Evidence of a Romano-British farmstead, said to have been occupied during the 1st and 3rd
centuries, was discovered west of Corbets Tey during gravel digging in Upminster in 1962. In
medieval Upminster, settlement seems to have been in three clusters: the village itself, and
the hamlets of Hacton and Corbets Tey, which expanded slowly, with a few scattered farms being
built at the north and south ends of the parish. Although it was completely rebuilt in 1861-62, St Laurence's
church on the
Corbets Tey Road retains a tower with stonework dating to around 1200, and it is believed a
church may have existed on or near this site as early as the 7th century.
There were three manors recorded in Upminster in 1086, the largest of which, originally
known as the manor of Upminster, was later known as Gaynes, or Engaynes, after Vitalis Engayne who
acquired it in 1214. New Place began as part of the Gaynes estate in 1556, but in 1775 a new
house was built on the site by Sir James Esdaile, who developed several of the houses in
Upminster. He added a clock turret, which came from Woolwich Arsenal, to the roof of the
stable block. It houses a clock made in 1774 by famous London clock maker, Edward Tutet. New Place
itself was demolished in 1924, but the stable block remained and is known today as the
Clockhouse.
The third manor of Upminster, also known as Waltham Upminster and Upminster Hall, was gifted
to the college (later abbey) of Waltham Holy Cross in the 9th century by Earl Harold. It is
said that today the ghosts of the monks can be glimpsed in a tree walk in the nearby playing
fields that were part of the estate! The manor saw many changes in ownership over the years until
1686 when it was bought by Andrew Branfil, and it remained in his family until the early 20th
century. Today it is home to the Upminster Golf Club.
The economic history of Upminster has chiefly been that of mixed agriculture, with an
upsurge in market-gardening in the 19th century. This agricultural heritage is evidenced in two fine
monuments still to be seen today. As well as Upminster Windmill of 1803, there is Upminster
Barn (also known as Upminster 'Tithe' Barn), which is thought to have been built in the early
15th century, and was used as a threshing barn. Both are now heritage attractions open to the
public.
Upminster Windmill stands on Upminster Hill and was built by local farmer James Nokes in
1803. It is the largest smock mill remaining in the London area, and considered to be one of the
finest examples. It is now open to the public as a heritage attraction.
Alice Perrers lived at Gaynes Manor, Upminster. She died there in 1400 after a life of great
notoriety. She was married to Sir William of Windsor, Viceroy of Ireland, but was also the
notorious mistress of Edward III. Her influence over the king led to accusations of
witchcraft in 1376.
William Derham was vicar of Upminster from 1689 to 1735. A natural philosopher, and the
author of many research papers, he is credited with producing the earliest, reasonably accurate
estimate of the speed of sound. He became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1702, and lived
in High House until his death in 1735.
Lady Edna Clarke Hall, an artist and poet, lived in Great House, a 16th century farmhouse in
Upminster. She studied at the Slade School of Art in 1895-9 and had several exhibitions from
1901 onwards. Several of her drawings are held in the Tate Gallery. She died in 1979, aged
100.
Henria Williams lived in Upminster and was active in the Suffragette movement. In a march on
the House of Commons in 1910 there was a disturbance that would become known as 'Black Friday'.
Many protesters, including Williams, were badly injured by police. Sadly, Williams died suddenly
two months later from heart failure.
Ian Dury, painter, musician and actor was born in Harrow in 1942, but after his parents
separated he moved with his mother to Cranham. He reflected his teenage Teddy boy life
around
Upminster in the song 'Upminster Kids,' and titled one of his albums 'Lord Upminster'.
...that High House, built in 1580, was home to many notable people including Major Frederick Howard, who died at the Battle of Waterloo? Lord Byron, the poet, was a friend of Howard's, and when the house was demolished in 1935, the parade of shops built on the site was named 'Byron Parade' in recognition of his visits.