Possible site of early 18th century decoy pond, 'Canney Decoy Pond' (or 'Steeple Decoy'), Steeple Hall Farm (EHER 12171)

Now destroyed. The possible site of a decoy pond known as Canney Decoy Pond and Steeple Decoy. It was originally constructed in 1713, but in 1721 the owner enlarged it at considerable expense. It must have gone out of use before 1861 as it is not illustrated on the 1st edition OS map. The actual location of the decoy is not provided, but it was sited on Steeple Hall Farm.

The site of Canney Decoy Pond. <1> - <4> Steeple Decoy was on Canney Marsh, on the east bank of Steeple Creek, and midway between Steeple Church and the Blackwater, on Steeple Hall Farm. This decoy is marked on an old map of Essex, dated 1719 and entered in the map catalogue as dated [1720 ?] in the British Museum. Steeple Decoy was originally constructed in 1713, but in 1721 the owner enlarged it at considerable expense. <4> The decoy pond does not appear on the 1st edition OS map (1861) and must have gone out of use by then. <5> Note: This record was previously incorrectly attributed to the modern water feature at TL 9180 0429, but has been mapped to a point, using the description provided by source <4>. It should be noted that source <4> does not provide a precise location of the decoy, and as such, the actual location of the decoy pond therefore remains uncertain. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.