(552) Bendish of Bower Hall, baronets

Bendish of Bower Hall

This family was a cadet branch of the Bendyshe family of Barrington (Cambs). Thomas Bendish (d. c.1342) seems to have been the first to acquire land at Steeple Bumpstead (Essex), but his great-great-grandson, Thomas Bendish (d. 1485), seems to have been the first to settle at Bower Hall. This Thomas, with whom the genealogy below begins, was the second son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1448) of Barrington, and the family's lands in Essex seem to have been separated from the property of the senior line in the mid 15th century to make provision for him. Thereafter, the property descended from father to son over many generations: this branch of the family seems fairly consistently to be have been called Bendish, whereas the senior line more frequently adopted the older spelling of Bendysh or Bendyshe. Thomas (d. 1485) married twice, but both of his wives were called Joan, and there is some uncertainty about which he married first. I have assumed below that Joan Fitzwilliams was his first wife, as it was their son, Richard Bendish (d. 1487), who inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate. His son and heir, Richard Bendish (d. 1523), married Margaret Newport from Furneux Pelham (Herts), but the marriage may have been short-lived as only two children are recorded. Their son, John Bendish (c.1514-85) married Margaret Crawley of Wendon Lofts (Essex) before 1540 and had a sizeable family, of whom the eldest was Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603).

Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) seems to have done his best to increase the wealth and social status of the family, and was no doubt helped by the fact that he was married four times. He both expanded the estate and paid for a monument in Steeple Bumpstead church to his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and either he, or more probably his son and heir, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt., is thought to have rebuilt or remodelled the house at Bower Hall. Sir Thomas received one of the second batch of baronetcies to be created by King James I in 1611, which speaks both of his social position and of his ability to afford the substantial fees required. He was twice High Sheriff of Essex, and his only surviving son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. was educated at Cambridge and the Middle Temple. The second baronet is much the most interesting figure in the family. A Royalist in an overwhelmingly Parliamentarian county, at the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of a group of Essex gentlemen who attempted to promote a compromise between the two sides, and he was imprisoned and his estates sequestrated by Parliament for his pains. After some two years in the Tower of London, he was released and paid the composition fine to recover his estates. Although he later sent money to support the king's cause he did not take part in the fighting, and he was sufficiently rehabilitated in the eyes of the Parliamentary leaders to be acceptable as a compromise candidate when a new ambassador to Constantinople was sought in 1647. The merchants of the Levant Company, desperate to get rid of the existing Royalist ambassador,  who was threatening to seize their goods in aid of the Royalist cause, asked to have Bendish, who had experience as a merchant trading with the eastern Mediterranean, as a replacement, and both Parliament and King were able to accept the suggestion. He accordingly made his way, with his family, to Constantinople, where he proved an effective although not always popular representative. There were several attempts to remove him, but distance from London and consummate political skills ensured his survival until the Restoration, when he returned to England.

Sir Thomas was succeeded at Bower Hall by his second son, Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt., his eldest son having died at sea when the ship he was on was attacked by the French in 1649. Sir John was a merchant in London, acquired a plantation in Barbados (perhaps from his father-in-law, who had Barbadian interests). and was a farmer of taxes, but either he was unlucky or not sufficiently engaged with his enterprises, for he ended his life in bankruptcy and a debtor's prison. The family only retained the Bower Hall estate and the plantation in Barbados because they were entailed and Sir John was thus only a tenant for life, with no power to sell. He was succeeded by his only surviving son, Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt., who seems mysteriously to have recovered the family's finances, for just a few years later he was able to rebuild Bower Hall. It seems most likely that his wife, the daughter of a former Lord Mayor of London, brought him a large dowry. The couple had no surviving children, and when Sir Henry died in 1717 the baronetcy became extinct and the Bower Hall estate passed to his widow, Dame Catherine Bendish (d. 1739) and then to his widowed sister, Sarah Pyke (1676-1752). Although it continued to pass by descent until 1888, Sarah was the last Bendish to be associated with the property.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex

Almost nothing seems to be known about the Jacobean house which stood on this site, which was rebuilt by Sir Henry Bendish (d. 1717), 4th bt., but only completed in the year he died. This Georgian house was a tall, two-and-a-half storey block with a recessed five bay centre and projecting two-bay wings. Giant pilasters defined the angles and there was a shallow three-bay pediment over the centre, which was oddly without decoration or enrichment. The house bore a marked similarity to the new front added to Langleys, Great Waltham, in 1719, which was designed by the mason, William Tufnell, and he may also have worked here on a slightly smaller scale. Two 18th century bird's eye view paintings show the house almost exactly as it appears in later photographs.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: detail of bird's eye view attributed to Leonard Knyff. Image: Essex Archives.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: a naive mid 18th century painting of the house. Image: Colchester & Ipswich Museums Service.

