Wanstead

98. WANSTEAD. (B.e.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)lxv. S.E. ^(b)lxxiii. N.E.)

Wanstead is a parish and suburb of London, lying between Ilford and Low Leyton.

Roman

^b(1). In Wanstead Park, N. or N.W. of the Heronry Pond and about 1 m. N. of the Roman road from London to Colchester, a mosaic pavement, 20 ft. by 16 ft., was found and destroyed in 1715. It included the representation of " a man riding upon some beast and holding something in his hands" (? Bacchus on a panther). With it were found a silver coin, a small brass of Valens, pieces of roofing, flue-tiles, etc., and much pottery. Foundations were also observed 300 yards further S., on the opposite side of the pond and just outside the park palings. The pond is said to occupy the site of a well. In 1746 more urns, etc., were turned up in this area, and again in 1846 similar finds were made, apparently some two or three hundred yards further N. More recently, pottery and glass have been found in the gravel pits near the sewage farm, in the S.E. corner of the parish.

(Lethieullier in Stukeley's Letters and Diaries, Surtees Society, II. 154; Archaeologia I. 73 hence Morant, Essex, I. 28; Gough, Camden's Britannia, II. 50; Lysons Environs of London IV. 23, 87; Essex Arch. Soc. Trans. I. 199. Some of the pottery is in East Ham Museum. See Sectional Preface, p. xxix).

Ecclesiastical

^b(2). Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin was re-built to the N. of the old site in 1790, and contains from the old church the following:—

Fittings—Brass Indent: In churchyard—of figure in armour with shield and inscription plate, early 16th-century. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—on S. wall, (1) of Sir Josiah Child, Bart., 1699, and Barnard, his son, 1698, large marble monument (Plate p. 250), with centre piece and side wings standing on a panelled plinth, centre piece with fluted Corinthian columns, entablature and curved pediment, figure of a man in Roman costume on a pedestal, with a similar figure reclining below, on pediment two angels with trumpets; side wings each with a seated female figure and surmounted by an urn; one shield of arms. In N. aisle—at W. end, (2) to Capt. John Morice, 1638, alabaster and black marble tablet with cornice, scrolls and cherub-head. In S. aisle— at W. end, (3) to Mary, daughter of Robert Williamson, 1682–3, white marble tablet with cherub-heads, scrolls and shield of arms. In churchyard— (4) to Elizabeth, wife of Richard Allison, 1712, and their daughter Elizabeth, 1707, headstone; (5) to Mary, wife of Adam Holt, early 18th-century, headstone; (6) to B. . . . . wife of John Wooton, 1711, headstone; (7) to James Waly, 1685, headstone; (8) to E. W., 1702, head and footstones; (9) to Elizabeth Whaley, 1702, headstone. Floor-slabs: In churchyard, on site of old church—(1) to Jane, daughter of Henry Vincent, 1684; (2) to Edward, son of Sir Edward Farmer, 1708–9, with shield of arms; (3) to John Clarke, 1719, and Mary, his wife, 1711, with achievement of arms.

Secular

^a(3). Manor House, on the E. side of High Street, 750 yards N.N.W. of St. Mary's Church, is of two storeys, with cellars and attics; the walls are of brick and the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 18th century, but appears to have been refronted late in the same century. In front, the doorway has an original shell hood (Plate p. 80), with carved consoles, all refixed. Inside the building the hall and staircase have a round keyed arch between them, flanked by panelled pilasters, and original panelling with cornice and dado-rail. The main staircase has a close string, turned and twisted balusters, and square newels with moulded caps and pendants. Other rooms have original panelling and doors.

Condition—Good.

^a(4). Mount Pleasant, house, N. of (3), is of two storeys with cellars and attics; the walls are of brick and the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 18th century and has projecting side-wings to the front and a modern parapet. The entrance doorway, between the wings, has an original shell-hood and carved consoles. Inside the building, the entrance hall has original panelling, cornice, dado-rail and doorways. The staircase has turned and twisted balusters, close string and square newels.

Condition—Good.

^a(5). Stone Hall, N. of (4), is of three storeys; the walls are of brick and the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 18th century and has brick bands between the storeys. Inside the building the entrance hall has original panelling and between it and the staircase is a flat archway with panelled pilasters and two key-blocks. The staircase has turned and twisted balusters, close string and square newels with turned pendants. One room has an original fireplace with a moulded architrave and shelf. A room at the back has an early 17th-century ceiling (Plate p. 246), brought from elsewhere; it is divided into geometrical panels by moulded ribs enriched with scrolls, leaf and fruit ornament; the larger panels enclose various shields, including a merchant's mark, the Dyers' Company, etc. The frieze and cornice are of the same date and have shaped brackets and dentils; there is also some early 17th-century panelling. On the first floor is some re-used early 17th-century panelling, and some original cornices, dados, and architraves. The N. room has an early 17th-century fireplace (Plate p. 247) of stone, refixed; it has stop-moulded jambs and depressed head with the mark and arms mentioned above in the spandrels; it is flanked by enriched pilasters and surmounted by a frieze carved with conventional ornament and having a cartouche of arms in the middle; above is a panelled attic with a main entablature and pilasters, with four figures in front.

Condition—Good.

^a(6). Elm House, on the N. side of George Lane, 300 yards E. of High Street, is of three storeys, with cellars; the walls are of brick and the roofs are covered with slates. It was built early in the 18th century, but has been much altered. Inside the building, the entrance hall and staircase (Plate p. 246) have original panelling, cornice, dado rail and elliptical arches with panelled pilasters. Other rooms have original panelling and fireplaces, and the staircase to the second floor has turned and twisted balusters and a close string.

Condition—Fairly good.

^a(7). Grove Cottage, 300 yards N.E. of (6), is of two storeys, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built probably early in the 17th century, but has been entirely altered. Inside the building is an original door with moulded battens.

Condition—Good.