Toppesfield 1863 Whites directory
TOPPESFIELD, or TOPPERSFIELD, a pleasant retired village, on a commanding eminence, eight miles N.W. of Halstead, and two miles W. of Yeldham Station, has in its parish 1045 inhabitants, many scattered houses, and 3246 acres of land, rising boldly from a tributary stream of the river Colne, and generally having a deep tenacious marly soil, and requiring draining, though the lands here are said to be the highest in Essex. The principal manors and their lords and owners are Berwick and Scoteneys , Saml. Sampson, Esq.; Camoys, J. J. U. Clark, Esq. , of Bristol ; and Cust Hall and Husees, Henry J. Sperling, Esq.; but Robert Hutton, J. Hardy, and several smaller owners have estates in the parish, partly free and partly copyhold. Some of the latter are subject to fines equal to two years’ rent.
Some curious Roman remains were found here in 1800, consisting of a skeleton, a broken sword blade, a metal vase and patera, and a coin.
The Church (St. Margaret,) is a plain ancient fabric of flint and rubble stone, except the tower, which fell down, and was rebuilt of brick in 1699, and containsfive bells. On the floorand walls are many monumental inscriptions. The rectory,
valued in K.B., at £26, and now at £900, is in the patronage of the Crown and incumbency of the Rev. C. J. Gooch, who has about 204. of glebe and a good residence, enlarged about eighteen years ago. Afair for pleasure and pedlery, is held in the village on the 20th of July. Here is a National School, and ten of the children are taught free, in consideration of a yearly rent charge of £10 left in 1730, by Robert Edwards, out of Newhouse Farm, in Stambourne, which is also charged by the same donor, with £3 a year for the poor of Toppesfield ; who have also 20s. a year out of Oliver’s farm, supposed to have been left by one Durnford. Two other small rent charges, left to them by William and John Edwards in 1616 and 1730, are lost. In 1712, John and William Edwards granted 11A. 2R. of land, upon trust, to apply the rents towards the repairs of the church and the relief of the poor. POST from Yeldham via Halstead.
Barker Geo. blacksmith & wheelwright
Brown John, blacksmith
Butcher George, carrier
Cooke Marshall, police officer
Cross Thomas, blacksmith
Cumming John, saddler, &c.
Dowsett Ezekiah, carpenter
Eley John, corn miller
Gooch Rev. Charles John, Rectory
Hardy Mr F. C. (son of Mr John)
Manning William. tailor and parish clerk
Piper Stephen, poulterer
Seaman Charles, vict. Green Man
Smart Eliza, straw plat maker
Steward Lewis, corn miller
FARMERS (* are owners.)
Ashby Robert, Ongars
Briggs William, Oliver’s
Cutler Robert, Huralls
Darby Charles , Bradfields
Downes Daniel, Meekings
*Dowsett Robert, Grey’s
*Eley John, Husees
Eley Susan, Berwick Hall
Freeborn Alfred Hy. Cust Hall
Golding Charles, Lewsey’s
Hardy Thomas, Gainsford
*Hardy John (& miller,) Flowers Hall
*Hutton Robert, Toppesfield Hall
*Matthews William
Metson Henry, Gooseleys
Perry Thomas
Pitcher George, Thurstons
Smith Joseph
*Smith Robert Ezekiel
Tottman Charles, Dog House
Whitlock Francis, Hill Farm
Whitlock John, Scotneys
BEERHOUSES.
Letch Alfred
Tottman Charles
SHOEMAKERS
Chatters Daniel
Hardy James
Letch Alfred
Smee Isaac
Smee John
SHOPKEEPERS.
Butcher James
Dowsett Charlotte
Hardy Robert
Letch Alfred
Smee Thomas