Thaxted Genealogical Records

Thaxted Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Thaxted Monthly Meeting, Thaxted Baptism Records (1631-1837)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

St. John, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted Baptisms (1558-1971)

Records of baptism for people born in and around Thaxted between 1558 and 1971. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

St. John, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted Baptisms (1558-1971)

Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around Thaxted and were subsequently baptised in an Anglican place of worship. They are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present.

Thaxted Congregational Church Baptisms (1789-1956)

Baptism registers for a Congregational church in Essex. These records provide proof of parentage, residence, occupation and occasionally other details.

Thaxted Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St. John, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted Banns (1785-1971)

Banns registers record details of those who wished to marry. They sometimes contain information not listed in marriage registers, notably the bride and groom's parish of residence. Banns also record marriages that were intended that did not go ahead and serve as a filler when a marriage register has been lost or damaged.

Thaxted Monthly Meeting, Thaxted Marriage Records (1661-1837)

Details on those who married at Thaxted Monthly Meeting, Thaxted between 1661 and 1837. Information given usually includes abode and marital status. After April 1837 father's names and ages are recorded.

St. John, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted Marriages (1538-1985)

Marriage records from people who married at St. John the Baptist, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted between 1538 and 1985. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.

Thaxted Congregational Church Marriages (1850-1956)

Marriage registers for a Congregationalist church in Essex. These records details on marriages, the bride and groom and their families.

Thaxted Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Thaxted Monthly Meeting, Thaxted Burial Records (1657-1837)

Records of burial for people buried at Thaxted Monthly Meeting, Thaxted between 1657 and 1837. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age.

St. John, Our Lady & St. Lawrence, Thaxted Burials (1538-1877)

Burial registers are the primary source for death documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Thaxted Congregational Church Burials (1885-1981)

Burial registers for a Congregationalist church in Essex. These records include residence, occupation, age and occasionally other details.

St John the Baptist, Thaxted Burial Records (1693-1858)

Burial records covering those buried at St John the Baptist, Thaxted_. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the burial registers from which they were extracted.

Thaxted Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1881 British Census (1881)

The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Thaxted

Hertford Mercury and Reformer (1834-1868)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Hertford area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Chelmsford Chronicle (1783-1950)

A local newspaper including news from the Chelmsford district, business notices, family announcements, legal & governmental proceedings, advertisements and more.

Essex Newsman (1870-1949)

Regional news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other regional information from the Essex district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Essex Standard (1831-1900)

A regional newspaper including news from the Essex district, business notices, family announcements, legal & governmental proceedings, advertisements and more.

Herts Guardian (1852-1867)

A regional newspaper primarily covering Hertfordshire, but also Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Middlesex. Its coverage was biased towards agricultural issues and affairs. It contained announcements of births, marriages and deaths.

Thaxted Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Commissary Court of London Wills & Probate (1523-1857)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Commissary Court of London. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.

Consistory Court of London Wills & Probate (1514-1858)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Consistory Court of London. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.

London Consistory Court Wills (1492-1520)

Transcriptions of early wills covering the City of London and its environs.

Consistory Court of London Probate Index (1750-1858)

An index to probates granted by the Consistory Court of London. The index contains name of the deceased, type and date of grant and residence.

Thaxted Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Thaxted Military Records

The Essex Regiment - 1st Battalion (44th) (1740-1919)

A chronicle of the regiment's part in numerous military campaigns from around the world.

Essex WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Essex, with some service details.

Essex WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Essex, with some service details.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

London Consistory Court Depositions (1586-1611)

An index to over 1,800 cases brought before the court. For witnesses, age and residence is usually given. The cases cover such matters as defamation, marriage and tithes.

London Consistory Court Depositions (1700-1713)

An index to 3,104 cases brought before the court. For witnesses, age and residence is usually given. The cases cover such matters as defamation, marriage and tithes.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Thaxted Taxation Records

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Index to Death Duty Registers (1796-1903)

An index to wills and administrations that incurred a death duty tax. The index can be used to order documents that give a brief abstract of the will and details on the duty. It can be used as a make-shift probate index.

