A Snapshot of what Wivenhoe was like in 1914

The following transcription is taken from Kelly’s Essex Post Office Directory at that time.

Posted by Peter Hill

An early copy of Kellys Directory (thanks to Canvey Island Community Archive)

WIVENHOE (or Wyvenhoe) is a parish, on a gentle declivity of the Colne, 4 miles south-east from Colchester and 57 ¼ from London, with a station on the Tendring Hundred branch of the Great Eastern railway, from which a line extends to Brightlingsea, 5 miles distant, and another to Clacton-on-Sea, 12 miles distant, and to Walton-on-the-Naze, 15 miles distant.  Wivenhoe is in the North Eastern division of the county, Colchester division of Lexden hundred, Lexden and Winstree petty sessional division and union, Colchester, Clacton and Harwich joint county court district and in the rural deanery and archdeaconry of Colchester and Chelmsford diocese.  Wivenhoe also forms, with Brightlingsea and Rowhedge, a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich of Kent. 

There is a good quay and the population is largely engaged in shipbuilding.  The town is lighted with gas by a company, and supplied with water from works the property of the Urban District Council; the water is obtained from an artesian well, and a water tower, with a capacity of 50,000 gallons, was erected in 1901.

The parish is governed by an Urban District Council of nine members, formed in 1898, under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. Ch. 73).

The church of St. Mary the Virgin is a building of stone, consisting of chancel with south aisle, nave of four bays, aisles, north and south porches and an embattled western tower with clock and 6 bells (recast in 1905 at a cost of £276), and was restored in the year 1860 at an expenditure of about £3,000: in the church are brasses in good preservation to Sir Thomas Westeley, priest, chaplain to the Countess of Oxford, ob. 5 Feb. 1535, with effigy, vested, and bearing a chalice and wafer; another of Flemish work to William, 2nd Viscount Beaumont and titular Baron Bardolf, with effigy in armour, and triple and super-canopy and a marginal inscription, ob. 1507; the third is to Elizabeth (Scroope), second wife of John de Vere, 14th Earl of Oxford, and widow of William Beaumont, ob.1537, and exhibits her effigy with coronet and heraldic mantle, triple and super-canopy and marginal inscription, both much mutilated: in the vestry is a chest of Flemish workmanship, ……… embossed and studded with nails: this church suffered considerable damage by the shock of an earthquake 22 April, 1884.  The register of baptisms dates from 1566; burials and marriages 1560.  The living is a rectory, net yearly value £250, with 60 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Mrs. Egerton-Green, and held since 1890 by the Rev. John Robert Sinclair Carolin M.A, of Trinity College, Dublin. 

The Congregational chapel, erected in 1846 by Mr. Thomas Sanford, at a cost of £2,400, is endowed with a sum of £500, left by the late Miss Mary Ann Sanford, and has Sunday schools, erected in 1874 by Mr. John Sanford.  There is also a Wesleyan chapel, built in 1901, and a large Foresters’ Hall, built in 1904.  The cemetery, about half a mile from the church, comprises 5 acres, and is under the control of the Urban Council.  Wivenhoe Reading Club is managed by a committee of 6 seamen and 6 landsmen and is open from 9.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 2 till 5 p.m.  A fair used to be held on the 4th of September yearly.  Ship and yacht building is carried on here and a new graving dock, 205 feet long, was constructed in 1888.  A sum of £5,000 was left by the late Miss Mary Ann Sanford, for building and endowing six almshouses for six widows or spinsters of 60 years old and upwards resident in the parish, preference being given to widows of seamen; each inmate receives 6s. per week.  A further endowment of £500 was made by Mrs. Ke.….. Hines, sister of the foundress, for the repair of the almshouses.  The charities for distribution amount to above £21 yearly. 

Wyvenhoe Park, the property and residence of Charles Edmund Gooch esq. J.P. is about a mile and a half from the village; the mansion, a modern building, received considerable damage by the shock of earthquake mentioned above; the park is undulating, well timbered, stocked with deer and contains about 180 acres. 

