Manningtree

"MANNINGTREE, a market-town and parish, in the hundred of TENDRING, county of ESSEX, 36 miles (N. E. by E.) from Chelmsford, and 61 (N. E. by E.) from London, containing 1265 inhabitants. The ancient name of this place was Scidinghoo, or, as it is called in Domesday-book, Sciddlnchou; and in the reign of Henry VIII. it had received the name of Many-tree, of which the present appellation is an obvious corruption. Here was formerly a guild, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the revenue of which was £8. 5. 4.; and the importance of the place may be inferred from a certificate of the value of chantry lands, in which it is termed "a great town and also a haven town, having in it to the number of seven hundred houseling people." It is situated on the southern bank of the river Stour, on the road from London to Harwich, is irregularly built, and the streets are partially paved, but not lighted; the inhabitants are supplied with excellent water. The malt trade is carried on to a great extent, and corn, coal, and deals are imported. The Stour was made navigable from this town to Sudbury by act of parliament in the 4th and 5th of the reign of Anne. The market is on Thursday, for corn and cattle,- and there is a toy fair on the Thursday in Whitsun-week. The petty sessions for the division of Tendring are held on Mondays at Mistley, Thorpe, Great Bromley, and Manningtree alternately, when overseers, surveyors, and constables, are appointed. A court baron is held here annually by the lords of the manor of Mistley and Manningtree; the court leet formerly held is discontinued. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Colchester, and diocese of London, and in the patronage of the Rector of Mistley. The church has been enlarged by the addition of three hundred and forty-five free sittings, towards defraying the expense of which, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels contributed £450. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyan Methodists. A National school for children of both sexes is supported by voluntary contributions." [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) - copyright Mel Lockie 2016]