A History of the Parish of Leyton, Essex. With maps, etc

Preface

. NEVER thought to write a book, much less one of an antiquarian nature ; the fact is, it was pressed upon me. Often having to wait in the vestry of the Parish Church, the odd minutes were occupied in looking over the Registers. Occasionally mentioning facts of interest which I had discovered, it was at last suggested that I should give a lecture on "The Parish"; this I did, and the result was such an awakening of interest in the subject, that a request came to me to publish it. Consenting to do so, and searching for materials to expand it a little, the thing grew, when our esteemed Churchwarden, Mr. Biggs, urged me to make it larger still ; and so what was intended to be only a pamphlet, became a book. I am fully conscious of lacking the necessary qualifications for such an undertaking ; but I have done my best, and can only add in deprecation of criticism, that the work has been carried out chiefly in short portions of time, snatched, at long intervals, from pressing duties in a large parish.

Leyton is a parish with a history that is worth writing well ; and if my labour should be the means of stirring up someone with the necessary time, qualifica tions, and means to do this, I should be fully repaid by the thought that I had, at least, provided him " a heifer to plough with." For this reason I have added a list of the authorities consulted (and I desire, here, once

PREFACE.

. VI for all, to acknowledge my obligation, and offer my thanks) ; doubtless, there are many more, but I have not been able to pursue enquiry further. I am greatly indebted for valuable help rendered by many kind friends; notably, to Benjamin Biggs, Esq., our Churchwarden, for suggestion, encouragement, and practical help; also to his daughter, Miss Maud Biggs, for the excellent sketches which enrich this book. I have also to thank Miss Reid-Seton for the loan of a drawing of Leyton Church, as it appeared in 1690, for the sketch of a "Leyton School Girl"; and also for much help in the accounts which are given of old Leyton houses. To Walter Crouch, Esq., of Wanstead, my thanks are due, and offered, for the loan with permission to copy, the Map of Ruckholt Manor in 1721, and the engraving of Leyton Grange.

I gratefully acknowledge my obligations to Messrs. Phelp Bros., the Printers and Publishers, for their courtesy and help, and especially to Mr. A. D. Phelp, who threw himself so heartily into the work, and spared no pains to render aid, far beyond that which our business relations justified me in expecting. The writing of this book was finished in 1892, since which date so many alterations have been made in the parish, that it seems necessary to acquaint my readers of this fact. J. K. Leytonstone, September, 1894. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. A. — Parish Records. Registers of Marriages, Baptisms, Burials. Marriages from 1575 to 1754 ] Baptisms from 1575 to 1783 L in one book. Burials from 1617 to 1726* Register of Burials from 1726 to 1783. Minutes of Vestry from 1658 to 1722. A thin quarto book of 10 leaves, apparently extracts, from the Vestry Minute books.

They are of matters chiefly relating to the Church, and seem to have been copied by Mr. John Strype, the Vicar. Churchwardens' and Overseers' Books ... ... 1 651 to 1704. Churchwardens' Books 1 ,l6^ |° !f3' I I-1781 to 1811. ti78i to 1811. 1686 to 1781. Vestry Books ... ... J ... ... ... ... 1811 to 1874. 1822 to 1S39. Overseers' Books ... 1 - 1704101733. 1 1755 to 1825. 1755 to 1825. Minute Book of Select Vestry ... ... ... 1819 to 1823 Half- Yearly reports of Select Vestry ) 0 . u , i u ir ■ - \ 1 •■• 1820 to 1023. (4 years, ist half-year missing). ) J Minutes of the Committee of the Leyton Volunteers 1803 to 1813. Minute Book of the National Schools. \ "For the use of the Free School of Low Leyton given by John Strype \. .. ... 1710 to 1846. Vicar of ye said Parish June ye 23 1710." j Log Book, Boys' School ... ... ... ... 1863 to 1890.

Watchman's Night Book 1831 to 1833. 1821. Enumerators' Schedule of the Census of ... J ... ... 1831. 1841. * The book containing Register of Burials from 1575 to 1617 is missing. f " This book Mr Wm Colman, of ye Custome house, bestowed upon ye Parish." AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. Enlargement of Leyton Church, Committee Book 1822. Decision of Sir Fitz Roy Kelly, Sol. \ Genl., and Dr. Bayford, in a " case " I i82"5. submitted to them — " Right of Lay-Rector over the Chancel." ' In addition to these (but only cursorily), I have examined Plans, Specifications, Letters, Inventories, Faculties, Leases, Deeds, Old Newspapers, Ledgers, Cash Books, Workhouse Accounts, &c, &c, and I am persuaded that to one with time to examine them carefully, they would yield much valuable information concerning the past history of our parish.

