1818: A village west of Ramsden Bell House. "The manor house of Tremnals or Hemnals is a large old building .... above a mile and a half north of the church. The manor was held in 1476 by Sir Thomas Tyrell; It afterwards came to Benjamin Disbrow, Esq, ... Here is a singular custom, according to which, if those persons who have to pay quit rent to the manor by twelve o'clock on the Monday neglect it, the value doubles every hour." 1861: Thomas Worrin Blyth, his wife and daughter were living at Fremnells Farm in Downham. He had 330 acres and employed 9 men. 1867: Downham is a hilly parish with a scattered population. It was anciently a soke or liberty. It lies 6 miles south east from Ingatestone and 27 miles from London. The church of St Margaret, pleasantly situated on a hill, has a tower at the west end containing 3 bells. The register dates from 1538. The soil is heavy; subsoil loamy. The chief crops are wheat, barley, beans and oats. The area is 2183 acres and, in 1861, the population was 247. Listed included: Thomas Blyth, Farmer, Fremnells. 1871: Thomas, his wife and 4 of their children were still at Fremnells Farm. By this time he was farming 840 acres and employed 30 men and 6 boys. 1881: Thomas and his family were still living at Fremnells Farm. He was farming 706 acres, employing 26 men and 2 boys.
	Sources: 1818 = Excursions through Essex 1818. 1861 = 1861 Census. 1867 = 1867 Essex Post Office Directory. 1871 = 1871 Census. 1881 = 1881 Census.
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