Can anyone help?

I wonder if someone can help me? I am exploring South Ockendon and in particular what is now ‘West Road’. It appears from maps and the census that this might have been known as ‘West Street’ and ‘Station Road’ and ‘Station Row’. I am trying to establish who lived at (today’s) 78 West Road but I am unsure in the 1921 census which road was West Road? Any guidance welcome.
Thank you.
Chris Monk

On the 31st May, 2025, members of the Thurrock Local History Society took part in a field trip to St Mary’s church in North Ockendon. The church has a great deal of heraldry on display, with a 19th century royal coat of arms, two hatchments, and a magnificent memorial to the Pointz family which is rich in heraldic detail. They were resident in the parish in the 14th century.

Towards the end of the 17th century, the Russell family acquired the North Ockendon estate of Stubbers which they continued to own the property until the 20th century.

In the south-west of the churchyard it is possible to view what is known locally as St Chad’s well, and just beyond is the moat of North Ockendon Hall.

The Oldest Oak in Tottenham (Photo credit Ellie Matthewman)

Thomas Penyston (later Sir Thomas) lived in Chadwell Place with his stepfather after his mother, who had married Sir Alexander Temple, died around 1607. In 1611, he married his stepfather’s niece, Martha Temple. Thomas was in the retinue of Richard Sackville, 3rd Earl of Dorset. Thomas and Martha lived in the Lordship House in Tottenham (now known as Bruce Castle) which they leased from the Earl of Dorset. In the grounds of their house was an oak tree about thirty years old. That oak tree, now over four hundred years old, survives and is the oldest oak tree in Tottenham.

Libraries and Museums


Photo: Glyn Baker (Wikipedia)

The first public library in Thurrock was opened in 1893 and was located in No 1 Bank Buildings, Grays High Street. By 1902 these premises were too small and in 1903 a purpose built library partially funded by Andrew Carnegie was opened on Orsett Road. This included a local history museum. There was also a museum in Civic Square, Tilbury. With the opening of the Thameside Complex in January 1971, the library and Museum moved to their current location.

The council is proposing another move for the library and museum to the Civic Offices. There is a public consultation on the proposed move which can be see here.

Fifty Fabulous Features

In 2019, the Land of the Fanns financed a project that was led by the Essex Gardens Trust to document significant features in parks and gardens in the Land of the Fanns area. This area includes parts of Thurrock, but extends beyond it and some parts of Thurrock are not included. Nonetheless, several TLHS members volunteered.

We were given training by Twigs Way, including visits to the Essex Record Office and to various gardens such as Belhus and the walled garden at Stubbers. Unfortunately, the first Covid lock down interrupted our site visits and we had to conduct a lot of virtual research and meetings.

The results were published in November 2020 and included quite a few features from Thurrock. A copy of the published report can be downloaded from the Land of the Fanns blog. There is also an interactive map with links to more information about the features.

A Map of Chadwell


Thanks to Thurrock Museum for permission to use this image.

This charming hand painted sketch map of Chadwell c. 1960 is in the Chadwell map drawer at Thurrock Museum. It shows Sleeper’s Farm, St Mary’s church, Chadwell House, Chadwell Hall (now demolished), Chadwell Place and the World’s End public house. The representation of these buildings appears to be very accurate, although their positions on the map have been adjusted to suit the fit.

The position of the Cross Keys public house is marked, but the building is not illustrated. The amphora pitcher may indicate the approximate location of an archaeological find. The figure at the bottom is probably Daniel Defoe. The outline around the map appears to be a reasonably accurate representation of the Chadwell parish boundary.

There is no indication as to who drew the map, when it was drawn or why. The way in which the buildings have been drawn does not match a much larger map of historical places in Thurrock and also does not match the illustrations in the book Forgotten Thameside. Identification of the coats of arms at the top and bottom might give some clues as to its origin.

The Grays Library


The Thurrock Council has plans to dispose of the Thameside complex which houses the library and museum. Here is a brief history of the library based on the museum’s heritage file.

The history of Grays Library dates back to November 1893 when the Local Government Board appointed a committee to consider establishing a Public Library Service. The first Library was situated in Grays High Street. By 1902 the Library was becoming short of space and the library committee decided to write to Andrew Carnegie, appealing for a donation towards the cost of building a new library building.

Carnegie was born in Scotland in 1835. In 1848 his family moved to the United States, and settled in Pennsylvania. When he was 65 he sold his steelworks to J.P Morgan for $480 Million and devoted the rest of his life to Philanthropic activities. One of Carnegie’s life long interests was the establishment of Free Libraries available to anyone as a means of self-education. The project was started in 1881 and he eventually spent over $56 Million and established 2,509 libraries throughout the world.

A reply on 23rd June 1902 said that Carnegie was willing to donate £3,000 provided a site could be found. Charles Seabrooke and his business partner Mr Astley of Seabrooke’s Brewery donated a piece of land in Orsett Road where the present Thameside Complex is now located. A local architect, Christopher Shiner, designed the new Library. The Countess of Warwick opened the Library on 11th November 1903. The cost of the building was £2,591.15.0. The turret clock had been presented by the school children of Grays; this clock was salvaged during demolition and is in the care of the local museum service.

Thurrock Council and Thurrock Heritage

Ahead of the local elections in May 2021, we asked the Labour and Conservative parties about their policy on heritage. Here is the response from Labour Councillor, John Kent:

“In my view, the council needs to genuinely work in partnership with community groups (this goes beyond heritage) to deliver services, facilities and attractions that we would all like to see.

A really good example of this is Hardie Park.

As I am sure you know, the park had been almost entirely abandoned before the local community got involved and turned it around. It is now a terrific park that is well maintained, well used and is home to many groups and activities.

To me, it demonstrates what can be achieved if people are allowed the space to get on deliver things they are passionate about.

Council support needs to be refocused to concentrate on helping to facilitate community groups delivering their projects – this support might be some professional advice or expertise or cash, a relatively small amount of funding can make a big difference to many groups.”

We asked about the level of support from the council for Thurrock Heritage (including the museum); the future of Coalhouse Fort and continuing concerns about Keepmoat and the Treetops quarry gardens.

“On the three specific examples you have raised I would really want to explore what the heritage community sees as the way forward and try to work with them to deliver their vision – I know that is easy to say but I genuinely believe the “council knows best,” centralised approach has held us back.

We need to see a step change in the status we afford the heritage, culture and the arts in Thurrock.

When I became leader of the council, over a decade ago, the local business community told me there was no relationship between the council and business.

We hosted a business breakfast conference that over 100 businesses attended and, from that event, we created the Thurrock Business Board which gives a regular opportunity for business and the council to discuss issues.

We should have a big heritage, culture and arts event – designed in partnership and funded by the council – to help create a new approach.”