High Ongar, Essex Genealogy

England   Essex   Essex Parishes



Parish History
High Ongar is an Ancient Parish in the county of Essex. Other places in the parish include: Astelyns.

The diocese of Chelmsford was created in 1914, prior to this Essex parishes were in the jurisdiction of the Bishops of London until 1845 when they transferred to the diocese of Rochester. The diocese of Chelmsford has 474 parishes and 600 churches and is the second largest region in the Church of England outside London.

The parish church of ST. MARY THE VIRGIN consists of nave, chancel, south tower, and north vestry. The nave dates from the middle of the 12th century and is of flint rubble with dressings of clunch partly replaced by limestone. The 12th-century south door is of special interest. The chancel was built or rebuilt in the middle of the 13th century and is also of flint rubble. The tower, which incorporates a south porch, dates from 1858 and is of brown brick with limestone dressings. The vestry was added in 1885 and is of flint rubble. The nave retains three single-light round-headed windows of 12th-century date, two on the north side and one on the south. The western-most windows in the nave, although probably of the 13th century, have semicircular heads internally and may originally have been of the 12th century. Both north and south doorways are original, the north door having a semicircular head and molded imposts. Externally the south door is of two orders, the outer having a round arch with chevron ornament supported on attached shafts with molded bases and scalloped capitals. The inner also has shafts with scalloped capitals supporting a segmental arch with chevron ornament. Between the arches is a tympanum of which the stones are enriched with axe-cut ornament. There is similar ornament and a billet mold to the label above the doorway. Externally the flint coursing of the mid-13th-century chancel is a little more pronounced than in the nave. An unusual feature is a string-course of clunch at sill level in both north and south walls. There is a shallow projection at the junction of nave and chancel on the north side, possibly in connection with a rood-loft stair. The east end has three graduated lancets. Internally they are grouped under chamfered rear arches springing from attached shafts with molded bases and capitals. There are two lancets in the north wall and one in the south. The piscina is of the 13th century. In the nave the western-most windows in both north and south walls are 13th-century lancets. There are two lancets at the west end which may date from the 13th century but have probably been rebuilt. In the 14th century windows were inserted on both north and south sides near the east end of the nave. These have three lights with sharply pointed cinquefoiled heads. That on the south side retains a label mold externally with corbel heads roughly restored in cement.

