ESAH Forum: Essex History Events

Ingatestone Hall

Essex History Events

On Saturday 1 December 2012 at 7.00pm, the Friends of Historic Essex are holding a Christmas Concert at Ingatestone Hall.  The music will be performed by Song Cycle.  For more information go to the Essex Record Office blog.  (We have yet to sing the praises of the Essex Record Office and the Friends of Historic Essex, but will do soon.)

Thursday 6 December 2012.  Dr Neil Younger will be giving The 2012 Dudley White Local History Lecture at the University of Essex.  7.00pm. Lecture Theatre 2.  Members of the public are very welcome. 

The Essex Record Office is closed for its annual stock-taking exercise from Monday 26 November to Saturday 8 December.  The searchroom will be open to the public again from Monday 10 December 2012.

Transactions Transcriptions: 'Old Series' Volumes 1, 2 & 3

St Mary's Church, Great Parndon
(now Harlow 'New Town')

Transactions transcriptions – Part 1

To increase our online presence, one of the goals of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History is to provide more information on the many thousands of pages of articles which have been produced over its 160 year history. 

Looking elsewhere on the internet, Google has downloaded facsimile copies of the original, first, series of Transactions, which are extremely rare to find in hard copy form.   This is because, as Michael Leach records in the Newsletter (Summer 2012), there was a “disastrous fire in the early hours of 10 December 1873 which destroyed the Society’s entire stock at the High Street printing works of Benham & Harrison. One letter noted ‘but for the military, and the wind being in the right quarter, the whole High Street [Colchester] would have been consumed’.  All the woodcut blocks, plates and ‘the Society’s MSS’ were destroyed, together with all remaining copies of Wright’s History of Essex. J H Marsden’s account of the collection of Greek and Roman sculpture at Felix Hall, published by the Society in 1863, was also consumed. The fire put an end to the Society’s plan to reprint volume I, part i [of the ‘New Series’], presumably because the lost blocks and plates would have been prohibitively expensive to replace.”

Major Libraries hold copies of the ‘Old Series’ of Transactions, including our own Society Library at the Albert Sloman Library of the University of Essex and the Essex Record Office.  Colchester Public Library used to have a complete run on view.

It is therefore gratifying to see these old volumes available digitally. There were five volumes in the ‘Old Series’. Google books has facsimile copies of the first three volumes which can be downloaded free of charge.

Transactions. Old Series. Volumes 1 & 2

These date from the beginning of the Essex Archaeological Society

https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=yegGAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&authuser=0&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PP1

Volume I

Contents

I.               General Report of the Proceedings of the Inaugural Meeting, Dec 14 1852 … 1

II.             Inaugural Lecture on Archaeology, by Professor [John Howard] Marden, B.D.[Disney Professor of Archaeology, and late Fellow of St John’s College, in the University of Cambridge; and Rector of Great Oakley, Essex] … 6

III.           The History and Description of the Walls of Colchester, by Dr P M Duncan … 26

IV.          On Roman Remains lately Discovered at Chelmsford, by Mr Frederick Chancellor … 59

V.            Sketch of a Paper on a Colchester Sphynx [Sphinx], compared with two others found in Hungary, by Dr William Bell … 64

VI.          Frescoes Discovered in East Ham Church, by Mr George Buckler … 72

VII.        Notes on Hedingham Castle, and the Family of De Vere, Earls of Oxford, by Mr Ashhurst Majendie, F.R.S. … 75

VIII.      Some Notes on the Family of De Vere, by Mr Richard Almack, F.S.A. … 83

IX.           Remarks on the Roman Sepulture of Infants, by the Hon R C Neville, F.S.A. … 89

X.             On a Recently Discovered Monumental Brass, belonging to Bowers Gifford Church, by Mr H W King …. 93

XI.           Roman Remains at Coggeshall, by the Rev Edward L Cutts, B.A. … 99

XII.         Remarks about Round Churches of England, with especial reference to the Church at Little Maplestead, Essex, by Mr George Buckler … 110

XIII.       Curious Extracts from a MS Diary of the time of James II, and William and Mary, by the Rev Edward L Cutts, B.A. … 117

XIV.      Remarks upon a Roman Urn found near the Lexden Road, Colchester, by the Rev Barton Lodge M.A. … 128

XV.        St Nicholas Church, Castle Hedingham, by the Rev Edward L Cutts, B.A. … 133

XVI.      Report of Second General Meeting at Chelmsford, April 19, 1853 … 137

XVII.    Report of Third General Meeting at Castle Hedingham, July 20, 1853 … 139

XVIII.  List of Roman Potters’ Names upon Samian Ware, now in the Collection of the Hon R C Neville, F.S.A., at Audley End … 141

