England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Althorne St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Althorne lies in southeastern Essex roughly 4 miles northwest of the town of Burnham on Crouch. Althorne is a substantial village sitting on the B1012 road which connects Burnham on Crouch through to South Woodham Ferrers. Whilst Althorne was a mid-sized village at the time of this transcript it has expanded in modern times with developments north of the B2012 into a much larger settlement. Althorne parish sits on the northern banks of the estuary of the River Crouch, its embankments to prevent flooding having been constructed by imported Dutch workers. The lo-slung marshes in the south of the parish were put to cattle whilst higher ground would have been as arable as much else in its county. Modern developments have come to Althorne with a rail line to Burnham on Crouch which grants Althorne a station, increasing its attraction as a rural commute. Althorne sits on a minor watershed with rain draining either south to the Crouch Estuary or eastwards through largely man-made channels to the North Sea through the Asheldham Brook. Althorne is sited at around 40 metres above the sea, the highest land for some considerable distance. Althorne parish was fairly typically sized for its area, covering just under 2,300 acres it would have supported a population of just over 400 parishioners. Althorne is not specifically mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Andrew's church sits north of the B2012 accessed by a dead-end track that heads to church and accompanying cottages. The church is late medieval in origin and largely in the Perpendicular style, it is a late example and much can be dated to 16th century rebuilding of an earlier church. The western tower is earlier than the replaced main body being tentatively dated by Pevsner to c1500 whilst the rest merits only an early 16th century dating. Like most churches the Victorians had their way, two restorations of 1878 and 1884 were made to arrive at today's church. The entrance to the lane is marked by a blue sign and the lane runs for just short of 200 metres were a rough parking area sits outside the churchyard. The churchyard is open and uncluttered with no obstacles for the photographer.