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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE LONDON BOROUGH OF

Vol 7 No 1 MARCH 1983 PRICE 10p Free to Members

CHELSFIELD, TUESDAY 24 MAY, 1983 Don't Forget Bromley The visit which is scheduled to take place on 27th May has been altered. It will now take place on Tuesday, 24th May. We shall be meeting at 7.30 p.m. on that day at Local History No. 6 Church. There will be a talk about the history of the village and the church, and there will be a display of photographs. If you have already bought your copy, The church is on the opposite side of the By- Pass, to the village of Chelsfield and there is ample car how about supporting the Society by parking space. selling some to your friends? GRANDFATHER’S embers are reminded that the Society’s sixth publication The Committee decided to place on record their Ts now available. It contains six articles of great local congratulations and appreciation of John Nelson’s historical interest, contains 48 pages and includes some publication, “Grandfather’s Biggin Hill” . They are of the excellent pictures. It is selling well and is available at most opinion that it is an excellent well produced booklet and a stationers and bookshops in the area. It can be obtained at valuable contribution to the records of the history of the meetings by members at the special price of 80p or by post area. from the Secretary. 163, Tubbenden Lane, Orpington, Copies are available from Mr. J. Nelson, 69, Aperfield BR6 9PS., for £1. which includes postage. The price in the Road, Biggin Hill, , TN16 3LX. bookshops, etc., and at the Local History Department of the Central Library, and at other Libraries in the borough, is £1.20p. BROMLEY IN OLD POSTCARDS Please buy as many copies as you can and sell or give Environment Bromley is to mount an exhibition of old them to your relations and friends. We have had 3,000 Bromley postcards. This will be on Sunday, 27th March, printed and would like to sell them all as quickly as at 2 p.m. in the St. Giles Centre, Farnborough. EnBro’s possible. Organiser would welcome gifts of old postcards. (Philip Copies of the earlier publications are still available and Daniell, 300, Baring Road, S:E. 12). Eventually all the can be obtained from the Local History Department of the material will be donated to the Local History Library. Central Library or from the Secretary. A SHORT HISTORY OF ST: ANDREW’S PARISH, BROMLEY This book which is entitled “Not a Mile from Milk Street” , costs £3.95p. and is available from local f FUTURE bookshops and from A. J. Martin, 12 Cromwell Avenue, Bromley. Postage and packing is 50p. All proceeds go to MEETINGS St. Andrew’s Church redecoration fund. THE RECORD OFFICE AND HISTORY LIBRARY & Local History, at Chislehurst Village Hall. Tickets 75p. This office is now at 40, Northampton Road, London, E.C.l. The opening hours are: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. There is a late opening on Tuesdays until 7.30 p.m. but by appointment only. The office is closed on Friday Annual General Meeting, 25th March at Central Library. Mondays and during the 3rd and 4th weeks of October. 8 p.m. Telephone numbers are — Archives. 01-633 6851. History Library. 01-633 7132. Maps and Prints. 01-633 7193. Photographs. 01-633 3255. Faringdon is the nearest under­ Members' Night at Central Library. ground station.

