Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Upon the birth of a son and heir to Sir Cordle Firebrass at Melford Hall in Suffolk, the whole neighbourhood went in troops to offer personally their congratulations, and were very desirous of being introduced to the little stranger, so much so, the medical attendant, and the Nurse declared the life of the child was in danger, having no rest, or sleep.  The monkey was therefore properly dressed, and put into the Cradle in the Drawing Room with the shutters half closed, an old lady exclaimed “Sweet dear little fellow what a love the very image of his Papa”.

Blackmore: Smyth Hall

Received 7 December 2011

Andrew-

I hope all is well with you.  I have another question regarding the Smyths of Blakemore and Smyth Hall.  Is there any idea as to the location of the house?  I have seen some pictures in the past of a foundation and some rubble, but I cannot remember that source.  Again at some point I hope to travel there to visit the area.  Thanks as always for your information.

Scott Smith

Replied 24 December 2011

Hello Scott

Nice to hear from you.

Smyths Hall was located to the south of the old village and church just off of what is now called Wenlocks Lane.  It was shown on the Chapman and Andre map of 1777.  If you have an Ordnance Survey map, its approximate site is TQ598007. For more information go to the Unlocking Essex website: http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=1032504&content_parents=48

Regards

Andrew 

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Miss Loydd of Hintlesham Hall was devoted to gardening, she visited her neighbour frequently the Rector of Raydon [Suffolk], and one morning after her visit to his charming garden, sent her head gardener with a weed, begging his acceptance of it, as she believed not one was to be found in his garden.

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 - January 2012

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

2012: A Year of Celebration

2012 is set to be a memorable year in Britain.  In June we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and in July and August London hosts the Olympic Games.  These events are quite literally on our door-step.  The Olympic Games site at Stratford is a matter of miles from Blackmore, and within the old county of Essex.  The cycling event will be held at Hadleigh Country Park by the old castle made famous in a painting by John Constable.

Essex is expecting an influx of tourists as a consequence of London2012 and the Jubilee.  Blackmore Area Local History perhaps is doing its small part by bringing to peoples’ attention the history and heritage of this location and will, during 2012, occasionally take a wider view by highlighting other towns and villages worth a visit.  The series will start with Colchester.

New Newspaper Archive is Top Resource and a Gift for all Historians

The British Library has launched online its vast newspaper archive.  Visitors to the website http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk  can search for entries in newspapers free of charge.  Digitised copies of the originals are subject to a subscription payment.

The site boasts, quite rightly:

“We have scanned millions of pages of historical newspapers and made them available online for the first time ever.

“Search millions of articles by keyword, name, location, date or title and watch your results appear in an instant.

“Compare this with hours of painstaking manual searching through hard copies or microfilm often requiring a visit to the British Library in North London and it is easy to appreciate the ground breaking nature of this project.”

Up to 40 million pages will be scanned onto the archive over the next ten years.

Several Essex newspapers are included in the project, including the Essex Chronicle, which first published in 1764.  Microfilm copies of this newspaper (along with the Essex Weekly News) are available to view in the Local Studies section of Chelmsford Library.

It is now possible to use the British Library website to pinpoint, by date and page number, articles in the Essex Chronicle then look at the detail free of charge on microfilm in the local Library.  The resource will drastically cut the length of time taken to find relevant articles – previously a needle in a haystack approach - and opens the door, for the first time, to a wide range of undiscovered local topics.

To illustrate the site’s usefulness, one of my friends is writing a history of a local church – Ingatestone United Reformed Church – which celebrates its bicentenary in 2012.  It was known that the first building, erected in 1812, was pulled down and replaced in 1840, but little else from this early period.  Using the archive pinpointed within minutes three highly relevant articles:

Essex Chronicle 1 May 1840.  Page 3  “independent chapel at Ingatestone has been pulled down and is about to be rebuilt on an enlarged scale”

Essex Chronicle 8 May 1840. Page 3.  “dilapidated state … pulled down”.

Essex Chronicle 16 October 1840. Page 3 “to be reopened … 22 inst”

Why not try the site for yourself?

Ingatestone United Reformed Church bi-centenary

Ingatestone United Reformed Church (formerly the Congregational Chapel) celebrates 200 years in the village in 2012 with a series of events.

Links

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

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The question was asked “What is one of the most difficult things to do?”

“To give advice”.

And what is the other difficulty?

“To follow it”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

What is said kindly, ought always to be remembered, what unkindly, to be forgotten.

It is best to let children read what they like best, till they have formed a taste for reading, and not to direct what books they shall read.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The word ‘gentleman’ is an expressive word in our language, which describes the assemblage of many real virtues, of many qualities approaching nearly to virtue, and a union of manners, at once pleasing, and accommodating respect.

