A Study of the Strood by W.E. Duane. Chapter 6. Page 29.

The Administrators of the Strood contd.

said premises were surrendered with the intention that that the next court the Lord would re-grant the same 1 "to the ancient uses and intentions", in trust, the rents and profits to be applied to the repairing of the Strood and the Church of West Mersea. Nicholas Dunholl, Richd. Fowkes jun. and Stephen Smith were duly admitted when the re-grant was made.

1559 [Note 1] appeared to be the earliest date when this land was called Churchfield and Strood Land and in view of the reference made in the bundle of legal correspondence mentioned earlier, the Parliamentary Report of the Charity Commissioners 1819 -1837 was investigated.

This report proved to be a major source of information. Included in the section on West Mersea is a detailed account of the Church and Strood Lands Charity.

[Note 2] "There is a copyhold estate in this parish so called, comprising 54a 1r 30p of arable land and 26a 2r of woodland holden to the manor of West Mersea the rents and profits of which are appropriate to the repairs and amendment of the Parish Church, and a causeway called the Strood. The donor of the property is unknown.

Then follows the same grant of Churchfield on 29th July 1560, mentioned earlier in this account. Trustees of the lands on behalf of the parish have been admitted and recorded on the rolls from time to time but always the land is described as 30 acres only. ...

Note 1 Trans. of E.A.S. Vol.13 Page 81.
Note 2 Essex Charities 1819 - 1837 Page 431.
Date: 1965