XIX.       Notice of some Ancient Wills of Inhabitants of the County of Essex [Thomas Marler, Kelvedon, proved 1474; John Creke, Hockley, 1547; Robert Camock, Layer Marney, proved 1585; John Smith, Bradwell, 1558; Middle John Whitelocke, Little Totham, 1500], by Mr H W King …. 149

XX.         A Description of some Mural Paintings discovered in Hadleigh Church, by the Rev W E Heygate, M.A. … 161

XXI.       Architectural Account of the Remains of Coggeshall Abbey, by the Rev Edward L Cutts, B.A. … 166

XXII.     On a Semicircular Archway, of the Decorated Period, at St Osyth, by Mr Charles F Hayward … 186

XXIII.   Notes on Roman Essex, by the Hon R C Neville, F.S.A., President … 191

XXIV.  Remarks on Ancient Seals found at Rivenhall, Ashingdon, Stebbing, Coggeshall, and Colchester: with Notices of some others pertaining to the County of Essex, by Mr H W King ... 201

XXV.    The Roman Cloaca at Colchester: its Discovery and Description, by Dr P M Duncan … 210

Objects of the Society … i

Rules … ii

List of Council … iii

List of Members … iv

Queries and Directions … vii

Volume 2

Out of Stock

Contents

I.                    The architecture and early church at Waltham Abbey Church, by Edward A. Freeman … 1

II.                  Notes upon some Plans and Drawings Illustrative of the Antiquities of the Abbey and Town of Waltham Abbey, by Edmund Littler … 41

III.                Roman Antiquities, in Bronze and Silver, found at Colchester and Marks Tey, now preserved in the Collection of Joseph Mayer, Esq., F.S.A., &c. &c. at Liverpool, by H W King … 56

IV.                Note on the Date of Dedication of Waltham Abbey Church, by W Stubbs, M.A. … 59

V.                  Ancient and Medieval Finger Rings discovered in the County of Essex, by Lord Braybrooke, P.E.A.S., F.S.A. … 61

VI.                Notes on the Roman Remains found at Billericay, and of a Stone Coffin (supposed to be Roman) found at Rettenden [Rettendon], by Edmund Roberts … 69

VII.              The Danish Camps at Bemfleet [Benfleet] and Shoebury, and the Battle of Ashingdon, by the Rev. W E Heygate, M.A. … 75

VIII.            Hadleigh Castle, by H W King … 82

IX.                The Early History of Stratford and the Surrounding Villages, by a Member of the Society … 93

X.                  East Ham Church: an Architectural Description; with Notices of the Principal Sepulchral Monuments, by H W King … 102

XI.                Some Account of the Abbey of West Ham, otherwise Stratford Langthorne, by R Hawley Clutterbuck … 112

XII.              Notes on the Registers of the Parish of Barking, by H W King … 122

XIII.            Eastbury Hall, by Edward L Cutts, B.A. … 134

XIV.            James Strangman, Esq., of Hadleigh, an eminent Essex Antiquary of the time of Queen Elizabeth and James I, by H W King … 139

XV.              The Morant and Astle MSS, and other Historical and Topographical Collections relating to Essex, by H W King … 147

XVI.            Additional Note on the Mural Paintings discovered at Hadleigh Church, by H W King … 155

XVII.          On the Churches of North West Essex, by the Rev. J H Sperling … 157

XVIII.        Note on the Name of the Town of Saffron Walden, by Joseph Clarke … 164

XIX.            Notice of a Wooden Effigy of a Priest in the Church at Little Leighs, by the Rev. F Spurrell … 167

XX.              The East Saxon Dialect, by the Rev. John Mountney Jephson … 173

XXI.            Original Documents … 189

XXII.          Architecture of Chelmsford Church, by F Chancellor … 195

XXIII.        Extracts from an Old Chelmsford Parish Account Book, extending from 1557, the last year of Queen Mary, down to 1668, by Archdeacon Mildmay … 211

XXIV.        The Dunmow Parish Accounts [from the year 1526], by Lewis A Majendie … 229

XXV.          Discovery of British and Roman Remains at North Ockenden [Ockendon] at White Notley … 238

Transactions Old Series. Volume 3

https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=mlsQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&authuser=0&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PP11

Contents

I.                    Pedigrees of Marney … 1

II.                  Architectural Notes on Layer Marney Hall, Essex; and the Parish Church Adjoining, by Charles Forster Hayward … 16

III.                A Letter, containing Further Particulars in further illustration of the Early History of Waltham Abbey, by Sir Henry Ellis, K.H. … 33

IV.                The Influence of the County of Essex on the Settlement and Family History of New England, by Colonel Joseph Lemuel Chester … 37

