Blackmore: Thomas Smyth born c.1605 Braintree

Received 1 October 2014

Hello Andrew-

I hope all is well there.  A quick question:  The Thomas Smyth who was born 1605 is listed as baptized in Braintree.  His brother Arthur was baptized later at Blackmore.  The way I understand the lineage is that the family was from Cressing Temple (Rivenhall area), with John having received that land in 1540 at the same time he received Blackmore Priory. We know that he and later his son Thomas lived at Smyth Hall.  I am trying to figure out in which church in Braintree Thomas (1605) was baptized.  I searched the available parishes listed under Braintree with no listings before 1700s.  Also I wonder who built Smyth Hall?  Maybe John? I assume Smyth Hall is in the area still considered Blackmore.

Of course any help or direction is appreciated.

Kind regards-

Scott Smith

Replied 6 October 2014

Dear Scott

Thank you for your e mail.

King Henry VIII decreed the keeping of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials in 1538.  Unfortunately not all parishes have records dating back that far.  St Michaels, Braintree begins in 1660, which suggests that the first volume has been lost.  Cressing survives from 1733.

Smyth Hall  was said to be built by John Smyth using material from the demolished Priory. Smyth Hall was in Blackmore about ½ mile south of the village.

Regards

Andrew

Blackmore: Searching for Thomas Smyth

Received 21 May 2014

Mr. Smith:

I live in the United States and am trying to gain membership into the Jamestown Society.  I have a family history that was written in the early 1970’s.  The lady that wrote the history is long gone and I have no source documents.  I am trying to document a Thomas Smith that left England for Virginia ca 1623.  My history shows the following lineage:

1.  Thomas Smith Sr. Born 1518 married Margaret Turner

2.  Arthur Smith born 1560 Married Anne Milword

3.  Thomas Smith Sr. born 1590 came to America ca 1623 aboard the Margaret & John

         Roger Smith (Brother of Thomas) also came to America ca 1623

I saw somewhere on your blog where you listed a brother of Thomas as being Arthur Smith. 

Do you have any information of my ancestor Thomas Smith Sr. who sailed for Virginia in ca 1623.   I would love to have a source document of his birth and his passage on the Margaret and John.

When I have my history completed, I plan on coming to Blackmore and toasting my Smith ancestors with a Beer in your local pub.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kenneth Smith

Replied 24 May 2014

Dear Kenneth

Thank you for your e mail.  Thomas Smyth (d. 1592, not 1594) is commemorated on a tomb in the south east corner of the Priory Church of St Laurence.  One of his six sons and four daughters of his second marriage to Margaret Turner was Arthur who was the next Smyth in the Blackmore family line.  I did not have his birth year (1560?) but a note that he married Anne Milward (born 1592 – is this plausible?) in 1602 and died 7 March 1622/3.  They had, it seems, 5 children the second being Thomas born 1605 at Braintree who emigrated to Virginia. A Roger Smyth is not one of the 5 children.  This is all I have about Thomas Smyth.

My booklet on the Smyth Family at Blackmore was produced in 2008, so I have to say that this is a topic I will not have pursued since then.  Occasionally I receive an e mail from Smyth descendants and am always happy to publish correspondence on the blog. 

I had never heard about a Jamestown Society. How interesting.

Regards

Andrew Smith (no relation)

Blackmore Area Local History 

Blackmore: Smyth Family Connections

Memorial to Thomas Smyth before repair

Received: 22 May 2013

Sir,

Thomas Smith is my 10th great grandfather. Are there any photographs of the tomb and history in the Church records that you could share?

Were any of the Smiths actual blacksmiths?

"The monument of Thomas Smith (1594) and his wife Margaret is in the south aisle of the east end of the Parish Church of St. Laurence at Blackmore. It is an altar tomb of modern brick and cement with two enriched alabaster pilasters, and upon it repose recumbent effigies of a man in amour and a woman in ruff and close dress, all of the alabaster repaired with plaster. In the bell chamber are numerous fragments of the tomb including parts of the kneeling figures of four sons and two daughters."

HAPPY TRAILS,

WILL FRARY

Replied: 25 May 2013

Dear Will

The Smyth family were very important in Blackmore during the 15^th, 16^th and early-17^th century, and have been the subject of much correspondence over the years, all of which can be found on http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Smyth%20family.

The website has much more information. Go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore.html

You will be pleased to know that the memorial to Thomas Smyth in the Priory Church of St Laurence was restored in the 1960s and the fragments of kneeling figures etc put back in their rightful place.

These Smyths weren’t blacksmiths when they were in Blackmore.

I’ll post your note onto the blog to add to the storyline.

Regards

Andrew

Blackmore: Simon Lynch

Essex Review

Extract from No. 130. Volume XXXIII (April 1924)

Some Essex Royalist Clergy – and Others

By the Rev Harold Smith DD

There is a long letter from Simon Lynch, the third of the name. (MSS, J Walker. C.I.27.)  He speaks first of his grandfather, Simon Lynch, of North Weald, included in Fuller’s Worthies. ‘My grandfather Mr Simon Lynch, was presented to the vicarage of North Weale two miles beyond Epping in Essex by Bishop Elmer, then Bishop of London, his relation, giving him strict charge of feeding his lambs till he could make better provision for him; which afterwards he frequently would have proffered him, but he as often replied, His lambs were not yet become sheep; tho’ he lived to bury ye parish 3 times over, being near of a 100 years of age, which is noted and quoted with other observations and remarks at the beginning of the first part of Fuller’s Worthies.  Now I’ll give you an account of his son, Mr Simon Lynch, Rector of Runwell in the same county, within 5 miles of Ingatestone and Billericay, who was sequestered from his benefice worth £140 per Annum in his days, for not complying with the barbarity, unnaturalness and inhumanity of the wicked in wicked times; [he] accepted the curacy of Blackmore from the worshippfull Major Smith, who was patron and parson, it being an impropriation, never before allowed but £20 per annum; notwithstanding his persecutions, prosecutions for being in the King’s service at Colchester leaguer, and for which being often in prison and decimated, yet this worthy gentleman allowed to my father £30 per annum, being a sufferer with him; who then rode every Sunday from North Weale, his father’s house, where he sojourned to Blackmore to supply his cure and officiate, which was seven miles and as bad a read as a man could ride, and in all weathers for some years, resolving by the assistance of God Almighty to omit no part of his duty since he was cald to ye ministry, but would minister God’s Word not for profit but for conscience sake; for whilst he there officiated he was proffered a benefice in Norfolk of £400 per annum, and courted for acceptance, which he yett refused rather than comply with the profligated wretches in their dismall and fatall times of oppression; and all the time of his sequestration one Greene, a broken puritanical shop-keeper, enjoyed his living, my Father no ways seemingly to make godliness his gaine, for his expressions quotidie were.  If it pleased Almighty God to spare his life to see King Charles ye 2 restored to his kingdom, he should not care how soon after his dissolution was to make resignation of his soule to ye great God yt gave it; who lived to see yt happy day, and just as he was going to receive and take possession of his parsonage he made his exit.’

