Postcard Collection: Great Warley

'Warley Woods'

A postcard written in 1909.

Postcard Collection: Great Warley

These two postcards of Great Warley Church were written on 23 & 24 December 1907. In the first W. enquires of his young lady, "Do you remember the walk to this church?" and in the second, "I hope this card will reach you Bank Holiday morning and that you will have a most enjoyable day". Clearly no post was delivered on Christmas Day but the service resumed on Boxing Day.

Postcard Collection: South Weald

South Weald Church. W. writes on a different topic from Mountnessing on 30 December 1907, "Thanks very much for present received in tonight's post. It is now 11.15pm and have just come back from the Choir Supper at the Vicarage. Will write to tell you everything tomorrow when I am more awake."

Postcard Collection: South Weald

Now in Weald Country Park, the site of the former and demolished house, 'The Belvedere, Weald Park, Brentwood' can be visited.

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - June 2011

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

Richard Holmes (1946 – 2011)

I want to write a small tribute about Richard Holmes, the military historian, who died on 30 April. Richard Holmes visited High Ongar Church back in spring 2005 to give a talk on ‘Tommy’, the ordinary conscript of the First World War and subject of what was then his latest book. The Professor gave his time in support of the Friends of All Saints Church, Norton Mandeville. He spoke to a packed church and I recall people who did not have tickets had to be reluctantly turned away. What was compelling about his talk was that it was drawn from his own experience as a Brigadier. He knew what it was like in the theatre of war and could relate to the thoughts and feelings of those men of the First World War. He was well-known for his BBC TV series of ‘War Walks’ and ‘In the Footsteps of Churchill’. On television as well as in person he was both knowledgeable and engaging.

William Byrd Festival

Stondon Massey’s great composer was prominently featured in a Festival over two weekends at St Peter & St Paul Church. Such was the success, both in audience interest and financially, it has been decided to keep the Festival website open. For the information about the Renaissance musician, the Festival itself and future Byrd-related events visit http://www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com.

Links

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

Postcard Collection: Warley

'Essex County Asylum. Brentwood. Warley"

Postcard Collection: Brentwood

Three images of Shenfield Common, Brentwood from a hundred years ago.

Postcard Collection: Brentwood

The oak marked the site where William Hunter was martyred in 1555. W writes from Mountnessing on 7 August 1907, "Weather here is inclined to be stormy yesterday afternoon. I raced a storm home [by bike] from Brentwood and just got inside by the time the storm was at its height. This view shows the Martyr's Oak and behind it is the chapel of my old school [Brentwood Grammar School]. I forget what local views you have, but I don't think you have this".

Stondon Massey: An Historian's Visit One Hundred Years Ago

Now preserved in the Essex Record Office for all to see, the Archdeacon of Essex and of Colchester records dating back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I were stored in a quite different way a century ago. Revd. Reeve, the rector of Stondon Massey and a keen local historian, made a visit on 8^th May 1911 to Mr Gepp, the Registrar at Chelmsford. He wrote, “Matters had improved since my last visit [11 years ago]. The books had been brought downstairs from the loft, and had been lodged in shelves. This, however, without any regard at all to order or classification. I was treated by Mr Gepp & his Clerks with the kindest consideration and given free access to the library, with a candle in wire lantern to assist me in the dark corner to which it was relegated, and a duster with which to move away so much dust as should be necessary and to keep my fingers free for movement.” Reeve noted the work of Mr Hollingsworth-Browne who was in the process of transcribing the records: “but only some 15 have yet been examined, and I suppose there must be over 150 volumes”.

Source: ERO T/P 188/2 loose paper between f612-613.

Stondon Massey: William Byrd Festival: Haec Dies!

"This is the day". The first William Byrd Festival event is today. For information on the Festival go to our website: www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com

Postcard Collection: Shenfield

A Fred Spalding postcard sent in 1909 showing Shenfield station, which was completely rebuilt in the 1970s. Unrecognisable.

