Fobbing 1848 Whites directory
FOBBING, a compact village of one street on a bold acclivity, overlooking the marshes and the Thames, is nearly two miles N. of that river, 3 miles E. of Horndon-on-the- Hill, and 7 miles S. by E. Billericay. Its parish contains 428 inhabitants, and 2632A. 3R. 38P. of land, mostly in low marshes, extending to the Thames, and intersected and nearly encompassed by several creeks of that river, one of which, called East or Hole Haven, flows on the western end of Canvey Island, and runs four miles inland to Pitsea, and the others are Fobbing Creek, crossing the parish at the foot of the village, and Shell Haven, penetrating the marshes of this parish and Corringham. This is the site of that projected out-port of London which is to be called Thames Haven, and is to have capacious docks for the reception of the largest vessels, and a railway to join the Eastern Counties line at Romford.
At Domesday Survey, Phobinge belonged to Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, and it afterwards passed to the Bohun, Stafford, Buckingham, Bullen, Johnson, and other families. Arthur Zach. Button, Esq. , is now lord of the manor, but part of the soil belongs to other proprietors. The small manor, called Hawkesbury, was held by Barking Abbey, and after the dissolution, it was granted to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s. Stow says Jack Cade’s rebellion began in the village of Fobbing, and that the mob broke into a priory in the neighbourhood, and ” drank up three tuns ofwine, and devoured all the victuals.”
The Church ( St. Michael,) has a nave, south aisle, and chancel, with a lofty tower, which is seen at a great distance, and is clearly visible from the Kentish hills on a fine day, when the view from the village over the expansive vale of the Thames is delightful. The tower has a good peal of five bells. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £21, and in 1831 at £564, is in the patronage of the Crown, and incumbency of the Rev. Henry Thompson, who has a neat residence, and about 30A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1841 for £761 . 9s. 4d. per annum. The parish school is supported by the rector.
Bogue Wm. coal merchant, barge owner,
Maling Elizabeth, farmer and victualler, Lion
Burls John, corn miller, &c.
Carter James, shopkeeper
Clarke John T. farmer
Harrison Catherine, schoolmistress
Stevens William, builder
Thompson Rev. Henry, Rectory
Wash Hezekiah, victualler, Ship
Wrigglesworth William, farmer
Letters, via Romford.