The letter goes on to speak of his will, which contains a copy of the inscription ‘he ordered to be put up on a marble tombstone, which was effected when he was interred at Blackmore, declaring his persecutions by Gog and Magog.’

Notes. (1) The precise date and grounds of Lynch’s sequestration from Runwell do not appear; probably 1644.  His appointment to Blackmore seems to date March 1646/47, as he was then referred to the Westminster Assemble for it. (MS. Bod. 324,f,190.)  He was even granted £50 yearly augmentation; he complained in October that he had not received that sum due last Lady Day.  The Committee ordered it to be paid. (MS. Bod. 325,f.84.)  But it is doubtful how much of this Lynch ever had; if his previous sequestration were brought up it would probably be stopped, especially as his patron was concerned in the Second Civil War.  At all events it appears in no subsequent notice or list.  The Inquisition of 1650 was not favourable to him. ‘Simon Lynce, Clerk, supplyeth the Cure by the appointment of the said Stephen Smith, Esq., who payes him for his paynes thirtye poundes per Ann.  The said Simon Lynce, Clerk, was putt out of Runwell for his scandalous life, and brought into this parish without the consent of the well affected inhabitants.’

(2)  The value of Runwell is given at the Inquisition as Glebe £10. Tithe £65. (The estimates at the Inquisition are generally ‘conservative’).  The ‘Intruders’ were (a) Nehemiah Long, who had much dispute with Mrs Lynch about her ‘fifth part’.  About 1647 he went to Matching, and was afterwards at Dengie and Steeple.  (b) ‘Mr Oakley’ was there in 1650; he paid £12 yearly to Lynch. (c) Nicholas Greene, appointed March 1655/56.  He was ejected 1660, but was apparently vicar of East Hanningfield, 1663-1669.

Blackmore: Smyth Family - more American Connections

Drawing of tomb commemorating Margaret Smyth.
Thomas Smyth, first husband, buried 1592.

Received 26 December 2012

Smythe family history at the Church of St. Laurence, Blakemore Co., Essex

Hello!

I am writing to try and find out some information about my ancestors from Essex. A historical book I am reading titled, "Smith of Scotland Neck, Planters of the Roanoke" (the state of Virginia in the U.S.) recalls the history of the Smith (Smythe) family, to whom I related. The information goes all the way back to the 1500's with the family of Thomas Smythe of Rivenhall in Essex. It goes on to mention John Smith and another Thomas Smythe (of Smythe's Hall in Blakemore), and his wife, Margaret, who were entombed in alabaster in the Church of St. Laurence in Blakemore County, Essex.

Later descendants of these Smythe's were granted land in Virginia, where eventually their name was changed to Smith and this is from where my great-grandmother's lineage comes.

I have no idea if perhaps you know of this church or the effigies, if yours is the church, or if I'm not on the right path at all! But, I am hoping you have some information or can point me in the right direction in learning more of my family's history in England. Perhaps one day some of us here can take a trip and see the land and sights of Essex!

Thank you so much, and I wish you a blessed Christmas season!

Megan Clark

North Carolina, USA

Replied 27 December 2012

Dear Megan

Thank you for your e mail.  Blackmore Area Local History contains a large amount of correspondence on the Smyth family and their links with the United States.  See http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Smyth%20family . In addition there are a number of pages on the main website: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk which are best viewed by following the links from the blog.  I will post this entry in due course in order to add to the story.

With best wishes

Andrew Smith (no relation)

Blackmore: The Smiths of Jamestown

Received 14 March 2011

Sir Thomas Smith or Smyth (1558-1625) was a merchant and governor of the East India Company who was instrumental in the founding of the Virginia Colonies. Capt John Smith founded Jamestown. Do you have any evidence that either or both of these Smith’s may have been related to the Blackmore Smyth’s. Thank you for your assistance in research my family’s ancestory.

Kent Smith

Sunnyside, Washington, USA

Replied 15 March 2011

Thanks Kent for your query.

I don’t know the answer to your question but will post it on www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com to see whether anyone else knows. The Captain James Smith you refer to is the man associated with Pocahontas.

I have read and reviewed the book on Stephen Powle (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_powle.html) but this is not ringing a bell.

Andrew

Blackmore: Smyth Family in Virginia

Thomas Smyth (born 1605) and Arthur Smyth (born 1607) emigrated from Blackmore to Virginia. This letter picks up the story published last year on this blog. (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Smyth%20family )

Received

16 November 2010

Andrew-

I hope this message finds you and your family well. My wife and I just returned from a weekend trip to Jamestown, Virginia and Williamsburg. We go a couple of times per year however, on this trip I made an effort to find and visit some early Smith sites. I have attached some photos for you just simply for interest in terms of "seeing" where the Smiths of Blakemore [Blackmore, Essex] landed.

Jamestown VA, as Arthur & Thomas Smyth would have seen it when they emigrated from England.

Arthur Smyth IV's house

Arthur Smith of course seems to have inherited the lion's share of his family's estate and was able before his death to acquire about 2000 acres of land on a beautiful peninsula overlooking the James River and Cypress Creek. We don't know for sure if he built a house there, but odds would be in favor. His great-grandson, Arthur Smith IV did indeed build a home here and named it "Windsor Castle" (I chuckled a bit at that!). It is at the end of a drive named "Jericho Rd." This Arthur donated much of his land for the formation of Smithfield, Va. The site is now a protected park and though the home is not open for tours, the grounds are open. We strolled around and also found the family graveyard. It is a large space but only contains 2 headstones. Many there believe that most if not all of his descendants are buried there. It is speculated that Arthur Smith, the immigrant is there as well.

We then took a tour of St. Luke's Church, only a few miles away from the Smyth estate. This church is absolutely beautiful. It was built in 1632 and it is believed that Arthur and his family worshipped there. It is our nation’s only surviving original Gothic building.

St Luke's Church

Graveyard, St Luke's Church

There remain so many unanswered and possibly unanswerable questions regarding Arthur and his brother Thomas as well as their brother-in-law and sister. What made this very prominent family leave the comforts of Blakemore to go to the remote ends of the Earth to a wilderness with Indians and disease? I wonder if since the family were obviously well connected to the crown that as Cromwell took over and loyalists were frowned upon, if they decided to get out of England? I suppose we may never know.

At any rate, I hope this is of some interest to you and as I have said in the past, I would very much enjoy someday a pilgrimage to Blakemore. Maybe in the coming year!

Best regards-

Scott Smith

Replied

16 November 2010

Many thanks, Scott, for your E mail and attachments. I will post them on the website soon.

