Family of John and Charlotte Hammond

The baptism records of all children of John and Charlotte Hammond. I think it would be accurate to say that they were not regular church goers.

1. Sarah Hammond
Born 7 June 1847, Hammond Cott, Lea Bridge (birth certificate)
Bap 15 Sept. 1851, St. John at Hackney

Mar. 1869, St. John at Hackney
=Vincent Green, died 1885 at 39
son of John and Jane Green, Boatbuilder of Lea Bridge
Died: Date of death unknown. Appears in 19o1 census

Children:
Emily Jane Green 1870-1890
Amy Victoria Green - b. Clapton, Bap. 7 May 1873 St James the Great, Hackney
John Green - b. Clapton Bap. 2 June 1876 St. James the Great, Hackney
Kate Green - b. Clapton Bap. 26 Sept 1879 St. Matthew, Upper Clapton

2. John Hammond
Born 31 Dec 1848, High Hill Ferry, U.C. (birth certificate)
Bap. Sept 15, 1851, St John Hackney

Mar. 7 Feb 1870, St. John Hackney
=Elizabeth Seymour, dau of Francis James Seymour
d. 1 June 1880, St Barth.’s Hospital, London
Bur: St John at Hackney

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Children:

John Hammond b. 1870

William Hammond b. 1871

Eliza Matilda (May) b. 1872

Alfred James Hammond b. 1874

Ethel Maud Hammond 1875-1876

Albert Edward Hammond 1877-78

George Harrison Hammond b. 1878

3. Henry Hammond
Born 20 Dec 1850, Lea Bridge
Bap. 15 Sept 1851, St. John at Hackney
Died Dec 1853
Bur. St John at Hackney (On old monument)

4. William Hammond
Born 1853 Lea Bridge
Bap. 25 Apr 1864, St. James Clapton
1871 Census, Cooper apprentice in Marylebone
1881 Census, unmarried, living with Mother at 14 Hammond Cottages, Cooper
Probable Death - 2nd ¼ - 1886, Hackney, at 33
Burial: Unknown

5. George Hammond
Born 1855 Mile End
Bap. 25 Apr 1864, St. James - Clapton
1871 Census - Cooper apprentice in Marylebone
No further information.

6. Mary Hammond
Born 1857 Mile End
Bap. 25 Apr 1864, St. James Clapton
M. 4th 1/4 1880
= James Huard ( b.1854 Bethnal Green), splint cutter
Died 1896, at 39
Burial: Unknown

Children:
Alfred/Albert ? James Hammond Huard b. 1881
Arthur Harrison Huard b. 1882
Frederick John Huard b. 1883
James Huard b. 1885
Daisy Huard b. 1886
Nellie Huard b. 1894 -
(At Nellie’s baptism in 1897, James Huard's address was 9 Southwold Rd, Boat Proprietor)

7. Henry Hammond
Born 20 Dec 1859, Lea Bridge
Bap. 25 Apr 1864, St. James, Clapton
M. 10 June 1878, St. Jude, Bethnal Green
= Elizabeth Murphy, dau of Edward Murphy, Boatbuilder
Henry, son of John, Publican

Died: between 1894-1901

*

Children:

Albert Hammond b. 1881

Elizabeth Selina Hammond b. 1884

William Hammond b. 1887

John Hammond b. 1889

Ellen Hammond b. 1893

Christopher Hammond b. 1895

8. Charlotte Matilda Hammond
Born 1861, Lea Bridge
Bap. 25 Apr 1864, St. James, Clapton
M. 25 Nov 1880. St. Matthew’s, Upper Clapton
Witnesses: Vincent Green, Mary Huard
= Thomas William Reader, Lathrender, died 1910
son of Thomas Wm. Reader , Lathrender
Died 5 Mar 1940, Hackney Hospital
(of 137 Bannister House, Homerton High St., Hackney)
Bur. 7 Mar 1940, Chingford Mount Cemetery

Children:
Thos Alfred Reader, B. Nov. 1881 Bap. Sept 19/83
Ethel Maud Reader, B. 1883 = Herbert Wm. Warren
William John Reader, B. 1885 Hackney
Lily B. 1887= Bert Alfred Wilson
Alice May D. Reader B. 1889
Margaret B. 1891
Ruby Victoria Reader, b. 1893 = Albert Edward Snook

Upper Clapton, Hackney

Current Street Map showing most of the street names that have survived. The photo below shows the traffic circle dividing Upper and Lower Clapton Rd. It is visible on the map.

Early 1890's - Looking down Lea Bridge Road at its junction with Upper (left) and Lower (right) Clapton Roads. The shops on both sides of Lea Bridge Road were demolished to construct the 'round-about' at this corner today. The drinking fountain was transferred to the corner of Amhurst and Rectory Roads. The statuette has long disappeared.

Photo: A Second Look - Hackney in the 1890's and today. Centreprise Trust Ltd.
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Census Records:

1881 CENSUS –Lea Bridge
14 Hammond Cottages
Charlotte M. Hammond, retired publican, 54, b. 1827 Shacklewell MDX, widowed

William Hammond, 28, unmarried, cooper
Annie Poutney 16, servant
Emily J. Green, 10, grand-dau

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1881 Census - England - Bromley, Kent County

(Bromley is now part of the Greater London Area)

52 Beckenham Lane, Bromley. Kent

Thomas SEYMOUR, Head, 43, b. Clapham, Surrey, Labourer

Elizabeth SEYMOUR, Wife, 44, b. Clapham, Surrey

Minnie SEYMOUR, Dau, 19, Clapham, Surrey

Eliza HAMMOND, Niece, 8, Clapham, Surrey (birthplace incorrect) *

*
1891 CENSUS – Hackney, St. Matthew, Clapton
Lea Dock
Sarah Green, 43, Head, widow, Living on own means
Emily Green, 20, single, b. Clapton, no occupation
Amy Green, 17, single, b. Clapton, dressmaker
John Green, 15, single, b. Clapton
Kate Green, 11, single, b. Clapton, scholar