Tuesday Visit to Chelsfield. Meet at Chelsfield SUBSCRIPTIONS 24th May Church. Mrs. Blatcher. These became due on 1st January, and it is hoped that 7.30 p.m. members who have not already done so, will pay their subscriptions as soon as possible. New members who joined after the 1st October, are reminded that their Friday A historical walk down 24th June High Street. Meet at The Swan — corner subscriptions will cover the whole of 1983. 7.30 p.m. of Station Road and High Street. Payments should be sent to Mr. John Nelson, 69 Mrs. P. Knowlden. Aperfield Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent. TNI6 3LX. The rates are £4 for an individual member; £5 for a husband and wife; £3 for a pensioner and £4 for a husband and wife who are both pensioners. On Railway Travelling -Brom ley Record, Dec 1902

In the summer of 1868 I decided to remove from South occurence on the railway in my experience, while the truth London to the more pleasant and healthful country town of that saying about being safer in a railway train than of Bromley in Kent. It was at that time quite an open little elsewhere, has, to my mind, been frequently spot, charming in its rural simplicity and lovely demonstrated. The train has often been a shelter from the surroundings of hill and dale. Fields there were to the right storm, and a protection, for the time being, from the of you, and fields to the left of you, with no manufactories inclemency of the weather, not to speak of the sometimes within its boundaries, and it presented, consequently, pleasant conversation with known or unknown friends. many attractions to those who, while engaged in the City The railway train is, too, a capital match-maker, and many daily, desired when released from business, to breathe a unions (I trust, happy ones) have, apparently, sprung out purer air, and enjoy the blessings that Nature has in store of a train journey. It is a grand leveller also (for the for all who seek her out. Thirty-four years have passed journey), and we are as one for the time being, for we each away since then, but the countryside still “holds the field” . very soon find our own level inside the six by ten It has to-day the same old charm, though years have tried compartment, and we read each other, and, more or less, it, while of the benefits accruing one can yet say “Still they are read in turn by our travelling companions, while we come” . note also with pleasure, an apparently increasing desire to In all this time, I have, with few and slight exceptions, be courteous one to another, at least while on the line, and travelled to and fro daily, the distance being ten miles from particularly I have observed a growing unwillingness town, making twenty miles per day, which, omitting among the youth and manhood around to permit any lady Sundays, amounts, for the 34 years, to the respectable to stand in a railway carriage, all which, as one might say, total of some 200,000 miles of railway travelling, or equal is to the good. to eight times round the world in railway trains, within the Once only has the train in which I was travelling comef period stated. The time thus occupied being an abrupt stoppage, and that was in March 1874, when tkc-^ (approximately) 15,000 hours (1 Vi per day), spent in steam from a passing engine obscured our signals at railway trains, which works out to 600 days and nights, or Borough-road Station, which I afterwards heard were at nearly two entire years out of the 34, spent in railway danger, and our driver made an excursion into the rear of a travelling! And I am not weary yet, though turned three stationary train in front. Happily, no one was very score; for what with the later new carriages, better seriously hurt, I believe, though we were all more or less cushions, and the gradual on-coming of the electric light shaken by the impact, and some passengers reported by night, the journeys by rail are a very pleasant contusions, concussions, and the like. All the experience; while, in addition, we have now the option in compensation claims thereon were, I understand, liberally London of departure from four termini, and of two met by the Company. One gentleman who sat just opposite stations in Bromley, one season ticket being available for and came into contact with me on that eventful morning, all. The cost of this latter for the time named amounting to shortly afterwards set up in business for himself, owing, it some £440. appeared, to the satisfactory compensation he received! In Many and varied have been the experiences passed my own case, I wrote to the Company stating that I was on through during this time. On the whole, they have board at the time of the collision, but uninjured beyond a generally been of a more or less pleasant character, shaking, and had not had to absent myself from my daily anything of an unpleasant nature being an extremely rare calling at any time in consequence. A