Mountnessing: Endymion Cannynge

Received   21 July 2012

Dear Andrew,

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

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

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

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

Many thanks

Ann Grimmer

Replied   22 July 2012

Dear Ann

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

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

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

Do let me know how you get on please.

Best wishes

Andrew

Replied  22 July 2012

Bishops of Gloucester

1661 – William Nicholson

1672 – John Pritchet

1681 – Robert Frampton

1691 – Edward Fowler

1714 – Richard Willis

1721 – Joseph Wilcocks

Andrew

Received   22 July 2012

Dear Andrew,

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

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

Thank you once again 

Ann Grimmer

Received 4 August 2012

Dear Andrew,

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

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

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

Regards Ann Grimmer

Replied  4 August 2012

Dear Ken & Ann

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

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

Regards

Andrew

Stondon Massey: Cardinall's Musick on 'Byrd Tour'

Cardinall's Musick
at St Peter & St Paul Church
Stondon Massey

The Cardinall’s Musick under their music director Andrew Carwood gave two concerts at Stondon Massey Church as part of their ‘Byrd Tour 2012’ on Sunday (2 September).  The eagerly anticipated event was one of the highlights of a year-long programme celebrating William Byrd’s Latin work and the successful recording cycle by the internationally known Choir.  The first concert included the Mass for Three Parts and the second a number of Byrd’s motets.  Cardinall’s Musick’s members’ voices blended together in an extraordinary and powerful way filling every corner right up to the belfry with the most beautiful sound.  The Mass was interspersed with the Propers for Lady Mass from Christmas to the Purification and performed as a sequence without applause ending ‘Ite missa est’ (‘The Mass is ended’).  In the audience one or two were visibly moved by the music and many bought copies of the Cardinall’s CDs including a recording of ‘The Great Service’ which is not on general release by Hyperion Records until 1 October.

During the period between the two concerts – a prolonged interval for some who attended the whole event – Andrew Carwood spoke about William Byrd in context of anti-Catholicism which was sweeping the country at the time.  The music of the middle period of his life (1580s) is darker and perhaps reflects a time when he was under house arrest on suspicion of involvement in the Throckmorton Plot (to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and place Mary Queen of Scots on the throne).  Byrd knew the ringleader, Thomas Paget.  A year later, in 1585, Thomas Tallis, his good friend and fellow composer was dead (“and music dies”).  Byrd appears to come out of his mid-life crisis through his friendship with the Petre family.  While other composers and Catholic sympathisers fled the country Byrd stayed.  He moved to Stondon Massey by the mid-1590s in semi-retirement where he began to write his very best and joyful music.  Andrew Carwood believes that ‘The Great Service’ was a farewell piece to his colleagues in the Chapel Royal Choir.  Although Byrd remained a member of the Gentlemen his visits were far less frequent.

The central work in the second concert was the Propers for The Annunciation.  Concerts in which conductors turn round and engage with the audience are always appreciated.  Andrew Carwood is both informative and entertaining.  One of the shorter pieces in the second concert was ‘Dileges Dominum’ (known to Anglicans as the ‘Summary of the Law’).  It is a Canon in which the first sings a number of notes, but is followed by the second who sings the notes in reserve: a kind of mirror musically.  Byrd clearly intended this in the mirroring the words “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”.

Andrew Carwood commented on the lovely acoustics the church has.

The focus of local organisers is inevitably turned 180 degrees towards the audience: ensuring that those who came had an enjoyable time and knew where to go for refreshments (in addition to the complex car parking arrangements at the small church).  Some who attended had never heard music of William Byrd.  Others were seasoned aficionados and knowledgeable about Byrd and his music.  We met someone who had just completed a dissertation on William Byrd – and had come from Dublin to be in Essex on a kind of pilgrimage.  Some had travelled many miles to Stondon while others were members and supporters of local choirs including the Stondon Singers.  Someone gave me an old newspaper cutting of Stondon Place, Byrd’s home (although subsequently rebuilt), which was for sale at that time for (wait for it!) £55,000.

The queue outside the church before the first concert stretched the entire length of the path to the gate.  The event was advertised as two concerts but for many was an enriching and spiritual occasion.  

