SHOEBURY (SOUTH) is a small village and parish, on Shoebury Ness, which juts to a point in the ocean at the mouth of the Thames, 6 miles S.E. of Rochford, and 44 miles E. of London. It contains only 164 souls, and 987 acres ofland; but was formerly much larger, and is said to have had a fortified city, which was washed away by the ocean, and is supposed to be buried in the Maplin Sands, along which there is a road at low water from Shoebury to Foulness Island.
Shoebury, under the name of Scabivig, or Scobrih, is first mentioned in 894, when Alfred the Great being engaged with the Danish invaders in the west of England, two troops of those barbarians landed here, and built a fort or castle. It is observed, that not only large traces of Danish works yet remain, but many urns have been found near the village, showing that the Romans had some sort of a settlement here.
Robert Bristow, Esq. , owns most of the soil, and is lord of the manor, which was given to Prittlewell priory, by Robert Fitz Suene. Part of the land formerly attached to the message called Dangers, was washed away by the sea many years ago.
The Church (St. Andrew,) is a small antique structure, with a flint tower and spire. The wreathed arch over the passage into the chancel, is of curious workmanship. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £14. 13s . 4d. , and in 1831 at £341 , is in the patronage of Robert Bristow, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Pp. Wynne Yorke, M.A. Here is a Signal Station, and a Coast Guard, consisting of a lieutenant and seven men. The poor parishioners have an old building called Well House, with a garden, let for £6. 18s. , but the donor is unknown. An adjoining field, said to have been left for the poor, is now private property.
Goose Lieut. William. commander of the FARMERS.
Knapping Christopher, Dale, Hall
Poynter Samuel
Watts Samuel
Goose Lieut. William, commander of the coast guard
Yorke Rev. Philip Wynne, rector of South Shoebury and Hawkwell
FARMERS.
Knapping Christopher.
Dale, Hall
Poynter Samuel
Watts Samuel