Local History & Information

Local historical connections
Edmund Bonner was Bishop of London from 1540 and thereby owner of the manor of Copford Hall. He had been a bishop under Henry VIII and was a supporter of Cardinal Wolsey. He was also one of the catholic Queen Mary's most determined and notorious of her persecuting bishops in the trials of heretics. However, he lost his title and lands in 1559 when he refused to subscribe to the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity for the newly crowned, but protestant, Queen Elizabeth I. He died in Marshalsea prison in 1569 and contemporary records state that he was buried in St. George's churchyard, Southwark. However, in 1809 a workman here at Copford church is said to have found a coffin bearing his name under the north side of the altar. So it would seem that the coffin was secretly moved and reburied here, perhaps shortly after his death.

There is an interesting local connection with the early American settlers. John Haynes (1594-1654) bought the manor of Copford Hall in around 1624. He was a devout puritan and, in 1633, emigrated to America. In 1635, he became the third governor of Massachusetts. In 1639, he was elected the first governor of Connecticut, having moved in the interim to Hartford. Due to the requirement for the holder of the post to change every year, he was re-elected governor every other year thereafter until his death. He was one of the five draughtsmen of the first Constitution of Connecticut. This text formed the main part of all subsequent state constitutions, and of the Federal Constitution. He was also a close friend of Thomas Hooker (they emigrated together on the Griffin), another man of Essex origin, who later founded the New England Confederation in 1643. Hooker is often referred to as the father of American democracy.

John Haynes's son, Hezekiah Haynes, was one of Oliver Cromwell's major-generals. However, as was not uncommon, his elder brother, Robert, fought for the Royalists. Hezekiah was imprisoned in the Tower of London from 1660 to 1662 for alleged treason against the restored King Charles II.

Useful/interesting local links
Diocese of Chelmsford
Real Essex
Friends of Essex Churches
Photographs of Essex Churches
Painted Churches
Aldham Church
Layer Marney Tower
Cressing Temple Barns
Coggeshall Grange Barn
Coggeshall Paycocke's
Marks Hall Estate
Tiptree: Wilkin & Son Jam Museum
Colchester Zoo
Copford Cricket Club

List of rectors