Saturday, 14 March 2009

Blackmore: Woollard family

Q. Aunty P asked: I would be very interested in your transcript of burial records as I know my family [the Woollard's] are buried in the churchyard. I'm currently exploring my family tree and it would be of great help.

A: Blackmore’s Burial Register after 1893 (first entry 20 Oct) is held in the Church Safe. I have checked my transcript of the first 224 entries (to 5 July 1920) and have found the following relating to this family:

#162. William Walter Woollard. Buried: 8 Nov 1913. Age 48
#188. William Wollard. Buried: 5 Apr 1916. Age 81
#219. Lavinia Hephzebah Wollard. Buried: 18 Feb 1920. Age 55

In all cases their abode is recorded as Blackmore and the officiating minister was Revd. Walter Layton Petrie, who was Vicar from 1888 to 1922.


The 1881 census has the following as living in Blackmore.

William Woollard. Born 1836. Head of household. Place of birth: Ingatestone, Essex
William Woollard. Born 1866. Son. Place of birth: Rainham, Kent
Agnes Woolard. Born 1846. Servant. Place of birth: Writtle

… and living away from Blackmore

Sarah Wollard. Born 1832. Head of household. Born: Blackmore. Residence: Mill End Old Town.

A Mrs Woollard is mentioned in connection with a newspaper report on the Mothers’ Union New Year Party in 1907. See entry on 1.12.07 or search for Woollard.

The 1910 Electoral Roll records two Woollard names eligible to vote, William sen. and William jun. See www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/1910roll.html

Three Woollard men came through the First World War: Pte G Woollard (Essex Regt), Ft Sgt J Woollard (DSM), A/B W Woollard (RN). See www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwonesurvivors.html

Finally Joy Kathleen Woollard died on 8 January 1943, during the Second World War. She was Aircraftwoman 1st Class serving in the Women’s Auxillary Air Force. She is buried in the churchyard of St Laurence, Blackmore.

Reply: Thank you so much for all this information. William Snr and Lavinia were my great grandparents and George was my grandfather. Many thanks once again. Pauline

Friday, 13 March 2009

Roxwell: The Hare

The Hare, formerly the Hare and Hounds, on the A1060 at Roxwell is a vastly extended pub serving a range of food. A visit to its unspoilt public bar with old photographs of the pub is a delight.

‘Essex pubs’ lists the former licensees of the pub: http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/Roxwell/harehand.shtml

Beer In The Evening reviews: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/22/22018/Hare/Roxwell

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Great Dunmow: The Museum at The Maltings

A small but impressive town museum can be found at The Maltings just off of the High Street in Great Dunmow. Covering many aspects of the town’s history, including the famous Dunmow Flitch Trial, it makes a pleasant weekend afternoon out. Visitors can also learn about the railway, clock making, milling and brewing. The Museum is housed in buildings which date back to c.1565 used at one time for malting barley for the former brewery. The Grade II* building has been sympathetically restored and is now a meeting room as well as a museum. It open virtually every weekend throughout the year. For more information visit the Great Dunmow Museum website: http://www.greatdunmowmuseum.org.uk/ . Information about the building can be found by following this link: http://www.greatdunmowmaltings.co.uk/

Friday, 6 March 2009

Great Waltham: The Compasses, Littley Green

The Compasses is one of those rare, wonderful and timeless pubs in the countryside. Once the nearest Ridley’s pub to the former Hartford End Brewery, it is now owned by a member of the Ridley family and not part of the Greene King chain who took over the Essex family firm in 2005. As its website says, “After a while under a tenant, and then a manager, Greene King lost interest and put the historic Inn up for sale. They tried to get permission to sell it as a private house but finally sold it together with its license to the current owner - Jocelyn Ridley - who is indeed a direct relative of the original Ridley brewing family.” A tiled floor, beer served straight from the barrel, and huffers –large triangular rolls – available makes this one of my favourite pubs. It’s just a shame that Ridley’s IPA and ESX are no longer brewed just down the road.

‘Essex pubs’ lists the former licensees of the pub: http://pubcensus.co.uk/essexpubs/FordEnd/compasses.aspx

Visit its website: http://www.compasseslittleygreen.co.uk/
… and for a history of the pub and family click here: http://www.compasseslittleygreen.co.uk/history.htm
Beer In The Evening reviews: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/28281/Compasses/Littley_Green

Thursday, 5 March 2009

Willingale: Durrant's Handbook For Essex (1887)


The following is taken from ‘Durrant’s Handbook For Essex’ (Durrant & Co., Chelmsford, 1887).