At the Domesday Survey the manor of Wivenhoe was held by Robert Gernon as part of his barony of Stansted Mountfitchet; from 1300 to 1400 it was held by the Sutton family, and in the 15th and 16th centuries held by that of De Vere, Earls of Oxford, and was sold in 1657 by Aubrey, 19th earl K.G. to Nicholas Corsellis, whose family was long seated at Wivenhoe Hall, a fine old mansion with pleasant grounds of about 200 acres, on the north-west side of the village, and at present the property and residence of Alexander K.Barlow esq.  George F. Beaumont esq. of Coggeshall, is lord of the manor. 

The principal owners of the land are C.E.Gooch esq. and A.K. Barlow esq.  The soil is light; subsoil, gravel.  The chief crops are wheat, oats, barley and roots.  The area of the civil parish and Urban District  is 1,562 acres of land, 2 of inland and 7 of tidal water and 33 of foreshore; assessable value, £5,925; the population in 1911 was 2,375 in the civil and 2,251 in the ecclesiastical parish.

Post, M. O., T. & Telephone Call Office.—Thomas William Goodwin, sub-postmaster.  Letters arrive from Colchester at 4.10 & 9.45 a.m. & 3.20 (for callers only) & 6.45 p.m.; dispatched at 10.10 a.m. & 2.50 & 8.35 p.m.; sundays at 8.35 p.m.

Town Sub-Post Office, Wivenhoe Cross.—Mrs. Elizabeth Wade, sub-postmistress.  The Letter Box is cleared for dispatch at 8.30 a.m. & 12.15 & 8.40 p.m.; Sundays 8.40 p.m.; there is no delivery from this office.

Wall Box, Station, cleared at 9.55 a.m. & 2.40 & 7.45 p.m.; Sundays, 7.30 p.m.

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

Meets at the Council offices, High street, on 2nd monday in every month, at 5.30.

Members    

Chairman, Edward Herbert Squire.

Vice-Chairman, John Worsp.

Retire in April, 1915.

Alexander Kay Barlow      John Augustus Fale       Joseph Trayler

Retire in April, 1916.

William Husk       Arthur Vincent      John Worsp

Retire in April, 1917.

Arthur Henry Seymour     Edward Herbert Squire     Herbert Leslie Wright

Clerk, Chas. Wm. Denton, 3 East Stockwell st. Colchstr

Treasurer, Capt. Nevill Arthur Charles de Hirzel Tufnell J.P. The Old Bank, Colchester

Medical Officer of Health, Grahame Travers Kevern M.R.C.S.Eng., L.R.C.P.Lond, Rowhedge

Surveyor & Sanitary Inspector, Robert Hugh Barrell

Rate Collector, Thomas William Goodwin, Post office

Waterworks Engineer & Water Rent Collector, Robert Macfarlane

PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS

Cemetery, T.W. Goodwin, clerk to the burial board

County Police, Edgar Richard Pryke, Bellevue road, sergeant in charge

Foresters’ Hall, Arthur E. Cuthberts, sec

Shipwrecked Fisherman & Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society; Hon. Representative, Stacey Wood

PUBLIC OFFICERS

Medical Officer & Public Vaccinator, 2nd District, Lexden & Winstree Union & Medical Officer, Part of No. 5 (Elmstead) District, Tendring Union, Edward Herbert Squire M.R.C.S.Eng

Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Peldon sub-district, Harold Goodwin

Town Crier, S. William Currell   

Public Elementary School (boys, girls & infants), for 276 boys, 232 girls & 198 infants; average attendance, 146 boys, 133 girls & 102 infants; William Thomas Wadley, master; Mrs. Wright, mistress; Miss Emily Kent, infants’ mistress

Railway station, Edwin Douse, station master

Carriers to Colchester.—William B. Cole, to ‘Swan’, daily, thurs. excepted; Robert Wyatt, to ‘Castle,’ daily, thurs. excepted.

