Birch, Essex

Description
Birch, a parish in Essex, 3 1/2 miles SE of Marks-Tey station on the G.E.R., and 5 SW of Colchester. It comprises two ancient parishes, Great Birch and Little Birch, now united, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Colchester. Acreage, 3413 of land and 11 of water; population of the civil parish, 869; of the ecclesiastical parish of Great and Little Birch, 799. Birch Hall is a fine country seat standing in beautiful grounds. There are remains of a small castle. The living is a rectory in the diocese of StAlbans; gross value, £598 with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of St Albans (two appointments) and the Round family (one appointment) alternately. The church of Great Birch is good, that of Little Birch is in ruins.