Blackmore: James Robert Woollard

Received 21 June 2012

Hi Andrew

Do you know if there are any photos of James Robert Woollard?

From

Yvonne Flory

  

Replied 13 July 2012

Hello Yvonne

Apologies for not responding sooner.  I have not seen any, but that does not mean that there are not any.  I’ll put a note on the blog and see what transpires. There is a page dedicated to him as a survivor of the Great War: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_james_woollard.html

Andrew

  

Received: 22 July 2012

Hi Andrew

Thanks for reply. Yes, I have seen the page dedicated to James Robert Woollard.I have been in touch with one of his Family alas he never knew much about James and no photos.  James was my step grandfather.

Regards Yvonne

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS: July / August 2012

Memories of the Olympics: Tower Bridge (4 August 2012)

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.   … and welcome to our new look page layout thanks for the Blogger!

Willingale Bells

Six bells rang out for the first time on 27 May 2012, the day when the newly augmented peal was dedicated.  See http://www.willingalebells.org/newsletters/WoiW_May_2012_extended_v1.pdf

Successful History Event

Ingatestone United Reformed Church, in association with the local Historical Society, hosted a history event linked with its 200^th anniversary on 14 & 15 July.  On display were a number of old village photographs and other memorabilia.  The event was the official launch of an e-book written by Chris Harvey to commemorate the anniversary.  A large number of people attended.

Ingatestone stone dislodged

One of the ancient ice-age stones on the corner of Fryerning Lane, which gives the village its name, was dislodged when a delivery lorry collided with it on 21 July 2012.  The stone awaits resetting. See http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Historic-Ingatestone-rock-knocked-road-lorry/story-16560850-detail/story.html

Olympic connection with Railway Museum

The East Anglian Railway Museum, at Chappel and Wakes Colne, can claim two links with the Olympic Games.  One of their steam engines, currently on loan to the Churnet Valley Railway, was built at the Temple Field works site in Stratford in 1924.  Temple Fields made way for the Olympic Park beside the Liverpool Street London railway line.  The other link is that Blur, the Indie Band, performed their first gig at the Museum back in 1989. Blur, now re-formed, was one of the artists involved in the Closing Ceremony of the Games on 12 August inasmuch that their song ‘Parklife’ was included as a quirky cover version. (They performed 'live' at the Mayor of London's gig at Hyde Park that evening.)

The museum itself tells the story of the railways in the local area.  Its collection includes the two Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) which were used on the Stour Valley Line until the 1980s.  signal boxes rescued from local lines are also preserved.  The Museum is the current resting place for a three-car electric train (Class 306 017) which was in service from London Liverpool Street to Shenfield and Chelmsford from 1949 to 1980 (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=class+306).  There is a relatively new exhibition space.  Worth a visit.  See http://www.earm.co.uk/

Local news connection with the Olympic Games

The Red Arrows flew over the Olympic Park about 45 minutes before the opening ceremony on 27 July.  We heard the roar of them over the houses in Blackmore on their return journey.  They had long gone by the time we had raced into the garden.

Earlier that day a family went to Blackmore Church to ring the church bells, and participate in Martin Creed's project 'Work No. 1197'.  Across that country at 8.12am that day everyone was encouraged to ring bells as loud and fast as possible for three minutes.  Welcome to Britain everyone!


Followers of tennis may remember a young lad giving Andy Murray a congratulatory hug after winning a gold medal.  The 11 year old Henry Caplan comes from Blackmore. (see http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2012-08-06/cool-essex-boys-verdict-on-gold-hold/)

The Olympic flame was in our area on 6 & 7 July.  See http://www.brentwoodweeklynews.co.uk/news/9804316.Olympic_flame_will_never_be_forgotten__residents_say/

The London 2012 Olympics was a triumph both in its organisation and the success of the athletes.  It was a hugely memorable Festival for those who were lucky enough to get tickets and enjoy the site afterwards.  Local people were among the 70000 Games Makers who made the whole event so pleasurable for spectators. 

