The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex

by Philip Morant

Philip Morant published this impressive large 800 page document in 1768 which includes six very significant pages about Goldhanger and Beckingham Hall. 200 copies were produced in his lifetime and many more since. Maldon library has a copy.

Philip Morant

Morant was born in 1700 in Jersey and grew up bilingual in English and French. He went to Abingdon school in Oxfordshire and then on to Oxford, graduating from Pembroke College in 1721. He was ordained in 1722 and became a curate at Great Waltham in Essex. He also obtained an M.A. from Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge. In 1732 Queen Caroline nominated Morant to the English chaplaincy in Amsterdam, although he only stayed there for two years. The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex occupied him for fifteen years and was published in instalments from 1763 to 1768. He died in 1770 and was buried in Aldham, where he had been Rector since 1745. There is a school in Colchester named after him. These two sites tell us more about him...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Morant

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1885-1900/Morant,_Philip

the complete and document can be viewed online at...

https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_the-history-and-antiquit_morant-philip_1768

copies of the 6 original local pages are available here...

and the 6 pages have now also been converted into machine readable searchable form using the latest OCR with many of the old English words replaced with the modern words where possible. The results are presented here...

GOLDANGER

Lies close to the Bay which receives the Stream from Maldon, opposite to the isle of Osea.

Aungre signifies The Place, as we have observed above. But how this came to be dignified with the fine name of Gold, we cannot well conceive.

The owners of the lands in this parish, in Edward the Confessor’s reign, were Leuuin Pofthagra; Leuuin, and Uluuard; and Elric. Those that held them at the time of the survey were Piperell; and Earl Eustace.

These lands were divided afterwards into three Manors. 1. The Manor of Goldangre. 2. The Manor of Follifaunts. 3. that of Fawlty. But which of them were what belonged to Montfort, or the two others, we cannot determine.

THE MANOR OF TOTHAM WITH GOLDANGRE, such is the title of this Manor

After the general Survey, the earliest possessors we have here were the Jarpenvill family. John de Jarpenvill, who died in 1259, held of the King, in captive, 2 carucates of land, by the service of 20s. a year to the ward of Dover Castle, worth £10 per annum. Roger Farpenvill was his next heir. This Roger had in Goldhangre 300 acres of arable, 8 of meadow, 12 of pasture, 7s. rent of affix; and in rent for salt 18s. 6d. At the time of his decease in 1287, he was found to hold of the King, in ca. in Totham and Goldhangre, 200 acres of arable, 12 of meadow, 20 of pasture, 10 of wood, 1 garden, 1 dove house, and 53s. rent of affix, 300 days work &c. by the service of 3 knights fees, and 40s. yearly to the ward of Dover Castle. He held also in the parishes of the Abbey of St. Albans 50 acres of arable, and 20 s. rent of affix, by a yearly payment of 34s.

