Rayleigh 1848 Whites directory
RAYLEIGH, a small ancient town, which formerly had a market, is pleasantly situated on the London and Rochford road, 5 miles W. of the latter, 33 miles E. of the former, and 13 miles S.E. by S. of Chelmsford. Its market, formerly held on Saturday, fell into disuse about 30 years ago, but it has still a large horse and cattle fair, on Trinity Monday. Since 1821, it has given the title of Baron Rayleigh to the Strutt family. Its parish contains about 1500 inhabitants, and 2873 acres of land , including several large woods, adjoining those of Thundersley and Eastwood. Rayleigh has been variously written Raghelia, Raleigh, Rayleg, &c. , and was the head of the great Barony of Suene, the Saxon, who is said to have built a Castle here, of which some bold earth-works still remain. These consist of a mount, with an oval shaped base, surrounded by a ditch, defended by other embankments, particularly on the east side. The summit of the mount is divided ; the western part is circular, and up- wards of 100 feet high; the other is somewhat of an oval form, and lower. The principal ditch is 36 to 50 feet wide, and the interior vallum 50 feet high. In some places the works are much broken, and the ditches partly filled up. In Domesday Book there is said to have been “a park here, with six arpenni of vineyard, yielding, in a good season, twenty modii of wine. ” The town consists of one wide street, of considerable extent; and from the site of the castle, at the upper end of it, an extensive and interesting prospect is presented over the surrounding country. In 1163, Henry de Essex, a descendant of Suene, having forfeited his barony, this lordship was retained by the Crown, till it was granted by Henry III. to Hubert de Burgh, afterwards Earl of Kent. In 1340, the manor, with the honor or barony of Rayleigh, was granted by Edward III. to Wm de Bohun, Earl of Northampton, Essex, and Hereford. In 1380, Richard II granted to the Earl of Oxford, for life, ” the honor, fee, fair, and market of Rayleigh, with the profits of the herbage of Rayleigh Park. ” In the 16th and 17th centuries, they were held by the noble family of Rich ; and they were sold about 1700, by Daniel Earl of Nottingham, to Robert Bristow, Esq. , whose descendant of the same name is now lord of the manor, but agreat part ofthe parish belongs to Sir R. D. Neave, John Fane, Esq. , and Thos. Brewitt, Esq., the latter of whom has a pleasant seat here, called Down Hall, formerly belonging to the Belhouse, Knivet, Clopton, Downe, and Humphreys families. Two old manor houses, called Herberges and Whatley, were held by the Humphreys family in the 18th century.
The CHURCH (Holy Trinity,) is a stately edifice, chiefly in the perpendicular style, and consisting ofa spacious nave, chancel, aisles, and porch, with a lofty tower, containing sixbells, and crowned by a short spire. The walls are embattled, and finely che- quered with flint and stone. The south chapel is repaired by the owner of the site of the castle. The oldest inscription in the church is dated 1416, but there is a mutilated ancient altar-tomb, displaying very beautiful workmanship, in the pointed Gothic style, which prevailed from the 12th to the 14th century. It no doubt covers the remains of some dignified person, but the inscription is gone. Atomb under the arch, between the chancel and north aisle, is defaced, but some shields remain, with the arms of Barrington. There was a chantry here, but its founder is unknown. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £17.17s. 6d. , and in 1831 at £800 , is in the patronage of Robert Bristow, Esq. , and incumbency of the Rev. William Twyne, who has a spacious Rectory House, with tasteful pleasure grounds, and 39A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1840. Here is a Baptist Chapel, belonging to a Here is a Baptist Chapel, belonging to a congregation formed in 1797, under the ministry of the present venerable pastor, the Rev. Jas. Pilkington. Here are also two small places of worship belonging to the Wesleyans and Antinomians.
In 1640, Isaac Gilbert left for schooling poor children in Rayleigh, £6 a year out of two tenements ; but they were given up to the parish, and used as the workhouse till 1836. The materials have since been sold, and the sites let for about £6 a year. In 1763, the Rev. George Sykes, D.D., left £200 for putting children to school, and £100 to provide for a yearly distribution of bread among the poor. These legacies were laid out in the purchase of £344.6s. 6d. Old South Sea Annuities. Two-thirds of the dividends are applied in aid of the Parish Schools, together with £6 a year from the Poor’s Land, noticed with Hockley, and £2. 2s. received yearly as the rent of a building site, given by an unknown donor.