Epping and Ongar Railway brings visitors to Ongar

Trade in Ongar and North Weald has increased thanks to an influx of tourists coming to the newly opened Epping and Ongar Railway. The attraction is running an old London bus (christened the 339 route) from Harlow to North Weald on event days. See http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/9819390.ONGAR_NORTH_WEALD__Modern_day_railway_gold_rush_for_high_street_traders/

William Byrd

Stondon Massey Church has a copy of the original Will of William Byrd, composer, in which he expresses a wish to be buried in the churchyard of the Parish where he lived.  The congregation will be welcoming The Cardinall’s Musick to two concerts at the church on 2 September. The event is a sell-out.  Separately another website has published the Will: http://theoryofmusic.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/the-will-of-william-byrd-modern-english-version/.  For more information on William Byrd visit http://williambyrdfestival.blogspot.co.uk/

Essex Record Office celebrates Heritage Weekend

The county’s archive resource is throwing open its doors for a special event on Saturday 8 September to mark Heritage Weekend.  Their keynote speaker is family history expert Nick Barratt, radio and ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ fame.  Any information I glean will be posted on the website.  For more, and to see Nick Barratt in aeries of videos, go to http://www.familyhistoryshow.net/essex-record-office-discovery-day

Writtle Calling

To celebrate the 90^th anniversary of 2MT, Britain’s first radio station, enthusiasts are mounting  recreation series of broadcasts starting 11 September.  For more go to http://www.writtlecalling.co.uk/pr3.pdf

Essex Voices

A Great Dunmow based history website: Essex Voices, is a resource of note.  Here is an illustration of how Queen Mary was confused with Mary Queen of Scots, the Catholic, executed at Fotheringhay: http://www.essexvoicespast.com/history-howlers-mary-i/.  Go to the ‘home page’ to find the latest entries: http://www.essexvoicespast.com/

Brentwood & Shenfield history

‘Changes over a century’ is well worth a look: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Changes-century-leave-mark-today/story-16751829-detail/story.html

 War Memorial unveiled at Ongar Medical Centre

A ceremony to unveil a War Memorial at the new Ongar Medical Centre was held on 10 May 2012.  It contains the names of those who died from the local area, predominantly during the First World War.  It replaces the War Memorial which existed in the former building, the War Memorial Hospital, which occupied this site.  A separate post will feature this event.

Doddinghurst War Memorial

A War Memorial tablet to those who died in the First World War at Doddinghurst is sited in All Saints Church.  (see http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/doddinghurstwwone.html)

I have now completed the work to provide a tribute page online for all of those named.  New pages are available on ‘Blackmore Area Local History’ for:

Arthur Benton - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_arthur_benton.html

Harry Benton - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_harry_benton.html

George Everett - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_george_everett.html

Arthur Hammond - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_arthur_hammond.html

George Hammond - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_george_hammond.html

St George Swaine Showers - http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ww1_swaine_showers.html

Pages have already been set up for Herbert Miller, Gerald Wellesley Pigott, James Roast and Harry Riglin because their names also appear on the War Memorial at Blackmore.

Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve

The complete series of posts can be viewed by following this link: http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Commonplace%20Book

Chelmsford City

The county town now has official City status, conferred by HM Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.

Blackmore Church photos

Some interesting photographs of St Laurence Church Blackmore have appeared, taken by a visitor on a Teas In The Tower day: http://toomanyphotos.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/blackmore-church/

In brief

Ingatestone WW2 airmen’s lives remembered: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Airmen-s-lives-remembered/story-16355291-detail/story.html

Still for sale – The Bull, Blackmore: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/7189872671/

Links

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

Ingatestone: Book of Common Prayer

Book of Common Prayer Anniversary

Up and down the country, the Church of England still holds services using the Book of Common Prayer – sometimes referred to as ‘1662 service’.  In some quarters its words are regarded as central to the liturgy.  But it was an Act of Parliament which ordained its use, effective from St Bartholomew’s Day (24 August) 1662.

Samuel Pepys, a Londoner, wrote in his diary:

“August 17^th. (Lord’s Day).  Up very early, this being the last Sunday that the Presbyterians are to preach, unless they read the Common Prayer and renounce the Covenant, and so I had mind to hear Dr Bates’s farewell sermon, and walked to St Dunstan’s, where, it not being seven o’clock yet, the doors were not open; and so I went and walked an hour in the Temple-garden … . At eight o’clock I went, and crowded in at the back door among others, the church being half-full almost before any doors were open publicly; which is the first time that I have done so these many years since I used to go with my father and mother; and so got into the gallery, beside the pulpit, and heard very well.”

