Beckenham History 1600 to 1800

But we are finding that the accounts of Philipot and Hasted treat the descent of Beckenham manor perhaps too briefly and with missed elements. No confirmation of a “Sergeant Gent” has been found. 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)

1600 – Burials in Beckenham St. George’s from the earliest records in 1539 total about 720. We might assume that those 60 years indicate about 12 per annum i.e. 1200 for the century.

1604 - Penge: 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' (see Manor of Beckenham 1623 and 1768) 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. (source: H.E.Malden)

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. The derivation of the names of Lords Riden’s Wood may be questionable if the 1623 Beckenham manor map is used as field outlines could be translated as separate fields called Lords and Ridens.

Reference: 242/5 (BHC) Title: Deed poll of feoffment Description: For £200 of Lillie Hawe, a messuage at Sippenham, occ. Thomas Brookhouse; land (9a. abuttals given); Rasselandes or Rastlandes, occ. William Monckclere; 4 pieces of land (abuttals given); Shalfoord Mead (3r.), Lewisham; messuage at Sippenham, occ. Robert Leigh (abuttals given)

Arnold King to Alice King, widow of Henry King of Beckenham, yeoman
Date: 29 Jun 1604

Reference: 242/4 Title: Fine acknowledging 2 messuages, 3 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, land (12a.), meadow (1a.), pasture (4a.)

Description: Arnold King of Beckenham, yeoman (plaintiff)
Robert Leigh (e) and Frances, his wife (deforciants)

1607 – Langley; On Sunday 16th July 1607 a private chapel was consecrated by Dr Barlowe Bishop of Rochester (preserved in the Bodleian Library). Those present were Edmund Style, Henry Snelgrave, Robert Leigh Esq, William Style, Edmund Style jnr, Edmund Scott (gentry) & Christopher Fountains & Arnold Stansmoor the Beckenham churchwardens. The full consecration is described in full. There is also reference to an old chapel or oratory within Langley mansion.

Neither Fountains or Stansmoor are in burial records but Stansmoor’s wife Agnes is recorded. Robert Borrowman (1910) recites the full record transcript. Leigh and Snelgrave are linked as both the owner of one moietie of Beckenham Manor and perhaps his tenant in that Hasted tells us that Robert Leigh sells his moietie of Beckenham Manor to Snelgrave circa 1610. Snelgrave holds a position as Justice of the Peace for Kent and may be Leigh’s tenant until he purchases the moietie of Beckenham Manor from Leigh. Hasted and Lysons recite “Clement Harleston sold it (Beckenham Manor moietie), in 1530, to Robert Legh, Esq. (fn. 7), whose descendant of the same name, in 1610, aliened it to Henry Snelgar, or Snelgrave, Esq. (fn. 8) (afterwards knighted). About the year 1650, it was sold, by his grandson Henry Snelgrave, Esq. to Walter St. John, Esq.”

See 1623 and 1633 for Snelgrave (map of Beckenham Manor and mention in a letter by Humphrey Style). His connection to the Stiles is prior to his purchase of part of Beckenham Manor is interesting and is evidence of his rise perhaps by being associated with the Stile family as he becomes knighted and a JP.

Ref; Bodleian Library, Rawlinson MS C.868 (SC 12703) and Robert Borrowman (1910)

Surrey History Centre Ref No:PCC/CROY/48 Repository:Surrey History Centre, Woking Date:13 Dec 1609

Description:All my copyhold land and all my goods to Lettice Winstanley daughter of Beatrix his daughter with remainder to Michael son of William Wood of Lurchins, Beckenham, Kent, yeoman; Lettice Winstanley, exec.; Henry Harman of Croydon, guardian of Lettice and residue of increase over cost of bringing up Lettice to my son in law John Winstanley who not to interfere in the estate; Henry Harman and Henry Hunt alias Sewer of Croydon, overseers
Witnesses: [none given]
Proved: 28 June 1610 to Juliana Wood, relict in minority of exec.

