LEIGH, a parish and sea-port in the hundred of ROCHFORD, county of ESSEX, 17 miles (S. E. by S.) from Chelmsford, containing 905 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Essex, and diocese of London, rated in the king's books at £15, and in the patronage of the Bishop of London. The church is dedicated to St. Clement. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. This parish borders upon the Thames, and includes an island called Leigh Marsh, with the east end of Canvey island, and the famous oyster creek there. In a hollow near the Thames is a small custom-house. About the year 1765, a quantity of Roman coins was discovered, on the fall of a cliff after heavy rain.