Take a peep behind the curtain which prudence draws over domestic inquietude, reflect on the many heart-aches that must attend a slender contracted income in this very refined age (1859) and think in such circumstances how external shew must be supported at the expense of internal and rational quiet.

The Robin is a bird whose good fortune is never to be mentioned without some kindly reference to his universal popularity and the decoration (his little red waistcoat) which renders him so easily recognised.

Shakespear says “Welcome ever smiles, but farewell goes out sighing”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

It is said of Theodore Hook, when upon a visit, before breakfast was asked, the usual question “How he slept” his answer was immediately “With his eyes shut”.

And after a dinner party upon his return home he could not find his Hat, and began singing to the servants:

“Shepherds I have lost my Hat

Can you tell me, where it’s stray’d”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The qualities in a man for which a woman generally gives the preference, are ardour, manliness of person, politeness, confidence, a dazzling knowledge of the world, and elegant flattery.

Conversation is a game for two, and that one equal half-part should consist in listening, and not in mere angling for questions on which to hang story after story.

Epping: Funeral of Prince Albert, 23 December 1861

A single sheet of paper found in a contemporary book I purchased in a secondhand bookshop in Norwich tells how the people of Epping marked the funeral of Prince Albert, Consort to Queen Victoria, on this day in 1861. A Service was held at St John's Chapel, now St John's Church, at the bottom of the High Street.


Prince Albert is credited with being a key organiser of The Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851 and for making Christmas trees popular in British homes at this time of year. His early death has a devastating effect on Queen Victoria, now a widow in her early 40s.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Despatch Box

Mr Merry for many years was employed by our Government as a Diplomat, and retired to Dedham upon a Pension of fifteen hundred Pounds per annum for his services.  Upon his death, he appointed me [ER] his Executer, with a very handsome legacy, and his Diplomatic Gold Snuff Box.  As his Executer, and of the desire of his sister I became in possession of his Diplomatic, and valuable boxes, one in particular termed the Despatch Box, with the Crown, and G.R. upon it.  I frequently used it when with my family.  I left home, the last time was in London, and in endeavouring to unlock it unfortunately broke the key, the only way to obtain the valuables enclosed was to destroy the bottom of the box, and the next morning I took it to a Locksmith in order to have it immediately repaired.  In the evening I called for it, and to my great surprise was requested to leave the Shop and retire into the Counting House, where I found Mr Pairce the Superintendent of the Police waiting to take me as a State Prisoner, and convey me without delay to the Foreign Office.  It appeared the reason for this rather unexpected compliment, arose as consequence of an inscription engraved inside the lock stating, “If any person shall be detected injuring this Lock, the informer shall upon conviction of the offender, receive 100£ reward by applying to the Foreign Office”.  The Locksmith lost no time in conveying the mutilated box and key to the Office required, and Lord Palmenston sent the Superintendent to secure and bring before him the delinquent.  When we arrived, his Lordship was gone home but left Lord Minto, in his unavoidable absence.  The Lordship’s first inquiry was, “Who are you, Sir, and in what manner became you possessed of the Government Box?”  No sooner was he satisfied with my honest answers, than he begged my pardon, confessed the Mountain had proved a Mole Hill, and hoped I would partake of their dinner in waiting, which I endeavoured politely to decline, feeling very naturally not a little annoyed at my first appearance in the character of a State Prisoner.

Ongar: A Reverie

An extract from ‘An Anthology of Essex, published in 1911.

Oh quaint old Essex town!  Your sheltered ways

Have fared so gently in this vale of tears;

That looking back with thought of other days,

One sees no change to mark the passing years.

I hear the same wind whisp’ring thro’ the trees,

Where Livingstone once wandered with his books:

I hear the same low murmur of the bees,

And recognise the cawing of the rooks.

Oh peaceful Essex town!  you’re very old;

The Romans built within your lines a camp;

Your stones have oft resounded, so I’m told,

With Caesar’s sturdy warriors’ martial tramp:

I hear their shouts re-echo in the breeze;

Ye Britons, read about them in your books;

The sounds of Roman axe and falling trees

Are heard above the cawing of the rooks.

Oh, quiet old Ongar town!  I’ve heard it said

When Cromwell and his Ironsides held their sway,

That many of your sons both fought and bled

To help the King they loved to win the day.

I heard the cry ‘For Cromwell and the Lord!’

Whilst students donned the helm and closed their books,

The sound of war’s alarms, the clash of pike and sword

Were heard above the cawing of the rooks.

Some day, I hope my ship will come to town,

And bring to me the fortune overdue;

I’ll buy a little cot and settle down,

And make my home, old Ongar town, with you.

