History of Speldhurst

THE PARISH OF SPELDHURST.

To write a connected account of this a ncient and interest in r s is now u f r u oss s — a o g Pa i h , n o t nately, an imp ible ta k

r r s v b s so r ha s many eco d ha e een lo t, compa atively little been preserved : yet I m ust make the attempt with s u ch

r a s is to d a nd so I s ur mate ial han , in doing hall endeavo to

r preserve a fairly ch ronological o der. w r t wo rt nn w I shall divide my o k into pa s, begi ing ith a n

s r s r t of u rch s f w hi to ical de c ip ion the Ch it el , and ending ith an accou nt of the Parish and all that may seem to be of d w genera l interest connecte ith it.

THE H CHURC :

We have no record of there having been a chu rch here

a s u is st e f r in the S xon time , tho gh it likely that one exi d, o — the name of the parish is of Saxon origin speld or spelt in " ” u a r burst r k t that lang age me ning lea ned, and o a ra a ”

WOOd .

a s ost u Be that it may, a King John p b ilt into the Rectory at the t ime of its restoration towa rds the latter part of the ﬁfteenth centu ry indica tes the probable existence

r fa r a s A D f ur a s . 12 o . 0 a ch ch at any ate back 0.

r a x r — of nr w e On e ching the ne t eign that He y III . , begin to ﬁnd notices of Speldhu rst ; for the Rochester regis ters describe the fact that ﬁnes were payable by the Rectors of Speldhu rst to the Sec of Rochester in the time A 2 4 History of Speldhurs t .

of B f rc s of rbu r ur s oni ace, A hbi hop Cante y, and La ence, Bi hop 125 1 f s r A D. . o Roche te , . rtu r s of urs the f m of Then , in the cha la ie Speldh t, a ily

n w r s in s r s r r to Holla d , hich e ided thi pa i h at and p io the

st is n e a s r f rs la date, me tion d being g eat bene acto to the

u r Church of Speldh st .

‘ r Re ist ru m Roﬁense us Acco ding to the g , William R sell a nd Hawis his wife fou nded a chapel at Gromeneb regge

so a f r Cr who u s ( called te omen, a Saxon b ilt a ca tle — there now known a s G roombridge) in honou r of St. John s v n s a s a r a r s the Apo tle and E a geli t, a ch nt y in the p i h

u r is r - r f of Speldh st . The deed dated thi ty ninth yea o

r Hen y III .

. 1255 f i r By a ﬁne levied A D. be ore the J ut t ces Itine ant

W r . rt r s on r rcest e viz , Gilbe de P e t , Roge de y , William de d e E n leﬁeld— r Cobham and William g Walte de la Dene,

ss ss r of v ws of urs r n e then po e o the ad o on Speldh t, g a t d it to Walter Fitzwalter in tail general to hold of him and his heirs for ever at the yearly renta l of one penny and per forma nce of all other services d ue thence to the capital f Lords of the ee . 12 4 r Pa l w r h wa A . D 6 d e o t s r of In . Roge de s pat on Speld

u r ur w r s his r to cert r s h st Ch ch , hen he elea ed ight ain ent a nd services d ue for lands granted to the Chapel of Gromene

u n ru n b regge . The doc me t s thus : Ca rta Pa troni ecclesia e d c Speldherst super rela xa tione reddi tus et servitii d e terris et

' tenemen tzs concessi s ca ella e d Gro p c menebregge.

nte h i e t . a L t. h It s dat d S John port. a (6t May) in t e forty i t r of enr I I I w wa s r of e gh h yea H y . ( hich the yea the ou s of w s is w ss rs moment battle Le e ) , and itne ed among othe Sir rt t r of r s of S eldherst by Robe , Rec o the Pa i h p .

is Sir r is r r of S urs Th Robe t p obably the Robe t peldh t, h 12 w o is A . D . 39 w l w s mentioned in , hen Wil iam and Ha i

T Towns Dooa SPE D RST RC . WE S , L HU CHU H

t r ( Show ing La bel of E a rly 1l th Cen u y . )

[ To fa ce pa ge 5 . " His tor Q eldhurst 5 y ) Sp .

Ru ssell granted him and his successors the chaplaincy of " t heir new cha ntry at Groombridge in pu re and perpetu al

s b ut a s s r f of s alm I have no po itive p oo thi , I have u r e t m Lis of rs a s w r s q e i d the da e in y t Recto , ill p e ently be seen . a s s r of u rs A D 1256 In a le e by thi Robe t Speldh t dated . . , the chapel wa s called of Redmeregge in the pa rish of ur Speldh st.

r w r 12 n of I . ow ss A . D 7 2 We pa on to the eign Ed a d , . to 1307 u r w of w r n , d ing the hole hich time, and p obably lo g f r fa of b w r r w rs be o e, the mily Co ham e e the p incipal lando ne in the pa rish .

ur wa s sr r for r The ch ch evidently getting into di epai , ve y

f r s— u A D 1 20— w r s or a t . 3 ra h tly e thi abo t . the to e at any te

u s r u a s e of r s w st m t have been eb ilt, the lab l the p e ent e

r is of a s w a s u s s of doo that date, ell the mo lding at the ba e r the towe . Money wa s often raised in those ancient times by means of offerings of the faithful at shrines in the variou s paris h

r m o r u r s w t s ra u rs f s . ch che , hich att ac ed con ide ble n be pilg im To this period we may fairly ass ign the erection of th ree su s r s of u rs hur ch h ine in the chancel Speldh t C ch , and the

ff r s s w u d ou r u r s s of o e ing at the e o l , like ch ch expen e the

r s fu r s s ra ort of ss r p e ent day, ni h no incon ide ble p ion the nece a y fu s for r rs or r u nd epai eb ilding . u n r n his f r fr Leland D nca , chieﬂy de ivi g in o mation om s s r r s s e of t s shr s a nd Kenti h Will , eco d the exi t nce he e ine ,

' though he is quoting oﬁerings mad e to them at a much

r r is r s su s ha d e late date, the e no ea on to ppo e they not b en

a im fa r r r r i n at a ea lie pe iod.

r of s a a n of ur of The p incipal the e w s image O Lady Pity, which wa s a ﬁgure of the Blessed Virgin weeping over the

er w s o dead body of h Di vine Son . This wa s al ay a R od o 6 His tory f Speldhurst.

r r s n r t r of the Image, and ep e e ted he e the dedica o y Saint ur n our s s wa s a s we w ch ch in additio . In ca e thi , kno ,

S r r t. M a y the Vi gin . Thu s we have : To be buried in the chu rchya rd of — ou r Blessed Ladie of the Parish of Spelhyrst Hu mfry 1524 Co n . py g, And again : To be bu ryed in the chu rcheycrd e of Spel — h urste holdyn of the na tyvite of ou r la die Richard Abraham

for s r r of lf wa x f r ou r While the h ine A tape ha li . be o e

d e a rt n — Holmeb lady at my p y g Ric . y, d : r a nd iiii — u fr CO n And again To Ma y John H m y py , 1524 .

And for the pla ce of the shrine To the roode Mary a nd d xii — Ce in of e urs 1522 John John pp g Sp ldh t, . And again : To the making of the window afore the d m r f xii —W r r ode ote C ocke , — Ou r of ts 1515 . And, To Lady Pity John Wat , f r we r wa s r s r . C r st r o The e anothe h ine, to St h i ophe , have , — 1 2 r r 5 4. . r s o . To S Ch i t phe Ric Ab aham, d — X ofer xii C 1522. And To the p John opping, And To the gilding of the yma ge of Sainte Xpofer of d S eldhu rste xii — Cr r p William ocke , h r wa s t r s r . P r t e While the e yet a hi d h ine, to St ete , To d ld in of Sa nte P r xii — r Ab ra gy g y ete Richa d ham, A most interesting relic of the combination of these t wo latter shrines is to be fou nd in a few tiles which survived

ru of u r 1 91 s m the dest ction the ch ch in 7 . The de ign on the h r s r is a planted staff or tree (t e emblem of St. Ch i tophe ) f s s a re r. s between t wo cocks for St . Pete Copie o thi de ign

' - to be secu iu the chancel tiles of the present ediﬁce . Speci mens of the same combination a re to be seen in the tiles of

ur r n w a re n wn a ch ch nea Readi g, hich k o to have belonged to

H or o eldhurst is t y f Sp .

r s d in u r c v r l r r or e i ed hono able apti ity, and g eat y epai ed r u u r of e urs er of his eb ilt the ch ch Sp ldh t, and that the t m

- r s wa s w f u r rs 12a fr 1415 to 1439 . imp i onment t enty o yea , , om ’ i r a r r ra s H s info mation w s de ived f om MS . in the He ld

fﬁ s r f S lehu rst a s O ce . He al o gives the de ivation o pe the ” learned wood . Private correspondence describes the tra cery of the win

ws a s u fu t w r do being exceedingly bea ti l, and the o e and ” s r a s b u t s s r ss is u pi e being neat, mo t t e laid pon the ’ u s r we s h fro r s mon ment , and he e get ome elp m Tho pe

‘ Re istrum Roﬁense a s w g ell . On the sou th wall of the chancel wa s a n a ncient and u fu u of s r w t r r of w r bea ti l mon ment alaba te , i h g eat va iety o k r s su r u s r s t wo a s u r and o nament , mo nted by the e a m in co t q a

t erl : i. Sa . r w u s or w two t s y ( ) , th ee aln t leave , , bet een co ize ,

a r . a z. r or fr sa w r r ss s g , a chev on, , etty . bet een th ee c o e

n s a r . a s a s u . r moli e , g (iii . ) (ii) (iv . ) (i) , impaling g th ee

s w r s rw s a r . lt or w o d ba ay , g , pommelled and hi ed, , bet een

u s of t d r f a r e s a r e ss . eight m llet h la t . In a canton p te p e e, g

or ss. r u Cr s s r r and , a lion pa ga dant, g . e t ove ba on, a

wa u r r f sw r ln t t ee ; ove emme, a hand holding a o d, the r off blade b oken by the hilt. — Underneath were tw o arches in one a man kneeling in

r ur w u r r s of complete a mo , ith q a te ing hanging on pommel

sw r r s s r fﬁ of his w f o d, and th ee on ; in the othe an e gy i e w her r s t wo u rs two s ith a m , and da ghte kneeling ; in table of a b a s r f w s bl ck ala te , the ollo ing line

’ ’ I d e ra se th Va our b ut Ma rs ins to row n p y y l , g f ’ He ea rs w en So s a o t t a t Ma rs must d owne f h l l f , h , ’ I d e ra se th ourme b ut Ven us cries a ma ne p y y f , y , Sir Wa ter Wa er w i l m Ad ta n l ll l y a m s y e, ’ I d e pra yse thy lea rning b ut Minerva cries ’ T en A t ens a me must cre w n W r ﬂies h h f ep he a lle . His tory of Speldhurst .

A ssist us E n a nd in our d ou t u son . , gl , b f l g W en suc im s a d e th ﬂouris a sts not on h h l b f , y h l l g E a rt ha s his ea rt w ic d ot his cor se inroule h h h h h p , ” i d u A ngells sing req uiems to h s blesse so le .

s u m r te b ut e rs a r s Thi mon ent bo e no da , it app a by the p i h

r Sir r r K . wa u r A ) 1599 s ut s J . Regi te that Walte Walle , , b ied . s wa s r r The econd epitaph an anag am to Lady Anna Walle , hi w f r s u s us . i e, and n th

A ll w orthy eyes rea d this tha t hither come N ever d eca ying virt ue ﬁlls this tomb N ever enough to be la mented here A 8 long a s women -kind a re worth a tea r W ithin this w eeping stone lyes La d y Wa ller A 11 tha t w ill know her more a sa in te w ill ca ll her Life so d ire her whils t living here Levelled s ight to GOD in love a nd fea re E ven so d t a t t urn his na me a nd goo , h see

R edd to crow ne t a t i e—a LA WRE Ltre y h l f e .

Oppos ite to this monu ment wa s a handsome one of ﬁne

r r of s t of ma ble, To the memo y Jame Long, gen , late

r -le- t he u of wh u St. Ma y bone in Co nty Middlesex o (tho gh he died a Ba chelor) proved a most indulgent Father to many of his Nephews and Ncices while he lived and at his

h r hi f r I n r u t Deat pa ted s o tu ne amongst them . g atit de o

w os r his Neice r Lo s s r us h e Memo y, Beat ix ng, pin te , ca ed

s u r 22 r s 17 14 thi mon ment to be e ected, obiit Ma ti , Anno , E ta tis

n rn s s rr of s U de eath al o, lye inte ed the Body the aid

r s t f of ss Beat ix Long Who, having pen a li e goodne , and

r s r s r of exempla y Piety, cho e to e t in Peace till the Mo ning — the Resu rrection in this Place Willing that the Esteem and affection she bore to her good Uncle might be followed

f h r As s ft r e 45 by a Union o t ei he a e Death . She di d at

rs of a e 2nd yea g , May , 10 Histor o eldhurs t y f Sp .

On a brass plate in a gra vestone Of your cha ritie pray for s u of h l r esi u er wh the the o le Jo n Wa le , l y , ich dyed V dai

° " ” of r A . M X Ma ch . D V VII On a gravestone Here lyeth under the hope of a "h h d u f r u s r s urr C r a t e 5 a . o glo io e ection in HRIST, Ma th ,

Sir r r of us the u of r f rd Walte Walle , B hy Hall in co nty He t o , " r his w f who A u 1661 set su e K , and dame Ma y i e, died g. , .

f r u m r . d a u . o On a bl e a ble Eliz Ab aham and Eliz . r t z r of who 15 Spoone , ci i en and vintne London, dep . Sep . 9 1689 . , aged

Like budd ing rose or ﬂower of Ma y ’

G rowne u cut d ow n a nd w ither d in a d a . p, y E a rly she left this sta ge in morn ing d ress E ere sin or va n ity d id her soul possess T en w i e of tea res for sure she is est h p , ly bl it sound in ra ers a nd ever a stin res t W h g p y l g .

r s now u s s w of h l On a g ave tone [ o t ide the ea t all the c ance ,

r s t z— rms r - s a nd r and in a b oken ta e] A Th ee pick axe M . Thomas Clare dyed t he 25th of J uly and wa s buried the 26h s m in 3 h r of hi A t of 7t s D . the a e month the yea age . ” XX X wa s r t ve t ur r of MDCL I . He me chan ad n e London . A marble tablet on the eas t wall of the chancel To

r of Mr. Ed w r r ur who the memo y , a d Onely, an A my S geon, died abroad mu ch esteemed a nd beloved for his great care a n r ss of s w u s rs d tende ne the ick and o nded oldie . Placed

his ff u r fu r Mr ere r . h by a ectionate and mo n l b othe the Rev . M . Onele A . . of hr s ur C C r R y late C i t Ch ch ollege, amb idge,

e r of s r s s u rs r 1786 and R cto thi pa i h and A h t, in the yea ,

f rm r s to the Al n and o e ly dome tic chaplain Right Hon . le ,

r of u rs . r h 31 1787 64 r Ea l Bath t He died Ma c , , aged yea s . ” i u i Fra tr os t et s . p , ibi In the nave wa s a brass pla te with eﬂigies and Of your e 11 History of Sp ldhurs t. cha rit ie pray for the soules of Wyllyam Waller late of Grome

r u of es u er who l eth r u r b idge in the co nty Kent, q y , y he e b ied h f W ll m r f a nd Anne is wi e which y ya dep . this mo tal li e ° ° 18 M V . 1555 se therd e ea re f Jan . LV [ ] in cond and y o the reignes of our Sovera igne Lord King Phillip and ou r ” r Sovera igne Lady qu eue Ma y. h u su r r s w t h The plate a d the. al Walle a m i h t is addition Three hawks belled and a mu llet in chief for difference:

r ur r s wa s fol Nea the ch ch gate, on a g ave tone the

w r of r son of lo ing : He e lieth the Body William Ma tin, m ’ r n who wa s kill d l oth f 1 28 W . o u and Eliz Ma ti , the J ly 7

8th r of his f s of a s (in the yea age) by a atal ﬂa h lightning, wa s his fr m w rs of he going to home, o the o hip the living

GOD. ’ est c i d w ose ind rea tor summon d en e Bl h l , h k C h c , ’ ’ E er sin d eﬁl d his na tive Innocence

E i a he in a m ent Fi So a s l j h , , l b re ’ nt d th s ies a nd oin d Mou e e k , j the A ngelic Choir

The space occu pied by this ancient and beau tiful church wa s of r s w wa s u exactly that the p e ent one, hich b ilt on

r f r su r r the same site . It the e o e mea ed f om eas t to west

110f u n of 30 f fr r u eet, incl di g a chancel eet 3 om no th to so th

the 45 f . in nave, eet is r of r r r s t e It a matte little eg et, pe hap , that no de ail d

c u of its r ur u s ha s r ser for a co nt a chitect al bea tie been p e ved,

r s u r is r u s of its r the p e ent ch ch , th o gh the kill a chitect, the ir r s late S Gilbe t Scott, an almo t exact reprodu ction thereoﬁ We have now to relate the disaster which robbed the

r s of its u r f r r t r r - pa i h ch ch, a te a es o ed or e built existence of 3 70years .

1 The ca rvin on the m re a ncient ea d st nes a re w rt of n te gs o h o o hy o . They a ssume the form of crossed a rrows w ith sma ll circles a t the

notc es a nd a re sa id to be v r l a ED . h , e y oc l . ] 12 o o Hist ry f Speld hurst.

rou ff r a cc u ts a nd r n sin h G ping the di e ent o n ha mo i g t em, we f w r wr get the ollo ing details . A lette itten by an eye w ss sha f r the su s of s r u itne ll o m b tance the to y, altho gh I ha ve ta ken the liberty of inserting in it what I have a re from o r sour s so a s w r r r g the d the ce , not to ea y the eade wi r e th ep tition .

urs a s . 20 s s the wr r u On Th day l t [Oct , ay ite , abo t

A . H we s wfu of u r ., had a mo t a l clap th nde ; and in a few minutes after we perceived from Mount Ephraim one — — of our parish churches Speldhurst to be on ﬁre Two men sa w the ba ll enter about the centre of the shingled a r of u fu s s s a s p t that bea ti l teeple, and almo t in t ntly moke ss ue fro to — ﬂa mes su c e few rs s i d m the p c e ding . The pe on r s ne r s e s of wr s e iding a it happily av d the che t iting , plate

u s co s u us s s wa s and p lpit cushions . Mo t n pic o among t the e t r now s r s of a valiant ailo (name lo t) and Ma tin , the ho t the ” r r s Geo ge and D agon . Had any person been on the pot of r the is su s a l capable di ecting men, it ppo ed th t the chance , u t u of r s t e s a s it b il by the D ke O lean , migh have b en aved

r i r r s wa s r u ts s u . , eve ything cont ib ted to de t ction Ve y oon a w s t w the heavy rain a nd hail ce sed . The high e ind r s fr s re u r d ove the flame om the teeple di ctly on to the ch ch, f and continued blowing withou t rain the whole a ternoon . In abou t four hours this magnificent struct ure wa s reduced of ru s to a heap in . The fiery furnace into which Shadrach a nd his com ” a n s w r s u sa s wr r u t p ion e e ca t, q aintly y the ite , co ld , I hink, bear no comparison to the fire enclosed within these walls when everything on which the fire had power wa s bu rning ” r r togethe on the floo .

