Stifford 1848 Whites directory
STIFFORD is a healthy and pleasant village, in a finely undulated and richly wooded country, on the south side of the Purfleet, or Marditch brook, 2 miles N. of the Thames, 3 miles W. of Orsett, and 19 miles E. of London. Its parish contains about 350 inhabitants, and 1547 acres of land. It had its name from a ford which crossed the brook near the present bridge, and the farm called Ford Place, which was the seat of the late Rev. Dr. Hogarth. Another farm, called Flethall, or Clays, is a mile N.E. of the church. Stifford Lodge is thepleasant seat of J. B. Freman, Esq., but R. B. Wingfield is lord the manor, and he and William Wingfield, Esq., are owners of nearly all the parish. The Embroiderers’ Company were formerly lords of the manor and owners of the advowson.
The Church (Virgin Mary,) is an ancient structure of flint and stone, with a tower containing three bells, and crowned by a shingled spire. It has a nave, south aisle, chancel, and south chapel, and on the floor are several ancient brasses. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £15, and in 1831 at £507, is in the patronage of R. B. Wingfield, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. William Palin, M.A., who has a good residence, and 26A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted, in 1836, for £450 per annum. The poor parishioners have a yearly rent-charge of 20s., out of Cat’s mead, left by John Durninge, in 1631. The parish School was built at the cost of £200, in 1840, by R. B. Wingfield, Esq., and is chiefly supported by him.
Burchell Samuel, blacksmith
Cribb Alfred, bricklayer
Freman Jno. B., Esq. Stifford Lodge
Hodgson Francis, grocer
Holt James, vict. Dog and Partridge
Moss Mary, schoolmistress
Pake John, wheelwright
Palin Rev. William, M.A. Rectory Usher Edward, butcher
Waters James, baker
Wright Thomas, parish clerk
FARMERS .
Holland George
Francis Samuel, Ford Place
Ingram Thomas, Copped Hall
Nokes Thomas (and miller,) Clay
POST OFFICE at James Holt’s.- Letters despatched. 20 min. past 5 evening.