30
THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
and set up, 4 cases of birds, 8 cases of insects, 8 boxes of eggs, some
stuffed mammals, spiders, &c, and 210 bird skins, sold for £39.
Many of the lots were purchased by relatives, and presented to
the Southend Institute. This now contains his herbarium, con-
sisting of two large portfolios of plants and one of grasses, all well
preserved and carefully labelled; two volumes of meteorological
observations, extending from 1834 to May, 1869, and containing
daily entries relating to the wind, thermometer, rainfall, barometer,
&c, &c, from January, 1841, to the date named; the MS. already
alluded to; and a fine collection of stuffed birds and skins, pre-
sented by his executor. He has also left an interesting journal
of his natural history observations, which is now in the posses-
sion of his brother-in-law, Mr. Philip Benton, of Great Wakering,
for whom he prepared a flora of Rochford Hundred, which will
probably be printed at the end of his History of Rochford Hundred,
(35). Fart of his collection of butterflies and beetles is now in the
possession of Mr. Philip Benton, but the greater portion is with his
other specimens at the Southend Institute. Numerous references to
his birds, now at Southend, will be found scattered throughout this
work.
RUSSELL, Col. Champion (1820-1887), of Stubbers, North
Ockendon, was eldest son of the late Champion E. Branfill, of
Upminster Hall, but assumed the name of Russell on succeeding to
the estates of the late Joseph Russell. He married in 1855, Emily
Augusta, eldest daughter of the late Rev. C. Way. On March 3rd,
1852, he qualified as a Justice of the Peace for the county, and
among the county committees of which he was a member at the time
of his death were the Highways and Bridges, the Constabulary, and
the South Essex Licensing Committees. He was also a D.L. for
Essex, and was High Sheriff in 1858. Colonel Russell was for many
years connected with the Militia and Volunteer forces. He joined
the West Essex Militia, now the Fourth Battalion Essex Regiment,
as a captain in 1852. He was promoted to the rank of major in
1855, to hon. lieutenant-colonel in 1880, and retired from the service
in March, 1882, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. From 1860 to
1873 he was also captain of the Romford company of Rifle Volunteers.
He showed the vigour of his character at Cambridge by winning
the Wingfield Sculls, becoming amateur champion sculler of the
Thames in 1846. He was, however, above all things, a keen
observer of nature, an enthusiastic wild-fowl sportsman, and a
strong friend of fishermen gunners. Few faces were better known