Mountnessing: The Will of Endymion Canning, 1681

To celebrate the publication of the collection of Wills online held by Essex Ancestors, the subscription arm of the Record Office, up to 1720 we present the Will of Endymion Canning, who has connections with Mountnessing.  For more see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=canning

THE WILL OF ENDYMION CANNYNGE   

made 24^th May 1681, codicil added 2^nd April 1683 & he died 7^th Dec 1863

In the name of God Amen, I Endymion Cannynge of
Brooke in the county of Rutland Genl. (probably General) being in perfect health and of good and perfect
memory for which I give most humble thanks to Almighty God  I do make and
ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say
first and before all things I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God
the maker of me and all mankind my frail and mortal body I commit
to the earth there to be buried in the Church or Churchyard of Brooke or some other
convenient burying place near where I shall happen to die in hopes of joyful
resurrection through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour
and Redeemer And for those few worldly goods I have to dispose of as hereafter is
declared to my dear sister Mrs Jane Wilson I give the sum of One hundred
pounds and to her son Thomas Wilson my nephew the sum of fifty pounds
and also to all my cousins  Jermans  I command that shall be living at the time of my decease I
give and bequeath to every one of them Tenne pounds  apiece besides a gold ring
worth about Twenty shillings with this Motto (Fin sequeris)  Also the same legacy
of a ring but not money I bequeath to my  Cousin Cannyng  of  Foxcot and his wife
to my sister Clutterbuck and her two sons William and Thomas Cannynge my
nephews also to my two good friends Mr William ?Willes and Mr Andrew Burton
also to my friend Mr Jeffery Wilcox and my friend Mr James Watts of Ridlington
to every of these my friends I give a ring as before is expressed  Also to my brother
in law the Bishop of Gloucester I give Ten pounds to buy him a ring and to my
good friend Mrs Frances  Halford I give five pounds to buy her a ring  Also to my
Cousin Baptist Hicks the son of one of my  Executors hereafter named I give the
sum of Twenty pounds  Also I give and bequeath to all and every of the child or
children of my Cousin William Bartholomew that shall be living at the time of
my decease Twenty pounds apiece to be disposed of by the discretion of my Executors for their use and their father not to meddle with it all these legacies before mentioned I desire
may be paid within six months next after my decease or sooner if my money  can
be got in  Also to every of my godchildren that shall be living at the time of my decease
I give five pounds apiece and to my servant Cristean Carrington if she shall live with me at the
time of my death I give Ten pounds and also to William Forman my servant if he be my
servant at the time of my death I give five pounds and to Edmund Ongden my servant
if he live with me at the time of my death I give five pounds to be paid within Six
months after my decease if my money can be called in   Also to my old friends
Doctor Denham and Doctor Earshaw to either of them I give a ring  Also to Thomas
Wilmer of Brooke and Edward Hubbard of the same I give forty shillings apiece to the
Widow Hubbard the widow of Francis Hubbard I give twenty shillings to ?Robin
Hubbards family I give also twenty shillings Also to the widow  Wilmer I give
twenty shillings Also to goody Cugh and her family I give twenty shillings Also
to Thomas Rawle his family I give twenty shillings also to the widow ?Su... Crampe
I give twenty shillings also to Edward Dixon of Brooke I give forty shillings
Now my will and desire is that all the legacies given to my neighbours at Brooke
be paid the day of my burial if money may conveniently be had or as soon  after
as may be, also to the poor of the town of Chipping Campden and  Berrington
in the County of Gloucestershire I give Two hundred pounds and my will and desire is
that the interest of one of the said hundred pounds be given to the poor every
Sunday or Lord’s Day in bread according to the custom there at two shillings every
Sunday in the year and that to continue forever the other Hundred pounds I desire
should be added to the Town stock and disposed of according to the discretion of the
trustees already appointed for that purpose and their successors forever also I
give to the poor of the parish Moneyesend alias Moneyesging  (most likely to be Mountnessing )
in the county of Essex  where I was born and baptised the sum of fifty pounds to be made a
stock  for the poor of the said parish forever at the discretion of my Cousin
Mr Alexander  Prescott or whom he shall appoint also I give and bequeath
to the poor of the parish of Tarbeck alias Towerdebig (Tardebigge) in the county of Worcester
where I was sometime an inhabitant the sum of fifty pounds to be a stock
for the said poor according to the discretion of the right Honourable Thomas
Lord Windsor and whom he shall appoint forever also to the Town of Oakham
in the county of Rutland I give to the poor there fifty pounds to be added to the
town stock for the use of the said poor forever and also to the town of Uppingham
in the said County of Rutland I give and bequeath to the poor there the sum
of fifty pounds but my will and desire is that in regards Uppingham and Oakham
are market towns and so by consequence their poor numerous ?    I desire my
Executors that it may be so ordered that both the said market towns may receive
out of the before named  fifty pounds  twelve pence in bread every Sunday to be distributed
to the poor at the church as the custom is at Campden    Also to the poor of Brooke
I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds to be paid within Six months inst
after  my decease provided I do not in my life time give the said twenty pounds
or more to them   Also to the poor of Ilmington in the County of Warwick I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds to be disposed of for their use and benefit as
my cousin Cannynge of Foxcott and others the best of the parish shall think be fit
Item  I give to the poor of Alston Subege in the county of Gloucestershire the sum of twenty pounds according as the Vicar of Campden and the best of the parish shall
think  fit to dispose of it for their use   Also to the poor of the parish of Bretforten
in the county of Worcester I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds to be
disposed of according to the discretion of the Owner of the farm there late my uncle
Cannyngs the vicar of the Town and the best of the best of the parish shall see most
convenient also to the Eldest son of my cousin Robert Halford of Armscott in the
parish of Tredington in the county of Worcester I give the sum of twenty pounds
to be paid to him within six months next after my decease or else to give
him interest for the same after that time   Also to my friend Mr James Watts
minister of  Ridlington I give the sum of five pounds to buy him a ring to be
paid him within six months after my decease   Also to my brother in law Mr
Thomas Wilson parson of Arrow and to my cousin Mr Henry Hicks vicar
of Campden whom I constitute and appoint Executors of this my last will and
testament I give the sum of twenty pounds apiece    Also my will and desire
is that all the legacies herein bequeathed be paid within six months next after
my decease or as soon as my money can be called in   Also to my brother in law Mr
?.....    ?Rives I give the sum of Ten pounds to buy him a ring  Also my friend
 Mr Edward Seaman and to James Groocock to either of them I give a ring as before
is ordered of twenty shillings price   Also to Thomas Hubbard of Langham I give the sum
of twenty shillings   Also I give and bequeath to Richard Hack of Coldoverton the
sum of forty shillings to set up his trade provided I do not pay it to him in my
lifetime    Also I give to my Ms (master) The Right Honourable  Edward Lord Noel
one hundred guineas which I have now by me but with this proviso that if I
have not gold at the time of my death then one hundred pounds in silver  Also my
will and desire is that all the legacies  herein  bequeathed be paid within six
months next after my decease   Also my will is that if it should so fall out that
if I do not have in goods  bonds debts or ready money so much as will discharge
all the legacies herein  bequeathed then I charge both my Leases at Campden for
two years towards the payment of the same   Also my meaning is that if it should
please God that the lives in my farm there should die before there can  be so much
money raised  as shall satisfy all the legacies herein bequested then my will is not to
bring any debts or encumbrances  upon my Executors but that they pay them so far
as my money will go at their own discretion  in whose fidelities I repose  great
confidence in the performance of these my desires   Also my will and meaning is that all
the legacies that I have herein bequeathed whatsoever be paid before my Executors and
 after my Executors are paid their twenty pounds apiece then my will is that my
nephew William Cannynge shall have and enjoy my leases  at Campden  in as
full and ample manner as I myself did in my lifetime  Also my will is that
so soon as he shall be actually possessed of the said Leases he shall pay to
his younger brother Thomas Cannynge tenne pounds. In witness whereunto I have
sett my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of May Anno Domini one Thousand
Six hundred and eighty one ENDYMION CANNYNGE in the presence of James Watts
Edward Phillipps William Forman