V.                  The Church of St Nicholas, Little Coggeshall, by the Rev. W J Dampier … 48

VI.                Ancients Wills (No. 2) [John Smith, Blackmore, 1543], by H W King … 53

VII.              The Shaksperes [Shakespeares] of Essex, by Augustus Charles Veley … 64

Pedigree of Shaksperes of Stratford on Avon

Pedigree of Shaksperes of Essex

VIII.            Ancient Wills (No. 3) [Sir ThomasTyrell, Herongate, 1476], by H W King … 75

IX.                The Strongman Pedigree, by H W King … 95

X.                  Roman Sepruchral Remains at East Ham, read at the Meeting at Leytonstone, held February 16^th 1864, by the Rev. E F Boyle … 104

XI.                Comparative Notes on the Roman Sacrophragus and Leaden Coffins discovered at East Ham, by H W King … 110

The Strangman Pedigree – Addendum … 116

XII.              A Translation of the First Book of Palladius on Husbondrie [Husbandry], Edited from a M.S. of the 15^th Century, by Barton Lodge, A.M. … 117

Corrigenda to ditto … 162

Glossary to ditto … 163

XIII.            Ancient Wills (No. 4) [Sir Thomas Montgomery, Faulkbourne, 1494], by H W King … 167

XIV.            The Tyrell Badge, by H W King … 198

XV.              Notes on the Monumental Brass Effigy in Great Parndon Church, by George H Rogers Harrison, F.S.A. … 204

Book Review: 'Stour Valley Railway Part 2'

Stour Valley Railway Part 2 Through Time: Clare to Shelford & Audley End.  Andy T Willis. (Amberley Publishing, 2011). ISBN 978-1-4456-0473-2. 96 pages, Illustrated. £14.99

Before the Beeching axe was wielded in the 1960s the Stour Valley railway, completed in 1865, ran from Marks Tey to Shelford and Audley End via Bartlow.  This book, the second in the series, covers many locations outside the historic county of Essex.  It provides a collection of comparative photographs in ‘then and now’ variety, for example showing the survival of station buildings at Saffron Walden.  Ashdon Halt was no more than a platform with old railway carriage providing shelter.  The decayed remains remain.  The branch platform building of the branch line at Audley End is now a coffee shop, near the grand mainline station which is unaltered over the passage of time.  It is a record of surviving standard design Great Eastern Railway country stations, overgrown areas (Bartlow), a Tesco building (Haverhill North) and dual carriageway (Pampisford).  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  The supporting text includes a narrative of the rolling stock employed.  A one page introduction provides historical context. 

This item first appeared in the 'Newsletter', Summer 2012

Greenstead and the Course of Edmund's Translation: Transactions n.s. Volume 10 Part 2

St Edmund's Day is commemorated on 20 November.  The saint is synonymous with the town in Suffolk - Bury St Edmunds - in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury. 'The Month', which is the Diocesan Newspaper of the Chelmsford Diocese, reports in its November 2012 edition that a five day pilgrimage is being planned from St Paul's Cathedral in London to Bury St Edmunds via Chelmsford and Greensted, one of the sites where St Edmund's body rested on his journey in 1013.  The pilgrimage is being held to mark the millennium.

In 1907 the Essex Archaeological Society published the following article in its 'Transactions' - a paper writen by I Chalkley Gould, F.S.A..

ESAH Grant of Arms (1)

An extract from the 'Newsletter' Winter 2009.

"I am delighted to announce that the process of devising 'arms which are pleasing, representative and heraldically correct' has now been completed.  The Letters Patent (a colourful illuminated and decorated document) authorising the Society to use the arms in posterity has been prepared bearing the seals of the three Kings of Arms (Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy & Ulster).  Classical scholars may be interested to learn that the Society has adopted the motto "DUCIT AMOR ESSEXIAE', which is not subject to heraldic jurisdiction.  It is very gratifying to be able to report that Her Majesty The Queen has appointed as our agent, Thomas Woodcock, as Garter Principal King of Arms (the senior Officer at the College of Arms and a position which has existed since 1415) with effect from 1 April 2010. This is a well deserved promotion for Thomas Woodcock who has kindly offered to present the Letters Patent to the Society early in 2010.  This will be a memorable occasion in our distinguished history.  Unfortunately, Mr Woodcock will not be waering his highly elaborate heraldic tabard as these can only be worn in the presence of the Sovereign!

H Martin Stuchfield

ESAH Sunday Series: Stondon Stories

Revd. Edward Henry Lisle Reeve,
Rector of Stondon Massey 1893-1935
(previously Curate at St Botolphs,
Colchester, 1885-1893)
Author of 'Commonplace Book, 1881

After Dinner Anecdotes

In 1881 Edward Henry Lisle Reeve (known as Lisle to his family) had just completed his University studies to become a Minister of Religion in the Church of England.  He was 23 years of age, born into a well-to-do family, whose father was Rector of Stondon Massey.  Lisle became the parish’s rector in 1893.  His late grandfather, Edward Reeve (known in the family as “the Captain”), had served in the West Suffolk Militia.  Having then been a gentleman farmer in Dedham, in 1849 he purchased the Rectory and advowson of Stondon moving into retirement and appointing his son as the incumbent.