I’ll rise each day to greet the early dawn,

And dawdle with my fishing and my books;

I’ll wander through the cornfields in the morn,

And listen to the cawing of the rooks.

A.L.M. Loughton Gazette, April 1910.

Chigwell: Dickens Bi-Centenary

An extract from ‘An Anthology of Essex’, edited by Charlotte Fell Smith, published in 1911

Chigwell, my dear fellow, is the greatest place in the world.  Name your day for going. Such a delicious old inn opposite the churchyard – such a lovely ride – such beautiful forest scenery – such an out-of-the-way rural place – such a sexton! I say again, name your day!

Charles Dickens. Letter to John Forster, 1842.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

“A Fact”

Ensign W soon after he joined his Regiment at Liverpool, was passing through a very retired Street or rather Lane, and was caught in a pelting storm of hail and rain.  In order to save his Regimental Coat, for he could ill afford to buy another, he took shelter under a Wall immediately opposite a most dingy looking House, in which resided an old gentleman, who had retired from trade with a very large fortune, his only child a daughter living with him.  If there was any person in the World he disliked the most, it was a Military Man, always entertaining the idea, that some Rattle Cap of a Fortune Hunter might one day, or night endeavour to elope, with the only joy of his heart, his favourite daughter Eliza.  The Ensign had not remained but a short time under the Wall, before the young lady spied him out, and called her father to witness the piteous situation of the stranger, and endeavoured to persuade her father to offer an umbrella.  After a great deal of cunning she prevailed.  When he mentioned his morning adventure at Mess, his brother officers all called out, “depend upon it my good fellow, your fortune is made, for in that very house you have described lives an old Screw, whose daughter will possess many thousand charms when the old fellow kicks the bucket”.  They all advised him that on no account to send the Umbrella back, but to carry it himself, which he did.  He experienced great difficulty in obtaining an entry, but made himself so excessively agreeable, in expressing thanks, that the old gentleman invited him to dinner if he would condescend to join his dinner table at the early hour of two o’clock.  At ¼ before two the happy Ensign in full Regimentals and Review Order made his appearance.  No heiress however made her appearance but he took care to observe, the table was prepared for number 3, and at the three sat down to a very plain dinner.  Wine it has always been said does wonders, and the Evening was spent in a manner very agreeable to all parties present, the old gentleman as well as his daughter quite delighted with their unexpected guest, who in the course of a short period became his Son in Law, but, upon one express stipulation, that he would, upon his marriage, resign his conscription in the Army.

Chelmsford: Inscription on Bell at St Mary's

Taken from 'An Anthology of Essex', published in 1911


To honour both God and King
Our voices shall in consort ring.

High Ongar: Inscription on Bell

Taken from 'An Anthology of Essex', edited by Charlotte Fell Smith, published in 1911.


Whilst thus we join in cheerful sound, May love and loyalty abound - 1775

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Captain Garnham

My friend, and brother officer, Capt. Garnham, was one of the most agreeable, and entertaining companions, when he chose, as the following adventure will prove.  When we were stationed at Liverpool we had permission from Sir Chas. Bunbury to shoot over his Estate near Chester, our shooting expedition did not answer, for the best of reasons, we found little, or no game to shoot, and upon our return we dined at the table d’hote at the Castle Hotel, where the party was rather numerous both of ladies and gentlemen.  We found ourselves seated next to Capt. and Mrs Hoy, with her brother, a very elegant and handsome young officer.  They did not appear by any means inclined to be sociable, but kept themselves quite aloof.  My friend Garnham soon took the hint, and desired the waiter to place his wine and dessert upon a side table at the window, where he placed himself with his favourite little dog upon his lap.  I did all I possibly could to ingratiate myself into their favour, and fortunately succeeded.  I was delighted with their manner, and conversation, particularly relating to India, where they had been stationed for many years.  The young officer addressing his Sister mentioned Sir George August as their Uncle, the Chief in Command at Kingston Barracks Jamaica and it was there that Garnham had the yellow fever with his Regiment the 82^nd.  Every one thought he would never recover, and he heard the pleasing order given for the Band, to attend his funeral the following morning.

I observed he appeared to be listening to the conversation with a degree of interest rather unusual and upon hearing the name of Sir Geo. August his former Colonel he became exceedingly agitated, he very nearly knocked down his table, and stamped upon his little dog.  Endeavouring to approach our party, and requesting the young stranger would favor him with his Name, which he very sternly answered by saying, “My name is Captain Meredith, if you wish to know it”.  Garnham immediately, with his usual exclamation “God help me” embraced him most affectionately, and every body thought him labouring under some fit of insanity.  As soon as he had recovered himself he said, “My dear fellow, the last time I saw you was twenty years ago, you were then five years of age, and upon the death of your dear Mother I brought you up with the greatest care, and regard” at Kingston Barracks. 

