Broomfield 1848 Whites directory
BROOMFIELD is a pleasant scattered village, with many good houses, 2 miles N. of Chelmsford, on the road to Braintree, Dunmow, &c. , and on the western side of the vale of the Chelmer, of which it commands pleasing views. Its parish is very fertile, and contains 820 souls, and 1,954 acres. Lady Stewart is lady of the principal manors ; but there are in the parish several small freehold manors and estates, belonging to various owners, and bearing different names, as stated in the following Directory. Butler’s, the seat of Miss Seabrook, formerly belonged to the Butler, Pascal, and other families ; and the mansion was rebuilt in the latter part of last cen- tury, by the Rev. J. White, who also improved the gardens and grounds. Broomfield Place is the residence of Charles King, Esq.
The CHURCH (St. Mary,) stands on a gentle eminence, near the village green. It is an ancient structure, with a massive round tower at the west end, surmounted by a wooden spire, remarkable for the great quantity of timber used in its construction. Round towers are very common in Norfolk and Suffolk, and are generally attributed to the Danes. The nave has a north aisle, separated from it by pillars and circular arches, modernised. There is a remnant of a wooden screen between the nave and chancel, and in some of the windows are fragments of stained glass. A small north chancel was added about 30 years ago, but it is not in keeping with the rest of the fabric.
In 1226, Walter de Mandeville gave the rectory to the Prior of Holy Trinity, in London; but itnow belongs to the Felsted Charity. The Vicarage, valued in K.B. at £7. 13s. 4d. , and in 1831 at £161, is in the patronage of the Bishop, and incumbency of the Rev. Henry Eley, M.A. The tithes were commuted in 1845,-the rectorial for £517. 5s. , and the vicarial for £194. 10s. per annum. The CHURCH LANDS, given by John Gyne, in 1561, comprise 21A. IR. 27P. , let for £24, and Salmon Croft, 1A. IR. 29P., let for £1.5s. The rents are applied in the service of the church, and in paying the clerk’s salary .
Three tenements, called Almshouses, are occupied by paupers, but the donor is unknown. A messuage, given to the poor by Thomas Woollard, in 1700, was used as the parish Workhouse till 1836, when it was divided into tenements for poor families. The Parish School wasbuilt by the late Thos. Christy, Esq. , in 1831, and is now sup- portedby subscription. It is in two rooms for boys and girls, and attended by about 160 children, who pay Id. each per week.
(Marked thus * are Land Owners.)
Batt Mr. Daniel, and Miss M. Beadel Mr. James B. , Lodge
*King Chas. Esq. Broomfield Place
Radley Samuel, bricklayer
Sarel Thos. Samuel, butcher & vict. King’s Arms
Crookes Mr. Thos.
Stock Mrs. My.
Sayers Rev.
Wenden Mrs. H.
Eley Rev. Henry, M.A. Vicarage
Finch Misses M. and A.
Hollier George, schoolmaster
Hutching Elizabeth, schoolmistress
*Seabrook Miss Eliza, Butler’s
Spurgin William butcher & vict . Angel
Wade Mr. Charles
Wells James, butcher
FARMERS, &c.
*Blyth John, Mill Hill
Blyth John, jun. Belstead Hall
Bott William, Priors
Christy David, Patching Hall
*Christy Jas. (brick maker.) Brownings
*Christy Thos. Esq. Brooklands
*Cowling Mark, Wood Hall
*Gopsal Thomas (& maltster)
Impey William, Broomfield
*Marriage Henry, Ayletts
*Marriage Wm. & Hy. corn millers
Rust Thomas, Stacey’s
Warner Frederick, Scrauels Hall
Bakers.
Bland Js. beerhs.
Day Thos. B.
Parsons Robert
Blacksmiths.
Everard Edw.
Hardy James
Carpenters.
Harris David
Pulley Samuel
Grocers, &c.
Dowsett Chas.
Hardy James
Watcham Sus.
Shoemakers.
Franklin Joseph
Cass Jno. parish clerk
Hunt John
Elgie Ralph
Gardeners.
Harris Jno. (nursery & seedsman)
Pulley James
Post from Chelmsford.daily