Blackmore: News

News this week is that The Prince Albert will be re-opening shortly, and The Bull PH has been sold and may live to be a public house once again.

Blackmore: The Bull. Parish Council Steps In

The Bull, Church Street

has made a planning application to

‘Change of use from public house on ground floor and living accommodation on upper floor to residential use of whole building’.

As this application potentially affects you as local residents and neighbours we felt we should bring it to your attention in order that you may make your views known. The details to do so are:

Case Officer: Mrs Charlotte White

Application Number: 15/00314/FUL

The closing date for comments is Thursday 23^rd April but I have asked this be extended to Thursday 30^th April. You can view and comment on the application via the Brentwood Borough Council website at www.brentwood.gov.uk under planning applications or write into the planning department at Brentwood Borough Council, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AY

Andrew Watley - Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council

Blackmore: The Bull. Owner Seeks Planning Permission to Change to Residential Use

The long running saga around the future of The Bull, Blackmore, continues.  Residents living close to the Church Street pub - which has been closed since 2010 - have received a letter from Brentwood Borough Council's Planning Department giving notification of an application (15/00314/FUL) for a "Change of use from public house on ground floor and living accommodation on upper floor to residential use of whole building".  The letter is dated 26 March 2015 with 21 days sought for response.  Internet users may wish to make representations via e mail planning@brentwood.gov.uk to http://publicaccessbrentwood.gov.uk quoting the above application number.  This could be last orders for The Bull, and comes as no surprise. 

Blackmore: Bull Planning Appeal Comprehensively Dismissed

A Planning Appeal against the decision made by Brentwood Borough Council has been comprehensively dismissed by the Inspector in Bristol.  On all counts the Inspector agreed with villagers that the building of two houses and a car barn, and alterations to the pub itself would be detrimental to the setting. For more read Judy Wood's blog entry: http://www.antique-teashop.co.uk/?tag=planning-appeal 

Blackmore: Deposition of Rebecca Burrell, 1796

Deposition

Rebecca Burrell Wife of

James Burrell of Blackmore in the County of Essex

Victualler - Mary Fitch wife of William Fitch

of High Ongar in the said County of Essex Farmer –

Thomas Walker of Chipping Ongar in the said

County of Essex Surgeon & Stephen Vitou of Blackmore

aforesaid Gentleman and Ann – his Wife

severally make Oath and say

And first the Deponent the said

Rebecca Burrell for herself saith, That on or about

The twenty eighth day of May One Thousand seven

hundred and ninety six she was delivered of a

Male Child which was in or about the Month

of August then next following Baptized by the

Name of Thomas at the Parish Church of Blackmore

aforesaid by the Reverend Mr Farrell (now deceased)

who officiated on that Occasion for the Reverend

Doctor Stubbs the then Vicar or Perpetual Curate of

Blackmore – And this Deponent further saith

that the said Child is now living and that upon

search being made into the Registry of Baptisms

at Blackmore it does not appear that any Entry of

such Baptism was made therein at the time or

since.

And the other Deponent the said

Thomas Walker for himself saith – That he attended

the said Rebecca Burrell in her lying in at or about

to this Deponent’s Books and delivered the said Rebecca

Burrell of a Male Child which this Deponent hath

since heard and believes was afterwards Christened by

the Name of Thomas and who is now living.

And the other Deponent the said Mary Fitch

for herself saith that in the Year One Thousand seven

hundred and ninety six She nursed and suckled a

Child of the said Mrs Burrell from the Mouth and

attended with the said Child at the Church of Blackmore

for his Baptism – that it was Christened by the Name

of Thomas by the Reverend My Farrell who officiated

for the Reverend Doctor Stubbs – That one Michael

Wood and Stephen Vitou and Ann Vitou his Wife

were the Sponsors for such Child and which is now living.

