Saffron Walden

Saffron Walden is the principle town in the north west of Essex, the area where the Savill family originates.
A Brief History Of Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden is an historic medieval town and over the 360 years between 1140 and 1500, the success of different trades helped Saffron Walden grow up to become the successful and thriving town that it is today. Saffron Walden is the only town in the country to be associated with the precious crop, saffron. Saffron was in great demand for the woollen industry and brought wealth to the town. The church benefited greatly from this commodity as spare gardens were used to grow saffron to provide money for the church. The wealth the church gained can still be seen today in the form of the magnificent spire which adorns the church. Malt was another commodity which Saffron Walden successfully traded in the 1870's, Conical shaped roofs of the maltings dominated the skyline and there were once as many as 15 pubs in the town of which only a few remain today. The income provided by trading helped fund a market square, a motte and bailey castle and of course the church and there is evidence to suggest that the town was abundant in other trades, with streets such as 'Butchers Row' and 'Tanner Row' among others showing that there was much more economic activity. The cattle market also played an important part in the successful trade in the town. These were originally held in the current market square before being moved to Hill Street, which was closed and replaced by in a supermarket in the early 1980's although the original gate to the market still stands as a prominent landmark. The town market is said to be one of the earliest in Essex (started in around 1141) and the town grew up around it.

Littlebury

A small village in the north west corner of essex. Population 1861.Like most of these villages that I mention it came known to me through a birth certificate, that of Nathaniel. How they lived in these small villages is largly unknown; writers like to emphasis the poverty and distress, which did exsist, but there must have been some relieve. These people didn't expect much from life and were therefore more easly satisfied; today we demand more and still plead poverty.

Little Chesterford

Population In the 1841 census there were a total of 229 people living here in 48 houses, by 1861 the population had grown to 276
This is a tiny village near Saffron Walden where my great great grandmother (Sarah Smith) was born in 1810. Apparently she never got baptised there, at least not in the C of E church, maybe another religion claimed her.
Here is another example of how little I know, I am willing to learn!!

Newport

Population in 1861 the grand total of 886 This picture of Newport Church appears to have been taken by fish eye lens, though I am sure it wasn't. A little clipart to remind us that Newport was indeed a port. When Nathaniel was married in 1857 his father Samuel was discribed as a Dock Labourer.

Rickling

This small village near Saffron Walden in Essex is where several of Nathaniel's children were born. In1841 there were 445 people living here in a total of 95 houses. Grand mother was born here and in 1871 she lived at 71, High Road. Her father was one of the two blacksmiths in the village he also kept a beer house.
When I get the chance to visit this area I will learn more, in the mean time perhaps you can tell me.

Wenden

Wenden is a parish in the Saffron Walden District. The Population in 1861 was Wenden Ambro 401 and Wenden Lofts a hamlet 67. Earlier in 1841 there were 82 houses and 347 people in Wenden Ambro.
Here is the starting point of my family history. Here George Savill lived and was married in 1787 to Mary Reed. They were the grand parents of Nathaniel.
Once again I only mention it in the hope of somebody telling me more.