HARLOW, a parish in the hundred of HARLOW, county of ESSEX, 17 miles (W. by N.) from Chelmsford, and 23 (N. N. E.) from London, containing 1928 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Middlesex, and diocese of London, rated in the king's books at £15. 7. 11. The Earl of Guilford was patron in 1801. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was partly destroyed by fire in 1711, but was rebuilt and its windows adorned with stained glass at the expense of the Rev. Mr. Taylor, then vicar, and the gentry .in the neighbourhood; the ancient tower, which rose from the centre of the original cruciform structure, has been succeeded by a cupola. There is a place of worship for Baptists. Harlow had formerly a weekly market, also a considerable woollen manufactory, but the chief branch of trade now is spinning. Fairs are held on May 13th for wool, November 28th for horses and cattle; and one on September 9th, called Harlow-Bush fair, on a common about two miles from the village, which is much resorted to. The petty sessions for the division are held here every Monday, Almshouses for four widows were erected in 1717, agreeably to the will of Francis Reeve, who, in 1637, left £100 for foundingthem: other almshouses were founded in 1651, by Alexander Stafford, for two widows, towards clothing whom John Wright, in 1659, bequeathed £160, and, in 1728, John Taylor conveyed to trustees two tenements, with certain land, in further aid of both these charities.