Sawbridgeworth

in 1746

On the Eaft Side of this Town, upon the River Stort, which parts this County from Effex, is Sawbridgeworth, Saybricheworth, or, as it is called in Domefday-Book, Sabrixteworde, commonly called Sabsworth. It takes its Name from the Lord Say, who anciently owned the Manor, Brieft, a Bridge, and Worth. a Manfion, or Dwelling.Houfe.

Edward 1. granted it a Charter for a Market on Fridays, and a Fair on the Eve and Day of the Virgin Mary's Nativity: It has an handfome Church, in which. among feveral Monuments, is one erected to the Memory of General Lumley, Brother of the then Earl of Scarborough, with an Infcription greatly to his Honour. ,

The Manor-Houfe of Pifhoburry,  in this Parifh of Sabswortb, deferves to be mentioned, on Account of its remarkable Strength, tho' built in Queen Elizabetb's Time, and lofty Rooms. It is fituated on a clean Soil. has handfome Avenues to it, with the River Stort behind, which communicates with the Canals in the Gardens. It was once in the Poffeffion of the Lord Scroop, from whose Heirs it paffed to Walter Mildmay, of Wittle, in Effex, Efq; whofe Son Thomas, fold it to Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlefex, Anceftor of the prefent Duke of Dorset; but he parted with it to Sir Thomas Hewit. Knt. and Citizen of London, whofe Son, Sir George Hewit, created Lord of James-Town, and Vifcount Goran in Ireland, dying without Iffue, bequeathed it by Will. to his fifth sister, Arabella, Lady Wifeman, from. whom it is now come into the Family of the Gardiners.

The Agreeable Historian, 1746