The two twin parishes known as “the Willingales” derive their distinctive names from their owners soon after the Conquest, William d’Ou and Hervey de Spain respectively. Their churches stand in the same churchyard, not 50 yards from one another – a thing unparalleled in Essex, but not unknown in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. The tale is told of their having been founded by two sisters out of rivalry can hardly be true, as they are of widely different ages.

Will’ingale Doe. A. 1739; p. 423; Rectory, value (with Shellow Bowells) £450; 5m. N.E. from Ongar.

Willingale Doe Church (St. Christopher), probably built about the 14th cent., is the largest and finest of the two. It consists of nave, with N. aisle added in 1853, chancel, and embattled square tower, rebuilt in 1853 in the Perp. style and containing 4 bells, dated respectively 1610-32-34 and 1797. The chancel arch is a well-proportioned pointed one. Near it is a small and very curious square piscine. The S. windows of the nave are square-headed Perp. ones. There are brasses to one of the Torrells (inscription lost) in armour (about 1400), Ann Sackfild, nee Torrell (1582), in rich costume, and Dorothie Brewster, nee Jocelyne (1613), with very quaint inscription. On the S. side of the chancel is a huge monument of white marble to Sir Robert Wiseman, Esq. (1641), of Torrell’s Hall. The full-sized recumbent effigy of the knight is in armour. There is a long and absurdly fulsome Latin inscription. On the tomb is still an ancient helmet, with the knight’s crest surmounting it. The Register dates from 1570. Torrell’s Hall, 1m. N., now a farmhouse, with fine avenue of elms, was a residence of some importance, formerly occupied by the Torrell or Tyrell, Wiseman, and other families.

Will’ingale Spain. A. 1200; P. 207; Rectory, value £360; 5m. N.E. from Ongar.

The Church (St Andrew and All Saints) is a small Norman or E. Eng. structure, consisting simply of nave and chancel, with a small spire and 2 bells, one of which has a 15th cent. inscription. The corners are almost entirely built of Roman tile, as also are the sides and arch of the perfectly plain round-headed Norman N. door. The door itself has much ancient ornamental iron-work. The S. door and the W. window are also round-headed. On the N. side of the nave are two tiny narrow splayed windows, of Norman or E. Eng. work, one pointed, the other, round-headed. On the S. side is an elegant lancet window, 6ft. high by 11 inches wide, also an inserted window in the Decor. style. The chancel has 5 windows; the E. one is new, and in Perp. style; the others, 2 on each side, are all similar, being low-arched Perp. ones of the time of Henry VI. The font is octagonal. There are no brasses and few inscriptions. The Register dates from 1576. Spains Hall, ½m. S., is an ancient manor-house.

Sunday, 1 March 2009

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - March 2009

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

Churches Conservation Trust

The Churches Conservation Trust celebrated its fortieth anniversary last weekend (Saturday 21 February) with bell ringing at many of its churches. I visited Stansted Mountfitchet where, in the grounds of the old Hall, on the edge of the village stands St Mary’s Church dating back to Norman times. From its 1692 tower rang out a Quarter Peal from eight bells. This was quite a spectacle to hear in the churchyard on a lovely sunny calm afternoon. The teas and cake served was good too. Nearer to home, though not participating in bell ringing, is St Andrew’s Church, Willingale Spain, also in the care of this charitable organisation. The church has the distinction of being one of two sharing the same churchyard and, though redundant, is occasionally used for worship. Its north door (see picture) is a gem of twelfth century ironwork.

Website News

Work is going on behind the scenes on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ to develop web pages for the ten neighbouring parishes to Blackmore. Villages covered will include Doddinghurst, Fryerning, High Ongar, Ingatestone, Mountnessing, Norton Mandeville, Stondon Massey, Shenfield, Willingale and Writtle. Publication is anticipated late March or early April.

