Robert Boyton

Robert Boyton, "Muggins", Bobbingorth/Bovinger, Essex.

The earliest reference to this building is in 1477, when it was called "Mogones", later known as "Moggins" and then "Muggins", as at present. Robert Boyton, a blacksmith of Moreton, surrendered property called Moggins, in Barcrofts Lane, to John Houblon Esquire, Lord of the Manor of Blake Hall, on 19th June, 1775, which included a "brew house standing in the yard". (John Houblon was a member of the "Houblon's" of Great Hallingbury).

By 1781 a John Bass was dwelling in the brewhouse which was sold on 21st August, 1781, for £101, between George Nicholls and Robert Boyton. In his will dated 7th November, 1800, John White left to his wife Ann White, the property noting that the "former brew house", was previously in the occupation of Anthony Glasscock, Richard Poole and Simon Easton. The position was described as "near the church", the Lord of the Manor of Blake Hall being Capel Cure. Deeds made in 1699 noted that a messuage divided into two tenements brew house and croft called Long Croft (formerly belonging to Moggins) copyhold of the Manor of Bobbingworth Hall.

A partition of the Manor was made in 1575, when a John Poole was in residence, he purchasing the manor in 1586 from Edward Rochester of Bobbingworth Hall. Blake Hall was owned by Sir Thomas Walsingham.

The Poole family, who also owned the original Sayers Farm, sold the Manor to Charles Houblon in 1708. John Houblon sold the Manor of Bobingworth Hall to Capel Cure in 1789 and to this day both manors remain in the ownership of the Capel Cure family. "Muggins" today is a large house on the roadside, it still being evident that it once was a pair of cottages.

From ESSEX BREWERS - The Malting and Hop Industries of the County by Ian P Peaty 1992 now out of print ISBN 978 1 873966 02 4