I finally managed to get the free time to track down a the will of Thomas Esbroke that I’ve previously mentioned here. As it happens I tracked down a copy of a copy, which I then copied, so quality is not wonderful. The image is under the cut, the transcript I posted before seems to …
Continue reading “Thomas Esbroke’s last will and testament.”
Some further digging in the archives today has revealed some confusion as to the source of the Wantz Stream. One news paper clipping from 1951 gives the source as “just south of Hainault” later stating “Six hundred years ago it was called the Wythendenbroke. Later it was known as Wisdom River.” The book, The Dagenham …
As I mentioned in the last post, the Eastbrook family are belived to have taken their name from the East Brook (now Wantz stream). Digging in the archives at lunch tuned up a copy of the will of one Thomas Esbroke, head of the household, a farmer and churchwarden in Dagenham in the 1550s of …
To the East part of Dagenham is an area known as Eastbrook. The name coming from the Eastbrook family, who in turn probably took their name from the local stream, then called the east brook. The family were in Dagenham from the 1280s until the 17th century, however the name lives on. The stream on …
With all the talk of water shortages, hosepipe bans and drought orders, you’d be forgiven for overlooking all the water we do have. There is lots of water in East London, you just have to know where to look. Oh, and I really wouldn’t advise trying to drink any of it. There are many streams …
Continue reading “Water everywhere and not a drop to drink.”
