Downham 1848 Whites directory
DOWNHAM, a parish of scattered houses on the north side of this Hundred, 4 miles E. by W. of Billericay, has 254 souls, and 2152 acres of land , rising in bold undulations, and mostly belonging to R. B. Berens and E. R. Benyon, Esqrs. It is not named in Domesday Book, and is now in three manors, viz. , Downham Hall, which was long held by the Ramsden, Vere, Andrew, and de Beauvoir families ; Berne Hall, formerly held by the Baynings ; and Tremnales, now belonging to W. Manbey, Esq. Major-General John Disbrow was seated at Tremnales, but having married one of the four sisters of Oliver Cromwell, he exchanged the spade for the sword, and rose to eminence in the parliarmentary army. He became one of Cromwell’s council, and during the commonwealth, he received in salaries for his various civil and military offices £3236. 3s. 4d. per annum.
nestly opposed Cromwell’s taking the title of King, and persuaded his son, Richard, to dissolve the parliament.
The Church ( St. Margaret,) is a small ancient building, with a handsome square tower, and contains manymemorials of the Tyrell, Alslow, Disbrow, and other families, who formerly flourished here. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £12. 2s. 8d. , and in 1831 at £409, is in the patronage of R. B. Berens , Esq. , and incumbency of the Rev. E. R. Berens, M.A., who has a good residence. In 1635, Lady Cæsar left a yearly rent-charge of £9 , out of land at Crow’s Heath, for the poor of the four parishes of Downham, Ramsden Bellhouse, and East and West Hanningfield. A house, built upon this land, is called Disbrow’s Folly.
Ashfield Samuel baker and shopkpr
Berens Rev. Edw. Rion, M.A. Rectory
Clark Mrs Sarah, farmer
Clark Isaac F. farmer
Dale James John, farmer
Good James, farmer
Low Charles, farmer, Tremnales
Parnell Miss Lucy, farmer
Piper Stephen, shoemaker
Richardson Thos. farmer, Castledon
Watts Geo. carpenter and victualler, De Beauvoir Arms
Wright Simon, farmer
Letters from Billericay.