Thaxted Land & Property Records

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Thaxted Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1937)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1933)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1929)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1925-1926)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1922)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Thaxted Cemeteries

The Ancient Sepulchral Monuments of Essex (1135-1890)

Transcriptions and illustrations of monuments erected remembrance of personages in Essex. Also contains pedigrees for historic families of the county.

Essex Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Essex's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Essex Monumental Inscriptions (1100-2007)

An index to vital details engraved on over 170,000 gravestones and other monuments across the county of Essex.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Thaxted Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Thaxted Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Essex (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Handbook: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire (1892)

A traveller's guide to four Southern counties.

Essex Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Essex.

Essex Church Photographs (2004-Present)

Photographs of the interiors and exteriors of Essex churches. Also contains some architectural information.

Dictionary of Essex & Suffolk Words and Phrases (1700-1950)

A short list of words and phrases peculiar to the two counties.

Thaxted School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Thaxted Occupation & Business Records

Smuggling on the South East Coast (1675-1871)

An introduction to smuggling in on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Essex Wages Assessment (1651)

Details of the wages to be expected for various tradesmen and labourers.

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Essex Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Essex pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Lost Pubs of Essex (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Thaxted

The Ancient Sepulchral Monuments of Essex (1135-1890)

Transcriptions and illustrations of monuments erected remembrance of personages in Essex. Also contains pedigrees for historic families of the county.

Victoria County History: Essex (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Thaxted Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Essex (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Visitations of Essex: 1552, 1558, 1570, 1612 & 1634 (1000-1634)

Five collections of pedigrees based on 16th and 17th century genealogical manuscripts. These works record families who had a right to bear coat of arms, essentially the gentry.

Essex Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Essex's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Thaxted Church Records

Thaxted Parish Registers (1538-1985)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Thaxted are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

London Consistory Court Depositions (1586-1611)

An index to over 1,800 cases brought before the court. For witnesses, age and residence is usually given. The cases cover such matters as defamation, marriage and tithes.

Essex Parish Registers (1537-Present)

Digital images of all parish registers deposited at Essex Archives. Some registers are indexed by name.

Essex Parish Register Transcripts (1522-2005)

Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Essex Church Photographs (2004-Present)

Photographs of the interiors and exteriors of Essex churches. Also contains some architectural information.

Biographical Directories Covering Thaxted

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Thaxted Maps

Essex and Suffolk Maps (1360-1910)

A collection of maps plotting the counties of Essex and Suffolk, and some of their settlements.

Maps of Essex (1601-1892)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Thaxted Reference Works

Essex Place Names (1200-1850)

A database of names of fields, roads, inns, houses, farms, manors, places, rivers, streams, woods, etc, and names of owners, tenants, landlords, parties to agreements etc, recorded from historic documents.

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Historical Description

The ancient town of Thaxted, the date of whose foundation is, with some appearance of probability, placed as far back as the days of the Saxons. This town received its first charter of incorporation from Philip and Mary, which was afterwards confirmed by Elizabeth; by this charter the government of the town was placed in the hands of a mayor, bailiffs, and chief burgesses. In the despotic but short-lived reign of James II. the officers of this corporation, being served with a writ of Quo Warranto, influenced either by fear or poverty, silently retired from their offices.

The Church is a large and beautiful building, erected at different times during the 14th century. It is embattled on the top, and supported by massy buttresses, over which are canopied niches, with singular pinnacles; beneath each niche a grotesque head projects over the buttress, having a spoilt issuing from its mouth, for the purpose of carrying off the water from the roof; upon the cornice over the north porch, which is richly decorated with sculpture, are two escutcheons, one of which contains the arms of England and France quartered together, the other those of the house of York; over these escutcheons are two windows, each of which contains in its arch a representation of a crown supported by a hand; and between these windows is a neatly finished niche. An embattled tower rises at the west end of the building, and is terminated by a handsome octagonal spire, the total elevation of which is 181 feet. The church is internally 183 feet long, and 87 broad; it was erected principally at the cost of the noble families of Clare and Mortimer, who received some trifling assistance from Edward IV.

The town of Thaxted bad the honour of giving birth to Samuel Purchase, B.D. in the year 1677; a man, as Granger informs us, of very general information and great industry.

