264
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
The conveyances were sent off to Little Baddow and the party walked across
Lingfield Common (noticing the sundew (Drosera) and other interesting plants
by the way) to Little Baddow. At the small and ancient church (Virgin Mary)
the party was met by the Rector, the Rev. T. J. Taylor, who described the
interesting features of the building. It is chiefly of rubble-work, and with
Roman tiles in places. The south door is probably Norman. It contains many
interesting monuments, two at least supposed to date from the time of Stephen,
and there are two piscinae. Altogether a church well worth visiting. At the
"Hoppitt" the members received a very hearty welcome from Mr. and Mrs.
Briscoe, and tea was taken in the garden. Then, in the building itself, which
closely adjoins, the Rev. J. Burgess gave an account of the Old Independent
Chapel, and the notable men who had been connected with it. The Huguenot
family of Morrell1 were closely connected, with Little Baddow as pastors of the
Chapel. The most distinguished was John D. Morrell, who was born at the
Manse in 1816, who was well-known as a as a philosophical writer and author of
Morrell's Grammar, John Eliott, the "Apostle to the Indians," lived at the
farmhouse called the "Cuckoos,'' where with Thomas Hooker, excommunicated
by Laud, he carried on a school, and preached at the Chapel, before both
embarked on the "Lyon" for Boston.
A short Ordinary Meeting (the 248th) was held to confirm the minutes, and
very hearty votes of thanks were passed to Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe for their
kindness, and to Dr. Salter and the Rev. J. Burgess for their most valuable
services. The return journey was by way of Boreham and Springfield to
Chelmsford. The day was beautifully fine, and a most enjoyable day was spent in
this pleasant district, one of the most delightful in Essex to the naturalist and
archaeologist.
References fo Geological Papers :
Geological Survey Map, No 1, N.E.
Ordnance Survey Map, No. 241.
1899. Whitaker, W. "Geology of London," vol. i.
1904 Salter, A. E. "On the Superficial Deposits of Central and parts
of Southern England." Proc. Geol. Assoc., vol. xix. pp. 30, 31,
where other references are given.
DEDICATION OF PART OF HAINHAULT FOREST AS AN
OPEN SPACE.
Saturday, July 2ist, 1906.
On this afternoon the dedication of the rescued portions of Hainhault Forest
for the use of the public for ever was made by the Right Hon. the Earl of
Carrington, President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, under the
conduct of Mr. Evan Spicer, J.P., Chairman of the London County Council. An
account of the ceremony and details of the lands dedicated is crowded out in
this place ; but will be given in the next volume of the Essex Naturalist.
1. A very full account of the Morrells and of John Elliott, and their connection with
Little Baddow, will be found n the Essex Review, vols. i. and iii.