And both the other Deponents the said Stephen

Vitou and Ann – his Wife from themselves

severally sat That they both attended the Christening

of the said Child at the Parish Church of Blackmore

aforesaid and that he was Christened by the Name

of Thomas by the Reverend Mr Farrell (now deceased)

and that both these Deponents were Sponsors for such

Child and who is now living.

Sworn at Chipping Ongar

the county of Essex the seventh day

of August 1813 – Before me

[signature cut off of foot of copy]

[Signed]

Rebeckh Burrell

Thos Walker

mary fitch

Stephen Vitou

Blackmore: The Bull Mayday! Mayday!

Bull Mayday

We have been here before of course (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/blackmore-bull-planning-applications.html ).  The owner of the closed public house in Church Street has appealed against a planning decision to build houses and a car barn in the beer garden, and to make substantial alterations – removing the cellar, for example – which many believe would render the place unusable as an inn.  The Parish Council has written to local residents asking them to restate opposition to the plans (http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/blackmore-bull-planning-appeal-by-owner.html ).  The details of the plans were reported last year on this site (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/blackmore-bull-planning-application.html ).  Send letters of objection in triplicate to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/18, Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

The Bull: Call to oppose planning appeal

Blackmore: The Bull - Planning Appeal by Owner

The Bull - when it was open in 2003

I don't believe it!  Despite opposition from over 1000 residents the owner of The Bull has appealed against Brentwood Borough Council's planning application decision to reject alterations to the ancient pub and to build houses on the beer garden.

The Parish Council has written to residents:

Last year the owner of the Bull Public House applied for planning permission to construct two houses and car barn in the garden facing the main Green. Both the Borough and Parish Council Planning Committees strongly objected to this proposal and the permission was refused.

Recently the owner has appealed to the Inspectorate at Bristol to see if they will overturn this decision. Naturally both Borough and Parish Council will object in the strongest possible terms but support from local residents reinforces this opinion in the eyes of the Inspectorate.

We would therefore ask if you would support the Parish Council by voicing your opposition to this proposal and writing to Bristol quoting the reference number and address and using the bullet points illustrated below towards your objection.

   We cannot produce a “stock” letter as this will not be accepted so it must be in your own words. Letters of objection should be sent in triplicate and received by 12^th May at the address below.

Planning Inspectorate

Room 3/18, Eagle Wing,

Temple Quay House,

2 The Square,

Temple Quay.

Bristol. BS1 6PN.

Ref:- .APP/H1515/A/14/2216001

The Bull Church Street

Blackmore Essex CM4 ORN

The following points would be very useful to include in your letter – please word as you feel best fits your letter

·         The property is in a Conservation Area and this development would contravene Planning conditions CP1.

·         The development would have a detrimental visual impact of the Grade II listed building when viewed from the Green.

·         With the construction in the garden there would be reduced amenity area that would lower

·         customer appeal.

·         Both Brentwood Borough and Blackmore Parish Council strongly object to the plan.

·         By demolishing the outbuildings the possibility of the building operating as a public house would be impossible.

·         The garden is an extension of the main Green historically and should not be developed in any way.

·         Vehicle access to the properties would be onto a narrow road at the top of the Green.

·         A petition of over 1000 names against this development has been produced.

We hope that you will make representation in support of the Parish Council’s stance as the residents of Blackmore have a tradition of supporting the area in which we are so fortunate to live in.

Blackmore: The Bull Planning Applications - Results

Campaigners against the alteration of The Bull Public House in Church Street, Blackmore have lost their plea to Brentwood Borough Council.  The Planning Authority has permitted the demolition of various "out-buildings" including the cellar, rendering the Listed Building inoperable as a Public House in the future many claim.  It remains to be seen whether the pub will reopen after a closure since 2010.  Other establishments are available is the clear message. The Bull had been an inn for over 400 years.

However, the crazy plan to erect two dwellings and a car barn facing The Green, using a large proportion of the (beer) garden has been given the thumbs down.  The application has been refused and is a victory to protect the heritage of the village conservation area.  Blackmore residents will remain vigilant against further applications. 

