78
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
end (which shows four small original windows, now mured), are evidently the
oldest portions of the house, being of Elizabethan brickwork. Most of the rest
of the house is of timber and plaster, but the south face is of last century
brick. In 1890, one of the large chimney-stacks and the two westernmost gables
were pulled down, having become dilapidated, and the end was made good by a
smaller brick addition, which has greatly marred the former picturesque appear-
ance of the house. Running up from the road to the front of the now-removed
gables may be seen traces of an old drive, which, doubtless, was once an avenue,
as a row of fine elm-trees, sixteen in number, still remains on one side. The
present drive runs parallel to the old at a distance of about fifty yards.
The interior of the house presents some fine old oak-work. One of the largest
bedrooms is very handsomely panelled from floor to ceiling, and the kitchen is
also partly panelled. In one of the downstairs rooms, too, there is a large beam
encased in panel-work. The best feature, however, is the staircase and landing
of solid oak, with fairly good carving on the tall square uprights, which are
placed at each bend of the stairway. Though not imposing as regards size, this
staircase is a very good and handsome example of its kind. The whole of this
oak work, Mr. Chancellor considers to be coeval with the older portion of the
house, but Mr. Christy is inclined to regard it as somewhat later—perhaps
Jacobean.
The house is certainly one of the most interesting and picturesque in the
neighbourhood of Chelmsford, and it is little wonder that it has long enjoyed a
reputation for being haunted. The ghostly inhabitant (which has never been
seen by the present tenant, who is a teetotaller) is not known to have assumed
any definite shape ; but the late Mr. Bott, who resided many years at Pryors,
told Mr. Christy many years ago that when, or shortly before, he took the house
(which was early in the present century) it had lain for fifty or sixty years
uninhabited, solely because it was supposed to be haunted, hurdles being placed
at the windows to allow of the ascent of the turkeys and other poultry which
were kept in all the upstairs rooms.
The garden, which is probably the site of an earlier house, is surrounded by
the remains of a moat.
The necessity for an early return to Chelmsford, to hold the Annual Meeting,
prevented a long stay at this interesting spot, nor could Mr. T. V. Holmes'
address on the Geology of Chelmsford be taken (notes of it are printed in this
part of THE Essex NATURALIST, ante, p. 65). After a cordial vote of thanks to
our host, a brisk walk across the ploughed fields brought the visitors back to
Chelmsford for "high tea" at the "Saracen's Head."
In the evening the Thirteenth Annual General Meeting of the Club
was held in the Museum, New Bridge Street, Chelmsford, Dr. Henry Laver,
President, in the chair, and afterwards Mr. F. Chancellor.
The minutes of the twelfth Annual General Meeting, held at Loughton on
March 19th, 1892, were read and confirmed.
The Secretary read the report of the Council for the year 1892 (see p. 70),
and referred to the fact that that was the first meeting of the amalgamated
societies, the Essex Field Club and the Essex and Chelmsford Museum.
Mr. Walter Crouch read the report of the Auditors, which showed that the
amount received during the year was £208 17s.11d. There is about £50 out-
standing for subscriptions. The amount spent was £191, and the adverse balance
of £113 6s. 9d. with which the year commenced had been reduced to £95 13s. 10d.
The assets and liabilities account showed assets of £171 over liabilities.
The Report and Statement of Accounts were received and adopted.
Mr. J. C. Shenstone and Mr. Cook were nominated as scrutineers of the
ballot for the election of officers.