INGATESTONE, a small ancient town, which had formerly a market, has a station on the Eastern Counties Railway, and is pleasantly situated on the high road, 6 miles S.W. of Chelmsford, and 23 miles N.E. of London. Its parish has only 884 inhabitants, and 670 acres of land ; but as it adjoins and is intermixed with that of Fryerning, the total population of the town and suburbs is 1600.
Mill Green is a hamlet in both parishes. Ingatestone is a post town, and has a large annual fair for cattle, &c. , on Dec. 1st, and one for pleasure on the following day. Its weekly market, formerly held on Wednesday, was once considerable, but was discontinued many years ago. Being on the great road from the Metropolis to Colchester, Norwich, &c., it was a great thorough- fare for coaches, vans, waggons, cattle, &c.; but the traffic is now mostly drawn into the vortex of the railway, which passes on the east side ofthe town. Lord Petre is lord of the manor, which in old records is called “Ging or Yng ad Petram,” signifying the Ing at the Stone, and supposed to have been derived from a Roman milestone, and the rich meadows which surround the town. The river Wid bounds the parish on the east, and receives here two small tributary streams. In some documents the manor is called Ging Abbess, from its being held by the abbess and nuns of St. Mary’s, at Barking. After the Dissolution, it was purchased by Sir Wm. Petre, the liberal founder of the almshouses here, and of eight fellowships at Oxford, called Petrean. He built Ingatestone Hall, a large brick mansion, in the Elizabethan style, which formed three sides of a square; but one side, containing the principal front, was taken down when it ceased to be occupied by the noble family ofPetre, whose principal seat is now at Thorndon, near Brentwood.
The three sides of the Hall which now remain are occupied by several Catholic families, and the Catholic priest and chapel; and still contain some fine specimens of tapestry, stained glass, old paintings, carvings, &c. Mr. Coverdale, steward to Lord Petre, occupies one of the wings, and attached to his residence is a beautiful garden, with a terrace walk, one furlong in extent. In the grounds are four large fish ponds. The park, which extended northward to the town, and was nearly encompassed by the small river Wid and one of its tributary streams, has long been cultivated as a farm, and part of the offices at the stables have been converted into a farm house. Edgar Disney, Esq. , has a large estate here, and a handsome seat called THE HYDE. This large quadrangular mansion is pleasantly situated in a well-wooded park on the north side of the town, commanding fine views.
The plantations, with a sheet of water, and a suspension bridge, are disposed with great taste. The house existed in 1590, and was enlarged in 1713, when the present outer walls were erected of red and black brick, in the style which prevailed in the reign of William III. Thomas Hollis, Esq., who died here in 1734, left the estate to his friend, Thos. Brand, Esq. , who added the name of Hollis to that of Brand. The latter died unmarried in 1804, and left the estate to the Rev. Dr. John Disney, F.S.A. , who died here in 1816, and was succeeded by his son, the late John Disney, Esq. , who died in 1857, and was succeeded by his son, Edgar Disney, Esq. , the present owner. The mansion contains a large collection of antique busts, statues, vases, &c. , brought from Italy by Thomas B. Hollis, Esq. , about the middle of last century; and it has also several fine paintings by Rubens, Vandyke, and other old masters.
Ingatestone CHURCH (Virgin Mary) is a large structure, in the perpendicular style of the fifteenth century, with a lofty brick tower at the west end, containing five bells, one of which is cracked. In the chancel hang several pieces of ancient armour, and the banners used by the ” Ingatestone, Brentwood, and Billericay Volunteers,” raised by the late Lord Petre, for the defence of the nation, about the close of last century. A brick chapel, on the south side of the chancel, is the mausoleum of the Petre family. On an elegant altar tomb, are recumbent effigies of William Lord Petre and his Lady, wrought in Parian marble, with the greatest skill andjudgment. Ahelmet supports his lordship’s head, and a pillow his lady’s. On a superb marble monument, against the west wall, are effigies of John, Lord Petre, of Writtle, and his Lady, kneeling under an arch, supported by eight pillars-four of black, and four of variegated marble. Below them are kneeling figures of their three daughters and eight sons. Here are several other neat monuments ; and over the communion table is a painting of Moses and Aaron. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £16. 13s. 4d., and in 1831 at £450, with the perpetual curacy of Buttsbury annexed to it, is in the gift of Lord Petre, and incumbency of the Rev. Lewis Parkin. Here is a Parochial School, supported by sub- scription ; a National School, built in 1859 ; and an Independent Chapel, built in 1840, at the cost of £700. The ALMSHOUSES, for a priest and ten poor people, were founded in 1557, by Sir William Petre, who endowed them with £90. 13s. 4d. a year, out of Crondon Park, Catlyns, Ramsey- Tyrells, and another farm in this neighbourhood. In consequence of the site of the old almshouses being wanted by the Railway Company, they were sold in 1840, and Lord Petre soon afterwards erected, in lieu of them, 12 almshouses on the London road, of red and white brick, in the Elizabethan style, at the cost of £1400. The inmates receive each 6s. 8d. per month, with 24s. annually for wood, and 12s. for a gown. In 1775, the Rev. Thos. Ralph left £500 to the Corporation of the Sons of Clergy, on condition that they should pay yearly £2 each to the parishes of Ingate- stone and Rawreth, for the poor. The dividends of £100 three-per-cent. consols, left by Rosamond Bonham, in 1804, are applied towards the support of the Sunday Schools at Ingatestone and Fryerning.