Maud, wife of Philip de Heveningham, was his daughter and heir. Roger de Heveningham who died in 1318, held the Manor of Little Totham of the King, in ca. of the Honor of Haghele, by the service of one knight's fee, fit at the Court there, and 20s. to the ward of Dover Castle; And of the Abbot of Coggeshall 6 acres in Malervisland, by the service of 10d a year: And 20 acres of John de Preyers, as of the Manor of Tolleshunt Gynes, by the service of 4s. a year. Alice his widow, remarried to William de Maldon, held a third part of this Manor in dower, and the Advowson of the Church of Goldangre, of the Honor of Haule; and in Little Totham and Goldhangre, 40 acres of land and 56s. rent, of the Prior of Hatfield-Peverell, &c. till her decease in 1322. Philip de Heveningham her son, who died before her in 1321, held the two other parts of the Manor of Little Totham; and two parts of the Advowson of Goldhangre Church, of the King, as part of this Manor; And 80 acres of land in their two parishes,and 13s. rent of affix, of the Prior of Hatfield-Peverell, by the service of 22s. a year. John, son of Philip, knighted afterwards, at the time of his decease in 1374, held jointly with Joanna his wife, this Manor of Little Totham, by the same service as above; and 1 messuage, and 100 acres of arable, of the Dean of St. Pauls London, and the Earl of Hereford; and 80 acres in Goldangre of John Boufer, by the service of 4s. a year. This family had also estates at Sutton, Eltwood, Aflingdon, Hakewell, and South-Bemflete. John Hevemngham, son and heir of Sir John, succeeded his mother in their estates in 1394, being then 35 years old. He died in 1425, possessed of this Manor of Little Totham. Sir John Heveningham his son held also the Manors of Totham and Goldhanger of the Honor of Magnett, by the service of the 2oth part of a knight's fee; and departing this life 10 May 1499, left Thomas Heveningham, or Henningham, his son and heir, 40 or 50 years old Sir John Heveningham held these Manors, and the Advowson of the Church of Goldanger and of Totham Chapel, at the time of his decease 4 August 1536. Sir Antony his son held also the farm, but of the Honor of Raylegh, and not of that of Hagnett. He did 22 November 1557 elder was ao year the eldest son, leaving no issue, his next brother and heir Arthur Heveningham Esq; after he had minimised the tenants, sold this Estate to Jobn Brown Gent. Attorney at Law, who died 17 August 1591, possessed of the Manor of Totham with Goldanger, and of the Advowson of the Church and Chapel. John Brown was his son. Silvefire his widow, with John Brown the son, and William Stark, by licence dated 28 April 1592, sold the manors of Little Totham and Goldanger, and 6 messuages, 3 tofts, 1 dove-house, 2 gardens, 1co acres of arable, 40 of meadow, 3oo of pasture, jo of wood, 300 of heath and furze, 4 of marfh and alder, £4 rent, a free fithery, free-warren, and 2 faldages for sheep, in thefe parishes, and the Advowson of the Church and Chapel to Jobn Sammes Esq; who died October 1603, possessed of them, and of Campes Close, Great Grovewood, alias Brockhole, and the Little Wood, in Little Totham.

His son and heir Sir John Sammes held the same and was succeeded by his son— Sir Gerrard Sammes, Kt. who died 28 April 1630. Richard was his son and heir, who married Frances, daughter of Thomas Still Esq; and had issue Francis, Edward, Anne, Elizabeth, Jane, and Bridget; Francis married daughter of Wald-grave, afterwards wife of ... Poley. Ame, the eldest daughter, was wife of ... Germaine of Wickham: and Elizabeth, of the Rev. Join Lasby, 26 years Rector of this parish. She died in 1681, aged 32.

Mr. Laby purchased the lordship of this manor, and died 9 November 1703, leaving an only daughter - Elizabeth. Upon whole deceased without issue, Henry Germaine, son of Anne Sam-mes, inherited this Manor. He sold it to John Price, Gent. who left it to his eldest son Robert Price Esq; Serjeant at law, Recorder of Colchester; he died 5 August 1741. It belongs now to Mr. John Cole, of Colchester, merchant, who hath married Bridget, one of Sergeant Price's daughters. As for Goldanger Hall, and the demesne lands they were purchased of the widow of Francis Sammes and Henry Germaine, by the Rev. Mr Henry Barret, Rector of Herthurft in Suffolk, whose daughter and heir was married to the Rev. Jobu Cefuourne. But they have sold it.

FOLLIFAUNTS

a Manor, or Farm, whose house is about half a mile north-east from the Church, was given to Bilegh Abbey by Robert Mantel their founder. It was let to Thomas Whittelocke at the rent of £5 11s. per annum.

Upon the fupprefion, K. Henry VIII. granted it, in 1543, to Stethen Beckingham Esq; and to Anne his wife, by the name of the manor of Follyfaunts, and the site of the fame Manor, Thomas his son sold it to John Sammes Gent. 1 March 1573. Alderman Clithero had it, with Joyces and Highams in Tolleshunt-Major, and by female heirs it came to William Waddis and Lenry Heath, who sold it, but to whom we do not find. It has since been in Sir Nicolas Gerrard of Eaft-Ham, Bart. and is, or lately was, in his Family. Some of the Heveningham family are said to have anciently resided here.