This series is entries is taken from a manuscript in Lisle’s hand entitled ‘Jottings’ dated 1881.  In his words:

“My father you know is always telling us the same old stories, and then he will turn to me and ask ‘if I remember that’.

“Well, I should say you have no doubts how to answer that question.  If he were to ask you whether you had forgotten it, it might create a difficulty.

“Most of these little heirlooms we are indebted to the Captain who took a burning interest in all that related to his ancestors”.

‘Jottings’ is a family book which came into my possession via a relative of the Reeve family.  It casts light on the ordinary lives of the privileged classes in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  In short, it is a fascinating social history.

Andrew Smith

Captain Reeve

Captain Edward Reeve,
dressed for the Ball 1810

When my father [Revd. Edward James Reeve (1821 – 1893)] first came to Stondon Massey as Rector, Captain Reeve [Edward Reeve, (1785 -1867)] lived at the Rectory House at Stondon with him, with my grandmother and Aunt Mary. 

They had lately become possessed of a young donkey which Miss Mary Reeve used to drive about.  One day the animal was not forthcoming, and Captain Reeve with characteristic activity put an advertisement in the paper offering 1£ reward for its safe restoration.  Three or four days passed, and the beast did not appear; at last the coachman had occasion to go to an old cowshed where the main supply of hay was kept, and there to his astonishment was the truant donkey. Evidently it had got in when the man last went to the shed in the evening, and the key had been turned on it.  The donkey had enough to eat, but his good fortune had been somewhat tempered, for he had nothing to drink, and when the door was opened he made immediately for the pond, and began to drink with an energy which bade fair to prove fatal.  Captn. Reeve, though glad to recover his lost property, was still annoyed to think of the disturbance which his advertisement had created, and the more so that friends would from time to time gently chaff him upon the subject.

Mrs Edward Reeve [the Captain’s wife] was the eldest daughter of Mr James Stutter of Higham Hall [Suffolk].  She was a great invalid in her later years, and during her residence at Stondon seldom was seen outside the house.  When a new domestic was wanted, great troops of applicants would appear at the window to be called in one by one, and the Capt. would be outside and wink significantly if he saw one approaching whom he thought would suit!  On one occasion Mrs Reeve in questioning one more likely than the rest, asked her if she had been confirmed, and received a somewhat amusing reply, that she “had not yet, but that she was good at her needle”.  

Harwich

Electric Palace Cinema, Harwich

The Harwich Society were our hosts on an all-day excursion to the compact historical town on 24 September 2011.  Members assembled outside the Electric Palace cinema, now one of the oldest surviving purpose-built picture houses.  It was founded by Charles Thurston and opened in 1911 following the passing of the Cinematograph Act of 1909 which forbade the showing of films in tents, requiring a projection room to the separated from the auditorium on account of dangerous inflammable nitrates which existed with reel film.  The projectionist climbs a ladder to his room from the east side of the building.  It was named ‘electric’ to sound innovative, new and clean like the new source of power which was then sweeping Edwardian England. The fact that the Electric Palace did not have mains electricity until 1927 did not matter.  Cinema was only in its second decade when the venue was built, and it was another form of media, television, which caused its sudden closure in 1956.  For the next thirty years the building was locked and became a place for fishermen to store boats.  The local Council proposed its demolition in favour of a lorry park but this was met by so much opposition that a group of volunteers was formed to save and restore both the exterior and interior to its former Edwardian glory using the original blueprints.  Today attendees sit in a 199 seated auditorium for weekend showings of both modern and vintage films as well as Jazz concerts. At one time 452 people were crammed on benches.  The digital age is now upon us and the venue has had to change with the times by investing £70,000 in new technology. The old will be kept and used in tandem with the new.  My late Uncle, a film, cinema and theatre organ enthusiast, used to wax lyrical about the Electric Palace after it reopened in 1981.  It was lovely to visit one of his old haunts.  Charles Owen, Hollywood actor and local resident is today a great supporter of the Electric Palace Cinema. The lovely, compact Edwardian-style venue has rightly been accorded Grade II* listed status, is much loved by the town and appears to have a great future in store.

St Nicholas Church

Nearby, St Nicholas Church was rebuilt in 1822 using the latest mass produced materials of the industrial revolution.  With its soaring slender pillars, large windows and three-sided gallery it is a large and bright worship area.  A church had been sited here since 1177.  One of Harwich’s most famous residents, Christopher Martin, who sailed The Mayflower in 1620, married here twice.

Christopher Martin is remembered at his former home on one of the many informative plaques sited by the active Harwich Society.  Local enthusiasts are attempting to rebuild adjacent to the railway station a replica of The Mayflower which they hope to float in the harbour.  Their more immediate quest is to source around 200 suitable oak trees.

