THURROCK (GRAYS), a market-town and parish
in the hundred of CHAFFORD, county of ESSEX, 22
miles (S. S. W.) from Chelmsford, and 20 (E. by S.)
from London, containing 742 inhabitants. The town,
consisting of a single street irregularly built, is situated
on the verge of the river Thames, from which branches
a creek navigable for small craft: this river has a
wharf on its northern bank, communicating with some
limeworks by means of a railway. Bricks are here
manufactured to some extent for the London builders,
and are conveyed hence in barges. The market is on
Thursday; and fairs for cattle and hardware are held on
May 23rd and October 20th. The living is a discharged
vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Essex, and diocese of
London, rated in the king's books at £5. 0. 10., and
in the patronage of the Master and Fellows of Pembroke
College, Oxford. The church is dedicated to St:
Peter and St. Paul. A free school, situated in the churchyard,
was founded and endowed by William Palmer, in
1706, in which ten children are instructed, and four
are clothed.