Ancestors lost in the crowd?
New to family history research?
Perhaps these articles on our website may help:
Census 1841 - 1911
Birth, Death and Marriage Registration
The London Gazette
Newspaper archives
Trade Directories
History of Belchamp Walter
Village Pond, Belchamp Walter
©Robert Edwards
Photograph by kind permission of Robert Edwards,
contributor to the Geograph Project
History of Belchamp Walter >> White's Directory 1848
White's Directory of Essex 1848
BELCHAMP WALTER is a widely scattered village, from three to four miles West of Sudbury, and has in its parish 698 souls, aDd 2080 acres of land, including the small extra-parochial places, called North Wood and North-End, the former of which has 17, and the latter 29 inhabitants. The parish rises boldly from a rivulet, which runs eastward to the Stour. Mrs. Young (formerly Miss Saville) is lady of the manor, but a great part of the soil belongs to other proprietors, the largest of whom is S.M. Raymond, Esq. of Belchamp Walter Hall, a large and handsome mansion, with pleasant grounds, commanding fine prospects, and having a spacious terrace, skirted with lofty trees. The principal front is composed partly of foreign bricks, and the house contains a valuable, collection of paintings, one of which is a large picture, of three subjects, by Teniers. John Raymond, Esq., purchased the hall and other estates in 1611. William Wright, Esq., has a large estate here, and a handsome modern seat, called Easton Hall, built on the site of an ancient mansion, on a commanding eminence, on the north side of the parish. The Vere, Beauchamp, Montchensy, Hautboys, and other ancient families, were formerly owners here.
The Church (Virgin Mary,) is a lofty ancient structure, with a tower, eight bells, and a fine~toned organ. In the chancel is a handsome monument of white and grey marble, in memory of various individuals of the Raymond family. There are also the remains of a very ancient monument, of elaborate workmanship, supposed to be in memory of one of the Earls of Essex, but the inscription is gone. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £6, is consolidated with that of Bulmer, and was augmented, in 1727, with £200 of Queen Anne's Bounty, and with a small house and £100, given by William Raymond, Esq. The tithes here were commuted in 1847, the vicarial for £194, and the rectoriol for £541 per annum. The latter belong to the patron, S.M. Raymond, Esq.
Back to History of Belchamp Walter
Are your ancestors from this location? Why not tell us their story. When were they here? Who were they? What they did they do? Where did they go? Have you an interesting story to tell about them?
Go to the home page of the parish, village or town, and follow the 'My Ancestors' link halfway down the page.