In 1548 Chantry Commissioners recorded that Sir John Holmested, aged 30, was St John the Baptist priest, to sing mass in the parish church and 'teacheth a grammer schole their, and haithe one Annuytie or pencion of 100s. of the kinges majestie out of the landes of Waltham Holy Crosse'. Holmested was also 'ayding the curate there'. VCH, Essex, 2.510.