visit from the super­ intendent of the line followed, and, later, I was Bromley South Station 1890. courteously requested to call at Victoria, which I did, and Continued there received a small sum which amply compensated me. B ro m le y ’s Windm In constantly travelling one sees and hears much. You William Coles Finch in his “Watermills and Windmills” come in contact with “all sorts and conditions of men” includes a picture dated 1785 of two post mills in Bromley, and women, and the observant discover ample scope for and comments “ . . . Strangely enough I have no studies in character. We are told that “Iron sharpeneth confirmation of the existence of two mills, one only being iron, and a man’s countenance that of his friend” , and shown on the maps that I have examined . . .” . In this many a hint is gained and lesson learnt in silent picture, a windmill stands alongside water on which there contemplation of others hard by. Truly we may all learn is a small boat. A second windmill is on the horizon. The something from each other. The cheerful traveller, too, caption beneath reads, “Bromley (Metcalf’s Mill)” . discovers, or makes, a cheerful atmosphere around him or Assuming that the picture is authentic and accurate, and her, while we all know the effect on some nine people in a there is no reason to suppose otherwise, it is interesting to full compartment by the display of the reverse of this on speculate on the whereabouts of the second mill. Two the part of the tenth traveller. possible locations are suggested. Bromley Library has a map drawn in parchment, surveyed in 1723 by John Holmes Junior. Presumably it was his father who surveyed a map reproduced in Horsburgh’s “Bromley” . The 1723 maps shows the various parcels of land in Bromley owned by William Passenger Esquire. His tenants were shown in a reference, and the land they rented was identified by areas of coloured tints. “Mill Street” Plaistow, was shown in the position of the present day “Milk Street” . This now peters out just beyond the railway arch, and becomes a footpath leading to Garden Road. Holmes’ map shows Mill Street leading into Mill Street Lane, and Brook Lane, no doubt at their juncture. One of the houses shown in Finch’s picture could be one that still stands in Milk Street, a short distance from the main footpath. Bromley South Railway Station 1860. If Milk Street were originally Mill Street as indicated on the old map (Milk Street is an unusual name anyway), then What there is to be seen outside the train, as we go no doubt a mill stood nearby. Mill Street on the map, rumbling and rolling and gliding along is always, more or widens about half way along its length, and a portion is less interesting. Twice during the seventies, the line, with tinted blue, no doubt indicating water. Alongside a small the adjacent meadows between Bromley and , circle is drawn 1 /10th of an inch in diameter. The scale of near the Kent Waterworks, was flooded, presenting for the the map being 1 inch to 165 feet, the circle could represent time being a picturesque appearance. a windmill drawn in plan to give a diameter of \6Vi feet. I have several times in past years come home up Martin’s ’s mill is approximately 14 feet. Hill at four a.m., in returning from town, and anything Bromley Library’s copy of Dunken’s “Outlines of the more glorious than the sight presented there in the early History of Bromley” includes a wash drawing of morning of a summer’s day, I cannot conceive. All Nature Bromley’s mill. Thij differs from “Metcalf’s Mill” of seemed awaking. The sun rising, the birds singing, the hues William Coles Finch’s book. The former has an additional of the morning colouring all the landscape, combined with portion at the rear, and the roof top is curved similarly to the delicious fragrance of the lovely country air, all united Keston’s mill. “Metcalf’s Mill” has a triangular shaped to tend to raise one’s thoughts in thankfulness to higher roof top, and no additional structure to the back portion. things, while borne along on the wings of the morning. The mill shown in the picture on the horizon could therefore be the mill depicted by Dunken, the one built w igo2 originally by the Style family. The front cover of Bromley Local History No. 6, has a THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL HISTORY picture of corn fields at Plaistow. During the past fifty years, but particularly since the The second suggested location of Bromley’s second mill, Second World War, interest in local history amongst is at Masons Hill. amateurs and professional academics has increased enor­ The Vestry Minutes of 14th January 1721 read, “ . . . mously and this has seen the establishing, and flourishing, Ordered that the present Church Wardens John Weller of many local history societies (including our own). and David Messingham or either of them do hire of The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has