To the north-west of Thaxted is Debden Hall, the handsome seat of Mrs. Chiswell, widow of the late Richard Muilman Trench Chiswell, Esq. Not far from the mansion stands the parish church, a neat structure, in which is an elegant font, decorated with statues, and made of artificial stone by Coade, who presented it, as a specimen of his excellent manufacture, to this parish. Near Thaxted is Horeham Hall, Sir William Smyth, Bart.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

THAXTED is an ancient town and parish, situated near the source of the Chelmer, on the road from Chelmsford to Saffron Walden, 7 miles north-east from Elsenham station on the Cambridge section, and 7 south-east from Saffron Walden station on the Audley End branch of the Great Eastern railway, 7 north from Dunmow, 14 from Braintree, 19 from Chelmsford, 30 from Colchester, 42 from Southend and 42 from London: the parish is in the Northern division of the county, Dunmow hundred, petty sessional division, union and county court district and in the rural deanery of Dunmow, archdeaconry of Essex and diocese of St. Albans. The town was formerly a borough, incorporated by charter from Philip and Mary; the charter was confirmed by Queen Elizabeth and again with additions by James I. but the corporation was extinguished in the quo warranto persecution of James II. in 1687. The town is lighted with gas. The parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, St. John the Baptist and St. Lawrence, is a large and fine structure of flint with stone dressings, in the late Perpendicular style, the whole fabric being embattled and supported by strong buttresses, terminating in canopied niches: the building consists of chancel and nave, each with aisles, south transept, north and south porches, much enriched, and a western tower with crocketed spire, strengthened by flying buttresses, the total height of tower and spire being 181 feet; the tower contains 8 bells and a clock: in 1814 the spire was struck by lightning and the rebuilding in 1821 cost upwards of £1,000: although the style of this church, generally speaking, is Perpendicular, the pillars and arches seem to belong to an earlier date, apparently the latter part of Henry HI. or the beginning of Edward L’s reign: the south aisle and transept were probably completed in the time of Edward III.; subsequently the south porch was added and about 1337, or rather later, the north transept and north aisle were begun by Edmund Mortimer, 5th and last Earl of March and Earl of Ulster, great uncle of Edward IV. who succeeded to the manor of Thaxted, and also erected the tower and spire, but the paintings in that aisle are of the reign of Edward IV. and the chancel with its aisles was built by that monarch himself, in or about 1465; the font has an enriched spire-like cover, and portions of the beautifully carved choir stalls may be seen in the screen now inclosing the tower arch, also relics of the fine stained glass with which the windows were once filled: on the north door is a brass plate inscribed “Orate p. aiab Henrici Boyton et Johis,” and in the north transept the figure and arms of the Earl of March: there is also the figure in brass of a priest in vestments, c. 1450, and inscribed memorials to the Rev. Robert Barnard M.A. vicar here for nearly 50 years, d. 26 June, 1726, his wife Anne, d. July 9, 1681, and others: on the church are several crosses and on the east wall and on the north porch are carvings of the “Crucifixion”: the oak lectern, presented in 1896, as a memorial to the Rev. George Ed. Symonds, for 33, years vicar: the church is about 183 feet long by 87 wide, and has 600 sittings. The register dates from the year 1538. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £369, with residence, in the gift of the Countess of Warwick, and held since 1893 by the Rev. Leonard Sedgwick Westall, of Queen’s College, Cambridge. The Baptist chapel, in Park street, erected in 1832, will seat about 400 persons. The Congregational chapel, in Bolford street, founded in 1685, was rebuilt in 1705 and 1771, and altered in 1828; the present building was erected in 1857, and has 950 sittings: opposite is a lecture hall, seating 350 persons. Samuel Purchas B.D. of St. John’s College, Cambridge, the author of the two curious and interesting books called “Purchas: his Pilgrimage; or, Relations of the World and the Religious Observances of all Ages” and “Purchas: his Pilgrimmes,” was born here in 1577: entering the Church he became chaplain to Archbishop Abbott and published the first of these works in 1613 and the second in 1625: he was highly esteemed for his learning, piety and faithful discharge of his duties, but eventually died in poverty and distress caused by the expenses of publishing his books, and was buried 30th September, 1626, at St. Martin’s, Ludgate, in the City of London, of which church he was then rector. The Guildhall, built in the reign of James I. is now used for parish purposes; the old council chamber as a reading room and the upper chamber for parish meetings; there is also a lock-up in the same building used by the county police. The total amount of charities for various purposes was at one time about £1,000 yearly, but has materially decreased, owing to the depressed state of agriculture, and the gross value is now about £450. Yardley's charity, conditionally bequeathed temp. Henry VII. by Thomas Yeredele, was realized on the failure of all his issue in 1498: William, second Baron Maynard, by will, in 1698, left £4,000 for various charitable objects. A pleasure fair is held on the Monday before Whit Monday and another on the 10th of August for cattle. Horham Hall, about 2 miles south-west, is a fine castellated edifice partly covered with ivy, and almost surrounded by a moat: it was built by Sir John Cutts kt. who died in 1520; and at that time it was of much larger dimensions than at present: but one wing and the chapel were taken down about the middle of the last century and other portions in the years 1841 and 1843: the large and lofty banqueting ball contains pictures by Gainsborough, Kneller, Salvator Rosa, Vandyck, Kauffman, and G. Morland; and there is much furniture of the 16th century: this was the residence of the Princess Elizabeth during part of the reign of Queen Mary, and she subsequently visited it when queen in 1571; the apartment used by her as a bedroom is panelled in oak, and has a covered roof: the Hall is now the property of the trustees of the late Francis George West esq. and is occupied by Launcelot Cranmer-Byng esq. The trustees of the late Francis George West esq. who are lords of the manor, Guy's Hospital and the Countess of Warwick are the chief landowners. The soil is heavy; subsoil, gravel and clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. The area is 6,240 acres of land and 12 of water; rateable value, £5,487; the population in 1901 was 1,659.

