Layer Marney 1863 Whites directory
LAYER MARNEY, a scattered village and parish, 5 miles E. by S. of Kelvedon, and 7 miles N.W. of Colchester, has 276 inhabitants and 1950A. of land, including 120A. of wood. It adjoins Tiptree Heath, and is the most western of the three Layer parishes. It includes Heyns Green, and had the latter part of its name from the Marney family, who were long seated here. In 1523, Henry Marney was created Baron Marney; but on the death of his son John, in 1525, the title became extinct. Mrs. Mary Williams is lady of the manor; but part of the soil belongs to C. G.
Round, Esq. , St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, and a few smaller owners.
Layer Marney Tower is nearly all that now remains of the ancient seat of the Marney family, which was one of the earliest and largest brick buildings in the kingdom. It was of a quadrangular form, enclosing a spacious court, the chief entrance to which was through the stately tower gateway, which now remains, and consists of a lofty centre of two stories, flanked at each angle by an octangular tower, rising to a considerable height, and commanding extensive views of the surrounding country and the ocean.
The Church (Virgin Mary) is a stately fabric, in the latter style of English architecture, built chiefly of brick, and consisting of a nave north aisle, chancel, and tower ; with a small chapel, built by Henry Lord Marney, whose successor left £250 towards rebuilding the church. The interior has a beautiful screen and several handsome monuments, two of which have effigies of the two Lords Marney. On a marble tomb is the figure of a knight in armour, representing William Marney, who died in 1414. In 1330, William de Marney founded a college here, for a warden and two chaplains; the latter to officiate in two chantries, which he has also founded here, and endowed with the advowson and 30A. land. The rectory, valued in KB. at £15. 13s. 4d. , and in 1831 at £378, is in the gift of J. H. Blood, Esq. , and incumbency of the Rev. Samuel Farman, M.A. The tithes have been commuted for £466 per annum.
Everitt William, wheelwright and vict. White Horse
Farman Rev. Samuel, M.A., rector, Layer Marney Tower
Farman Rev. Samuel, jun. B.A., curate, Rectory
Gooday Thomas, bricklayer Hitchen Mark, carpenter
Hitchen Mark, carpenter
Hutley Jonathan, blacksmith, shopkeeper, and parish clerk
Sparrow William, vict. Black Lion
Williams Mrs Mary, Tower
FARMERS.
Barrett Charles, Duke’s Farm
Norfolk George, Heyns Green
Polley Mrs E.
Ley James B.
Runnicles Samuel, Rockinghams
Sach Mrs Nancy
Fairhead Golden
Sach Charles Stowers (and Virley)
Post from Kelvedon.