Dunton-Waylett (St. Mary)
DUNTON-WAYLETT (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Billericay, hundred of Barstable, S. division of Essex, 6 miles (S. E.) from Brentwood; containing 194 inhabitants. At the time of the Norman survey, the manor of Dunton Hall belonged to Odo, Bishop of Bayeaux, by whom it was bestowed on the abbey of Bec, in Normandy; and on the suppression of alien priories it was granted to King's College, Cambridge. The number of acres is estimated at 2000: the soil is a strong clay, well adapted for grain; the surface is diversified with hills. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £14. 13. 4., and in the gift of King's College: the tithes have been commuted for £500, and the glebe comprises 27 acres. The church, which is pleasantly situated on rising ground, is a small plain edifice, with a wooden tower and spire.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.