Next to the church is the former Three Cups inn, which only in the last generation became a private house.  It is reputed that Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton stayed there, but evidence is flimsy to say the least.  Mr Bull was the landlord in 1820s, and I was able to contribute a story (reproduced below) which adds to the social history or folklore of the place.  Sharing research is one of the pleasures of an amateur local historian.  Our volunteer guide, a musician and local Morris dancer, hopes one day to weave the story of Harwich into folk-song, and the passage gave him a ready-made chorus.

The story of the Three Cups is taken from a commonplace book, written by Edward Henry Lisle Reeve of Stondon Massey in 1881.  It reads:

“Mr Smythies of Colchester is to be remembered among other reasons for his celebrated toast at the hostelrie of ‘The Three Cups’ at Harwich.  The ‘Three Cups’ was kept by a Mr Bull who was a universal favourite. Mr Smythies being called upon for a toast when dining there one evening gave, to the delight of the party assembled, this following sentiment.

““Here’s to health of Mr Bull

And may his Cups be always full”.

“We have said Mr Bull was popular.  And no wonder.  He was a man whom it was impossible to put out of temper.  At any rate he was capable of enduring considerable provocation without a murmur.

“On one occasion twelve officers [of the West Suffolk Militia] were to dine together at the “Three Cups”.  While waiting for dinner to be served they began to form a wager among themselves as to the possibility or impossibility of ruffling the temper of Mr Bull, and for the sake of the bet, they divided their number equally, six taking one side, and six the other.  Dinner was served in due course, and Mr Bull, according to his custom, brought on the first dish – a beautiful salmon – himself.  This the officers found great fault with, saying that it was bad, and odoriferous.  And, all through dinner, they took occasion to complain of everything brought to the table.  The very bill at the end they grumbled at, and called the items in question: the wine – the best Mr Bull could produce – they voted positively disagreeable.  Mr Bull came forward himself to apologize.  He was not the least ruffled, but said that he was truly sorry not to have given satisfaction, as he had taken a great deal of trouble about the dinner, and could only say that he begged they would think no more about the bill, but let it pass.  Upon this they all burst into a hoarse laugh; explained to Mr Bull that they had had a wager at his expense, voted him a capital good fellow, paid the bill, and ordered just such another dinner for the ensuing week.”

Treadwheel Crane

Returning to the tour, the re-sited Treadwheel Crane was originally built in 1667 for the Harwich Navy Dockyard and remained in use until 1928.  It is the only surviving example having a double treadwheel.  It was operated by human exertion but unfortunately the mundane of how men worked it is lost in the mists of time.  Perhaps small gangs hauled vessels out of the harbour keeping time by using a sea-shanty or similar work song.

Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, was Member of Parliament for the rotten borough of Harwich in the 1660s and also Secretary of State to the Navy. His influence brought a dockyard from the Thames to Old Harwich, which “stands between two strands”. A bell on the street towards the Ha’Penny Pier records that Thomas Darby of Ipswich cast it in 1666.

We passed the High Lighthouse (built 1822), which in the 1960s was the home of a local resident known as ‘Lighthouse Lil’.  Alignment with the Low Lighthouse out at sea allowed safe passage into the harbour for sailors.  The Low Lighthouse was painted by Constable: his canvas is now in the Tate Gallery in London.  The High Lighthouse now marks the end of an 81-mile walk from Epping Station called the Essex Way, and I can personally recommend it having completed the whole route over five days back in 1996.

Rainback

Fresh water was always a problem in Harwich. Older houses had brick-built wells in their gardens which stored rainwater. These are known as rainbacks. Members trooped through a house of a kindly resident to view an example in his small back garden.  Thomas Cobbold had plenty of trade on tap when he set up his Brewery in 1727 but brackish water and expensive transportation of a fresh supply proved so impractical that he moved his operation to Ipswich, where the firm stayed until very recent years.

The Harwich Redoubt was built during the Napoleonic Wars between 1808 and 1811.  It formed part of a strategic defence stretching from Southwold in Suffolk to Eastbourne on the south coast.  From its prominent position the town could be defended through 360 degrees by 24lb guns firing up to a range of a mile, as far as Felixtowe across the river.  Several Martello towers along the coastline and Stour and Orwell River estuaries were pointed out by the guide.  The fort itself is 180 feet in diameter and has a dry moat 20 feet wide.  It fell into disuse after the Second World War.  The Harwich Society, recognising its importance began work in 1969 to remove debris thus beginning an ambitious project of restoration using mainly voluntary labour. In doing so members discovered an original gun thrown down in the moat, which was excavated and hauled to its original position.  Rooms inside the amphitheatre-like structure, called casements, tell the story of the Redoubt and the town.