1 i m S in es a re ti es of rent oa k. The s re wa s of tim er So e h gl l p b . a ccounts sa the s indle of the va ne w a s ﬁrst ruc a nd in its y p st k, sta te i nit th w rk fused g ed e w ood o . Histor o eldhurs t y f Sp . 13

ﬁne of six e s wa s of c urs s r a nd The peal b ll , o e, de t oyed , the molten meta l ra n down Speldhurst hill ; suﬂicient of this wa s afterward s collected to he eventually recast into

r s s u ts — s of the p e ent eventh bell . The mon men ome most

ur us ua w r a s — w r ru s c io and val ble o km n hip e e c mbled to du t. The next morning a small space wa s clea red in front of w ha d ee a r u w r a c ua l hat b n the alt , and a co ple e e t ly married there " The ventu resome pair were William Card

C t of s r s r n w and Elizabeth ole , bo h thi pa i h the ce emo y a s r r R v r n f e . t ur r pe o med by the William Go do , hen c ate he e, n f w s a s r a d one o the itne ses w Thomas B ooks . In those s r w s s d a s ro s wa s day the cle k al ay igne , and John B ok , and

ha d r for a n rs r s his f w r been cle k m y yea , pe hap eelings e e u for or os re w r a nd s too m ch him, the atm phe too a m, he ent

ro r r r s . w r ma een a b the to ep e ent him Ho eve that y have b , one very seriou s fa c t ha s been preserved in the parish — ’ a rchives the bride s new shoes were completely spoilt ” s w r of s u r c u The tone o k the teeple and ch ch, ontin es " our rr s is s ru us n— co e pondent, in the mo t ino conditio not ria w r for fu ur use a mate l in the hole emaining t e . is r ra r n r f wa s u rne u s What ve y ext o di a y, the ont t d p ide down and uni nj ured I The wind continu ing to blow from the west saved the ur f rm us fr m n v t s ru t erso ch ch a ho e o i e i able de t c ion . A p n s r fr ur a t sa i ha d hooting nea a mile om the ch ch the me t me, his un w s out of his n w g t i ted hand by the lightni g, hich alarmed him so mu ch that he left the gu n on t he spot a nd ﬂed .

r s the s e fr R sa Repo t at am time om ainham, in Kent, y £150 wa s n ur r w that damage do e in the ch ch the e, hile su w s r e s a s sw B r u ch idely epa at place Ip ich , ogno , Falmo th,

f r a nd li to ter rnw r r Sea o d Cal ng n (the lat in Co all) , epo ted f rfu s r s ea l to m on that day . 14 Hi stor o eldhurst y f Sp .

' A meeting of the pa rishmners wa s held on the 23rd of r 1792 w n wa s w r of Ap il , , he it decided to commence the o k

u r s ur on s s e f r w but b ilding a pa i h ch ch the ame it o th ith, in f fr u r s s u t 2 6 s e o s 3 . d . pit eq ent ate , ometime amo n ing to in

48 fun s but s w r urs wa s ha d the , the d came in lo ly, and eco e

to r fs s r efs w r rs ssu B ie . The e B i e e lette patent i ed by the

ver rect of s for s s So eign , di ing the collection alm pecial object

— su a s u or r r u r named in them ch b ilding epai ing ch ches .

r u s s a r s out of w r ﬁ 1 G eat ab e o e them, and they e e nally 2 abolished in 18 8. ’ s rs w r w w r u ts of King lette , ho eve , hich e e doc men a

s r ra er w r s u 1860 imila cha ct , e e not di contin ed till .

su r f rs 25th u 17 64 is us One ch B ie bea date J ly, , and th i — r u r urs &c. ha l ss or r ente ed T nb idge, Speldh t, , lo cha ge, and w ou ld seem to refer to a disa strous hailstorm w ff w e r w u r u hich a ected a id a ea, and o ld p obably incl de

r e us s a s w a s ur s for r fs s p ivat ho e ell ch che , B ie eem not to have been by any means limited to places of public w orship . r f on s s wa s e 24th u 1792 The B ie thi occa ion dat d J ly, , and wa s u for u rs ur u iss ed Speldh t Ch ch b ilding, and a second one followed for the sa me object on the 15th

I - a u r 1803 12s . i d . J n a y, , i I note that Liverpool contrib uted t wo shillings and three - f r e e f . I r e r s w s r p nc hal penny othe g eat c nt e did like i e, ve y

fr s ur s a s little could have come om these o ce . Be that it new u nw rt ur wa s a s may, a and o hy ch ch opened on Mich elma

1805— v r of s n ss of u Day, po e ty de ign and mea ne exec tion being the chief characteristics which distingu ished it from

its r ssor. we r r s r us noble p edece Ho ve , the pa i hione s m t have been glad a t last to possess a pla ce of wors hip nea rer than

1 The direction to rea d them ha s not been removed from the r- ru ri c Pra ye book b .

MA RY H E V I RG I N SPE D RST T . ST. , L HU

n i r ( I ter o . ) 5 [ To fa ce pa ge 1 . ldhur t 15 Hi story of Spe s .

r r w ha d us ur the chapel at G oomb idge, hich they ed d ing the long interval of fourt een years a nd the tower wa s tinkered w r so e wa s s ou t of u p some hat late , that one b ll ca t the old 1812 w its u s . r metal, and commenced d tie in The etched

ur w t s for u fr wn little ch ch , i h an ap e chancel , and h ge o ing

r s r a s of galle ie , eceived an ddition in the hape an annex on

r 1832 r the no th side in , and even then ba ely accommodated

n r w us r r the co g egation, hich, it m t be emembe ed , extended

in those days a s fa r a s Tunbridge Wells .

r - r rs ss a s dr rot Thi ty eight mo e yea pa ed by, and then, y d w a r us s wa s u d ecay sho ed in v io place , it decided to p ll

w r wa s for the s the church do n . Se vice held la t time in it

n u r 9th 1870 new ur h o Su nday; Jan a y , , and a ch c , on the

x s of s s s a s the r e a ct ite , and the ame dimen ion olde one, w r r w s r a s commenced and apidly p oceeded ith , e vice being

r s o s Sir r wa s held in the pa ochial cho l . Gilbe t Scott the

r h e s of s u rs u r a c itect ; H pe Con table, Pen h t, the b ilde ; and

ﬁr wa s 27th r 1870. s the st stone laid on the Ap il, Bi hop

' rr Suﬂra a n of r s r th e new ur Pa y, g Dove , con ec ated ch ch on

the 6th 187 1 w r c d 1879. May, , the to e being omplete in now s s wa s r e s fr The church a s it tand e ect d at a co t, om

ﬁ — l u su s u fts s r rst to la st inc ding all b eq ent gi , and the ve t y — (built in 1897) and a ll ﬁttings of about s ru u r s s s of r is a The t ct e con i t a nave, no th a le , ch ncel,

s r w r e r of rl s ve t y and to e , all exc pt the latte the Ea y Engli h

style of architecture in its later period . The nave consists

of f ur s w us r u s of i nss o bay , ith cl te ed col mn exceptional l ght e

s ur u -w r r r f and elegance, mo nted by an open o k timbe oo , and the chancel ha s a dou ble arch connecting it with a con

t inua ti n of r s a s w o the no th ai le to the e t all , the chancel

n f u r s r u itselfexte ding ﬁfteen eet f rthe ea twa d . The mo ldings

of the s a re r ﬁne u fu s of w capital ve y , the bea ti l tone hich the church is built having been obtained from qu arries in His tor o eld hurst 16 y f Sp . the parish which yield a very pleasing a nd delicately ur f rru us s fr s s colo ed e gino sand tone om the Ha ting bed . The lower sta ge of the tower is of much earlier date than the — rest of the church the label a nd mou ldings of the west door

h w a r f ur u r w r w the a s s o ing e ly o teenth cent y o k, hile b ement

r r of the tower its elf evidently dates from a still ea lie period .

s st sur ﬁre u r s r m Thi age alone vived the , the ppe tage e aining ru us u s f o 1879 u r st in a ino and n a e c ndition . In the ppe age wa s r b ut two new s w r r its c emoved, one e e e ected in pla e,

f fr r u making the total height seventy eet om the g o nd . A

u r ﬁ ow r s rs q aint little pinnacle oo ng the t e tai , and looking like

fin r o sk wa s c r - s a ge p inting to the y, pla ed in the no th ea t — a ngle of the flat and solid lea den roof forming in the fa r fi dista nce a distinctive feature of the edi ce . The base of the tower wa s at the same time greatly s r h d m s u of r u w t engt ene by an im en e amo nt g o ting, hich enables it to sustain a ringing chamber and a peal of eight

a r s r s u a re e l r ss bells . The n ve po che no th and o th de p y ece ed a nd s -r f s r a s w r s tone oo ed at ha p ngle , hich g eatly add to the r fu f ﬁ light and g a ce l proportions o the whole edi ce . is r r r of s ors s is one of It the gene al ema k vi it , Thi the most beau tifu l village churches in England . All the monu ments of the preceding church a re collected

r r w l s of t w r us fr w s of on the inte io a l the o e , th eeing the all ﬁ m ts the rest of the bu ilding from a ny dis gure en . Only one

u s for s r r — via w wa s mon ment call pecial ema k , that hich

182 Sir r r . s r t 6 . . e ec ed in by T W Walle , Ba t , in the hape of r ss To or of r f a b a plate, the mem y the Walle amily

s e fr m Alured Wa ltur of w r N s who (de cend d o de Ne a k, ott , h w r s r r A D . w o s died . e e ettled at G oomb idge in thi r s fr 1360 1604 w r r s of pa i h om to , and e e lo d not only the r of urs but so of R l rn s Sha lis mano Speldh t al ol enden, Ba e , cour Na ckin ton Rustha ll w ll n s s u rs t, g , , Hadlo , Ho a d , A h t H r isto y of Speld hurst. 17

Ferbies s u of w s s and , all in thi co nty, many hom be ide

s w s s a re h r s r w r u r tho e ho e name e eon in c ibed, e e b ied in the old chu rch of Speldhu rst ; bu t a ll their monu ments and other memorials were totally destroyed together with tha t ﬁ 1 . edi ce by lightning on the 2oth of Oct . 7 91 D vid l . a d e Wa ler s r of s Ed w . , Ma te the Roll to King III b 13 o . 60.

Wa 1. T ller . 13 homa s . 9 , ob Dec M Sir Richa rd Wa ller K " who of u r , at the battle Azinco t, 1 415 r s r r s u k of r s Oct. 1429. , took p i one Cha le D e O lean , ob .

d a l Ma 14 0. Ric ha r W l er . 7 , ob y, " W : ir n ll K . 15 10 S Joh a er . . , ob Dec

Willi m W ller F b 15 2 a a . e . 5 , ob .

W W ller A u 1 55 illia m a . 5 . , ob. g

J 15 4 . ohn Wa ller . . 7 , ob Sept 6 ler 5 . Thoma s Wa l . 1 8 , ob Nov . M " 599 r 1 . Si Wa lter Wa ller K . u , ob J ly,

La d a l 1 24 W l er . . 6 y , ob Sep . r f ws s of s ts not u r d u rst He e ollo a li t de cendan b ie at Speldh ,

i W ler of r s u S r Thos. a l u incl ding , Lie tenant Dove Ca tle 1 1 u r s . 6 3 and the Cinq e Po t , ob , and

ir Willia m Wa ller f us r r r S , the amo Pa liamenta y Gene al, 6 8 1 6 . ob . Sept. Perhaps the chief glory of the ch urch is the display of

w ﬁ i w w r s we s s s s ts w s. tained gla hich ll all indo No he e el e,

is s r ss r r rf i believe, to be een mode n gla in g eate pe ect on, and w e mu st now proceed to a detailed description of these

n f r f s s b windows . No less than ine o them a e rom de ign y

Sir w r u r n -J es of r xf rd the late Ed a d B e on , Exete College, O o ,

hi fr h a r rr w r u s t e M . . s and e e exec ted by college iend l te W Mo i ,

r s a r a t r u rr . n of s w r whose wo k e Me ton, S ey Seve the e e e

f of n s s a n r s . the gi t the Rev Cano Hichen , al o Exete man,

nd a s wa s a n u a lu mnus of s a I h mble the ame college, I

s. B 18 His tor o dhu t y f Spel rs .

ur a r r r s f Lt nat ally t ke a p ide in eco ding the e a cts. e us begin with the

E a sternmost wi ndow o the south or cen tra l a i sle f . It con

s two s : ﬁ u r w tain light in one the g e of St. Matthe engaged wr r hi in iting his Gospel . Ove s head is the face of a winged f " ma n re r e Rev. 7 8 rd v , in e enc to iv. , ; the thi li ing r r A r u V. s . s r c eat e bea t, ) the e de c ibed having been

w s ss . w u s s hi al ay a igned to St Matthe , beca e he tell in s ’ os so u u ou r r h n r hi G pel m ch abo t Lo d s uma natu e . At s feet a re a money-box and coins to represent his profession a Ro n - r r u l ma toll gathe e (p b ican) . The Annu nciation ﬁlls the lower section of this light ; wa r a n s . w . event, by the y, not de c ibed by St Matthe

r we . r s wr n his In the othe light have St Ma k, al o iti g

os of w r his ea d G pel . The emblem the inged lion ove h " ﬁr r r f rs to st u r of . ss ne for e e the living c eat e Rev. iv , a ig d

u w r as s v n s ur u s u an nkno n e on to thi E a geli t. C io ly eno gh, the lower light depicts " acharias at the birth of John the — r r . r Baptis t not eco ded by St Ma k . The nex t wind ow proceeding westwa rd s ha s also t wo lights ﬁ ur f i is o St . u w h s in one the g e L ke ith a pen in hand ,

r s resting his foot on a block of wood . Ove hi head we a s is so f the a s u w e have, o ten c e, an ox, tho gh the ing d " ” i r r Re v. w r ur fo . s c eat e him in iv like a calf. The lo e light represents Jesus questioning the Doctors (tea chers) in i f h r s ﬁ u r o . a s t e . Temple In the othe the g e St John, l o in

a ct of wr w f u r r ur the iting, ith the eagle, the o th living c eat e

f wr e v. w s e w os of R iv . hich he him el ot hen an exile at Patm

E ea n w r s s in the g Sea. The lo e light give the home cene

r w w r s s rr e . at Naza eth, hich, ho eve , that apo tle doe not na at It would be diﬂicult to ﬁnd any fault in the a rtistic

a r r ﬁ r s r be u ty and ichness of tone in these fou gu es. In c ibed " n a w s t r of t wo a re the w r s r fu be e th the e e n the o d , In g ate l Histo o eldhu s 1 ry f Sp r t . 9

nd ff m r of W a e . f fu a ectionate m o y E . , a kind and aith l urs rc 12 n e, Ma h th,

The next wind ow nea r the Fon t is ft of , , the gi Canon

r u r f u n . t ss o rs J Wo thing on Bli , then c ate Speldh t, In lovi g B ’ r f . h w o . . w o a s o s memo y a little child, C M , made G d sm 22nd w t to child by Bapti May , and hom He ook Him 5 i n f . 23rd 18 9 x s . s a u fu el Dec , It e ceedingly bea ti l s of r of Bu rue-J s rr s pecimen the collabo ation one and Mo i , the ﬂood of pure silver light u pon a deep blu e grou nd being ’ ff u a s n f s r l s e ective and s itable an i ant memo ia . One ection r r s s r of u rs r ep e ent the Pat on Saint Speldh t, Sancta Ma ia ” r w r - w in n n s Vi go, ith the th ee headed lily, hich a cie t time wa s the of v r f r in intended to convey idea i ginity be o e, , and

r m r 1 r s r r n a ﬂze othe hood . The othe ection po t ays Sa cta

r of o s ls r fu Elizabeth , the mothe J hn the Bapti t, a o a g ace l

ﬁ ur w r s s of our Lr s us g e the lo e light , the Bapti m o d , and Je

n r n Blessi g Little Child e . The tower or west wind ow is appropriately filled by figu res of r s r w w b efit the the a changel Michael and Gab iel, hich ell

n rr w u - r su r s of h s e r lo g, na o , and do ble emb a ed opening t i a ly

s of r u r . r s is of r tyle a chitect e The a ti t Kemp, B ighton , and w f r . s u r o u rs . the dono Canon F . H Hichen , hen c ate Speldh t

is s w u w r r u St . Michael ho n a s a yo th ith ema kably bea tifu l

-f r w n r w r of peacock eathe ings and golde hai , ith a ci clet

s his r w is ful r rs his leave above b o . He ly a med, and bea in

s us fr w is r right hand a lance, pended om hich a banne

h r w red r ss w r u c a ged ith a c o on a gold and hite g o nd, and

w hi l ft his he su pport s ith s e a shield standing by side .

his f is ra r s of Beneath eet the t mpled d agon . The heen the

r u r is f s r . a mo vivid, and the ace aintly yet dete mined

1 T ra ld ic ﬂeur-d e-l s w ic revious to the Revo ution w a s he he y , h h p l n F ra n is intend ed to resem e the iris a nd is borne o the a rms of. ce, bl ,

r t h Vir in Ma r sa c ed o t e g y . o 20 History f Speldhurst .

r f is . t u re r s r St Gab iel, on the le , pict d in p ie tly ga ments w t co s r ft w the i h a m, holding a cept e in the le hand, ith ﬁ r of r u ss index and middle nge the ight hand pheld in ble ing . There a re wings and circlets of ﬂowers like those of

a u s b ut f is r so St. Mich el exq i itely painted , the ace ha dly r ss s a w r w e ft exp e ive and too deeply h ded ith g een, hil the le hand does not seem to grasp the sceptre w ith su fﬁcient

fir ss rw s fi ur ra s ts w w h its w r mne , othe i e the g e cont ell it a like neighbour. — The next in order is the west wi nd ow of the north a isle a — tru ly ma gnificent specimen of Burne-Jones and Morris the

ft of a nd Mrs . s w a n s ri gi Canon Hichen , ith in c ption, In

r of f r son m r of o r memo y a athe by a , and In emo y a m the ” u r u rs r h s by a da ghte . The nive al admi ation excited by t i ’ veritable chef d oeuvre proves the j u stice of the name it ha s " ” r w of r s . Its two s a re ﬁ ea ned, the Windo P ai e light lle d w six s r fu - n ﬁ ur s a h ith angel , th ee ll le gth g e in e c , and the

St . 9 h w r s a re s . . a s Latin o d tho e in Matt xxi . Each angel a different mu sical instrument in his hand ; the silver tips of the wings with the genera l deep sea -bl ue background and the bold rim of plain glass rou nd each of the lights give

ff s w or su r s s u excellent e ect , and hen the moon a mme etting n is behind the gla ss it is almost impossible to des cribe the

w w w a s u r a t grandeu r of this indo . I once in the ch ch midnight du ring a violent and prolonged storm of thunder and lightning ; the a ngels in this window d uring the vivid

u w t f w the ra s s of u r ﬂashes seemed end ed i h li e, hile c he th nde

r ss f w r r r u s r in the da kne that ollo ed, oa ing th o gh the ac ed s st w ediﬁce and shaking the eat again hich I leaned, com r f u r s bined to prod uce an effect I shall never fo get . The eat e so a s r s s of the angels a re slightly tinted to e emble ﬂe h, and ’ a re said to have been suggested by a pictu re of Fra Lippi s r of t in the Pitti collection at Flo ence . I am opinion hat

22 Histor o S eldhurs y f p t .

ri ter ﬁrm r s s n s ff s ur u e to the ght . The lat ly g a p a lo g ta mo nt d

r ss u r of r r is r b r by a c o , and the colo ing the d ape y ich , a mo nisin w e w h of u r r w w g ll ith t at Q een Be tha in the cent al indo .

r r r P who s n u us n G ego y the G eat, the ope e t A g tine to E gland, is represented with a pastoral staff in the right hand and

ft w ﬁ ur of c r a book in the le , and ith the g e a love hove in his ea r e s e of his fr g at , d noting the tat ment iend the

w w r r who e u ur . deacon Pete , , hen they e abo t to b n St ’ r r s s his s w r w u s r G ego y book at death, o e that it o ld be ac ilege, a s he had s een a vision of the Holy Spi rit ﬂu ttering over

r r re The ow s hu of his the eve ed p late . yell , almo t golden, e r is u r x r ss i of f is one obe m ch admi ed, and the e p e on the ace

f h r u f hi Th o r t e s o s s s . e e ext eme delicacy, e lt a cetici m h ad light is that oi an angel playing on t he earliest form of an ” h r r n or us to t e s . gan, in all ion G ego ian Cha t

now r ea st window o the north a isle in it We each the f , and a re six so- n s a ts u b called E gli h S in , tho gh Al an, Aidan and

h m u n r h S b is n t . Hele a ardly co e de t is designation . Al an

r ss bu t s a s s r s w r in a civil d e , lean ( a Roman oldie ) on a o d with a book in his left ha nd yellow a nd orange a re beauti S f his s u t . i u lly blended in co t me . Aidan s depicted in

s s s i r a nd r s r his ro epi copal ve tment , m t e c o ie on b ad

r a re s et s of s of s s of his f phylacte y k che ome the cene li e,

h n s u w u rs a s is w ca . hic only be t died ith binoc la Aidan,

s r of n St o f w w wa o . . ell kno n, o iginally a monk I a B ni ace

r n he f a r r completes the t io o t le t . He appe s in episcopal obes w r r s r a nd w s w r s k r u ith mit e, c o ie , a book ith a o d tic ing th o gh it us a n r of his d s of , in all ion to the m ne eath at the hand