Blackmore: Bull Planning Applications. May Day!

Then and Now.  Is this a serious quest ...

.... to keep The Bull, Blackmore, open as a viable pub?

Pub currently closed with planning applications now
to remove cellar etc and build large semi-detached house
in pub garden.

Blackmore: Bull Planning Applications. Parish Council Voice Objection

The Bull, Blackmore (photographed just before it closed in 2010).
Owner has grand designs which do not meet public approval.

Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council has made what appears to be an unprecedented objection to a planning application which locals believe will close The Bull Public House in the centre of the village forever and see its garden built over.  The campaign to 'Save The Bull' is massive, and gaining momentum.  Letters to the planning authority must be received by them by 9 May 2013. 

See also http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/blackmore-bull-planning-application.html

The Parish Council Strongly Objects to this planning application

This proposal for two dwellings in the garden of The Bull Public House is unacceptable due to the detrimental effect on the visual amenity of the area. The garden area, in terms of visuality, is an extension of the village Green for which Blackmore is famous. Blackmore attracts many visitors (many of whom ask when the Bull will be re opening) and building two more houses would be an unacceptable development.

The proposed development falls within the conservation area of Blackmore and again the development would go against the basic principles of CP1 – which states that any planning proposal would ‘not have an unacceptable detrimental impact on visual amenity, or character and appearance of the surrounding area’. The Design and Access Statement refers to it as ‘being located on the edge of an urban area’ – a little misleading to say the least.

CP1 also refers to the need to conserve and enhance the character and appearance and historical heritage of the site and surrounding area. Again, this development would fly in the face of this requirement.

The erection of the buildings, the 6 foot high wall and car lodge will reduce the view of the listed building of The Bull from the Green. Any suggested visual improvements made to the rear of the Bull will not be visible from the Green.

The Blackmore Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan issued by Essex County Council 2008 (to which I contributed as a resident and amateur local historian, is on the Brentwood Borough Council website (http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/pdf/06022009144347u.pdf ) also endorses the need to keep the open green spaces of the conservation area and the significance of the original building line as an outline of the original boundary to the historic green – see page 14 para 4. There is also much mention of historic Bull Alley and its significance with its views onto The Green – see page 32 para 10.5. The applicant keeps referring to this as Blacksmiths Alley (which is the other side of Church Street) and could be misleading to you when viewing this application.

A most significant comment is within - 12 Management Proposals – Public Open Space, which states ‘It is recommended that these strong open areas, the established trees and shrubs within the greens, and the very strong mature tree and hedge boundary to the Conservation area should be preserved and not eroded by any new development that might take place’.

We understand that you will now have a petition – organized by Judy Wood, a Blackmore Parishioner, of over 350 names objecting to this proposed development. This petition is ongoing and will no doubt increase significantly in number now that the Parish is more aware of this application.

The Parish Council feel the Planning Department and Brentwood Borough Council should be aware, if they are not already, of some of the background.

• There appears to have been no meaningful attempt to run the pub or restaurant since the applicant bought the property in 2010.
• The reverse might be true in as much as the original bar has been ripped out since the property was acquired.
• The upstairs has been converted into two flats without planning consent. If you refer to your files you will see the BBC Enforcement department checking on what had been done to the original beams upstairs – sandblasting etc – without any permission to work on a grade II listed property.
• The property was bought for £425,000 approx.
• The property is now on the market for in excess of £850,000 – an unrealistic price for a public house and a huge increase on what was paid.
• We understand an offer has been made by a local person prepared to run the pub/restaurant for £525,000– but has been turned down. This would appear to be quite a reasonable offer to acquire the Bull and run as a business and also leave the applicant with a profit.
• The track record would appear to signal the applicant as a property developer rather than a restaurateur or publican with probably no intention of running a business.

Comments on the application.