INGATESTONE AND FRYERNING DIRECTORY.
Those marked 2 are in Fryerning Parish, and the others in Ingatestone ; and those marked * are Land Owners .
POST OFFICE at Mr. Henry J. Stuart’s, Ingatestone. Letters are despatched by rails every morning and night.
Money Orders are granted and paid. There is a Sub -post Office at Mr. John Kemp’s, Mill Green.
Asher William, sexton
2 Benson Mrs
Beaven Rev. John (Independent)
Blandford Rev. Henry Weare, M.A., rector of Fryerning
Butler William Stevens, surgeon
Butler Charles, gentleman
2 Cliff illiam, Gibson, coach builder
Cook Miss Ann, Fryerning
Coverdale Frederick, land steward to Lord Petre, Ingatestone Hall
*2 Dawson John, Esq. Hill House
Dew illiam, Hy. gent.
Dearman Jno.
*Disney Edgar, Esq. The Hyde
Dowsing Mrs Ann
Havers C.
2 Edwards John May, surgeon
2 Gardner Henry, assistant overseer
2 Garrard illiam, tailor and draper
*Grant Charles, gent. Mill Green
Green Isaac, bricklayer & plasterer
Griffin Mrs Mary Ann, Fryerning
Harrison Geo. house and land agent
Hookey Geo.Randell, Esq. Furze Hall
Jephson Rv.Jn.Mountney, Huskards
Jesse Captain William, Maisonette
Kerwin Jas. sharebroker at London
*2 Kortwright Capt illiam, St.Leonard’s
Last Rev. George (Catholic) , Hall
2 Lewis Richard, surgeon
Maxwell John, Esq.
May Miss
Monk Chas. William, hairdresser
2 Eve Miss Sarah
Frewer Mr Rd.
2 Newbury Henry Docklands, gent.
2 Overhead Webb, cooper
Parkin Rev. Lewis, M.A. rector of Ingatestone
Quick Jas. Carthew, Esq. Trueloves
2 Shearman Charles James, B.A. , M.D. and surgeon
Staines Thomas, brewer, maltster, &c. (and at Mountnessing)
Tuck Henry, Esq. Ingatestone Hall
Walmsley Henry, gentleman, Hall
FARMERS.
Baker John
*Bentley Robert
2 Bridge George H. Ray Farm
Bridgman George
Davies George
Byford Thomas, Shedd’s Wells
Clift Robert , The Grange
Drane Isaac, Beggar’s Hill
Foreman Stephen, Wood Barns
Garrard William
Nunn Thomas
Hewitt George, Rydden Dyke
Nunn Thomas, Hardings
2 Reeve Samuel, Hall Farm
Self George, Heybridge Farm
Talboot Thomas
Turner N.
2 Thompson Edward, Beggar’s Hill
*Tuck Alfred(and miller) , Mill Green
Tyler George, Hanley Barns
2 Willis Joseph, Fryerning Hall
Wright George, Spillfeathers
2 Wright Thomas, St. Leonard’s Farm
INNS AND TAVERNS.
2 Anchor, Francis Martin
Bell, Richard Spink
Crown, John Whybro
2 Ipswich Arms, Charles Smith
2 Royal Oak, Henry Mullucks
2 Ship, Daniel Dennis
2 Spread Eagle, Alfred Wm. James
Woolpack, George Osborn
ACADEMIES. § take Boarders.
Broadhead Miss
§Clay Miss
§2 Eve Misses
§2 Hogg Alex.
Gore John
Webber Amelia
Parish School, Mrs Bangs and Miss Hildred
BAKERS.
Hamblin Samuel
2 Martin Francis
Palmer William
2 Raven Thomas
BEERHOUSES.
2 Harris George
2 Roome Henry
Sewell Mary
Stone William
2 Thompson Edw.
BLACKSMITHS
2 Hewitt John, & farrier
2 Richardson Sl.
BOOT & SHOE Makers
Barker William
Harrington Edw.
Mitchell John
Poole Jh. parish clerk.
Kemp John
2 Perry George
BUILDERS .
2 Dennis Daniel
2 Earee George
Smith Josiah F.
Green Isaac
2 Hogg Henry
BUTCHERS.
2 Knightbridge W.
Pullen William
CARPENTERS.
2 Hewitt John
2 Hewitt William
2 Hogg Henry
2 Roome Henry
Roome John
DRUGGISTS.
2 Baker Conrad
Stuart Hy. Jas
COAL MERCHANTS.
Railway Compy.
Trussell George Wells and Perry
GARDENERS.
Arnold John
2 Hogg Alexander.
GROCERS, &c.
2 Cant Daniel
2 Joslin John
Miller Lucy
Sewell Mary
2 Smith William
IRONMONGER.
Smith Josiah F.
MILLINERS, &c.
2 Clay Sarah
2 Emberson Ann
2 Fry Lucy
Hogg Ann
Roome Charlotte
PLUMBERS, PAINTERS, & GLAZIERS.
2 Gardner Henry
Wilder Mr
SADDLERS
2 Collins John
Woolley Chtte.
Veterinary Surgeons
2 Baker Conrad
2 Welton William
WHEELWRIGHTS.
2 Cliff William G. & coach builder
2 Thompson Walter
RAILWAY
Trains 8 times a day; Mr. Godfrey, station master.
CARRIERS
To Chelmsford,