CHIGNAL SMEALY, or Little Chignal, is a very small parish near the source of a rivulet, 4½ miles N.W. of Chelmsford. It has only 70 inhabitants, and about 400 acres of land, belonging to William and Hy. Marriage, Esqrs. , and other freeholders. Dives Hall, an old manor house, partly encompassed by a moat, was mostly built by the Luckyn family, from whom it passed to the Brand, Marple, and other families. The Church (St. Nicholas) is a small brick fabric, with a tower and one bell. It has recently undergone many repairs. In 1847, a new north aisle, with 112 free sittings, was added by subscription, at the cost of about £360. The discharged rectory, valued in K.B. at £5. 6s. 8d., and in 1831, at £124, is in the alternate patronage of Capt. Spitty and Jas. Cooke, Esq.; and in the incumbency of the Rev. Joseph Thos. Lawton, jun. , of Elmswell, Suffolk; for whom the Rev. C. W. Arnold, of Chelmsford, officiates.
There is 18A. of glebe, but no parsonage house. There is a small Independent Chapel in the parish. The poor have, for distribution in bread, the dividends of £123. 6s. 8d. Three per Cent. Consols, purchased with £100, left by Lady Falkland, in 1776.
Barker William. farmer, Dives Hall
Buttle Richard, farmer, Beremans
ChapmanRichard, blacksmith
Hales James T. farmer, Beadel’s
Harrington Hy. victualler, Wheat Sheaf
Metson Josiah, farmer, Langleys
Pitts William, bailiff, and David, parish clerk