Site of probably late 17th century decoy pond, 'Northey Island Decoy', Decoy Marsh, Northey Island (EHER 7956)

Now destroyed. The site of a probably late 17th century decoy pond which is known from placename evidence. It comprises an area of natural saltings which were enclosed in the 17th century and which are called Decoy Marsh. In 1890, the land was owned by Mr E.A. Fitch and was called 'the Decoy Piece'. The decoy pond is said to have gone out of use in the 19th century and it is not clear how many pipes there had been. The decoy does not appear to have existed in 1663.

Decoy pond. An area of natural saltings enclosed in the 17th century called Decoy Marsh. <1> <2> <3> See aerial photograph <4>. Northey Island Decoy, was situated on the eastern side of Northey Island, Maldon. Christy, writing in 1890, stated that it was then held by Mr. E.A. Fitch, and was still known as 'the Decoy Piece ;' it had been disused during the nineteenth century, and although the pond and ditches were probably but little altered it was impossible to say how many pipes there had been ; from an advertisement which appeared in 'Mercurius Publicus' of 6th August, 1663, it does not appear to have then existed. This decoy was discovered by Mr. E. A. Fitch. <5>