Chappel 1863 Whites Directory
CHAPPEL, or PONTESBRIGHT, is a picturesque village and parochial chapelry, on the south bank of the river Colne, near Wakes
Colne, 7 miles W.N.W. of Colchester, and 6 miles E.S.E. of Halstead. It contains 370 inhabitants and 996A. 3R. 21P. of land. The Colchester and Stour Valley Railway crosses the Colne valley here by a stupendous Viaduct, of which the first stone was laid in September, 1847, This viaduct is 1066 feet long, and crosses the valley by 30 semicircular arches, each 30 feet in span. The height of the rails above the river is 80 feet. Extensive embankments, 50 feet in height, formed of earth brought from deep cuttings on each side of the valley, join the viaduct. Here is a Station on the Stour Valley Line, and from it a railway now extends westward to Halstead, Castle Hedingham and Yeldham. Chappel, or Pontes-bright, was part of the parish of Great Tey. A chapel was built here by the inhabitants in 1355, and they had afterwards many disputes with the vicar of Great Tey, till 1533, when the Bishop of London, with the consent of all parties, ordered that the inhabitants of Pontesbright should provide a priest for their own chapel, and that he should have the vicarial tithes of the chapelry, and also 20s. a year from the vicar of Great Tey.
A fair for toys, &c. , is held here on the Tuesday after June 11th. The copyhold lands belong the manors of Great Tey, Bacons, and Bourchier’s Hall. The principal land owners are T. B. Western, Esq. , and Messrs. J. and W. M. Farrow, J. J. Mechi, W. Dean, &c.
The Church, or chapel, is a small ancient edifice, with a wooden turret. It was repaired and fitted with new seats in 1861. The benefice is a perpetual curacy, valued in 1831 at only £70. It is in the patronage of the parishioners and incumbency of the Rev. J. Clarryvince, M.A., of Earl’s Colne, who has the rent of a copyhold tenement and 8A. of land given by John Leving, in the reign of Henry VIII. The great tithes belong mostly to the sinecure rectory of Great Tey, and both them and the vicarial tithes have been commuted for rent charges. The poor have £35 a-year as the rent of a cottage, and 14. of land, called Machon’s, and given by Robert Hoolde, in 1454.
Beard Joseph, bricklayer
Carter James, carpenter
Cocke Thomas Golding, surgeon
Flower Thomas, baker, &c.
Gaywood Henry, shopkeeper
Goodman Elijah, saddler, &c.
Grimwood John, blacksmith
Halls Mrs. vict. Swan Inn
Hamblin Samuel, station-master
Johnston John, vict. Rose & Crown
Moy Thomas, coal merchant
Patten William, boot & shoe maker
Poole Robert, wheelwright
Potter Mrs. baker & shopkeeper
Webber Joshua, butcher
Whitman Thomas, shoemaker
FARMERS ( are Owners) .
*Dean William, Esq. Rose Cottage
*Farrow Christopher Sadler & Mrs. Mary Ann, Bridge Hall Wick
*Farrow James Brand, Hill House
*Farrow John and William Morley
Goody Golding,(& dealer) Broom House
Stebbing Robert R.
Sharp John
Stedman John, Pope’s Farm
POST OFFICE at Wakes Colne
RAILWAY trains to Colchester, Halstead, &c. severaltimes aday.