*
1891 Census North Hackney – St Matthew’s
Hammond Cottages Lea Bridge
Family 81
Thomas Reader, Head, 38, Lath Render, Employer, b. Mdx – Hagerstone?
Charlotte Reader wife, 30, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge]
Thomas A. Reader, son, 9, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge
Ethel M. Reader, dau, 7, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge
William J. Reader, son, 5, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge
Lilly Reader, dau, 3, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge
Alice M. Reader, dau, ? months, b. Mdx, Lea Bridge
*
1891 Census – 18 Beecholme Rd. East of Clapton rd, close to Leabridge Rd
James Huard, Beveller, 36;
Mary Huard, 34
Albert Huard, 9
Daisy Huard, 4
Charlotte Hammond 65 (living on own means) ,
George Hammond 12 – scholar
*
1901 CENSUS – Essex, Walthamstow, Leyton
11 Lea Hall Road – Leyton
[this is south of the Lea Bridge Road on the Essex side of the Lea]
Charlotte M. Hammond, 74, widow, b. Kingsland, Living on own means
Sarah Green, 53, widow, b. Hackney, Living on own means
Amy V. Green, 27, single, b. Hackney dressmaker- own business at home
John Green, 24, single, b. Hackney, Boatman, barge
Kate Green, 21, single, b. Hackney, housework at home
Daisy Huard, 14, single, b. Hackney
Nellie Huard, 6, single, b. Hackney

1901 Census - England (From census index)

Shoredtich census, William Sims. 32, b. London, Labourer,

Shoreditch census, May Sims, b. Leabridge, Hackney,

Shoreditch census, Gladys May Sims, 10, b. London,

Shoreditch census, Wm Sims 7

1901 Census Kingsland, 56 Culford Rd

Savage Family, grocer, shop

George Hammond, boarder, 22, glass beveler (sheet glass)

*

1905 - Church Rates – C.Reader, 102 Mount Pleasant, Clapton

1905 – Church Rates - Sarah Green, 20 Cranbrook Rd. Tottenham

1907, March – Lease on Lea Bridge Land expired
Loss of rental income

1907, Dec 5, Death of Charlotte Hammond, 80 years
at 3 Gomer Terrace, Prout Rd, Upper Clapton Hackney, Home of Charlotte Reader,
Bur. 12 Dec 1907 Interred at Chingford Mount Cemetery -
Grave No. 77410 Section H, on 12 December, 1907. There is no headstone.

1908 - George and Nellie (Hoy) Hammond to Canada
1908 - Family of Wm and Mae Sims to Canada

1911 Census - Upper Clapton, Hackney
26 Middlesex Wharf
Charlotte Reader, widow, age 50
William John, son, age 25, occupation - carpenter
Lily, daughter age 23, dressmaker
Alice May, dau, age 21, dressmaker
Margaret, dau, age 19, shop assistant
Ruby Victoria, dau, age 17, machinist

1940, March 5, Death of Charlotte Reader, Hackney Hospital, @78
Address 137 Bannister House, Homerton High Street, Hackney
Buried March 7, Chingford Mount Cemetery
Husband listed as boat builder on her death certificate

The Life of Rev. William Hammond

Photo to left - P. Hammond

The Rev. William Hammond was born in Waltham Abbey, Essex on the 18th of November, 1796. He was baptised April 2, 1797. He was the first child of William Hammond, a 43 year old widower, and Elizabeth Littler, the 36 year old daughter of a family of silk and calico printers in Waltham Abbey. Elizabeth Littler's parents were both deceased at the time of her marriage. Her brother, Thomas, was a witness to the marriage and also to some other important documents later in the couple's lives. Nothing is known about William Hammond, Sr.'s family except that there was a George Hammond, surgeon-apothecary, living close to their first home on High Bridge Street near Romeland who was probably his brother. The couple's first house was the Hoy house, a rental property which had been in the Littler's tenancy for some time.
*
William Junior grew up in Waltham Abbey with a younger sister, Ann, who died at 18, and a younger brother, John. He would have had many Littler cousins in Waltham Abbey. Nothing is known about his early education.
*
William married his cousin, Elizabeth Littler, the daughter of Thomas Littler, then Clerk at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, when he was 23 years of age. They were married on the 8th of June, 1820 by licence in the Parish Church of Waltham Holy Cross in Waltham Abbey.
*
William entered Queen's College at Cambridge University in June, 1821 when he was almost twenty-five years old. He was admitted as a 'sizar' which is a "term used at Cambridge for ......a class of students who get their food or commons free and receive certain emoluments, ranking below the ordinary students." William's father was in financial difficulty in 1818 when he mortgaged his property to his brother-in-law, William Littler. In November of 1821, William Sr. received an additional 400 pounds sterling from him as recorded in a 'deed poll'. This money may very well have been to help his son with his education and young family. William Hammond Sr. died in 1822. William's mother and his married brother, John, stayed in Waltham Abbey for the remainder of that decade.
*
The first three children of William Hammond Jr. were born in Waltham Abbey. Their eldest child, Elizabeth, did not survive and was buried in August, 1821. There was previously a monument for this child in the churchyard as recorded in a local history booklet. Their address was High Bridge Street in the records of baptism of their children, and William's occupation is given as 'Gentleman and Student at Cambridge.'
*
Information about his career is found in records related to his education and the clergy:
*
Cambridge Alumni – Venn: Hammond, William, Adm. sizar at Queen’s, June 30, 1821; of Essex; Mat. Mich. 1821; BA 1825; MA 1828; Ord. deac (Lincoln) 1825; priest (London) 1826; C. or Rainham 1825-26; C. of Burnhan 1826-58; C. of Hadstock 1864-70; Lived latterly at Ashdon Hall, Linton, Cambridgeshire; Disappears from Crockford’s in 1886.
*
1883 Crockford’s Clerical Directory - Hammond, Wm, Ashdon Hall, Linton, Cambs., Cam. Qu. Coll. BA 1825, MA 1828, _1825 by Bp of Linton, p. 1826 Bp of Ldn, Formerly curate of Rainham 1825-26; Burnham 1827-58; Hadstock 1864-70
*
The Rev. William Hammond spent one year as the curate of Rainham, Essex which would have been his first professional position. Rainham is east of London, not far from the Thames River. He first signed registers as Curate of Burnham in 1826-7. He remained in this position for 31 years. Many family events took place in Burnham on the Crouch River in south-east Essex.
*
(Photos of Burnham in this article are by K. Merritt. Click on the title for more information about Burnham.)
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The Rev. William and his young wife, Elizabeth, went to Burnham with two young children, Harriet (b. 1822) and William Farran (b. 1824). Seven more children were born at the Burnham Vicarage; sadly, only two survived - Mary Farran (b. 1828) and Sarah (b. 1834)
*
By the 1841 census, William's mother, Elizabeth, was living with the family, as well as two of his sisters-in-law - one widowed and the other mentally handicapped. This census shows the four children Of the Rev. William who survived into adulthood. William's wife is not in Burnham for the census.
*
1841 - Burnham, Essex - Vicarage
Elizabeth Hammond, 80, independent
Mary Merritt, 50, independent
William Hammond, 44, Clerk in (Holy Orders)
Harriet Hammond, 18
William Hammond, 17
Mary Hammond, 13
Sarah Hammond, 6
Mary Thurogood, 25, female servant
Sophia Littler, 45, independent
*
Biography to be continued
*
Family burials at Burnham:
July 25, 1844 Sarah Littler, age 56 Burnham Vicarage
(sister of Mrs Wm Hammond)
July 24, 1852 Harriet Littler, St George, Southwark, Surrey, age 56
Buried by G.C. Berkeley, Vicar of Southminster
(Sister of Mrs Hammond)
*
May 14, 1856
Elizabeth Hammond, age 64,
Burnham Vicarage
Minister: Thos Wm Thompson, MA Perpetual Curate of New Buckenham, Norfolk 1885, March 12- (Thompson was the cousin of Rev. Wm Hammond and his wife)



