Copford 1863 Whites Directory
COPFORD is a pleasant parish of scattered houses, near the small river Roman, and the London road, from four to five miles W. by S. of Colchester. It contains 775 inhabitants, and 2350 acres ofland. F. G. F. Harrison, Esq., is lord of the manor, and resides at COPFORD HALL, a handsome mansion, in a small park, ornamented with several pieces of water. This manor was held by the Bishops of London till the death of Bishop Bonner, who occasionally resided here, and is said to have planted the shady walk which leads to the church. It afterwards went to the Crown, but was granted in 1609 to John Argent and John Philips, who sold it to Edward Mountjoy, of whom it was purchased by John Haynes, Esq. , from whose descendants it came to the Harrisons. Round, Ambrose, Johnson, and other families, have estates in the parish, which is mostly freehold. Bockingham Hall, an old farm house, was anciently a seat of a family of its own name.
The Church stands near Copford Hall, and is a small antique structure, remarkable for the great thickness of its walls. It has a semi- circular east end, and when repaired in 1690, some fine fresco paintings were discovered on the walls. The doors are covered with ornamental flourishes of iron-work, and under these are the remains of a kind of tanned skins, which tradition says were the skins of Danes, who had robbed the church ! The rectory, valued in K.B. at £15. 3s. 4d., and in 1831 at £550, is in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and incumbency of the Rev. P. A. L. Wood, M.A. , who has a large white brick residence, and 74A. 2R. 3P. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1839, for £656. 18s. per annum, subject to rates, and including the glebe. A house, now in three tenements, with a garden of half an acre, was left in 1694, by Allen Mountjoy, for the residence of poor labouring men, members of the church, and not receiving parish relief. The Parish School was built about ten years ago.
POST OFFICE at Miss Ralling’s.
Scott James, brick yard manager Letters via Colchester
Ambrose J. brick and tile maker
Ambrose Mrs. J.
Grimwood Mrs
Ambrose Rev. John B.A. Copford Lodge
Andrews Moses, shoemaker & grocer
Bacon William, butcher
Bowles Henry, baker & shopkeeper
Butcher __, wheelwright & joiner
Ely Daniel, corn miller
Ely James, baker and shopkeeper
Goodwin Charles, surgeon
Harrison Fyske Goodeve Fyske,Esq. Copford Hall
Hatch Thomas, gentleman
Ralling Miss Sidney, grocer, &c.
Scott John, and hurdle maker
Smith Robert, vict. Brick and Tile
Stephenson William, brewer
Tampion John, blacksmith
Tyssen Capt. John, R.N. Copford place
Wood Rev. Peter A.L, M.A. Rectory
FARMERS.
Barritt Chas. T.
Cowlin Daniel
Creek James
Firmin William
Heard Benjamin
Norfolk Joseph
Payne George
Polley Samuel
Powell Joseph
Ransom William
Root Samuel
Smith John
Wagstaff Thomas
Wyncoll Spring
CARRIER to Colchester Mon.Wed. Fri. and Sat.