Billericay Union comprises the 26 parishes of Basseldon, North and South Benfleet. Bowers Gifford, Brentwood, Great and Little Burstead, Childerditch, Downham, Dunton, East and West Horndon, Hutton, Ingrave, Laindon, Mountnessing, Nevendon, Pitsea, Ramsden Bellhouse, Ramsden Crays, Shenfield, South Weald, Thundersley, Vange and Wickford.
It has two small market towns, viz, Brentwood and Billericay, the latter of which is in Great Burstead parish.
Its 26 parishes comprise an area of about 65,000 act=res, and in 1841, has 14,934 inhabitants, of whom 7873vwere males and 7061 females, residing in 2616 houses, besides which, there were 75 unoccupied, and 11 buildings, when the census was taken.
It has two small market towns, viz, Brentwood and Billericay, the latter of which is in Great Burstead parish. Its 26 parishes comprise an area of about 65,000 acres and in 1841, has 14,934 inhabitants of whom, 7873 were males, and 7061 females, residing in 2610 houses, besides which, there were 75 unoccupied, and 11 building, when the census was taken.
The Union Workhouse, at Billericay, is a large and commodious building, erected in 1840. It has room for 240 paupers and Robert Duncan and Jane Young are the master and matron. Mr Henry Collin is the Union clerk and Superintendent Registrar; and John Simpson and Edw Alexander are the relieving officers.
Burstead (Little) or Little Burghstead, is a small scattered village and parish, from 1.5 to 2.5 miles SSW of Billericay, and contains 170 souls, and 1830 acres of land, giving rise to two sources of the River Crouch. Earl Godwin was lord of the manor in the Confessors reign, and at Domesday Survey, it was held by the Bishop of London. The estate, called White Hall, has been held by the Helion, Owen, Walden, Pakenham, and Tyrrell familes, and lately belonged to the Earl of Arran.
The Church (St Mary) is a small antique fabric, in an obscure situation; and the rectory, is in the patronage of the Bishop of London, and incumbency of the Rev William B Dalton MA, who has 35 acres of glebe, and a commodious residence pleasantly situated at a short distance from the church.
The parish school was built at the expense of four gentlemen, and is supported chiefly by the rector.
Bull Joseph, wheelagent & beer seller
Dalton Rev Thomas, Browne, MA, rector
Harris John, shoemaker & shopkeeper
Harris Benjamin, blacksmith
Holt Thomas L, esq, Stockwood Hall
Mayott Thomas, Esq, high constable
Moss William, shopkeeper
Farmers
Cole Charles
Cole Sarah
Cole William
Miles Thomas
Drory James
Crosbie William