A Study of the Strood by W.E. Duane. Chapter 3. Page 13.

The Development of the Strood from Early Maps contd.

... gives the outward appearance of an early Victorian Villa with a yard and single storey brick outhouses. No land masses such as the Ray in the Strood Channel or the saltings in the Pyefleet are shown on this map.

John Chapman and Peter André show it as unfenced from the limit of the mainland to the rising ground on the Island.

In 1781 [Note 1] Bowles New Pocket Map of Essex was produced, scale 1" - 3m. This shows the road from Langenhoe on to Mersea Island as fenced roadway as does John Carey's "1789 Map of Essex from the best Authorities Engraved". Bowles names the Island as Mersey but Carry names it Mersea.

On his New Pocket Map, Bowles shows the Ray in the correct position but in the reprints of this in 1801 an 1811 he alters the spelling of Mersea to Mercey.

In 1804 Charles Smith produced a "New map of the County of Essex, Divided into Hundreds". Scale 1" - 3m. Mersea Island lies in the Hundred of Winstree and, on this map, is named Mercey. The Strood, which is clearly marked 'Strode' takes on a new ...

Note 1 County Maps E.R.O.
Date: 1965