In Harwich Redoubt

Our day finished with an excellent tea served by the churchwardens of St Nicholas Church in the Church Hall, the former Infants School.  All around the old town is evidence of a community which cares about its rich history and heritage.  The Harwich Society is an energetic and enthusiastic body of volunteers of 40 plus years standing which brings the social history of the town alive.  They hope that we will visit again either as a Society or as individuals.  For me a revisit with Pevsner’s Perambulation (updated by James Bettley) would be a good basis for future investigation, perhaps during next year’s Harwich Music Festival.

This item first appeared in the ‘Newsletter’, Winter 2011

ESAH Forum: Elm Timber

Michael asks:  

William Harrison, in his 'Description of England' of 1587, noted the special crooked quality of elm timber grown in the Dovercourt/Harwich area 'almost apt for nothing but navie timber, great ordinance and beetels.' He noted their remarkable durability of the timber, better than any other in the land, 'without cuphar, shaking or cleaving'. This last presumably refers to various types of splitting, but what exactly is 'cuphar' and what is the derivation of this odd word?

ESAH Online Bookshop

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History has a number of surplus books for sale, which are not required for accession to the Society’s Library hosted at Essex University or are duplicates of items already held.  To view the list, which will be updated regularly go to Online Bookshop. 

Book Review: The Thread of Identity

The Thread of Identity. Explored through the 600 year story of the Ram family. Ronald Ram. Amberley Publishing. 2010. ISBN 978 1 84868 264 1.  448 pages (including appendices and index). £18.99

If family history is merely a collection of names then Ronald Ram disproves this by delving into the lives and background of his Essex ancestors from the Middle Ages to the turn of the twentieth century.  His were the ‘middling’ sort: farmers in Great Waltham, lawyers in Romford, merchants and clergymen.  It is not a book about one family but of society as a whole.  The book covers family, local and social history as well as psychology, religion and politics.  The appeal of ‘The Thread of Identity’ is that it works on several levels, and rather than being a single thread there are several threads which are woven into a story where the reader can select or otherwise aspects which appeal, and still be captured by the overarching story. 

Long life and few children, Mr Ram discovers, are key to the amassing and maintenance of family wealth.  He charts the misfortune of one branch through early death of family members.  There’s a wonderful passage where a man suffering from the plague in Romford calls out his last will and testament to a member of the Ram family standing in the street below his bedroom window.  Sometimes the detail of the ancestral lines can be confusing but, if left to one side, there remains much to admire. 

The work is well researched and evidenced, written from a personal perspective to encourage the reader to follow his or her own journey of discovery.  It is a book which I read from start to finish without distraction to another on the pending pile.  Unfortunately place names at times appear misspelled and, likewise, proof reading could have been much improved.  This is its single disappointment in that the finished work is less polished that it could have been.

Mr Ram’s concluding chapter encapsulates his theory and the thread itself.  He argues that society has become so centralised by bureaucracy that a notion of locally determined community has been lost.  It could be counter-argued that by omitting coverage of the twentieth century, where legislators changed the hierarchical structure of society for good, Mr Ram has omitted to explain how the Victorian vision of a “parked, paved, assized, marketed, gas & watered and improved” system of local government can be unwound and roles in the local community re-established.  Britain in the second decade of the twenty-first century will grapple with a realignment of political and social values as a consequence of radical reductions in public spending, announced just after publication of the book.  “This is a book to set you thinking about how we live our lives”, the author writes on the back cover.  This book opens the debate and is of its time, if not ahead of its time.  A history book which looks forward is a revelation.

This item first appeared in ‘Transactions’ Series 4, Volume 1

ESAH Governance

The Society is structured on the basis of three separate committees, namely Library, Publication and Programme which meet twice per annum and report to the Council.  The Library Committee normally meets in February and October at Hollytrees in Colchester to consider such issues as acquisitions, book reviews and the management of the Society's Library which is housed on permanent deposit at the Albert Sloman Library at the University of Essex. The Library is our most important and valuable asset with a nominal conservation valuation of £100,000 placed on it in the Society's accounts. 

The Society's Library is available for members' use during normal opening hours. In fact, members can obtain reader tickets permitting the use or to borrow books from all parts of Essex University Library upon application to the University Librarian.

ESAH Latest Publication

Essex Archaeology and History:  Fourth Series.  Volume 1 (2010)

Contents
Assessing the contribution of commercial archaeology to the study of Roman Essex, 1990-2004:  Neil Holbrook

Excavation of a Roman landscape and prehistoric features at Elsenham Quarry, Elsenham:  Stephen Hammond & Steve Preston

Roman Billericay: excavations by the Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society 1970-1977:  M Medlycott, the late S Weller & P Benians

Roman settlement, pottery production, and a cemetery in the Beam Valley, Dagenham:  Edward Biddulph, Kate Brady, Ben M Ford & Paul Murray

A new perspective on the coinages of early Roman sites in Essex:  Mark Curteis

Roman and post-medieval archaeology at Pierrefitte Way, Braintree:  Andrew A S Newton

