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Weald, South (St. Peter)

WEALD, SOUTH (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of Billericay, hundred of Chafford, S. division of Essex; containing, with the town of Brentwood, 3812 inhabitants, of whom 1450 are in the township of South Weald. This parish, from its name, is supposed to have been that portion of Essex (or Epping) Forest first inhabited. It is situated on the road between Romford and Chelmsford, and comprises by admeasurement 5053 acres, which, with the exception of 150 acres of woodland, are about equally divided between arable and pasture. The Eastern-Counties railroad runs through the parish. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £26. 13. 4.; patron, the Bishop of London; impropriator, C. T. Tower, Esq. The great tithes have been commuted for £215, and the vicarial for £680; there is a parsonage-house, and the glebe comprises 16 acres. The church is a handsome stone structure, with a fine embattled tower, and a curious Norman porch. At Brentwood is a separate incumbency. There are five almshouses, founded by Sir Anthony Brown, the inmates of which, three men and two women, receive £10 per annum each. In front of the ancient Hall is a mild chalybeate spring, much resorted to in summer, possessing properties somewhat similar to those of seawater. Bishop Horsley was vicar of the parish.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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