B. — Books. Address of Gentry of Essex who have adhered to the King. Folio. Lond. 1660. Alfred, King, Life of. By Dr. R. Pauli. Bonn's Trans. 8vo. Lond. 1853. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Bohn's Trans. 8vo. Lond. 1847. Berry, William. County Genealogies and Pedigrees of Essex Families. Folio. Lond. 1840. Birdwood, Sir George. The Register of Letters, etc., of the Governour and Company of Merchants of London travelling into the East Indies, 1600-1619. Lond. 1893. Bloomer's Counties of England and Wales. Mapp of Essex with its Hundreds. i673- Burke, Sir I. B. Dormant, Abeyant and Extinct Peerages. 8vo. Lond. i865. Charnock, R. S. Ancient Manorial Customs of the County of Essex. 8vo. Lond. 1870. Camden, William. Britannia. 3 vols. Folio. Lond. 1789. Cates, W. L. R. General Biography. 8vo. Lond. 1881.

Chambers' Biographical Dictionary. Lond. Chancellor, F., F.R.I B.A. The Ancient Sepulchral Monuments of Essex. Cromwell, T. K. Excursions in the County of Essex. 8vo. Lond. 1818. Declaration of Kent and Essex to the Army. 4to. Lond. 1648. Division of County of Essex into Classes, etc. 4to. Lond. 1648. Dugdale, Jas. The New British Traveller. 4 vols. 4to. Lond. 1819. Dugdale, Sir William. Monasticon. Translated by Caley and Ellis. 6 vols. Folio. Lond. 1825. Davids, G. T. W. Annals of Evangelical Nonconformity in the County of Essex. 8vo. Lond. 1863. Essex Comitatus descriptio. Lond. 1602. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. IX Essex, New History of. By a Gentleman. (Gough). 6 vols. 8vo. 1770. Ellis, Sir H. Introduction to Domesday Book. 2 vols. 8vo. Lond. 1833. Fisher, William Richard. The Forest of Essex. 4to.

Lond. 1887. Friday Fairgoer, A. Fairlop Fair and its Founder. 8vo. Totham, 1847. Fry, Katharine. History of the Parishes of East and West Ham. Edited and Revised by G. Pagenstecher. 4to. Lond. 1888. Hewitt, N. History, Origin, and Rise of Fairlop Fair. 8vo. Lond. 1812. Hughson, David. Accurate History and Description of London. 6 vols. 8vo. Lond. 1805. James, Col. Sir H. Domesday Book or the Great Survey of England. Fac-simile part relating to Essex. 4to. Southampton, 1862. Kem, Samuel. (Vicar of Leyton). The New Fort of true Honour made impregnable ; or the Martialist's dignity and duties. 4to. Lond. 1640. Leighton-Stone-Air. A Poem on the Excellency of its Soil, Healthy Air, and Beauteous Situation. Folio. 1702. Leyton Parochial Charities. Annual Reports. 8vo. 1872 to 1888. London Magazine.

November. 8vo. Lond. 1736. London's Roll of Fame. 1757101884. 4to. Lond. 1884. Lysons, Daniel. The Environs of London. 4 vols. 4to. Lond. 1792. Morant. History and Antiquities of Essex. 4to. Lond. 1768. Marsh, T. C. (Published by). Domesday Book relating to Essex. 4to. Chelmsford, 1864. Marsh, T. C. (Translated by). Domesday Book relating to Essex. 4to. 1864. Muilman, P. New and Complete History of Essex. 6 vols. 8vo. Chelmsford, 1770-2. Nicholas, H. P. Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VIII. Newcourt, R. Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense. 2 vols. Folio. Lond. 1708. Norden, John. Speculi Britannia Pars 1594. Edited by Sir Henry Ellis. 4to. Lond. 1840. Ogborne, Eliz. The History of Essex. 4to. Lond. 1814. Orridge, B. B. The Citizens of London and their Rulers. 8vo. Lond. 1867. Petitions of Inhabitants of Essex to House of Commons.

