Wickford 1848 Whites directory
WICKFORD is a compact and well- built village, 5 miles E. by S. of Billericay, in a low situation, encompassed on three sides by a
winding reach of the river Crouch, crossed by two bridges on the Brentwood and Rochford road, where there was formerly an ancient ford. Its parish contains 445 inhabitants, and 1787 acres of land, generally in high cultivation, and having a rich loamy soil, from one to two feet deep. At the Domesday Survey, it was held by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Suene of Essex, and two other proprietors. The manor of Wickford Hall afterwards passed to the Urry, Plantaganet, Harrys, Vaughan, Partridge, and Luther families, and now belongs to John Fane, Esq.; but a great part of the soil belongs to W. Cocker- ton, Esq. , and a few smaller owners. An estate here, called Stileman’s, has been held by the Chester, Moore, Hall, and De Beauvoir families, and had a capital mansion, about half a mile east of the church, near Runwell, but it was destroyed many years ago.
The Church stands on rising ground, and is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave and chancel, of one pace. On an antique stone, in the chancel, are engraved the figures ofthree full-grown persons and eight children, but the inscription is gone. The church was given to Prittlewell Priory, by Robert de Essex. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £14. , and in 1831 at £40, is in the patronage of R. B. Berens, Esq. , and incumbency of the Rev. Edw. Rion Berens, M.A., of Downham, for whom the Rev. T. C. Griffith officiates. The glebe is 48 acres, and the tithes were commuted in 1839. Here is an Independent Chapel, built in 1815, and enlarged a few years afterwards. It is now under the ministry of the Rev. John Isaacs, of Stock.
POST OFFICE at M. Miller’s. Letters despatched via Billericay to 7 evening,
Adey Aaron, grocer and butcher
Bell George, grocer, &c.
Bridge Saml. victualler, Castle Inn
Carter John, carpenter, &c.
Clark Francis, bricklayer
Franklin Benjamin, butcher
Griffith Rev. T. C. curate
Larrett James, baker and grocer
Miller Moses, shopkeeper
North John, plumber, painter, &c.
North M. A., milliner and dress maker
Reed Thos. ironfounder and smith
Rushbrook Elijah, veterinary surgeon
Thackthwaite C., surgeon
Wells Anthony, surgeon
Woollard William, wheelwright
FARMERS .
Archer Dd. , Hall
Bell Thomas
Brewitt John, BridgeHouse
Upson George
SHOEMAKERS.
Crow Joseph
Moyse William
Brunwin Samuel
Salmon Thomas
SADDLERS.
Gigney James
CARRIERS and COACH pass from Rochford to Brentwood, &c.