APRIL the second one thousand six hundred and eighty three This memorandum that I
Endymion Cannynge of Brooke in the county of Rutland being in perfect memory
do make and annex this codicil to my last Will and Testament in manner and
 form following first of all I give to the Town of Castle Bytham in the county of
Lincolnshire Six pounds to buy them a Clock for the use of the Town provided there
be not ?clock belonging to that Church at the time of my decease  Also I give to the
poor of the said Town of Bytham ten pounds to be disposed amongst them for
their use and benefit according to the discretion and approbation of the Lord of the
Manor and the Overseers of the poor there   Also to the poor of the Town of
 Exton in the county of Rutland I give the sum of five pounds to be disposed of at the
discretion of the Earl of Gainsborough and the chief of the Townsmen there   Also
to the Town of Whitwell to the poor there I give five pounds to be disposed of at
the discretion of Sir Andrew Noel and the parson of that town for the time being
Also to the poor of the town of North Luffenham I give the sum of five
pounds to be disposed of as the Honourable Baptist Noel and the overseers
 of the poor there shall see fit   Also to the poor of the town of Ridlington
I give the sun of five pounds to be disposed of for their use as the Lord of the
Manor the parson of the town for the time being and the overseers of the poor shall
think be fit Also to the poor of the town of Belton I give the sum of five pounds
to be disposed of at the discretion of Mr Verney and the principle persons of the
town shall think fit  Also to the poor of the Town of Braunston I give the
sum of five pounds to be disposed of according as the parson of the Town the
overseers of the poor and the best of the town shall think fit   Also to the poor
of the Town of Langham I give the sum of five pounds to be disposed of
according as the Lord of the Manor the Overseers of the poor and the best of the
town shall think be fit   Also to the poor of the town of Halstead in the
county of Leicester I give the sum of five pounds to be disposed of at the
discretion of the Honourable John Noel  the overseers of the poor  there and
the best of the Town  In witness  hereunto I have sett my hand and seal the day
and year first above written ENDYMION CANNYNGE   Witnessed hereunto Jeoff(rey)
Wilcocks
James Holmes William Forman

A Grimmer June 2012

Essex Land Girls at Thoby Priory, Mountnessing?