Hi f n n r s s . s r r s heathen F i ian ace, i te ded to ep e ent a man at

n -ﬁv h o f n x r of s v t e a s r s t o n u a ss . the age e e y , pe hap pai l e p e ion

n r nn w e v . n r O the ight, begi ing at the top, ha e St Hele a, atti ed in an exq uisite blue robe and resting a tall Cross against her

i r Her st r s wr s . is s i shou lder. o y apped in my te y She a d by Histor o eldhurst 2 y f Sp . 3 s e u r of 009 1 C om to have been a da ghte (old King ole) , King of s er to r of C s Colche t , and have been the mothe on tantine E r r f rs a h r o . s s e wa s the G eat, mpe o Rome Othe y a native r 395 of . a s a s A D . s Bithynia T adition ancient . ays that

she du C r f u ru r ss r s g on alva y, o nd the t e c o , ecogni ing it by its nscr s r s r us s i iption, and ent po tion to va io citie . The event is commemorated in our calendar on 3rd of May ” Ellinma s a s of r i ( Day) the Invention the C oss. She s h s A . D . 328. sw u s aid to ave died St . O ald occ pie the

a r of u fu s middle light, cl d in a kingly ga b bea ti l tint , supporting on his right a rm an ea gle and holding in his

ft d of or s r . of orthu mb ria le han a kind mace cept e King N , sw wa s r s a s his f s ws a nd f O ald a eal aint, li e ho , he ell ﬁghting against the heathen Penda of Mercia in the thirty r of his a e w his s br ninth yea g , exclaiming ith la t eath, My ” God s h r s u s l w r s w ss o r , ave t ei o l o d hich pa ed int a p overb

- a x . r s s a r n u d among the S on people Whe e, ay B i g Go l , " sha ll we ﬁnd in all history a hero more nearly approa ching

r r ft r w r of er a to the ideal, mo e ichly gi ed, mo e o thy et n l

r it us e r for rememb ance, and , m t be add d, mo e completely

o w s is cc u . ur g tten The lo e t light o pied by St Walb ga,

u mr s r w t w w r k in a m ch ad i ed epia obe and hi e co l, ith a c oo r h r r in her left hand a nd an ampho a in e ight. A daughter

of r n of st x s she ul r Richa d, Ki g the We Sa on , held the pec ia oﬂices of both abbess of Heidenheim in the Diocese of

‘ s a r ls su r of Eich t dt (Bava ia), and a o pe intendent an abbey of monks at the same pla ce and this double control of nuns

and monks she held till her death in 780. " An inscription below the window runs thus : Remember ’ ra efu r r r ﬁrs who for s s g t lly Cathe ine Ba ke , the t love ake led ” r s ur n the praise of God at the o gan in thi ch ch . Some thi k " this window to be even su perior to the Window of Praise

f h r r a r s w s . T e s s hich ace it a ti t and dono e the ame . His o eldhur t 24 tory f Sp s .

w w s for ss r a r r s w The chancel indo call le em k than the e t, ith

o of its south wa ll a cin the or a n the the excepti n that in f g g ,

of urn -J s rr s s r s the t ninth the B e one and Mo i e ie , and eigh h

h t wo s given by Canon Hichens to this ch urch . It a s light

s u ofthe f n s of the bject le t one bei g the Clean ing Naaman, that

r s of our r w on the ight depicting the Bapti m Lo d . The hole is a o s u u r ha s r u b ld t dy in bl e and g een, and a tho o ghly

r r ﬂo of r fr aqu eous cha acter. The pe ennial w wate om the fountain in the one light throu gh the fountain in the other is su s of the w su d a s a re r gge tive hole bject, and the et il ve y

- r s . u s u r r a ti tic Th , the little lemon colo ed lamp ove the one fo unta in and the orange-coloured lamp over the othe r

f d r i i is r ff . o r f s ve y e ective An element olle y, it not l is r u ﬁsh s w emblematica , int od ced in the imming in the " ” r s r l Tu es i us us dilect us Jo dan . The c ol , F li Me , and the introdu ction of a dove remind us of the presence of the Holy ’ r Trinity on the sac ed occasion of ou r Lord s Ba ptism . The sma ll two-light wind ow in the sou th sa nctua ry wall wa s

x u a nd f e ec ted by Clayton Bell le t, the Women at the " u r r t wo s w s r is Sep lch e ight, the Angel ith a c oll, He not ”

r is r s . s of . r r r he e, He i en Medallion SS G ego y and Je ome ,

of . u us r s of w then SS A g tine and Amb o e , and Noah ( ith a rk a nd v r br w if of oli e b anch) , and A aham ( ith kn e) , then s w s r s a ff w o I aac and Jacob (each ith a pa to al t ) , belo , c mplete

w r . s r is r of the o k The in c iption beneath , To the glo y God ” d r f a n o . . in memo y H G . and M S . Cholmondeley . F a cing thi s wind ow i s one of simila r si ze a nd style by the

s r s s . ft is surr su r u ame a ti t Le , the Re ection , mo nted by

s of s r w r medallion I aiah and Je emiah ; belo , SS . Pete and

u r w d f s o . w John at the Sep lch e, ith me allion SS Matthe and

r . is s r u s Ma k above them Right, the cene nea Emma , su r u n l s of w mo ted by medal ion Ezekiel and Daniel ; belo ,

the r u of our rd T ma a d r i g o p Lo , SS. ho s n Pete n the 25 His tory of Speld hurst.

r un s a re a s of . u ba ckg o d , above thi med llion SS L ke and

s r s : us a nd m r of r s John . In c iption In pio loving me o y Cha le

r 1842 of r his wif r r . Ba ke , M . A , died Octobe , , and Ca oline e,

u 1869 r of us died J ne, and In memo y a beloved h band,

r u 18 1862 r s r a r . . us a Cha le Hen y B ke , M D , died A g t th , , ged

35 years .

he ea st wind ow r r of his w f Sir T , e ected to the memo y i e by

us r r Lr rof 1850— 185 1 is John M g ove, Ba t o d Mayo London in ,

- f rr r w n w the w r o rs a u . a th ee light i do , o k Lave and B a d The

r ﬁ ur is ou r r ross w r a nd cent al g e Lo d on the C , ith the Vi gin

w w s of v r us ts of St . John belo , hile medallion the a io even fil f fi ur s the Crucifixion l the su rrounding qua tre oils . The g e a re ss bu t ur is w pa able , the colo ing not in keeping ith the

r t of u r gene al one the ch ch . Before leaving the chancel we must note t he handsome

ra the w r of ssrs . r r r fr s s candelab , o k Me Sta key Ga dine , om de ign Ol - Mr . d rid w fou nd by . J Scott in a note book hich belonged

ir r w r r r to S Gilbe t . They e e placed the e by pa ishioners a nd by members of the Powell family in memory of the late

r r Rev. . in . r r ss of cu r ecto , J . J Sa t The Alta C o , pe lia yet

s s wa s f of fr s r s r plea ing de ign, the gi t iend to the p e ent Recto

to s u r and by him the anct a y .

s us v s r u s of r £ 00 fr The pacio e t y, b ilt at a co t ove 7 om a

s Oldrid a nd s u r de ign by J . Scott, by the ame b ilde

HO e s who r e u r wa s p Con table e ect d the ch ch, opened in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond J ubilee of Q ueen

t r . w Vic o ia It contains two wi nd o s . In one is placed the stained glass removed from the church to make room for

r a nd r w w ﬁrm of r the Ethelbe t Be tha indo . The late Conno

. w r s rs su is of ou r and Co e e the de igne , and the bject that

or w r r L d ith Ma tha and Ma y . An inscription records : In

r of r k w f of r x r C H memo y Ca oline S elton , i e Robe t Ale ande , ,

of B w r 29th 1826 u 29th ol ood, Kent ; bo n May , ; died J ly ,

I n the other a sma ll three-li ht wind ow r ins , g , the ema Hi o u s 26 story f Speld h r t.

w e of the old east indow a re u sed . The c ntre light shows

r u s r ﬁ sa a c in n Ab aham abo t to ac i ce I , and a medallio above is w u r r r s a r w s a aln t t ee (the Walle c e t), ch ged ith a hield

' r eur d e lis d iﬂerenced of r bea ing the ﬂ , by a label th ee h o s . s r s u r w wa s p int The tone ove the o th po ch , ich happily preserved when the church wa s burnt down and replaced in

its r s rs s r s . h s s wa s o iginal po ition, bea a imila hield T i hield

of C r es u of r s r s r the cognizance ha l D ke O lean , taken p i one

Sir r r r 41 r u 1 5 . s by Richa d Walle at Aginco t, He di cove ed

u m s of s r u h his the D ke a ong t a heap lain, and b o g t him to r s Gr o r w r he r m d u r e idence at o mb idge, he e e aine in hono able

a for a rs u to his r r ns of c ptivity m ny yea , nable pay la ge a om r w s w his f c s st w c o n o ing to bene a tion , among hich wa s r s r of i s u r w the e to ation th ch ch, on hich he placed the f ss stone bearing his shield . In gratitu de or the kindne s w r f i b e r w ho n to him by the Walle am ly, pe mitted them, ith

s of r . to r f r s the con ent Hen y VI , add to thei amily a m and 1 s crest the roya l shield described above. The north ide

ha s ﬁ ur of Sir rd r fu r ur light the g e Richa Walle in ll a mo ,

f r a n r w h r s ov — via sa r kneeling be o e alta it a m ab e , , th ee

w u s or w t wo s a r . the s u aln t leave , , bet een bendlet g In o th

s we ﬁ ur of r w s ide light have the g e Lady Walle , ho e maiden

wa s Gulb w t r c f f r name y, in a hi e obe and oi kneeling be o e

r H r r a r u . r s w r s a r s a ta . e s e . an l a m above g , th ee o d g , hilt

or fessewa s w six s s or a r . , y , bet een be ant , , on a canton demy g r r or r s f is b and ve t, a lion ampant, , pp . Thi amily , I elieve,

now extinct.

THE BELLS . It is difﬁcu lt to sa y at what date a peal wa s ﬁrst erected

u r fr r i u s t w n in o bel y. The e s no reason to s ppo e hat he

T da t t i i n rta in b t i is d r t n t a t of he e of h s gla ss s u ce , u t ol e ha h th centre i t w ic d a tes a out 1750 I t is nown t a t Sir e l gh , h h b . k h ’ Richa rd Wa ller drew or pa inted the d e sign for his own a nd his w ife s ument T is ma a ve een a co of it — D mon . h y h b py . E Hi tor o ld t s y f Spe hurs . 27 the Duke of Orleans restored the church the tower did not

i its a for h re a re n of r r s s w conta n pe l, t e ple ty eco d ho ing that bells were in use for church purposes long before that

ﬁrs tr ﬁnd u i w date . The t en y I in the acco nts s follo ed at rv s b a n rs so w s a n inte al y m y othe , I ill make a election d

v r r a a oid epetition . Inte n l evidence points to there being four be s ﬁ six r F r v rs . o n n t ll at t, then late con e ie ce I pu prices in nu merals of the present day

16 r 00. Fo mending the grea t Bell

1601 r w a s . Making the g eat Bell he l

1601 . Scaffolding to youngest bell and nailing

f r 1659 . Two halfe inshe boa rdes o the little Bell wheals

165 Na les for r a s a nd 9 . y o pe oyle — 1661 Ed w. r m of . Bake ending locke Bell

free dou re 4d .

16. 6d r a s . 1661 . 4 bell o pes

fr 1 d . 1661 n r for e 03 . 0 . Still the j oy e mayking B ll ame

r f r he s l s . 2d . 1664 . Leathe o t Bell 5 S li in r s 166 . p s g the great Bell o pe m ° W1 shd wne new 1666. A o , hanging y little 5 d . Bell 1 8. 0

166 u r for of ro 6 . Sam el Wagho ne a peece i n

- for Bell whea les l s . 0d . th 6d 29 . 1666. rs Ringe , May

1 s w r for s s 78 . 0d . 669. Nayle and oyle and hipco d olli 1669 s for r w r a nd s . John Co ham i on o k ca ting ° 15 of Brasses for y Bells £4 s . 16 2 s A s w s for new r 7 . Jame hdo n making bo e

- h l s 0d . for Bell rope and mending the w eele .

° ’ 16 2 rs a t s Retur ne 7 . Ringe y King and

3s . 0d Coronation .

° 164 r o st t mber for e s 3s . 6d . 7 . Shi es C n able, y y B ll Histor o S eldhu y f p rst.

° w s for s 5 s 0d Ro le y Bell . . r s C s for r ° Shi e on table, inging at y

ond er r s n 28 0d p t ea o . . John Jeffery for framing a nd putting 6 w w Bellfree 183 0d in indo at y . . ’ 6 of for K n Ringing day Feb . y ge s ° cu min Throwne 68 0d g to y . . ° Ringers for y Birth of y° Prince of Wales Ringers when the Prince came in

r rs w r rs for Mo e to Ringe ith p aye K . l a nd a r Wi liam M y . A new Ba therick for one of y° Bells John Still for taking down y° Bell and

168 0d hanging him again . . John Goss a m for fetch y° Bell and

e rr a to ur 63 0d a ing him ag in Ch ch . . ’ 1694 for ° u . John Idell tolling at y Q een s funera ll

For a sh to make stays for bell wheeles A ma n and boy mending pavement in Belfry Ringing several Gaudee-days ’ r s Ringing St . Geo ge day ’ ° ’ Beer and hog s lard for y carpenter s ° use n s 88 9d in ha ging y Bell . . Two new Ba d ricks for to hang y° C rs 6 6d 3 . lappe . ° Repairing y Chu rch and Bells for

2250 s s 33 er 100 for 116 hingle at . p , of Bearers and Blockings for y° Bells £3

° Shrowding boards for y Bell-wheeles

t 30 His ory of Speldhurst.

ri — f h r e d 1 3 s o s 1 s. 0 . 7 3 . John T ce ett ell op 8 [The accounts from 1600 to 1775 show an average of w of r s r r r — Ed ne sets ope eve y othe yea . . ] e 1 e ns— New a r 7 38. John St phe h nging y G eat r ss s r f Bell, laying the B a e the eo and new laying the Bra sses of the second Bell and pu tting on of new sta yes to the wheeles and nails for the same (with other work incl uding New Ga ler ur s y, Ch ch Gate and ur m r s 29 108 9d Ch ch a k ) £ . . 1 ro s for fter 17 7 . John B ok looking a the l M £ s . c ock 1 l . ﬁr f r [This is the st mention o a clock . The p esent one w ur s s - n r in 182 a r a s p cha ed econd ha d and e ected 7, the m ke of r ms u r r of being Payne, High St eet, Bloo b y, invento the n n wa s of urs w 18 0 a nd illu mi ati g dial . It , co e, taken do n in 7 ,

r in ru r 1879 a f r ow r r s r only eplaced Feb a y, , te the t e e to ation i of o ted . s s s r wa s c mple It aid to be con ide able age .

1773 Fa rst enin of f 2s. . g the clock ace six s w r t he ﬁre of r 20th 1791 The bell e e melted in Octobe ,

r u u r 1805 — On eb ilding the ch ch in , only one bell the

s v —wa s r s ssrs rs of present e enth eca t by Me . Mea , White w r 1 1 d en a 8 2. Bu chapel, and pl ced in the to e in The bill to g 2 d . r for hanging wa s £5 16s. At a vest y meeting on Ju ne 4 h 1847 s r of r s rs r ss w sh t , , eve al the pa i hione exp e ed a i that s u r s r wa s res t the ancient peal ho ld be e to ed, and it olved tha

i f six s s u ro ur a r ng o bell ho ld be p c ed, the payment to be by r n r u s w w r u f the volu nta y co t ib tion , the ood o k and h nt o

s hell r r out of ur r s or pre ent to be epai ed the ch ch ate . On

u r 5th 1849 new ss rs . abo t Novembe , , the peal (by Me

rs wa s a c r u . s w r of ours Mea ) co dingly h ng The bell e e, c e,

r ov w u r wa s u w r em ed hen the ch ch p lled do n, and eplaced e hur t 31 Hi story of Sp ld s . w ow r wa s co e 1878 1887 t wo hen the t e mplet d in . In

u l e s r s r e a nd s n w r J bi ee b ll , the p e ent t ebl eco d, e e added by

rs a nd e n of now v Mea St inba k, Whitechapel . We ha e a

- rf sw fu of e s . pe ect, eet toned, ll peal eight b ll r 4 cwt 2 24 l n rs . bs rs The T eble, . q . ote F, bea the

s r : r of us E r w in c iption In memo y S anna and leano Po ell, 1885 died, . " 4 cwt 3 rs 11 lbs e E : e r e The Second, . q . . , not I c leb at

u of u r 1837 1887 ft of the J bilee Q een Victo ia, to , the gi

r r a r w f P w f m s s s a s o . the pa i hione , the T eble the o ell a ily 25 l r 5 cwt 0 rs bs . . The Thi d , . q . , note D

u r 6cwt . 0 rs . 3 lbs The Fo th, q . , note C . f " t 6cwt 0 rs 16lbs . e The Fi h, . q . , not B . 6 1 w 3 10 b . c t . rs s The Sixth, q . . , note A 9 cwt 2 rs 0lbs Se . . The venth, q . , note G .

r 13 cwt . 1 r 26lbs . F w s r The Teno , q . , note . , ith in c iption ” ” i n ra s s r a w s . The time ho t, Watch d p y al ay In 1887 a set of chimes striking the Magdalen qu arters

w r r s to u r Mr . w e e p e ented the ch ch by . C W. Po ell . w n The cu rfew a s ru g here t ill abou t thirty years ago . The ss n hell is r for a u ts ﬁf for s pa i g the teno d l , the th tho e

w ﬁft w - rs r or r bet een een and t enty one yea , and the t eble thi d r fa s r u r ﬁfte rs hell is fo in nt and child en nde en yea . The r s ru for f ur n n ai ed and ng hal an ho , begin i g and ending w rs 3 3 for l s 3 2 for f l s is ith telle by ma e and by ema e . It

m. o f r u w ru n f r 8 a . n r t s bu t ur not g be o e , a e ndo n, at any ho for the death of the Sovereign or of the Rector of the ’ r s Muﬂled a s a re ru r rs u r s . Pa i h . pe l ng at inge b ial On

run 8 9 10 a . m in u a r 7 . s u s s e r. S nday bell g at , , , and mme

. r f a . m w er s a re u Not at 7 . in int Change ng hal an hour

r v us for s rv s n r for la s ﬁ p e io ly e ice , the te o tolled the t ve

utes w ur for s r ce ha s s ru min ; and hen the ho e vi t ck, the

r s ﬁf or r is ru treble is struck th ee time . The th teno st ck 32 Histor o hur y f Speld st.

f r 1 r a . m s w r i te 1 a . s r of h e e vice, hen the e a late celeb ation t Com un is s s wa s d Holy m ion . It aid that thi anciently calle

u n w r s the the P ddi g Bell, to a n tho e at home to get n r r A t 2 m r ea . is ru to r di ne dy p . the teno ng p oclaim that

r w s r a s w a s s r -s s the e ill be a e mon ell e vice at even ong . Thi is a l r hell is ru for es r s c led the Se mon Bell . A ng v t ie , and there a re early morning peals on the Chu rch Ringing — s . r s s s r su n s s n Dav viz , Ch i tma , Ea te , Whit , A cen io , and — " Harvest Tha nksgiving Days and peals on the Stat e Ring ’ ’ ’ s — s u s Pr of s ing Day viz . , the King , Q een , and ince Wales

Birthdays.