Folio. Lond. 1641. Pepys' Diary. Edited by Lord Braybrooke. Lond. 1879. Remembrancia — City of London 1579-1664. 8vo. Lond. 1878. X AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. Salmon, Nath. The History and Antiquities of Essex. Folio. Lond. 1740. Scott, E. B. Our Neighbourhood and its Historical Associations. 8vo. Lond. 1886. Stephens. National Biography. Lond. Stoughton, J. Religion in England. 6 vols. 8vo. Lond. 1881. Stow, John. A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, with an Appendix of a Circuit Walk four or five miles round about London to the Parish Churches 1598. Enlarged by John Strype, 1720. 2 vols. Folio. Lond. 1755- Strype, John. David and Saul, a Sermon. 4to. Lond. 1696. Suckling, Alfred. Memorials of the Antiquities, Archi: Family History, etc., of the County of Essex. 4to. Lond. 1845. Tradesmen's Tokens of Essex. 4to. 1867.

Vancouver, C. General View of Agriculture in Essex. 4to. Lond. 1795. Variorum Tabulœ Geographicœ. Map 134. Brit. Mus. S. §£. Testimony of Ministers of Essex. 4to. Lond. 1648. White, W. History of Essex. i6mo. 1848. Witchcraft. In Counties of Kent and Essex. 8vo. 1838. Wood, Anthony. Athence Oxoniensis. Edited by Bliss. 4 vols. 4to. Lond. 1 817. Woodburn, S. View of Leyton Church, Essex. Lond. 1807. Wright, Thos. The History and Topography of the County of Essex. 4to. Lond. 1831. Young, Arthur. Agriculture in Essex. 8vo. Lond. 1807. CONTENTS. Part I.— PAROCHIAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL. Chapter I.— THE PARISH. page Name — Low Ley ton — Extent — A Roman Station — Roman Remains — Landholders in Saxon times — Holders of Estates as described in Domesday Book — Three Manors — Stratford Abbey founded — Charter confirmed — "Tithe" dispute — Property bought in Leyton — Wood imparked — Carpetune Wood disafforested — Expedition to Holy Land — Mortmain evaded— Another " Tithe " dispute— Surrender of Stratford Abbey — Manor and Rectory granted to Lord Wriothesley — Great Tithes — Manor of Marks — Manor of Ruckholt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter II.— THE CHURCH.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary— Incense for her Holy Days — Chancel built 1610 — Steeple 1658 — The Bells— Strype's description of the monuments inside — Lady Mary Ringston — Robert Rampston — Sir Robert Beechcroft — Andrew Redich — Henry Parvish — Henry Archer— Catherine Moyer — Lawrence Moyer — Frances Moyer — Elizabeth Wood — Sir Michael Hickes and his Lady — Sir William Hickes — Newdigate Owsley — Hester Strype — Susanna Strype — John Strype — Lawrence Moyer — Earl of Norwich — Two Arches on North Wall — Richard Hopkins — Ann Tench — Nathaniel Tench — Earl of Norwich — John Lloyd — Charles Gauden — John Wood — Alexander Bence— Elizabeth Britt — Luce sum Gasfaris (St. Ursula) — Charles Marescoe — Thomas Hopkins — Philip Allen — John Wood — Elizabeth Wood — William Davies — Robert Harvey — Thomas Hawes — Charles Goodfellow — William Church — John Thomson — William Biddle — Francis Goddard — Francis Harris — James Strype Harris — Elizabeth Hickes — Church Repairs, 1651 — Church and Churchyard — A. " newe steple and a newe Ille," 1656 — Whitewashing the Church. 1659 — A new Chancel, 1693 — The Churchwardens' Account — Repairing the " Ruse " — A new Gallery — Enlarging the Gallery — Benches with Backs — Painting and beautifying — Tiling of the Church bad — Want of Room for Servants — No Alteration to be made — Church not in danger, but Repairs needed — Repairs to be done — A Column to support the great Girder— Warming the Church — To be paid for — Repairs necessary — Proprietors of Chancel are requested to do their part— Church to be enlarged — A Gallery for Children — Erected for 100 Boys — Can the Girls have accom modation ? — Alteration ordered— In part carried out — Will not relinquish his right — Want of room — An old Parishioner pleads for enlargement — Offers — Other offers — Additional offers — All invited to contribute — Committee formed — Half of increase to be free — Treasurer — Thanks — Final Account — Inscription — South Aisle free and unappropriated— Appropriation of Pews to be registered — Painting and repairs — Batten and Slate — Cupola painted — Rural Dean and a Dirty Church — Western Door and Baptistery — Organ enlarged — Church renovated — Communion Plate.