* The Hammond / Littler / Merritt monument in Burnham churchyard. (Photo by K. Merritt)
*
William Hammond last signed the Burnham marriage register in July, 1858 when he was 62 years old.
*
Deaths in Ashdon: Mary (Littler) Merritt, June - 1865. This death was registered in Saffron Waldon. This is probably the Rev. Wm's sister-in-law. Her death would have followed the 1864 deaths of her grandson, Francis Merritt, and his wife, Sarah Hammond, daughter of the Rev. Wm. She would have been about 78.
*
Sophia Littler, the mentally challenged sister of Mrs. Hammond died just before the Rev. William and is buried in Ashdon Churchyard. She died Feb 26, 1885, age 91.
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*DEATH at Ashdon Hall, Ashdon of William Hammond, male, age 88, Clerk in Holy Orders. Cause of death: Anthrax exhaustion, 12 days, certified by John P. Atkinson, M.D. Informant: Mary F. Hammond, present at the death, Ashdon Hall, Ashdon. Registered March 18, 1885, Registrar - John Drane, Registration District: Saffron Walden, Sub-district - Radwinter, County: Essex
*
(Photo of Ashdon Monument - S.L. Bowyer)

St. Botolph's Church - Hadstock, Essex

HADSTOCK, a village and a parish in the district of Linton and county of Essex. The village stands near the boundary with Cambridgeshire, 1 mile S of Linton, and 4 ENE of Chesterford r. station; was once a market town; and still has a fair on 28 June.

The parish comprises 1,870 acres; and its post-town is Linton, under Cambridge. Real property, £2,714. Pop., 511. Houses, 112. The property is divided among a few. The manor belongs to S. Malthus, Esq. Traces have been seen of a Roman villa. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £267. Patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The church is Norman and cruciform; has a tower; and was recently in disrepair. A well set round with stones, and called St. Botolph's well, is in the churchyard. There is a free school.
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by J. M. Wilson. circa 1866

St. Boltoph's Church - Hadstock, Essex

Below - Main Aisle of St. Boltoph's - The figure in the green is the grand-niece

(x5 generations) of the Rev. William Hammond. Photo SLB

Hadstock Churchyard
Flatstone, tower end of Church

“In Memory of

Harriet Smith, eldest dau

of the late Rev. Wm Hammond of Ashdon Hall
who died 4 May 1911 aged 89
also of
Selina Elizabeth Merritt only child of Lieut. F.W. Merritt
and of his wife Sarah and granddaughter of Rev Wm Hammond.
D. 5 March 1912, age 48 years”

The death of Mary Selina Elizabeth Merritt represents the end of this family line.

This 1777 map shows the proximity of Ashdon to Hadstock where the Rev. William Hammond was curate from 1864-70 when he was in his 70s.

St. Mary's Church - Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

The Rev. William Hammond officiated at this church for 31 years as the curate and lived in the vicarage. The Vicar, the Rev. C.A. St. John Mildmay, M.A., lived at Chelmsford.

Click on Title for more photos of St. Mary's Church - Burnham, Essex

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The CHURCH (Virgin Mary,) stands a mile north of the town, and is a neat Gothic structure of flint and stone, consisting of a nave, side aisles, chancel, and a square tower, in which are five bells. Its tower was formerly the loftiest in this hundred, and was used as a sea-mark, but being blown down many years ego, it was rebuilt with a less elevation. The altar-piece is a fine painting of the Last Supper, and the carved work of the pulpit and the font are well executed. This church was appropriated by the grandson of Richard Fitzgilbert to Dunmow priory. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £22.13s.4d., and in 1831 at £581, is in the patronage of Lady St. John Mildmay, and incumbency of her son, the Rev. C.A. St. John Mildmay, M.A., of Chelmsford, for whom the Rev. William Hammond, M.A., officiates. The glebe is about 30A., and the Vicarage House is a neat cemented building. The tithes are not commuted. The Particular Baptists, Wesleyans, and Irvingates have each a small chapel here. (From 1848 Directory)

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White's Directory of Essex 1848

BURNHAM, a small town, and a creek under the port of Maldon, is celebrated for its valuable oyster fishery, and has a commodious quay on the north side of the river Crouch. where there is water enough for ninety-gun ship, opposite Wallasea Island. It is distant 12 miles South East of Maldon; 8 miles North East by East of Rochford; 19 miles East South East of Chelmsford; and about 6 miles from the mouth of the river Crouch, which has some of the finest oyster beds in the kingdom, and is navigable for barges, etc., up to Battle Bridge, 12 miles above the town. The parish of Burnham contains 1735 inhabitants and 4278 acres of land, and includes many scattered houses, and the village of OSTEND, which is situated near the church, more than a mile North of the town, and has a fair on the 12th of June.

