The story of the digging of the well in the Rectory grounds has been recounted in several publications. The version that follows is probably the earliest, as it was published the same year as the well was completed. It appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine (1791, Part II., pp.706,707). The author hides behind the name of Philudros, which seems to be Greek for lover of water, water spring or water creature, but in view of the subject it is probably lover of springs. It would be interesting to hear whether anyone can identify this classically educated but rather pompous person.
Unaquainted as I am with the measurement of the deepest wells in this kingdom, I conjecture that, at length fortunately completed by the Rev. Mr. Nottidge, at East Hanningfield parsonage, near Chelmsford, to be sufficiently extraordinary to merit your notice. It was begun June 21, 1790, and water, when the workmen, from such tedious labour, were at the moment of despair, was found May 7, 1791. Thirty-nine thousand, five hundred bricks were used, without cement, in lining this well, the soil of which, for the first 30 feet, was a fine, light-brown, imperfect marl; and though fossilists may ingeniously choose to discriminate the different strata, yet, except from shades of a deeper colour and firmer texture, occasionally, but slightly, mixed with a little sand a few shells, the same soil, to a common eye, without more material variation, continued to 450 feet, where it was consolidated into so rocky a substance as to require the being broken through with the mattock. A bore then, of 3 inches diameter and 15 feet in length, was tried, which soon, through a soft soil, slipped from the workman’s hands and fell up to the handle. Water instantly appeared, and rose within the first hour 150 feet, and, after a gradual rise, now stands at 347 feet, extremely soft and well-flavoured. This source is supposed to supply the well at Battle’s Bridge, about 6 miles further, and lower than East Hanningfield, which is 336 feet in depth, and the water overflows the brim. At Bicknacre Priory, 11/2 miles in descent from Hanningfield, is a well (nearly through neglect choked up) only 4 feet in depth.
The price of labour at Hanningfield well was, on a diameter of 5 feet 3 inches, 4s. per foot for the first 40 feet, and 1s. advance at each successive 40 feet.
Yours etc., PHILUDROS