Carved in stone: a late Iron Age and Roman cemetery and evidence of a Saxon minister, excavations near St Nicholas Church, Great Wakering 1998 and 2000:   Ruarigh Dale, the late David Maynard, Susan Tyler and Tom Vaughan

Ripple Road, Barking: environmental evidence for Thames-side Medieval parklands or open gardens:   Michael J Allen, Cornelius Barton, A J Chapham & Rob Scaife

The fifteenth-century building accounts of the Duchy of Lancaster in Essex:  Pat Ryan

Waltham Forest: a Cambridge manuscript:  Richard Morris

Robert Rich, 2^nd Earl of Warwick and the government of Essex 1619-1629:  Christopher Thomson

Wivenhoe House: a tale of two lost 18^th century mansions and the sea-captains who built them:  Pat Marsden

The accounts of Augustus Veley: a peripatetic master teaching French, 1808 to 1814:  David Tomlinson

The Essex workhouse master 1760-1837:  Jane Pearson

Rev. John Howard Marsden: rector of Great Oakley and first Disney professor of archaeology at Cambridge University:  Michael Leach

Seymour Street brickworks, Chelmsford: archaeological investigations 2001:  E M Heppell, A Letch, M Peachey & P Ryan

Archaeology in Essex 2009: Phillippa Sparrow

Shorter notes:

An upper Palaeolithic flint knife from Othona:  Hazel Martingell

Saxon skeleton at Bradwell on Sea:  M Medlycott & E M Heppell

Figures of St John from late medieval processional crosses found in Essex:  Phillip Wise

Book reviews

Essex Bibliography:  Andrew Phillips & Paul Sealey

To obtain a copy, price £16.00 including postage and packaging, go to our Online Bookshop.

Stow Maries Aerodrome

Memorial at Stow Maries Aerodrome

Twenty-four ex farm buildings and a flying field achieved Grade II* listing status in May 2012, just days before the Society’s visit to the site (on 19 May).  Stow Maries Aerodrome is the only intact First World War built site in the country.  Its present owners took on the farm in 2007 and with a band of some fifty volunteers are in the process of restoring the buildings: the ninth is in progress.  The Turner family occupied the land between 1914 and 2007, except during the gap when used for military activity. During the First World War the aerodrome was used by 37 (Home Defence) Squadron, which also operated from Goldhanger and Rochford (now London Southend airport).  Their courage and bravery is remembered in the presence of a new War Memorial on the site commemorating those who died in the cause of defending their country using very basic aeroplanes and navigational aids. The remote site is a haven for wildlife and the owners are keen to develop conservation projects alongside the restoration of the buildings. The new owners gave Society members a magnificent tour and thanked the Society for a donation made last year towards the memorial.

This item first appeared in the ‘Newsletter’, Summer 2012

The 'Essex Society for Archaeology & History'

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History is the county's major society for those interested in any aspect of the past.  To be a member is to join a long line of enthusiasts dating back to the 40 or so ladies and gentlemen who met in the old Colchester Town Hall in 1852 and resolved to form a society 'for the purpose of reading papers, exhibiting antiquities, discussions, etc.'

The methods and concerns of archaeologists and historians have changed with the times and the Society with them but the aims would still be recognised by the founders.  These include the bringing together of those with a common interest in Essex's past, the publication of new discoveries and the encouragement to extend the boundaries of knowledge. 

The Society's record is a proud one. Well over 20,000 pages of articles have been published with innovatory reports on newly discovered archaeological sites in the county and the latest research findings by historians of all periods and aspects of Essex's past.

The collection formed by members of the Society has grown into what is now the Colchester Castle Museum. Its Presidents have included such distinguished names as John Horace Round, the great medieval historian and Francis Galpin the leading authority on historical music and musical instruments. 

Above all it has given pleasure to thousands of people for many years.

Today the Society offers its members ....

A regular programme of excursions with expert guidance to historical sites in and around the county, many of them not open to view.

Access to a large and growing Library now located at Essex University.  This extensive resource covers the history and archaeology of Essex and also includes all the major archaeological journals in Britain.  Members join the Library by applying to the University Librarian for a reader's ticket.  Once obtained, this ticket entitles members to access the rest of the University's book collection.

A chance to meet and talk with like minded people with an interest, wither amateur or professional, in Essex's past at social events and lectures.

Essex Archaeology and History, an annual journal of about 300 pages of original research into history and archaeology. 

A Newsletter bringing you up-to-date with what is happening around the county in the historical field and with current archaeological projects. 

To join, contact us.

Welcome to ESAH160

The 'Essex Society for Archaeology and History', one of the County’s oldest societies, turns 160 this year.  Founded in 1852 in Colchester the Essex Archaeological Society, as it was originally known, continues to this day arranging excursions / visits for its members and producing annually its Transactions, titled ‘Essex Archaeology and History’.  