The garden is not a ‘brownfield’ site as might be suggested in the opening of the Design and Access Statement.

The application refers to one existing apartment. When originally purchased by the present owner there was living accommodation above the pub. Since the acquisition the owner has converted this into two self contained flats with their own kitchens as advertised when trying to sell. We believe this has been done without BBC approval.

The planning application refers to 5 full time and 3 part time employees existing – this is incorrect as the property has remained closed since purchase. Re opening The Bull as a PH would of course create some employment.

The application refers to the cellar as being under used. This would be because the pub is not operational and no business being run at present.

The loss of the garden would, we feel, greatly reduce the amenity of the pub and thus reduce its customer appeal.

With the demolition of the storage and cellar we cannot see how this will not detract from the ability to run a public house or reduce the appeal to a potential buyer for so doing.

With the removal of the storage and cellar facilities it would appear that the applicant is slowly but surely positioning The Bull for a change of use to a private dwelling. 

Given the seriousness of this situation the Chief Surveyor for the National English Heritage has been contacted and he has registered his interest in what has happened to the Grade II listed building already and what may happen in the future. Due to the pressure of time to get this report to you we are unable to include his findings. We will however continue to forward salient points as they arise or come to light and any comments or action that English Heritage may take.

The PC has had many contacts from parishioners complaining about this potential development and it is obvious that feelings run high within the village over the potential loss of this amenity. At our Parish Council meeting on Thursday 18^th April over 50 local residents arrived at the meeting to register their concerns over this planning application and the Brentwood Gazette were also present to record the meeting.

Given our comments and observations we have made in this report, the petition that is ongoing and the many objections being registered by our Parishioners we strongly recommend that you resist this application totally.

Blackmore: Bull Planning Applications

View of The Bull from the green
which could be lost if plans go ahead
to build semi detached house in beer garden

Proposals to build on a pub garden in a historically sensitive area have been made.

On Thursday (11 April 2013) residents in Blackmore received a letter from the Parish Council to advise that Brentwood Borough Council had received a planning application which involves “amendments to the main building and the erection of two new [semi detached] dwellings in the garden area”.  These proposals have been rumoured for some while and has created a “depth of feeling”, to quote the letter, among some residents who have campaigned to keep the premises open as a public house.  The letter states that residents’ “thoughts and observations regarding this planning application are crucial … good or bad”.

‘This is Essex’ website published an article on the same day: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Blackmore-pub-plans-revealed/story-18677281-detail/story.html#axzz2QJcd64gE.  It says the present owner wishes to alter the public house, removing the alterations made in 1975 – the cellar extension and WCs (document A below) - and to build two cottages in the beer garden.

The Brentwood Council website reports the application for the ‘erection of two dwellings and car barn, alterations to listed building “The Bull” public house’ with 18 documents attached, dated 4 April 2013 (http://publicaccess.brentwood.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MJJK7GDJ03100 ).  A pictorial overview of the proposals is given here http://publicaccess.brentwood.gov.uk/online-applications/files/E8A802F59023F404A49FAA550DC8E685/pdf/13_00251_LBC-1257__010_-_FEASIBILITY_LAYOUT-414113.pdf .

The Bull Inn and its gardens is one of the most significant premises lying at the heart of the village in a conservation area.  The present owner purchased the premises from a pub chain in 2010 but failed to reopen it for the purpose it was designated.  Not a drop of beer has been sold over the main bar or village bar since May that year, and it is understood the owner has converted the private first floor of the premises and gutted the public ground floor.  (See document A http://publicaccess.brentwood.gov.uk/online-applications/files/4F5DD7AF946BF1EBCAF36AFC5F7A2775/pdf/13_00251_LBC-ANALYSIS_OF_FABRIC_PROPOSED_FOR_REMOVAL-414098.pdf ). The premises have been vacant since.  It is unsurprising that villagers hold a “depth of feeling”.  Although the owner makes assurances over the future community use of the building, ‘This Essex’ reports that the plans do not include the retention of The Bull as a drinking establishment.