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. Lysons does add footnote references for patent rolls of Henry VIII and James 1. Other documents about this time record some of the Leigh family property dealings. Confusion between the Leighs of Addington and Foxgrove and the Leighs who acquired part of Beckenham Manor is to be avoided. Also a John Leigh acquired the Manor of Bellingham in Lewisham. The Beckenham Manor map of 1623 evidences Snelgar(Snelgrave) and Dalston as each owning a half moiety of the manor although it is a 1768 copy.

1610 – Land near Langley? 12 Nov Thomas Dainporte of St Saviours, Soutwarke, Surrey v Edmund Stile and William Stile. Possession of a share in gavelkind lands in Wickham and Beckenham, Kent. C78/229, no. 6 [78]

Some extracts from the document as follows; Thomas Dainporte gent, Edmund Stile Esq & William Stile gent

William [Easton?] gent decd late of Southlambeth Surrey was seized in gavelkind of lands and appurts in Wickham & Beckenham – his sons John & William inherited. John conveyed his moiety to the complainant & William sold his to Henry Emerson. Dainporte could not agree a price to sell to Edmund Stile, meanwhile Emerson sold his portion to Edmund Stile & it became a 1000yr lease to William Stile. Not knowing this Dainporte let his moiety to Gardner & then Phillips but Edmund Stiles disturbed their occupation turning cattle out but he being a JP committed them to prison so they gave the land back to Dainporte. Ultimately Edmund Stile admitted the error of his ways and the complainant got to choose his remedy so they split the lands.

Lands concerned described as firstly House & appurts together with a field, a field N&W of house called Cookes Field, Billocks Close, Chapmans Close [or field?] a close called Sanguenette, pond close, a corner of conduit field. Secondly Long Mead, a grove or coppice called Cookes als(alias?) Estons Grove adjoining on the highway leading from Beckenham to Wickham, a piece of ground called Peartree Field previously divided in two, Conduit Field.

· Description:To my son George M. 30 at marriage and if my wife remarries then she to pay it then and if George dies to my son Nicholas M.; to my son George a dunnish grey stoned colt with a bald face in my farm at Beckenham; to my son Nicholas M. 10; to my daughter Ann wife of Arthur Wrighte of Bromley my biggest black cow; my wife to pay to my daughter Mary wife of George Johnson 2; residue to my wife Joyce, exec.; Thomas Batt of Croydon, overseer
Witnesses: Samuel Frisby, scr.; William Barnabe
Codicil 16 Nov 1612: to my son Robert M. 5s; to my daughter Mary wife of George Johnson 5s; to my daughter Christabel wife of Nicholas Mather 5s; to my daughter Grace M. 5s; Nicholas Mather and Griffith Mather owe me by obligation of 27 Jul 1609 for 10 to pay 5 2s on 13 Oct next and it to my son George
Witnesses: Samuel Frisbye, scr.; Robert Brytton (X); Alice wife of Henry Robinson
Codicil 5 Dec 1612: to my son Nicholas what is due from William Thorne and William Purdewe by bond
Witness: Samuel Finche, vicar
Proved: 14 January 1612/3 to exec.

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.

1615 - In 1615 Edmund Style purchased the 40a of Cook’s Farm in Wickham & his son William was able to acquire “part of Cook’s in Great Mead or in other words the now cleared frith of the manor and in 1642 the Styles enclosed this part with a pale or deer fence, this is now the (Langley Park) golf course. More adjacent parcels followed to form a home farm for Langley that eventually became known as Red Lodge.
West Wickham Past & Present Patricia Knowlden & Joyce Walker

1615 - Langley; December 26th and 27th; Parish records show that John Stile, sonne of Edmund Stile theYounger was borne on the xxvi and baptised on xxvii December at Langley Chapel lawfully consecrated by L.Barloe, late Bishop of Rochester

1617 – Langley; death of Edmund Style and William Style (1560-1624) inherits Langley from his father Sir Edmund Style (1538-1617)