FAWLTY

The mansion house lies near the Channel, about half a mile south west from the Church. This manor, as it is called, belonged, as well as the land, to Bilegh Abbey. John Samys was farmer here of lands called Westmersh, Eastmersh, and Westmersh in Goldhanger. After the suppression K. Henry VII. granted, among other things, in 1538, farms called Purleigh and Goldhanger alias Falty in Goldhanger, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. He by licence, 20 January the same year, sold the Manor of Fawlty to Robert Trapps, of London, goldsmith, and Joan his wife; remainder to Nicolas their eldest son and heir, who died 7 May 1544, leaving

Mary wife of the Lord Giles Paulet, and Alice wife of Henry Brown, his daughters and heirs. Robert Trapps died 12 December 1560, and his wife Joan 16 January 1503. A partition being made in July 1565, this was the share of the Lord Giles Paulet and Mary his wife. They two had licence, 9 July 1565, to alienate a marsh, called Fawtry-marsh, in Goldhanger to Humfrey Shelon.

John Whigtacres who died 23 August 1627, held a messuage and 6o acres of land, with ap-pertenances called Goldhangers, alias Vautie, alias Faultie, in Goldhanger of the King in capite. Jobn Share Gent. was his cousin and heir. This estate belonged to the late Mr. Charles Coe, of Maldon, and now to his family.

Mr. James Buxton; William Marryon; Robert Harrington; John Cooper, &c. have also fome Estates in this parish. There is a confiderable Saltwork, in which is used Rock Salt, brought from Cheshire, mixed with the seawater. It may be presumed that the salt water here would of itself produce some salt, because the saltworks of this and Winstree Hundred are frequently met with in Domes-day-book. The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is of one pace, but the Chancel has a fouth Chapel; all tiled. The Steeple is of tone, and hath four Bells. This Rectory hath been all along appendent to the capital Manor, and as luch in the gift of the Families of Heveningham, or Henningham, Sammes, &c. It seems the Advowson was sold with the demesnes to Henry Barrett. This parish is rated to the land-tax at £558. Here is a Fair May 14, yearly.

TOLLESHUNT

In this Hundred are three Parishes of the name of Tolleshunt, or Toleshunt, distinguished from each other by the addition of Mauger or Beckingham; Darcy; and Knights. The name seems to be formed from the two Saxon words Toll, toll, or custom, and hunt. It is otherwise written in records, Touzon.

TOLLESHUNT MAUGER, OR BECKINGHAM

is nearest to Goldanger. The addition of Mauger, or Malger, it took from Malger who held it under Robert son of Corbutio, at the time of the Survey. The name is corrupted into Major, or Malgri; and it is also sometimes called Magna, Great, though it is really the least of the three.

The appellation of Mauger it had in the reign of K. Henry III. It received the surname of Beckingham from Stephen Beckingham, who had it first about the year 1543. One Sercar was possessed of it in Edward the Confeffor's reign. In this parish there is one Manor; and two other reputed ones, named Heighams and Joyces; and Wykes.

THE MANOR OF TOLLESHUNT BECKINGHAM

The mansion house stands near the north-west corner of the Churchyard. It has a stately Gate of brick remaining, with four turrets, embattled. This Manor belonged in King Stephen's reign to Geffrey de Tregoz, lord of the next parish of Tolleshunt Tregoz or Darcy, and was given by him to Coggelhall Abbey; under the name of one virgate of land at Tolehunt, and 60 acres near the same, and common of pasture there.

By an Inquest taken in 1257, it was found, that the Abbot of Coggethall had in Tolleshunt Mauger 7 acres and 1 rood of wood, by the King's perch, within the cover of the Forest of Essex, and 4 acres of heath near the same; and in Tolleshunt Tregoz, 7 acres of wood, and 10 of heath.

At the time of the Surrender, 5 February 1538, it was let to John King, for the yearly rent of £34 13s. 4d.

The same year K. Henry VIII. granted it to Sir Thomas Seymour, brother to the Duke of Somerset. He exchanged it with the King, who, in 1543, granted it to Stepben Beckingham, and Anne his wife, and the heirs of Stephen, by the name of Tolleshunt-Major, alias Tolleshunt-Grange, and Long-Wyke.

