Blackdon was originally a distinct hamlet whose ownership was separate from the manors of Hempstead Hall and Crouchmans/Wincelow Hall. Some time around 1700, it was purchased for the use of Guy’s Hospital.
From An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume 1, North West (1916)
Blagden Farm (see Plate, p. xxvii), house, ¾ m. N.E. of (12), was built in the second half of the 16th century, on a T-shaped plan with the cross-wing at the S. end. At the end of the N. wing and on the N. side of the cross-wing are modern additions. The original central chimney-stack in the cross-wing has four octagonal shafts, modern at the top, on a square base with a moulded capping.
