The History of Beckenham
this page will be regularly updated: latest update July 1st 2020 with some additions and corrections. Missing illustrations are being added. Adapted from the Beckenham Place Park timeline it will become more generalized about Beckenham as it is edited.
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Contents:
Introduction
Historians and Sources
Landmarks in Beckenham's History
A
Fuller History Timeline
Context
Pre-History and Medieval Period
The
Estates
Introduction
Beckenham has been written about by almost countless historians but this account may reveal hitherto undiscovered aspects and change or challenge parts of some previous accounts. Building on our work related to Beckenham Place we found the impact of events concerning the other parts of Beckenham and nearby parts of Bromley and Lewisham were of particular interest.
For the earliest events we still rely to varying extents on the work Thomas Philipot, Villare Cantianum 1659. Edward Hasted's History and Topography of Kent 1778 and 1797. And Daniel Lysons Environs of London which certainly provided information, clues and leads. While reciting the work of these writers we also are correcting some of that material and adding information. Some writers have found misconceptions in all of these and we try to clarify any differences with substantiating evidence from various archives. Most writers have taken the main estates and written about them separately but as the evolution of one estate was often affected by overlaps with another I have attempted to merge the accounts into a timeline which enables relating transfers of property from one owner to another and relationships with other events.
I
have only recently discovered that it was Thomas Philipot's father,
John, who wrote the survey of Kent and that Thomas had it published.
They both lived in Eltham and there are charitable almshouses named
after Thomas.
Philipot
took the Manor of Beckenham, the Manor of Foxgrove, Langley Park, and
finally Kelsey or Kelseys. Hasted repeated the format adding Kent
House. Lysons followed this format as well. Later
writers such as Roberty Borrowman (1910) and Rob Copeland (1967) added
more recent information which Inman, Tonkin, Manning and others
continued.
Len Hevey filled a gap of early history up to the 14th Century, citing
Robert Borrowman as a post 14th C. writer but we question some of
Borrowman's material obviously drawn on Hasted etc. Len Hevey focussed
on the early history upto the 14th Century, Pat Manning on the Cator
family as well as other publications, Copeland Inman Tonkin and others
generally worked from Hasted and Lysons with added local records and
reminiscences.
The
timeline from the Beckenham Place Park history will form the foundation
of
this account but more emphasis will be put on other areas until a more
comprehensive picture emerges, hopefully.
Some caution has to be exercised as Beckenham had several spelling
variations and which may apply to other places or people with that
or similar name. Another
Beckingham is in Yorkshire sometimes spelt Beckyngham. Other names are
prone to spelling variations and alliases such as Brun/Brune/Bruyn and
Rochelle/Rokele/Rokeley.
Research
into the various people mentioned does reveal some interesting
stories of intrigue which would be too lengthy to fully repeat here. A
note on inernet searching, we find that 'googling' doesn't always
return a result and you have to go to various archive catalogues.
Although several archives have been searched this is not exhaustive as
each person or place name would have to be searched in every
archive.
The previous
writers include:
John
Philipot author, published by Thomas
Philipot 1659 History of Kent “Villare Cantianum”.
Edward Hasted 1778 1st edition Topography and History of
Kent and 2nd edition in 1797/99,
Daniel Lysons 1796 Environs of London,
W.H.Ireland 1828 A New and Complete History of Kent,
Robert Borrowmans 1910 Beckenham Past and Present,
Rob Copeland 1967 Manors of Beckenham and other publications,
Nancy Tonkin and Eric Inman’s Beckenham circa 1990,
Len
Hevey 1994 "The Early History of Beckenham" (from the Iron Age to 14th
C.). Also, A History of Shortlands and History of Elmers End.
Eric Inman’s 1995 series of articles on the History of Beckenham Place Park written for the Friends of Beckenham Place Park, and "Beckenham" co-written with Nancy Tonkin
Pat Manning 2000 Cators of Beckenham and Woodbastwick and other publications on Rivers, Churchyard memorials, etc.,
Some
if not all of these writers drew, as we do, on the works of their
predecessors and contemporaries. Hasted refers to Philipott, Lysons to
Hasted, etc. Sometimes fiction is written as fact such as we believe
some assumptions referred to later in this account. But I also indulge
in a few speculative scenarios based on available evidence. However,
some discoveries and corrections by one writer did not get picked up in
other contemporary or later publications.
Some material in Bromley Historic Collections and county archives was at some time derived from other archives such as the British Library. Our rediscovery of some of this material has contributed toward our reassessments of the various aspects of Beckenham's History. Although some of the above writers knew of this material they may not have been so focussed on specific areas or timeslots in order to analyse the content. The archive catalogues searched include: The British Library, The National Archive, National Library of Scotland (maps), Bromley Historic Collections, Surrey Archive, West Sussex Archive. Some archives do not have an online catalogue i.e. Lewisham, Lincolnshire, etc. where we know some records are stored.
Recently
(May,2020) we have acquired a copy of Len Hevey's Early History of
Beckenham which confirms some of our findings from independant research
and also contains additional material which will incorporate into the
timeline
The
Internet has also revealed sources as books become available in e-book
form and various archives become electronically indexed. Google books
and other versions include: Philipott’s, Hasted’s, Lyson’s, and
Ireland’s histories, Collinson’s letters, Memorial of Humphrey Marshall
and John Bartram, Life of Dr. Johnson, Hester Thrale, Lady D’Arblay,
Memoirs of George IV and Memoirs of William IV, etc. Beckenham History
and Bromley Borough Local History Society websites contain material.
Some of this we would question but for the most part it contributes
valuable information and personal recollections.
We aim to represent as accurately as possible the evolution of the town of Beckenham and its environs. Dated estate plans in the British Library, Kent Archive and Bromley Historic Collections have enabled the analysis of landholdings by landlords at specific dates. This has allowed for discovering detail which is not in the earlier written records. I doubt we will be able to relate everything in a fully comprehendable manner as the chain of events and occupation is not complete. Just as today it would be difficult to relate all transfers of property it is even more difficult from old archives. The small windows we have on the past add some colour to events.
I
certainly started by accepting the previous accounts of others, but
where prior information is proved to be wrong or doubtful we draw
attention to it here. I say 'we' as I am reliant on leads and
information from a fellow researcher Keith Baldwin. I should add
that we are not attempting to entirely replace former accounts which
all have a lot of information to offer.
Some Landmarks in Beckenham's History
1086 Recorded in the Domesday Book
1100 - William de Insula granted Beckenham land to Christ Church, London,
1250 - Beckenham Manor Park, (The lands around the manor, not Beckenham Place Park which occupies the land of Foxgrove Manor) was medieval and already established by the 1250s when mentioned in the land grant (in the British Library) by Sir Richard de la Rochelle to the Hospital of St Katherine next the Tower of London. In this grant the land included Beckenham Park, heriots and reliefs in the village of Beckenham, and the course of Hawk's brooks 'running from my park of Beckenham towards the land of the friars and sister of St Katherine with Hawk's brooks running from it.'Rokele landlords
1274 - Kent Hundred Roll, inquiry into Beckenham, first record of Foxgrove name
1300
- Beckenham Manor passes from Rokele to Sir Maurice Bruyn by marriage
to Maud/Matilda Rokele
1345 - Lay Subsidy Roll of taxation
1461
- Beckenham Manor divided between Alice and Elizabeth Bruyn
1623 Map of Beckenham Manor for Henry Snellyer and John Dalston (only survives as a 1768 copy)
1639
and 1651 The St. John family purchase the two halves of Beckenham Manor
1659 Thomas Philipott's Villare Cantianum, History of Kent published
1688 Kelsey is bought by Peter Burrell I
1712
Francis Leigh of Foxgrove dies, it passes by sale to Tolson
1720
Map of Foxgrove Manor (only survives as a later copy 1766)
1723 and 1735 Maps of Burrell's Kelsey estate
1732
Hugh Raymond buys Langley and Simpsons Place
1735
a Map of Langley (referred to in archive and copied later 19th C)
1740/50
Jones Raymond's Map of the Southern part of Langley Place
1745 John Rocque produces a map of London and surrounding area which shows a ‘messuage’ on Stumpshill, described as Stoms Hill on his map.
1760 (circa) John Cator acquires the site of Beckenham Place Park mansion and some other fields in the Manor of Foxgrove and builds a fine stately house by 1762.
1766
redrawn map of Foxgrove Manor
1768
redrawn map of Beckenham Manor
1769 Andrews, Drury and Herbert’s map shows a house with a similar footprint to the current mansion on the site of the Rocque ‘messuage’
1773 John Cator buys the Manor of Beckenham from Viscount Bolingbroke but the purchase is fraught with problems until 1780, very little of Manor of Beckenham land becomes or remains part of Beckenham Place Park.
1777 John Cator exchanges fields called Pill Crofts and Hop Ground adjoining his Stumps Hill house property from Amy Burrell, widow of Peter Burrell II
1785 John Cator closes roads crossing his estate and diverts the Beckenham to Southend road enclosing (enparking) his ‘park’. The lake may have been constructed at this time.
1793 John Cator exchanges land with Peter Burrell IV, Lord Gwydir to consolidate his estate this may have had some impact on the size of the ‘Park’
1799 An Ordnance Survey map drawing shows Bromley and Beckenham
1806 John Cator dies and his nephew John Barwell Cator inherits the Cator estates
1809
A map and estate book of the Burrell estates of Kelsey and Langley.
1820
Sir Peter Burrell, Lord Gwydir dies and the Beckenham estates of the
Burrells of Langley, Kelsey and parts of Beckenham and Foxgrove Manors
are sold.
1825 John Barwell Cator and trustees in the Cator family acquire a Private Act of Parliament which allows changes to the estates
1840
to 1927 A series of tenants occupy Beckenham Place
1927 – The London County Council decides to buy Beckenham Place Park from the Cator Estate.
1929 – Beckenham Place Park Opened as a Public Park
1972
– Ownership of Beckenham Place Park passed to London Borough of
Lewisham from the GLC
Perhaps
there is an imbalance in history accounts as they focus on more high
profile personalities because their records are more easily found. Here
we
focus first on the places and then the people who passed through. The
deeper we delve into detail then the more complex it becomes so some
generalisations will be inevitable. Previous writers have tended to
write about the main estates: Manor of Beckenham, Manor of Foxgrove,
Langley estate and Kelsey estate. Then some histories consist of
personal reminiscencies. Not much is known of events the further back
we go but some individuals had connections with national events. If
these are relevant I will include them.
We have delved into various archives via online catalogues but only
scratched the surface in many respects. But this has added some
substance to the account.
Various errors and potential errors have been found in most accounts
and If any are noticed in this please bring it to our attention.
There
were a few
large landowners with tenant farmers and workers, also, some
smallholdings and private houses, some of which were described as
mansions or great houses. With a small population recorded as 1,000 in
1801 which rose to 26,000 in 1901 development was slow. The large
landowners were either long term family inheritors or people who had
purchased estates as a means of ‘banking’ their wealth. However, the
estates did change hands fairly regularly and the landowners’ names are
also associated with estates elsewhere so Beckenham was not by any
means a sole family seat for many or even any. The long term landowners
included the Leighs of Addington who inherited Foxgrove Manor, the St.
Johns/Lords Bolingbrokes of Beckenham Manor who’s main base was in
Battersea, the Brograves of Kelsey and the Styles of Langley. The
Burrells arrived in the late 17th
Century and the Raymonds in 1732.
Wealth accumulated from business was often invested in land purchase
which in turn generated rents and other income. The Cators
made their presence felt from the mid 18th C and other names of note
were Lethieullier, Brett, Motley, Austin, Hoare,
Eden.
Some family lines died out or merged with other families via female
heirs and widows. In the medieval period widows could not hold property
and they were 'married off' tosuitors often chosen by the
monarch. This may have been the case with Alice le Brun who was matched
with Robert de Marny. Heirs who had not reached their majority would be
placed under guardianship as with Ingram or Ingelram Brun.
Often the absence of an heir led to sale of estates as with the Styles of Langley whose female heiress married into the Elwills who then sold to Hugh Raymond, or heirs favoured other places and sold their Beckenham property as with Frederick St. John/Lord Bolingbroke in 1773 and the Burrells in 1820 after the death of Peter Burrell/Baron Gwydir, and the Cators gradually from about 1808. More than one landlord needed to sell estates to pay off debts as with the heirs of Francis Leigh of Hawley who owned Foxgrove at his death. The histories written by Thomas Philipot (1659) and Edward Hasted (1778 and 1797) relate the chain of exchange of ownership but these also miss some fine detail. Other significant landowners were the Tolsons, Motleys, Austins, Pughs, Willis, Humphrey and Lethieulliers. Maps and land deeds discovered show the patchwork of fields and estates with ownership almost jumbled in some cases. Large estates were divided into farms with for example Langley being divided into 4 or 5 farms with all but one being leased to tenants. In 1737 Thayers Farm and Elmers End Old and New Farms were owned by Thomas Motley who also owned a fine house and grounds in Beckenham village. Around this time the Lethieulliers owned Kent House Farm and the site of Clockhouse. A few generations later and the land was either left or sold to others.
We find common links with the South Sea Company or East India Company, sometimes both. These were sources of income and wielded significant power. Often the landowners were members of parliament not necessarily for Beckenham but for other areas ie the Burrells for Haslemere and Boston and Cator for Wallingford and Stockbridge. Being a member of parliament and a member of the South Sea or East India Company enabled them to influence decisions in favour of their interests. Some smaller land or property owners had businesses such as Dying and Tanning in London or Southwark, just as the Cators would start with a timber business. It is surprising how many landowners were in the legal profession and held administrative posts from Sherrif to Justice of the Peace. In the medieval period several knights were close to the crown from whom they derived their property and power.
Each
century
had its periods of turmoil both domestically and internationally which
often impacted local affairs from the Wars of the Roses, The English
Civil War, the Great Plague, the Restoration of the Monarchy, wars
between Britain and France, such as the War of the Spanish Succession,
The 7 Years War, The war of American Independence and the later
Napoleonic Wars. The social conditions bordered on the barbaric both
domestically and internationally. Felons could be transported to the
Americas up to the time of the American Revolution and to Australia
thereafter or hung for quite minor offences. The working class, poor
and slaves were all treated harshly. Felons could be transported into
slavery and apprentices were indentured for 7 or more years into a
situation of ownership by their masters. The two World Wars affected
the population with the loss of life among soldiers in the First World
War, and both soldiers and civilians in the Second World War. In WW1
several buildings were used by the military and in WWII bomb damage was
significant in the Borough and at least 2 POW camps were established
which themselves narrowly missed being hit by bombs.
Religion
has not left any visible signs of turmoil although the parish
church would have been Catholic prior to Henry VIII's split from Rome.
Though
some claims have been made that dissenters such as the Cators as
Quakers suffered
persecution, that persecution often was only in the form of fines for
not attending the recognized Church of England or for not paying tythes
or taxes and it seems that the nonconformists could in most cases
afford the fines levied upon them.
The Law played its part in various land processes as the Court of Chancery commonly has records of disputes and settlements regarding Beckenham properties. Some comparisons brought up by this account show that Bolingbroke entered into a subterfuge with Cator amounting to thousands of pounds with no penalty whereas someone stealing a couple of window frames was transported for 7 years and others sentenced to death for theft of low value goods. Earlier in 1720 several notable persons committed large frauds and embezzlements under the South Sea Bubble affair and in most cases quite minor financial penalties were applied.
Beckenham
was one of many places easily in reach of London but away from the
pollution and dirt of the City and hence a place to have a country
house. Admiral Sir Piercy Brett moved into Clockhouse in the mid 18th
Century and John Cator’s brother
Joseph moved in after Brett’s death in 1882. The village had large
houses such as The Mead, The Ridge, Beckenham Lodge, The Manor House
and a substantial Rectory. The mid to late 19th century saw the
building of large villas with coach houses and stables.
Frederick St. John (Lord Bolingbroke) had married Diana Spencer but his debts and subsequent broken marriage led him to dispose of estates in Battersea and Beckenham.
Investing
money in a landed estate which brought in rents from tenant farmers and
house rents was akin to ‘buy to let’ as it is carried on today. Even
the middle class and aristocracy often rented property as opposed to
buying it. Many documents relate to leases of property although in
isolation they may be seen as transfers one release of property is
later reversed by a return of the property to the original holder. For
example the Bruyns Beckenham Manor fell under the influence of Robert
de Marny as he married the widowed Alice Bruyn, then it was transferred
to the local rector or clergyman, Martham, only to be returned to the
Bruyns under Ingram Bruyn. The reasons for these transfers is mostly
unknown but basically financial.
For some background I would recommend ‘London Life in the Eighteenth Century’ by M.Dorothy George, which is probably out of print, as being well researched and probably used since as source material by other authors.
Pre-history to the Medieval Period
Evidence in the landscape shows that geologically the area was under a shallow sea 54 million years ago in the Eocene period as in some areas the Blackheath Beds or Harwich Formation of shingle emerge through the London Clay. In one area of Beckenham Place Park there is an exposed conglomerate (concretion) of the Blackheath Beds which is shingle cemented together with lime and sand. In other areas the London Clay is on the surface covered with a thin layer of topsoil being leaf mould, loam or silt deposits. Some valleys have accumulations of silts forming meads and meadows. The geology would affect the later use of the land and economy. Clay soil has always been difficult to work for crops so often left for grazing or woodland. Valley silts and loams were probably favoured for arable farming. Locally there have been brick fields utilising clay and sand, gravel pits and lime kilns all using the natural resources laid down geologically. The nature of the ground would affect the economy as some land was poor for agriculture such as Penge Common. Clay areas and woodland were a major source of fuel and building material. There are a few references to lime kilns which would need both chalk and woodland fuel for the improvement of soil. At least one lease agreement requires the lessee to manure and lime the land regularly. One landowner is recorded as providing timber for naval dockyards circa 1680. The Chalk is mostly several metres below the surface but the existence of lime kiln fields indicates that some chalk was available, maybe coming from the Chislehurst Caves or similar places where chalk is nearer the surface.
During
the Mesolithic, Bronze and Iron ages there was probably occupation as
although not much by way of definite remains but some have
been found. There are hill
forts and earthworks within walking distance at Keston, Halsted and
Westerham, also some mention of flint tools found near West Wickham. An
overview of this period can be drawn from Len Hevey's "Early History of
Beckenham".
During
the Roman occupation of Britain a road passed through the Beckenham
area en route from Lewes in Sussex to Londinium. Though no hard
evidence has been found in the park or close by it is projected by some
experts that the road cut across the corner of Beckenham Place Park
near the Foxgrove Road Lodge at the junction of Foxgrove Road and
Southend Road. Different projections for the route of the road exist
and as Beckenham has been redeveloped several times I would have
thought more evidence would have surfaced, literally. Also, althought
the road deviated to cross the north downs it is projected to have gone
straight up Spring Park at West Wickham which would have been a
challenge for loaded horse drawn carts of Roman goods. The suggested
area is now outside the public park and under an area of private
housing. Roman remains exist not far away at Keston, Titsey and
Orpington. In the area where the roman road is projected to have
crossed the park before the park was established there was a quarry or
gravel pit and a lane called Limekiln Lane maybe indicating that there
were lime rich deposits or chalk here. Whether these were part of the
Blackheath Bed conglomerate or underlying Chalk near the surface we
cannot say. I’m told the chalk would be about 100 feet/30metres below
the surface. As much of Beckenham has been redeveloped more than once
it is curious that no historic remains have been found. The Roman road
structure was said to have been mainly gravel and as the area is
largely of gravel composition then over time the road may have fallen
into disrepair, the course became obscured and diversions created
around areas which may have become impassable. Also we have to consider
the local waterways, although not considerable, would have required
crossing with bridges or fords and this may have caused the road to
deviate from the accepted Roman practice of building straight roads
wherever practical. One source suggests the road crossed what is now
Langley Park Golf course and may have gone through Kelsey Park. Some
local roads though not straight do approximately follow these lines.
Various landlords had roads diverted around their estates and the
various stages of settlement and farming could have erased or buried
many features. The course of the road is plain to see through
Edenbridge and several other places but does not seem to have survived
in any form through Beckenham.
Unfortunately,
very little survives locally of any Ango-Saxon, Medieval, Tudor etc.
One of the oldest structures is the lych gate of the church and that’s
a bit like Trigger’s broom, 3 new heads and 2 new handles! It is said
that parts of the Old Manor house survive in the facade and interior of
the building there opposite the church which is now a restaurant. Even
the church was rebuilt in the Victorian period after fire damaged the
previous medieval incarnation but some old memorials remain. The Alms
houses next to the church and the George Inn are dated to the 17th
century.
The Anglo-Saxon
administration survives in the old maps as the Park is in the Hundred
of Bromley and Beckenham which is in the bailiwick or Lathe of Sutton
at Hone. We do have recourse to documentary evidence about Beckenham
and surrounding areas in various archives certainly from the Domesday
entry and documents related to land transfers and taxation. These will
be inserted into the timeline where available or discovered. Thanks to
Keith Baldwin for diligent research here.The
Black Death introduced the bubonic plague here in the 14th Century and
fairly regular outbreaks occurred which impacted the population. Other
diseases such as smallpox, diptheria, measles etc were also serious and
these kept the population in check regardless of wealth.
The works of Thomas Philipot and Edward Hasted revealed an ever changing web of ownership, intermarriage, selling and transfer of properties all over Kent. In some cases estates were handed out by the Crown only to be seized again when some misdemeanour took place e.g. The Boleyn’s having Hever confiscated by Henry VIII after Anne Boleyn’s alleged adultery. And later, The St. Johns had a chequered history, with one being excluded from Parliament on the Restoration of Charles II, Another being convicted of murder but a pardon purchased from the Crown, Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke may or may not have been a landlord of Beckenham Manor, but he was attained for treason for supporting the Jacobites, exiled in France for some time and subsequently had his properties and titles restored to him which some might say was lucky for him. He however died without issue. Frederick St. John who sold the Manor of Beckenham lands to John Cator had a failed marriage with Diana Spencer and seems to have dissipated the St.John estates almost single handedly. The manors and estates around Beckenham had complex histories which is explained in the following timeline.
The
Reverend William Rose had a Georgian rectory built to an Adam Brother's
design but that gave way to a town hall and now a branch of Marks and
Spencer and its car park which cover the site. He also had designed if
not built a sumptuous stables as he appears to have been a keen
horseman at a time when horses were the equivalent of fast cars.
Perhaps the George public house in the high street is the oldest most complete structure locally and that passed through the hands of the Cator Estate and is listed in the 1825 Act properties along with the Crooked Billet in Penge.
Those are some of the unknowns which await discovery of firm evidence.
Bekenham near Bromley helps to give Name to the Hundred wherein it is placed, and of old time was held by Gentlemen, called in Latine Records de Rupella, in French de la Rochel, and in English Rokeley, and were in their original Etymologie extracted from Rochel in France, Richard de Rokeley died seised of this Mannor, in the fifth year of Edward the first,(1276) and was succeeded in the Possession by Philip de la Rokeley, and he held it likewise at his Death, which hapened in the 23 year of Edw. the first,(1295) and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Isolda de la Rokeley matched to William Bruin, by whom She had Issue Sir Maurice Bruin, Chamberlaine to K. Edw. the third, honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst the Peers of this Realm, who by a Right derived to him from his Mother, was possest of this at his Death, in the twenty ninth of Edward the third,(1356) and transmitted a wide and spreading Revenue to his Posterity here, at Southokenden in Essex, and at Roumere in Hantshire, which last was given in Appendage to a younger Son, from whom the Bruins of Athelhampton in the County of Dorset, are lineally de∣scended. But when after a fair continuance this Family had flourished at this Place, the Distaffe prevailed against the Speare, and Sir Henry Bruins two Daughters and Coheirs about the Beginning of Edward the fourth (1461), divided his Inheritance, each of them having a first and second Husband: Alice the eldest was first married to Robert Harleston of Essex Esquire, and after to Sir Thomas Heveningham; and Elizabeth second Daughter was wedded first to Thomas Tirrell of Heron in Essex Esquire, and after his Decease to Sir William Brandon Knight, who was Standard-bearer to Henry the seventh at Bosworth Field,(1485) where he was slain in asserting his Cause and Quarrel against Richard the third, and he had Issue by her Sir Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk (1484), the Flower and perfection of English Chivalrie in his Time, who sometimes kept his Residence at this place, (not as Proprietarie, but onely as Lessee, for the Sole Inheritance upon the Division of Bruin's Estate accrued to Tirrell;) and here entertained Henry the eighth, with all the Cunning Pompe of Magnificence, as he went to bestow a Visit at Hever, on his discarded, and repudiated wife Ann of Cleve (1540-45). But to go on, this Mannor as I said before, being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell, Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended, passed away one Moietie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth (1543) to Ralph Warren, and the other to Henry Parke; Warren alienated his Proportion not long after to Bradbury, from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz.(1603) it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent, who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George Dalston of Cumberland,(married 11 Feb. 1605, Catherine (bur. 22 July 1614), da. of John Tamworth of Halsted, Leics.) (History of Parliament online) who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Patrick Curwin of the same County, and he some few years since sold his Interest in it to Sir Oliver St. John of Batricksey in Surrey,(abt 1635) who upon his Decease (1639) gave it to his Son then Mr. Walter, but now upon the Death of his Nephew (1657), Sir Walter St. John Baronet, the other Moitie by Joan sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry Parke, came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert Leigh descended out of Cheshire, whose Successor about the latter End of King James (1625) alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave, from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry Snelgrave, who not long since passed it away (1648 to the Evelyn brothers then in 1651) to Mr. Walter, now Sir Walter St. John Baronet, who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor, for other Land with his Brother Mr. Henry St. John.
Here
follows Philipott’s account with
original spellings (f for s etc.). He
starts with a reference to John de Foxgrove about 1347. The Lay Subsidy
Roll of
land taxation for 1334 shows a John Foxsegrove under the Lathe of
Eyllesford
(Aylesford) but not the Hundred of Beckenham. Whether even at that time
Foxgrove was under absentee landlords has not as yet been established
but we find an earlier reference to Foxgrove in the Kent Roll for 1274
and a jury witness also named John of Foxgrove who may have been the
father of the 1347 'John de Foxgrove' given the time between the two?
I have
inserted dates in the following based on Philipott’s timeline
references to
monarchs. Like all the manors and estates of Beckenham
Foxgrove was widely spread and divided, centred upon Foxgrove
Manor farmhouse but reaching beyond Kelsey and Langley to West
Wickham, almost to Southend, Lewisham with parts at
Plaistow, Bromley. The reference to Burghersh we find says 'held of
Thomas Bardolf' implying that Bardolf was the higher possessor and
leased the property to Burghersh? I have not been able to confirm the
connection to Vaux, sometimes spelt Vaus.
Foxgrove is the
last place of Account
in this Parish, it had in elder times Proprietaries of this Sirname;
for I find
John de Foxgrove paid respective Aid
for it in the twentieth year of Edward
the third (1347), at making the Black Prince Knight. After this Family
succeeded Bartholomew Lord Burwash,
and he held it at his Decease,
which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward
the third (1356). and from him it descended to his Son Bartholomew
Lord Burwash,
who in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince (1370), passed it
away to
Sir Walter de Paveley, and in his
Family it remained untill the latter End of Richard
the second, (1399) and then it was conveyed to Vaux of
the County of North-Hampton,
and there made its abode untill the latter End of Henry
the sixth (1461), and then it was alienated to John Grene
Esquire, and he died possest
of it in fourth year of Edward the
fourth (1465); and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the
Beginning of
Henry the eighth (1509), and then it
was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey
Beversea, I find held it in the
eighteenth year of Henry the eighth
(1527), and his Descendant passed it away to Luke
Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward
the sixth (1547), sold his
Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff
of London, and he dying (1577)
without Issue Male, Joan(his
daughter) matched (1563)to John Leigh
of Addington Esquire, was his sole
Heir (1577), and in Right of this Alliance, did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh (d.1644) late of East-Wickham;
whose Widow Dowager the
Lady Christian Leigh, is now in
Possession of it.(1659 she died in 1660)…….end of quote.
Goisfridus de Ros holds of the bishop (of Baieux) Lasela. It was taxed at 7 shillings. The arable land is . . . . . . . In demesne there are 3 carucates, and 31 villeins, with 14 borderers having 16 carucates. There are 10 servants, and one fishery producing fourscore and 10 eels; wood for the pannage of 55 hogs. The whole manor was worth, in the time of king Edward the Confessor, 30 pounds, when he received it 16 pounds, and now 24 pounds, what Goisfridus held; what Richard of Tonbridge held in his lowy was rated at 6 pounds; what the king held of this manor, 22 shillings. Brixi Cilt held it of king Edward.
This
place afterwards came into the possession of the family of Malmaines,
who were settled at Waldershare in this county, in the time of the
Conqueror. John de Malmaines obtained a charter of free
warren for
his lands in Begenham, in the 12th year of king Edward II. which was
renewed to Henry Malmaines, of Cliffe, in the 3d year of king Edward
III.
It appears by the Book of Aid, in the 20th year of king Edward III. that Nicholas Malmains held half a knight's fee of the king in Begenham. He died, in the 23d year of that reign, possessed of much land in this county; before the end of which, the property of this manor was transferred by sale to Langley, a name most probably taken from this place, though the family itself has been long since extinct. These Langleys of Beckingham were, most probably, adistinct family from those of Knowlton in this county, who were originally descended from a family of that name in the county of Warwick.
The
last of this name here was Ralph Langley, who died in the 30th year
of king Henry VI. and by his will directed Langley, with the rest of
his demesnes in Beckenham, to be sold for discharging his debts; in
pursuance of which it was passed away by sale to John Violett, who
bore for his arms, Gules,
three coronets, or,
whose descendants enjoyed it until the beginning of the reign of king
Henry VIII. when it was conveyed to John Stile, alderman of
London.
He was the son of William Style of Ipswich, was afterwards knighted, and of the Drapers company, and dying in 1500, was buried in Allhallows Barking church, London. He married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir Guy Wolston of London, by whom he had Sir Humphrey Style, of Langley, who was one of the esquires of the body to king Henry VIII. and sheriff of this county in the 35th year of the same reign. He died in 1557, and was buried in Beckenham church. He procured a grant from Sir Thomas Wriothesley, garter principal king at arms, reciting, that not being willing to bear arms in prejudice to the other branches of his family, he had petitioned for a coat, with a proper difference, which the said king at arms, in 1529, granted, under his hand and seal, viz. Sable, a fess engrailed between three fleurs de lis, within a bordure or, the fess fretted of the field.
He
procured, with others, an act of parliament in the 2d and 3d years of
king Edward VI. for the disgavelling of
his lands in this county.
By his first wife, Bridget, daughter of Sir Thomas Baldrey, he had three sons; Edmund, born at Langley, in 1538; Oliver, who was sheriff of London, and ancestor of the Styles, of Watringbury, barts. and Nicholas, who was knighted.
From Edmund Style of Langley, esq. before-mentioned, eldest son of Sir Humphrey, descended Sir Humphry Style of Langley, eldest son of William, who was gentleman of the privy-chamber to king James, and cupbearer to king Charles I. and was created a baronet, by privy-seal, on the 20th of May, 1627. (fn. 26) But though this branch was the elder to those of Watringbury, yet these last were the senior baronets, being created April 21, 1627, anno 3 Charles I. He died in 1650, and was buried in the vault at Beckenham church, and leaving no issue, his title became extinct, and he was succeeded in this estate at Langley by his half-brother, William, the eldest son of William Style by his second wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Clarke, one of the barons of the exchequer.
This William Style of Langley, esq. was bred a barrister at law, and was of the society of the Inner Temple. He married Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of William Duleing, by whom he had two sons, and two daughters, and dying in 1679, was buried in this church.
Of the sons, the second, but only surviving son Humphry, succeeded his father at Langley, in whose time there were several coats of arms, as well of this family as of those they had intermarried with, painted in the windows of this house, but dying without issue male, his only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, carried it in marriage to Sir John Elwill, bart. who died in 1727, without issue by her. This family of Elwill was of Exeter in Devonshire, who bore for their arms, Ermine on a chevron engrailed, between three eagles displayed gules, three annulets or, and were advanced to the dignity of a baronet, in the person of Sir John Elwill, in the 8th year of queen Anne's reign. He was twice married, but left issue only, by his second wife, the daughter and heir of — Leigh of Egham, in Surry, by whom he had two sons, Sir John above-mentioned, and Edmund, who succeeded his brother in title and in this estate of Langley, and in 1732 transferred his property in it, together with the house, called Langley-house, the park, and also the north and south isles of the parish church of Beckenham, to Hugh Raymond of Great Saling, in Essex, esq. who settled them on his only son, Jones Raymond, esq. in tail general; remainder to his eldest daughter, Amy, who married Peter Burrell, esq. and her issue male. On his death his son, Jones Raymond, esq succeeded to this estate, and kept his shrievalty for this county at Langley in 1738, in which year he died, and was succeeded by his son, of the same name, who died unmarried in 1768, on which it descended, by the intail before-mentioned, to his sister, Amy, before mentioned, whose husband, Peter Burrell, esq. in her right, became possessed of it. He died in 1756, having had by her, who survived him, four sons and two daughters. Mrs. Burrell, his widow, afterwards resided here, and died in 1794, on which this seat descended, together with her other estates in this parish, to her grandson, sir Peter Burrell, bart. since created lord Gwydir, of whom a full account has already been given, and he is the present possessor of this seat, with the park and grounds belonging to it.
Kelsey or Kelseys and Kelsey Park
Some
question exists about the origins of Kelsey as the connection with the
de Kelseys is challenged. Later writers have said that the Brograves
leased some land from the Bruyns which became Kelsey.
Philipot wrote of Kelsey: Kelseys lies likewise in this Parish, and may justly exact our Notice; by Deeds written in a Character that hath an Aspect upon the Reign of Henry the third, John de Kelsey, William de Kelsey, and others of that Sirname are represented to have an Interest in this Seat, and from hence it is probable the Kelseys of Surrey did derive their first Extraction, however by the Injuries of Time they have been in succeeding Generations cast under the umbrage of an obscurer Fortune: But I return, After this Family had deserted the Possession of this place, which was before the latter End of Richard the the second, I find the Brograves stepped in, and by purchase became Lords of the Fee, a Family which in very old Deeds writ themselves Burgrave, and sometimes Boroughgrave, though now a more easie Pronunciation hath melted it into Brograve, which represents the Etymologie of the Name, to have been in its Origi∣nal perfectly Saxon. In the year 1479, there was a License granted (as appears by the Records of Rochester) to William Brograve by the then Bishop of that Diocess, to erect an Oratory or Chapple at his Mannor-house of Kelseys, the Vestigia or Reliques of which are yet obvious to an inquisitive Eye, and from this William did the Title and possession in an even Current come down to Mr. Thomas Brograve, who being not many years since deceased, his Widow Mrs. Martha Brograve now in respect of Join∣ture, enjoys the present Possession of it.
But having about 130 years more information Hasted says;
Of the sons, Walter, the eldest, married Frances, daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury, esq. in this county, by whom he had nine sons and three daughters. (fn. 21) Of the former, Peter Burrell, esq. the ninth son, purchased the manor of Kelseys, some few years before the Revolution, as mentioned above. He afterwards settled here, and married Isabella, the second daughter of John Merrick, esq. of Essex, by whom he had six sons and four daughters. He died in 1718, and was buried in this church, leaving only two of his sons, Peter and Merrick, and three daughters, surviving; of whom, Frances married Richard Wyatt, esq. of Egham, in Surry; Isabella married Thomas Dalyson, esq. of Hampton, in this county; and Anne married Richard, brother to Sir Hugh Ackland, bart. of Devonshire.
Philipot does not mention Kent House but Hasted writes:
"KENT-HOUSE is situated on the very edge of this county, towards Surry, and seems to be so called either from its having been once the outer bounds of this county, or from having been formerly the first house on the entrance into this parish within this county, from that of Surry. It was for some generations in the possession of the family of Lethieullier; the first of whom was Sir John Le Thieullier a Hamburgh merchant, who had raised himself by his industry in trade, and settled in this parish. He devised it at his death to his son, William Lethieullier, of this parish, esq. who by his will gave it, with his mansion and other estates in Beckenham, to his second son, Manning Lethieullier, esq. whose son, John Greene Lethieullier, esq. alienated it, in 1776, to Thomas Lucas, of Lee, in this county, esq. who died possessed of it in 1784, leaving his widow surviving, who re-marrying John Julius Angerstein, of Charlton, esq. he is, in her right, at this time possessed of it."
A
few early records can be found relating to Kenthous (sic) at the
National
Archive etc. and these may lead to more research. Len Hevey believes it
was originally part of Beckenham Manor like Foxgrove and Langley and
over time these parts became separated from the Manor. A record from
1503
indicates a family called Fabyan held Kenthouse with land in Beckenham,
Lewisham and Battersey. Certainly the Style
family are associated with Kent House in 1501 and 1624 seemingly
acquiring it from an unpaid debt. Before that, in 1346 Henry de Clyf
and in 1384 John Leeg is mentioned as the manor of Kent House.
The Lethieulliers acquired Kenthouse
and are
said to have built Clock House circa 1716/30. Some writers have said
Kent
House was the first house outside the boundaries of London but its
proximity to the Kent/Surrey border is the more likely reason for its
name and it has been compared to Kent Hatch and New Cross which were
other places on the county border. In earlier times London did not
extend south of the Thames until
the metropolis grew into Greater London by encompassing villages which
became its suburbs. Kent House will be found referred to in the
timeline.
Thayer's Farm
Alternatively spelt Thayre's on a 1736 map of Thomas Motley's properties, the name implies someone called Thayer once owned the farm but he has eluded being definitively traced so far but these records in St. George's burials probably hold clues:
| 9 Feb 1642 | THAIRES | Giles(the elder) | |
| 6 Aug 1654 | THARE | Judy d of Giles | |
| 15 Apr 1688 | THARES | Giles s of Giles | |
| 9 Jun 1786 | THARES | John s of Giles | |
| 14 Oct 1687 | THARES | Mary d of Giles | |
| 11 Dec 1696 | THARES | Samuel s of Giles | |
| 18 Dec 1696 | THARES | Valentine s of Giles |
| 6 Sep 1653 | THAYER | Giles | |
| 8 Jun 1648 | THAYER | Katharine d of Giles | |
| 24 May 1644 | THEIRE | Marie d of Giles | |
| 12 Jun 1715 | THEYES |
Gyles | |
| 20 May 1737 | THEYR | John | |
| 10 Sep 1740 | THEYR | Margaret | |
| 1 Oct 1734 | THEYR | Martha |
Giles
d.1653 left a will which is being searched for. He was predeceased by
two daughters. Presumably Gyles was his son and John maybe a grandson.
By 1736 the farm belonged to Thomas Motley and maybe John sold it to
Motley near the time of his death. That may have enabled him to provide
for Margaret who could have been his wife or daughter. The story
needs confirmation and of course there's a possibility that the Thayers
were tenant farmers but the will of Giles of 1653 may contain
significant information. Thomas Motley is the earliest confirmed owner
we have traced and
his map shows the tenant farmers of his land who do not include any
Thayres in 1736. Thomas Motley's property
descended via his daughter married to Francis Austin and their son
Francis Motley Austin. It was later purchased into the Cator estates.
Elmers End Farms
Similar
to Thayers Farm,
Thomas Motley's map illustrates these and how they were related to
neighbouring landlords, the St.Johns, Burrells, St.John Humphrey. The
name Elmer was in earlier times often spelt Aylmer, a family that
appear in early tax rolls in 1328 and 1345 as well as some archive
documents.
Eden Farm or Place
was built on part
of the Burrells Kelsey/Langley lands and leased to the Eden family.
Although said to be part of Langley it would appear that the land was
part of Kelsey which was owned by the Burrells along with Langley when
the land was leased to the Eden family.
Monks Orchard formed part of the Addington estates of the Leigh family until that was sold to Barlow Trecothick. His heir, a nephew sold Monks Orchard to the Burrells
Clockhouse built for the Lethieulliers had a few fields around it and came into the hands of Joseph Cator in 1782 after Sir Piercy Brett, a former owner, had died. Then it was absorbed into the Cator estates on Joseph Cator's death in 1818 being leased until its demolition. There is some possibility a pre-existing building was on the site indicated by the 1623 Beckenham Manor map, possibly an earlier farmstead but this is one of the many unknown details outstanding.
Woolseys Farm was
on and around Clay Hill, the site of what is now Bishop Challoner's
School in Bromley Road.
The first pictorial descriptions of it are on the 1723 and 1735 Burrell
estate maps held in the British Library and at that time it was under
the land holdings of the Burrells of Kelseys although leased to someone
believed to be Buxton although the map is faded and the writing
difficult to read. Clay Hill was a crossroads on Bromley Road with what
is now Scotts Lane and Court Downs Bridge Road. From
1735 the site changed landlords a few times becoming part of Raymond
estates after the Raymond and Burrell families intermarried. Then part
of an exchange between the Burrells and John Cator, then John Barwell
Cator sold it in the early 19th Century. From a farm it became upgraded
to a large house with associated farm. Was an hotel for a time before
becoming the school.
The
'hamlet' of Penge was part of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of
Battersea. The curious anomalies of its local government led to its
formation as a separate urban district and its transfer to the county
of Kent in 1900. (fn.
49) Penge was a wooded district, over which
the
tenants of Battersea Manor had common of pasture. (fn.
50) The
boundaries of the hamlet on the north in February 1604–5 were the
common of Rockhills (evidently Rockhills in Upper Sydenham, immediately
north of the Crystal Palace) and the 'Shire Ditch' leading past the
house called 'Abbetts' to the north corner of 'Lord Riden's Wood.' The
Shire Ditch also bounded the hamlet on the east and was crossed by
'Willmoores Bridge,' half in Kent and half in Surrey. On the south it
was bounded by the waste or common of Croydon, the green way from
Croydon to Lewisham. On the west was a wood 'of Mr. Colton's' in
Camberwell parish, which stretched from Vicker's Oak to the Low Cross
near Rockhills. (fn.
51) There seem to have been several tenants of
the manor at Penge in 1596, (fn.
52) but
in 1725 the vicar of Battersea returned to Bishop Willis that there
were only thirteen houses and sixty inhabitants in Penge, who went to
Beckenham Church, and for whose care he paid a trifling consideration
to the incumbent of Beckenham. (fn.
53) The whole common was inclosed under an Act
of
1827. (fn.
54) There
were then 320 acres already inclosed and several houses standing there.
In 1853 Mr. Schuster sold his park on the summit of Penge Hill to the
Crystal Palace Company for the re-erection of the gigantic building
made by Sir Joseph Paxton for the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. (fn.
55) The Palace was opened by Queen Victoria in
1854. (fn.
56) In
1877, owing to financial difficulties and to the 'Greenwich fair
characteristics,' which had replaced the former educational objects of
the Palace, the company was reconstituted. (fn.
57) The
Palace, as originally planned, was the exhibition building of glass and
iron which had served for the Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park,
re-erected on this site, with the addition of high water towers to
supply the fountains in the grounds. Inside courts were erected to
illustrate the arts and architecture of different periods, from the
Egyptian monarchy to the Italian Renaissance, and there was a great
collection of plaster casts of famous statues. (fn.
58) A
School of Art and Music was established, and later a School of Forestry
and Engineering, which has continued to flourish. The Palace became the
chief seat of the highest class of music near London, and the Handel
Festivals, under the direction of Sir Michael Costa and Sir August
Manns, obtained the greatest reputation, as did the Saturday Concerts
so closely associated with the names of Sir August Manns and Sir George
Grove. But the public taste did not rise to this level, and the theatre
and music-hall exhibitions gradually eclipsed the educational features.
The grounds, of great extent, including a cricket field, football
ground and a lake, continue to furnish unrivalled scope for
exhibitions, excursions, games and firework or aeronautical displays.
The land surrounding the Palace was sold shortly before 1875 for
building purposes, and the whole site is now for sale.
Between 1821 and 1841 the population of Penge increased very slightly. In 1841 it was 270. In 1851, owing to the establishment of the Surrey School of Industry, the Queen Dowager's Almshouses and the Watermen's Almshouses, it had increased to 1,169. In 1901 it was 22,465. One great cause of this increase was the advent of the London, Brighton and South Coast, and London, Chatham and Dover railways, which constituted Penge a suburb of both London and Croydon. The former has stations at the Crystal Palace, Anerley and Penge; Penge station, on the latter, is within the boundary of Beckenham. A town hall was built in the Anerley Road in 1879. Anerley, Penge and Upper Norwood are the three wards of the Penge Urban District. The ecclesiastical districts of St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, Holy Trinity and Christ Church were formed in 1851, 1869, 1873 and 1886 respectively.
1042-1066
King EDWARD
THE CONFESSOR (The reigns of monarchs will be inserted to
add
perspective along with some events)
Following
the death of Harthacanute, Edward restored the rule of the House of
Wessex to the English throne. A deeply pious and religious man, he
presided over the rebuilding of Westminster
Abbey,
leaving much of the running of the country to Earl Godwin and his son
Harold. Edward died childless, eight days after the building work on
Westminster Abbey had finished. With no natural successor, England was
faced with a power struggle for control of the throne.
We
do not have any evidence of Beckenham from this time apart from the
Domesday Book entry but as Domesday refers back to the time of Edward
the Confessor his period of reign may be relevant.
1066
- HAROLD II, you should have learnt this at school...The Battle of
Stamford
Bridge, Battle of Hastings and all that. According to Domesday, Anschil
or Eskil
was the Lord in 1066 and before, paying tax to King Edward. Spellings
differed according to old english or french versions.
1066 - 1086 King William I (the Conqueror)
1066-1086 was a period of turmoil which has been well researched by others but culminated in the Great Survey or Domesday in which William wanted to determine what taxes had been owed during the reign of King Edward the Confessor thereby allowing William to reassert the rights of the Crown and assess where power lay after a wholesale redistribution of land following the Conquest.
The Domesday survey was carried out by commissioners holding sworn inquests in local courts, where they asked fixed questions of local men. For each property, each question was asked three times, to cover changes over time. The commissioners asked how land had been held:
The
questions included: (replies inserted from data)
Is
it beyond any possibility that Anskil could have been restyled as
Ansgot. Some debate has surmised that Ango-Saxon names were
translated into Norman/French versions.
Beckenham is recorded as
having 34 households, 22 villagers,
8 smallholders and 4 slaves. Domesday excluded land held by the
crown or church.
In 1066 Anschil (Eskil) was landholder
to the lord King Edward but Odo
is still recorded as tenant in chief in 1086 with Ansgot of Rochester
subtenant despite Odo's apparent fall from grace. It is interesting to
note Danish names appearing
(Bigga & Eskil)
in an area not noted for Viking invasion but this implies a mixed
population.
Bishop
Odo was a maternal half-brother
of William the Conqueror who was
a trusted royal minister, even acting regent in William’s absences, but
in 1067
he was found to be defrauding both the crown and diocese of Canterbury
and a
number of properties were sequestered. In 1082 he was imprisoned for
planning a
military expedition to Italy and all of his lands were taken back by
the King.
He remained in prison for 5 years only released by King William on his
deathbed
but never regained any power. He
is reputed to have later taken part in a rebellion to replace William
Rufus (William II) but was allowed to leave Kent for Normandy and his
land in England was forfeit to the crown. Hevey states that
Beckenham remained in the king's hands until the reign of
King John.
1086 -
Domesday Book entry for Beckenham, Hasted had transcribed: In
Brunlei hundred Ansgotus de Rochester holds of the bishop (of
Baieux/Odo) Bacheham.
It was taxed at 2 sulings.
The arable land is eight carucates. In demesne there
are 2 carucates,
and 22 villeins,
with 8 borderers,
having 8 carucates
and a half. There are 12 acres
of meadow, and 4 servants,
and 1 mill,
and wood for the pannage of 60 hogs.
In the time of king Edward the Confessor, and afterwards, it was
worth 9 pounds,
now 3 pounds.
Anschil held it of king Edward.
8 Carucates or Ploughlands are estimated to be 120 acres each, ie
960 acres. A plough team is said to be 8 oxen.
The much later Foxgrove
map of 1766 copied from 1720 records that "20 great beasts of Foxgrove"
were grazed on land alongside the Ravensbourne.
The Manor of Beckenham map of 1623 shows land of 936 acres but excludes
Foxgrove, Langley and Kelsey etc but does include woodlands on the
manor. So Domesday's coverage requires clarification. An ideal position
for a mill would have been on the Beck in Kelseys where the river
descends through the two lakes though other positions on the Beck may
have been utilized for mill ponds. A windmill once stood on Bromley
Hill but nothing definite can be identified for Domesdays description.
But a mill at Glassmill Lane nearer or in Bromley has always been there
and another mill nearby called Monks Mill can be found on some old maps.
A more modern translation of Domesday describes Land of Bishop Odo of Bayeux
Households: 22 villagers. 8
smallholders. 4 slaves.
Ploughland: 8 ploughlands. 2
lord's plough teams. 8.5 men's plough teams.
Other resources: Meadow 12
acres. Woodland 60 swine render. 1 mill.
Annual value to lord: 13 pounds in
1086; 9 pounds when acquired by the 1086 owner; 9 pounds in 1066.
Owners:
Tenant-in-chief in 1086: Bishop
Odo of Bayeux.
Lord in 1086: Ansgot
of Rochester.
Overlord in 1066: King
Edward.
Lord in 1066: Eskil.
1086 - Langley/West Wickham: The Beckenham, West Wickham and Hayes parish boundaries meet within Langley Park estate. If we take it that Langley was not identified in the Domesday survey, being confused with Hasted's 'Lasela' which turns out to be Seal near Sevenoaks, then some of Langley may have been part of West Wickham in Domesday with the following entry. Maps indicate the parish boundaries having Langley Place estates partially in Wickham, the 1750's Raymond map of Langley and the OS 1860/70's Kent sheet XV illustrate boundaries..
[West]
Wickham was a settlement in Domesday Book, in the hundred of Helmestrei
(later renamed Ruxley) and the county of Kent.
Households: 24 villagers. 13 slaves. Land and resources Ploughland: 2 lord's plough teams. 4 men's plough teams. Other resources: Woodland 10 swine render. 1 mill, value 1 shilling and 7 pence. 1 church.Valuation Annual value to lord: 13 pounds in 1086; 6 pounds when acquired by the 1086 owner; 8 pounds in 1066.
Whatever
the outcome of Domesday, then locally only Beckenham, Bromley and West
Wickham were recorded. Lewisham to the north could be of interest as a
bordering neighbour. But several factors may limit the detail provided
by Domesday. The Sulings or areas able to be ploughed were not fixed in
size and the area of ploughable land was influenced by soil
types. There was presumably more woodland as a resource for building
material and fuel. The population of Britain has been estimated
at
1.25 to 2 million or less than 1/30th
of todays. A website related to Domesday quotes:
The manors in question are Beckenham and Stoke (i.e. the portion of Stoke which did not belong to the church of Rochester). Half of Beckenham (the northern half) seems to have been held in domain until being granted out by Henry II: the first recorded owner is Willelm fiz Erneis (occ. 1168). The other half of Beckenham (the half which came to be called Langley Park), together with Stoke, became the property of a family whose name, in its earliest appearance, is Malesmæins (R1, fo. 186r); I take that to mean mal es meains, ‘pain in the wounds’. (But thirteenth-century scribes spell the name in various ways, not seeming to know or care about its etymology.) That surname attached itself to the manor in Stoke. In the 1130 Pipe Roll WILLIAM de Tresgoz (Tregoz) sheriff of Wiltshire renders an account of the farm of the land of William Peverel of London including “in repairing the houses and parks and spinneys and fishponds 115s and in enlarging the park of Beckenham 18s”. In the 1139 pipe roll William de Tregoz is still farming the lands of William Peverell of London.[1]
William de Peverell was a staunch supporter of King Stephen, he was imprisoned with him in 1141, and about 1152 Henry II dispossessed him of all of his lands most likely because of his support for Stephen against Henry.
[1] Battle Abbey Roll http://www.1066.co.nz/Mosaic%20DVD/library/Battle%20Roll/battle_abbey_roll3/battle_abbey_roll3.html
1100 - William de Insula to all men of Kent, French and English and in particular (nominatim) to the men of Beccaham, greeting. Know that I have granted to Christ Church, London, and the canons there, the land of Beccaham, which was Reginald Gahit's, which he held by service of a half knight, and which Picot Empasterat gave to the same church, William, Reginald's heir, agreeing; to hold of me and my heirs as freely as Picot held the same, and this by service of a half knight. Witnesses: Cecily, his wife, Rodbert, his son, Geoffrey, the chaplain, William of Lincoln. Kent. Endorsed:—[-] Becheham[-] Becham. (source: National Archive, BHO Ancient Deeds)
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/ancient-deeds/vol5/pp214-228
William de Insula is said to be the same as William de Lisle
And this 12th Century Ancient deed; Grant; Grant in frank almoin by William de Insula, with the consent of William his heir, Cicely the grantor's wife, and the rest of his children, to the canons of Christ Church, London, of the land which Robert de Witecroft held of him in Becham. Witnesses:- Prior Bernard of Dunestaple, Geoffrey, chaplain of the said William, Robert de Cornhello, and others (named): [Norf.]. Twelfth century. Ref. E 40/5493 (TNA and BHO) curiously BHO have linked it to Norfolk where there is a town called Becham. That is thought to be an error.
Such
grants of lands to religious orders would effectively pass the income
from rents to the order and chains of letting and sub-letting would
emerge down to the occupant and cultivator of any land. Picot can be
found as a reference connected with Norfolk or Cambridge but Gahit has
not returned any results from searches.
1100 - Grant by David, son of John, son of Alexander de Orpintun [Orpington], to Holy Trinity Priory, London, of his rights in lands at Beckenham and "Clayherst". Kent (source NA)
1129
- In the late 1120’s Hamo (Haimo II) sheriff died without heirs. His
land (which
also included Camberwell) was divided between Robert Earl of Gloucester
and
Robert de Crevicoeur (Calvados) Lord of Chatham[1].
This could be the part of Beckenham which was in the king’s hands in
1130 (To
the earl of Gloucester 41 s. In the king's demesne of Beckenham 2 s. 4
d.), but
the rest was probably already owned by the family which gave its name –
Mal es
meains, ‘Pain in the wounds’ – to the manor in Stoke.[2]
Walter son
of Odo paid a fine in
1129/30 to secure his inheritance in
Lincolnshire from the Countess of Chester as a beneficiary of Ivo
Taillebois.
Walter is also recorded as witness to a charter by William de Lisle
granting
Beckenham to Quarr Abbey circa 1130 (held at Belvoir Castle).
[1] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bviFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=%22earl+of+gloucester%22+odo+bayeux&source=bl&ots=JETGaHJQSf&
[2] http://www.durobrivis.net/articles/landowners.pdf (E 372/1, p. 68)
(Honour of) Peverel of London, 3 sulungs for Beckenham. Two of the manors which in 1086 belonged to Ansgot de Rovecestre followed a separate trajectory: Beckenham and Malmaynes in Stoke. They fell to the king with the rest of the lands of Willelm Pevrel of London, who had presumably acquired them by marriage. Honour of Peverel of London, alias honour of Hatfield Peverel, Essex (Sanders 1963, 120).
1134/5 - This document must be from the change of King Henry I to Stephen when Henry's daughter Mathilda was regent or empress for a short time having been named as heir by Henry but deposed in favour of Stephen. From a latin document requiring more translation attributed to 1141.
The
empress confirms the gift of land in Beckenham
(Kent) from Picot empastorator. and also those in 517
Latin text: M(athildis) imperatrix H(enrici) regis filia et Anglorum domina baronibus justiciartio vicecomiti et ministris et omnibus fidelibus suis Francis et Anglis dc Kent salutem. Sciatis me concessisse ecclesie Christi Lund(onie) et canonicis deo ibidem servientibus in elemosinam in perpetuum, pro animabus patris et matris mee et pro salute anime mee, terrain quam Picotus empastorat(or} eis dedit in villa de Bekaham, et vii solidatas terre quas Picot(us) emit de hominibus ejusdem ville. et viii solidatas terre Aestmundi. et terram de Claiherste cum omnibus rebus, locis, consuetudinibus et libertatibus ad easdem terras pertinentibus liberas et quielas ab omnibus rebus excepto servitio dei. Preterea concedo eis pasturam decem bou{m) inter meos boves in plano et in bosco. et x porcos sine pathnagio, et super hoc prohibeo super forisfactum meum ne aliquis sit ausus hominibus vel rebus ad predictam ecclesiam pertinentibus aliquam injuriam vel contumeliam inferre, quia nolo quod ecclesia jus suum vel libertatem in aliquo tempore meo perdat. Testim(onio) Rodb(er)to com(ite) de Glo[ecestria] . . . cancel[l]ario.
Translations from online which although inaccurate give some idea of the gist. Archaic English Latin is said to be idiosyncratic;
Mathilda empress Henry the king's daughter and the English lady barons sheriff and ministers and all the faithful of their French and English of Kent health. You may know me concessisse of the church of Christ in Lund(onie) and the canonical god there servers as alms in perpetuity, for the souls of the father and mother mee and for the health of the anime mee, terrain than Picotus empastorator them gave in the village of Bekaham, and seven shillings worth of land which Picotus purchased from men of the same town. and eight shillings worth of land Aestmundi. and the ground of Claiherste with all the things, places, customs and freedoms of those countries appurtenances free and quielas from all things except service to god. Moreover, I grant them food ten herds between my oxen in the plane and in the bosco. and ten pigs without pathnagio(pannage), and over this hindu over forisfactum my not someone is a daring men or things to the saying of the church from any injury or abuse to inflict, because I don't want that church to her right or freedom in any time of my loses. Testim(onio) Rodb(er)to com(go) of Gloucester. . . cancel[l]some scholars, based on
Mathilda Empress, Henry’s daughter, and the English barons Just/justiciar lady ordered the officials and all the faithful, French and English of Kent health/safety. Know that I have granted to the church of Christ (Christchurch), London and the canons of the god in the same place those who are serving in alms for ever, for the souls of my father and of my mother and for the salvation of the my soul, that the land of Picotus empastorat (or} yield to them in the town of twenty years, and the seven shillings' worth of land, which picot (us) bought from among men of the same town. hundred and eight shillings' worth of land Aestmundi., and the earth out of Claiherste, with all the things, places, customs, and liberties to those lands, a matter that, free and quiet away from all these things, excepto the service of God. in addition, I grant them their pasture, ten? ou { iii) between the piano and my cows in the woods. and ten pigs without pathnagio (pannage); Testiment(signed) Robert of Gloucester, chamberlain.
and from a descriptive catalogue of ancient deeds;
A. 6688. Grant by M [atilda] the empress, daughter of King Henry, and lady of the English, to the canons of Christchurch, London, in frank almoin, for the souls of her father and mother, and for the welfare of her own soul, of the land which Picot Empastorator gave them in Bekaham, and land to the value of 7s. yearly which Picot bought from the men of that town, and Æstmund's land, to the value of 8s. yearly, and the land of Claiherste, together with pasture for ten oxen among the grantor's oxen, and ten hogs without pannage. Witness:—Robert, earl of Glo [ucester], the chancellor. [A.D. 1141.] |
Aestmund
had defied identification, Claiherste may include Foxgrove Manor at
this time and the reference to ten oxen may refer to the land on the
Foxgrove Manor map which states 'great beasts of Foxgrove' in 1720. A
grant from the crown does endorse the fact that the land was under the
direct ownership of the crown.
1135-1154 King
Stephen (the anarchy as the crown was disputed between Stephen and
Henry's daughter Mathilda)
Undated but during Stephen's reign:
London Holy Trinity Priory:
Stephen King of England of all men, French and English of Becham (Beckenham) health. Know that I have granted, for the life of King Henry and other ancestors, the Holy Trinity London and canons in the country serving Claherst by paying five shillings per year. The land that was Estmund for eight shillings and six pence per year. so do not make any, that insult to injury or let it be. According to Hubert, the chamberlain. At Westminster.
from a latin document which read;
Confirmation of the land at Clayhurst and Estmund‘s land
S(tephanus) rex Angltorum) omnibus hominibus suis
Francis et Anglis de Becham salutem. Sciatis me concessisse. pro anima
regis
Henrici et aliorum antecessorum meorum, ecclesie Sancte Trinitatis
London(ie) et canonicis
in ea deo servientibus terram suam de
Claherst per
v solidos reddendo (sic) inde per annum.
Et terram que fuit Estmund per viii solidos et vi denarios reddendos
per annum.
Quare volo et precipio quod ipsi teneant eam bene et in pace, et libere
et honorifice eam
teneant (sic) in bosco et plano et pratis et pasturis et omnibus aliis
rebus. ita ne ulla eis
injuria vel contumelia fiat. Teste Huberto camerario. Apud
Westmonasterium.
Source:
Regesta Regum Anglo Normannorum 1066-1154
In the 12th Century there are two grants made to Holy Trinity (Christchurch) Priory in London of lands in Beckenham (including Cleyherst) by Walter son of (Count?) Gilbert & David son of John son of Alexander of Orpington.
Another document from Stephen's reign: Stephen, king of England R. . . Malmains and man of Becham health. know I have granted the canon of Holy Trinity London the ground of Claiherst at XII pence per year. I want to advise that, in peace and honor office he holds,they may have no wrong done to them on that.Testement/signed Hubert Chamberlain . In Westminster
1154-1189 King Henry II (son of Mathilda, daughter of Henry I)
1176
- Westminster Abbey Charters; (But maybe 1160; year VI Henry the
younger) 298. Grant by Abbot Walter to William son of
Ernis, of land at Penge (Surr.), for thirty years. Chapter, Westminster
29
Sept. 1176.
Sciant
omnes ad quos littere iste pervenerint
quod ego Walterus, Dei gratia abbas Westmonasterii, et conventus
eiusdem loci,
communi assensu concessimus Willelmo filio Ernisii terram illam que est
extra
nemus nostrum de Pange, sicut aqueductus designat usque ad propriam
terram
prefati Willelmi, et a nemore archiepiscopi Cantuariensis usque ad
parcum de
Becham; tenendam de nobis pro xx solidis per annum, scilicet: x solidis
ad
Pascha et x ad Festum Sancti Michaelis, usque ad xxx annos. Post illum
vero
terminum, remanebit terra illa ecclesie nostre in eo statu in quo fuit
die qua
eam predictus Willelmus suscepit, nisi heres ipsius Willelmi obtinere
possit
apud abbatem et conventum ut deinceps teneat sicut antecessor tenuit.
Si vero
infra prefatum terminum decesserit sepedictus Willelmus, heres ipsius
tenebit
usque ad memoratum terminum. Hanc autem conventionem fideliter tenendam
juravit
idem Willelmus in capitulo nostro, tactis sacrosanctis evangeliis.
Facta est
autem hec conventio inter nos anno vi coronationis Regis Henrici
iunioris, et
martirii Beati Thome, ad Festum Sancti Michaelis. His testibus:
Magistro
Nicholao et Jordano, clericis abbatis; Gilleberto de Wandelesuurtha;
Ricardo de
Berching'; Radulfo camerario abbatis; Henrico de Winton; Henrico de
Limeseia;
Eudone filio Ernisii; Hugone Carbunel; Roberto de Martinivilla; Radulfo
de
Bruhill'; Ricardo Aguillun; Roberto clerico de Becham et Osberto fratre
eius;
Willelmo presbitero de Beccham et multis aliis.
MS:
WAM LII.
10.5
× 9.3 cm. Seal missing. Endorsed: Penge (15C).
Note: No copy because the transaction would
have been out of date before any cartulary was made.
(Source
BHO)https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol25/pp144-159
Well, my Latin is non existent but I can make out Robert clerk of Beckenham and William priest of Beckenham. Also this online translation:
Know
all to whom from one letter to another this have reached that I
Walter, by the grace of God (Abbot of Westminster) abbas's archaeology,
and the meeting of the same place, the common consent concessimus
William fitz Ernisii country that is outside the forest (Pange), we
sing, o, as
the aqueduct designates(stream boundary) up to a proper ground
aforementioned of William, and a tree of the archbishop of Canterbury
down to the park
about Becham (Beckenham); to hold of us for twenty shillings per year,
namely: 10 at the staple at Easter and 10 at the Feast of St.
Michael up to
thirty years. After that the limit will remain the land of those of our
church in a position where it was the day on which it aforesaid William
received, unless the heir of of William to obtain a can with has and
log in to the forward hold as the ancestor held. If, however, below
aforementioned term has died(expired) sepedictus William, the heir of
the hold
up to had a limit. This agreement faithfully hold sworn the same
William on the article and our, touching sacred gospels (sworn on the
Bible). You made this
meeting between us in the year vi (six) coronation of King Henry the
younger, and martirii(martyr) of the Blessed Thomas, the Feast of Saint
Michael. With these witnesses: Master Nicholao and Jordano, clergy,
abbot; Gilleberto of Wandeleswrtha; Ricardo de Berching'; Ralph
camerlengo abbot; Henry of Winton; Henry of Limeseia; Eudo the son
Ernisii; Hugh Carbunel; Robert de Martinivilla; Ralph of Bruhill';
Ricardo Aguillun; Robert the clerk of Becham and Osberto brother of
his; William priest of Beccham and many others.
1189- King Richard (the Lionheart) until
1199
1199 - King
John until 1216
1204
- Land
in Penge; 330.
From the Calendar of Fines, Surrey; Final concord between Abbot Ralph,
plaintiff, and William
de Ginnes and his wife Matilda, defendants, concerning a carucate of
land in
Battersea (Surr.), and the wood and land of Penge (Surr.). Curia Regis,
Westminster. Easter term 1204.[1]
Latin text; Hec est finalis concordia facta in curia domini regis apud
Westmonasterium a die Pasche in j mensem, anno regni Regis Johannis
quinto, coram Gaufrido filio Petri, Ricardo de Her[iet'], Simone de
Pat[es]hull, Eustachio de Faucunb[er]g, Johanne de Gestling, Osberto
filio Hervei, Godefrido de Insula, Waltero de Creping', justiciariis,
et aliis baronibus domini regis tunc ibi presentibus, inter Radulfum
abbatem Westmonasterii, petentem, et Willelmum de Ginnes, et Matildem
uxorem suam, tenentem, de una carucata terre cum pertinentiis in
Batricheseya sicut aquaductus designat usque ad propriam terram
predicti Willelmi, et a nemore archiepiscopi Cantuariensis usque ad
parcum de Beke[n]ham. Unde placitum fuit inter eos in prefata curia,
scilicet: quod predicti Willelmus et Matildis recognoverunt totam
predictam terram cum pertinentiis esse ius ipsius abbatis et ecclesie
Sancti Petri de Westmonasterio. Et pro hac recognitione et fine et
concordia predictus abbas concessit predicto Willelmo et Matildi et
heredibus ipsius Matildis totam predictam terram cum pertinentiis,
tenendam de ipso abbate et successoribus suis inperpetuum per liberum
servicium viginti solidorum per annum pro omni servicio, reddendo ad
duos terminos anni, scilicet: ad Pascha decem solidos, et ad Festum
Sancti Michaelis decem solidos. Et pro hac concessione predicti
Willelmus et Matildis remiserunt et quietum clamaverunt predicto abbati
et successoribus suis totum ius et clamium quod habuerunt in bosco et
in terra de Pange de se et heredibus ipsius Matildis inperpetuum, ita
quod predictus abbas et successores sui possint facere voluntatem suam
de predicto bosco et terra sine contradictione predictorum Willelmi et
Matildis et heredum ipsius Matildis: ita tamen quod predictus abbas
concessit predicto Willelmo et Matildi et heredibus ipsius Matildis
communam herbagii in bosco suo de Pange de omnibus propriis averiis de
Bekenham, exceptis capris et alienis averiis, quamdiu boscum clausum
non fuerit. Et preterea idem abbas concessit predictis Willelmo et
Matildi et heredibus ipsius Matildis triginta porcos in predicto bosco
quietos de pannagio et omnes alii porci et omnia averia de Bekenham
removeantur de predicto bosco de Pange quamdiu pessio durat, scilicet:
inter Festum Sancti Michaelis et Festum Sancti Martini. Et si forte
contigerit quod predictus abbas vel successores sui predictum obscum de
Pange clauserunt predicti Willelmus et Matildis et heredes ipsius
Matildis habebunt in predicto bosco pasturam ad quadraginta animalia et
ad centum oves et predictos triginta porcos quietos de pannagio. Et si
forte contigerit quod idem abbas vel successores sui de predicto bosco
essartare voluerint licet bene facere eis hoc sine contradictione
predictorum Willelmi et Matildis vel heredum ipsius Matildis sed tamen
remanebit de predicto bosco et herbagio non sartato quod idem Willelmus
et Matildis et heredes ipsius Matildis habeant sustentacionem ad
predictos triginta porcos et ad quadraginta animalia et ad centum oves.