As r r f rms us ﬁrs a tablet in the inging chambe in o , the t t he s wa s ru m r 17th 188 peal on eight bell ng on Dece be , 7 , by the Speldhurst branch of the Kent Cou nt v Association ’ of rs . r s r r s s s Change Ringe G and i e T iple , change ; Holt six- r s v r r urs six m nu s pa t Bob and imple a iation , in th ee ho i te .

rr d w r s r m s r 2 m s r Ha y E a d , t eble ; Ja e Bake , ; Ja e Mayna d ,

r ur 4 r n 5 r u nr 6 3 Geo ge T ley, F a k Still, F ed . Still, j . ,

r s 7 rr s n r u Cha le Chapman, Ha y An combe , te o ; cond cted 1 r . u r. r senr a . by F ed Still, j n F ed . Still , . , capt in u ou r s r of ur s f we To concl de de c iption the ch ch it el , have

r r m a s su r v s of the ﬁre to note that the e e ain, vi al , the

r s stone r s u r w t its r ewrs de li s O lean , ove the o th po ch , i h th ee ﬂ in chief and label of three points ; the lower sta ge of the

w r u su n minus n a nd to e , incl ding the dial, a gnomo , the

of s r is r s r in s r vane the teeple ; the latte p e e ved the ve t y,

1 w t re s a not er ta et is ein rect d w i t A s e go o p s , h bl b g e e h ch ells us h K A on Ma rc 19th 1892 ra n a ea of Bob Ma or r tha t t e . C . . h , , g p l j he e

i u mi t . B r w it c a n es n 6 o rs 16 nu es Ja s . a e tre e a s h h g h k , bl J . Ma nk w 3rd Tu Ma na rd 2nd E d w . elo Geo. r e 4th Geo a rd y , ; , ; l y , ; . C , m La tt r h a s a ma n 7 th o rd n h . e 6t . T s. a te r 5t o . C m ; W , Ch Ch p , h C , o

H Ma rtin nd u t r T rd . Th i d a s . . co c o os . a v pose by Ch , h C e a bo e s the on est en t a ll the B a nd a nd the A ssocia tion a nd w a s run l g l g h by by , g ﬁ rst ttem t a t the a p . SO T PORC SPE D R T RC U H H , L HU S CHU H .

S ow in Or ea ns Stone ri rr ( h g l , .

To a c a [ f e p ge 32.

Histor o eld hur y f Sp st. 33

a nd is rf b ut s n w wa s fus pe ect all the pi dle, hich ed . The

r ss w r rs rs G — r ss w r u b a o k bea the lette B . W . . b a i e ga ge b ut r is of l s n the e no indication a date . The olid, yet elega t, - wa s r 1875 r of r w Lich gate e ected in , in memo y Ma y Po ell, ” u w w - w u s f r ss nkno n yet ell kno n, an anonymo bene act e to the u r ch ch . THE PARISH

is s u u r s of Somerden Cod shea th it ated in the H nd ed , , and 2 Wa shlin stone on r rn fr n of w wa s g , the no the i ge hat once the

s r of A nd red va t Fo est . Speldhurst wa s a place of mu ch importance in the early

s w ns r u r of u n Middle Age , o ing to the co ide able n mbe inﬂ e tial

f w w it r rs amilies hich settled ithin s bo de . The Cobha ms a nd Clintons were here in the reigns of the

ﬁrs r n s s of r w - n w t No man Ki g , and notice othe ell k o n historical names continu ally appear in ancient deeds and

r rs u s we r fr n s st cha te . Th lea n om the Kent Fi e at We

s r A D 1254 Wethelsta ne u r is min te that in . . in H nd ed the

of S le hurst si s r n ville p p ( ) , and that Walte de la De e held i .

u r r S ledhu rst sic of Ra nd ul he w q a te in p ( ) p de Chet ode. r s s ur u r 13 18 in F om the ame o ce, nde date S . Michael

9 h r h u us 2 t 1 . Ha le one month [A g t ] Hen y Wit v Jno . de

nd r f i te e t u a Rob e ia his w n rrd S l h rst. f a m g i e p De s . d it ’ — With s right grant to him a nd heirs a nd receive 100 r f ma ks or concession . I n the chartularies of Speldhu rst we read of a famous

us s s u w r now a re ho e (The Holland ) , it ate he e the Spa r u b of r is r f s u t w . r r s g o nd , hich the e no t ace le t He e e ided

1 T h Pa ris - " J m ere is a n ent r in t e oo o. Cossa for a va n h y h b k, , e, £ 1 73 694 ﬁnd n re eren t nd r d a te 1 . I o ce n . u e f o a y before or a t r f e . 1 People inha biting the Hund red of Wa shlingstone cla imed the privilege to ha ve no sold iers q ua rtered on t em exce t on the ma rc h p h , b ut the c a rter if it ever existed ha s on een ost — E n h , , l g b l [ ]

S. C urs 34 His tory of Speldh t.

Sir a s l a d w s w f n u r of mun Thom Ho l n , ho e i e, Joa , da ghte Ed d

of d st r of n wa s a r of . Woo ock , Ea l Ke t, the F i Maid Kent The Holland family a re described a s being great benefa ctors

r s u r u of nr V w to the Pa i h Ch ch ntil the time He y ., hen the

rs su d r of s as s Walle cceede them . In the eign Jame I . it p ed

r s of rs fr s s to the Ea l Do et, om them to the Lind ay , and to

e f r s I the Caldecot in the time o Cha le I . r r u s s a s w as The Fai Maid b o ght thi e tate, ell the r of her u s t o w she wa s m rr Ea ldom Kent, to h band , hom a ied

f r r fr r of s u r a nd is her a te a divo ce om the Ea l Sali b y, it to that some historian s attri bute the foundation of the Order of the

r r of her s u s she r Ga te . On the death econd h band emained

w ow for n r n rr w r a id o ly one yea , and the ma ied Ed a d the h r n w s e su r . Black P i ce , hom vived The later history of the manor ﬁnds the Ca mﬁeld family in t I m . r . I ss ss w s of s r e s . po e ion Le i We te ham, p Geo ge I and

Sir r tem r 111 r s Geo ge Kelly, p . Geo ge Elizabeth Sho ey, al o tem r su s u w his p . Geo ge III . b eq ently Baden Po ell and

— r w r s n descendants Cha les Watson Po ell at the p e e t time .

is r a s we r fr u rts a r is Th mano , lea n om the Co B on, entitled

r r i f u r s u 177 2 to a he iot el e and the q it ent , amo nting in to

£11 28 9 . M

f us u s s r s w u - Another amo ho e in thi pa i h as R st hall.

s us Rust ha ll wa s r r t r tem . w r I . Elia R t de p op ie o p Ed a d ,

n n f tor r r d r or a d a good be e ac to G oomb i ge Chant y Chapel .

r of v rs tem r s u s wa s . . The la t R t Mayo Fa e ham, p Hen y VI ,

a n r sse Wa llet s who 1586 when the m o pa d to the , held it till .

s w r n x ss ss rs who s to r The Stacy e e the e t po e o , old it Robe t

of r m its w er o r s Byng, W otha (died o n S me gene ation

r w to r ns of r r who s late it ent Richa d Co table, G oomb idge, oon

Sir ra nc s s w rou w wa s sold it to F i Da h ood , th gh hom it con ’ d t m r to rs O Connor whose ve e e . y , p Geo ge Conye , thence to ,

son Jo n s r i S r ff n ht h old it to Geo ge Kelly , H gh he i (K ig ed

6 Histor o l 3 y f Spe dhurst .

Yet another place of importa nce in this parish wa s m ea lha ton tem . Sir r N p , belonging, p Elizabeth, to Richa d Sackville from him it pass ed to Thomas Smith of Weston

r Sir m s m of u -a t - r hange , Tho a S ith S tton Home (a g eat

f r r s a nd su s u r s bene acto to the pa i h) , b eq ently to the Ea l f o Da rnley. Although the very sites of all these notable places have

s a r d r a re s v s of n u di appe e , the e till e idence a tiq ity to be

s r s r ﬁne f rm us s su a s ur r ob e ved in eve al old a ho e , ch T ks o r Sil ks u r r coc &c. w t fr Ch ch Fa m, Rock Fa m, , , hich da e om

r of r . or r u s a re ri the eign Hen y VIII the eabo t , and ch in

r w r rn rs iron ﬁre - s for timbe o k, chimney co e , and back , it mu st be remembered that close to the parish there were

r r w r s su a s r s f r seve al i on o king , ch Ba den , in the day be o e the

oa lﬁeld s of r w r s r w n c the No th e e di cove ed, and he the

s r s of A nd red w s r rs we su immen e Fo e t , on ho e bo de lay, pplied

r for s . few s su a s the mate ial melting A cottage , ch those

Sma llb rook s s at , the Bote Cottage , and the thatched cottage

r a h r or r r a t Ethe ton Hill, date b ck to t at pe iod even ea lie ; " b ut the George and Dragon inn at Speldhu rst is a

f ur of r s is s v special eat e the Pa i h, and aid to ha e seen t he s of r w r w r w s u day the thi d Ed a d, hile t adition , hich ho ld

v r s s s rur s s s u s ne e be de pi ed , e pecially in al pot , tell that the Kentish bowmen of the place who were among the heroes of Agincourt held revel there after returning victoriou s from France in a spaciou s ha ll with the ﬁre logs in t he

r s s a r u r f u r cent e and the moke e c ping th o gh the oo , nde which a gigantic beam of oak that can hardly have a h l e s ross s t e r s . rival cross d, and till c e , enti e pace

1 " Li n t Lower Green t ou n m n The Red o a , h gh ot e tioned in the iv s is a n a ncient structure the i Pa rish a rch e , , l cence of w hich d a tes

m 1415 Mr. Trusse the ost o ta ined t is a ct r m th fro . ll , h , b h f f o e la te r Morris of the In a nd Revenue M . , l

Hi s o o eld urs 3 t ry f Sp h t . 7

s r o of R r r a n t w A de c ipti n the ecto y , olde th hem all, ill f w u r n of Th ollo nde the headi g e Glebe . We now reach perhaps the most interesting pa rt of ou r w r w s r w ss u s of o k, hich deal p incipally ith the vici it de the

ws n advo o . The ﬁrst notice of patrona ge occu rs in the reign of

r III w n r n ss ss Hen y . , he Walte de la De e po e ed the ” ws 1255 w " Sir r advo on and in , by a deed to hich Robe t

r wa s w ss r r w r then Recto itne , g anted it to Walte Fitz alte who u r for r f r a s co ld only have etained it a b ie pe iod, in

2 4 ﬁn a r 1 6 we d Roger de Pa d les worth mentioned s pat on .

r f f r its r r o r o w . w In the ea lie pa t the eign Ed a d III , hen

u is r r r s we ﬁnd val e eco ded to have been eleven ma k , that both chu rch and manor of Speldhu rst ( with that of Ha rwa rton

w r r rt of Sir u who too) e e the p ope y John de P lteney, in 1346settled both ch u rch and manor on his College of

r u n n f . rs . u o Lo St La ence Po t ey, in the City ndon The lette patent by which the Royal licence wa s given for this

r r w r s n w l st of app op iation e e ig ed by Ed ard III . on the

u 1346 w w n u sa J ly, , at Sand ich, he abo t to il on that expedition to France which resulted in the victory of

r C ecy . The docu ment is the most circu mstantial in detail w of any endo ment of a rectory to a college extant . By it we ﬁnd m s o of s r st n that Ha o, then Bi h p Roche te , at the in a ce and petition of Sir John Poultney by his instru men t u nder s t Trott erscl ffe 25th 1346— 7 r eal, da ed at y , May , , app o pria ted the chu rch a nd rectory to the College of Corpus

r st for r r s rv n ou t of r ss ﬁt Ch i i eve , e e i g it neve thele a

r r u a r s r to r s po tion to the pe pet l Vica e ving in it, be p e ented to the Bishop a nd his su ccessors by the master or gu ardian

ns of s w and the chaplai the aid college, by hich he might

s u rt e n a nd s r the be ppo ed d ce tly, be enabled to di cha ge episcopal d ues and the bu rdens incumbent on him a nd he 38 Histor o eld hurs y f Sp t. decreed that they should take possess ion of t he said church immediately on the death or cess ion of Sir Thoma s then Re ctor of it (whom he by no means intended to prej udice by

s r r n w u fur r or u r thi app op iatio ) , itho t any the licence a tho ity obtained for that pu rpose ; sa ving nevert heless a nd reserving to himself and his successors canonical obedience from the

s e r &c. u of r n s u r a s ma t , , on acco nt thei holdi g thi ch ch

f r s v s of s r r ts a o e aid , and the i itation the ame and othe igh d ue u r of st r s of sa to the ch ch Roche e , the Bi hop the me,

s to the r n of e a nd r r s and al o A chdeaco the plac , all othe ight a nd cu stoms in everything whatsoever ; a nd sa ving and r s r s u r r u V r w e e ving in the aid ch ch a pe pet al ica age, hich he then decreed shou ld take effect at the death or resignation

f t h r o e Recto thereof. And he willed that a ﬁt a nd competent portion should be assigned out ofth e Parish rents and produce of it to su chVicar to serve therein w ho should ﬁrst be presented by the sa id m r & n u nd m s or a s c. s a t te , , to be i tit ted ad it ed by the Bi hop his s u ss r n f r hi i n s cce o i to it be o e s a dm ssio into the ame, a c rd n a s rcums n s r u r u se of co i g ci ta ce eq i ed, to the him and his su s rs f r cce so o ever. A nd he willed and decreed that the said portion shou ld

for r s s of in s of s v r ca edu a eve con i t and the tithe il e ,

na s fru s of r r s r pan ge, apple and it othe t ee , hay, he bage,

ﬂa x w l u r s s v s , hemp, oo , milk, b tte and chee e , lamb , cal e ,

s sw s i s s f w s u s m s pig , an , p geon , bee , o ling , h nting , ill ,

ﬁs r s r n s a nd in r s s a nd he ie , me cha dize , all othe mall tithe

u s of u r h s a nd s w ts r d e the ch c , oblation obvention ha oeve

n r r w en u s belongi g to the alta age, togethe ith compet t b ilding

s u s of t he ur ss for it ate on the oil ch ch, to be a igned the

t o of r a nd in w s rs of habi ati n the Vica , hich the vi ito the

ordinary might be commodiou sly received . And he willed a nd decreed that the Vica r for the time Histor o eld hurs t y f Sp . 39 being (after the books and vestments belonging by custom to the Rector to provide shou ld have been su fﬁciently

s r th u u s r s e . s s p ovided by the aid ma te , ) ho ld ca e the aid

s u s m s w a s r r book to be bo nd and the ve t ent to be hed , epai ed , a nd amended a s often a s need sho uld be ; and should ﬁnd

r a t his own x s r w r ss and p ovide e pen e b ead, ine, and p oce ional rs a nd u s n s sa ur tape , the acc tomed atte dant in the id ch ch and should keep a nd maintain in a proper state at his own

s s u s his r f r co t , the b ilding allotted to vica age, a te they shou ld once have been sufﬁciently repaired and assigned a s a habitation for himself and his successors and shou ld w s o u s r r u r ns holly pay all epi c pal d e and a chidiaconal p oc atio , and should u ndergo and acknowledge all other extraordinary burthens which should be incu mbent or la id on him accord

of his r n w so fa r a s r ing to the taxation po tio , hich , elated to

h m b e s a nd 608 st r b u t t e , e timated taxed at . e ling , that the said ma s ter should undergo and acknowledge at his and their own costs for ever all other ordinaries a nd extraordinaries

c r of r r w s ac o ding to the taxation thei po tion, hich he e timated

six r s f at ma k and a hal . Ls his r ur of s r ot a tly, that cathed al ch ch Roche te might n

r ur or r u is r r n be in any manne h t p ej diced by th app op iatio ,

r e s of su ss a s r c v he, in ecomp n e ch lo it might happen to e ei e fr r r n t he r ﬁ s of w s om it, eithe in the not eceivi g p o t it hil t

s u or rw s r s r r it ho ld become vacant othe i e, e e ved a ce tain

r 1 fr s ur annu al pension of 78. ste ling om thi ch ch to him and

su ss rs to r s t of u r his cce o , be yea ly paid at the Fea the P i

n of ss r r s s r &c. ﬁca tio the Ble ed Vi gin Ma y, by the aid ma te , ,

1 I m R ct r I contend ed t a t a s S e d urst is no When beca e e o , h , p l h

r in the Diocese of Roc ester the ension s ou d cea se. A ter longe h , p h l f ’ a r corres ond ence th e uestion w a s sett ed the severa l ye s p , q l by mis i n wh w rote to me u nd er da te the 15th E ccles ia stica l Com s o ers , o , " 1 2 t a t und er a ll the circumsta nces of the ca se the Com of M a rch , 89 , h , , ” i n miss ioners w ill not requi re pa yment of the pens o . Hi tor o eldhur 40 s y f Sp st .

a s soon a s they should have obtained effectu al and fu ll

n n of s s s of s w s 7 . a s e pos es ion the ame, hich pe io , abov

wa s s r or u r of mentioned, by William the ma te g a dian the

s ns of t he s r instru aid college and the chaplai ame, by thei

u r r s e f u r s a ft r ment nde thei common eal, dat d o day e the above appropria tion acknowledged and conﬁrmed to the

s his su c ess rs for r w ow r of s r ss Bi hop and c o eve , ith p e di t e

for r r n s rr r of ecove i g the ame and all the a ea age it . 8th of u f w n Sir a w On the J ne ollo i g, Willi m de Chet ode ,

s r of r f r s his r ma te the college, appea ed be o e the Bi hop in g eat ’ chamber of the Manor of Halling a nd obtained the Bishop s letter directed to the Archdeacons for pu tting him a s proctor for himself and his college in corporal possession of the

urs ch u rch of Speldh t.

s rr n s fr 1346 1448 u r w Thi a a gement la ted om to , d ing hich

if w e x rta s f w a rr a time, e cept the impo nt event ollo ing the iv l of u of r s in r s a nd su s u the D ke O lean the pa i h , the b eq ent r s r t of u r we w r e to a ion the ch ch by him, kno p actically nothing

f h t rs f of the history o t e Parish . The Rec o o cou rse du ring — all this time were non -resident a t least since the death " — or cession of Sir Thomas a s they were the successive m s rs of u n or u n Ln a te the P lte ey ( Po nt ey) College in o don .

I n 1448 w v r r ﬁ s of rs , ho e e , the p o t and income the Vica , having in process of time become sca rcely su fﬁcient for their su r r n r l t f decent ppo t, and the e bei g a p obabi i y o matters n w rs u rs becoming eve o e, John Th tan, then Rector a nd

s r of u u r f Ma te Po ntney College, that the c e o sou ls might

er s r r u n u r be bett e ved , eno ced and gave p all ight, title, and

ss ss w r s of r r po e ion hich , by ea on the app op iation above

n n h ha d or m futur n me tio ed, t ey ight have in e i the said

ur of s f his r ch ch, in the name him el and college, the ight of patronage of the same only excepted or reserved a nd they granted that every incumbent or c u rate of the church to be

42 Histor o eld s y f Sp hur t.

ns s of s r r a r of pe ion to the Bi hop Roche te , the ep ation the

n r ur s w s r n or cha cel, and all othe b den hat oeve belongi g to

u en n s u r inc mb t o the aid ch ch . I n these interesting and u niqu ely deta iled documents of 1346and 1448 we ﬁnd a grea t variety of spelling in the

of r s S eld hurste S eldherste S eld herst name the pa i h, p , p , p , S eld erherst S eld eherst S elhu rst el hu rs p , p , p , and Sp d t all

r n if we r r s n s of S le hu rst appea i g ; and add the ea lie pelli g p p ,

S led hu rst S eld ehu rst e S elthu rst S elth rst r n rs p , p , p , and p y , i ge w w r ill allow e have accomplished a ve y fair peal of cha nges .

u n n Besides the 73 . so tenacio sly insisted on a s a pe sio to

s r r n u s wa s u su for Roche te in the p ecedi g doc ment , it al every parish priest in the d iocese to ma ke an annu al

ur of a r a nd a s s of su b payment in hono the c thed al, a ign ’ wa s us r for mission to the Bishop s seat . It s al o c toma y him to appear in person or by his curate in the procession a t su ff r a r u r Whit ntide and o e at the high alt . The co nt y

r s u u w the s o r r cle gy o ght to evade the d ty, hile Bi h p and P io 1 r f r it t ied to en o ce . of Bot tlesha m s 1402 r who John , Bi hop in , g anted all

u d n u of f r s fr n sho ld atten , an i d lgence o ty day om pe ance

d r s w su s s . enjoine , and th eatened the di obedient ith pen ion

1452 r -s u n s w r c u r In , thi ty even delinq e t e e cited to the o t

u i f r a u for r on this b siness . Some sat s acto ily cco nted thei

s w rs w r ﬁ 6d . the s r s for ab ence, hile othe e e ned to ac i t a

of wa x 8d s for s of w " pound and . to the Bi hop a ﬂa k ine The Rector of Speldhu rst (Richard Barker) excu sed himself by saying he had t wo fu nerals to perform on the day in qu es h n n t n u s wa s x t wo r s s . io (W it T e day), and e pecti g ch i teni g After the disappropriation of 1448 the patron age of the

1 If the fa cilities for communica tion betw een Speld hurs t a nd R este r w r n t rea t er i n t ose d a s t a n in t ese I a m in och e e o g h y h h , — complete sympa thy w ith the Speld hurst clergy [ E n ] His tor o S eldhurst y f p . 43

ur of u rs r ma i e w r r of Ch ch Speldh t e n d, ith the mano , pa t the pos sess ions of the above- named college till the s uppression in 1548 the n u of u rs wa s fr u n , and i c mbency Speldh t eq e tly of held by the Head the college .