William King, all that Dwelling House he rents of Mr for many years sponsored the Standing Conference for Knightly near to ye windmill in ye Parish of Bromley at a Local History (SCLH). In 1977 the Council established a yearly rent of £6 per annum . . . ” . committee under Lord Blake ‘to make an assessment of the The Poor Rate Assessment Books indicate William King pattern of interest, activity, and of study in local history’. renting only one property from Mr Knightly in Bromley, The culmination of the Blake Committee’s report was that was for £10 per annum, and was situated at Masons that on the 13th March 1982 a Steering Council was elected Hill. Could the extra £4 rental be for the windmill? A for the British Association for Local History to come into further pointer to there being a windmill at Masons Hill, being on 1st April 1982. Progress can be reviewed and a was that this property rented by William King was shown more permanent Council elected, at the A.G.M. to be held in the Poor Rate Books as far back as 1712 in its Masons in the Spring of 1983. Hill position, but in 1711, it was shown next to John Briefly, the purpose of the Association is ‘to promote Wybourne’s mill at the further end of Bromley. the advancement of public education through the study of Owner Tenant Rental local history’. Membership is open to all individuals over Humphrey Style Esq. John Wybourne £8 eighteen years of age and to any organisation. Subscription Mr Knightly WmKing £10 for 1982/3 is £4, and members will receive the quarterly Earlier John Wyb'ourne’s mill had been shown, out of copies of ‘The Local Historian’ which for many years was place next to the watermill. ‘The Amateur Historian’. There used to be a pond in Masons Hill alongside the Further details and application forms for membership, road, which could have been the water shown in picture of from The General Secretary, B.A.L.H., 43, Bedford Bromley’s two windmills in William Coles Finch’s Square, London WC1 3DP. “Watermills and Windmills” . John Filmer remembers this house when a child, and of its strong The Bruyn Sisters & Pickhurst resemblance to Miss Haversham’s in ‘Great Expectations’. It is a mysterious story about which one would like to Mr. Geoffrey Barrow writes: know more. With reference to the article about the ‘Bruyn Sisters’ in ‘ John Hodson Made Me ’ ’ the recent Bromleage, I notice that the writer does not give the authority for the statements as to the descent of the De John Hodson started his bell foundry in London, about La Rokele and Bruyn families. That which is given agrees 1650. It seems that he had a son Christopher, as the with Borrowman’s ‘’ p.7 which is there stated castings made in 1677, state they are by John and to be based, rather vaguely, on “the earlier Kentish Christopher Hodson. It was probably this son who started Historians” . the branch or separate business at St. Mary Cray. The local I have made fairly extensive researches into all the church registers record that on 1st October, 1677, families involved, not only the De La Rokeles, and Bruyns, Christopher, the son of Christopher Hodson, was but those into which they married, based on Manuscript baptised; on 16 May, 1679, Hugh, son of Xtopher and printed sources and I believe that Borrowman’s Hodson, was buried, as was Susan Smythe, daughter of account should be amended. Chr. Hodson, on 20 May 1687. It is true that there was a Sir William Bruyn married to The site of the foundry was in St. Mary Cray High Isolda, but she was not a De La Rokele by birth. They were Street, where the blacksmith’s forge later stood, under the Gentleman and Lady of the Bedchamber to Edward I, and chestnut tree, at the foot of the hill, where the vicarage was held lands in Dorset and Hampshire. He died in 1301 built. This is reputed to be the smithy and chestnut tree (Inquis. p.m.) They seem to have had a son and heir, which inspired Longfellow to write “The Village Maurice, who became knighted, and was Chamberlain to Blacksmith” . For it is known that Longfellow stayed at Edward III. He was aged 30 in 1307 and was summoned to nearby Kevington manor house. The foundry was there Parliament from 1312 to 1322. until 1687, and after that date Christopher’s name It was this Sir Maurice who married the De La Rokele disappears, but the name of John Hodson remained unt'i heiress, and thus added Beckenham to his other 1693. inheritance. His wife was Matilda, the sole daughter and John Hodson made his bells at the London foundry heir of Philip De La Rokele (who died 18th October 1295; whilst Christopher made his at St. Mary Cray. They must Inquis. p.m. &Harl. Soc. XIV. p.555). have done a good trade because most of the counties in The records reveal some remarkable facts concerning southern have parish churches which contain bells Matilda. She was born in Ireland on the 9th. Oct. 1286 (At cast by the Hodsons. It is believed that 