The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by John Marius Wilson. circa 1866
HORNCHURCH, a village, a parish, and a sub-district in Romford district, Essex. The village stands between the rivers Rom and Ingerbourne, 2 miles SE of Romford r. station; and has a post-office under Romford, London E. The parish also contains the hamlet of Havering-Well, extends to the Thames, and comprises 6,659 acres of land and 140 of water. The property is much subdivided; but most of the land belongs to New College, Oxford. Hornchurch Hall, Great Nelmes, Harrow Lodge, Ardley Lodge, Fair Kytes, Langtons, and Britons are chief residences. A priory, subordinate to the hospital of Monte Jovis, was founded here in the time of Henry II.; passed, by purchase, to William of Wykeham; and was given by him to New College, Oxford. Malting, brewing, iron-founding, agricultural-implement making, and the making of bricks, tiles, and drain-pipes, are carried on. A custom of wrestling for a boar's head on Christmas-day arose out of a charter granted by Henry II., and is still observed. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £740. Patron, New College, Oxford. The church is ancient; consists of nave, chancel, aisles, and porches, with turreted tower, and a neat spire 170 feet high; and contains some old brass inscriptions. Charities, £92 and two suites of alms-houses.
Transcribed by Noel Clark