A query from a correspondent: 

... during course of my research for Essex Land Girls, my next book (www.deegordon-writer.com), I came across a ref to Thoby Priory being used as a hostel towards the end of WW2.  Just wondered if you – or someone you could put me in contact with – would know any more about this i.e. any info re dates, numbers, any details of the girls or where they worked etc.  Not come across it elsewhere (i.e. ERO or the IWM etc.).  If you can help, much appreciated and of course acknowledged.  (An image might also help?  jpeg min 1mb – or anything else re land girls in the area, either war ... just a thought.)

thanks, Dee

Mountnessing: V2 Rocket

Received via Blogger enquiry: 10 October 2013

I lived in Mountnessing from 1939 until I married in 1962. I was sitting cleaning the mud off my shoes very close to where the V2 rocket came down, as were several children.  It was nice to read your account which brought back many memories.Brenda

Regards,

Littlejohns. nee Dawson

Replied: 11 October 2013

Thank you for your e mail.  As a child in the 1970s I remember going to Lodge Wood and being shown a crater caused by one of those unmanned weapons of war.

Regards

Andrew

Mountnessing: Windmill

Essex Review

Extract from No. 185 Volume XLVII (January 1938)

Mountnessing Mill

By Edward S Knights

On the bluff of a hill next to the great high road,

Stands the ancient mill with sails now still,

Lonely and quiet since the last heavy load

Went lumbering down the hill.

Song of the reaper and Harvest Home,

Mill and Harvest Lord,

Working together on Essex loam,

But time has reaped and stored.

Weather worn timbers of grey lichened base.

Post and Roundhouse, Windshaft and Sails,

Time in passing has marked the place,

And the wind drives past and wails.

Song of the reaper and Harvest Home,

Mill and Harvest Lord,

Working together on Essex loam,

But time has reaped and stored.

Old creaking timbers and a gaping side,

Where doorless hinges catch the nettle tops,

And loosened boards the winds deride,

Which still know golden crops.

Song of the reaper and Harvest Home,

Mill and Harvest Lord,

Working together on Essex loam,

But time has reaped and stored.

Mountnessing: Endymion Cannynge

Received   21 July 2012

Dear Andrew,

I am a parishioner of the church of St Peter, Brooke, Rutland & we recently researched & set up a children’s trail of questions & answers around the church sponsored by the local branch of NADFAS. One of the questions was about a gravestone on the floor of the chancel engraved with the name of Endymion Cannynge who was captain of the horse for Charles I & then steward for Juliana Viscountess Campden of Brooke & I am wondering if you could tell me if you know of any Cannynge/Canning family connections at Mountnessing, Essex?

Endymion died at Brooke 7^th Dec 1683  & in his will, made May 1681, he left  ‘ to the poor of the parish of ?Mon.....end  also ?Montyssing in the county of Essex where I was born & baptised fifty pounds.’ Looking for similar names in Essex I came across your site & the village name of Mountnessing & in The People’s History of Essex it said ‘the poor have the rent of a field of six acres purchased by E Canning in 1681.’ Could this be the same man & Mountnessing where he was born?

Maybe other names in his will would be familiar to you .... sister Frances ?Wisson/Wilson & her son Thomas, sister Clutterbuck & her two sons William & Thomas Cannynge, a brother in law who is the Bishop of Gloucester & cousin William Bartholomew?

I am hoping to put together a short history of Endymion Cannynge for the church & hope you can shed some light on his beginnings.

Many thanks

Ann Grimmer

Replied   22 July 2012

Dear Ann

Thank you for your enquiry, which I will post on www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com in due course.

The ancient derivation of Mountnessing, is “Mountney” (a family) and “ing” (meadow or land). The link between Canning and Mountnessing is therefore very strong.  Unfortunately Parish Registers begin in 1653, perhaps a little late, but these are worth looking at on the Essex Ancestors website run by the Essex Record Office if you have not done so.  The Essex Record Office might have the Wills of the families you refer to.   Locally there is a short history book called ‘Another Miller’s Tale’ by a Geoff Austin (?). I do not own a copy so whether or not your target families are included I couldn’t say.

Posting this note on the blog might receive a message from a distant (and living!) relative.

Do let me know how you get on please.

Best wishes

Andrew

Replied  22 July 2012

Bishops of Gloucester

1661 – William Nicholson

1672 – John Pritchet

1681 – Robert Frampton

1691 – Edward Fowler

1714 – Richard Willis

1721 – Joseph Wilcocks

Andrew

Received   22 July 2012

Dear Andrew,

Many thanks for your prompt reply with information & the Bishops of Gloucester which has enabled me to discover that it was Robert Frampton who was married to Mary Canning 10 May 1666 (Family Search.org) at St Paul, Covent Garden, London. Wikipedia referred to her as Mary Canning of Warwickshire & the will refers to places in Warks, Glous & Worcs but sadly they are mostly unreadable. I have found lots of Cannings in Warks, London & Bristol but none that I can say are the correct family as yet.

