ORSETT, HORNDON-ON-THE HILL, &c
Pigot's Essex 1832-3 Trade Directory
ORSETT is a small village, in the parish of its name and hundred of Barstable; 12 miles from Romford, nine from Brentwood, and about three and a half from Grays Thurrock. It is situated in a very fertile part of the country, and agriculture is carried on here with considerable spirit and success. Here is a parish church, and a chapel for methodists; also a charity school, for the instruction of fourteen children of the poor. The number of inhabitants in this parish, by the late government census, was 1,274; having increased its population, since 1801, 763.
HORNDON-ON-THE-HILL is a village and parish, in the same hundred as Orsett, about two miles therefrom. It contains the parish church (which is a very old building), and 511 inhabitants at the period fo the late census. Formerly the wool-fairs, held at this place in June and July, were well attended; but they have long since sunk into insignificance.
POST OFFICE, George Inn, ORSETT, John Elsdon, Post Master. - Letters from ROMFORD arrive (by mail-cart) every morning at nine, and are despatched every afternoon at a quarter past four.
COACHES To LONDON, the Perseverance (from Horndon-on-the-Hill), calls at the George Inn, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at a quarter before eight; goes through Stifford, Aveley, Rainham and Barking - and Monday and Friday morning at a quarter before seven, when it goes thro' Grays Thurrock and Purfleet.
To HORNDON-ON-THE-HILL, the Perseverance, calls at the George Inn, every evening at seven.
Transcribed by CG
White's History, Gazetteer & Directory of Essex ~ 1848
Submitted and Transcribed by Essex Villages
ORSETT, a large and pleasant village, 9 miles S. by W. of Billericay, 5 miles N. of Tilbury fort, and 12 miles E. S. E. of Romford, gives name to the large Union noticed on page 542. Its parish comprises 1390 inhabitants, and 4136 acres of land, including the village of Baker Street, about a mile W. of the church; but exclusive of a detached member, called Orsett Hamlet, which has 45 inhabitants, and is distant 13 miles north of Orsett, being in Chelmsford Hundred, and comprising a considerable parcel of land, between the parishes of Buttsbury, Stock, and Margaretting, belonging to Lord Petre, and anciently forming Crondon Park, which was divided into farms many years ago. This hamlet is only connected ecclesiastically with Orsett, and pays a yearly modus of �16 to the rector, in lieu of tithes.
Orsett is supposed to have been called Horse Heath, by the Saxons; and about 1 mile N. W. of the village is Orsett Fen, where there is a stinted common of about 200 acres. Before the conquest, the parish belonged to the See of London; but at the Norman Survey, part of it belonged to Eustace, Earl of Boulogne.
Mrs Baker is now lady of the manor of Orsett, but the greater part of the parish belongs to W. and R B. Wingfield, Esqrs., Col. Bonham, S. Newcome, Esq., and several proprietors. Orsett Hall is a large and ancient mansion, which belonged to the Bishops of London till the reign of Elizabeth, when it passed with the manor to the Crown. James l. granted it to Francis Downes, Esq. but in 1650, it passed to John Hatt, Esq. In 1746, it was sold by the trustees of Richd. Baker, Esq. Near it are the remains of a moat, and in the parish are several other good houses, one of which is Orsett House, a respectable boarding school.
The manor of Sabur, or Seborow, extends into this parish and those of Mucking and Chadwell, and anciently belonged to St. Mary's Hospital, without Bishopsgate, London; and here is another estate, called Lost Hall, which has been held by the Baesh, Parker, and the Downes families, and was anciently the endowment of a chantry in the Bishop's Palace, London.
The Church (St. Giles and All Saints) is a large and an structure, consisting of a nave, with aisles, a chancel, with north and south chapels, and a brick tower, crowned by a wooden spire. It is in good repair, and had formerly a chantry, founded by Thos. Hotoft. It has several neat monuments; and in the chapel belonging to Orsett Hall is a handsome one, in memory of John Hatt, Esq., who died in 1658.
The rectory, valued in K.B. at �29. 6s. 8d., and in 1831 at �812, is in the patronage of the Rev. James Blomfield, B.D., who has about 9a of glebe, and a handsome residence, built in 1843, in the Elizabethan style.
The tithes have been commuted for �1225. Here is an Independent Chapel, and the parish has National, Infant, and Diocesan Schools, and various Charities for the poor.