Edmund’s will mentions an exchange of some lands between him and Oliph Leigh Esq. being some farm in Addington from Leigh in exchange for lands in Beckenham called the Crofts for the term of one thousand years, effectively a permanent exchange unless reversed by some subsequent agreement. Oliph Leigh had possession of Foxgrove Manor this implies some attempt to reorganise holdings? Other land acquired from John Brookecroft? of Sippenham, Lewisham (Sydenham) is bequeathed to Edmund Style junior and a windmill in Bromley is mentioned, whether this is the mill in Keston which is described on a Langley map of circa 1740 needs to be confirmed. Another candidate would be the windmill in Lodge Farm on nearby Bromley Hill.

1619 - A Court of Chancery record, Dalston and Snelgar/Snelgrave each had half of Beckenham Manor and the 1623 map legend stating "as yet undivided" seems to imply that no agreed division exists. Short title: Snelgar v Dalston.Plaintiffs: Sir Henry Snelgar kt. Defendants: Sir John Dalston kt and others.ubject: moiety of the manor of Beckenham, Kent. Document type: bill, two answers.

1619 – The Will of Jeremy Kempsall, yeoman; He makes provision for three surviving daughters and sons Henry and Jeremy. He mentions land called ‘Masons’ which we haven’t identified yet although a temptation remains to connect it with Mason’s Hill in Bromley it is described as being in Beckenham. He mentions ‘tenements’ implying he is letting some property to tenants.

1620-25 Beckenham Manor part of, Philipot and Hasted describe that a successor of John Leigh alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave, from whom it descended to his grandson (1639), but Lysons places it in 1610.

1623 – Henry/Harry Kempsall will probate 8^th July leaves his son Thomas, wife Ann and daughter Frances crops and goods from his leasehold land in Battersea (Penge?). Harry Kempsall in Beckenham burials for 11^th June 1623.

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. Snellyer/Snelgrave had purchased his part and John Dalston had acquired his part through family inheritance and intermarriage with an heiress of the Tyrell’s. The Manor became rejoined into one under the St.John family circa 1635-50. 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. The date 1623 is significant as it is the date at which Patricius Curwen inherits from his father Henry Curwen who had married a daughter of John Dalston and Catherine (or Anne?)Tyrell

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. see 1619 Chancery suit.

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

"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.

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 unless the map refers to Richard d.1616. But “Baldwins” are recorded in Penge into the 18^th Century. Alice wife of Richard of The Abbey confirms the map information to a great extent.

Sir John Dalston is traceable as MP for Cumberland who soon after sold or transferred his part to Patricius Curwen, also MP for Cumberland apparently via family intermarriage.
Both Dalston and Curwen are recorded on History of Parliament online. The name Snellyer seems to be interchangeable or aliased with Snelgrave and Snelgar.

The list of Rectors for the church shows that Dalston had the advowson of the church thereby appointing the Rector from 1616 according to records in Hasted but this contradicts Dalston's date of death in 1614 and may relate to Sir John's son Sir George Dalston (1581-1657) holding the advowson? (see below, Lyson's extract).

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 but it is unlikely as the Dalston's were tied to Cumberland. https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/curwen-patricius-1602-1664

A footnote in Lyson's Environs of London states: 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.

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.

1623 – Penge; Surrey Wills ref; SW/10_537
John Haswell (X) of Penge, Battersea, husbandman, sick 30 Jun 1623 (to be buried in the churchyard of Beckenham, Kent)
profit of lease of 'Sellers Wood' and 'Sellers Field' to the use of my five children; residue to my wife Catherine Haswell, exec. and to bringing up my children
Overseers: cousin Thomas Haswell; John Haswell
Witnesses: Richard Bristowe; John Slighter; Robert Daulton (X)
Proved: 29 Jul 1623 to relict [DW/PA/7/10 f.284v; DW/PA/5/1623/55]

See 1626 Haswell. Beckenham burials also has another John Haswil buried in 1624 who may be the cousin or one of the children, these are the only two Haswell burials at St. George’s so maybe the lease expired or was sold and the family moved away?