At m of r s s us 26Hen I I the ti e the Valo Eccle ia tic ( . V I ) , Speldhurst wa s valu ed a s follows

1535 nn s Bla kden M s r of . Joha e ( a te

d r X X I a n V I s . the College Recto ) .

Ro r u . VI cheste ded ct Is. t r m V e e . s.

i s XXXs Dec ma inde [Tenth ] . VI . In 1540 the college granted a lease of their Manor

of u r r t of £2 16s 8d . er u Speldh st at a en . p ann m to

Sir m r wh su r ss 1548 Willia Walle , ile at the pp e ion

2 w r wa s r r r s s ( Ed a d it g anted , among othe p emi e , by

m of r of urs r w the na e the Mano Speldh t, togethe ith the patronage of the church appendent to it a s a pa rcel of the nr P l ted of . ur n ou o s College St La e ce P ntney, to He y . How the manor subsequ ently passed does not transpire ; b u t v u of Goodhu h in it e ent ally devolved to the name g , and

r r 1 14— 1 27 r Good hew the eign of Geo ge I . ( 7 7 ) Richa d

a s s d rr r u w s son r p e it by ma iage to Richa d Ro nd, ho e Richa d , of Stom el ] ss ss of a nd wa s sa s p , in Sea , died po e ed it, it b e f his nfa n r M r . r qu ently held by the t us tees o i t child en s .

A nn r 1796 88 a nd u r u rs Sho ey, died , aged , b ied in Speldh t

u r r wa s of a r. r f r Ch chya d, lady the m no Sho tly a te that

m ss n the w f l r s ti e it pa ed i to Po ell ami y, and the p e ent w possessor is Charles Watson Po ell . to r n Abou t the time that James I . came the th o e the pa tronage of Speldhu rst Chu rch wa s separated from the

r a ws s of mano , and the dvo on came into the hand the r 1609 su s f . w r s We ton amily [Ed a d We ton , Recto , , cceeded

s 1641 . r s E s wa s r by John We ton, Hen y We ton , q , Pat on, eld hu rst 44 His tory of Sp .

’ w l letter st s c r 1653 see rom e l s o ed . C p William We ton, Re to 1679 The Kearsley family next possessed it

s rs r 17 28— 17 n ss d [Jame Kea ley, Recto , and the it pa e to Sca wen of rs w s u r r n rr d , Ca halton, ho e da ghte , T yphe a, ca ie

m rr 1759 r a r of urs who s it by a iage in to Hen y E l Bath t, old

l rs r 17 7 9 . r Guns e it in to the Rev Robe t y Aye t [Recto , 17 87 The latter sold it in 17 92 to Robert Burgess

of who ss ss of in 17 94 n his w f Leigh , died po e ed it leavi g i e

Mrs . r ur ss su r w ho rr n w Sa ah B ge viving, , ma yi g again ith

s Ha rb roe n to the r na . his Jame , e titled him pat o ge On

r u r his w w who 1830 r s n ed h er death it et ned to ido , in p e e t ’ s of sister s son the Rev . John Jame Saint on the death the

m r 16 Mr. . r 18 Rev Willia Go don [Recto , Saint b c s f r n 1843 of his a u e ame him el pat o in on the death nt, and at his death in 1889 left the advowson to his three

a u rs Mrs . St rea tfeild s s ss d ghte , ( ince decea ed) , Mi Elizabeth , 1 8 r s n t and Miss Lou isa Saint . These ladies in 8 9 p e e ed the

. n r s r. Rev. Donald D Macki non, the p e ent Recto In the register chest at Speldh u rst is preserved a very interesting abstract of the modu s in lieu of tithes for this

r s w s u r t o r in ex tenso. Pa i h , hich I hall vent e p int It wa s esta blished by trial in prohibition between Ja mes ' eﬂer e r E ll ott or r 1558 J y and G o ge y Eliott [Recto , r r f 1 05 r e s in the thi d yea o James I . [ 6 The p oce ding

r n a re r r u rt of o s p ohibitio eco ded in the Co C mmon Plea ,

s r 132— 1 4 r ﬁnd s 3 . u : We tmin te Roll, The j y

a n r s n r or u r of n s u rs That y pa i hio e occ pie la d in Speldh t, having any n umber of cows a nd not having 7 ca lves from

s ws r u v r r u on the aid co in one yea , o ght to pay e e y yea p re u est of t r f rm r or u of r for q the Rec o , a e , dep ty the Recto the

for fa of s r u f r of s time being, the ll calve b o ght o th tho e

ws su m of one enn if sa r & c. w u co , the p y the id Recto , , o ld

r if s r & f w r a 7 o s r s c. v take it the aid pa i hione , , ha e e e th n r o rst Histo y f Speldhu . 45

v s r r &c. w u cal e in one yea (and the Recto , , o ld not take one enn of su r s n r s p y ch pa i hio e , then he hall pay no tithe or recompense u ntil he shall have of those cows or

r his ws r f w n so n s a s w othe co in any yea ollo i g, ma y calve ill complete or make u p with the calves of su ch parishioner

r u f r a n r or a rs n s not or b o ght o th in y yea ye the pa t tithed, a n r s for of s nu r y ecompen e paid the tithe the ame, the mbe f 10 o calves .

w u n l a s s a s s r s r &c. s And hen and oon ch pa i hio e , , hal have the nu mber of 10 calves in several years in form afore

s r u f r su r s r &c. aid , b o ght o th and completed , then ch pa i hione , ,

f f r fu s u r r &c. n or s ho ld delive to the Recto , , the te th cal e ing one penny for the fall of su ch calf or calves of su ch

r s i r &c r u f r s r rs . pa i h one , b o ght o th in eve al yea

if a n r s r &c v r 7 8 or 9 And y pa i hione , . , ha e in any yea , , f if r &c a s r u r c . c lve b o ght o th and ompleted, then, the Recto , , re u i e f u r n r r t he r o s s &c. s q ch pa i hio e , , hall delive to

t r &c so r u r one of s 7 8 or 9 s Rec o , ., eq i ing tho e , , calve any

im a ter su f s of of ﬁve w s or t e f ch cal hall be the age eek , within the age of tw o months ; a nd the said Rector so r n one of s 7 8 or 9 s s so eceivi g tho e , , calve hall pay to him delivering one of those calves the su m of one penny for each a nd every calf wanting of 10 calves in fu ll discharge of of s of s ws for r all tithes the calve the aid co one yea .

For of u r s to u on the tithe milk, b tte and chee e, pay p m f re uest r &c. s u of q being made by the Recto , , the one hal n & er r for cow r s r c. penny p yea each kept by any pa i hio e , For a s ur of a rr t n r u the p t e b en cat le , not bei g d a ght cattle,

u on re uest r &c. one n er r. p q being made bythe Recto , , pe ny p yea " for s r w a nd w for And gras g o ing mo ed, and hay made

re f in f r r r of w l sum of the o and o eve y ac e meado and, the three half-pence per acre per year in full discharge of all and singu lar the pastures of barren cattle and of hay . 46 Histor o h r y f Speld u st.

And for s s u s s n s t he egg , chicken , d ckling , and go li g , sum of one penny per yea r in full discha rge of all a nd s n u r s of s s u s s s i g la the tithe egg , chicken , d ckling , and go ling r u for s u s or s a n b o ght th by any hen , d ck , gee e kept by y

r s r &c. u r u s n r 6m t . pa i hione , , pon eq e t bei g made by the Rec o ,

For r s of r r s r s su of the he b o cha d and ga den , the m one

er a r u on re uest dzc . penny p ye p q ,

For s of er r u on the tithe hemp, one penny p yea p re u est 630 q , . All timber trees of the growth of twenty years a nd u w r w p a d pay no tithe hate ver. " All rw or r r r w r . un t s o o cu t fo de ood othe ee , any o d the pu rpose a nd used for making and repairing of hedges in the

r s s or r s w r Pa i h, pay no tithe ecompen e hateve .

H S A ND E E OU . THE GLEBE E . GL B

f t A r u f h r . o e r &c. s r b ie acco nt Recto y , , may be in e ted he e That there wa s a glebe house in very remote times is . v n if fr f r s Rectof‘ e ide t, only om the act that the p e ent y conta ins within its recess es a King John oak-post su pported

s r f u n s of s me e on a tone pilla in the o dation the a dat , the a xe r s ﬁ n the t o of ea rl thirteenth ma k xi g date be the y _

ur s us h w r rs of s r cent y . Thi ho e, o eve , like many othe imila

r ct r f r sr r u r t he r of cha a e , ell into g eat di epai d ing long pe iod

rs of s s wa s 14 0 was the Wa the Ro e , and it not till 9 that it

r u me e r or r r r u r f tho o ghly t ed , mo e p obably, eb ilt ; the oo timbers in that part of it which is shown in the wood- cut

n our r n u for ur us r bei g p i cipal g ide the date, the c io ent ance porch a nd cater-wise chimneys being both of th e sa me

r a r r s of fu r r w r mon the int r r period . The e e t ace the o k a g e io

J. . u of s 1830 the . timbers abo t the time Jame I . In Rev J

s r r s s u - a s s d u Saint added eve al oom on the o th e t i e, and abo t

r a rs r u a w s w fo ty ye late b ilt e t ing . THE REC TO RY SP E D RST , L HU .

15 n t rtion ( th C e u ry Po . )

[ To fa ce pa ge 46.

48 Histor o eld hurs y f Sp t.

’ r w u 1805 f rm r of r s e pa tly ood , did p to o pa t the Recto gleb ’ bu t u ts now in Mr s ss ss s w doc men . Pott po e ion ho that it

wa s r u r a nd a ted w r er then eg la ly leg lly aliena , ith all p op Rev Ro rt Gu nsle rs r s ts . con en , by the be y Aye t, then Recto ,

sa W r er u r x by le to illiam Go don , cl k (then C ate and ne t

e r r r w ur s t R cto ) , in o de that ith the p cha e money he migh redeem t he land-tax payable on the whole of his glebe

a s l nd . r f r - r s sur In the e e ence book to the Pa i h map veyed by W .

G e Bud en 1818 r u rs l be . . r g , , the e occ , by the Rev Wm Go don,

2 13 ebe 6 2 l . s 66 r . s Bi chett Wood A R. P and g by W Ga on

Bu t th r 6 B r h ﬁ 5 2 20 . e 6 7 i c et eld A . R . P te m glebe b mu st have been a mista ke . The gle e at the Went and ’ the Pite let wa s transferred by a process of excambion to A . s the present site in 1863 by the Rev . J J . Saint. to the

r w us r r . b e ho e, I have no eco d

VARIOUS PARISH NOTES .

’ The following will speak for itself it is printed in Carlyle s ’ n s Cromwell s Lett ers a d Speeche .

ur fr nr s n s u r his For my hono ed iend He y We to , E q i e, at house in Oakham ; these

’ HI TE HALL r 1653 W , Novembe , . Sm Mr NOBLE RIE ND , F , u r r r r wa s l w u Yo b othe Fo d late y ith me, acq ainting me r su n in n for a n d u r in with my p e mptio movi g , yo civility v ws of u rs one Mr r r granting the ad o on Speldh t to . D ape , is now u r who s ms w a s r who inc mbent the e, and it ee the e for three or four years before the dea th of the old incu m f u r Sir s f r v r u o s s . bent by i t e a eq e t ation , I had almo t o got u pon what account I made thu s bold w ith you b u t now r e u n rs n rs n is v r have fu lly ecollect d . I de ta d the pe o e y a nd s w r s of m n s rs able hone t, ell app oved by mo t the good i i te thereabou t ; and mu ch desired by the honest people who A r r f r now a re in a Religiou s ssociation the eabou ts . Whe e o e I s r o dhurs t 4 Hi to y f Spel . 9

most hea rt ily own and tha nk you for you r fa vou r shewed to Mr r r for s s in c u of . D ape my ake be eech g the ontin ance u r r s c s n — who s ver mu yo e pe t to the gentlema , hall be y ch ou s r so s ll in w a l in tied to pay y all e vice ; and ha , h t ieth hi r s powe . ur ff fr sa ou Yo a ectionate iend to ve y , ROM E OLI VE R C W LL.

12 in A scou h 098. [Additional y g , MSS . , No . A copy an ’ w s d rs r r w s old hand , ith thi en o ement The Gene al C om ell ” letter abou t Speldhu rs t li ving and this note appended " fr En a n w r o s In an old Bible I had om gl d ith othe B ok , ” r 26 r n a 17 . r s : s Ma ch , l Ca lyle comment Some T a tlantic ”

u r n r s . P ita , to all appea ance

A s we s n s f r na have ee , the We ton amily held the pat o ge

for u 100 r fr circ 1600 ﬁ nd s abo t yea s om . . I that Thoma ’ r r w ss u r w rd ens u s in 1652— 6 D ape itne ed ch ch a acco nt .

r s rs r r s of s s The egi te contain ha dly any ent ie bapti m ,

rr a s or ur a s his f s r rs a re ma i ge , b i l in time ; in act, eve al yea

u in 1660 n wa s . q ite bla k . He ejected

Archaeologia Ca ntia na supplies me with the following Amongst the docu ments in the P ublic Record Ofﬁce

r n r a re t w v elati g to the reign of Hen y VIII . o olu mes which contain the signatures of the secu lar clergy to the declara tion that The Bishop of Rome hath no greater j u risdict ion committed to him by God in this realm than any foreign ’ s Bi hop .

s r r ss of s s Thi decla ation , eng o ed in Latin at the head heet

f r o r wa s s n a n r . pa chment, ig ed by the cle gy in each de e y

s u r s a re u n bu t r n s ws The ignat e dated , inte nal evide ce ho

u v d ﬁrs f of 153 4 that they m st ha e been obtaine in the t hal . In the Deanery of Ma lling appears

i Port n ton r E cclie Dom nu s Thomas y g , Recto de Spel ” ’ rs n w ex of t s c or s hy t. I do ot kno the act date hi Re t

s . D 50 His tor o eld hurst y f Sp .

s u n b ut Bla kd en wa s s i u r 15th in tit tio , John in t t ted Decembe ,

153 4 the r s a of s Port n to n , on e ign tion Thoma y g .

FLORE NTIUS VOLUSMUS .

I had some correspondence lately with regard to the — — above called by later writers Florence Wilson a s to the

u if w r r f q estion he e e eve Rector o Speldhu rst. In the — fra gment of a letter from him dated 1530 1 to Thoma s

r w r s rv r s us u C om ell, p e e ed in the Bannatyne MS . B iti h M e m, he says I commend hu mbly Nicholas Fedderston my proctor of Spelhu r beseeching you to help and su ccour ” his n ﬁnd r h r s him in eed . I can no t ace in t e Pa ish book

of r s or his r r eithe Wil on p octo .

R ’ TRADE S TOKENS .

In an interesting work pu blished some years since I found that no less than of these tokens were known to have

ssu b w 1648 a nd 1679 r r been i ed et een , and at no othe pe iod . Of these 595 came from the county of Kent no other county

r s s s so s s I n in the B iti h I le had many ave Middle ex . London

r w r w of r 779 t wo the e e e in the hole I eland , ; only s of a nd in w l of in the I le Man the ho e Scotland, one . They represent an effort on the part of the people to supply themselves with small change (the value ranging

f r s u v from one to ﬁve a thing ) . S ccessive Go ernments ha d w ms l s ff r n to s of sho n the e ve indi e e t the need the people .

A s u of s r r s u of urr a m the val e ilve o e, the nit c ency bec e

s l ss wa s s r mal er and le convenient . It con ide ed beneath the

n of r w to ssu a n s r a s r dig ity the C o n i e y ba e met l than ilve ,

s of ff rs t r and the tate a ai became in ole able . — Therefore these tokens a n illegal money of necessity w ere iss ued by all the principal tradesmen in the more

r w s s of n impo tant to n and village the ki gdom . History of Speldhurst. 51

By this means they forced the Legislatu re to comply with

s us r demand at once j t and impe ative .

ll f r s s w r a o . u rs ssu The e coin e e b onze Speldh t i ed one, and I am very fortu nate in being the possessor of a s c pe imen .

i r r rs s . 1668 w On the obve e , Tho Soane, me ce , , ith " u r r rs u rs his a n nico n ; on the eve e, in Speldh t in Kent f ” hal penny .

PLEA ROLLS .

P s f 25 nr I I r In the lea Roll o He y I . which p e

u s i s r ur r r s f w n ceded J t ce in Ey e, F ley eco d the ollo i g, which relates to ou r Parish

of u u r of Somerd en Lathe S tton, H nd ed . A man went from the house ofWilliam de Alga resd enne

w r s his ow n us u rs is s wa s to a d ho e at Speldh t, and it aid he

ha s r n s s Tw sl a s . o rs s ain , he neve bee een ince pe on , a man

a nd w w r su s b u t a s is u n w w r a oman, e e pected, it kno n hethe

wa s or a s no one sa w him d ea d he killed not, ; let them be committed to ga ol till it be enqu ired in Su ssex u pon the

u r of Hertefeld e Ha rtﬁeld w r wa s s wa s H nd ed ( ), he e it aid he

ur carried by them and b ied .

rr s f rw r s f ss wa s The man, a e ted a te a d , con e ed that he

w n u r r w r present he the m de ed man a s killed . Anothe man charged w ith the mu rder wa s committed to the charge of 1 2 a borwisheld er w ith a ll his borough and escaped therefore 3 they were in mercy . No English ry

1 r rs o d er rom borhes a nd ea ld e r B orhes = led s r O o . e o b h l , f p g

i E a ld er ea d or e d er. A n ofﬁce in Sa x on a nd su se u nt suret es . h l b q e t im s One ma n a nsw ered for nine ot er men w it t eir a mi ies e . h h h f l t ou d the ea ce Ten times t ese ma d t tha t hey sh l keep p . h e he ’ i t " id ed I E und red over w c he consta e res . n d wa rd I h , h h bl p I I . s h o d r w a s a ed a ett onsta e E D t ime t e bors h l e c ll p y c bl . . ] 2 = t b a il r u h sure . Bo o g y, 3 r i f in a E n i ma n E nglish y priv lege o be g n gl sh . is tor o eldhurs t 52 H y f Sp .