This must have been the last Sunday when John Willis preached in Ingatestone.  Following ejection “he did not move any great distance, but established a conventicle at Brentwood, in conjunction with Thomas Gibson, who had been ejected from Little Baddow.  There they had a licence for a ‘Presbyterian meeting house’ in 1672, and Rector Willis probably remained there until his death in 1679” (EE Wilde, Ingatestone & The Essex Great Road (1913) p176). This was the formation of what became the Congregational Church (more recently Brentwood United Reformed Church).

D W Coller, wrote about the events of 1662 in his book ‘The People’s History of Essex’ (1861)

“Then came the Act of Uniformity, which banished all strange doctrine from the pulpit and restored the liturgy in its completeness; and 2,000 of the clergy, many of them in Essex, with a sincerity which astonished the kingdom, abandoned their snug vicarages and comfortable rectory-houses, and went forth, voluntarily embracing a life of hardship and poverty rather than accept the articles of subscription which were tendered to them as the condition of retaining their cures.  The following is a list of the ejected clergy in this county: it shows at once the extent of the suffering, and the parishes which had been under pastors whose teaching had been most hostile to the system of the Church:

Abbey Hatch: Mr Knightsly

Alphamstone: Mr Samuel Brinsley, St John’s Col. Camb

Arkesden: Richard Pepps. M.A., Eman. Col. Camb

Great Baddow: Mr Christopher Wragge

Little Baddow: Thomas Gilson, M.A., Eman. Col. Camb

Barking: Benjamin Way M.A., Oriel Col. Oxon

Barnston: John Beadle, M.A.

Belchamp (Walter): Mr Dearsley

Belchamp (Otten): Mr Thomas

Bentley: Mr Thomas Beard

Boreham: Mr John Oates

Boxted: Mr Lax, also Mr Carr

Braintree: Mr John Argor, Camb. Univ

Steeple Bumpstead: Mr Edmund Symmes

Birdbrook: Issac Grandorge, M.A., St John’s Col. Camb

Great Burstead: Mr Samuel Bridges

Chelmsford: Mr Mark Mott

Chickney: Mr Archer

Childerditch: Mr Harris

Chrishall (Little): Mr James Willet

Clavering: Mr John Moore, Peter-house, Camb

Coggeshall: Mr John Sams

Colchester, St Andrews: Owen Stockton, M.A., Christ’s Col. Camb

Colchester, St Peter’s: Mr Edward Warren

Colne Engaine: Mr John Clarke

Copford: Mr Robert Thompson

Cranham: Mr John Yardley

Danbury: Mr John Man

Dedham: Matt Newcomen, M.A., St John’s Col. Camb

High Easter: Mr Martin Holbitch

Eastwood: Mr Phillogers Sacheverel, Ox Univ

Felsted: Mr Nathaniel Ranew, Eman. Col. Camb

Feering: Mr Constable

Finchingfield: Mr Hugh Glover, Eman. Col. Camb

Fingringhoe: Mr Gregg

Fordham: John Bulkley, M.A.

Gestingthorp: Mr Davis

Hawkwell: Mr John Church

Halstead: Mr Wlliam Sparrow, Camb. Univ

Hamstead (West): Mr Green

Hanningfield S: Mr Cardinal

Hatfield Broad Oak: John Warren M.A., Ox. Univ

Hempstead: Mr Thomas Ellis

Henham: Mr Samuel Ely

Hedingham (Castle): Mr John Smith

Henny (Little): Mr Samuel Crossman

Hockley: Mr Farnworth

Hallingbury (Little): Mr Waters

Hornchurch: Mr Wells

Ingatestone: John Willis, M.A.

