COLCHESTER WITH THE VILLAGE OF LEXDEN AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
Pigot's Essex 1832-3 Trade Directory
COLCHESTER, the most considerable town in Essex, is in the hundred of Lexden; 51 miles from London, 22 from Chelmsford, and 13 from Hadleigh, in Suffolk. It is situated both upon the summit and side of a fine eminence, rising from the Colne, which washes its north and east sides, and is navigable as far as New Hythe, at the eastern extremity of the town. Although it is situated near the sea, yet is is sufficiently inland to be protected from noxious damps and marine vapours; and it is remarkable for its dryness, cleanness and consequent salubrity; and it is now much frequented as a watering place. The ancient history of this place has been a source of much contention among antiquarians, some of whom maintain that it was the Roman Camulodonum. Of its extreme antiquity, however, no doubts are entertained, investigation having established the fact of its having been a British, as well as a Roman city; relics of Roman grandeur are here discovered in far greater numbers than in any other part of South Britain; and the strength of those portions of its fortifications which have weathered out the assaults of time, convince the spectator of the vast importance of the place they were destined to defend. While the Saxon power was predominant in this country, Colchester, then known by the name of Colon-ceaster or Colne-ceaster, lost much of its importance, owing to the increasing wealth and consequence of its powerful neighbour, London, the situation of which was much more favourable for commerce. Colchester has suffered very severely by the ravages of civil war, particularly in the unhappy contest between King Charles and his parliament: the town was then bravely defended by the royalists, when, after an eleven weeks' siege by the parliamentary general, Fairfax, it was obliged to capitulate upon the hardest terms. Previous to the departure of Fairfax, he compelled the citizens to dismantle their fortifications, the magistrates being obliged to provide the tools for the purpose; before this period, great attention had been paid to the preservation of the walls, of which at present but few remains can be traced. The castle stands upon an elevated spot to the north of the High-street, and commands a magnificent view of the valley winding to the north and east: the outer walls are tolerably perfect; they are built of an admixture of silicious and calcareous stones and Roman brick, but the latter are chiefly in large masses - fragments, as it were, of some more ancient building. Within the last 15 years Colchester has been gradually improving in paving, lighting and general appearance. Among its public buildings, erected within the above period, are the exchange, hospital and observatory; at the eastern part of the town a house of correction, or penitentiary, is also about to be erected. The hospital is an extensive building, in a very healthy situation, supported by annual subscriptions, donations, &c. &c., and is conducted in a very praiseworthy manner. The theatre is a large handsome building, open during the winter months. The barracks are very extensive, and when occupied are of material benefit to the retail trade of the town. A philosophical society, established about six years ago by a few respectable and intelligent individuals, is now in a state of great prosperity; essays on various interesting subjects are occasionally delivered. A botanical and horticultural society has been formed, and is liberally supported in the county and neighbourhood; attached to which is an extensive botanic garden, affording to the proprietors and subscribers a delightful treat.- There are several charitable institutions here for the relief of the poor, and this town is one of those included in the gift of the late Sir Thomas Whichcote: there are also several almshouses; a grammar-school, founded by Henry VIII, and others for gratuitous education upon the national and Lancasterian systems. The manufacturing of baize, and extensive silk-mills, furnish employment to a great number of the inhabitants; while the oyster fishery, for which Colchester has been so long famous, occupies many others. There is also a large spirit distillery, in full operation, belonging to Messrs. Bawtree and Co. Besides the branches above-mentioned, the general local trade of Colchester is considerable, and rarely experiences depression. Two newspapers are published here weekly, - the 'Colchester Gazette' on Saturday, and the 'Essex Standard' on the same day; they are of opposite political principles, but are equally well conducted; and both enjoy an extensive patronage.
The first charter of incorporation obtained by the inhabitants of Colchester was granted by Richard I, in the year 1189, when many valuable privileges, especially the exclusive fishery of the Colne, between the north and west bridges, were conferred upon the burgesses; their charter has received repeated confirmations, and their privileges extension, from succeeeding monarchs; the last, by which the government of the town is regulated, was granted by his Majesty George III, in the year 1763. The corporation consists of a mayor, recorder, town-clerk, 12 aldermen, 18 assistants, 18 common councilmen, and inferior officers; it returns two members to parliament, the right of election being vested in the corporation and free burgesses (resident and non-resident), in number about 1,500; the mayor is the returning officer; the present representatives are Daniel W. Harvey and Wm. Mayhew, Esqrs. Quarter sessions, and weekly sittings of the borough and county magistrates, are held in the moot hall and castle; and a court for the recovery of debts under £5, is holden, in the first-mentioned place, every Monday and Thursday.
The number of parishes in the town and suburbs of Colchester is 16, but several of the churches have been destroyed; among those that remain are some handsome structures. The principal church within the Borough is that dedicated to St. James; the others are, St.Mary's at the walls, St. Peter's, St. Runwald's, St. Nicholas', St. Botolph's, All Saints', St. Giles', St. Leonard's, St.Mary Magdalen's, the Holy Trinity, St. Martin's, St. Michael's, and Bere church - none of which need a detailed account. The chapels for dissenters are those for the use of baptists, independents, Eweleyan methodists and unitarians, besides a meeting-house for the society of friends. - The prospects of the surrounding country, from the most elevated parts, are extensive, and include some picturesque scenery; amongst which the ruins of St. John's abbey, and St. Botolph's priory, are interesting objects.