In the 15th century the church was reroofed, the chancel roof having heavily molded wall-plates. The nave roof has five king-post trusses, the posts being octagonal with molded bases and capitals and having four-way struts. Probably at the same time a square timber bell tower was inserted near the west end of the nave. This had a tall spire and survived until 1858. The timbers of the western-most truss are not original and this may have been inserted when the tower was removed. The eastern-most truss is also new. The rafters of both roofs are ceiled in. During the 15th century also a two-light window with a square head was inserted in the north wall of the chancel at the east end, and another uniform with it in the corresponding position in the south wall. A three-light window of similar design in the west end of the south wall of the chancel dates from the 19th century but may have replaced an original 15th-century window. The square-headed 'low side' window near the east end of the south wall of the nave is of the late 15th or early 16th century, and so also is the ogee-headed piscina below it. The brick doorway on the south side of the chancel is probably of the 17th century. It has chamfered jambs and a segmental head and was restored in 1883. In the early 19th century there still existed a timber porch dated 1640 outside the south doorway of the nave. The south side of the church was repaired in 1730-1. It is unlikely that the work involved was extensive, for it appears to have cost not more than £20 in addition to the normal church rate. About 1800 it was reported that 'the church of High Ongar is shored up and threatens downfall'. Repairs to the west end and external rendering in Roman cement may have taken place about 1830, when the west door was made and the shallow porch added. This has a segmental arch and a castellated parapet. In 1858 the present tower was added on the south side of the church, incorporating a south porch. The idea may have come from Bobbingworth, where a somewhat similar tower was built in 1840. The tower is in a late 13th-century style; it cost £800. There is evidence that a spire was planned, but this was never built. The timber bell tower was removed at this time, and presumably also the 17th-century timber porch. The west gallery also appears to have been built at this time. The chancel was thoroughly restored in 1883, the plaster being stripped from the walls externally and a vestry of uncertain date on the south side being cleared away. The three-light window on the south side of the chancel was inserted or renewed at the same time. In 1885 the north vestry was built to designs by Frederic Chancellor. This work and that of 1883 was carried out by Noble of Ongar. There are six bells; The two oldest are by William Carter, 1610, and John Waylett, 1728. In 1746 the fourth bell in the peal was recast by Thomas Lester: an entry in the vestry book records his contract with the churchwardens. Other bells are by Pack and Chapman of London, 1775, and T. Mears, 1822 (a recasting). In 1933 a sixth bell was added and all were rehung on a steel frame, the cost being met by the Barron Bell Trust. The pulpit and reading-desk, mostly of 1883, incorporate enriched panels of the late 16th or early 17th century. The communion rails have turned posts of the mid-17th century. The stone font is of mid-or late-19th-century date. On the north side of the chancel are two bench-ends, with shaped finials, one having the date 1680 and the other the initials r.s. (probably Richard Stane). West of this and below the wall monument to Richard Stane is an imposing early 18th-century square pew with foliated carving to the moldings and panels. The paneling on the north side of the chancel is of similar date. The colored glass in the east windows is mostly of the 19th century, but in each of the flanking lancets is a shield of arms surmounted by a crown and encircled by a wreath. The arms are those of Jane Seymour with the initials i.r. and those of Henry VIII with the initials h.i. (Henry and Jane). The date may be assumed to be about 1536. Ceiling paintings which were not obliterated until after 1855 may have been of 17th-century origin. In 1768 and 1855 the roof was described as 'lofty, arched and painted with clouds and a sun rising in a glorious manner'. The church plate consists of three silver cups dated 1683, 1702, and 1891, three silver patens of 1683, 1702, and 1749, and a silver flagon of 1883 and alms dish of 1747. The cup and paten of 1702 were given by Mrs. Joanna Abdy and the paten of 1749 by William Denn. On a floor slab in the chancel is the indent of a missing 14th-century brass. This appears to have consisted of a foliated cross with a figure in the head and an Agnus Dei at the foot. A slab in the nave has a brass showing the standing figure of a man in early-16th-century dress. A brass in the chancel dated 1610 has initials m.t. and a text from 1 Corinthians xv, 36. A companion brass with initials e.t. and a text is now lost, but a rubbing was taken about 1810. Also in the chancel is a floor slab and brass to William Tabor (1611) Rector of High Ongar and founder of Tabor's Almshouses (see Charities, below). Floor slabs of other former rectors include William Alchorne (1701), Josiah Tomlinson (1651), and John Lavender (1670). There is also a floor slab to Richard Cartar (1659) with an inscription indicating that he was the victim of persecution. Above the Stane pew is a handsome marble monument with Corinthian pilasters and a shield of arms to Richard Stane of Forest Hall (1714). There are a number of other later memorials. John de Welde of Ongar, whose will was proved in 1337, bequeathed a cow called 'turtel' with its calf to maintain a candle on every double festival of the year before the great altar in High Ongar church. The will of Sir Peter Siggiswyk (proved 1503) provided 13s. 4d. for keeping his obit in the church of High Ongar, and 8d. for the priest singing there. ST. JAMES'S Church, Marden Ash, was built in 1884 as a chapel of ease to the parish church. It was destroyed by a German rocket in 1945. It consisted of a nave of flint and stone, and it had one bell. Paslow Wood Common Mission Church is a rectangular roughcast building with a low-pitched hipped slate roof. A small porch at the south end is dated 1865. Until 1895 it was a church school.

From: 'High Ongar: Church', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4: Ongar Hundred (1956), pp. 182-185. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15640&amp;amp;strquery=high ongar Date accessed: 06 February 2011.

High Ongar is a village and civil parish in the County of Essex, England. It is located 0.85 (1.3 km) north-east of Chipping Ongar, 8 miles (12.8 km) west of Chelmsford and 6 miles (9.6 km) north-west of Brentwood.

The village of High Ongar has existed since the beginning of the 17th century, although in the Middle Ages it was probably no more than a tiny hamlet. The oldest surviving house in the village is the timber-framed and weather-boarded building immediately east of the church, known as Post Office Cottages. This dates from the late 16th or early 17th century and may have been built as the rectory. Part of it was at one time used as a "lock-up".

Civil Registration
Birth, marriages and deaths were kept by the government, from July 1837 to the present day. The civil registration article tells more about these records. There are several Internet sites with name lists or indexes. A popular site is FreeBMD.