Regards

Andrew

Blackmore: Smyth Family (5)

Received
13 April 2010

Andrew-

I just read once again your updated pages on the Blackmore history web page. In it, there is mention that descendents of Thomas Smyth helped refurbish the tombs. Are you aware of any descendents living in the UK?

Scott

Replied
14 April 2010

Hello Scott

I am not aware of any 'British' Smyth descendents. The family line died out at Blackmore in Essex in 1721. I will post the note on the site and see what happens. You never know!

Andrew

Blackmore: Smyth Hall

Replied
10 April 2010
(to earlier correspondence, published on this blog on 7 January 2010)

Hello Scott

We exchanged numerous E mails earlier this year regarding the Smyth family at Blackmore. You raised a question as to whether there was anywhere a drawing of their ancestral home, Smyth Hall. (See http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/01/blackmore-smyth-family-discoveries.html)

One of my friends visited the Society of Genealogists recently, “and found that they have a two volume folio printed set, 1907, about the Carington-Smith family. I foolishly had not thought it necessary to take a camera, so a full copy will have to wait for my next visit, but I have a [not brilliant] photocopy of a pen and ink drawing of Smyth’s Hall in its heyday.”

So here it is! I enclose a copy.

Best wishes.

Andrew

Received
12 April 2010

Hi Andrew!

This is wonderful. I had given up hope of finding any pictures. The architecture is so interesting; quite different from front to rear. My daughter noticed the difference in that the left side of the house (facing the front) is more formal with window boxes and shutters on the rear and the right appears more plain with none of those things. She theorized that maybe the staff lived on one side or it was vacant and the family on the other. We will never know, but interesting speculation. It would be truly amazing to read those 2 volumes on Carrington-Smith. Maybe one day I might be able to travel to do some research. Thank you for sharing this with me. It truly made my day and my children enjoyed it as well. I look forward to continuing to explore this family with you.

Best regards-
Scott

Blackmore: Smyth Family (4)

Received
18 January 2010

Andrew-

This may not really interest you from the perspective of the Church and the Lords there, but I found that there are no direct Smith ancestors of Arthur Smith who came to America. There were no male offspring from Arthur V of Virginia and that is where his line ended. As I am, there are indeed descendents of his brother Thomas. I learned this last week. Also what is more fascinating is that apparently in looking at Arthur's will he left "seal ring of gold" to his oldest son Arthur. This ring I learned passed down through the family (through a Whitehead family...as Arthur V had a daughter who married a Whitehead). The ring was later described as worn but having a crest resembling that from Blackmore! It would be neat to find who has it at this point. Not sure that is possible however.

Best regards-
Scott

Replied
19 January 2010

Dear Scott

Thank you for this information which all adds to the Smyth story. I will assume the “seal ring of gold” was left by the ‘Blackmore’ Arthur Smith to his son on his death in March 1623. So if the item was not posted to Virginia, which I doubt, presumably Arthur received it whilst living in England.

It would be interesting if you could tell me where Arthur’s will is preserved.

Kind regards

Andrew

Received
19 January 2010

With further reading this morning, I find that in fact it was in the will of Arthur III who died in 1742. This was the grandson of Arthur the immigrant. The will was recorded September 27, 1742 in Isle of White County, VA. "Smith, Arthur-Gentleman; leg- wife Mary; son Arthur, my seal ring".

I believe I should be able to find a will for his father Arthur II and possibly Arthur the immigrant to see if there is any mention.

I will write to Virginia for a copy of these wills and will mail to you once I receive them.

What is so fascinating to me is that the peacock shows up not only in the Arthur Smith line through his ring (I presume) but also in a needlepoint of the Thomas Smith line later in 1740. Arthur was clearly the favored son after John(?) as he inherited the entirety of the estate in England and then I assume the entire Smith crest whereas his brother Thomas appears to have received little to nothing...but maybe a portion of the crest through the peacock...interesting.

Scott

Blackmore: Smyth Family (3)

Received
7 January 2010

Andrew-

I just today received a copy of the biography of Sir Stephen Powle. I look forward to reading it thoroughly. Just in a brief scan of the chapters, I find it interesting that he died in 1630. I have theorized that it was around 1630 when Arthur and Thomas left England. It would be interesting to know what may have led to their decision to leave the comfortable environs of their estate. I also find it interesting that it is believed that Thomas and Margaret's children are carved on the side of their tombs.

I think it would be wonderful to get a copy of Sir Thomas' will, but I need to first understand Virginia Stern's citation for it in her footnotes...D/AEW 10/192 at ERO. I suppose that means it is found at the Essex Record Office.

I have contacted a person from the Historic Environment Records Office in London and have inquired about any archaeological info on Smyth's Hall. They apparently have a file, though I am not sure what may be in it. I am off to Raleigh tomorrow to explore some books of immigration to Jamestown during the period around 1630 ... hoping to find more information on the boat and the date of travel for the Smiths. All of this is fascinating and quite good therapy for me as a means of escape from some of my other duties!! My son finds it interesting that he is a descendent of a “Lord”!

So wonderful to share information with you.

Scott


Replied
7 January 2010

Hello Scott. Thanks for your E mail. I confirm that ERO stands for the Essex Record Office, Chelmsford.

Regards

Andrew


Sent
9 January 2010

Hello Scott. As promised please find enclosed a copy of the Smyth crest. It is taken from the grave of Thomas Smyth who died in 1684. He lies by the altar at the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. To see a complete photograph of his grave and to view a summary of the descendants of John Smyth go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/john_smyth_descendants.html

Regards

Andrew


Received
9 January 2010

Thank you for this Andrew. I assume all of the crests are the same for the various Smyth tombs. I will have to read more about this Thomas.

Many thanks-
Scott

Blackmore: Smyth Family (2)

Sent
28 February 2004

Don

I found some useful information on Blackmore (and the Smyth family) in the Reference section of a local Library.

Andrew

Received
1 March 2004

Andrew,

I have transcripts of some pages of "Some Isle of Wight Families" (pertains to the Isle of Wight in Virginia, America) and they reference the will of Sir John Smyth in its entirety as being included in the Essex Arch. Society Transactions (Vol III, p. 56). Do you know of this publication? The will is described as "a remarkable document".

Don

Replied
2 March 2004

Don

Thank you for your E mail. When I was in the Library I went through the Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society (c. 1865) - and copied the very reference you quote: the will of John Smyth.

Andrew

The copy was sent to Don and now appears on www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/john_smyth_will.html

Blackmore: Smyth Family (1)

Sent
17 February 2004

I stumbled across your name on a website devoted to Rivenhall. I am currently writing a book about the church, its people and history [Since published in booklet form].

I understand you are related to the Smyth family and that you have visited Blackmore and seen the tomb to Thomas Smyth and the memorials to your other ancestors.