I will keep digging & keep my eye on the blog. I will let you know of any developments,

Thank you once again 

Ann Grimmer

Received 4 August 2012

Dear Andrew,

Attached is the will of Endymion Cannynge which, with the help of a contact of the Chipping Campden historical society is now complete. I thought you may like a copy as Mountnessing is mentioned. Perhaps you will know something of the Alexander Prescott that he leaves to look after the money for Mountnessing?

The Chipping Campden people believe the Canning family came from Ilmington/Foxcote, Glous & Endimion a son of Richard Canning of Foxcote.

Perhaps his mother was from Essex, hence that is why he was born there & not Gloucestershire as others in the family were?

Regards Ann Grimmer

Replied  4 August 2012

Dear Ken & Ann

Many thanks for the copy of the Will.  You may be interested to know that the Prescott family, mentioned, held Thoby Priory.  The attached is a link to 'Suckling's Memorials and Antiquities of Essex (1846)': http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/mountnessing-revd-suckling-memorials.html

I will forward this e mail to someone I know who has been concerned recently about the dereliction of this historic site. He may be able to add to the story.

Regards

Andrew

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS: May 2012

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

Blackmore Archaeology: Lundishes

A report of an archaeological dig in Blackmore has been published.   Lundishes (photographed) is a 15^th century building is the centre of the village behind the Post Office and next to the Leather Bottle public house.  The work was carried out in 2010 ahead of the construction of an extension to the house.  Finds included medieval pottery, the date of which supports the theory that Blackmore village first came into existence during the 12^th century.  A Roman tile is believed to be manure scatter from a nearby farm. (See http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/CAT-report-0553.pdf).

Open ended question

A public meeting has been held in Blackmore to hear about proposals to build on fields adjacent to Woollard Way and Orchard Piece in the centre of Blackmore village, and Plovers Mead in Wyatts Green.  The whole thing is very much an open ended question: the ends of Woollard Way and Orchard Piece built in the 1960s have never been closed off by a property leaving scope for extension of the respective small estates.  Concern has been expressed about the number and type of property proposed. (see http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Villagers-Blackmore-unite-oppose-green-belt/story-15864907-detail/story.html ).

Stondon Massey talk

I gave an evening talk to a small group on the history of St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey.  It was a little about the building’s history as well as some of the Stondon people – some quite eccentric – who were associated with the parish. 

Summer Recess

I will be taking a bit of a break from weekly publishing on the blog this summer.  It’s 2012!  The Diamond Jubilee needs to be celebrated as well as the Olympic Games just down the road.  There’s also the small matter of catching up and preparing for publication a myriad of research.

Miscellaneous

Mountnessing: Evacuated during WWII.   Of interest because Walter Reed was my great-grandfather.  http://www.francisfrith.com/mountnessing/memories/Evacuated-to-Mountnessing_280561/

Ongar: Titanic connection.  A report in a local newspaper remembering Father Byles, who http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/9649772.ONGAR__Priest_who_went_down_with_Titanic_remembered/  and http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Views-Blue-plaques-provide-timeless-reminder/story-15859560-detail/story.html and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-17583535

Willingale (and other places); VAT on church building work.  Bishop speaks out about tax on heritage buildings. http://www.brentwoodweeklynews.co.uk/news/chelmsfordnews/9645606.Bishop__Church_tax_is_a_kick_in_the_teeth/

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html  

Ingatestone: Independent Chapel Celebrates 200 Years

Ingatestone United Reformed Church celebrates its bi-centenary in 2012 with special services and events.  A history of the work and witness of the church in the local community is reaching its final stages of preparation.  Published below is a transcript of the church’s magazine published on the occasion of the 150^th anniversary.

MONTHLY MESSENGER

OF THE INGATESTONE AND MOUNTNESSING CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES

Minister: REV. R. M. ALDERTON, The Manse, Ingatestone. Tele: 613

INGATESTONE

Secretary: Mr. L. Whiting, “Lynden”, Pine Drive, Ingatestone

Treasurer: Mr. L. Martin, 31, Ridgeway, Ingatestone.  Tele: 2557

MOUNTNESSING

Superintendent: Mr. R. Kirkby

Secretary: Mr. C. R. Reynolds

JULY, 1962

150th ANNIVERSARY NUMBER

1812 - 1962

“Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours” (John 4.38)

The following notes and extracts are taken from the Church Records and. Minute Books:

“Ingatestone Meeting House was built for the use of Orthodox Congregational Dissenters in 1812 and opened for the public worship of the true God, October 15th, 1812.”

Through the efforts of students from Hackney College, meetings had previously been held for a number of years in Ingatestone in various houses, and. in 1803 an appeal was made to the Essex Congregational Union for financial help “towards the support of constant preaching at Ingatestone.”

The new building was registered as “a place of Religious Worship by an Assembly of Protestants” by the Bishop of London.