[The Blackmore Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (2008), to which I contributed as a resident and amateur local historian, is on the Brentwood Borough Council website (http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/pdf/06022009144347u.pdf ).]

The Bull's rear exterior

In its historical context the Bull Inn is Grade II listed and was, according to James Bettley (in Buildings of England. Essex. (2007)), two houses dating from the 15th / 16th century.  Almost certainly it has been a public house in continuous use for at least 400 years.  I have found records of people staying at The Bull in the first decade of the seventeenth century. In 1607, the baptism of Maria Lanes “born at Wm Cooke’s of ye Bull” is recorded in the earliest parish register (which commenced in 1602).  In the following year Thomas Fowlsham appeared before the Archdeaconry Court charged for being “found with a Scotch woman alone in his chamber at the Bull”.  Conjecturally the number of drinking establishments may reflect the fact that until 1527 Blackmore had an Augustinian Priory, the remnants of which are used as the parish church, and visitors came to Blackmore requiring accommodation and sustenance.  Claims that The Bull could date back to 1385 might be true, even if the building we see today is of a later date. 

Until recent times the ancient pub has been a draw to visitors.  Many people in Essex who know Blackmore speak of The Bull, and are dismayed to hear that it is currently closed.

The Bull public house, Church Street
(Photographed in 1974)

The overriding importance of The Bull, in Church Street, is that it was probably the first encroachment on a medieval village green which anciently stretched with open views from the duck pond to the modern-day Holly House in Blackmore Road.  In later years the western side of the green was built on: Crosse House (1634), the Prince Albert (1757), the school (1877), 1-4 Blackmore Road (1913) and White House and Holly House (1968), the latter being replacements of condemned nineteenth century cottages.  The only standing building older than The Bull is the adjacent Swan House (14^th century).  The view from the grassed area of the green, as current residents recognise it, to the rear of The Bull has remained a vacant area of grassland.  The site is of significant historic importance and value.  It is therefore vital to protect the ancient green from further encroachment of dwellings. 

If the planning application was pursued there should be an expectation of a full archaeological investigation.  This does not appear to have been mentioned in the plethora of documents.

Visually the houses which surround The Green, as it is recognised today, form a mix of both historic and infill properties.  The visual pleasure is the varied styles and building lines on three sides of The Green and the unimpeded and continuous view across the green and beer garden to the higgledy-piggledy arrangement of the rear of the Bull Inn.  To infill the last open space to the east of The Green would create an estate type arrangement where a new and unwanted large neighbour jostles for attention.  Apart from being in the wrong location the proposed dwelling is quite simply too large.  (This document shows the proposed houses: http://publicaccess.brentwood.gov.uk/online-applications/files/57C39B754149837576B73B48F06412B5/pdf/13_00251_LBC-125__020_-_VISUALS-414105.pdf ). This site is key to The Green.  Whilst other new premises around The Green over the last decade may not be ideal in design and scale they do not detract badly from the overall appearance.

The Parish Council encourages that letters are written to:

Kathryn Matthews

Planning Department

Brentwood Borough Council

Town Hall

Ingrave Road

Brentwood

CM15 8AY

Quoting reference 13/00250/FUL & 13/00251/FUL

Blackmore: On A Winter's Day

The Bull, Blackmore. Our ancient village public house on a freezing day, 9 January 2010

Blackmore: Crime In The Sixteenth Century

An extract from the booklet, “Blackmore. A Short History”, available from the Priory Church of St Laurence and Megarry’s Antique Shop. The church is open to visitors from the beginning of May until early October, Tuesday to Friday afternoons, 1.00 to 4.00pm and on Sunday afternoons from 2.30 to 4.30pm with Teas In The Tower on the first Sunday in the month. Other books in the series are also available including a new Guide Book.