26 bells made by an Inquisition of 16 June 1301, she was said to be aged 14 Christopher and 16 made by John are still in use. The bells on St. Dennis’ day last). Before 14th Oct. 1300 she was the made by Christopher include one at Rochester Cathedral wife of Maurice Bruyn. Not only was she then under the (which has been recast), and bells at Plumstead and age of 14 but what is still more remarkable a Royal Licence Charlton. was granted on the 6th. Oct 1298 permitting her to marry One report says that a bell in West Wickham parish Maurice “if she wished” (Patent Rolls.) and furthermore church has the initials of both William Hull (a foreman at describes her as “late the wife of John De Gorges” . A the foundry) and Christopher Hodson. The church guide widow shortly before her 12th birthday — surely an does not mention this but says that a bell has inserted in it a unusual state of affairs, although I believe child-marriages coin of Charles II and is inscribed “John Hodson made were not unknown in the time when matrimony was more a me, 1669” . The fifth bell in Hayes Parish Church has business arrangement. Maurice was about 21 years old at inscribed on it “John Hodson made me, 1670, C.H.” . the time of his marriage to Matilda. Two of the bells at have John Hodson’s name on The youthful pair seem to have had only one son, Sir them, and one bears the initials of the then church William Bruyn who died on the 24th Feb. 1362, and who wardens, John Brasier who lived at Cudham Court and had married a local lady, Alice, the daughter of Richard Thomas Farrant, who lived at Newbarn. John Hodson’s Lacer, who resided at what was afterwards Simpson’s bells are at St. Mary Cray church and are dated 1655. Place, Bromley, and who is commemorated with his wife The earliest reference to bells in the church of St. Mart-' Juliana, by a Brass in Bromley church, a fragment of of Tours, Chelsfield, is in an inventory of the church ma.__ _ which still survives. in the reign of Edward VI (1547 to 1553). It states “Item iij The great grandson of Sir William and Alice was Sir bells in the steple, suted of brasse” . It was probably these Henry Bruyn who died on the 30th Nov. 1461 (inquis. which were replaced in 1672, by five which hang in the p.m.) and by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert belfry today. Inscribed on each of them is “ John Hodson Darcy of Maldon, Essex, had the two daughters and co­ made me 1672, John Allen, William Chapman, church­ heirs Alice and Elizabeth, the subject of the above article. I wardens” . have notices of descents from both of them, but for the present shall leave the matter. JET PROPELLED — AIR VERSUS STEAM Although I have fairly extensive genealogical accounts In 1858 Mr. Carter, who lived at Mottingham, built a small of these families I do not have anything on their personal demonstration vessel, which was driven by air. The appearance, and would be glad to learn the source for the propelling power was obtained by the introduction of air description of Elizabeth Bruyn. under the keel of the vessel and its pressure upon the water. I may say in conclusion of this matter that in compiling Naval and scientific personel inspected the model which these genelogies great care has to be made in distinguishing was to go on a trial trip from Millwall to Greenhithe. the De La Rokele family of Beckenham (who I believe, took their name from La Rochelle, in France) and the De WATERLOO VETERAN Rokesle family who took their surname from nearby Thomas White died at the Village, Beckenham, on 8th . The arbitrary nature of spelling found in old December, 1878. When quite young, he had joined the records can lead to confusion between these two distinct 33rd Regiment of the Line and was present at the battle of families. The same applies to Bruyn who may well be Waterloo, in 1815. He was awarded a medal for his mistaken for Le Brun and Bryene (the last, an unrelated bravery. In the spring of 1874, the War Office granted him family who are commemorated in the church of Seal, a pension of l/3d a day, and with praiseworthy financial Sevenoaks). The junior branch of the Bruyns spelt the assistance from a niece and an allowance from the parish, name Brune and their descent can be traced to the present the old man was enabled to pass the last years of his life in day, being represented by the Prideaux-Brunes of Devon comfort. It was his delight to repeat the scenes of his and Cornwall. earlier days, and many a child in Beckenham was I was also interested in the article on Pickhurst, and entertained by his anecdotes and his descriptive accounts especially in the account of Longhurst. My wife distinctly of the battle of Waterloo. Designed and produced by Raven Studios Ltd., 5 Rectory Road, Beckenham, Kent on behalf of The Local History Society for the London Borough o f Bromley. Editorial contributions to: Mr F.J. Whyler, 163 Tubbenden Lane, Orpington.