The Beckingham family was originally of Wilthire. Antony, or John, Beckingham, by Alice his wife, daughter of Thomas Tichborn of Hamshire, had 3 sons, John; Thomas; and Stephen. Stephen, who had a grant of this estate, was thrice married; namely, first, Anne daughter of Hugh Unton Esq; next, to Avis fifth child of Sir Henry Tyrell of Heron; and last to Elizabeth daughter of William Browne, of Flamberts. By the first wife he had Thomas, Alice, Thomasine, and Elizabeth; by the second he had one son; and by the third, Stephen and another. Stephen, the father, died 10 December 1558, and was buried in this Church. Thomas, his eldest son and heir, succeeded him in this and other estates [*]; and died 9 October 1596: having had, by Mary his wife daughter of Tomas Hill, Thomas, Stephen, and Avifia. Toomas, the eldest son, was knighted; and besides the capital mansion house, he held a Park here, and a messuage called Brifes's hatch.

[* Besides this manor of Tolleshunt Major, alias Tolleshunt Grange, and Longwicks, he had the maner of Follifants, and other messuages and lands in Goldanger, Totham, Heybridge, Tollehunt Major and Darcy: and land in Goldanger called Canterberyes, formerly belonging to Bilegh-Abbey: and several rents and land called Boypitts or Peltey, and Bartilmew Coibynes. And the maner or capital mansion or farm of Highams and Joyces in this parish and Goldanger; asfo two messuages called Germyns and Tothams, alas sawyns; and messuages called Dedmans and Hachedyes: and the manor of Wicombs or Wickhams in Woodham-Ferrers, &c ]

By Elizabeth his wife he had a son named William, whodied before him, leaving two sons William, and Henry.Sir Thomas departed this life 3 September 1633, and his grandfon Willian:, then aged twelve years and a half, was his heir (4). It is presumed he and his brother Henry survived Sir Thomas but a little while. For Sir Thomas's brother Stephen above mentioned was profited of this estate in 1635, and sold it in 1636, to Sir Thomas Adams, Kt. Alderman of London. His second son, Sir William Adams Bart, sold it in 1674, to Mr. Thomas Fox cheesemonger of London, who married Hannah, daughter of Mr. Henry Bigg merchant taylor. She married a second time to Mr. John Bradley, and in 1710, sold the reversion of this Manor and Estate to

Dr. Daniel Williams, who by will, dated 26 June 1711, settled it in Trustees, namely in the Society for New England, as long as that Society (hall continue, upon condition that Sixty pounds a year thall be allowed between Two well qualified perfons as to piety and prudence, to te nominated successively by his Trustees, to preach as Itinerants in the English Plantations in the West Indies, and for the good of what Pagans and Blacks lye neglected there: and the remainder to be paid yearly to the College of Cambridge in New England, or such as are ufually employed to manage the bleffed wori: of converting the poor Indians there. But if his Trustees were hindred from nominating the said Itinerants under pretence of any statute in New England or elsewhere, he gave the laid £60 per annum to the said College in New England, to encourage and make them capable to get some learned Professor out of Europe to reside there, and shall be of their own nomination in concurrence with the Ministers of the Town of Boston in New England. And if the aforesaid Society or Corporation should happen to be dissolved or deprived of their privilege, he gave the said Manor, with all the profits, to the Town of College of Botton with the Ministers there of, to benefit the College as above, and to promote the Conversion of the poor Indians.

This Estate, in 1710, was reckoned worth £120 per ann. There are three other Estates in this parish, styled in records as Manors. They seem to have been formed from a Manor which Brun had in Tolehunt before the Conquest, and Suene held at the time of the Survey.

