Panfield 1863 Whites directory
PANFIELD, or Pantfield, is a pleasant and salubrious village and parish, on the western side of the vale of the river Pant, or Blackwater, two miles N.N.W. of Braintree. Itcontains 308 souls, and 1475 acres of land. Panfield Hall, a fine old mansion, commanding extensive prospects, has been much altered by frequent repairs, but its quadrangular tower and handsomely clustered chimneys still retain their ancient appearance. It has long been occupied as a farm house, and belongs to Guy’s Hospital, London. It was built in 1546, and enlarged in 1583. Admiral Henderson, John Barnard, Thomas White, and a few smaller owners have estates in the parish, mostly freehold. Near the church was a Priory, founded at a very early period, and made a cell to St. Stephen’s Abbey, in Normandy, in 1070, by Waleran Fitzralph, who endowed it with the little manor of Panfield.
It was one of the alien priories seized by Edward II., in 1285. It was afterwards restored, but was finally suppressed in 1415, when it was granted by Henry V. to John Woodhouse, of Norfolk, to be held by the service of a red rose. It reverted to the Crown in 1460, and afterwards passed to the Bourchier, Capel, Wright, Wilson, and other families.
The Church (St. Mary and St. Christopher,) is a small neat structure, on an elevated site, and has recently been repaired. It has a tower, containing three bells, and crowned by a shingled spire. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £10. 10s. , and in 1831 at £349, is in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Edw. Jas. Hill, M.A., who has a good residence and 9A. of glebe. The tithes are commuted for £502 per annum.
Bentley John, butcher & cattle dealer.
Butcher John, blacksmith and wheelwright, and parish clerk
Hill Rev. Edw. Jas. M.A. rector of Panfield, & rural dean of Bocking
Newman John Barker, carpenter and victualler, Bell Inn
Reynolds John, shoemaker
Rodgers John, gardener
Willis Martin, shoemaker
Willis Steel, bricklayer
FARMERS (*are owners.)
*Barnard John, Esq. Light Water
Byford Henry, Cold Hall
Newman John, Panfield Hall
Poole Thomas, Great Priory
Ratcliff John, Little Priory
Smith Daniel
Kiddy John
*White Thos. Panfield Farm, &c.
POST via Braintree.