MONK STREET is 1 mile south; BARDFIELD END GREEN, 1 mile east; CUTLERS GREEN, 1 mile west; RICHMONDS GREEN, a mile and half south-east; HORHAM, a mile and half south-west; DAIRY GREEN, 1 mile south-west; SIBLEY’S GREEN, a mile and a half south; BOYTON END, a mile and a half north; and YARDLEY FARM, 1 mile north-west.

Schools

A School Board of 5 members was formed 22 May, 1878; Stephen Gifford, Great Dunmow, clerk to the board; James Burton, Dunmow, attendance officer.

Board School, built in 1880, for 115 boys, 117 girls & 150 infants; average attendance, 96 boys, 91 girls & 67 infants.

Kelly's Directory of Essex (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Thaxted

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Dunmow Hundred
1Francis581:335.95%65
2Townsend541:3517.42%310
3Harvey521:372.90%16
3Caton521:3735.37%699
5Bass411:478.99%189
6Smith391:490.36%1
7Barrett361:538.00%192
8Hollingsworth351:5528.46%840
9Jarvis341:563.91%80
10Tyrrell331:5818.54%558
11Wright301:640.88%4
12Andrews291:662.53%44
12Patient291:6615.51%531
12Saych291:66100.00%2,675
15Turner281:681.07%7
15Rolph281:6811.11%385
15Drane281:6819.05%699
18Barker261:741.58%22
18Cornell261:744.62%145
20Gray231:832.80%88
20Yeldham231:8320.54%928
22Barnard221:872.48%78
22Fitch221:873.35%119
24Thake201:9613.42%687
24Bowtell201:9614.29%740
26Foster191:1012.62%103
26Butcher191:1011.63%42
26Dennis191:1013.85%173
29Cooper181:1061.14%24
29Greenwood181:1069.84%544
31Franklin171:1134.16%220
31Gilder171:11310.76%638
33Hitching161:12020.78%1,274
34Tyler151:1282.04%101
34Saville151:1286.88%448
34Hockley151:1284.09%257
37Savill131:1472.02%122
37Grout131:1477.07%542
39Webb121:1600.76%26
39Saunders121:1601.09%49
39Crisp121:1606.06%490
39Heard121:1602.91%218
43Willis111:1741.40%94
43Challis111:1742.63%213
45Taylor101:1910.31%5
45Martin101:1910.55%15
45Parkin101:19114.93%1,433
45Tamer101:191100.00%5,980
49Clarke91:2130.54%19
49Phillips91:2131.05%82
49Kemp91:2130.90%64
49Peacock91:2132.83%301
49Parish91:2131.82%171
49Unwin91:2133.56%383
49Everitt91:2131.65%147
49Hayden91:2133.61%391
49Ratcliff91:2139.78%1,098
49Collin91:21310.23%1,145
49Nevill91:2136.72%768
49Speller91:2133.06%331
49Leeder91:21328.13%2,503
49Stally91:21375.00%5,192
63Moore81:2390.62%30
63Rogers81:2390.79%62
63Freeman81:2391.09%101
63Heath81:2393.28%397
63Chandler81:2392.82%343
63Swan81:2392.17%254
63Newell81:2395.33%680
63Suckling81:2392.20%261
63Giblin81:23920.00%2,112
63Wisbey81:2394.30%533
63Chaffer81:23980.00%5,980
63Linsdell81:23916.67%1,837
63Holingsworth81:239100.00%7,189
76Perry71:2730.42%21
76Church71:2731.78%232