Inworth: Mr Robert Dodd, Ox Univ, also Mr Jenkins

Laver (Magdalen): Mr Harvey

Laver (High): Mr Samuel Borfet, King’s Col. Camb

Laver (Little): Edward Whiston, M.A., Trin. Col. Camb

Leighs (Little): Mr John Benson

Leyton (Low): Phllip Anderton, M.A., Eman. Col. Camb

Lindsell: Mr Clark

Maldon: Thomas Horrockes, M.A., St John’s Col. Camb

Moreton: Edmund Calamay, M.A., Sydney Col. Camb

Nazing: Mr John Brown, Eman. Col. Oxon

Nevendon: Mr Davis Fowles

Norton: Mr Hubbard

Notley: Mr Sparrowhawk

Oakley: Mr John Hubbard

Oakley (near Stansted): Mr Lucas

Ockendon (South): Mr Barnaby

Ongar (Chipping): Mr John Lorkin

Panfield: Mr George Purchas

Parndon (Great): Mr Bastwick

Pattiswick: Mr Ralph Hile

Pebmarsh: Me Blakeley

Pentlow: Mr Henry Esday

Prittlewell: Thomas Peck, M.A.

Radwinter: Mr George Moxon

Rayleigh: Abraham Caley, B.D.

Rettendon: William Clopton, M.A., Eman. Col. Camb

Ridgewell: Daniel Ray, M.A., St John’s Col. Camb

Rivenhall: Mr George Lisle

Roothing: Mr John Wood

Roothing (White): Mr Sandford

Sandon: Mr Samuel Smith

Shalford: Mr Giles Firman, Camb. Univ

Shelley: Mr Zackery Finch

Shenfield: Mr George Bound

Shoebury: Mr Watson

Southchurch: William Ruthband, M.A., Ox. Univ

Springfield: John Reeve, M.A.

Stambourne: Mr Henry Havers, Kath. Hall, Camb

Stanford Rivers: Mr Matthew Ellistone

Stansted: Mr Robert Abbott

Stapleford (Abbots): Mr Lewis Calandrine

Stapleford (Tawney): Mr Ward

Stebbing: Samuel Bantoft, B.D., Jesus Col. Camb

Stisted: Mr Thomas Clark

Stock: Mr Martin Sympson

Stow Mary’s: Mr James Maulden

Tey (Much or Great): Mr Green

Tey (Marks): Mr Richard Rand

Terling: John Stalham, M.A., Ox. Univ

Thaxted: Mr James Parker

Thoyden Mount: Mr Francis Chandler

Toppesfield: Mr John Overhead

Upminster: Mr Hawkes

Wakering: Mr Christopher Scott

Waltham (Little): John Harrison, M.A.

Wanstead: Leonard Hoar, M.D.

Warley (Little): Mr Powel

West Ham: Mr Walton

Wethersfield: John Cole, M.A., Jesus Col. Camb.

White Colne: Mr John Bigley

Wickham Bishops: Mr Robert Billio, Trin. Col. Camb

Witham: Mr Thomas Ludgutter

Weeley: Mr Dowel

Yeldham (Great): Mr Robert Chadsly.

“It appears to have been feared that these nonconformist exiles would in many instances carry their congregations from the parish altars, and leave the churches desolate.  An act was therefore passed prohibiting separate congregations, and forbidding any dissenting teacher to come within five miles of any place at which he had preached.  Dissent prevailed in the county, nevertheless, and to a great extent, - so hard is it to coerce the conscience by human law; and though these restrictions, with occasional modifications, were continued for a century afterwards, conventicles, as they were called, were set up in secure and secret places, precautions being taken to elude the watchful constable and the lurking informer.  An illustration of this existed up to about a year ago in the old chapel in Baddow-lane, Chelmsford.  A sliding panel was to be seen in the wall at the back of the pulpit.  The tradition is, that the original building was a solitary barn, and through this loop-hole, the minister and the people who dared to worship God in what the law called an illegal manner, had a ready means to escape to the wood, which then skirted the rear of the building, and extended to Galleywood Common to the river, while the soldiers employed to hunt the fugitives were thundering the bolted door.”

Brentwood: Olympic Torch Relay Comes To Town

Day 49 of the Olympic Torch Relay, seven years after the announcement that London would be hosting the 2012 Olympics, and just three weeks until the start of the Games, the tour arrived in Essex - here at Brentwood at 6.00pm today.  The torch-bearer on this part of the route - from The Avenue to Masons Restaurant in Ingrave Road - was Paul Salmon, 39, from Colne Engaine. His (very proud) mother stood next to us and other members of his family were positioned along the route. 

Fryerning: Diamond Jubilee

A photograph of St Mary's Church, Fryerning 

taken at about 9.00am on Tuesday 5 June 2012 - while it was still sunny!