Et idem abbas cepit homagium ipsius Willelmi de predicta terra in eadem
curia.
Translation: (not accurate but you get the gist) This is the final agreement in the king's court at Westminster on Easter one month fifth year of King John, before Geoffrey Fitz Peter, Richard Her [descryed '], Simon of Pat [are] Hull, Eustace of Faucunb [e ] G, John Gesding, Osbert son Hervey Godfrey Island, Walter Creping, judges, and other barons of the king but was present, between Ralph abbot of Westminster candidate, and William of Ginnes and Maud his wife, holding; carucate of land with their belongings in Battersea aquaductus as he points to the native countries of William, the archbishop from the grove to the park de Beke [n] ham. Hence it was a plea between them in the aforesaid court, that is: William and Maude acknowledged that all the said land with their belongings and be right at the Abbot of St. Peter of Westminster. And for this acknowledgment and the end, and the concord of the aforesaid abbot was granted to the said William and Matilda, and the heirs of Matilda: the whole of the aforesaid land with its appurtenances, to be held from the abbot and his successors for ever, by his free service of twenty shillings by the year instead of all the service, which may be rendered, at the two ends of the of the year, namely Easter ten shillings, and the Feast of Saint Michael in ten pieces. so that the aforesaid abbot and his successors, that they may do the will of his own in the woodland, and the earth, without contradiction by the aforesaid William and Maud, and heirs of the same Maud, on condition, however, that the aforesaid abbot was granted to the said William and Matilda, and the heirs of Matilda: the common of herbage in his wood of Pange (Penge) of all the de Beckenham be driven with their own, with the exception of the goats, and other men's cattle, as long as the wood is shut up, did not happen. And, furthermore, the same abbot granted to the aforesaid William and Matilda, and their heirs of him, Maud, and thirty pigs in the wood with all was quiet among the pannage of the, and all the other swine fed, and all the beasts of the de Beckenham be removed from the wood with de Pange, as long as pessio lasts, that is, between the feasts of Saint Michael, and the Feast of St Martin . And if you happen to do so, that the abbot or his successors, in the woodland essartare they wish, even though to do good, to them, this is without a contradiction of the aforesaid William, and Maud, the or the heirs of the same Maud, but, however, will remain in the woodland and also the herbage does not sartato what is the same, William, and Maud, and the heirs of Matilda: they have a maintenance at said thirty to forty pigs and animals and a hundred sheep. The Abbot received homage from William the land in the same court.
It
seems that this is disputed though:
Otuel (Othewel) de l'Isle notifies the king's justices, who are
probably on
eyre in Kent, that the prior and canons of Holy Trinity Aldgate, London
hold
half a knight's fee in Beckenham from him and that it is against his
will and
unjustly that Alexander de Orpington (Orpenton), the latter's son John
and
Osbert Huitdeniers (Uitdeniers or Eightpence)[2]
entered that land; Otuel excuses himself and sends his son Otuel to
bear
witness. To the justices of the lord king, Otuel de l'Isle, greeting.
Know that
the prior and canons of Holy Trinity, London, hold some land in
Beckenham from
me in fee and heredity by the service of half a knight, as they held
from my
father and from my brother William and as our charters testify. And
therefore I
want you to know that neither Alexander de Orpington nor his son John
or Osbert
Huitdeniers have entered that land through me, but against me and
without my consent
and unjustly and against all reason, and therefore I send my son Otuel
to bear
witness of this and I myself would have come to this day if I had not
been
retained by old age and serious illness. If, however, it should be
necessary in
some place and at some time, I shall come and stand with the prior and
the
canons and do what I have to as the lord of the land which they hold
from me,
as mentioned before. Farewell.[3]
[4]
Osbert
Huitdeniers is thought to have been
both sheriff of London and justiciar at different times. He was a
relative of
Thomas a Becket and employed him as a clerk on leaving school about
1140.[5]
He was responsible for negotiations with Empress Matilda
as representative for the Angevins. He held land by Robert Earl of
Gloucester
(one of many illegitimate sons of Henry I) who may have been
responsible for
dealing with lands confiscated from Odo
[2] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nuYYo5XSlrMC&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=huitdeniers&source=bl&ots=Imxwb6qHvf&
sig=ACfU3U3XAlQAMjlYmun9qPo0NEDhaK4kQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSn9-x1MTmAhVPTsAKHbHVCTMQ6AEwAXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=huitdeniers&f=false
[4]
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/ancient-deeds/vol3/pp238-251 National Archives E
40/5937
1215
- Magna Carta
1227 - 1004. Inspeximus and confirmation by Henry III of 998 (below) mentioning specifically that Holy Trinity is free from subjection to the church of Waltham and confirming especially the gift of Algate with the soke and £25 blanch from the city of Exeter payable at the exchequer by the sheriff of Devon, their land at Leyton and the custody of the hospital next the Tower [f. 180v] and their lands in Bracking granted by King Stephen and Queen Matilda and other lands of the honour of Boulogne (Bolon(ie)), namely the land of Berkeden(e) of the gift of Richard de Anesteye and the land of Corneye and the church of Lefstanechirch of the gift of Hugh Triket and the chapel of Alsiswyk of the gift of Richard son of William; confirmation of their lands and rents in Bekeham and Clayherst of the gift of Picotus Empascorat with the liberties there granted by the Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I; confirmation of the following gifts; of Roger son of Brian and Matilda his wife, 2 carrucates of land in Hoddenho and Trockyng; of Robert de Gatton, his land in Hamstede as Gilbert de Bradele held it of him at fee-farm; of Hubert the queen's chamberlain 4 librates in the manor of Brackyng; of Richard Wallensis 81½ acres of land and 4 acres of meadow in Brackyng with the services of Augustine the son of Wlwardus, Edith the widow and Richard Cruyland; of Ralph Hareng 25½ acres of land in the field of Heston and the meadow belonging to this tenement and the service which Robert the Smith (faber) of Heston was accustomed to pay annually; of William Blemund all his wood with the heath (bruera) as are enclosed by trenches (fossatis) in the parish of St. Pancras in Kentissetune next the plot (partum) of the bishop of London on the south and of William Uggel and his heirs and their services; of Ralph Triket a croft called Hogue or Hocus and a small piece (morcellum) of land next his barn (horreum) in Brambeleg and Nortmado 'et Spareweham et wildam et Wigewikam' and land formerly of Eadmund and Hugh son of Baldwyn, Hugh's house (managium) with an adjacent field; of Richard son of Osbert a certain place in which a mill was situated in Brambeleg which mill was one of four mills next to that of the nuns of Stratford on the east; of Robert Burell 10s. rent in Brambeleg; of William de Pyrho 16s. rent from a mill called the Monks' Mill in Brambeleg; of Ralph de Heyrun and William Thrisse and William de Berkyng 42 acres of land and 1 acre of meadow and an annual rent of 15s. 6d. and ½ lb. of pepper in Edelmeton; of William, earl of Essex and earl Geoffrey his father his land of Selegeford and 1½ hides in Brambeleg; of Richard de Lucy 20s. rent in Newton and all the land which Godfrey Beifuin his servant (serviens) held a day and a night (una die et una notte) in the manor of Leesnes; of Henry de Furnell and Theobald de Brackyng the mill of Brackyng; of Henry de Corneya land and meadow and a rent of 37d. which he had in Corneya and Widihale; of [f. 181] Peter de Bendeng 10s. of quit rent from land in Bilesherse; of Hubery de Anestie and Denise his wife 9s. of quit rent from the mill of Kaldecote; of Nicholas de Catesber[y] and Katherine his wife 11 acres in Catesbiry; of Thomas de Bordesdon 9 acres of land in Bordesden; of Hugh de Marines 17 acres 1 rood of land and the service of Stephen le Wayte and his heirs in Westmel(n)e; of Richard son of Robert 1¼ virgates of land with pasture in Westmelne and the service of Geoffrey his brother from half the land of the donor's father; of Henry de Scalar(us) and Joan his daughter 9½ acres of land in Widihal; by the permission and confirmation of Earl William de Mandavill forty cartloads of brushwood from the wood of Enefeld; of Walter de Mandevill the church of Brumfeld with its lands and all tithes; and of the same Walter the church of Nuteleg and its lands and all tithes; witnesses, E[ustace] bishop of London, J[ocelin] bishop of Bath and Glastonbury, R[ichard] bishop of Salisbury, Hubert de Burgh justiciar, Ranulf earl of Chester and Lincoln, William de Eynesford, Richard de Argent(an) the king's steward, Stephen [f. 181 v] de Beg(ne), Henry de Capella and others, given under the hand of R[alph] bishop of Chichester, chancellor, at Westminster 8 Feb. 1227.
Margin: Carta iiija.
C.Ch.R., i, 3; Monasticon, vi, 153–4.
998. [1121–2]
Notification by Henry I that the canons of Holy Trinity shall be free
from subjection to other churches; that the canons may close the road
between their church and the wall of the City; the king grants them
£25 p.a.
blanch from
the farm of Exeter in free alms, also Alegate with the soke; grant of
the English Cnithenegild with all lands and liberties both within the
City and without; the canons and their men to hold with all liberties
and free customs with sac and soc and toll and team and infaganethief,
quit of all gelds, scots, wites, assizes, sheriffs' aids, suits of
shires and hundreds [f. 179v] and leets and hustings and of pleas and
plaints; hidages and tallages, military service and riding service (de
excercitibus et equitacionibus),
journeys (de
oneribus expedicionum),
keeping watch, work on castles, parks, bridges, stews, walls,
enclosures, toll on carts, obligation to provide carrying service
(summagio)
and shipping service, the building of royal residences and of all
secular service and exactions, all toll in any market or fair and of
all tolls on journeys by road, bridge or sea throughout the kingdom;
and the canons' men shall plead only in the canons' court and they
shall not be impleaded for any tenement except before the king or his
chief justice (capituli
justiciario meo);
the canons and their men are in the king's special protection;
witnesses, Ranulf the chancellor, G. de Clinton, Ralph Basset, at
Northampton.
Henry
FitzAilwin m Margaret
dd. 1212
| Alan FitzHenry m Orabilis de
Mayhamme
| |
Henry
Malmains (changed from FitzHenry)
| |
bd. 1227
| |
dd. 1262
| Peter FitzHenry
| |
Joan
FitzHenry m William Aguillon
| |
| Robert Aguillon
| |
Margaret
FitzHenry (aka Cheyney)m Ralph de Clere
| Thomas FitzHenry
| Richard FitzHenry
1250 - Beckenham Manor Park, (The lands around the manor, not Beckenham Place Park which occupies the land of Foxgrove Manor) was medieval and already established by the 1250s when mentioned in the land grant (in the British Library) by Sir Richard de la Rochelle to the Hospital of St Katherine next the Tower of London. In this grant the land included Beckenham Park, heriots and reliefs in the village of Beckenham, and the course of Hawk's brooks 'running from my park of Beckenham towards the land of the friars and sister of St Katherine with Hawk's brooks running from it.'[1].
[1] The Landscape Legacy of Deer Parks in Kent & Bromley – Susan Pitman
Susan's book identifies several places which formed deer parks including Langley nearby. The later 1623 map showing fields or areas called Spring Park, Alder Park, Park Close and Rounds Park imply fenced areas (emparked) and some parts were more wooded such as Stumphill wood. The Hawks brooks is the ancient or original name for the Beck River but some questions arise as to whether 'running from' means downstream in the direction of Lewisham. The northern boundary of the park formed the Parish boundary until this day.
1254
Henry III granted free warren in his
lands in Kent, Wiltshire & Essex and weekly markets & annual
fairs at
Wokenden (South Ockendon) and Market Lavington to Richard de la Rokele
at the
behest of Sir John Fitz Geoffrey Justiciar of Ireland and uncle of
Richard.
After the battle of Evesham the Earl of
Gloucester took the Manor of Beghenham value £40 but restored it to him
in
1265.
From Magna Carta Ancestry by Douglas Richardson 2nd Ed. 2011: In 1254 at his instance (Sir John Fitz Geoffrey), the king gave a charter to his nephew, Richard de la Rokele, for free warren in Richards demesne lands in the counties of Kent, Wiltshire and Essex and Market Lavington Wiltshire.
Fitz Geoffrey was justiciar for Ireland, a position which the Rokeles acquired later.
1257
- Reference to Amfrey de Beckenham rector of the church of Hodleg
1260
- Richard de la Rokele, his position as
justiciary of Ireland would determine he is an absentee landlord.
Oct. 28. Tower of London.
Protection with clause, for two years, for Richard de Rupella justiciary of Ireland.
1262 - Richard de la Rokele; South Wokenden, Essex; Grant of Free Warren? And a lease to St.Denis for life as Rokele was justiciary in Ireland and absent from his lands in England. The internet translation has to work around the intricacies of old latin as written by English/French scribes. Therefore we have to perform another translation to decypher the gist of the meaning ie freedom to hunt in the forest which without the kings permission was forbidden. Though this relates to Rokele's estates in Essex it has been taken to imply Rokele had free warren on all his lands probably due to his status from his office in Ireland.
Translation from the
internet; When Richard de la Rokel 'had lately been put away (gone to
Ireland?) and he has granted to Richard de St Denis along the manor of
Wokindon', which is done within the bounds of the forest of the king of
Essex, we have to have and to hold for all the life of him, Richard of
Saint-Denis along with all the liberties pertaining to the manor
belonging to it, even as we do by means of our letters patent been
granted to Richard de la Rokel 'that all our forest aforementioned
drive can charm the fox tessons the market and of freely capture and
carry away the wish without hindrance by us or any of our said forest
is said to want to Richard of St Denis thanks to a special command that
so long as the same Richard de St Denis hold the manor itself freedom
above all through the forest of Essex to that obtained in our letters
patent is included, and that permit without interference from you or
any of our said forest as previously indicated and , if the said
Richard de la Rokel 'manor in his own time. Witness the King at
Westminster four. May.
1267 - Beckenham Manor; Confirmation of a lease for life by Richard de Rupella to Henry le Waleys, citizen of London, of the manor of Bekeham, except the advowson of the church of that manor. Sept. 25. Shrewsbury. (BHO; Patent Rolls Henry III)
Taken
by some to be a purchase but Beckenham Manor later passes from
Rokele/Rupella to the Brun/Bruyns via marriage.
Henry
le Waleys leased the
Beckenham Manor 1267. This appears to be on a lease as Henry
le Waleys bought Beckenham Manor[1] from Richard de Rupella(de la Rokele)[2]. In fact Richard, who died about
1277, was succeeded by his son Philip[3]
whose daughter Isolda took the manor in marriage to Sir William Bruyn
according to Hasted or as Isolda
was not a daughter of the Rokeles being a maid of
honour of Queen Eleanor was married to William Bruyn/Brune. It is
claimed Matilda, daughter of Philip de Rupella/de la Rokeley who
married Maurice Bruyn, William and Isolda's son, brought the manors
of Beckenham and Okendon(Ockendon, Essex) to the Bruyn family.
Therefore the manor must have been leased to Henry le Waleys.
Waleys rose to be Lord Mayor of London and granted some income from
Beckenham to a religous order of nuns. le Waleys name is derived from
the fact he is believed to have migrated from Wales.
[1]
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hmfZlJ4hi-0C&pg=PA334&lpg=PA334&dq=waleys+beckenham&source=bl&ots=p5WlZZSa2q&sig=ACfU3U3nUtMVJ_9r8K6S0Ht1zQqWlfQhZg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjapuupuNrmAhVPQhUIHfC1At4Q6AEwAnoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=waleys%20beckenham&f=false
1272 - King Edward I until 1307
1272 - Grantor: Peter de Stokes, Rector of the church of Beckenham. Grantee: Henry le Waleys, citizen of London. PLACE OR SUBJECT: Grant of land, etc., in the parish of St. Mary Woolnoth. COUNTY: London. (TNA)
This only evidences the name of the Rector of Beckenham and that he held land in the Parish of St. Mary Woolnoth in the city of London. There are other references to land in Beckenham being connected to other land in the city via grants and leases.
1274/5?
- Kent Hundred Rolls: Beckenham and Foxgrove; translation of a latin
document in the National
Archive taken from http://www.kentarchaeology.ac/khrp/hrproject.pdf
Edward I returned from crusade in 1274 to a kingdom where the crown had been weakened by civil war during the baronial reform period of 1258-65, and where there was extensive local government corruption. According to the heading of the Kent Hundred Rolls, inquiry was to be made into the king’s rights which had been usurped by lay and ecclesiastical lords, and into the excessive demands of sheriffs, escheators and coroners, and also of bailiffs and other officials, whether royal or seigniorial. Many of the encroachments on royal rights, often dating from c.1258-65, were the result of the expansion of royal government and justice in the thirteenth century. As new royal procedures developed, lay and ecclesiastical lords did their best to take them over for their own use, in order to strengthen their hold over their tenants. Henry III had ordered an inquiry into franchises in 1255, and Edward I throughout his reign was intent on building up the rights and powers of the Crown. He and his lawyers considered that all judicial rights belonged to the Crown, and any private liberty or franchise had to be backed up by royal warrant. He was, moreover, a reformer of law and justice, and realised that discontent among his subjects might lead to protest and rebellion. On the other hand, justice and good government would increase his prestige and his revenues.
Bromley Hundred - The jury say that Beckenham manor was at one time in the lord king’s hand and now Sir Richard de Rupella holds it of the lord king in chief by the service of one knight and they do not know by what warrant. They also say that half the hundred of Bromley is in the lord king’s hand and it is worth 6s. each year and the other moiety of the same hundred is in the bishop of Rochester’s hand but they do not know what it is worth each year. Then they say that a certain land called Foxgrove [Beckenham par.] in the vill of Beckenham is of the lord king’s fee and now John Malemains holds that of Sir Robert Agillon (Aguillon) by the service of a fourth part of one knight’s fee, but from what time or how it was alienated they do not know. Then they say that half the hundred of Bromley was withdrawn by the bishop of Rochester who holds the half hundred for 10 years and it is worth 10s. each year, with loss of 20s. each year to the king. Then they say that the archbishop of Canterbury has the assize of bread and ale and other liberties, as has often been said before but they do not know by what warrant. Then they say that the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of Rochester and Sir Richard de Rupella have chace and warrens in their demesnes from ancient times but they do not know by what warrant. Then they say that Adam de Walais, then the bailiff, took 18d. from Ralph de Langel for removing the same man from one assize. money from them for remitting the same summons. Then they say that Hamo de la Forstall gave a certain sum of money more than the ancient farm of this lathe, to Sir Henry Malemains, the sheriff, and because of this he greatly oppressed the people and country unjustly and Alexander de Cateford and Richard de Halifield, who were bailiffs after the said Hamo, acted in the same way and they say that the said Richard took 10s. from Henry de Ponte falsely accusing him of robbery, for a similar reason he took 10s. from Walkelin de Ponte, 2s. from Adam Fidel and 3s. from Richard de la Denne. Then they say that Master Richard de Clifford, the escheator, took possession of Beckenham manor for the lord king by declaring that Richard de Rupella was dead (5 Edward I[1]) and afterwards he took 1 tun of wine, price 1 mark, from Henry le Walais (Waleys) who held the same manor at farm, before he was able to hold and have the term of his farm. Then they say that the same Master Richard, the escheator, caused the greatest destruction in the archbishopric of Canterbury at the time of its vacancy, but they do not know how much. Then [he took] 6d. from Walkelin de Ponte for a similar reason, 4d. from Henry de Ponte for a similar reason and for a similar reason the same Adam took money, corn and timber beyond measure from many men of Bromley hundred. Then the same Adam falsely summoned the men of this hundred at Guildford and afterwards took much.
Jurors for the Hundred of Bromley: Hundred of
Bromley
John of Foxgrove, John
Wymer, Gilbert of
Raunesden, Ralph de
Perre, Lambert Russel, Ivo
de Reyerse.
Of
the names mentioned here we have record of Rupella/Rokele in several
references. de Langel is mentioned in a later Lay Subsidy Roll,
Malmains is in other references as is Walais/Waleys. Of the jurors John
of Foxgrove may have been written 'de Foxgrove' or 'de Foxegrave' in
the latin text but
not necessarily the family from whom the manor derived its name, rather
the other way round? This is among the insights we can get from
contemporary documents and accounts. Escheators are
officers who take care of the Crown's interests. The
escheator was responsible for reclaiming property for the crown where a
legal heir did not exist. Richard de Rupella (Rokele) did not die until
1277. Absences may have been due to wars and crusades or foreign
duties as the Rokeles held posts in Ireland for the king. And there was
an heir in Philip de la Rokele.The actions of Richard de Clifford
seemingly gave rise to characterisations such as the Sherrif of
Nottingham in Robin Hood.
1295 - Beckenham
Manor; Post Mortem Inquisition; 258.PHILIP DE LA ROKELE. Writ, 5 Oct. 23 Edw. I.(1295)
nq. 18 Oct. 23 Edw. I.
ESSEX. Wokyndon. A messuage &c., 400a. arable, 24a. meadow, 30a. pasture. 10a.
heath, a windmill, 33s. 10d. rent
of free tenants, 8l. 6s. 2d. rent of customers, and works, with geese, cocks and
hens, held of Humphrey de Bonn earl of Hertford (sic)
by service of 3 1/2 knights’ fees.
Maud his daughter, aged 10, is his next heir.
KENT.inq. Friday after St Luke, 23 Edw. I. Beghenham.
The manor (extent given) held of the king in chief by service of a
knight’s fee.
Herst. 40a. arable held of the abbot of Westminster
by service of 20s. yearly.
Heir as above, aged 9 1/2 years.C. Edw. I. File 71.
(8.)
Philipot
stated that Richard de Rokeley(Rokele)
was succeeded in the Possession of Beckenham Manor by Philip
de la Rokeley,
and he held it likewise at his Death, which happened in the 23rd year
of
Edw.
the first,(1294)
and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Isolda
de la Rokeley
matched to William
Bruin,
by whom She had Issue Sir Maurice
Bruin,
Chamberlaine to K. Edw.the
third, honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst
the Peers of this Realm, also sheriff of Essex second year of Henry VI
(Philipot)
But evidence in the post mortem inquisition shows that Philipot
is wrong about
Isolda and it was Maud de la Rokeley, daughter of
Philip, later married
to Maurice Bruyn/Brune who carried Beckenham Manor and
Wokyndon(Ockendon, Essex) to the Bruyn family. The confusion may lie in
the fact that Maud was a minor and the father of her future husband,
William Brun was married to Isolda but it doesn't fully answer the
difference. Evidence shows that Maud, aged 9.1/2 here was married at
about age 12 and may already have been a widow when marrying Maurice
Bruyn. Betrothals and marriages were often performed on adolescents to
ensure inheritance of property.
Philip
is survived by his widow Joan who holds the land in dower during her
daughter's minority or until married. Joan
remarries to Richard Chiggewelle and the daughter Maud becomes his
stepdaughter and ward until her marriage to Maurice le Bruyn.
The
National Archive has reference to a Post
Mortem Inquisition: Philip de la Rokeley, 23 Edward I (1294)
Beghenham Kent the
manor (extent given) held of the king in chief by service of a knight’s
fee.
Herst (Clayherst?) 40a of arable held of the Abbot of Westminster by
service of 20s yearly. Heir Maud his daughter aged 9 and a half.
[1]
National
Archives – Kent Hundred Rolls 1274/5
1301 -
We have a slight conundrum here in that the Manor of Beckenham was said
to held by the Rokeles but the Battle Abbey Role by the Duchess of
Cleveland differs. But as that was written in 1889 we might assume it
perpetuates some inaccuracies which originated in Philipot and repeated
in Hasted. The publication states:
"Rokell : from Rochelle in the Cotentin. "In 1130 Humfrid de Rochella had lands in Dorset; in 1165 we find William de Rochelle in Essex (Rot. Pip. Lib. Niger). The former witnessed the charter of William de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, founding Walden Abbey" (Mon. i. 460).—The Norman People. South-Okendon, or Wokyndon, in Essex, took its name of Rokele from its ancient owners. The above-mentioned William held it in the reign of Henry II. of Hugh de Eu, under Geoffrey de Mandeville: "in some deeds he is styled William de Eu. Probably he married a daughter of Hugh, and so came into this manor. The capital Seat was a stately one, not far from the Church, on the right hand side of the road leading to Warley and Burntwood."—Morants Essex. He was succeeded by Sir Richard de la Rokele, at whose death in 1222, the manor was confirmed to his son, to be held by knight's service of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford. There were only two more heirs; the last, Philip, died in 1295, leaving two daughters and coheirs, Maud and Isolda. Maud was married to Lord Grey; and "Isolda brought Wokyndon Rokele in marriage to Sir William de Brune, of the Bed-Chamber to King Ed. I., who was so much in favour with that Prince, that he gave him the Manor of Beckingham in Kent: And his wife, Isolda, who was Lady of the Bed-Chamber to Queen Alianor, obtained also from her several lordships."—Ibid, The arms of Rokele were Lozengy, Gules; whereas the De la Rochelles of Normandy (according to Drouet-Darcq's Armorial de la France) in 1360 bore two bends Argent with seven escallops.
The name is found in several other counties. Grangevilles Rockells, in Norfolk, was granted in the thirteenth century by Sir Richard de Rokele (perhaps the same who was seated in Essex) to Reginald de Kareville, as the marriage portion of his daughter Alice.—Blomfield. Richard de la Rokele, joint Lord of Flitcham-cum-Appleton, Oulton, and Walton, was knight of the shire in 1311 and 1314; and Godfrey de la Rokele held at Colney, Tibbenham, and Aslacton, in the same county in 1316. Besides these, I find mentioned in Palgrave's Parliamentary Writs, Humphrey de la Rochelle, of Frilsham and Marsham, Berkshire; Robert de la Rokele of Astwood in Buckinghamshire, Martin de la Rokele, one of the Justices appointed in that county in 1309; and John de la Rokele, of Holland in Yorkshire, one of the "Fideles" of Ireland, who received a writ of military summons in 1322. Another Essex manor, Coggeshall Rokells, bore their name."
William
Bruyn died in 1301 and the 1295 entry says Philip de la Rokele's
daughter Maud was 9 at that time. The source material for the Battle
Abbey Role cannot be investigated but the post mortem inquisition
record (see 1295) throws some doubt upon it ie. "Maud his daughter aged
9.1/2".
1302 - Manor of Beckenham: GRANTOR: Executors of Henry le Waleys, citizen of London. GRANTEE: Nuns Minoresses (Juliana, abbess). PLACE OR SUBJECT: Grant, indented, of a tenement called `Bekenham' in the city of London. COUNTY: London. (National Archive). There is reference to Henry le Waleys acquiring Beckenham Manor with associated property in the City. Given that several Beckenham incumbents were Mayors or Aldermen of London this is very likely. Various transfers of property over the years may have added or separated parts of the Manor. As we believe the manor to have been leased and sub-leased on a regular basis then this grant looks like le Waleys donating rents to the Priory/Prioress.
Maud de la Rokele who was heiress to Beckenham
Manor would be about 16 years of age. The possibility exists that the
Rokeles or Bruyns leased to Henry le Waleys who then sub-leased.
Bearing in mind that the Rokeles and Bruyns treated Essex estates
as a primary base along with the properties in Hampshire with Beckenham
being mainly and income generator from rents.
1303
- Langley?: John de Malmains said to have possessed Langley is sued for
debt by inquisition. From a Latin document, source: National Archive.
Whether a connection exists is speculative.
Debtor: John Malmaines {Malemeyns}, knight, of Kent [held parts of fees in Eastry Hundred, Kent], and William de Brenton {?Brampton] of Kent.
Creditor: Geoffrey de Conduit, citizen of London.
Amount: £30.
Before whom: John le Blund, Mayor of London; Henry de Leicester, Clerk.
First term: 22/07/1303
Last term: 22/07/1303
Writ to: Sheriff of Kent
Sent by: John le Blund, Mayor of London; Henry de Leicester, Clerk.
1307 - King Edward II until 1327
1308 - Penge/Kenthouse but connected to Joan Bruyn, wife of Maurice by her second marriage to Richard Chyggewell?: Close Rolls; March 20.Westminster. John Tolomer came before the king, on Friday next after the feast of St. Benedict the Abbot last past, and sought to replevy to Robert de Chyggewelle his land in Batricheseye, taken into the king's hands for the said Robert's default before the justices of the Bench against Walter Fraunceys. This was signified to the said justices.
March 23.Westminster.The same John came before the king, on Friday next before the feast of the Annunciation, and sought to replevy to himself the land of the said Robert in Batrichesseye and Beghhonham, which land was taken, etc.Robert
Chyggewelle was the son of Richard Chiggewell who had married the
widowed Joan Bruyn, Joan dies in 1324 holding the land life.
1308 - Repair of church at Beckenham. Trespass cutting down of trees. William Bush parson of Beckenham v. John de Ponton, Richard de Langele sr, Ralph de Steineshull,(Stommeshulle?) William son of Richard de Langele sr, Walter le Lunge, Adam Wythel, William Fraunceys, John Anketyn, William de Berkhamstede, Robert de Langele, Henry Altherman, Richard Aylmere, Ralph Aylmere, Thomas Aylmere & Gilbert de Crokedenne. John de Ponton, Richard de Langele sr, and Ralph de Steineshull justify as wardens of the work of the church of Beckenham; because the interior of the church needed repair, they with the others as parishioners of the church and by the consent, license, and will of the parson cut the trees and took them to the church to repair the church. No verdict. [30]
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/E2/KB27no194/bKB27no194dorses/IMG_0430.htm
The transcript of the name Ralph Steineshull could be wrong and it may be Ralph Stomeshull which we believe is the same as Stommeshulle which appears in the Lay Subsidy Roll of 1334 and we have connected that with the latter day placename of Stumpshill.
1313 - Post Mortem Inquisition; WILLIAM DE BLIBURGH.Writ, 12 March, 6 Edw. II.
Inq. made at Bromlegh on Sunday,
18 March, 6 Edw. II. Bromlygh.
A
messuage, 2a.
garden, 1 1/2a. wood, 3a. 3r. meadow, 26a. arable, and 3a. alder-wood, held of the bishop of Rochester by
service of rendering 5s. yearly and suit of court.
Hese. (Hayes) 4 1/2a. pasture held of the prior of
Christ Church, Canterbury, by service of rendering 1 1/2d.
yearly.
Beghenham. (Beckenham) 2a. wood and 20a.
arable, held of Maurice le Brun by service of rendering 5s.
4d. yearly.
Agnes de Blyburgh,(niece) aged 35, the wife of Richard de Donlee, and
daughter
of Amy (Amie) sister of the said William, is his next
heir; the jury know not of any co-heirs.
This
indicates a sub-tenant of Maurice le Brun for a relatively small
piece in Beckenham but one could guess that the land might be
connected on the Beckenham, Bromley, Hayes borders approx. 62 acres in
all. However we find on later maps that land holding were not
always contiguous, having outlying fields and plots. The names Bliburgh
and Donlee could be researched further. Bliburgh/Blyburgh held
Simpsons Place in Bromley and reputedly had a licence to crenalate or
fortify his house. Its not known but one could assume the Beckenham and
Hayes property to have been bordering his Simpsons Place property.
(BHO/E.L.Horsburgh)
1317 - Patent Rolls:March 10. York. Licence, after inquisition ad quod damnum taken by Master Richard de Clare, king's clerk, escheator beyond Trent for John Abel to enclose a way leading from Gadeford (Cadeford/Catford) to Beghenham (Bekenham) under his dwelling place of Cypenham (Sibenham/Sydenham) in Leuesham (Lewisham) for the enlargement of his said dwelling place, provided he make another sufficient way in his own soil containing 70 perches of land in length and 24 feet in width.
1324 - Beckenham, Foxgrove? Kenthouse?; Post
Mortem Inquisition;
JOAN, LATE THE WIFE OF RICHARD DE CHIGGEWELL alias DE CHYKEWELLE. (Joan was also
widow
of Philip de la Rokele and mother of Maud/Matilda Bruyn)
Writ, 15 October, 18 Edward
II. Inq. Sunday after All Saints, 18 Edward II.
Beghenham. A messuage and 140a.
land, which the said Richard acquired to himself, the said Joan, and
the heirs of the said Richard, held for life by the said Joan of
Maurice de Brun by service of 11s. yearly, and
rendering 1lb. pepper to Thomas Bardolf yearly; and
120a. land held for life, by acquisition (de
acquisito) with the abovesaid Richard, of the said Maurice by
divers services.
Leuesham. 40a. land similarly held for life of the
prior of Leuesham by service of 12s. yearly.
Robert his son, aged 40 and more, is next heir of the said Richard.
Other evidence shows Kenthouse on the Lewisham/Sydenham borders underpinning my view that this relates to Kenthouse. This is among the many assumptions we are tempted to conclude. This 140a matches Kenthouse in 1346
Richard
de Chigwell was an owner of ships, quays, mills and had a large
staff of agents and an alderman. They handled hanseatic timber, cloth,
wool,
wine and massive quantities of grain. He held property in 6 London
parishes as
well as in Kent & Essex and was the third highest taxpayer in 1292[1].
He died in 1306. Joan,
his wife, was daughter of Simon de Gardino and appears to have died in
1324 and
her will survives. He was appointed wardship (as godfather) to Maud
daughter of
Philip de la Rochelle (Rokele/Rupella) and she is supposed to have
married
Maurice le
Bruyn by 1300[2].
On
evidence it would seem that Maud (aka Matilda) married Maurice at the
age of about 14, there is evidence of an inquest about this[3]. An Isolda (Isuelt) appears
to have been married to Maurice’s father Sir William Bruyn[4] and therefore to be mother
of Maurice.
[1] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hmfZlJ4hi-0C&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=%22richard+de+chigwell%22+kent&source=bl&ots=p5XkU2S92r&sig=ACfU3U1FEKCAVwl_xOoEOGMKGM_Gj7LsEA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvn4qYo9PoAhWLasAKHXy5A8sQ6AEwAnoECAsQLg#v=onepage&q=%22richard%20de%20chigwell%22%20kent&f=false
1327 - King Edward III (until 1377)
1328 - Part of Beckenham Manor; Post Mortem
Inquisition: WILLIAM LE
LATYMER, LE LATIMER, or LATIMER. Writ, 2 March, 1 Edward III.
Inq. 11 March, 1 Edward III. Asshe. The manor (extent
given), held of the heir of John de Mouubrai
by service of a quarter of a knight’s fee and rendering at the said
heir’s manor of Ryerhs (Ryarsh) for the ward of the castle of Rochester
24s. yearly.
Bromlegh.
2 messuages, lands, and a water-mill (extent given), including a
tenement called Blakebrok, held of the bishop of Rochester by service
of 8s. yearly, and doing suit at his court of
Bromlegh every three weeks; and 3a. of marsh pasture
held of the prior of Christchurch, Canterbury, by service of 4d. yearly.
Beghenham. 57a. arable and 3a.
marsh pasture, held of Maurice de Brun by service of 10s.
3d. yearly, and doing suit at his court of Beghenham
every three weeks.
William his son, aged 26 years, is his next heir.
This shows a
tenancy under Maurice de Brun
(le Bruyn) for part of Beckenham Manor. Marsh pasture implies a
waterside position. Doing suit at court is unclear whether it meant
taking part in proceedings or a periodic payment, perhaps both? However
this three weekly procedure could imply le Brun holds something akin to
a magistrates court and is in residence at least regularly at
Beckenham. Similarly, Latimer had the obligation for the same service
to the Bishop of Rochester at Bromley.
1330
Langley purchased by Henry
de Cliffe, "to whom
they accrued by Purchase from Malmains,
in the third year of Edward
the third;(1330)
but stayed not long in the Tenure of this Family. (see 1319) (Philipot
and Hasted). But is this questionable as a will for de Cliffe
of 1331 leaves Foxgrove to a nephew with no mention of Langley or any
other Beckenham property unless of course Foxgrove included Langley at
this time.
Henry
de Cliffe is
mentioned in https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wtoPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA246&dq=henry+de+Cliffe&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiCmYeJn43mAhWKT8AKHRfOCwIQ6AEIKjAA
Henry
de Clyf is listed in the Lay Subsidy Roll for Beckenham in 1334 as a
landowner as are the Langley family. Philipot, repeated by Hasted say
that the Langley family purchased the Langley estate in 1377 so we are
still looking for the documentary evidence for the lands owned by de
Clyf and before him by Malmaines
1331 - Foxgrove; The will of Henry de Cliffe (Clyf). Among several legacies of money and belongings he says; to Henry the son of John de Clyff, to whom I assign my manor of Foxgrove, and other lands and tenements in the Bekenham,
This
will describes Henry wishing to be buried in the diocese of York
perhaps indicating that Foxgrove was not his domicile. His position is
King's clerk (or one of them). As de Cliffe(Clyf) has been linked
to Langley by some writers it remains unclear whether other lands
and tenements in Bekenham include Langley or parts of it.
1333 -
Foxgrove; Foot of Fine (267) York: From Michaelmas in
three weeks 7 Edward III.
see http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/fines/FinesArticle.pdf
for explanation of Feet of Fines (Final Accord, in three parts, the
'foot' being held by the Treasury. a conveyance of property)
1333
- Court of Chancery; Debtor John de Vienne of Beckenham, of Kent.
Creditor John Jakelot, butcher of London. Amount £40. Before whom: John
de Pulteney, Mayor of London, Henry de St Osyth. (National Archive).
Vienne derived from a placename in France. £40 would have been a large sum of money. We can only remain curious about the reasons for such a debt.
1333
- Bromley; Enrolment of release by Conan
son of Henry, knight, to Richard Lacer,
citizen of London, and Juliana his wife, of his right in the manors of
Biomlegh (Bromlegh) and Blakebrok and in all their appurtenances, which
Conan had
by the gift of William le Latimer, knight, in co. Kent, in exchange for
the manor of Liverton, to hold of the chief lords of the fee by the
accustomed services. Witnesses: Maurice de Brune, Bartholomew
Fanacourt, William Carbonel, knights, Thomas de Bakewell, Thomas
Herwald, Robert de Ely, William Moraunt, Henry Darcy of London. Dated
at Bromlegh, eo. Kent, on Sunday, after the octaves of the
Purification, 7 Edward III. Memorandum,
that the said Conan came into chancery at York on 5 March and
acknowledged the preceding deed. (BHO, Bromlegh mistyped or
mistranscribed)
This
connects to Lacer/Bruyn and Marny some years later and Maurice Brune
the same as Bruyn. Maurice Brune was the father of William Brune/Bruyn
who married Richard Lacer's daughter Alice.
1334 Beckenham (all of); Lay Subsidy Roll Taxation record: This source of information may give some clues to the derivations of local names. In the list of names we find John and Ralph Stomeshulle from which could be derived Stumpshill, Cleyhurst is perhaps a basis for Clay Hill, Langel and Langele as the source of Langley and Eylmer for Elmers End, Humfray for Humphrey. Then it gets less obvious: ie Hauek for Hawk as in Hawksbrook? The Roll has 48 names for Beckenham paying a total of £7.30 in tax.
Some
of the names in the Lay Subsidy Roll are mentioned in Philipot’s and
Hasted’s histories, such as Bruyn and Langley. We are at the mercy of
other researchers who may find and publish other records be bearing in
mind that information may be in old English or even Latin. (source:https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/KRV/18/3/140.htm
)
Philipot had stated about Langley, the name and place: before the going out of Edward the third,(1377) I find the Propriety invested by Sale in Langley, to which Family the Foundation of that House owes in part its Original, on which they ingraffed their own Name, which hath flourished under that Title ever since, though the Family be withered away and gone, the last of which Name at this place was Ralph Langley, who with Roger Twisden, Stephen Monins, Edward Monins, John Edingham or Engham, Richard Edingham, John Berton of Cotmanton in Shouldon, John Berham, John Betenham of Shurland in Pluckley, and others, Gentlemen of prime Rank in this County, were summoned to appear before Robert Poynings and John Perry, in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth,(1434) to disclaim the Title of the House of York, and this Ralph died in the year 1451, and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts, the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed, and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley, passed away by Sale to John Violett,
1346
- Beckenham/Foxgrove ?; Book of Aid to the Black Prince (Archaeologica
Cantana) mentions Joan/John Rokesle and John de Foxegrave; ASSESSMENTS
IN
KENT;
Hundred de.BromKegh.e et Weghenhatn (Beghenham.)
de heredibus Johanne de Rokesle et Johannis de Foxegrave pro dimidio
feodo quod predicti Johanna et Johannes tenuerunt in Beghenham Summa
xlj s.viij. d. pro j f. et xvi parte j. f.
https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/ArchCant/010%20-%201876/010-13.pdf
1346
- Kent
House: April 26.Westminster.
Enrolment
of deed testifying that whereas Master Henry de Clyf, clerk, deceased,
lately granted by his deed to Henry de Seccheford, now deceased, and
Alice his wife to hold a messuage, 140 acres of land called Kenthouse
in Beghenham, co. Kent, of him, rendering 40s. yearly to him, so
that if Henry and Alice should die without an heir of their bodies, the
messuage and land should remain to Hugh son of John de Balne, and
Master Henry granted by his deed to Hugh the said 40s. yearly, Hugh has
released to Alice, who now holds the messuage and land, the said 40s.
rent and all his right and claim in the messuage and land. Witnesses:
Sir Maurice le Brune, Sir William le Brune, knights, John de
Huntyngfeld, Peter Godesone, Andrew de Seccheford, Hugh le Hatter of
Croidon, John le Mazon of Beghenham. Dated
at Beghenham on Wednesday after St. Mark, 1346.
Memorandum that Hugh came into chancery at
Westminster on 27 April and acknowledged the preceding deed. (BHO)
1346
- Richard le Lacer is Mayor of the City of London. resides or has
property in Bromley, is father of Alice Lacer who married Sir William
Bruyn.
1347 - The
Black Death
1355 -
Manor of Beckenham: Sir Maurice
Bruyn/Bruin,
Chamberlaine to K. Edw.
the third, honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst
the Peers of this Realm,who
by a Right derived to him from his Mother, was possest of Beckenham
Manor at his
Death, in the twenty ninth of Edward
the third, (1355)
and transmitted a wide and spreading Revenue to his Posterity here,
at Southokenden
in Essex,
and at Roumere
in Hantshire,
which last was given in Appendage to a younger Son, from whom the
Bruins
of Athelhampton
in the County of Dorset,
are lineally descended. But when after a fair continuance this Family
had flourished at this Place, the Distaffe prevailed against the
Speare, (female
heirs only) (source: Philipot) (seen Henry Bruyn and his daughters,
Alice and Elizabeth)
Inquisition. taken at Mallyng, Monday the feast of St. Matthew, 29 Edward III.(1355) Foxgrove. The manor held of Thomas Bardolf by service of 6s. 8d. yearly, the abbot of Gaunt by service of 5s. yearly, William Bruyn, knight, by service of 56s. 6d. yearly, and of the heir of Richard le Hauk by service of 16d. yearly.
Inquisition Post Mortem BARTHOLOMEW DE
BURGHERSSH THE ELDER.Writ, 6 August, 29 Edward III.Inq. taken at Mallyng, Monday the feast of St. Matthew,
29 Edward III.
Shoford. The manor held of the archbishop of
Canterbury by service of a
fourth part of a knight’s fee, of the prior of Ledys by service of 5s. yearly, of Robert Vynter by service of 2s.
10d., and of Thomas Colpeper by service of 8d. yearly.
Chidyngston. The manor held of the same archbishop by service of 6s. 1 1/2d. yearly, of the abbot of
Gaunt by service of 23 3/4d., of Reynold de Cobeham,
knight, by service of 18s. 2 1/2d.
yearly, of John de Beauchamp, knight, by service of 3d.
yearly, Ralph de Frenyngham, knight, by service of 14s.
yearly, Oliver Brokas by service of 5d. yearly, John
Cook by service of 11d. yearly, Robert Chaloner by
service of 2s. 3d. yearly, and the
heirs of Robert de Hanedenn by service of 10 1/2d.
yearly.
Heandenn. The manor held of Ralph, earl of Stafford, by service of 56s. 11d. and six hens yearly, Ralph de
Frenyngham, knight, by service of 36s. 1 1/2d. yearly, Otho de Grandissono, knight, by service of 7s. 9 3/4d. yearly, John de Cobham,
knight, and Oliver Brokas by service of 3s. yearly,
Alan de Chelescombe by service of 14d. yearly, and
Robert Bothel by service of 8d. yearly.
Foxgrove. The manor held of Thomas Bardolf by service of 6s.
8d. yearly, the abbot of Gaunt by service of 5s. yearly, William Bruyn, knight, by service of 56s. 6d. yearly, and of the heir of
Richard le Hauk by service of 16d. yearly.
Plumpstede.
The manor held jointly with Elizabeth his wife, to them and the heirs
of the said Bartholomew, of the abbot of St. Augustine’s, Canterbury,
by service of 52s. yearly, Giles de Beauchamp,
knight, and Nicholas Burnel, knight, by service of 12s.
1d. yearly, John son of Humphrey de Cobham, by
service of 4s. 4 1/2d. yearly, and
of the church of Plumpstede by service of 2s. 7 1/2d. yearly.
He died on 3 August last. Bartholomew de Burgherssh, knight, his son,
aged 26 years, is his heir.
Writ, 13 August, 29 Edward III.
Fine levied in the octaves of the Purification, 50 Edw.III., (1377) between Robert de Marny, knt., and his wife Alice, Complainants, and Warren de Eyrdale and Joan his wife, deforciants, touching a messuage and lands in Stifford, and two parts of the advowson of the church of the same town.
Deed poll of Ingram Bruyn, son and heir of William Bruyn, knt., dated Tuesday next after the feast of St.John the Baptist, 1377, granting to Robert de Marny, knt., and Alice his wife (the grantor’s mother), the said manors of Southwokyndon (Essex), Bekenham (Kent), and advowson of the church of the same town, the manors of Rounor, Fordyngbrigge (Hants), and Randolveston (Dorset). [Norman].
Deed poll of Ingram Brun, dated 1 July 1377?, discharging Robert de Marny from the covenants of a certain indenture made 15 Nov., 48 Edw.III (1375) (between dame Katherine de la Pole, late wife of William de la Pole, knt., and his son Edmond de la Pole, knt., of the one part and the said Robert de Marny, knt.. of the other part.
Fine levied in the octaves of the Holy Trinity, 12 Ric. II., (1389) between the said Robert de Bourton parson of Southwokyndon, John Coly, parson of Stifford, and John Martham, parson of Bekenham, complainants, and Robert de Marny, knt., and Alice his wife, deforciants, touching the manors of Forthingbrigg and Rouenore, and lands in Forthingbrigg and Brouneandevere, and the advowson of the church of Rouenore, (Hants), the manor of Randolveston? (Dorset), and Bekenham (Kent). And the advowson of the church of the same manor.
Tripartite indenture, dated 2 Mar,. 16 Ric. II., (1393) whereby (after reciting the previous deeds, etc., as well as the death of the said John Colyn) John Martham, parson of Bekenham, limits the manor and advowson of the church of Bekenham (Kent), and the manor of Forthingbrigge (Hants), and a toft and plough-land called Godeshull, in the town of Forthingbrigge (Hants), and the manor of Randolveston? (Dorset), to Robert de Marny, for life, with remainder to Ingram Brun in tail maile, in default to the said William de Marny, and the other remainders noticed in the preceeding deed.
Power of attorney, dated 2 March, 16 Ric.II., (1393) from the said John Martham parson of Bekenham to William Aylmar and John Payne, to deliver seizing of the lands mentioned in the preceeding deed to Robert de Marny, kt.
1360
- Beckenham Manor; Regarding Sir Robert de Marney, second husband of
Alice le Lacer, widow of William Bruyn. This extract says Maurice Bruyn
but I think that is an error based on other sources.
During a respite from military service, the rapacious Sir Robert set his sights on the extensive Bruyn estates. In 1360 he had obtained from Sir Maurice (William?) Bruyn and his wife, Alice, an annual rent of £40 from their manor of South Ockendon, Essex, having already acquired all their interests there and at Beckenham in Kent for a period of 15 years. Bruyn died two years later, and in 1363 Marney joined the widow in purchasing, for £200, the wardship and marriage of her son Ingram Bruyn, heir not only to the estates in Essex and Kent but also to Ranston (Dorset) and Rowner (Hampshire). He then married Alice and persuaded Ingram when he came of age in 1375 to confer on them the whole of his inheritance for term of their lives. Meanwhile, Marney had negotiated Ingram’s marriage to the elder daughter of Sir Edmund de la Pole*, brother of the future earl of Suffolk. Marney’s alliance with Alice Bruyn had also brought him very substantial properties in London and Kent which she inherited after the death of her father, Richard Lacer, a wealthy mercer and former mayor of the City. Even before her marriage to Marney, Alice had entrusted her property to his feoffees, who in 1365 assisted him to negotiate with her sister Katherine, widow of John atte Pole of Shoreditch, a partition of the Lacer estate in his favour. The Marneys sold some of these holdings in 1374 and settled a few others on Ingram Bruyn in the following year. (Source: History of Parliament, recommended read of the full article)
This is an example of the errors or mismatches in information that we have to sort through. Although the description of de Marneys activities is enlightening names do get transposed.
1360 - Writing of William Brun knight, granting to Richard atte Seler and John Maryns citizens of London and to their assigns a yearly rent of 20l. to be taken of his whole manor of Bekenham co. Kent and of all other his lands there at Easter and Michaelmas by even portions, with power of distraint if the same be in arrear; and William has paid 6d. down in name of seisin. Dated London, 28 November 34 Edward III.
Writing of William Brun knight, granting similarly to Richard atte Seler and John Maryns and to their assigns a yearly rent of 40l. to be taken of his whole manor of Southwokyndon co. Essex and of all other his lands there. Dated (as above).Memorandum of acknowledgment of the foregoing writings, 30 November.
Indenture, made at London 1 December 34 Edward
III, between Sir William
de Brun knight and Dame Alice his wife of the one part and Richard atte
Seler and John Maryns citizens of London of the other part, witnessing
that Sir William and Dame Alice have granted and to farm let to Richard
and John and to their assigns the manor of Southwokyndon and all other
their lands in Southwokyndon co. Essex for fifteen years, rendering 60
marks a year in the church of Southwokyndon within the quinzaine of
Michaelmas and the quinzaine of Easter by even portions, and at the end
of that term Richard and John shall leave the houses within the close
of the said manor in good repair against wind and rain; and William
grants that Richard and John and their assigns may cut, lop and carry
timber, wood and brushwood as much as they please in all his woods in
Bekenham co. Kent when they please during all that term for all
expenses to be made in regard to houses, mills, palings, bridges, hays,
dikes and enclosures whatsoever in the manor and lands aforesaid and
for fuel therein, and shall have ingress and egress in the said woods
for that purpose, and that all costs incurred by them thereupon from
Michaelmas next for one whole year shall be allowed them in their
payments; William and Alice will warrant them the premises during the
term aforesaid; they will not sell, alien nor charge the same or any
parcel thereof to any person during that term, and if Richard and John
suffer distraint by reason of any annuity or charge or for any service
in arrear Sir William will within six weeks return the same and make
full restitution for their damages and costs; he will not oust,
impeach, damage or disturb them of their bargain; and whereas by his
writing he has granted them a yearly rent of 40l. in
the said manor and an annuity of 20l.
in his manor of Bekenham, Richard and John grant that, if Sir William
perform the covenants in this indentured contained, those annuities
shall be void. French.Memorandum of
acknowledgment by the parties, 1 December. (BHO)
1361 - History of Essex/South Ockendon which
features in the histories of the Bruyn and Tyrell famililes; Cal. Inq.
p.m. iii, p. 163; cf. Cal. Close, 1360–4, 142: the lessee of S.
Ockendon may take timber at Beckenham for the repair of S. Ockendon
dwellings.
| DORSET. | Inq. (indented) taken at Blaneford, Monday the morrow of Palm Sunday, 36 Edward III. |
| Randolfston.
The manor (extent given), held jointly by the deceased and Alice his
wife, who survives, to them and the heirs of their bodies, by gift of
Maurice Bruyn, father of the deceased, whether with the king’s licence
or not the jurors know not. The manor is held of the king in chief by
knight’s service. He held no other lands &c. in the county. Date of death and heir as above. Writ, 8 March, 36 Edward III. |
|
| SOUTHAMPTON. | Inq. made at Fordyngbrigg, 6 April, 36 Edward III. |
| Fordyngbrigg
and Migham. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief, as of
the honor of Camel, by service of a third part of a knight’s fee. Roghenore. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief by service of grand serjeanty and by paying 40s. yearly at Winchester castle. Crofton. A liberty so called, in the hundred of Tichefeld, held of the earl of Rychemond by knight’s service, but by what portion of a fee the jurors know not. (fn. 2) Candover. A messuage and a carucate of land containing 100a. arable, held of the abbot of Hyde by knight’s service, but by what portion of a fee the jurors know not. Date of death and heir as above. |
|
| C. Edw. III. File 168. (27.) | |
| E. Inq. P.M. File 20. (22.) (Hants.) |
1365 - Beckenham (Manor) but more likely
miscellaneous properties from the estate of Richard le Lacer who was
father of Alice (now Marny) and Katherine (now atte Pole); Quitclaim
24/06/1365 Quitclaim
from Robert de Marny, Alice his wife, and Robert de Bourton, recently
sacristan of the church of Canterbury, of Leyre Marny, and John atte
Bregge, to Katherine, widow of John atte Pole of Shoreditch, James
Walsshe, clerk, and Gilbert Neal, clerk relating to lands and tenements
formerly of Richard Lacer (the older and younger) in Bromley,
Beckenham, Hayes, Chislehurst and Lewisham, Kent
[2 broken seals] (source; BromleyHC)
1365 - October; Burghersh and Pavely are connected
through family intermarriage and 'members and parcels' connected with
the manor of Burghersh might include Beckenham/Foxgrove land.
Charter
of Thomas de Aldoun knight, giving with warranty to Sir Bartholomew
Burgherssh knight, his heirs and assigns, his manor of Burgherssh with
all lands, rents, services etc. thereto belonging. Witnesses: William
Hichyngham, John Waleys, John Seint Cler knights, Richard Hurst, John
de Asshebournham, Roger de Asshebournham. Dated Henden co. Kent, 3
November 39 Edward III.Writing
of Thomas de Aldoun knight, being a quitclaim with warranty to Sir
Bartholomew Burgherssh knight, his heirs and assigns, of the manor of
Burgherssh with all lands etc. thereto belonging. Witnesses (as the last). Dated Henden co. Kent, 5 November 39
Edward III.
Memorandum of
acknowledgment of the foregoing charter and writing, 6 November.
Indenture
of accord between Sir Bartholomew de Burghersh and Sir Walter de Pavely
of the one part and Sir Thomas Daldoun of the other part touching
certain debates and pleas between them moved, that the said Sir Thomas,
by fine levied by himself and his wife and otherwise as counsel shall
appoint, shall assure to Sir Bartholomew the manor of Burghersh and all
members and parcels thereto pertaining discharged of all charges save
the lordship of the fee; that the said Sir Walter has released a yearly
rent of 40l. which Sir Thomas granted to him and to
his heirs for release of certain manors claimed by Sir Walter as his
heritage in tail; that he shall also release to Sir Thomas the
reversion of the lands of his heritage on his father's side, and not on
his mother's side, which ought to come to him in case Sir Thomas should
die without issue male of his body, for which release Sir Thomas shall
enfeoff Sir Walter and his heirs for ever of the manor of Stoutyng, the
appurtenances, members and parcels thereof, with 10l.
issuing of parcel of the manor of Boughton and the tenants thereof (who
shall be specified by name), of that part (if any) which is not
entailed; that so soon as Sir Walter shall be by Sir Thomas enfeoffed
of 50l. of land and rent in Kent in a manor of so
much clear value by extent, without impeachment of entail or other
action or charge, so that Sir Walter shall new build or repair the
houses thereof and Sir Thomas shall pay his costs in so doing, Sir
Walter shall again enfeoff Sir Thomas of the manor of Stoutyng and the
rent aforesaid as fully as he had the same by feoffment of Sir Thomas;
and that for performance of this bargain Sir Walter shall give Sir
Thomas 100 marks, which sum is fully paid. French.
Memorandum of acknowledgment by the parties, 6
November.
1369 - Foxgrove Enfeoffment. The Kings College Archive at Cambridge University has document from 1369 which is an enfeoffment for land including Foxgrove: Enfeoffment by Bartholomew of Burwash to Walter Parely(Paveley), knight, William Steel, Wlliam de Wyndrove, clerks, Thomas Hungerford and John de Gildesburgh, of manors of Braundon (Warwickshire), Haydor (Lincolnshire), Grantchester and Barton (Cambridgeshire), Plumsted, Foxgrove, Hendon, Chedingstone (Kent), Burghersh, Byssh (Sussex), Kersatton (Surrey), Crakemersh (Staffordshire), Boxworth advowson (Leicestershire), hospital in St Peters Parva by Pouleswaif (London) and reversions of manors of Sibelithingham (Essex), Mildenhale (Wiltshire) and Bekeswell (Essex). The seal of Bartholomew of Burwash is attached. Enfeoffment is the granting of land in exchange for a pledge of service. Maybe to provide men at arms but I can only guess at the service to be provided.
174 (f.62, no.vii). Henden. 1 Feb. 1369. Charter of Bartholomew de Burgherssh granting with warranty to Walter Paveley, knight, William Steele and William Wyndesore, clerks, Thomas Hungerford and John de Gildesburgh, the manors of Brandon, Warwickshire, Haydor, Lincolnshire, Grantchester and Barton, Cambridgeshire, Plumstead, Fox Grove, Henden and Chiddingstone, Kent, Burwash, Sussex, Carshalton, Surrey, and Crakemarsh, Staffordshire, the advowson of Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, and his house in the parish of St. Peter, Paul's Wharf, in London, with the reversion of the manors of Sible Hedingham, Essex, which Walter Paveley holds for life, of Mildenhall, Wiltshire, which Thomas Hungerford holds for life, and Bexfields, Essex, which John de Gildesburgh holds for life. Witnesses: Stephen Valoignes, Lawrence Brenlee, Thomas Moriaunt and Thomas Coum (?), knights, John Colpeper, William Apulderfeld, James Pecham.1371 - Writing of Joan who was wife of Thomas de Overton and daughter of Sir William Bruyn knight, being a quitclaim with warranty to Sir Robert de Marny knight, Dame Alice his wife mother of the said Joan, Ingelram and Richard brothers of the said Joan, and the heirs and assigns of the said Ingelram and Richard, of the manors of Southwokyndon co. Essex, Bekynham co. Kent, Rounore and Migham co. Suthampton and Randolveston co. Dorset, now held by the said Sir Robert and Alice. Witnesses: William Essex, John Sely, John Maryns, John Gravele, John Essex, Robert de Bourton parson of Southwokyndon, John de Shropham chaplain, William Mepeshale, Philip atte Bregge. Dated London, 20 March 45 Edward III. (BHO)
Robert
de Marny had married the widow Alice of William Bruyn Lord of Beckenham
Manor, the manor returns to Ingram/Ingelram Bruyn, presumably on Robert
or Alice's death. Alice's maiden name had been le Lacer.
1372 - Beckenham and Bromley; Lease
for 9 years 20/09/1372 Lease from Robert de Marny, Alice his wife,
Robert de Bourton, parson
of South Wekyndon, and Philip atte Bregge, to Roger Prest and John
Thornkyn of 2 crofts of which the west is on the London Road, Bromley
by the field of the Bishop of Rochester, and a croft called the Rachel,
a croft called Chellefeld, the Mellebroke, 2 crofts called Jonestone,
Cilmynesbroke and a croft, and land called Mersshland, Bromley
(formerly of Richard Lacer, citizen of London)
Lands of Richard
Lacer in Beckenham, south of Westbregg Street, land, tenement and
customs of .... [missing] Walcy, Bakeresland, and meadow in
Bladyngdonemed (Bromley Collections)
Alice
who was widow of William Bruyn was daughter of Sir Richard le
Lacer d.1361. If Richard had no sons then his lands descend to any
daughters and their husbands. Or the land was part of a marriage
settlement.
But Richard had a son by the same name and another daughter Katherine.
The property of Richard Lacer was divided between the two sisters
1376 - 01/03/1376
Quitclaim from Ingelram Bruyn to Robert de Marny, Knight, and Alice his
wife (mother of Bruyn) relating to the Manor of Beckenham, Kent and
advowson of church there; manor, called Migham, of Fordingbridge,
Hants; all lands and tenements formerly of William Bruyn, knight
(Bruyn's father), in Brown Candover (Bromley Collections)
Quitclaim is
a transfer of property and this transfers Beckenham Manor from Bruyn to
de Marny. As I have said, de Marny was an avaricious individual who is
described as being quite ruthless in his actions.
And
this Memorandum evidences the same. 51 Edward III. Memorandum of
acknowledgment, 30 June this year. Ingram Brun, son and heir of William
Brun knight, to Robert Marny
knight and Alice his wife, mother of the said Ingram, and to his said
mother's heirs and assigns. Charter with warranty of the manor of
Southwokyngdon co. Essex, the manor and advowson of Bekynham co. Kent,
the manors of Rounor and Fordyngbrigge co. Suthampton and Randolveston
co. Dorset. Witnesses: Ralph Seyntleger, Thomas Tyrell knights, John de
Gyldesburgh, Thomas de Belhous, John Stodaye. Dated Tuesday after St.
John Baptist 1377. (source BHO)
| CP 25/1/289/54, number 131. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. Surrey. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from Holy Trinity, 8 Richard [II] [11 June 1385]. |
| Parties: | Henry Vannere, citizen of London', William More, citizen of London', and John Rote, citizen of London', querents, and William de Weston' and Joan, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 200 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow and 8 acres of wood in Begenham and Leuesham in the county of Kent and 12 acres of land in Batreseye in the county of Surrey. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | William de Weston' and Joan have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Henry, as those which Henry, William More and John have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Joan to Henry, William More and John and the heirs of Henry for ever. |
| For this: | Henry, William More and John have given them 100 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Henry Vanner, William Moore, John Root, William de Weston, Joan de Weston |
| Places: | London, Beckenham, Lewisham, Battersea |
1389 - Court of Common Pleas.Plea of Covenant; Robert de Bourton, Robert de Marny and his wife Alice are new names related to Beckenham Manor and Church but see 1387. (source: http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/fines/abstracts/CP_25_1_289_55.shtml#187
The
following indicates that Robert de Bourton acquires the right of
Beckenham Manor and advowson from Robert de Marny and his wife.
CP 25/1/289/55, number 187.Image of document at AALT
County: Hampshire. Dorset. Kent. Place: Westminster.
Date: One week from Holy Trinity,
12 Richard [II] [20 June 1389]. And afterwards one week from St
Michael, 13 Richard [II] [6 October 1389].
Parties: Robert de Bourton', the parson of the church of Southwekyn[Ockendon], [John] Colyn, the parson of the church of Stifford', and John Martham, the parson of the church of Bekenham, querents, and Robert de Marny, knight, and Alice, his wife, [deforciants].
Property: The manors
of Forthyngbrigg' and Rouenore and 2 tofts and 2
carucates of land
in Forthyngbrigg' and Brouncand[ouere and] the
advowson of the church of Rouenore in
the county of Southampton and the manor of Randolueston' in
the county of Dorset and the manor of Bekenham and
the advowson of the church of the same manor in the county of Kent.
Agreement; [Robert de Marny] and Alice have acknowledged the manors, tenements and advowsons to be the right of Robert de Bourton', as those which the same Robert, John and John have of their gift, to hold to Robert de Bourton', John and John and the heirs of Robert, of the chief lords for ever.
Warranty: Warranty by Robert de Marny and Alice for themselves and the heirs of Alice.
For this: Robert de Bourton', John and John have given them 500 marks of silver.
1399 - King Henry IV until 1413
1399 - Thomas Hakkethorp of Yorkshire to Elizabeth who was wife of Edward le Despenser. Quitclaim of the manor of Foxgrove, and of all lands, rents, services, commons etc. in Bekenham and elsewhere in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Dated 25 May 1 Henry IV.
1399 - Foxgrove is the last place of Account in this Parish, it had in elder times Proprietaries of this Sirname; for I find John de Foxgrove paid respective Aid for it in the twentieth year of Edward the third (1347), at making the Black Prince Knight. After this Family succeeded Bartholomew Lord Burwash, and he held it at his Decease, which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third (1356). and from him it descended to his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash, who in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince (1370), passed it away to Sir Walter de Paveley, and in his Family it remained untill the latter End of Richard the second, (1399) and then it was conveyed to Vaux of the County of North-Hampton, and there made its abode untill the latter End of Henry the sixth (1461), and then it was alienated to John Grene Esquire, and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth (1465); and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth (1509), and then it was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey Beversea, I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth (1527), and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth (1547), sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London, and he dying (1577) without Issue Male, Joan(his daughter) matched (1563)to John Leigh of Addington Esquire, was his sole Heir (1577), and in Right of this Alliance, did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh (d.1644) late of East-Wickham; whose Widow Dowager the Lady Christian Leigh, is now in Possession of it.(1659 she died in 1660)
1399 -
| CP 25/1/111/254, number 7. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St Martin, 1 Henry [IV] [25 November 1399]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1400]. |
| Parties: | John N[orbu?]ry, esquire, and Pernel, his wife, querents, and Ralph de Neuyll', knight, earl of Westmorland, deforciant. |
| Property: | 7 messuages, 280 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, 40 acres of wood and 28 shillings of rent in Estgrenewich', Leuesham, Kettebroke, Eltham, Chesilhirst', Charleton', Bokenham and le Lee, which Hugh de Middelton' holds for life. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | The earl has acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John, and has granted for himself and his heirs that the tenements - which Hugh held for life of the inheritance of the earl in the aforesaid vills on the day the agreement was made, and which after the decease of Hugh ought to revert to the earl and his heirs - after the decease of Hugh shall remain to John and Pernel and the heirs of John, to hold of the chief lords for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | John and Pernel have given him 200 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | John Norbury, Pernel Norbury, Ralph de Neville, earl of Westmorland, Hugh de Middleton |
| Places: | East Greenwich, Lewisham, Kidbrooke, Eltham, Chislehurst, Charlton, Beckenham, Lee |
1400 - Post Mortem Inquisition at Deptford. 10 Sept. Ingram Bruyn, Knight. at the time of his death, as well as several other properties in other counties He held the manor of Beckenham with the advowson to himself and the heirs male of his body, and failing them to William Marny, knight, and his heirs male. It is held of the king in chief by knight service, annual value 10 marks.