As part of my research I have seen the original document which transferred the Priory from Henry VIII to John Smyth in 1540. It is in the Essex Record Office at Chelmsford.

I have also seen a document relating to a dispute that Thomas Smyth had with the parishioners over the use of the chancel (1583). I think that your forebear has been the subject of an historical misunderstanding - caused by an error in our 1966 guidebook - which suggested that his intention was to demolish the church entirely. This does not appear to be the truth.

One query I have is that the parishioners in 1583 claimed that a Sir Brian Tuke demolished the buildings some 40 years earlier (some historians say that Sir Brian purchased the property from Henry VIII and sold it on to John Smyth). Do you know who Sir Brian Tuke was? I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Andrew


Received
18 February 2004

Andrew,

First let me say that I am very happy that you found me.

I have not visited Blackmore as yet. I have some wonderful pictures of the church and its interior. And, actually, it is my wife who is the Smyth/Smith descendant. I do the research.

Yes, I have heard of Sir Brian Tuke, although not in relation to the Smyths.

Do you know Rivenhall well? John Carrington Smyth died on the 25th of June in 1446 and is very possibly buried in the chapel that he himself had built in the churchyard of St. Mary and All Saints in Rivenhall. I would like to find out more about this chapel.

Thanks for the info on the original document which transferred the Priory from Henry VIII to John Smyth in 1540. I will have to contact the Essex Record Office at Chelmsford to get a copy.

Andrew, how can I help you? I know I have many questions I would like to ask you if you don't mind. I have not worked on the Smyth line for a while but I will get up to speed right away.

So great to hear from you.

Cheers
Don Timmerberg, USA

Replied
21 February 2004

Don
Thank you for your E mail. It seems to me that rather than sell the property to John Smyth, Brian Tuke may have been acting as Henry VIII's "estate agent".

In a previous E mail you wrote that you had many questions. If I can assist, please let me know. In turn, I would welcome some assistance at some stage soon understanding the Smyth family line in Blackmore. For example, I am not clear as to whether Thomas Smyth (buried 1594 [thought now to be 1592 – see blog entry 6.1.10]) was John's son or grandson.

I have during the course of my research found various references to the Smyth family which I would be happy to copy to you.

Best wishes.

Andrew


Received
22 February 2004

Andrew,

I am happy you were able to download the Brian Tuke data. I agree with you; it has been my impression that the priory was given to Smyth by Henry VIII ... but ... could it not be true that awarding land belonging to the Crown could be done by an agent without any knowledge of the King?

To answer your question about the relationship between Thomas Smyth (buried 1594) and John Smith I offer the following:
- John Carrington Smith (the use of Carrington in his name was initiated by me for my personal use, i.e. to identify the John Carrington who changed his name to Smyth).
- Son: Thomas Smyth (married Isabell Toft of Little Baddow.
- Grandson: John Smyth (married Dorothy Trymmell)
- Great-grandson: Sir Thomas Smyth (died 1594) (married Margaret Turner) (husband and wife entombed in St. Laurence)

I would like to accept your offer for a copy of extract of John Smyth's will, published in 1914 in Parish Priests by E L Cutts. I would appreciate it very much.

I am sending you pages from History and Antiquities of the County of Essex (1768), by Phillip Morant. Do you know it? I only have a very few pages which I obtained from the Essex Record Office. The pages I am sending refer to Blackmore including the Priory and Church.

I also am writing a book. It will be a family history, i.e., ancestors of my three daughters. I have not concentrated very much on the Smyths but now that you and I are exchanging data I will start to do so. Then you will have all I know of that family. But please do not wait to ask questions. I will be glad to supply any info at any time.

Regards

Don Timmerberg


Replied
23 February 2004

Don
Please find attached notes regarding the sale of the manor to John Smyth, and an extract of his will.

Henry VIII sold the Priory to one of his auditors, John Smyth Esq. in 1540. In the Essex Record Office are copies, dated 1714, of the original Deed in Latin and translated into English.

Henry the Eighth by the grace of God of England … supreme Head of the English Church . To all whom those present Letters shall ye know that for the sum of Five hundred and sixty three pounds and five shillings of lawfull money to the hands of the Eroafuror (?) of the Court of Augman … by our John Smith of Blakemore … in the County of Essex … have given and granted and by those present do give and grant to the said John Smith and Elizabeth his Wife Honour Lordship and Manor of Blakemore … belonging … to the late Monastery of Waltham Holy Cross in the County of Essex lately dissolved. And also land … pastures … Woods. And also all the Rectory and Church of Blakemore ... all the tiyhts and appurtanances whatsoever in our said County … to the said late Monstery. … And the Advowson … of the parish Church of Blakemore [from] Abbot Fuller late Abbot of the late Monastory or any other of his … Abbots of the same late Monastory in right of that late Monastory at any time before the Dissolution … .

This document, dated 22nd September 1541, meant that John Smyth now held the manor, rectory and advowson (the right to appoint a priest).

At that time about two fifths of the County’s land was sold, which represented one of the biggest sales of property since the Norman Conquest. For example, when Barking Abbey was suppressed, Sir William Petre bought Ingatestone Manor for £849 12s 6d, paying the King in instalments. Sir Thomas Audley did one better; he received Walden Abbey as a gift.

John Smyth however did receive in the same year, as a gift from Henry VIII, property previously belonging to William Pawne. The original Deed, which is in the Essex Record Office, bears the great seal of the King. An English translation is given:

John Smyth Esquire in our Court before the Justices at Westminster impleaded William Pawne and Ellen his Wife of Four Messuages one Dovehouse One Hundred Acres of Land twenty Acres of Meadow twenty Acres of Pastuer and twelve Acres of Wood with the Appurtances in Blakemore and High Ongar by a Writ of Entity upon Disseisin …. And into which the same William and Ellen have not Entry but after the Disseisin which Hugh Hunt … hath made to the aforesaid John ….

Smyth sold 30 acres of this land the following year.

John Smyth died in 1543, about the same time as the demolition of the priory buildings. In the inventories of his will he mentions the contents of his private chapel in his manor house.

In the chapel chamber, a long setle joyned. In the chapel, one aulter of joyner’s work. Item, a table with two leaves of passion gilt [a panelled ditych]. Item, a long setle of wainscott. Item, a bell hanging over the chapel. Chapel stuff, copes and vestments three. Aulter fronts four, corporal case one, and dyvers peces of silk necessary for cushyons v.

Altar vessels are not mentioned, as these were probably included with the remainder of the silver: such was the wealth of the Smyths.

Andrew

Blackmore: Smyth Family discoveries

Replied
(to earlier correspondence, published on this blog on 4 January 2010)
31 December 2009

Hello Scott

I finished reading the book I mentioned about Stephen Powle and have written for the website a summary of his life and his link with the Smyth family. I thought I would pass you a copy prior to publication. I am convinced that Thomas Smyth died in 1592, and not in 1594 as William Holman and others (including Morant) since then have written.