“A Church of Christ of the Independent Order was formed at Ingatestone on the 12th December, 1813 by the Rev. Thomas Thomas of Chelmsford denominated, the Independent Church of Stock and Ingatestone, both places being supplied by one Minister and the Church made up of members from both congregations.” (It would seem that services were held at both places.) The original members were twelve in number. “Benjamin Hayter, from Hackney Academy, was publicly ordained to the pastoral office in Ingatestone Meeting House, on May 5th, 1814. He had. been regularly supplying them from October 3rd, 1813 and had received a unanimous call to be their pastor on 1st April, 1814. The Rev. Benjamin Hayter was pastor of the joint Stock and. Ingatestone Church until the end of 1830. Then he intimated his intention of “leaving the Stock charge and of confining his ministerial labours to Ingatestone, for the following reasons; First, the pastor’s bad state of bodily health; Secondly, the congregation at Stock having become more numerous and respectable, it was thought they were able to keep a minister among themselves.” Mr. Hayter continued as pastor at Ingatestone until 1846 and then, “after a pastorate of 32 years and 5 months, it was found very painful to part.” But it seems that he still lived on here and carried out some pastoral duties, including a number of baptisms. In the last of these entries, dated June .13th, 1850, he signs himself “Benjamin Hayter, late dissenting minister of the Congregational Order, Ingatestone. But now a useless one through palsy. He died in 1856. He had married one of the twelve original members of the Church, Mrs. Jane Stevens; she died in 1833. Memorial plaques to the Rev. and Mrs. Hayter are in the Church.

In 1830, after the separation from Stock, there were sixteen members at Ingatestone. Things were not always easy for the Church and. it is noted “there are some trials to the few who are left.”

The 1812 Meeting House soon proved to be too small, and it was enlarged in 1816.

Between 1822 and. 1825 four burials are stated to have taken place “in the Meeting.” From 1816 onwards, the burials are “in the Meeting Yard.”

In 1840, “a now Independent Chapel was erected in the town of Ingatestone in the parish of Fryerning...near the site of the old Meeting, on ground given by the Venerable Benjamin Hogg, and, is a very neat, substantial Gothic structure.” (This is the existing Church building.) “The cost of the building, fencing, etc., (exclusive of the materials of the old chapel) is about £600.” At the opening on Thursday, October 22nd, 1840, “two excellent and appropriate discourses were delivered” and seven other ministers took part in the services. (A poster, announcing the opening, is still preserved.)

The next Minute Books which are still available begin in 1871. The Membership is reported as 75 at the end of 1870, 123 children on the Sunday School books and 16 teachers,

Many of the Minutes are concerned with routine affairs, but a few are particularly worth mentioning.

“Minute 170. December, 1873. Non-attendance of members. The members of the Church who generally attend its meetings, and on whom devolves the responsibility of transacting its business, much deplore the fewness of number at the week-day services and the little interest shown in the management of the affairs of the Church by a large majority of those whose names are on the Roll, and after making every allowance for those unavoidably prevented from attending, there yet remains many who, with but a little self denial’ (‘little’ has been crossed out afterwards) “might at least occasionally, if not constantly, attend the Church and Prayer Meetings and thus gladden the heart of our Pastor and. materially strengthen the hands of the Church, but who are seldom or never seen on these occasions.”

In 1876, a piece of land on the West side of the Chapel was purchased from Mr. Edgar Disney, J.P., on which to build the (existing) Schoolroom. The Memorial Stone was laid on September 27th, by Mr. F. Wells of Chelmsford. At the same time the Church was re-decorated and. made “more comfortable.” The new Schoolroom was opened and the renovated Church re-opened about April, 1877. £250 was collected, or promised, that day. -

There were 69 on the Membership Roll at the end of 1877.

1878. “a report was in circulation which was likely to bring scandal upon the Church of one of its members (No. 47) specially concerned; resolved that the Pastor and Mr. Deacon “be required to see the said member and expostulate in the spirit of the words of the Apostle Paul - Gal 6. 1.

November, 1879. “The Organ. Letter from Mr. Isaac Rist, of Brentwood.”. . . . “I shall have much pleasure in giving to the Congregational Church at Ingatestone, the organ as it now lays on my premises if it is considered suitable.” This “generous offer” was accepted and. the organ was installed (probably in the Gallery, although this is not mentioned in the Minutes). At the opening of the Organ, after a service and. tea “about 80 friends being present,” the Rev. A. Kluhl of Billericay gave an address on Hebrew music.

August 1881 “New Inkstand. The Chairman reported that a new inkstand had been secured for the use of the Church and the Societies connected therewith, through the kindness of Miss Greedy and. other members of the Mutual Improvement Society.

1881 October 11th. “OPENING OF NEW MISSION ROOM AT MOUNTNESSING”  There was a sermon in the afternoon by Rev. Postans of Baddow Road, tea and a Public Meeting, presided over by F. Wells, Esq., with addresses by several minister and other friends. The total cost, including furniture, fencing, etc., was about £245, of which £215 had already been collected. The ground was given by Mr. J. Stacey Reeve, of Chelmsford. “An afternoon school has been opened in the new Mission Room on October 22nd. There are six teachers and about 50 children.

1882. “The Service of Song, entitled ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’ was given in the (Ingatestone) Chapel on Thursday, February 16th. The proceeds amounted to £2.

1882 October. “Resolved that an Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society be organised and that Miss Hemsley be appointed Secretary.” (There had been annual contributions for the L.M.S. and missionary sermons for many years previously.)

1883 August. “A. Ragged School opened in a room at the back of the White Hart Inn on Sunday afternoons 3-4 p.m. About 18 names of poor, neglected children had been entered.