District Parishes. — All Saints'. — Site— Church desirable — Church rate not to be made — Committee formed — Church consecrated — Made a separate parish — Curates — Vicar — Parsonage — Sunday School. Holy Trinity, Harrow Green. — Committee formed — Consecrated — Early English Style — Chancel Screen — Rapid growth of Population — St. Margaret's. St. Andrew's, Leyton stone. — Memorial Stone — Consecrated — Style — Nave and West Front completed. St. Catherine's, Leytonstone. — Memorial Stone — Consecrated. Nonconformist Chapels. — Wesleyan Chapel, Leyton — Congregational Chapel, Leytonstone — Primitive Methodist Chapel, Leyton — Baptist Chapel, Leyton .. .. .. 21 Chapter III.— THE CHURCHYARD. No old Tombstones — Elizabeth Hickes — Henry More — Thomas Blayden — William O'Bryan — Abraham Purcas — Joseph Markby — Need of Enlargement — Col. Gansell ready to oblige the Parish — Land bought —Land prepared — Site of Workhouse added, and Vestry Room built — Tenders — Land added on East side — Deposit paid— Land on North side to be purchased — Purchase agreed tc — Expense of enclosure and Consecration — Charged on Church Rates — Empowered to borrow £700 — Enclosed with a Brick Wall . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONTENTS. XII Chapter IV.-THE VICARS. . page Introduction of Christianity into Essex-Saxon invasion-Re-introduction by Augustine - More Missionaries — " Sigebert the Good"-Cedds Missionary labours— A "priest" in residence— Rectores— Autographs Chapter V.— THE CHURCHWARDENS, 1649-1893 95 Chapter VI.-THE PARISH REGISTERS The Registers— Description— Variations and Additions— Bits of Information— Marriages — Baptisms — Burials Chapter VII.— THE CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS 137 Part II.— PHILANTHROPICAL. Chapter I.— COLLECTIONS. Collection for Sowerby— Three Collections— Henry Harrison -Re-building bt. Paul's— First Missionary Collection— Another Missionary Collection—" Bneles read and gathered in the Church and Parish of Leyton "—Collections for Eight \ ears ending 18S8 1G5 Chapter II.— THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

Facsimile of first page of Strype's Minute Book— Mr. Ozler's Will -Rules for regulation and government of the School— Names of first scholars— Reasons of dismission— The first Master, Mr. Phillips— Examination— Two scholars expelled —Boys to be expelled if absent a Month— Notorious lying— New Trustees- Charles Young resigns, and David Capon elected— No meeting of Trustees for twenty years— Nine Trustees appointed— No one to examine— New School House wanted— "An unfeigned supplication "—Richard Thompson elected in place of Wells— School House burnt down— Re-built— Master will not sit with boys at Church— Mr. Walker chosen Master— Only two boys in the School- Young Ladies instead— Schoolmaster arrested for debt— A Sunday School commenced— Only fourteen Scholars to be admitted— Mr. Bosanquet leaves £200— School House to be Re-built— Girls to be admitted— New Rules and Regulations— New log book— Rules as to fees— Singing— Planting Potatoes- Class Rooms added— Cloak Rooms— Hibbert Room— Elementary Education in 1891— Leyton School Board— Statement presented July 22nd, 1891. . . . . 172 Chapter III.— THE ALMSHOUSES.

" Papers & Wrightings " — " Building & Endowing " — Bad condition of the Houses — Application for sight of Will — Repair the whole Building — Jeffery's Legacy, /200 —£300 from Mr. Lane— /200 from Mr. Daubuz— £250 from Mrs. Moyer— Alms Houses re-built — /500 from Miss Hibbert— £500 from Misses Graham . . . . 203 Chapter IV.— THE BREAD FUND. The Origin in 1704— First Distribution ist Sunday in Advent, 1704 — Purchase of Smalgains— Enfranchised — 1732 Leased for 21 years to John Jenkins— 1754 Leased for 21 years to John Corn — Household bread to be given, not wheaten — Admission of Trustees and remission of fine and fees — Bread Account for 1790 — Bread Account 1806 — New Trustees — Fine and fees remitted — Advertised for building — Referred to a Committee — Recommended to build a Smallpox Hospital — Can a portion be sold for the purpose of erecting a Church — Recommended that the Land be enfranchised — Lord of Manor requires £250 — School Board desire a portion — One acre of land given to School Board — Lord of Manor calls upon Parish to take admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Chapter V.— THE WORKHOUSE.