BURNHAM on CROUCH - 1866
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales...., by John Marius Wilson. circa 1866

BURNHAM, a village and parish in Maldon district, Essex. The village stands on the river Crouch, opposite Wallasea island, 8 and 1/2 miles NNE of Southend r. station, and 10 SE of Maldon. It has a post-office under Maldon; dates from old times; includes a good street; is a seaport and a coast-guard station; and has two chief inns, a custom-house, a convenient quay, and a ferry. Fairs are held at it on 25 April and 24 Sept.; and oyster-fishing, boat-building, and sail-making are carried on. The parish also includes the hamlet of Ostend. Acres, 5,523. Real property, £11,821; of which £2,072 are in fisheries. Pop., 1870. Houses, 388. The property is divided among a few. The land is marshy. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £558. Patron, not reported. The church is good; and is so situated as to serve as a land-mark. There is a Wesleyan chapel.

All Saints Church - Ashdon, Essex

.......................All Saints Church - Ashdon, Essex
The Rev. William Hammond was never vicar or curate of Ashdon; however, his mother probably attended this church when she lived at Ashdon Hall in the 1840's, as would her son John Hammond when he lived in Ashdon.


....................................... The Chancel

............................... The nave looking west

..................................North Side of the Church

Burials at Ashdon, Essex

..........................................Photo from 1980's

"Here lieth the mortality of Willm Hammond MA Clerk

son of Elizabeth Hammond of Ashdon Hall

31 years Curate in Charge of Burnham

Born 18 Nov 1796

Died 12 March 1885 -

Thy word I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ"

Photo - 1995 SLB

The monument for the Rev. Wm Hammond (1885) was placed in front of the 'sarcophagus' for his mother (1848). Photo - 1995 SLB

On one side of the 'sarcophagus' is the inscription for Elizabeth Hammond. Photo - 1995 SLB

On the opposite side is a tribute to Harriet Farran, cousin of Elizabeth Hammond (Their mothers were Reading women). Harriet Farran was buried at Bath. Photo - 1995 SLB

The monuments are located at the very edge of the churchyard which may have been because burials had been discontinued at Ashdon Churchyard. Photo 1980s

Ashdon Hall, Essex

Ashdon Hall - Photo Brig. T. Collins - Date unknown, however there are some changes from the photo of 1985 shown at the bottom.

The owners of Ashdon Hall are numbered beginning with Martha (Farran) King, the widow of Robert King. The owners prior to the Kings are given in the article below.

An excerpt from Ashdon - A History of An English Village -Angela Green ( Spike Mays Books )

"Between 1714 and 1718 the manor (Amberden and Ashdon Halls) was purchased by Thomas Scalter Bacon and was held by him until his death in 1736. He left his property, after the death of his wife, to his 'kinswoman", Sarah, wife of Edward King. The eventual heir was Robert King, presumably Sarah's son, of Catley in Linton, a minor when he became lord of the manor.

"The Rev. William Cole, writing in the 1740's described him: "he was at College when he inherited and he was married while at school to a **porter's daughter in Bishopgate-street, a very good sort of woman and she made him an admirable wife. His son by her died about 1746. (Mr. King's father was a coachman the estate came to his family by means of his wife.) Mr. King died of drink at Bath in 1749."

"King was succeeded by his wife Martha, who remained the owner until her death in
1778, when she left her property to her brother, George Farran and his daughter, Martha.
Two years later (1780), William Stevenson and his wife, Frances, a daughter of Robert King's sister, Elizabeth White, were involved in a transaction on the manor but the Rev. George Farran continued as lord of the manor.

"In 1787, a possible purchase of the reversion of the manor was suggested to Lord Howard de Walden who owned Great Hales Wood and Nutt's Farm. This was again raised in 1795 and several members of the King family then entered into conveyances of their reversionary rights to Lord Howard de Walden for substantial sums, although in October of the same year, George Farran said that "Neither my daughter or self, have any intention of giving up our interests in the Estates in my possession."

"By 1797, George (died at Bromely, Kent) was succeeded by Martha Farran who held it until 1827 when Harriet, one of her sisters [Harriet was her cousin, daughter of John Farran of Waltham Abbey –PH] became the owner until l835 [Harriet died in 1836].

By 1839 the owner (of Ashdon Hall) was a widow, Elizabeth Hammond, who was succeeded by the Rev. William Hammond by 1847 [His mother died in 1848]. He was Curate of Hadstock in 1869 and still held the manor in 1870 but was succeeded by Miss Hammond, one of his daughers by 1886 [Rev. Wm died in 1885]. In 1895, Mrs Harriet Smith, a widow and Mrs Mary Farran Denman, daughters of William Hammond were the owners so that the family appears to be related to the Farrans. Mrs Smith still owned the manor in 1906 when she mortgaged it to Katherine Sarah Death. Two years later it was purchased by Mr. A. J. Collins, father of the present owner, Brigadier T.F.J. Collins."

................... Ashdon Hall - Photo by SLB, 1995

1895 Kelly's Directory for Essex and Hertfordshire

p. 20 Ashdon- 4 miles NE of Saffron Waldon.

" The Countess of Warwick is Lady of the Manor. Mrs. Harriet Smith and Mrs. Mary Farran Denman, daughters of the late Rev. Wm Hammond of Ashdon Hall, are joint ladies of the second manor and the rector is Lord of the Rectory Manor."

Ashdon Hall, Essex

..................... The Moat and Garden at Ashdon Hall, Ashdon, Essex

The Annals of Ashdon - Robert Gibson - 1988

‘Up on a hill beside the village church, set far back from the road behind a rampart of trees, stands Ashdon Hall, home of Brigadier Tom Collins. I interviewed him many times either in the drawing room, beside a deep-set log fire, or in his oak-lined dining room, hung with oil portraits of his family:

“I was born in London in 1905 but I feel my roots are in Ashdon because we moved here when I was three years old and Ashdon Hall has been our family home ever since. I have no direct recollection of that first arrival but, it would appear, my parents drove over from Audley End to Ashdon in a Victoria four-wheeled carriage......it was he (Collin's father) who, not too long afterwards, took the initiative in making the trains stop at Ashdon. When we first came to the village, such trains as there were used to go straight through along the single track between Saffron Walden and Bartlow Junction.......He needed to commute regularly up to London because he had a solicitor's practice there.