HIGHAMS

is one of those Estates, fo named from the Higham family, its ancient owners. The mansion house lies near the road leading from Goldanger to Tollesbury. Part of the old house of Highams is still standing. Over the door, which is in a new part added to the ancient feature, is this inscription in capitals, carved in wood:

CONCORDIA NITRIT AMOREM ( = harmony nurtures love )

Here lived successively three of the name of Robert Higham, that are buried, with their wives, in this Church. The first died 23 June 1427: Leticia was his wife. The second died 16 August 1429: Margaret was his wife. The third died 4 February 1460: His wife was Johanna, daughter of Thomas Barrington.— The two following are buried in the Chancel of Goldanger Church. Thomas Higham Esq; who died 31 December 1531. And Antony 15 November 1540. The latter, at the time of his decease, held the Manor of Higham of Sir Thomas Seymour, as of his Manor of Tolleshunt Major, by fealty, and rent of 3s. 4d. He had also the Manors of Wickhams in Woodham-Ferrers, Harons in Althorn, Batells in Bradwell, &c. - Robert Higham, his son and heir, had license, 24 October 1545, to alienate the Manor of Higham, with appertenances to Stephen Beckingham.

A fine was levied soon after between the said Stephen, plaintiff, and Robert Higham Esq; and Margaret his wife, defore for the Manors of Highams, and Joyces; 20 messuages, 1 dove house, 3 orchards, 4 gardens, 300 acres of arable, 100 of meadow, 400 of pasture, 40 of wood, 400 of marsh, and 40s. rent in Tolleshunt Major, and Darcy, Goldanger, and Little Totham. Mr. William Harris is the present owner of this estate.

JOYCES

as appears by the Fine above-mentioned, belonged to the Higham Family, and was passed to that of Beckingham. It is now a considerable Farm in this parish. The mansion house lies about a mile and a half south-east from the Church. Stephen Beckingham Esq; who died 10 December 1558, held the Manor, or capital mansion and farm of Highams and Joyces, and all other messuages, lands, tenements, meadows &c. in Tollehunt Major, Goldanger &c. belonging this Manor, or capital messuage. —Thomas his son and heir, held the same, at the time of his deceased October 1596. Christopher Clitherow, of Clitherow in Lancashire, Alderman of London, one of the Sheriffs in 1625, and a Knight, and Lord Mayor in 1636, had this Estate. He married, furft, Catha-rine, daughter of Thomas Rowland; and his Jecond wife was Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Cambel, Kt. and Alderman (z). His son Henry dying without issue, left this Estate to his two Sisters, Jemima, and Mary. Jemima was married to Robert Heath, citizen of London; and had by him a son named Henry. Mary, who inherited Joyces, had by her husband Thomas Fettiplace, children. M. D. several Their only surviving daughter Waldegrave Fettiplace, being married to William Waddis of London, cordwainer, left two daughters, ...wife of ...Payn, the other unmarried. This Estate belongs now to Mr. Isaac Foster.

WYKES

is another reputed Manor in this Parish. The mansion house stands on Tiptree-heath, near the Parsonage called Renters: It is ancient, and part of it pulled down. We have no account of this Estate till 1525, when we find it granted to Cardinal Wolsey. Probably it was part of the endowment of some Religious House. Sir Jobn Huddilton had license, 1 May 1554, to alienate the Manor of Wekes, in Tolleshunt Major, to Thomas Darcy; who, at the time of his decease 27 October 1557, held it, and 2 messuages, 2 gardens, 6o acres of arable, 50 of meadow, 120 of pasture, 12 of wood, 160 of furze and heath, and 25s. rent, in this parish, Norton, Monden, and Bramston ... of the Queen.

Thomas, the eldest son, had it rot, but his next brother - Brian Darcy, of Tiptree and St. Osith,died possessed of it 25 December 1587, leaving John, his son and heir; afterwards Sergeant at law; who sold it to John Sammes, of Langford Hall, Gent. above mentioned. For the latter, at the time of his decease 20 May 1608, held this Manor of Weekes, alias Wicke; and a messuage called Allens; and the great Tithes of this parish, of the King, in ca. by knight's service: and a capital messuage, lands, and tenements called Renters of Sir Thomas Beckingham, as of his Manor of Tolleshunt Major. This John Sammes married, first Elena, daughter of Thomas Golding of Postlingford in Suffolk; and his Jecond wife was Anne daughter of John Brett of this parish. By the first he had George, John; Elianor, and Mary; and by the second, John, and Elizabeth.— George, the eldest son and heir, by Abigail daughter of John Rand had John, George, Abigail, and Elizabeth. —John, the eldest son, had for successors - George, - George - and another George. Of this last the Estate was purchased by Mr. Elmer, of Ipswich. It belongs now to Mrs. Mary Jenner. Baronholt belongs to Miss Sturgeon. Little Renters ... to Mr. John Fenner. Ruckleys ... to Mr. Jofeph Bygrave. Mr. Bennet Folter; Mr. James Barker; Jeremiah Gardiner; Daniel Nevill; Edmund Kemp, &c. have also some smaller Estates here.