A mu rderer wa s outlaw ed a t the third cou ntv (cou rt) w ithou t t he coroners t herefore to be j udged concernin g

u w s n rn n the r rs e a u s the co nty, and like i e co ce i g co one , b c e they were not present a t the cou nty (court) to execu te their ” ofﬁce . ’ on wa s run r b un - A man s s ove y a d g cart.

s two t s r s urr urs These la t ca a t ophe occ ed at Speldh t .

s S eltehurst e s r s n of XLs . Nichola p alia A nold, got a pen io per annu m from the late Monas tery of Rochester at the n 1536 u ress . s pp io , ELL THE W S .

se r s S eldhu rst Pa riah w r s r The , i ing in p , e e di cove ed by ’ N r tem . s I u l a s we or . s w L d o th, p Jame , tho gh Adam e l,

v s wa s w n f r rs ha e een, kno n lo g be o e the othe .

r u r r a r 1630 rd r Late , Q een Hen ietta Ma ia c me he e in by o e

f her s a ns w rs w r u fr u o phy ici , and the ate e e m ch eq ented by I w h r s I I . s I . r ur s u s r Cha le and Jame it thei Co t . Q een Ma y d n s r s a n An e al o pat oni ed them. I n 1684 a chapel wa s bu ilt on some ground given by

s u ss u r a nd n r 1696 s of Vi co nte P beck, e la ged at a co t

s s t wo u s of u ss x It tand in the co ntie Kent and S e ,

nd the r r s s of u r urs a in th ee pa i he T nb idge, Speldh t, and

r n ﬁrs r rs w as F a t . At t the p eache hip in the nomination

u m n s of s r s u s u a s s d of the inc be t tho e pa i hes . S b eq ently it p e

s of ru s s s w m we ﬁnd into the hand t tee , among t ho John

l r of u rs in 1727 w his r c ss r E ton , Recto Speldh t , hile p ede e o ,

a s w e s wa s r r. f s u a e have een, p eache The ont being it t d the r s of urs r s r s r of in Pa i h Speldh t, the ent ie in the egi te baptis ms used to be sen t here to be copied into the Speld

u r a r hurs t registers ntil the ea ly p t of last century . The u w r ss r us to en h s late Q een, hen P ince Victo ia, ed att d t i

fr u w n rs 182 a nd 1834 her chapel eq ently bet ee the yea 7 , Q u 53 History f Speld h rst .

s a t n w s of n r r r f r e bei g at the e t end the o th galle y, and the e o e

hurs P r s Her u r r ss Lou s we in Speld t a i h . da ghte , P ince i e, ma r us f e u rs ur y he e mention, ed o t n to attend Speldh t Ch ch w she wa s r s n t w L at the time hen e ide at Do den , angton

r wa s su s r r r f r G een, and a b c ibe to the candelab a (be o e mentioned) placed in the sanctuary to the memory of r the late Recto . 1882 w is for its u a nd In the chapel, hich noted antiq e

r - r e u rw r u r st r t elabo ately ca ved c iling, nde ent a tho o gh e o a ion a s r to ster r a memo ial the Rev. W . L . Pope, mini the e

1829— 18 i f six ur E 79. It s one o ch ches in ngland dedicated

r s r r to King Cha le the Ma ty . TUNBRIDGE WARE wa s ﬁrs s r of is s a nd t de igned in the eign Elizabeth, it aid, received its early encoura gement from the Wa lsingha ms of S m rh ll a r o e i . i r l fr a nd c It s p incipal y made om beech sy mo e,

w ew rr u u fu inlaid ith y , holly, che y , and pl m, and bea ti lly o s p li hed .

NOTE S BY PARISH CLERKS AND SEXTONS .

s a re ft u t bu t a s The e o en q ain and comic, by no me n a lu l ss for s r s rs v e e , they hed a light on p ice , manne , and u s s of s w r s fr c tom the old time hich, pe hap , can be gained om no r r L u s u . othe o ce et s look at a few. " 1601 r . of r s . 1658. u A Book A ticle , viii One h nd ed " ’ f r h s s o t e r 1 . F r s u s r . 660 o hingle [ ch ch pi e], x the King

r s £2 l s . 0d . l r for fr 108. A m , To Sti l the joyne the ame, ’ 1661 Pr r . oo f r u n o 10 . s s 8s . d aye B k the Q ee Maje ty , To ’ s . u r for r s 663 . For I s . 1 Tho H mph ey a badge head , a ° I s . For u r hedgehog, a p lpit cloth and binding y g eat 4 1 12 d . F s 8. s. 0 166 or 4 un f £ . Bible, 7 killing yo g oxe ,

1 68 r 6 . Th ee Jewish women with a pass (money and ’

u s l s 167 1. r s u r r s u t r w vict al , . F anci T ne da gh e hen 54 His tor eldhurs t y of Sp .

be f r she w n to u o 58. s r r e t to ched the Evil, Sand the po te

w h r l s. 6d 16 . h for e . 77 a s s rs w o going ith , Nine p enge had

- s 2s . u r r t a x for s d u n of the mall pox, Q a te ly the pee y b ildi g

° 30s s of wa r 33 . 1681. s f s s for o k hip , Chain and a tening y B o ° 1 1 . d 683 . w v n r r s s 6 . s s s t n b at y De k, T el e pa e ge e ake y ” 2 6 . u t fr ur s 8. 1 86 w r men the D y om the T k , T enty poo

fr r 33 . 1688. of ha s a company om I eland , Book T nk giving f Pr f 13 . for rt o o s 6d . a nd m d bi h ince Wale , [ im e iately

for K. fterw r s 1 r r . Ma r l s. a a d 1, P aye William and Q y, f urs v 1689 . Re reshing o el es at the gatheri ng of the Irish

l . d . 16 . D m r fs s 6 90 r u n 2s . 6d . B ie , Five poo tch e ,

6 . . d 1 w u m l s . F r n 1692 s 693 . o of Nine o nded ea en, letti g ’

n s o 6d . 1695 . r of s a nd Joh King bl od , A pai Stock a ’ - 148 6 . s s u . 1 96 s ta x for Whipping po t and etting p, King ’

s Bur 43 . 1699 . r e f r s . o r o w r s Wil on ial, To Rich B o k o k

e - 10d . 2 w u u r 5 3 . 170 T o s nd r . s a r abo t y ch ch, Fa t Book o de

n r n ss n 28 for u r r . p tti g P i ce Sophia i to the Common P aye ,

1 03 n u the rs e r a nd his ss s n s w n 7 . Spe t pon Bo hold a i ta t he

- two r w n w r f re u s 23 . g eat bellied ome e e had be o the J tice,

- 3d . rt a 05 . For s 2 108 . 0d . 17 a polecat, hea l th , £

- 500 sa l s 5s . 10d . 18 s of r for s t p ath , dog i on eeple

. ma n f r 297 £5 . 1708 ou n o a ( A y g le ding Diamond, m 6d 1 11 . n h n r . 7 a is w f 12 bli d, to Tonb idge, A , i e, and

r s rs r 23 . 1 1 5 2 r 7 7 . child en taken p i one in F ance, hedge

u l d r s 83 . 8d . 17 18 . r a n w n r hog , T o b e cha ge hen lo g Mothe

w a f r r n u s s r 53 . Ca d got i to my ho e and o ced to be emoved,

his w f 12 r n ou of 17 22. A man and i e and child e that come t

w n 23 . 6d . 17 23 . d 85 s a nd 1 Ne Engla d, Relieve eamen w t s r in r ss s 17s . 17 24 . 96 lame oldie the yea , i h pa e ,

he u 1 33 . u t n e . 7 w r seamen, Do Spent pon yo g p ople that e e t nﬁ rm 113 . 1730. 4 s rs ur l Bishop [co ed] , ailo h t by ight

2a 19 u r s s 4s . 1729 . For s l ning, , and T key lave , ca ing the

s n £8 15 . 6d . r £13 . s s chu ch, hi gle ,

56 His or o eldhurs t t y f Sp .

’ l n h u me On Oct . l 0th nn a s a f a r . A G te child decea sed h o ’ ’ a s t 10 o in the v On O t 14th A nn s e . c p o cl ck e ning . Gate ’ r 6 A nn wa u f r v . l th child s b ied be o e E e s Gate On Oct . ”

w n fr m . 2 th h on n . Gates e t om e On Oct . o s e went to L do ’ u f r u s w r r s u s us M lti a io , indeed, e e the poo man d tie th ’ For t wo s pigg and got em home,

rr Colehen ur Ca ying old to Ch ch,

r n s -f r 4d C yi g a heep aie , .

r 6 s for n n rs d . C ied a ale the mo ey coi e , Still more qu aint is he when in Church thu s

4 1801 . u r ns r in u r Jan . , Bl nde by the Mi te the Ch ch n No Commou yon Servis read . " 25 18 1 u ] insted of ss . 0 Jan , . Being Saint Pa l , the Le on for b n 5 of W s m wa s r for t he the day ei g the chap . i do , ead

i r of I a r i of ub let F st Lesson the 55 chap . s ye ; and nsted J ” a d m beg n the tea ea .

1 1 r r n a nd w n r 8 80 M . s Ma ch , . Go do Mi t the Venet e t

m f r r sso ins ted of s s . s t into the P al A te the Fi Le n, the ” tea d ea mfor the morning servis begu n to reed the Ma gniﬁca t . His care in marking a place of sepulture wa s lau dable B ir d On r 10 1794 r n fr . s u e Ma ch , , a F e chman om T Well , against the u pper furr tree against the heage at the Back

u r His un w . wa s side of the Ch ch . name and age kno n He ’ Bu ired by their own Sett of Minsters 5 of em and a ll s ung i ” a nd read there Bu real Sa rv es . ” 25th 1801 s s n B uired s es May , , Mo e Ben ett je t b ide Rob ’ ’ r s -s o x s toomb of w C ipp head t ne ne t to Lacon . He Maide ith ” ms f hi el .

THE SCHOOLS . Their history is best traced by mea ns of a letter of their

ﬁrs a s r w s t m te , in hich he aid

18 8 s Rustha ll in In 0 I commenced a chool at , and, being

of n s rv a t u rs u r the habit atte ding Divine e ice Speldh t Ch ch, s l r 5 Hi tory of Spe dhu st . 7

I wa s mu ch struck with the misconduct of persons who were consta ntly waiting abou t the chu rchyard for the a rr of r who a t Tun ival the cle gyman , at that time lived r r l r u b idge Wells . The boys made it thei p ayg o nd and the l n u r you ng men indu lged in improper angu a ge a d behavio . A t r s s 1 09 ft r su n r u r Ch i tma , 8 , a e con lti g the Recto , I nde u u rs took to commence a S nday School at Speldh t, and r r ur ﬁrs a hi ed a house fo the p pose . At t the attend nce w a s s a s r s wa s u t r mall ; it began to inc ea e, it tho gh mo e good might be do ne if a Day School were opened in n so r Ru stha ll s o to u rs additio , I emoved my cho l Speldh t 1 l r u r 1810. 813 s s in Jan a y, In , my choo having g eatly r s d r r r s s r rs n inc ea e , to obtain la ge p emi e I hi ed the Pa o age us w wa s u u r r Ho e, hich then nocc pied, and emoved the e w 8 r u r hi u s ith my family . In 1 17 the Rector eq i ed s ho e the rs r 1816 w to live in [ Rev . R . G . Aye t, Recto , died in , hen hi u r s u r s . r c ate, the Rev. W Go don, cceeded him] , and I hi ed t r 1 1837 we r v new us a nd ano he . In emo ed to a ho e - 2 s o r . nu rs w r : ch ol oom When I began, the mbe e e u n 83 r a re 12 17 . Now in 1 8 S day School Day School , , the e m r a n 100 in f r r a nd 120 r o e th the o me in the latte .

(Signed) J OHN C UTHBE RT.

’ Mr u r s r r n 1839 wa s su d On . C thbe t eti eme t in he ccee ed

ssrs Ph s r s r r s l C by Me . elp , G i dale, P io ( till iving) , hapman, d s of w r r s f r r s and Ree , the la t hom eti ed oon a te the p e ent s w r r school e e e ected . In 1858 a site wa s granted by Miss Wood ward to the r u r w r s r s s s Recto and ch ch a den , and the p e ent chool and s choolhouse were bu ilt at a cost of They were

1859 r u n r r s of opened in by John Bi d S m e , A chbi hop C r u r who s m m e r e new ante b y, at the a e ti e cons c at d the

' rt of u r r Mr Ha ﬁenden wa s po ion the ch chya d . . J . C . r Mr s r r 1889 wa s s u . appointed ma te , and, eti ing in , cceeded by

Chennell r s s r H . T. , the p e ent ma te .

’ ’ 1 Now Mr Powe s a rd ner s u . ll g e ho se . 2 N mi r n A ust M s s . E d . e w the re ses of es a . o p . O n 58 i H story of Speld hurs t .

H THE PARISH CHURC REGISTERS .

These date from the time they were ﬁrst ordered to be

r s u r s s r w r- r kept in pa i h ch che by Thoma C om ell, Vica Gene al

r A D 1538 a r rf w c . e to Hen y VIII , . . , and pe ect ith the ex eption of few rs of r n s a yea at the time the g eat Rebellio . Loo e sheets of these have been discovered by me a nd placed in

w s u n n r s a re the book, hich ho ld have co tai ed them . Ent ie for s r v r t r of f r the mo t pa t e y ma te act, and gene ally lack ’ ’ the hu mou r sometimes displayed in the cle rks and sextons

- k w h w v r a r w r f us s . fe e o note boo A , o e e , o thy notice ; th

ur r s r of 167 8 rs s of s In the b ial egi te appea a li t book ,

r r of u r or c r w evidently the p ope ty the ch ch Re to , hich have

s sa r of r n r s n a re long ince di ppea ed . Some the mo e i te e ti g

r f r o s ub . Ab ogation ce tain Holy Day by H . VIII . , p ’

n w rd s n u n s 154 . Ki g Ed a I j ction , 7

r f r 54 . r o u n 1 7 . Do O de Comm nio Se vice, ’ Cra nmer s r s of s 1548 A . B. A ticle Vi itation , . ’ 5 . s r s of s on 15 0. B Ridley A ticle Vi itati , E d w . r s VI . A ticle , ’ u n s n u ns of n f r Q ee Elizabeth I j nctio , Act U i o mity and

r s n r of a n s r n s s Fo m and Man e s m ki gs and Con ec ati g Bi hop ,

r s s ns 1559 P ie t and Deaco , .

Celeb ra tio ce n n funerib u s 1560 C a Domi i ,

of rr s of r r 1563 . Table Ma iage B . Pa ke , ] ° n 15 4 r u n 6 . Appa el at y Comm io ,

15 8. r of s s s u s ks &c. 8 Reco d chi matic, editio boo , , Constitutions and Canons Ecclesia stical agreed u pon by

n s a n d r a nd s r rs . Co vocation at London Yo k , eve al othe ‘ 1 1666 u r s r s of ur r s . B ial Regi te A li t Ch ch Ma k to

n r rs be mai tained by various pa ishione .

1 The w o e encin is 658 eet a nd the nu m er of ouses c a r ed h l f g f , b h h g - m 15 et P i i Pa c er is nin t r Th en t s va r ro 4 to e . e y th ee . e l g h y f f h ll p k is to ma inta in the ga te a nd style for the tene ment ca lled Red mered ge Histor o ld u st 5 y f Spe h r . 9

m: 1 01 t W 7 . lo e e un e d s . Dit o . H t, f 6 ° 170 . . u s who 100 rs of Ditto Wid . S dd died in y yea ’ ” her a s w s s age t a aid . 8 170 . ou s of ur . Ditto . The B nd Speldh st gone agst t or u on Asc. Mr rs t r Bidb o gh Day by . Kea ley (Rec o ) , Rob r t ’ r S a nd o Mr w Bi or s . . Ro s r of db o Seame R b Ro e nd, Mini te ” a nd 5 or 6 or s of r s n men boy that Pa i h accompa nyi g.

17 09 . oun s of hur r Ditto . The B d Speld st agst . Tonb idge ‘ 30th Ma b Men w n gone y eing . in Rog . eek begi ning at y

° ‘ s Birchet u n s Well Chapel and ending at y . Note that y Bo d ° ’ w u s Sir s s s 6or 7 r Bet ixt y Ho e late Tho . Jan on and a ac e ’ ’ field of John Bassett s now Sow d with wheat goe almost in a Streight Line dzc 1 1 ’ f Mu r s . 7 3 . Wm. C n rthe d Ditto . halkli e, him el ‘ 17 14 r of r fi e of Aflida vit . . The Fo m the Ce ti cat an

. wa s ut in w r or w u u or ur E L . not p , apt, o nd p, b ied in any ’ r f or r u a d or min l d w Shi t, Shi t, Sheet Sh o d m e g ith Flax ,

r or r or r n w is Hemp , Silk, Hai , Gold Silve othe tha hat ’ ’ m of s w or in a n fﬁ or fa ade Sheep ool only, y Co n lin d ced

’ w C Stu ﬁ or r w s r ith any loth, any othe thing hat oeve made ’ or min l d w r or v r or g ith Flax, Hemp, Silk, Hai , Gold Sil e ” r r n e we ﬁnd any othe mate ial but Sheeps wool o ly . Henc " 17 23 r r r wid for w 508. in . B idget Me ce , . in Linnen hich

° ° ” w r r r e e paid y Poo at y g ave .

1 3 . ur of r u r r 7 7 Ditto . B ied a child a souldie q a te ed at ° y Wells . 1 A s n of r r 06 s s r. o 7 . Bapti m Regi te John Pa ke dyed u nbaptized

—15 t L n t n i d La m in ton S a d we l is ca ed ee . a o s c e f g a ll p g . h l ll ’ ” Shottw ell a nd urc Fa rm Tur s F a rm , Ch h k . 1 The la w w hich w a s ma d e for the encoura gement of the wool tra d e " ca me into orce 167 8-9 I ﬁnd a not er en tr d a ted 1705 urd f , h y C N Aﬁ a s Dr rnw a R t r d ecid ed a t ra ve she w a s Dorca s o . Co ec o . . ll ( ) g ” in in n L ne . b . 60 Histor o eldhu t y f Sp rs .

3 i 1 6. 7 to . ll n a D t A e Dale Dale, baptized .

’ 1 34 b r n of o r 7 . Ro e t so R be t Mercer j baptized in the ’ r s r w P e byte ian a y. ° And 1 83 Y Eli h n r r a s 7 . xs e e f r , l tly, o Speldhu st Borou gh

’ ° wa s r ﬁ r . r s Sta el for Alexande y Cha le p y y Wells .

CHURCH PLATE.

The old plate wa s said to have been melte d down in the

s rv of C r s I . w er u s s t wo e ice ha le , and pe t ed in tead . The

wt r a e s a nd or s - s a re s r s r pe e ﬂ g n plate alm di h till p e e ved, a nd one of them is ins cribed The gift of Nichola s Rea de ” u u r b u i If rs c t r s . to Speldh t Ch h , the e no date the

a s Senr who wa s rr r 15 7 3 a nd Nichol Reade, . , ma ied he e in ur r in 1598 or if i s u r e b ied he e , the N chola Reade b i d

r 1599 w r d r of w r ss s we he e in , e e the ono the pe te ve el , must date them back to a period long anterior to the

s of s v r u n u b great Rebellion . A et il e plate m s t have bee s s u ur s or r s for the u r t wa s eq ently p cha ed p e ented, ch ch pla e s l st of r 1837 r sub tolen on the Decembe , , and eplaced by

r 1838 w r s s r ss s w sc iption in ith the p e ent ac ed ve el , hich

r c su t have e ently been pplemented by a Chalice and Pa en ,

f of r s ss of Birchetts . the gi t the Rev . F anci and Mi Pott,

THE E CHARITI S .

’ Sir m s s w s w r 1 . Tho a Smythe ; by ho e ill p oved Octo

ber 12 1625 six r u s r th , , poo people, being Comm nicant , eceive each a qu artern loaf in church after service every Su nday 1 r nnu e u s u s £13 08 . e in the year. The b q e t amo nt to p a m, a nd is divided between the different districts of which the

r now ns sts A fur r su m of £25 er n u is Pa ish co i . the p a n m apportioned in like manner and spent in either increasing

h u r of lea ves ts r s s or cc r t e n mbe , blanke at Ch i tma , a o ding

to the discretion of the incu mbent and churchwardens . A i o u rs 1 H story f Speldh t. 6 residu e is administered by tru stees of variou s parishes

n s r n f n e titled to a ha e in the Smythe be e actio , and the ’ r whole is under the mana gement of the Skinne s Company .