From 1583 to 1615, with the exception of 1588, Blackmore had as its curate, “the notorious” Edward Binder. By all accounts he appears to have been quite a rogue. Ecclesiastical Court records are littered with appearances. At Romford, in 1588:

Edmund Bynder. Clerk. Detect for not teaching Mr Nowells Catechism and for not expounding the scripture not being licensed. He said that he did catechise in Mr Nowells catechism and that he readeth the Homilies and doth not expound the scriptures [ERO D/AZ/1/8].

The following year:
Edmund Bynder. Curate. That he being Curate of Blackmore sundry times there was no service said as viz – the first and second of November last. [ERO D/AZ/1/9].

Then, in 1608:

Edward Bynder. Curate. He giveth no warning of marriages Christenings or burials. No Quarter sermons and doth hinder others that are willing to come, who are good preachers, to the greefe of the countrie thereabout. Alleged that he hath the monthly sermons and hindereth none that as are not licensed. [ERO D/AZ/1/8].

Edward Binder’s misdemeanours led to his suspension from duties.

There is an incident where William Mott, the curate in 1588, was prevented from carrying out his duties. He was appointed by the Crown rather than the Smyth family, who held the manor at the time. Allegations made at Brentwood refer to:

Thomas Smyth, junior. For resisting and withstanding Mr Mott, not suffering him to come into the parish church of Blackmore so that by those means he cannot execute and discharge that duty or function that belongeth unto him

Frances Knockstubb. Detect ut supra, and further that he did Charles Smyth, his man, did haule try and drawe Mr Mott up and down the chyard and in the ch porch upon the xxx [30th] of march in the time of ye Divine Service, and did rent and teere his cloak and also ye he wish one Edward another of Mr Smyth’s men upon the xxix [29th] of march did rend and draire the said Mr Mott out of the churchyard [ERO D/AZ/1/8].

“Edward, another of Mr Smyth’s men” must have been Edward Blacketh, his servant. With Francis Smythe, he was bound over to “keep the peace for one whole year” [ERO Q/SR 111/49]. Although the offence is not recorded, it may relate to another incident, heard before the Quarter Sessions in July 1588:

We present Francis Smith of Blackmore, gentleman, “for strikinge at the Constable at the Churche gate with his sword drawen, and for fetchinge John Reve of Blackmore out of the Churche forcably with his sword drawen, which John Reve was locked up in ye Churche by the Constable” [ERO Q/SR 106/28].

There is not space to record in detail
- Alice Godsave, who would not say who was the father of her illegitimate child
- Those who did not attend church or communion
- The man found sleeping most irreverently on the altar
- People selling ware (and drinking or guzzling) during service time
- The man in the chamber alone with a Scotch woman at The Bull.

Blackmore: Caton Family History

Wendy Snowdon is a descendent of the Caton family. In April 2007 she posted an entry on the ‘Guest Book’ page of http://www.blackmorevillage.co.uk/ .

Entry on Message Board

Hi there. My gtx3 grandfather, William Caton and his wife, Lydia, lived at Wenlocks, Blackmore (Essex). William was born at Blackmore in c1797.

Henry Caton, brother to William, ran the butcher shop (1841 census). Gtx3 grandfather William and wife Lydia moved to Jennings Farm in Blackmore (1851 census).

The Catons (and there were plenty of them!) all seemed to have been born in Blackmore and most seemed to have died either there or Norton Mandeville.

My Gtx2.Grandfather was William Oliver Caton, he was born 1820 at Blackmore the son of William Caton and Lydia Oliver. He is shown on the 1841 census at Diggins in Willingale. He is buried in the churchyard opposite the former "Bell" public house.

My Gt.Grandfather was Robert Alfred Francis (of Willingale) and he married Clara Lydia Ann Caton (who is also buried in Willingale churchyard) in fact three Francis brothers married three Caton sisters!

Abraham Caton (1821-1897) brother of William Oliver Caton built a house at Blackmore called "The Rookery".