RAYLEIGH DIRECTORY.
POST-OFFICE at John Bell’s. Letters despatched at 6 evening via Ingatestone.
Belcham Mr George and Mrs Mary
Bell John, post and schoolmaster
Billingham Mrs
Davey Mrs Brewitt Thomas, Esq. Down Hall
Byass James, surgeon
Cook Henry, gentleman
Cross William, brewer, maltster, and brickmaker
Dale William, green grocer
Deely John, village postman
Frost Richard, glover
Harding Rev. J. H. curate
Hilliard George Rd. surgeon & registrar
Jacob Joseph, gentleman
Kemp Mrs Sarah, watchmaker
Kernot George N. chemist & druggist
Lancaster Mr Jasme.
Low A. W. police
Lewis Robert William , solicitor (and Brentwood)
Linggood Mrs A. staymaker
Lucas William, corn merchant
Mayhew George, veterinary surgeon
Mayn Jeffery, land agent, surveyor, and auctioneer
Mays Thomas, cooper
Pearce James, solicitor & deputy coroner for Duchy of Lancaster
Pilkington Rev. James (Baptist)
Pissey William, chemist, druggist, stationer, news agent, &c.
Richmond Mrs Sus.
Slyfield Henry
Rod James, parish clerk
Rowland Richard, superviser
Ruffle Mrs Elizabeth Preston
Rushbrook Robert, veterinary surgeon
Saward George, stationer & hair dresser
Twyne Rev. William, rector
Witham John, coach builder
FARMERS
Allen Stephen, Rayleigh Lodge
Count Charles
Cross William
Beadel Henry G. Lime House
Belcham George
Brewitt Thomas
Belcham William Isaac (& salesman)
Lamprill John, White House
Richmond James, Weirs
Sach John
Watts Daniel
Wendon Matthew
FIRE AND LIFE OFFICES .
Essex Economic, Charles Count
Essex Equitable, George Belcham
Licensed Victuallers’ , G. N. Kernot
Royal Farmers’ and Hailstorm, William Pissey
INNS AND TAVERNS.
Crown, William Finch (cattle dealer)
Drovers Arms, Isaac Watts
Half Moon, John Bishop Mountain
Red Lion, ( Commercial) George Francis
White Horse, William Rudkin
ACADEMIES.
Deely Mrs
Fitch Mary E.
Sayce
Uwins Geo. , Bdg. & Grammar School
National School, Jno. Bell & Ann Rod
BAKERS
Ashford Henry & Alfred
Benton William
Brewer Thomas
Britton George
Hammond Hy.
Scudder Thomas
Smith John
Sneezum George
BEER HOUSES.
Cook William ( and corn dealer)
Glasscock James
Fidgeon Isaac
Totman John
BLACKSMITHS.
Chapman Joseph
Edwards John
Linggood William ( & foundry agent)
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.
Coller Paul
Finch Thomas
Foster John
Peek Abraham
Rod William
BRICKLAYERS.
Gusterson James
Prentice Joseph
BUTCHERS.
Belcham Francis
Watts Daniel
Webster William
CARPENTERS .
Chenery Simon
Low James
Sneezum James
Stearns Jeremiah
Stearns Samuel
Wagstaff John
CORN MILLERS.
Audley Rachel & Sarah Ann
Britton George
Ruffle Benjamin
GROCERS, &c.
Auger Theodore William
Coe Henry
Roberts T. H. (Executors of)
Webb John
IRONMONGERS.
Bossi Paul
Grant Henry
L. & W. DRAPERS.
Belcham George
Blomfield & Co.
MILLINERS.
Foster Mary
Kemp Sarah
Lancaster Emma
PLUMBERS, GLAZIERS, & PAINTERS.
Pashley Charles
Witham John
SADDLERS
Brown Thomas
Noone E H
SHOPKEEPERS.
Dale William
Glasscock James
Hammond Hy.
Prentice Eliz .
Smith John
STRAW HAT MAKERS
Carter Sarah
Frost Mrs
Twyne Mary A.
TAILORS.
Blomfield & Co.
Coish William
Coller Peter
Count Charles
Croxson West
Freeman George
Miller Thomas
Pond Peter
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Croxson Henry
Morrill Samuel
Witham John
COACH To London, Rochford, & Southend, daily.
CARRIERS.
Pease T. & W. to London, Mon. Thurs. & Fri.
Britton John, to Chelmsford, Tues. and Fri.