Blackmore: Diamond Jubilee Flypast

A matter of minutes ago over Blackmore. 

I asked someone to confirm what the 'planes were. 

"That is an easy one, it is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on their way to the jubilee fly past. 

"The aircraft are (from top left to bottom right) a spitfire, a spitfire, a hurricane, a Lancaster  and another 2 spitfires.  The Lancaster is obviously the larger one. You can tell the spitfires from the hurricane as the former have elliptical wings whereas the latter are longer and thinner with squarer ends." 

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS: June 2012

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

Diamond Jubilee

“The County of Essex” celebrated “the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” with a Choral Evensong at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday 27 May.  The Bishop of Chelmsford in his address referred to the Queen’s life of devotion and of her service to our nation.  2012 is a defining year in our history – Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympic Games in London and Essex.  It’s a time to celebrate and give thanks.

Golden Jubilee

Was it over that Golden Jubilee weekend ten years’ ago that Concorde flew low over The Green at Blackmore on its way to Buckingham Palace?  2002 – seems very recent.

Silver Jubilee

I am old enough to remember Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee 35 years ago.  Monday 6 June 1977 was a drizzly day in Ingatestone.  There was a great family picnic at Seymour Field and the distribution of Silver Jubilee Crowns (coins) to all children.  The following day there was an interdenominational service, but our family stayed at home to watch the national Thanksgiving Service on television.

Anniversaries

Hylands Park

Hylands Park, Chelmsford, is really worth a visit over this summer – synonymous with the V Festivals of course.  The house began restoration 25 years ago in 1987.

One hundred years ago, on 26 June 1912, the park made national news when there was a society wedding at Widford Church.  The bridegroom was Mr Claude Grahame-White, an early aviator.  His bride was Miss Dorothy Taylor from New York.  It was a lavish affair with a fete held in the grounds of the house, with the groom giving demonstration flights in his aeroplane.  These were the early days of aviation, with ‘planes looking no more than motorised prams with wings.  Many of his friends flew in for the event.  (For more read Stephen Foreman’s book, ‘Hylands’.)

(More on Hylands: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Trudie-shocked-mistress-mansion-naked-bath/story-16106180-detail/story.html)

Anniversaries

Epping and Ongar Railway

A steam-powered locomotive returned for the first time in 45 years (1957) to the stretch of railway line previously occupied by London Transport.  The ‘Epping and Ongar Railway’, a preservation line, had a grand opening last weekend (24 – 27 May 2012) creating much media interest.  (See report http://thelocaltalk.net/eppingforest/2012/05/22/surprise-guest-at-epping-ongar-railway/ and follow link to Railway’s website http://eorailway.co.uk/).

Anniversaries

Ongar United Reformed Church

Founded 350 years ago as an Independent Chapel when Church of England clergy became obliged to use the new 1662 Book of Common Prayer of be deprived of their living (i.e. sacked).  The church building is Victorian.

Anniversaries

Ingatestone United Reformed Church

The church celebrates its bi-centenary of foundation with a special service at the end of June and two history days over the weekend of 14 and 15 July.  Congregationalists have met in Ingatestone before 1812 but it was the building of the first chapel on the present site which is the focus of thanks and celebration.

Book

The Diamond Queen

Andrew Marr’s book ‘The Diamond Queen’ (Macmillan, 2011), a more detailed account than the recent television series, is subtitled ‘Elizabeth II and her people’.  It charts the history of the monarchy from George V to the present, and includes, inevitably, a parallel political history of the nation; Churchill, an Essex MP being the Queen’s first of twelve Prime Ministers.  During the First World War the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family restyled themselves as the Windsors, a rather English, if invented, name.  The book refers to: “The Bishop of Chelmsford [Rt Rev John Edwin Watts-Ditchfield], an influential figure, had told [Lord] Stamfordham [the King’s private secretary] that ‘the stability of the throne would be strengthened if the Prince of Wales married an English lady … she must be intelligent and above all full of sympathy’.”  The constant evolving of monarchy is a thread which Andrew Marr follows, drawing comparison with the Duke of York’s marriage to Elizabeth Bowes Lyon and Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

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 Lady and the Robber: A True Story