A Workhouse wanted — Decided to have it — Mr. Gansell offers a piece of land — The money to be borrowed — Money offered and accepted — Furniture — Regulations — Rules — Master and Mistress elected — Bad meat and not free from bones — The bill — Encouragement to inmates — A Committee to govern — Home-brewed beer, Home-baked bread — Unwholesome flour — Insurance — Badges and tickets — A Workhouse not for pigs — The Badge not appreciated — Mr. Gansell no right to grant the lease — Dr. Jebb's claim good — New Lease to be granted — Suspended during certain disputes — Dr. Jebb's offer not considered proper — Dr. Jebb makes a proper offer — Draft of Lease approved and money paid — Lease accepted— Receipt — CONTENTS. XIII PAGE 263 279 285 Prayers and "The Whole Duty of Man," to be read by the Master— Gravel Pit- Bravery rewarded — Poor to be badged — A Dispensary — Outlines of the plan — Doctors don't agree — Workhouse and ground bought — Employment for the casual poor — Mr. Boffee, barber and shaver — Proposed Union of Parishes — Workhouse to be valued — Removal of furniture— Rate Collector appointed — What is to be done with the Master, and who will pay for his mangle ? — Valuation of Workhouse and Cottages — A Caretaker in charge — We will keep it — Being April ist we change our minds — We now think it was not wise, and resolve that it shall not be sold — Ask the Churchwardens what they think — Yet another change — We will see if we can — We will not sell the land, only the tenement — Authorized to insure — Commissioner orders to sell — Really done .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 223 Chapter VI.— BEQUESTS.

Will of Henry Archer — Ramston's Gift — Ann Brunusug, £i — Eliz. Hutchinson, £10 — Letter from John Strype re Archer's Gift — Reply from Will: Archer — Edmund Wise, £10 — Sir Hary Hicks, Baronet, £40 — Jones & Norden, £21 — Innes, a piece of ground — John Ives, £100 — Briscoe, £100 — Four silver plates — Schedule of Charitable Gifts, 1819 — Ramston, 1585; Archer, 1584; Smith, 1653; Jenery, 1662 ; Brand ; Hicks, 1688 ; Tench, 1689 ; Goodfellow, 1686 ; Haray, 1695 ; Houblow, 1701 ; Hicks, 1702 — Schedule of Charitable Gifts, 1854 — Archer's Charity ; Ramstone's Charity ; Holbrook's Charity ; £550, 3 per cent. ; Hick's Bread ; Almshouses ; Hughes' Farm ; Bovill's Uplands ; House in Piccadilly ; £300 and £120 9s. 8d. Consols; /300 ; ,£300; £250; Indowment for Inmates of Almhouses ; National Schools ; Seven cottages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Part III.— GENERAL MATTERS.

Chapter I.— RATES. A Church rate 1651 — High waies rate by order of the Lord Protecter, 1654 — Poor rate 1661 — Parish divided 1669 — Poor rate 1674 — Poor rate in the £ — Robbery rate — Two rates in one year — Rental and Assessment i6g6 — Poor rate 1699 — Rate for 1705 — Walthamstow acknowledging her children — How to compel defaulters to pay — " Assessed, rated and taxed " — Refusing to pay rates — Poor rate 4s. in the £ — Comments by " R. J." — A new Shire Hall — Farms in 1797 — A bad beginning for 1800 — Sundry rate-payers in 1812 — Year after Waterloo — Poor rate 6s. in the £ — In 1820 ys. in the £ — Ten Years' Poors rate — A list of evils Chapter II.— PUBLIC HOUSES. Earliest mention of Public Houses — Vestry Meetings held at Public Houses — Mischiefs from Shuffle Board and Skittles — Too many Public Houses — Parish will "stand to their orders" — Selling without a license — Another case — Circumvented by the " Excise Officer " — Public Houses in 1776 — The " Blackbirds " not required — " Plough and Harrow " — Certificate not signed Chapter III.— MILITARY MATTERS.

