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8
'Our Lady, whereunto was a continual resort in the way of
pilgrimage.' This Chapel (which of course was an appendage
to the Nunnery) had sunk, along with many other fabrics originating
in religious romance, before the reign of Elizabeth; and
when Norden wrote, an Alderman Roe had 'a proper house
occupying the site.'
"The Wells, from which this tract and the hill comprising it
take name, are two in number, and continue in good preservation,
being bricked round to the depth from which they seemingly
spring (about five feet and a half), and enclosed besides from the
field wherein they are situated by wooden railings. Though a
few yards only asunder, their waters differ in quality; that of the
one being hard, sweet, and beautifully pellucid, while the other
more nearly resembles rain water, and is used only for the purposes
to which the latter is commonly applied. Neither are at
present supposed to possess any medicinal properties. An infant
brook issues from their united and ceaseless overflowing; which
descending the hill and winding through the adjacent meadows,
at length finds its way to the comparatively distant Lea River.
"This tract is regularly visited, and its limits marked at the
perambulation of the Parish, which takes place septennially;
it is at present entirely under pasturage. The only habitations
upon it are two by the road side, traditionally said to occupy the
site of the dairy farm, which in the monastic time sent its produce
to the nuns of Clerkenwell. Part of an adjoining house being
also within the parochial line (as is signified by the usual initials
affixed to its front), the perambulators are obliged to pass through
this latter dwelling in order to assert their long established
boundary."
This part of the Parish has within the last few
years been laid out for building purposes. New
roads have been formed, and there are now 67
separate assessments.
Rates.—During the year the Rates made by the
Vestry were as follows:—
For the halfyear to Michaelmas, 1891.
A Poor Rate of 1s. 6d. in the £, estimated to realize nett £25,560
A Lighting Rate 1d. „ „ „ 1,420
A General Rate 1s. 1d. „ „ „ 18,460
2s. 8d.
£45,440