Bobbingworth 1848 Whites directory
BOBBINGWORTH, a pleasant retired village, surrounding a green, 5 miles N.E. by E. of Epping, and 2 miles N. by W. of Chipping Ongar, has in its parish 357 inhabitants, and 1628 acres of fertile land, rising in bold undulations on the west side of the Cripsey brook, which flows southward to the Roding. It is vulgarly called Bovinger, and in Domesday Survey, Bubbingeorda. It is in two manors, called Bobbinworth Hall and Blake Hall, the former of which has belonged to the Spigurnell, Hackney, Asheles, Vere, and other families, and was purchased by the Houblons, but now belongs, with the other manor, to Capel Cure, Esq , of BLAKE HALL, a neat mansion, with tasteful pleasure grounds.
An estate named Bobbingford, otherwise Monks, extends into this and adjacent parishes. Blake Hall was anciently held of the Honour of Clare, by the Hastings, and afterwards of the Honour of Marescall, by the Londres and other families. In 1516, it was held by Sir William Capel, as parcel of the Queen’s Honour of Clare, and it afterwards passed to the Glasscock, Bourne, Haddock, and Fitche families. The parish is mostly freehold, and the copyhold fines are at the will of the lord.
The CHURCH ( St Germain,) is a low plain structure, consisting of a brick nave and chancel, with a heavy embattled tower, chiefly of wood, and containing five bells. The east window is a good specimen of the decorated style. Within the communion rails are several inscriptions in brass, in memory of various members of the Bourne family, who flourished here in the 16th and 17th centuries. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £13.6s. 8d. , and in 1831 at £395, is in the patronage of C. Cure, Esq. , and incumbency of the Rev. W. M. Oliver, M.A., who has 32A. of glebe, and a handsome residence, built in 1840, at the cost of about £2000. To provided clothing for the aged poor of the parish, Robert Bourne, in 1663, left a cottage and 4A of land, now let out for £10 10s per annum. The Bell Acre forms part of the glebe, and in consideration of it the rector finds bell ropes, and hassocks for the church.
Bennett Edwin, corn miller
Cure Capel, Esq. , Blake Hall
Houchen Edw. baker and carpenter
Lewis Jonathan, land surveyor, auctioneer, and agent to Essex Economic Insurance Company
Oliver Rev. William Macjanlay, M.A., Rectory
Wilkinson Sarah, schoolmistress
FARMERS.
Clements Thomas
Gingell George
Lewis Jonathan
King Benjamin
Milbank Jno. , Hall
Pavett George
Thurgood James
Post, from Ongar.