Payment of Militiamen — A Militiaman's Wife — Leyton's quota for His Majesty's Navy — " The expence attending this transaction " — Men for the use of His Majesty's Navy and Army — Expenses for five men — Subscriptions to provide substitutes — A Volunteer Corps to be formed — Officers chosen — " The Declaration and Engage ment " — Number of Volunteers — Offer to the Government of 100 men — Commence without waiting for acceptance — Payment for Drill — Uniform — Supplied with 60 useless stand of arms — First Year's Account — Drummers and Fifers — Resignation of Captain Millet — Lieut. Ellis resigns — A Storm — Volunteer Corps released — Testimonials Chapter IV.— COMMON LAND. Stake out your ground — Enclosing Land — A Warning — Proceeding to action — Stayed — Disposal of the price — Another case — A bark — But no bite — Enclosed for the security of passengers — Enclosed for the advantage of the parish — Consideration for the Poor, and enclosure of Land — Monies paid for enclosure of Land . . . .

CONTENTS. XIV PAGE Chapter V.— THE HIGH STREET COTTAGES. Land granted to John Willett, 1685- Let to Henry Jackson, 1716— Leased to Thomas Ballard, 1758— Six tenants, 1819— Rents placed at disposal of Vicar and Churchwardens— Vicar and Senior Churchwarden declined to accept— Tenants admitted fora fine of £%o -Leased for 21 years— Insured for £700 -Poor Law- Guardians allowed to let— Lessee required to repair the premises— £42 per annum offered on a 21 years' lease— Possession given— What is the best way of dealing with the property?— To be put in efficient state of repair— Mr. Hood's tender accepted— Referred to a Committee— Committee's report—To be enfranchised— Has been enfranchised — Still under consideration . . . . . • ■ • • • aub Chapter VI.— OLD PRIVATE HOUSES. "Divers fair & magnificent houses"— The Manor Houses; First, Second, Third — The Grange — Ruckholt House— Mark House— Hibbert House— The Vicarage— Benefactions of materials— Charges and disbursements — The Great House— Forest House— Walnut Tree House— Leyton House— Lea Hall— Barclay's House— House in Barclay's Grounds— Baddeley's House— Masterman's House- Suffolk House— Etloe House— Copeland's Corner— Phillibrook House— Berthon House— The Leasowes— St. Helier— The White House— The Poplars— Grove House— Moyer House— Holly Cottage— Whips Cross— Sunny Side — Godsalves' Mansion 314 Chapter VII.— NOTED LEYTONIANS.

Bowyer, William— Bryan, Lady Margaret— Cotton, Sir Henry- Harold, Earl- Hicks, Sir Michael — Keme, Samuel — Lake, Sir John — Mores, Edward Rowe — Rowe, Sir Thomas— Strange, Sir John— Strype, Rev. John— White, Sir Thomas- Wiseman, Cardinal— Mackenzie, Sir Morel .. .. .. .. .. ■• 341 Chapter VIII.— PARISH DIARY.

