Horndon on the Hill 1848 Whites directory
HORNDON ON THE HILL is a pleasant village on a lofty eminence, 6 miles N. of Tilbury Fort, on the Thames ; 8 miles S. of Billericay, and 11 miles E.S.E. of Romford ; and commands extensive views over the vale of the Thames, as far as London and Sheerness, 20 miles either way. It has a post office for the surrounding district, and had formerly a market on Saturdays, and two woolfairs in June and July. It has still a small fair for toys and pedlery on June 29th.
Its parish contains 576 souls and 2634 acres of land, descending south and east to the marshes, near Stanford le Hope and Corringham.
Most of it was held by Uluric in the Confessor’s reign, and by Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, at Domesday Survey. It was afterwards divided into three manors, of which the principal is Arden Hall, formerly held by the Arden, Pooley, and other families, and now belonging to Theobald, Esq. The manor of Malgreffs, or Malgraves, was held by a family of its own name till 1550, when it was purchased by Sir John Tyrell, but it now belongs to Mrs. Baker. The other principal landowners are Wm. Baker Wingfield, A. Z. Button, Esq. , and Cphr. Montgomery, Esq. Wythfield estate was formerly held by the Bohun, Wright, Vernon, and other families. Thos. Highbred, of Horndon House, was burnt for heresy in 1555, during the reign of Queen Mary.
The Church (St. Peter,) has a nave, north aisle, and chancel, with a stone tower and wooden spire. It was appropriated to the nuns of Barking Abbey, and was granted at the dissolution to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, London, who are still appropriators of the rectory, and patrons of the vicarage, valued in K.B. at £14. 6s. 8d. , and in 1831 at £210, and now enjoyed by the Rev. James Trevitt, who has 64A. of glebe, but no parsonage. The tithes were commuted in 1844, and Captain Cox is lessee of the rectory. The Church Land, about 2A. , is let for £9 a year. A house occupied by paupers, rent free, was given by John Poley in 1734, under the name of the Market house. The poor parishioners have a yearly rent charge of 20s. out of two farms at Mucking, left by Eliz . Downes. Here is an Independent Chapel, built in 1835.
POST OFFICE at G. West’s. Letters received and desp. via Romford. Foot post to surrounding parishes.
Rowland George, bricklayer
Banks Rev. Jabez, curate
Brooks John George, wheelwright
Carver Joseph, beer seller
Cook George B. builder
Fordham Thomas, butcher
Gibbs Mr Charles
Hallam Mr Jas.
Hills J. bricklayer
Newman Thomas, grocer and draper
Robinson Charles, victualler, Swan
Robinson James, corn factor (attends London and Romford markets)
Spurgeon Joseph. bricklayer & victualler, Bell
Steel George, blacksmith
Stibbard Elizabeth, National School
Sullings John, carpenter & beerhouse
Trevitt Rev. James, vicar
Tyrell Eleazar, grocer, draper, miller, & agent to Royal Exchange Ins. Co.
Vincent John, veterinary surgeon
Watts Fanny, dressmaker
Wright Thomas, thatcher
BAKERS.
Allen George
Best William Edw.
FARMERS.
Cook William , Wythfield
Holmes Lawson
Kirkham Joseph, Malgraves
Leader Richard
Long George
Massey Oswld.H.
Pollett Mrs. Safron Gardens
Robinson James
Roper William, Arden Hall
Spitty George
Spitty Mrs A.
Westwood Samuel
SADDLERS.
Archer William
West Godfrey
SHOEMAKERS.
Brewer George
Bowers William
Nash Thomas
Owers George
TAILORS .
King Joseph
Such James