History of Wennington in 1882
Wennington is a parish and village, near the shore of the Thames, in the
Southern division of the county, Chafford Hundred, Romford Union, and county
court district, rural deanery of Chafford, archdeaconry of Essex, and diocese of
St Albans, 1 ½ miles south east from Rainham station, 5 miles south from
Romford, 2 north west from Purfleet, and 14 from London. The church of St Peter
is an ancient building, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle and a square
embattled tower, containing 3 bells, dated 1662, but only one is in use: this
church was originally of Norman foundation, of which the chancel retains some
traces, as well as of the Lancet period: but the structure was almost entirely
rebuilt and probably enlarged in the fifteenth century: in the south wall of the
chancel is a plain acutely-pointed piscine: the tower is of small dimensions and
built of Kentish rag: the font, an octagonal basin, on a shaft and plinth, is
fifteenth century work: some ancient oak benches with finials remain: the pulpit
is Jacobean: in the chancel is a small and curious mural tablet of alabaster,
with kneeling figures and an inscription to Henry Bust MA, rector of this
church, who died 16th Jan 1624 and his wife Margaret, who died 22nd
Dec 1625; below are verses in Latin and English and above a shield of arms:
there is also an inscription to William Gordonman, bur 4th Feb 1609.
The register dates from the year 1654. The living is a rectory, yearly value
£421 5s, and 4 acres of land, without house, in the gift of the Lord Chancellor;
and held by the Rev Nicholas Brady, MA, of Trinity College, Cambridge, who
resides at Rainham Hall. There is no manor. The trustees of the late R W Hall
Dare esq, and Sir Thomas Barrett
Lennard, bart, are the principal landowners. The trustees f the late J C Circuit
own about 80 acres. The soil is gravely and sandy; subsoil, gravel. A large
proportion of the parish is marsh land used for pasture. The chief crops are
wheat, barley, peas and other vegetables for market. The area is 1,570 acres;
rateable value, £3,327; and the population in 1881 was 196.
Church
Official, William Phillips
Post
Office – Reuben Edwards, sub-postmaster. Letters through Romford, delivery
commences at
Swann
Henry, Wennington Hall
Wiggins
Frederick, The Willows
Dean
Joseph, shopkeeper
Earps
Joseph, steward to the exors. of R W Hall Dare, esq, East hall
Kidd
John & Co, chemical works
Lee
Sarah (Mrs), shopkeeper