Stapleford Tawney 1863 Whites directory
STAPLEFORD TAWNEY is a parish of scattered houses on the northern acclivities of the vale of the Roding, from 3 to 5 miles S.E. of Epping, and 5 miles S.S.W. of Chipping Ongar. It contains 333 inhabitants and 1552A. of land, rising boldly from Passingford Bridge, on the Roding, near which is SUTTONS, the handsome and pleasant seat of Sir C. C. Smith, Bart., the lord of the manor of Suttons.
Stapleford Tawney Hall, which is now a farm house, was anciently a seat of the Tawney, or Tany family, and afterwards passed to the Drokensford, Mandeville, Spice, Alleyn, and Thompson families. It gives name to the principal manor, which was sold in 1716 to an ancestor of its present owner, Sir W. B. Smijth, Bart., of Hill Hall,
alarge and beautiful seat in the adjoining parish of Thoydon Mount.
Several smaller owners have estates in the parish.
The Church (Virgin Mary) is a small ancient structure, consisting of a nave, chancel with a south aisle, and a belfry, crowned by a short spire. It was restored in 1862, and newly fitted with open benches, a stone pulpit, &c. The rectory, with that of Thoydon Mount annexed to it, is valued in K.B. at £15.8s. 8d. and in 1831 at £738. The joint benefices are in the gift of Sir W. B. Smijth, and incumbency of the Rev. William Shepherd, B.D., who has here a large and handsome white brick residence, and 116A. of glebe. The tithes of the two parishes were commuted in 1837 for £700 per annum. The poor of Stapleford Tawney have 4A. of land left by an unknown donor, and now let for £6. 10s.; and also a yearly rent-charge of £5, left by Thomas Luther, in 1718, out of a farm of 18A. There is a school at Thoydon Mount for both parishes. Jane Luther, in 1745, left the following yearly rent-charges out of an estate at Little Warley, viz., 5s. to the parish clerk for weeding the gravel walk leading to the church ; and £2 17s. 6d. each to this parish and that of Kelvedon Hatch, for distribution in bread among the poor.
POST OFFICE at Mr Wm. Bittam’s. Letters via Romford.
Bittam William, shopkeeper, &c .
Cooper Benjamin, vict. Talbot
Dawkins Samuel, blacksmith
Shepherd Rev. William B.D. rector and rural dean, Rectory
Smith Sir Charles Cunliffe, Bart., Suttons
FARMERS.
Charlton Forster, Suttons Farm
Charlton Ralph
Cheesman Richard
Sworder William, (chief constable), Tawney Hall
Waters Mrs.