History of Essex County, England

Its control did not cover the entire county. The London suburb of West Ham and later East Ham and the resort of Southend-on-Sea became county boroughs independent of county council control.

Es' sex, a county of England, having N. the counties of Cambridge and Suffolk, E. the North Sea, S. the Thames, and W. Middlesex and Herts. Area, 1649 square miles. The surface towards the Thames and the sea is flat, marshy, and much broken into peninsulas and islands; in the centre and N. it is beautifully diversified and richly wooded. Principal rivers, the Thames, Lea, Stour, Roding, Crouch, Colne, Chelmer, and Blackwater. The soil is mostly a fertile loam. The climate on the coast is damp, and produces agues; in other parts it is clear and healthy, less rain falling than perhaps in any other English county, The farming is ranked among the best in England. The quality of the Essex wheat is very superior. Besides the usual crops, teasels, saffron, caraway, and hops are largely grown. Great numbers of calves are fattened for the London market, and the butter is of fine quality. The stock of shee is large. Chief towns, Chelmsford (the capital), Colchester, Maldon, and Harwich. Pop....