Date of death 12th August, and heir was his son Maurice Bruin aged over 14.
(This
section implies that John Martham, parson of Beckenham has some rights
over Rowner manor and advowson in Hampshire) Rowner, the manor and the
advowson, jointly with Elizabeth his (Ingram Bruyn's)wife, who still
lives, by the grant of John Martham, parson of Beckenham in Kent, by
his indenture dated 24 Feb. 1393, with remainder, in default of heirs
male of Ingram to William Marny, son and heir of Robert de Marny,
knight, and his heirs male. They are held of the king by a rent of
40s., annual value of the manor £10 and of the advowson when it occurs
10 marks.
Date of death and heir as above.
1400 - Foxgrove: Thomas Hakkethorp of Yorkshire to Elizabeth who was wife of Edward le Despenser. Quitclaim of the manor of Foxgrove, and of all lands, rents, services, commons etc. in Bekenham and elsewhere in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Dated 25 May 1 Henry IV. (BHO). A quitclaim relinquishes interest in a property.
1403 - Memorandum of Acknowledgement; Beckenham but
property unidentified: Stephen
Brunne citizen and grocer of London, son and heir of Richard Brunne and
of Cicely his wife daughter and heir of Reynold son and heir of John
Julian, to Nicholas Carreu the elder esquire of Surrey, his heirs and
assigns. Quitclaim with warranty of all lands, rents and services in
Croydoun, Sanderstede, Micham, Begenham, Wodemersthorn, Bedyngton,
Cressalton, Brystow, Hourne, Lyngefelde, Cullisdoun, Farley, Adyngton
and elsewhere in Surrey sometime of the said John Julyan. Dated 6
December 5 Henry IV. (BHO)
See the entry under 1422 when Carreu assigns his property including Bekyngham to others.
1405 - Death of Elizabeth Bruyn widow of Ingram Bruyn,
see 1407
| CP 25/1/115/311, number 439. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from Holy Trinity, 15 Henry VI [2 June 1437]. |
| Parties: | William Wolcy, querent, and John Langwyth' and Ellen, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 40 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow, 20 acres of wood and 11 pence of rent in Bekynham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | John and Ellen have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of William, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Ellen to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | William has given them 40 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | William Wolsey, John Langwith, Ellen Langwith |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1437
- Property at Westerham but recorded here in case John and Lucy Longe
turn up elsewhere?
| CP 25/1/115/312, number 461. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 15 Henry VI [9 February 1437]. And afterwards two weeks from Easter, 16 Henry VI [27 April 1438]. |
| Parties: | William Twyford', querent, and John Longe of Bekenham and Lucy, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 18 acres of land, 3 acres of wood and a moiety of 1 acre of meadow in Westram. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | John and Lucy have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of William, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Lucy to him and his heirs for ever. |
| For this: | William has given them 20 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | William Twyford, John Long, Lucy Long |
| Places: | Beckenham, Westerham |
1439
- Foot of Fine; Court of Common Pleas, property to be identified but Waleys is
connected with Foxgrove. Foxgrove was on the Beckenham, Bromley,
Lewisham border with outlying parts as far as Hayes and West Wickham.
| CP 25/1/115/313, number 479. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St Hilary, 17 Henry VI [27 January 1439]. |
| Parties: | John Langwyth', Thomas Peny and Otes (Oto) Trethek', querents, and William Waleys of London', skinner, and Katherine, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 1 toft, 40 acres of land, 1 acre of meadow, 100 acres of wood and 20 shillings of rent in Bekenham, Hese, Bromley, Leuesham and Wykham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | William and Katherine have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John, as those which John, Thomas and Otes have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Katherine to John, Thomas and Otes and the heirs of John for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | John, Thomas and Otes have given them 100 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | John Langwith, Thomas Penny, Otes Trethick, William Wales, Katherine Wales |
| Places: | London, Beckenham, Hayes, Bromley, Lewisham, East Wickham (or West Wickham) |
1439
- Memorandums of
acknowledgment. (Quitclaim and Charter of Demise)
Lands acquired by Nicholas Carreu first mentioned in 1403 and 1422. As
the lands encompassed Beckenham, Bromley, Lewisham, Chiselhursh and
Hayes either Foxgrove or more likely, Langley may be included. But this
is quesswork
at present. Carreu had land from Malmaynes estates.
Thomas
Panter, Stephen Proctour clerk, George Boys, John Rose and Robert
Blundell to John Stanlow, Margaret his wife, John Brokley citizen and
alderman of London, Thomas de Haydoke, John de Wode citizen and mercer
of London, Thomas Quyne and John Deleawe, and to the heirs and assigns
of the said John Stanlow and Margaret. Charter of demise of all the
lands, rents and services, woods etc. in Bromlegh, Bekenham, Leuesham,
Cheselhurst and Hese which the grantors had by demise and feoffment of
Mercy who was wife of Nicholas Carreu, Thomas Lewkenore knight, William
Selman, Henry Severe clerk, Thomas Heryng and John Bourneforde, and of
a parcel of land at Sparowe in the parish of Orpyngton containing 16
acres called 'Sharpeslonde' with the wood growing thereupon. Witnesses:
Reynold Cobham, Thomas Keriell knights, Richard Wodevile esquire,
William Garnet, Robert Mirfyn, Nicholas Sibyle, John Fereby, Roger
Appulton, Thomas Couper. Dated Bromlegh, 4 May 17 Henry VI. (BHO)
Thomas Panter, Stephen Proctour clerk, George Boys, John Rose and Robert Blundell to John Stanlow and Margaret his wife, John Brokley citizen and alderman of London, Thomas de Haydok, John de Wode citizen and mercer of London, Thomas Quyne and John Deleawe, and to the heirs and assigns of the said John Stanlow and Margaret. Quitclaim of all the lands, rents and services, woods etc. in Bromley, Bekenham, Leuesham, Cheselhurst and Hese which Thomas Panter and the others had by feoffment of Mercy who was wife of Nicholas Carreu, Thomas Lewkenore knight, William Selman, Henry Severe clerk, Thomas Heryng and John Bourneford, and of a parcel of land at Sparowe in the parish of Orpyngton called 'Sharpeslonde' containing 16 acres, with the wood growing thereupon. Witnesses: Reynold Cobham, Thomas Keriell knights, Richard Wodevyle esquire, William Garnet, Robert Mirfyn, Nicholas Sibyle, John Fereby, Roger Appulton, Thomas Couper. Dated 7 May 17 Henry VI.
Thomas Leukenore knight to John Stanlowe, Margaret his wife, John Brokley citizen and alderman of London, Thomas de Haydoke, John de Wode citizen and mercer of London, Thomas Quyne and John Deleawe and to the heirs and assigns of John Stanlowe and Margaret. Quitclaim of all the lands, rents and services, woods etc. in Bromlegh, Bekenham, Leuesham, Cheselhurst and Hese which Mercy who was wife of Nicholas Carreu, William Selman, Henry Severe clerk, Thomas Heryng, John Bourneford and Thomas Leukenore, with John Hale and John Perueys both now deceased, had by demise and feoffment of John Fray, Henry Frowyk, Robert Otteley, Miles Skulle, John Abbot, Thomas Catworth, Everard Flete, John Grace, John atte Legh and Richard Billyngburgh, and of a parcel of land at Sparowe in the parish of Orpyngton called 'Sharpeslond' containing 16 acres with the wood growing thereupon. Witnesses: Reynold Cobham, Thomas Keriell knights, Richard Wodevile esquire, William Garnet, Robert Mirfyn, Nicholas Sybyle, John Fereby, Roger Appulton, Thomas Couper. Dated 3 June 17 Henry VI.
Mercy late the wife of Nicholas Carreu widow, Thomas Lewkenore knight, Henry Severe clerk, William Selman, Thomas Heryng and John Bornefforde to Thomas Pantere, Stephen Proctour clerk, George Boys, John Rose and Robert Bloundell of Bromlegh co. Kent, their heirs and assigns. Quitclaim of all the lands, rents, services, woods etc. in Bromley, Bekynham, Leuesham, Chisilhurst, Hese and Orpyngton co. Kent, which they had by charter of feoffment of the said Mercy and the others. Dated 15 October 17 Henry VI.
source; BHO
This last one assigning the land to Thomas Pantere etc.1449 -
| CP 25/1/116/322, number 713. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | The day after the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 27 Henry VI [3 February 1449]. |
| Parties: | Philip Alisaunder, querent, and Peter Napper and Joan, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 2 acres of land and 1 acre of meadow in Bekenham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Peter and Joan have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Philip, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Joan to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Philip has given them 20 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Philip Alexander, Peter Napper, Joan Napper |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1450
- A roll containing pardons for the followers of Jack Cade includes 22
men from the Parish of Beckenham, including Robert Langley,
Richard Langley
and Robert Pain, the latter being the constable of Beckenham. This
Richard Langley or Langle was probably the son of Ralph Langle of
Beckenham who bequeathed by his will of 1453 proved at Rochester 3s and
4d to the new bells of Beckenham church. (source Robert Borrowman)
1451 - Ralph Langley of Langley died in the year 1451, and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts, the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed, and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley, passed away by Sale to John Violett, whose Successors enjoyed it until the Be∣ginning of Henry. the eighth,(1509) and then it was conveyed to John Stiles Esq; who much inlarged the House with a supply of Buildings, and from him is it by Descent devolved to be the instant Possession of his Successor Sir Humphrey Stiles Knight and Baronet.(d1552)
Philipot had stated about Langley: "the name and place: before the going out of Edward the third,(1377) I find the Propriety invested by Sale in Langley, to which Family the Foundation of that House owes in part its Original, on which they ingraffed their own Name, which hath flourished under that Title ever since, though the Family be withered away and gone, the last of which Name at this place was Ralph Langley, who with Roger Twisden, Stephen Monins, Edward Monins, John Edingham or Engham, Richard Edingham, John Berton of Cotmanton in Shouldon, John Berham, John Betenham of Shurland in Pluckley, and others, Gentlemen of prime Rank in this County, were summoned to appear before Robert Poynings and John Perry, in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth,(1434) to disclaim the Title of the House of York, and this Ralph died in the year 1451, and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts, the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed, and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley, passed away by Sale to John Violett,"
The
family name of Langley appears in the 1434 Lay Subsidy Roll which is
before the 1377 date which Philipot states and whether the family had
not acquired the "Langley" estate until 1377 remains a question.
1453 - Elmers
End area possibly as the Humphrey family held land there for several
generations. But this Fine (Final accord) transfers property to Neder.
| CP 25/1/293/72, number 376. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Surrey. Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from Easter, 31 Henry VI [15 April 1453]. |
| Parties: | Richard Neder, querent, and William Humfrey and Joan, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | A moiety of 4 acres of land in Croydon' in the county of Surrey and a moiety of 2 messuages, of 32 acres of land, of 6 acres of meadow and of 8 acres of wood in Bekenham in the county of Kent. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | William and Joan have acknowledged the moieties to be the right of Richard, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Joan to him and his heirs for ever. |
| For this: | Richard has given them 20 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Richard Needer, William Humphrey, Joan Humphrey |
| Places: | Croydon, Beckenham |
1453 - The same property as the previous item, raises the question how is changed from Neder to Payn?
| CP 25/1/293/72, number 377. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. Surrey. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One month from Easter, 31 Henry VI [29 April 1453]. |
| Parties: | Robert Payn' of Bekenham and Isolt, his wife, and John Chapman, querents, and Philip Rough'hede and Agnes, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | A moiety of 2 messuages, of 32 acres of land, of 6 acres of meadow and of 8 acres of wood in Bekenham in the county of Kent and a moiety of 4 acres of land in Croydon' in the county of Surrey. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Philip and Agnes have acknowledged the moieties to be the right of John, as those which John, Robert and Isolt have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Agnes to Robert and Isolt and John and the heirs of John for ever. |
| For this: | Robert and Isolt and John have given them 10 pounds sterling. |
| CP 25/1/293/72, number 381. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Surrey. Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from St Michael, 32 Henry VI [6 October 1453]. |
| Parties: | Simon Terry, querent, and Nicholas Mason' and Ellen, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 10 acres of land in Bokenham in the county of Surrey and 1 messuage and 10 acres of land in Batersey in the county of Kent. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Nicholas and Ellen have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Simon, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Ellen to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Simon has given them 20 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Simon Terry, Nicholas Mason, Ellen Mason |
| Places: | Beckenham (in Kent), Battersea (in Surrey) |
1456 - Katherine heir of Richard Shotte conveyed lands in Beckenham, Wickham & Hayes to John Hever[1]. Later in 1472[2] 1485[3]1495[4]Memorandum of acknowledgment, 4 February.
1457/8
- Probate of will of William Plegge,
of Beckenham with bequest of 20 shillings to his daughter, Elinor when
she becomes of marriageable age. Will: 16 November 1457, codicil: 20
November 1457, probate:18 March 1458.In the event of her death before
this time the money to remain with his sons John and William.
Bequests
of land to his sons and his brother John Plegge (field
names; Tomsowtravis, Sunteriscrofte, Nether Somerfeld, Thoambrooke,
Suthereden, Jennycokkescrofte) The will is in the vernacular the
codicil in Latin, by which he appoints his wife Agnes and brother John,
executors (BHC) (adjoining Crouch Oak)
1461 - King Edward IV
until 1483 (see March, Battle of Towton)
1461 Beckenham Manor described by Philipot and Hasted: Death of Sir Henry Bruin of South Ockenden and Beckenham Manor, his two Daughters and Coheirs about the Beginning of Edward the fourth,(1461) divided his Inheritance, each of them having a first and second Husband:(Philipot). Hasted lists three husbands each as do some modern chroniclers. Philipot misses a husband and Hasted has the wrong order.
Alice the eldest was first married to Robert Harleston of Essex Esquire, and after to Sir Thomas Heveningham; and Hasted adds William Berners. But it should be John Berners who was in fact the first husband.
Elizabeth second Daughter was wedded first to Thomas Tirrell of Heron in Essex Esquire, and after his Decease to Sir William Brandon Knight, who was Standard-bearer to Henry the seventh at Bosworth Field, (1485) where he was stain in asserting his Cause and Quarrel against Richard the third, and he had Issue by her Sir Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, the Flower and perfection of English Chivalrie in his Time, who sometimes kept his Residence at this place, (not as Proprietarie, but onely as Lessee, for the Sole Inheritance upon the Division of Bruin's Estate accrued to Tirrell;). Hasted lists William Mallory, Brandon then Tirrell (of Herne) but later chroniclers have Tirrell, Brandon and Mallory. Tirrell has also been spelt Tyrrel and the History of Essex by Thomas Wright is a source of their lineage.
1461
- Beckenham Manor, death of Henry Bruyn: Transcription of a A
writ of diem clausit extremum
dated 15 Feb.,1 Edw. IV. : from a 1486 Inspeximus seemingly at the
widowhood of Elizabeth Brandon nee Bruyn.
Inspeximus and exemplification, at the instance of Elizabeth
Brandon, widow, of the following documents:—(l.) A writ of diem clausit
extremum
dated 15 Feb.,1 Edw. IV (1461). (Inq. 1 Edw. IV. No. 27), directed to
John
Grene,
escheator of Kent, upon the death of Henry Bruyn, Knt. (2.) An
inquisition taken
thereupon at Bromley, co. Kent, on Saturday, 20 Feb, 1 Edw. IV.,before
John
Grene, the escheator, by the oaths of Richard Nether, Thomas Dawe, John
Mydday,
Wlliam Myddey, John Plegge, John Yorke, Henry Lapworth,Thomas Bedyll,
Henry
Violet, Robert Blundell, Simon Kechill, and Robert Thorp, setting forth
that
Henry Bruyn, knt., was seized of the manor of Beckenham, alias
Beghenham (fully
described), with the advowson of the church thereof, held of the Crown
in
capite, by the service of one knights fee; and that he died 30
Nov.last; and
that Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Tyrell, esq.,aged 17 years, and Alice,
wife of
John Berners, aged 19 years, are his daughters and heirs. (3.) A writ
of diem
clausit extremum dated 18 March, 13 Edw. IV.(1474) (Inq. 13 Edw. IV.
No. 59), directed
to John Brode,escheator of Kent, upon the death of Alice, wife of John
Hevenyngham,
knt. (4.) An inquisition taken thereupon at Bromlegh, co. Kent, 11 Nov,
13 Edw.
IV., before John Brode, the elder, the escheator, by the oaths of John
Kyere,
Thomas Kyng, Simon Keehill, Henry Violet, Alexander Curteys, Stephen
Kete, John
Plegge, Robert Humfrey, Philip Alexander, Robert Pope, John Dare
Taillour,
William Bradfote, and Richard Kyng, setting forth that Alice
Hevenyngham was
seized of the moiety of the manor of Beghenham, and the moiety of the
advowson
of the church thereof, held of the Crown in capite, by the service of
one fourth part of a knights fee, and married successively John
Berners, esq.
(by whom she had issue John Berners), Robert Harleston esq. (by whom
she had
likewise issue), and John Hevenyngham,knt. (by whom she had issue
George Hevenyngham),and
that she died 15 Feb., 12 Edw. IV.;(1473) and that the said John
Hevenyngham now
holds the premises; and that the before-mentioned John Berners is her
son and next
heir, and is of the age of 10 years. Pat. p. 3. m. 5 (23).
The sections above related to Alice and Elizabeth, their marriages, deaths and heirs should be in later timeline milestones but here they help to understand the descent of Beckenham Manor from the Bruyns to the Tyrells via Elizabeth and to Heveningham via Alice.
1461
- 29th March; Battle of Towton, Wars of the Roses; A victory for the
Yorkists. Edward IV displaced Henry VI
Some time before 4 November 1474/1475 Brandon married Elizabeth Bruyn, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Henry Bruyn of South Ockendon, Essex, and his wife Elizabeth Darcy. Himself the son of Sir Maurice Bruyn. She was the widow of Thomas Tyrrell of Heron, Essex, whom she had married before 17 February 1461/1462, and who died after 3 July 1471, c. 13 October 1473, of the City of London, of Beckenham, Kent and of South Ockendon, Essex. She was a granddaughter of Sir Maurice Bruyn (d. 1466), and daughter and co-heiress of Sir Henry Bruyn (d. 1461) by Elizabeth Darcy (died c. 1471), daughter of Sir Robert Darcy of Maldon, Essex. On her father's side Elizabeth Bruyn was descended from Sir William le Brune, Knight Chamberlain to King Edward I. After William Brandon's death at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485, she married William Mallory or Mallery, Esq., whom she survived. She died 7 or 26 March 1493/1494.
This legend from the 1623 Beckenham Manor Map, copied in 1768, shows the almost identical acreages of the two halves of Beckenham Manor (467 against 469 acres) and the part which is later leased separately, see 1623
1461/65 - Foxgrove is the last place of Account in this Parish, it had in elder times Proprietaries of this Sirname; for I find John de Foxgrove paid respective Aid for it in the twentieth year of Edward the third (1347), at making the Black Prince Knight. After this Family succeeded Bartholomew Lord Burwash, and he held it at his Decease, which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third (1356). and from him it descended to his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash, who in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince (1370), passed it away to Sir Walter de Paveley, and in his Family it remained untill the latter End of Richard the second, (1399) and then it was conveyed to Vaux of the County of North-Hampton, and there made its abode untill the latter End of Henry the sixth (1461), and then it was alienated to John Grene Esquire, and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth (1465); and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth (1509), and then it was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey Beversea, I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth (1527), and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth (1547), sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London, and he dying (1577) without Issue Male, Joan(his daughter) matched (1563)to John Leigh of Addington Esquire, was his sole Heir (1577), and in Right of this Alliance, did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh (d.1644) late of East-Wickham; whose Widow Dowager the Lady Christian Leigh, is now in Possession of it.(1659 she died in 1660)
1465
- Foot of Fine; Lewisham but perhaps in connection with the item
in 1466 'John Massam and Margery'. A temptation to research a
connection with Aleyn School. The Massams are disposing of their land.
| CP 25/1/117/332, number 52. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St John the Baptist, 5 Edward IV [8 July 1465]. And afterwards one week from St Michael in the same year [6 October 1465]. |
| Parties: | John Aleyn', citizen and goldsmith of the city of London', querent, and John Massam and Margery, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 7 acres of meadow in Leuesham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | John Massam and Margery have acknowledged the meadow to be the right of John Aleyn', as that which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed it from themselves and the heirs of Margery to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | John Aleyn' has given them 20 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) | |
| Persons: | John Allen, John Massam, Margery Massam |
| Places: | London, Lewisham |
1466 - Foot of Fine; Court of Common Pleas, property to
be
identified. But we assume Beckenham / Penge borders.
| CP 25/1/294/74, number 33. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. Surrey. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | The day after the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 5 Edward IV [3 February 1466]. |
| Parties: | Thomas Wareham and William Nele, clerk, querents, and John Massam and Margery, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage and 12 acres of land in Bekenham in the county of Kent and 2 messuages, 24 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow and 3 acres of wood in Peynge in the parish of Batersey in the county of Surrey. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | John and Margery have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Thomas, as those which Thomas and William have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Margery to Thomas and William and the heirs of Thomas for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Thomas and William have given them 60 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Thomas Wareham, William Neal, John Massam, Margery Massam |
| Places: | Beckenham, Penge (in Battersea) |
1466 - Pickhurst Green mentioned in this inquisition; Katherine Shotte, daughter and heir of Richard Shotte, to John Hever, John Kechell and Richard Alyn, their heirs and assigns. Quitclaim with warranty of a messuage with curtilage and garden in the parish of Hese (Hayes) co. Kent between land of Simon Kechell on the north and west, land of the heirs of Thomas Frensshe on the south and a common pasture called 'Pykherst grene' on the east, of four fields called 'Menefeld, Mapull croft, Frithfeld and Litill Frithfeld,' and a grove of wood called 'Menefeldes grove' lying together there between land of Richard Shotte of Hese and the heirs of John Lambe on the north, of Simon Kechell on the south, William Frensshe and John Chapman of Bekenham on the east, and a wood called 'Wykham Frith' on the west, and of a croft called 'Solefelde' there between land of John Broun on the north, 'Solelane' on the south and east, and land of John Hever on the west. Dated 4 February, 5 Edward IV. (source: BHO) One of many connections with surrounding areas such as Hayes and West Wickham. Lysons mentions the supposed manors of Pickhurst or Heaver(Hever) in Hayes.
1466
- Will of John
Langewith citezein
or taillor of London. 4 Dec 1466 and 6 yere of the Reigne of King
Edward the iiijth. To be buried in the pish chirch of Saint Marye
Abbechirch of London that is to say under the psbitery of the pe high
aulter before the ymage of Saint John Baptist there To h. aulter 6/8.
Unto the said chirch a small bell called a cryer according unto pe Ring
of the iiij belles nowe there being.
I will and utterly charge all such psones as of trust been eufeoffed
with me in all my londys etc in the pissh of Bekenham in Kent at such
tyme as they shall resonabely be required by Eleyn my wife shall make a
sufficient astate in the lawe accordey as can be thought by lerned
counsaill therin to be doon to the same Eleyn to her and hir heires for
ever more to thentent that she shall dispose thereof as shall seme best
aff her discrecn for both our soules
Also with such goodes as I have to find an honest preest to sing and
pray for my soule in the said chirch of Abbechirch at awter of Saint
John there x yer. the saide preest dayly to say his masse if he be
thereto disposed ther betwixt vij or viij at the cloke afore none and
to be at al ?d.... ?gunce and salue daily to be saide in the said
chirch like as judge other preestes of the same chirch nowe ?.../.
Residue to Eleyn my wife and I ordeeyne her miyn executrice principall
and Thomas Fermory citezein and ?Scrynend of London coexectutor. ?T.../
at London.
Prob. Lamehith 25 July 1467 and con. to Elene relict. Res. ptat.
1469 - Court of Common Pleas, to be
identified, John Atte Lygh possibly of the Leighs of Addington adjacent
to West Wickham
| CP 25/1/117/334, number 110. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from St John the Baptist, 9 Edward IV [1 July 1469]. |
| Parties: | Ambrose Cresacre, Roger Copley and John Atte Lygh', querents, and James Crovmere, esquire, and Katherine, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 140 acres of wood in Westwykham and Bekynham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | James and Katherine have acknowledged the wood to be the right of Ambrose, as that which Ambrose, Roger and John have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed it from themselves and the heirs of Katherine to Ambrose, Roger and John and the heirs of Ambrose for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty against George, abbot of Westminster, and his successors. |
| For this: | Ambrose, Roger and John have given them 100 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Ambrose Cresacre, Roger Copley, John Atte Leigh, James Cromer, Katherine Cromer |
| Places: | West Wickham, Beckenham |
1469 - Beckenham/West Wickham - Fryth wood. (as above) James Crowner esquire, son and heir of William Crowner, to Stephen Scroop, Ambrose Cresacre, Roger Copley and John Atlygh, their heirs and assigns. Demise of a wood and close called 'le Fryth' lying in West Wykham and Bekenham co. Kent in perpetuity at the accustomed services, with warranty against George abbot of St. Peter's Westminster and his successors: and appointment of John Hever and Richard Aleyn as his attorneys etc. to that intent. Witnesses: Stephen Fabian, John Kechyll, Richard Shot. Dated 3 March, 8 Edward IV.The same, to the same. Quitclaim of all rights in the wood and close called 'le Fryth' in West Wykham and Bekenham etc. (as above). Dated 12 March, 9 Edward IV.
(Calendar of Close Rolls, BHO)
1469 - The
Forsters were of Southend, Lewisham until the 20th Century,
it is tempting to believe this may be related to Southend. (Court of
Common Pleas)
| CP 25/1/117/334, number 109. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from Holy Trinity, 9 Edward IV [4 June 1469]. |
| Parties: | John Forster and Philip Agmondesham, querents, and Richard Forster and Isabel, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 4 messuages, 3 carucates of land, 30 acres of meadow, 300 acres of wood and 40 shillings of rent and a rent of 2 ounces of pepper, 2 hens and 3 chickens in Leuesham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Richard and Isabel have acknowledged the tenements and rents to be the right of John, as those which John and Philip have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Isabel to John and Philip and the heirs of John for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty against Walter, abbot of the monastery of St Augustine, Bristol, and his successors. |
| For this: | John and Philip have given them 200 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | John Forster, Philip Amersham, Richard Forster, Isabel Forster |
| Places: | Lewisham |
1469 - Lease and counterpart from Thomas Tyrell, of Beckenham, Kent, and Elizabeth, his wife, one of the daughters and heirs of Henry Bruyn, knight to Robert Harleston, of Suffolk of half the manor of Beckenham, Kent [One seal on each] (Bromley Collections)
1484 - catalogue item1472 - Harleian Manuscripts, British Museum. Licence for Sir John Hynyngham to enter the Manor of Bekyngham
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PaRJAAAAcAAJ&lpg=PA283&dq=hynyngham%20bekyngham&pg=PA283#v=onepage&q=hynyngham%20bekyngham&f=false
1473 - see 1466, this is related to John Hever. C. 5019. Grant by John Hever of Hese, Simon Shotte of Bromelegh, the elder, and William Cowper of Downe to Isabel Smyzthe late the wife of John Smyzthe of Downe of all those lands and tenements with all their appurtenances (sic) except a croft of land called 'Belysland' with six other parcels of land lying dispersed in a place called 'le Hilde,' and also another parcel of wood called 'Poke Grove'; to hold to her for life, with remainder to them, their heirs and assigns, for sale, the money therefrom to be disposed according to the intent of the last will of the said John Smyzthe. Downe, 14 June, 12 Edward IV. Fragments of seals.
1473 - Death of
Alice Bruyn (married to 3rd husband John Heveningham.)
1474 (see also 1461) - Beckenham Manor relevant to division between Alice and Elizabeth Bruyn and their heirs. A writ of diem clausit extremum dated 18 March, 13 Edw. IV.(1474) (Inq. 13 Edw. IV. No. 59), directed to John Brode,escheator of Kent, upon the death of Alice, wife of John Hevenyngham, knt. (4.) An inquisition taken thereupon at Bromlegh, co. Kent, 11 Nov, 13 Edw. IV., before John Brode, the elder, the escheator, by the oaths of John Kyere, Thomas Kyng, Simon Keehill, Henry Violet, Alexander Curteys, Stephen Kete, John Plegge, Robert Humfrey, Philip Alexander, Robert Pope, John Dare Taillour, William Bradfote, and Richard Kyng, setting forth that Alice Hevenyngham was seized of the moiety of the manor of Beghenham, and the moiety of the advowson of the church thereof, held of the Crown in capite, by the service of one fourth part of a knights fee, and married successively John Berners, esq. (by whom she had issue John Berners), Robert Harleston esq. (by whom she had likewise issue), and John Hevenyngham,knt. (by whom she had issue George Hevenyngham),and that she died 15 Feb., 12 Edw. IV.;(1473) and that the said John Hevenyngham now holds the premises; and that the before-mentioned John Berners is her son and next heir, and is of the age of 10 years. Pat. p. 3. m. 5 (23).
1478
- Post Mortem Inquisition: Walter Fitz dies possessed of parts of
Foxgrove Manor and Beckenham
Manor , but seemingly under some 'lease at will' arrangement for rent
from Terell and Grene? Writ 29 November, inquisition 2 February, 21 Henry VII.
(source: BHO)
Roger
Fitz was seised in fee of the under-mentioned lands &c. in Leuesham
and Bekenham, and by his charter indented dated at Leuesham, 20 March,
19 Henry VII, gave them to Peter Bevyll, Roger Holand, William
Honychurch, Thomas Ifley, George Harvy, Robert Morley and William
Morley, who survive, and the said Walter Fitz, since deceased, and
their heirs, to the use of Isabel, his wife, now wife of William
Atclyff, for life, and after her death to the use of himself and his
heirs. Afterwards, to wit, on 28 March, 19 Henry VII, the said Roger by
his last will willed that after the death of Isabel the said Peter
Bevyll and the others should stand enfeoffed of the said lands &c.
to the use of the said Walter, his brother, and the heirs male of his
body, and in default of such heirs male to the use of himself, the said
Roger and his heirs.
Walter died 3 June last, seised of the
other under-mentioned lands &c. in fee tail, to wit, to himself and
the heirs of his body. John Fitz, aged 9 years and more, is his son and
sole next heir.
Manor
of Rydley, and 100a. land, 20a.
wood and 40s. rent in Rydley and Asshe, worth 5l.,
held of the abbot of the monastery of St. Mary of Graces beside the
Tower of London, in right of his church, by service of half a knight’s
fee and 33s. 4d. rent yearly.
A messuage and 100a. land in Perystrete in the parish
of Northflete, worth 100s., and a messuage, 11a. land and 2a. moor in Bowrestrete in
the same parish, worth 14s., held in ‘gavelkend’ of
the archbishop of Canterbury by fealty and 33s. 4d. rent.
A messuage, 40a. land, 6a. meadow
and 6a. wood in Estgrenewiche, worth 40s.,
held of the prior of the house of Jesus of Shene, co. Surrey, by fealty
and other services or rents unknown.
12 messuages, 200a. pasture, 300a.
meadow and 400a.
wood in Leuesham and Bekenham, worth 40 marks, held as to the messuages
&c. in Leuesham of the said prior of Shene and Thomas, marquess of
Dorset, by fealty and 8s. rent, and as to the
messuages &c. in Bekenham of William Terell, as of his manor of
Bekenham, and Thomas Grene, knight, as of his manor of Foxgroves in
Bekenham, by 7s. rent.
1479circa – William Brograve of Kelseys in possession of lands around Kelsey in Beckenham.
1481 - Court of Common Pleas, land and people to be identified but on the Bromley/Beckenham border
| CP 25/1/117/340, number 266. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One month from Easter, 21 Edward IV [20 May 1481]. |
| Parties: | Robert Shotte, querent, and Thomas Whyte and Agnes, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 28 acres of land, 2 acres of meadow and 8 acres of wood in Bromlegh' and Bekenham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Thomas and Agnes have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Robert, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Agnes to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Robert has given them 20 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Robert Shott, Thomas White, Agnes White |
| Places: | Bromley, Beckenham |
1483 - King Richard III until 1485
Richard
had seized the throne and is suspected of murdering the Princes in the
Tower. The feeling that he was not entitled to the crown led to
conflict between him and the supporters of Henry Tudor. This turmoil
affected local affairs as the owners of estates either fell foul or
gained favour with Richard and subsequently Henry VII after the Battle
of Bosworth where Richard was killed. Richard had killed William
Brandon, Henry Tudor's standard bearer, who
was second husband of Elizabeth Bruyn, heiress to one half of Beckenham
Manor. William Brandon had been attained for treason by Richard as a
rebel and his lands were forfeit. As he had siezed them by being
Elizabeth Bruyn's second husband they were returned to Tyrell. Brandon
had also siezed Elizebeth's sister Alice's moieties of property
probably on the basis that Elizabeth was the surviving sister. Alice's
moieties were returned to her husband John Heveningham.
1484 - catalogue item1472 - Harleian Manuscripts, British Museum. Licence for Sir John Hynyngham to enter the Manor of Bekyngham
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PaRJAAAAcAAJ&lpg=PA283&dq=hynyngham%20bekyngham&pg=PA283#v=onepage&q=hynyngham%20bekyngham&f=false1484 - Beckenham Manor; Patent
Rolls Richard III May 27th;
May
27. Whereas by an act in Parliament at Westminster, 28 January,
624 CALENDAR OF PATENT ROLL j^gg Membrane 22 — cant.
Westminster. 1 Richard HI, it was ordained that William Brandon, esquire, should forfeit all the possessions which he held on 18 October then last past, and by an inquisition taken at Brendewode, co. Essex, on 80 September, 2 Richard III, before Thomas Lynam, then escheator, by virtue of his office, it was found that Philippa, late duchess of York and lady of the Isle of Wight, was seised of the manor of South Wokyngton, co. Essex, with the advowson of the church of South wokyngton, and two acres of land in Stifford, CO. Essex, with the advowson of the church of that town pertaining thereto in her demesne as of fee and granted the same to MauriceBruyn, knight, and Elizabeth his wife and the heirs of their bodies with remainder to the right heirs of Maurice, and the said Maurice and Elizabeth were accordingly seised of the premises in their demesne as of fee tail and on their death the premises descended to Alice and Elizabeth Bruyn as their kinswomen and heirs, viz. daughters and heirs of Henry Bruyn
their son and heir, and these accordingly entered into the premises and were seised of the same in their demesne as of fee tail and Alice married
John Henyngham, knight, and Elizabeth married the said William Brandon, and the said John and Alice had issue George and afterwards Alice died,
and after her death the said John as tenant by the law of England and the said William and Ehzabeth were seised of the premises until the said William
expelled and unjustly disseised the said John and on 28 October, 1 Richard III, was seised of one part of the premises in his demesne as of fee and of the
other part in the right of the said Elizabeth his wife, and accordingly
the premises were taken into the king's hands and are still in his hands ;
the king hereby restores to the said John Henyngham his moiety of the
premises and grants the other moiety to him and his assigns for the life
of the said William Brandon to the use of Edmund Shaa, knight, Thomas
Tyrell, esquire of the body, Richard Fitslowes and Humphrey Tyrell,
esquire, by fealty, and grants to him the issues of the manor and two acres
from Easter last during the life of the said William. By p.s.1484 – The Manor of Foxgrove is mentioned in Records of the Exchequer at the National Archive, Kew. Parties: Richard Middelton, Esq., Lady Maud Grene his wife, and Thomas Grene, Esq & Margaret Kyng, widow, farmer of the manor of Foxgrove in Beckenham; Place or Subject: The manor of Foxgrove in Beckenham (Bekenham), [Receipt]. County: Kent
The
Grenes have some importance in the early history of Foxgrove as one
member of the family appears in legal documents as escheator or
sheriff. But their family tree is difficult or impossible to trace and
they disappear from records. Several Greens are buried in St. George's
from 1710 but not necessarily the same family. One Thomas Green was
attained for treason
The above link for Ancient Charters and Instruments describes Thomas Grene, son of Sir Thomas Grene arranging rents from Foxgrove Manor to Thomas Kyngson and Andrew Dymmok for their services in recovering other property in the Manor of Berghershe and appurtenences in Plumstead.
1485 - This link contains details regarding the dealings between the husbands of Alice and Elizabeth Bruyn over their inherited estates. Upon Alice's death the 2nd husband of Elizabeth, William Brandon, seized the half belonging to Alice's widower, Heveningham/Henyngham. The report says that all property was repossessed by the crown and some restitution was made returning property to Heveningham. Complex in that the estates ranged fromn Essex, Kent, Hampshire etc. Also, Brandon had been attained for treason by Richard III as Brandon was a supporter of Henry Tudor who would become Henry VII after the Battle of Bosworth shortly afterwards. Subsequent hearings under Henry VII it would seem took back half of the Manor of Beckenham from Heveningham to Elizabeth's son and heir by Tyrell, her first husband. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qDxKAQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA8-PA128&dq=%22thomas%20tyrell%22%20bruyn&pg=RA8-PA132#v=snippet&q=henyngham&f=false
1485 - Battle of Bosworth, William Brandon killed, standard bearer to Henry Tudor and second husband of Elizabeth Bruyn, heiress of half of Beckenham Manor although her half was now in possession of the heirs of her first husband Thomas Tirrell. The battle's outcome was the death of Richard III and the end of the Wars of the Roses. Henry Tudor became Henry VII.
1485 -Foxgrove: Parties: Richard Middelton, Esq., Lady Maud Grene his wife, and Thomas Grene, Esq & Margaret Kyng, widow, farmer of the manor of Foxgrove in Beckenham; Place or Subject: The manor of Foxgrove in Beckenham (Bekenham), [Receipt]. County: Kent 2 Ric III Ref. E 326/6791 (TNA)
and Grantor: Thomas, son and heir of Thomas Grene, knight, Margaret Kyng, and Richard her son; Grantee: Thomas, Kyngson and Andrew Dymmok; Place or Subject: Grant of a rent charged on the manor of Foxgrove in the parish of Beckenham; County: Kent 2 Ric III Ref. E 327/595 (TNA)
1486
- 19th June, Transcription :
Inspeximus and exemplification, at the instance of Elizabeth
Brandon, widow, of the following documents:—(l.) A writ of diem clausit
extremum
dated 15 Feb.,1 Edw. IV. (Inq. 1 Edw. IV. No. 27), directed to John
Grene,
escheator of Kent, upon the death of Henry Bruyn, Knt. (2.) An
inquisition taken
thereupon at Bromley, co. Kent, on Saturday, 20 Feb, 1 Edw. IV.,before
John
Grene, the escheator, by the oaths of Richard Nether, Thomas Dawe, John
Mydday,
Wlliam Myddey, John Plegge, John Yorke, Henry Lapworth,Thomas Bedyll,
Henry
Violet, Robert Blundell, Simon Kechill, and Robert Thorp, setting forth
that
Henry Bruyn, knt., was seized of the manor of Beckenham, alias
Beghenham (fully
described), with the advowson of the church thereof, held of the Crown
in
capite, by the service of one knights fee; and that he died 30 Nov.
last; and
that Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Tyrell, esq.,aged 17 years, and Alice,
wife of
John Berners, aged 19 years, are his daughters and heirs. (3.) A writ
of diem
clausit extremum dated 18 March, 13 Edw. IV.(1474) (Inq. 13 Edw. IV.
No. 59), directed
to John Brode,escheator of Kent, upon the death of Alice, wife of John
Hevenyngham,
knt. (4.) An inquisition taken thereupon at Bromlegh, co. Kent, 11 Nov,
13 Edw.
IV., before John Brode, the elder, the escheator, by the oaths of John
Kyere,
Thomas Kyng, Simon Keehill, Henry Violet, Alexander Curteys, Stephen
Kete, John
Plegge, Robert Humfrey, Philip Alexander, Robert Pope, John Dare
Taillour,
William Bradfote, and Richard Kyng, setting forth that Alice
Hevenyngham was
seized of the moiety of the manor of Beghenham, and the moiety of the
adrowson
of the church thereof, held of the Crown in capite, by the service of
one fourth part of a knights fee, and married successively John
Berners, esq.
(by whom she had issue John Berners), Robert Harleston esq. (by whom
she had
likewise issue), and John Hevenynghanl,knt. (by whom she had issue
George Hevenynghaln),and
that she died 15 Feb., 12 Edw. IV.;(1473) and that the said John
Hevenyngham now
holds the premises; and that the before-mentioned John Berners is her
son and next
heir, and is of the age of 10 years. Pat. p. 3. m. 5 (23).
This explains quite fully the situation regarding Alice(Bruyn) and her son and heir John Berners. Elizabeth Bruyn who had married Brandon is seemingly endorsing her right to the other moiety of Beckenham Manor.
1492 - Foot of Fine; Lewisham and Sydenham. recorded in case it connects with perhaps Kent House or Penge
| CP 25/1/117A/345, number 131. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| Link: | Image of dorse of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St John the Baptist, 7 Henry VII [8 July 1492]. And afterwards one week from St Michael, 8 Henry VII [6 October 1492]. |
| Parties: | William Sutton', clerk, Richard Wytton', clerk, Thomas Kysyng', citizen and mercer of London', and Richard Walker, citizen and grocer of London', querents, and John Norbury, knight, and Joan, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 120 acres of land, 16 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture and 68 acres of wood in Leuesham and Sippenham in the parish of Leuesham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | John and Joan have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Richard Walker, as those which the same Richard, William, Richard Wytton' and Thomas have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of John* to William, Richard, Thomas and Richard and the heirs of Richard Walker for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty by John and Joan for themselves and the heirs of Joan. |
| For this: | William, Richard, Thomas and Richard have given them 200 pounds sterling. |
| Note: | [* This name has been altered.] |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) | |
| Persons: | William Sutton, Richard Witton, Thomas Kising, Richard Walker, John Norbury, Joan Norbury |
| Places: | London, Lewisham, Sydenham (in Lewisham) |
| CP 25/1/117A/346, number 152. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St Martin, 9 Henry VII [25 November 1493]. |
| Parties: | Roger Shelley, Thomas Polsted', William Arnold', John Reydon', Thomas Shirley, John Petteley and Thomas Shot, querents, and William Thornton' and Margaret, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 75 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow and 1 acre of wood in Bekenham'. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | William Thornton' and Margaret have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Roger, as those which Roger, Thomas, William Arnold', John, Thomas, John and Thomas have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Margaret to Roger, Thomas, William Arnold', John, Thomas, John and Thomas and the heirs of Roger for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty against John, abbot of St Peter, Westminster, and his successors. |
| For this: | Roger, Thomas, William Arnold', John, Thomas, John and Thomas have given them 40 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Roger Shelley, Thomas Polstead, William Arnold, John Reydon, Thomas Shirley, John Petley, Thomas Shott, William Thornton, Margaret Thornton |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1494 - ELIZABETH BRANDON, Post Mortem Inquisition,
widow. Writ 7 March, inq. 20 June, 9 Hen. VII. Elizabeth Bruyn, late the wife
of Maurice Bruyn, knt., was seised of
the under-mentioned manors and lands in fee tail and had issue by the
said Maurice, whom she survived, a son and heir, Henry Bruyn, knt., who
died in his mother’s lifetime, leaving issue two daughters and heirs,
the elder Alice, and the younger the said Elizabeth, named in the writ.
The said Alice married one Robert Harleston, esq., and had issue a son
John Harleston, who is now living. And afterwards the said Robert
Harleston died. And the said Elizabeth, sister of Alice, married one
Thomas Tyryell, esq., and had issue a son Hugh Tyryell, who is now
living. And afterwards the said Elizabeth Bruyn, widow, died, and the
said manors, &c., descended to the said Alice, and to the said
Thomas, and Elizabeth his wife, in her right. And afterwards the said
Alice married one John Hevenyngham, knt., and had issue a son George
Hevenyngham, and died; and the said John Hevenyngham, knt., who
survived her, is seised of her moiety of the premises, as tenant by the
curtesy. And the said Thomas Tyryell died, and the said Elizabeth
survived him, and took to husband one William Brandon, knt., whom she
survived. She married thirdly one William Mallery, esq., whom also she
survived. She died 26 March last. The said Hugh Tyryell, aged 23 and
more, is her son and heir.
Immediately after his mother’s
decease the said Hugh enfeoffed one Henry Colom, clk., of the moiety of
the premises which then descended to him; and the said Henry Colom, at
the request of the said Hugh, enfeoffed the said Hugh. and Margaret
daughter of Gilbert Hussy, esq., William Hussy, knt., …….. Peter Hussy,
clk., William Wylloughby, esq., son of Christopher Wylloughby, knt.,
Thomas Mongomery, Thomas Tyryell, and others, of the said moiety, to
the use of the said Hugh and Margaret, and the heirs of their bodies,
with remainder in default to the said Hugh and his heirs for ever.
ELIZABETH BRANDON, widow.Writ 22
March, inq. the last day but one of
May, 9 Hen. VII.She died 7 March, 9 Hen. VII, seised of a moiety of the
under-mentioned
manor in fee, and of a moiety of the under-mentioned advowson, as of
fee and right.
Hugh Tyrell, aged 23 and more, is her son and heir.
A moiety of the manor and advowson of Bekyngham, worth 15l.,
held of the King in chief, by service of 1/4 of a knight’s fee.
1494 - Immediately after his mother's decease (Elizabeth nee Bruyn)
the said Hugh (Tyrell) enfeoffed one Henry Colom, clk., of the moiety
of the premises (inc A moiety of the manor and advowson of Bekyngham,
worth 15l., held of the King in chief, by service of 1/4 of a knight's
fee.
1494 - Foxgrove: 1494 Apr 15 Debtor: Thomas Green, of Northants., knight, Margaret King, of Foxgrove in the parish of Beckerham in Kent, widow, and Richard Clerk, of the parish of Plumstead in Kent, husbandman. Creditor: Richard Golofre, citizen and mercer [merchant] of London. Amount: £31. Before whom: John Brown, knight, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster. When taken: 08/09/1492 First term: 24/06/1493 Last term: 24/06/1493 Writ to: Sheriff of [Kent] Sent by: John Brown, knight, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster. Endorsement: London' Middx. Kanc' Coram d'no R' ...... sua in [crossed out: Oct' S'ti... p'x' futur] crastino Ascensionis d'ni p'x futur'.
TNA ref C 241/267/26
Foxgrove becomes more of a mystery for its earliest times as substantiating evidence for Philipot and Hasted's accounts is rare or cannot be found.| CP 25/1/117A/347, number 240. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | Two weeks from St John the Baptist, 13 Henry VII [8 July 1498]. |
| Parties: | William Botery and William Bromwell', querents, and Henry Fyncham and Elizabeth, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 1 dove-cot, 150 acres of land, 11 acres of meadow, 71 acres of pasture and 70 acres of wood in Bekenham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Henry and Elizabeth have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of William Botery, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Elizabeth to William and William and the heirs of William Botery for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | William and William have given them 100 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | William Buttery, William Bramwell, Henry Fincham, Elizabeth Fincham |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1499 -
Beckenham
Manor (relevant to) Post Mortem Inquisition at the death of Sir John
Heveningham, husband of Alice Bruyn. Although this does not mention the
moiety of Beckenham Manor belonging to Alice and carried via her heirs
down to Clement Harleston, Hevingham is mentioned in other documents in
association with Beckenham Manor.
The various inquisitions for Alice, Elizabeth and any of their six
husbands help trace the heredity of the manor although Beckenham is a
minor part of their overall properties.
JOHN
HEVENYNGHAM, knight.
Writ 23 April, 14 Henry VII; inquisition the last day of October,
15 Henry VII.
Philippa,
late duchess of York, and lady of the Isle of Wight, was seised of the
under-mentioned manor of Southwekyngdon and two acres of land in
Stifford in fee and advowsons of Southwekyngdon and Stifford in her
demesne as of fee and right, and, being so seised, by charter gave them
to Maurice Bruyn, knight, and Elizabeth, then his wife, and the heirs
of their bodies issuing, with remainder in default to Maurice’s right
heirs. The said Maurice and Elizabeth were seised thereof accordingly
in fee tail, and, being so seised, had issue Henry Bruyn, knight, who
had issue Alice and Elizabeth and died; and afterwards the said Maurice
died, and the said Elizabeth survived him and was seised thereof, viz.
of the manor in fee tail and of the advowsons as of fee and right, by
the form of the gift; and afterwards the said Alice took to husband
John Berners, esquire, and the said Elizabeth took to husband Thomas
Tyrell, esquire, which John Berners died and the said Alice survived
him and afterwards took to husband Robert Harleston, esquire, and the
same Robert and Alice had issue John, and the same Robert died and the
said Alice survived him; and the said Elizabeth, late the wife of
Maurice, afterwards died, seised as aforesaid, after whose death the
said manor and advowsons descended to the said Alice, and Elizabeth
wife of the said Thomas Tirell, cousins and heirs of the said Maurice
and Elizabeth of their bodies begotten, viz. daughters of Henry, son
and heir of the said Maurice and Elizabeth, whereby the said Alice in
her own right and the said Thomas Tirell and Elizabeth, in right of the
said Elizabeth, entered on the said manor, &c. and were seised
thereof, &c.; and the said Alice being so seised took to husband
John Hevenyngham, knight, named in the writ, whereby the said John and
Alice and the said Thomas and Elizabeth, in right of the said Alice and
Elizabeth, were seised together and without division (insimul
et pro indiviso)
thereof, &c., and the said John and Alice had issue George, and
afterwards the said Alice died, and both the said John, and the said
Thomas and Elizabeth, survived her, and the said John after her death
held a moiety of the premises as tenant by the curtesy and was seised
thereof in his demesne as of free tenement, and died so seised.
Clement
Harleston, son of the said John Harleston son of the said Robert
Harleston and Alice his wife is next heir of the said Alice late the
wife of the said John Hevenyngham of her body begotten; and the said
Clement Harleston the son and one William Tyrell son of the said Thomas
Tyrell and Elizabeth his wife, are cousins and next heirs of the said
Maurice and Elizabeth, late his wife, of their bodies begotten in form
aforesaid, and the said Clement is 5 years old and more, and the said
William 30 years old and more. The said John Hevenyngham died 10 May
last, and the aforesaid (sic) Thomas (written
over erasure) Hevenyngham the son is next heir of the said John
Hevenyngham, and is 30 years old and more.
The
said John Hevenyngham was seised of the other under-mentioned manors,
&c., in fee, and, being so seised, thereof enfeoffed James Hobart,
the king’s attorney, John Yaxlee, serjeant-at-law, John Jermy, esquire,
and William Coke, the younger, who survive, together with other, since
deceased, for the performance of his last will, whereby he directed
that his executors should take the issues and profits thereof for half
a year from his decease, and that thereafter Thomas Hevenyngham,
esquire, his son and heir should have the said manors, &c., to hold
to him and the heirs male of his body. He died 10 May, 14 Henry VII.
The said Thomas Hevenyngham, esquire, aged 50 and more, is his son and
heir. Cf. Nos. 306, 307, 425, 527.
Essex; Manor and advowson of Southwekyngdon, worth 40l.,
held of the king, as of the honor of Hereford, by service of one
knight’s fee.
Two acres of land in Stifford, and the advowson of two parts of the
church of Stifford to the said 2a. belonging, worth 6s. 8d., held of the lord Grey, service
unknown.
Manor of Totham, worth 10l., held of the king, as of
the honor of Hagnet, by service of 1/20 of a knight’s fee.
Manor of Goldanger, held of the king, as of the honor aforesaid, by
service of 1/20 of a knight’s fee.
Manor of Bergehalle, or Bregehall, held of the king, as of the honor of
Rayley, by service of 1/20 of a knight’s fee.
Manor of Flethall, and a mill in Styfford, held of the king as of the
same honor, by service of 1/20 of a knight’s fee.
C. Series II. Vol. 14. (140.) E.
Series II. File 293. (16.) (BHO)
1500circa – Nicholas Brograve (of Kelseys) is involved in Chancery cases concerning property. To be researched further (TNA)
This and the
following two entries for Nicholas, Edward and William Brograve imply
some improper actions by the whole family?
1500 - Court
of Common Pleas;
Court of
Common Pleas, CP 40/954, rot. 186d
Term: Michaelmas
1500
County: London
Writ type: Debt (other); Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Real action / rents / damage to real estate;
Sale of
goods
Pleading: Robert
Bekyngham. claims that
Edward Brograve owes him 4m. Robert B. claims that at London on
10/09/1496 he demised
to Edward B. the rectory of Beckenham, Kent, with all its fruits,
oblations,
tenths, and other dues of the same rectory, to be had and occupied by
the same
EB from the feast of the annunciation of St Mary then next following
(25/03/1497) until the same feast then next following (25/03/1498),
namely, for
one whole year, at an annual rent of £18, payable to RB at the feasts
of the
nativity of St John the Baptist (24/06/1497), Michaelmas (29/09/1497),
Christmas (25/12/1497), and Easter (15/04/1498) in equal portions. RB
says that
by force of this demise EB had and occupied the aforesaid rectory from
the same
10/09/1496, for one entire year then next following. RB says that of
the £4 10s
payment of the aforesaid £18 annual rent which was due at Christmas
1497, EB
did not pay 40s, which same 40s is in arrears and a parcel of the
aforesaid 4m
debt. RB also says that at London on the same aforesaid 10/09/1496 EB
bought
from him 2 cartloads of hay for 13s 4d, which hay has not been paid
for.
Together the 40s arrears of rents and 13s 4d from the sale of hay add
up to the
said 4m debt. Damages are claimed at £10.
Pleading: EB
defends and seeks
licence to imparl as far as Hilary term 1501.
Postea
text: postea
1 - further licence
to imparl, forwarding the case as far as Easter term 1501.
Term: Michaelmas
1500
County: Kent
Writ
type: Trespass
(force and arms)
Damages
claimed: £10
Case
type: Housebreaking;
Taking of goods
Pleading: William
Brograve is in mercy for many defaults. William Botery and
William Bromwell claim that on 10/03/1499 William Brograve used force
and arms
to break their close at Beckenham, Kent, where he felled and carried
off their
trees and underwood to the value of 100s. The trees and underwood taken
were,
namely, 60 oak trees, 20 ash trees, and twenty cartloads of underwood.
Damages
are claimed at £10.
Pleading: William
Brograve defends and seeks licence to imparl as far as
Hilary term 1501.
| CP 25/1/117A/348, number 305. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | The day after St Martin, 16 Henry VII [12 November 1500]. |
| Parties: | William Causton' (or William Canston'), querent,(Plaintiff) and Andrew Lyt[yl]grome and Margaret, his wife, deforciants.(One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. |
| Property: | A third part of 4 messuages, of 80 acres of land, of 2 acres of meadow, of 4 acres of wood and of 1 acre of marsh in Westwykham, Bekenham, Bromeley and Lewesham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Andrew and Margaret have acknowledged the third part of the tenements to be the right of William, as that which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed it from themselves and the heirs of Margaret to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty by Andrew and Margaret for themselves and the heirs of Andrew. |
| For this: | William has given them 20 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | William Cawston (or William Canston), Andrew Littlegroom, Margaret Littlegroom |
| Places: | West Wickham, Beckenham, Bromley, Lewisham |
The
ship referred to was the one which conveyed Henry VIII to Calais in
June 1520, when that monarch met Francis I of France at the Field of
the Cloth of Gold, at Ardres, near Calais. (source: R.Borrowman)
1501 -
Kent House; National
Archive ref C 131/87/2 Related to half of Kent House. Henry Colet being
in debt to John Style (of Langley?) His property is transferred to
Style.
Debtor: Henry Fincham, formerly a citizen and mercer, of London.
Creditor: John Style, citizen and mercer, of London.
Amount: £100.
Before whom: Henry Colet, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster.
When taken: 22/03/1501
First term: 24/06/1501
Last term: 24/06/1501
Writ to: Sheriff of Kent
Sent by: Chancery
Endorsement: William Crowmere, Sheriff, replies that the execution of the writ appears in the schedule hereto annexed.
Inquisition and return: Date to be returned: 01/7/1504. The Sheriff had replied to a previous writ that on the day of the recognisance Henry (Colet) was seised of: half a messuage in Beckenham, called Kenthous, and half of 60 acres of land, 100 acres of pasture, and 20 acres of meadow in Beckenham [in Bromley-&-Beckenham Hundred] and Lewisham [in Blackheath Hundred], worth £3 6s. 8d. He also had certain chattels, namely: 2 oscula pacis, called Paxs, two curtains with iron rings, an old breviary, 2 small bells, called sacring bells {sakering bellys}, 2 old altar-cloths, a stone for an altar, a corporal case, a vestment, an alb, with other vestments necessary for a priest, a noted missal, 8 images, a round cassock dyed violet in grain, trimmed with grey fur, a long cassock of the same colour, 4 cruets, a woollen cloth, called a blanket, 4 blankets of fustian, a coverlet with a lion on it, another coverlet of a green colour, 2 painted cloths, one of St Katherine, and the other of St Barbara, a bench-cover, 4 chairs, called Spruce Chairs, a canopy, called a Spire, a pair of cups, an old carpet, 4 brass pots, 6 brass pans, a table, called a dressing-board, 7 shelves, 3 plain boards, 2 pot-hooks, an iron bar, other knives, utensils, a grindstone, a water-trough, 2 half-hundred-weights, 2 weights of iron, called hundredweights, 2 malt vats, a pound of paper, a French book, a short tunic, called a waistcoat, a chafing-dish, 3 tubs, a crabb-apple {crabbe} press, a mortar ..., a cupboard, a pottle pot, 63 lb. of broken brass, 80½ lb. of lead weights, 2 candle-cases, 4 lattices for putting next to the fire, a stool, a form, weed-hooks, certain grain growing in the ground and in the barn, and other goods: worth altogether £24 10s. 10d. Henry was not found in the bailiwick. Attached to this is a letter from the Sheriff, dated 30/06/1504, which says that he has delivered to John Style half of the messuage and lands in the writ and the goods and chattels. [a duplicate of No. 4 and No. 18] (BHO)
1501 -
Unkown messuage;
| CP 25/1/117A/349, number 345. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| Link: | Image of dorse of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | One week from St Martin, 17 Henry VII [18 November 1501]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1502]. |
| Parties: | Thomas Marowe and John More, querents, and Edmund Midday and Lettice, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 24 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, 10 acres of pasture and 5 acres of wood in Bekenham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Edmund and Lettice have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John, as those which John and Thomas have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Lettice to Thomas and John and the heirs of John for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Thomas and John have given them 40 pounds sterling. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Thomas Marrow, John Moore, Edmund Middey, Lettice Middey |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1503 - Kent House; Memorandum of Acknowledgement (November). A transfer of the property it seems by inhereitance of Katherine and Elizabeth Fabyan daughters of Stephen Fabyan.
John
Fabyan of Bekenham, gentleman, son and heir of John Fabyan, clothier of
London, to John Henley of Cranebroke co. Kent, 'clothman,' son of
Robert Henley of London, draper, and Katharine his wife, a daughter and
heir of Stephen Fabyan late of Bekenham, gentleman, and Henry Fyncham
late of London, mercer, and Elizabeth his wife, Stephen's other
daughter, their heirs and assigns. The like of Kenthous manor in
Bekenham and all the lands etc. late of Stephen in Bekenham and
Leuesham co. Kent and Bateresey co. Surrey. Dated 1 Sept., 19 Henry
VII. (BHO). Some curiosity exists here as Henry Fyncham was in debt to
John Style in 1501 through Court of Chancery and Style may have
acquired half of Kent House by way of payment of the debt.
1504 - Court of Common Pleas, to be identified
|
CP 25/1/117A/350, number 407. |
|
|
Link: |
|
|
Link: |
|
|
County: |
Kent. |
|
Place: |
Westminster. |
|
Date: |
Three weeks from Easter, 19
Henry VII [28 April 1504]. |
|
Parties: |
Richard Guldeford', knight, Thomas Brandon', knight, Edmund Dudley, esquire, and John Gardyner, querents, and Robert Sympson', gentleman, and Cecily, his wife, deforciants. |
|
Property: |
7 messuages, 7 gardens, 1
mill, 1 dove-cot, 160 acres and half an acre of land, 43 acres of
meadow, 63 acres of pasture, 68 acres of wood and 20 acres of heath
in Bromlegh', Bekenham, Leuesham, Chesilhurst, Orpyngton' and Hese. |
|
Action: |
Plea of covenant. |
|
Agreement: |
Robert and Cecily have
acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Richard, as those which
Richard, Thomas, Edmund and John have of their gift, and have remised
and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Cecily to
Richard, Thomas, Edmund and John and the heirs of Richard for ever. |
|
Warranty: |
Warranty. |
|
For this: |
Richard, Thomas, Edmund and John have given them 200 pounds sterling. |
1504
- Kelsey? Will of 6
Sept 1504. 19 Henry VII. William
Brograve the
elder late Citezn and draper of London. To be buried in honest manner
without pompe or pryd of the world within the parissh chirche of
Bekenham in Kent wheere as the body of Elizabeth late my wiff lyeth
buried. To high awter of the same chirch where as I am parisshioner for
my thithes etc. 20s.
Vnto my doughters Alice argaret xx mrc. Vnto Elizth Brugrave my dou. in
law xx mr. To my son Edmond Brugrave 20 mrc.
To eaych of the prison houses of Ludgate Newgate Kyss ?tenche and
Marchalsey 20s.
To Elizth Ball my servunt xls a fetherbed 2 peyer of shetts a peyer of
blanketts and yerely vj loads of wood to be delivered to hir doughter
during hir naturall liff ij boad at fest of Mghelmas and between the
fest of Mghelmas and or lady day in lent 4 load.
To Anne Brograve dou. of Wm. Brograve late my sone 40s
To Richard Omer, Rice (sic) Eyre John Batell my servunts and Richard
Elyn servant to my sone Robert every of them 20s.
Vnto Alice late my servunt 6/8 John Ball my servunt 6/8. To John Ball
20s.
Residue to Robert my son my extr. Last will of my lands and tenements
in Kent and Citie of London I will Robert Brograve my sone have all in
parish of Beckenham in Kent. If he decesse without heires males then to
remayne unto Wm. Brograve son of John Brograve thelder my son and of
Janne Fogg late doughter of Sr. John Fogg Knyght. If Wm. Brograve
decesse without heires males which God defind all lands and tenements
to the seid John Brograve schall remayne sone and heyre of seid John
Brograve my sone to ?h and to ?h to seid John Brogravge the yonger
theires males. And if he decesse without heires males and if he decesse
to Richard Brograve my sone. If he decesse then to Nicholas Brograve my
sone and heires males. If he decesse to George Brograve my sone. If he
decesse to Henry Brograve my son and if he decesse then to the right
heires of Robert Brograve my sone.
I will Elizth Ball my servunt have my tenement which oon chanterell
late dwelled in for hir life.
I will seid Robert my son have as well all thoo my lands tenements etc.
in the townes parisshes and felds of Lewsham and Depford in Kent as all
thoo my lands and tenements in parisshes of Seynt Bartlum the litill
and Seynt Margaret in Lothbury within the Citie of London he to pay to
George and Henry Brograve my son a yerely ?ynyt rent of £5 to every of
them. Feoffees to make unto the seid George and Henry duryng theyer
lyves a deed of annitie with clawsse of distresse.
Witnesse John Worshopp notary Sr. Hugh Thomasson Sr. Nicholas Saunders
and other ?
[Pd. 12 Oct 1503 see
Regr F at Canterbury]
1505 - Beckenham and Foxgrove; Post Mortem Inquisition Writ 29 November, inquisition 2 February, 21 Henry VII.WALTER FITZ.
Roger
Fitz was seised in fee of the under-mentioned
lands &c. in
Leuesham and Bekenham, and by his charter indented dated at Leuesham,
20 March, 19 Henry VII, gave them to Peter Bevyll, Roger Holand,
William Honychurch, Thomas Ifley, George Harvy, Robert Morley and
William Morley, who survive, and the said Walter Fitz, since deceased,
and their heirs, to the use of Isabel, his wife, now wife of William
Atclyff, for life, and after her death to the use of himself and his
heirs. Afterwards, to wit, on 28 March, 19 Henry VII, the said Roger by
his last will willed that after the death of Isabel the said Peter
Bevyll and the others should stand enfeoffed of the said lands &c.
to the use of the said Walter, his brother, and the heirs male of his
body, and in default of such heirs male to the use of himself, the said
Roger and his heirs.
Walter died 3 June last, seised of the
other under-mentioned lands &c. in fee tail, to wit, to himself and
the heirs of his body. John Fitz, aged 9 years and more, is his son and
sole next heir.
12 messuages, 200a. pasture, 300a. meadow and 400a. wood in Leuesham and Bekenham, worth 40 marks, held as to the messuages &c. in Leuesham of the said prior of Shene and Thomas, marquess of Dorset, by fealty and 8s. rent, and as to the messuages &c. in Bekenham of William Terell, as of his manor of Bekenham, and Thomas Grene, knight, as of his manor of Foxgroves in Bekenham, by 7s. rent.
By the
above we may deduce that Fitz had leased for a substantial period
Manor of Beckenham land belonging to Terell(Tyrell) and Foxgrove Manor
land belonging to Grene as well as the land of the Prior of Shene and
Marquess of Dorset (Penge and Sydenham perhaps).
1507 -
| CP 25/1/117A/351, number 489. | |
| Link: | Image of document at AALT |
| County: | Kent. |
| Place: | Westminster. |
| Date: | The day after the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 22 Henry VII [3 February 1507]. |
| Parties: | Thomas Kemsale, querent, and Robert Holden' and Joan, his wife, deforciants. |
| Property: | 1 messuage, 16 acres of land, 5 acres of pasture, 5 acres of wood and 6 acres of heath in Bekenham. |
| Action: | Plea of covenant. |
| Agreement: | Robert and Joan have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Thomas, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Joan to him and his heirs for ever. |
| Warranty: | Warranty. |
| For this: | Thomas has given them 20 marks of silver. |
Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) |
|
| Persons: | Thomas Kempsall, Robert Holden, Joan Holden |
| Places: | Beckenham |
1509
- Langley about the beginning of Henry.
the eighth,(1509) it was conveyed to John
Stiles Esq; who much
inlarged the House with a supply of Buildings, and from him is it by
Descent devolved to be the instant Possession of his Successor Sir
Humphrey Stiles
Knight and Baronet.(d1552)
(source: Philipot)
John
Stiles died in 1500 and his will probate dated
1501
is before Henry VIII's accession in 1509. Either John Stiles death date
is substantially wrong or it was his heir Sir Humphrey who made the
additions.
1510
- About
the year 1510, Foxgrove came into the family of Beversea. Humphrey
Beversea (Philipot)
"Foxgrove; John Grene Esquire, and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth (1465); and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth (1509), and then it was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey Beversea,"
The
Foot of Fine below evidences the lands that constituted those under
Burghersh and Bardolf but the word Enfeoffment implies Foxgrove is
still held under some higher possessor.