You will also note Stephen Powle's connection with Virginia. Perhaps he encouraged his step-grand-children to emigrate?

[The item may now be viewed on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_powle.html ]

Regards
Andrew


Received
1 January 2010

Andrew

I find this wildly fascinating! I just ordered a used copy of this book for myself. It sounds as if Thomas and Arthur really had an inside connection to go to the Virginia colony. I had always wondered of their motives and means of deciding to come to America. I think one might assume that they were well funded on the venture with this strong connection with the VA Company.

In addition to trying to re-create the crest in color, I am interested in finding pictures of Smyth Hall. Are there any surviving pictures that you know? I have searched the web with little luck.

This story adds a great deal to the Blackmore web page. Thank you for sharing.

Scott


Replied
2 January 2010

Hello Scott

Smyth Hall was demolished, according to my notes, in 1844, so no photographs will exist. I checked to see whether there was a drawing in ‘Excursions in the County of Essex’ (1818) but alas no. Morant’s work of 1768 does not include illustrations to my recollection. It seems you could be unlucky in your quest – unless someone contacts the website to the contrary.

The ‘Unlocking Essex’ website (http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=1032504&content_parents=48) has the following description: “Smyth's Hall (TL59826/00713) The central-courtyard style building on the 1777 map by Chapman and André looks as if it might be Tudor in date, there were two buildings flanking either side of the western entrance into the moated enclosure, a gravelled yard in front of this entrance with three further buildings and two formal avenues of trees leaning to the house from the north and south. The house was pulled down prior to 1839 as it does not appear on the Tithe map of that date.”

Andrew

Blackmore: Thomas Smyth (died 1592)

In the south east corner of the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, is the tomb of Thomas Smyth and his wife, Margaret (later Powle). It is in a poor condition, having been described by Muilman (c. 1769) as “very old” and “decayed”, the possible result of neglect or vandalism. It was repaired with brick in the nineteenth century (possibly 1877); and substantially repaired in the early 1960s, at a cost of £600, by a grant from the Pilgrim’s Trust with the balance met by descendents of the Smyth family. Unfortunately, over time some of the kneeling figures and decoration, which surround the tomb, have been lost but nevertheless is still of interest. The picture was taken prior to its repair.

The earliest document we have of the Smyth tomb is from the pen of William Holman, an Essex historian and dissenting minister from Halstead. This may be seen at the Essex Record Office {ERO T/P 195/9]. He wrote extensive notes on Essex parishes and we know that Revd. Phillip Morant drew on these manuscripts when compiling the first definitive survey of the county in 1768 entitled ‘The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex.’

Holman records:

“At the east end of this Chancell is a burial place for the family of Smith which is separated by a wall into which you enter by a dore within the rails of the comunion table. Against the east wall of this is a monument of stone on wch is a man and woman of Alabaster in full proportion, and at their feet a black marble Table with the following Inscription in Gold letters

Heere under lyeth the bodye of Thomas Smith
Esquier extracted owt of the lys of right worth
and worthie Ancestors together ye meoriall
of his wifes and chilren whoe was first married to
Blanch daughter of Nicholas Colsill I ye Coutie
of Midd. Esquier by whom he had 2 sones and 2
daughters & secindlie married to Margarete
daughter & heire to John Turner in ye Countie
of Essex Esquier by whome he had 6 sonnes & 4
daughters which Margaret being after married
to Stephen Powle Knight in performance to him
and his above due sacred rites & in testimonie
to the Worlde and her love & sorrow did dedicate
to present and succeeding ages this sad & lasting
monument. He lived in the feare of God 70
yeares and Dyed in his favour ye 10th of May 1594”

Clearly the inscription has disappeared between 1719 and 1769.

Unfortunately Blackmore’s Burial registers do not survive prior to 1602 but the date of death appears to be incorrectly recorded, either on the original memorial or be the pen of Holman.

There are two documents which help conclude that Thomas Smyth died, in fact, in 1592.

The first is an entry in Thomas Powle’s records dated late 1592, courtesy of Virginia Stern’s biography. In late 1592 he wrote: “I learn of Mistress Smith, widow, whom I hope to marry”. By November 1593 he had married Margaret Turner Smyth, Thomas’ widow.

Secondly, there is an entry in the Essex Archdeaconry Records. On 30 October 1592 we find recorded at High Ongar (Ongar Alto) Church: “Thomas Smith gent dec. intestate. Margaret Smith widow adnix: present by Rich. Stane” [ERO D/AZ/2/5]. It is said that Thomas Smyth wrote a will, borne out by Stern’s work in which he dates the will as 15 February 1590/1591, but the Court records that he died intestate. This may explain the battle over the inheritance which Stern refers to between Margaret and the brother and son of Thomas’ first wife, Blanche.

A review of the Smyth papers is necessary but the evidence here seems persuasive that Thomas Smyth died in 1592 not 1594.

Book Review: Stephen Powle

By the author’s own admission, Sir Stephen Powle (pronounced ‘Pole’) is “almost unknown today”. Virginia F. Stern though draws from numerous letters, manuscripts and records contained in the British Library, National Archives (as it known today) and the Bodleian Library in Oxford to present a biography of a man who toured Europe over three years ending in 1581, as a diplomat and, of local interest to Blackmore, becoming Lord of the Manor at Smyths Hall upon his second marriage to Margaret Smyth, widow of Thomas Smyth, in 1593. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Woodhouse Hobart, had ended in tragedy in December 1590 with the death of twins in infancy and his wife nine days after their birth.

The titles of some of the Chapters give a indication to the wide ranging ability of this Elizabethan man and of the biography itself.

Travel: A Modified “Grand Tour”
Agent for Queen Elizabeth at Casimir’s Court
Agent for Queen Elizabeth in Italy
Interlude: Recovery from Tragedy.
Early Years in Chancery.
Recording the Essex Rebellion
Lord of the Manor of Smyths-Hall
Country Squire at Mylend
Sir Stephen Powle as ‘Adventurer’ in the Virginia Company of London
‘Indian Summer’ – A Third Marriage.

Clearly this is a specialist book written by an enthusiast whose curiosity was “whetted” by the life of this man and the numerous surviving papers.

‘Sir Stephen Powle of Court and Country. Memorabilia of a Government Agent for Queen Elizabeth I, Chancery Official, and English Country Gentleman’ by Virginia F. Stern was published in 1992 in the United States of America by Associated University Presses Inc.. It is available for purchase on Amazon.

For a summary biography of Stephen Powle go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_powle.html

Blackmore: Smyth Family, Lords of the Manor

Received
15 May 2009

Hello-

I recently came upon you as a contact for the Priory at Blackmore. I am a descendent of Sir Thomas Smyth (Smith) and John Smyth who were instrumental in the early history of your church. I am just beginning to research your town and the church and my ancestor. I would like to purchase the book on the history of the church. I would also enjoy seeing any pictures of the church and any that may exist of my family. My family has been in America since the late 1600s when another Thomas Smith immigrated from Blackmore.

