HEMPSTEAD, a village and a parish in Saffron-Walden district, Essex. The village stands near the river Pant, 5¾ miles SSW of Haverhill r. station, and 6V E by S of Saffron-Walden; is an ancient place; and has a postoffice under Saffron-Walden. The parish includes also the hamlet of Blackden. Acres, 3, 565. Real property, £5, 008. Pop., 797. Houses, 168. The property is subdivided. Winchlow Hall was the seat of the Harveys, one of whom was Dr. Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the blood. The parish is noted for its trees, and has a famous "Hempstead Oak, " of remarkable size. The living is a p. curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Great Sampford, in the diocese of Rochester. The church is ancient; and consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with lofty tower.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))