1511
- Foot of Fine: Foxgrove: Sir
Nic Vaus & wife Anne & Sir Thos Parre & wife Matilda
to Gerard Danet, esq, Wm Lane, Geo Boywell. Manors of Burwash &
Foxgrove w/300a land, 100a mead, 300a past, 500a wood & 300a
waste in Burwash, Plumstead & 'Foxgrove', plus land in 7 other
counties. Enfeoffment. (51/358 no. 17)
1513 - Kent House: Foot of Fine: Thos Wells
& wife
Margy to Jn Cowlard, mercer of London,
Thos Baldry, Robt Clerkson & Wm Bromwell. Moiety of manor of
Kenthouse w/300a land, 20a mead, 100a past & 30a wood in
Beckenham & Lewisham; plus land in Battersea, Surrey. 100 mks.
(51/360 no. 25) (Kent Arch.)
1514 (this section needs to be checked against Hasted) Beckenham Mannor being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell, Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended, passed away one Moietie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth (1514) to Ralph Warren, and the other to Henry Parke;
Warren alienated
his Proportion not long after to Bradbury. But Lysons regards the
involvement of Warren and Parke as related to mortgages, loans
or, more likely, leases? We know that the Tyrells were established in
Essex and that their part of Beckenham Manor descended to Dalston and
Curwen later in the 17th C. through marriages. see 1505 and the lease
of William Terell's(Tyrell's) Manor of Beckenham in the occupancy of
the Fitz's
or their tenants.
1514
the
other Moitie or half of Beckenham Manor by Joan
sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry
Parke,
came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert
Leigh
descended out of Cheshire,
whose Successor about the latter End of King James
(1620-25) alienated it to Snelgrave.(Philipot).
But I believe this to be a misunderstanding on Philipot's part although some evidence is scarce and Lysons remarks about probable loans or mortgages. Suffice it to say that from the time of Henry Bruyn's daugthers, Alice and Elizabeth and their multiple marriages. One half of Beckenham Manor descended via the Tyrells to Dalston and Curwen thence to Oliver St. John. The other half descended via Harleston to Leigh and then to Snelgrave who's grandson sold to Walter and Henry St. John via John Evelyn.
1514
- Foot of Fine; Kenthouse;
Thos Wells & wife Margy to Jn Cowlard, mercer of London,
Thos Baldry, Robt Clerkson & Wm Bromwell. Moiety of manor of
Kenthouse w/300a land, 20a mead, 100a past & 30a wood in
Beckenham & Lewisham; plus land in Battersea, Surrey. 100 mks.
(51/360 no. 25)(Kent Arch.)
A Moiety describes part of the property. Kenthouse had been divided into two parts in other evidence.
1516
- A Will mentioning Beckenham free land and tenements; Woode/Woodd
or Wood constitute several burials at St.George's from the 16th
Century.
31
July 1525. John
Woode of
Saunderstede in Surrey yoman. To be buried in parish church of
Alhalowen of Saunderstede. To high awter of parish church of Croydon
for tithes etc. 3/4. To the bretherhede of Jesus mase in said church of
Croydon 3/4. To parish church of Saunderstede for making my grave and
toward the Repacion of the said church 40s.
Preest to syng in church of Saunderstede two trentalls for my soule my
father and mother and all xtens.
To every godchildren an eweshepe.
Unto Denys my wife and John my thirde sonne all my houshold stuffe at
Saunderstede. To said Denys 100 wethers and 100 ewes nowe goyng in the
parish of Saunderstede.
I will John my eldest sonne 80 wethers and 20 ewes nowe being at
Wodmansturne.
To John my fourth sonne 100 wethers going at Wodmansturne and two
tenements of Custimary holde in Saunderstede accordyng to a surrender
by me to the use of him made. To John my yonger sonne 60 wethers at
Waddon when he is 20
To Edward my sonne 100 wethers at Waddon orells ixli when
20.
To Henry my sonne my lease for terme of yeres of the maner of Waddon in
parishe of Croydon.
To Agnes my doughter 20 ewshepe at Saunderstede and ij heyfers of 2
yeres of age at Norbury all to be delivered at my monethes day.
To said sonne Henry and John my thirde sonne all my catalls nowe going
at Norbury bitwen them except 20 oxen which I will Henry shalhave to be
solde for the pfourmaunce of my testament and last will.
To said John my thirde sonne my leesse of and in the manor of
Saundersted except a convenit Chamber for my wife whiche I will my wife
enjoye for her lyfe and ease of fyre in the hall and kechyn of the said
manour. I will John my younger sonne shalhave my messuages, lands and
tenements in Cullesdon in Surrey which I holde to ferme by Covent Seall
of the Abbot and Covent of Chertesey for terme of ? payng over and
above the Rent to said Abbot, 40s to
the said Denys my wife duryng hir lyfe.
Residue to Henry my sonne which Henry, John Lambard of Wodmansturne and
John Ownshed of Farley I make extours and Nicholas Lye gentilman
overseer.
To John Scott Esquer and John Skynner gent for to be good to my said
wife and childern in their causes 20s.
Witnesses Edward Presland, Richd Bray,
John Wodstok thelder, Thos Owsted and John Wodstok the yonger.
Last will of all my free londes and tenements in the parishe of Beknam
in Kent all which I woll Edward Wode my sonne shalhave to him and his
heires.
Probate (St Pauls) v Sept 1525 by exors named.
1517 - Lay Subsidy; In the assessment for a lay subsudy in the twentysixth year of Henry VIII (1517), Beckenham appears at £4 8s. And the subsidy is made up as follows: Robert Brograve for his lands xvs (15shillings), Humphrey Style for his lands xxxiiis (33shillings), Edward Alegh for his goods xvs (15 shillings), Henry Vyolett for his goods xvs (15 shillings), Henry King vs (5 shillings), Isabell Dunce for her goods xvs (15 shillings).
Humphrey Style: Langley, Robert Brograve: Kelsey, Edward Alegh possibly Foxgrove (but not for lands?) (source: R.Borrowman)
The
name of Vyolett is curious given Philipot's account of Langley which he
states passed from Ralph Langley to John Violett and then to the
Styles. Henry Vyolett in this Lay Subsidy is assessed for goods and not
land. Foxgrove was supposedly in the hands of Baversea, but its another
name not mentioned. Did Borrowman overlook any valuation for Beckenham
Manor under the Tyrells and Harlestons? or perhaps not recognise their
names as being associated with the manor. One writer, John Sheail 1968,
observes that a lot of documentation from the Lay Subsidies of the
1500's has been lost.
1518 - Kenthouse; Court of Chancery; Short
title: Fyncham v Yarford. Litigation
Plaintiffs: Henry Fyncham of London, gentleman, son-in-law of Stephen Fabyan of London, draper.
Defendants: James Yarford of London, knight.
Subject: Half a messuage and land called `Kenthous' in Beckenham and Lewisham, late of the said Stephen.
Kent.
2 documents
Apparently Stephen Fabyan had recently died and maybe Yarford was in occupancy of this part of Kenthouse and Fyncham was heir of Fabyan the landlord. see 1500 and 15031519 -
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII; Shipbuilding
timbers Henry Kinge of Becknam(Beckenham)
Payments by Thos. Perse.—April 1519, for timber from my lord Marquis, from lord Borgeyny's common called Hadfyld, and Wooddam Park, at 12d. a load. His own labor for 30 days, 20s. Carriage of 8 loads of knees from Danbery Common, belonging to the prior of St. Mary Spytell, to Clement Green, 10s.; from Clement Green to Deptford by water, 13s. 4d. Carpenters' wages, 6d. a day. Loading Cox's great hoye at Clement Green, 5s. 2d. To the parker's wife, for keeping open the gate of Hadfield, 6d. Loading Jas. Clark's hoye, 7s. 8d. Peter Cotiar, carriage of 14 loads timber for trenails, from Bendflyt to Deptford, 14s. 2 hoyes from Battle Bridge to Deptford, 46s. To John Cox, fellmonger, 20 April 1519, 36 loads dry timber, at 5s. 8d. 8 loads trenail wood, at 2s. Freight of 10 loads green timber from Clement Green, Essex, to Deptford Strond, 12d. a load. Lord Borgayny, 20 loads of timber from Andfyld Common, at 20d. Carriage of timber from Tadisfeld and Chelsam, to Deptford Strond, by land, 13 miles. at 2d. a mile. To John and Wm. Hobard, for carrying 2 carts of strackeshids and timber to the sawpits, 2 days, 4s. To Herry Kynge, of Becknam, carrying timber from Chelsam, 2s. a load; from Bromley parish, 16d. a load. One piece of the keel from Wekam, requiring 2 carts, 2s. 8d. The other part and the stem piece, 4s. 2 great crooked pieces, being 2 loads, 4s.; 2 loads from Westwood, 2s. 4d.; and half a load bought from him, 12d. |
1527 - Foxgrove : John Grene Esquire, and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth (1465); and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth (1509), and then it was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey Beversea, I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth (1527), and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth,(Philipot)
1527 - Unknown property; Letters and papers, foreign and domestic, Henry VIII. Sir Wm. Compton, under-treasurer of the Exchequer. Grant of three tenements near the dock at Byllyngysgate, Greenwich, Kent, and lands in Estgrenewich, Westgrenewich, Depford, Leuesham, Kedbroke, Charleton, Wolwich, Beknam and Chesseleste, and the neighborhood. Del. Westm.,—18 Hen. VIII.—S.B. Pat. 18 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 29. (BHO)
1529 -
May; Unknown property, see 1527. Henry
Norres, squire for the Body. Grant of three tenements in "le Westend,"
Grenewiche, Kent, near the dock at Billyngysgate in Grenewiche, land in
Grenewiche Marshe, called Bendysh, in Eltham, Charlton, Wolwich, and
elsewhere, and lands called the Queen's lands, in East and West
Grenewiche, Deptford, Lovesham, Kedbroke, Charlton, Wolwiche, Beknam
and Cheflest (Chiselhurst ?) Kent. The premises were held by Sir Wm.
Compton till his death, 29 June last. Del. Westm., 1 May 21 Hen.
VIII.—S.B. Pat. p. 2, m. 26. (BHO)
1530 - Beckenham Manor (one moiety) Letters
and Papers foreign and domestic, Henry VIII 1531/32; Clement
Harleston, of Coksale, Essex. Licence to alienate his moiety or
purparty of the manor of Bekenham, Kent, and his messuages, &c. in
Bekenham, to Robert Legh, Roger Starkey, Mathew Haddes, John Preston,
William Lamberd, Robert Meredith, and Richard Malery, citizens and
mercers, London; to the use of the said Robert, his heirs and assigns
for ever. Westm., 29 March. Pat. 22 Hen. VIII. p.
1, m 14. (BHO)
Just prior to this it
seems Harleston was pursuing a Nicholas Leveson about deeds for
Beckenham Manor and other properties and Humphrey and William Tyrell as
owners of the other moiety of the Manor were called as witnesses. All
part of the complexity of the split manor and several husbands of Alice
and Elizabeth Bruyn
Lysons had said "Manor of Beckenham: Clement Harleston sold it, in 1530, to Robert Legh, Esq., whose descendant of the same name, in 1610, aliened it to Henry Snelgar, or Snelgrave, Esq. Lysons account differs in some respects to Hasted probably due to some vaguaries regardng the Bruyns, Tyrells and Dalstons. Even now we have reason to question same aspects, namely the possibility that Maude de la Rokele brought the manor over to the Bruyns rather than Isolda who's family name is unknown.
1531 - A foot of fine
referenced by Kent
Archaeology; Clem(ent) Harleston, esq & wife Margt to Robt
Legh, Rog
Starky, Matt Haddes, Jn Preston, Wm Lamberde, Robt Meredyth &
Ric Malary. Moiety of manor of Beckenham w/500a land, 200a
mead, 500a past & 500a wood in Beckenham. £300.
1531 - Beckenham,
Penge etc.; This will describes property and probably links with some
lands called Reddons and similar. (source; Kent Archaeology)
Henry
Rydon - Will 10 Dec 1531,
Return
to Book 14 Contents Page
10 Dec 1531. Henry Rydon of Battersey in Surre yoman. To be buried within the parisshe churche of Battersey as nighe unto Joanne late my wyfe as may be. To the Roodelight 3/4, Our Lady lyht in the high chauncell there 3/4. To owr ladye lighte in Sainte Nicolas Chauncell there 3/4. To the mayntence of Sainte Katherines light Vs. To eche of the ploughe light and Sainte Xtofer lighte 20d, toSaint George light 12d. At buryng 15 preests and 4 new torches and to be geven ij to Battersey (Battersea) on to Waunesworth (Wandsworth), to the paroche churche of Claphan an other. Months mind with 15 preests at dirige and masse for me and Joane late my wyfe and breade ale and chese at the saide churche thereto be dalte to every personne that will take yt. Obytt within the churche of Battersey for my soule etc. A coope of velvet broderid to the valew of £6.13.4. to the churche of Battersey and the saide cope to have in the mydds of the backe a scripture broderid in these words following:
Pray for the sowle of Henry Rydon and Joane his wyfe oon whoo soules God have mercye.
To Margerye my wyfe in goods etc £100.
To Robert my sonne my leas or Covent seale with the yeres conteyned in the same I hold and have of my Lorde Abbott priour and covent of Westmynster of the manor or lordeshippe of Battersey for terme yeres and if he die or he come to 21 yeres then to Henry my sonne at 21. I will my cosyn Robert Kyng of Beckenham in Kent, yoman shall occupie my said ferme yf he be dispoased to the use of the said Robert my sonne putting in sufficent surtes to be bounden to Nicolas ?Harris and Elizabeth his wyfe my doughter.
My wyfe Margerye to have an honest Chamber for her and a mayden within the said ferme by the space of oon hole yere after my decease. I will the £100 to Margery my wyfe shall stand and be to her in and for full satisfacon of all suche goods or stuff whiche were sold by me to Thomas Kyrry of London ?salfe parcell of the muentarye of the goods of Thos Otley whils he levid of London, Grocer her late husband.
To Elizabeth Harrys my doughter a gold ryng, a littl gilt pott, etc. To Nicolas Harrys my gowne coloroid browne tawny.
To Robert my sonmne bothe my best livereys gownes. To my uncle Henry King my gowne colorid medley furred with blacke lambe. Among the servunts of the now Abbott of the monasterye of Westmynster 6/8. To and among the servunts of the monke Bayly there 3/4 and of the priour 3/4. To Henry Rydon thelder 6/8, a maare with her foole, ij steryes and a yong heyfer. To Richd King my servunt 6/8, my baye maare with her fole, a cow, bullock, etc. To John Nichell my servunt 6/8, a gray ambling maare, etc. To John Harmon my servunt 6/8, a trotting bay nagg etc. To Thos King my gowne colorid medley. To John Lysteney my sheppard 6/8.
Residew to Robert and Henry my sonnes when 21. If both die then to Nicolas Harrys and Elizabeth his wyfe, my doughter.
I make Nicolas Harris and Robert Kyng extours. Wit. Sir Wm Bayly curate of the said churche of Battersey, Richd Holte, Thurstone Asheley, Rauf Hunter and John Hulson.
This is: of all my lands etc. in Battersey in Surrey and in Westerham, Bromeley, Beckenham and Lewisham in Kent. I will Margerye my wife have one annyte of £5 yerely owte of all my londs etc. that is 50s owte of my lands in Battersey and Wannesworth and other 50s owte of my lands in Westerham, Bromeley, Beckenham and Lewisham for her lyfe.
I will that Robert Ryden my sonne when 21 all my lands as well free as customary in Battersey and Wannesworth in Surrey. I will also that Henry Rydon my sonne when 21 shalhave all my lands, tenements, etc. in Westerham, Bromeley, Beckenham and Lewisham for ever.
I will my cosyn Robert King of Bekenham, yoman shalhave the Rule and governance and letting etc of all the saide lands willed to the said Robert durying all the noneage of the same Robert.
I will that Nicolas Harrys my sonne in law shall have the Rule etc. of the lands etc. appoynted to Henry my sonne during his noneage [in each case to pay the 50s to Margery my wife and 20s for the use etc. of the son].
Probate 4 Jan 1531.
1533 - Dawes v Style regarding a mortgage for a messuage in Beckenham (TNA)
1535 - John Dun's Will; John
Duns,
gentilman of the parishe of Bekenham in Dio Rochestre in Kent, syke in
bodye, etc. To be buried in the parishe church of Bekenham. To high
awter for tithes etc. 3/4. To the brotherhed of Saint George in the
same churche 6/8. For my sepulture in the same churche 6/8.
Rest to Elizabeth Duns my wife whom I make sool extrix and Henry
Vyolett of the same parishe overseer. In the persons of Maister Elys
Bodley Doctir and person of the same Church, Sir Thos Capulwode
parishe prest there, Hugh Corke Parishe clerk, Cornelyus Tomson
taillour of the same parishe and other moo. 5 Dec 1534 the yere of our
soverayn Lord King Henry the Eight 26.
Probate 20 Oct 1535 apud London Coram Dno aucti Dni ‘nri’ Regis ac in
terris eccl. Anglicane sub ?xten capitis supremi – By Elizth relict.
Such
Wills evidence occupants of the parish and in some cases their
property, neighbours and relations.
1535 - Foxgrove; An Act concerning the assurance of certain lands to the Lady Elizabeth Vaux in recompence of her jointure
Where before this time Syr Thomas Vaux Knyght
Lorde
Harrowdon, in consideracion of marriage had betwene hym and the Lady
Elizabeth
Nowe his Wife Doughter and Heire to Sir Thomas Cheyny Knyght deceased,
laufully
assured unto the seid Lady Elizabeth for time of ther lyfe amongst
others the
Manour of Grene Norton in the Countie aforesaid...
1536-1541 Dissolution of the Monastries under Henry VIII;
1538 - Unidentified property; Letters
and papers, foreign and domestic Henry VIII; see 1527 and 1529; Ric.
Long, King's servant. Lands in Greenwich, the "Queen's lands" in East
Greenwich, West Greenwich, Dexforde (sic),
Levesham, Kedbroke, Charleton, Wolwyche, Beknam, and Chesselhest, Kent,
forfeited by Hen. Norres, and Old Court manor in Greenwich. Undated.
(BHO)
1540 –1545 - From Hasted’s history of Kent and quotting Thomas Philipott in Villare Cantianum recorded that “Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, son of Elizabeth Bruyn, by her second husband, resided in the manor-house of Beckenham as lessee; and that he entertained Henry VIII there, "and here entertained Henry the eighth, with all the Cunning Pompe of Magnificence, as he went to bestow a Visit at Hever, on his discarded, and repudiated wife Ann of Cleve." (Henry married Anne of Cleves in 1540 and he died in 1547 but Brandon died in 1545 so if true it must have been within this 1540/45 five year window.)
For clarity this is the old manor house opposite St. George’s Church and not what we refer to as the Mansion in Beckenham Place.
Hever had been the home of the Boleyne’s but after Henry VIII had Ann Boleyn or Bullen and her brother executed he confiscated Hever and subsequently rented it to his fourth and ex-wife Anne of Cleve. In my understanding local folklore referred to Henry VIII staying in Beckenham on his way to see Anne Boleyne but maybe I misunderstood it. Philipott’s version is the earliest we have rediscovered at this time which describes Beckenham in any detail.
Philipott writes of Hever: “Hever in the Hundreds of Somerden and Ruxley, had in elder Times a Castle, which was the Capital Seat or Mannor built by Thomas de Hever, who had liberty by the Charter of Edward the third, granted to him in the fourth of his Raign, not only to embattle his Mansion here, but likewise had Free-warren annexed to his Lands in this place. William Hever deceased without Issue Male, and left only two Daughters and Co-heirs; Joane married to Reginald Cobham of Sterborough, and the other wedded to Brocas, whence in Records it is sometimes called Hever Cobham and Hever Brocas, and when the Cobhams went out, the Bullens were the immediate Purchasers; for Geffrey Bullen purchased this Place, and his Grand-child Sir Thomas Bullen Knight of the Garter, and Earl of Wilts, lived here, who was Father to Anne Bullen, Wife to Henry the eighth; and as he had here his Habitation, so likewise he has here his Sepulcher, and lieth emtombed in Hever-church; but when his Son George Viscount Rochford, upon pretence of some black Crimes acted against the Majesty of Henry the eighth, fell under the Censure of High Treason; this upon his Attainder or Conviction was escheated to the Crown, and began to be reputed a Mansion of some Estimate, when Anne of Cleve for some Time lived here, and made it her residence; but, in Times subsequent to this, I find it eminent for nothing, till King James granted it to Sir Edward Waldgrave, whose Successor yet possesses it.”
This just needs a bit of clarification but of no impact on our history of Beckenham. However, maybe it’s an example of how information becomes distorted, confusing the two Anne’s associated with Henry VIII and Hever. Hevercastle.co.uk states: In 1540 Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Henry’s decision to marry Anne was based on a portrait miniature painted by Hans Holbein. The marriage was made for political reasons but ended in divorce six months later. Henry VIII awarded her the honorary title of ‘The King’s Sister’, £500 a year, a sufficient household and two houses. In addition, he allowed her to lease a number of manors to enhance her status and income, including Hever, at an annual rent of £9-13s-3½d. Anne settled happily in England and became good friends of the King and Anne Boleyn’s daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I.
Anne of Cleves had Hever Castle until her death in 1557 but it is not known how much time she spent at the Castle. However, there is a surviving letter written by Anne to Mary Tudor in 1554 signed ‘from my poore house of Hever’.
Henry VIII took Hever from the Boleyne’s or Bullens as Anne Boleyne had been accused of adultery with her brother etc.
1541 - Foot of Fine: Kelsey: Robt
Brogreve, esq & Margt Parker, wid. to Robt Chidley &
Robt Hamond. Manor of Kelsellys w/3a mead, 155a past & 160a
wood in Beckenham. Enfeoffment. (40)
(Trinity) (Kent Arch.)
Acknowledges a lease as the land remains Brograve
1541 - Foot of Fine: Beckenham Manor Tyrell moiety: Hum Tyrrell, esq & wife Joan to Guy Crafford of London, esq. Moiety of manor of Beckenham w/500a land, 200a mead, 500a past, 500a wood & 500a waste in Beckenham. Enfeoffment. (17) (Kent Arch.) Acknowledges a lease as the land remains Tyrell
1544 - Licences
to alienate lands: Humph. Tyrrell to Sir Ralph Warren, alderman. Moiety
of Bekenham manor and of lands (extent given) in Bekynham, Kent, and of
the advowson of Bekenham church. (12th.) P. 18, m. 10. (BHO)
1547 - Foxgrove: Luke Hollingworth, who, about the year 1547, sold it to Sir John Olyffe whose only daughter and heir (Joan) married John Leigh, Esq. of Addington, in Surrey. From him, it later descended to Sir Francis Leigh, d1711. (Via Sir Oliph Leigh, Sir Francis Leigh, Sir Thomas Leigh, Then Sir Francis Leigh d1711) (Philipot/Hasted) "Humphrey Beversea, I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth (1527), and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth (1547), sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London,"
1547 - The will of Eli
s
Bodley, parson of Beckenham mentions his residence
at Beckenham and several bequests to local people. Describes property
at his residences in London and Beckenham.
2
Sept. 1547 (1 Edw VI and in earthe supreme headd of the churche of
Englonde & Irelonde). I Elys
Bodley parson
of Saint Stephens in Walbrooke in London and also parson of Beckinhem
(Beckenham) in the Diocs. of Rochester in Kent. My soule to almyghte
God my Redemer and maker to ower Blyssedd ladye the Virgyn Saint Marye
and to all the Saints in heven and my boddye to be buryed within the
parryshe churche where it fortune me to decase. My bodye borne by 4
poore folkes them to have 8d apece
for their labours. I will that seven of the poreste householders of the
parryshe of Saint Stevens and 7 other of Saint Buttolphes nye
Billingsgate eache to have 20 pence apece and to other poore persons of
Walbrooke warde and Saint Buttolfs warde 4d apece
to the some of 53/4. To 20 of the poreste howsholders of the parrishe
of Beckingham eche half a busshell wheate and a bushell Rie and also to
13 other of the poreste of them 13d apece
in the honour of God ower lady and the 12 appostles and to other poore
people twoo pence a pece to the some of 6s8d and
to seven poore maydens nexte there to be maryed in the parryshe of
Beckinhan 20d apece
in the honor of God and ower blyssidd Lady. To the buyldynge of the
olde woorke of Powlys 4s.
If any parte of my brothers testament Mr Thomas Bodley be founde not
fulfilled as I truste to God shall not dewlie be provyd by anny boddye
my extours to fulfill it in annye wyse above all thinges. I will the
plate concernynge Fraunces Bodley my brother Williams son geven unto
him by my saide Brother Vicar Maister Thos Bodley
which remayneth in my ladys Askewys kepinge be geven to him in dewe
tyme accordynge to my brothers testament and lykewyse the porcons of
all his Systers remaynynge in my handes that is not delivered all redye
to be delivered at there marryage daye or when they come to thage of 18
yeres.
All such plate of myne remaynynge in my syster Gresham handes to be
devyded to the saide Fraunces and his three systers Katheryne, Alice
and Gryssell Bodleyes equallye savinge a dozenne spones whiche I will
and bequeth to my said Syster Gresham.
To Katheryne Bodleye my shorte skarlet gowne, a saulte of silver and
parcell gilte, half a dozenne spones and a nutt of silver and gilte
with a cover besides the porcon aforenamed of the plate aforesaid. To
Andrewe Hubbarde sometyme my servunt a fetherbedd, a bolster, a
mattress etc. a brass pott, a cobbarde at Bekinghan, twoo
candelstickes, a grydyron, a spytt and frynge panne. To John Chambre my
gowne furrid with black lambe whiche I do were at Bekingham, my beste
dublitt and my shorte Frocke. To every godchilde at London and
Beckingham that berithe my name 3/4.
I will my extours shall provyde to geve to everye house of the Parrishe
of Saint Stephens and Saint B. iij spice kaks and iij bunes accordynge
to theire discrecon and other of my freends and kynnesfolks more
largelier and plentifull to geve.
I will my waytinge servunt shall have 10s besids
his quarters wages. I will that every housholde servunt servinge me at
Beckingham to have 5/- besides theire quarters wages and my woman
servunte there fyve shillings in money and a nolde gowne that liethe on
her bedd. And the tawny to be delivered to John Hall of Lewsham that
leyed them to me to plegg longe agoo.
To my Ladye Askewe for a token to praye for my soule a ringe of golde
that I have Redye made and my beste horsse, the best cowe that I have,
a quarter of wheate and haulf a quarter of Rie.
To my syster Gresham a ringe whiche I do were customable and to my
Brother her husbande a ringe of golde of fortie shillynges. To my
syster Bodlaye at Billingsgate a hoope of golde whiche was my fathers
and a horsse. To my cosyn Edmonde Askewe and to Richard his brother
eche a golde ringe of 20s.
To ?Eme Edmude Askewes doughter and my god doughter 20s.
To Xtofer my godson Richarde Askewes sonne 20s.
To my Cosyn Dennys Lewsson in Lyme strete and to my cosyn Butler by the
Stocks to eche a golde ringe of 13/4. To Sr Henrye
Cockes my furred frocke and a pottill pott, a candelstick and a chaver
nexte the Dore in my parsonage at London. To Sr Richarde
my shorte gowne. To Wm Sherneforde
a bedd furnyshed and 40s when
he is owte of his yeres.
I bequethe all the lande and tenements I have at Stretham or anny where
ells to my cosyn Fraunces Bodleye and his heires. The Residue of all
the goodes, stuff of householde at London and Beckingham my debts and
Funeralls paid I geve to my brothers foure children aforesaide and I
make my extours my cosyn Lawnslott Haryson grocer to whome I geve for
his paynes takyng ij kyen, tenne shepe, a horsse, a bedd furnyshed and
my blacke gowne lyned with damaske and my lovynge syster Bettris
Bodleye and I make my overseer my cosyn John Marshe of Mylkestrete and
I geve to him for his labor a pursse of velvet with the Ringes of
silver and gilte. And to my cosyn his wyfe a ringe of golde of twentie
shillinges.
In wytnes wherof I have subscribed this my ? testament and laste will
with myne owne hande and sealed with my seale these beinge presente By
me James Strotell by me Harry Blower.
Probate coram duo Cantuarien Achiepoapud London 17 April 1548 by
Lancelot Harryson and Beatricis Bodley exors.
1548 - Foot of Fine; Q: Ric, Geo and Thos, Caryll. D: Geo Forman & wife Agnes. 1 mess, 80a land, 20a mead, 100a past, 60a wood in Hayes, W. Wickham, Beckenham & Bromley. 200 marks.(Kent Arch) Unidentified but if a contiguous parcel of land could be Shortlands, Pickhurst, Langley area.
1549 - Foot of Fine; Q:
Wm Parker. D: Hum Tyrrell, esq.
Moiety of Manor of Beckenham with 40 mess, 500a land, 200a
mead, 500a past, 500a wood, 500a waste in Beckenham,
Bromley, Hayes, Lewisham. £400. (Kent Arch). The amount of land
mentioned in these documents is impossible to reconcile with later
audits of land but here this half of the Manor of Beckenham is said to
extend into surrounding areas. Also the 40 messuages describes the
farms and smallholdings that the manor is divided into. Waste we are
thinking may describe Penge Common or Hayes Common.
1549 - Foot of Fine; Q: Thos Sirrell,(Tirrell?) esq. D: Wm Parker & wife Margy. Manor of Beckenham with 40 mess, 500a land, 200a mead, 500a past, 500a wood, 500a waste in Beckenham, Hayes, Bromley, Lewisham. £400.
1550 - Foot of Fine; Q: Th Gavell, Rob Wylloughbye, gent. D: Ric Caryll & wife Clement, Geo, Th Caryll gents. 2 mess, 160a land, 20a mead, 160a past, 40a wood £1 rent in Westerham, Edenbridge, Hayes, W. Wickham, Beckenham, Bromley & Farnborough. 200 marks. (Kent Arch). The divers areas implies this property is widely spread and divided although described as 2 messuages.Although Hayes, West Wickham, Bromley and Beckenham can in theory be connected by one parcel of land Westerham and Edenbridge are a significant distance away.
1552 - Foot of Fine; Q: Hen Stanmore. D: Mary Brograve. 1 mess, 8a land, 16a mead, 20a past, 6a wood called Longs in Beckenham. £60. (Kent Arch). Possibly a messuage which had been leased by the Brograves being taken back in hand.
1552 - Foot of Fine; Q: Ric Wigmore, mercer of London. D: Jn Brograve. Manor of Kelsellys with 4 mess, 23a mead, 155a past, 160a wood in Beckenham. 1000 marks. (Kent Arch)
http://www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-32-83.pdf
1552/1557 date to be confirmed Sir Edmund Style inherits Langley from his father Sir Humphrey Style
1553 - Queen Mary I until 1558
1553 - Foot of Fine; Q: Hen Brograve. D: Jn Brograve, gent. Manor of Kelsys with 6 mess, 400a land, 100a mead, 200a past, 300a wood in Beckenham & Hayes. £600.
1555 - Foxgrove; Foot of Fine Querant: Thos Acworth, cit & merchant taylour of London. Deforciant: Wm Vaus, esq (son & heir apparent of Thos Vaus, Ld Harrowden.) Manor of Foxgrove with 20 mess, 500a land, 60a mead, 200a past, 300a wood, 500a waste in Beckenham, Lewisham & Bromley. £280.(Kent Arch.)
The description of 20 messuages illustrates that Foxgrove accommodated several smallholdings and contradicts the later descriptions of Foxgrove being just one entity.
1555 - Foot of Fine; Q: Wm Curtes, Jn Skelton.
D: Thos Whyte & wife Sibyll.
2 cottages & 2 gdns in Beckenham. £20. (Kent Arch)
1556 - Approximate date of birth of John Dalston (1556-1609) of Cumberland who by marrying a Tyrell heiress will acquire one moiety of Beckenham Manor. Dalston is mentioned on the map of 1623 along with Henry Snelgrave (Snelgar).
1557 - Beckenham (High Street) and Bromley;
Swane (John),
of the town of Bromley, co. Kent, draper.—To be buried in the parish
church of
S. Peter, Bromley. To John his eldest son his mansion house and
tenements in
the parish of S. Mary Abohuroh(Abchurch) in S. Laurence Pownteney'Lane,
and his leasehold
farm called "Shorams" in the parish of Beckenam, co. Kent, in tail;
remainder to Edith and Agnes his daughters. To Anne his wife his house
at
Bromley called "the taberde" for life, with similar remainder; and a
field called "Barnet." Bequests to his daughters' children, his
servants, and others. Dated 13 February, A.D. 1557.
Roll 251 (166).
Monday next before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.]
Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688.
1561
- Sydenham; possibly
adjoining Kent House or Penge
| ry | London Borough of Bromley Archives |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 242/1 |
| Title | Bargain and sale enrolled for £60 of Rasselande, a messuage, orchard, garden, and land (12a.) at Sippenham, formerly occupied by John Hewes, now occupied by Batt |
| Date | 14 April 1561 |
| Description | Edward Dove, citizen of London, clothmaker to Nicholas Legh of Beckenham, gentleman. |
| Extent | 1 Item |
1567
- Beckenham Manor, 1 moiety; Robert Leigh the elder dies and buried at
St.George's. Not related to the Leighs of Addington or Foxgrove.
1570 - Manor of Beckenham; under Elizabeth I A Petition of John Johnson to Sir Wm. Cecill. Requests that examination be made of a lease, by which one-half of the lordship of Beckenham, Kent, the property of one Tyrrell, a ward, is demised to Robert Ligh (Leigh), by Humphrey Tyrrel and Jane his wife. (BTO)
Robert Ligh (Legh/Leigh) had acquired the other moietie of Beckenham Manor from Clement Harleston and is leasing the other moiety from Tyrell. The Tyrell moiety will revert to Tyrells and descend to Dalston and Curwen via family intermarriages.
1577 - Foxgrove ; Luke Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth (1547), sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London, and he dying (1577) without Issue Male, Joan(his daughter) matched (1563)to John Leigh of Addington Esquire, was his sole Heir (1577), and in Right of this Alliance, did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh (d.1644) late of East-Wickham; whose Widow Dowager the Lady Christian Leigh, is now in Possession of it.(1659 she died in 1660)
1583
- Beckenham Manor; Nicholas Leigh dies and leaves a will although
no record of his burial is at Beckenham indicating he may have resided
or died elsewhere.
1589
- circa; Sir John Dalston of Cumberland marries Ann (Catherine) Tyrrel
or
Tirrel,
daughter of Thomas Tirrel (source: History of Parliament)
However, current research is indicating that the wife's name was Ann.
In any case this was Dalston's second marriage at the age of
about 33. The couple had two daughters, one of whom married Henry
Curwen.
1590 - The Will of Izarde Curtis or Curtys of Beckenham, widow of William Curtys, is reported as recording " my house and lande within the pische of Lewisham called Stumpeshill" (source: R.Reed) 'pische' is an alternative spelling or abbreviation of "parish". Whether this refers to property on the site of Beckenham Place is speculative but may be supported by indications of buildings on Rocque's map of 1745. At present it is the earliest written indication we have for buildings on or near the site. Frustratingly, wills and property deeds often lack any map or detail to allow for identification of land.
1596
- Penge: There seem
to have been several tenants of the manor at Penge in 1596, (source:
H.E.Malden, A History of the County of Surrey, 1912)
An extract: The 'hamlet' of Penge was part of the ancient
ecclesiastical parish of Battersea. The curious anomalies of its local
government led to its formation as a separate urban district and its
transfer to the county of Kent in 1900. (fn. 49) Penge was a
wooded district, over which the tenants of Battersea Manor had common
of pasture. (fn. 50) The boundaries of the hamlet on the
north in February 1604–5 were the common of Rockhills (evidently
Rockhills in Upper Sydenham, immediately north of the Crystal Palace)
and the 'Shire Ditch' leading past the house called 'Abbetts' to the
north corner of 'Lord Riden's Wood.' The Shire Ditch also bounded the
hamlet on the east and was crossed by 'Willmoores Bridge,' half in Kent
and half in Surrey. On the south it was bounded by the waste or common
of Croydon, the green way from Croydon to Lewisham. On the west was a
wood 'of Mr. Colton's' in Camberwell parish, which stretched from
Vicker's Oak to the Low Cross near Rockhills. (fn. 51) There
seem to have been several tenants of the manor at Penge in
1596, (fn. 52) but in 1725 the vicar of Battersea returned to
Bishop Willis that there were only thirteen houses and sixty
inhabitants in Penge, who went to Beckenham Church, and for whose care
he paid a trifling consideration to the incumbent of
Beckenham. (fn. 53) The whole common was inclosed under an
Act of 1827. (fn. 54) There were then 320 acres already
inclosed and several houses standing there. In 1853 Mr. Schuster sold
his park on the summit of Penge Hill to the Crystal Palace Company for
the re-erection of the gigantic building made by Sir Joseph Paxton for
the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. (fn. 55) The
Palace was opened by Queen Victoria in 1854. (fn. 56) In
1877, owing to financial difficulties and to the 'Greenwich fair
characteristics,' which had replaced the former educational objects of
the Palace, the company was reconstituted. (fn. 57) The
Palace, as originally planned, was the exhibition building of glass and
iron which had served for the Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park,
re-erected on this site, with the addition of high water towers to
supply the fountains in the grounds. Inside courts were erected to
illustrate the arts and architecture of different periods, from the
Egyptian monarchy to the Italian Renaissance, and there was a great
collection of plaster casts of famous statues. (fn. 58) A
School of Art and Music was established, and later a School of Forestry
and Engineering, which has continued to flourish. The Palace became the
chief seat of the highest class of music near London, and the Handel
Festivals, under the direction of Sir Michael Costa and Sir August
Manns, obtained the greatest reputation, as did the Saturday Concerts
so closely associated with the names of Sir August Manns and Sir George
Grove. But the public taste did not rise to this level, and the theatre
and music-hall exhibitions gradually eclipsed the educational features.
The grounds, of great extent, including a cricket field, football
ground and a lake, continue to furnish unrivalled scope for
exhibitions, excursions, games and firework or aeronautical displays.
The land surrounding the Palace was sold shortly before 1875 for
building purposes, and the whole site is now for sale.
1600
- Beckenham Manor (part of) to
Bradbury,
from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz.(1600)
it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent,
who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George
Dalston
of Cumberland,
who in our Memory (1630-?)
conveyed it to Sir Patrick
Curwin
of the same County, who later sold it to Oliver St. John (1635)
(source; Philipot)
We
are finding that the accounts of Philipot and Hasted treat the descent
of Beckenham manor perhaps too briefly and with missed elements.
However, the issue is complicated and has confused several writers.
Although Bradbury was involved with the Tyrells this part of the Manor
came by a daughter, Ann of the Tyrells who married Sir John Dalston and
thereby via a Dalston daughter to Henry Curwen who married Catherine
Dalston and it descended to their son Patricius who sold it to Sir
Oliver St. John circa 1638 (source; K.Baldwin research)
1603 -
King James I (VI of Scotland) until 1625
Malden's History of Surrey from 1912 probably quotes Lyson's work. Abbetts or Abbotts and Lord Riden's Wood are described on the 1768 Manor of Beckenham map copied from 1623. Willmoores Bridge is shown on the Burrell estates map of 1723/35
1610
- Beckenham Manor: Robert Legh (Leigh), Esq., whose descendant of the
same
name, in
1610, aliened it to Henry Snelgar, or Snelgrave, Esq. (Lysons)
Several
chroniclers relate that this Robert Leigh who is grandson of the
purchaser of Beckenham Manor sells it to Henry Snelgrave, later Sir
Henry, but documentary evidence apart from the 1623 map has not been
discovered. Other documents about this time record some of the Leigh
family property dealings.
1613 – Several early maps of Kent are on record showing Beckenham identified by a church or manor house but the only other detail is Langley placed between Beckenham and West Wickham.
From John Speed’s map 1614
1623 - A Plan of the Manor of Beckenham lands is drawn by Nicholas Lane showing they are divided between Sir Henry Snellyer (Snelgrave) of Beckenham and Sir John Dolston (Dalston) of Cumberland. According to Philipott and later Hasted the manor was earlier inherited by two Bruyn daughters and divided into two parts or moieties between them and their relevant husbands. After a few generations the Manor became rejoined into one under the St.John family circa 1635-50. The timeline will have any details. This image from the plan (below) is the main part of Beckenham Manor, north is toward the bottom right hand corner. The legend explaining the division, written in 1623 and transcribed by T. Proudlove in 1768. The original map has not been discovered but this is from the later redrawn version.
From
Philipot: "Robert
Leigh
descended
out of Cheshire,
whose
Successor about the latter End of King James (1620-25)
alienated
it to Sir Henry
Snelgrave,
from
whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry
Snelgrave,
(in 1639) ".
Snelgrave must be in
possession by 1623 according to the map legend and is
described as buying from Leigh in 1610 by Lysons.
Matching
the plan against the Foxgrove Manor plan and more modern maps also
shows that very little Beckenham Manor land is in Beckenham Place Park.
It
would seem that only the edge of Stumps Hill Wood was in Beckenham
Manor. The land to the left of the outlined section marked Sir Francis
Leigh is part of Foxgrove Manor which becomes Beckenham Place. The
Church and old Manor House are marked. Other
parts of the map show the outlying fields and Abbey Farm at Penge
Common, the latter is now partially enclosed within Crystal Palace Park.
Courtesy
of the British Library © a section of the map excluding parts near
Penge, Crystal Palace, Kelsey and Langley
Transcript of the map legend:
The Plot of the Manor of Beckenham with the Demesne Lands Woods Pastures Meadows and Brooks unto the same pertaining now used and belonging situate lying & being in the said Parish of Beckenham In the County of Kent. And is now the Manor Land etc. of Two Men as yet un-divided (that is to say?) Henry Snellyer (aka Snelgrave) of the Parish of Beckenham aforesaid his own part or Moiety. And Sir John Dolston (sic Dalston?) of the Parish of Dolston in the County of Cumberland Kt. the other part or Moiety As... is inscribed and plotted one Tenement or Farm and the Land unto the same belonging being also in the said Parish of Beckenham called the Abbey and is coloured about in Yellow. Being the said S. Henry’s own tenement and Land and now Leased out unto Richard Baldwyn of the same Yeo. All which said Manor and Tenement and the said several Lands etc. were at the Request of the said Sir Henry Snellyer. Measured and Plotted in the month of November in the year 1623. By Nicholas Lane. Supervisor.
T. Proudlove. TransferiRfit. 1768
Courtesy
of the British Library shelf ref Maps 188.k.3.
Above;
The Abbey Farm lands leased to Richard Baldwin. It would be interesting
to learn where Henry Snellyer/Snelgrave is residing but the disparate
parts of Beckenham Manor allow for several possibilities. The parish
records
for St.George's have several burials for Baldwins from the 16th century
onwards but none that would fit this Richard Baldwin although probably
his father and grandfather of the same name appear on the burial
register
The acreages of the two parts and the part identified as leased.
Sir
John Dalston is traceable as MP for Cumberland who soon after sold or
transferred his
part to Patricius Curwen, also MP for Cumberland.
Both on History of Parliament online. The name Snellyer seems to be
interchangeable or aliased with Snelgrave and Snelgar.
This
link for Patrick or Patricius Curwen at History of Parliament explains
Curwens relationship with the Dalstons through marriage and his
business activities. This added to the footnote below from Lyson's
increases the likelihood of an interfamily transfer or maybe a marriage
settlement. Whether Dalston or Curwen used Beckenham as a residence
while attending Parliament remains a question. https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/curwen-patricius-1602-1664
1623 - Beckenham Church is under Rochester Diocese covering this dispute over a private pew. Contemporary with the drawing of the map of Beckenham Manor and perhaps part of the process of formalizing the 'assets' which went with each moiety of the manor.
| Held by:West Sussex Record Office | |
|---|---|
| Date:
unknown |
|
| Reference: | Ep/II/29/1 |
1624 - This relates to several properties in Beckenham and elsewhere including Langley, Kent House, Clayhersts(Clayhill or possibly Woolseys Farm?) and Simpsons Place or Farm in Bromley. The Bosvilles and Pershalls had possession or occupancy of Simpsons Place. A loan between the families resulted in a later court of Chancery case whereby the Style family claimed repossession of Simpsons Place, see 1668/70. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case Simpsons and other property as part of the Styles Langley estates was passed to the Elwills via marriage to a Style heiress and the Elwills sold Langley including Simpsons to Hugh Raymond in 1732.
Hull History Centre: Papers of the Bosville-Macdonald Family
U
DDBM/36/3 Marriage Settlement: William Stile(Style) senr. of Bromlye
esq., to
his son
and heir Sir Humphrey Stile, Sir John Peshall of Sogonhill, co.
Staffs., Dame
Elizabeth Boswell widow of Sir Robert Bosvile, Thomas Stile of
Watringberrie
esq. and Edmond Stile of Beckenham gent., (brother of W. S. senior):
prior to
marriage of Sir H. S. and Dame E. B. Messuages and lands in Beckenham,
Lewsham,
Langlye Greene, Wickham and Deptford, co. Kent; and in Batrichsey, co.
Surrey
(Tenants and rents specified. Mentions capital messuage called Langley,
messuage called Kent House and lands called the Parkes, Tomshill,
Southfield,
Rudlies and Croftes, Dawes Grove, Gravely Croft, the Newe Orchard,
Gilbertes,
Gilbertes Brooke, Henly Grove, Feildes, Great and Little Toms
Woodfeild,
Bruehouse Field, the Wildes, Willmottes, Clayhersts, Tenn Acres, the
Hopyard,
the Ozier Yard, Wickersland Meade in Beckenham, Birchgrove in Wickham.
Jenkyns
and Issabell Field in Lessham). Witn. Stephen Scott, Robert Style, Ra.
Massie,
Richard Harvye, John Fryer, Edmund Savage. Endorsed with attornment of
34
tenants (26 April 1624) 1 item 9 Apr 1624
U
DDBM/36/11 Settlement (i) Sir Henry Bosvile of Eynsford, Robert Brent
of Grayes
Inn esq., Benjamin Green citizen and haberdasher of London and Edward
Browne of
Cliffords Inn, gent. (ii) Richard and Bridgett Bosvile younger children
of
Richard Bosvile of Bionnie, co. Staffs., esq. (iii) Robert Bosvileesq.
(son and
heir of the said Richard B. dec'd) and Elizabeth Martin widow of
William Martin
of the Middle Temple, gent., dec'd Capital messuage called Simpsons
Place in
Bromley with all appurtenances and 400 acres of woods in Beckenham,
Bromley,
Hayes, Lewsham, Orpington and Keiston: Witn. E. Simanans, Paul Pullein
1 item
24 Jun 1673
U
DDBM/34/12
Covenant to levy a fine (i) William Martyn of Middle Temple, London,
gent., and
wife Elizabeth, widow and admin. of Richard Bosvile of Bionnie, co. of
Staffs.
esq. (ii) John Byrch of Cannocke, co. Staffs., gent. and Walter Higges
of
Stafford, gent. (iii) Sir Richard Oteley of Pitchford co. Salop and Sir
Henry
Bosvile of Eynsford co. Kent and Robert Bosvileesq., (as (i)) Capital
messuage
called Sympsons place in Bromeley; 400 acres woodland in pars (parishes
of).
Beckenham, Bromeley, Hayes, Lewsham, Orpington and Keiston all in the
co. Kent:
To uses declared in indenture of previous dated. Witn. Geo. Gyford,
Rob. Brent,
John Evens 1 item
1624
- Langley passes from William Style (1560-1624)
to Humphrey Style (1585-1660) who
dies without issue so his half
brother William inherits in 1660
1625 - King
Charles I until 1649
1626 - Oct. 10. Calendar of State Papers Domestic; Scadbury. 63. Dep. Lieuts. of Kent to the Council. Sir Henry Snelgar is charged with arms in that county.
Sir Henry Snelgar(Snelgrave) of Beckenham Manor in his capacity as Magistrate. The full meaning of "charged with arms" is not known, it may mean supplied with for a militia. The usual unrest may exist between England and France as this is around the time of the persecution of the Huguenots. In this year on May 6th Dutch colonist Peter Minuit organizes the purchase of Manhattan Island from Native Americans for 60 Guilders worth of goods. Believed to have been Canarsee Indians of the Lenape.
1627
- Langley; William Style acquires a licence under Charles I to empark
any part of his lands in Bromley, Beckenham, West Wickham and Hayes.
(October) source: BHO
1633 - Humphrey Style writes a letter to his wife or someone close about arranging a procession. Whether the Snelgar is Henry Snelgrove of Beckenham Manor is in question. Some curiosity must be expressed regarding Court cases in Chancery between Style and Snelgar (Snelgrave):
Sir
Humphrey Style 1633.(original
spellings) from Robert Borrowman's "Beckenham Past and Present"
Dear Harte, I have had, since I parted with thee, three fits of an agewe, wich hath troubled mee very sorely,but I thank God I have nowe quite lost yt, and begun to be very well. Monsieur de Soubise kisseth your hand, and Desired me to write you word you must not be angry with him for keeping mee beyond my apointed time. Newes wee have none heere, but of horses and dogs. I hope that thou hast lost they could by this time. I shall not be in London till the 4th of March wch will be Shrove Mondeye, therefore I would entreate thee, the Satturdie before to goe out of towne to my ladie Prescot’s house. I would have thee stay till the Sises bee ended: then I will come and fetch you theare. Take all the men with you but Snelgar, who must help mee to my clothes.
Leave Lucres and marie to look to the house in London. Pennefather I would have goe down to Langleye, that he may help to look to the Parke in the absence of Moseley. I would have all my menne to meete mee on Shrove Tuesday, by 10 of the clock in the morning, at the Bull in Dartford for at that time, God willing, I intend to be theere, and from thence to Rochester that night, to meete the Hie Sherife. French and Oxenbridge, as I remember Sir Thomas Stile did desier, should be without fayle on Ash Wensdaye morning by eight of the clock, at Westram, to meet the Under Sherif, to come along with the Judge that cometh out of Surreye. Pray bid Snelgar to buie mee 6 javelins, wheere Sir Thomas hath bespoke his, and that he paye for them two shillings a piece: allso that he call to Mr Wood the haberdasher for the hats and feathers, also the bridles and saddles; and that the groom have order to fit all the saddles and bridle to everie horse, and that all the horses be well dressed, fed and trimmed. I would have the white gelding for Snelar to ride on, Ashfield for Barlow , the great bay mare for William Bennet, and the black nag bought of Charles for the grooome; Moseley on his own horse, the cook upon crop and Harnie’s horse for mr Lovekin, for he hath lent mee his horse for his own boy to ride on. My little black nagg, Terringham, I would have sadelled with my crimson velvet pad, and that the groome be sure that I have newe stirrops, stirrop leathers, bridle and girts, and that nothing be amiss. I would have the groome with all the rest of my men, Snelgar and the boye who shall come along with mee from London, to bee up very early upon Shrove Tewesdaye in the morning, that theye may coom softly with the horses to Dartford, and that they lead with them my black nag Terringam, the white gelding for Snelgar, Harnies’s horse for Mr. Lovekin, who shall likewise coom downe with mee from London; so they shall meete their horses at Dartford. The foot man I would have coom alonge with them, because I would have his clothes handsome. If Sir John Prescot will not goe to the assizes, which I hope he will, then i desire his gelding may be b16rought along to Dartford, for my wife to ride on, then one of my men shall ride on my black nag, and I wold have Crop left at home because he is very poor and ilfavoured.
1636 - Showing that Sir Henry
Snelgrave of Beckenham Manor was a JP for Kent; (BHO)
Oct.
20.
Deptford.22.
Sir Henry Palmer to Sir Henry Snelgrave, Justice of Peace of Kent.
The west part of that county being charged with carriage of timber for his Majesty's service, the writer prays that a speedy course may be taken therein. [The same seal as No. 18. ½ p.] Underwritten,
22. i. Sir Henry Snelgrave to Sir Henry Palmer. Sent the Council's letter to Sir Thomas Walsingham, deputylieutenant, as is usual. [¼ p.]
22. ii. Certificate of Sir Thomas Walsingham that, finding the latter concerned the west part of Kent, he sent it to the Quarter Sessions at Maidstone, where an order was given for the Clerk of the Peace to answer the same to the Council. [¼ p.]
Also
in 1636 letters to Sir Henry and others speak of the concern of
contagion being carried by persons travelling to and from London.
Plague and other diseases such as smallpox are recorded in the diaries
of John Evelyn. The plague would have regular outbreaks though not as
great as 1665. Justices of the Peace including Sir Henry Snelgrave are
charged with preventing to and from London especially where it
might carry infection to royal residences. (source BHO Calendar of
State Papers Charles I)
79. The same to Sir Thomas Walsingham, Sir Henry Snelgrave, and Thomas Blunt. Letter similar to that addressed on the 18th instant, to the Justices of Peace of Surrey [see No. 62] but having relation to Greenwich "the site of one of his Majesty's standing houses." [Draft. 1 p.]
1638/39
(at the latest) - Patricius or
Patrick
Curwen, MP for Cumberland sold
his Interest in Beckenham Manor
(1 moiety) to Sir Oliver
St. John
of Batricksey
(Battersea)
in Surrey,
who upon his Decease 1639
gave
it to his Son John
who died young in 1657. Then to
Mr. Walter,
but upon the Death of his Nephew 1657,
Sir Walter
St. John
Baronet, (Oliver
St. John had one son named John who left property and
the title
to his uncle Walter St. John.).
However a 'calendar of docquets' dates a license to alienate this
moiety of the Manor of Beckenham to 1639 and to other parties than
Oliver St. John although those parties may have been acting for
St.John. Oliver St.John died in 1639 so this transaction had to take
place at this time at the latest.
Patrick
Curwen may have decided to sell
after the death of his only son Henry in 1636 and then having no direct
heir.
The
passage of Curwen and prior to him Dalston through the Manor of
Beckenham could be imagined to relate to thier office as MP's for
Cumberland but family intermarriages brought about the succession of
ownership from the Tyrells down through Dalston to Curwen. Sir John
Dalston was succeeded by his grandson George
Dalston as MP. and it appears that Patricius Curwen and George
Dalston as Royalist MPs were part of the number of MP's prevented from
sitting in the Long Parliament giving rise to the Rump Parliament of
1648. Lyson's
adds a footnote: "The
alliances of the Tyrrells, Dalstons, and Curwens are taken from St.
George's Visitation of Cumberland, in the College of Arms. The
alienation from Sir George Dalston, (who was son of Sir John Dalston by
a second wife,) to Sir Patrick Curwen, as mentioned by Philipott and
Hasted, was, it is probable, a family conveyance. He might have been
trustee for Sir Patrick, who was his nephew. The conveyance of this
moiety of the manor, from Humphrey Tyrrell to Sir Ralph Warren,
mentioned by Philipott, and confirmed by Pat. 35 Hen. VIII. pt. 18.
April 12, was probably a mortgage, or trust, though not declared; as
was also, I suppose, a conveyance from the same Humphrey Tyrrell to
William Parker, citizen and draper. Pat. 2 Edw. VI. pt. 1. Nov." This
adds to the complexity of ownership but illustrates the potential
financial dealings via mortgages and that family connections were
involved in the transfers.The
matter might be further complicated by the upcoming civil war as Curwen
enlisted as a colonel in the Royalist army. The other documents may
reveal that other parties were involved in the disposal of this part of
Curwen's estate.
1638/39
- Beckenham Manor (one part); Sir Henry Snelgrave is buried in St.
George's Beckenham leaving this part to Mr. Henry Snelgrave his
grandson. Although his will asks for him to be buried near his wife at
St. Georges the burial records do not show him but do show his wife and
several children but as our source is a transcription then errors
may exist. His will
mentions substantial lands in Beckenham, Surrey and Hampshire. I am led
to wonder if his acquisition of part of Beckenham Manor had anything to
do with his appointment as Justice of the Peace for West Kent.
From
Philipott: Robert
Leigh
descended
out of Cheshire,
whose
Successor about the latter End of King James (1620-25)
alienated
it to Sir Henry
Snelgrave,
from
whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry
Snelgrave,
who
not long since passed it away to Mr. Walter,
now
Sir Walter
St. John
Baronet,
who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor, for other Land with his
Brother Mr. Henry
St. John."
We can clarify that as Snelgrave and Dalston had the 1623 map drawn up which might be taken as a 'latest' date at which Snelgrave bought his part of Beckenham Manor. We also find this latter description has missed some detail as records in Surrey archive reveal that Mr Henry Snelgrave, the grandson, sold or mortgaged it to the Evelyn brothers, Richard, George and John the diarist of Deptford in 1648 who in turn sold it to Walter and Henry St. John in 1650, see 1648 and 1650.
The
burial records for the Snelgraves show that some members died very
close to one another ie one child dying at a date close to the mother
and one son dying at a date close to the father's death. Whether this
indicates visitations of disease or coincidence we cannot say.
1640
- Humphrey Style of Langley sues for libel against Shaw. source: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/court-of-chivalry/632-style-shaw
1642-1651 English Civil War - the
impact of the war will have influenced some sales of properties
as several families sought exile for either political or religious
reasons. Similarly families who stayed put survived the turmoil.
1642
- Connection
with Beckenham Manor; Richard
Hubert, knight, executor of Thomas Wroughton, armiger v.Thomas
Snelgrave, armiger, son and heir apparent of Henry Snelgrave de
Beckenham, Kent, Debt on an obligation: £600; undefended; (50s damages)
(Trinity Term, 1655, fully satisfied.
This reference may indicate some financial problems for the Snelgraves perhaps influencing their sale of their part of Beckenham Manor. The turmoil of the Civil War may be a reason. Thomas's financial troubles may have been a reason for Sir Henry Snelgrave to pass over his son Thomas and leave his part of Beckenham Manor to his grandson, Henry in 1639. The term armiger describes someone able to bear arms or having a coat of arms. At the outset of the civil war maybe this indicates a military position. As the son of a baronet Thomas is likely to have been a Royalist.
1644
- Thayer's Farm; May 1644; gleaned
from web searches; There were several
generations of
Thayers
and this piece illustrates the kind of problems they had to deal
with. He is described as a poor farmer. We cannot say whether they
owned the farm or leased it from a larger landowner but the
Thayers appear to have given up the farm in the early 18th Century, see
1736. Dr Skynner, the rector had been seperated from his occupancy of
the parish church presumably by the Puritan movement during the Civil
War.
1647
- St.
George's Beckenham; John
Storer was a clergyman of the Church of England, who matriculated at
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1633, took his B.A. degree in 1637 and
M.A.in 1640. He was curate at Doddinghurst, Essex, 13th October, 1637,
Lecturer at St. Giles, Cripplegate, 18th March, 1641–2, vicar of
Barking, 5th March, 1646/7, and Rector of Beckenham, Kent, 19th
October, 1647. He married on 1st January, 1644–5, Joanna, daughter of
John Christmas. Four of his children were baptised at Beckenham, viz.
John in 1651, Elizabeth in 1653 and another Elizabeth, and Peter, on
3rd November, 1657. Calamy says that during his eleven years' stay at
Beckenham he was well beloved though he sometimes met with rudeness
from such persons as despised the ministerial office. (source
BHO, Survey of London)
1648 – Surrey Heritage record: Receipt from Henry Snelgrave of Beckenham , Kent, to John Evelyn of the Middle Temple for £2250, the consideration money in a bargain and sale of 13 Jul between Snelgrave and John, George and Richard Evelyn.Witnessed by Robert Abbott, scrivener, his servant Robert Cleton [Clayton] and Thomas Snelgrave. Endorsed as being a mortgage of the Manor of Beckenham for three years. With note by William Bray about Abbott and Clayton. [HMC p.678a].
John Evelyn is the famous diarist of Sayes Court Deptford. We might assume that the subsequent sale to the St. Johns would be that Snelgrave decided to sell or not repay the mortgage. This may make me re-assess the records about the ownership and rejoining of Beckenham Manor in that Oliver St. John bought one part about 1635 and his brothers Walter and Henry bought the other part in 1651. Whether the Evelyns are doing a quick trade of the Beckenham Manor is to be confirmed but that was the outcome. Evelyn's diary records his purchase and sales of some other properties during his lifetime. In fact he mentions buying the Manor of Wurcott from his brother in 1648 and selling it later the same year as well as visiting other properties. Here is an excerpt from his diary for this period in 1648;
26th April, 1648. There was a great uproar in London, that the rebel army quartering at Whitehall, would plunder the City, on which there was published a Proclamation for all to stand on their guard.
4th May, 1648. Came up the Essex petitioners for an agreement between his Majesty and the rebels. The 16th, the Surrey men addressed the Parliament for the same; of which some of them were slain and murdered by Cromwell's guards, in the new palace yard. I now sold the impropriation of South Malling, near Lewes, in Sussex, to Messrs. Kemp and Alcock, for £3,000.
30th May, 1648. There was a rising now in Kent, my Lord of Norwich being at the head of them. Their first rendezvous was in Broome-field, next my house at Sayes Court, whence they went to Maidstone, and so to Colchester, where was that memorable siege.
27th June, 1648. I purchased the manor of Hurcott, in Worcestershire, of my brother George, for £3,300.
1st July, 1648. I sate for my picture, in which there is a Death's head, to Mr. Walker, that excellent painter.
10th July, 1648. News was brought me of my Lord Francis Villiers being slain by the rebels near Kingston.
16th August, 1648. I went to Woodcote (in Epsom) to the wedding of my brother, Richard, who married the daughter and coheir of Esquire Minn, lately deceased; by which he had a great estate both in land and money on the death of a brother. The coach in which the bride and bridegroom were, was overturned in coming home; but no harm was done.
28th August, 1648. To London from Sayes Court, and saw the celebrated follies of Bartholomew Fair.
Strange how the disruption of the impending Civil War was interspersed with "follies" and Evelyn describes another property transaction for Hurcott.
1649
- Charles
I beheaded at
Whitehall 30th
January
1650 - End of the English Civil War
25th May, 1651. I went to visit Mr. Thomas White, a learned priest and famous philosopher, author of the book "De Mundo," with whose worthy brother I was well[Pg 263] acquainted at Rome. I was shown a cabinet of Maroquin, or Turkey leather, so curiously inlaid with other leather, and gilding, that the workman demanded for it 800 livres.
The Dean (of Peterborough) preached on the feast of Pentecost, perstringing those of Geneva for their irreverence of the Blessed Virgin.
4th June, 1651. Trinity Sunday, I was absent from church in the afternoon on a charitable affair for the Abbess of Bourcharvant, who but for me had been abused by that chemist, Du Menie. Returning, I stepped into the Grand Jesuits, who had this high day exposed their Cibarium, made all of solid gold and imagery, a piece of infinite cost. Dr. Croydon, coming out of Italy and from Padua, came to see me, on his return to England.
5th June, 1651. I accompanied my Lord Strafford, and some other noble persons, to hear Madam Lavaran sing, which she did both in French and Italian excellently well, but her voice was not strong.
7th June, 1651. Corpus Christi Day, there was a grand procession, all the streets tapestried, several altars erected there, full of images, and other rich furniture, especially that before the Court, of a rare design and architecture. There were abundance of excellent pictures and great vases of silver.
13th June, 1651. I went to see the collection of one Monsieur Poignant, which for variety of agates, crystals, onyxes, porcelain, medals, statues, relievos, paintings, taille-douces, and antiquities, might compare with the Italian virtuosos.
21st June, 1651. I became acquainted with Sieur William Curtius, a very learned and judicious person of the Palatinate. He had been a scholar to Alstedius, the Encyclopedist, was well advanced in years, and now Resident for his Majesty at Frankfort.
2d July, 1651. Came to see me the Earl of Strafford, Lord Ossory and his brother, Sir John Southcott, Sir Edward Stawell, two of my Lord Spencer's sons, and Dr. Stewart, Dean of St. Paul's, a learned and pious man, where we entertained the time upon several subjects, especially the affairs of England, and the lamentable condition of our Church. The Lord Gerrard also called to see my collection of sieges and battles.
Again, it is strange how such matters as property exchanges take place so near to Civil War. Evelyn was an ardent supporter of the Church of England which was subject to the Puritan changes brought about by Cromwell. These exiled people carried on their lives abroad. While Evelyn was residing at Sayes Court, Deptford he made several visits to the Bishop of Rochester at the Bishop's Palace in Bromley. Whether that was instrumental in making him aware of the availability of part of Beckenham Manor as a business transaction is so far unknown. 1657
– The Manor of Beckenham is rejoined under Sir Walter St. John
which had been divided into two moieties (parts) – see the legend
transcript of the map under 1623. Sir Oliver St. John
d.1639 who had
purchased one part from Patricius Curwen circa 1635 left his part to
his son John who dying young in 1657 leaves his part and the title
baronet to his uncle Walter, now Sir Walter St. John of Battersea.
As Walter and Henry St.John had purchased the other part in 1651,
Walter having inherited the other half and baronetcy from his nephew
John now owns the whole of the manor described by the 1623 (1768 copy)
map. This
extract from Philipot’s
Villare Cantianum of 1659 is part of his explanation of how the manor
was divided and then rejoined: (Hasted subsequently quotes Philipott
with differences and a lineage of the St. Johns). But this timeline has
amended and we believe corrected information of the descent of
Beckenham Manor.
Philipot: "this Mannor as I said before, being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell, Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended, passed away one Moietie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Ralph Warren, and the other to Henry Parke; (now believe to have been a lease {according to Lysons}) Warren alienated his Proportion not long after to Bradbury, from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz. it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent, (unproven) who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George Dalston of Cumberland, who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Patrick Curwin of the same County, and he some few years since sold his Interest in it to Sir Oliver St. John of Batricksey in Surrey, who upon his Decease gave it to his Son then Mr. Walter, but now upon the Death of his Nephew, Sir Walter St. John Baronet, the other Moitie by Joan sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry Parke, came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert Leigh descended out of Cheshire, whose Successor about the latter End of King James alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave, from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry Snelgrave, who not long since passed it away to Mr. Walter, now Sir Walter St. John Baronet, who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor, for other Land with his Brother Mr. Henry St. John."
Hasted:
(editor's
comments in parenthesis)
Oliver,
the eldest son, purchased the moiety of Beckenham of Sir Patrick
Curwen, and died in the life time of his father, having married
Catharine, daughter and coheir of Horatio, lord Vere of Tilbury, by
whom he had Sir John St. John, bart. who died before he came of age,
unmarried, and was succeeded by his uncle, Sir Walter St. John, in the
title of Baronet, and in his estates at Lydiard Tregoze, Battersea, and
Wandsworth, and in the moiety of this manor of Beckenham and advowson
of the church, of which, having before purchased the other moiety,
possessed now the entire fee of them. He died at his seat at Battersea,
in 1708, and was interred there, leaving
an only son Henry, who was on July 2, in the 2d year of king George I.
created baron St. John of Battersea, and viscount St. John, and died
about the 90th year of his age, in 1742, and was succeeded in the
possession of this manor and advowson by Henry St. John, visc.
Bolingbroke, his only son by his first wife Mary, second daughter and
coheir of Robert Rich earl of Warwick. By his second wife, Angelica
Magdalene, daughter of George Pillesary, a French officer under Louis
XIV. he had three sons and one daughter; of
which sons John,
the second, will be mentioned hereafter, as continuator of the male
line; the other two died unmarried Henry
St. John, the only son of the lord viscount St. John, by his first
wife, being one of the ministers of state to queen Anne, and of her
privy council, was, in the 11th year of that reign, created Baron St.
John of Lydiard Tregoze, in Wiltshire, and Viscount Bolingbroke, in
Lincolnshire, with remainder, for want of issue male, to Sir Henry St.
