HORNDON ON THE HILL is a pleasant village on a lofty eminence, 6 miles N. of Tilbury Fort and 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 wool fairs in June and July. It has still a small fair for toys and pedlery on June 29th. Its parish contains 522 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 J. 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 R. B. W. Baker, Esq. The Cox, Long, and other families have estates in the parish. 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 now at £210, in the incumbency of the Rev. John Windle, M.A., who has 6 acres 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 National School was built in 1849, and has a yearly rent-charge of 20s. , out of two farms at Mucking, left by Elizabeth Downes.
POST OFFICE at Eleazar Tyrell’s.
Letters via Romford. Money Orders granted and paid.
Allard Henry, beerseller
Archer William, saddler, &c.
Beadell Elizabeth Kemp, grocer,&c.
Beckwith David, victualler, Swan
Brooks John Geo. wheelwright, &c.
Buckingham Henry, butcher
Dale James, plumber, painter, &c.
Fordham Harriet, butcher
Fordham Michael, gardener, &c.
Hills Joseph , bricklayer
Massey Herbert Edward, postman
Morley Mr Edward
Mulley Frederick, beerseller
Parchment James, parish clerk
Spurgeon Mrs Ann, victualler, Bell
Steel George, blacksmith
Strong Miss E. A. schoolmistress
Tyrell Eleazar, grocer, draper, smith, &c. Post Office
Vincent John G. veterinary surgeon
Watts George, carpenter, &c.
Westwood Thomas, boot & shoe maker
Windle Rev. John, M.A. vicar
Wright Thomas, thatcher
BAKERS, &c .
Allen George
Mann George
FARMERS.
Asplin Charles
Sparks James
Cook William C. , Wythfield
Dennis George
Long Geo. John
Massey Oswld.Hy
Pollett William
Robinson Charles
Roper William, Arden Hall
Sadler George
Spitty Alfred C.
Squier Samuel
Squier William
TAILORS.
King Joseph
Such James