 

PRIVATE RESIDENTS                                                        COMMERCIAL (contd)

Barlow Alexander K. Wivenhoe Hall                 Goodwin Harold, deputy registrar of

Blyth James, Red ho. Wivenhoe Cross                  births, marriages and deaths, Peldon

Bonner Mrs. The Firs, High street                                 sub-dist. Lexden &  Winstree union

Borrow John, Hillside                                     Goodwin Thomas William, stationer,

Carolin Rev. John Robert Sinclair M.A.                  assistant overseer & collector of rates

Rectory                                                       to the Urban District Council, Post

Chapman Edgar, Fern Lea                                    office

Colmore Lt. Reginald B.E., R.N.                       Green Emma (Mrs.), fishmonger

The Cottage, Wivenhoe Cross                     Hadley Jas Leonrd, boot ma. Queen’s rd

Davey Arthur George, The Hollies                             Hadley Joseph, master mariner, Bellevue

Ellis Charles Albert, The Haven                                                                        road

Gooch Chas.Edmd. J.P. Wyvenhoe pk               Ham Dick, builder

Hawkins John Bawtree J.P. Ballast quay            Harvey Abraham, master mariner

Head William, Oakleigh, High street                Heath James, farmer, Cross farm & oyster

Jennings Miss, Gurney vale                                                                   merchant, Quayside

Madder Mrs. Ivy cottage, High street                        Hillyard George, beer retailer

Perry John, Fernbank                                     Husk William & Charles, boat builders,

Rice Harry Oliver, The Nook                                                         Quay house

Seymour Arthur Henry, Alexander ho               Husk James, boat builder

Squire Edward Herbert, Colne house                Jackson Edward, insurance agent

Squire Miss, The Limes                                  James William Harry, black-smith,

Tyler Rev. William Franklin                                                Wivenhoe Cross

(Congregational)                                       Johnson William Henry, farmer

Wadley William J.P. Avenue villas                     Joliffe Walter, jobmaster

Warren Frederick, Briarleigh                            Jolliffe Elizh. (Mrs.), beer retailer

Worsp Jn. The Moorings, Bellevue rd                Kevern Grahame Travers M.R.C.S. Eng.,

COMMERCIAL                               L.R.C.P, Lond. physician & surgeon,

Early closing day, Thursday                            High street

Abbott William, carpenter, Wivenhoe               King Brothers, butchers

Cross                     Knopp Williams, market gardener,

Adams Robert, shopkeeper                                                         Wivenhoe Cross

Barclay & Company Limited, bankers               Last William, baker

(sub-branch) (open tues. & fri.                   Madder William ………..akers

11.45 a.m. to 2.45 p.m.) draw on             Maling Thomas William, clothier

head office, 54 Lombard street,                Mason James, master mariner

London E C                                              Mason Robert James, master mariner

Barr Benjamin Archer, Falcon P.H.                             Masonic Hall (2477, Colne Valley) (Dick

Barr Blanche (Mrs.), shopkeeper                          Ham, sec.). meets 2nd tues. from Oct.

Barrell Benjamin B. & Martin, builders,                 to April. The Avenue

Rectory road                                            Mason Wm. Edward, Grosvenor hotel

Barrell Robt. Hugh, builder, surveyor &           Moore James & Son, grocers

sanitary inspector to the Urban                  Mortlock Chas. William, miller (oil)

District Council, Rectory road                     Newman Emma (Mrs.), shopkeeper,

Barrett Rosa (Mrs.), confectioner                                                Wivenhoe Cross

Bartlett William & Sons, oyster mers                Nicholls Joseph, greengrocer

Beckwith Asa, pork butcher                           Norfolk George, butcher

Beckwith Hannah (Miss), shopkeeper               Nottage Institute (William Wadley,

Bird Annie (Mrs.), shopkeeper                                                               hon.sec)

Blyth John George. cattle cake mer                 Oakley Henry Richard, master mariner,

Bones David, cycle repairer                                                                  Bellevue road

Brown Edith Mary (Mrs.), grocer                      Parr’s Bank Limited (branch) (open 11 till

Brown Frederick, beer retailer                                  1 wed & sat,); draw on head office,

