The eighteenth century was comparatively
peaceful and life for artisans and labourers was a little more comfortable.
Cottages were still timber framed, though near to local brick works
the walls were often set on a brick base or filled with brick noggin
instead of wattle and daub. With the importation of mahogany the furniture
became lighter and William Collis, the Chelrnsford iron monger listed
mahogany pieces in his stock in 1787. Improved roads and bridges meant
easier movement between villages and towns and the farms of North Essex
were growing more and more corn; wheat for bread and barley for the
flourishing malt industry. Religious tolerance was growing and several
Collis's were members of the independent churches in Castle Hedingham,
Chelmsford and Great Dunmow.
Castle Hedingham
Weaving was a cottage industry in the villages to the north east of
Braintree and it is possible that visiting outworkers took some of later
generations to that area. John Collis, born 1727, probably into the
fourth generation in Braintree though his marriage settlement describes
him as "of Haverill". He moved to Castle Hedingham and later
became a farmer in Great Maplestead. He was a nonconformist and in his
will of 1810 he stipulated that he should he buried in the Meeting House
yard at Castle Hedingham. As a youth he may have been influenced by
the preacher Isaac Watts who was a frequent visitor to Hedingham Castle
and would certainly have preached at the Meeting House. John bequeathed
his two volumes of Dr.Watts' sermons to his housekeeper.