76Betts71:2734.86%717
76Bunting71:2734.38%628
76Halls71:2731.09%123
76Longhurst71:27313.73%1,752
76Frances71:2738.33%1,188
76Lilly71:2739.21%1,288
76Byford71:2731.32%153
76Sturgeon71:27313.46%1,720
76Herrington71:2737.00%1,031
76Spurgeon71:2731.89%253
76Lofts71:27310.45%1,433
76Stalley71:2737.95%1,145
76Tredgett71:2738.14%1,165
76Giller71:273100.00%8,074
76Patmer71:27358.33%5,192
93Hughes61:3191.18%163
93Burrows61:3192.40%389
93Bush61:3190.77%95
93Curry61:31912.77%1,861
93Sunderland61:31960.00%5,980
93Philpot61:3195.94%1,019
93Anders61:31966.67%6,506
93Barltroph61:31985.71%8,074
101White51:3830.21%9
101Watson51:3830.53%71
101Law51:3831.13%196
101Ingram51:3832.94%583
101Mansfield51:3830.88%141
101Bassett51:3834.24%880
101Symonds51:3834.76%985
101Coote51:3831.33%246
101Britten51:38333.33%4,369
101Sapsford51:3832.05%397
101Nevitt51:383100.00%10,531
101Breckon51:383100.00%10,531
101Purl51:38320.83%3,070
114Johnson41:4790.20%13
114Miller41:4790.32%35
114Lee41:4790.39%60
114Lowe41:4791.09%258
114Holland41:4791.29%310
114Jordan41:4791.19%282
114Brook41:4794.21%1,073
114Houghton41:4792.25%558
114Ramsay41:47911.43%2,333
114Bright41:4790.69%139
114Button41:4791.25%297
114Lawrance41:4795.71%1,384
114Camp41:4791.64%397
114Thorogood41:4790.67%134
114Thurgood41:4791.06%248
114Purkiss41:4791.74%424
114Lindsell41:4792.04%497
114Barrack41:4796.78%1,565
114Legerton41:4794.08%1,048
114Sibthorpe41:47916.00%2,978
114Lenham41:47936.36%5,555
114Caten41:47933.33%5,192
114Yeldom41:479100.00%12,157
137Clark31:6380.08%3
137Wilkinson31:6380.74%222
137Chapman31:6380.17%17
137Mason31:6380.32%69
137Palmer31:6380.31%67
137Day31:6380.23%31
137Stone31:6380.49%133
137Norris31:6381.06%349
137Potts31:6382.97%1,019
137Hills31:6380.40%100
137Partridge31:6380.77%233
137Neale31:6382.42%832
137Salmon31:6380.45%117
137Prior31:6380.39%98
137Cowell31:6380.75%228
137Lilley31:6381.23%400
137Neville31:6381.47%470
137Wren31:6381.92%649
137Sale31:63815.00%3,557
137Rivers31:6382.73%946
137List31:6385.45%1,645
137Ruffle31:6381.55%509
137Hervey31:63875.00%12,157
137Twine31:63842.86%8,074
137Mascall31:6383.49%1,165
137Wyse31:63850.00%9,145
137Choat31:6382.61%898
137Scruby31:6387.89%2,191
137Barltrop31:6384.35%1,397
166Davies21:9570.57%273
166Evans21:9570.23%83
166Davis21:9570.18%46
166Powell21:9570.56%268
166Webster21:9570.67%325
166Hamilton21:9571.18%587
166Lane21:9570.62%296
166Stephens21:9571.38%712
166Archer21:9570.31%127
166Thorne21:9571.82%946
166Sargent21:9570.68%331
166Ramsey21:9571.11%552
166Hollingworth21:95713.33%4,369
166Dennison21:9571.53%785
166Canning21:9573.08%1,464
