a market-town and parish of the county of Essex, which gives its name to the hundred in which it is situated. It stands on a branch of the river Blackwater, thirty-eight miles from London and seven from Chelms- ford. It is a well-built town, and pleasantly situated; and being on the great road to Harwich and Ipswich, has much travelling through it. Whitham is said to have been origi- nally built by King Alfred. It afterwards belonged to the Knights Templars, who had a preceptory at Cressing, three miles distant. The church is a neat Gothic structure, con- taining some ancient monuments. There is a good market on Tuesday. The population amounted in 1821 to 2578, and in 1831 to 2735.