CHARITIES

Sir Stephen Beckingham gave the Sum of forty shillings for ever to the Poor of this parish; and, for the perpetual payment of it tied a capital messuage calied the Freme, lying in Toleshunt Darcy.

Sir Christopher Clitherow did give out of Highams and Joyces in this parish three pounds per annum forever to the Poor of this parish; paid every Christmas day, at the Communion-table to the Minister and Church wardens, and by them distributed to 12 poor people that take no collection.

The Church, dedicated to St. Nicolas, is of one pace with the Chancel tiled; in a brick-Tower are three Bells.

On the north side of the Chancel was a Chapel called Beckingham's Chapel, with a stately Monument of alabaster finished 15 September 1609, for Stephen Beckingham Esq; But both Monument and Chapel are demolished, and the arch or opening between that Chapel and the Church is walled up.

This Church belonged to the Priory of Caldwell in Bedfordhire, founded by Simon Baffet Alderman of Bedford, in 1152, for Canons of the Order of St. Augustin. The Convent kept the whole profits to themselves, and supplied the Cure by a secular Priest, till Dr. Stokesley, Bishop of London, brought them to agree 7 February 1530, to the erection and endowment of a Vicarage, which is at large recited by Mr. Newcourt.

This diligent author has found an Instrument, without date, by which the Prior of Caldwell conveys this Rectory to William Prior of Dunmow. And, accordingly, in Fulk Baffet's Re-gifter, the patronage is faid to be in the Priory of Dunmow. How it came to be again in that of Caldwell which presented in 1495, he hath not found.; Tis very probable it was only leased for a term of years. If I were to guess why the Priory of Dunmow rented this, it may be that having lands in this Parish, and Caldwell only the Parsonage, it might be for their convenience. That Dunmow Priory had lands in this Tolleshunt, though the memory of them be lost as well as the name, appears trom K. Henry VIli th's grant to Robert Earl of Sussex, of lands called Bargholts, in Great, that is this Tolleshunt amongst other possesons of Dumme Priory. Perhaps the leasing out the Parsonage gave the House the name of Renters.

It stands on Tiptree-heath, near the Maror house of Wykes. The Priory of Caldwell leased out, in 1528, the Rectory of this parish to Antony Darcy. And by virtue of that lease, he and his son Thomas Darcy Esq; presented several times to the Vicarage: As did Brian Darcy.

In 1608, John Sammes died possessed of this Rectory, with all its rights members and appurtenances, and the Tithes of hay and corn, and the glebe lands; which he held of the King as of his Manor of East Greenwich, by fealty only, in free focage: And the capital messuage, lands, tenements, &c. called Renters, he held of Sir Thomas Beckingham. His son,George Sammes succeeded him. They had also the Advowson of the Vicarage. John Sammes sold the premises to Robert Jezon of Kelvedon, Attorney at law.

Capt. John Sammes, by his will dated 18 May 1675, gave to the Vicar of this parish, and his successors forever, all the Tyth Hay and Grass of his Rectory of Tollshunt Major. But after his death this being not paid, it was at last settled by a Commission for Charitable uses, 4 April 1699, That the sum of Five pounds should be paid, yearly for ever on Christmas-day, unto the Vicar of this parish and successors by the owners of the Rectory or Parsonage of Tolhunt Major called Renters, which Estate was tyed by the testator for payment of this bequest. The Minister is obliged to preach a Sermon on Christmas day.

This parish is rated to the land-tax at 4s ol.

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