The Society is in the process of updating its online presence.  We have a website which will be developed over the next year or so.  In the meantime we have launched this interim blog site with the objective of sharing news of our Society and anything of historical or archaeological interest in our fair county of Essex.  

My name is Andrew Smith, Library Committee Secretary to the ESAH, and I have been running a local history blog (in Blackmore) for five years.  From comments and feedback received, and the sharing of new information, it is clear that this is a worthwhile medium.  So, whether you are a member of the ESAH or not we would welcome your comments, feedback and any history or heritage news you have.

Why am I a member of ESAH?  As an amateur enthusiast it is good to meet like-minded people who are professional or keen historians, archaeologists, researchers etc.  I have found membership very interesting indeed.  The Society’s objectives are:

-          To promote and encourage the study of the archaeology and history of the historic county of Essex.

-          In furtherance of the above, to publish the results of such studies in its journal and to disseminate information on matters relating to archaeology and history in Essex through appropriate media.

-          To organise conferences, lectures and visits for the benefit of members of the Society and interested members of the public; to educate the wider community in the archaeological heritage of Essex; to co-operate with other bodies on matters of common interest and concern

-          To provide library facilities for Society members and approved members of the public.

For information about the Society itself and membership – we are always looking for new members – go to the website: http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/

Colchester

A series of Colchester postcards: to inspire a visit to the 'oldest recorded town in England'.

St Botolphs Priory

Albert Cottage, Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex.

Aug 19 07

Thanks very much for the letter received by this evening’s post.  I shall write tomorrow if I do not get time this evening so you may expect a letter Wednesday morning.

Love &c

W

Colchester Abbey Gateway

Mountnessing, Essex.

Aug 21 07

Will you thank Susy very much for postcard received this morning from Swansea. I am very sorry that the Bangor Ladies’ Choir did not win and am sure that their performance was nothing to be ashamed of.

Before the Dissolution of the Monastries, Colchester Abbey was one of the most important in the Kingdom with a mitred abbot at its head who sat in the House of Lords the same as the Bishops.  Don’t you think that the gateway of the Abbey is grand.  My last card showed the ruins of S. Botolphs Priory which was a distinct foundation from the abbey over a mile away.

Love best wishes. W

Colchester R Colne

Mountnessing, Essex

Aug 22 07

The collapse of the Promenade at the rear of the Eisteddfed Pavilion was a nasty accident.

I am glad to see from this morning’s paper that none from Bangor or any that I know were hurt. Was Susy anywhere near at the time?  I was rather apprehensive when I saw stop-press notice of the accident in yesterday evening’s paper.

Love &c

W

Colchester Lexden Church

Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex

Aug 23 07

Letter received by this evening’s post.

House is full of children & an uproarious children’s party is in progress.

Humour – good.

Will send a letter tomorrow morning.

Weather is cloudy.

Love & best wishes. W.

Colchester, Stockwell Street

Mountnessing, Brentwood

Aug 26 07

Many thanks for N.W. Chronicle which I received by his morning’s post. I was pleased to see that North Wales was well represented in the literary successes at the National Eisteddfod and among them I noticed the name of the Bishop’s Chaplain (Rev W Williams).  No one would think from a casual acquaintance that he had so  much in him.

Would you like a day in London in a few days before coming here?  I believe I can arrange it if you like.  Let me know as early as you can so that I can make arrangements.  Love & C. W.

Colchester, North Hill

Albert Cottage, Mountnessing, Brentwood

Aug 27 07

This view shows the road leading down to the R Colne & the railway Stn. You will be able to realise from it that the hill on which Colchester is built is very steep, hence its strength as a military centre from former times. The church, to whose tower the Clock is attached, is S. Peter’s Church, which is the reputed oldest church in the town.  In the time of the Roman occupation Colchester was one their most important cities, more important in some respects than London. The city was the see of the ancient British Church & its bishop attended the Council of Arles (AD 395 I believe).

Received letter this evening.  Am disappointed.  Shall write to-night or tomorrow morning.

Love & c. W

Colchester, High Street & Town Hall

Aug 29^th 1907

The weather has been splendid since Monday and the sun has been hot. I think it is showing what it can do so as to be sure of giving you fine weather when you come.  I hope that will be very soon now.  I expect it is hot in the workroom today if you are having similar weather to what we are.

I was wondering this morning if you were up betimes & attended the Prayer time before going to work.  If you had done so I hope you won’t feel too good for the rest of the day. I wonder if Mr Griffiths is the better for the situation. I shall expect to hear when I see you that never before were the sermons so good & consequently that the hearers were never in a more Christian mood.

That is the measure of a good sermon, isn’t it?

Love & best wishes.  W.

This item first appeared on the blog of 'Blackmore Area Local History'.