Church records
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Online images are available Seax - Essex Archives Online From the Essex Record Office St mary the Virgin See Also St James Marden Ash

Census records
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Index for the Census may be searched at FamilySearch Historical Records

http://www.1881pubs.com/ for details of public houses in the 1881 census

Poor Law Unions
Ongar Poor Law Union, Essex

The medieval court rolls of the manor of Paslow Hall provide a little information about the government of this important part of the parish. Most of the surviving rolls relate to courts held at Easter or in November. The Easter courts always included view of frank-pledge. The homage usually consisted of twelve men. Few of the entries are unusual. In the first roll (1271) tenants of the manor are presented for obstructing a water-course, selling bread against the assize, and impeding the ale tasters. (Later rolls (for the 15th century) contain similar entries. (There were several disputes between tenants relating to the ownership of land. The roll for 1404 records a fine for insulting behavior. (There were two ale tasters in 1404. The election of a rent-collector for the manor is noted in the 1400 roll. The modern series of court rolls for Paslow runs from 1542 to 1855 with only one extensive break. Some of the early rolls in the series may no longer exist, but from 1559 the record is complete until 1609. There is then a break until 1633, after which the series appears to be complete. Between 1559 and 1609 courts were held in most years, and sometimes twice a year. Up to 1575 most of them were held at Easter, for view of frank-pledge and court baron business. Courts baron alone were sometimes held during this period, but usually later in the year. Between 1576 and 1609 the courts were usually held in the summer, most often in September. View of frank-pledge was included on almost every occasion. Between 1633 and 1647 courts were held every two or three years and always included view of frank-pledge. The view was held in 1651, but after that date, although courts were held at intervals of from one to three years, they were usually courts baron only. View of frank-pledge was next held in 1672. It took place on only eight occasions after that, the last being in 1721. During the 16th century the homage usually numbered at least 12 and sometimes as many as 18 at courts with view of frank-pledge but was much smaller at courts baron. After 1651 it consisted at courts baron of about 5 men, but occasionally sank to 2. At courts with the view in and after 1672 it was usually 12. The election of the constable of the manor is frequently recorded in the rolls. Two constables were elected in 1711. In 1719 the court elected a man as constable 'of High Ongar'. In 1721 the constable was elected in the manor court for the last time, by the curious formula 'of High Ongar within this manor'. As will be shown below the jurisdiction of the manor court was at this time overlapping that of the parish vestry. The Woodward of the manor was frequently appointed up to 1660, but after that only in 1672. In 1711 Samuel Pond was elected 'beadle Anglice Hayward for Paslow Common'. An ale taster was chosen at irregular intervals, the last occasion being in 1605. In 1567 he was also described as a bread weigher. Most of the business transacted at the courts concerned minor nuisances and breaches of manorial custom. Special attention was paid to encroachments on Paslow Wood Common, either by inclosure or by the pasturing of excessive numbers of animals. There were occasional fines for assault, the last in 1601. In 1542 it was presented that there was no pillory in the manor, nor a tumbrel, and the matter was referred for discussion with the officials of the king, who was then lord. In 1573 there were said to be no stocks in the manor and the inhabitants were ordered to supply them. A surviving court roll of the manor of Newarks Norton contains seventeen entries from 1487 to 1668. It is clear from some of these entries that there were a number of occasions during this period when the court met, but of which no full record now exists. View of frank-pledge was usually held up to 1613, when it took place for the last time. Subsequent courts dealt with baron business only. The homage usually numbered 5 or 6. In 1612 it was presented that there was no pound in the manor and the lord was required to provide one. The rolls for the manor of Nash Hall, which run from 1582 to 1729, contain only the proceedings of courts baron. The homage usually numbered 2 or 3. The existing vestry books for the parish of High Ongar cover the period 1702-76. Vestry meetings were held regularly at Easter and Christmas and often at other times. In 1732 it was resolved to hold monthly meetings, but there is no evidence that this decision was acted on. Attendance varied from 5 to over 20, being largest at Easter. Up to 1742 William Stane of Forest Hall appears to have acted as chairman of the vestry when he was present. When he was absent the rector was chairman, and after 1742 it was the rector who usually presided. Other prominent vestrymen were William Baker of Withers Pawne and his son Bramston Baker, and William Wright, who was tenant of Paslow Hall early in the 18th century. In 1734 the vestry arranged that a house should be built on waste ground belonging to the manor of Withers Pawne for the use of James Paveley, the parish clerk. Later in the same year Paveley