East Mersea 1863 Whites directory
MERSEA ISLAND comprises the two parishes of East and West Mersea, and extends from Mersea Stone, at the mouth of the Colne, to the estuary of the Blackwater. It is of an oval figure, presenting a length of about five miles to the ocean, and being from 1½to 2 miles in breadth; separated from the mainland only by a creek, called the Pyefleet, which communicates with the estuaries of the Colne and the Blackwater, and is celebrated for excellent oysters ; and immense quantities of the spat is sent hence to the Kentish and other oyster layings. The island is also famous for wild fowl, of which great quantities are sent to London and other markets. A raised causeway, called the Strode, crosses the Pyefleet, and communicates with the main land, but it is covered by the sea at high tides. The island is well wooded, beautifully diversified, and presents a bold commanding coast to the German ocean. It contains 1234 souls, and about 3500 acres of good arable and pasture land, and more than 1000 acres of marshes and saltings, which are mostly inundated at high tides . This island was occupied by the Romans, and is supposed to have been the residence of the general who was styled “Count of the Saxon shore. ” Several tumuli on the island are apparently Roman, and in one of them many antiquities have been found. When repairing West Mersea Hall, and making a new garden, in 1730, a fine tessellated pavement was found, composed of various coloured tesseræ, disposed in a variety of elegant patterns. During the incursions of the Danes, this was frequently the landing place and retreat of their ferocious bands, and Alfred the Great is said to have beseiged a large party of them here in A.D. 894, after pursuing them from Farnham. There was formerly a blockhouse, at the south-east corner of the island, to defend the passage of the river Colne, and what remains of it is called Mersea Stone. There is now a coast guard station on the island.
MERSEA (EAST) is a village and parish forming the eastern part of Mersea Island, 9 miles S.S.E. of Colchester, bounded on the south and east by the ocear and the estuary of the river Colne. It contains 305 inhabitants, and about 1820 acres of land, including about 500 acres of low marshes and salt-ings, bordering onPyefleet creek, on the south side of the island. Mrs. Margaret Round is lady of the manor of Mersea Hall, and also owner of the estates here called Renshales and Rusalls ; but G. M. W. Peacocke, Esq. , is lord of the manor of Reeves Hall, on the south side of the parish.
The Church (St. Edmund) is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave, south aisle, a chancel, with a small chapel, and a square tower. The latter was formerly used as a beacon, and had five bells, but has now only two. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £21, and in 1831 at £358, has 21A. of glebe, and a small manor, with a court leet and baron. It is in the patronage of the Crown, and incumbency of the Rev. Chas. Fredk. Hayter, B.A., who has a good rectory house, built in 1859. For teaching 21 poor children, a schoolmistress has certain voluntary contributions, and the dividends of £223. 2s. 8d. three per cent. Consols, left by the Rev. John Tickell, in 1812. The school was built in 1859. Here is a small Baptist Chapel. The Church Land, 8A. 1R. 4P. , is let for £10, and has been vested in trust, for the repair of the church, from an early period.
Post from West Mersea, via Colchester.
Clark Moses, shoemaker
Ellis Robert, parish clerk
Elvish John, wheelwright
Greenleaf Jas . carrier to Colchester
Hayter Rev. Chas. Fdk. B.A. rector
Heard Benj.shopkeeper, Dog & Pheasant
Rogers Rev. Jeremiah (Baptist)
Underwood John, shoemaker
Vincent Miss, schoolmistress
Vincent William, coach builder, &c.
FARMERS.
Cant Samuel
Cant Samuel, jun.
Clark Elijah, and gardner
Harvey Jeffery Grimwood, Reeves
Matson George, East Hall
Prentice William and Samuel, Fen Farm
Ward John, Rusall