S. S. Anniversary. July 1893; the flowers sent in by the children and. other friends were forwarded f or distribution to Bryant & May’s match girls.

1895 April. Time of commencement of morning service to be 10.45 instead of 11.

1895 July. Miss L Nash became organist, succeeding Miss Houchin.

1897 June 15th. Stone laying of the new Manse by Mr. F. A. Wells. Mrs Bowen of Chapel House, Ingatestone, had given £500 towards it and 15 guineas were placed on the stone -as further donations to the building fund. The Recognition service of the new minister, Rev. A. A. Savage was held at the same time. Mr. Savage had already been at the Church since the beginning of the year and during that time the membership had increased from 49 to 68.

1899 October. A two-day bazaar for the Building Fund was held and £45 was cleared.

1902 August. The Rev. W. Whittley, who bad. become Minister in October 1901, died after several months’ illness. (The present pulpit is in his memory)

1903 October. “Resolved to apply for transfer from the Brentwood District to the Chelmsford. District of the Essex Congregational Union.

1904 February. Annual Meeting. “The pastor made several useful remarks to the meeting.

1904 New Organ purchased for £170 and. the Church renovated. At the re-opening service in October, it was reported that all the money required had already been received., including £110 from Mr. Carnegie.

1906 Ingatestone Bible Reading branch reported to have 146 members.

1906 December. A lecturer on “Mexico” “during two hours sustained the attention of the assembly.”

1907 A new harmonium purchased for Mountnessing.

1910 May. 98th Anniversary. “Two good. and useful sermons were preached by Rev. Alun Roberts of Bocking, but owing to the fever scare there were very few visitors present.”

1910 September. Ordination of new Minister, Rev. L.C. Sellars. “Mr. Stacey Reeve said he remembered 64 years before, sitting in a corner of the Church. Then they used to stand for prayer and sit to sing.”

1910 October 13th. Sudden death of Mr. T. Nash who had. been a deacon for 33 years. An individual cup Go service was given in Mr. Nash’s memory.

1911 August. The students who supplied the pulpit during the pastor’s holiday included. Mr. H. Stock, of Hackney College.

1912 February. Estimate for providing a bath in Manse and. decorating the bathroom, £12. 2. 0, accepted.

1912 June. Church Centenary celebrations. Rev. Silvester Horns M.P. was the preacher at the evening service. “The aisles were packed, every inch of seating accommodation was employed and the doors of the vestries were left open that visitors inside might hear.” In preparation for the centenary the Church and. Schoolroom had been re-decorated inside and out and the manse painted on the outside.

1913 February. “Need of abbreviation of the Church notices; after much discussion the matter dropped.

1912 August. “It was proposed and seconded that something be done to make the blowing of the organ an easier task.

1915 March. Schoolroom to be a canteen for the soldiers stationed locally.

1918 May “Serious condition of the Sunday School; scarcely any scholars and. few workers.”

1920 April 25th. Brass War Memorial in the church unveiled by Lady Petre.

1922 January. Free Will Offering Scheme adopted instead of Pew Rents.,

1928 November. The Church was in considerable difficulties, with no Minister and no Secretary. Mr. H. Savage, a former member and son of a former Minister, agreed to return to become Secretary temporarily, and. was made an Honorary Deacon.

1929. An individual cup Communion Service presented to Mountnessing by Mr. & Mrs. H. Savage.

1930 July. Now that the Church had a new Minister (Rev. P. R. Russell, M.A) and. many of its previous difficulties had been overcome, Mr. Savage resigned the Church Secretaryship “which he had accepted for six months and had held for two years.” Mr. A. E. Lambert became Secretary. (The Chair at the Communion Table was given in memory of Mr. & Mrs. H. Savage.)

193l. Roofs of Schoolroom and Church stripped and renewed. Electric light installed. Choir formed.

1932. Hot water heating system installed. Complete interior redecoration of the Church. Church re-opened in June.

1932 September. Chelmsford. District Meetings held at Ingatestone.

1939 June. An appeal before Magistrates against the Council’s decision to make up Norton Road was successful.

1939. November. Sohoolroom used by evacuated and. other day school children.

1943 May 29th. Golden Wedding of the Senior Deacon, Mr. Anger, and Mrs. Anger.

1943. Monthly Messenger started.

1944. September. “The Chairman intimated that it was proposed to hold public services of thanksgiving in most Churches on the evening of the day on which hostilities in Europe shall cease. Agreed to hold such a service in our Church, at 7.30 p.m.

1944 April. Mr. R. Kirkby elected Mountnessing Superintendent in succession to Mr. H. Purver, who held that office for 23 years.

1945 February 14th. Destruction of the Church at Mountnessing by enemy action.

1945 October. Mr. A. E. Lambert retired from being Secretary, after 15 years’ service in that position.

1946. Miss Nash, organist for over 50 years, resigned; a presentation was later made to her. Mr. Witney became organist.

1948. Mountnessing Church rebuilt and re-opened.

1949. Sunday School to meet in the morning instead of the afternoon.

1956. September. The Church Meeting recommends one of the members, Mr. W. S. Wheale, for the Ministry.

1961. October. Over £200 raised by Autumn Fayre, to meet the cost of external painting of the Church and redecoration of the School room and purchase of new chairs.