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - May 2011

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

William Byrd Festival

The ‘William Byrd Festival’ will be held this month at St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey. For the latest information, visit http://www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com.

BBC Essex: Spreading the word about William Byrd

I was at the BBC Essex studios in Chelmsford this morning participating in a live interview on the Ian Wyatt’s Sunday morning ‘Faith and Fun’ programme, promoting the name of William Byrd and the Festival which commences at Stondon Massey next Saturday. Ian had confessed to not having heard of William Byrd. In suitable first of May mood the station played an extract from ‘This Sweet and Merry Month of May’, the madrigal composed by Byrd in 1590, and released 400 years ago this year.

The interview can be heard on the I Player for the next seven days. I appeared at 7.24am, between the travel bulletin and news summary. I should appear about 1 hour 22 minutes into the programme.

To listen to the programme go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=ian%20wyatt

Chelmsford Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of St Mary, Chelmsford, has been accorded Grade I listing status. The former parish church of the county town was designated as the Church of England’s mother church of the new Diocese in 1914. The building dates back to the fifteenth century. (our photograph is of the Cathedral)

Toot Hill Phone Box

Stanford Rivers Parish Council has purchased a redundant red telephone box on the Essex Way, near the Green Man public house and has plans to convert it into a tourist information centre.

Links

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

Book. William Byrd: Some Notes

An updated version of the booklet 'William Byrd: Some Notes' will go on sale from tomorrow (Sunday 1 May) at St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey, to link with the 'William Byrd Festival' which commences next Saturday (7 May). The book is available, price £2 (£3 including postage and packing to UK addresses).

Book: Revd. Edward Henry Lisle Reeve. The Last Gentleman Clergyman of Stondon Massey

A new booklet goes on sale on Sunday (1 May) at Stondon Church in aid of church funds and as a launch to the 'William Byrd Festival' which is a matter of days away. 'Revd. Edward Henry Lisle Reeve. The Last Gentleman Clergyman of Stondon Massey' is a 56 page biography of the former parish rector and local historian, who during his lifetime (1858 - 1936) did much to promote the Elizabethan composer locally. The book goes on sale priced £2 (£3 including P&P to UK addresses).

Stondon Massey: Reeve. Extraordinary Connection (3)

The third instalment of the story.

Received 8 March 2011

Good afternoon, Andrew.

I spoke with my aunt today (William Francis Spencer Hawkins daughter). She would be pleased to speak with you about her father. She said she has photos and documents about the Reeve family as well.

I look forward to the developments in our family tree as well!!

Sandy Fitzgibbon

Replied 8 March 2011

Dear Judy

Your niece Sandra has passed me your details. I understand you are the daughter of William Francis Spencer Hawkins. I have a particular interest in the Reeve family: Edward Henry Lisle (1858 -1936), your great uncle, was Rector of Stondon Massey (Essex) from 1893 - 1935, and his father Edward James, Rector from 1849 -1893. Your grandfather was buried at Stondon Massey in December 1916. At that time your father was serving in Greece. The Reeves were rectors of the church my wife and I regularly attend.

I understand that you have some records of the Reeve family which you are willing to share.

I am writing a biography of EHLR for publication in aid of church funds this May, and enclose the draft to date.

I have to say that I am really looking forward to talking to you.

Reeve is not a relative of mine but someone who I have taken an interest because of his hobby as a local historian. (I too am interested in history!)

Kind regards

Andrew

Replied 12 March 2011

Dear Judy

It was lovely to talk to you, and so generous of you to offer papers relating to ‘Lisle’ and the family, which I can assure you will be put to good use.

Many thanks

Andrew

A parcel duly arrived on 31 March 2011 containing books and manuscripts of the Reeve family of Stondon Rectory.

