 |  Halstead Online are pleased to present an introduction to:
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| At Halstead Grammar in the 1870's a class of boys were instructed to draw a map of Africa whilst the Master was out of the room. One boy inparticular was very good at drawing, so, all the lads copied his work. Unfortunately his art was better than his geography as he had drawn somewhere completely different. This lad turned out to be Morton Mathews, future Headmaster of the old British School and well known local artist. He was very well known for his pen and ink drawings of old Halstead. He used to amuse the children with his lightening cartoons and sketches. He frequently drew characters from the books of Charles Dickens, and appropriately named his home in Sudbury Road, Halstead, "Pickwick House". |
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Morton was Headmaster at this school in 1893 and the Council School in its inauguration in 1910. |
| Halstead Council School 1922 A photograph of Class VII boys in 1922 showing Morton Mathews back left standing next to Miss Moore. |
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This painting by Morton Mathews depicts the post mill and watermill which stood beside the River Colne at the bottom of Box MIll Lane. The windmill, built c1775 was blown into the river during a gale in 1882, but the watermill, erected before 1730, was in use until 1921. |
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A reconstruction drawing by Morton Mathews in 1930 of where it is thought the Manor of Abels stood - now the site of 29 and 31 Hedingham Road. It is considered to be quite accurate, although the exact positioning of windows and doors may have differed. |
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A painting by Morton Mathews shows a number of old cottages that lined the North Street (now Hedingham Road) in 1912. All have been demolished except the old 'Rising Sun', adjacent bakery (center left) and the 'Dog Inn' (right) |
| The Market Cross (House)
In 1705 it is believed that the Market Cross was erected. Corn was stored in the upper part, whilst fruit, vegetables fowls and eggs below. The Jubilee Fountain now stands on this site. |
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The Brewery House This painting by Morton shows the Brewery House, High Street, which is believed to have been 15th century. In later years it became the house of the Tan Yard Manager with the entrance to it on the right. It was demolished along with the two cottages next door in 1938 to make way for the Eastern National bus garage. |
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A drawing of a view from within Halstead's tannery by Morton. It had a reputation of producing some of the finest leather in the world and a history dating back some 400 years. Founded in 1573 on land near the Causeway, it then transfered in the 1800's to the High Street (now Chapel Street car park) and closed it's doors in the 1950's when oak bark tanning gave way to faster chemical methods. |
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Numbers 16 and 18 Head Street replaced these two cottages in 1877. This Morton Mathew's sketch shows the original buildings with stables beneath. The one on the right with a cart below was a fishmonger's shop. |
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A drawing by Morton Mathews shows an outward view of Gatehouse Yard, off the High Street, and dates from Tudor times or perhaps even earlier. It is said the Gatehouse may have been an entrance to Stanstead Hall; and certainly became an entrance to the Vicarage gardens. The impressive entrance porch was once hung with two massive wooden gates. There were, until fairly recent years twelve very old cottages within the gates, but only one now remains. |
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Lower High Street, Halstead, showing Atterton's Blacksmiths Forge. |
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The Brewhouse, demolished 1937/8, stood at the rear of Brewery House (above), Halstead. |
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View of St. Andrew's Church from Parson's Yard, Halstead. |
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No. 57 High Street, Halstead. Better known as "Chaplin and Keeble's" cycle shop. To view more about Chaplin and Keeble click HERE |
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The Chantry, High Street, Halstead. This building was granted a Royal License in 1412 for a Master and five Chaplains. |
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Interior of Stanstead Hall Barn Interior of Stanstead Hall Barn, Halstead. Exhibited at the Royal Academy 1914. |
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Lower High Street, Halstead. To view more images and details about Lower High Street click HERE |