Thank you in advance for any help you may offer.

Warm regards-
J. Scott Smith
Charleston, SC, USA


Replied
21 May 2009

Firstly, greetings from Blackmore in Essex. I attend the Priory Church of St Laurence, which indeed your ancestor, John Smyth, acquired in 1540. The Smyth family were to stay in Blackmore for five generations through to 1721.

I have written a booklet about the Smyth family which I could send to you with other material, including the Church Guide Book. All profits are raised in aid of church funds.

Andrew


Received
21 May 2009

Andrew-

I have delved into family history/genealogy for many years. I have recently discovered the possible link to John Smyth and am excited to continue exploring both him and Blackmore. Those of us who have spent our lives doing this research have often wondered who the offspring might have been that left England for Virginia in the mid 1600s. We have some documentation of a Thomas Smith who apparently was of some high social standing and was able to fund his transport to Virginia, possibly with a brother Arthur (?). I wonder if you have ever come across any Smyth / Smith who indeed immigrated during that time?

Given your name of Smith, are you a descendent as well?

I would enjoy very much reading any and all material you have to offer. Of course would be thrilled to see any pictures you may have access to of John Smyth or his family and any pictures of the church or Smyth Hall (which I understand was demolished in the mid 1800s). Certainly it is so nice of you to respond and I look forward to further correspondence at your convenience. I will arrange to send payment as soon as possible.

Sincere thanks-
Scott Smith


Replied
22 May 2009

Scott

I can confirm that Thomas and Arthur (great grandsons of the aforementioned John) emigrated to Virginia. Thomas was born in 1605, Arthur was baptised on 30 August 1607, died 1645.

I am not a Smyth descendant.

I attach a photo of the tomb of Thomas Smyth (son of John) who died in 1594 [a date I have cause now to doubt. He may have died earlier].

Regards

Andrew


Received
22 December 2009

Andrew-

I hope all is well. I have not communicated in some time but wanted to ask if you know of any other Smith/Smyth descendents of Blakemore? I have talked with Don and his wife is indeed a descendant. I am most interested in trying to find the male offspring with the family name. I realize this may be a tall order, but it is worth a try.

Scott Smith



Replied
24 December 2009

Hello Scott

Unfortunately I do not have any addresses of other Smyth (Smith or Smythe) descendants but will post this entry on the blog and see if a response is made to your query.

Andrew


Received
23 December 2009

Andrew

I failed to ask you another question in the prior email: Have you any records as to the date Thomas and Arthur Smyth left England? I first note that he was granted land in Virginia in 1632. A Thomas wrote his will in 1669 and we believe this is our Thomas. By looking at some court documents, we know that Thomas' son, Richard was likely born around 1630. I would imagine Thomas migrated around 1630. Any ideas are of course appreciated.

Also, I wonder if there are clear photos of the Smyth family crest which appears on some of the tombs? I am trying to re-create the crest in a painting.

Scott



Replied
24 December 2009

Hello Scott

The Thomas Smyth you refer to was born 1605 (Braintree) and, Arthur his brother was baptised 30 August 1607 at Blackmore. I have not traced their descendents or their journey to Virginia because it falls just outside the family line of those who became Lords of The Manor at Blackmore. “Captaine” Stephen Smyth, their elder brother, born 28 May 1602, died 22 September 1670, had a lifelong association with Blackmore.

For a family crest, probably the easiest thing for me to do is to pop down the church and take a photograph of one of the better carved emblems on one of the floor slabs. I will e mail this and include it on the website in due course.

Two additional items of interest:
- the Essex Record Office has put early Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers online so original documents can now be viewed. If you are a descendent of Thomas Smyth perhaps you will find a baptism entry in St Michael’s parish Braintree?
- Sir Stephen Powle married Margaret the widow of Thomas Smyth (grandfather of the aforementioned). I have just received from America a copy of his biography. It is next on my reading list and I intend to extract portions relevant to Blackmore for future review for the website.

Regards

Andrew


Received
24 December 2009

Thank you for this Andrew.

I think the College of Arms in London may also be able to locate a copy or at least a description of the crest. I may try to contact them. I believe in one of the pamphlets you sent on the history of the church there is a photo of the tomb of Stephen(?) which has the crest, however I cannot quite make out the details. You may or may not know an interesting aspect of this crest involves the passing down of the peacock among art work in the family. In a needlepoint of a portion of the family tree of a son of Arthur Smith of Virginia, the border is surrounded by peacocks. It would be great to see it and possibly re-create it in the colors as it was described. I look forward to our continued correspondence.

Scott

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - January 2010

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


Two thousand and Ten, or Twenty Ten?

Received wisdom – from the BBC, listening to the radio on Boxing Day – is that this year should be called ‘Twenty Ten’ not ‘two thousand and ten’. It made me wonder whether, with reference to twenty-twenty vision, the year so expressed implies a dodgy eye and a visit to the optician. The changing of another decade, and the end of the first ten years of the new millennium, gives a moment’s reflection as to where those years have gone. “Who knows where the time goes”. As a local historian I recognise that the efflux of time can be quite an enemy. Capturing memories is important, especially of the sometimes more trivial items which disproportionately say more about the way we lived in the past than sometimes the set piece events. How many people have a photo of the former village shop at Pleshey for example?

A local historian from Ingatestone wrote to the Brentwood Gazette recently saying that nothing had been mentioned of the opening of the Ingatestone Bypass and Secondary School, both in 1959. As an Ingatestone resident I remember a conversation in the late 1980s with an elderly man who I talked to over dinner at a conference in Derbyshire. He asked from where I came from. When I said Ingatestone he immediately knew of its narrow main street and how the traffic got held up there on the main London road before the bypass was built. He was a lorry driver before he retired. The Ingatestone bypass was one of the first dual carriageways to be built on the London to Ipswich road, apart from ‘three mile hill’ which passes Hylands Park beyond Margaretting, now no longer (since 1987) the main A12 route. The retired lorry driver had nothing positive to say about Ingatestone but it was a marvellous insight to years gone by.

If you have story to tell I would be pleased to hear from you. Get those glasses on and start scrawling. Happy twenty ten!


Traditional New Years Day Morris Dancing at lunchtime, Leather Bottle, Blackmore.

