1. Grade II

Built in 1843 by Frances Smith when he demolished the C16 house on the site. He intended this house to be a summer residence and planned all the rooms to face north. A stuccoed building with rusticated quoins and a moulded band between the storeys. Two storeys and attics. Three window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars and square label moulds on the first storey. The ground storey has 4 small canted bays with casements. Roof tiled, with 3 flat headed dormers and 2 central chimney stacks.

Excerpts From Sir Claud Hollis’ Family Records

37. Grave in W. Church Yard of Mary Jane Smith who died 25 September 1886 (CH Ms)
36. Prior’s Hall (with horse).
35. The Village street.
34. The National School (CH Ms in pencil identifies Rev. JW Court in back row).
33. W. Hall.
32. Front of the house
31. Road leading to house.
30. The Rectory from the road.
29. Pasture at back of hours (5 cows).
28. Cottage
27. Entrance to village from Newport.
26. The Jubilee Treat.
24. The Hall at Bishops, 1887 (CH Ms).
25. North West side of the house (CH Ms reads: with Mr & Mrs Griffiths Smith and their daughters Dora and Violet).
23. The Rectory.
22. Moat and Bridge, Prior’s Hall.
20. The Village Green.
21. Corner of the garden from the pasture.
19. Front view of the orchard.18. South view of the house in the autumn, 1908 (CH Ms) (appears to be a postcard with identification on it).
17. South view of the house (1887).
16. The dining-room at Bishops in 1887 (CH Ms).
15. Cottages.
14. Pasture at the back of the house (with cows).
13. Pasture at Widdington Hall (with horses).
12. Prior’s Hall.
11. Stables and Coach-House (Bishops).
10. Church Street.
8. W. Church
9. Orchard belonging to House.
6 & 7 (smaller) W. Church before restoration in September 1868 (CH Ms).
5. Jubilee Day (group, male, includes centre 2nd row Rev. J W Court and next, moving right, Griffiths Smith – identified by CH in pencil.
4. W. Church.
3. Interior of W. Church 1911 (CH Ms).
2. Kitchen entrance to house (Bishops).

1. The Front and West End view of Bishops, Widdington., in September 1868.  Taken from the Orchard (CH Ms). Taken by Mr Potts of Stanstead, Essex,  September 1868.
The Front and West End View of Bishops Farm Homestead belonging to Mr Francis Smith at W., Essex.
No. 498 on Tithe Map of 1840 and W 498A on New Tithe Map of 1873.
The West End looks into Garden and Orchard of which Gate is shewn and being across the Road and being No. 497 on Tithe Map of 1840 and W 497 on New Tithe Map of 1873.
Bishops Farm 1871 Cencus.
Rachel Gibbons Head wid. 49 Housekepper Born Huish, Somerset
Rachel A. “ dau. 13 London

1891 Census Widdington RH12/1431

Bishops
Mary J. Smith Head Wid 45 living on own means Born Camden Town, London
Dor M. “ dau. 11 St. Pancreas
Voilet “ dau. 9 Widdington
George H. Pettit 22 gardener Widdington
Jane Stanley 18 servant Wicken Bonhunt.