“For years, we always used to draw water from our own well which is something like forty eight feet deep. There's an even deeper well in the Church yard, next door, which is said to be eighty feet deep. In this part of the village, the water comes up through a deep layer of gravel and it's the most beautiful water I've ever drunk anywhere.

“When we first came to Ashdon Hall, the moat was quite overgrown. It was thick with bullrushes and full of very deep mud....Way back, you see, this stretch of water served not only the original manor house but also the earliest village. Then the villagers decamped because of the Black Death, and the moat was reduced, in the course of time, to being a feature in an ornamental garden. A reverend gentleman called Mr. Hammond made a really determined attempt to lay out the gardens half a century before we arrived here: he transformed the former manor orchard into a lawn, he planted a number of splendid trees which still flourish, he built walls here and there and he generally got the place into shape. My father decided to carry on Hammond's good work -just as I hope I've done in my turn - and soon after our arrival here, he decided that the moat needed to be reclaimed and that the way to do this was to mobilize the local work-force. The first move was to summon the village Fire Brigade.......Now that nature's trying to claim the moat back again, the operation will, equally clearly, never be on again. The moat doesn't seem likely to have much of a future.”

John and Sarah (Millidge) Hammond

Summary:

Sarah Millidge was born at Plough Court, Fetter Lane in the parish of St. Andrew Holborn in London and was baptised in the parish church on June 24, 1792. Her parents were John Millidge and Sussanah Clare.

To be continued

Will of Sarah Hammond, Proved 1868

Beginning of Will of Sarah Hammond, Widow - Made: Sept. 14, 1862
Died: Augst 11, 1868 Will Proved: Sept 30, 1868

This is the last will of me Sarah Hammond of Lea Bridge in Hackney widow and relict of John Hammond deceased.

I appoint my son John Hammond Executor of this my will and Trustee for and Guardian of my five grandchildren the children hereinafter named of my deceased son George Hammond. And when my grandson George Hammond attains the age of twenty-one years I appoint him Executor and Guardian jointly with my son.

And subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral and testamenary expenses and subject also to the trusts hereinafter mentioned as to ten of my leasehold house for the benefit of my said grandchildren, I give devise and bequesth all my messuages lands and tenements all money, securities for money and all my goods, chattels, estates and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of whatever nature or tenure so ever, to my said son JOHN HAMMOND his heirs executors and administrators for his and their own use and benefit absolutely.

And as to my ten messuages or dwellling houses situate at Hackney aforesaid on the West side of the footpath leading from Lea Bridge to High Hill Ferry and north from the Public House called the Jolly Anglers now occupied by John Green and others and the drying ground in the rear thereof and used therewith being part of the premises hold under a lease granted by William George Tyssen Daniel Tyssen to my late husband on or about the twenty-sixth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight (1838) for a term of sixty-nine years (69) from Lady Day then last at the yearly rent of L18 (18 pounds sterling- 2010 equivalent=US 1,800.00). I hereby declare that my said son John Hammond his executors and administators shall stand possessed thereof upon the trusts and for the intents and purposed hereinafter expressed and declared in favour and for the benefit of the children hereinafter named of my deceased son George Hammond (videlicet )

As to the messuage outbuildings land and premises now hold and occupied by the said John Green and the messuage outbuildings land and premises adjoing on the north side there of and the appurtenances thereto respectively belonging subject to the payment of a yearly rent of four pounds IN TRUST for my said grandson GEORGE HAMMOND his executors administrators and assigns for his or their own use to be vested in him when he attains the age of twenty-one years.

As to the two messuages or dwelling houses land and premises situate to the northward of the premises lastly hereinbefore mentioned and the appurtenances thereto belonging subject to the payment of a yearly rent of two pounds IN TRUST for my grand daughter Ann Hammond her executors administrators and assigns for her and their own use to be vested in her when she attains the age of twenty-one years or marry with her Guardian's consent whichever happen first.

As to the two messuages or dwelling houses land and premises situate to the northward of the premises lastly hereinbefore mentioned and the appurtenances thereto belonging subject to the payment of a yearly rent of two pounds IN TRUST for my grand daughter Sarah Hammond her executors administrators and assigns for her and their own use to be vested in her when she attains the age of twenty-one years or marry with her Guardian's consent whichever happen first.

As to the two messuages or dwelling houses land and premises situate to the northward of the premises lastly hereinbefore mentioned and the appurtenances thereto belonging subject to the payment of a yearly rent of two pounds IN TRUST for my grandson Thomas Hammond his executors administrators and assigns for his and their own use to be vested in him or them when he attains the age of twenty-one years.

And as to the two messuages or dwelling houses land and premises situate to the northward of the premises lastly hereinbefore mentioned and the appurtenances thereto belonging subject to the payment of a yearly rent of two pounds IN TRUST for my grandson John Hammond his executors administrators and assigns for his and their own use to be vested in him when he attains the age of twenty-one years.

Map Below: Hammond's Dock was the 'creek' that ran behind Willow Point. See arrow on map. The canal (where Hammond's Dock is written on the map) was called the Lea Dock

And as to the piece of land in the rear on the west side of the said ten messuages now used by the occupiers of such messuages in common as a drying ground upon trust for my said five grandchildren their executors administrators and assigns so that the same may be continued to be used in common by the owners and occupiers of the said ten messuaages and as exclusively appurtenant thereto.

And I declare that in the meantime and until the said messuages and premises shall become vested in them my said grandchildren as aforesaid that the rents and profits of the said messuages and premises so to be held for each of them shall be applied for or towards his or her maintenance and education or for his or her benefit as my said Executors may think proper. And that such part of the said rents and profits as shall not be so applied shall be invested for the benefit of such grandchild either in a savings bank or in such other manner as my Executors may think most beneficial. And that such accumulations may be appropriated to apprenticing such grandchild or otherwise for his or her advancement in life as my executors may think proper. And what is not so applied shall be paid to him or her on his or her attaining a vested interest in the premises producing the same.

