|
|
|
|
Tillingham Village- Historical Jottings Tillingham is a small village in rural farmland about 12 miles to the east of Maldon.
Prehistoric and Roman Most of Tillingham comprised of marsh-land with creeks and inlets and small areas of gravel ridges and island in the marsh. Finds from the Neolithic and bronze ages indicate that the area was populated in prehistoric times. There are many red hills indicating occupation during the later iron age and roman times. Saxon and Medieval Its name is believed to mean the settlement of the people of Tili. By AD 610 Tillingham was sufficiently established to be recorded as a gift from King Aethelbert of Kent to Bishop Mellitus as part of the new Bishopric of London. From this mention on Tillingham appears regularly in documents. In 1086 the Domesday book records Tillingham as 20 villagers; 8 smallholder's, 4 slaves with 1 mill, 1 fishery, 15 cattle, 30 pigs and 340 sheep. By this time a filed system can be identified and the numbers of animals suggest that there were several large farms. Many of these farms survive today. Howe Farm - recorded in 1222 as Howich Farm East and West Hyde - Named after Roger de la Hyde who lived in Tillingham in 1272 Leggats farm - named after Givischard Ledet who framed the land in 1276 Midlands Farm - Named after the Midlyng family who farmed from 1318 to 1499 Stowes Farm - The farmhouse dates from the 15th century Dots and Melons - named after Warinus Dote who was recorded in 1222 Packards - This was named after Richard pakkard who was recorded at the farm in 1495 Sixteenth Century onwards The end of the 15th century and the 16th century saw changes to Tillingham as serious attempts began to reclaim the marshes. Over 300 years about 900 acres were reclaimed min the Tillingham area including land at Bridgewick, Grange Farm, Midlands farm, Weatherwick and Shellwick. The work was finally completed in 1799 by the famous Rector of Bradwell Henry Bate-Dudley. Maps and Tithes for this period paint a picture of regular reclamation until the coastline that we know it today was established. Not only did this improve the amount of land available for farming but it improved health with a reduction of diseases associated with the marshland. Many of the old buildings survive making Tillingham an interesting place for historians to visit. There are about 30 listed building in the village with most concentrated on the village centre at South and North Street.
|
 |
|||
|