2 ss 1837 ss r u rr ws . Mi Booth (died ) and Mi Sa ah B o (died The bequ ests of these ladies combined have served t o produ ce income sufﬁcient to give six poor widows (a nd d u m of 03 w r r s 1 . one at G oomb i ge) the each, hich they receive in the vestry before service annually on Christma s

Day .

INDENTURE .

There happens to be preserved among ou r papers a curious form of indenture which u sed to be drawn up in the cas e of n n w rk u s s r A s is 215 r e gagi g a o ho e e vant . it yea s old I

w r w ser in extenso think it o th hile to in t it . This Indenture made the ﬁrst daie of May in the third

r of rei ne of our Soverei ne r s n yea the g g Lo d Jame the Seco d, by

r of of n r r n the G ace God, E gland , Scotland, F ance and I ela d, n f n r of n 168 w Ki g, De e de the Faith , Anno Domi o 7 , bet een

ff r E w r Golsmith u r w r ns of John Je e y and d a d , Ch ch a de the

‘ r s of urs in un of ﬂr pa i h Speldh t the co ty Kent, and John y and Robert Brooks overseers for the poore of the said pa rish

r ff r on the one pa t, and William Je e y and Ea s ter Jeffery of

u r u f r s of r rt w it T nb idge in the Co nty a o e aid, the othe pa , nesseth that the said church wardens and overseers by and ’ w ith the consent a nd approbation of His Majesty s J ustices of the Peace of the said County whos e names a re hereunto s u s r ut u out b c ibed, have p and bo nd and by their presents

u t n ou t Holla mby do p and bi d Elizabeth , a poore child of ’ s s now r r the aid p i h and cha geable, app entice to and with

s ff r a s r ff r the aid William Je e y and E te Je e y, and with whom to d well and serve from the nine and twentieth d a y of April last pas t before the date hereof u ntil shee shall aecom

lish her a e of a nd w rs or of rr p g one t enty yea , day ma iage, Hi o o e hu s t st ry f Sp ld r . according to the forme of the statu te in that a s provided in and duri ng which said time and form the said apprentice will and faithfully shall serve the said William Jeffery and

s e r ff r his w f ir w r s of housewifr t r Ea t Je e y i e to the o k y, hei servies shall keepe a nd their commandments lewinll and n r w r s u s of ho est eve y he e hall doo . in the ho e the mitt s . . nor w u s s not co . aid W . J . and E J itho t hee hall

u r s . she s not d oe nor H t to the aid W . J . and E . J hall ,

s n r s u s s sh s con ent to be do e . Tave n and aleho e ee hall not

n u n s e ou b usinesse of s . hau t le s it bee ab t the the aid W . J

h M t re s s E r n . s of er a s e s e and . J . the e to be do ne The good she shall not spend nor them to any man withou t La wfull Lycense Lend neither shall or will by day or night with out La wfull Lycens e absent herselfe from the servise of the J B ut n s l see r s . . s aid W . J . and E , in all thi g ha l ightly behave herself a s a true a nd faithful] servant and apprentice ough t to d oc to the u tmost of her power both in words a nd d s . for s s a n deed . AND the aid W J . and E . J . them elve

r of s r a nd r s n n eithe them doo eve ally e pectively cove a t,

r s r for t r s r u rs a nd p omi e and g ant them, hei eve al exec to administrators to and with the said chu rchwardens and overseers and every of them their and every of their suc cessers for the tyme being by their presents that they the d . . u rs a nd a n said W . J . and E J exec to administrators shall

w w a nd s ufﬁ kee e ed ica t e r u ill ell ciently p , and b ing p the r a nd ur n i said app entice E . H . by d i g a ll the tyme a foresa id s in all honest servis a nd labo urs belonging to hou sewifry according to her age and capacity witho ut giving her a ny unreasonable or u nﬁt correction and d uring the said terme

E or n i s . . o e of s w they the aid W J . and J . them hall and ll

ﬁnd r v w a nd r s a r n , p o ide , allo give to thei aid pp e tice com

t n su ffi w s a rin a a rrell pe e t and cient hole ome me t, d ke, pp ,

n w s h r s ss r a s w lodgi g, a hing and all ot e thing nece a y ell in

64 His tor o ld u t y f Spe h rs .

’ ’ s r ss n to wa s s r ss Gipp C o at La g n anciently Gibbet C o ,

w r f ur r a d s w re f rs w r u he e o o meet, and he male acto e e exec ted

s u s ur w s r v r u r s and icide b ied ith a take d i en th o gh thei bodie . The ﬁeld devoted to the ancient game of qu intain wa s

r u a w 2a I p obably the Q int in Meado ( . n situate j ust

es r s u n u rr L t . b ide the p e ent Q i tain Q a y, on the ang on Road The old pack-horse road from London to Ne wha ven ra n

r u s P r s ter n fr r u u r n to th o gh thi a i h, en i g om Bidbo o gh , t ni g

the r Birchetts s l w rs ight at , de cending B o e Hill, along and

s r Sma llbrook f s r to in the t eam at , to the le t and ha p the r us Sma llbrook a s so s r ight j t above cott ge , and t aight to

r of w we Fa nham, leaving the Hole Cottage ( hich have an u s r ft a nd cross n ill t ation) to the le , a the Langto Road at ’ s r ss v s r w Gipp C o , and, lea ing Adam Well on the ight, do n t o the S ussex boundary near the present railway between

r d r r r u s a n . s w r T nb idge Well G oomb idge On thi oad, he e

now s s f r w r r n w a s tand the o ge belo Ethe ton Hill, in a ga de , ’ s e s m m s r a ns of s u r s to be e n o e ti e ince the em i a m ggle cave , not an u ncommon sight in most parishes lying between the sea and London . The population of Speldhu rst is now not fa r short of

s u s b ut P r s ha s n s for o l , the a i h lo g ince been divided ecclesiastical purposes into the independent districts of Rustha ll and Langton Green ; the chapelry of Groombridge

r f r r s alone remaining a s pa t o the mothe pa i h . ’ l On Au us 14th 1850 . P u s Rustha l wa s g t , , St a l , , con secra ted r 7 th 1864 wa s s u , and on Ap il , , it con tit ted an 1 r r l oth 1863 independent chapel y . On Novembe , , All ’ s r wa s ns r w Saint , Langton G een, co ec ated, hile on Sep

r 2l st 1880 s wa s f r tembe , , it al o o med into an independent

1 h l th R v F F Wa r nd The nt Vica r of Rus t a l e e . . . o succeed ed prese , l , mi in 1 7 4 a t Rev . B F S t a terwa rd s A rchd ea con of 8 the l e . . h ( f Ma id stone its ﬁ rst Vica r ) , .

History of Speldhurs t . 65

1 c r r of u rs is r of s hapel y the Recto Speldh t pat on both the e, r a nd also appoints the curate to G oombridge Chapel . Rus tha ll and Groombridge have burial grou nds of their

own .

GROOMBRIDGE.

a s s r s we s r of s L t, not lea t in inte e t, come to a de c iption thi

n w the n o r m n ri e h . f G o e eb ancient amlet Once k o n by ame gg , it wa s often digniﬁed by t he style of borou gh in ancient

o u s is r s s n r s n s w d c ment , and pe hap the mo t i te e ti g pot ithin ou r u r s Gromenebri e is of u n u bo nda ie . The name gg do bted

a r n n r fr Gromen its w r S xon o igi , bei g de ived om , Saxon o ne , and brigge denoting the bridge here which crosses the little ” n w r s r w s r s u n s of Ke t ate , the t eam hich epa ate the co tie m n uss . s Gro e is r r Kent and S ex Thi , a Saxon noble , eco ded

u s r u rr n w m a t to have b ilt a ca tle he e and s ou ded it ith a e . After the Conqu est the man or probably passed into Norman

s a nd s wa s s r r is r r hand , the old ca tle de t oyed . The e no eco d of its history thenceforth till w e ﬁnd William Ru ssell a nd

w s his w f f u n a n r r r in Ha i , i e , o ndi g a ch t y at G oomb idge the 3 12 . w r of nr . A . D . 9 s a s v n l u eign He y III , Thi e ide t y b ilt for the purpose of acting a s a kind of chapel- of-ease to

u rs Speldh t . r of s wa s Sir rt or of The g ant land to Robe , Rect

u rs his su ss rs s w r to Speldh t, and to cce o . Chapla in e e be " ” a r u r r u a s Sir r m intained the e in p e and pe pet l alm . Robe t ” h a s Rob ert us s t e . s urs sign deed Rec de eccle ie Speldh t . s Sir r 1256 wa s In a lea e by Robe t, dated , the chapel " ” f edmere e r s of u r d o R s . calle gg , in the Pa i h Speldh t The of r r is in f w r next notice G oomb idge the ollo ing eign, when the manor wa s held by Henry de Cobham (u ncle to

ul l 6th 1881 the resen t Vi a r of La n ton G r en On J y , , p c g e , the V in u d i m nt f th n Rev 8 . A . a rd on wa s d cte a s ﬁrs t ncu e o e ew . , b i ri eccles a stica l pa sh . 66 Histor eld u rs y qf Sp h t. that Henry who wa s appointed Governor of Tonbridge Cas tle in 1332 by Edw ard Henry de Cobham per f rm s r in s rs r o n o ed Knight e vice the Wel h Wa , and in ec gnitio of his ur r wa s a his w f ca n valo a g ant m de to him and to i e J , u r f n Pencestre in 1286 d w e o rd . da ght Stephe de , , by E a I ’ of a King s charter for establishing a w eekly ma rket and a n — u f r of r s u r . . o n ann al ai th ee day d ation viz , the Vigil, St J h E vangelist a nte porta m La tina m and the day after

— is r s n s u s n r May 5 7 . It ea o able to ppo e that the cha t y w a s dedica ted to that Saint and that the fair days were

s n w r f r . a n s is cho e ith e e ence to him St. John Ev geli t day , a s w e w 27th of r b u t s fur r all kno , the Decembe ; thi the ’ d a y in the Apostle s honour commemorates his apprehension a t sus his ur a nd his n Ephe , jo ney in captivity to Rome, bei g placed in a cauldron of boiling oil before the Latin gate

a f r r u s s ur n a nd his r n s f soun . te a p evio co gi g, eme gi g a e and d

T s wa s r u o u rr is ﬁrs hi att ib ted to magic, and the cc ence t

s n of a s r c r u who s poke a mi a le by Te t llian, became a lap ed 200 C r s A . D . h i tian .

r ha s s s e r b ut f r The ma ket long ince di app a ed, the ai

su r r r s w it wa s r u to t wo vived till mo e ecent time , hen ed ced

— r 6h d s via 6th a nd 2 t . ay , May Novembe Groombridge Chapel had before this time received a f n s of r Pa dlesworth who wa s bene action at the ha d Roge de ,

r of u rs 1264 who r u pat on Speldh t in , and in that yea exec ted a dee d relea sing his right to certain rent and service d ue for n s r C of Gromenebre e la d g anted to the hapel gg . The deed

is nt P ort. L t t . a e a da ed St John, . d r C r of w r . a n Hen y de obham died in the eign Ed a d II ,

wa s su his son n ss s r of r cceeded by , the ext po es o G oom

b ri who ss the r r s of l t fro dge, pa ed mano to the Lo d C in on, m

a cir 1 6 b m r f w w s u r ha s c. 3 0 s o hom it p c ed , , y Tho a Walle , L r urs w s s c son wa s f u s R r ambe h t, ho e e ond the amo icha d i d u H story of Spel h rst. 67

l r of ur r w w se u r of Wa le Aginco t eno n , and to ho capt e r s u of r s f- r r of r Cha le D ke O lean , hal b othe the F ench King

r s r s u fr of s a ft r Cha le VI . , and e c e om a heap l in a e that

r fr u n r f r ce celeb ated battle, I have made eq e t e e en in these s page .

The a u ura ec Roy l D ke enjoyed an hono ble captivity, b ame su rr u n s of r r a r E n s attached to the o ndi g G oomb idge, le nt gli h , wr e s a u r s t r — s sa r u ote po m in that l ng age, e o ed ome y eb ilt r s u r of u rs s n a of the Pa i h Ch ch Speldh t, and pe t a good de l money besides in renovating the Manor House of Groom r w ha d u on s of s b idge, hich been b ilt the ite the Saxon Ca tle, a nd w f r r us is hich had allen int o dis epai . Th it not su rprising to ﬁnd that it took him twenty-ﬁve years to raise

sum of r w s w wa s ﬁx d E a s the c o n , hich e by ngland r c of his r s r s r r the p i e an om . He did not e ide at G oomb idge uri r r of his i r s b u t f r d ng the late pa t mp i onment, be o e r urn r b e r e to r f w et ing to F ance g ant d the Walle amily, ith l a t he s of nr . f w r con ent He y VI , the ol o ing ddition to thei r s — or escutheon of ra c a n e a m viz . , , the F n e, h ngi g by a lab l fr w u r er r s w om a aln t t ee (the Wall c e t) , ith the motto

H ructus rtu tis a ec f vi . After these e vents the Wallers remained in possession of t he s 1604 ur w er we e tate till , d ing hich p iod have nothing of interest to record beyond the fact that in 1540 the

f Lur n r s of r College o St. a e ce Pountney g anted a lea e thei a r of urs Sir r of M no Speldh t to the William Walle that day, h s 5 w o wa s err e u rs u u 1 55 . int ed at Sp ldh t in A g t, The last of the family who died possessed of Groombridge w a s Sir r r u His s son Walte Walle (ob . J ly, econd , Sir s r who su r r Thoma Walle , cceeded at G oomb idge and b u n n t of r s s a r ecame Lie te a Dove Ca tle, old the m no in

1604 to s r of rse . Thoma Sackville, Ea l Do t ' Sir Walters widow appears to have remained in the h t 68 History of Speld urs .

n ur o a nd n in r 1624 wa s u r d eighbo ho d, , dyi g Septembe , , b ie es her us a of urs b ide h band in the ch ncel Speldh t. The s or of E u ll r a nd his u r u d t y dm nd Wa e , the poet, n eq ite

o for La r u er of Ea r of l ve dy Do othy Sidney, da ght the l

L s r f i w u r e e e o P s urs s w . A ice t , en h t, ell kno n ltho gh a elativ of a rs of r r u not e n the W lle G oomb idge, he co ld have b e a visitor at Groombridge Pla ce while it wa s in possession of rs a s wa s r 1603 wa s se f the Walle , he only bo n in , and him l w w r w r s t a ido e hen the omantic epi ode ook place.

The E r s of rs f r son r a l Do et, athe and , only etained for m in 16 ss ss s r . o 08 po e ion a ho t ti e B th died , and the

r n s rd ss in r r of re g a d on, Richa , pa ed it the latte pa t the ign of s to Pa r ft rw r s r of r v Jame I . John cke , a e a d Cle k the P i y r w w u Sea l to Charles I . This John Packe vo ed that he o ld build a chapel in the park if Prince Charles retu rned safely

— - fromSpain which he did in 1623 and endow it with £20 r n pe a num . A ord res ed ﬁ wa s rec e 1625 a r cc ingly the p ent i ce e t d in , p t a t lea st of the materia ls of the old Cha ntry Chapel nea r the — — house the site of which ca n still be tra ced being removed ’ a t the sa e m r c of s f rs w r m ti e . The P in e Wale eathe e e

a ce in s er s u orc w t a n scr i n : pl d tone ov the o th p h , i h in ipt o ra ti u for the sa f re urn of C r es r n of In g t de e t ha l , P i ce fro a n h n illia m a mﬁeld r a es . . e C r W l , m Sp i , I P W W esto ed ” h s c a e 150 r a r h h le r L t i h p l yea s l te e a ltered t e tte s P. t o

W . The sa cred ed iﬁce fulﬁlled the ori gina l obj ect of the old one a nd served a nd sti ser es a s a cha el-of-ea se to the , , ll v , p hur h h he E v Pa r sh C c ts ded i a tor Sa int St. Jo n t a n i . I c y ( ge list) rema ined uncha nged bu t for some time subs equ ently ’ it wa s known a s St . Cha rles Cha el p . In 1660 Mr Pa c er thorou hl rest ored or rebuilt the . k g y ma nor house a nd in 1662 John E vel n wa s a uest a t the . y g

dhurs 70 His tory of Spel t .

r ro e r e f r to r r in elied on, p v d a g eat b ne acto G oomb idge general for it relates : To the memory of William Cam

ﬁ w ho fr r ru ous t r us eld, gent om a ve y in condi ion, gene o ly repaired and bea ntiﬁed this chapel and street of an hea pit

s a s os rit b t he r a nd able and oci l di p ition, cha a le to poo

e to his fr s r fu r v b nevolent iend , and the ca e l and p o ident r of u r us ffs r e er 2nd pa ent a n me o o p ing, he di d Novemb , 1 i ” 781 n 8l et r of his a e . , the yea g

er ur ss of wa s ro Rob t B ge , Hall Place, Leigh , the next p

rietor who few rs r u r s v ws of p , a yea late p cha ed the ad o on his u rs . e 17 94 f ro r to Speldh t He di d in , and le t the p pe ty w w who rri s Ha rbroe 1820 e ido , ma ed Jame , and in b came a

w w for s t su s u f ido the econd ime . She b eq ently le t it to her s s r Mrs w s e e s e ro i te , . Saint, on ho e d c a e it b came the p r of her son Rev m s r of pe ty , the . John Ja e Saint, Recto

u rs w s su r v n u rs a re res n Speldh t, ho e vi i g da ghte the p e t

possessors . The cura tes of Groombridge a re not specially mentioned

a s su r rd s b ut n ch in the old eco the Rev. Be jamin White

ﬁ s fr m 1848 1893 w wa s su c locke lled the po t o to , hen he d — h ceed e Rev r 1893 96. T e Rev by the . J . F . Mathe , .

r ert s rs wa s ur e fr 1901 w He b Ma te c at om that time till , hen wa s su b r b R N he cceeded y the Rev . John B a azon, . . s f bu r u r st c The chapel it el , ilt in the pe pendic la yle, annot

be s ss ss ter u bu t ff r s aid to po e ex nal bea ty, chieﬂy by the e o t f o Mrs. Strea t feild her s s rs M ss E the late and i te , i lizabeth

ss u s r r ha s n s a st and Mi Lo i a Saint, the inte io bee mo t t e fu lly ﬁtted u p and decora ted with everything tha t cou ld

e w r of w ws mak it o thy be ing the House of God . The indo

a re s r s ro ri s n e pecially inte e ting and app p ately de ig ed , that

r t r n ﬁne - w w ft of ss ove the al a bei g a ten light indo , the gi Mi

Sk n r f Mr n e w r o . of r w s y , and the o k Kemp, B ighton . The e t w w s u w f M S rea f ild ha f o rs . t t e s indo in the o th all, the gi t ,

His r r 1 to y of Speld hu st. 7

r ts r r s r us Rex et r r th ee ligh , ep e enting Ca ol Ma ty , an empty t r r e r a of n e h one, and St . Geo g , Pat on S int E gland . The middl w w of s w is r Lus Dee in r of indo thi all e ected a , and memo y

- r Gen . s n u 6th The r e Majo . B F . D . Wil o , ob . J ly , th e

ﬁ r . d n s ur s of s a n . a d light have g e St. Pete , St Jame , St John ,

r f r h a e w r o ss s . s w a s t e the o k Me Clayton and Bell . Thi f of w w . s s e gi t the Rev J . J . Saint . The ea t indo in the am w r r h r all ( estored by M . Saint) a s th ee lights by Clayton — d r of God and Bell one edicated To the glo y , and the

r of r s u of r s who wa s for memo y Cha le , D ke O lean , many ” rs r s n r r r r s yea a p i o e in G oomb idge Place . The Royal A m of r n wi ff r n f r r of t s F a ce, th di e e ce, o m the cent e hi light . r b r r s r s of l rs is Anothe , ea ing the c e t and a m the Wal e ,

s r b m r of Sir i r r i in c i ed To the emo y R cha d Walle , Kn ght who r s u u ft r t of ur e c ed the D ke a e the Ba tle Aginco t .

t r n a ss s b r s f The hi d , contai ing old gl , de igned y Packe him el ,

— u in r rs r r s . s ss or bea the Packe a m viz . , g , ten lozenge c o , ,

w t wo r s s a r For r s i a her s bet een o e g. c e t a pel c n on ne t w w s rs 1625 ith ings di played . It bea the date .