Stondon Massey: Reeve. Extraordinary Connection (2)

The story continues …

Received 2 March 2011

Dear Andrew,

I don't know much about the legal system in England, but Master and then Chief Chancery is something pretty important I think, because it looks like once Chief, the incumbents are eventually knighted as well. In WFS' case, he got the CB about the time his term was up...

From information from Sandy, the period of WFS' journal is from January to June 1918....which is not of the period he would have had news of his father's death...

Thanks for any Crickett information....your region is one that will most certainly get a visit one by the intrepid Fitzgibbon sisters in search of family data. Sounds like the Essex archives are a good source.

As to WFS Hawkins' descendants: "Bill and Eva" had two children, a boy and a girl. Personally, we don't know the whereabouts of the son who also had children, but Sandy will contact the daughter (who has children also) at the latest address we have to let her know that you are looking for descendants of WFS and that we're going to pass on her coordinates to you.

And we'll keep you posted.

Best regards.

Jane

Sent 3 March 2011

Dear Jane

Thanks for your E mail. Please find attached some papers relating to WFSH.

Regards

Andrew

Stondon Massey: Reeve. Extraordinary Connection (1)

When Jane Fitzgibbon recently left a comment regarding ‘Revd Reeve’s Nephew (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/01/stondon-massey-revd-reeves-nephew.html ) it opened a line of enquiry which revealed new family history and connections.

The comment was followed up with a request for an e mail address, which was duly given, and a sequence of correspondence commenced.

Sent 28 February 2011

Dear Jane

What can I say! Thank you for leaving a message on my blog. I am thrilled at the possibility of finding a descendant of Reeve.

If William Francis Spencer Hawkins, your grandfather, is the same William Francis Spencer Hawkins, the nephew of Revd Reeve, then Edward Henry Lisle Reeve is your gt gt uncle. Reeve was a clergyman at Stondon Massey in Essex, serving the parish from 1893 to 1935. His father, Edward James, was Rector from 1849 to 1893. Edward, Reeve’s grandfather, purchased the advowson in order to appoint his son – and move into comfortable retirement himself – in 1849.

Are you able to confirm that the marriage of WFSH in 1933 is the same WFSH who was born in 1896, served in the First World War, and was Reeve’s executer in 1936?

I am in a reasonable advanced stage of writing a biography of Edward Henry Lisle Reeve. I have been fascinated in the hobby he engaged in and the fact that he was truly the last gentleman clergyman of Stondon Massey, the neighbouring village to where I live and the church where I worship. He is credited with bringing to the fore the life of William Byrd, the Elizabethan composer who lived in Stondon Massey until his death in 1623. I am organising a William Byrd Festival in aid of church funds for May, so publication of the small book will coincide with the event, and again is intended as a fund raiser.

Please find therefore attached a very draft version of the book, which will be of interest to you. If you have any information, pictures etc which I could include in the final publication I would be exceedingly grateful. If I can assist in any way please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Andrew

PS I should just add that Reeve is not a relation of mine. The only connection I could claim is that he was and I am keen local historians.

Received 28 February 2011

Dear Andrew,

Quite extraordinary!

Except, I'm not related to Reverend Reeve either.

Eva Fitzgibbon, my paternal grandmother, married William Francis Spencer Hawkins on January 21, 1933 at St Anselm's Church, Davis Street, W.1 in the county of London and this information is held in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square. On a copy of their marriage certificate, which I have in front of me, WFS Hawkin's father is listed as Francis William Hawkins, Gentleman, deceased. The latter's father was George Mason Hawkins (1819-1854) who married Emma Mary Elizabeth Reeve on 17 July 1845 and died in Dedham, Essex.

Eva Fitzgibbon (née Graham) is shown as a widow at the time of her marriage to WFS Hawkins. She had two living children from her previous marriage, one of them was my father who died in 2008. So I don't share the Reeve/Hawkins line.

However, my father was tremendously fond of his step-father, WFS Hawkins, and passed on to me his cigar case which has his name engraved on it, as well as his address at the time on Gray's Inn Square, WC. We do have some photos and other documents.

