A House History Case Study: ERO Search Service

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In this blog post, Archive Assistant Robert Lee explores a previous example of how the ERO Search Service can assist with property history.

One such case was a search request from Mr. Ben Parker of Great Braxted. The purpose of which was to help establish a general history of a farm called “Brick House” (or Brickhouse), south of Kelvedon near the River Blackwater.

Indeed this now comprises modern dwellings, but the farm encompasses three buildings which are Grade II listed1 with Historic England. The individual listings contain abridged architectural descriptions (e.g. timber frame, thatched or tiled roof, if any later alterations are apparent) which work towards establishing an approximate biography of the building in question. Indeed, the three entries for Brick House cite “C17 or earlier”; “C16 origin”; “C18”, respectively. Clearly, then, a farm which spans several eras: a wide net for historical inquiry.

It is difficult to determine with complete accuracy, but there does look to be a farmhouse, stables, and perhaps a barn on the 1777 Chapman & Andre Map of Essex. It is just across from A Corn Mill – a mill still stands on this site in Great Braxted.

Section of a map of Braxted, Essex, showing estates, farms, and roads. The green‑shaded “Lodge” grounds sit near the centre below Kelvedon Hall, with trees, paths, and a small pond. Nearby labels include “Braxted,” “Peter Du Cane Esq.,” “Charles Buxton Esq.,” “Parsonage,” “Acorn Mill,” and “Durwards Hall.” A pink and blue boundary line on the right separates Braxted from Inworth, where “Windmill Hill” and “High Fields” are marked.
‘A map of the county of Essex from an actual survey taken in MDCCLXXII:LXXIII & MDCCLXXIV by John Chapman & Peter André’. (MAP/CM/37/4 Plate 13)

This is also the case on the Gt. Braxted Tithe Map [D/CT 48B], with the accompanying apportionment suggesting that the farmlands were occupied by a Thomas Brown and owned by Peter Du Cane III. Now, properties tend to be allusive in archives due to changing house names, street re-numbering, et cetera. “Brown’s Farm” is the given name of Brick House in 1839, presumably on account of Thomas’ occupancy. This is inferred by simply overlaying a modern street map onto the tithe plan, but this was also evidenced by W.A. Gimson’s local history work Great Braxted, 1086-1957 [LIB/E/BRAXG1], which helpfully correlates the tithe apportionment with modern place-names.

Close-up photograph of a historic black-and-white estate map, shown at a shallow angle with parts softly out of focus. Numbered fields (including 33, 36, 52, and 62) are outlined by thin lines, with narrow roads and boundaries running between them. A small cluster of buildings, drawn as dark shapes, sits near a road junction at the center. The map is printed or inked on pale paper, with fine linework and minimal shading.
Great Braxted Tithe Map 20 inches to 1 mile [72″ x 63″]. Dated 1839. (D/CT 48B)
Printed page from a 19th-century tithe apportionment document, titled “Articles Confirmed by the Tithe Commissioners,” dated July 1837. The page contains dense, neatly typeset tables listing landowners, property descriptions, rent charges, occupiers, acreage, and field numbers. Named entries include “Peter Du Cane, Esq.” with holdings such as “The Hall Farm,” “Tiptree House Farm,” and “Village Farm,” alongside numerous other farms, occupations, and parcels of land. Additional sections detail grain values (wheat, barley, oats), acreage totals, and tithe calculations. The page is cream-colored with black print, organized into multiple columns.
‘Great Braxted, 1086-1957’ by W.A. Gimson. (LIB/E/BRAXG1)

We can see Thomas Brown’s payments in an 1838 tithe survey as well [D/DDC E11]. The accounts for Brown’s farm are broken down into more detailed plots than the tithe apportionment, and include House, Garden, Yards; Cart Lodge Field; and Barn Meadow Field – which correlate with the three Historic Building listings.

Page of a ledger organised in ruled columns titled “Name & description of lands & premises,” “State of cultivation,” “Quantities in statute measure,” and “Amount of rent charge.” Each row contains handwritten measurements and figures in multiple columns. The page is yellowed with age, written in dark ink, and feature neat tabular formatting.
Page of a ledger organised in ruled columns titled “Name & description of lands & premises,” “State of cultivation,” “Quantities in statute measure,” and “Amount of rent charge.” Each row contains handwritten measurements and figures in multiple columns. The page is yellowed with age, written in dark ink, and feature neat tabular formatting.
Survey of Great Braxted, dated 1838. (D/DDc E11)

It is clear, however, that Peter DuCane III was the principal landowner within Great Braxted. The DuCanes were prominent cloth merchants, the family having descended from Hugenot ancestry. Peter DuCane purchased Braxted Park from the Darcy family in 1745; an estate which includes Braxted Lodge, a Georgian Mansion. Given Peter DuCane’s ownership, and its proximity to Braxted Park, it seemed plausible that Brick House Farm was formerly an aggregate of the whole estate. This was confirmed by a 1923 Sale Catalogue for Braxted Park [SALE/A62] which includes Lot 5, A Desireable Dairying and Corn Granary Farm known as Brickhouse farm.

Sale catalogue cover for the estate “Braxted Park,” printed in black text on a beige page. The heading reads “Within One Hour of London,” followed by details of distances to Witham, Chelmsford, and Colchester. The document advertises the “richly wooded residential sporting and agricultural estate,” including a large residence, parkland, farms, cottages, and a total acreage of 2,042 acres. Auction details at the bottom state sale by John D. Wood & Co. at the Saracen’s Head Hotel, Chelmsford, on Friday 20 July 1923.
Section of map showing a rural area labelled “Great Braxted Mill” and “Brickhouse Farm” beside the River Blackwater. The map is divided into numbered plots of land (including 5, 7, 8, 201–227), each shaded in muted greens, browns, and creams. Buildings are indicated with small black shapes near the mill and farm. Thin lines mark roads and boundaries, with a stream or inlet running along the left edge. The overall style is hand-drawn with clear labels and field divisions typical of an old estate or parish map.
Sale catalogue for Braxted Park, Great Braxted. Includes photographs and plan. Dated 20 July 1923. (SALE/A62)

For the remainder of the search, we looked at establishing more historical occupants. Maldon district’s electoral registers show an Anthony Patten residing here from 1891-1902. The 1910 Finance Act records show a John Melson residing at the farm. On the 1911 National Census, Thomas Goodwin and his family reside here – as is the case in the 1912 & 1914 Essex Trade Directories. In the 1926 and 37 Trade Directories, Ralph Goodwin lives here.

If you would like us to look into the history of your house in Essex, contact us for details of how to get started.

  1. Grade II indicating “particularly important buildings of more than special interest” ↩︎

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