r w ws a re f s of Mrs . Strea tfeild All the othe indo the gi t ,

ha t w d a r . s en and e designed by Kemp T at the e t , to

- - Strea tfeild R E is fi t en i w w . Maj . Gen . R . O. , , a ne l ght indo

- r w es w ha s ﬁ ur s of . s That in the no th t all the g e St Agne , h r r u St . rt wa s r e s St. Pa l, and Ma in , and e ected to pa ent a nd u h sband . A small bra ss tablet on t he sou th wall records the fact

K ra w in 1850 u that William a din, by ill , beq eathed towards t he maintenance of a curate for the Episcopal

h r r s su m ha s r n n C apel at G oomb idge, and thi ece tly bee t n increased by the liberality of Miss Elizabe h Sai t . A marble tablet over the south porch is erected to the

r of of our s s i u s r s rs memo y one mo t di t ng i hed pa i hione , l s w l his fr n s Wi liam Cotton O el , by ie d and the Royal 2 Histor o eldhurs t 7 y f Sp .

r r of his s v r of Geog aphical Society, in ecognition di co e y Lake

w r n w his fr a nd a n Ngami, hen t avelli g ith iend comp ion

Dr s . 1893 a 75 a nd his . Living tone He died , ged , on tomb a re w r s one who w ca n fa t o n rs o d that no kne him il e do e, ” A man grea tly beloved . " ’ The God s Acre attached to the cha pel mu st have been a pportioned by John Packer soon after the erection a nd endowment of the chapel for we ﬁnd in Speldhu rs t Regis ters a note of the first person b uried at Groombridge " Le 13 u r r s . e t viz , John , J ne, The late Rec o inc ea ed the size of the buria l gro und when he had the chapel con secra ted r n r r of a n f r r s r , the e bei g no eco d y o me con ec ation ,

187 2. The h u s ur r r a nd in c apel th became ch ch p ope ty, the appointment of it s chaplain or cu rate remains with the

r of ur Recto Speldh st . R P L URS R MB ECTORS OF S E DH T WITH G OO RIDGE .

r r 9 Si Robe t (mentioned in a Deed of Grant) . 123 f urs o r r of s r. 1320. John Speldh t, appointed P io Roche te — ir . 32 1346 S Thoma s 1 0 . — Sir a w . 1346 1 Willi m de Chet ode 366. r Witherd ele or 1366— 1399 Robe t y ( Witley) . . s 1399— 142 6. Nichola Mocking. — 426 143 . William Thorpe . 1 3

John Pye . 1433

r . John Thu stan (resigned) 1448. — r a r r. 4 Richa d B ke 1 48 1481. — Hethcott 1481 14 . Ralph . 88 — r u . Richa d R ston 1488 1525 . v n w John St e yns (presented by Henry VII I . u nder his e f f — o r 15 25 1532. s tyle De ende of the Faith) . P 32— s ort n r . Thoma y gton ( esigned) 15 1534. — n Bl k . Joh a d en 1534 1536. — s r 1536 1538. Thoma Sta key . m i La t mer . D r s n f rw r s of Will a y , B . ( e ig ed a te a d Dean r — Pet erbo ough) . 1538 1553 . — n 5 558. John De ton . 1 53 1 — r 558 1 9 . 1 Geo ge Eliott . 1 60 ’ d w r — 6 9 164 . 1 E a d Weston . 1 0 0 64 — 1653 John Weston . 1 0 .

s r r ru 1653 1660. Thoma D ape (int ded) , ; (ejected) , Nicholas Cordell (ﬁrst instit ution in Diocese of Rochester f r s r of r s 1660— 1677 a te Re to ation Cha le .

' — er Bou tch r r s . 167 16 9 1 Rob t e ( e igned) 7 7 . — 1 9 1683 . William Weston . 67 l — u 1 693 . John L ls . 683 1 ‘ — r w l D 169 1 24. D. 3 7 1 John Co n al , .

Known to a ve een u ried a t S d urst 1 h b b pel h . 7 4 Histor o dhu y f Spel rs t .

’ 24— 1 s s . 1 2 1 Nichola Adam 7 7 7 . — o 1 2 28. John Elt n . 7 7 17 ' — s a rs . 17 28 1768 1 Jame Ke ley . ' — r . 1 Richa d Onely 1768 1787 .

r G n r — 178 18 6. Robe t u sley Aye st . 7 1 — r n . 1 16 William Go do 8 1830. — John James Saint . 1830 1889 . in ﬁ t Donald D . Ma cK non ( rs institu tion after transfer of r s fr s r nt r 1889. Pa i h om Roche te to Ca e b ury) .

R CURATES OF SPELDHU ST.

P ns 1661— 166 on . John y 7 . s ﬂ oxne 1680— 1685 Jame y. . Wint 5 — 1 ele 168 17 . John y. 7 m Gor n f r a nd son w 17 88 1816 Willia do , athe , bet een ,

w r Senr. a r. hen William Go don, , bec me Recto s 1816— 1818 W. H . Stephen . . a r 1818— 1825 John D by . . 5 — h r s n 182 1830 wh e . John Jame Sai t. , en became Recto G r r 1843— 1846 . Ha pe . . f of Ru th ll n . o u rs e s a Benjami F Smith, Speldh t, th n , 1850— 185 3 w e ﬁ rs V r of Rustha ll f r , hen he b came t ica , a te i w ards Archdeacon of Ma dstone . 85 — 8 3 . ss . 1 186 J . W . Bli i 85 — S r a tf ld . 1 9 1861 t e e . Newton W . 8 2— 6 1 6 8 4. s . 1 T. Sykes Hichen 8 4— 18 9 r r H s . 1 6 . F ede ick H . ichen 7 — a n 18 9 1889 w r. Donald D . M ckinno . 7 , henhe became Recto

‘ CHURCHWARDENS OF SPELDHURST .

Silc ck h s 1601. John o and Nic ola — ff r r a nd a s r . 1602 5 . John G oomb idge Thom Je e y

uri a t S ld urs t 1 Know n to ha ve been b ed pe h . 1 nd Wi ia m S m nd s a rd ia ns si n the John M a yna rd a ll y o , g , g — 6 — D 5 1 E . registers 1 58 00. [

7 6 Histor o eldhur y f Sp st.

63 1 . 9 Edw . Fr y and Thos . Bond . 1 4 6 . 0 . Str a f il e t e d a nd s . Robt Tho Groombridge . 1 4 6 1. d . Fr John God en and Robt y. 642 1 . . d r n mb . Wm Ca d a Robt . Holla y 1 3 64 . . ff r s . Geo Je e y and Tho Waghorne . 644 1 . Cu l Wm . t sa l and Rich . Holmsby then

Nichola s .

1645 . h Silco k Jo n c and Wm . Stimpson. 4 166. ffr John y and Sam . Gilbert. 4 16 . 7 . r . . Mercha nt . Geo Walle , gent , and Wm 1648 . W m. s r r Symond and Pete T ice . 64 1 9 . s . Ra tcl ffe u ff r Tho y and Re ben Je e y. 50 16 . r Richa d and Wm . Avis .

165 1. r il Hen y S cock and John Hamley . 5 2 16 . . ff s r s . St ida ll Tho y and Tho .

1653 . d a nd Fr John Go den Robt. y. 1654 —5 . a nd ffr e . Wm. Coxe John y 5 16 6. d ll ff e r Go sa r . Walt and Rich . Je e y 165 — E 7 9 . d w ff r a n . . Je e y d Thos Constable. 16 S 60. t . r tf il e Holla mb . Rob t a e d a nd Thos . y

1661. Hol m la b s . Rich . y and John Avi

1662. nd a s ff r . John Godden Tho . Je e y 6 16 3. F r . a r John y and Robt C d . 1664 . n o r r Joh Blo me, gent. , and Pete T ice. 5 166 . h s . a nd s Fr . T o Appleby Tho . y 1666 u rn r r . . John T e and Shi es Consta ble 1667 u ff r a nd s R ben Je e y John Wood . 668 1 . a a nd n r s w . Edmond B ke Rich . A hdo 6 6 o . H 1 9 olla mb b r. . R bt y and Ro t. Seame

1670. ff r u s . John Je e y and Robt . L ca

167 1 s ffr i . s t . . Tho . y and R ch Con able 16 2 ffa rm r r 7 . e t e . Adam and Rob . S ame

6 3 E d w . r . r 1 s . 7 . Child en and Tho Eld idge

1674 . h s John Cooke and John C ee man .

16 5 . Ed w ffr a nd s . 7 . y John Co ham Histor o eldhur y f Sp st. 77

1676. ffr r Rich . y and Wm. Welle . 6 1 7 7 . s . r d E w r w . Tho Wagho ne and . D e ett

1678. s . ff r Tho Je e y and John Avis .

169 . 7 s L . . s a Tho eany and Geo Con t ble . 1680 s . . r er r Tho Welle and Pet T ice . 1681 ff m r . a r e John and John Pack . 6 2 h 1 8 . s s s Jo n Wilkin and Tho . Ro e . 6 3 1 8 . o er r. . Sam C ok and Walt Hilde

1684 . r Cur . John Skinne and Robt . d 6 1 85 . Ed w u r r Hirsla b r . . T ne and T ice 16 86 . u r r r . . Wm T k and John Ha t idge 16 8 Ed w. ff r . 7 . Goldsmith and John Je e y

688. 1 P E . . r s Ed w re . John acke , q , and Child n, gent

1689. s Silcock Fr Tho . and John y. 69 1 0 . ru r h s . . Rich D e y and Jo n Avi

691 . 1 . r r. Rich Drue y and Wm . Welle

1692 . . Wm Weller and Sam . Wa ghorne . 1693— 4 r . Sam . Wagon and John Ride . 16 5 W l n r 9 s a d e . . Tho . and Rich . Pottenge 6 — n 1 96 7 r r . . Rich . Potte ge and John Sha pe 1698— 9 Ed w Ja s o s . . White and . G od all . 1700 a s ur a nd r r . J . B ton John Me ce . 1 01 ff Ed w rr 7 . r . . Rich Je e y and . Ja ett

02 mﬁ ld . 1 Ed w. J rr . Ca e 7 . a ett and Wm — 1 03 mﬁeld a nd s Senr. 7 4 Ca . . Wm . Robt Avie , 05 r s rn 17 s . . . Hen y Adam and Tho Wagho e

06 s . rn u hr urr u s . 17 . Tho Wagho e and H mp ey B o gh

u m r . 0 u r urr s Sa . 17 7 . H mph y B o gh and Wagho ne m rid e 1 08 . n r s Co b . 7 . Sam Wago and F anci g

09 r n s Combrid e a nd a E s . 17 . F a ci g Mich el lme

es Fr r s . 17 10. Mich . Elm and John y de G eenlane W u a n r r m d . 1 11 . 7 . H nt Pete T ice

Fr a r . 17 12. Rich . y and David B ham

1 13 . Fr r s s . 7 . Rich y and Shi e Con table

1 14 r s s a nd . Cri es . 7 . Shi e Con table Wm pp His to r o hur 7 8 y f Speld s t.

5 ffr 1 . r 1 . r 7 . Robt y and Robt Me ce . — 1 ] . 17 16 . o F 7 John Wool and R bt ry. 17 18 Ro Strea tfeild effre . bt . and Wm . J y.

19 d w h r ff r . 1 E . e 7 . S a p and Wm . Je e y — 17 20 1. . r r rd Wm Me ce and John Mayna . ff r 2 . . 1 2 . 7 . Wm Box and Robt Je e y mﬁ . Ca ld . 23 e . 17 . Wm and Wm Box — f f r J h ff . 2 5 . r 17 4 Rich . y and o n y E W d w. rr t . n . 17 26. Ja e t and Sam ago d 2 E . 17 7 . . rs s a n . Geo Rive , q , Sam Wagon . 2 r S 1 8. Lo a m . 7 John ckye and . Wagon

2 s . rr 17 9 s . . . Tho Cook and Tho Ja ett

1 3 r . 0 . . 7 . Benj Skinne and Wm Box

1. o f n 3 os e . r C . 17 Th . y and Be j Skinne

2 o f . 3 . e a 17 os . C Th y and Matt . B ll

1 33 . ffri nd w 7 Robt . e and John Da . D w lla mb . 1734. John a and John Ho y — Holl m a mb . Ca ﬁ ld . 17 35 6. John y and Wm e — fr C ﬁel 3 . f . a m 17 9 d . 7 . Robt y and Wm 4 T s fi r 17 0. . rr o ho Ja ett and R bt . y .

. u r 17 Wm H bbert and John Welle . 1742 u d Co fe . Edm nd Woo and Wm . y . 4 mﬁ ld . 1 3 . ffr a nd . a e 7 Rich . y Wm C 44 17 . r s a s s . Wm Ca den and Tho . B ett . 45 1 r . r . 7 . John C ipps and Wm Ca den 46 r 17 . urr ws r . Wm. B o and Robt. Me ce 17 47 Wm u r urr ws . . H bbe t and Wm . B o .

1 48. h ffr mfi d l . 7 . Ca e Ric y and Wm . 1 4 m 9. Ca fi l r 7 . e d rundw Wm and Hen y C ell . 5 0. 17 T s . Al r Ca mfield ho le ton and Wm . . 1 5 mfi 7 1. . Ca eld r Wm and John C ipps.

1752. r s ll mb . Ho John C ipp and Robt a y. 1 53 H ll 7 . o a mb r Robt . y and Robt. Me cer. 1 54 7 . . s. r d Rich May and Tho Lind i ge .

1 55 . h 7 T os . r d E d w . ffr Lind i ge and y.

80 Histor 0 eldhurs y ] Sp t.

— M 1795 7 a . ss . John y and Rich Ba ett . — 17 98 9. Fr os u r r John y and J eph T ne . 1800— 1 a nd n r . Knight Wm . Fen e . 1802 l r a nd s ur r . Wil iam Fenne Jo eph T ne . 803 s ur r a nd 1 . Jo eph T ne John May . — 804 6. s . u r 1 Tho H ntley and Wm . Fenne .

. m 1807 . Ca feild s . Wm and Tho Hu ntley . — d C s . r c a n . 1808 9. Ca mfeild ha T i e Wm . mf il n . a e d a d J F 810. C a s . r 1 Wm y. 12 a n P w m ild 811 . . Ca fe 1 B de o ell and Wm . — 1813 15 . . a Robt Field and B den Powell .

6. u 1 s . 18 Tho H ntley and Robt Field .

817 . . r . 1 Wm Fenne and Robt Field . — 0 1818 2 . s ur r . r Jo eph T ne and Wm Fenne . — 1821 24. a s . a rd s s ur r J Rich on and Jo eph T ne . — mf i 26 . Ca e ld 1825 . w r Wm and Stephen Sa ye . — . r mf 2 8. Ja s . i d 18 7 F iend and Wm Ca e l . ur Ja s 2 . . . r 18 9 Wm T ley and F iend .

1 0. . u nr. . ur 83 G Sale, J and Wm T ley . — 5 1831 . . ur . Wm T ley and H Delves .

- 6 53 . s s r 183 . u Jo eph Delve and Wm T ley . — 54 61 . ur l 18 . Wm T ley and Robt. E liott. — 62 64. C s . w E 18 . ha Po ell and Robt lliott. — 1865 80. s . P w Ed w r Cha o ell and . Taylo . — 1881 4. s . P w r Cha o ell and Robt . Ove ton . — 1885 8. E w . a nd r d in W Winton Robt . Ove ton .

1889 to r s . E w n p e ent time d i W . Winton and

. P w . Chas . W o ell

P ARISH CLERKS .

Thom . 1 a s ( . 1606 Head . lm John ffu a n . — a s u . 1666 5 Thom H nt 7 . — . 1675 1 William Chapman 8 . r 1681— . 2 John Hilde 9 . Histor o eldhurs t 81 y f Sp .

n 692— 1 21 1 7 . Joh Idell . 17 21— 50 John Nye . . — 1 50 81. Thoma s Nye . 7 22 of Sa terd a The day Oct. y r s wa s night, I, John B ook ° put in Clerk of y Parish by r f urs Mr. o t Onley, Recto Speldh 17 81

r 1 95—1835 Thoma s B ooks . 7 . — 4 ur 1835 6. Ed ward T ley. a r s Urid e 1846—7 3 Ch le g . . W m 8 3 — 91 1 . illia Waite . 7 1 91— 6 r r 8 9 . Walte Cla ke. — s r 1896 1902. Jame Bake . i r The present Clerk s Geo ge Finnigan .

SEXTONS These ofﬁcials a re never mentioned by name in the Parish 823— 5 r u n 1 6. Books till Ed wa d Yo g. — r un 1856 7 . Geo ge Yo g . r u n 185 — 7 3 Hen y Yo g. 7 . — 1873 91. William Waite . a r r 1891— 6 W lte Cla ke . . 1896— 19 2 e a r 0 . Jam s B ke . Between 1538 and the present time they bu ried (incl usive of r r rs n A s ur r G oomb idge) pe o s . the b ial e gis ters were not ordered t o be kept in the parish ch urches till

1538 we ca n f r s a of how ou r , o m no e tim te many lie in ch u rchyard (Groombridge only commenced in b ut e r i f r 12 w s s a s a a a s A D 0 . t . 0 can t a ce s exi tence at lea t b ck .

I NI S F .

T A TIL S T NB RIDG E L S. H . G . G R OVE S, HE P N E , U WE L

A DVE RTI SEMENTS .

‘ " -u u u nn l u n W a nna . T um m. a Umom c v. r - T a n i no u ns No . 1 0 8 ( Pl owman ; nu n u nw o und .

The Complete Furnishing

D R m vin ecora ting, e o g, a nd Wa rehou sing

Esta blishment s .

6 EET 8 a 88, HIG H STR

1 C LV RLY RO D 3, A E E A , LITTL MO NT SlO N E U ,

A ND

2 G RO V NO R RO D 5 , S E A ,

T u n b ri d g e W e l l s .

ALSO AT t V NO K Hi h tree . 0 , g S , SE E A S

4 E S T I M A T E S F R E E . i ADV E RTI SE MENTS.

< L D M N F O RIST SEE S A , 9 , A D LND C P G RD N R N A S A E A E E ,

35 85 37, ye Pa ntiles.

Summerca le a nd 5191) Brooms

nurseries,

NB ID E E LL TU R G W S.

SPECIA LI ’ I'IES

High Cla ss Seeds , very Finest Qua lity .

La rge Collection of Herba ceous Pla nts .

Da hlia s , a Fine Collection .

Nursery Stock Genera lly .

Wrea ths, Crosses , a nd Wedding Bouquets.

Th e foll ow ing Ca ta l og ues FRE E by Pos t

E G E TA B LE A ND F L W E R V O S E E D S .

E R B A CE U S P LA NT S . D A HLIA S . R H O O S E S . R E E H T B E D D I NG A ND G N O U SE P LA N S . ADVE RTI SEMENTS.

A LL O R D E R S B Y P O S T O R TE LE G R A M P R O M P T LY

A TTE ND E D TO

JO B A ND PO S T M A S T E R

- r ntr chum Ba ne Proprieto . Forage co actor.

B Hors es ta k en in to a i t or S te n d a t Li ve ry .

Good Loos e B ox e s for Hun te rs .

" ill St r t Fra t o a d II , w ee , n R ,

TUNB I GE wen ga ses; R D s .

f r descri tion to Lt on Ca rria ges o eve y p e Hire.

Y O U R KI ND F A V O U R S A N D R E C O M M E NDA TI O NS

F U LL S O L A R E M O S T R E S P E C T Y I C I TE D .

E ADV RTI SEMENTS.

A nti u e F urn it u re O ld h in a i in q , C , P a nt gs ,

E n ra vin s Si v r Sh efﬁe l Pl t E g g , l e , d a e , t c . ,

‘ B ou ht So d r E x c a n g , l o h ged .

RTHUR MITHER S,

me r i r nto n l iﬁ o hs of em.

9 n werROAD inimumsWELtS e , m

(F a cing the London A pproa ch to the .

C lle o ctions Ca ta logued, Ex pertised a nd A rra nged:

i Va l ue t on ; ma d e for P ro ba te, E tc. Inspection 1: wi ted . 1 ‘