We have WFS Hawkin's birthdate as April 18, 1897 (in Reading) as announced in the Bristol Times and Mirror and his father as Francis William Hawkins born October 1848 and died Dec 10, 1916 at the age of 68; and WFS Hawkins' mother as Sarah Jane W Spencer....we know of the existence of Dorothy and Leonard, but not Thomas and Mildred as we haven't really examined all the ins and outs of the Hawkins' family tree. In fact, family lore has it that Leonard introduced his brother, WFS, to Eva Fitzgibbon.

We know our WFS Hawkins went to the Balkans during WW1 as we have part of his hand written journal from that time, which we haven't completely deciphered as yet. This alone should tell us we have the one and the same person. And our WFS Hawkins was named Member of the Chancery in 1933; Chief in 1959, and CB in 1968.

In addition, my grandmother had two more children with WFS Hawkins so there are direct descendants to the Hawkins line.

My sister, Sandy who lives in Canada and I who live in France, are keenly interested in our family history. Sandy has the software and the ancestry memberships etc and we are always scratching around for more information. Our maternal grandfather was a Solly (very big in Kent around Sandwich, Ash, Worth, Eastry etc) and our maternal grandmother was a Crickitt (very big around Colchester and we believe your area as well). Our maternal great grandfather was Charles Alexander Cole Crickitt (1834 to 1925).

Above and beyond all that, I am a fan of John Dowland and William Byrd!

Let me know if you agree that we are on the same track....

Best regards,

Jane

Sent 28 February 2011

Dear Jane

Certainly there is a common thread here in that clearly Edward Henry Lisle Reeve’s nephew (known as Uncle Lisle) was your grandfather. You have verified that the gentleman had quite an illustrious career after the First World War. Please excuse my ignorance but Master of Chancery sounds to me like a very senior job in Law. Was he the top man?

The links with my research are quite interesting too. What I have written in my book on Reeve is incomplete, of necessity, as far as WFSH is concerned. I will search out my notes which did not make the final edit of the book and will let you have them, as well as copies of census data obtained.

It would be interesting to see whether WFSH makes reference to his father’s death in December 1916, and the letters sent by Uncle Lisle and the Aunties (spinster sisters of Reeve who lived at the Rectory).

The Crickitt family were well known in Blackmore. I posted some material on them on the Blackmore History blog (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/search?q=crickitt.) I recall that they were bankers and one of them was an MP in Ipswich. I will look out this information too.

I wonder, are there any Hawkins descendants around, and whether you know their whereabouts?

Regards

Andrew

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

Bells at Easter

When the Churches Conservation Trust celebrated its 40^th anniversary on 21 February 2009, I visited St Mary’s Church, Stansted, to hear a Quarter Peal ring out from its eight bells. (See http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2009/03/blackmore-history-news-march-2009.html). The small town, as it is now, is outside the area of blog coverage, but I thought this short video appropriate for today.

Blackmore: Monumental Inscriptions

Received 16 March 2011

Hi Andrew, I am still plugging away at my family tree of the Norris. I have found out with the help of my cousin via the Essex Record Office there are quite a few more relations baptised, married and buried in St Laurence Blackmore as well as St Mary the Virgin High Ongar. I wonder if there is a document anywhere where the details of who and where are buried in the Churchyard. I am proposing sometime this year when I come down from Suffolk to visit the churches to see if I can find any graves of my ancestors as I love to try and put a photo on my family tree site. Can you give me any help or point me in the right direction.

Regards

Linda Windley

Replied 18 March 2011

The Essex Society for Family History carried out a survey of Blackmore churchyard in 1997 with plan, inscriptions and location of graves. The results are available to view at the Essex Record Office: reference ERO T/Z 151/109. I could not find on SEAX reference to a survey of the churchyard at High Ongar.

Best wishes

Andrew