Messing 1863 Whites Directory
MESSING is a pleasant village, on anelevated site, 3 miles E. by N. of Kelvedon, and 8 miles S.W. by W. of Colchester.
parish contains 813 souls and 2698A. 3R. 21P. of land, extending three miles southward to Tiptree Heath, which is mostly in other parishes, and where a fair and races are held on the 25th July. There is also a fair for toys, &c. , in the village, on the first Tuesday in July. The surface ofthe parish lies high, and the soil is generally a light loam, and well cultivated. The Earl of Verulam is lord of the manor, but Hill House belongs to the Right Rev. Robert Eden, Bishop of Moray and Ross, and is occupied by Dr. Maddy. Several smaller owners have estates here, both free and copyhold, the latter subject to arbitrary fines. The manor house, which was pulled down many years ago, was sometimes called Baynard’s Castle, from its having been a castellated residence of the Baynard family, from whom it passed to the Luckyns, and from them to the Grimstons, together with the small manor of Harberts, and also Bourchier’s Hall, now a farm house, on the south side of the church. The present lord of the manor is now the head of the Grimston family.
The CHURCH (All Saints) was appropriated to Colne Priory, and is now a handsome structure, being enlarged and beautified in 1840-1, by subscription, and agrant from the Incorporated Society. The latter was given on condition that 340 free sittings should be provided. A new tower and north and south transepts were erected,
and the interior was fitted up with new seats, &c. The chancel is paved with black and white marble, and the east window is en- richedwith beautiful stained glass, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity; and what are called ” works of mercy,” such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, &c. In a recess, in the north wall, is a carved wood figure of a knight, said to represent Sir Wm. de Messing, the founder of the church. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £8, and in 1831 at £334, is in the patronage of the Earl of Verulum, and incumbency of the Rev. C. S. Gordon, who has a neat residence and 31A. of glebe. The Earl of Verulum is also impropriator of the rectory. The vicarial tithes were commuted in 1839 for £418 per annum. Here is a National School, and the poor have four almshouses, given by the Chibborne family, and enlarged by the parish as a workhouse, in 1799. Hanameel Chibborne left two yearly rent- charges out of three farms, now belonging to Earl Verulam, viz :-
40s. for the poor, and 40s. for the vicar, for preaching two sermons.
POST OFFICE at James Harvey’s. Letters via Kelvedon
Brown Thomas, builder & joiner
Cowlen John, saddler, &c.
Dowsett William, blacksmith
Gordon Rev. Cosmo Spencer, vicar
Green George, baker, &c.
Maddy Edwin, Esq. D.C.L. Hill House
Mills Mrs Elizabeth
Harvey Jas.
Ottway Mrs Nathaniel, schoolistress
Polley William Thomas, saddler
Runnicle Mary, butcher
Rush Henry Hayward and Son, brewers and maltsters
Rule Rev. Martin Luther, curate
Siggers William, brick maker
Springett Jas. vict. Prince of Wales
INNS AND TAVERNS.
Crown, Samuel Thorn, (bricklayer, parish clerk, &c .)
King’s Head, Jas. Poulton, wheelgt.
Prince of Wales, James Springett
Queen’s Head, Mary Fitch
FARMERS.
Beard Robert
Bennett Samuel
Cowlen Thomas
Ely Thomas
Moore Edward, (agent to the Earl of Verulam,) Lodge
Moore John, Harborough Hall
Moore Mrs Lucy, Bourchier’s Hall
Moss John, Messing Park
Ransom Geo. Daniel (& corn miller)
Royce William, (& miller) Hill Farm
Rush Henry Hayward and Son
Sadler William, Parsonage Farm
Sibley Henry
Snow Joseph
BEERHOUSES.
Drain John
Sach William,carrier to Colchester – Oak
Wybrow John
BOOT AND SHOEMAKERS.
Fermin Joseph
Richardson William
South George
PLUMBERS, &c .
Burfield Robert
Sargeant Henry
SHOPKEEPERS.
Newby Nathan
Sargeant Henry
Wass John