Parish Lands, &c.-In 1495, Thomas Hotofte gave to the parishioners of Orsett, for their general benefit, about 40a of land, now let for �60 a-year, the whole of which has been applied in aid of the poor rates since 1834, previous to which a portion of the rent was distributed in bread, at Christmas and Easter. About 8a of land, called Slade's Hold, was given to the parishioners by an unknown donor, and was let in 1801 for 40 years, at �5 per annum; the lesses giving a bonus of �200, which was laid out towards building the workhouse, which stands on part of the said land, and has since been appropriated to the use of Orsett Union, at the yearly rent of �20. This rent, and that of the land, are carried to the account of Orsett poor rates.
The Charity School, where 14 boys are educated and clothed, was built in 1776, by Edward Anson, who endowed it with Epping Farm, at Thoydon-Garnon, which contains 23 acres, and is now let for �30 a-year. The founder also bequeathed to the school the residue of his personal estate, so that the charity also derives �49. 10s. per annum arising from the dividends of �1800 Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities, and �350 New South Sea Annuities. The master occupies the schoolhouse, and has a yearly salary of �20.
The 14 free scholars are provided with books, and are clothed at the cost of about �43 per annum. Where there is a sufficient surplus, apprentice fees of �10. 10s. each are given with one or two of the most deserving scholars. The Rector, Sir T. B. Lennard, the Vicar of Horndon-on-the Hill, and others, are the trustees. The 14 free scholars are chosen as follows: six from the parish of Orsett, and two each from the parishes of Horndon-on-the-Hill, Bulphan, Mucking, and Chadwell, agreeable to the founders will.
Hemmings Charity. -In 1639, Alice Hemming bequeath, after the death of certain persons without issue, the following property, in trust, that one-half of the yearly rents should be applied by the churchwardens and overseers of Orsett, as follows:-One half of said moiety for distribution among the poor of the parish, and the remainder for the maintenance of a lecture, every Sunday in the parish church. The other half of the yearly rents she bequeathed to Chadlington parish, Oxfordshire, for the same uses. The property now consists of 25a. of land, in this parish called Mabb's Land and Pye Corner, let for �31; the Parish House, opposite the church, let for �20; and some buildings in Northumberland alley, London, let on lease till 1869, for �20. 10s. per annum. The total yearly income is �71. 10s., half of which belongs to this parish, for the above-named uses.
For a lecture, every Sunday afternoon, the rector receives �17. 11s. 3d. yearly, as one quarter of the income, after deducting incidental expenses; and the same amount is carried to the general account of the charities of Orsett. In 1827, Richard Barker left �100 to the churchwardens of Orsett, to be invested in the funds, for a yearly distribution of bread among the poor not receiving parochial alms, at Christmas. It was laid out in the purchase of �117. 2s. 7d. Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities. In 1721, John Blatch charged 8a of land, called Swaines, with the yearly distribution of 40 sixpenny loaves among the poor. Four old decayed cottages, occupied rent-free by paupers, were derived from the bequest of Peter Castle, in 1605. A yearly rent charge of �5, left to the poor by Wm. Corbett, in 1782, out of a house, blacksmith's shop, &c., in Baker street, has not been paid since 1818, on the plea that it is void by the statute of mortmain. In 1807, Eliz. Dowsett left �200 Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities, in trust, to apply one half of the dividends in schooling two poor girls, and the other half in distributions to the poor. For distribution in bread, John Freeman, in 1746, left a yearly rent of �3, out of Heath Place, to be given in monthly doles of bread, at the church.
For distribution, at Christmas and Easter, the poor have a yearly rent of �4. 10s., left by Ambrose Gilbert, in 1642, out of the premises at Dover Court. For a weekly distribution of ten sixpenny loaves, they have �13. 10s. yearly, left by Jasper Kinsman, in 1700, out of land called Gifford's Cross, at Corringham. For bread, at Whitsuntide, they have the dividends of �73. 16s. 3d. Three per Cent. Consols, derived from the bequest of Jesse Newcome, in 1813. For distribution in bread, on May 3rd, they have the dividends of �146. 15s. 9d. Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities, purchased with �100, left by Lady Trafford Southwell, in 1809. For distribution in coals, on Jan.1st, they have the dividends of �450 Three per Cent. Consols, left by Sarah Bush, in 1825.
