they arose. The objection to the payment of tolls gave rise to riots, leading to the destruction of turnpikes, toll-houses, &c. So serious were the disturbances that laws had to be made inflicting severe punishments on offenders. The accounts of riots in Herefordshire and in Bristol are copied from the "Gentleman's Magazine," as they illustrate the lawless proceedings which the Acts were passed to suppress. The construction of vehicles, waggons, carts, &c., appears to have obtained more attention from the framers of Highway Acts of Parliament than the best manner of making roads suitable for the traffic passing over them. The width of the fellies of the wheels of carts and waggons, the weight of their loads, and the number of horses to draw them, as well as their position when harnessed, were all regulated by Acts of Parliament, and the Justices of the Peace at Quarter Sessions were empowered to impose fines and penalties on delinquents. Occasionally Highway Acts are noticed in the "Gentleman's Magazine." Abstracts of some of the comments have been made, as they show the state of the roads at the time the Acts were passed, and the opinions formed of the measures taken to improve them. Many of the Acts of Parliament and other matters mentioned are anterior to the formation of the Epping Highway Trust—when the road was under the management of the Justices of the Peace-the Act, however, which created the Trust, did little more than transfer to the Trustees the duties and powers exercised by their predecessors, so that the references to Acts of Parliament, and extracts from the "Gentleman's Magazine," are not perhaps out of place, although the sole object of this publication is to preserve records of the proceedings of the Epping and Ongar Highway Trusts. The desire shown by Archæological Societies, established in Essex as well as in most other counties, to obtain information respecting pre-historic remains, affords the explanation of my having devoted a few pages to the grass roads at Epping Long Green, Rye Hill, and Wintry Wood, and supplying what information has come under my notice relating to British roads, supporting the supposition of their having been ancient British track ways. Anthropologists have pointed out that there are characteristic differences between the English people and the Teutonic tribes from which they derive their origin. It is believed that these are due to the mingling of the blood of the Britons with that of their Saxon conquerors. The formation of their head and features, and the colours of the hair and complexion, differing from those of their kinsmen in North Germany, are adduced as evidence of the admixture of the blood of a race not Teutonic. The people, more especially the children inhabiting the district through which the roads passed, differing so much by their dark blue eyes, rich brown wavy hair, graceful figures, and elastic step from the North German, favour the supposition that the Saxons amalgamated by marriage with the Britons, whose lands, as conquerors, they occupied. The presence of Ambresbury Bank and Cowpers Camp in the Forest-British enclosures-indicate by their extent that at one time there was a large number of the native race living in the neighbourhood of Epping. Dr. Beddoe says that, although there is little information respecting Essex, it is quite possible that in certain parts small British States, or Roman-British towns, may have allied themselves with the invaders; and also, that he believes the people, except near the coast, are more usually dark-haired than those of Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk.* The Minutes relating to the work done at Golden's Hill and Buckhurst Hill, the road to Chelmsford as far as Writtle, and making the new road through the Forest from the "Wake Arms" to Woodford have been arranged under separate headings, in order that the account of the alterations and improvements might appear as a continuous narrative. In accordance with an article by a writer in the "Athenæum," when reviewing a county archæological journal, in which he suggests that as opportunities arose ancient deeds, not previously * "Races of Britain," page 64. printed, relating to property in the county should be noticed, and abstracts made; there is, in an Appendix, copy of a deed relating to North Weald; also abstracts of deeds relating to Wintry Wood, Latton Priory, &c. The former I obtained by purchase; but I am indebted to my friend, Walter de Grey Birch, for the translation; and for abstracts of the other deeds, which are in the British Museum. He also kindly procured for me a copy of the Act of 1769, appointing Trustees of the Epping Highway, and an abstract of a deed relating to the Forest (page 89). I have to thank Mr. Walter Metcalfe, F.S.A., for the drawing of Winchelsea House, which he copied from an old deed relating to the property, and so procured valuable information, as it shows that in 1634 the road from Loughton into Epping was in use. I have also to thank Mr. Cecil Harrison for his advice and assistance whilst the pages were passing through the press; and my daughters, Bertha, Jessie, and Flora, the former for copying the portion of Chapman and André's Map of Essex, showing the old road up Buckhurst Hill, running in front of the "Bald Face Stag Inn," and the two latter for the use of their young eyes when endeavouring to read the almost obliterated entries in the earlier Minute Book, and for assistance rendered in reading proofs, &c. Mr. Henry A. Cole, of Buckhurst Hill, has made the sketches showing some of the work done on Golden's and Buckhurst Hills; and on the new road from the "Wake Arms" to Woodford. There may perhaps be errors in dates, and in the figures copied out of the accounts, which extend over many years, although care has been taken to ensure accuracy; but the Minutes may be accepted as correctly copied or abstracted, and I trust, therefore, that the compilation will be useful as a contribution to local history. BENJ. WINSTONE, Ockeridge, Epping, Essex. May, 1891. ✓ Epping and Ongar Highway (facsimile Map showing the line of the new Road) ✓ Embankment on the New Road ✔Form of Account, 1823 (facsimile) ✓Grant of a Tenement in North Weald, 1280 (facsimile of Deed) |