In a large and lonely house, situated in the south of England, there once lived a lady and her two maid servants.  They were far away from all human habitations, but they seem to have felt no fear, and to have dwelt there peacefully and happily.  It was the lady’s custom to go round the house with her maids every evening to see that the windows and doors were properly secured.  One night she had accompanied them as usual, and ascertained all was safe.  They left her in the passage close to her room and then went to their own which was quite the other side of the house.  As the lady opened her door, she distinctly saw a man underneath her bed.  What could she do?  Her servants were far away and could not hear her if she screamed for help, and even if they had come to her assistance, those three weak women were no match for a desperate housebreaker.  How then did she act?  She trusted in God. 

Quietly she closed the door, and locked it on the inside, which she always was in the habit of doing.  She then leisurely brushed her hair, and putting on her dressing gown, she took her Bible and sat down to read.  She read aloud, and chose a chapter which had peculiar reference to God’s watchfulness over us and constant care for us, by night and day.

When it was finished she knelt and prayed at great length, still uttering the words aloud, especially commending herself and servants to God’s protection, and dwelling upon their utter helplessness, and dependence upon Him to preserve them from all dangers.

At last she rose from her knees, put out her candle, and laid down in bed; but she did not sleep.  After a few minutes had elapsed, she was conscious that a man was standing by her bedside.  He addressed her, and begged her not to be alarmed.  “I came here, said he, to rob you, but after the words you have read, and the prayers you have uttered no power on earth could induce me to hurt you or touch any thing in your house.  But you must remain perfectly quiet, and not attempt to interfere with me.  I shall now give a signal to my companions which they will understand and then we will go away and you may sleep in peace, for I give you my solemn word that no one shall harm you, and not the smallest thing belonging to you be disturbed”.  He then went to window, opened it, and whistled softly, returning to the lady’s side (who had not spoken or moved) he said, “Now I am going.  Your prayer has been heard, and no disaster will befall you”.

He left the room, and soon all was quiet, and the lady fell asleep, still upheld by that calm and beautiful faith and trust.  When the morning dawned and she awoke, we may be assured that she poured out her thanksgivings and praise to Him who had “defended” her under His wings and “kept” her safe under His feathers “so that she may not be afraid of the terror of the night”.  The man proved true to his word, and not a thing in the house had been taken.  From this true story let us learn to put our whole trust and confidence in God.

It afterwards was confessed by the Robber, if she had given the slightest alarm he was fully determined to murder her; so that it was really God’s good guidance that told her to follow the course she took.  Then before he went away, he said, “I never heard such words before, I must have the book you read out of” and carried off her Bible, willingly given you may be sure. 

The lady was sometime after attending a religious meeting in Yorkshire where after several noted clergy and others had spoken, a man arose stating that he was employed as one of the book-hawkers of the Society, and told the story of the midnight adventure, as the wonderful power of the Word of God.  He concluded with, “I was that man”.  The lady arose from her seat in the hall and said quietly, “It is all quite true.  I was the lady”.

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No. 42

The Quarterly Journal of the High Country History Group was issued to members in December 2011.  It contains a number of items including:

-          High Country.  An extract from ‘The People’s History of Essex’ on Hill Hall and Stapleford Tawney (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/theydon-mount-peoples-history-of-essex.html)

-          Richard Thomas Dutton Budworth (Part 2)

-          Coach Accident. 1832. Harlow

-          Curates of St Margaret’s Stanford Rivers

-          Crime Watch!  Extracts from the Essex Standard

-          Kelly’s Directory 1933 – Theydon Mount

-          Fare Discrimination

-          Book Review. Martyn Lockwood. Murder & Crime, Essex

-          What The Papers Said!

-          Sarah Fuller Flower Adams

For membership and further information go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/hchg.html

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

Expression of ideas

A bud is generally a more elegant and complimentary offering than a full-blown or over-blown flower.  If you wish your idea to expand, do not let the whole process of expansion take place in your own writing, or conversation; leave part of it for the mind of the hearer or reader.  Especially if you wish to act upon a deep mind leave the gunpowder to explode within, and beneath, as in a mine – it is enough to light the train.  In connection with this may be quoted a passage from Bacon: “In a set speech in an assembly, it is expected a man should use all his reasons in the case he handleth but in private persuasions in great error”.