Inside, among the new panelling of the interior, fireplaces and woodwork from the previous house were reused, largely in less important rooms on the first and second floors, but including a dark marble chimneypiece in the hall with carvings of military trophies in the frieze and a panel painting of Audley End House in the overmantel, while a similar chimneypiece in the room over the hall was carved with a jungle scene, depicting monkeys, lions, a dragon, an elephant and squirrels. In 1887, when the house was offered for sale, it was described as having 20 bedrooms and 2 dressing rooms, a magnificent old staircase, lighted by a stained glass window, a large landing leading to a noble saloon and a pretty drawing room; a grand entrance hall, drawing or morning room, library, dining room, second dining room, breakfast room, gun or smoking room, and good domestic offices.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: the house in the early 20th century, shortly before demolition.

The panelling and interior fittings were removed for sale before demolition and two general demolition sales of the building materials, including doors, stone paving, floor boards, windows and bricks were held in June and July 1926. An early Georgian room with giant fluted Corinthian pilasters flanking the chimneypiece was acquired by William Randolph Hearst in December 1926 but sold by the Hearst Foundation in 1955 and installed in the offices of an oil company at 460 Park Avenue, New York. Since demolition, much of the northern part of the park has been developed for suburban housing, but the actual site of the house remains unoccupied. A pretty brick and flint lodge survived the demolition of the principal house and has been incorporated into a late 20th century house.

Descent: Thomas Bendish (d. 1485); to son, Richard Bendish (d. 1487); to son, Richard Bendish (d. 1523); to son, John Bendish (d. 1585); to son, Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603); to son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt.; to son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt.; to son, Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1706), 3rd bt.; to son, Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt.; to widow, Catherine, Lady Bendish (d. 1739); to sister-in-law, Sarah Pyke (1676-1752); to kinsman, Sir Stephen Anderson (1708-73), 3rd bt; to sister Anne (b. 1704), wife of Rt. Rev. Dr Anthony Ellis (1690-1761), bishop of St. Davids; to daughter, Frances Elizabeth (d. 1814), wife of John Stevens; to son, Ellys Anderson Stevens (c.1766-1845); to daughter, Mary Anne, wife of Maj. Charles Walton; to son, Bendyshe William Ellys Walton (1855-85); after his death sold 1888 to Edward Molyneux of Twickenham (Middx); sold c.1900 to W.B. Gurteen (d. 1913); sold? to G.R.C. Foster (fl. 1922) of Cambridge, banker, who demolished 1926.

Bendish family of Bower House, baronets

Bendish, Thomas (d. 1485). Son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1448) and his first wife, Alice or Margaret, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Bradfield of Barrington (Cambs). He married* 1st, Joan, daughter of [forename unknown] Fitzwilliams, and 2nd, Joan, daughter of John de Thockledon, and had issue:

(1.1) Richard Bendish (d. 1487) (q.v.);

(1.2) Thomas Bendish;

(2.1) Ralph Bendish;

(2.2) John Bendish;

(2.3) Maud Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate (the manors of Bendish, Bowers Hall and Lacheleys) from his father in 1448.

He died in 1484/5. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His widow married 2nd, [forename unknown] Bradbury of Wickham Bonhunt (Essex),

* Some sources state that Joan Fitzwilliams was his second wife, but it seems most likely that his eldest son inherited his estate.

Bendish, Richard (d. 1487). Elder son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1485) and his first wife, Joan, daughter of [forename unknown] Fitzwilliams. He married Anne, daughter of [forename unknown] Rawden or Roydon of Roydon Hall (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Richard Bendish (d. 1523) (q.v.);

(2) Margaret Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1485.

He died 27 February 1486/7 and was probably buried at Steeple Bumpstead. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Richard (d. 1523). Only known son of Richard Bendish (d. 1487) and his wife Anne, daughter of [forename unknown] Rawden or Roydon of Roydon Hall (Essex). He married Margaret, daughter and heir of James Newport of Furneaux Pelham (Herts), and had issue:

(1) John Bendish (c.1514-85) (q.v.);

(2) Margaret Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1487.

