The Rodney was built around 1650 as a farmhouse and in the 18th century it was owned by the Hodge family. Thomas Hodge, born in Little Baddow in 1773, co-founded the Chelmsford Brewery in 1812 and its fair to assume his tenant, James Edwards, sold their beer. At this time the pub was known as the Dray.
The next tenant, Charles Smith, had been a farmer, grocer and beer-shop keeper, before taking over the pub in the late 1840s. He and his family established a bakery and grocery shop there. After Charles Smith died, his wife and son carried on trading into the 20th century.
Another pub, located just to the south of Heather Hills, and originally known as the Cock and Warren had been renamed the Rodney in the late 18th century, presumably to honour the popular Admiral who died in 1792 and under whom Captain Barrington of Tofts had fought. It appears that when the publican there retired in the 1850s the name and business were transferred down the hill to the present Rodney.