134 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by the President, Mr. E. A. Fitch,
F.L.S., to Prof. Boulger for his paper, and to Mr. Rowe for so kindly opening
his house and grounds, which was seconded by Mr. Walter Crouch, who also
wished to express his personal thanks to Mr. Rowe for the permission so-
freely accorded.
A ramble was then made across the fields to Hacton House, a red brick
mansion, built by William Braund, an uncle or brother of "The Belle of Essex,"
He lived with her at Upminster Hall after the death of her husband until they
quarrelled about a black servant of hers. Whereupon he bought the land at
Hacton, opened a clay pit, and burnt his own bricks for this house.
The party then proceeded by the footpath and across Gaines Park, where
Mr. Crouch made some remarks on the interesting history of the old manor
and its early owners. A new palladian house was built here for Sir James
Esdaile in 1771, designed by Paine, who also designed Thorndon and Hare
Halls ; but this was all pulled down in 1820, except .1 portion of the east wing.
Sir James also improved the park by planting shrubberies, and a pretty walk
on the west side, sheltered by Wych Elms, and turned the steam, on the south
Upminster Hall, from the "Topographer," 1789.
of the park, into a lake with islands, cascades, and an ornamental bridge of three
arches, over which, in his day, a pathway led to the Octagon Lodge at Corbet's
Tye. He also built Harwood Hall, for his son-in-law, the mansion at New Place,
or "Clock House," the "Bell Inn," the farmhouses of Tadlows and Hunts, etc.,
and it is no doubt due to him that the place is now so pleasant and rural.
On leaving the park, the party returned to the village by road, passing the old
farmhouse, Hoppy Hall, a picturesque place of timber and plaster, with a fine
cedar about 45 feet high, which was planted about 100 years ago. The largest
branch, which fell in 1852, was nearly 50 feet long.
On arriving at Upminster Hall, the members were very cordially welcomed
by Mr. and Mrs. Hope, who had provided a most substantial tea and other
refreshment. After tea the old house, with the family pictures of the Branfill's,
the pretty grounds and avenues, and Mr. Hope's extensive series of birds and
other natural history and geological collections were duly inspected.
The Manor of Upminster was for nearly five centuries the property of the
Abbey of Waltham Holy Cross, and the house was doubtless one of the quiet