was ordered to sell off the beer he had brewed in his house and he was forbidden to brew any more. In 1736 he was granted a salary of 40s. a year, to be paid quarterly, evidently in place of a gratuity at Easter. Robert Miller was appointed clerk in 1775 at an annual salary of £2 2s. For much of the period the Easter vestry was held in two sessions. At the first the overseers' rate was granted and usually also those of the churchwardens and constables. At the second and more important session, which actually took place in Easter week, the accounts of the above officials were examined. At the Christmas vestry, on 26 or 27 December, the accounts of the parish surveyors of highways were examined and their rates granted. Throughout the period a penny rate produced a little over £7. The great size of the parish and its detached parts raised unusual administrative problems. During the first 20 years of the 18th century there was another problem also: the overlapping of the powers of the vestry with those of the manor court of Paslow, which has been described above. Constables' accounts are entered in the vestry book from 1703 onwards, and in 1707 Thomas Bridgman was elected constable in the vestry. William Mead and Samuel Barnard, who were both elected constables in the manor court in 1711, rendered their accounts as parish constables at subsequent vestries. The constables appointed for the manor in 1719 and 1721 also accounted to the vestry. In 1719 Samuel Barnard acknowledged the receipt of 12s. 8d. from William Wood in respect of charges at the court at Paslow. Wood was apparently settling accounts on succeeding Barnard as a constable, and the entry seems to imply some financial relationship between manor court and vestry. After 1721 two constables continued to account to the vestry and no doubt were always nominated there. During the later part of this period the nominations were sometimes entered in the vestry book, and were confirmed in the usual way by the J.P.s. By about 1750 there was only one constable. (fn. 59) John Bettis held the office for many years between 1750 and 1775. The constable's expenses were about £8 a year at the beginning of the period and about £20 at the end. Up to about 1720 there were usually two parish surveyors of highways. From 1725, if not earlier, there were at least three. Each surveyor had responsibility for part of the parish. One usually looked after Marden Ash and 'Bobbingworth hamlet', a second 'the body of the parish', and the third 'Paslow Hall Manor'. In 1737-9 an additional surveyor was appointed with separate responsibility for Bobbingworth hamlet. In 1740 and later the parish was usually divided into three areas as before but two surveyors were sometimes appointed for each area. In and after 1758 there was a variation in the areas. One surveyor looked after Marden Ash, the second Paslow and Bobbingworth hamlet, and the third the body of the parish. Up to 1735 the surveyors' rate was usually about 1½d. For the rest of the period it was usually about 3d. In 1741 it was 5½d. No reason has been found for this unusually high rate. In 1732 the vestry ordered the overseers [sic] of highways to charge their accounts with an allowance of 2d. a day for the laborers' beer, but with no other charges for beer provided for servants. The parish overseers of the poor, like the surveyors, often accounted individually to the vestry. It is sometimes stated that one overseer was responsible for Paslow Hall manor and the other for the body of the parish. At the beginning of the 18th century the cost of poor relief in the parish was about £50. It rose to over £130 in 1716 but rarely exceeded that figure up to 1750. In 1760 it was £160, in 1774 £183, and in 1783-5 it averaged £470. By 1801 the total rate had risen to £1,989. It fell between 1805 and 1812 to an average of about £1,300 but rose to a new peak of £2,054 in 1817. In 1821 it was £1,670. There is no evidence of a parish poorhouse before 1775. In October of that year the vestry paid £20 towards the purchase of a house called Scarlets from William Coe of Stondon Massey. This was the first installment of a purchase price of £220. In the entries for 1776 (the last in the vestry book) there are references to the parish house. Scarlets adjoined the Tabor almshouses to the west. The almshouses themselves had since their foundation been administered by the rector, churchwardens, and overseers; the accounts of the almshouses were entered in the vestry book and the almsmen were partly supported out of the poor rates. There is hardly any evidence about the number of persons supported out of the poor rates. In September 1752 there were 20 receiving a total of £1 9s. 3d. a week. The highest individual payment was 3s. and the lowest 9d. In September 1757 the vestry ordered the provision of 'a pair of shoes and hat for the black boy'. In 1836 High Ongar became part of Ongar Poor Law Union.

From: 'High Ongar: Parish government and poor relief', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4: Ongar Hundred (1956), pp. 185-186. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15642&amp;amp;strquery=high ongar Date accessed: 06 February 2011.

Probate records
Records of wills, administrations, inventories, indexes, etc. were filed by the court with jurisdiction over this parish. Go to Essex Probate Records to find the name of the court having primary jurisdiction. Scroll down in the article to the section Court Jurisdictions by Parish.

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