WHITE'S DIRECTORY OF ESSEX 1848 (extracts re Clavering)

Clavering is the smallest hundred in Essex. 9 miles long, 2-4 miles wide. 6 parishes & 2 hamlets.
Clavering Parish has 3,797 acres. Annual value £5,242. Population in 184l: l,l72.
In Saffron Walden Union. Northern Parliamentary Division of Essex.
S.W. Polling District. Diocese of Rochester. Archdeaconry of Colchester. Rural Deanery of Stansted. Walden Police Division.

The River Stort rises near the village and flows south from the centre of the Hundred which was anciently a woodland district belonging to the early Earls of Essex, and afterwards to the Fitz-Roger, Clavering, Nevill & Barrington families.

The land is picturesquely undulated and the soil is of various qualities, and has been much improved by draining and judicious management. Mr. Matthew Woodley of Bentfield Bower is the High Constable. Clavering is pleasantly situated at the head of the River Stort. Includes Ford-end, Sheepcote-green, Sterlings-green, Hill-green, Douse-green and many scattered houses. Sir Francis Simpkinson, A. Majendie Esq. are lords of the manors and owners of most of the soil, but the Hon. T.R. Dimsdale, G. Jackson, G. King, J. Warley and several others have estates here.... after Robert FitzRogers formerly had the castle for several generations, it passed to the Nevill, Hastings-Barrington families. Other subordinate manors are Thurrocks and Pounces, Curles, Geddings, and Pondes, which have been held by the Barley, Petre, Grey, Pecke, Cotton and other families.

Church: Welbores - formerly seated at Pondes. Barlee or Barley - formerly seated at Curles. The Rectory was given by Robert de Essex to Prittlewell Priory in the reign of Henry II, and is now in the impropriation of St. Thomas', Bridewell and Christs Hospital, London. The Governors of Christs Hospital are also patrons of the vicarage valued in K.B. at £22.l3s. 2½d and in 1831 at £512, with the curacy of Langley annexed to it, in the incumbency of Rev. G.J. Brookes, M.A. who has a good residence and 4A. 2R. l4p. of glebe. The Tithes were commuted in 1841, the rectorial at £504.l4s.4d. and the vicarial at £466.ls.8d. per annum.

The Independent Chapel founded 1692, rebuilt at a cost of £500 and licensed with manager. Small Primitive Methodist Chapel. National School built 1844 at cost of £320. British School, held in the old workhouse.

CLAVERING PRINCIPAL RESIDENTS.
James Pavitt - Post Office (letters despatched 4p.m. via Bishops Stortford)
James Barnard - baker.
George Barron - blacksmith.
Rev. George John Brookes, M.A. - Vicar.
George Button - parish clerk.
John Deards – plumber/ painter.
Mrs. Mary Cooper/ J.Goodwin - Sextons.
Joseph Francis - mealman.
Henry Glasscock - grocer/draper.
Charles Green - saddler.
Stephen Hawkes - surgeon.
Mrs. M.A. Newport/ Mrs. Pavitt/ George Orgar/ W.Savill - School
James Pavitt - grocer/ draper/ miller/ wine & spirit merchant.
Mary Agnes Potter - National School.
Rev. John Reynolds - Independent Minister.
Robert Spencer -corn miller & dealer(Clavering Hall)
Thomas Westwood - victualler, Fox & Hounds.
James Bailey, Aaron Key, Thomas Westwood, John Bush, Joseph Martin, William Martin - carpenters.
Henry Moore, Robert Spencer, James Pavitt - corn millers.
James Barnard, Louisa Claydon, Henry Glasscock, James Pavitt, George Piggott - shopkeepers.
Charles Barker, Philip Miller - tailors.
Samuel Bunting, Charles Collin - wheelwrights.

BEERHOUSES: Thomas Bailey, William Burgess, Samuel Bunting (Starlings Green); Louisa Claydon (Sheepcote Green); George Burgess (Hill Green). Lucy Claydon. George Piggott (Starlings Green). Philip Miller. John Glasscock.

FARMERS: Jesse Barker (Valance). John Barker (Starlings Green). Thomas Barker. William Bush (Ford-end). Joseph Claydon. Charles Marsh. Henry Glasscock (Sheepcote Green). John Glasscock (Ford-end). Charles Marsh (Clavering Place). Henry Moore.