And I declare that the said messuages and premises shall be subject to the covenants provisoes and agreements contained in the said Lease comprising the same. And that my said son John Hammond his executors administrators or assigns shall at the request and costs of each grandchild on his or her attaining a vested intest in the said messuages and premisies as aforesaid grant to him or her a proper underlease of the messuages and premises then belonging to each grandchild for the whole residue of the term of the lease less one day at the rent and subject to the covenants as aforesaid he or she executing a counterpar of such underlease

And in case of the death of any such grandchild before he or she sahll attain a vested interest in the premisies hold in trust for him or her, then I declare that the messuages and premises which would have belonged to such grandchild if he or she had lived to attain a vested interest therein and all accumuations of the rents and profits thereof shall go and belong to my said son John Hammond. And I give the same to him my said son his executors administrators and assigns for his their own use

And revoking all wills and testamentary dispositions by me heretofore made I declare this to be my last will in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two - SARAH HAMMOND - signed published and declared by the said Sarah Hammond in the presence of us being both present at the same time who in her presence at her request and in presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - Chester Cheston, Solicitor, Manor House, Hackney - Frank Cheston, his clerk

Proved at London 30th September 1868 by the Oath of John Hammond the son one of the executors to whom admon was granted. Power reserved of making the life grant to George Hammond the grandson the other executor his having attained the age of twenty-one years.

Sarah Hammond, Widow

George James Hammond, the eldest son of John and Sarah Hammond, died December 22, 1853 at about 30 years old. John Hammond died at Lea Bridge November 19, 1857. In the 1861 census, we find the widowed grandmother, Sarah, with the three middle children of her deceased son George at #9 Hammond Cottages. To date, I have not found the children's mother, Ann (Swinton) Hammond. George James Hammond died in an accident; therefore, it doesn't follow that his wife died at the same time as might happen with a contagious illness. The eldest son, George, 14 years old in 1861, was a grocer's apprentice in Chelsea with a Wales family. The youngest son, Thomas, was with an elderly Tucker couple at Stamford Hill, not far from Lea Bridge. (Thomas lived at Lea Bridge as an adult). Next door to Sarah at #10 Hammond Cottages, formerly his parents home, we find John Hammond with his wife Charlotte and a large family. He is now a boat builder at Lea Bridge.

April 8, 1861 Census of England
Parish of St. John at Hackney - LEA BRIDGE (RG 9/158 -Folio 118)
page 19 - Lea Bridge
#9 Hammond Cottages (1 house)
Sarah Hammond, head, widow..... age 68, proprietor of houses, b. London
John Hammond, grandson...................... age 12, scholar, born Dalston, Mdx
Ann Hammond, grand dau...................... age 10, scholar, born Shadwell, Mdx
Sarah Hammond, grand dau.................. age 9, scholar, born Shadwell, Mdx

#10 Hammond Cottages (1 house) (WA = Waltham Abbey)
John Hammond, head...........................age 37, boatbuilder, b. WA, Essex
Charlotte Hammond, wife..................age 35, born Shacklewell, Mdx
Sarah Hammond, dau...............................age 14, scholar, born Lea Bridge, Mdx
John Hammond, son........................... age 12, scholar, born Lea Bridge, Mdx
William Hammond, son............................ age 8, scholar, born Lea Bridge, Mdx
George Hammond, son............................ age 6, scholar, born Mile End, Mdx
Mary Hammond, dau............................... age 4, born Mile End, Mdx
Henry Hammond, son.............................. age 2, born Lea Bridge, Mdx
Charlotte Hamond, dau........................... age 1 month, born Lea Bridge, Mdx

Census Records - 1831, 1841, 1851

1831 Census - Hackney Source: Hackney Archives
p. 121 Hilly Ferry, High Hill Ferry
John Hammond, 1 family / 1 dwelling
*4 males / 3 females / total - [illegible]
including 1 male over 20 / Printer
[unknown 4th male - under 20 - a baby who didn't survive?]

1841 Census - Hackney - (PRO Reference 179 PX 698-700)
Enumeration District 20
Lea Road, Clapton
page 24, near Lea Bridge
Hammond, John, age 41, silk-printer, not born in Middlesex
Hammond, Sarah, age 40, born in Middlesex
Hammond, George, age 19, merchant's clerk, not born in Middlesex
Robotom, James age 22, working jeweller
Hobbs, Catherine, age 25, female servant

page 36, street name illegible; very next name is 'Stamford Hill'
George Edward, age 35
John Hammond, age 15 ( probably our John)
Thomas Hawkins, age 60...___essers (pensioner?)
Sarah Hawkins, 55

March 30, 1851 - Census of Hackney - District 11

Commence at Pond Lane taking all down to Law's Farm and the cottage opposite Law's. Return and take the back of the pond with the Alms House along the east side of Clapton Road, round Lea Bridge both sides as far down as Lea Bridge Villas then across the marshes to Jolly Anglers taking the cottges at the back of the Anglers and straight onto Hammond's house and the cottages at back of same and the cottages in field opposite, thence up Mount Pleasant Lane and commencing again at Mr. Burnell's house along the east side Clapton Road, the house in the Lees Brick Field and Kings Head Yard finishing at the corner of Lea Bridge Road - omitting all the cottages on the south side of the Jolly Anglers.
page 17 (Except for Hammond families, only household heads are noted)

3 Hammond Rents ....................Edward Jennings, gardener
4 Hammond Cottages...............John Godwin, plumber / glazier
5 Hammond Cottages...............Mary Dearman, widow, laundress
6 Hammond Cottages...............John Chillingworth, fund holder
7 Hammond Cottages...............George Taylor, journeyman smith
8 Hammond Cottages...............Edward Paine, Engineer
9 Hammond Cottages...............unoccupied
10 Hammond Cottages
John Hammond, age 51, out of business, house property, b. Waltham Abbey, Essex
Sarah Hammond, age 50, wife, born London

The Kings Head, Lea Bridge....Wm B. Jameson, Victualler
Kings Head Tea Gardens.........John Bos, car man
Kings Head Gardens.................James Randall
1 Hammond Cottages.............. James Swaler, Brick Maker
2 Hammond Cottages..............Charles Dunant, Brick Maker

page 20
Lea Bridge Road
Boat House
John Hammond, age 27, coal meter, born Waltham Abbey, Essex
Charlotte Hammond, age 25, born Shacklewell, Mdx
Sarah hammond, age 3, born Lea Bridge
John Hammond, age 2, born Lea Bridge
Henry Hammond, age 3 months, born Lea Bridge

page 37
Kings Head Yard [probably east side of Clapton Rd?]
........Francis James Seymore, age 37, labourer, b. Clapton, Hackney
........Eliza, Seymore, age 35, charwoman, born St. George East
........Thomas J. Seymore, age 12, errand boy, born St. Martin's
........Eliza Seymore, age 11, scholar, born Clapton
........Sarah S. Seymore, age 7, scholar, born Clapton
........James F. Seymore, age 5, born Clapton
.......Elizabeth Seymore, age 3, born Clapton
.........Joseph Seymore, age 2 months, born Clapton