John, his father, and the heirs male of his body. In 1715, the 2d year
of king George I. his honours were forfeited by attainder, but he was
restored in blood in 1723, and two years afterwards an act passed,
enabling him and his issue to inherit the family estate,
notwithstanding his attainder. He died in 1751, in the seventyninth
year of his age, having been twice married; first to Frances, daughter
and coheir of Sir Francis Windebank, bart. of Berkshire; and secondly
to Mary Clara des Champs de Maresilly, marchioness de Vilette, relict
of the marquis Vilette, and niece to the celebrated madam de Maintenon,
wife to Louis XIV. but having no issue by either, his titles and
estates descended to his nephew, Frederick, the third lord viscount St.
John, viz. son of John, second and only surviving son of Henry,
viscount St. John, by his second wife Angelica, before mentioned.John
viscount St. John, married in 1729, Anne, one of the three daughters
and coheirs of Sir Robert Furnese, bart, of Waldershare, in this
county, and had by her Frederick before mentioned, and Henry, now a
lieutenant-general in the army, and two daughters.
Frederick,
the eldest son, on his father's death, which happened in France, in
1749, succeeded to his titles and estates, and upon the death of his
uncle, above mentioned, inherited his dignities of viscount
Bolingbroke, and baron of St. John of Lydiard Tregoze; in 1757, he
married the lady Diana Spencer, eldest sister of George, the present
duke of Marlborough, (which marriage was dissolved by act of
parliament, anno 8 George III.) by whom he had two sons, George and
Frederick.
Frederick viscount Bolingbroke, in 1773, passed away the manor of Beckenham, and its appurtenances (in which conveyance the advowson of the church was excepted) an act having passed for this purpose, by sale to John Cator. (but excluding the old Manor House and Court Downs previousely exchanged with the Burrells)
1659 - Thomas Philipott writes his “Diligent Survey of the Mannors of KENT: Entituled, VILLARE CANTIANƲM.” Information is later extracted by Edward Hasted for his Topography and History of Kent and Lysons’ Environs of London. (spellings in this tract are as they appear in the publication).
Bekenham near Bromley helps to give Name to the Hundred wherein it is placed, and of old time was held by Gentlemen, called in Latine Records de Rupella, in French de la Rochel, and in English Rokeley, and were in their original Etymologie extracted from Rochel in France, Richard de Rokeley died seised of this Mannor, in the fifth year of Edward the first, Rot. Esc. Num. 6. and was succeeded in the Possession by Philip de la Rokeley, and he held it likewise at his Death, which hapened in the 23 year of Edw. the first, Rot. Esc. Num. 39. and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Isolda de la Rokeley matched to William Bruin, by whom She had Issue Sir Maurice Bruin, Chamberlaine to K. Edw. the third, honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst the Peers of this Realm, who by a Right derived to him from his Mother, was possest of this at his Death, in the twenty ninth of Edward the third, Rot. Esc. Num. 38. and transmitted a wide and spreading Revenue to his Posterity here, at Southokenden in Essex, and at Roumere in Hantshire, which last was given in Appendage to a younger Son, from whom the Bruins of Athelhampton in the County of Dorset, are lineally de∣scended. But when after a fair continuance this Family had flourished at this Place, the Distaffe prevailed against the Speare, and Sir Henry Bruins two Daughters and Coheirs about the Beginning of Edward the fourth, divided his Inheritance, each of them having a first and second Husband: Alice the eldest was first married to Robert Harleston of Essex Esquire, and after to Sir Thomas Heveningham; and Elizabeth second Daughter was wedded first to Thomas Tirrell of Heron in Essex Esquire, and after his Decease to Sir William Brandon Knight, who was Standard-bearer to Henry the seventh at Bosworth Field, where he was stain in asserting his Cause and Quarrel against Richard the third, and he had Issue by her Sir Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, the Flower and perfection of English Chivalrie in his Time, who sometimes kept his Residence at this place, (not as Proprietarie, but onely as Lessee, for the Sole In∣heritance upon the Division of Bruin's Estate accrued to Tirrell;) and here enter∣tained Henry the eighth, with all the Cunning Pompe of Magnificence, as he went to bestow a Visit at Hever, on his discarded, and repudiated wife Ann of Cleve. But to go on, this Mannor as I said before, being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell, Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended, passed away one Moie∣tie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Ralph Warren, and the other to Henry Parke; Warren alienated his Proportion not long after to Bradbury, from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz. it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent, who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George Dalston of Cumberland, who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Patrick Curwin of the same County, and he some few years since sold his Interest in it to Sir Oliver St. John of Batricksey in Surrey, who upon his Decease gave it to his Son then Mr. Walter, but now upon the Death of his Nephew, Sir Walter St. John Baronet, the other Moitie by Joan sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry Parke, came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert Leigh descended out of Cheshire, whose Successor about the latter End of King James alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave, from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry Snelgrave, who not long since passed it away to Mr. Walter, now Sir Walter St. John Baronet, who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor, for other Land with his Brother Mr. Henry St. John.
Langley in this Parish is a second Seat of eminent Account, which was in elder Times the Possession of John de Malmains, who obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Lands in Bekenham, in the twelfth year of Edward the second, which was renewed to Henry de Cliffe, to whom they accrued by Purchase from Malmains, in the third year of Edward the third; but stayed not long in the Tenure of this Fa∣mily, for before the going out of Edward the third, I find the Propriety invested by Sale in Langley, to which Family the Foundation of that HOuse owes in part its Original, on which they ingraffed their own Name, which hath flourished under that Title ever since, though the Family be withered away and gone, the last of which Name at this place was Ralph Langley, who with Roger Twisden, Stephen Monins, Edward Monins, John Edingham or Engham, Richard Edingham, John Berton of Cotman∣ton in Shouldon, John Berham, John Betenham of Shurland in Pluckley, and others, Gentlemen of prime Rank in this County, were summoned to appear before Robert Poynings and John Perry, in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth, to disclaim the Title of the House of York, and this Ralph died in the year 1451, and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts, the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed, and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley, passed away by Sale to John Violett, whose Successors enjoyed it until the Be∣ginning of Hen. the eighth, and then it was conveyed to John Stiles Esq; who much inlarged the House with a supply of Buildings, and from him is it by Descent devolved to be the instant Possession of his Successor Sir Humphrey Stiles Knight and Baronet.
Kelseys lies likewise in this Parish, and may justly exact our Notice; by Deeds written in a Character that hath an Aspect upon the Reign of Henry the third, John de Kelsey, William de Kelsey, and others of that Sirname are represented to have an In∣terest in this Seat, and from hence it is probable the Kelseys of Surrey did derive their first Extraction, however by the Injuries of Time they have been in succeeding Generations cast under the umbrage of an obscurer Fortune: But I return, After this Family had deserted the Possession of this place, which was before the latter End of Richard the the second, I find the Brograves stepped in, and by purchase became Lords of the Fee, a Family which in very old Deeds writ themselves Burgrave, and sometimes Boroughgrave, though now a more easie Pronunciation hath melted it into Brograve, which represents the Etymologie of the Name, to have been in its Origi∣nal perfectly Saxon. In the year 1479, there was a License granted (as appears by the Records of Rochester) to William Brograve by the then Bishop of that Diocess, to erect an Oratory or Chapple at his Mannor-house of Kelseys, the Vestigia or Reliques of which are yet obvious to an inquisitive Eye, and from this William did the Title and possession in an even Current come down to Mr. Thomas Brograve, who being not many years since deceased, his Widow Mrs. Martha Brograve now in respect of Join∣ture, enjoys the present Possession of it.
Foxgrove is the last place of Account in this Parish, it had in elder times Pro∣prietaries of this Sirname; for I find John de Foxgrove paid respective Aid for it in the twentieth year of Edward the third, at making the Black Prince Knight. After this Family succeeded Bartholomew Lord Burwash, and he held it at his Decease, which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third, Rot. Esc. Num. 44. and from him it descended to his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash, who in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince, passed it away to Sir Walter de Paveley, and in his Family it remained untill the latter End of Richard the second, and then it was conveyed to Vaux of the County of North-Hampton, and there made its abode untill the latter End of Henry the sixth, and then it was alienated to John Grene Esquire, and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth; and in this Family did the Title reside, untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth, and then it was demised to Beversea, and Humphrey Beversea, I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth, and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth, and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth, sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London, and he dying with∣out Issue Male, Joan matched to John Leigh of Addington Esquire, was his sole Heir, and in Right of this Alliance, did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh late of East-Wickham; whose Widow Dowager the Lady Christian Leigh, is now in Possession of it.
Humphrey was the son of William Style of Langley, Beckenham, Kent (grandson of Sir Humphrey Style, Esquire of the Body to Henry VIII).
He
was a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to James I and cup-bearer to
Charles I. He was a colonel of the trained bands of horse (cavalry) in
Kent. Sir Humphrey was knighted at Farnham by King James on 11 August
1622 and under that designation created a baronet of Ireland on 13
September 1624. Charles I created him a baronet of England on 20 May
1627.
Sir Humphrey died on 10 November 1659 in his 64th year and was buried at Beckenham.
As
he died without any children, the baronetcy became extinct. The Langley
estate passed to his half-brother, William Style who resided there
until his death in 1679.
Sir Humphrey married
Elizabeth, widow of Sir Robert Bosvile, of Eynesford, daughter and
heiress of Robert Peshall, or Peeshall, of Eccleshall, Staffordshire,
and of Lincoln"s Inn, London. After his death Elizabeth married John
Scott (c1626–1670), a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber.
1659
- Langley passes from Humphrey Style (1585-1659) who
dies without issue so his half brother William Style (1603-1679)
inherits. This portrait of William is dated to 1636 and shows him
before becoming landlord of Langley. William has two sons and two
daughters but only one son, Humphrey who has descendants. (see 1679)
1662 - The Act of Uniformity of 1662 brought all ordained clergymen under the doctrines and liturgy of the established Church. Candidates for the ministry had to be ordained by a bishop according to the rites of the Church of England. They were required to renounce the Solemn League and Covenant and to declare their acceptance of the revised Book of Common Prayer and all doctrinal articles sanctioned by the Church. Hundreds of Presbyterian and non-conformist clergymen were ejected from their livings on St Bartholomew's Day (24 August) 1662 for refusing to comply with the Act of Uniformity.
This
presumably returned a parish vicar or rector to St George's after the
earlier event around 1644 which saw Dr. Skynner sequestered from his
living in the parish by the Parliamentarians.
1666 - Woolseys Farm ?; Thomas Bedford of Wolsees is recorded as being buried at St.George's. Several Bedfords are in the records, one of Wickham and the others, sometimes infants described as children of Thomas. Bedford's status as either leaseholder or labourer is not identified.
1668 - Sympson's Place;
(i) William Martyn of Middle Temple, London, gent., and wife Elizabeth, widow and admin. of Richard Bosvile of Bionnie, co. of Staffs. esq.
(ii) John Byrch of Cannocke, co. Staffs., gent. and Walter Higges of Stafford, gent.
(iii) Sir Richard Oteley of Pitchford co. Salop and Sir Henry Bosvile of Eynsford co. Kent and Robert Bosvile esq., (as (i))
Capital messuage called Sympsons place in Bromeley; 400 acres woodland in pars. Beckenham, Bromeley, Hayes, Lewsham, Orpington and Keiston all in the co. Kent: To uses declared in indenture of previous dated. Witn. Geo. Gyford, Rob. Brent, John Evens
1669 - Worshipful Company of Carpenters; Rogerus Tapsell filius Rogeri Tapsell de Becknam in Com Kanc shoemaker po se Appr Georgio mourler de Winchester Parke pro septem annis a festo natlis dni prox sequen dat presentium dat die & Anno suprad.
Roger
Tapsell son of Roger Tapsell bound apprentice for seven years.
Tapsell/Tapsill and similar spellings in St.George's burials, Roger
Tapsfield in 1699
1670 - Simpsons Place; Court of Chancery. William Style v. Martin and Bosville.
The Bosvilles had occupancy of Simpson's Place Bromley (including parts in Beckenham) since Elizabeth Bosville (widow) had been married to Humphrey Style. The case centred around the conditions of a loan to the Styles which it was claimed was secured by the property of Simpsons Place. William Style successfully reclaimed Simpsons through this case.The
LORD KEEPER . Justice Wyld . ER William Style , by Original Bill ,
against William Martin and Elizabeth his Wife , Relict and
Administratrix of Richard Bosvile Esq . and Robert Bosvile , Son and
Heir of the said Richard , by Guardian . December 16 . The bill was an
original bill to set aside a decree in 1664 , obtained by the defendant
on a bill of reviver ( to which the now plaintiff is no party ) against
John Style , heir of Sir Humphrey Style , and others , as obtained by
fraud . The case was thus : Sir Humphrey Style ' s lady ( mother of the
said Richard Bosvile ) had by his request mortgaged a manor of hers for
30001(£3000) . borrowed by sir Humphrey 8 Novemb . 8 Car . 1 .(year 8
of Charles I) And sir Humphrey had agreed with his lady , that if he
did not pay off that 30001 . that then his lands in Kent should stand
obliged to pay 15001 . of the 30001 . for the ease and benefit of the
said lady and her heirs . And 15 Novemb . 8 Car . I . he conveyed his
Kentish lands to trustees , which the defendants say was for that
purpose , but no such express trust . Trin . 1641 . The lady Bosvile
being dead , Richard Bosvile her son and heir exhibited his bill
against sir Humphrey and the trustees of the Kentish lands , to have
the benefit of this agreement . And in Trin . 1642 , two witnesses were
examin ed to the proof of the agreement against sir Humphrey Style ,
and that the conveyance of the Kentish lands was on that trust . The
wars coming on , there was a rest , and no farther proceedings till
1663 . In 1665 , Richard Bosvile , who was a recusant , died , his heir
then and yet an infant . Michalmas 1663 . Martin & Uxor , and the
other defendant , the infant , brought a bill of reviver against John
Style , the heir of Sir Humphrey , and the heir of the surviving
trustee . And in 1664 , after the answer of John Style , who by answer
said he was willing the plaintiff ' s in the bill of reviver may have
their money , if he may have the rest of the lands , and replication
and farther proof taken and published , it was decreed , that the
plaintiffs in the bill of reviver should hold the lands against John
Style and his heirs , and all claiming under sir Humphrey Style since
the first bill , until the 15001 . with costs and interest were paid
off . Of which bill of reviver the now plaintiff had due notice given
him , and he might , if he had pleased , come in by a cross bill ,
& c . before the decree . The now plaintiff made title by an intail
of Sir Humphrey Style on him in 1638 , precedent to the original bill ,
so that title was not bound by the decree ; but that settle ment being
in truth revoked in 1643 , he made another title by the will of Sir
Humphrey Style in 1658 . And for the now plaintiff it was insisted ,
that there was a collusion in getting the decree , the defendant John
Style admitting it by answer to it on the matter , and the now
plaintiff , who was terr - tenant , no party to it . And the report of
the master who had computed the 15001 . and interest to amount to 36001
. was confirmed without any defence by John Style . And the rule for
binding titles pendente lite
, ( which is the rule of the practice at this day ) was the Lord Bacon
' s rule , and that rule is : That lis
pendens
binds , if it be in full prosecution ; but here was above twenty years
cessation , and the plaintiff had in that time bought in incumbrances ,
and improved the lands , and the notice given the plaintiff of the bill
of reviver was too late , issue being joined , so that he could not
come in . And it is said where judgment is obtained against the land ,
and the terr - tenant is no party , a writ of deceit lies for the terr
tenant ; and so in a parity of reason this bill . was maintainable for
the now complainant . Spencer ' s Case , 5th Report , was cited . And
it was further said for the plaintiff , that there was no such
agreement between sir Humphrey Style and his lady as the decree was
grounded upon . For the defendant it was said , that the plaintiff was
stopt to say there was such an agreement by decree .
Lord Keeper . A stranger may falsify at the common - law ; and if the decree be by fraud , the plaintiff may then be admitted to falsify the agreement . But it is not form , but the substance of a decree , that all be bound that come in pendente lite . But the Defendant ' s counsel insisted , that there was no fraud ; for the the main witnesses which were to the agreement were examined in Sir Humphrey Style ' s life - time . Those which were examined after , were to prove the pay ment of the 30001 . the mortgage - money , which was paid afterwards ; and notice was given to the now plaintiff before any examination of the bill of reviver , and could go no other wise , unless they would have betrayed the infant ; for if he had gone by original bill , they must have lost the witnesses examined on the first bill .
Lord
Keeper . The war and infancy excuse the laches , and the
witnesses to the main were examined in Sir Humphrey ' s life ; and so
the pretence of the plaintiffs improvement , and taking off
incumbrances , nothing of that in the bill , but in the replication :
and so dismissed the bill .
The
Bill was brought in 1664 after William Style had inherited Langley in
1659 and dragged on until much later than 1670. Other evidence
will show that Bosvilles had occupancy of Simpsons Place, see 1673.
William Style had a son Humphrey who takes over the estates
1671 – A list of benefactors to the Parish of Lewisham lists: “William Bond, A house at Stump’s Hill, from which nothing is now received. To the poor of Lewisham and Southend “ (source: Lysons, Environs of London). We cannot say if this is a house on the site of Beckenham Place or one near it. The maps of Beckenham and Foxgrove manors indicate a strip of land which lies between the northern part of the two Manor’s lands and another reference mentions ‘woodland between Foxgrove and Beckenham Manors. A map of the Cator road diversion shows a farm which was between Foxgrove Farm and Copers Cope Farm and so far has escaped identification by name. The Parish boundary in circa 1860 was established to run across Stumps Hill but we cannot say for certain where the Lewisham side was in 1671 but the indications are that it was toward the hamlet of Southend. William Bond cannot be positively identified although a will exists for a William Bond of London dying in 1670/71 (difficult to read).
1673 - Sympsons Place; U DDBM/36/11 Settlement (i) Sir Henry Bosvile of Eynsford, Robert Brent of Grayes Inn esq., Benjamin Green citizen and haberdasher of London and Edward Browne of Cliffords Inn, gent. (ii) Richard and Bridgett Bosvile younger children of Richard Bosvile of Bionnie, co. Staffs., esq. (iii) Robert Bosvile esq. (son and heir of the said Richard B. dec'd) and Elizabeth Martin widow of William Martin of the Middle Temple, gent., dec'd Capital messuage called Simpsons Place in Bromley with all appurtenances and 400 acres of woods in Beckenham, Bromley, Hayes, Lewsham, Orpington and Keiston: Witn. E. Simanans, Paul Pullein (Hull History Centre)
Although
there is some ongoing legal dispute between William Style and the
Bosvilles whereby Style is recovering Simpsons from the Bosvilles this
settlement document shows a transfer between the Bosville family.
1674 - Hugh Raymond's date of birth. He later becomes owner of Langley Park, Beckenham and father of Jones Raymond and Amy Raymond who will become owners of part of Foxgrove Manor much of which eventually becomes Beckenham Place Park. His family came from Saling in Essex and he is referred to as Hugh Raymond of Stepney, Saling and Langley. He becomes a ship’s captain with the East India Company and a director of the South Sea Company. He is later implicated in the South Sea Bubble affair. His story is interesting and deserves more investigation. Several records are in the British Library.
1679 - Langley; Humphrey Style (1648-1718) inherits Langley from his father William Style (1603-1679)
1682
- Elmers End; 10 February 1682[/3]
Release
(lease missing) for £91 of messuage in Beckenham, barn, orchard, land
and 2 closes called Eastfield, at Elmers End (8
1/2 acres.);
John Sumpner, of Lambeth, waterman and Anne, his wife
to Hugh Surrey, of London, merchant
1686 - Worshipful Company of
Carpenters:
Reves
Phillips Sonne of John Phillips of Becknam in the County of Kent
Husbandman bound to Nathaniell Moore for Seaven yeares. (BHO)
A John Phillips is
recorded as buried at St. George's in 1686.
1688 - Peter Burrell I (1649-1718) purchases Kelseys mansion and land from a descendant of the Brograves. (source: Hasted). Kelseys is an estate of which part will become Kelsey Park, Beckenham, another public park in the remainder of a private estate. Burrell becomes 'of Kelsey' and his descendants will acquire parts of Foxgrove Manor circa 1760 through marriage to Amy Raymond, Jones Raymond’s sister, at least until they exchange it with John Cator.
The
Brograves sell Kelsey as a result of financial problems. They had
acquired loans over a substantial period and were unable to repay them.
Analysis of documents from archives is ongoing. (source; K.Baldwin)
This document may add substance to the details or reasons for the transaction.
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT7/C78/C78no1063/IMG_0209.htm
and
https://uh.edu/waalt/index.php/C78_1688
1689
- King William III and Queen Mary II
(after the Glorious Revolution of 1688)
1690 - A Chancery Case Short title: Burrell v Brograve. Plaintiffs: Peter Burrell merchant of London. Defendants: John Francis Brograve. Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Short title: Burrell v Brograve. Plaintiffs: Peter Burrell merchant of London. Defendants: John Francis Brograve esq. Subject: Sale of an estate: Kelsey, Beckenham, Kent ; Hayes, Kent and Bromley. This would take some unravelling as the Brograves had several tenants and intermixed with family names such as Bygrave an Bygrove who may have been related. (source National Archive).
1691 - TNA
| C 7/602/21 | |
| Description: |
Short title: Ligoe v Leigh. Plaintiffs: Francis Ligoe. Defendants: Eleanor Leigh (widow of Thomas Leigh) and Francis Leigh. Place or subject: manor of Foxgrove, Kent. Document type: answer only |
|---|
1692 - Peter Burrell II (1692-1756) of Beckenham is born, he will become Peter Burrell I of Langley through marrying Amy Raymond (daughter of Hugh Raymond, sister of Jones Raymond). Peter Burrells I, II, and III of Langley can be traced through History of Parliament online as they were all MP's and held various posts. Some confusion is likely as there were four Peter Burrells in Beckenham from 1688 to 1820.
1699 - The birth of Amy Raymond (1699-1789), daughter of Hugh Raymond of Langley, she would become Mrs Amy Burrell and later as Peter Burrell's widow hold ownership of Foxgrove Manor lands within the park.
The Years 1700 to 1800
This century sees several substantial exchanges of ownership of land in and around Beckenham and elsewhere. The exchanges are due to purchases and sales, inheritance by bequest and some straightforward exchanges of land. There is a background of social interaction and intermarriage which I will refer to but generally the protagonists are written about elsewhere and internet sources can be sought to expand on their stories.
1702
- Queen Anne until 1714
1703 – John Cator the Elder (sometimes spelt Cater or Catter) is born in Ross on Wye. They are a Quaker family and their records are in Friends Meeting House registers. His father is a glovemaker, Jonah Cator and there is a modest amount of land owned by the family. He would later live in Southwark and own the timber business. He will become John Cator the younger’s father in 1728 and it is John Cator the younger who will establish Beckenham Place through several land purchases and exchanges from 1757 until his death in 1806. John Cator’s impact spreads from parts of Lewisham, Sydenham, Beckenham, Bromley, and elsewhere in Kent, Surrey and Essex.(Pat Manning’s “The Cators of Beckenham and Woodbastwick” has more details)
1703
- Lease for 1 year
(release missing) of messuage, barn, orchard, toft
(site of former barn) (4 perches), in Beckenham, 2 closes of land
called Eastfield (3½ acres) in Elmers End, occupier Richard Wolfe
18/08/1703
Parties:| 1. Henry Batt of Penge, yeoman
2. Thomas Surrey, a son of Hugh Surrey of London, merchant, deceased
3. William Tapsfield, of Beckenham, yeoman (source: BHC)
Further
to the record of 1682, this records
Hugh Surrey's passing and the lease of the property by his son Thomas.
Henry Batt is a significant landowner around Penge. The difference in
acreage 8.1/2 against 3.1/2 makes me wonder if its a transcription
error, 3 and 8 looking similar.
Jones Raymond will become a director in the East India Company eventually selling a ship to the Royal Navy which would take part in the Anson voyage to the Pacific which made Anson an immensely rich person through capturing a Spanish treasure galleon. Ironically, the expedition was crewed by sailors from the Naval hospital most of whom would perish on the voyage one way or another. An interesting connection will be that Admiral Piercy Brett who will occupy Clockhouse at Beckenham/Penge borders is a lieutenant on one of Anson’s fleet of ships. And Clockhouse is subsequently bought by Joseph Cator, brother of John Cator the younger.
Hasted mentions two ‘Jones Raymonds’ ie the first one having a son of the same name, but records show there was only the one who died in 1768.
1706
- Kent House and other propertyApril; Attested
copy articles of partition to divide late estate of Countess of Oxford
in Kent and Surrey To
Henry Batt - Newlands and Davyes, grounds in Lewisham occupied by Batt;
2
messuages and land in Battersea, Surrey, occupied by John Fox;
Messuage,
Penge Green, Surrey, occupied by William Musgrave; Lands
at Lewisham occupiers Robert Tilt and Richard Clowder; Messuage
and land in Bromley and occupied by Thomas Combes; Garden
plot by the road at West End of Bromley occupied by the tenant of Kent
Lands
grounds, and premises at Southborough occupied by Colonel King; Lands,
grounds, and premises at Bromley occupied by John White;
To
John Reynolds - Kent House Farm;
Greenways, Mathews, Allens, and Hamonds Cottage occupied by Thomas
Brazier; Messuage
at Bromley occupied by Thomas Gardner.
To Robert King, Peter Gelsthorpe and wife: Manor of Rede or Read Court, Marden, Kent occupied by Nicolas Martin, Messuage with backside and orchard Bromley occupied by Richard Ashworth; 2 acres by Plaster Lane, Bromley ocupied by. Thomas Francis; Meadow (1acre) near Mill River, Bromley, with barn and yard, occupied by Edward Cosyns, gentleman; Shrimpsgrove (30 acres) in Orpington and Bromley occupied by George Westbroke, gentleman. source: BHS
1707
- Bromley HC docs
| 815/6 | |
| Title | Probate of will of Henry Batt |
| Date | Will: 23 June 1707; Probate: 20 May 1715 |
| Description | Probate of will of Henry
Batt. Bequests of messuage, appurtenances, and 14 acres, Beckenham (purchased of children of John Harris) occupied by John Woodley, to daughter, Mary Batt, and yearly rent of Fullers, messuage and 15 acres at Sydenham Green, Lewisham, occupied by John Constable, to wife, Mary. Instructions to wife and son, Henry, executors, to complete purchase for £3,000 of messuages, lands, hereditaments, in Lewisham, Beckenham, Battersea, and Bromley parishes, part of estate of late Earl of Oxford. To sell, to settle outstanding debts: messuage, appurtenances and land, Bromley, occupied by Colonel Edward King; messuage, appurtenances, 4 acres, Bromley, occupied by Thomas Comb, butcher, 26 acres near. Bromley Common, occupied by Robert Shorter; 9 acres, Sydenham Green, occupied by Robert Tilt; 15 acres, Sydenham Green occupied by Richard Clowder. Bequest of messuage, appurtenances and 15 acres, Battersea, Surrey occupied by Robert Fox, to daughter, Jane Batt. Residue of estate to Henry Batt. Money bequests to daughters Mary and Jane, and brother Joseph, and personal estate to wife and son. |
1708
- Sir Walter St. John 3rd Baronet
(Lord of the Manor of
Beckenham) dies at his home in Battersea. (source; Hasted). Sir Walter
had sat in two Cromwell parliaments and lost his seat on the
Restoration of the Monarchy. His son, Henry 1st Viscount St. John (1652-1742)
inherits the
Manor of Beckenham along with Battersea and other estates. It should be
noted that in some cases landowners
may not have resided in the area. The St. Johns were from Wiltshire
with homes in Battersea and Walworth, Bolingbrokes had estates in
Lincolnshire and elsewhere as did the Earl of Rockingham and Sondes
families (Kent). Some of them were members of parliament of held
positions at court and in government so would want residences close to
London or Westminster. As previously mentioned, a map of 1736 shows
the Honourable John St. John as either landowner of occupant of parts
of Beckenham
Manor.
1708
- 17th January 728/4/1 Bargain
and sale for £300 of messuage called Lurchens, with land (33
acres) and 2 closes called Wheatfields (8 acres); recites deed,
1684 John
Angier, of Hertfordshire, esq
to Thomas Johnson, of London, vintner. Lurchens Farm it seems will pass
into the Humphreys family and this thread needs further research.
In the viscinity of Elmers End.
1709 - (near Kelsey) Counterpart marriage settlement and jointure 5 February 1709[/10] Counterpart marriage settlement and jointure made on the intended marriage between Nathaniell Gatton of Beckenham, gentleman and Elizabeth Whiffing, spinster, between Gatton (1st part); Whiffing (2nd part) and Richard Pearch of Keston, Kent (uncle of Elizabeth Whiffing) and John Uppington of London, gentleman (3rd part). In consideration of the intended marriage, Gatton bargains and sells property in Beckenham, Kent, known as Holdens, Wallnut Tree Field, Colman's Croft and other land, to the third parties (Burrell at a later date) to make provision for the marriage and for the jointure of Elizabeth Whiffing. Memorandum dated 12 June 1728 that Gatton and Richard Peach (nephew of Richard Peach of the 3rd part) assigned the property to Merrick Burrell of Lisbon, Northamptonshire.
Gatton and Whiffin
are married 10th Feb 1709 at St. Michael Crooked Lane, London.
1711 – Francis Leigh of Hawley, Sutton at Hone dies. He is landlord of Foxgrove Manor and several other places but may have been in some debt. His affairs seem in some disarray and his estate is left in the possession of executors of his will. He requests that any remainder after paying his debts, bequests and funeral expenses go to his eldest son also named Francis. The Foxgrove Manor gets sold to John Tolson. Hasted and others had said that Francis requested his estates be sold which didn’t really explain the situation. Hopefully a fuller account of the situation will emerge via records of the Court of Chancery but these are numerous. Later Gazette press releases in 1716 explain that Foxgrove is sold to pay creditors. it descended to Sir Francis Leigh, who died in 1711, having directed this and other estates to be sold. This farm was purchased, in 1716, by Mr. John Tolson, and descended to Lancelot Tolson Tilly, who devised it to Timewell Brydges, Esq. for his life, with remainder to John and Edward Brydges, of Wotton. In 1765, it was sold by the Brydges's to Jones Raymond, Esq. who died in 1768,(editors note: by this time Cator had acquired the site of the Mansion in 1760 and Raymond exchanged land with Cator in 1760 casting doubt on the 1765 date) having left this estate between Amy his sister, relict of Peter Burrell, Esq. and William and George Evelyn Glanville, Esqrs. the sons of Bridget, another sister. Mrs. Burrell, having purchased their share, became possessed of the whole. She died in 1789, when this estate devolved upon her son, the late Sir William Burrell, Bart. who sold it to his nephew, Sir Peter (now Lord Gwedir). Sir Peter Burrell exchanged it, in 1793, for other lands, with John Cator, Esq. who is the present proprietor.
1712
– John Tolson purchases Foxgrove Manor presumably from the executors of
Francis Leigh’s will. See 1711. Some clarification is needed as Tolson
leaves unspecified land in Bromley in his will in 1713 but see 1727
Lancelot Tolson. Foxgrove is mentioned in Chancery Court cases in 1716
in association with paying Francis Leigh's creditors. There is some
question as to whether John Tolson bought Foxgrove or was it his
brother Lancelot Tolson.
1714 - King George I until 1727
1714 - Bromley Historic Collections record: Covenant to levy fine of 1 messuage, 1 stable, 1 barn, 1 orchard, 1 garden and water yard 15/04/1714 Crabb Grow (8 acres); woodland (2 acres) lying between the manors of Beckenham and Foxgrove, land (1 acre) occupied Thomas Hughes; cottage, orchard yard backside occupied Thomas Stoute and cottage yard backside occupied Richard Steele, at Clay Hill, Beckenham Samuell Adgate of Bromley, yeoman, Thomas Matkins, Citizen of London, joiner, and Elizabeth his wife, and Robert Sutton of London, barber Chirugeon, and Mary his wife. To Stephen Colstone of Southwark, Surrey, plumber, and William Wicker, of Beckenham, yeoman. ref.303/1
It would be tempting to identify the Woodland as the strip of land roughly between the mansion and Beckenham Hill ie Stumpshill Wood. ‘Between’ the manors could mean almost anywhere. See the later Foxgrove and Beckenham Manor maps overlain which show an area between the two. Also the 1785 road diversion plan which I have attempted to identify with possible field names and the 1760 Act of Parliament to exchange land between Cator and the Raymond/Burrell family. It wasn’t unknown for fields to be renamed and there is 46 years gap between this and the 1760 Act.
Crabb Grow or Grove is on the Beckenham Manor map along what is now Bromley Road toward Clay Hill and does become Cator’s at a later date.
Covenant
to levy a fine is part of a buying and selling property process. It
implies one party had not held up his side of the bargain.
Chirurgeon is an archaic spelling for Surgeon.
1715
- Henry St. John, son of Henry St John, Ist Viscount St. John:(Manor of
Beckenham) In
1715, the 2d year
of King George I. his honours were forfeited by attainder (for
treason), but he was
restored in blood in 1723, and two years afterwards an act passed,
enabling him and his issue to inherit the family estate,
notwithstanding his attainder.(Hasted). Because he supported the
Jacobite rebellion seeking to prevent George I taking the throne. This
may be reason why a half brother, The Honourable John St. John is shown
as landlord on maps and documents.
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/st-john-henry-ii-1678-1752
1716 – Foxgrove Manor which is believed to have changed hands in 1712 is subject of a Chancery case settling the proceeds of the sale to pay Francis Leigh’s creditors. Sir Francis Leigh of Hawley, in Kent, on his death in 1711 left his estates to executors including Viscount Lord Cheyne and William Longueville of Inner Temple to dispose of and settle any remainder after his debts, bequests and funeral expenses on his eldest son also named Francis. They apparently did not act on the will leaving it to Francis’s wife named Frances to settle. Whether as executor she sold Foxgrove to John Tolson prior to his death in 1713 or it was sold to Lancelot Tolson about 1716. Nevertheless, Lancelot Tolson held it at the time of his death in 1727
1718 – The death of Peter Burrell of Kelsey, the first of the four Peter Burrells associated with Beckenham. His son inherits Kelseys, Peter Burrell 1692-1756
1718 - Humphrey Style (1648-1718) outlives his sons so his daughter Elizabeth inherits Langley. She had married John Elwill in 1704 who by right of his wife holds Langley. Hasted says: "Humphrey Style's only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, carried it in marriage to Sir John Elwill, bart. who died in 1727, without issue by her. This family of Elwill was of Exeter in Devonshire, who bore for their arms, Ermine on a chevron engrailed, between three eagles displayed gules, three annulets or, and were advanced to the dignity of a baronet, in the person of Sir John Elwill, in the 8th year of queen Anne's reign. He was twice married, but left issue only, by his second wife, the daughter and heir of — Leigh of Egham, in Surry, by whom he had two sons, Sir John above-mentioned, and Edmund, who succeeded his brother in title and in this estate of Langley, and in 1732 transferred his property in it, together with the house, called Langley-house, the park, and also the north and south isles of the parish church of Beckenham, to Hugh Raymond of Great Saling, in Essex, esq. who settled them on his only son, Jones Raymond, esq. in tail general; remainder to his eldest daughter, Amy, who married Peter Burrell, esq. and her issue male. On his death his son, Jones Raymond, esq succeeded to this estate, and kept his shrievalty for this county at Langley in 1738, in which year he died, and was succeeded by his son, of the same name, who died unmarried in 1768, on which it descended, by the intail before-mentioned, to his sister, Amy, before mentioned, whose husband, Peter Burrell, esq. in her right, became possessed of it. He died in 1756, having had by her, who survived him, four sons and two daughters. Mrs. Burrell, his widow, afterwards resided here, and died in 1794, on which this seat descended, together with her other estates in this parish, to her grandson, sir Peter Burrell, bart. since created lord Gwydir, of whom a full account has already been given, and he is the present possessor of this seat, with the park and grounds belonging to it."
1719
- Peter Burrell (the second) is recorded as buying a number of fields
seemingly to consolidate his Kelsey estate. The fields have been
identified on
the 1735 Burrell map as being around and between the pre-existing
estate. The fields named in the document are Wellers, Leasons, Stirt,
Little Down and Longs (source: Kent Archive, research K.Baldwin) (document)
appears to date from
about 1720 which appears to read
Wollers 2.5 acres bounding Bromley to Beckenham highway to the south,
lands late of St John West and those late of Lady Leigh North &
East. The vendors
were Thomas Davies of Wapping surgeon, Christiana Davies wife of
William Davies & Thomas Davies of St Dionis Backchurch his only son
and heir in the first part, John Russell of Gosburton Lincolnshire
clerk eldest son of John Russell late of Wapping clerk who survived
Samuel Nicholls late of Wapping woollen draper second part and Peter
Burrell third part £930 also including Little Downes 1a Upper Leazons
7.5a late occ Widow Kempsall, Brenan? Field 1.5a (west of lane leading
to Peter Burrell’s and abutting his land) occ Roger Brown, Longs late
Reuben Musgrave now occ John Walford and Stirt 29a occ Robert Fox –
indenture 1718 for 21 yrs.
1720 - An estate plan of Foxgrove Manor is drawn by surveyor John Holmes. (source: British Library). Though the plan only survives as the redrawn 1766 version by Proudlove (see 1766) it implies that fields and plots aren't much changed. Another map of neighbouring land, Lodge Farm 1720, is in Bromley Historic Collections, showing the landowner on the Foxgrove side as Mr Towlson (Tolson - spellings were often variable and phonetic). I assume the 1720 Foxgrove map was drawn to identify Tolson estates and if it survives may be in some undiscovered archive.
This
is part of the 1776 copy which shows the same landlords as
the 1766 but is easier to read. It does not however illustrate the
outlying parts of the estate of Stone Farm, Plaistow, parts near
Langley and Elmers End etc.
Courtesy
of the British Library, Foxgrove Manor extract
1721 - An inventory is taken of all Hugh Raymond's assets, both business and domestic, to do with the South Sea Bubble affair. The British Library has various records such as: "A True and Exact particular and inventory of all and singular the lands ... and personal estate whatsoever which H. Raymond was seised or possessed of, upon the first of June, 1720 ... Made and delivered pursuant to the late act of Parliament. Together with the abstract of the same ". The officers of the South Sea Company are forced to compensate shareholders, a complex subject that cannot be adequately covered here but Hugh Raymond survives with enough assets to be able to purchase Langley Park in 1732. He will become indirectly associated with the story of Beckenham Place. Hugh Raymond did not own any of Langley at this time but is resident of Saling in Essex, Wapping and Stepney with extensive property assets. Hugh Raymond was also a ship’s captain with the East India Company and other connections with the EIC will become apparent. He had also been a director in the South Sea Company. The Raymond family had extensive estates in Essex and elsewhere.
1721
- The Ridge, High Street, also known as Village Place; This is the
earliest record of Thomas Motley associated with Beckenham and he will
own Farms and Property in the village, see 1736.
| ory | London Borough of Bromley Archives |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 853/1/1/1/8 |
| Title | Lease and release with fine |
| Date | 8/9 June 1721 |
| Description | Lease, release and fine in relation to a capital messuage lately erected in Beckenham and lands known as The Ridge and Bunhill, between William Davies of the parish of St John Wappin, Middlesex, chirurgeon; Thomas Davies of the parish of St Dionis, Backchurch, Fenchurch Street, London, gentleman; Thomas Motley of the parish of St Mary Matsdon alias Whitechaple, Middlesex, gentleman and Joseph Butt of the parish of St John Wappin, brewer. In consideration of the sum of £1500 paid by Motley and Butt to William Davies, he conveys the property to them in trust for Motley. Fine is in Latin. |
| Extent | 4 items |
1721
- Pugh had a dying business in Southwark and a mansion house in
Beckenham as well as property in Beckenham and Lewisham.
| y | London Borough of Bromley Archives |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 815/7 |
| Title | Attested copy marriage settlement |
| Date | 27 April 1721 (Copy: 12 April 1768) |
| Description | Attested
copy settlement on marriage of Samuel Pugh and Mary Batt, of messuage
and 14 acres (field names given), Beckenham, occupied by John Woodley;
15 acres (field names given) Lewisham, occupied by Richard Clowder; 9
acres (field names given), Lewisham, occupied by Ann Hutchings;
Maidenhead, messuage, and Home Close (1 ½ acres, Westbrooks (11/2
acres), Beckenham, occupuied by John Watford Samuel Pugh of London, dyer, and Mary Batt of Beckenham, spinster to Rev. Epiphanius Holland, of Beckenham, Henry Batt, of Penge Green, gentleman, George Roberts, of London (trustees). |
1723 - Amy Raymond, daughter of Hugh Raymond marries Peter Burrell II of Beckenham and Kelseys who will style himself eventually “of Langley”. The 'Peter Burrells' become confusing as there are four of them associated with Beckenham. Beginning with Peter Burrell of Beckenham (1649-1718), Peter Burrell I of Langley(1692-1756), Peter Burrell II of Langley (1723-1775), Peter Burrell III of Langley(1754-1820) made Lord (Baron) Gwydyr in 1796. Some sources will number them I to IV. History of Parliament online is again a good source of information about them and offices they held etc. This marriage is about 9 years before Hugh Raymond purchases land in Bromley. I believe the links via the East India and South Sea Companies brings the families together.
1723 - A map of Peter Burrell’s estate is drawn by J.Pidduck, copied by Robert Borrowman for his book of 1910. Borrowman copied the map from another copy made in 1829 which was in the Hoare family documents.The original is at Knepp Castle, Sussex, the home of Sir Charles R. Burrell, Bt. The map possibly relates to the Peter Burrell/Amy Raymond marriage settlement several plans were drawn in 1723. All the properties in this map are south of Beckenham with little or none in the Manors of Beckenham or Foxgrove. By marrying Amy Raymond the Burrells came into line for inheriting Langley Park and parts of Foxgrove later. We know of two maps of 1723 which exist in the British Library of a property near Penge Common and of Woolseys Farm at Clay Hill under the Burrells.
With
thanks to Sir Charles Burrell Bt. of Knepp Castle, East Sussex
who is a direct descendant of William Burrell, a brother of Peter
Burrell of Langley. William Burrell is recorded on the 1769 Andrews,
Drury and Herbert map as residingat Kelseys
 Part
of Borrowman's copy alongside the original at
Knepp Castle
|
 |
1725 - Penge: The vicar of Battersea returned to Bishop Willis that there were only thirteen houses and sixty inhabitants in Penge, who went to Beckenham Church, and for whose care he paid a trifling consideration to the incumbent of Beckenham. (source H.E.Malden)
1726 - Thomas Brograve; believed to be a descendant of the Beckenham Brograves; following a court case for murder/manslaughter which seems to be relate to a duel or disturbance. Brograve was branded 'burnt in the hand'. Compared to punishments meeted out to other felons below:
The Tryals being over, the Court procee ded to give Judgement as followeth;
Receiv'd Sentence of Death, 15.
John Cotterel , John Vanwick , Joseph Treen , Mary Scuffam , John Gillingham , John Map , Katherine Hays , Thomas Billings , Thomas Woods , Gabriel Lawrence , William Griffin , George Keger , Thomas Wright , Henry Vigous , James Dupree .
John Murrel was likewise convicted Capitally; but being dangerously ill, his Sentence was respited.
Katherine Hays to be drawn on a Hurdle, to the Place of Execution, and there to be burnt.
Burnt in the Hand, 3.
Francis Chandler , Thomas Bragrave , and Katherine Blisset .
To be Whipt, 1.
William Baker .
To be Transported, 34.
Sarah Orchard , Sarah Hutchins , Mary Loveday , Thomas Atkinson , William Watson , Mary Cockshead , Mary Trigger , Rebecca Bignell , Ann Macclane , Elizabeth Fletcher , John Jackson , Joseph Brockhouse , Benjamin Blocksedge , Temperance Stonly, Rebecca Read , Thomas Owen , Charles Atkins , James Hopkins , William Munn , Thomas Fleetwood , Richard Richmond , Isabel Harris , Tozar Williams, Samuel Butler , William Thomson , James Roberts , Ann Ambrose , John Mackey , William Lawrence , Katherine Hastings , Thomas; Cartwright. Philip-Chars O' Conner, Sarah Dickins , Sarah Fox , Edward Prics , John Burdet Mary Williams , William Parker , Edward Simkins .
John Boon , to suffer 12 Months Imprisonment, and not to be discharged till he finds Security for his good Behaviour, for 1 Year more.
1727
- King George II until 1760
1727 – Lancelot Tolson leaves land he inherited from his brother John Tolson in trust to his nephew, Lancelot Tolson Tilly. This includes Foxgrove Manor, Stone Farm etc according to Hasted. (This farm was purchased, in 1716, by Mr. John Tolson, and descended to Lancelot Tolson Tilly, who devised it to Timewell Brydges, Esq. for his life, with remainder to John and Edward Brydges, of Wotton. In 1765, it was sold by the Brydges's to Jones Raymond, Esq. who died in 1768) But John Tolson died in 1713 and had land in Bromley which was most likely Foxgrove at the time of his death. The ownership through the Tolsons and Tillys is complicated not least by the fact that offspring died before parents and sometimes intestate. However, studying the wills of the Tolsons and Tillys shows that land was left by Mary Tilly in three bequests, see 1743. The account by Hasted leaves some questions not least the date of 1716 which does match the Chancery Court case concerning the disposal of Foxgrove by Francis Leigh’s executors to pay his creditors but that would imply that Lancelot Tolson purchased Foxgrove, perhaps to extend property his brother John purchased before 1713.
1727 - Elizabeth Style had carried Langley (source: from Hasted) in marriage to Sir John Elwill, bart. who died in 1727, without issue by her. The property of Langley and title passed to Sir John Elwill's brother Edmund, now Sir Edmund Elwill.
1728 - John Cator the elder marries Mary Brough as recorded on 11th February (source: P.Manning and Ancestry.co.uk). We can now access the Quaker meeting house record via online heritage sites (Ancestry.co.uk). This marriage takes place at the Savoy and Westminster meeting house. John Cator (the elder) is described as a Timber Merchant and so is his father-in-law John Brough of the Parish of St. James, Westminster. John was only in his 20’s and whether he had his own business is questionable, perhaps working for the man who becomes his father in law. Pat Manning records that he had his business on Bankside in 1741. John Cator’s father Jonah is described as a glover late of Ross, Herefordshire also a Quaker. Looking at ancestry records, Ross was an epicentre of Cators, sometimes spelled Cater or Catter. Some Cators were following the established Church of England and others Quakerism, whether they were all the same extended family is a good question. Bearing in mind that the subsequent John Cator of Beckenham Place and his family, although raised as Quakers, were buried in C of E churchyards it seems that changing faith or mode of worship was not uncommon. Though early Quakers were fined for not attending Church and persecuted along with other non-conformist religions, I haven’t found any record of corporal or capital punishment unless one looks at Quakers in America, some of whom were executed by Puritans. As the officially recognized Church of England ran some of the functions now performed by Local Authorities via Parish Councils then avoiding paying money to the church via tithes was perhaps a bit like not paying your council tax and reminiscent of the poll tax demonstrations of more recent times.
Note other spelling ‘variations’ such as publickly. Also, the Quakers followed a different calendar with the year commencing on 25th of March.
Early Friends/Quakers objected to the names of the days and months in the English language because they were of a non-Christian origin. Sunday was called as such by the Saxons because it was the day they sacrificed to the sun. Monday was the day they sacrificed to the moon; Thursday was the day they sacrificed to the god Thor; and so on. Quakers thought it inconsistent for Christians to continue using the names of heathen idols. In an effort to distance themselves from these references, they created their own calendar terms using numbers, which seemed to them to be the most rational approach. Days of the week were known as “First Day” for Sunday, “Second Day” for Monday, and so forth. They used no other names but these, either in their spoken conversations or in their letters. Similarly, the months of the year were known as “First Month” for January, “Second Month” for February, and so forth. If you were a Quaker, you were expected to adopt these practices in your daily life.
Hence, the 2nd month in this record is the month of April (see text).
1728
- John Cator the younger is
born in March to John Cator the elder and Mary Brough (1703 - 1764).
Recorded in Quaker Meeting House registers under Southwark Births, John
Cator the elder (father) identified as of the Parish of Lambeth, Surrey
being
a resident of Bankside? Just outside of Southwark or not yet resident at Bankside is
yet to be confirmed.
John the
younger is
often referred to as being born in Ross-on-Wye which is erroneous
according to this record and perhaps a mistake as the father, John
Cator the elder was from Ross but had become a timber merchant either at Bankside Southwark by this time or working for his father in law. The records show that the birth
took place before the marriage and this it seems was more common than
generally accepted. Indeed, the only methods for monitoring population
growth were from baptisms and burials known as the Bills of Mortality.
Not everyone was baptised and probably not all deaths resulted in a
church burial.
The Quaker records are considered as one of the non-conformist
religions. The Wikipedia entry regarding Bills of Mortality states: It
must be noticed that the record is of christenings, not births; hence
the figures do not include the births of Quakers, Dissenters, Jews,
Roman Catholics, etc.
1728 - June; Lease
and release is a property purchase method, Burrell extending his
estate, some fields called Gatton's Land are traceable. The occupation
of Gatton is interesting. source BHC. Lease
and release of property in Beckenham, Kent, known as Holdens, Wallnut
Tree Field, Colman's Croft and other land, from Richard Pearch of
Keston, Kent, gentleman and Nathaniel Gatton of the Isle of Thanet,
Kent, Riding Officer in His Majesty's Customs and Elizabeth, his wife
to Peter Burrell of
Beckenham, esquire in consideration of the sum of £532, for the lives
of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Gatton.
Land
identified as Gattons on the Burrell map may include these fields but
Holdens and Wallnut tree fields may be duplicated names from other
estates. For example there are several Barn Fields and Pond
Fields. Suffice it to say that Burrell and others are consolidating and
extending their properties.
1732
– Hugh Raymond of Saling and Stepney purchases Langley Park Estate and
Simpson's Place/Farm,
sold by Sir Edmund Elwill who had inherited from his brother Sir John
Elwill, husband of Elizabeth Style (according to Hasted). The Styles,
Elwills,
Raymonds and Burrells all have memorials in St. Georges Church,
Beckenham. Included in the sale of the Elwill/Styles estates is
Simpsons Place which was adjacent to Bromley town. Langley straddles
the Parish boundary between Beckenham and West Wickham. Elizabeth
Elwill nee Style had married a Henry Bartelott after John Elwill
decease. She died in 1731 which may have affected the date of the sale
by Edmund. Story about family feud. Perhaps Elizabeth had intentions of
carrying the estate to Bartelott? A memorial to Elizabeth is in St.
George's raised by Bartelott.
1733 – John Cator’s (the Younger) brother Joseph is born. Recorded in St. Saviours Parish Southwark at the Monthly Meeting of Southwark: Union of Southwark and [St John] Horsleydown, Friends Meeting House. (from Quaker records). Joseph will be the father of John Barwell Cator who inherits Beckenham Place and its estates after 1806 and other siblings who will be trustees of the estates. Horsley Down is an area of Southwark/Bermondsey near Tower Bridge.
1734 - to be confirmed. The bell from the clocktower of the burnt out stable block in Beckenham Place is dated 1734 which may be the date of the construction of the Clockhouse stables, or maybe even the house. I recall seeing dated plates on the clock of its manufacture date and a repair/refurbishment date but the clock is now mostly destroyed. The bell is to be installed in the new cafe. The whole clocktower is said to have been transferred from Clockhouse to Beckenham Place, but the date is unknown. I'd like to think John Barwell Cator did it possible after the death of his father Joseph Cator who had been living at Clockhouse. Or perhaps part of general agrandisement of Beckenham Place by J.B.Cator.
1734
- 17th April Manor of Beckenham lands; Lease
for 21 years at £88 per annum, of 6 closes (63 acres) in Clay
Lane (occupiers, abuttals, and field names given); 7 closes (65 acres),
(field names given); 3 closes called The Riddens; Riddens Wood (between Clockhouse and Penge) (20
acres); messuage and land (4 acres) occupier Mr Lethalear (Lethieullier)
Honorable
John Lord Monson, Baron Burton and
Honorable Richard
Edgcumbem, of Mount Edgcumbe, Devon, Trustees of Honorable John St John
to Henry Batt, of Penge,Yeoman. (source; BHC 728/2/1)
Henry Batt had land at Penge and it was common for additional land to be leased from neighbouring landlords. The lease from John St. John evidences that the St.Johns were probably not personally involved in much to do with Beckenham. John St. John 1702-1748, father of Frederick St. John (Bolingbroke), grandson of Sir Walter St. John
1735 – Another map of the Burrell estates in Beckenham and Penge reproducing detail from the 1723 map but dated 1735 drawn by John Pidduck. Recently (2019) discovered at Knepp Castle, Sussex the home of Sir Charles R. Burrell, Bt. whose branch of the Burrells descended from Peter Burrell and Amy Raymond via their younger son William who married Sophia, the daughter of Sir Charles Raymond and Sarah (nee Webster). The map is interesting as it records the arrival of Col. Hugh Raymond, spelled Raymund on the map and Penge is spelt Pench, onto the Langley estate which he bought from Sir John Elwill. The map also shows land belonging to Tolson or Toulson and Tilly. This land or much of it will come into the possession of John Cator giving rise to the interwoven patchwork of ownership which would enable later exchanges to consolidate estates. Other detail on the map shows Kelsey with a formal square lake and more detail that could only be related in a small book.
A section of the map from Knepp Castle, courtesy of Sir Charles R. Burrell, Bt. ©
1735
- Map of Langley. The original has not been found but Kent Archive has
a later copy as part of 1826 title deeds when Langley was bought by the
Goodhart family. Neighbouring landowners John St. John, Lethieullier
and Lancelot Tolson Tilly are indicated. Hugh Raymond had bought
Langley and Simpsons Farm Bromley from the Elwills in 1732. This
section is only part of the park which was bought by the Goodharts.
Courtesy
of Kent Archive
1735/36 - Peter Collinson (John Cator's eventual father in law) meets Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linne) on Linnaeus’s only recorded visit to England and they become lifelong correspondents on botanical and other scientific matters. An association has been made between Cator, Collinson and Carl Linnaeus the botanist, assuming that Linnaeus contributed to the landscaping of Beckenham Place Park. We have gathered evidence regarding relevant dates of birth and death as well as age of the individuals and known movements of Linnaeus indicating this was very unlikely if not impossible. The originating reference to such an event seems to be in Robert Borrowman’s "Beckenham Past and Present" but I believe this to be a confusion arising out of the Collinson/Linnaeus connection. Linnaeus's son later visits London in 1781 in the time of John Cator and we are investigating whether they met. No evidence has emerged so far despite some material relating to Linnaeus the younger being discovered at the London Linnaean Society. Peter Collinson did communicate regularly with Linnaeus by letter. Linnaeus's only known visit to Britain was in 1735/36 when he met Collinson among many others, long before Cator then aged 7 married Collinson's daughter or created Beckenham Place. Collinson enabled Linnaeus to collect various plant specimens and collections. On Collinson's death his books and papers were passed to John Cator and thence inherited by John Barwell Cator, who then enabled them to be copied by the emergent Linnaean Society of London. One of many interesting exchanges Collinson had with Linnaeus and others was the speculation as to where swallows went in winter. It was even thought they might hibernate under water and they discussed experiments to see if this was true involving putting swallows in or near barrels of water. Collinson also discussed electricity with Franklin and the migration of people to America and its impact on the Native Americans. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and contributed to the establishment of the Foundling Hospital. Having originated from a family home in Peckham he moved to a house inherited via his wife at Mill Hill and established his garden there. It is now the Mill Hill School; see the Mill Hill Society for further information.
Peter Collinson (1694-1768) Carl von Linne (1707-1778)
1736 – Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm, The Mead, Beckenham. Wm. Brasier produces a map of the estates of Thomas Motley’s Farms at Elmers End, Thayers Farm near Clockhouse and a dwelling house in Beckenham village called The Mead on what is now known as Thornton’s corner. Neighbouring landowners are indicated. Thayers Farm is alongside the site of Clockhouse which would become the place of birth of John Barwell Cator who inherits Beckenham Place in 1806. The Clockhouse site is shown as belonging to the Lethieulliers in 1736. The Cators will later be owners or neighbours of these lands but the map answers some questions about ownership, field patterns and buildings. Other landowners shown are The Hon. John St. John (parts of Beckenham Manor), Samuel Pugh (part of the High Street where he had a mansion) and several borders with the Burrells. St.John Humphrey is also shown. The map is also a work of art in its drawing and embellishments and an example of surveyors’ and draughtsmans’ skills. (source; Kent archive). The Motleys may have been in Beckenham for some time as William Motley buried in 1727 at St. George's as an infant looks like a son of Thomas. Thomas was buried in 1758 and another Thomas who was probably a nephew according to Thomas's will was buried in 1770 at the age of 44. However, Thomas Motley d.1758 seems to have left all his property to his surviving daughter and her husband Francis Austin. Thomas had a sister Margaret who married into the Twycross family of Abingdon. I assume his brother was named William who was father to the nephews William and Thomas. Several Motleys are potential ancestors and some property in Dagenham was mentioned in the will.
Although
this relates to Elmers End much
earlier,
an area now inside South Norwood Country Park called The La Motes is
covered by this document; https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/sites/default/files/archcant/1976%2091%20A%20Double-Moated%20Site%20at%20Beckenham%20Thronhill.pdf
1737 - Hugh Raymond of Langley, dies and his son Jones Raymond inherits Langley Park, Simpsons Farm and other extensive properties in Essex. Hugh Raymond had purchased Langley Park in 1732 (source: Hasted, Burrell map etc.). The name Jones is derived from Hugh's wife’s maiden name. Her father Samuel Jones was also in the EIC, another ship’s captain. We recently find heritage record evidence that Hugh’s wife’s name was Dinah(Dynah) Jones and Samuel Jones was her father. Again, referring to Hasted's entry for Langley Park can explain detail but we may revisit the history of Langley in a separate account. Jones Raymond is also involved with the East India Company becoming a director. About this time, Peter Burrell was deputy governor of the South Sea Company of which Hugh Raymond was a director. Hasted’s record of the history of Langley would have us believe that Hugh’s son Jones also had a son named Jones but this is an error. I can only find record of one ‘Jones Raymond’ supported by evidence from St.George’s church memorials and birth and death records via Ancestry.co.uk. The memorials to the Raymond’s are in St. Georges Church, Beckenham, Hugh’s is pictured here. Hugh Raymond was, as well as being an EIC ships captain, ship owner and director of the South Sea Co, he became a Colonel of the Tower Hamlets' Militia for the defence of London and had a house on Tower Hill. He was also listed as being on the board of St. Thomas’s Hospital. Some of his letters regarding the day to day business of the EIC can be found in the British Library. His nephew Sir Charles Raymond is the subject of more detailed biographies. Land in Hugh Raymond’s possession on the Burrell 1735 map is annotated “Colonel Raymond” or sometimes spelt Raymund. Some time later William Burrell will marry Sophia, the daughter of Charles Raymond (Sir) and the descendant of that line Sir Charles Burrell, Baronet now occupies Knepp Castle in Sussex. William Burrell is shown as occupying premises near Kelseys on the 1769 Andrews and Drury map.
1738
- Jones Raymond writes his will at the age of 32, following the death
of his father and upon inheriting Langley and other estates in Essex,
Suffolk etc. This is his final will which is acted upon after his death
in 1768. Several named benefiaries will die in the interim. see
1768/9
1739 - The Foundling Hospital: After 17 years of tireless campaigning, Thomas Coram finally received a Royal Charter from George II enabling him to establish his Foundling Hospital. Peter Collinson is one of the supporters of the Hospital established to address the problems of orphans, abandoned children, poverty and infant mortality. This was no immediate solution to problems but eventually led to improvements. As an illustration of living conditions in the 18th century, and even the 16th and 19th, it is enlightening. No direct link to the park but there was a small workhouse in Beckenham for the locally impoverished. For a long period people were associated with the Parish of their birth and if found in poverty in another parish were returned to their 'home' parish for poor relief. Some court records show rehabilitation orders for removal of people to home parishes. I recommend "London Life in the 18th Century" by M.Dorothy George if you can get a copy for a description of poverty, working conditions, housing and mortality.
1740/50 circa - A map of Langley (South part) belonging to Jones Raymond. Held in the British Library, the map is undated but Jones Raymond inherited Langley in 1737 on the death of his father, Hugh Raymond. One section of the Langley estate called Stacy's was later exchanged with John Cator. The parcel named Barnfield Wood shown on the map is annotated Lancelot Tolson Tilly who died in 1741. Other landowners shown ie John St.John The map seems to show the part of Langley in West Wickham parish, the northern part of the map is missing. Fields are annotated with an alphanumeric system and legends from L to P. Presumably the other map would show A to K. the estate is divided into leased farms with leaseholders and farm names shown. The Langley buildings and avenue of trees are illustrated. Perhaps the map is dateable to Jones Raymond's inheritance.
Courtesey of the British Library (partial image) Cartographic Items Maps 188.k.3.(7.)
1741
– Lancelot Tolson Tilly (LTT) dies. He had inherited Foxgrove among the
estates of his uncle Lancelot Tolson who had no other heirs. By his
will of 1737, LTT dies
young and in his will he leaves his estates to his parents Joseph and
Mary Tilly it seems because he is not expecting a long life and in the
will he states that he has not acquired estates in Banstead from his
father in law Gabriel Bestman in accordance with his marriage agreement
and hence does not leave estates to his wife Elizabeth Tilly nee
Bestman. However Joseph and Mary Tilly also die not long after and see
his mother’s will of 1743 and his wifes will of 1748 by which process
the estates appear to descend to Joseph Groves, Deborah Timewell (nee
Bridges) and
brothers John and Edward Bridges. The relevance is that Cator acquires
a lot of these estates in later purchases and exchanges which in turn
he exchanges some of with the Burrells. It appears that LTT also made a
will in 1726 whereby he left estates to John Simpson and John Broom
(cousins). By my estimation LTT would have been only 10 years of age in
1726 and he subsequently married in 1733 at a tender age of 17 or 18.
Although his later will superceded the earlier one a Chancery case was
brought by the original beneficiaries.
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT7/C78/C78no1883/IMG_0084.htm
1742
– Henry St. John, 1st Viscount St. John dies, the Manor of Beckenham is
thought to be
inherited by his eldest son by his first marriage, Henry, 2nd Viscount
St. John, 1st Viscount
Bolingbroke (ennobled with
that title in 1712). But maybe Beckenham Manor was granted to his son
by a second marriage, The Honourable John St. John (1702-1748). See
Wikipedia and History of
Parliament online for
more information on the St. Johns/Bolingbrokes. The family seat was in
Wiltshire. Their estates were also in Battersea where there was a
residence. There is no evidence of them occupying Beckenham Manor as a
home and maybe they were absentee landlords although their land in
Penge was in the Parish of Battersea. Some St. Johns are buried in St
Mary’s Church, Battersea indicating that the residence was some
distance from Beckenham Manor. Some question remains about which
St.John held Beckenham Manor as "The Honourable John St. John" is
annotated on maps around 1735. Perhaps this Henry divided his estates
prior to his death as the only real estate mentioned in his will is a
remainder left to his daughter Henrietta. Only the effects and chattels
of Lydiard Tregoze and Battersea are mentioned. Henry is described in
History of Parliament as being a Restoration Rake and was once
convicted of murder though a pardon was purchased from the Crown.
Henry 2nd Viscount St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
1743 – This passage explains how
Foxgrove Manor becomes divided
some land became part of Beckenham Place or was part of exchanges to
extend the park:
27 Aug: Mary Tilly nee Tolson dies, sister (niece?) of John
Tolson 1670-1713 Gent of Staples Inn London though from Bekesbourne
Kent (and Lancelot Tolson his brother of Plaistow, Bromley), widow of
Joseph Tilly and in
her will Foxgrove land in Bromley, Beckenham and Lewisham that was
held in the Tolson family since 1712/16 become divided as she leaves
Stone
Farm and Plaistow to her widowed daughter in law Elizabeth Tilly. She
leaves Foxgrove Farm and woodlands in Bromley, Beckenham and Lewisham
to Deborah Timewell a kinswoman married to Edward Timewell of Chigwell,
Essex, but the conditions of the Will state that if Deborah dies
without issue (which she did in 1752) then the property goes to her
brothers John and Edward Bridges, other kinsmen. The link to the
Bridges family is via Sir John Roberts of Bekesbourne, Kent who had
four or five daughters one of whom married into the Bridges and another
into the Tolsons. Another bequest of a farm at Wadhurst goes to
Nathaniel Tilly of Shepton Mallet, Somerset. As the Bridges brothers
inherit Deborah did not have surviving children. The brothers later
sell their parts of Foxgrove to Jones Raymond.
Also, in this year 27/7/1743 presumably before her death Mary Tilly grants the following lease: Originally part of Foxgrove: 14 yr lease from Michaelmas 1743 Mary Tilly to St John Humphrey woodlands named Lewisham Land Wood, Barnfield Wood, Clayhill Wood, Cold Shaws Wood, Bushey Picketts, Bushey Acres, Crooch Oat Shaws, Southerlands Woods, Tootswood, Kingswood, Bromley Wood, The Willows, two pieces Morris Wood – 200a late occ Lancelot Tolson Tilly. (Bromley ref 728/1/3)
St.John Humphrey is shown as a landowner on the various maps, possibly related to the St.Johns by some previous marriage.
The two Morris Wood and Lewisham Lands are on the Foxgrove maps and shown as Morrisswood East and West and Lewisham Lands which is now Summerhouse Wood. Rocque calls the whole area Langstead Wood on his map but I now question his source of information as Langstead Lane on his map is shown as Lagg Street Lane on the Foxgrove map of 1766.
The three pieces of land along with the rest mentioned in the lease come into the possession of John Cator. Barnfield Wood, Bushey Picketts, Bushey Ten Acres are in his exchange with Jones Raymond and Peter Burrell in 1759/60.
When the lease expires in 1757 it matches a time when Cator is acquiring land in Beckenham.
1744 - 22nd May; Release of property and lands called Holdens, Ashenfield, New Wheatfield, Walnut Tree Field and Colman's Croft in Beckenham, Kent, between Nathaniel Gatton of Beckenham, yeoman, son of Nathaniel Gatton, deceased; Francis Dipper of Beckenham, yeoman and Mary, his wife and Elizabeth Gatton, spinster (1st part); Charles Peyton of Clements Inn, Middlesex, gentleman (2nd part) and Peter Burrell of Beckenham, esquire (3rd part). In consideration of the sum of £800 to be laid out be laid out by Burrell in the purchase of South Sea annuities, the first parties bargain and sell the property to Peyton as a perfect tenant in order that a recovery shall be suffered against him to sell the property to Burrell.
Land
identified as 'Mr Gattons' on the 1735 Burrell map probably accounts
for this property which is very close to Burrells Kelsey estate. see
1728
I’m sticking my neck out a bit here but the buildings between Stoms and Hill are the site of the Mansion, supported by the evidence of the Andrews, Drury and Herbert map later on in 1769. The small building just to the right of “Stoms Hill” could be the Home Farm. The buildings just above and left of Fox could be the Farm shown on the 1785 road diversion plan. Southend Road and Beckenham Hill do not exist at this time, the road shown is now the drive through the park.
John Cator’s brother Samuel is born, he will perhaps be the least fortunate of the Cator brothers.
