Twinstead 1848 Whites Directory

TWINSTEAD, a small village and parish, 45 miles N.E. by N. of Halstead, has only 196 souls and 977 acres of land, including 104A. of wood- land. The Hon. Thos. H. G. Fermor, brother to the Earl of Pomfret, is lord of the manor and owner of Twinstead Hall, which was the seat of the late Sir George Wm. Denys, Bart., and was much improved by the learned
Sir James Marriott, LL.D. It was built in the reign of Elizabeth, by Isaac Wincoll, Esq. , and was formerly surrounded by a deep moat. It stands on a commanding eminence, and the north front retains its original character, having bay windows and other peculiarities of the Elizabethan style. It is now unoccupied. Messrs. Isaac Firmin, Joseph Thompson, and Jacob Manning are landowners here. Pelhams, a large ancient mansion, formerly belonged to the Pelham, Shaen, and other families. An antique house, called Sparrow Hall, was the seat of the Sparrow family, in the reign of Edward I.
The Church was rebuilt about 20 years ago, but some remains of the old walls are yet to be seen attached to the vault belonging to the lords of the manor. It is a small fabric, with a tower and one bell, and contains some memorials of the families formerly seated at the hall. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £6, and in 1831 at £255, is in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and incumbency of the Rev. H. V. Shortland, M.A , who has 14a. of glebe, and a good residence, built about 50 years ago. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £300 per ann. The poor parishioners have 20s. a year from Wincoll’s Charity. ( See Alphamstone. )

Barton John, farmer, Clarks
Cook Jacob Manning, farmer, Hall
English Robert, carpenter & shopkeeper
Firmin Isaac, Esq. Pelham Hall
Hale John, beerhouse – Waggon & Horses
Herrington William, church clerk
Manning Jacob, farmer, Roses
Nice William, blacksmith
Shortland Rev. Henry Vincent, M.A. Rectory

SHOEMAKERS :
William Dixey, John Fisher, and Charles Harrington