THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
305
By the provisions of the will of the Earl of Carlisle the manor of
Sewardstone was purchased from the Trustees on 20th October, 1674, by
William Pocock, gent, and was afterwards in the hands of the Sotheby
family.
It is said that at Gillwell a small hunting lodge was built by Edward VI,
and although this may be so I know of no documentary corroboration
for this statement, and the six low-ceilinged rooms in the centre of the
house, the core of the present building, are probably of later date, and
most likely the erection of one of the later Dennys' or the William Pocock
who purchased the manor in 1674 ; but the house has been so altered
and added to at later dates that it is almost impossible to determine this.
The last additions were made circa 1790, when the exterior was covered
with slate slabs and the curious chimneys of the same material were
erected. Since that date no material change has been made as regards the
exterior, but considerable internal alterations have been made in adapting
the rooms for their present use. There is a cupboard in the kitchen,
formerly the library, which covers the entrance, now nearly filled in, of a
secret passage which opened out of this room. The passage was acciden-
tally discovered some years ago by someone who happened to press the
spring in the panelling. It is said to communicate with the cellars which
run under the whole of the house.
Nothing is known of the earlier residents of Gillwell, but towards the
end of the eighteenth century (c. 1790) a Mr. Tresillian was in possession
of the property. This gentleman was a Cornishman, and he it was who was
responsible for the restoration and additions in 1790, when the curious
chimney pots, said to be similar to those in vogue in North Cornwall at
the period, were placed in position. Margaret, the daughter of this
Mr. Tresillian, married Mr. William Chinnery, a highly placed official
in the Treasury, and lived at 44, Mortimer Street in London until the
end of 1798, when they removed to Gillwell, which Mrs. Chinnery had
inherited from her father. They had three children, George and Caroline,
twins, and Walter. The younger son, Walter, died in Paris in 1802, but
was buried in Waltham Abbey, where there is a flat stone near the chancel
end inscribed :—
" Here lieth the body of Master Walter Grenfall Chinnery, son
of William and Margt. Chinnery of Gilwell House in this parish.
Died 19 Nov. 1802, aged 10 years & 7 months."
His sorrowing parents erected to his memory a monument in the
grounds of their house, upon which is his name and the date of his death.
The daughter, Caroline, was not apparently blessed with good health,
for near the commemorative monument to Walter is a pillar recording
her recovery from a long and dangerous illness ; the rejoicing was pre-
mature however, for she died on April 3rd, 1812, about a year after the
erection of the pillar. She, too, is buried in Waltham Abbey and in the
north aisle is a marble urn surmounting a pillar, bearing the following
inscription :—
" To the memory of Caroline Chinnery, who died in the 21st year
of her age on the 3rd of April 1812. Esteemed by the world for her
accomplishments, but more deeply lamented by her family for her
virtues."