He died 22 September 1523 and was buried near his father, probably at Steeple Bumpstead (Essex). His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, John (c.1514-85). Only known son of Richard Bendish (d. 1523) and his wife Margaret, daughter and heir of James Newport of Hertfordshire, born about 1514. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Crawley of Wendon Lofts (Essex) and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) (q.v.);

(2) Barbara Bendish (fl. 1592);

(3) Margaret Bendish (fl. 1592);

(4) Robert Bendish; married and had issue;

(5) Rooke Bendish; died unmarried and without issue;

(6) Francis Bendish;

(7) Elizabeth Bendish; married John Huntingdon;

(8) John Bendish of Great Witchingham (Norfk); married Audrey, daughter of Thomas Harvey and widow of Francis Polstead, and had issue four sons.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1523.

He died 20 August 1585 and was buried near his father and grandfather, probably at Steeple Bumpstead, where all three are commemorated on a monument. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Thomas (c.1540-1603). Eldest son of John Bendish (c.1514-85) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Crawley, born about 1540. Educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1554) and Middle Temple (admitted 1557). He married 1st, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of John Ford of Frating and Great Horkesley (Essex); 2nd, Thomasine (d. 1590?), daughter of John or Simon Fincham and widow of William Bryan (d. 1573) of Bolingbroke (Lincs); 3rd, 16 February 1590/1 at St Peter-le-Poer, London, Alice Colstone (d. 1591); and 4th, 1592 (licence 7 June), Margery, daughter of Richard Greene of Little Stamford (Essex), and had issue:

(1.1) Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt. (q.v.);

(1.2) Richard Bendish (fl. 1635), of Frating (Essex) and Congham (Norfk); married 1st, 5 November 1594 at Swannington (Norfk), Elizabeth, daughter of William Riches, and had issue four sons and one daughter; married 2nd, Margaret Golding, and had issue one further son; living in 1635;

(1.3) John Bendish; died unmarried and without issue;

(1.3) Barbara Bendish; married Thomas Smyth (who m2, Elizabeth, daughter of Jasper Tryce of Godmanchester (Hunts), and had further issue one son and one daughter), of Wolferton (Norfk), and had issue four sons and one daughter;

(1.4) Mary Bendish (d. 1599?); possibly the person of this name buried at Frating, 16 December 1599;

(1.5) Elizabeth Bendish (d. 1642); married 1st, John Pepys (d. 1604) of Cottenham (Cambs) and had at least three sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 8 December 1607 at Cottenham, Richard Creycroft (1578-1634) of Cottenham; buried at Cottenham, 3 May 1642;

(1.6) Eleanor Bendish (fl. 1635); married, by 1592, her step-brother (who was no blood relation), Robert Bryan (1568-1627) of Bolingbroke, and had issue at least three sons and one daughter; living in 1635;

(1.7) Margaret Bendish; probably died unmarried in her father's lifetime.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1585, and probably bought Great Waltons to add to the estate. He also had an estate at Leverington, Wisbech, Tydd St Giles and Tydd St Mary in Lincolnshire and the Isle of Ely (now Cambs), which he bequeathed to his second son.

He died 23 February 1603/4 and was buried at Frating (Essex); his will was proved in the PCC, 12 March 1603/4. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His second wife is said to have died in 1590 and been buried at Frating but there is no corresponding entry in the parish register. His third wife died in her first year of marriage, 1591. His fourth wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Sir Thomas (c.1568-1636), 1st bt. Eldest son of Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) and his first wife, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of John Ford of Frating and Great Horkesley (Essex), born about 1568. He was created a baronet, 29 June 1611. High Sheriff of Essex, 1618-19, 1630-31. He married, 16 December 1587 at Debden (Essex), Dorothy (fl. 1649), youngest daughter of Richard Cutts of Arkesden (Essex), Debden and the Inner Temple, and had issue:

(1) John Bendish; died in infancy before 1612;

(2) Dorothy Bendish (b. c.1602), born about 1602; married, c.1625, Sir Thomas Hartopp (1600-61), kt. of Burton Lazars (Leics) and later of Normanton (Rutland) (who m2, before 1649, Mary Hopton), and had issue four sons and two daughters; perhaps died before 1635 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(3) Eleanor Bendish (b. c.1604); married Miles Fernley of Sutton (Suffk) or John Fearnley of Creeting (Suffk) and had issue; probably living in 1635;

(4) Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1604 and enlarged it considerably. He probably built the Jacobean Bower Hall on the estate.