1962 150th CHURCH MINIVERSARY SERVICE (to be held) on SATURDAY, JURE 30th. Preacher: The Chairman of the Congregational Union of England and. Wales, the REV. PRINCIPAL JOHN HUXTABLE, M.A.

PRAYER (of Sir Francis) “O Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same until to be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory. Through Him that for the finishing of Thy work laid down His life - Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”

MINISTERS OF INGATESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

1813 – 1846: B. Hayter

[1848 – 1851/2: H Cocks]

1852 – 1860: G. Moore

1861 – 1866: J. Bevan

1867 – 1870: A. C. Gill

1871 – 1872: G. G. Horton

1873 – 1895: S. W. Houchin

1897 – 1900: A. A. Savage

1901 – 1902: W. Whittley

1903 – 1908: J. Collyer

1910 – 1915: L. C. Sellars

1915 – 1921: A. W. Galpin

1921 – 1928: E. W. Chesher

1930 – 1934: P. H. Johnson

1935 – 1940: S. E. Boorman

1940 – 1945: D. F. Flawn

1945 – 1949: S. I. Lippiatt

1950 – 1958: N. S. Williams

1960 - : R. M. Alderton

INGATESTONE

SUNDAY SERVICES

Prayer Meeting 10.15 a.m. (in the Vestry)

Family Church 10.45 a.m.

Evening Service 6.30 p.m.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the end of the morning service on 1st July

Monthly Congregational Hymn Singing Practice after the evening service on 1st July

PREACHERS IN JULY

1st. The Minister CHURCH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY

8th. Mr. Davies

15th. Rev, D. U. Pattinson, Minister-Secretary, Essex Congregational Union

22nd. Mr. Empsall

29th. The Minister

We take the Huskards service on:

1st, 15th and 29th July

CHOIR PRACTICE - Thursdays, 8.15 p.m.

CHURCH MEETING - Monday, 2nd. 7.34 p.m.

MOIJNTNESSING

Services on Sunday at 6.30 p.m.

Preachers in July to be announced

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the service on July 8th

SPECIAL SERVICES -  every evening July 9th - 14th Led. by an American team.

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - August 2011

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

Books for Sale

‘William Byrd: Some Notes’ is just one of many titles now available from Megarry’s Antique and Tea Shop on The Green at Blackmore (open Wednesdays through to Sundays).  Judy, the owner, has given some space over to the sale of books in aid of church funds, which are £2.00 each.  Megarry’s is a traditional antique shop which has tea and cake available for those who wish to stay a while.  The owner has been awarded the top (five star) rating for food preparation and hygiene from the local authority.  Books available also include, in an ever changing selection:  ‘A Short History of Blackmore’, ‘The Bell Tower at Blackmore’ and the Church Guide Book.  ‘Hatched, Matched and Despatched’, which tells the story of Blackmore’s parish registers (BMD) is out of print but the text is available online.  A completely new edition will be written in due course.  For more information on Megarry’s follow this link: http://www.teashopblackmore.co.uk/essex_antiques.htm

Reeve trilogy

Fascinating material has been received of the life and times of family during the early nineteenth century.  Two commonplace books, one by Edward Reeve (1785 – 1867) written towards the end of his life at Ongar, and the other ‘Jottings’ (dating from 1881) by his grandson Edward Henry Lisle Reeve – Rector of Stondon Massey between 1893 and 1935 – are being edited and transcribed into three booklets which will go on sale this autumn.  The project is well under way.

Blackmore Area Local History

The site continues to grow thanks to correspondence with people interested in local history and family heritage.  Keeping up with postings is always a challenge given other commitment but hopefully many answers can be found by visitors.

Primarily the website (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk ) covers the parishes of Blackmore, Stondon Massey, Ingatestone and Fryerning but with coverage of neighbouring parishes too: Highwood and Writtle, Norton Mandeville, Willingale, High Ongar, Doddinghurst, Shenfield and Mountnessing.

The blog covers a wider area but is more focussed on those villages listed above.  Follow these links to see what is available parish by parish:

Blackmore http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Blackmore

Stondon Massey http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Stondon%20Massey

Ingatestone http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Ingatestone

Fryerning  http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Fryerning

Writtle http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search?q=writtle

Highwood  http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search?q=highwood

Norton Mandeville (which includes Norton Heath) http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search?q=Norton

Willingale (which includes the ancient parishes of Willingale Doe and Willingale Spain) http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Willingale

High Ongar   http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/High%20Ongar

Doddinghurst   http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Doddinghurst

Shenfield   http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Shenfield

Mountnessing  http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Mountnessing

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html

Postcard Collection: Thoby Priory, Mountnessing

Two postcards from c1906 of the long demolished house which stood in the grounds of Thoby Priory in Mountnessing. The site today remains subject to a planning determination, which mooted building houses on the former scrapyard site. Of course if anything were to progress it would be the subject of an extensive archaeological dig. For more on Thoby Priory go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/mountnessing.html

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - February 2011

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

Postcard Collection

Over the coming weeks Blackmore Area Local History will be uploading copies of old postcards. One hundred years ago these were the e mail or twitter of their day. Fortunately the pictures on the front, as well as sometimes the comments made by the writer, can be very interesting to local and family historians. The card illustrated is of Nine Ashes Farm, technically in High Ongar parish. Last year the building was extensively renovated. For a while the infilling of the walls was removed to expose the timber framing, and I regret now not taking a photograph of the twisted hedgerow trees which were fashioned by skilful carpenters to create the Grade II listed sixteenth century, or before, building.