Colchester has been a market town from time immemorial, but the first charter for this privilege was granted by Richard I; the market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, the last being principally for corn; the corn-market is a very elegant building, and adds much to the appearance of the High-street. Here are also held three annual fairs, viz. On July 5th, July 23d, and October 10th. The population of the 16 parishes (including Lexden,) within the borough and liberties of Colchester, by the late government census (1831), is as follows: in 1801 the number of inhabitants was 11,520 - in 1811, 12,554 - in 1821, 14,016 - and in 1831, 16,167; being an increase, in 30 years, of 4,647 persons.
LEXDEN is a genteel and delightful little village and parish, within the borough of Colchester, about two miles east of that town; admired for its particular cleanliness, and the elegant appearance of many of the houses. The church is, perhaps, as neat an edifice as any in the county; it is in the pointed style of architecture, and is an ornament to this respectable village; the rector is the Rev. George Preston. The parish contained, by the last official returns, 1,184 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE, Head-street, COLCHESTER, Maria Savage, Post Mistress. - Letters from LONDON, &c, arrive every morning at two, and are despatched every morning at one. - Letters from NORWICH, &c. arrive every morning at one, and are despatched every morning at two. _ Office opens for delivery every morning at 8, and closes every evening at 9; but letters are received until ½ past 10, by paying 1d. with each.
COACHES.
To LONDON, the Royal Mail (from Norwich) and the Telegraph (from Yarmouth), call at the Mail Coach office & Cups Inn & Hotel, every night at half-past twelve, and the Foreign Mail, calls at the Cups, every Tuesday & Thursday morning at half-past ten - the Yarmouth Star, every afternoon at half-past two; the Shannon (from Yoxford), every day at noon; the Wellington, every morning at nine; and the New Times (from Harwich), every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at ten, all from the Cups; and go thro' Witham, Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Brentwood, Romford, and Stratford.
To LONDON, the Defiance, from the George, every afternoon at a ¼ before 2 - the Old Blue and the Independent (from Ipswich), call at the Red Lion, every morning at half-past eleven - and the New Colchester, from the Swan and Red Lion, every afternoon at two; all go the same route.
To BRAINTREE and BOCKING, the Pilot, from the George, every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday afternoon at four in winter, and five in summer; goes through Coggeshall.
To CAMBRIDGE, the Colchester, from the George, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at nine; goes thro' Halstead, Haverill and Linton.
TO HADLEIGH, the Wellington, a branch coach, from the Cups, every Monday, Wed. & Fri. afternoon at half-past 8.
To HARWICH, the Foreign Mail, every Wednesday & Saturday morning at ½ past seven; the Wellington, a branch coach, every Monday afternoon at half-past three; and the New Times (from London), every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at six, all call at the Cups; go through Manningtree, &c.
To IPSWICH, the Old Blue and the Independent (from London), call at the Red Lion, every afternoon at half-past two both go through Stratford.
To NORWICH, the Royal Mail (from London), calls at the Cups, every morning at half-past one; goes through Ipswich, Eye, Scole Inn, Long Stratton, &c.
To WALTON-IN-THE-NEYS, the Wellington, from the George and the Red Lion, every morning at eight from the month of May to October.
To YARMOUTH, the Star (from London), calls at the Cups, every morning at half-past eleven; goes thro' Ipswich, Bungay, Harleston, Beccles and Wangford - and the Telegraph, calls at the same Inn, every morning at half-past one; goes thro' Ipswich, Woodbridge, Wickham, Yoxford and Wangford.
To YOXFORD, the Shannon (from London), calls at the Cups, every afternoon at half-past one; goes thro' Ipswich, Saxmundham and Wickham.
CARRIERS,
To LONDON, Reeve, Broom & Winter, John Bull, and Smith, call at the Bull, every Thurs. - Deacon & Betts, call at the Fleece, every Tues. Thurs. & Sun, and Nollard, every Thurs. - Smith and Walter & Yeulets, call at the Angel, every Tues. & Fri. - and J Porch, from his office, High st, every Tuesday and Thursday; ; all go thorugh Chelmsford, Brentwood, Ingatestone and Romford.
To BENTLEY, - Firnin, from the Cross Keys, every Saturday.
To BOXFORD, a Mail Cart, from the Post-office, every morning at six.
To BRAINTREE, - Hart, from the Bull, every Wednesday and Saturday.
To BRIGHTLINGSEA, - Littlewood, from the Sea Horse, every Mon. Thurs. and Sat. - and John Cook, from the Swan, every Wednesday & Saturday.
To BURY ST. EDMUNDS, - Baker, from the Waggon and Horses, every Tuesday and Friday.
To CAMBRIDGE, - Clayden, from the Bull, every Saturday.
