Great Oakley 1848 Whites Directory
OAKLEY, (GREAT) is a large village, 7 miles E.S.E. of Manningtree, and W.S.W. of Harwich, and its parish contains 1145 souls, and 2996 acres of land, including Stone Green, 1½ mile further to the west, and extending eastward to the bay opposite Horsey and Pewit Islands, the latter of which belongs to J. A. Bull, Esq., and has a sur- face of about 500 acres, but is nearly covered at high water. Afair is held in the village on the 25th of April. James Allen Bull, Esq. , owns a great part of the parish, and resides at and is lord of the manor of Great Oakley Hall, which belonged to the Montfichets, from the Conquest till 1258, and afterwards to the Balbec, Plaiz, Vere, Darcy, Leathes, and other families. The Hall is a large brick mansion, with pleasant grounds, and commands a fine view of the ocean and adjacent country. The farms called Skigghaws, Stone Hall, and Dengwell Hall,belong to Guy’s Hospital, London ; and other parts of the parish belong to Mrs. Bailey, and several smaller owners.
The Church (All Saints, ) is an ancient structure, and had a tower of flint and stone ; but it fell down about 20 years ago, and was replaced by a small wooden tower, containing only one bell, the other four being sold after the old steeple had fallen.
The interior is neat, and has a small organ, purchased in 1847. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £23, and in 1831 at £751, is in the patronage of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and incumbency of the Rev. J. H. Marsden, B.D., who has a neat and commodious brick residence, in the Elizabethan style, erected in 1836, and about 60 acres of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1841 , for the gross sum of £900 per annum. The Parish School was built in 1837 ; and here is a Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1814, and a small Baptist Chapel now disused. The poor have two adjoining almshouses, one left by Richard Drake, in 1718, on condition that the parish built the other.
They are occupied by eight poor parishioners. Great Oakley Farmers’ Club holds its annual and monthly meetings at the Three Cups ; and belonging to it are more than 60 farmers and gentlemen of this and neighbouring parishes. Mr. H. Spurling is the secretary.
POST OFFICE at Sarah Salter’s. Letters by foot post via Harwich (Marked 2 are at Stone Green. )
Ainger Robert, carpenter
Allen Eliz . schoolmistress
Allsop James, wheelwright
Bailey Mrs Sarah, Brooklands
Blowers Richard, saddler, &c.
Bugg Samuel, corn miller
Bull Jas. Allen, Esq. , & Mr George, Great Oakley Hall
Claxon Chas. plumber, painter, &c.
Collins John, carpenter
Cooper Edward, butcher & jobber
Cousins Edward, tailor
Cousins William, currier & vict. Three Cups
Cowey Jno. foot post to Harwich,&c.
2 Finch William, brickmaker & builder
Harris William, tinner & brazier
Hatt George, wheelwright
Mann William, hair dresser
Marsden Rev. John Howard, B.D., rector and rural dean
Mills Thomas, sexton
Norton Henry, earthenware dealer
Raison Samuel, police inspector
Rayner Wilham, maltster
Salmon Mrs
Salmon Jas. butcher & vict. Swan
Sizer Robert, saddler, &c.
Skipper Philip, schoolmaster
Smith Samuel, gardener
Smith William, vict. May Bush
BAKERS.
Carter Edward
Mixer John
Streker Fredk.
BLACKSMITHS.
Claxon James
2 Ham John
2 Lawrence Saml.
Randall William
Triggs Mary
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
2 Barker Robt.
Cole Thomas
Cowey John
Goby John, (and parish clerk)
Keeble Richard
Rayner Nathan
Rudling John
Salmon Benj .
FARMERS.
Cooper Edward
Cooper Mark
Fearis Widow
2 Joy Robert Sizer
Moss Thomas Latham
Rayner John
Salmon Jn. Lodge
2 Salmon Joseph (& maltster)
Salter Ishmael
2 Scrutton Samuel, Stone Hall
Stanford Frederick, Houghbridge
Swinborne Robert, Hall Farm
Wright William, Houlding, Skigghaws
GROCERS & DRAPERS
Cousins William
2 Gooch Charles
Moss John Robert
Smith & Salmon
CARRIERS.
Collins William, Colchester and Harwich, daily Youell William , to Ipswich, Tues. & Fri., & to Colchester, Wed