WIDFORD, a small parish on the London road, and the banks of the small river Wid, 1 mile S.S.W. of Chelmsford, is crossed by the Eastern Counties Railway, and contains 692 acres of land, and about 257 inhabitants. The village has about 303 souls, but half of it is in Moulsham hamlet and Chelmsford parish. Arthur Pryor, Esq. , owner of most of the soil, and lord ofthe manor, has a handsome seat here called HYLANDS, which was much improved in 1847-8, by its late owner, John Attwood, Esq. The park and pleasure grounds are extensive and beautiful. The old house was erected by Chief Justice Comyns, Kt. , about 1730, and much improved by the late P. C. Labouchre, Esq. In 1329, the manor of Widford was held by Edward of Woodstock, Earl of Kent ; and it afterwards passed to the Mortimer, Bacon, Altham, and other families. The CHURCH (St. Mary) was rebuilt in 1861-2, by Arthur Pryor, Esq. , at the cost of more than £4000. It was opened in July, 1862. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £8, and in 1831 at £225, is in the patronage of Robert Warner, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. William Buswell, B.A., who has a good residence, which he has lately much improved. The tithes were commuted in 1838, for £257 per annum. Mr. Attwood built a School-house in the churchyard, in 1843. In 1776, Lady Falkland left £200 to this parish, to provide for a weekly distribution of bread among the poor attending the church. To increase this charity, the Rev. John Saunders left £100, in 1814. These bequests now form a fund of £379.4s. 9d. Three per cent. Consols, and the dividends are applied in a weekly distribution of 17 threepenny loaves. In 1738, Benj. Sarjant left £100 Three per cent. Reduced Annuities, in trust, to apply the dividends yearly in clothing, for two poor widows and two poor widowers.
POST OFFICE at James Mays’ . Letters via Chelmsford.
Marked * are in Chelmsford parish.
Aldridge Philip, baker and shopkeeper
Mays James, shoemaker
Bernard William, shoemaker
Bernard Mrs Mary, schoolmistress
Buswell Rev. William, B.A. Rectory
Chevely Charles, farmer, Lodge
Crozier Peter, farmer
Hayes Charles, carpenter, and victualler, Silent Woman
Pannell Henry, farmer, Hall
Pryor Arthur, Esq. Hylands
Sadler Deborah, baker
Shelley John, blacksmith
Swain Jas. farmer, Elms
Thorn George, butcher and victualler, White Horse