To CLACTON - Read, from the Swan, every Tuesday and Saturday.
To CLARE, William Etmore, from the Castle, every Saturday.
To COGGESHALL, - Redgrift, from the Bull, every Mon. Wed. and Sat.
To DEBENHAM, - Nollard, calls at the Fleece, every Sunday.
To DEDHAM, a Mail Cart, from the Post-office, every morning at six - and - Osborne, from the Sea Horse, every Wednesday and Saturday.
To DIS, Reeve, calls at the Bull, every Sun.
To EARL'S COLNE, - Taylor, from the Bull, every Tues. Thyurs. And Sat.
To EAST MERSEA, - Cudmore, from the Blue Posts, every Tues. & Fri. and - Underwood, every Saturday.
To ELMSTEAD, - Whiting, from the Sea Horse, every Wed. and Saturday.
To GREAT BENTLEY, - Allmond, from the Swan, every Wed. and Sat.
To GREAT HOLLAND, Cousins, from the Sea Horse, every Tu. Thurs. & Sat.
To HADLEIGH, - Warren,, from the Red Lion, every Thurs. & Sat. - Walter & Yeulets, from their office and Smith, from the Angel, every Mon. & Thurs.
To HARWICH, a Mail Cart, from the Post-office, every morning at three - & Robert Salter, from the Swan, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
To IPSWICH, - Rouse, from the Ship, East hill, & - Hawkins, from the Sea Horse, every Mon. Wed. & Fri. - Deacon & Betts, call at the Fleece, every Wed. Fri & Sun. - and - Garwood, from the Castle, every Tues. Thurs. and Sat.
To KELVEDON, Edward Moore, from the Horse & Groom, and - Higgleton, from the Bull, every Wed. and Sat.
To MANNINGTREE and MISTLEY, - Blyth, from the Sea Horse, every Mon. Wed. & Fri. - Wilson, from the same Inn, and - Baker, from the Swan, every Tues. Thurs. & Sat. - and Walter & Yeulets, from their office, every Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon.
To NAYLAND, - Parker, from the Waggon and Horses, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
To NORWICH, John Bull, calls at the Bull, every Sunday - and Beart, from the Castle, High st, every Saturday.
To OAKLEY, - Cousins, from the George, every Tues. Thurs and Sat.
To PELDON, Richard Woods, from the Plough, every Mon. Tues. Thurs. & Sat.,
To St. OSYTH, - Franlin, from the George, and - Minter, from the Sea Horse, every Tues. Thurs. and Sat.
To SOUTHMINSTER, - Keys, from the Bull, every Thursday & Saturday.
To STOKE, - Cousins, from the Cross Keys, every Friday.
To STOWMARKET, Brown & Winter, call at the Bull, every Sunday.
To STRATFORD ST. MARY, - Walford, from the Ship, East hill, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
To SUDBURY, - Bryan, from his house, North hill, every Tuesday & Friday.
To THORPE, a Mail Cart, from the Post-office, every morning at six - and - Bagley, from the Castle, High street, every Tuesday and Saturday.
To TOLESBURY, Garwood & Hughes, from the Ship, St. John st, every Tuesday and Saturday.
To TOLLESHUNT, - Cooper, from the Bull, every Wed. and Saturday.
To WALLINGFORD, - Wybrow, from the Waggon & Horses, daily (Sun ex.)
To WALTON, - Freeman, from the Castle, High st. every Tues. and Sat.
To WEIGHLEY, - Lilly, from the Castle, every Wed. and Saturday.
To WEST MERSEA, - Potter, from the Blue Posts, every Mon. Wed. & Sat.
To WIVENHOE, - Cridge, from the Sea Horse, daily (Sunday excepted) - and - Pilper, from the Swan, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
To YARMOUTH, - Smith, calls at the Bull, every Wednesday and Sunday.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER.
To LONDON, Vessels (of from eighty to one hundred tons burden) sail from the Woolpack quay Hythe, every Saturday, and occasionally oftener.
To GAINSBOROUGH & HULL, the Alert (Johns, master), from the Horseshoe wharf, Hythe, and Lewis's vessels, every fortnight, days uncertain.
Transcribed by CG
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by John Marius Wilson. circa 1866
LEXDEN, a village and a parish in Colchester district, and within Colchester borough, Essex. The village stands on the river Colne, near the Eastern Counties railway, 1 mile W of Colchester; dates at least from the time of the Confessor; and has a post-office under Colchester. The parish comprises 2,440 acres. Real property, £9,799. Pop., 1,543. Houses, 337. Lexden Lodge was formerly the seat of the Lords Fitzwalters, and is surrounded by a moat. Lexden Park has some fine trees and a pleasant lakelet. There are several good residences, with pleasure-grounds. Some ancient entrenchments are on Lexden Haeath. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £566. Patron Mrs. E Papillon. The church was repaired in 1821. There is a national school, with £20 a-year from endowment. (Not to be confused with either the Lexden Hundred or the Lexden district. The parish of Lexden is in the Lexden Hundred, but not in the Lexden district.)
Transcribed by Noel Clark