THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
259
trated by lantern photographs and diagrams, and by living and preserved
specimens of the creature. A discussion followed, in which several members
took part, and the author was accorded the thanks of the meeting for
his paper.
Mr. Wilkins exhibited portion of an oak-pile bored by the crustacean,
Limnoria and the mollusc Teredo, together with specimens of the animals,
and presented same to the Museum.
Thanks were given to Mr. Wilkins for his donation.
VISIT TO THE CHINGFORD DISTRICT
(653RD MEETING).
SATURDAY, 16TH MARCH, 1929.
Some forty members availed themselves of an opportunity of visiting
some of the older houses in the valley of the Ching, under the very capable
leadership of Mrs. A. R. Hatley, B.Sc, F.R.G.S., on the above afternoon.
The weather was fine and sunny, and the somewhat long itinerary was
carried out in its entirety, and yielded a vast amount of interest.
Leaving Chingford railway station at 2.30 o'clock, a brisk walk soon
brought the party to its first objective, Pimphall Farm, which, at present
unoccupied, was thrown open for inspection. Our leader called attention
to the architectural features of the house and its outbuildings, which were
explored in detail. The picturesque half-timbered dove house of 17th
century date, the projecting pillared porch, which, although probably
itself of much later date, bears the date 1576 of the oldest part of the
building, the 18th century panelling to many of the rooms, and the
magnificent timber barn, in turn attracted attention.
Mr. S. J. Barns kindly communicates the following historical notes
on this and the other houses visited.
PIMP HALL.
Originally incorporated in the manor of Chingford Comitis, or Earls,
so called from its ownership by the Bourchiers, Earls of Essex, Pimp
Hall, probably as a separate holding, escaped forfeiture to the Crown
when the estate of John, Earl of Athol, so passed for his adherence to the
cause of Robert Bruce in the time of Edward I., but it certainly, as a
reputed manor, fell into the hands of Henry VIII. in 1537, by exchange
for other lands with the Earl of Rutland. By that monarch it was
perhaps granted to Richard Scott, under the name of Gowers and
Buckerills for, in the Essex Fines, Michaelmas 30 Henry VIII., we find
"George Monoux, citizen and alderman of London, and Giles Brugge,
citizen and draper of London, plaintiffs, Richard Scott and Mary his wife,
defendants. The Manor of Buckerells and the messuage, 80 acres of
land, 30 acres meadow, 100 acres of pasture, 40 acres wood, 10 acres marsh,
and 20s. rent in Shyngelford alias Chyngeford. Defendants quit claimed
to plaintiff and the heirs of George. Consideration 200 marks." This
was in 1539. George Monoux died 9 Feb., 1543-4, and was buried in Wal-
thamstow Church. The estate then apparently reverted to the Crown,
for by Letters Patent in 1544, Henry VIII. granted it as "that Manor
and capital messuage of Gowers and Buckerel with 181 acres of land,
late parcel of the possession of George Monoux," to Geoffrey Lukyn