1851 Census - Stepney Ratcliffe
113 Cock Hill
George Hammond, 28, b. Waltham Abbey, Essex, Licensed Victualler
Ann Hammond, 23, b. Whitley, Yorkshire
George Hammond, 4, b. Hackney, Mdx
John Hammond, 2, b. Hackney, Mdx
Ann Hammond, 1, b. Ratcliffe
Martha Bonk, 24, general servant, b. Ilford, Essex

High Hill Ferry, Upper Clapton

The above photo was sent to me without a credit. It is from a book with photos of Upper Clapton. This is the High Hill Ferry area where John Hammond lived in the 1830'. Date of photo is unknown but probably after 1880.

"Riverside settlements grew up at Lea bridge, High Hill ferry, and the high bridge at the foot of Spring Hill. (fn. 48) Lea bridge had 21 householders in 1821 and Lea Road, presumably Lea Bridge Road, had 22, all tradesmen or labourers. (fn. 49) The Jolly Anglers at Middlesex wharf, on the site of Smith's ferry, and a dock to the north may have been included in those numbers. High Hill ferry was reached circuitously by Mount Pleasant Lane, part of which had 19 working-class households, or more directly by Spring Place; as Hilly ferry it had 44 householders in 1821, several of them dyers. (fn. 50) At the foot of Spring Hill Thomas Webbe had owned c. 39 a. in 1774, including Horseshoe Point and islands to the north, a tileyard, a calico printer's, and three wharves on a creek later called Giles's dock. (fn. 51) Premises adjoining the dock were leased by John Webbe Weston to a varnish maker in 1806. (fn. 52) Tile kilns in Spring Lane near the head of the dock were presumably those where 34 householders dwelt in 1821. (fn. 53) "

From: 'Hackney: Clapton', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 10: Hackney (1995), pp. 44-51. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22702 Date accessed: 27 December 2010.

"A calico ground at Temple Mills lay on the Leyton side in 1772. (fn. 13) Two calico printers and a calenderer recorded in 1795 (fn. 14) were probably at Spring Hill, where there was a large calico factory in 1774 (fn. 15) or at High Hill ferry, where George Baker and William Burch occupied intermingled buildings, backed by drying grounds, in 1826. Burch was normally styled a calico printer and Baker a dyer. (fn. 16) They were there c. 1845 (fn. 17) and may have been represented in 1855 by Baker & Hudden, calenderers, and James Burch, who had a carmine works. (fn. 18) Baker's Hill by 1880 contained the Lea Valley bleaching and dyeing works of William Connell & Co., whose Lea Valley laundry was taken over in the 1960s by Initial Services. (fn. 19) Also at High Hill ferry were Robert Lyon, a bleacher in 1826 and 1838, (fn. 20) and George Wickenden, a glazier or presser in 1845 and 1855. (fn. 21) Another calico printer was John Hammond, who was building immediately south of Lea dock in 1832 and acquired more land in 1838. (fn. 22) "

From: 'Hackney: Economic History', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 10: Hackney (1995), pp. 92-101. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22708. Date accessed: 23 November 2006.


Pre 1869 Map of High Hill Ferry area

1833-34 Pigot's Commercial Directory - London and Provincial Clapton and High Hill Ferry

Burch, Wm, Calico Printer, High Hill Ferry

Hammond, John, Calico Printer, High Hill Ferry

Current Google Map of High Hill Ferry area. The street named Baker's Hill is still the same. The Hammond property on the Lea was between Mount Pleasant Hill and Southwold Rd. close to the Lea River.

Brad, great-grandson of Alfred Hammond at High Hill Ferry in 1981. One hundred years after Alfred left Lea Bridge

Occupations of John Hammond 1822-1857

Sept, 1822....Highbridge St., WA...Bap. of son George.........Coal Merchant
Dec, 1828.....Highbridge St., WA...Bap. of John and Ann...........Silk Printer
July, 1831......Clapton, Mdx...........Bap. of dau Sarah at WA ....Silk Printer
1831..............High Hill Ferry, Clapton.......Census.......................Printer
July, 1832.....High Hill Ferry, Clapton....Lease M710.............Calico Printer
1833-34.........High Hill Ferry, Clapton...London Directory...Calico Printer

April, 1840....High Hill Ferry, Clapton...Death of dau, Sarah..Publican
June, 1841.....Lea Road, Clapton.............Census..................Silk Printer
Nov, 1845.....not given.......................Marriage of son, Geo.....Dyer

Oct, 1846......not given......................Marriage of son, John....Farmer
Oct, 1847......Ashdon Hall.................Lease M2717....................Farmer

Mar, 1851.....Hammond Cott, LeaBridge....census...........Out of Business
House Property
Nov, 1857.....Lea Bridge, Clapton......Death Certificate.....Independent
........, 1868....Lea Bridge, Clapton......wife's death cert......Beer Retailer

Will of John Hammond - Proved 1858

The will was prepared March 17, 1854. John Hammond died November 19, 1857 and was buried on the 29th. The will was proved January 20, 1858.

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Hammond of Lea Bridge Hackney in the County of Middlesex Firstly I desire that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied by my Executrix hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and Secondly I give devise and bequeath all and every my household furniture linen wearing apparel books plate pictures china horse carriages cars and also all and every sum and sums of money which may be in my house or about my person or which may be due to me at the time of my decease and also all other my monies invested in stocks funds and securities for money cash debts money on bonds bills notes or other securities and all and every other my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever both real and personal whether in possession reversion remainder or expectancy unto my dear wife Sarah Hammond to and for her own use and benefit absolutely And I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife to be Executrix of this my Will and hereby revoking all former or other Wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said John Hammond have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand the seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty four -

Signed by the Testator John Hammond in the presence of us present at the same time who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of the said testator and each other

John Hammond Junr.
Henry Choat Frankham

In Her Majesty's Court of Probate - The Principal Registry In the Goods of John Hammond deceased.