1746-51 - (Elmers End etc) Thomas Motley's daughter Anne marries Francis Austin and Thomas purchases some estates on behalf of Francis. There are marriage settlement documents etc in Kent Archive. Subsequently Anne Motley, now Austin seems to die in childbirth of Francis Motley Austin in 1747. A purchase sum of £3,800 is recorded and there is more to discover about these transactions but I believe the property is in other parts of Kent or maybe Lewisham. More research required.
1746
- Mary Pugh was the widow of Samuel Pugh. She may have
disposed of the land or her heirs may have. The Pughs were related to
the Batts of Penge and Willis's
| London Borough of Bromley Archives | |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 815/13 |
| Title | Lease for 1year |
| Date | 21January 1746/7 |
| Description | Lease
for 1 year (release missing) of messuage and 14 acres., Beckenham,
occupied by Thomas Herbert (formerly occupied by John Woodley); 15 acres Lewisham occupied by Abraham Clowder; 9 acres Lewisham occupied by John Anderson; Maidenhead, a messuage, Home Close, and Westbrook, Beckenham. occupied by Thomas Watford Mary Pugh to Thomas Brigstock, of Bartlett Buildings, London, gentleman |
1748
– Foxgrove: Elizabeth Tilly nee
Bestman dies,
she had inherited part of Foxgrove Manor from her mother in law Mary
Tilly. Her uncle Joseph
Groves inherits Stone Farm and land at Plaistow from her. Elizabeth was
Lancelot Tolson Tilly’s widow. Foxgrove Farm or Manor was left to John and Edward Bridges
by Lancelot Tolson Tilly’s mother Mary Tilly nee Tolson. See earlier entries for the
procession of land ownership from Leigh to Tolson to Tolson Tilly and
to Groves. All the result of no direct heirs to leave property to
either
through no issue or early death hence the property of Foxgrove Manor
becomes divided between more distant kin. Groves already owned substantial
other property as do the other beneficiaries of the Foxgrove bequests.
1748
- Southwark: The Cator timber business recorded as John Cator and Son
at
Mouldstrand Wharf, Bankside, Southwark. (source: Pat Manning). It may be of some interest to know
what became of the timber business of the father in law, John Brough of
Westminster. Did both businesses continue or did Brough’s become John’s
via any means. I
find a John Brough occupation Sawyer married at Ratcliffe Stepney, and
residing in Lambeth, dying in 1732. There may be a son who died young
in 1721 and another daughter Sarah dying in 1722 and this might make
the daugher Mary married to John Cator the elder the only heir.
1748 - Death of The Honourable John St.John who's name appears on maps of Beckenham estates. His son Frederick will inherit the Manor of Beckenham along with St. John estates in Battersea. This link includes good background information about the St.John family https://www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk/doc/report33.pdf but only one reference to Beckenham in John St.John's will " I give and bequeath unto the Reverend Mr Thomas Clarke Rector of Beckenham in the County of Kent the Sum of Fifty pounds of lawfull Mony of Great Britain as a small remembrance for his kind Services" which might recollect some unrecorded visit to Beckenham. Lydiard Tregoze was the family seat in Wiltshire.
1749 - Peter Collinson moves from his house in Peckham to Ridgeway House, Mill Hill. Though seemingly a long way from Cator's home at Southwark it must be remembered that Collinson had a business in Gracechurch Street, London and both families probably met at Quaker gatherings. The Meeting House in Long Lane, Southwark is a likely venue although Devonshire House in Bishopsgate is another possibility as it was the venue for John Cator and Mary Collinson’s wedding. Whether any association had formed by this time is unknown. The subsequent marriage of Collinson’s daughter to Cator identifies Collinson as of Gracechurch Street so it seems he resides at both Mill Hill and Gracechurch Street much in the same way as Cator comes to reside at Beckenham and Southwark and later the Adelphi on the Strand. Collinson’s gardens at both Peckham and Mill Hill gain a reputation much respected in horticultural and botanical circles. He supplies plants to several high ranking people and is associated with Joseph Banks and Solander who accompany Captain Cook on his round the world voyage.
1749 (or 1751?) - Frederick, 3rd Viscount St. John, inherits the Manor of Beckenham and and the title Viscount St. John from his father John St. John. The title Viscount Bolingbroke is inherited from his uncle Henry in 1751 with estates in Battersea. There is perhaps some confusion to be clarified here as Hasted’s account is meandering and earlier maps of 1736 show John St. John as landlord of at least parts of Beckenham Manor. Many aristocrats had more than one title and sometimes changed names when intermarrying or inheriting estates. This can add some confusion to tracing events. Although it seems Bolingbroke did not own much land which is now in the park apart from a couple of plots, his sale of the extensive Beckenham Manor lands to Cator did allow Cator to become 'Lord of the Manor' after 1773, but without any title other than Esquire.
Frederick 3rd Viscount St.John, 2nd Viscount
Bolingbroke
1749 - Village Place
| 1 December 1749 | |
| Description | Deed of exchange between Peter Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, esquire and Gent Unwin of Beckenham in relation to lands in Beckenham. |
| Capital messuage and property in Beckenham | |
| Date | 1685- c.1834 |
| Description | Capital messuage in the town of Beckenham, with land called the Ridge lying behind it, three houses in the High Street and other lands and gardens in Beckenham and a seat or gallery in Beckenham parish church annexed to the capital messuage. |
| Administrative History | The mansion was built between 1718 and 1720 by William Davies, surgeon. After 1834 it was variously called 'Village Place' and 'The Cedars'. |
Another account by Rob Copeland describes the Cedars as being opposite Village Place.
source
Bromley Collections
1751 - Death of Henry St. John, 2nd Viscount St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke. He died in 1751, in the seventyninth year of his age, having been twice married; first to Frances, daughter and coheir of Sir Francis Windebank, bart. of Berkshire; and secondly to Mary Clara des Champs de Maresilly, marchioness de Vilette, relict of the marquis Vilette, and niece to the celebrated madam de Maintenon, wife to Louis XIV. but having no issue by either, his titles and estates descended to his nephew, Frederick, the third lord viscount St. John, viz. son of John, second and only surviving son of Henry, viscount St. John, by his second wife Angelica, before mentioned. John viscount St. John, married in 1729, Anne, one of the three daughters and coheirs of Sir Robert Furnese, bart, of Waldershare, in this county, and had by her Frederick before mentioned, and Henry, a lieutenant-general in the army, and two daughters.
Some
mystery surrounds what property was
belonging to Henry St. John and his half brother John St. John. The
only property mentioned in their father's will of 1708 is either money,
chattels, or a remainder of property left to their sister Henrietta.
Whether prior to 1708 some division and distribution of property took
place is a possibility as prior to John St. John's death
An account of Henry St. John is on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_St_John,_1st_Viscount_Bolingbroke
1753
- John Cator the younger of Southwark marries Mary Collinson, daughter
of Peter Collinson FRS, merchant and botanist on the 30th
August. The ceremony takes place at
The Quaker Meeting House, Devonshire House, Bishopsgate, London, it is
recorded in Quaker marriage records. The guests and family members are
listed on the document which is viewable in Ancestry.co.uk. The
marriage settlement document is in Surrey Archive whose catalogue
states that no property is mentioned in the settlement. There is more
about John and Mary in the ‘Additional Information’ separate
publication/file although apart from some passing remarks not much is
said or known about Mary. Hester Thrale later records ‘Mr Cator, his
wife and a niece, Miss Collison (sic)’ visiting her at Streatham.
Collison is a variation of the spelling of Collinson and this would be
Mary’s brother’s daughter. Although Hester Thrale and others record
some conversations with John Cator nothing is recorded by way of
conversation with Mary Cator. Whether this indicates a shy or quiet
disposition or maybe snobbery on the part of Hester Thrale and others
is to be pondered upon.
1753 – John Cator’s youngest brother William is born. “This is to certify the birth of William Cator son of John Cator (the Elder) was registered in the books of Horsley Down Meeting, London, the 18th day of the first month called January 1753” and is dated October 26th 1770.” There is reference to a William Cator as Cornet ensign 2nd Lt August 2 1769, who resigned April 3 1772, Madras in the book of Officers in the Indian Army by Dodwell and Miles. (source: Pat Manning). William will later make some fortune with the East India Company, become an owner or partner in a brewery business but , try to return to India with the East India Company when his brewery business fails but he is killed by French privateers near Calcutta. (some source material in Westminster archive and a Will with Canterbury Prerogative Court).
1756
- Peter Burrell I of Langley (1692-1756) dies and properties are
inherited by his widow Mrs. Amy Burrell. This may include some of the
parts of Foxgrove Manor which are now in the park but they seem to come
to her later via her brother Jones Raymond. Also his son Peter Burrell
II of Langley Park inherits other properties, this needs clarification
as estate plans show properties in the names of both Peter Burrell (II)
and his mother Mrs Amy Burrell. Peter Burrell I had been Sheriff, Kent
1732-3; director, South Sea Co. 1724-33, sub-governor 1736- d.; director R. Exchange Ass. 1726-38.
His position with the South Sea Company was after the Bubble affair and
after his marriage to Amy Raymond which may have enabled his entry into
the company through Hugh Raymond.
Peter Burrell’s
Will mentions his properties at Beckenham and a house at Covent Garden.
1756
- Is also the year in which Amy Burrell's sister Dinah dies. This will
have some implications on the inheritance of the Raymond Langley
estates later in 1768/9
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lSM31F4_EQEC&dq=%22john%20west%22%20%22black%20silk%20dyer%22&pg=PA267#v=onepage&q=dinah&f=false
1756
- The
messuage in Beckenham may be 'The Mead' on the high street which was
Thomas Motley's. The record is interesting as it records a marriage
between the Hollands associated with Langley Farm and Lethieulliers who
are associated with Kent House Farm and Clockhouse.Little and Great
Wheatfield can't be traced in Beckenham so must be at Hartley near
Sevenoaks.
1038/1 |
|
| Title | Property, Beckenham |
| Date | 1756 |
| Description | Deed
for raising a fine and declaring the uses thereof between Stephen
Holland of Beckenham, Kent and his wife, Sarah (late Sarah
Lethieullier, widow of Samuel Lethieullier of Beckenham) and Thomas Motley of Beckenham and Rev. Langhorn Warren of Hampstead, Middlesex. Re: messuage in Beckenham: land including the Great Wheatfield, Little Wheatfield, Daltonoer Hartley Wood Farm in Hartley; land at Tottenham High Cross, Middlesex; land at Ramsholt, Suffolk.. |
1757
- John Cator buys lands at Southend (source P.Manning from records at
Kent Archive).
"The property of Francis Valentine whose ownership was demonstrated by
the inclusion of a family tree. John Cator paid £1000 on 25th November
1757 for a messuage, outbuildings, yard, garden and several pieces of
land at Southend, Lewisham."
Subsequent research into the Valentine family tree, wills and property reveals that Francis Valentine the elder d.1736 had extensive properties including The Bell in Bromley, The Kings Arms at Farnborough and a Red Lion at Southend. (The Red Lion disappeared or got renamed) One of his grandchildren inherited the Green Man at Southend and whether the Red Lion changed name is an interesting question. Cator exchanges the Green Man with the Forsters of Southend later in 1794 but this purchase from Francis Valentine the younger could be any of the land around Southend Green as it was then called, which was left to the sons and daughters of Francis Valentine the elder.
It now seems unlikely that this is the Stumps Hill land on which the house is built but it is the earliest record of John Cator and Southend. Moving records onto databases might not have the same detail as old card indexes and we cannot find the record at |Kent Archive online. It might be part of ‘Manorial deeds’ records at Kent Archive. However £1000 at that time seems a lot of money unless it was for a substantial amount of land i.e. “several pieces”. Certain areas not covered by the Foxgrove or Beckenham Manor plans might have been part of this purchase. As Cator was acquiring land in several divers places and many landlords had widespread disconnected plots under their ownership several scenarios are possible.
What we do find later in 1794/95 is that John Cator seems to be the landlord (owner not publican) of the Green Man at Southend and a bakers and some cottages. See 1794/95 for more detail. He exchanges these with John Forster for a Mill and other property. Cator estate maps of 1833 and 1869 show land at Southend as part of the estate but not necessarily ‘emparked’. The term ‘emparked’ indicates added to parkland and probably fenced off from general access.
1757 - Frederick Viscount Bolingbroke marries Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough. The marriage is accompanied by a complex marriage agreement assigning trustees to Bolingbroke’s estates and guaranteeing Diana an income from the estates. From my cursory delving into the reports of subsequent court cases it would take a law professional to come up with an understandable summary of the subsequent events. See 1773 Cator’s purchase of the Manor of Beckenham. And the dissolution of Bolingbroke’s marriage to Diana Spencer
Lady
Diana Spencer, later Diana Beauclerk
when remarried after her divorce from Bolingbroke in 1768.
Also
in 1757 - Viscount Bolingbroke exchanges the Beckenham 'Old' Manor
House and grounds opposite St. George's Church for Woolsey’s Farm at
Clay Hill with Peter Burrell II of Langley, the son of Peter (I of
Langley) and Amy Burrell. As
Peter Burrell I had died the previous year perhaps Woolsey’s Farm was a
legacy and the manor house was seen as an attractive exchange? I
haven’t found any record of any Bolingbroke’s residing in Beckenham,
being more of an absentee landlord, and the house may have been
becoming a liability for maintenance or not fetching any income whereas
a farm would bring rents? The
Burrell’s did spend at least some time in Beckenham with various
members occupying Kelsey, Langley, Houses in the village and were
buried in
the Church or churchyard.
Bromley Historic Collections archive has this record:
1/2 August 1757 Lease and release and exchange of property between Right Honourable Frederick Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, Baron of Lydiard Cregote (should read Tregose?), Wiltshire and Viscount St John Baron Battersea of Surrey (1st part) and Peter Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, esquire.
The
first parties (one person with several titles) assign the mansion house
known as the Manor House at Beckenham, Kent with 8 acres of land to
Burrell, in exchange for a messuage called Woolsey's Farm and lands and
woodland in Beckenham. (Bromley Historic Collections). Roughly 65.5
acres. Burrell got Mansion 8acres, Great & Little Downs 17a
abutting to the north Beckenham to Bromley Road, to the south Peter
Burrells Garden, west a meadow called Court Mead and east Stone Field
occ Peter Burrell. Also Court Mead 12a occ Peter Burrell including a
capital messuage.
Great and Little Downs may be what are both labelled
Court Downs on the Beckenham Manor 1768 plan.
Frederick
St. John exchanged Beckenham Manor House 8a, Great and little Downs 17a
abuting north to Bromley Road, south the the garden of Peter Burrell,
west a meadow called Court Mead and east a field of Peter Burrell
called Stone Field, Also Court Mead 12a in occupation of Peter Burrell
including capital messuage and Clay Hill Wood 1a1r in occ James Styles
with Peter Burrell and in return got Woolseys Farm consisting of Three
Corner Close or Gravel Pit Field 3a, Old Croft 3a2r, adjoining Kitchen
Croft 2a2r adjacent Clayfield and part of Lower Langstreete Wood, Lower
Pittfield 5a, Langstreete Wood 5a, Langstreete Field 9a, Clay Hill
field 1a, Brookfield 7a, Ryefield 3a2r, Kitchen Croft 4a, Upper
Shorehams 2a1r12p, South Shorehams 2a1r33p, West Shorehams 6a2r34p.
So the subsequent purchase of Beckenham Manor land and ‘Lordship’ in 1773 by Cator, excludes the manor house site opposite St. George's Church. This is probably the driving force for transforming Stumps Hill into Beckenham Place for Cator as ‘Lord of the Manor’.
The Cator estate plan of 1864 excludes the Old Manor house site and any land south of Beckenham High Street and Bromley Road. By 1809 The Old Manor house becomes the property of Henry Hoare before the Burrell estates in Beckenham are sold in 1820.
Woolseys Farm was at Clay Hill near Shortlands, I estimate it to have been where Downs Bridge Road runs from Albemarle Road to Bromley Road. It is on an estate map of 1723 in the British Library. The map states it is in the occupation of H. Fox though difficult to read because of the condition of the map. We latterly think it is the site of Shortlands House, now Bishop Challoners School.
1757-1765? – This is a complex time of land purchases and exchanges. About this time or as part of the 1760 Act of Parliament Cator may have acquired parts of Foxgrove Manor. W.H.Ireland states “It (Foxgrove) passed through several hands and became divided in three parts, the woodlands and store farm were purchased by John Cator”. This most likely is the manner in which Cator acquired the plots on the Foxgrove Manor plan of 1766. Margaret Mitchell suggests ‘store farm’ may be a misspelling of ‘Stone Farm’ which we know Cator had possession of about this time, adjacent to the Kelsey estate. That is confirmed by Hasted’s earlier account which Ireland misreads or is a printing error. As a point of interest Stone Farm appears to have been relocated sometime between the 1766 Foxgrove plan and the 1868 surveyed OS map. It seems the Burrells having acquired the earlier farm from Cator demolished it to extend their grounds at Kelsey and moved it to the corner which is now opposite the Chinese Garage and is a parade of shops.
We now know that Mary Tilly’s lease to St.John Humphrey in 1743 expires in 1757 this year 27/7/1743 presumably before her death Mary Tilly grants the following lease: Originally part of Foxgrove: 14 yr lease from Michaelmas 1743 Mary Tilly to St John Humphrey woodlands named Lewisham Land Wood, Barnfield Wood, Clayhill Wood, Cold Shaws Wood, Bushey Picketts, Bushey Acres, Crooch Oat Shaws, Southerlands Woods, Tootswood, Kingswood, Bromley Wood, The Willows, two pieces Morris Wood – 200a late occ Lancelot Tolson Tilly. (Bromley ref 728/1/3) and this looks like it prompts her heirs to sell Barnfield Wood, Bushey Piggot and Bushey Ten Acres to Cator which he exchanges with the Burrells. Also it looks like he purchases Morrisses Wood East and West along with Lewisham Lands woodland shown on the 1766 Foxgrove map as being within the area of what would later be the Park.
“ in 1716, it was then purchased by Mr. John Tolson, from whom it descended to Lancelot Tolson, and from him to Launcelot Tolson Tilly, and he by his will left his estate in this parish in three parts; Foxgrove, as will be mentioned below, to Timewell; Stone-farm to Mrs. Tilly; and his woodlands to Mr. Benjamin Browne, which, as well as Stone-farm, have been since purchased by John Cator, esq. lord of the manor of Beckenham, and he at present possesses them; but he devised (sold?) this manor of Foxgrove to Timewell for his life, and afterwards to John and Edward Brydges of Wotton (Kent), esquires, in this county, who, about the year 1765, conveyed it by sale to Jones Raymond, esq. of Langley, in this parish, “
This has errors but in essence Foxgrove was divided. Lancelot Tolson Tilly died before his wife and his parents. He left estates he had inherited from his uncle Lancelot Tolson to his parents Joseph and Mary Tilly. His mother Mary Tilly nee Tolson outlived his father and she left the estates in several parts. For our purposes the mother, Mary Tilly nee Tolson divided the estates, see 1743.
But then Hasted confuses the death of Peter Burrell with Jones Raymond and surmises that Jones Raymond had a son also named Jones which is not the case. However, this may be the point at which ‘the woodland’ becomes Cator’s Stumps Hill property and he acquires Stone Farm as well in 1761 from Joseph Grove who had inherited from Elizabeth Tilly.
We might assume that the Foxgrove Manor map of 1766 which shows lists of fields in the ownership of Jones Raymon is the result of the purchase from the Bridges/Brydges brothers of Wooton, Kent. Hence it shows land held by Cator and Bolingbroke from Cators earlier purchase from Joseph Grove or exchanges with Raymond and Burrell in 1759/60.
1758
- Thomas Motley, landlord of Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm and The
Mead in the High Street, dies and leaves property to his daughter and
son in law Ann and Francis Austin of Sevenoaks. There is substantial
land in addition to Beckenham property. It seems that Ann may have died
in childbirth in 1747 of her son, Francis Motley Austin. The Austins
are of the same family as Jane Austin who is a cousin/niece. Francis
Motley Austin will inherit the property on the death of Francis Austin.
1759-60 – A Parliamentary Private Act from the Parliament archive online catalogue
http://www.portcullis.parliament.uk. John Cator exchanges lands in Beckenham and Lewisham with Jones Raymond and Peter Burrell II (1724-1775). This may include the land on which the mansion stands at Stumps Hill but needs more research or evidence to come to light, However, the transcript of the Act made by Mother Mary Baptist (1967) throws some light on it.
"An Act for exchanging certain Messuages, Lands and Hereditaments, in the Parishes of Beckingham (sic) and Lewisham, in the County of Kent, Part of the Estate late of Hugh Raymond Esquire, deceased, for other Lands and Hereditaments in the said Parish of Beckingham, belonging to John Cator the younger, and for settling the Lands so taken in Exchange to the same Uses, as the Lands given in Exchange stand limited, and for enabling Jones Raymond and Peter Burrell Esquires, to grant Building Leases of other Parts of the Estate, late of the said Hugh Raymond."
Essentially the Act states that the properties of Jones Raymond, Peter Burrell and John Cator are so intermixed so as ‘to render the possession and enjoyment of the properties inconvenient’ and the other interested parties consent to the exchanges.
This evidences that John had considerable land holdings already by the age of 31 and whether ‘hereditaments’ means he inherited some of it remains a question or is just a catch-all legal phrase. But the text of the act refers to John’s “Estate and inheritance” of land. The mention of Lewisham here draws attention to the fact that the land is on both sides of the Parish boundary. The map in the British Library attributed to 1780 shows some of these lands in the Langley and Kelsey area ie. called Barnfield Wood, Bushey Pigott and Bushey Ten Acres which can be traced on the map. Another map copied from a 1735 version has emerged from Kent Archive showing Bushey Ten Acres and Barnfield Wood. Cator transfers to Raymond and Burrell; Several woods or wood grounds in Beckenham called Barnfield Wood, Bushey Piggott and Bushey Ten Acres. Barnfield Wood Road now runs alongside Langley Park Golf Club.
John Cator acquires Lower field, Middle, Upper and Pond field, Barne Field and Orchard field. Let to Thomas Watford. Staceys with yards gardens and appurtenances and three fields called the Delvins and peartree barn and mill field in occupation of Thomas Selby. These can mostly be identified from maps as being around the Langley area but Delvins may be fields shown on the Beckenham Manor map as being the Delves which are bounded by the name Sir Francis Leigh which is a hangover from when Foxgrove was held by the Leigh family. And on the Foxgrove maps shown as Cator with Ld. Bolingbroke either side. That tempts me to believe the site of mansion was among these fields. The description of fields like upper, middle, lower, barn and pond are so common for different parts of estates that a definitive identification is difficult. Stacy's or Stacey's was at Pickhurst Green identified on a Jones Raymond/Langley Place map circa 1750 (undated but after Hugh Raymond's death and before the 1759 exchange)
Of direct interest here is that property within the boundaries of the now public park were acquired from Jones Raymond and the Burrells.
More can be said about the 1759/60 Act thanks to the writings of Mother Mary Baptist (formerly Bessie Taylor) of Coloma College, West Wickham. As part of a thesis in 1967 she copied out large tracts of this Act and the later one of 1825. From her records we can get a better idea of the extent of the Cator properties and the intentions of the Acts. I have to admire her fortitude in hand copying the detail from what is probably a difficult to read handwritten 18th century document.
It would appear that the Will of Hugh Raymond having left bequests to persons beside his direct heir Jones Raymond and directing how the estate should be preserved required an Act of Parliament to permit exchanges of property with Cator. A similar process would be required later by the heirs of John Cator in 1825.
A ‘messuage’ on the site of the mansion had probably been removed to make way for Cators house which could be Watford's or fields called Delvins.
1760 – Viscount Bolingbroke petitions for a Private Act of Parliament to permit him to dispose of family estates in Kent and elsewhere. This will presumably later facilitate his sale of Beckenham Manor to Cator and Bolingbroke will sell Battersea estates to the Spencer family. Whether the same Spencer branch as his soon to be ex-wife Diana could be researched.
1760/62 - John’s father retires in 1760 and passes the business to him. At the same time Samuel Cator, John’s brother is taken into the business as a 7 year apprentice (source: Will of J.Cator the elder). Cator begins to build the house on Stumps Hill as recorded in the comment by Peter Collinson in his “Hortus Collinsonianus”. I’m inclined to believe the mansion site is on one of the plots exchanged with Jones Raymond in the 1759/60 Act of Parliament. Cator would have lived here and at Southwark. Considering his other property in the area its also possible he had other accommodation locally but no evidence has turned up.
1761
– Joseph Grove who had inherited Stone Farm in Beckenham and Plaistow
in Bromley from his niece Mary Tilly (see 1748) sells to John Cator:
meadow, pasture and woodland called The Stone Lands in 4 pieces, Half
Acres, Hawkesbrooks and East Decoy Croft.
At least some of these are near Kelsey and Langley but will form part of the lands Cator exchanges with the Burrells later in 1793. The Tolsons/Tillys were owners of Foxgrove Manor and other lands from about 1714. Cator pays £2400 for the purchase. From Bromley archive (researched by Keith Baldwin) Bromley Archive record has this: 23/12/1761 Joseph Grove of Richmond Surrey to John Cator £2400 meadow pasture & woodland called the Stone Land 4 pieces, Half Acres, Hawkesbrooks, East Decoy Croft, 2 pieces East Weblands, West Decoy Croft, 2 Bowling Green piesces or the Five Jurys, 3 called Bromley Lands & passage from Bromley Lands to Smithfield, 2 pieces called Smithfield, 2 called Great & Little Shortlands, Hop Garden, the droveway leading from Little Shortlands to May Hill, May Hill otherwise Malefield, Highfield, 2 called Wall Riddens certain pieces late in possession of St John Humphrey formerly Joseph King containing 9.3.5 and also woodland called Chaulks Wood total 160a estate of John Tilly to Lancelot Tolson Tilly to Joseph Tilly to Mary Tilly – Elizabeth Tolson Tilly to Elizabeth Tilly to Joseph Grove in occupation St John Humphrey but late Thomas Bassett.
Most of these sites can be identified on the 1780 ‘Burrell’ map from the British Library which shows plots in Cator's name. The effect of these purchases will be that Cator extends his estates and reorganises via later exchanges.
A question which arises is whether Cator had previously bought land from Grove which he exchanged with Raymond and Burrell a year or two earlier or had he inherited some land from his father John Cator the elder.
1761 - From St. George's register "Mr. Richard Hoare (afterwards Sr Richard Hoare, Bart.) and Frances Ann Acland, married May 7, 1761." (source; Lysons Environs of London)
Richard
Hoare had property in Beckenham which he later rented to his brother
Henry. The Beckenham property does not seem to be the principal
residence of Richard Hoare.
1762
– Peter Collinson records in a letter his visit to John's house newly
built on Stumps Hill. (maybe visiting his now pregnant daughter?).
It is now established that John Cator certainly came to live at the
house on Stumps Hill much earlier than 1773 as there are records of him
buying land in the area in 1757 and exchanging land with Peter Burrell
and Jones Raymond in 1759. John Cator's famous botanist father in law,
Peter Collinson speaks of his purchasing a fine estate and building a
house in letters dated 1761 and 1763. So we now know that the original
house dates to 1760-62 as the most recent revelation is a note by
Collinson in his Hortus Collinsonianus (catalogue of his plants) in
which he says:
"Sept. 17, 1762, went, for the first time, to visit my son-in-law, John Cater (who married my daughter), at his new-built house, now finished, at Stump's Hill, half way (on the south side of the road) between Southend and Beckenham, in Kent, began in the spring 1760, on a pretty wooded estate which he had then purchased. The plantations about it, all of his own doing, I found in a very thriving condition, and when grown up will adorn so stately a house, in so delectable a situation, and make it a Paradise. In his woods grows the native English Chesnut spontaneously. P. Collinson, F.R.S."
Then the publisher of this catalogue, Lambert says :When I visited these grounds, in 1812, I was much struck by the remarkably healthy appearance of many fine trees, including, as nearly as I can recollect, Cedars, Exotic Firs, Liriodendrons.
Though this map is part of the 1766 Foxgrove Manor estate plan, it seems to show a building above the 't' in “Cator's” near the top right of picture. Collinson’s comment about woods could refer to the other ‘Cator’ plots on the map and possibly the Morriss Wood East and West and Lewisham Lands sites as they are not listed as Jones Raymond’s. It’s also possible that Cator owns land north of the road if the 1757 purchase of a ‘messuage’ was the one on the Rocque map showing buildings either side of the road, or from the 1759 exchange with Raymond and Burrell. Some elements remain unconfirmed. Sweet Chestnut certainly grows in both of what are now called Stumpshill Wood and Summerhouse Wood.
Courtesy of British Library©
The architect for the building has been a puzzle and remains so. An article in the Friends of BPP newsletter no.33 describes the ‘candidates’ for the design. It is reproduced in the Additional Information section of this history under “The House on Stumps Hill”. Briefly The ‘biggest’ name that gets a mention is Robert Adam. Other contenders are: George Gibson Jnr., who built St Mary’s Church in Ladywell and Stone House, 281 Lewisham Way, Loampit Vale opposite Lewisham College. Richard Jupp and most commonly suggested Robert Taylor who built Danson House (listed Grade 1), Danson Park, Bexley is not considered to have the same style as displayed in Beckenham Place. Although his name has come up several times in the past, he is no longer thought a serious contender. Henry Holland, who may have built Langley Farm. Holland in collaboration with his father-in-law ‘Capability’ Brown constructed Benham Park, Berkshire in 1775. The style does have many similar elements to Beckenham Place, but is this again because this style was prevalent at the time or did Holland oversee the work here, as his family did settle in this area?
To refer back to the land exchange of 1759/60 and “3 fields called Delvins”, the three plots in the map above with “Mr. Cator’s” may be those fields as the plot “Ld Bolingbroke’s” is annotated as Delves/Delvin on the Beckenham Manor plan. Bessie Taylor had much the same thought.
1761 - Three
Tuns; July;
Counterpart
lease for 7 years 1) Amy Burrell, Peter Burrell 2) James Squire of
Beckenham, Kent, victualler. Brick messuage called the London Coffee
House alias The Three Tuns, Beckenham (dimensions given), with
appurtenances. Demonstrating that the Burrells owned the Three Tuns and
that the premises were called the London Coffee House to reflect the
fashion of the time and the presence of 'city' residents in the town.
1762 - John Cator's father retires to Bromley (source: Pat Manning). It is said he had a house in Bromley and maybe some property as in his Will the following year he mentions rent from his houses and land left to his wife. Could it have been left to John the younger on his mother’s death or did John manage it among some of his exchanges? John certainly had some land in Bromley Beckenham borders and whether he purchased it all or inherited some has not been discovered. But now I’m wondering about the possibility that John the elder may have moved into property his son had purchased. Why? because in John Cator the elder’s Will below, he describes John Cator the younger as an astute businessman having improved his wealth and having ‘greater ability than I’. John Cator the Younger had taken over the timber business in 1760 and was left the business and the house on Bankside. The evidence of property to exchange in 1759/60 and the map attributed to 1780 but perhaps earlier show that John the younger had several properties that his Father and Mother could have moved into. No evidence has emerged of where John the elder resided though it may have been for a short time if he retired in 1760 unless he resided in Bromley while still running the timber business prior to 1760.
1762 - Village; Counterpart lease for 14 years 1) Amy Burrell and Peter Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, esq 2) Elizabeth Hetherington of Beckenham, shopkeeper. Messuage, centre of 3, in High Street, with appurtenances and land, in Beckenham
1763 - A daughter Maria (also referred to as Mary) is born to John and Mary Cator. 1763 is also the year in which Cator’s father died and his mother came to stay with him but her later abode at the time of her death is recorded as Bromley. John the younger had been given the timber business and a house at Bankside back in 1760 when his father retired. His father’s Will settled in 1764 leaves substantial sums to his children i.e. £1500 to John’s brother Joseph who is in Jamaica at the time of the Will. John also gets the land owned in Ross, Herefordshire. John Cator the Elder’s Will mentions rents from his houses and land left to his wife which is another clue to the potential extent of John senior’s accumulated wealth. John junior is requested to act as father to the rest of the family and take his younger brother Samuel into the timber business as apprentice and then partner. Samuel’s death date has recently been found to be in Jamaica where he was employed as a customs official, the timber not pass on to him. Some historians have said , Cator inherited considerable wealth but it seems that though he had ‘a leg up’ through the family business his net worth increased considerably during his lifetime. However, documents refer to John junior’s ‘hereditaments’ which implies he inherited some other property which might include some in his name on the 1780 Burrell map.
The daughter Maria who dies in 1766 is buried in the tomb in St.George’s churchyard but John’s father’s burial is unknown but if he remained a Quaker it would have been in a Friends burial ground such as Long Lane, Southwark. Some sources on Ancestry.co.uk claim he died in Somerset but it remains a mystery.
This reference is interesting but not of great consequence to the history of the Park. “Found a skeleton in the Cator cupboard. Joseph was married as a young man to Sarah Villers from Coventry but he ran off to Jamaica and left her in the lurch. This was from A2A on line by typing in Cator. Some solicitor’s papers were handed in to the Warwickshire Record Office concerning a bond taken out by John Cator of Bromley dated 1762 for £2,000 to guarantee that son Joseph would not claim against the executors of the will of Thomas Villers since Sarah Cator was a beneficiary. It is not a PCC (Prerogative Court of Canterbury) will and the Warwickshire Record Office is undergoing a refit at the moment but I should like to see the will!” (source: P.Manning)
1763 – In June Peter Collinson writes to John Bartram in America “Pray look, where grows nearest, some Azaleas, Kalmias, and Rhododendrons, for my son-in-law, who has lately bought a fine estate, and built a noble house, and made extensive plantations, and is quite cracked after plants, has plundered my garden all he can, and looks with such a longing eye on what remains, that unless thou sends me a box of those plants to keep all quiet—for my own son is so ardent to keep what I have—that I shall have something to do to manage my two sons. They are so fond of plants, and take such care in planting in proper soil and situation, it gives me entertainment to see their ingenuity and emulation. But my son CATOR deserves encouragement; for when he married my daughter, about ten years agone, he scarcely knew an apple tree from an oak ; but by seeing often my garden, and conversing with me and his brother, is now resolved, if he can, to rival us. In his new, fresh soil, plants thrive finely. I wish thou may pick out what I mean : being much engaged, can add no more, but that I am thy sincere friend, P. Collinson.”
This is perhaps an indication as to why Cator was protective of his estate in his Last Will and Testament although as far as I can make out his land at Stumps Hill may only have been as little as about 40 acres in 1763.
This example of a land exchange outside of the Beckenham Place area, next to Kelseys, between Cator and Burrell illustrates how property deals were conducted..... 25/26 March 1763 Lease and release of a piece of land called Stone Mead in Beckenham, Kent, containing one acre and two rood from John Cator the younger of Southwark, Surrey, merchant to Peter Burrell of Beckenham, esquire in exchange for land called Gatton's Mead, containing 2 1/2 acres in Beckenham. (Bromley Historic Collections). Lease and release was a means of exchanging property and avoiding tax and was later prohibited.
Stone Mead is found on the Foxgrove manor map adjacent to Kelseys and very close to the site of the lake in Kelsey Park, if not the actual site. This evidences that Cator had already acquired Stone Farm from Joseph Grove.
Gattons Mead is a small fields with 1.0.2 and 1.1.8 acres on the south side of Stone Farm. For clarification, land was measured in Acres, Roods and Perches. An acre is 4840square yards. There are 4 roods to the acre (1210 square yards) and 40 perches in a rood. Potential confusion can arise because a perch can also be called a pole or rod. But A.R.P is often seen on old estate plans and even some early maps or just shown as, for example, 4.2.6 as in the map above. I guess one can see that the 1.1.8 plot is approximately a quarter of the adjacent plot.
Below: Stones Farm with Gattons Mead shown to the left. Can this detail be used to date the ‘1780 Burrell Map’ to be closer to 1763? Stone Farm is referred to as Barnfield House under Cator’s ownership.
Image courtesy of British Library©
1764 – Joseph Grove dies, who had been left parts of Foxgrove estates at Plaistow, Bromley and Stone Farm etc in Beckenham via the Tolsons and Tillys which is believed to include Foxgrove Farm. He leaves the Plaistow part of Foxgrove estates to a nephew Groves Wheeler and in the will he mentions a mortgage “due to him from Mr. Cator at Christmas”. It is unclear what land the mortgage relates to but could be the land identified on the 1766 Foxgrove map including the Stone Farm mentioned under 1761. We may never know the full story but maybe this adds some substance to Cator’s activities in property dealing. John had exchanged part of Stone Farm with Peter Burrell a year earlier so had acquired Stone Farm from Grove a before that.
1765 - Hasted states Foxgrove Manor was purchased by Jones Raymond from John and Edward Brydges of Wotton (should read Wootton/Kent) in 1765, but Raymond and Burrell were exchanging land with Cator in 1760 some of which is believed to be in Foxgrove manor so the date of 1765 is questionable at least for some of Foxgrove. The Brydges were absentee landlords having inherited from a local relative but the Raymond’s appear to be ‘local’ landlords describing themselves as “of Langley” since their acquisition of that estate and having family members buried in the local church even though their estates included parts of Essex and Stepney. More can be said about the Timewell and Brydges families which are intermarried, Deborah, Edward and John Bridges or Brydges are siblings and Deborah had married the Reverend Edward Timewell who outlived her, becoming owner of the woodlands, being her part of Foxgrove. The Tolsons are related to the Bridges by the marriages of two sisters of the Roberts family of Bekesbourne, Kent. The evidence that the park predates 1773 supports the possibility that Hasted’s dates aren’t 100 percent reliable. Bearing in mind how difficult we find it to piece together events with the aid of the internet and modern means, Hasted’s task was even greater.
1765 – John Cator’s sister Mary marries Joseph Sparkes of Bromley. If not already then he will become a director of the East India Company thus strengthening the ties of the Cators to the EIC. Some time later a grandson of Joseph and Mary Sparkes will find a position in India as a judge. The Sparkes sons George and Henry are left bequests in Cators Will in 1806. It turns out that it is a complex facet of the Cator estates and Pat Mannings book addresses the Sparkes connection. See 1806 to 1825 timeslots.
1765 - Manor of Beckenham: November 4th: An Indenture regarding the marriage settlement is written between Frederick St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke and Lady Diana Spencer. Frederick receives £10,000 in exchange for various properties including the Manor of Beckenham. The subsequent disolution of the marriage will involve Diana returning the properties in return for an annuity. The lands of Beckenham are described with field names and acreages. A list of occupants demonstrates that the St.Johns were absentee landlords in that they mention as occupants of the manor lands John Cator, Jones Raymond, Peter Burrell, Thomas Motley, Joseph Humphrey, Ann Ackland, Abraham Clouder, David Henry, Job Lloyd, Charles Wray and the widow Wither. The other property includes Lydiard Tregoze which is the St.John family seat in Wiltshire, Purley Manor in Berkshire etc. and several trustees are mentioned. From an 1810 handwritten copy which resides in the Wiltshire archive.
The
indenture appears to give parties associated with Diana Spencer ie Earl
of Guilford (Lord North), Earl of Pembroked (Henry Herbert), Duke of
Marlborough and Earl Waldegrave
as well as Frederick Viscount Bolingbroke rights to lease or rent
properties or to sell property provided the proceeds are spent on the
acquisition of similar property. This was a mechanism by which estates
were intended to remain intact. Frederick is described as acquiring an
Act of Parliament which authorised him to sell family estates and not
lay out the proceeds in purchases, due to his accumulating debts. John
Cator subsequently made similar provisions in his will which John
Barwell Cator circumvented in an Act of Parliament in 1825. Research
shows that some or all of the co-signatories or trustees were connected
by intermarriage with the Spencers. Waldegrave it appears was descended
from a Churchill daughter, Arabella, who had beem the mistress of James
II. Family and politics bound them together.
Another document in Wiltshire archive relates to the Bolingbroke arrangement with Mrs. Hare which would cause John Cator problems with his purchase of the Manor of Beckenham. The mention of Cator in this Bolingbroke document is further evidence of his presence in Beckenham between 1760 and 1770 both as a landowner and leaseholder. Presumably the lease putting him in a position to buy when land was offered for sale. Of course its most probable these leaseholders sub-let to other tenants.
Frederick
and Diana will divorce in 1768 due to Diana's "Criminal Conversation"
(adultery) with Topham Beauclerk which resulted in a child.
Simple searches on the internet will reveal a lot about Frederick,
Diana and Topham Beauclerk, none of which directly impacts Beckenham
other than by the passage of landlordship of the estates.
1766 – John and Mary Cator’s daughter Maria dies in infancy. John's sister Ann also dies after a long illness (source: P.Manning). Many infant deaths were attributed to 'fever' but diseases such as measles, dyptheria, whooping cough, smallpox, scarlet fever, typhus, cholera, typhoid were all common, attributable to poor hygene, or not effectively treatable until well into the 19th century and beyond.
1766
– The Manor of Foxgrove estate plan is transcribed by Proudlove from a
1720 version. That earlier version has not surfaced...yet, which was
probably drawn up for the Tolson family. This updated transcription
shows plots owned by John Cator, Jones Raymond and Lord Bolingbroke.
The plan covers not only the area directly in and around the park but
some plots quite isolated in Elmers End, Kelsey, Langley and elsewhere.
It was drawn to indicate the Jones Raymond possessions hence the legend
of field names and acreages with other landowners indicated instead of
some field names.
Despite some unclear confusions of land transfers up to this point we may take it this reflects the situation in 1766 with no significant changes until after the 1776 version (see 1776). Also see 1777 where Cator exchanges other land for the fields named Pill Crofts here with Amy Burrell.
The land within the Foxgrove Manor which became the park was only the northernmost part but the more southerly part of Foxgrove Manor remained associated with Foxgrove Farm. Hasted and Ireland refer to the division of Foxgrove and Cator acquiring Stone Farm and woodlands. Whether the ‘woods’ may be Morisswood East and West, Lewisham Lands and/or the plots bounding the small ‘Bolingbroke’ section. Margaret Mitchell points out that ‘store farm’ in Irelands account is a misprint for ‘Stone Farm’ which is on the 1766 plan but adjacent to what is now Kelsey Park.
We know John Cator owned Stone Farm from the circa 1780 “Burrell” plan.
John Cator added some land to the park purchased from the Forsters and Francis Flower of Southend in Lewisham and probably the Earl of Rockingham who is identified on the Foxgrove Manor plan. The records of this area are more difficult to trace but the Rockinghams and Sondes family and Lees Court Estate possessed land at Mottingham, Lewisham and Bromley.
Estates were not always contiguous areas of land but very divers holdings often being the odd field, wood or farm. Intermarriage was one way these widespread estates accumulated. It seems John Cator acquired his early land acquisitions as they came on the market. The death of an estate holder might prompt the heir to sell some unwanted sites as we see later with John Cator’s heir, John Barwell Cator. The maps often raise as many questions as they answer.
British
Library©
This
cropped image shows the area mainly within the Park. Mr Cator at the
top is the site of the mansion, The Lord Bolingbroke pieces are called
Hicks Field and Delves on the Beckenham Manor map, Thistle Down is now
called Crab Hill, Lewisham Lands is Summerhouse Wood, Lewisham Land
Hills is Railway Field and adjoining woodland, Natt and Brooks are The
Common by the river. Small parts of Earl of Rockingham may be on the
Common and backing onto properties in Brangbourne Road.
On the 1766 map Cator's land is surrounded by the holdings of Jones Raymond. The Hop Ground, Pill Crofts etc outlined by a dark line and yellow colouring are listed as Raymond's. It may be that plots not heavily outlined near Cator's are already his property. As the 1757 Southend purchase mentioned ‘several pieces of land’ and the 1759/60 Act named parts of Foxgrove Manor maybe Morrisswood East and West are Cators because they are not listed as belonging to Jones Raymond in the legend. I estimate the plots with Cator’s name plus Morrifswood East and West to be about 40 acres. But Cator’s plots are divided in any case because Jones Raymond owned Hop Ground (more research is needed). The Lord Bolingbroke annotation between two ''Cators'' plots is clarified on the Beckenham Manor plan as being a small plot owned by Bolingbroke but leased to someone else (Sir Francis Delves). So there was a jumble of ownership and occupation. Also few buildings are indicated on these plans so Rocque’s map is an indicator of where buildings may have been.
Some field shapes are recognizable to this day. Thistle Down is the modern day Crab Hill field and Lewisham Lands is most of the woodland (Summerhouse Wood). Lewisham Land Hills is Railway field and adjacent woodland. Natt Brooks is Summerhouse Field and the Common.
A bit more can be said about the Foxgrove Manor plan as it depicts lands owned by Jones Raymond. It also depicts lands owned by the Burrells and Lord Bolingbroke as well as Cator. Some fields are outlined yellow to show they are Jones Raymond's and a list at the side shows field names and acreages. Some plots are just named without an owner indicated i.e. Lewisham Lands 18.2.29 (18 acres 2 roods 29 perches). 2 plots called Morrisswood west and east bound the hop ground and may already be Cator's. The part annotated 'A' Earl of Rockingham is indicated as being grazed by oxen (12 great beasts of Foxgrove). This part is believed to have been a marshy area by the river probably no good for agriculture.
The road which is now the drive through the park is the boundary of the Foxgrove Manor and partly of the Beckenham Manor lands, but it seems some of the land along the western side of the road is not in either manor, possibly being Forster Estate/Lewisham Manor and Flower House property.
The description Lewisham Lands denotes land in Lewisham Parish which was or would be acquired by Cator. Lewisham Land Hills and Nat Brooks are owned by Jones Raymond as indicated in the legend below. The small lozenge shaped plot is believed to be a sandpit on the river floodplain. No buildings are drawn, only boundaries and enclosures. In my reading of the various maps it seems the line between Hop Ground and Morriss Wood East is the line of the stream in the park going back almost to Foxgrove Farm before it was straightened as part of the golf course landscape. It would make sense for a stream to be a boundary line. The Lord Bolingbroke plot by the church can be related to the Beckenham Manor plan (under 1768) as fields named the Pound, Church and Broom next to the church. Another plan of about 1780 of Burrell's holdings in Langley does show more 'habitation' as it was drawn for the purpose of recording leases and leaseholders. Some plans may have been drawn for marriage settlement or the Will of a landowner i.e. Jones Raymond dies 2 years after the 1766 plan. Or may be related to the sale of property or land tax assessment.
Images courtesy of British Library©
1766
- Two persons are accused of stealing and receiving timber taken from
Cator's Bankside business, (Surrey Archive QS2/6/1766/Mic/20-21). It would be interesting to
discover whether they were found guilty and any sentence received.
Eighteenth century penalties were severe with death or transportation
being common.
1768 - Jones Raymond of Langley dies with no issue or direct heir so his possession of Foxgrove Manor is left to his sisters (Amy, Bridget and Dynah) but seemingly the other sisters predecease Jones and their interest devolves to Amy Burrell who is Jones Raymond's widowed sister from her marriage to Peter Burrell. Some lands appear in the name of Mrs Burrell or Peter Burrell (II of Langley) on estate plans. The Burrell's already owned other lands in Beckenham, Bromley and Penge such as Kelseys'. Jones Raymond’s other property and Langley Park also passes to Amy and Peter (II) Burrell. It was common for intermarriage between land owning families. There were at least two marriages between other members of the Burrells and Raymonds families. The Burrells had become 'of Langley' rather than 'of Beckenham' or ‘Kelsey’ perhaps reflecting the grandeur of the estate.
Jones Raymond's memorial plaque in St. George's Church is dated March 23rd 1768The Raymonds and Burrells probably never lived in Foxgrove manor house which was more of a farm. The house was moated perhaps reflecting that it was an older more fortified property at one time, maybe a bit like Ightham Moat. In any case the house and moat are now lost forever. The Will of Jones Raymond in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury may prove interesting reading for those inclined to struggle through it. Mention is made of several of his relatives and their bequests.
The British Library have some documents from the East India Company with Jones Raymond’s name and signature. He was appointed a new director of the EIC in The Gentleman’s Magazine of April 1739. “A Voyage to the East Indies” John Henry Grose published 1766 states that Jones Raymond was still a named director of the EIC in 1755. And also later in 1757 in The London Chronicle.
Foxgrove
farm/manor house 1865 OS map, note the Ice House
(from National Library of Scotland)
1768
- Frederick St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke and Diana Spencer
divorce by Act of Parliament. Possibly due to this and the settlement
regarding property the following map is produced from a 1623 original.
Diana is awarded an annuity of £800 per annum.
1768 - The Manor of Beckenham map or plan (below) is redrawn and transcribed by T. Proudlove from a 1623 plan. The plan is in The British Library. The two parts of Beckenham Manor had been reunited under the St. Johns (see 1623). With the Foxgrove Manor plan above it is possible to fit The Bolingbroke land next to the church with Church Field and Broom Field in the plan below and see how a piece of land is unaccounted for by both Manors. This plan raises a question as to why the Manor opposite the church is not annotated as belonging to Peter Burrell from the prior exchange in 1757.
Reproduced
by kind permission of the British Library © Shelfmark(s): Cartographic
Items Maps 188.k.3.(4.)
On the above plan Beckenham Place would eventually occupy the bottom left corner outside of the Beckenham Manor boundary. The plan is orientated with North at the bottom and the road running down from the church is the road which runs through the park from approximately just above Hicks Field. Hicks Field, Sir Francis Leigh is written above Delves plot which is marked as Lord Bolingbroke’s on the Foxgrove plans as is Hicks Field. This is another example of the mixed ownerships and of how if a plot belonged to another landowner it was described as 'Lord Bolingbroke' or 'John Cator' and the field name omitted.
Sir Francis Leigh is indicated as a landowner of the areas not in Beckenham Manor but in Foxgrove Manor, but by 1768 The Leighs had sold this area to the Tolsons and it became divided as explained in earlier points on the timeline ie 1716 and they in turn divided and disposed of it to Jones Raymond, Lord Bolingbroke and John Cator. Although the ‘Bolingbroke’ parts may have already belonged them on the 1623 version if only it was in existence..
The only part of Beckenham Manor within Cator’s Beckenham Place may be the left edge of ‘The Lawn’ and ‘Spring Park’ which seem to be the curve of Stumps Hill Wood. Maybe the ancient oaks along the edge of Stumps Hill Wood are manor boundary markers. After Cator’s death much of that part was sold in the 19th century for building. A few large houses were built and possibly after wartime bomb damage some were demolished. The current Calverly Close estate occupies much of this section. The map extracts below show how the curved edge of woodland matches with ‘Spring Park’ and the bottom edge of Spring Park follows the old parish boundary between Beckenham and Lewisham Parishes.
The
two estate plans of Beckenham and Foxgrove dovetail together showing
how the Manors are neighbours and how very little of the modern day
park is in Beckenham Manor.
1768 – Kent Archive has this record but
unfortunately any
plans are missing. See 1780 map reference as the map perhaps should be
dated to circa 1768 as a draft line is on it for a road diversion.
Part
of highway leading from Beckenham to West
Wickham,
from north end of Langley Pond Mead Hedge in Beckenham, southwards
across avenue of capital messuage of Amy Burrell, widow, late of Jones
Raymond, Esq., called Langley House, and thence south-eastward towards
Langley Park, and thence south-westward between lands of Amy Burrell
called Red Lodge Farm to north-west
corner of Wickham
Green in West
Wickham,
295 rods [1,622 & 1/2 yards] long, 20 feet wide, to be diverted by
Amy Burrell to new line from the beginning of the old highway, through
Hawks Brooke Lane, thence westward towards farmhouse occupied by Job
Floyd near Langley House, thence southward, through fields of Amy
Burrell called Upper Ridleys, Walnuttree Field, James's Fields, Further
Field and Barn Field to Beckenham - West
Wickham
road
at wheeler's house and shop, occupied by Thomas Hewman, 304 rods [1,672
yards] long, 20 feet wide.
Part of footpath in Beckenham and West Wickham, leading westward from messuage of Amy Burrell in Beckenham called Brewhouse Farm, across the above highway and the avenue, thence southward, through Four Fields belonging to Red Lodge Farm, called Ockfield, Conduit Field, James's Field, and Orchard Field, and oat by a stile to the above old highway near Wickham Green, 260 rods [1,430 yards] long, 3 feet wide, to be diverted as above.
Below: Part of the “1780” perhaps showing the 1768 road diversion. The kink in the road across the avenue of trees is around Langley Place house and Cator has two fields adjacent to it.
(courtesy of British Library©)
1768 - Viscount Bolingbroke and Diana Spencer are divorced by Act of Parliament. The estate plan of Beckenham Manor may relate to the separation settlement. Or as Bolingbroke reputedly had financial problems he may have been considering a sale of the estate. It seems Diana Spencer was awarded £800 per year from the estates of Bolingbroke, a considerable sum at the time and different sources will value it differently but £1 in 1750 may be equivalent to £180 to £240 today. So Ms. Spencer may have been receiving the equivalent of about £144k to £190k p.a. Bolingbroke had earlier in 1763 sold the Battersea parts of the St. John estates to the Spencer family.
A catalogue description of the Act: Copy of an act to dissolve the marriage of Frederick, Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, with Lady Diana Spencer, his now wife, and to enable him to marry again, and for other purposes therein mentioned. Lady Diana Spencer to receive £800 p.a. from the estates conveyed to the Viscount on her marriage, for the rest of her life.
This book available online has a good account of the divorce.
"Dr Johnson's Friend and Robert Adam's Client Topham Beauclerk". Some references describe Beauclerk as as much of a ‘cad’ as Bolingbroke, being an abusive husband with questionable cleanliness.
1768 – Is also the year in which John Cator first stands for parliament
at Gloucester but is defeated.
1768
- Village; March;
Lease
for further term of 14 years 1) Richard Henry Alexander Benet, Amy
Burrell, Peter Burrell 2) Stephen Cazalet. 6 closes (names given) and
2a in Beckenham.
Closes
are usually low status dwellings
probably sub-let to several tenants such as labourers.
1769
- John Cator was certainly living at Beckenham Place in 1769 for his
house is clearly marked on a map published by Andrews, Drury &
Herbert in that year. He may well have come to live here soon after his
marriage in 1753 but now we know from Collinson that he certainly built
a house by 1762. Peter Collinson writes to Benjamin Franklin about
being on the eve of his daughters wedding 12th August 1753. John Cator
retained property at Bankside, Southwark near his business until 1794.
The Andrews map shows a building with a rounded bay at the rear as is
the construction of the mansion but no projecting portico at this time
nor a lake in the grounds. The scale prevents much detail being drawn
but the record of other landowners is interesting and a clue to further
investigations at various archives. The map does appear to be
inaccurate is some respects and also similar to the earlier Rocque map.
I guess the scale and accuracy are far below what was later achieved by
the Ordnance Survey.
The Rocque map is further below for comparison and as the road
alignment is almost the same on both maps 'it may be' that Rocque shows
buildings either side of the road on or near the site of the mansion
prior to the 1760/62 date of the building of the mansion. Investigation
of the land around and opposite the mansion, under the current car
park, might reveal some remains. Speculation probably based on these
maps has been that the mansion is on the site of a previous building or
is an alteration of it. If Cator bought an existing 'messuage' of
buildings and land he may either have demolished and rebuilt in a
fashionable design or altered the building. We may never know the full
story.
1769
Andrews and Drury
1769 - Purchase by Amy Burrell of sole interest in Foxgrove and other properties in Beckenham, Hayes and Bromley purchased by her brother Jones Raymond (d1768) and bequeathed in moieties under his will 24 Jan 1769 Lincolnshire Archives, Ref. 7ANC3/2/5-6
This
requires some further clarification as although Amy's brother Jones
Raymond had been the sole male heir to his father Hugh Raymond's
estates "in tail" it appears that her sisters who would be
beneficiaries under Jones Raymond's will have all pre-deceased him
leaving Amy as the sole surviving heir especially as her husband Peter
Burrell had already died. Jones Raymond dies in 1768 but his will was
written in 1738 so several things may have happened to beneficiaries in
the interim years. Several beneficiaries are anotated as 'dead' on the
probated will. Jones makes some provision for his sister Bridget
married to Glanville determining that income from a trust shall not be
for the benefit of Glanville and only for his sister which implies some
mistrust or dislike for Glanville. However, they are dead by 1768. In
Jones will he makes provision for a "Mrs Joanna Shelton now Jones" who
would seem to be related to Jones Raymond's mother Dynah Jones's family
but these are only monetary bequests not involving any real estate.
1769/70 – Viscount Bolingbroke leases the Manor of Beckenham to Mrs Margaret Hare which will present John Cator with difficulties later on when he ‘buys’ the estate in 1773 without Bolingbroke revealing his prior leasing of the estate. Some effect of this may impact the parts of Foxgrove Manor identified as belonging to Bolingbroke on the 1766 and 1776 plans. Mrs Hare pays Bolingbroke £3000 and expects rents in return of £500 per annum. Bolingbroke apparently makes one payment but then omits to pay further instalments. We used to call that ‘dodgy’.
1770/71
- Peter Burrell III acquires some land in Whitehall to build a house
later named Gwydir House by his son, also named Peter who would become
Lord Gwydir.
1772/80 - John Cator is elected MP for Wallingford. This will be his longest period in the House of Commons (History of Parliament online)
1773 – John Cator purchases the Manor of Beckenham from Frederick St.John, Lord (Viscount) Bolingbroke who had inherited the estate and Bolingbroke title in 1749/51 from his uncle. The purchase price was £19,688 and Cator transfers South Sea annuities to that value to Bolingbroke’s and his trustees. Bolingbroke signs over the annuities or dividends from the South Sea Stock to a Mr. Boldero, maybe to pay off other debts?
This purchase of the Lordship of the Manor of Beckenham in 1773 from Lord Bolingbroke confused the date of John Cator coming to live in the area and the date of Beckenham Place for many years with many references still citing 1773 as the date of the building.
John’s house at Stumps Hill was adjacent to the Beckenham Manor lands and this may be the date when he decides to refer to his house as the mansion or Place since the old manor house in Beckenham was never in his ownership. I presume that from map evidence, that included in the sale, Bolingbroke land in Foxgrove Manor was also acquired by Cator. Bolingbroke also had property around Kelsey and Langley which it seems also came to Cator as part of the purchase and may have included land up to what is now Crystal Palace which is shown on the Beckenham Manor map of 1768. We have to compare the whole of the 1766 Foxgrove Manor plan which also covers Kelsey and Langley though in little detail, and the 1768 Beckenham Manor plan with the 1780 Burrell plan which shows a lot of property in the name of Cator which had been Bolingbroke’s.
It may be that Cator altered the Beckenham Place building at this date but no definitive evidence has emerged. Cator obviously occupied and had effective ownership of some of the land surrounding his home long before this and indeed did not acquire the Lordship of the Manor of Foxgrove until 1793 in a land rationalisation deal with his then neighbour Peter Burrell III (Lord Gwydyr 1754-1820). That is not to be confused with the Private Act recorded in parliamentary archives describes some land exchanges in 1759 with the Peter Burrell who was Lord Gwydyr's grandfather.
The purchase of land from Bolingbroke was less than straightforward as subsequent court cases in Chancery and Kings Bench demonstrate which involved the transfer of land and obligations to third parties i.e. Bolingbroke’s wife Diana Spencer had rights to income from the estate for her use. Mrs Margaret Hare had lien on part of the lands as Bolingbroke had leased the estate to her for £3000 on the basis he would rent it back for £500 per annum presumably so that he could raise some funds. However, he only paid her one years rent and defaulted on the rest. (see Internet searches). 'Hare' is shown as the owner of some fields on various estate plans outside of the park area. Another subsequent court case in 1780 was between one Goodright who was a lessee of Mrs Margaret Hare and Cator. Cator did not acquire full occupancy and control of Beckenham Manor until 1780. Presumably the problems with the occupation of the land did not affect Cator’s right to be called ‘Lord of the Manor’ but that is unclear. Bolingbroke's reason for selling the land seems to be related to the dissolution of his marriage to his wife Lady Diana and his financial problems from his dissolute lifestyle. He had a reputation for gambling and general excess. He also sold family estates in Battersea to the Spencer family around this time.
There are some similarities in the obligations of landowners in that the Wills of their forebears specify limitations on the disposal of property in that if land is sold it should be replaced by other property for the same uses. This is the motivation for the various Acts of Parliament to permit what are effectively changes to the terms of Wills. (This is my amateur view having looked at some of the court records and Acts).
Mrs Margaret Hare sues Cator for her right to rents from land. Cator sues some of the trustees ie Lord Pembroke. See 1780 and 1787 for some more information.
So when Cator bought the Beckenham Manor estate it seems not knowing that other parties had some 'lien' on either land or income from land as Bolingbroke did not reveal it to him. The details in case records are complex and in legal jargon but make some interesting reading. It seems the cases dragged on until about 1787 with Cator seeking recompense from Bolingbroke’s trustees. Perhaps a lawyer may offer us a simplified summary of the related cases concerning Mrs Hare, Boldero, Cator and Bolingbroke. In any case the various land transfers, purchases, and presumably management of the estates took up much of Cator's time.
The following is an extract from:
"Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery ..., Volume 2"
This extract from 'The Law Library - published 1841 indicates that Bolingbroke may have been fraudulant in the sale of the estate....
There is a certain irony here in that Bolingbroke was not censured or prosecuted for his deceit while petty felons were being transported or hanged for crimes involving much less monetary value.
1775 – Peter Burrell (III) dies, son of Amy Burrell she outlives him and the estates eventually pass to her grandson, yes, another Peter Burrell who will become Baron Gwydyr.
1775 – June, Mrs Thrale mentions Cator in a letter to Dr. Johnson. They apparently were on a river trip together in barges. Although this account is primarily about the evolution of Beckenham Place Park this is as good a place as any to put some anecdotes about Cator. Samuel Johnson described his as rough and manly, independent understanding and does not spoil it by complaisance. Hester Thrale marked very low on several social aspects but her husband appointed him joint executor of his will, guardian of his children and had several business and social associations with him.
Fanny Burney had little regard for him it seems, considering him to be an incessant talker on any subject and observing the following.
However, delving into the writings of Fanny Burney, Hester Thrale/Piozzi and even Samuel Johnson reveals a preoccupation with trivia and to me seems to show people with too much time on their hands, obsessed with social standing. Even so, we are left with only third party opinions of Cator who was by all accounts just doing what many of his contemporaries were doing then and is true today, guarding their own fortunes.
1775
- Peter Burrell III dies, brother of Amy
and William. This may be the motivation for the 1776 Foxgrove Manor
map. His
will leaves possession for life to his wife and son in law Henry
Alexander Bennett of property at Kelsey and Whitehall which reverts to
his son, Peter Burrell IV.
1776 - Kent House: John Greene Lethieullier,
esq. alienated
it, in 1776, to Thomas Lucas, of Lee, in this county, esq. who died
possessed of it in 1784, leaving his widow surviving, who re-marrying
John Julius Angerstein, of Charlton, esq. he is, in her right, at this
time possessed of it." (Hasted)
1776 – John Cator is recorded as being at number 5 John Street, a development of apartments near The Strand built by the Adam brothers on:
www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol18/pt2/pp131-137#h3-0007
From 1776 to 1782 and number 7 Adelphi Terrace from 1782 to 1806. He would have desired a town residence for his business and political career now that he was an MP. Other residents in the Adelphi were the Adam brothers themselves and Garrick the actor though Garrick died in 1779 at number 5 Adelphi Terrace his association with Cator is tenuous if not unlikely. Cator died there in 1806 and his apartment was left to his heir John Barwell Cator.
The Cator house at Bankside, Southwark was old by this time and perhaps not up to the standards which Cator was becoming used to. “The House by the Thames” by Gillian Tindall describes number 49 Bankside which the Cators occupied at one time. It was near the Mould Strand Wharf timber business. Possibly Cator was managing the timber business at arms length by this time.
The Adelphi
1776 – The Foxgrove Manor plan is redrawn by John Sale from several plans (in British Library). It shows there was no change in Cator's holdings in the park area but does show he has acquired some land in Beckenham Village. The map under '1766' is this version but as said is easier to read. There is no legend describing Raymond or Burrell ownership but I believe the yellow outlined areas are still (Amy) Burrell property. Other plans of Langley Park of 1780 show his holdings were considerable but widespread from Bromley to Elmers End and West Wickham and intermingled with the Burrell's lands.
Although the fields annotated Ld Bolingbroke or Ld St.John are still named that way I believe they have passed to Cator with the Manor of Beckenham 1773 sale but maybe the outstanding court cases and lease to Margaret Hare are preventing the full transfer of property? One piece of evidence is the field named Lord Bolingbroke next to Pill Crofts which is identified as John Cator’s on the 1777 plan shown under ‘1777’.
Courtesy of the British Library ©
1777 - In thie following estate plan of 1777 below, the plots called Pill Crofts and Hop Ground (or part of it) are belonging to Mrs. (Amy) Burrell so we might assume that Cator had Morrisswood east and west and maybe part of the hop ground. If these plans accompanied an exchange it demonstrates that Cator did not own all of the park area until 1777 or later. He is shown as owning land surrounding Mrs. Burrell's. Similarly a plan also of 1777 of some fields belonging to John Cator in the Langley Park area is made. Does this imply some exchange of land at this date as Cator and the Burrells reorganize their estates.
Then we have to ask how the 1793 exchanges between Cator and Burrell affected holdings or indeed whether any other exchanges took place of which we are not yet aware.
Reproduced by kind permission of the British Library © Shelfmark(s): Cartographic Items Maps 188.k.3.(3.)
Some of the field boundaries in these maps are still visible in the landscape on aerial photo maps such as Google Earth and Bing. The tree lined boundary is I believe the route of the stream and some trees may still be in the landscape, particularly one near the southern boundary of the park on the stream/ditch line. However, re-landscaping under the 2018 ‘restoration’ may destroy or bury such features.
The earlier map published by John Rocque in 1745 does not show the hop field, but depicts a continuous stretch of woodland called Langstead Wood stretching all the way to the Ravensbourne. The hop field may have been created between 1748 and 1766, but Rocque's map is not highly detailed being of a scale of about 1 inch to the mile. The two later maps of 1766 and 1776 are probably accurate as traces of the features depicted on them can still be seen on modern ordnance survey maps. By the time of this plan below of 1777 the Amy Burrell holding is surrounded almost by John Cator's land. The top boundary of Hop Garden, Pill Croft and part of Langrove Field is I believe the original course of the stream which supplied Cator's lake. The stream was later straightened and buried in a pipe perhaps to extend parts of the golf course.
Title lozenges from the two estate
plans of 1777 (British Library©)
1778 – Edward Hasted publishes the first edition of his Topography and History of Kent. So far I haven’t seen what entry this held for Beckenham but we have the second edition entry in 1798.
1778 – Cator proposes an amendment to the Insolvent Debtors Act in Parliament. The amendment appears to be in his own interests as it concerns persons indebted to him in his business affairs.
Fanny
Burney writes a letter describing Mary Cator as a Mrs Nobody, but I
have little faith in Burney's characterisations. https://new.artsmia.org/stories/botanomania-and-the-secret-history-of-women-plant-collectors/
1780 – Regarding the Cator Coat of Arms, Pat Manning writes “The interest in this line (tracing Cator family history) lies in the fact that the brothers John and Joseph Cator used the William Cater arms to produce their own designs in about 1780, including that on the pediment of Beckenham Place. Their brother William also had arms engraved on silver plate such as a chased coffeepot held at Woodbastwick. * This may be no more than the widespread abuse of heraldry that was common in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was aided by the publication of works like Joseph Edmondson’s “Complete Heraldry” of 1780 in which is listed the arms of Cater recorded at the Visitation of Berkshire in 1566.”
