THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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Common was next reached. This is an interesting piece of ground inter-
sected by deep valleys, and largely covered with scrub oak.
A piece of adjoining woodland known as the "Poors Piece," belonging
to the Little Baddow Parish Council, was also visited. It is about 10
acres in extent, and is regularly cut for fuel, each section being cut at about
10 year intervals. Thence by field paths, Lingwood Common was reached
Many interesting plants were met with during the six-mile ramble,
Convallaria majalis occurred in abundance on the heaths, but did not
appear to flower freely. Geranium pyrenaicum and Corydalis claviculata,
the pretty little "Climbing Fumitory," were frequent, and other note-
worthy finds were Coronopus didymus, Potentilla argentea, Alchemilla
arvensis, and the rare fern, Lastrea Thelypteris, which was abundant
in one of the bogs. The. early season was evidenced by the profusion
of Dog Rose and Honeysuckle, both in full bloom.
An interesting lichen, Lecidea quernea, in good fruit, was growing on
an oak-trunk at Riffham's Park, and was secured for the Club's herbarium.
From Lingwood Common the party traversed woodlands and field
paths to Little Baddow Church, which dates mainly from the 14th century,
although portions of the walls are much older. Roman bricks have been
used in quoins and arches. Here are two more wooden effigies of a man
and a woman, in civilian dress, of late 14th century date, possibly two
members of the Filiol family, who were once Lords of the Manor. There
is a fine Jacobean tomb to Sir Henry Mildmay, of "Great Graces."
The Old Congregational Meeting House erected in 1707 by the Barring-
ton family was then inspected ; this is probably the oldest Nonconformist
place of worship in the county, and is an excellent example of the work-
manship of the period. A recent discovery of some antiquarian interest
was pointed out, the name
Sr. Bruce,
1740.
having been found scratched on the door, under the paint-work, during
re-decoration.
Little Baddow is memorable for its association with John Eliot, "the
apostle of the Indians" (1604-1600), a native of Essex, who stayed here
for a time with the celebrated Thomas Hooker. In 1631 he sailed in the
"Lyon" for America, and settled as minister at Roxbury, Mass., where he
remained until his death. Eliot regarded the Indians of New England
as the descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel, and he undertook the
translation of the entire Bible into the tribal dialect of the Natick Indians,
a herculean task which he completed by 1663, and the volume was
printed at Cambridge, Mass., in that year. He also published an Indian
grammar. John Eliot's Indian Bible was the first ever printed in America ;
the Natick dialect has since become extinct.1
The party then proceeded to "The Hoppet," and was most hospitably
received by Mrs. Briscoe and her daughter. Tea was taken on the lawn
in the welcome shade of some lofty trees.
After tea a short Meeting (the 517th) of the Club was held, with the
President in the chair, when the following ladies were elected members :—
Mrs. Kate Paulson, of "Glenroy," Cecil Park, Pinner, Middlesex.
1. For further biographical details of John Eliot, see Journ, of Proc. Essex Field Club, iv.,
1885, p. xxxvi.