William Byrd

An interesting new biography of William Byrd can be found by taking the following link: http://worldcomposers.blogspot.com/2009/02/william-byrd.html

BBC at Writtle

Chelmsford, ‘birthplace of radio’ declares the signs on entry to the town. In 1922 pioneering broadcasts were made by a radio station called 2MT at Writtle. For more read: http://plumbot.com/British-Broadcasting-Company.html

The family line of Samuel Conn

There cannot be many families who lived in Norton Mandeville during the nineteenth century. Below is a link to the Conn family, whose children were baptised either at All Saints, Norton Mandeville or at nearby High Ongar.
http://uk.geocities.com/conn415@btinternet.com/samuel.html
Ian Robinson’s introduction to the Conn family can be found here: http://uk.geocities.com/conn415@btinternet.com/essex.html

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html or look at the news entry for 1 January 2009.

Saturday, 28 February 2009

Blackmore: Markets and Fairs

British History Online has published a Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs down to 1516. Under the section dedicated to Essex there are local entries for Blackmore ( http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40415#dskey-c3) and Ingatestone and Writtle (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40415&startPage=2 )

Friday, 27 February 2009

Area: Ordnance Survey Maps 1881

British History Online has published old Ordnance Survey Maps online. To view a 1:10860 map originally published in 1881 for Essex go to: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/map.aspx?compid=55117
For the Blackmore Area Local History region see:
Blackmore (southern portion of parish – Hook End, Wyatts Green - and south west to include Shenfield, Doddinghurst, Stondon Massey (south)): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3287&compid=55117
Blackmore (northern end of parish – the ancient village – and north west to include High Ongar, Norton Mandeville, Stondon Massey (north), Willingale)
South east of Blackmore (to include Fryerning, Ingatestone, Mountnessing) http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3288&compid=55117
North east of Blackmore (to include Highwood, Writtle): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3280&compid=55117

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Stondon Massey: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (4)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish of:
Stondon Massey
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15686
Worthies: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15687
Manor: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15688
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15689
Roman Catholicism: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15690
Protestant Nonconformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15691
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15692
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15693
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15694

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Shellow Bowells: Church Now House Near Willingale

A recent visitor to the blackmorehistory site typed ‘church now house near Willingale’. The place he was looking for was Shellow Bowells (pronounced ‘bowls’) which is a small hamlet to the north of Willingale. Its church, once dedicated to St Peter, “was rebuilt in brick in 1754” (according to the Little Guide. Essex. 1909) but was deconsecrated and is now a house. For a picture of the building follow the link to History House: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs07.html

Friday, 20 February 2009

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (10)

Churchgate Street, to the east of the New Town, forms part of Old Harlow. It is a delightful area. A lovely place for lunch is the early sixteenth century timber-framed building, the Queen’s Head, with its long jettied front. The fireplace in the public bar is worth a look.

For a list of past publicans and other photographs of the street and pub go to: http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/Harlow/qhead.shtml
Beer in the evening has the following: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/26/26062/Queens_Head_Inn/Harlow

Thursday, 19 February 2009

Norton Mandeville: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (3)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish of:
Norton Mandeville
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15619
Manor: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15620
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15621
Nonconformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15622
Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15623
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15624
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15625

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Area: Wikipedia website

Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia. It is written collaboratively by volunteers from all over the world and anyone can edit it. The links to pages for each parish in Blackmore Area Local History are given below. The content varies very much with the contributions made to the site.

Blackmore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmore

Doddinghurst: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doddinghurst

Fryerning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fryerning

High Ongar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Ongar

Ingatestone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingatestone

Mountnessing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountnessing

Norton Mandeville: No article

Shenfield: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenfield

Stondon Massey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stondon_Massey

Willingale: No article

Writtle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writtle

Monday, 16 February 2009

Area: History House website

History House, subtitled ‘a dip into Essex history’ is the brainchild of Keldon, whose work on our local heritage is similar to the aims of ‘Blackmore Area Local History’. History House covers the whole of the county and is an enormous undertaking.

“History House seeks to provide free information on the history of Essex and to help you research your family history. The entire White's Directory of Essex 1848 has been transcribed and I am currently working on the Post Office Directory 1874. It is hoped that other directories will follow. History House is researched and written by Phil George (Keldon)”.