He died at Bower Hall, 25 March 1636 and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead; his will was proved 26 May 1636. His widow was living in 1649 but her date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Sir Thomas (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. Only surviving son of Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt., and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Richard Cutts of Arkesden (Essex), born about 1607. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1624) and Middle Temple (admitted 1626). He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 25 March 1636. JP for Essex, 1638. In the same year he accused one Henry Perry of 'scandalous and uncivill speeches' against him in the Court of Chivalry, and won his case: Perry was obliged to make a humble apology. In 1642 he published a proclamation against the associating of counties, for which he was imprisoned by the Parliamentary faction in the Tower of London for nearly two years, and his estate was sequestered, and only returned to him on payment of a fine of £800. His personal sympathies lay with the Crown and in 1646-47 he sent King Charles I £3,000 while he was imprisoned at Newcastle. In 1647 the merchants of Constantinople, desperate to get rid of the existing English ambassador there, requested his appointment as a replacement, and this was approved by both Parliament and the King, for whom he was probably a compromise candidate; he had a salary of £2,000 a year. He made a leisurely journey to Constantinople, with a long sojourn in Italy, where his eldest daughter was married. He proved to be an able administrator, serving the interests of both the Commonwealth and the Levant Company and doing much to improve the profitability of the latter by reducing corruption. Inevitably he was not universally popular, and had to evade several attempts both locally and from London to undermine or replace him, but he continued to act as the English representative until 1661, when he was recalled by Charles II. He married, 16 October 1627 at Barkway (Herts), Anne (d. 1649), daughter and co-heir of Henry Baker of South Shoebury (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendish (c.1628-49), born about 1628; educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1646); drowned at sea when his ship, The Talent, was attacked by the French, 1649;

(2) Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt. (q.v.);

(3) Richard Bendish (b. c.1632), born about 1632; 

(4) Henry Bendish (d. 1663); died unmarried; administration of goods granted to his brother John, 16 June 1663;

(5) Andrew Bendish; employed by the Levant Company as a factor in Smyrna (Turkey) and perhaps later in Cairo (Egypt);

(6) Dorothy Bendish (c.1628-1701?), born about 1628; married 1st, c.1647, at Livorno (Italy), Philip Williams (d. 1650) of Livorno, and 2nd, by April 1650, Henry Bowyer (d. 1675?) of London, merchant; living in 1684, and possibly the woman of this name buried at Willesden (Middx), 2 January 1701/2;

(7) Abigail Bendish (b. c.1634), born by 1634; she and her husband were well-known for their lavish lifestyle at Smyrna (Turkey), hosting balls and concerts followed by feasts almost every night; she married Joseph Edwards (d. 1668), Levant Co. merchant at Smyrna (Turkey) and acting consul there in 1658, and had issue;

(8) Anne Bendish (1643-1718); married Sir Jonathan Dawes (1633-72), kt., a director of the East India Co., the Royal Africa Co. and the Levant Co. (assistant treasurer) and merchant, citizen (Alderman, 1669-72) and fishmonger of London, and had issue at least one son and five daughters; lived latterly at Holborn (Middx); buried at Great Bardfield (Essex), 20 February 1717/8; will proved 4 April 1718;

(9) Elizabeth Bendish (c.1648-1713), born about 1648; married, 1667 (licence 10 July), Gervase Cartwright (1631-95) of London, merchant, son of Timothy Cartwright, and had issue at least two sons (of whom one died in infancy) and two daughters; died 2 December 1713 and was buried at Ash (Kent), where she is commemorated by a monument; will proved 12 January 1714/5;

(10) Diana Bendish (d. 1674); married, 17 May 1674 at St Mary Magdalene, Old Fish St., London, Sir Strensham Masters (1640-1724), kt. of Codnor Park (Derbys) (who m2, 25 September 1690, Elizabeth Legh (1666-1714), and had issue); died without issue, 20 November 1674 and was buried at Great Bardfield (Essex);

(11) Susan Bendish (d. 1709); married, 15? October 1673 at St James, Clerkenwell (Middx), as his second wife, Sir William Hooker (1612-97), kt., Lord Mayor of London in 1673-74; buried at Great Bardfield, 6 January 1708/9; her will was proved in the PCC, 17 January 1708/9.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1636.

He is usually said to have died at Bower Hall in 1674, but a memorial brass at Steeple Bumpstead is said to give his date of death as 1672; his will has not been found. His wife died of plague in Constantinople in about November 1649 but her husband brought her body back to England for reburial at Steeple Bumpstead on his return from his embassy in 1661.

