DUNTON
White's History, Gazetteer & Directory of Essex ~ 1848
Submitted and Transcribed by Essex Villages
DUNTON, or Dunton Waylett, a small pleasant village on elevated ground, 5 miles S. S. E. of Brentwood, and S. S. W. of Billericay, has in its parish 194 souls, and 2338 acres of land, including part of Laindon Hills. Ulwin, a priest, held it in the Confessor's reign, and at the Domesday Survey, it belonged mostly to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, on whose disgrace, the Conqueror gave it to Bec Abbey, in Normanby.
The manor of Dunton Hall was afterwards held of that abbey by the Albini, Walden, Vere, and other families; but on the suppression of alien monasteries, it was given to King's College, Cambridge, to which it still belongs, together with the farm called Dunton Waylett. Part of the parish belongs to J. B. Freeman, Esq., and several smaller freeholders; and the estate, called Friern, is the property of St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
The Church (Virgin Mary) stands on an acclivity, and has a nave and chancel, with a wooden belfry and spire. It has two bells, and the rectory, valued in K. B. at £14. 13s. 4d., and in 1831 at £466, is in the patronage of King's College, Cambridge, and incumbency of the Rev. W. H. Tucker, M. A., who has 29a. of glebe, and a large and commodious residence, with pleasant grounds.
The National School was built in 1843
Collins Jermh. smith and shopkpr
Ridall Ann, National School
Tucker Rev. W. H., M. A. rector
Farmers
Buckenham Charles ll Cox Wm.
Knight Richd. Esq. Dunton Hall
Robinson Henry ll Moss John
Sider John, Dunton-Waylett
Wilby Warner ll Squier Joseph
Letters from Billericay
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by John Marius Wilson. circa 1866
DUNTON, a parish in Billericay district, Essex; 4½ miles SSW of Billericay, and 5 SE of Brentwood r. station. Post-town, Laindon, under Ingatestone. Acres, 2,338. Real property, £2,264. Pop., 174. Houses, 33. The property is divided among a few. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £442. Patron, King's College, Cambridge. The church is good.
Transcribed by Noel Clark