Woodford

107. WOODFORD. (B.e.)

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

Woodford is a parish and suburb of London adjoining Walthamstow on the E.

Ecclesiastical

^b(1). Parish Church of St. Mary has been entirely re-built, except the tower, which is said to have been built in 1720. The church contains from the old building the following:—

Fittings—Bells: six and sanctus; sanctus said to be by Mathew Bagley, 1708. Brasses: In S. aisle—on E. wall, (1) to Ann, wife of Daniel Thelwall, 1638, inscription only. On S. wall (2) to Jane (Wadnall), wife of Robert Mab, 1616, inscription only; (3) inscription recording benefactions of Robert Rampston, 1585; (4) to Katherine, daughter of James Cambell, 1652. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—on S. wall, (1) square alabaster panel with shield of arms, probably part of former monument to Robert Wynch, 1590. In N. aisle—on N. wall, (2) to Anne (Melvil), wife of Dr. Thomas Holbech, 1666, alabaster and black marble tablet flanked by Ionic pilasters with pediment and cartouche of arms. In S. aisle—on S. wall, (3) to Richard Bayly, 1694, white marble tablet with scroll work, cherub-heads and cartouche of arms; (4) of Rowland Elrington, 1595, and Agnes (Cage), his wife, marble wall-monument with arched recess, flanked by carved pilasters and containing kneeling figures of man and wife in civil costume at prayer-desk, entablature, obelisks, achievement and shield of arms. Floor-slabs: In N. aisle—(1) to John Cowland, 1700; (2) to Sarah, wife of James Tutt, 1699, with shield of arms. In churchyard—E. of N. aisle, (3) to Sir Thomas St. George, 1703, Garter King at Arms, and Anne (Lawson), his wife; (4) to David Hills, 1681.

Condition—Good, re-built.

Secular

^a(2). Essex House, ¾ m. N.N.E. of the parish church, was re-built in the 19th century on the site of Grove House, and contains from the old building a number of fittings all of late 16th-century date. These include two stop-moulded door frames, some panelling, and a dentilled frieze with fluted brackets and arabesque ornament and wooden scroll work or cresting, now in the fanlight of the front door. On the walls of the entrance hall are fixed a series of plaster ornaments, including medallion busts of Alexander the Great and Augustus, cartouches of the arms of the Grocers' Company and the Merchant Venturers; two shields of the Tudor royal arms, one with the garter and initials E.R., Tudor rose and fleur-de-lis, and a large lion's head in a wreath. The N. wing of the house forms a separate dwelling and may incorporate some old work. Set in a chimney-stack is a brick panel with the initials and date I^LB 1580, possibly for John Lambert, grocer. On the S. side are cartouches of arms of the two companies mentioned above. Inside the building is some panelling, a doorway, door and window, all of late 16th-century date.

Condition—Good, re-built.

^b(3). Stables, at the Grove, 300 yards S. of the parish church, are of two storeys; the walls are of brick with a band between the storeys; the roofs are tiled. They were built late in the 17th century and have original door frames and windows with solid mullion and transom.

Condition—Good.