I John Hammond the Younger of Hammond Cottages Lea Bridge Hackney in the County of Middlesex Coal Meter make Oath that I am one of the subscribing Witnesses to the last Will
and Testament of the said John Hammond late of Hammond Cottages Lea Bridge Hackney in the County Middlesex deceased the said Will being now hereunto annexed bearing date the seventeenth day of March in the year of Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty four and that the said Testator executed the said Will on the day of the date thereof by signing his name at the foot or end thereof to wit---- in the attestation Clause thereto as the same now appears thereon in the presence of me and of Henry Choat Frankham the other subscribed Witness thereto both of us being present at the same time That the said Testator intended such his said signature to be in due execution of his said Will and requested me and the said Henry Choat Frankham to witness the same accordingly and that the said Testator. - John Hammond Junr Sworn at Doctors Commons London on the sixteenth day of January 1858 - Before me M.C.M. Swabey Commr Court of Probate

Proved at London 20th of January 1858 By the oath of Sarah Hammond Widow the sole Executrix to whom Admon was gratned.

White's Directory of Essex 1848

(Click on title to see the original website. )
Marked + are in Little Bartlow

List of inhabitants
James Adams, schoolmaster
Levi Archer, saddler
George Atherton, swine dealer
Mr William Barber
Mr John Hockley
William Barrett, wheelwright
Rev. Benedict Chapman D.D., rector and master of Caius College
Charles Thomas
Clark, victualler, White Horse
Charles Cox, victualler, Fox
Thomas Cro, wheelwright and carpenter
Joseph Dodd, plumber, painter, etc.
William Green, parish clerk
Mrs Elizabeth Hammond, Ashdon Hall
Rev. Edward Hanson M.A., curate
John Hardy, corn miller
Charles Haylock, victualler, Rose and Crown
Joshua Ketteridge, baker
Mr Philip Spicer Parker
Thomas Prior and Harry Prior, National School
John Slowgrove, sexton
Rev. Robert Tubbs, (Baptist)
Samuel Maynard Wright, tailor, etc.

Farmers (* are owners).
* Samuel Atherton
James Baines
* John Cro, Midsummer Hill
* William Cro, Pidgeons Airy
George Downham
James Downing
* Thomas Ford
Hannah Giblin
Henry Choat Frankham [This man was the named
in the will of John Hammond, Sr. of Lea Bridge]
* Robert Franklin, Spriggs
* + Thomas Giblin, New House
+ John Hales, Overhall
+ William Hales, Sandons+ Elizabeth Haylock, Ashdon Place
* George Haylock (brick and tile maker)
Devereux Hustler, Newnham
* Richard Miller, Ashdon Street
Elizabeth Mizen, Mortimers
James Nutting
Thomas Ryland
John Ruse ( and miller), Hill Farm
Abraham Saward, Bowsers
William Sargent
Fuller Tredget
+ Robert Tredget, Bourn

Beerhouse.+ Wright Cowling, William Lagden
Blacksmiths. Charles Green, Josiah Green, Elizabeth Willett
Boot and Shoe Makers. Henry Hull, Josiah Mascall
Butchers. Edmund Mascall, Samuel Mascall
Grocers, etc. Martha Green, Charles Housden, John Sargent, Samuel Maynard Wright

The Silvery Lea

1868 Ordnance Map - The 'creek' behind the treed point is referred to as Hammond's Dock in the following article. The community lies between the Kings Head on the Lea Dock and the Jolly Anglers. Both are on the west bank of the Lea River. The point with the pattern of trees is Willow Point. The west bank of the river called Middlesex Wharf and the east bank, Essex Wharf as the Lea was the division between the two counties.

Kings Head at Upper Clapton, 1886 - Source: Hackney Archives / Godfrey New Photographics [The water in the foreground is the Lea Dock which is referred to as Hammond's Dock in the article below. The trees of Willow Point are visible behind the public house.] This is the original Kings Head built by or for John Hammond in the 1830s.  It was rebuilt after a fire in 1940.

p. 63

"Those who were acquainted with the condition of the River Lea between Lea bridge and Tottenham Lock at the date of the coming into force of the Metropolis Local Management Act in 1856, and at the time of the passing of the Lee Purification Act, 1886 - an interval of 30 years - might be inclined to quote the words of Hamlet: 'Look upon this picture on on this.'

*

"The beautiful river, which in 1856 was so bright and sparkling, and swarming with fish, had in the period referred to above become an elongated cesspool in consequence of the sewage of the large and growing towns of Tottenham and Enfield being discharged into the river just below Tottenham Lock.

*
"Let us conjure up a mental picture of the river as it was in 1856 and subsequent years, until pollution changed its character.....

*

"Proceeding along the towing path on the east side of the river, southward of Horse Shoe Point, we come to a bight, or lay-by, opposite the Robin Hood Tavern, High Hill Ferry; and here could be seen another large gathering of boats, which in the summer season were much in request. The river at this spot has nearly a straight course to Willow Point, a little northward of which is a creek known as Hammond's Dock; and at the time I refer to (1856) and for some years after, this creek was a favourite place for tench, which laid up among the weeds.

*

The creek was also used for pleasure boats, and a wooden footbridge connected the path running along that side of the river towards Lea Bridge. There was quite a little village at the back of Willow Point, comprising some very cosy residences, with neat and well-kept gardens; and Willow Point, another projection on the west side of the river near Lea Bridge, formed the pleasure ground of a public house, and was a favourite fishing place, there being another lay-by for boats opposite the "Jolly Anglers."

*

"Between the years 1860 and 1870, the river continued to be in good condition, and every day during the summer seasons, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, it was gay with boating parties. The boatbuilders and boat owners made comfortable incomes in these times and the little colony on the west side of the river between Lea Bridge and Hammond's Dock did a thriving business in provision of teas and light rereshments. During this period the Lea Regattas were in the zenith of their popularity, and on these occasions the river put on its best holiday atttire, and all kinds of aquatic sports were indulged in. They were veritable water carnivals, attended by all classes, from the humbler cottagers to the dwellers in mansions. All was happiness and gaiety, and the fetes provided a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment for all who took part in them."