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

In the country every thing is good, every thing is beautiful – The benevolence of Deity is every where presented to the eye, and the heart participates in the tranquillity of the scene.  In the town (Brighton) we are constantly disgusted by the vicar, follies, and consequent miseries of mankind.

Green fields are my delight, I am not only better in health but even in heart in the country.  A fine day exhilarates me, and if it rains, I behold the grass assume a richer verdure as it drinks the moisture, every thing that I behold is very good, except man, and in London I see nothing but man, and his works.  Surely a County Clergyman, or Esquire, with a tolerable income, is in a very enviable situation.  ER

Blackmore: Groves family

Received 11 April 2012

I am emailing to see whether you have any information on the Groves family from Blackmore.

Louisa (or Louise) Groves was my great-grandmother. She was born in Blackmore around 1855, the eldest of three daughters of Joseph Groves born c. 1834 in Blackmore and Sarah Groves (nee Bradley) born c. 1835 in Matching Green. Louisa and her sisters Rosa born c.1858 and Sarah born c.1860 are recorded in the 1861 census as living in 26 Village Cottages, Blackmore. Joseph is an agricultural labourer.

Joseph Groves died in 1864 of catarrh and asthma. It would appear that her widowed mother Sarah left Blackmore and moved to London in search of work. Louisa told her grandchildren that she was brought up by her two maiden aunts in Ganders Hall. The two aunts are probably Ellen and Ann Groves, who are listed as servants working at Howletts Hall in the 1861 census. Louisa claimed that Ganders Hall belonged to her family and that she should have inherited it on her aunts' deaths, but this seems fanciful.

I cannot find birth certificates for Louisa or her sisters, nor can I find a marriage certificate for Joseph Groves and Sarah Bradley. This may be because the family were, I believe, Congregationalists.

Sarah Groves did remarry in Blackmore, in 1870, to William Whybrow, a lunatic attendant, from Whittel Canfead (I am not sure if that is the right spelling). The family then moved permanently to London, where William joined the railways. William, tragically, died in a railway accident in 1972 and Sarah subsequently remarried.

Do you have any information on the Groves family?

Kind regards

Ysanne Burns

Replied 21 April 2012

Hello Ysanne

I am sorry I do not have information on this family.  Blackmore has a Baptist Chapel not a Congregational Chapel.   Congregationalists met in Ingatestone, Writtle, Ongar, Brentwood and Billericay, to name five local places.  These are now part of the United Reformed Church.  I suggest you look at the Essex Ancestors section of the Essex Record Office to see whether there are baptism, marriage and burial registers for this denomination.

Andrew

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

An authentic description of Names, rather odd, but very assuring and perfectly true

J.G. Sparrow married to Miss Crowe

Mr Slapp to Miss Whipham

Mr Greengrass to Miss Hay

Captain Legge

Captain Foot

Captain Coward

Captain Slaughter

Mr Birch, schoolmaster

Fox, Hare, Leveret, Rabbit

Stoat, Mole, Bird

Rook, Grouse, Partridge

Swallow, Martin, Pigeon, Dove, Peacock

Swan, Hawke, Kite, Wren

Eagle, Robin, Crab, Stag, Deer, Roebuck

Squirrel, Salmon, Roach, Spratt

Leech, Bigg, Small, Little

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS: May 2012

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

Blackmore Archaeology: Lundishes

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

Open ended question

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

Stondon Massey talk

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

Summer Recess

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

Miscellaneous

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

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

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

Links

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

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

A Highwayman well mounted stopt a Carriage in which was a gentleman alone, the highwayman with a diamond ring upon his finger, presented a Pistol at him from the window and politely said to him, “The price of this Pistol is five guineas”.  As soon as he had received the money, and delivered up the pistol, the gentleman exclaimed: “Now you rascal, unless you immediately return me the five guineas, I will assuredly blow your brains out”.  “Fire away Sir”, was the answer, “it is not loaded and I wish you a very good night”.

Another Highwayman stopt the Carriage of a Nobleman and said, “I have heard my Lord you have frequently declared you never would be robbed by a single highwayman”.  “Nor will I,” he said, “there are two of you”.  When the highwayman looked back he shot him dead.