Widdington 1848 Whites directory
WIDDINGTON, an ancient village, 5 miles S. of Saffron Walden, and 2 miles S.E. of Newport Station, has in its parish 377 souls,
aud 2006A. IR. 32p. of land, mostly freehold, and partly copyhold, subject to arbitrary fines. It is near the source of the river Cam or Granta, and is in two manors. That of Widdington Hall, belongs to Sir Francis Vincent, Bart., and was held by Robert Gernon at Domesday survey, and afterwards by the Playz, Howard, Vere, and other families. The manor of Prior’s Hall was given at an early period to an alien priory, from which it was taken by Edward III , who gave it to William Wickham, Bishop of Winchester. The latter bestowed it on New College, Oxford, founded by him, and to which it still belongs.
The Church (Virgin Mary,) a small plain building, was partly rebuilt in the 16th century. The ancient tower fell down some years ago, and a small wooden turret supplies its place above the west end, which has been rebuilt of brick. In the chancel wall, two slender pillars, with ornamented bases and capitals, support a semicircular arch, with a Saxon moulding. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £25, and in 1831 at £512, is in the patronage of Lord Braybroke, and incumbency of the Rev. C. A. Campbell, M.A., who has a commodious brick residence, and about 40A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1840 for £570 per annum.
Bailey Jonas, gardener & beerhouse – Black Horse
Barker Rev. George L., M.A. curate
Campbell Rev.Colin Alex. , M.A. rector
Chapman William, carpenter
Chapman Mrs F. schoolmistress
Holgate James, shoemaker
Knight George, vict. Fleur de Lis
Martin Elizabeth, shopkeeper
Poole George Henry, shopkeeper
Reed William, parish clerk & beerhouse – William the Conqueror
Reynolds Ann, schoolmistress
Watson James, butcher
Wright James, shoemaker
FARMERS. ( +are Owners.)
+Griffiths John Evan, Birds
+Hayden William, Newlands
Newport William (& maltster,) Prior’s Hall
Perry William (and corn dealer,) Widdington Hall
Prior William, Swain’s Hall
Salmon John, Ringers
+Smith Francis, Bishops
Smith Robert, Wallgroves
Townsend Richard, Rays
Letters via Bishop Stortford