Bendish, Sir John (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt. Second, but eldest surviving, son of Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt., and his wife Anne, daughter and co-heir of Henry Baker of Shoebury (Essex), born about 1630. Probably educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1646). During the 1650s he was with his father in Constantinople and held a post at the embassy there, before returning to London to work for the Levant Company. He was appointed a commissioner of the militia for Suffolk, 1659. He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, c.1674. Citizen (freeman, 1672) and draper of London. In 1677 he became one of the farmers of the Law Duties, for which he and his partners undertook to pay £20,000 a year. For reasons which are unclear, at the end of his life he was declared bankrupt and imprisoned for debt in the Fleet Prison. He married, 14 July 1663 at St James Garlickhythe, London, Martha (1641-1705), daughter and heir of Richard Batson (c.1607-67) of London, merchant and cutler, and had issue:

(1) Anne Bendish (b. 1664), baptised at St James Garlickhythe, London, 6 October 1664; died young*;

(2) Thomas Bendish (b. 1668), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 17 December 1668; died young;

(3) John Bendish (b. 1670), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell (Middx), 2 February 1669/70; died young, presumably before 1675;

(4) Richard Bendish (b. 1671), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 9 March 1670/1; died young;

(5) Charles Bendish (b. 1672), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 1 June 1672; died young;

(6) Martha Bendish (b. 1673), born 29 June and baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 18 July 1673; died young;

(7) Robert Bendish (b. 1674), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 13 June 1674; died young;

(8) John Bendish (b. 1675), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 3 August 1675; died young;

(9) Sarah Bendish (1676-1752), born 30 December 1676 and baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 9 January 1677; married, 25 May 1710 at St Swithin, London Stone, London, John Crouch (later Pyke) (c.1669-1738) of Baythorne House, Birdbrook (Essex), but had no issue; by her will she bequeathed Bower Hall to Sir Stephen Anderson (1708-73), 3rd bt., of Eyeworth (Beds); buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 26 October 1752; will proved in the PCC, 21 October 1752;

(10) Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the Bower Hall estate from his father in about 1674, and bought Bide Mill House plantation in Barbados in 1675. He had, however, interests in Barbados as early as 1671, perhaps inherited from his father-in-law.

He died in the Fleet Prison, 22 April, and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 3 May 1707. His wife died 7 December and was buried 20 December 1705; her will was proved in the PCC, 14 January 1706.

* No burials have been traced for the members of this family who died young. It seems likely that they were buried at Steeple Bumpstead, where the registers do not begin until 1676 and appear incomplete in their early years.

Bendish, Sir Henry (c.1677-1717), 4th bt. Seventh but only surviving son of Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1706), 3rd bt., and his wife Martha, daughter and heiress of Richard Batson of London, merchant and cutler, born about 1677*. JP and DL (from 1705) for Essex. He succeeded his father as 4th baronet, 22 April 1707. Appointed High Sheriff of Essex, 1710, but did not act. He married, 6 February 1706/7 at St Paul's Cathedral, London, Catherine (d. 1739), daughter of Sir William Gostlin, kt. of Ealing (Middx), sheriff of London in 1684-85, and had issue:

(1) Henry Bendish (1713-14), born 5 November and baptised at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), 20 November 1713; died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 25 March 1714; commemorated on his father's monument.

He inherited the Bower Hall estate and Bide Mill House plantation from his father in 1706, and rebuilt the house at Bower Hall in 1717. He bequeathed the Essex estate to his widow for life with remainder to his sisters, and the plantation in Barbados to his cousin, Henry Roberts.

He died 4 September and was buried 11 September 1717 at Steeple Bumpstead, where he is commemorated by a fine standing monument; his will was proved 1 October 1717. The baronetcy became extinct on his death. His widow was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 6 March 1738/9; administration of her goods was granted to her brother, Charles Gostlin, 20 March 1738/9.

* His monument states that he died aged 43, but the spacing of his siblings baptisms mean that - unless he was a twin - he must have been born in the mid 1660s or late 1670s; the latter has been preferred here as giving an age nearer to what is recorded on his monument.

Principal sources

Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn, 1841, pp. 55-56; G.E. Cokayne, Complete Baronetage, vol. 1, 1900, p. 63; J. Kenworthy-Browne & P. Reid, 'Essex', in Burke's & Savills Guide to Country Houses: vol. III - East Anglia, 1981, p. 43; J. Bettley & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Essex, 2007, p. 749.

Location of archives

Bendish of Bower Hall: manorial records, estate and family papers, including correspondence of 2nd baronet, 17th-18th cents [Essex Record Office D/DU 2200; D/DHf]

Coat of arms

Argent, a chevron sable, between three rams' heads erased azure, armed or.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits or photographs of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 3 August 2023.