Not to be missed. Blackmore Morris Men. A photo here is from 2006: http://gallery.future-i.com/England/1181-1200/pic:newyearsday-2006/full-size


Blackmore War Memorial

A minute from the ‘Meeting of the Blackmore, Hook End & Wyatts Green Parish Council’ held on 15th October 2009 (courtesy of the Blackmore Village website: http://www.blackmorevillage.co.uk/):
War Memorial
Mr Ted Hall is applying for the relevant grant, with the help of Cllr Giordan. It was noted that there were some discrepancies between the Parish records regarding the names displayed on the memorial and Cllr Giordan is attempting to produce an accurate text. The meeting agreed that this should not delay the grant application.
Action: Cllrs Town/Giordan
There are in the village a few people who are interested in the names of those inscribed on the Blackmore (Essex) War Memorial and, like me, have done some research. We will be meeting in the Leather Bottle next week to compare notes and establish an accurate transcription.


Second World War

Linked to the above project is the recent creation of a new web page on the website dedicated to the men and women who served during the Second World War: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_ww2.html


Sir Stephen Powle of court and country: memorabilia of a government agent ...

Google Books has recently published a book by this intriguing title, written by Virginia F. Stern, published in 1992. “This biographical study is based on copious sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century materials previously unexplored: letters, diaries, and legal records kept by Stephen Powle. His legal education, struggles to achieve independence from an autocratic and parsimonious father, and his attachment to Lord Burgley as a surrogate parent are documented.”

Sir Stephen Powle’s connection with Blackmore (Essex) is that he became lord of the manor of Blackmore when he married Margaret Smyth, the widow of Thomas Smyth of Smyths Hall, in 1593. Thomas and Margaret are commemorated with a tomb in the Priory Church of St Laurence, being erected by Sir Stephen Powle himself (see picture). The website displays the text relevant to Blackmore but on my computer it is difficult to read. However a link to Amazon enabled me to purchase the book from America for an extremely small amount of money. Having read the book over the Christmas season it has yielded more information on the Smyth family, which I will share this month.


New Tiles for Old: Appeal to Re-roof Ancient Church

News from Stondon Massey Church:

The present tiles on both faces of the Nave Roof at St Peter and St Paul Church, Stondon Massey (Essex) have, over a very long time, become fragile and subject to wind damage and failure. Regular replacements are becoming more frequent and therefore more expensive.

A generous legacy from a much loved church member has given the Church PCC a God sent opportunity to change this situation. Our Diocesan architect has recommended that as the existing condition of the roof is poor and the fixings are deteriorating, we should re tile and in so doing protect the church and in particular, the ceiling beneath.

Having approached a number of grant making bodies who were unable to offer funding, we have had the good fortune to be offered a grant of £8,000 by “Friends of Essex Churches”. Friends of Essex Churches have helped us before and in turn welcome support from individuals in their charitable work.

We are much encouraged and with a current shortfall of £2,000 the PCC are looking for ways to bridge the gap between the money available and the estimated total of £28,000, so that a contract may be placed. The Diocesan Advisory Committee endorses our proposal.

Donations to “St Peter & St Paul PCC” may be sent to our Hon Treasurer, c/o The Vicarage, Church Street, Blackmore, Ingatestone, Essex. CM4 0RN.


Wheal family of Stondon Massey

The family history community has been corresponding on a Woolnough family but thrown up the following entry: “Cornelius [Wheal] in [the] 1871 [census] in Mile End Old Town: Corneal Wheal, 23, boarder, pork butcher assist., born Essex, Stondon Massey”. He was christened “Cornel Wheal, 02 JAN 1848 [at] Stondon-Massey, Essex. Parents: James Wheal and Mary Wheal“. Later “Found 1901 [census], in Forest Gate, West Ham: Corneal Wheal 53, widower, butcher's assist., b. Stondon Massey, Essex; Mary Page 81, mother, b. High Ongar, Essex; Sarah Chambers 42, sister, b. Stondon Massey, Essex”. The full sequence of correspondence can be found on http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=peqt2bakma8k847l5opq4t5do7&topic=422599.msg2871390


Dennis family, Blackmore

Anne Dennis, born 1874, Blackmore, is mentioned on the following Australian site as living in East Ham in 1901. This is another example of someone who moved away from the village depopulating the parish at the end of the nineteenth century: http://www.genesreunited.com.au/family-history-records/1901-Census/dennis/Anne/results.aspx


Family Histories

Knight. Blackmore. http://www.gillandtony.com/genealogy/names12.htm
Rolph. Blackmore, Writtle and neighbouring parishes. http://www.gillandtony.com/genealogy/names18.htm
Shuttleworth. Blackmore. http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/SHUTTLEWORTH/2008-02/1201872037
Farrow. Norton Mandeville. http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=q6ravpvepiob83cs09q4aclmv6&topic=393573.0
Elizabeth Betts. High Ongar. http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=364390.msg2830940;topicseen
The following pages are an excellent example of putting ancestors within the context of the area in which they lived. This family historian has an interesting story to relate.
James Bettis (1825 -1872), Stanford Rivers. http://www.pjbettis.co.uk/?p=1603
William Bettis (1861 – 1927), Stanford Rivers. http://www.pjbettis.co.uk/?p=1575


Pictures

Rectory Cottage, Willingale. A new entry on Geograph: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1612851
The Baroness’ House, The Green, Writtle. A new entry on Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcurmudgeon/4038316146/


Buttsbury Ford

It’s part of our local heritage that the ford – Buttsbury Wash – on the back road from Buttsbury Church to Billericay is often deeper than you think. The road dips and turns slightly to the left as it crosses the River Wid, a meandering stream in the summer but a raging torrent after heavy rainfall in the winter. It’s deceptive too. As a local I was once nearly caught out: my car nearly stalled as it negotiated the depths. So cross, if you dare, with extreme care. Beware lest the river engulfs your car. A story of the crossing is given here: “Fire Brigade statistics show it to be the worst location of its kind in the country” http://cheaper-cars.co.uk/511145-First-Aid-for-Flooded-Cars.html



Edith’s Streets

A blog is dedicated to the history of square kilometres in the London area. A recent post refers to a Mr H. S. Ashton of Ingatestone who gave land for a playing field at Woodford Bridge: http://edithsstreets.blogspot.com/2009/12/londonessex-border-woodford-bridge.html. Does anyone know who Mr Ashton was?


