History of Great Waltham

Great Waltham, Chelmsford Road c1965
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

History of Great Waltham >> White's Directory 1848

White's Directory of Essex 1848

Great Waltham
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Quality reproductions of old photographs.

WALTHAM, (GREAT) a pleasant village on the west side of the river Chelmer, and on the Dunmow road, from 4 to 5 miles North of Chelmsford, has in its populous and extensive parish, many scattered houses, and the small villages, hamlets, etc., of How Street, Chatham Green, Walthambury, Little Lee Green, Fourth End, Black Chapel and North End, Church End and South End. It is one of the largest parishes in Essex, and contains 2154 inhabitants, and 7,054 acres of land, well watered by the Chelmer and some of its tributary streams; and having a variety of soils, but generally a wet loam, much improved by draining, and judicious management. There are in the parish several old manor houses, occupied by farmers. The principal manor, and a great part of the soil, belongs to John Jolliffe Tufnell, Esq., who holds a court leet and baron, and resides at Langleys, a large and handsome mansion, seated on a pleasant eminence, between the church and the river Chelmer, in an extensive park, well stocked with deer. The Marshall or Mariskill family, held the manor of Langleys from the reign of John to that of Edward III., and it afterwards passed to the Everards, one of whom, (Sir Hugh,) was created a baronet, and died in 1705, leaving his estates so much in debt, that his son was obliged to sell Langleys and other estates, to Samuel Tufnell, Esq., who represented Colchester, Maldon, etc., in parliament. He pulled down most of the old mansion, and rebuilt it on a larger and more elegant plan. He also made an extensive park round it. His successors have considerably improved the house and grounds, and the present worthy proprietor is highly esteemed, both as landlord and a magistrate. His son resides at Waltham House. At the time of Domesday Survey, Geofrey de Maudeville held the parish, but it afterwards divided into seven manors, viz., Whathambury, Chatham Hall, Warners, or Little Lee Park; Hyde Hall, South House, Langleys, and the Rectory. The latter was given by Geofrey de Mandeville, to Walden Abbey, and at the Dissolution, it was given to Sir Richard Rich, who sold it to Sir Thomas Pope,. Kt., and he settled it as part of the endowment of Trinity College, Oxford, founded by him. The Bird, Skill, Dowsett. Livermore, Tozer, Randall, Young, and other families, have estates here.

Great Waltham
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Quality reproductions of old photographs.

The Church (St. Mary and St. Lawrence,) is a large and ancient structure, consisting of a leaded nave, south aisle, and chancel, with a massive octagon tower at the west end, containing fine peal of eight bells and chimes; and crowned by a clumsey spire, covered with lead. It is in the Norman style of the 12th century; but the windows are insertions of a later dated, in the perpendicular style. Two of them are remarkable for beautiful tracery. The interior was thoroughly cleansed and beautified, in 1847, when some fine distemper paintings were discovered on the walls, with figures as large as life. One of these antique frescoes, over the chancel arch, has been preserved, and is supposed to represent the Redeemer, after his resurrection, seated triumphantly in heaven, surrounded by angels. Part of the rood loft, and the staircase leading to it, remain; and in the porch, the ancient stoup has recently been been discovered. Under an arch, in the north wall is a costly marble monument, with recumbent effigies of Sir Anthony Everard and his Lady. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £18,13s.4d., and in 1831, at £299, is in the patronage of the President and Fellows of Trinity College, Oxford; and incumbency of the Rev. J.H. Dyer, B.D., who has a good residence near the church. The tithes were commuted in 1839, for the yearly rent charges of £1754.17s.2d. to Trinity College, and £400 to the vicar. Commodious National Schools, with a house for the master and mistress, were built here in 1847, in the Elizabethan style, at the cost of £1,045. There is a small Independent Chapel at Fourth End.