Ingatestone

"INGATESTONE, a parish (formerly a market-town) in the hundred of CHELMSFORD, county of ESSEX, 6 miles (S. W.) from Chelmsford, and 23 (N. E. by E.) from London, containing 747 inhabitants. This place was anciently called Ing-atte-stone, a name derived from the Saxon word Ing, a meadow, and a Roman military column which stood here. The town, which extends into the adjoining parish of Fryerning, is lighted with oil, by subscription. A considerable market was formerly held for cattle, but within the last sixty years it has been entirely discontinued: there is a large fair for Scotch and Welch cattle on the 1st and 2nd of December. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Essex, and diocese of London, rated in the king's books at £16. 13. 4., and in the patronage of Lord Petre. The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, has a lofty embattled tower of brick at the west end: adjoining the chancel is a sepulchral chapel belonging to the Petre family, which contains several handsome monuments, especially a fine altar-tomb to the memory of Sir William Petre, Treasurer to Edward VI., and his lady, with their statues in Parian marble; and a sumptuous monument for John, the first Lord Petre, with his lady. There is a place of worship for Independents. An almshouse for seven men and three women was founded and endowed by Sir William Petre, in 1557." [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) - copyright Mel Lockie 2016]