
Tiffin George, butcher
Wilcher James, church clerk
FARMERS.
Digby John
Ely John
Fairhead Golden
Ley James Boys
Mills Samuel
Norfolk Joseph
Norfolk Joseph jun.
Orpen Daniel
Pettitt Barnabas
Pettitt Misses E. and Ann
Pettitt William
Royce John
Smith John
SHOPKEEPERS.
Branton Rebecca
Bullock Hannah
Cole William
Lungley Thomas
Martin Sarah
Partner John
Woodyard William and bricklayer
CARRIER.
James Branton, to Colchester, Mon. Wed. Fri. & Sat.