Cheshunt in 1838
Cheshunt, though only a village, has some claims to notice. The parish comprehends an area of 8,430 acres, and had in 1831 a population of 5,021, from one-fourth to one-third agricultural. It is divided into three wards, Cheshunt Street, Waltham Cross, and Woodside. The name is written in Domesday ‘Cestrehunt,’ from which it has been conjectured that it was a Roman station. Waltham Cross takes its name from one of the crosses erected by Edward I, to mark the resting-places of the corpse of his wife Eleanor, when conveyed to Westminster for interment. This beautiful cross, which had become much mutilated, has been lately restored by Mr. W. B. Clarke. In Cheshunt parish was Theobalds Park, a favourite residence of James I. Richard Cromwell retired to this village upon his abdication.
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