James Ballard inducted — George Aelmer inducted— An old Register— Liberty to eat flesh moderately — Permission to eat flesh — Presbyterian activity in Essex — Ordinance sanctioned — Communion cup— /ioo yearly to the Vicar — Repair of Parish Church— Declaring for the King — Great and extraordinary raynes — Dis temper at Leyton — Cattel into Layton Marsh— Not buried in woolen — Countess of Norwich not buried in woolen — Also Sir Henry Capel — Silver cupe and challes — Buried in linen — The Watchhouse — Fines for cutting wood— Forsaking her child — The cracket bell — Refractory Overseers — It still continues — Widow Grcoms — Preaching in the surplice — An old Leyton sermon — A poor Churchwarden — Inmate for Bedlam — Perambulation dinner costs too much — A setter — Turning King's evidence — Repairing church windows by the year — Who shall repair the bridge ? — A pretended cure — What are reasonable demands for a pretended cure ? — Posts in the narrow lane — Heavy rain — Reforming the Churchwardens — Poor Palatines — — No reason for the Churchwarden to take new ropes away— Churchwardens and the boundary dinner — Four acres and no cow — A widow and her pies — A broken collar bone — A beadle to take up vagrants — Never to be burdensome any more — A sham robbery — Removing a neighbour's land marks — Choosing a lecturer — A strong box to hold wrightings — Beans and Bacon under Fairlop Oak, or the origin of Fairlop Fair — Harbouring beggars — Looking into matters — No more bell ringing— Avenue of trees— Ancient footpaths — Perambulation of the parish — A fence about the well — Reducing a broken leg — The Saints' bell — An impudent pauper — Search for a privateer — Stocks and whipping post — Hay ward of the Manor — Increase of cottages — Fire engine necessary — Churchwardens' expences too much — Engine house to be erected — Handcuffs for the constables — Building the cage— Land for the cage — Stocks to be removed — A crowded Church— Prayer books — A field preacher — Price of things ioo years ago — Boundary posts— Great distress — Fire engine worked in presence of the gentlemen— Frog Row — A troublesome style— The Church in mourning— Thomas Hector Spurrier, LL.B. — Malevolent Leytonians— High price of meat— Boys and other idle people —A disagreeable neighbour — The crib — Reeve — Dear bread Unmarked bread — A cart for His Majesty's Dragoons — The cage — " The Irish question " — The village pump— A thievish sexton — Patroles in the parish— Rules for the regulation of patroles— Census 1 821— Beer for the workhouse— Nightly depredations—Prices of provisions 182S— A Tyburn ticket— Cholera— Census 1831 — What the night-watchman saw— The cage to be removed — Cholera — Census 1841 — Patriotic fund — Last of the cage — Tradesmen's tokens — Leyton no longer low — The first elected Local Board — Walthamstow Slip. . . . . . . . . . , . . 353 Glossary, Appendices, Index.

Part I. Iparocbial anfc Ecclesiastical. Chapter I. THE PARISH. Chapter II. THE CHURCH. Chapter III. THE CHURCHYARD. Chapter IV. THE VICARS. Chapter V. THE CHURCHWARDENS. Chapter VI. THE PARISH REGISTERS, Chapter VII. THE CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS. I B

Chapter I

Œbe parisb. Name— Low Leyton — Extent — A Roman Station— Roman Remains — Landholders in Saxon times— Holders of Estates as described in Domesday Book— Three Manors— Stratford Abbey founded— Charter confirmed—" Tithe " dispute —Property bought in Leyton— Wood imparked— Carpetune Wood disafforested— Expedition to Holy Land— Mortmain evaded— Another " Tithe " dispute-Surrender of Stratford Abbey— Manor and Rectory granted to Lord Wriothesley— Great Tithes — Manor of Marks— Manor of Ruckholt. JHE Saxon name of this parish is Lygan, also Name written Lygean, which, with the word Tun, is descriptive of it, as the town by the river Lea, or Ley. In Domesday Book it is called Leintuna, held by Peter de Valoines or Valoniis. I n other records the name is written Leituna, Lochetun, Layghton, Layton, Leighton, Laxton, and Leyton.

Morant sup poses the name may be from the British lhuch, a lake ; the low grounds from this place to the Thames having anciently formed an extensive reservoir of water, till it was partly drained by King Alfred in the year 896.* * See Appendix No. 9. Low Leyton and Leytonstone Extent. A Roman Station Roman Remains The part which is on the low ground near the meadows is called Low Leyton, and the higher part on the road to Epping, Leytonstone, from there having been a Roman military stone placed there in early times. The old parish is extensive, being fourteen miles in circumference, and contains one thousand seven hundred acres, of which in 1811 one hundred and fifty was marsh, two hundred and fifty waste in the forest of Waltham stow (commonly called Epping), twenty-five occupied by nurserymen and market-gardeners, and the remainder divided in nearly equal proportions between meadow and arable, about one hundred and seventy acres being cropped with potatoes.

It is bounded on the north by Walthamstow, on the east by Wanstead, on the south by West Ham, and on the west by the river Lea, which separates it from the parish of Hackney in Middlesex. There seems to be no doubt that during the Roman occupation of this country Leyton was a Roman station, as the various remains which have been found from time to time within the parish amply testify. In 17 18 Mr. Gansell, on the occasion of enlarging his garden near the Manor House,* dug up two acres of ground, and found under the whole very large and strong foundations : in one place all of stone with considerable arches, and an arched doorway (about ten feet high and six feet wide) ornamented with mouldings, with steps down to it : in many of the foundations there were great quantities of Roman tiles and bricks.