Shenfield (St. Mary)

SHENFIELD (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Billericay, hundred of Barstable, S. division of Essex, 1 mile (N. E. by N.) from Brentwood; containing 983 inhabitants. The parish comprises 2417 acres, of which 95 are common or waste land. The village is pleasantly situated on the road to Colchester, and contains several well-built houses; a fair, chiefly for pleasure, is held in it on Whit-Monday. The Eastern-Counties' railway intersects the parish. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £14. 18. 4., and in the gift of Earl de Grey: the tithes have been commuted for £575, and the glebe comprises 77 acres. The church is an ancient edifice with a shingled spire, and contains a monument to Mrs. Robinson, which is much admired.