My ancestors are buried in St Laurence cemetery. I have visited lots of times and love the village.

I know quite a lot about my Catons but have no photos of them. Does any one out there have any? Perhaps long forgotten in an attic? Would love to see some.

My Gtx4 grandfather, Henry Caton (born 1760 died 1835) married Hester Burrell whose parents owned The Bull public house.

John Caton, nephew to William, emigrated to New Zealand in the 1800s. He staked a piece of land out there and named it "Catons Bay". He died in Australia in 1914.

Are there any Catons still living in the village?

Would love to hear from you.

Reply (April 2007)

I am always keen to help with people’s family history enquiries, if I am able, so E mailed an extract from my booklet 'Hatched Matched and Despatched'.

Bishop’s Transcripts

As we move into the nineteenth century more detail is given in the Registers [Source: Essex Record Office. D/CR 38. This is a Bishop’s transcript of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1812 – 1865.]. For example of the 170 children baptised from 1812 to 1821, over one half have fathers who were labourers. There is the nobility: Esquire, appearing on five occasions and “base born” or “single woman”, appearing on ten occasions. Various professions and trades occur as expected: surgeon, farmer, bricklayer, carpenter, sawyer, baker, blacksmith, butcher, shopkeeper and grocer. The most intriguing is recorded in 1814: “soldier 69th Rgt” (William Horshin), probably serving at that time in the Napoleonic War.

Other professions found in the baptismal transcripts for the period include an egg merchant (1826), gardener (by the name of Bush!: 1829), cow doctor (1829), church clerk (named John Sutton, 1834), schoolmaster (1836) and hay binder (1842). There is also a reference to a goldsmith (1826) but his abode was London.

In 1821 there were nine burials, but four children were from the same family: Eliza Sitch (buried 13th October, age 6), James (17th October, 14), William (23rd October, 1), and Hannah (7th November, 4). (For more information, refer to 'Sitch Family History' on this site).

Child mortality remained high. In the first ten years of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 to 1846) there were 93 burials. Of these, 12 were described as infants and a further 24 children under the age of ten, i.e. a death rate of 39 per cent before adulthood.

In 1845, two of the longest lived, Abraham Shuttleworth, aged 80 and Richard Stones, aged 87, ended their days in the Ongar Union Workhouse (at Stanford Rivers) where the poor were sent from the parish of Blackmore. The reorganisation of poor relief from 1834 (Poor Law Amendment Act) transferred responsibility away from the parish to a Board of Guardians.

William Caton was the Overseer for Blackmore and also Churchwarden.

Another Caton, Henry, was a butcher by trade. His father, buried on 9th October 1835, age 75, is described as “Henry Caton, Senior”.

Henry Caton married Ann Clark on 9th February 1813. They had nine children:

Henry: Baptised 7th November 1813
Harriott: Baptised 2nd April 1815
James: Baptised 13th November 1817
John: Baptised 31st May 1818
Ann Elizabeth: Baptised 13th February 1820
Emma: Baptised 24th February 1822
Charles: Burial recorded as 11th September 1823, Infant.
Esther: 7th March 1824
Stephen: 16th June 1827


Although Henry lived until 1858 and Ann to 1862, their children’s marriages are not recorded at Blackmore. There are two possible reasons. Firstly, after 1836, civil marriages were permitted. Secondly, and more plausible, the offspring probably migrated from the parish.

During the nineteenth century, the number of baptisms exceeds the number of burials by a proportion of two to one. This suggests a large growth in population but census returns show the population of the parish rose from 591, in 1801, to only 619, in 1901. It seems clear that many people left Blackmore to find their fame and fortune elsewhere: perhaps London and the suburbs, which were growing at a rapid rate.