Prince Albert public house, Blackmore

A list of publicans and residents down the years may be found by following this link. http://londonpublichouse.com/EssexPubs/Blackmore/palbert.shtml


Parish Registers

The following webpage contains a list of surnames appearing in ancient parish registers of Bobbingworth, Fyfield, Greensted, Lambourne, Moreton, Ongar, and Stapleford Tawney in our local area: http://www.archive.org/stream/listparishregis03crisgoog/listparishregis03crisgoog_djvu.txt


Stanford Rivers’ Sermons

The National Library of Australia has in its collection ‘XXXI [31] sermons preached to the parishioners of Stanford-Rivers in Essex [microform] : upon serveral subjects and occasions / by Charles Gibbes’. This is a collection of preaching in the Church of England dated during the 17th century (1604 -1681). (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1752554?lookfor=preached&offset=158&max=33736)


Blackmore Area Local History: Stondon Worthies

Three new web pages have just been published on the main website devoted to local celebrities of Stondon Massey. They are:
William Byrd: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/stondon_william_byrd.html
John Carre: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/stondon_john_carre.html
Nathaniel Ward: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/stondon_nathaniel_ward.html


Turning Pages

Fans of the composer William Byrd will learn that Lady Nevells Books can be viewed at the British Library. http://media-newswire.com/release_1108127.html


Byrd Edition Volume 12

A review of the ongoing cycle of William Byrd’s work presented by The Cardinall’s Musick under director Andrew Carwood is given on http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/h/hyp67675a.php


Links

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

Blackmore: New Book. The Smyth Family at Blackmore

An extract from the new booklet, ‘The Smyth Family At Blackmore’ (32 pages), now available from, and in aid of, the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. Price £1.50. (or via this site, plus P&P).

Introduction

Blackmore’s history divides into three periods. The Church was an Augustinian Priory throughout the Middle Ages.

John Smyth purchased the site and advowson (the right to appoint a Vicar) from Henry VIII in 1540. He was one of the King’s escheators, whose name appears as an Attorney in the breaking up of Blackmore Priory in 1525.

The family dominated the parish’s history for five generations, until Thomas, the last surviving member died without issue in 1721.

The Smyth’s sold the Priory land to a ship-builder named Jacob Acworth in 1714. Thomas Smyth left his property, Smyth Hall, to his niece, Mary Tendring. It passed to her cousin, Thomas Alexander, in 1732, on condition that he adopted the name Smyth.

Thomas Smyth, though, left the Rectory to his cousin, John Gibson, son of John Gibson D.D., Provost of Queen’s College, Oxford. Upon his decease, both Smyth Hall and the Rectory passed to Charles Alexander. The Crickitt family later held the advowson. Since then there have been various holders. Patronage finally ceased, in 1899, when responsibility for nominating a Vicar passed to the Bishop of St Albans. In 1914, Blackmore transferred to the newly created Diocese of Chelmsford.


John Smyth (1498 – 1543)

John was the second son of Thomas Smyth, of Rivenhall, a family who descended from Sir Michael Carrington, standard bearer to King Richard I during the Crusades. The family apparently fled to France when Richard II was deposed and changed their name, early in the 15th century, from Carrington to Smyth on return to England.

The Smyth family was related to Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife. John’s brother, Clement married Dorothy, the sister of Lady Jane Seymour.

In the Essex Record Office [ERO D/DQ 55/36] are copies of the original sale Deed in Latin and an English translation, dating from 1714.

Henry the Eighth by the grace of God of England … King Defender of the Faith Lord of Ireland and on Earth Supreme Head of the English Church . To all whom those present Letters patent shall ye know that for the sum of Five hundred and sixty three pounds and five shillings of lawfull money to the hands of the Eroafuror (Escheator?) of the Court of Augman … by our John Smith of Blakamore otherwise called Blakemore in the County of Essex … have given and granted and by those present … to the said John Smith and Elizabeth his Wife All our Lordshipp and Mannor of Blakemore with all its rights … and appurtances … lately belonging and apportaining to the late Monastery of Waltham Holy Cross in the County of Essex lately dissolved and being parcel of the possessions of the late Monastry. And also all Messuages Houses … Lands … Pastures … Woods … And all the profits … lyeing in the villag or parishes of … Blakemore Shellow Norton Shenfield and Stondon … to the said John Smith and his assignees … And also all the Rectory and Church of Blakemore ... [of] the said late Monstery. … And the Advowson … of the parish Church of Blakemore … [the] shopp … being in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Colechurch in our City of London. And also a garden … lyeing in Fenchurchstreet … in our said City of London … [from] Abbot Fuller late Abbot of the late Monastory or any other of his … Abbots of the said late Monastory … in right of that late Monastory at any time before the Dissolution … And further by gift … doo grant to the said John Smith All that our Messuages and grange or farms called Woodbarnes … in Ging at stone … and to the late Monastery of Berking … .

This document, dated 22nd September 1540, meant that John Smyth now held the manor, rectory and advowson (the right to appoint a priest).

At that time about two fifths of the County’s land was sold, which represented one of the biggest sales of property since the Norman Conquest. For example, when Barking Abbey was suppressed, Sir William Petre bought Ingatestone Manor for £849 12s 6d, paying the King, in full, by instalments. Sir Thomas Audley did one better receiving Walden Abbey as a gift.

John Smyth received in the same year, as a gift from Henry VIII, property previously belonging to William Pawne. The original Deed bears the great seal of the King [ERO D/DRm T5/21]. An English translation is given:

John Smyth Esquire in our Court before the Justices at Westminster impleaded William Pawne and Ellen his Wife of Four Messuages* one Dovehouse One Hundred Acres of Land twenty Acres of Meadow twenty Acres of Pastuer and twelve Acres of Wood with the Appurtances in Blakemore and High Ongar by a Writ of Entity upon Disseisin** …. And into which the same William and Ellen have not Entry but after the Disseisin which Hugh Hunt … hath made to the aforesaid John ….

Smyth sold 30 acres of this land the following year [ERO D/DBm T5/22].

John Smyth died in late summer 1543, about the same time as the demolition of the priory buildings. In the inventories of his will, dated 10th May that same year, he mentions the contents of his private chapel in his manor house, Smyth Hall.

In the chapel chamber, a long setle joyned. In the chapel, one aulter of joyner’s work. Item, a table with two leaves of passion gilt [a panelled ditych]. Item, a long setle of wainscott. Item, a bell hanging over the chapel. Chapel stuff, copes and vestments three. Aulter fronts four, corporal case one, and dyvers peces of silk necessary for cushyons v. [Cutts 1914 p434].

The reference to the bell, according to Mrs E E Wilde (1913) was probably to the one hanging, at the beginning of the twentieth century, in the stables at The Hyde, Ingatestone. The bell, dating from around 1340, inscribed PETRUS DE WESTON ME FECIT, was probably a Sanctus bell. “Tradition says that it came from Blackmore Priory”. She suggests that when Smyth Hall, the house originally owned by the Smyth family, was demolished in 1844, “this bell may very probably have been bought there by Mr John Disney of the Hyde, who was a great collector of antiquities” [Wilde 1913 p103].

The Will does not mention altar vessels, as these were probably included with the remainder of the silver, indicative of the Smyth’s wealth.

Notes

* A messuage is a dwelling house.
** A disseisin is the removal of a seisin, or estate, from one person, placing it into the ownership of another.

Bibliography

Cutts. Rev Edward L. Parish Priests and Their People (SPCK, 1914)
Wilde, Mrs E E. Ingatestone and the Great Essex Road, with Fryerning (Oxford University Press, 1913)

Essex Record Office

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.