1780 - (circa, I suspect earlier, perhaps even 1768) - A Map of the “Burrell” estates south of Beckenham, Kelsey to Langley Park area: In the British Library, part of which is missing, illustrates how Cator's and Burrell's possessions are very mixed. I suspect the map was divided as part of the 1793 exchanges with Burrell retaining this half as it relates to property they acquired and Cator obtaining the other half though the ‘other half’ hasn’t surfaced...yet.
1780 part of an incomplete plan showing parts of Langley Park etc.,(British Library©)
British Library catalogue Title: [Part of a large map of estates belonging to Peter Burrell and to other members of his family in the parish of Beckenham, surveyed about 1780. Mutilated, wanting the title and scale and all the north-western and south eastern parts of the map]
Subjects:
<
face="Times New Roman, serif">BECKENHAM,
Kent (Parish) -- Estates - -- Maps and charts -->
Publication Details: [1780?]
Identifier: System number 004801191
Physical Description: 1016 x 1350 mm.
Shelfmark(s): Cartographic Items Maps * 3065.(50.)
The Cator properties are extensive to the south of Beckenham village but the subsequent estate maps of the early 19th century show that the Burrells owned most land to the south of the village and the Cators the land mainly to the north following exchanges in 1793. Whether this plan forms the basis for land exchanges is not confirmed but it does give an insight into the complexity of property ownership. The question mark over the date of this map could mean it relates to 1777 plans and exchanges but that is unconfirmed. What is surprising is the amount of land Cator held very near Langley and Kelsey and the question remains as to how he acquired it. The accounts of Philipott and Hasted refer to the Leigh family and strangely we find that Cator acquired property near Leigh in Kent and at Addington which is also linked to the Leigh family. So whether Cator the younger or Cator the elder acquired those properties earlier than we know is still a possibility.
The names of Burrell, Cator, Hare, Lethieulier can be identified as landowners and several leaseholders names are shown. The Cator lands will become subject to land exchanges. These plans are tantalising glimpses into the landowning situation.
This map has drafted outlines of road diversions and may relate to 1768 road diversions recorded at Kent Archive, see 1768. If so this may mean the map is earlier? The map raises several questions regarding ownership and names. What becomes Langley Farm is next to a field named Cuts Croft and surrounded by Cator and Lethieullier land. The Burrells diverted roads in stages, firstly a small diversion away from the house at Langley Place and subsequently putting a new road to the route of what is now South Eden Park Road.
Below, Stone Farm although called Barnfield House owned by John Cator, the site bounded by the neighbouring ‘Kelseys’ belonging to the Burrells. (British Library©)
1779
- Related to Kelsey
Park and to illustrate land dealings. Counterpart lease for 60 years,
Surrey Archive 257/13/11
1) Peter
Burrell
2)
Richard Henry Alexander Bennet. Messuage called the Gattons and
messuage called the Flint House, and land, 150a, containing the Stone
field, the Downe field, Barn field, German field, Pidgeonhouse field,
Longlands, Little Longlands, Gattons, Temple Obelisk, Putlands, Two
Clampfields, Grove Lee, Grove and Crabtree Hillfield, and
appurtenances, excepting messuage called Kelseys while said Peter
Burrell or his mother shall live, timber and rights of way,
in Beckenham,
Kent.12
Oct 1779
1780
– John’s brother Joseph marries Diana Bertie in Calcutta. He is 47 and
John Barwell Cator is born the following year. There is some evidence
that Joseph had married a Sarah Villers in 1753 but it may have been a
different Joseph Cator. (recorded in clandestine marriages register for
Spittlefield) (Berties ancestry https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c3844fd3/files/uploaded/2001%20March.pdf)
Also in 1780 the court case is heard between John Cator and Mrs Margaret Hare concerning Cator’s right to the Manor of Beckenham. Bolingbroke and his trustees had sold the Manor to Cator without revealing that it had already been leased to Mrs Hare and others. Cator compensates Mrs Hare to retain his right to the estate. He later seeks recompense from Bolingbroke’s trustees. See 1787.
It may be, I suspect, that although Cator bought the Manor of Beckenham from Bolingbroke and it probably included Bolingbroke’s parts of Foxgrove Manor and elsewhere so that Cator did not have sole rights over the property until this year in which his compensation of Mrs Margaret Hare does give him full ownership.
1780
(circa) - Richard Hoare owns land in Beckenham and leases it to
his brother Harry. We have a record of John Cator suffering a shooting
accident on the land of Hoare from newspapers of the time. Harry Hoare
also acquires an appartment at the Adelphi being a neighbour of Cator
and other noteworthies like Garrick. We have no direct evidence of
Cator socializing with Garrick but Hoare sends his doctor to
treat Cator after the shooting accident. For Hoare see https://www.hoaresbank.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/brochure/brochure_files/Through%20the%20Years%20Vol2.pdf
John Cator - Portrait by Joshua Reynolds
This portrait would have been in the round plaster border over the fireplace in the south facing room. It is supposed to be now at Woodbastwick in Norfolk. The plaster surround is approximately 36 inches diameter and the picture is described as about the same size in a catalogue of Reynolds paintings.
1781 - Carl von Linne the younger, the son of Carl Linnaeus, comes to London. There is no evidence to say whether this is the Linnaeus who might have met John Cator but as Carl junior did meet Joseph Banks, Solander and others who knew Peter Collinson then there is a potential link. Carl contracted an illness which killed him on his return to Sweden in 1783. It is recorded as jaundice. See Linnaean Society and Wikipedia entries. If this is the Carl von Linne who met Cator then its unlikely he had anything to do with estate planting as Cator had been at Stumps Hill for about 20 years.
1781 – 4th April, Henry Thrale dies, husband of Hester Thrale. The association of Cator with the Thrales is one of the few sources we have into Cator’s personality. Henry Thrale is listed on History of Parliament as MP for Southwark 1765-80 with some interesting detail of his life.
1782 - William
Eden, 1744-1814, leased land in Beckenham from Peter Burrell in about
1782. source: Copeland and Beckenham History. The lease was extended in
1794
1782 – Cator is recorded as being at number 5 John Street from 1776 to 1782 and number 7 Adelphi Terrace from 1782 to 1806. He would have desired a town residence for his business and political career. Other residents in the Adelphi were the Adam brothers themselves and Garrick the actor though Garrick died in 1779 at number 5 Adelphi Terrace his association with Cator is tenuous if not unlikely. The Adam brothers had moved to Robert Street in 1778 and any connection with Cator is unknown though he may have been influenced by the fashion for their work. Cator died there in 1806 and his apartment was left to his heir John Barwell Cator who seem to have kept it as a town house for some time.
(source: www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol18/pt2/pp131-137#h3-0007)
1782 - John's brother Joseph is in possession of the house and land at Clockhouse between Beckenham and Penge according to the estate plan in Bromley Library Historic Collections. Being a younger brother he had not it seems inherited a large estate and had worked for the East India Company as secretary to Richard Barwell, a wealthy ‘nabob’ and factor (merchant). As Joseph had married Diana Bertie in Calcutta in 1780 it may be he was returning home with some amassed fortune. All of Joseph and Diana’s children were born at Clockhouse. John Cator and other members of the family were shareholders in the EIC. Records in the British Library and elsewhere beg investigation. It is remarkable how many local landowners and politicians had dealings with the East India Co. and it must be regarded as a source of some wealth. Chinaware, spices, silk and luxury items were traded for British manufactures. During the 18th century the practices of the EIC were questioned and investigated in parliament on several occasions but it is too complicated to relate it here. Joseph had worked and probably traded in the Far East. Naming his son 'John Barwell Cator' was both a reference to his own father, John Cator the elder and a reference to the Barwell family who lived in Benghal and were directors of the East India Company who were patrons of Joseph and may have influenced his fortunes. Joseph had been in Jamaica in 1763 at the time of his father’s death. He acquired Clockhouse after the death in 1781 of Sir Piercey Brett, Admiral of the Blue. Clockhouse is said to have been built around 1720 for one of the Lethieullier family. Piercy Brett probably moved there after 1760 as his daughter was born in Buckinghamshire in 1753. He is recorded on History of Parliament online as MP for Queenborough as Sir Piercy Brett of Beckenham and his career posts were Lt. R.N. 1734; capt. 1743; r.-adm. 1762; v.-adm. 1770; adm. 1778. Ld. of Admiralty Dec. 1766-Jan. 1770. His wife Henrietta survived him, they are both buried at St. George’s Beckenham. We don’t know where in Beckenham his wife lived after 1781.
Clockhouse between Beckenham and Penge (looking towards Penge)
1783 – From the Ipswich Journal
And from the Stamford Mercury 13th February
The Kentish Gazette reported on 12th February
1783 - John Cator purchases Wricklemarsh at
Blackheath, the house and estate of Gregory Page Turner for £22,550.
Some of the columns and windows came to Beckenham Place but the date is
uncertain. The large ground floor window is the same as at the sides of
portico. Although some accounts say John began developing the
Wricklemarsh estate into what is now Cator Estate at Blackheath, some
reassessment has re-dated most of the development process until later
after 1820 and at the instigation of Cator’s heir, John Barwell Cator.
As John Barwell Cator generally used just ‘John Cator’ as his name then
confusion has occurred in several respects as to which ‘John’ carried
out certain developments.
The Oxford Journal reports on the 12th April.
However, the Wikipedia entry for The Paragon, Blackheath states “Regency architect Michael Searles (1750–1813) was famous as an English commercial architect of large houses, particularly in London. His most notable achievement is perhaps The Paragon in Blackheath
Searles was the son of a Greenwich surveyor, also named Michael Searles (c. 1722-1799), who served (from 1765) as surveyor to Morden College in Blackheath. Searles and his father formed an unofficial father and son partnership producing plans in and around Greenwich before Searles junior set up his own practice.
Landowner John Cator granted development leases to Searles and builder William Dyer to design and build a series of high quality dwellings, intended to appeal to upper middle class buyers, situated on the south-east side of Blackheath. Facing the heath, South Row and Montpelier Row were erected from 1794 to 1805.
Its believed that the rest of the Wricklemarsh Estate was leased mainly for agriculture until the 1820’s
The pillars of the portico along with several ornate windows from Wricklemarsh House at Blackheath were added to Beckenham Place when much remodelling was carried out but the date is debatable. The Ordnance Survey surveyor’s preliminary sketches of 1799 in the British Library clearly show a house at Beckenham Place without the portico although the curved bay at the rear of the house and a stable block and a lake are shown. It is thought that Beckenham Place was originally red brick but that limestone ashlar covering came from Wricklemarsh along with the portico masonry. This could have been prior to 1800 but the map evidence puts it in doubt and the potential for John Cator’s heir, John Barwell Cator to have carried out alterations is a real possibility. W.H.Ireland’s History of Kent states that John Barwell Cator carried out extensive improvements to Beckenham Place, possibly including extending the house, improving and extending the stables or adding outbuildings, altering the lake etc. I remain open to new evidence regarding such changes.
This window from Beckenham Place Portico is the same as in the print of
Wricklemarsh as well as other similarities in masonry
1783 – Also in this year Cator sues for compensation over his purchase of Beckenham Manor but is unsuccessful due to legal precedents it seems. It would be necessary to write a separate account of the full proceedings from the beginnings when Bolingbroke leased the Manor of Beckenham to Mortimer and Hare in 1769 to fully understand the circumstances. Cator finally gives up attempting to retrieve his costs from the process after another case in 1787. See 1773, 1780 and 1787. This extract partially shows how a complex trail of ‘where did the money go’ prevented Cator from retrieving his losses.
Hans Winthrop Mortimer is a co-lessee of Beckenham Manor with Mrs Margaret Hare. There is a record of him being discharged from the Fleet Prison which was a debtor’s prison in 1793, 1796 and 1797. Also, a Hans Mortimer being a victim of a theft three times between 1786 and 1803 of six pairs of stockings, some windows and some lead. In each case the thief was transported for seven years. He is also listed as a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex around that time. Several questions arise but of no real involvement in the Park but an interesting minor connection.
The Earls of Pembroke and Guilford were co-defendants in the case brought by Cator as trustees of the Beckenham Manor estate with Bolingbroke. The Earl of Guilford was the father of a Prime Minister, Lord Guilford who later inherited the title of Earl. Was Cator up against a hierarchical barrier?1784 – In a letter of 15th April to Mrs. Thrale, Cator is mentioned by Dr. Johnson as being at a meeting of Johnson’s ‘club’ with Metcalf and Crutchley who are MP’s for Horsham and mentions Cator is chosen as candidate for Ipswich. Cator is elected MP for Ipswich but unseated. The History of Parliament online describes John Cator's political career or in 'The House of Commons 1754-1790 by Lewis Namier and John Brooke' available as an e-book. Samuel Johnson dies on the 13th December 1784.
The daughter of Henry and Hester Thrale generally known as Queeney (Hester Maria) was staying with the Cators either at Beckenham or at The Adelphi as John had been appointed a Guardian to the three Thrale daughters. She was about 20 years old. The guardianship and Cator’s management of Henry Thrales will caused much friction between Hester Thrale and her new husband Gabriel Piozzi which continued almost until Cator’s death with several cases being brought before the Court of Chancery. (sources: Thraliana and Nat.Archive)
1784 - Eden Park or Farm: George Eden, earl of Auckland, (born Aug. 25, 1784, Eden Farm, near Beckenham, Kent, Eng.—died Jan. 1, 1849, The Grange, near Alresford, Hampshire), governor-general of India from 1836 to 1842, when he was recalled after his participation in British setbacks in Afghanistan.
He succeeded to his father’s baronies in 1814. Auckland, a member of the Whig Party, served as Board of Trade president and as first lord of the Admiralty before being selected in 1835 by his friend Lord Melbourne, the new Tory prime minister, as governor-general of India. He arrived in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in February 1836 with instructions to gain for Britain the friendship of buffer states between India and Russia, because the latter was then expanding southeastward, with emissaries already in Afghanistan. Desiring expanded British trade and influence in Central Asia, he sought a commercial treaty with the Afghan ruler Dōst Moḥammad Khan. Hindered by Russian and Persian efforts there, Auckland replaced Dōst Moḥammad with his rival, Shah Shojāʿ, who then depended strongly on British support.
1785 - Cator has the road diverted to the current Beckenham Hill, Southend Road route and also closes Langstead Lane between Southend Green and Clay Hill. The new road is at first called Great Stumpshill Road. It is noteworthy that the pond we refer to as 'ancient' is clearly marked on the eighteenth century road diversion plan. The site of its farmhouse on the same side of the road is now mostly outside the park boundary and occupied by modern housing.
Courtesy of Kent History &
Library Centre, Maidstone.©
https://www.kentarchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/GB51_Q_R_H_2_22’
Centre for Kentish Studies has this document: Part of highway between village of Southend in Lewisham and village of Beckenham, 1,500 yards long, to be diverted to a new line, through lands of John Cator , Esq., 1,518 yards long, 30 feet wide. Highway from Southend Green near vill of Southend to Clayhill in Beckenham, 2,250 yards long, to be stopped up, since it is disused, and the road from Southend to Clayhill by Beckenham Church is used in its place. Order: at Beckenham 22 March 1785, with plan (scale: 10 ins. to mile). Endorsed:consent of John Cator of Beckenham, Esq., same date Certificate of completion: 4 April 1785. Order enrolled 5 April 1785 [ Q/So.W11.pp529 - 530 ]
The
core of the park probably took most of its present form in the 1780's.
For it is then that the public was excluded from the park roads the
existing road becoming a driveway through his park and he also closed
another road called Langstead Lane (or Lagg Street Lane on some maps)
which ran from Southend to Clay Hill, effectively excluding the public
from his parkland estate. The gatehouses at the north and south ends of
the drive through the park still remain though the southerly one is now
outside of the public park being at the entrance to what is now a
private road confusingly also called Beckenham Place Park.
At this time the local gentry were vying with each other in improving their estates and almost all of them adopted what was then the height of fashion, large scale landscaping to produce vistas of pasture leading down to stretches of water with a backdrop of trees. The closing of Langstead Lane which would have crossed the footprint of the lake was probably with a view to creating the lake and excluding the public. Introduced species such as Turkey Oak, Holm Oak, Rhododendron, Swamp Cypress are or were present whether due to original plantings when Cator built his house or later landscaping. the Turkey Oak which blew down in 2002 was dated to 230 years of age (planted 1772 or earlier). Collinson remarks in a letter to John Bartram "my two sons (Cator his son in law and his own natural son) vye with each other in acquiring plants and ask Collinson for azaleas, khalmeias and rhodedendrons. Search The Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Marshal for Collinson's letter, it makes entertaining reading and an insight into the Collinson/Cator relationship. Collinson was a supplier of many plants to a wide number of clients including the aristrocracy. However, the passage of time, changing fashion and various tennants have had an impact on the landscape.
We
believe Cator owned the property both sides of the driveway through the
park even as early as the date at which he built his house (1762). The
farms probably continued in operation to manage the land. The lake was
installed at the most practicable position, a low point on level land
around the foot of the hill now called Summerhouse Wood but called
Lewisham Lands on Foxgrove Manor maps. The lake was fed by the stream
running along the valley below the house which came from springs near
Foxgrove Farm and Moat. The lake overflow which we assume would have
been continuous flowed on through his land to meet the Ravensbourne
river. After the railway was constructed much later the overflow had to
be taken under it via a conduit. The lake as well as providing a view,
provided some sport fishing and perhaps wildfowl shooting. We don't
think that boating and swimming were great Georgian passtimes but Cator
is recorded as going on barges on the Thames for social occasions. It
is said that in the late 19th century the installation of the West Kent
Sewer diverted spring water and Foxgrove Farm moat dried up and this
probably affected the feeder stream to the lake. Other reasons for
drying up could be the lake bed losing any waterproof quality. It was
probably puddled clay similar to the method of waterproofing canals, in
fact early landscape stretches of water were called canals, see the
diary of John Evelyn.
Cator also buys the title to a cottage in two tenements with several pieces of land in Lewisham received in exchange from Francis Motley Austin Esq of Court Lodge, Lamberhurst on 9th May 1785 with Cator paying £600 by way of equality of the property (source P.Manning from record at Kent Archive). The exact whereabouts of the property is unknown. Francis Motley Austin or Austen is an extensive landowner in Kent from Beckenham to Sevenoaks and an uncle to Jane Austen's father. He acquired the Manor of Billingham (Bellingham) which I assume to include Bellingham Farm Catford.
The Burrell's of Langley Park also diverted a road away from the front door of their house, it now constitutes South Eden Park Road and another between Langley and Elmers End was widened and as this record states:
Part of highway between Langley and Elmers End in Beckenham, 1,232 yards long, to be diverted to new line through lands of Sir Peter Burrell of Beckenham, knight, 473 yards long, 24 feet wide. Other parts of the said highway, 2,206 yards long, being narrow, be widened by addition of parts of lands of John Cator of Beckenham, Esq., Amey Burrell of Beckenham, widow, and Sir Peter Burrell.Footpath from Langley to Cage or Watch House in Beckenham, to be diverted into highway from Langley to Beckenham Church, and thence to the said Cage or Watchhouse. Other highways and footpaths in Beckenham, shown on plan [now missing] to be stopped up as unnecessary, reserving rights of way to owners and occupiers of adjoining land.[The papers concerning these diversions etc are missing.] Order: at Beckenham, 3 September 1784. #Consent of J. Cator, Amey Burrell and Sir P. Burrell, 3 September 1784.Certificate of completion: at Beckenham, 2 October 1784.
Held at Kent History and Library Centre Document Order #:Q/RH/2/18Y
The three
plans of Foxgrove Manor, Beckenham Manor and the road diversion plan
shown side by side will explain how there was a farm or messuage on the
opposite side of the road from the mansion between Foxgrove and
Beckenham manors and apparently not part of either of them. But
nevertheless acquired by Cator. As the plans are orientated in
different directions they have to be rotated to align with the same
compass point.
1786 – Carey’s map of 15 Miles around London shows the Beckenham area with the Beckenham Place site in the name of Cater Esq. No lake is shown whereas the lakes in Kelsey are shown. Stumps Hill is identified as ‘Stamphill’. Several place names are questionable.
1787
– Cator’s mother Mary dies in this year and is buried on the 31st of August at the age of 78 in what
becomes the family vault St. George’s parish churchyard Beckenham. Her
abode is given as Bromley in the Beckenham burial record. Mary did not leave a will it seems but she had been left money and
houses or at least the income from them from her husband. What
does emerge some time later as a result of research by Keith Baldwin is
some letters from Mary to her son Samuel left with a Mrs Ardouin of
Greenwich to be sent to Samuel after her death concerning some money
left in Bank of England Consols. Mary expresses sadness at Samuels
state of affairs and it seems he lived beyond his means getting into
debt on more than one occasion. Samuel dies the next year, see 1788.
She asks him to use the money wisely after his affairs are straightened
out. But later amends her instructions to Mrs Ardouin, requesting that
the money is divided between Samuels daughter and another granddaughter
by marriage to the Sparkes family. She asks that William Cator is used
to carry out the wishes, but Samuel dies soon after his mother and
William is also killed without disposing of the money and somehow Mrs
Ardouin left the stock in her will to be sorted out with the Cators
after all the beneficiaries had died. The letter reveals Mary's great
distress at Samuel's disposition.
Cator buys Grangewood in Upper Norwood as part of his acquisition of the Manor of Whitehorse or Bensham, now a public park among the other land which was used for house building after John Barwell Cator sells it later on. Just another example of Cator’s acquisitions. Maybe or probably part of the same purchase as Cator also purchases the Manor of Croydon according to History of The County of Surrey by Thomas Allen. This must be the Manor of Bensham or Whitehorse and include parts of what is now Upper Norwood and is listed in the 1825 Act among the other properties and consists of about 560 acres. In the 1825 Act it is identified as ‘to be sold’ by J.Barwell Cator to pay for other land in Kent, Surrey or near Woodbastwick. Cator ownership of lands in Croydon may have been as short as 20 years? Having looked at land dealings of others such as John Evelyn, buying and selling estates was common and frequent. As banks and investments were perhaps less divers then investing in land was perhaps seen as safer than other forms of saving.
Also, in this year 1787 Cator’s brings a case against Lord Pembroke in the Court of Chancery. It relates to the purchase of the Manor of Beckenham from Lord Bolingbroke in which it seems Bolingbroke omitted to reveal certain circumstances to Cator. i.e. He had leased it on a ‘rent back’ arrangement to Mrs Margaret Hare and failed to pay her the rent of £500 per annum. Cator had to recompense Hare to gain full control of Beckenham Manor. Bolingbroke was supposed to purchase other lands with the proceeds but invested the money in annuities which he assigned to a Mr. Boldero.
I wonder if this is how Chancery Lane in Beckenham acquired its name? But when we look at Chancery cases it seems landlords were pursuing one thin or another almost weekly.
Cator probably thought it not worth suing Bolingbroke directly for compensation as he was (Boling) broke.....it seems he had been juggling his debts for some time, leasing and selling off assets and the involvement of ‘trustees’ such as Pembroke and Guildford requires some disentangling. From Wikipedia: Things worsened for Viscount Bolingbroke after his divorce. The damages he won from Beauclerk (for his adultery with Diana) were paltry compared to the mountain of debt he acquired. Rather than economize he chose to sell his prized racehorse. Even before his divorce his tight finances led to his sponsoring changes in law that allowed inheritors to sell off family properties. Once the law was passed he set about selling property that had been in his family for centuries. In 1763 he sold the estate of Battersea, Surrey to Viscount Spencer. Eventually, he begged for and received a post as Lord of the Bedchamber in the court of King George III—a post he'd previously held while still married to Lady Diana, but given up due to a combination of disinterest and indolence. In the meantime he never stopped searching for an heiress old enough or unattractive enough (and therefore desperate to marry) to wed a man of questionable finances and reputation. This led to laughable "courtships" with well-bred spinsters, including one who herself had lost her fortune to gambling.
1788 – John Cator’s brother Samuel dies in Jamaica where had been employed as a customs official, leavin a wife, Bridget and young daughter, Mary who dies aged about 8years old in 1793.
Pat Manning’s research at Kent Archive records an exchange of lands from Lees Court, Kent with certain lands in Lewisham for which John Cator paid over £550 for equality 19 November 1788. These would probably have been Earl of Rockingham/Sondes/Lees Court lands which are identified on the Foxgrove Manor plan as being in the area of what is now Downham/Southend. The Rockingham connection is certainly complex. It seems that the last Earl of Rockingham died in 1746 without a direct heir and the Earldom became extinct. Lewis Watson 1st Earl of Rockingham had married Lady Catherine Sondes daughter of the 1st Earl of Feversham (Faversham). His title passed to his grandson also named Lewis Watson who styled himself Viscount Sondes. He was succeeded by his brother Thomas who died in 1746 without a direct heir. So far as I can see he was succeeded by Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham, KB, PC (I) (13 November 1693 – 14 December 1750) was a British peer and Whig politician. The succeeded by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, KG, PC, FRS (13 May 1730 – 1 July 1782). In 1782 with no heir The Marquess of Rockingham title also becomes extinct. But the property would pass back along another branch of the family and they, probably having no local interests must have sold this part to John Cator. Perhaps the estates reverted to the Sondes family who had large estates in Kent.
This extract from the 1833 estate plan may indicate where the land acquired from Rockingham was situated, around the bottom right hand corner if we compare it to the 1776 Foxgrove Manor plan.
Courtesy of Bromley Historic Collections
Also refer to the 1795 purchase of land from John Forster at Southend which would also be on this 1833 plan.
This
record in Lewisham Archive also illustrates Cator’s dealings around
this time:
Mutual release and conveyance Hon. Lewis Thomas Watson To John Cator
and James Farrer his trustee. Details of land, acreages, boundaries,
etc. Refers to lease by Indenture by Rt. Hon. Lewis Lord Sondes to John
Cator, dated 1st November 1784 for 21 years Refers also to Lease and
Release dated 7 and 8 August 1764 between Paul Whitehead, etc. Refers
also to Indentures of Lease and release dated 18 and 19 December 1787
1788
- John Cator negotiates lending money via bonds to the Prince of Wales
(later to become George IV) but he and another party withdraw before
the transaction is completed (Memoirs of George IV and Memiors of
William IV). These books are available on the internet "The history of
the life and reign of William the fourth, the reform monarch ...By
Robert Huish "
As the Princes were anticipating being able to repay the bonds upon the
death of their father George III the lenders, Cator and others could
have been held as ‘treasonable’. The circumstances surrounding the
financial position of the Prince of Wales later Prince Regent and
George IV are even more astounding as some Dutch bankers were found to
make a loan. They issued bonds in Europe and Napoleon invaded Belgium
and Holland giving the Prince of Wales an excuse not to repay the loan.
The Dutch bankers were left bankrupt and both committed suicide. This
extract is from the book. It goes further to explain that some French
royalists advanced money against these bonds and seemingly some of them
were found treasonable in France for lending money to an enemy during
the Napoleonic wars and subsequently executed. The book requires
reading to fully understand the circumstances. In any case, Cator
either had a close call or had he continued with the transaction he may
well have been raised to the Peerage on the crowning of George IV.
1788
- Henry Hoare purchases Beckenham Manor house and some grounds
from Peter Burrell (source: Copeland)
1789 - Bayly's Print of the mansion is produced. It shows a villa with views of a lake but no evidence of the portico which is constructed with materials from Wricklemarsh at a later date. If the portico had been there it would have protruded to the left of this aspect. The house originally had no attic dormer windows. The internal staircase shows that the attic rooms were a later alteration, possibly mid to late 19th century. As Cator had acquired Wricklemarsh in 1783 it's possible that demolition material was brought to Beckenham Place to clad the red brick building with portland stone by this time. The lack of an image of the original house on Stumps Hill is frustrating.
This image is the first evidence of an ornamental lake and as it is not geographically or architecturally accurate may be regarded as schematic or an impression. The closure of Langstead Lane in 1785 which would have passed through the lake bed enabled the siting of the lake in this position and the stream from the south of the park was its source of water. The various maps show water from springs and ponds and in some cases from the moat of Foxgrove Farm. In recent years the stream has become progressively dry due to phases of building redevelopment around Foxgrove and Westgate Roads.
1789 – Amy Burrell dies and the Langley and Kelsey estates are inherited by her grandson Peter Burrell who would become Lord (Baron) Gwydir in 1796. This inheritance perhaps prompts the 1793 land exchanges. Amy Burrell’s Will mentions property in Berkley Square and Peter inherits a property in Whitehall which would be renamed Gwydir House “House was built for Peter Burrell (III) of Beckenham, Kent, in 1772 at an estimated cost of £6,000. The house is named after his son, also called Peter Burrell, who was created 1st Baron in 1796. It remained privately owned until 1835 when the house became unoccupied. Between 1838 and 1840 the premises served as temporary accommodation for the Reform Club. Since 1871 the House has been used for official purposes.”
It
appears that Amy had possession for her lifetime of properties which
follow by dower and primogeniture. Some family arrangements accommodate
male and female heirs with financial legacies, annuities, etc.
Also 1789 – Cator alters the course of the Beckenham to Bromley road at Clay Hill but comparing maps of before and after the change seems minor, maybe straightening and widening:
Description:Part
of highway at Clay Hill between town of Beckenham and town of Bromley,
305 yards long, to be diverted to new line through lands of John Cator,
Esq., 3021(? Author’s query) yards long, 20 feet wide.
Order: at Beckenham, 7 September 1789, with plan, surveyed by J.
Corbett, Lewisham.
Endorsed:
consent of John Cator of Beckenham, Esq., same date. Certificate of
completion: 7 January 1790.
Held At: Kent History and Library Centre
Document Order #:Q/RH/2/33
Date:1789
1790
– December 23rd, a great storm
of thunder and lightning destroyed the spire of St.George’s Beckenham,
and the greatest part of the church by fire; it had been repaired, and
restored to its former state but rebuilt later between 1885/87, it
would appear with some loss of heritage features such as effigy tombs.
About this year or 1791 John Cator buys the Manor of Benchesham or
Whitehorse at Norwood fromthe grandson of John Barrett.
1790/93 - John Cator is MP for Stockbridge. This would be his final seat in parliament. His entry in History of Parliament online makes interesting reading.
1791
- Francis Motley Austin inherits Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm and
High Street property from his father. Although the Austins spend some
time in Beckenham they have property at Kippington in Sevenoaks and
elsewhere. Francis Motley Austin is a lawyer who accumulates more
wealth and property through his land dealings, foreclosing on a
mortgage of the Lennard family etc. In 1788 Jane Austen had visited
Francis Austin/Austen her great uncle at Sevenoaks
source: http://www.janeaustenriceportrait.com/provenance/4580990034
1792 – Cator publishes ‘Answers to the Complaints of Hester Lynch Piozzi and Cecelia Thrale’
John
Cator 1792
- 672 pages
Cator's 1793 Nov. 21 response (with fellow executor Jeremiah Crutchley)
to a complaint from Henry Thrale's youngest daughter Cecilia (later
Cecilia Mostyn), then a minor, filed by her advisor Bertie Greatheed.
In the response, Cator expands on his narrative of his handling of the
Thrale estate, including transcripts of schedule of accounts through
1785 Sept. (pp. 130-169), June 1787 (pp. 170-185), 1792 July (pp.
186-206), 1793 Mar. (pp. 206-212), and 1793 Aug. (pp. 213-237). It is
signed by Cator and Crutchley on p. 129, by witness John Ord (p. 1),
and by James Trower (transcriber?) (p. 129). A payment from the estate
to "Gabriel Piozzi, music master" is listed on p. 142.
Cator had acted as money lender , joint will executor and joint guardian of his children for Henry Thrale. Hester Thrale had remarried Gabriel Piozzi. This is of no impact on the Park but indicative of Cator’s financial dealings.
1792/3 - John Cator acquires the remainder of Foxgrove Manor in a land rationalisation exchange with Peter Burrell III of Langley who will attain the title Lord (Baron) Gwydyr. (source: Edward Hasted 1797)
Foxgrove Farm later circa 1870 ?
This
exchange involved more of the lands Cator had
amassed south of Beckenham village from the descent of Foxgrove land
via the Tolsons, Tillys, Bridges and Groves. A later Cator estate plan
of 1833
excludes any property south of the village. It appears that both Cator
and Burrell are concentrating their holdings into large contiguous
areas, the 1809 Burrell map shows land all to the south of the village.
Some details of the 1793 exchange, Burrell to Cator: Foxgrove &
common called Boyland, capital messuage or mansion house at Clay Hill
with stable, appts, garden, orchard & fields late occ Rev Wm Rose
and lands at Clayhill. These latter may be the Oakery as Cator had
earlier acquired Woolseys Farm, now Shortlands House/Bishop Challoner
School through the purchase of Beckenham Manor.
Cator to Burrell; Stone Farm, Stone Field otherwise Barn Field formerly called the stone lands 4 pcs Gattons Mead 2a occ Samuel Parson then Robert Lloyd as bought from Joseph Grove (except Gattons Mead) formerly given to Peter Burrell by John Cator, Home Field, Grove Field occ Richard Henry Alexander Bennett Esq purchased by Cator from Lord Bollingbroke and Pikehill Green.
Burrell holds Shortlands House in 1798 (land tax redemption) though Lord Gwydir by now. Bromley archive has these documents: Abstract of title, 'number 5', of the trustees of the Right Honourable Peter Lord Gwydir, deceased to estates in Kent to be given in exchange to John Cator, esquire. Begins with will of Lancelot Tolson, 25 February 1726[/7] and covering dates 1726[/7]-1793, with details of date of deed, type, parties, property and terms.
Also
in this year; Part of the highway between village of Beckenham and
village of West Wickham, 563 & 3/4 yards long, to be diverted to
new line through lands of Sir Peter Burrell of Langley Park, baronet,
563 & 3/4 yards long, 36 feet wide.
Order: at Beckenham, 4 March 1793, with plan, surveyed by John Sale,
Bromley.
Endorsed: consent of Sir Peter Burrell, same date; certificate of completion, 8 March 1793. The plan for this diversion (now missing) shows lands belonging to John/Jno Cator next to Burrell’s land. This may be associated with the aforementioned exchange and may mean the ‘1780’ map is neither 1780 nor 1768 but actually 1793. (source Kent Archive)
If it is a map of 1793 then maybe all the ‘Cator’ sites are those exchanged that year. The map seems to be from Burrell records and maybe the missing half of the map is in Cator archives so far undiscovered or lost.
1793
- Re Langley: The Times, 3rd December. On Thursday last a fire
broke out in the stables belonging to Sir Peter Burrell at Langley,
Beckenham, Kent, which entirely consumed the premises and a set of fine
horses were burnt to death.
This
implies that an early building was destroyed and that replacement
buildings are probably outlined on later maps such as the 1869 OS map.
1794 - This relates to the lease of Eden Park or Farm to the Eden family - Abstract of two leases granted by Sir Peter Burrell and the trustees of his will to the Right Honourable Earl of Auckland of a farm in Beckenham, Kent. The first is dated 16 August 1794 and is for 60 years and the other is dated the 30 January 1824 and is for 32 years. Also includes an abstract of the surrender of the property dated 25 January 1825.
1794 - John sells the Bankside business and property (source: P.Manning). Maybe this is prompted by the death of the younger brother Samuel in 1788 who was intended to be taken into the business as apprentice and partner. We can only guess until information is forthcoming. John is aged 66 so without a family member wanting to take over the business he is perhaps reorganizing his assets. One would imagine that he had employees managing the business during his other business activities and political career.
Cator grants a lease 20/10/1794 Lease from John Cator of Beckenham, Kent, esquire to James Graham of Lincolns Inn, Middlesex, esquire of a piece of ground called Smith's Croft adjoining the mansion house of Graham and lands called Pond Croft, East Brook and West Brooks in Beckenham for 30 years at the annual rent of £60. Includes an assignment of the lease to Henry Jackson of Beckenham, dated 25 December 1794. Bromley Historic Collections ref 853/1/1/1/46
This property is not in the park but between what is now the High Street and Rectory Road and may be the grounds of Village Place.
1794/5 – Probably outside of the ‘Park’ but on the edge by what is now Brangbourne Road; A record of a conveyance of a messuage, water corn mill and lands in Southend, Kent from John Forster Esq. of Lincolns Inn, Middlesex, to John Cator of Beckenham, Kent in consideration of the sum of £1750. Maybe including some part of the park by the Ravensbourne but unlikely? 02/01/1795Attested copy conveyance of a messuage, water corn mill and lands in Southend, Kent from John Forster of Lincolns Inn, Middlesex, esquire to John Cator of Beckenham, Kent in consideration of the sum of £1750. Bromley Historic Collections ref. 841/1/5/16
..... land at Southend purchased from John Forster Esq of Lincoln’s Inn for £1750 on 1st/2nd Jan 1795 detailed as Flowers Garden, 3r 1p, Tree Crafts, 4a 1r 31p and Sand Pitt field 3a 1r 22p. (numbers are acres,roods,perches) (from Kent Archive: P.Manning)
Bromley Historic Collections Nat.Library of Scotland
The ‘L’ in London is approximately the site of the Green Man ex-pub and compare with the 1870 OS map on the right.(Peter Pans pool at top right).
This last undated record is likely to be at least partly in the ‘Park’.
The document relating to this is complex and involves an exchange with Cator leasing the Green Man public house, a bakers and cottages to John Forster. Cator acquires a mill with dwelling occupied by Mr. Nattress, It discusses enlarging a mill pond to increase production by removing a garden and fish pond. This can help position the mill on the 1833 estate plans (I hope). The 1833 Cator Estate map (part below) does indeed show a mill and millpond, dwellings and a separate pond which does appear to have been used to extend the millpond on the OS map. However, this mill and the pond are long gone. This section of the map shows a small brook joining the Ravensbourne assumed to come from what is now Shaftesbury Park in Downham.
The fifth abstract concerns land purchased from the widow Jane Weatherall of Deptford by John Cator of StumpsHill for £850. It is described as “All that one close of pasture and arable called Broomfield 7 acres and one close of pasture or arable. Called Two Acres adjoining Morrices Wood, also 2acres of meadow lying in Rookey Meadow adjoining East lands, also Bullocks Meadow 2 acres and a pasture called Three Acres.” Proof of ownership was provided by the inclusion of the will dated 11.2.1735 of Robert Friend gardener of Deptford who was Jane Weatherall’s father. (source: Pat Manning from research at Kent Archive)
Of the above, the last one mentions Morrices Wood, called Morrifs (Morriss) Wood East and West on the Foxgrove Manor Map. It is likely these are the same plots and perhaps this land is around ‘A’ Earl of Rockingham’s land on the 1766 Foxgrove plan. The land at A on the Foxgrove plan is described as being grazed by oxen which may be the Bullocks Meadow mentioned here? and perhaps East Lands is adjacent to Morriss wood and Lewisham Lands. Until we find a relevant estate plan, if one exists, this is conjecture. The Ordnance Survey drawing shows Southend in about 1799 and the estate plan of 1833 shows a millpond and the mill? It is possible to identify the positions of pubs, mills and Flower House as well as lodges at the park entrance. The Ravensbourne was the source of power for several mills along its course.
From the 1833 estate plan showing the area around the mills at Southend.
Bromley Historic Collections
The blank area includes land around Flower House. William Flower died in 1789 ‘Probate of will of William Flower of Southend, Lewisham, Kent, esquire, granted 15 August 1789. Bequeaths to his sister, Elizabeth Flowers, a house in Southend and all other freehold and leasehold estates. Daughter Frances Flowers. She is also to act as executrix.’
Flower House survived until WWII and was an asylum for the insane in the 1911 census. Despite some conjecture that it was part of the Cator estate it seems it was not. A housing estate now stands on the site.
1795 – Between 1795 and 1806 John Cator has the Paragon built as Blackheath on part of the Wricklemarsh estate. Designed by Michael Searles. Blackheath is extensively written about by other authors.
1796 – Daniel Lysons publishes Environs of London volume 4 with entries for Beckenham. He draws on information from Thomas Phillipott and Edward Hasted with some additions.
1797 - Croydon Enclosure Act; (source Wikepedia) between 1750 and 1850 there were many Enclosure Acts which allowed landowners to exclude people from what was Common Land with access to all for grazing, growing some food, foraging and pannage. The Croydon act allowed the enclosure of what included Crystal Palace Park. There is some anecdotal evidence that the Cator estate had at least some of this land and sold it to the Crystal Palace company. This story needs confirmation and is included here to illustrate how public access and use can be lost all too easily. Of course you might have to go back to Adam and Eve for the first enclosure of the Garden of Eden for history of this aspect of property ownership.
1799 - The earliest version of the Ordnance Survey map of Kent. Not published by the OS until 1860's but printed by other publishers such as Stanford's reproduced by kind permission of the British Library. This map shows clearly how the lake is supplied with water from a stream and pond. The pond is now filled in and in a school playground. By 1799 the Ordnance Survey surveyors working drawing (below) in the British Library and viewable on their website, shows the park and nearby details. Some field outlines are still similar to the 1766 Foxgrove Manor plan. John Cator has removed field boundaries inside much of his 'park' landscape.
A farm to the south of the mansion still exists as it had been on the 1785 road diversion plan and it is still visible on some early 1800 maps but gone by 1860. A house in the now private road “Tudor Manor” may have acquired its name if some remains were discovered at the time of its building (. The buildings of home farm are just visible between the stable block and Southend Lodge. The field pattern here may relate to the 1795 land transfer? Land marked with stripes is cultivated, woodland is apparent, mottled land is probably pasture and parkland marked with less dense concentrations of trees.
This 1799 map is accessible on the
British Library OS map collections website, this is only a small extract
1799 – Hasted’s 2nd edition of his Topography and History of Kent is published, perhaps prompted by the Lysons publication of Environs of London. The new publication is said to contain new material and edits.
1797
– Mrs. Cator of The Terrace, Adelphi is listed as a donor of 5 guineas
to an orphanage. Reading the on-line book is ‘insightful’ to say the
least about the conditions of orphans at this time. The 'progress' made
from the establishment of the Foundling Hospital in 1739 is slow, and
extreme poverty persists.
Overview:
After Mary and John Cator’s deaths, John left the estates in the hands of several family trustees making complex bequests. Whether John intended the Beckenham estates to be developed is in doubt, by me and a few others at least, although some development of the Wricklemarsh, Blackheath estate had taken place. Between the time of his death and a Private Act of Parliament in 1825 brought by the remaining trustees, some of the trustees had died intestate thus the primary heir, John Barwell Cator, son of John Cator’s brother Joseph, gains control of the estates and resides at the Place for at least some of the time. He buys estates in Norfolk, visits Ireland regularly or for substantial periods and spends less and less time in Beckenham. After about 1840 the Park is mostly leased to a series of tenants. But other events affect the park such as the building of the railways and inheritance of the park by John Barwell Cator’s descendents. The Trust by which the estates are managed will perhaps never be fully understood, but John Barwell Cator’s brother Peter is reported as managing the Beckenham estate upon his return from being a magistrate in India. The pace of built development of the estates was dictated in part by the demand for housing and at least once that process stalled when demand was low. J.Barwell Cator along with his father Joseph and siblings as trustees were involved in further purchases of land including the enclosure of Penge Common and development of the Croydon Canal and later the railways. Apart from being landlords of the properties involved it seems the main protagonists for development where other entrepreneurs.
Return to timeline:
1800 - Wricklemarsh, Blackheath; dated 1st April an engraving of Wricklemarsh in a state of demolition showing columns, window masonery. Described as Sir G.P.Turner's Houise, Blackheath and attributed to James Peller Malcolm (Philadelphia 1767-London 1815).
The picture adds to my view that the addition of a portico to Beckenham Place with materials from Wricklemarsh is after John Cator's death in 1806.1801 – John and his brother Joseph are active in local affairs. Press cuttings on an online archive reveal how John is influencing church wardens Thomas Pool and David Bassett who are required to set a rate to provide relief for the poor. The poor rate is not set and accusation is that Cator and other ‘local persons and Noble Lords’ are used to influencing this process. A Mr Jackson, a merchant, has the church wardens prosecuted for not fulfilling their duty. It would appear that Cator stays in the background but his identity is revealed in proceedings. The two churchwardens are confined in Kings Bench prison for contempt.
Subsequent to this legal case, Joseph Cator is prosecuted and found guilty of libel against Jackson, apparently an attempt at revenge by Joseph Cator for his brother John. A significant piece of evidence in the case is the fact that letters containing the libel are on paper only supplied to Joseph Cator and the Bishop of Rochester who resides at the Bishops Palace in Bromley. Joseph’s defence lawyer is George Wickes. The Cators and Wickes families are related by marriage.
Reference is made to John Cator’s experience with the law, perhaps referring to his suits against Bolingbroke’s trustees over the purchase of Beckenham Manor and other cases. As well as his time as Sheriff of Kent and as an MP and to his differences with Hester Thrale over Henry Thrale’s Will.
1802 – John Cator is implicated in another court case at Maidston Assizes for an unwarranted eviction a tenant from one of his fields. A Mr Jackson sues Cator for damages. The case is prosecuted by the barrister Garrow. Cator is made to pay £100 damages.
1804 - Mary Cator dies and is buried in St. Georges churchyard with her daughter.
1805
– John Cator prepares his Last Will and Testament, mentioning
properties in Kent, Surrey, Essex and Middlesex. These include his
Mansion at Beckenham Place and an estate “situate near Addington”.
Copies are in the National Archive, Surrey Archive and Prerogative
Court of Canterbury Wills. Middlesex may refer to his Adelphi
apartment? It must be remembered that County boundaries have been
modified. The original Southwark based business was in Surrey as were
any properties in Croydon, Norwood and Addington. The will copied into
the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills extends to 21
pages of difficult to read handwritten text. The original presumeably
in John Cators handwriting is in the National Archive at Kew. Several
of Cators nephews are mentioned including George and Henry Sparkes,
his nephews by his sister Mary. His inention was that the estates
remained intact and
this leads to the later 1825 Act sought by his heirs to allow the break
up of the estate. See 1825.
1806 - John Cator dies at his apartment in the Adelphi near The Strand and is buried in St George’s churchyard, Beckenham with his wife and daughter in the family vault. Having lived on Bankside in Southwark near his business and later acquiring an apartment in the Adam Brothers Adelphi near the Strand Cator was a man of property and we can only speculate on how he accumulated his wealth. Referring to Pat Mannings “Cators of Beckenham and Woodbastwick” will give details of John Cator’s legacy. His Will was complex and the assets extensive. The later Act of Parliament of 1825 listing properties is enlightening.
The family tomb bears this inscription:
JOHN CATOR, late of Beckenham Place, 21st February
1806 aged 76 years/ MARY his wife 13th August 1804 aged 71
years/ MARIA their only child April 1766 aged 3 years/
MARY his mother 28 August 1787 aged 78 years/ ANN his
sister 27th July 1766 aged 17 years/ MARY daughter of his brother SAMUEL August 1793 aged 8 years.” (source: P.Manning)
1806 – John Barwell Cator marries Miss Elizabeth Louisa Mahon, a niece to Lord Vigo.
1806-1825 - John Barwell Cator (1781-1858), son of John's oldest brother Joseph, ultimately inherits the estate with other trustees although substantial assets are directly left to him in the Will. It is held in trust by his father Joseph until Joseph's death in 1818. But not before two cousins of Barwell Cator who are also named in the will die before majority and hence the whole estate becomes J.Barwell Cator's via an act of parliament, though this has yet to be fully unravelled and Pat Manning’s account of it is the best thus far so please read her book. According to John Cator’s will of 1805, No one person was left in charge of his estates and there were strict instructions in the will to keep the estates intact, avoid cutting down timber, defacing or destroying the land. He also wished that the property should remain in the family and be passed from father to son. Subject to limitations and conditions, Beckenham Place, all Manors and herediments in Kent, Surrey, Essex, Middx, Hereford and elsewhere including an Addington estate were left in trust to George Sparkes and Henry Sparkes, sons of John’s deceased sister, Mary Sparkes. Sarah Cator, the widow of his late brother William was left an annuity of £60 pa for life. £20 p.a. annuities went to Bridget Cator, widow of Kingston, Jamaica and Elizabeth Scott of Rodborough, Glos. Susannah Scott, Elizabeth’s daughter received dividends from bank annuities, similarly niece Harriet Heapy and great-niece Mary Ann Sparkes. Ann Frances Baynes, wife of Lt Col Baynes and daughter of John’s late brother William received £2000. By 1825, the Cators found the estates impossible to administer because the Sparkes brothers had died intestate and their heirs were all minors.
They submitted a private Act dated 27.6.1825 to King George IV to enable the descent to go down through Joseph’s eldest son, John Barwell Cator. (source: P.Manning “Cators of Beckenham and Woodbastwick”)
John
Barwell Cator 1781-1858
1806 - Building leases begin to be sold for parts of the Wricklemarsh, Blackheath estate. There is some debate about the alterations to Beckenham Place Mansion. Possibly John Barwell Cator having acquired great wealth through his inheritance indulged in adding the portico to the mansion and remodelling the lake as part of his spending spree. Without written records the maps available are a source of information. In 1799 the mansion appears on a map without a portico and it’s unlikely that John Cator the younger would engage in such alterations at this late stage in his life. The lake is of a different shape in the 1799 and later maps. The print of 1812 shows the portico and the maps of about 1860 show a different lake outline.
This description is from the 2009 Conservation Management Plan produced by Rees Bolter Architects:
Although the fabric of the north wing is of considerable archaeological significance, the architectural relationship between the extension and rest is clumsy and it is hard, almost impossible, to believe that the patron of the first house could have sanctioned such work. The survival of the shell of Wricklemarsh into the nineteenth century and the internal character of the extension make it far more likely that the extension was the work of John Barwell Cator, undertaken in the whirlwind of expenditure following his inheritance, to impress his new wife and family. Major expenditure on country houses usually follows a change of ownership. The wing has, within this report, generally been referred to as work of c1810 although no secure dating has been established. The new wing required the main hall to be approached along a rather long central corridor, with long rooms flanking it on each side. The overall impression of the new wing is that it was conceived as a showcase for masonry salvaged from Wricklemarsh, compromised by the levels existing within the original house. The pediment supported by the columns is visually too light and the rooms on each side of the central corridor are ill-proportioned. The additional accommodation was, presumably, welcome.
1807
- J.Barwell Cator buys land at Woodbastwick, Norfolk. This is the
beginning of the gradual move away from the Beckenham estate (source:
P.Manning, see her account on
www.bblhs.org.uk/download/i/mark_dl/u/4010072272/.../Cator%20Pre2.pdf)
1808
- John Barwell Cator’s wife’s relative Mr Aylmer Bourke Lambert has
access to Barwell's papers inherited from Peter Collinson via John
Cator at the mansion. Lambert's letter to James Edward Smith of the
Linnaean Society in their archive is the route which leads to
Collinson’s revelation about the date of the mansion. Lambert made
copies of the catalogue which became the property of Lewis Weston
Dillwyn who printed the version which we can now access on the internet
and reveals the first date of the mansion at Beckenham Place.
Lambert comments about J.Barwell Cator "who has just come into all his
uncles immense property" and "Cator has lately married a relative of
mine Miss Mahon, a niece to Lord Vigo"
1809 – A Burrell Estate map and book of plans is printed (source: British Library) showing their estates to the south of Beckenham. Also in this year J.Barwell Cator sells The Manor of Bensham/Whitehorse according to Lyson’s but the 1825 Act still lists extensive property in Addington, Croydon and Norwood? Very little has been discovered about the Cator property beyond Beckenham. Historians in some of those outlying areas are also unaware of details.
Part of the Burrell Estate plan 1809 (High Street, Bromley Road and Kelsey)
Courtesy of the British Library
1810 – J.B. Cator daughter Elizabeth Diana Cator born in Beckenham 27th July
1812 - Mr. Lambert, a relative of John Barwell Cator’s wife, visits Beckenham Place where he sees Peter Collinson’s catalogue of plants and also comments on the grounds of Beckenham Place “When I visited these grounds in 1812 I was much struck by the remarkably healthy appearance of many fine trees, including, as nearly as I can recollect, Cedars, Exotic Firs, Linodendrons and many large North American shrubs whose ages by this memorandum may be nearly ascertained”.
This view can be compared to Collinson’s own view of Beckenham Place or Stumps Hill as it was in 1762:
The trees which survive of evident age are native English Pedunculate Oaks, introduced Turkey and Red Oak, Sweet Chestnut (introduced by the Romans). Over time several oaks which may have been landscape boundary marks and field boundaries have died. Lack of tree management may have led to loss of trees and some ancient trees have been removed either by human interference or storm damage as with the storm of 1989.
1812 - J. Preston Neale produces a print of the Mansion in a book of country houses, although the pediment on top of the columns is not drawn accurately. It does depict how it perhaps should have been built. Preston Neale's work was published from 1812 to 1825 so different dates may be attributed to this print but it appears in the earliest edition. The book of prints has a description which may be of questionable accuracy because the Place was not in existence before 1760 but Neale describes the history of Beckenham Manor and Langley in a hotch-potch of facts from Hasted, Lysons and Ireland. Perhaps John Barwell Cator was trying to embellish the history.
1813 – Albemarle Cator (the first or elder) is born at Beckenham, J.B.Cator’s eldest son who will inherit the estates.
1815
- Miss E. Eden writes;
_Miss Eden to Lady Buckinghamshire_.
EDEN FARM,
_March_ 9 [1815].
MY DEAREST SISTER, As the Queen has been so uncivil and even spiteful to
me and my sattin gown, as to put off the drawing-room, our three letters
per day upon dress may now cease, and this is merely a letter of thanks
for all the trouble you have taken with Wynne, Pontet, lace, notes,
hoops, drapery, sattin, carriers, feathers, jewels, etc., and which have
unluckily, by this strange and unaccountable spitefulness of H.M., all
proved useless.
Poor Beckenham is gone mad about the corn laws,[43] and have revenged
themselves on poor innocent harmless out-of-the-way George, by drawing
him on the walls hanging as comfortably as possible, and Mr. Cator on
another gibbet opposite to him. Mr. Colvile[44] is also hanging
somewhere else.... Every house and wall is covered with mottoes, and “No
corn laws” in every direction. Ever your affectionate,
E. EDEN.
The Cator mentioned was John Barwell Cator.
1816 – This map is said to be published in 1816, probably surveyed earlier in the 1799 OS. At 1 mile to the inch the lake is more of a curved canal shape than the kidney shape on later maps. See the 1833 estate map and the 1799 OS Survey drawing etc.
1817 – Beckenham Place; London Courier and Evening Gazette 09 June 1817. At Mary-le-bone church on the 7th June 1817 by the Rev. Thomas Wellings of Church Linch, in the county and diocese of Worcester, John Wellings, Esq. of Welbeck Street, to Mary, second daughter of john Wedderburn, Esq. of Devonshire Street, Portland Place. After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom departed for Beckenham Place, the country residence of the bride's father. Indicating an early lease of the house to a tenant. If accurate this is the first record of leasing of the house.
1818 – Joseph Cator dies at Clockhouse. On 25th March, the College of Arms authorised to John (Barwell) Cator of Beckenham and Woodbastwick the Cator Arms, an earlier form of which can still be seen over the pediment at the front.(source: P.Manning). Joseph’s wife Diana dies in 1829 in Beckenham and whether she remained at Clockhouse is unknown.
1820 - King George IV until 1830
1820 - Peter Burrell III of Langley, Lord Gwydyr dies and his Beckenham estates at Kelsey and Langley are sold to new owners including the Hoare Banking family and the Goodharts. (source: Bromley Historic Collections and British Library). These estates are mostly south of the Beckenham village whereas the Cator estates are mostly north of the village. Burrell was MP for Boston, Lincolnshire and has an entry on History of Parliament online. It was said the Burrells rose to fame by not doing anything much i.e. Lord Gwydyr inherited one of his titles from a great uncle, Merrik Burrell, and a high position through his wife’s family. She was Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. The mainstream of the family later changed its name to Drummond-Burrell and then to Drummond-Willoughby. The title of Baron Gwydyr was passed to a cousin. Wikipedia and History of Parliament are sources of information.
1821 – William Thornhill Cator is born at Beckenham Place, the younger of J.Barwell Cator's two sons. This evidences that the Cators were still occupying the mansion up to this time. At least for some of the time as Barwell spent some time in Ireland and Norfolk.
1823 – Anne Charlotte Cator born in Beckenham, daughter of J.B.Cator
1825 – John Barwell Cator and other trustees of the Cator estate acquire permission via a private Act of Parliament to lease or sell plots of land for development on the Beckenham Estates. This is the beginning of a long process of disposal of the Beckenham estates which leads to the ‘remainder’ becoming the public park. John Cator's Will had put family trustees in place and restrictions on selling land. His will stipulated that his estate was for the use of John Barwell Cator with remainder to his heirs or assigns and the family were ‘remaindered’ in order of seniority. He also stipulated that leases should not exceed 21 years and that Beckenham Place would not be leased. No land was to be sold so an Act of Parliament was required to permit J.Barwell Cator and the trustees to dispose of or exchange lands. This extract explains that sales from the estate have to be matched by purchases of new lands either close to the Beckenham and Kent holdings or near Woodbastwick. John Barwell Cator is said to have sold land in Croydon to enable the purchase of more land in Norfolk:
“An Act to enable John Cator, Esquire to grant building leases of lands in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hereford; and also for vesting in Trustees for sale part of the Estates in said Counties devised by the will of John Cator Esquire, deceased, and for laying out the money arising from such Sales respectively, under the Direction of the High Court of Chancery, in the Purchase of other estates, to be settled to the same Uses; and for other purposes. Schedule 1 includes particulars of property purchased prior to and after the death of Cator.”
The intention was that the ‘estate’ remained intact for the family at least in value if not geographically fixed.
The petition on the Act was signed by John Barwell Cator, William Cator, Bertie Cornelius Cator, Sarah Cator, Thomas Cator, Charles Cator and Peter Cator. These were the surviving children of Joseph Cator. It is interesting that this Act is not sought until after the death of Joseph Cator in 1818.
The papers of Mother Mary Baptist (formerly Bessie Taylor) for her 1967 thesis include the transcript of the properties covered by the Act. It illuminates the extent of the Cator properties in Beckenham and the section for “Additional Information” will include more details from the Act. Pat Manning also acquired copies of the property schedules in the act from the House of Lords archive. The schedules list fields, acreages, tenants and rents. Several locations can be identified from old Ordnance Survey maps, for example, the Addington properties are located around what is now New Addington at Lodge Lane and Castle Hill. Some descriptions are vague and cannot be accurately located ie. Mansion in the Parish of Battersea with meadows.
A
reason cited for the application or petition for the Act was that there
had been built development around the edges of the estate thereby make
development of the estate advantageous. A similar reason was given by
the Burrells and Raymonds in 1759 for seeking to develop parts of their
estates probably around the edges of Bromley and Beckenham towns.
Briefly, the estate was in Beckenham (1108 acres purchased before
1806),
Carshalton (12 acres), Croydon (about 560 acres), Addington, Chelsham
and Farleigh (over 1100 acres), Ross, Herefordshire (only 9 acres),
Chingford, Loughton and Waltham Abbey (about 140 acres), Bromley (about
25 acres), Lewisham (about 95 acres/ at Wricklemarsh and/or Sydenham),
Chittenden Farm at Chiddingston and Hever in Kent (193 acres), Penge
(55 acres before Cator’s death, 176 acres purchased after his death),
Leigh Park Farm and Priory Farm, at Leigh, Kent (280 acres).
Wricklemarsh isn’t separately identified and whether it is included in
the Lewisham figure or disposed of already is unclear. Of note is the
land in Penge acquired after John’s death in 1806 which Pat Manning
attributes to Joseph Cator. References to the Cator involvement in
Penge Common enclosures can be found and also involvement with the
Croydon Canal company. I was surprised to see that land in Ross was
only 9 acres compared to the extent of the other estates.
John Barwell Cator subsequently was widely referred to as just 'John Cator' which leads to some confusion over estate affairs and attribution of some developments to the wrong 'John'. The given names of the Cator 'landlords' alternate between ‘John’ and ‘Albemarle’ but John (Barwell) Cator was succeeded by his son Albemarle (1813-1868), who's first son John died before inheriting the estates so the second son also named Albemarle (1836-1906) inherited. His son John (1862-1944) followed but he broke tradition and had a son named Henry (1897-1965) who then returned to tradition having a son John (1926-1999) who's son Albemarle (1953-present) is the current holder of the remaining estates in Woodbastwick at time of writing (2019).
As well as defining the property the Act lists the tenants of the Cators' at the time of the Act. This can be compared to later records such as the 1838 Tithe map and returns as well as census records which become more reliable and detailed from 1851.
1826 - Disposal of some Cator property near Hever and Tonbridge. The British Press of 22nd July carries an advertisement for the sale by auction of three farms listed in Cator's properties in the 1825 Act of Parliament. We only have the information in the Act, the advertisement for sale of Chittenden Farm in 1788 and this advertisement for sale of the three farms. Chittenden Farm near Hever, Leigh Park Farm and Priory Farm near Leigh (near Tonbridge, Kent). Chittenden Farm 193 acres, Leigh Park Farm 152 acres and Priory Farm 130 acres. These acreages match those recorded in the Act of Parliament and the fact that the Act records the intention to sell those properties for reinvestment elsewhere (ie Woodbastwick, Norfolk).
1827 – The Morning Post of 16 August 1827 records that the daughter of James West of Beckenham Place and Bryanston Square marries Charles Wyndham Rawdon in Beckenham Church.
1828 – The Cators acquire Kent House Farm bordering Penge Common from Alexander and Thomas Baring (National Archive and Lewisham Local Studies) Indenture regarding title to Kent House Farm.
1828 – W.H.Ireland publishes his New and Complete History of Kent drawing on previous publications by Philipott, Hasted and Lysons. He describes the Manor of Foxgrove becoming divided in the 1700’s in three parts which I assume to be Raymond and the Burrell’s, Cator, and Bolingbroke. He describes Beckenham Place Park being embellished with infinite taste by its affluent proprietor (John Barwell Cator).
1828 - London Evening Standard 29 September 1828 records David Inglis from Tunbridge Wells for Beckenham Place. Newspaper small ads published change of address and movements of people (social media of the day).
1829 - Alexander D. Inglis recorded as tenant of the Mansion in the Morning Post 22 August 1829. Pat Manning reports that the Cator family believe J.Barwell Cator occupied the mansion up to 1841 but these other tenants cast some doubt on it. It’s entirely possible that J.Barwell Cator leased the mansion during periods when he was resident in Ireland or Woodbastwick, Norfolk.
1829
- Reverend William Rose of St.Georges dies, His will leaves a
substantial sum of money to his daughters. (£1500 apiece)
1830 - King William IV until 1837
1830 - Foxgrove Manor house is demolished and a new farm house built. (source: Rob Copeland)
1831 – The Kentish Weekly Post records a daughter born to the wife of Alexander Inglis at Beckenham Place. The Inglis’s leave by 1834.
1833 - An estate plan is produced: Map entitled: 'Plan of an Estate belonging to John (Barwell) Cator Esq situate in the Parishes of Beckenham, Lewisham and Bromley in the County of Kent'. Shows roads, field boundaries, Southend, parish boundaries (with Croydon and Penge) and boundary with Lord Farnborough's lands. Scale is 5 1/2 cm: 1/4 mile. Certified as 'Plan marked B3' in declaration of Thomas Henry Burroughes and John Cator (Bromley Library).
Estate Plan 1833; Reproduced courtesy of Bromley Historic Collections
This extract from the map raises some questions as a subsequent estate plan says that shaded areas are on long leases to tenants so probably the same is true of this one. It is frustrating that any accompanying documents are not with the map which would have given field names and leaseholders. I assume unnumbered fields or buildings are not Cator property but illustrated for mapping detail, and perhaps seen as potential purchases? Although Barwell Cator was decamping to Norfolk the family were still dealing in this area as evidenced by documents concerning the Croydon Canal and Penge Common. Comparison with the Foxgrove plan and Beckenham Manor plan shows that field patterns changed and the River Pool was straightened for some of its course. Maybe some leaseholds can be identified from the descriptions in the 1825 Act of Parliament document. The map is orientated with West at the top and does illustrate how the Cator land was mainly to the north of the village. Even so there are plots belonging to others. S.Wilson Esq having some of the north side of the High Street including plots which had been Cator’s on the 1776 Foxgrove plan and G.Austin has the area around Thayers Farm north of Clockhouse. G. Austin is probably an heir of Francis Motley Austin found on the 1809 Burrell map. Lord Farnborough to the east of Cator’s land had the estate around what is now Bromley Court Hotel.
1834 – Launcelot Holland is recorded as tenant of Beckenham Place in the South Eastern Gazette 21 January 1834 when his daughter marries Charles Manners Forster, son of John Forster of Southend. Launcelot Holland would later be tenant or occupant of Langley Farm in the 1841 census living on independent means. Martha Cator, daughter of Peter Cator, marries Henry Holland, Launcelot’s son, in 1841 so there are family ties and associations.
1835 – John Cator (1835-1859), eldest son of Albemarle Cator the elder is born but will not survive to inherit the estates, he dies in 1859 of wounds received in the Crimea. His birth date is subject of some speculation as the family may have been in Ireland at the time of his birth. Two siblings were born in Ireland but his younger brother Albemarle who does inherit, was born at Woodbastwick. This evidences that the Cators were mainly absent from Beckenham around this time. John Barwell Cator, the father/grandfather was also in Ireland very often at this time. (source: P.Manning and census evidence)
1835 - Mr Peters. a banker is tenant. Whether some shading of the estate map reflects his lease is unclear. Peters was succeeded by Captain Walter Raleigh Gilbert, R.H.A., no dates available. Followed by R.H. Page who later changed his name to Page‑Henderson. Although census records note the occupants of the village there are not addresses in the first records. Later census records give addresses and eventually occupiers complete their own census returns.
1835 – These details relate to sales of parts of the Beckenham and Penge Cator estates. Bromley archive has this document relating to Penge Place and Farm which will become Crystal Palace Park: John (Barwell) Cator Albemarle Cator Thomas Mason of Linden grove, Bayswater, Middlesex, Surveyor (2) John Scott of New Broad street, London, Esquire Property: Mansion House, stable and grounds called Penge Place, lately in the occupation of Henry Peters, Esquire. Also Penge Cottage, farmyard and stables, lately in the possession of Joseph Rose. Also 93 acres, 3 roods and 24 perches of land in the occupation of Peters, Rose and William Wilmot, all as tenants. Also Upper Barn Field, the Grove, part of Upper Wood, part of Hermitage Wood, part of Windmill Hill Field, Three Gate Field, Holly, Rag Field, Six Acre Field, Shoulder of Mutton Field, Nine Acres, Five Acre Field, Coal Earth Field and Filbert Orchard. All in Penge, Battersea, Surrey. Terms: 1st parties bargain and sell to the 2nd party, to hold for a year, at the rent of a peppercorn. (b) Attested Copy Conveyance Parties: (1) Bertie Cornelius Cator and John Foakes(2) John Cator(3) Albemarle Cator(4) Thomas Allason (owner of lots 5,6,23,24,25)(5) John Scott(6) George Grote Property: As above Consideration: £11,750 14s 6dTerms: 1st and 2nd parties release Penge Place to Scott, Grote as trustee
Also in 1835 The Crooked Billet public house, Penge Wharf and several other properties are offered for freehold sale in three newspapers. As the Crooked Billet and other Penge property had been in Cator possession it is almost certain these sales were by John Barwell Cator. Penge Wharf is recorded as being part of George Wythes property at a later date and it is known that George Wythes bought a lot of Cator property and subsequently developed it. One reason why my view is that the Cators were not the development and planning activists as some believe. Penge Wharf is purchased by John Lawrie of Sydenham Place. Lease and release was a form of land sale made to avoid tax, later made illegal.
|
14/15 October 1835 |
|
(a) Lease |
1835
- Kelsey sale by Grose Smith to Henry Merrick Hoare
| London Borough of Bromley Archives | |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 834/17 |
| Title | Contract for sale and purchase for £8,000 of Kelsey Park; mansion house, offices, outbuildings, gardener's house, lodge, greenhouses, 2 pews in Beckenham Church, gardens, land and water (63a) |
| Date | 6 Jul 1835 |
| Description | Edward Grose Smith To Henry Merrick Hoare of Fleet St, London, esq. |
| Extent | 1 Item |
1836 - Albemarle Cator II is born at Woodbastwick, Norfolk. The family return to Ireland where subsequent siblings are born until about 1844 according to census evidence his sister Charlotte is born in 1838 in Ireland. With Albemarle’s wife’s family being in Ireland it is possible they travelled back and forth if she felt more comfortable going into labour near her family.