Flicker pictures

Fryerning Church: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cy-46nikon/5335919737/galleries/

Mountnessing Windmill: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21898360@N07/5375737609/

Ingatestone Secondary School remembered

The school which became the Anglo European School in 1973 is remembered by a local resident: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/Gran-s-learning-computers/article-3085458-detail/article.html

West Horndon on Wikipedia

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Horndon?oldid=0

William Byrd Festival

The ‘William Byrd Festival’ will be held at St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey, on 7, 8, 14 & 15 May 2011. For the latest information visit http://www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com.

A Folk Song A Day

Don’t forget the marvellous site http://www.afolksongaday.com

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html

Mountnessing: A Bicycle Ride to Maldon

A postcard written and postmarked Maldon one hundred years ago today.

Maldon. Tues Sept 6 10

A & J C. here this afternoon after discover with two punctures on the way. This is an old rambling town 18 miles from home. Where this little view is on the card I don't exactly know but it can not be far away. 5.40 part finished tea. Shall we be home by dark?

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - June 2010

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

Listed Building to be bought for £1

Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council are about to purchase a listed building for just £1. The telephone box which stands outside the Post Office has been declared redundant by BT and will have its equipment removed. It is a traditional K6 variety designed about 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and has been accorded Grade II listed status, probably because of its location. Parish Councils across the land are being asked to “Adopt a Red Telephone Kiosk” rather than see them disappear from our streetscape. We reported on a similar situation at Stondon Massey in January 2009. The Council “agreed that the kiosk located in Blackmore Village would be purchased, at a nominal fee of £1 but the kiosk in Wyatts Green should be removed by BT.” A photograph of the telephone box to be preserved was published in ‘Blackmore Area Local History News’ in December 2009. Photographed this month is the ill-fated kiosk at Wyatts Green.

Listed Buildings

‘British Listed Buildings’ appears to be newly-published on the website. The pages are arranged parish by parish.
Ingatestone & Fryerning: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/ingatestone+and+fryerning
This includes Howletts Hall (Grade II listed) on the Chelmsford Road which is commonly regarded as being in Blackmore but, as I found when investigating an Ernest Knight of neighbouring Ganders Hall, is actually just over the parish boundary.
An overview of Essex parishes can be found by taking the following link: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex
This means links for ‘Blackmore Area Local History’ parishes are:
Blackmore: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/blackmore
Doddinghurst: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/doddinghurst
High Ongar: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/high+ongar
Mountnessing: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/mountnessing
Norton Mandeville: not listed
Shenfield: not listed
Stondon Massey: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/stondon+massey
Willingale: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/willingale
Writtle: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/essex/writtle

Cooperative at Blackmore

Chelmsford Star Coop took over the Nisa store in the centre of Blackmore village on 20 April 2010.

Roman Discovery at Harlow

A Roman brick kiln has been discovered by workers building at new playground at Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow. The place name is a bit of a giveaway. For more information see: http://www.harlowherald.co.uk/content/hlwherald/news/story.aspx?brand=HLHOnline&category=NewsHarlow&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHLH&itemid=WEED29%20Apr%202010%2009%3A15%3A30%3A293

War Memorial Research Project Group

The work of this Group to identify all the names carved on Blackmore’s War Memorial has been completed and online publication is now under way. If you have any information on those who died or survived from Blackmore and the surrounding area from the First World War we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Supporting ‘Help For Heroes’

Lyndon March, whose family originally hail from Ingatestone, and Connor Mayes (otherwise referred to as ‘The Dynamic Duo’) are a couple of teenagers who will be taking part in a 350 mile sponsored bicycle ride from London to Paris in support of ‘Help For Heroes’. You can follow and support their fund raising efforts on http://connormayes.blogspot.com/2010/04/blackmore-area-local-history-essex-home.html. They tell me that for every £10 they raise Virgin Giving will be donating a further £2.95 towards their target of £3,000. I am delighted to lend my support to them and their cause. Come on lads!!!

Family Histories

New online:
Adams family, of Doddinghurst, Blackmore and Brentwood: http://www.lintywhite.com/adams.html
Memories of the Buttle family at Stondon Massey are shared on ‘Francis Frith’: http://www.francisfrith.com/stondon-massey/memories/my-time-spent-in-stondon-massey_140471/

Links

A countryside walk taking ramblers on a circular route via Norton Mandeville and Blackmore has been published online at http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/EE-Ess/cms/pdf/9%20Countryside%20Walks%20in%20Brentwood%20-%20Blackmore%20&%20Norton%20Mandeville.pdf

A new website for the churches of Greensted, Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount has been published: http://highcountry.org.uk/

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html