Bocking

“BOCKING, a parish in the hundred of HINCKFORD, county of ESSEX, 1 mile (N.) from Braintree, containing 2786 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, and the head of a deanery, which still exercises its ancient rights, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury, rated in the king's books at £35. 10. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. This village formerly enjoyed considerable trade in baize, for manufacturing one species of which it was so distinguished, that the articles were called Bockings, and a great quantity was annually sent to Portugal. The petty sessions for the division are held here. John Gauden, Bishop of Worcester, gave £21 per annum for the instruction of thirty poor children. A Lancasterian school for boys was established in 1812, and one for girls in 1825. An almshouse, consisting of nine tenements, is endowed with about £80 per annum, arising from different benefactions; and there are various minor charitable donations. Bishop Tanner states that John Doreward, Esq., in the 18th of Henry VI., founded here an hospital, called Le maison Dieu, or God's house, for a provost, or master, and six poor persons.” [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) - copyright Mel Lockie 2016]