This is also the year of a great storm, from The Evening Chronicle 02 December 1836 "The storm of Tuesday morning raged here with great violence. In Langley Park above 100 trees have been uprooted. In Kelsey, Eden Farm and Beckenham Place forest trees of the largest dimensions are lying in all directions.
1837 - Queen Victoria until 1901
1837
– John Barwell Cator puts some property up for sale in the County
Chronicle, Surrey Herald and Weekly Advertiser for Kent 25 July
1837 page 2 col 170 acres on Penge Common and 15 acres more, Shortlands
House and 56 acres with Lodge Farm (Bromley/Shortlands borders) 75
acres, Norwood and Penge Common
40 acres, 50 acres and 42 acres, Oakery 9 acres (on Bromley Road), adj
(Mr Scott) 23
acres, adj 9 acres, adj 1 acre. (total 490 acres)
Shortlands
House with 100 acres is owned by Mrs Palmer in the Tithe of the
following year. 18 acres sub-let
1838 - The Tithe Map and returns for Beckenham shows the landowners and occupants of the Parish. William Peters is already in occupation of Beckenham Place House and parts of the park, 71 acres. But other parts of the park are occupied by the tenant of Foxgrove Farm, William Gibbons who is managing 274 acres. Michael Mathews who is tenant of Copers Cope Farm holds 534 acres, some of which extends to Bell Green. Early maps and the Tithe map demonstrate that reorganization and renaming of fields has occurred presumably as farming practices change with new methods such as crop rotation. The data from the source below allows us to add up all the acreages for each landowner, see who the landlords were and their tenants. A quick summary can be made of the share of the parish owned by each landlord ie the Cators; John (1060 acres), William (194 acres) and Albemarle (45 acres) had between them about 1300 acres, John having the most. The total for the Parish is about 3900 acres. Hence, the Cators owned about one third of the Parish. By 1838 the former large landowner, Peter Burrell/Lord Gwydir had died and his estates sold to the Goodharts and Hoare family as well as others. A fuller evaluation of the share of the parish owned by the larger landlords will be added soon. The total acreage for the parish is also interesting when compared to the known acreage of Beckenham Manor in 1623 ie 193 acres. It can also be compared to rough estimates based on the Domesday Book for Beckenham which described 8 carucates estimated at 120 acres each being about 960 acres, plus unknown areas of woodland, waste, church and crown land.
Other landlords and their share/property: Richard Adams 83 acres, Ambrose Austin (descendant of Francis Motley Austin or coincidnce?) 165 acres, Edward Cranfield 168 acres, Robert Gibson 90 acres, Emanuel Goodhart 723 acres, Peter Hoare 61 acres, John Laurie 111 acres, Mrs. Palmer 100 acres, John Woolley 490 acres, Rev L.V.Harcourt (Glebe land) 50 acres. (2050 total). Various other small landowners make up the rest.
These landlords sub-let in many cases ie John Woolley was owner of Eden Park which was leased to Edward Lawford 329 acres.
(source;
https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/research/tithes/beckenham#02.htm)
1841-51
– The 1841 and 1851 census show William Peters of Beckenham Place and
in 1848 his daughter Marianne marries Captain Walter Raleigh Gilbert.
Recorded in Western Times 30 December 1848
This
evidences the length of the Peters lease of the house which was
hitherto unknown. See 1835 which states that Walter Raleigh Gilbert
takes over residence. Other press announcements evidence the Peter’s
residence at Beckenham but also intimate a seasonal movement between
Beckenham and other residences i.e. Brighton Gazette 03 April 1845 Mrs Peters and family have left
Regency House for Beckenham Place and Sussex Advertiser 28 March 1848 Mrs Peters has left Brunswick
Terrace for Beckenham Place.
In
1841 Foxgrove Farm is shown as occupied by William Gibbons, Farmer with
family members and farm labourers.
There
is no census record of the Cators for Beckenham or Woodbastwick as the
family is believed to be in Ireland. John Barwell Cator’s wife’s family
was in Ireland and though his son Albemarle was born in Beckenham,
Albemarle had children born in Ireland by his wife who was born in
Abbot Dangan, Ireland. By the 1851 census Albemarle had become
established in Woodbastwick with three children upto the age of 7 born
at Woodbastwick.
1847 – Elizabeth Louisa Cator nee Mahon dies at Hessen in Germany. It is said that John and Elizabeth were living in Germany to economise on living expenses. Whether true or not requires confirmation.
1851
- April; Manor House; Appears to be a lease as the property reverts to
the Hoare
family. the Manor House and grounds become to the use of Henry
Fortescue. Also the Manor House has a much reduced 'estate' as the bulk
of the Manor land had been purchased by John Cator in 1773 reducing the
land around the Manor House to 'grounds'. Attested
copy settlement of the Manor House Estate at Beckenham, Kent between
Charles Hoare of Luscombe, near Dawlish, Devon, esquire and Henry
Merrick Hoare of York Place, parish of St Marylebone, Middlesex and of
Beckenham, esquire (1st part); Edward Tylee of Essex Street, The
Strand, Middlesex, gentleman (2nd part); Henry Fortescure of Beckenham,
esquire (3rd part) and Peter Richard Hoare of Fleet Street, London,
esquire (4th part). Tylee assigns and the first parties confirm the
property to Fortescue and Peter Hoare to the use of Fortescue for life
then to Caroline, his wife, then to Francis, his son and in default of
issue to Peter Hoare and his heirs. (Bromley Collections)
1851 to 1873 - Peter Cator is living at The Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham. He is recorded as managing the Cator estate locally after spending several years in Madras. (sources: census, Manning and BHS). The 1851 census shows Albemarle Cator, the figurehead of the estates living at Woodbastwick and all his children are born in Ireland or Norfolk.
1853 – Rob Copeland records in his Manors of Beckenham that occupation of Foxgrove Farm passes from William Gibbons to his son Henry Gibbons. Whether as freeholders or under lease we don’t know. But the 1857 electoral roll lists William Gibbons in occupation. The 1851 census shows William as head and Henry as farm bailiff. From an OS map of about that time we might deduce where the Foxgrove Farm and Beckenham Place boundaries met. Parkland was shaded and other fields in plain white.
1855
- Elmer Lodge;
454/1 |
|
| Title | Deed |
| Date | 30 August 1855 |
| Description | Lease for 70yrs of
messuages and land in Penge, Surrey (abuttals given); plan -. (unexamined, membranes adhere) Edward R. Adams esq. of Elmer Lodge Beckenham to William Hopcroft, of London, printer & publisher |
| Extent | 1 Item |
| Format | Maps and Plans |
| Access Status | Open |
1857 - John Clairmont Abrams in occupation at the Beckenham Place mansion (Pat Manning source) from an electoral roll.
1858 - John Barwell Cator dies at Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk and the estates are inherited by his son Albermarle (1813-1868). Albermarle will eventually be succeeded by his 2nd son also named Albemarle. Pat Manning records that J.B.Cator and his wife lived in Germany for some time to save money. Though he had great wealth the restrictions on disposing of the net worth of the estate seem to have caught up with him and there are several opinions that he was extravagant. His effects are valued at under £35,000 but this may be just personal assets apart from estates left in trust. It requires deeper investigation.
1861 - Robert Henry Page and family reside in the Beckenham Place mansion. A Merchant and Russia Broker. (source U.K.census)
1864 - November, a map of the Beckenham Estate of Albemarle Cator is printed (Bromley Library Historic Collections). It excludes the site of Old Manor House opposite the church as that is part of the Burrell estate. That map shows a proposed road extending Westgate Road into Summerhouse Wood and illustrates the intention of the Cators to build on or sell/lease the land. The legend also states ‘revised upto 1889’ indicating that this is a later publication. It is also recorded as being part of documents lodged with a commissioner for oaths in 1906.
However the map is also annotated "updated to 1889" so I list it there in the timeline as well.
1865
- Charles
Oliver Frederick Cator, son of the Rev
Thomas and Louisa Cator of Kirk Smeaton, came to live in
one of the first villas to be built at Stumps Hill. He helped his
Uncle Peter Cator with the Beckenham estates and was a keen student of
meteorology credited with the invention of the leverage
anemometer.
Peter lived with his wife, Martha and younger daughter,
Diana, at The Hall in Bromley Rd. He was one of the founder
members of the Beckenham Cricket Club at Foxgrove Rd. and
was in the chair at a dinner at the Three Tuns on 1.5.1866 in
celebration. Their first match was between Marrieds and
Singles on 19.5.1866. He was interested in the seating plan of
St George’s church and in 1868 he presented the church with a
new east window. (source; Manning)
1866 - The Beckenham Place Mansion occupier is still given as Robert Henry Page Esq. (source: a directory found be E.Inman)
1868 - Albermarle Cator (the first) dies, Albermarle's eldest son John did not marry, dying without issue as they term it in 1859, hence Albermarle's second son, Albemarle junior (or the second) (1836-1906) inherited the estates (source: P.Manning). John had lost an arm due to injuries received in the Crimean War. Alghough they lived at either Trowbridge or Woodbastwick their estates in Beckenham are very much under their influence.
1868 – The Parish of Beckenham installs boundary posts, some of which can be found across the park. See 1884 for Lewisham boundary posts. (dates need confirmation)
1868 - Kenthouse Farm; Thomas Covell shown as occupant in a poll book. The Covells were in the meat trade, Edwin Covell will occupy Beckenham Place for a time from 1885 and have butcher's shops in the area.
1868
- Stone Farm sale by Goodhart?
London Borough of Bromley Archives |
|
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | 1200/548 |
| Title | Sale Particulars |
| Date | 1 July 1868 |
| Description | Stone Farm, Beckenham, a farm house situated opposite the Langley Park Estate, land adjoining the farm house and the grounds of Eden Cottage, Burrell Cottage and Chichester Lodge, Beckenham, Lower Pickhurst Green Farm and Pickhurst Green Farm and Thrift Field, Hayes. |
| Extent | 1 Item |
| Format | Sales Particulars |
1869/71 – The mansion occupier is Sir John Kirkland, Bart. J.P. an army agent who had good relations with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and received gifts from them but he dies in 1871 prior to the census and buried at St.George's with his wife Louisa who died in 1870. He is associated with Blackfen and is referred to on a relevant website. A press advert gave an indication of Kirklands activities at Beckenham Place as it lists furniture, farm stock and produce to be sold after his death.
1870 - The first publication of the Ordnance Survey maps shows very little built development around the park. Field patterns from the Foxgrove and Beckenham manor plans may be detected. The Ordnance Survey maps of the 1860's and 1890's in the British Library and National Library of Scotland illustrate the mainly rural nature of the estates at Beckenham and Blackheath. An internet search for 'NLS Kent VII' should access the full map from which the extract below is taken. We might assume that John Barwell Cator made changes to the estate as the lake is of a quite different outline to the 1799 Ordnance Survey drawing and comparing the two maps shows the difference in the footprint of the house ie with a portico on this map, without on the 1799 drawing.
OS
map – National Library of Scotland (their website has access to many
digitized maps)
1871
- John Kirkland the younger is Beckenham Place mansion occupant in the
1871 census with
son, aunt and servants. Albemarle Cator and family are resident at
Trewsbury House, Coates, Gloucestershire which they favour over
Woodbastwick which is also leased to other occupants. The lease must
have been vacated as a press advert puts the lease up for sale.
1871 - Beckenham Lodge (site of Barclays Bank, near the War Memorial). was occupied by Edwin Covell age 35 with his large family . Thomas Covell, age 43 (perhaps Brother) occupies Kent House Farm with 600 acres employing 20 men and 6 boys.(census record)
1873 - Peter Cator, youngest son of Joseph Cator, dies. He had lived at The Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham and is credited with administering the Beckenham estates for some time. By the 1881 census The Hall is one of the Cator properties leased, in this case to Henry Phillipps a merchant who came from Padstow.
Charles Oliver Frederick Cator,1837- 1876 Inventor of the Leverage Anemometer. Author of various papers on meteorology. Son of the late Lady Louisa Cator and Rev. Thomas Cator. Succeeded to the entire management of the Cator Estate in 1873, when his uncle, Peter Cator died.
Obituary Beckenham Journal (monthly bound volumes) January 1877, 10, 20 (Bromley Historic Collections)
1874‑6 Beckenham Place; John Fell Christie is listed in a directory.
1875 – This record looks like it relates to at least some of the disposal of the southern part of the park, being on the north side of Foxgrove Road:
Bromley
Library archive: Agreement between Albemarle Cator of Woodbastock Hall, Norfolk,
esquire (1st part) and William Henry Maltby of Beckenham, Kent, builder
(2nd part) in relation to 2 pieces of ground on the north and south
sides of Foxgrove
Road, Beckenham. Cator agrees
to let the property to Maltby for 90 years at the annual rent of £10
per year for the first year and £40 thereafter. Maltby is to build a
dwelling House. Includes a map of the premises and draft form of lease.
A
large house in a large site was built called ‘Foxgrove’, not to be
confused with Foxgrove Farm. Foxgrove Avenue is now on the site.
1877‑8 No one is listed as in occupation of the mansion. Albemarle Cator the younger, second son of Albemarle the elder is born at Coates, Gloucestershire. He will inherit the estates as his brother John does not survive to inherit.
1878 – Foxgrove Farm demolished (source: RHCopeland)
Foxgrove Farm shortly before demolition
1879 - Spencer Brunton and his family are in occupation of the mansion. The Brunton children made a story book Christmas card depicting a royal family visit, maybe this harks back to the Kirkland residency or is just children’s imagination. This page from the book depicts a move into the mansion. But by 1881 they are in the census as living at Brook Street, London with their 6 children and a string of about 10 servants including a butler and two footmen. Spencer was a member of the London Stock Exchange but by 1891 his wife had filed for divorce. An earlier 1871 census shows they had lived in Copers Cope Road at a house called The Ferns with a daughter and only 3 servants. The six children were born in quick succession.
1881
- The mansion is occupied by Owen Henley aged 32 and family, a gardener
- so we might assume he is acting as gardener/caretaker. Unless of
course the official tenant is just absent and recorded at another
address?
In
the census for this year Albemarle Cator is recorded as being at
Trewsbury House, Coates, Cirencester with his wife, 12 children and a
string of servants.
Spencer Brunton had moved to Brook Street,
Westminster. We find Owen Henley previously listed in 1871 aged 22
unmarried
living in St. George’s Villas, Beckenham as a domestic gardener,
But 1881 is also the year for this event in June:
This article was discovered by one of our ‘eagle–eyed Friends’ in the Local Studies library in Bromley. It is from The Beckenham Journal. JUNE 1881.
BAZAAR AT BECKENHAM PLACE.
On Saturday and Monday last, the 25th and 27th June (1881), a grand bazaar was held in Beckenham Place, which was kindly lent for the purpose by Albemarle Cator Esq., the object being to aid in defraying the debt remaining on the Building Fund of St James' Church, School, and Working Men's Club, Elmer's End. The idea of the bazaar had been originated and carried into effect by a number of ladies desirous of assisting the church, whose efforts had been made quite apart from those of the Building Committee. They had secured influential patronage, H.R.H. Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, who had kindly promised to honour the bazaar with her presence, and to perform the opening ceremony, and of Viscount Lewisham, M.P., and Lady Lewisham, Major-General Lord Chelmsford, G C B and Lady Chelmsford, Right Hon. Lord Forbes, Hon. Lady Inglis, Hon. Mary Thesiger, Sir Charles Mills, Sir Edward Scott, Bart and Lady Scott, Co1. Sir John Farnaby Lennard, Bart., and Lady Lennard, Lady Cave, Lewis Loyd, Esq., and Mrs. Loyd, Mrs. George Lillie Craik, and Albemarle Cator, Esq. Great anxiety had been manifested to make the bazaar a success, the ladies who consented to take stalls, pledging themselves to provide stock to the value of at least £100, a sum which was unquestionably for exceeded in nearly every case. Consequently there was no lack for those who came, to use the words of Marzials' popular song, "With their pockets full o' money," to exercise their liberality in a good cause.
At Beckenham Place excellent arrangements had been made for accommodating the large number of visitors expected, and all that was necessary to render the occasion completely successful was fine weather. Unhappily Saturday proved unpropitious in this respect for rain fell during the greater part of the morning, at times very heavily, so that by two o'clock, the hour fixed for opening the grounds, every place was thoroughly wet. This misfortune necessitated the alterations of some of the arrangements by rendering any proceeding in the open air impossible. Thanks, however, to the care of those who had the arrangements in hand, no inconvenience was felt beyond that occasioned by the crowding of the rooms.
Shortly after three o'clock, Princess Mary arrived, accompanied by her daughter, Princess May, and her little son, Prince Randolph, and attended by the Honorable Mary Thesiger. The Princess was received at the entrance of the fine old mansion by the Rev. A. Barber, Incumbent of St. James', Lady Inglis, Lord Chelmsford, G.C.B., Albemarle Cator, Esq., Mrs. A. Cator, and Rev. W. Cator. Having declared the bazaar open, the Princess proceeded to inspect the stalls. In the apartment on the left of the entrance hall were three stalls, the first held by Lady Inglis, the Misses Inglis, and Miss Buckworth; the second by Mrs. Barber, Mrs. PascalI, Mrs.Strickland, and Miss Isaacson; and the third by Mrs. Wallace and family, assisted by Mrs. Phillips. Each of these stalls was well stocked with the thousand-and-one articles always provided for such occasions, Lady Inglis’ being arranged as effectively, perhaps, as ,any in the bazaar. Mrs. Barber's stall, the goods on which were valued at upwards of £250, contained a number of contributions from working men and women, who had devoted their spare time of some months past to their production. A room on the other side of the building contained stalls kept by Mrs. and Miss Kirby, and by Mrs. W. C. Jones, Mrs. Green, and Miss Smart. The latter stall was stocked to a large extent with fancy stationery and kindred articles, amongst them being some beautiful views taken by instantaneous photography. There was also a collection of New Zealand native spears and other arms, which soon secured purchasers. A spacious apartment, arranged in a most enticing manner, was devoted to refreshments, which were dispensed by a number of ladies under the direction of Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Bicknell. Further provision in the way of creature comforts was made by Mr. Cameron, who had furnished a first-rate cold collation. The most attractive stall, at any rate in appearance, was that for flowers and fruit, which occupied a room by itself, presided over by Mrs. Radcliffe, Mrs. Blundell, Mrs. Newcombe, Miss Burleigh, and Miss Jones. These ladies had furnished themselves with a stock of choice flowers and fruit, which they had arranged so artistically that it was not at all surprising to find that the Duchess of Teck spent some little time there - indeed there was no department more worthy of a visit than this. Upstairs, Dr. Phillips had a number of microscopes, with some most interesting and instructive slides, on view; while Mr. Bloken was in charge of a Fine Art Collection, which preferred no claim to be considered "aesthetical." Another item calling for notice is that sketches of the new church of St. James, which has been designed by Mr. .A. R. Stenning and will be a very handsome structure, were on view.
Her Royal Highness, having completed her tour of the stalls and made several purchases, proceeded to a concert room, where some of the pupils of the Royal Normal College and Academy of Music for the Blind, Upper Norwood, were about to give selection of music. Mr. F. J. Campbell, the Principal, having been introduced to the Princess, who referred to the affection entertained for him by his late pupil, Prince Alexander of Hesse, the following pieces were performed, by Her Royal Highness' request :-Humerous glee, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall" (Caldicott); song, "Die beiden Grandieri" (Schumann), Mr J. Prydie; trio," O Memory" (Leslie), Miss A. Campbell, Miss A. Carson, and Mr A. Hughes; piano solo, " Silver Spring," by W. Mason, a lad aged 14; and the humorous glee, "Little Jack Horner" (Caldicott.) All these pieces were performed with that skill and effect for which the members of the College are justly renowned, and they secured the hearty applause of the Duchess.
Her Royal Highness left soon afterwards, to the strains of the "National Anthem."
During the afternoon a very large number of persons visited the bazaar. A brisk trade was carried on at the different stalls, and there were several canvasers for subscriptions towards articles to be drawn for. A second selection of music was given by the Blind College, and the Band of the Royal Artillery, which was present under the conductorship of the Band Master, Mr. Albert Mansfield, also provided some most enjoyable music.
In the evening a Promenade Concert was given under the direction of Mr F. T. Newcombe at which the following ladies and gentleman took part:-Mrs. PascalI, Mrs. Newcombe, Mrs. Radcliffe, Misses Brown, Miss Wigan, (an exceedingly good performer), Miss Burleigh, Mr. M. Beaumont, Mr. Sternhardt, Mr. Weber, Mr. A. H. Neuffert.
On Monday there was a very large attendance. The proceedings were enlivened by the band of the Duke of York's School. The total receipts of the two days amounts to over £750, which sum, after paying all expenses, provides the Ladies Committee sufficient to pay off the debt on the building fund, and a balance of £50 for other purposes.
1880 - This passage was taken from The Beckenham Journal and Penge and Sydenham Advertiser, JUNE 1880. Copies of these journals are in the Local Studies library in the Central Library in Bromley.
The
area referred to is not clear, the Friends would be please to hear
ideas on the location mentioned. Perhaps Cator Park, Kings Hall Road?
‘NOTES BY THE WAY’.
We have mentioned that a proposal has been made on behalf of Mr. Albermarle Cator to let on lease 42 acres of land for 99 years to the Local Board, to be appropriated as a recreation ground. The exact terms and covenants are not stated, but we believe they are liberal. The Board have applied for a statement of the conditions, and are favourably disposed to its consideration. The main difficulty is that which meets the Board at every point-that however moderate the terms, there will be some cost incurred, and with the many claims upon the rates for the execution of absolutely necessary works, there is much hesitation in entering upon others, however desirable, that will lay the slightest burden on the ratepayers. The ways and means are always approached with caution, and discussed with anxious care. It will always be the case that in a scattered district the expenses will be heavy and appear out of proportion when compared with compact and covered districts. We observe that about one-fifth of the amount collected is spent upon lighting and upon watering and repairing the roads, and these items of expense would not be greatly increased if the houses were much more numerous. The rating value of the neighbourhood in such case would be increased, and the expenses would appear lighter. We feel bound to say so much, when such a proposal is before the Local Board; but, at the same time, we should deeply regret if such a favourable opportunity of obtaining a recreation ground of' suitable extent and in perpetuity is lost. The opportunity may never occur again, if allowed to pass away. We are aware another pressing matter is before the Board; that of obtaining a burial ground. We think that the leading ratepayers ought to assist, and there is one way of doing so that at once occurs to us. If the Cricket Club would unite in any way, the case might be met. No doubt the money required for laying out the grounds for such a purpose might be borrowed upon a long term, so that it really would be little more than the interest that would fall upon the ratepayers. We trust that the proposal of Mr Cator will not only be a liberal, but a generous one, and that the Board will be strengthened by the public approval to enter upon the undertaking.
1882 – A lease on a site called Hawthorndeans abutting Southend Road for 90 years, presumed to have been made freehold at a later date. A large house on a sizeable plot.
1883 – About this time a Beckenham directory records that the installation of the West Kent sewer caused the drying up of the moat around Foxgrove Farm. This area supplied the water for Beckenham Place’s lake so I’m concluding it was this that was the main cause of the lake subsequently drying up.
1884? – The Boundary posts are installed between Beckenham and Lewisham parishes. Robert Borrowman's book from 1910 records the ceremony of Beating the Bounds from parish records, but that the parish boundaries had become lost or forgotten so a sum of money was made available and cast iron boundary posts installed to mark the parish boundaries. Several of these posts are in Beckenham Place Park marked 'Beckenham' along with some marked 'Lewisham'. The parish, or now Borough, boundary has since been moved. Some posts are near old oak trees which for many years or even centuries were used as boundary markers. Some old maps record 'boundary mark on tree'. One interesting speculation or story is that the Beckenham parish boundary is strangely shaped as a body was found near Crystal Palace but no parish claimed it for burial apart from Beckenham so the boundary was drawn to where the body was discovered. Now boundaries are more 'political' and determined by the Boundaries Commission.
One
curiosity is perhaps that Foxgrove Manor seems to have been partly in
Beckenham Parish and a small part in Lewisham Parish as well as Bromley
Parish. As Borrowman
records that the Parish boundaries were forgotten perhaps the ancient
parish boundary was more to the north than it was fixed in 1884. The
Cator estate plan revised to 1889 shows a disputed boundary near the
mansion. It would be interesting to see if these historic markers
survive the park remodelling.
1885 - A Beckenham directory published by Thornton’s contains a brief history and informative data. Despite much of the information being presumably correct and quoted from sources I use in this account, some information is mixed up. For example in the passage below Beckenham Place was not the home of Piercy Brett, he lived at Clockhouse. And as I state here, Beckenham Place was in Foxgrove Manor and not in the 1773 Beckenham Manor property. This directory describes the water for the moat of Foxgrove being lost when the West Kent main sewer was installed.
1885 – From a local directory: The populatiop of Beckenham continues steadily on the increase. In 1871, the census recorded a population of 2391, in 1861, it was 6090, showing an increase of 3699 in ten years, and during the following period of ten years, there was a further increase of 6,921, making the total in 1881, 13,OII. The population is now estimated at 15,000, equal to that of Bromley at the last census. With this increase of numbers, much of the rustic beauty of the place has fallen a prey to the builder, and to the necessities of increased traffic and widened roads. The approach to the village, from Penge, not many years ago,wound through a splendid avenue of trees; Bromley road has been changed from a shady to an open thoroughfare; and last, but far from least, Church hill has been deprived of that wealth of wood and foliage which in past years made it a perfect picture. Whilst regretting the loss of so much that was beautiful, we cannot forget that we are living in a practical age, in which there seems to be no standing still, and with which few suburbs are going more rapidly or successfully forward than favoured Beckenham.
1885‑93 Edwin Covell lives in theBeckenham Place mansion, a butcher’s proprietor/meat salesman. An 1885 directory has an advertisement for his business. The Bromley Record reports his death in May 1893 and his obituary states “he was the largest importer of foreign cattle, farmed extensive land in and around Beckenham” Another Covell family occupies Kent House Farm as farmers presumably also as leaseholders. The Covells are recorded on the 1891 census along with several servants. Study of the census records reveals the number of people ‘in service’ and ‘living in’ in the large villas of the viscinity.
1885
- Killed,
along with five others, including another family member, James
Fisher, when a boiler exploded at Mid Kent Brickworks, Worsley Bridge
Road, Beckenham.
Inquest Bromley Record March 1885, Mid Kent Brickwork Cottages,
Beckenham
1889 – We should revisit the 1864 Cator Estate Plan annotated as ‘revised up to 1889’ as the plan shows areas leased in several cases to developers. Although this is the plan which shows an intention to have a road through Summerhouse Wood the plan predates the coming of the railway, its route is not even indicated on the plan but the map might be the basis for planning the railway which is authorized by an Act of Parliament in 1889.
Looking at the areas outside the park on the map it shows that very little development has taken place in Beckenham, Lewisham and Bromley. The OS map shows development near to Beckenham village, mainly large Victorian villas. The census returns for the period illustrate large households often with servants occupying coach houses, some houses used as schools, and often accommodating what is referred to as ‘professionals’. Of course there are some artisan housing areas of terraced property near the village centre. The records of the estates of the Wythes and Hoare families illustrate the nature of property leasing and development. Again searching online catalogues of Bromley Historic Collections is informative.
The legend of this map states that land coloured pink is on long lease to leaseholders and that roads made and now being made coloured brown whereas intended roads are outlined. The landlord reserves the right to alter omit or substitute other roads. What is now The Avenue is called Mote Road (after the moated Foxgrove Farm/Manor). Leased property can be seen in the southern corner of what was the original park. This is perhaps the cusp upon which the existence of the current public park is turned. Copers Cope Road, Brackley, Worsley Bridge, Park Road seem to bear the brunt of development over the next years. The small area next to the mansion is shown as disputed parish boundary.
Estate Plan updated to 1889 – Courtesy of Bromley Historic Collections
1889 - An Act of Parliament authorises building of the Nunhead to Shortlands railway which runs via Beckenham Hill station to Ravensbourne station across the park. It states that Albermarle Cator is to be compensated for lands purchased etc. Negotiations began as early as 1884. The Cators had obtained parliamentary approval to develop their Beckenham estates for housing in the 1825 Act and the 1865 estate plans show an intended road slicing right through Summerhouse Hill Wood, a proposal which fortunately never materialised. In 1879 discussions took place between the Cators, neighbouring landowners and the London, Chatham and Dover Railway concerning a proposal to build a railway along the Ravensbourne valley in order to encourage speculative builders to construct houses in the area. This came to nought, as did a bill brought before Parliament in 1884. However in March 1889, an agreement was signed between Albemarle Cator of Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk, Sir John Farnaby of Wickham Court and representatives of the London, Chatham & Dover Railway, which paved the way later the same year for the passing of an Act authorising the construction of the Shortlands and Nunhead Railway.The landowners contributed land as well as finance whilst the L.C.D.R. guaranteed to operate the line once it was constructed. Records in Bromley Library note the Forsters and a Mr Redman as being promoters of the bill to authorise the railway with compensations and land purchases from Albemarle Cator (jnr.).
05/07/1889 Agreement between Alfred George Renshaw, of The Hall, Southend, Kent, esquire and William Stewart Forster, of 28 Lincolns Inn Fields, esquire, promoters of the Bill relating to the Incorporation of the Shortlands and Nunhead Railway Company (1st part) and Albemarle Cator, of Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk, esquire (2nd part). It is agreed between the parties that if the Bill is passed in to law to authorise the construction of the railway, then the Company erect stations at Ravensbourne and Beckenham Hill and will pay compensation to Cator. Cator will sell property to the Company as required. (source: Bromley local studies)
The attraction for the railway company was that it offered an alternative route to that through the Penge tunnel, an important role it provides to this day. Maximum charges per mile were set at 3d, 2d & 1d for first, second and third class passengers, 4d for horses, 1d for cats and dogs and 5d or 4d for carts and carriages depending on whether they had two or four wheels. Five stations were to be provided on sites selected by the landowners, each well staffed and provided with all comforts for both lady and gentleman passengers despite the fact that when they first opened they were surrounded by fields with hardly a dwelling within sight! As the landowners provided the lions share of the resources the precise route of the line was dictated by them, not by the operational needs of the railway company. The result is that the line winds its way along the valley carefully avoiding major features, such as the former lake in Beckenham Place Park as can be seen from the sketch plan which shows the original field boundaries.
The railway company was very happy with their new route, which cost £265,000 and opened for business on 1st July 1892. Under a new Act passed in 1896, they assumed complete control of the Shortlands & Nunhead Co exactly five years after it opened. Ravensbourne Avenue, Crab Hill, Downs Hill and Farnaby Road owe their existence to the building of the line, as does the gully, which forms the present entrance to the park from Crab Hill. This was said to be the source of much of the gravel used in the construction. Many of the trees, which still shield the line, are the successors of those originally planted to screen it from the expected housing development. This house building never took place, but evidence of the Cators' expectations can still be seen today.
The width of the bridge, now connecting nothing but two parts of the park, suggests that it was originally designed to take considerable traffic. It contrasts markedly with the two earlier ones nearby in Westgate and Downs Bridge Roads, which are much narrower as they were probably intended solely to provide farm access. Despite several changes of ownership the railway service through the park continues substantially unchanged. Ravensbourne station lost its goods yard in the 1960s and in 1986 the booking office was badly damaged by fire. It has been rebuilt in a sympathetic style and the remains of the porter’s accommodation can still be seen in its basement by peering through a gap in the wall. Beckenham Hill station is basically unchanged apart from the loss of the down side canopy which was removed in 1968. We believe there was also a goods depot at one time.
Beckenham Place circa 1892 – if accurately dated this photo shows the roof dormers installed prior to the house being used as a school or sanatorium.
1892 - 28th April Office copy of order appointing committees of person and estate in the matter of Albemarle Cator, 'a person of unsound mind', upon appointment of Mary Molesworth Cordelia Cator, who is appointed guardian and given custody of his person. Custody of his estate is committed to Thomas Henry Burroughes, who is to receive remuneration for his services. Includes schedule of existing agreements affecting the Beckenham and Blackheath estates.(Bromley Historic Collections ref 989/3/6). It appears Burroughs has been a land agent for the Cators since at least 1881.
1894
The Beckenham Place
mansion occupier is listed as Mrs Covell, her husband Edwin has recently died in May 1893. E. Covell is also recorded as the tenant in the documents concerned with the authorisation of the construction of the Shortlands Nunhead railway through the estate. See also 1885
1894
OS map https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=51.3990&lon=-0.0231&layers=6&b=1
The
National Library of Scotland have georeferenced the Ordnance Survey map
for 1894 It shows the map with as an overlay on satellite
imagery. For example the road now called Beckenham
Place Park and Westgate Road which partitions off part of the original
park. Only a few houses have been built, St. Margaret’s which still
exists, Maywood, Westgate and Fox Grove as well as some houses on
Southend Road. The proposed extension of Westgate Road into Summerhouse
Hill Wood from the 1833 estate plan has not taken place. Exploring the
other places such as Kelsey and Langley will show a degree of built
development but the main estates can be identified.
1895‑99 No one listed as in occupation of Beckenham Place.
1900 to 2000 (Beckenham
Place unless otherwise stated)
1901 – The Bromley Record reports that Beckenham Place mansion is to be leased as a school and states “the news has given considerable satisfaction in the locality it being felt that the estate is now, at any rate for the time being, safe from the all-devouring speculative builder”. The mansion had been vacant for seven years.
1901 - King Edward VII until 1910
1902 - Beckenham Place is listed as Craven College School. It had always been difficult, especially as the area became increasingly urban, to find tenants for Beckenham Place sufficiently wealthy to rent both the house and the whole of the surrounding park. At the turn of the century there was still a pheasantry in Summerhouse Hill Wood and a photograph of the participants at the last shoot together with their bag used to hang in the mansion. The local hunt last met in Beckenham in 1905, by which time the house was occupied by a private boys school called Craven College. An advertisement for which copied from Thornton's 1902 Beckenham Directory by kind permission of Bromley Library, is reproduced below.
The advertisement implies that the College was founded in the 1830s, but nothing is known of its early history or whether its name is derived from a place or a person. Immediately before coming to Beckenham it was only in Highgate for a few years, occupying a house in Millfield Lane on the north-east corner of Hampstead Heath.
The College occupied Beckenham Place from approximately 1900 to 1905
under the headmastership of J. Hartley French. It then moved to Elmer
Lodge at Elmers End, possibly because of the loss of sports facilities
due to the lease of the park to the newly formed Foxgrove Golf Club.
Elmer Lodge was built in 1856 on the site of a 17th century predecessor and still exists today, substantially unchanged externally apart from the loss of its conservatory. Today it is a mosque after many years existing as a public house called appropriately ‘The Elmer Lodge’
Elmer
Lodge
J. Hartley French was succeeded as headmaster by Mr W.T. Carlin who
held the post initially assisted by a Mr E M Verall, until the demise
of the College at the outbreak of the 1914‑18 war. The existence of the
former college was commemorated by the nearby 1930s shopping parade,
known as "College Parade" until comparatively recently.
1906 to 1933 - From 1906 until 1933 Beckenham Place was the home of the Norwood Sanatorium which specialised in the voluntary treatment of wealthy(?) alcoholics and drug addicts. It was founded by a Dr Frances Hare, a retired Inspector of Hospitals for the Australian State of Queensland. The occupations of the patients in the 1911 census return is perhaps informative i.e. Medical practitioners and a chemist, a retired army officer, private means and an artist.
The reason for the name is probably because the sanatorium previously occupied a building at Crystal Palace, strictly speaking Upper Norwood, now called The Alma public house. The faint inscription 'Sans Souci’ still to be seen over the front door of the mansion is believed to date back to this sanatorium period or was imported with the stonework from Wricklemarsh in the late 18th or early 19th century.
The Conveyance of the park to the LCC in 1928 states that a lease was taken out on the Mansion on 1st of May 1906 for 21 years by Margaret Piper Rickman and later in 1925 the Norwood Sanatorium Limited took out or extended the lease for 7 years which would put the expiry into 1934. The implication here may be that Margaret Rickman sub-let or was acting on behalf of the Sanatorium.
Eric Inman relates: The sanatorium opened its doors on September 25th 1905 with 13 patients, a number which peaked at 232 in 1913. The average length of stay was six to eight weeks and the inclusive weekly charges pre‑war were £7.17s.6d a week, falling to £7.7s.0d after six weeks. This included medical attendance, medicines, board and lodging, games and ordinary services all provided in luxurious surroundings, as can be seen from the four interior pictures which are included by kind permission of Bromley Libraries.
The billiard and smoking rooms were reserved for gentlemen. The room to the left of the front door housing the current Visitor Centre is thought to be the billiard room. The drawing room was for the sole use of ladies, except when afternoon tea was taken there or gentlemen were invited for music or evening games. These could not last long for ‘lights out’ was at 10.30pm.
The sanatorium advertises its amenities as including, lawns for croquet, tennis and bowls. The home farm supplied fresh milk, new laid eggs and chickens for the table, whilst the hothouses and vegetable gardens provided fresh fruit and vegetables, including grapes, peaches and tomatoes.
Dr Hare retired in 1925 and died three years later at his home, 'Oakland's', 15 The Avenue, Beckenham. Kelly's Directory lists his successors as being Dr George (1926‑7), Dr Barham (1931) and Dr Given (1933). A Dr Walter Masters, who is not listed in the surviving editions of Kellys, is, in a detailed biography, described as taking over from Dr Hare before 1928 and moving the business to Chislehurst, because of a lack of space.
Doctor Hare authored several books on the treatment of addiction. We have accessed the 1911 census records which we reproduce here for illustration of the numbers of staff and patients present at Beckenham Place.
)
An interior of the mansion when a sanatorium
1906 - Albemarle Cator (II or jnr.) dies and is succeeded by his son
John Cator (1862-1944). It is under this John Cator that we presume the
park was sold to the London County Council. The various leases and
sales of other land is too complicated and lengthy to attempt to relate
here. A reminder that Pat Manning's book covers the Cator family in
some detail and researching the various online archive catalogues is
informative. Looking at the online catalogue of Bromley Local Studies
also reveals some basic details of land sales and development. The
estate plan of 1833 is annotated as being part of the Will documents of
Albemarle Cator.
Estate Plan annotation – Courtesy of Bromley Historic Collections
1906
- The Eden Park Polo Club is disbanded but the Crystal Palace Polo Club
move into their ground (to be identified). https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:VCH_Kent_1.djvu/595
1907 – Beckenham Place Stables: a lease for 21 years taken out by Philip George Collins and others and extended by one year to expire in 1927. The interaction between the Sanatorium, Golf Course and Stables is still unclear as the occupancies run alongside each other. The Home Farm is leased at a later date, see 1918 and maybe 1911 if I can find the census return.
1907 - The Foxgrove Golf Club is established on the grounds of the estate. A lease is taken out for 21 years with a ‘variation’ dated 1913 which might have related to the building of the clubhouse. This implies that the golf club occupancy expires in 1928. The "Foxgrove Club" Edwardian building is built circa 1912 by club members. From 1933 to 2016 it is a private social club. In 2017 it is occupied by caretaker tenants.
The Creation of the Golf Course
A group of Beckenham residents formed the Foxgrove Golf Club and in March of the same year leased most of Beckenham Place Park, apart from the woods and the immediate surroundings of the home farm, for a period of 21 years. Little time was lost in building a club house and laying out the greens, for in October of the same year the first monthly medal meetings were held for both ladies and gentlemen. Shortly afterwards a commemorative dinner was held in the new clubhouse, which over fifty members attended. (source: Eric Inman)
1910 – Robert Borrowman publishes his ‘Beckenham Past and Present’ drawing on the works of Philipott, Hasted and Ireland as well as material he could access in Beckenham Parish records. He reiterates the origin of Beckenham Place to 1773 and Cator’s purchase of Beckenham Manor from Bolingbroke. It seems he is not aware of the prior sale of the old Manor House or of the problems Cator has gaining full occupation of Beckenham Manor until 1780. Nor of the fact that Beckenham Place is in the Manor of Foxgrove. Nevertheless, his book has interesting information about the Parish. Borrowman admits that information about the early history of Beckenham is ‘meagre’. Borrowman does reveal to us other historians of Kent such as Lambarde, Kilburne and Harris, but they throw no further light on my research.
1911 – The 1911 Census is now available and we can tell who was occupying the various buildings in the park. The Mansion was the aforementioned sanatorium which came under Beckenham district. The Stables, Garden Cottage and North gate Lodge, under Lewisham district, were occupied by golf course groundsmen and gardeners. It would appear that the Stables only had two families in residence whereas later as a public park the stables had 5 ‘Homesteads’ for park workers and families. In 1911 the Gamekeepers Cottage had a couple living there, we take this to mean the cottage that was in Summerhouse Wood. No mention of occupants of Home Farm in this census apparently.
1920 – Several conveyances of sites either on the private road, Beckenham Place Park or on Southend Road which were part of Cator’s parkland. One in 1921 on Foxgrove Road adjoining the private road, a house called Foxgrove which had been build in 1880’s?
1920 – Several conveyances of sites either on the private road, Beckenham Place Park or on Southend Road which were part of Cator’s parkland. One in 1921 on Foxgrove Road adjoining the private road, a house called Foxgrove which had been build in 1880’s?
1927
- The London County Council decides to acquire Beckenham Place park
from the Cator
Estate. The minutes of the LCC record that there is a need for public
open space for the housing estates of Downham and Bellingham which are
being developed. A
transcript of the minutes can be found later on. Of course the LCC did not see the
Local Authority boundaries which bisected the park as overly important.
The price was £47,000 although the later conveyance states £43,000. At
some point the Mansion and Homesteads have living accommodation
provided for park staff. The Garden Cottage and the Gatehouse lodge
also are lived in by staff. Seven 'cottages' and maybe 2 apartments in
the Mansion. Over time managers, supervisors, gardeners and groundsmen
are accommodated there with their families. Maintenance and security
are provided by on-site staff. Large areas of woodland are fenced to
protect it with a balance of areas of protection with areas of free
access. The condition of the lake is not clearly known but the 1930's
map below shows the lake has been reduced in size. To the east of the
railway the land is described as a gravel pit, reed beds and an
athletics ground. Thomas Cook's had the athletics ground for a period
of time but it later became the Catford Sports and Social Club for
council employees. The gravel pit and reed beds are believed to have
been used for wartime bomb rubble or as one source describes for spoil
from the building of housing estates. Anyone having more information
please contact us. Old family photos or similar information welcome.
Apart from the reason that the LCC saw a need for open space, the
landed gentry had been finding it difficult to maintain estates after
WWI and maybe this was an incentive for the Cator Estate to dispose of
the park.
1928 – The date of the conveyance of Beckenham Place from the Cator Estate, John Cator of Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk, the vendor and the estate trustees to the purchaser, the London County Council dated 24th January. The LCC cites the Open Spaces Act 1906 as amended by the LCC General Powers Act 1926. The purchase price of £43,000 is made up of two parts, £16,000 under the Open Spaces Act and £27,000 under the General Purposes Act. It should be a matter of record that the southern part of the eastern side of the railway which we call Summerhouse Field must have been acquired at a later date as at one time this was Thomas Cooks Sports Ground and became the Catford (Lewisham) Council sports ground at a date to be discovered. It is described as an Athletics ground on the map accompanying the conveyance. Some areas of Beckenham Place parkland had been either partially sold or leased over a period of time from the late 19th Century to early 20th Century. Whereas it would once have extended to Foxgrove Road in the south and to Southend Road/Beckenham Hill Road in the west, properties were disposed of along the latter roads on the west and the private road ‘Beckenham Place Park’ was inserted into the landscape for large properties, only 1 of which survives, St. Margaret’s. The others have been redeveloped into smaller plots over time. For example a house called Dura Den is now a close of several smaller houses.
Stumphill Wood is mostly outside of the park conveyance seemingly following the boundary between Beckenham Manor and Foxgrove Manor. Whether this has anything to do with the Cator’s ‘Lord of the Manor’ rights is subject to debate. The Land Act of the early 20th Century redefined some of these priveledges. It is still shown as an area of woodland on both sides of Beckenham Hill Road and Southend Road though some large houses are on the west side mostly in Lewisham Parish or Borough.
The farm, stables and lodges of the park had been leased and rented for several years prior to the LCC purchase. An area bordering Old Bromley Road on which now stands the ......Club, old abandoned changing rooms and the childrens playground is not included in the park purchase and must have been acquired at a later date or separately.
Some questions arise from the 1928 Conveyance map such as a building on Crab Hill on the site of later changing rooms for football pitches, a smaller hut close by. The path up from the Crab Hill entrance is more of an access into a gravel pit and it mush be assumed that the later Prisoner of War Camp had something to do with alterations in this area as well as any changes to do with public access to the park. The fate of the cottage or gamekeepers hut in the woodland which was even still showing on A-Z maps into the 1980’s is unclear but is now a few bricks at foundation level if you are lucky enough to find them.
The map explains the old water course to the lake in that there is a drain along Westgate Road following round into Beckenham Place Park (private road) and then turning into the park toward the lake. The lake had been reduced in size by approximately half by the time of the conveyance. Earlier maps show springs and ponds in this area and it is to be assumed that the spring is put into the drain in Westgate Road quite close to the school, which once had a pond on the site of its playground. The dryness of the stream or drain may be attributable to drying up of the spring or diversion of water into sewers. This can be compared to the drying up of Foxgrove Farm mote due to the West Kent Sewer installation and drying up of some ponds and drains on the west side of Stumpshill in the region of Braeside. Diversion of rain run-off from roofs and hard standing into drains rather than into the topsoil and groundwater can all contribute to drying up of the underlying clay and Blackheath (Harwich Formation) Beds. The fact that water for the new lake is drawn up from a borehole some depth below the surface indicates the dryness of the ground nearer the surface.
Home
Farm or Beckenham Place Park Farm depicted by a young girl who lived
there (Miss I. Krombach?)
1931
- The Home Farm is vacated and demolished. Above is one of two
paintings produced by a lady who lived at the farm when she was a young
girl. There are some references to fresh milk, new laid eggs and
chickens being supplied to the sanatorium in the 1920s from a home
farm, no trace of which now exists other than in some aerial views of
the park taken in 1996 the ‘footprint’ of the building can be seen
clearly in the grass as 'crop marks'. Maybe at least two farmhouses
were destroyed in the original creation of Beckenham Place Park and
perhaps a new one built to supply John Cator in his mansion. It could
be that Home Farm was in existence when Cator bought the land as the
Rocque map shows buildings between the site of the mansion and Flower
House. Some buildings shown on early maps appear to have been swept
away in the creation of the park. Home farm was just inside the north
gate. This was not demolished until 1931. Groundwork associated with
the 2018 landscape work may have covered over the evidence of the
farmstead, only time will tell.
If one studies the Roque map it might be deduced that there was a house already in this position and a farm in the vicinity of Home Farm. As map making was inaccurate before the Ordnance Survey then exact positions cannot be identified.
One
of the early farms was on the opposite side of the road to the mansion,
just outside the present southern gate to the park on a site now
occupied by modern houses. Rocque's 1745 map also shows a building and
gardens opposite the position of the present mansion, though whether
this was a farm, outbuildings or gardens belonging to the previous
house is not clear.It consisted of a picturesque huddle of buildings,
which had obviously grown up over the years and is well depicted in
this watercolour made in the early 1920s/30s by an unknown lady artist.
Reproduced by courtesy of Miss I Krombach, who spent some of her
childhood at the farm and is probably the artist.
The Home Farm lost much of its land when the private golf course was
constructed, originally consisting of 9 holes. The purchase of the park
by the LCC and the departure of the sanatorium to Chislehurst deprived
the farm of its reason for existence. Its final occupants from 1931‑33
were the Krombach family, in residence when the farm was leased by
United Dairies to stable its horses. It was demolished soon after they
left and the site incorporated into the now public golf course.(source
E.Inman) The position of Home Farm shown on a sketch map.
1933 - The Golf Course becomes public and at one time the busiest in
Europe, see 2016 for history and closure.
1935 – Oak tree avenue planted along the drive in the park to mark the Silver Jubilee of George V’s reign. (source; anecdotal evidence).
Among
the changes which are thought to have take place after the purchase of
the park from the Cator estate are: removal of some outbuildings and
greenhouses around the kitchen garden, conversion of the kitchen garden
into formal gardens and tennis courts, removal of the game keepers
cottage and pheasantry in the woodland. Conversion of the homesteads
including the installation of Crittal type windows and installation of
sheds for park management equipment. Essentially before English
Heritage property listing features which might otherwise have been
preserved were lost. But in the light of more recent decay due to
neglect then the situation is about the same.
1939/45 - WWII An Italian Prisioner of War 'Summerhouse' Camp was
constructed on Crab Hill and an anti aircraft gun and barrage balloon
emplacements were installed in Beckenham Place Park. Sheep grazing and
growing of some crops for
the war effort is introduced. Curiously enough the nearer one comes to
the present day the more difficult it becomes to find out what happened
to the mansion and park but Eric Inman wrote most of the following... I
know of no bombs or rockets actually falling on the park, which is
quite surprising considering the numbers, which fell on the built-up
areas close by.
However, the recollections of Derek Bates who was aged 6 or 7 at the end of WWII and lived in the stable yard homesteads in the park because his father was part of the park staff although he joined the RAF during the war. Derek recalls a V1 falling on the golf course in front of the mansion. In a memoir written primarily for his family but a copy donated to the Friends of Beckenham Place Park he recounts the windows and roof of their cottage being damaged and repaired, collecting bits of V1 and the army taking away parts of the rocket. Disappointedly he recalls his mother giving his shrapnel collection to the army. He also recalls seeing a V1 destroy housing nearby which must be the record below.
Nearby residents recall a bomb crater just off of Worsley Bridge Road and Greycot Road. The area experienced several bomb hits, V1's and V11's. Bomb strikes were mapped quite comprehensively.
This entry recalls a V1 strike near the park: “The Flying bomb exploded In Beckenham Hill Road. 1-11 ,2-16 Highland Croft,1-23 and 2-50 Braeside.184,186,188 Beckenham Hill Road, 37b Beckenham Hill Road, 31-37Southend Road, 42-80 Southend Road, Ada Lewis House Southend Road. Were damaged.”
An anti–aircraft gun and later a barrage balloon were sited near the mansion, with the operators of the latter being based in a wooden hut to one side of the mansion forecourt. (A recent park visitor, who had been stationed with the AA battery, informed us it was only here for a short time as the tactic was changed from having single weapons stationed locally, to having a larger battery at West Wickham). It has been said that Anti Aircraft fire injured or killed more civilians than it did enemy aircraft. Sheep were grazed on the golf course, but whether this displaced or supplemented the golf is something else it would be interesting to know.
Part
of the park was dug up to grow potatoes and other vegetables
particularly during the latter part of the war, when it was used as a
prisoner of war camp. It housed Italian prisoners and according to one
Italian book entitled ‘Prigionieri Italiani in Gran Bretagna (1940-47)
was Camp No 233, known as Summerhouse Camp, Ravensbourne, Bromley,
Kent. Probably some of the bumps in the ground may owe their origins to
this period and not to some more distant times as some believe. Some of
the paths through the woods also owe something to the efforts of the
prisoners, as well as stonework and path-laying in some local houses.
Another camp on Worsley Bridge Road accommodated German navy POW's
according to local residents.
A consultants report produced for the Heritage Lottery Fund bid found
that several high explosive bombs fell in the park but no damage to
buildings is recorded. Several websites show maps of bomb and rocket
explosion sites. No deaths were reported for those in the park.
Another
POW camp was nearby near the bridge in Worsley Bridge Road, and is said
to have accommodated German airmen. Again, this camp narrowly avoided
being hit by bombs which fell nearby. The camp was on a sports ground
close to the Lower Sydenham Industrial estate and nearby housing.
This image from Google Earth Historic imagery shows the POW camp on
Crab Hill
1945 – From here until 1990 very little is known apart from the fact
that the LCC/GLC managed the park and golf course and kept it
maintained to a high standard with staff and wardens. Derek Bates is
again a source of some information relating how his father spoke with
visitors to the gardens giving horticultural advice. Some photos from
his family album show how the park was well maintained.
I personally recall how busy the golf course was, with a long queue of cars waiting for the park to open with eager golfers. It was almost impossible to get a game at weekends and usually very busy during the week. For many years the golf course brought plenty of money into the coffers of Lewisham Council after 1970’s but very little money was spent on the infrasture of the park. Regretably few records are easy to acquire but at the Public Enquiry recent accounts ......
1971 - Control and ownership of the park passed from the Greater London Council to the London Borough of Lewisham (LBL) and in 1995 the boundaries were adjusted so that the whole of the park fell within Lewisham. Prior to this the mansion was in Beckenham, (since 1965 part of the new London Borough of Bromley), whilst the stables were in Lewisham as evidenced by a number of parish boundary posts which can still be seen within the park today. The present condition of the mansion and stables reflects the inability of any borough council to fund, repair and maintain a Grade 11* nationally listed building, when faced with competing higher priority responsibilities. Some sources mention the park was briefly in the possession of Bromley Council but we can’t confirm that.
1976 - The Park and other open space is designated Metropolitan Open Land, a form of inner city Green Belt under the Greater London Development Plan.
1984-7 – This extract from the Conservation Management Plan of 2009:
Records at English Heritage confirm the undertaking of further repair works in 1984-7 including the insertion of the large steel beams above the lantern, repairs to stacks, the aluminium light over the main hall, dry rot repairs. Investigation of the decorations to the ground floor ceilings was undertaken by English Heritage in about 1985. No record of the investigations has been found but they are understood to have been entirely consistent with the ceilings being of late C18 date.
1992 - Football pitches and changing rooms in the eastern part of the
park are closed to enable David Lloyd scheme (DLL). Stable Block
Homesteads and other accommodation cleared of tenants to provide vacant
possession to DLL. 11 football pitches were fully used at weekends so
this was another example of removing one group of park users for
another as with the golfers at a later date.
1992 – London Borough of Lewisham attempt to pass occupation of the park to David Lloyd Leisure for the purposes of an indoor Tennis centre and extended golf facilities. A Public Enquiry leads to rejection of the plans to extend golf and add indoor tennis centre. Ironically, this scheme would have more than doubled the golf area, as well as covering a large area of the park with indoor sports facilities. Later, in 2015, the golf is deemed unviable and removed completely.
1993/2000 – Although the Tennis Centre scheme is refused the Park is managed by David LLoyd Leisure as a 7 year management contract had been awarded prior to the public enquiry. Rejection of the tennis centre and golf extension plans was largely because of the MOL status of the park. In 1993 planning permission was granted in principle by London Borough of Lewisham for a sporting venture, which would have radically transformed what is Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) into inaccessible sporting areas, at the expense of informal leisure activities by the general public. Determined opposition by a widely supported and well-organised ‘Save Beckenham Place Park Campaign’ and other groups led to a public inquiry and rejection of the application in 1994. Many local and national groups were active in the campaign, primarily the Ravensbourne Valley Preservation Society, a local residents association. Other groups included The London Wildlife Trust, Council for the Protection of Rural England, Friends of the Earth and Save BPP Campaign group. Despite DLL being a large tennis related company they cannot provide enough nets for 3 tennis courts?
1993 - The Friends of Beckenham Place Park is inaugurated to attempt to positively influence the management of the park for conservation, heritage and open space use. At the same time the London Borough of Lewisham ex-Mayor John Rudd establishes the Beckenham Place Park Working Party for all interested parties to have a forum to discuss park related matters. Unfortunately the Council disband this forum in 2016 in a democratic backward step, in favour of forums which divide opinion.
1996 – The Friends of Beckenham Place Park open a volunteer run visitor centre in a vacant cottage in the stable block. There had already been a high level of vandalism and the Friends repaired and decorated the cottage to a degree where a park conservation worker lived there for some years afterwards. Permission was granted to open a Visitor Centre in the stable block in January 1996 to be run by volunteers from the Friends.
1997 – about this time, Eric Inman produces a series of articles on the History of Beckenham Place for the Friends of BPP newsletter. Eric and I accepted various other sources such as Hasted as bonafide but this timeline account explores aspects of written histories which have been shown to be inaccurate.
1998
- Len Hevey's book "The Early History of Beckenham" is published.
Written circa 1994 is confirms many early events which we have
rediscovered independantly. It was published after Len's death.
1999 – The Visitor Centre removed to the Mansion in November 1999. We regret leaving it as it might have saved the stable block from the later fire in 2011.
The
21st Century (Beckenham Place unless otherwise stated)
2000 - The Friends’ Visitor Centre moves into the Mansion at the invitation of a park manager.
2000/2014
- various changes is park management, consultations regarding use of
buildings, including rejection of a charitable trust bid for management
of the mansion. As part of one management tendering exercise around
2009 a firm of architects, Rees Bolter, produced a Conservation
Management Plan
(CMP) for the Mansion and a summary of possible uses. The CMP has a lot
of interesting information about the park and mansion including details
of past stages of renovation and repair. It is worth a read but bear in
mind that some of the history has since been altered and revealed. The
CMP describes how the mansion resembles Palladian designs in Italy
among other things.
2002 - Local Nature Reserve Listing (LNR) and Large Turkey Oak blown
down: Wayne Butler as an in-park conservation officer employed by a
park management company gets the park listed as a nature reserve. The
Turkey Oak tree which was the second largest of its species in the UK
and was over 230 years old came down on a windy day. The trunk had been
hollow for many years and it had suffered from vandalism which weakened
it. The date and age indicates it may have been planted by Cator.
Perhaps supplied by his father in law, Peter Collinson who supplied
many of his contacts with young trees probably cultivated in his Mill
Hill garden. Turkey Oak was introduced from Turkey early in the 18th
century and thought to be a valuable timber but it decays quickly when
harvested. 15 years after its demise very little can be seen of it
apart from some largest pieces of its trunk. It would have stood very
near the end of the original lake.
Turkey Oak - over 230 years old
2004 (?) - Beckenham Place: Mander and Mitchenson Theatre Collection leaves the mansion: having occupied most of the mansion upper floors for over 20 years the collection is moved firstly to the Greenwich University and then to Bristol University to join other theatre memorabilia. Though the collection originally had plans to turn the mansion into a theatre museum they both did not raise enough funding and also did not in my opinion take the opportunity to apply to the National Lottery Arts Fund to achieve their aims. Though occupying the mansion the collection made no contribution to its upkeep and was not open to the public.
2009 – A Conservation Management Plan is produced by Rees Bolter Architects. One of several ‘consultations’ commissioned by L.B.Lewisham this plan outlines possible uses for the mansion, its condition and history of maintenance. Though containing some errors or omissions regarding the history in our view, the Plan was comprehensive but not acted upon to any great degree. The Plan may be viewed through a link on the Friends of BPP website.
The management plan was introduced thus: (but in this history we dispute some dates) but the plan does reveal some otherwise unknowns.
Beckenham Place is a Grade II* listed mansion of c1774 with a simple stone faced exterior and a number of important interior rooms. It was extended in about 1810 by the construction of a new entrance front which incorporates a great deal of material from the great house of c1723 at Wricklemarsh. The estate was purchased by John Cator in 1773 and remained in the Cator family until 1926 when it was purchased by the London County Council. The Cators occupied the house until about 1825; it was let to a series of tenants during the remainder of the nineteenth century and was in institutional use in the early twentieth century. Since passing into public ownership the house has provided accommodation for refreshment rooms and golf related uses on upper and lower ground floor levels. Upper floors were in residential use for a time, were briefly occupied by a theatre archive and have now been empty for about ten years. The mansion is an important building, reflected in its Grade II* listing, principally because of its position in the designed landscape, the interiors of the upper ground floor and the salvaged fragments of Wricklemarsh.
As the conservation management plan concentrated on the house more will be said in ‘Additional Information’ under ‘The House on Stumps Hill’
Floor Plan of the Mansion from the Conservation Management Plan
A gap in the history here needs filling with information regarding Consultations and Tendering for use of the Mansion, such as the bid by a Korean Hotelier which would have involved unacceptable extension of the building.
The
Golf Course is put under the management of Glendale with the intention
of increasing income from the course. However, Lewisham retain all the
cost centre expenses such as grounds staff and machinery therefore most
income remains with Glendale and all costs incur to L.B.Lewisham
2011 - Most of the Stable Block destroyed by fire after being left
abandoned and insecure for several years. Most of the heritage features
of the building are destroyed including the clock which was about 300
years old. Below, the rear of the stable block facing the gardens in
less than perfect but complete condition. The righthand end had been
extensively remodelled probably after LCC takeover but the centre and
left hand end had old if not original features. The clock was nearly
300 years old and may have once been at Clockhouse, Penge.
2012 - The Friends and the Sensory Garden: Over time and with cutbacks in park staffing levels one part of the gardens became a bit past its best. The old Rose Garden had overgrown and spent plants, overgrown path edges and weeds in the paths. A grant application was made via Groundwork Trust and the Big Lottery to obtain funding for a Sensory and Nature garden. Cooperation between the Friends and a Local Authority officer on behalf of the landowner produced an application and after much ado funding was awarded allowing for upgrading of the landscaping including an improved disability access ramp. A local landscaping firm completed that work after Friends and other volunteer groups grubbed out the old planting and dug over the beds. When the landscaping was finished the park gardeners turfed around the beds and planted the central area with lavendar. The Friends began a program of planting and maintenance gardening. Corporate volunteers from Deloite put in a stag beetle loggery and installed a bench and helped with a wet area for wildlife. The garden changes with the seasons providing habitat for birds, invertibrates, small mammals and amphibians. We get the occasional surprise if a bank vole or frog jump out while gardening. Some local people keep the bird table supplied with seed and leftovers. The beds are broadly themed for touch, smell, sight and a bit of sound if its windy. Volunteer gardeners are welcome to come along to workdays regardless of experience. Although there's a kind of plan its flexible.
2014 - London Borough of Lewisham decide to bid for Heritage Lottery Fund money under the 'Parks for People' scheme to fund improvements to the park. The mansion remains excluded from any funding at this time. Although various works had been done to the mansion over a long period such as repairing the roof, installing disabled toilets etc. No complete restoration has been done. If we added up all the money spent on tinkering it would probably have paid for a proper job or at least provided match funding for a grant a long time ago. However, the scheme is not popular with all and various people object, not least the golfers whose course is deemed to close under the scheme. The Public Consultation such as it was presented four schemes either including the existing golf course or closing the golf course in favour of an 'Eighteenth Century Parkland Landscape' restoration. The latter narrowly won having the biggest quarter of the votes out of about 300 public responses. The restoration should include the reconstruction of a lake, rebuilding of the stable block and restoration of other Homestead buildings.
2014 - The Environment Agency are evaluating a flood alleviation scheme to use part of the park to prevent flooding further downriver. Floods have been recorded in Lewisham, Southend, and Beckenham over hundreds of years but infrequently i.e. the 100 year flood which intimates a flood event will happen even if rarely. A prevention scheme was installed on the River Quaggy at Sutcliffe Park some years ago. the Quaggy / Ravensbourne and Pool rivers have combined by the time they get to Lewisham near the station. A deluge backs up at that point threatening housing and businesses. The result of uncontrolled or ill advised development on river floodplains. There could be some landscaping and nature habitat advantages to this scheme but at time of writing detailed plans and consultation is awaited.
2015 - The mansion remains at risk awaiting HLF restoration bid, The park and homesteads await the production of stage 2 HLF bid for restoration etc.
2016 - Lewisham Council close the public golf course, unable or unwilling to make it financially viable. The Mansion is put on short term lease to a property management organisation RJK Properties with intentions to increase use of the building.
At this time Lewisham Council (councillors and officers one presumes) decide to disband the Beckenham Place Park Working Party, probably because members of the working party tell them things they don’t like to hear. They establish 3 forums which in the view of some is a ‘divide and rule’ tactic. Public representation of views is suppressed by this procedure in my opinion.
2017 - Heritage Lottery Fund bid for £4.9million approved for park and some buildings regeneration. At time of writing the Local Authority are tendering for design consultants for the actual scheme after former consultants produced plans for the bid? Why the original tender couldn't have included a proviso that if the bid was approved the former consultants would continue with the scheme God alone knows. Seems a lot of the money will be spent before a shovel hits the ground or a brick is laid. Fairly comprehensive plans were submitted with the bid and for the planning permission application but a furter 'detailed design' phase is being tendered.
2017
- May 13th The Public Park's 90th anniversary. This is the date of the
LCC meeting in 1927 which appears to have decided the purchase of the
Park from The Cator estate. The Foxgrove Club Golf Course and the
Norwood Sanatorium had active leases for a short time.
2017 - August: New design consultants have been appointed to perform
the detailed planning. Planning permission for the scheme is still not
granted awaiting, we assume, presentation of detailed plans. Apparently
some concerns remain regarding the lake and its proposed source of
water i.e. the stream appears inadequate, a borehole would be perhaps
inadmissable and its event suggested that filling of the lake would be
by mains water.
2017 - October. The planning application for grant related works is
approved by Lewisham Council. Alterations to the landscaping will
include removal of some trees which were planted to define the now
closed golf course. The Mansion although in use and under a short term
lease to RJK Properties is still on the English Heritage at risk
register and not included in any current restoration grant or scheme.
See Additional Information in another next file to be completed soon. Full references will be added here shortly and amendments or corrections will continue to be made to this account.
Common differences in accounts. The date of Beckenham Place
now proved to be 1760/62 versus 1773 in other accounts. Anne Boleyn
instead of Anne of Cleves, the latter should be correct if any truth in
the story. Linnaeus did not visit Beckenham or know Cator, he did know
Peter Collinson in 1735/6. John Cator is confused
with his heir John Barwell Cator after 1806. Four Peter Burrells its
important to know which one is being referred to.
About the Park Buildings History Nature Trail Sensory Garden Gardens Woodland Meadows Riverside Wildlife Golf Course
This page gives a brief timeline of the main
events in the evolution of Beckenham Place Park Timeline of the park's evolution:
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Glossary;
As we have encountered several terms of which we were ignorant at the outset of this project here are some definitions;
Fee simple: sometimes translated as see simple due to the use of the letter f for an s, this is an earlier form of freehold.
Quit Rent
Querant: someone pursuing a case, a plaintif
Deforciant: someone keeping a rightful owner out of property.
Enfeoffment: binding by service, granting property in return for a service ie for a knights fee,
Feet of Fines: http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/fines/FinesArticle.pdf