Supplementary Question (May 2007)

My Gtx2 grandfather William Oliver Caton (1820-1901) states in his will of 1901: "As to my real estate I direct my said trustees to make sale and absolutely dispose of all my copyhold lands" etc etc. He then goes on to mention "namely all that field of pasture and copyhold land held of the Manor of Fingrith Hall Blackmore and adjoining my freehold house known as the "Poplars" and situate at Blackmore aforesaid and now in the occupation of Mrs Humphries Widow". He also mentions 3 other copyhold cottages situated at Blackmore. Could you tell me if this house, Poplars still exists and if so where it is situated?

Reply (June 2007)

Poplars is not named on the 1897 six inch ordnance survey map. According to Kelly's Directory 1890, Claude Julian Croft was its resident.

I was in Chelmsford Library and found a book titled "The Tithe Place Names of Blackmore" (date: 1846) has a lot of information on Blackmore families, including the Catons. It was produced by the Essex Place Names Project in 2003 in association with the Essex Society for Archaeology and History (http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/) and the Essex Record Office. A copy is in Chelmsford Library and may be purchased from the Essex Record Office.

Henry Caton had a house shop and premises (#9) at TL605018.

The Catons owned several premises (# 8 to #13) plus many fields. The Bottle Inn (The Leather Bottle PH) is recorded as TL604018 so these premises at TL605018 are 100 metres to the east - i.e. on the north side of The Green. There is a Poplars Cottage there today. Next door is Laurences, a much bigger house. I wonder if this was Poplars? The church dedication is Laurence but anciently was spelt either Laurence or Lawrence. Is Laurences a modern name?

William Caton was licensee of the Leather Bottle between 1836 and 1850. The pub became owned by a Chelmsford Brewery in 1836. For more details see the history of the pub inside the main bar.

Response (June 2007)

I had a look on ERO Seax and found document D/DMa/B71/12 it’s a sale catalogue and lists the land etc of my Gt.Grandfather William Oliver Caton who lived at Diggens Farm, Willingale. He died there in 1901. The last paragraph states POPLARS, formerly Lawrences, Blackmore, a residence with 4 bedrooms, outbuildings, gardens and orchard and about 1 acre of meadow land. So it looks like the Laurences that you say is still in the village is the one mentioned in my Gt.Grandfathers will. That is indeed great news and a must for me to visit, thank you so much for that I am very grateful.

I have received the booklet Tithe Place Names of Blackmore from the ERO. It’s very interesting. Many of the places I never knew about and it has opened up a whole new avenue of research for me, plus the chance to photograph the actual fields/places etc on my next visit as they very kindly included a map at the back!

John Henry Caton (brother to my Gt3 Grandfather William) was by all means a bit of a character in Australia. I am in touch with his descendant who lives out there. He was arrested in 1869 for fraud and seems to have had a colourful life out there buying land and generally keeping one step ahead of the law! I'm sure she will be interested in the information.


Conclusion

Wendy subsequently visited Blackmore and saw where her ancestors lived.

“I just wanted to let you know that without all the information you gave me about my Catons I would never have found any of the places to photograph. We had lunch at The Leather Bottle where William Caton was landlord in 1836 and I saw the history of the pub on the wall that you told me about. Had my photo taken outside Lawrences (Poplars) and took pictures of some of the fields that were mentioned in the booklet you told me about Tithe Place names of Blackmore. So thank you once again for all the information you have given me, the above photographs would never have been taken without it”.

Caton connections / links

The following sites may be of interest.

http://ruzoz.customer.netspace.net.au/Ticonfamilies/pafg58.htm
Ticonderoga Families

http://www.scotty.com.au/tree/index.htm
http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/NortonHeath/whorse.shtml
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/duncan.fogg/genealogy/fam78.html
http://essexpub.net/HatfieldPeverel/dowhp.htm
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/h/a/Neil-M-Chaplin/index.html

It seems that Ann Elizabeth (daughter of Henry & Ann) emigrated too. She arrived in Melbourne, Australia, aboard the "Gibson Craig" with her husband, Joseph Kirkham.