London Borough of Barking and Dagenham s1

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Local Studies Information Sheet No.13

THE MANOR OF WANGEY

Wangey House, painted by Alfred Bennett Bamford in 1901

The manor of Wangey (or Wangye) was situated in Chadwell Heath, on the borders of Dagenham and Ilford. Its origins are obscure, but it is thought to date from the 1300s, when it was referred to as Wanghou. It appears to have been conveyed to Barking Abbey in 1366, becoming part of the Abbey’s demesne and subject to the Manor of Barking. The rent from Wangey formed part of the income of the Cellaress of Barking Abbey.

At the Dissolution, the estate passed through a succession of owners. By 1847 Samuel Pedley owned 107 acres including Wangey Hall Farm at Chadwell Heath, in Ilford Parish.

Wangey Hall Farmhouse existed in Chitty’s Lane (now Station Road) in 1777. The farm was occupied in the early 20th century by the family of John Sayer, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross during World War One. It was demolished in 1936. Most of

1 Please turn over /. . . the Dagenham portion of the manorial estates had been merged with Chadwell Heath Farm, in Dagenham Parish.

Wangey House estate lay next to Wangey Manor lands – and in some places intermingled with them - and was made up of scattered lands accrued by the Harvey family between the end of the 1500s and 1670. Sir James Harvey was Lord Mayor of London in 1581-2, and Master of the Ironmongers Company.

The Tudor manor house was originally thatched and moated, with a two-storey rectangular brick extension added in the 18th century. The construction of the stretch of Eastern Counties Railway line between Ilford and Romford in 1838-9 caused the breaking up of estate lands and the demolition of the Tudor part of the house. Chadwell Heath railway station opened in January 1864, and according to William Holmes Frogley the 18th century wing of Wangey House was then occupied by the stationmaster and his family. Census returns and trade directories appear to show that what remained of Wangey House was split into two households

A portion of the 18th, with 16th century chimneys and tower, survived until its demolition in 1937.

Primary Sources held in the Borough’s Archives Microfilm copies of local newspapers and a selection of maps and photographs are available.

Secondary Sources held in the LBBD Archives & Local Studies Centre The titles listed below represent a small selection of the books and pamphlets available. A wider choice which includes the stock of Barking & Dagenham Libraries can be found through a search of the library catalogue. This is available on the internet at www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk Clifford, Tony: Barking and Dagenham Buildings Past and Present (1992) Howson, J: A brief history of Barking and Dagenham (1990) Powell, W: ed. The Victoria County History of Essex, Vol. V (1966) Shawcross, J.P: A history of Dagenham in the county of Essex (2nd edition, 1908) Tames, R: Barking Past, 2002

Sources held elsewhere Because the Borough was within the administrative area of the County of Essex until 1965, many of the historical records covering Barking and Dagenham are held at the Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford. Catalogues can be searched on-line at http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk.

Archives & Local Studies Centre, Valence House, Becontree Ave, Dagenham RM8 3HT / LAR 2.12