Blackmore: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexb17.html

Doddinghurst: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexd04.html

Fryerning: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexf14.html

High Ongar: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexh25.html

Ingatestone: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexi01.html

Mountnessing: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexm18.html

Norton Mandeville: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexn01.html

Shenfield: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs08.html

Stondon Massey: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs32.html

Willingale.
Willingale Doe: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw27.html
Willingale Spain: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw28.html

Writtle:
Writtle: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw38.html
Highwood: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexh27.html

History House’s featured village is nearby Kelvedon Hatch: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/kelvedonhatch/index.html

Friday, 13 February 2009

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (9)

‘Contrapuntal Forms’ by Barbara Hepworth (1903 – 1975) is a Grade II listed structure, sited in Glebelands. The sculptor lived in St Ives during the latter part of her life where her house is now a museum, with the Cornish town and her garden full of her work.

Thursday, 12 February 2009

High Ongar: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (2)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish:
High Ongar
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15638
Manors: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15639
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15640
Non Conformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15641
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15642
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15643
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15644

Friday, 6 February 2009

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (8)

Marks Hall was a fine mansion in the former parish of Latton. All that remains now is the former kitchen garden and stable block, now used as the ‘Museum of Harlow’ For information on the Museum go to
http://www.harlow.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=7116. The picture shows the parterre garden on the site.

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Area: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (1)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For an overview of the volume go to: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=53

A description of Ongar Hundred: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15527

Other items of interest are:
Medieval Tax Assessments: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15722
Hearth Tax Assessments (1662, 1670, 1674): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15723
Bishop Compton’s Census of 1676: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15724

Sunday, 1 February 2009

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - February 2009

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

End of an era for local pub?

The Cuckoo, formerly The Thatcher’s Arms, Radley Green, closed last month, perhaps forever. Greene King, who took over the Ridleys chain of public houses in 2005 – and closed the Hartford End Brewery - is selling the place which in all probability will become a private house. It’s a shame that another lovely proper country pub has closed but a reflection of changing times. As someone who has never probably stepped inside a pub once said, “the sustainability of the public house is diminishing”. For a history of licensees at The Cuckoo follow to this link …
http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/Roxwell/thatcher.shtml
... and memories of darts matches held there and in the local area.
http://www.patrickchaplin.com/Ingatestone.htm

The Campaign for Real Ale is doing their bit to support the local. In the Epping Guardian it cited three pubs in need of support: The Forresters Arms, High Ongar; the Sixteen String Jack over at Theydon Bois; and The Moletrap, Tawney Common, Stapleford Tawney. The latter is a good, honest, old-fashioned pub in the country serving excellent home-made food. It is really worth searching out, but be warned the landlord takes cash only (no cheques or credit cards). Follow link for more information on the CAMRA article: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/4070651.DISTRICT__Pubs_fighting_back_against_crisis/

Perhaps a future item for the blog will be to cover some favourite locals, a photograph and a pint – all in the name of research of course!!

1911 Census

Local and family historians have no doubt been subscribing to http://www.1911census.co.uk/ hosted by ‘Find My Past’. The Essex census is available to view, as indeed are all counties in England to the south of Yorkshire. The census was taken on Sunday 2 April 1911. I have found new information about my family. Have you?

There is also a blog for the site giving information on the rollout of material, bugs in the system, and other information about the project. Go to: http://blog.1911census.co.uk/.

The BBC News item on the census release can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7826521.stm

Music by William Byrd

A recording of music by William Byrd, written when he lived at Stondon Massey. Follow link: http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-byrd-hodie-0109.shtml

Folklore Relaunch

Sylvia Kent is a local writer. Her book ‘Folklore in Essex’ has been reprinted. For more information go to: http://sylviakent.blogspot.com/2009/01/folklore-of-essex.html

Caught on Camera

Mountnessing Windmill: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garysmith70/3086922807/

Walks – with a bit of history mentioned

A circular walk from High Ongar via Willingale (“Matt’s walks”): http://www.matfrygbr.co.uk/willingale_walk.html

Overview of Essex

Hutchybee makes a rather self-deprecating comment at the end of an essay in which he extols ‘The Joys of Es-sex’. It provides an overview to the county which some will find interesting. Follow the link to this discussion board: http://www.morningstarr.co.uk/forum/general-discussion/18360-joys-es-sex.html

Afternoon Teas In The Summer

Blackmore, High Beech and Stanford Rivers churches all feature on entry encouraging cyclists to come and savour tea and cake in the summer. Follow link: http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2009/01/bike-ride-and-afternoon-tea.html

Victorian Farm

Don’t miss this series going out on BBC Two. Very interesting.

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html or look at the news entry for 1 January 2009.