Brown Joseph George, jun. hair drssr              Bartholomew la. London E C

Brown Joseph Geo. Rose & Crown P.H.            Payne Fred, shopkeeper

Brunning Alice (Mrs.), shopkeeper                   Porter Roger Geo. insur. agt. Stanley rd

COMMERCIAL (contd)

Cemetery (Thomas William Goodwin,               Powell Thomas, Station hotel

clerk to the burial board)                           Proctor Isabel (Miss), ladies’ school,

Chamberlain Philip Edgar, boot ma                                                Trinity house

Chapman Edgar & Daniel, builders                  Pryke Golden Boxley, farmer, Blossom

Child Harry & Charles, plumbers                              wood (letters through Elmstead)

Cockrell Leonard Charles, master                    Pudney Geo. Robt. master mariner

mariner, Bellevue road                               Rennie Forrestt Shipbuilding, Engineering

Colchester Co-operative Reading                         & Dry Dock Co. Limited (J.Perry, sec.),

Rooms & Library (branch)                              ship builders

Colchester & East Essex Co-operative              Sainty Charles, Black Buoy P.H.

& Industrial Society Ltd. (branch)                Scofield Charles G. painter

Cole Annie E. (Mrs.), draper                            Scollick Martha (Mrs.), shopkeeper

Cole Harold Jn. music tchr, High st                 Smith Frank William, plumber

Cole William B. carrier

Corbel Frank, wholesale clothing                              Squire Edward Herbert M.R.C.S.Eng.,

manufacturer, Wivenhoe Cross                      L.S.A. physician & surgeon, & medical

Cracknell Ernest James, baker                             officer, Elmstead district,Tendring

Crickmore Frank, grocer,                                    union & medical officer & public

Wivenhoe Cross                                            vaccinator for 2nd district, Lexden &

Culley William Easter, Horse &                            Winstree union, Colne house

Groom P.H. Wivenhoe Cross                      Stebbing George, grocer

Dalton Norman Charles, hair dresser               Steward Honor (Miss), confectioner

Dodson Leonard, butcher                               Taylor Bellman (Miss), teacher of music

Durrell Benjamin, shopkeeper                         Trayler Joseph, Park hotel

Ellis Albert H. ironmonger, High st                  Trayler Wm. Chas. master mariner

Emeny Alfred, laundry, Broad lane                   Urban District Water Works (Robert

Everett William, farmer, Tye farm                    Macfarlane, engineer & collector of

Fale John, fishmonger, Anchor hill                                                        water rent)

Fenner Wm. Yachtsman’s Arms P.H.                Wade Elizabeth (Mrs.), confectioner,

Flux Ernest George, confectioner                             Post office, Wivenhoe Cross

COMMERCIAL (contd)

Ford Jn. boot maker, Wivenhoe Cross              Walker Eliza (Mrs.), drug stores

Foresters’ Hall (Arth. E. Cuthberts, sec)           Warner Alfred Wm. coal merchant

Franks Edwin (Mrs.), baker                                       Warren Minnie (Mrs.), wardrobe dealer,

French George William, Flag P.H.                                                 Wivenhoe Cross

Wivenhoe Cross                                        Watsham Frederick, farmer, Vine frm

Garnham Jas. Herbt. farmr, Lodge fm              Wilby Henry Charles, assistant insurance

Garrard Emily (Mrs.), shopkeeper                                                supt. High street

Garrett Arthur, draper                                    Wivenhoe Gas Co. (A.W. Green, Sudbury,

Glozier George, Greyhound P.H.                                                                      sec)

Glozier Tilford Henry, hair dresser                  Wivenhoe Reading Club (J.B. Hawkins,

Goodwin John Arthur Fredk. builder                                   pres.; Arthur Goodwin, sec)

Wood Stacey, grocer

Wyatt Robt. carrier, Wivenhoe Cross

Wyatt Wm. coal dlr. Wivenhoe Cross

Wyncoll Thos. Edwd. frmr. Park frm

 

This page was added on 03/03/2015.

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