THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 57
passing Bolts Farm, to the seawall embanking the river Roach, where, it
being now after 1 o'clock, lunch was despatched. Some characteristic
Saltmarsh plants wore collected on the saltings, as Aster Tripolium (mostly
the rayless form) and Sea Lavender, and Mr. Mothersole was fortunate in
picking up two good flint implements, with several flakes, on the muddy
fore-shore.
After lunch, the party returned via Bolts Farm past the moated Muck-
ing Hall by farm road and field paths to Butler's Farm and so to Sutton.
On the way a short detour was made to inspect a mound, near the river
Roach and Butler's Farm but in the parish of Shopland, which Dr. A. G.
Francis, who was of the party, had been aware of for many years past, and
which he considered might be a tumulus. The mound is now about 5
feet in height above the general level of the field in which it stands and is
surrounded by a distinct fosse ; the total diameter is about 40 feet. Dr.
Francis gave the party an interesting account of the Belgo-British barrows
of which this mound may possibly be an example : at the same time, the
possibility of its being nothing more than a mill-mound must not be
excluded. Although the spade alone can decide the point, it was sug-
gested that local enquiries might help to elucidate the mystery of its origin.
At Sutton, the small parish church of All Saints was visited and proved
to be of considerable interest, dating back as it does to Norman times.
The Chancel arch, the N. doorway (now blocked) and several windows
remain of the 12th century work, with its characteristic tooling, while the
Early English S. doorway added in the following century is a typical
example of its period. The 15th century bell turret is supported by oak
timbers which are visible inside the nave, as in many other of our Essex
churches.
The timber S. porch, which bears the date 1633, is lined internally with
oak dado-panelling, evidently removed from elsewhere, which bears several
names and dates neatly cut into the rails : they include SAMVELL
PVRCHAS 1647, CHARLES HOBSON 1647, and an imperfect, —ARD
BRITRIDGE perhaps also of 1647 date, as well as other modern names,
ft is interesting to note that Samuel Purchas was rector of Sutton from
1629 to 1658 and the carefully cut inscription of that name may well have
been his work : it could not be that of his father, the celebrated historian
of the same name, vicar of the neighbouring parish of Eastwood from 1604
to 1614, as he died in 1626. The imperfect inscription is evidently the
record of Richard Britridge, only son of William Britridge, who succeeded
Chas. Hobson in the ownership of Sutton Hall about that time. Both the
Hobsons and the Britridges were related to Purchas by marriage.
From Sutton, the visitors made their way to Rochford, where tea
was taken at the King's Head Hotel in the Market Square. A short meet-
ing of the Club was held subsequently, with Miss Lister in the chair, when
thanks were warmly accorded to our three conductors for their services
throughout the day. The Hon. Secretary announced with regret the
serious illness, from pneumonia and pleurisy, of our president, Sir David
Prain, and he was asked to send the president, in the name of the Club,
a message of deep sympathy and best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
A short walk to Stambridge Mill was then undertaken to fill the interval
of one hour before the departure of the London train at 6.55 o'clock.
Throughout the walk, watchful note was taken of the natural objects