South Benfleet, Essex

Description
Benfleet, South, a parish in Essex, on the coast, including part of Canvey Island, and on the London, Tilbury, and Southend railway, at Benfleet station, 4 milea SSW of Rayleigh. It has a post, money order, and. telegraph office (8.0.) Acreage, 1947 land and 42 of foreshore and water; population, 576. A strong castle was huilt here by the famous Danish pirate Hastings, and taken and destroyed by Alfred the Great. The waters on the coast were celebrated for oysters. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of St Albans; net value, £128 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. The church is a fine structure with a nave of the 12th and chancel and porch of the 15th century. The tower contains some Norman work.