Widford (St. Mary)
WIDFORD (St. Mary), a parish, in the union and hundred of Chelmsford, S. division of Essex, 1½ mile (S. W.) from Chelmsford; containing 362 inhabitants. This parish, which is supposed to have derived its name from a ford over the river Chelmer, comprises 690a. 3r. 29p.; the soil is rich, and around the village the lands are in a high state of cultivation. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £8, and in the gift of the Rev. W. Buswell: the tithes have been commuted for £250, and the glebe comprises 20 acres. The church is a small ancient edifice, partly in the early and partly in the decorated English style, situated on the west side of the road from London to Chelmsford.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.