166Thomason21:9577.41%2,816
166Stubbings21:9571.32%673
166Docker21:957100.00%15,983
166Wadley21:9572.70%1,319
166Ridgwell21:9570.90%442
166Bayford21:9572.27%1,145
166Letch21:9571.10%547
166Giffen21:95740.00%10,531
166Broyd21:9571.08%540
166Weiss21:95766.67%13,972
166Surry21:9572.78%1,351
166Purkess21:95766.67%13,972
166Rantell21:95725.00%7,189
194Wilson11:1,9140.06%25
194Scott11:1,9140.09%41
194Baker11:1,9140.05%12
194Cook11:1,9140.04%11
194Parker11:1,9140.10%61
194Bennett11:1,9140.13%99
194Knight11:1,9140.09%55
194Gibson11:1,9140.23%211
194Pearce11:1,9140.25%227
194Marsh11:1,9140.20%169
194Lambert11:1,9140.23%198
194Dodd11:1,9140.46%445
194Perkins11:1,9140.27%248
194Tanner11:1,9140.68%699
194Biggs11:1,9140.35%343
194Nunn11:1,9140.16%123
194Westwood11:1,9140.42%411
194Drury11:1,9140.38%369
194Wicks11:1,9140.58%579
194Steward11:1,9140.43%420
194Duke11:1,9141.82%1,645
194Bragg11:1,9140.49%467
194Lay11:1,9140.65%653
194Rust11:1,9140.50%486
194Perkin11:1,9142.86%2,333
194Bawden11:1,91433.33%13,972
194Hutt11:1,9142.63%2,191
194Beavan11:1,91450.00%15,983
194Tyrell11:1,9141.32%1,288
194Stokoe11:1,91433.33%13,972
194Tribe11:1,9146.67%4,369
194Cockayne11:1,91414.29%8,074
194Surridge11:1,9140.52%516
194Pallett11:1,9141.82%1,645
194Buttle11:1,9140.81%832
194Hasler11:1,9140.47%455
194Gilbey11:1,9140.44%431
194Darke11:1,9147.69%4,886
194Bambridge11:1,9141.02%1,048
194Overall11:1,9140.45%440
194Cheek11:1,9140.53%520
194Shead11:1,9140.44%434
194Middleditch11:1,9141.14%1,145
194Roberson11:1,91416.67%9,145
194Belsham11:1,9141.32%1,288
194Glasscock11:1,9141.09%1,098
194McKness11:1,91450.00%15,983
194Josling11:1,9141.25%1,236
194Milbank11:1,9140.77%795
194Bentall11:1,9140.72%748
194Halsted11:1,91414.29%8,074
194Skillen11:1,91414.29%8,074
194Springer11:1,9147.14%4,625
194Gowlett11:1,9141.18%1,177
194Edridge11:1,9148.33%5,192
194Colin11:1,91433.33%13,972
194Garcia11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Killingback11:1,9142.17%1,901
194Purver11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Clarence11:1,91433.33%13,972
194Samms11:1,9142.56%2,151
194Luttman11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Sprent11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Hearman11:1,91425.00%12,157
194Biley11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Bentinck11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Buteux11:1,91416.67%9,145
194Barrenger11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Geldham11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Mansefield11:1,914100.00%18,911
194Burtrop11:1,914100.00%18,911