Hide

South Benfleet

hide
Hide

“BENFLEET (SOUTH), a parish in the hundred of BARSTABLE, county of ESSEX, 4 miles (S. W. by S.) from. Rayleigh, containing 515 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Essex, and diocese of London, rated in the King's books at £16. 5. 5., and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. King Alfred, in the year 894, took and destroyed a castle here, built by the celebrated Danish pirate Hesting. The creek called Hadleigh Key, or Bay, from its passing by Hadleigh, runs up between this place and Canvey island, and is navigable for small craft; and the other creeks, entering from the Thames round Benfleet, are noted for producing good oysters.” [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) - copyright Mel Lockie 2016]

Hide
topup

Census

  • Census returns are available from the usual sources for 1841-1911, which includes most copies held at the ERO, Wharf Rd, Chelmsford. More information on other ways to view these census returns on the Essex
topup

Church History

topup

Description & Travel

You can see pictures of South Benfleet which are provided by:

topup

Gazetteers

topup

Historical Geography

  • South Benfleet was a member of the Barstable Hundred
topup

Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference TQ780861 (Lat/Lon: 51.545719, 0.565664), South Benfleet which are provided by:

topup

Poor Houses, Poor Law

  • South Benfleet was a member of the Rochford Poor Law Union