Marked + are in Baker Street
Post Office at the George Inn
Letters despatched ,before 5 evg. via Romford
Archer Wm. harness maker, &c
Baker Mrs J. Hall ll Aylin Chas
Binder Wm. builder and undertaker
Blomfield Rev. Jas., B.D. rector and rural dean, Rectory
Boggis Jno, Crisp, relvg. officer
+ Brookes Arthur, vict. Kings Arms
Burls Mrs Sarah, Orsett Cottage
+ Clark Golden, wheelgt. And shopr.
Corbet David, surgeon and registrar
+ Field Miss, ladies school
Finch Geo and John, wheelwrights and carpenters
Finch Geo, agent to Sun Fire office
Finch My. Ann, National School
Fisk James, assistant overseer
Fitch M. and S. dressmakers
Fletcher Mary, vict. Crown
Fletcher Samuel, hairdresser
Fordham Thomas, gardener, &c
Gilbert Mrs. vict Swan
Gowers Mr Weston John, Nightingale Hall
Haywood James, tea dealer
Jackson Sar. matron, Workhouse
Larkin Geo. builder, grocer,& beerhs
Maconachie Geo. A. M. boarding academy, Orsett House
Newcome Samuel, gentleman
Philpot Radcliff, carpenter & shopr
Powell Jno. grocer, draper, and agt. to Phoenix fire & Impl. life offices
Ramplee Mary Ann, vict. George
Ramplee Mr Wm.
Read Jonas, master of Free School
Robinson Hy. master of Workhouse
Rumsey J. W. master of Diocesan School
Saunders Jas. plumber, painter, &c
Smith David, police inspector
+ Spurgeon Joseph, bricklayer
Stokes Geo. John. M.D. surgeon
Thurgood Lawnce. vict. Cock
+ Trower Wm. watch maker
Bakers Corn, &c. Dlrs
Heathcote Jas.
+ Saunders Saml.
Wallis John
Woollings Alfd.
Blacksmiths
+ Oakley John
Oakley Thos. (& shopkeeper)
Butchers
Lee Thomas
Maling Eliz.
+ Wade James
Corn Millers
James Richd.
Woollings Wm.
Farmers
Abrey Jno. M.
Ashford Thos.
Binder Joshua
Bright Richd.
Brookes Jph.
Cook Wm.
Gowers Edwards, Nightingale Hl
Greenaway Chas.
Leavers Wm.
Newcome Saml.
Randall Mrs
Sackett Henry
Stammers Danl.
Stammers Jph.
Waters John
Woollings Hy.
Wordley Geo.
Wordley John
Wordley Josiah
Shoemakers
Schooling Robt.
Simpson Jas.
Tailors
Kay, W. H.
Mott Thomas
Carrier
My. Fletcher to London, Sun and Thurs.
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by John Marius Wilson. circa 1866
HORNDON-ON-THE-HILL, a village and a parish in Orsett district, Essex. The village stands on a hill, 1¼ mile NW of Stanford-le-Hope r. station, and 2 ENE of Orsett; has a fine prospect along the Thames to London and to the sea; is an ancient place; was formerly a market town; and has now a post-office, under Romford, London E, and a fair on 29 June. The parish comprises 2,634 acres. Real property, £3,734. Pop., 522. Houses, 101. The property is much sub-divided. A farm bears the name of Saffron Gardens, from the former cultivation of saffron. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £210. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of St. Pauls. The church has a wooden tower, and is good. There are a national school, an alms-house, and charities £10.
ORSETT, a village, a parish, a sub-district, and a district, in Essex. The village stands 2½ miles W of Stanford-le-Hope r. station, and 8½ S by E of Brentwood; is a seat of petty sessions; and has a post-office under Romford, and a police-station. The parish comprises 4,134 acres. Real property, £7,777 Pop, 1,531. Houses, 290. Most of the property, with Orsett Hall, belongs to R.B.W. Baker, esq. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £820. Patron, the Bishop of Rochester. The church is old, but good; and consists of double nave, and two chancels, with brick tower and spire. There are Independent and Wesleyan chapels, a literary institute, and endowed school, and charities, £187. The workhouse of the district also is here; was built at a cost of £3,115; has accommodation for 200 persons; and, at the census of 1861, had 149 inmates.
Transcribed by Noel Clark