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the history of Leyton and Leytonstone
from . dot to … dots – with plenty of spaces
1688 to 1727, the reigns of William and Mary, Anne and George I
the houses of the well-off
Those who could pick and choose where to live in the 18th century favoured, for homes within a short journey of London, areas of sandy gravel deposits : around the edge of Hampstead Heath, Blackheath, and Putney and Wimbledon Commons - and the Leyton and Wanstead Flats. These facilitated the construction of cesspits and drains to remove waste and sites offering clean water from wells and springs. The gravel deposits were higher than surrounding areas (though not dramatically so north-east of London) and caught summer breezes. Infertile, they had not been much settled, which was a desirable contrast to London that had grown rapidly in population, and was suffering problems from disease, slums, pollution and (from the perspective of the privileged) weak social control.