It’s impossible to describe the effect of this scene, his sister fell into the arms of her husband, many pocket handkerchiefs were in immediately request with the ladies, and many of the gentlemen present, joined in the chorus of sighing, and sobbing, and as soon as the ladies retired to the Drawing Room, “Wine, more Wine, was the order of the Day” and we kept it up until the last half hour, when we were compelled to return again to Liverpool.

I understand afterwards, the Mother of the hero of my tale, was very much beloved of my friend Garnham, when he was a Subaltern he would have married her, but she preferred being united to the Major.  He mentioned her name only once, and then with great emotion he said, “You are indeed my dear boy, very like your blessed Mother”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Life in the West Suffolk Militia

A Letter

Copy

Newcastle.   12^th July 1810

Mr dear Major,

The Masquerade went off extremely well and I regret very much you were not there for I am certain you would have enjoyed the fun very much – No expense was spared, and I have heard it cost our friend Lamb at least £300.  Supper was laid for 350 and as usual Mr Gunter displayed his great taste, and extravagance.  The first thing I saw, I observed in the lobby, was a pointed board “requesting the Ladies and Gentlemen to take off their Masques when the bell rang for supper”, and in my life I never heard such a row when this warning took place.  The Baronet’s [Sir Buckworth Harner] rich, and handsome court dress of Mrs Smith’s Father in the reign of Geo: the 2^nd which she lent me, fitted exactly, and I soon found a Lady in the most superb dress to correspond with mine, we danced a minuet, and which was encored, but she begg’d to decline the honor, as it was very exciting, and rather too much expose she felt to be repeated.  I could not imagine who it could possibly be, but when the bell rang for supper, I discovered out favourite Lady Mayoress, Mrs Cookson.  Before we began our minuet, a hollow square was formed and I was told that during our performance much wispering and conjecturing, who we were, and some did not hesitate to declare, we were from the Theatre, and engaged for the occasion.

One of the best supported characters in the Rooms was a Quaker, I saluted him as Obadiah Prim and gave him at the same time a most hearty rap upon the back shoulders.  Who did you imagine it was?  General Johnson!

After supper I apologised for my familiarity but he begged I would not apologize as he considered my not knowing him was the greatest compliment I would possibly pay him.  Ralph Selby and Miss Waldie were capital, the former an old Duanna with her Grandaughter you know how very plain she is, and it’s a pity she ever appears in public without a very pretty masque, for her elegant figure was so much admired.  The Miss Pembertons as Sheppardesses I soon discovered by their pet lamb which the younger led with a blue ribbon and a flageolet suspended from her neck.  I requested she would favor me with a tune but she could not paly upon it.  I play’d for her ‘Fern of Aberdeen’ in compliment you know to her Scotch Lover, she was so astonished.  The two Miss Bakers as flower girls and their father as Tony Lumpkin were excellent characters.  I introduced my friend the Quaker and they prevailed on him to put a rose into the button hole of his demure coat, they discovered me by my laugh and then recommended a Rose as the Duke of Grafton was never seen without, and added Suffolk was a County they were well acquainted with – Our Rev. friend Orde (the priviledged man upon all occasions) proposed a toast: “May the innocent Lamb never meet with a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing” no one appeared more pleased with the toast than Lamb himself many however thought it rather severe wit and so did I.  Our Brigadier Major 6 feet high as a Boarding School Miss dress’d with a Pink sach and frock, and red slippers, the whole room were convulsed with laughter.  I hope you will soon return when I will give you a further description of the other characters, some worth hearing.

Yours faithfully

Edward Reeve

We expect a rout for Scotland any day, and I long to hear our Band strike up “The Girls we left behind us”.

Amongst the many observations of the Quaker, one was worth repeating, “Friend, if all thy faults, and peccadillos were written on thy waistcoat, thou wouldst button thy Coat”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Preface

In 1849 Edward Reeve (1785 – 1867), known as “the Captain” to his family, retired to Stondon Massey in Essex having served in the West Suffolk Militia (from 1808) and then a gentleman farmer in Dedham.  He purchased the advowson of Stondon Massey for his son and appointed him rector.  After Edward James’ marriage the Captain moved to The White House in Ongar.

This series of entries is edited from a manuscript written in the Captain’s hand between 1857 and 1867.  The work is known as a commonplace book which is described in a dictionary as “a notebook in which quotations, poems etc., that catch the owner’s attention are entered”.  It was the blog of its day.

The book came into my possession via a relative of the Reeve family.  It casts light on the ordinary lives of the privileged classes in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  In short, it is a fascinating social history.

The text is the Captain’s own.

Andrew Smith