THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 135
retreats of the abbots. They built a chapel, north of the hall, which Morant tells
us was of stone and entire in his day. It was pulled down about the middle of
last century by Champion Branfill, who then gave the font to the church. A
brick vault which still exists in the garden was probably that immediately under
the old chapel.
After the dissolution, the Manor was granted in 1538 to Thos. Cromwell, Earl of
Essex. On his execution, 1540, it reverted to the Crown and was alienated by
Henry VIII. to the Lathams (of North Ockendon and Stifford, and whose family
are well known in connection with the defence of Latham House in Royalist times),
who held it for 99 years, and after several changes it was purchased in 1685, from
the Earl of Gainsborough, by Captain Andrew Branfill, in whose family the
property still remains.4 The Hall, which is built of oak and plaster, was doubtless
the rebuilding of an older house by one of the later abbots, and is about 400
years old. The porch with its carved barge-boards and finial, and the large hall
with its massive beams and panels are probably the older portions of the building.
The staircase and gallery are later—of Carolean period —and other changes have
been made to meet the varying tastes of successive generations.
To the east of the Hall is a large fish pond with a rustic bridge across
it, and this might have formed in past times a portion of the Moat. On the
north is a triple avenue, consisting of two rows of chestnuts between two rows
of walnut trees.5 In the gardens are some very interesting plants in a semi-
wild condition, but the attention of the naturalists of the party was mainly
directed to Mr. Hope's collections, which are displayed in the great hall. The
large gatherings of Marine Algae from Harwich and its neighbourhood were
exhibited at a meeting of the Club on February 23rd, 1884, and some comments
were then made upon them by Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. Mr. Hope's cabinet
of Crag fossils is extensive, and his birds (nearly all of which were shot and
"put up" in cases by himself) are well worthy of careful examination. It would
be impossible to give here a full list of them (we may hope to print such a catalogue
hereafter), but a few of the more interesting Essex specimens, with Mr. Hope's
notes thereon, may be indicated :—
SOME ESSEX BIRDS IN MR. HOPE'S COLLECTION.
Parus britannicus, S. and D. (Coal Titmouse.) Common at Havering.
Motacilla melanope, Pall. (Grey Wagtail) Found dead at Upminster, under
the ice, February, 1888.
Passer domesticus, L. (Sparrow.) A white specimen at Havering in 1880.
Passer montanus, L. (Tree Sparrow.) At Havering and Stubbers Park.
Fringilla montifringilla, L. (Brambling.) Caught with sparrows at Stubbers,
in February, 1868.
Linota rufescens, Keill. (Lesser Redpole.) At Upminster, in February, 1888.
Corvus corone, L. (Carrion Crow.) Very common at Upminster, in February,
1887.
Corvus cornix, L. (Hooded Crow.) Shot on the "Main" (a tract of mud or
sand, about 12,000 acres, between the Maplin Sand and the Blackwater river),
February, 1874.
C. frugilegus, L. White specimen of Rook, at "Nelmes," Hornchurch,
June, 1888.
4 Captain Andrew Branfill had married in 1681, Damaris, daughter of John Aylett, of Kelvedon
Hatch, and grand-daughter of Captain Aylett, one of the Royalist defenders of Colchester, who
afterwards adopted the motto, "Not in Vain," which is still used by the Branfills.
5 Pretty views of the Hall, the willow island, the pond, the shrubbery, etc., and notable spots
in the neighbourhood, have been drawn by the present owner to illustrate the new edition of
Wilson's "Upminster,"