“WARE, 20 1/2 miles from London, is an ancient market town on the west side of the river Lea, having a considerable trade in malt and corn. It consists of one principal street, intersected by several smaller ones. The houses in general are well built, and the church is a noble structure in the form of a cross, dedicated to St. Mary. The sepulchral memorials are numerous. Several alms-houses for poor widows, &c. are in different parts of the town; and various other benefactions for charitable purposes have been made to this parish.

The market is on Tuesday. The fairs on the last Tuesday in April, and the Tuesday before the 31st September. The number of houses, 557. Inhabitants, 9,950.

WARE PARK. In the  meadow opposite to Ware Park, are the springs of Chadwell, the proper source of the New River. These are concentrated in a small pool, or basin, surrounded by a light railing, from which the stream slowly issues in its course towards London, and is swelled at a little distance by a cut from the river Lea.”

Source:  A New Picture of England and Wales, by Samuel Leigh, 1820, page 248