1624 - Langley, Simpson's Place, Kent House etc: 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.

Stephen Scott (1579-1658) listed below is of Hayes Place, Hayes, Kent and the family intermarried with both the Styles family and Brograves of Kelsey in different generations ie Stephen Scott’s second wife was Elizabeth Brograve by whom he had three sons and two daughters. His sister Katherine Scott married Edmund Style of Langley. Some of Scott’s property is said to have been in Beckenham but certainly very close by.

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[Lewisham]). Witn. Stephen Scott, Robert Style (a younger son of Wm.Style), Ra. Massie, Richard Harvye (in Beckenham burials as a servant of Sir Humphrey Style), 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. The will of William 1624 leaves bequests to his many children with some property in Beckenham and West Wickham which is under tenants going to some younger sons. Sir Humphrey is the main heir to Langley. The will deserves some transcription to understand the full implications of William’s bequests. The previous entry regarding the marriage settlement of Humphrey Style also gives some idea of property complexity associated with Langley.

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.

May 18. Grant of Baronetcy to Sir Humphrey Styles, with precedence before all Baronets made since February 1, 1627. [Docquet.]
May 18. Warrant to discharge the said Sir Humphrey Styles, of money payable in respect of his Baronetcy. [Docquet.]
Source; BHO

1627 – Langley or nearby?; 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

The interesting aspect of this is that it predates the death of Sir Humphrey Style who is landlord of Langley and William had received other property by the will of their father William Style. It is possible that William is occupying Langley by permission or lease of his half-brother Humphrey.

1627 – Langley; Calendar of State Papers Charles I; Humphrey Style to Buckingham. The King granted him a charter of free-warren in lands about his house, but Sir Francis Lee, of Kent, his next neighbour, maliciously opposed the grant. On a reference to the Attorney General, petitioner proved that it was of no damage to any one, but still Sir Francis reports that he shall never enjoy it. Entreats the favour of the Duke, and that he will take notice that Sir Francis Lee (Leigh) has lately headed an opposition of the tenants of a manor against the King's prerogative, and at the Green Cloth boasted that there would be a parliament shortly, and before he would lose the least part of his freedom he would spend the best blood of his body, and that if ever there was a Parliament he knew what to do;—subscribed, "Your Grace's poor creature and humble servant." (BHO)

1627 – Sir Oliver St. John, Viscount Grandison of Limerick and Baron Tregoze, purchases the manors of Wandsworth and Battersea. Oliver had connections with the area via his marriage to Joan Roydon (widow of Thomas Holcroft of Battersea). His death in 1630 without a direct heir will pass Battersea to his nephew John St. John whose son Oliver will purchase part of Beckenham Manor circa 1639. Sources; TNA and Dictionary of National Biography

1632 – Langley; Borrowman (1910) relates; Humphrey Style writes a letter to his wife about arranging a procession for his cousin Sir Thomas Style of Wateringbury who is Sherrif of Kent in 1632. Whether the Snelgar is Henry Snelgrave of Beckenham Manor is in question but highly likely although the tasks set for Snelgar imply a more lowly rank. An alternative might be that one of the Snelgrave family Robert or Thomas are in the employ of Stile. Some curiosity must be expressed regarding Court cases in Chancery between Style and Snelgar (Snelgrave) but Chancery disputes were often used to settle property ownership iel Beckenham Manor and Langley being so intertwined. Snelgrave is also a JP for Kent:

Sir Humphrey Style 1632.(original spellings) from Robert Borrowman's "Beckenham Past and Present" and also recorded in Kent Archaeology “(For the following letter, interesting as illustrating the habits of the time, we are indebted to the kind courtesy of the late Rev. J. Hunter, E.S.A., Assistant Keeper of the Records, who copied it in the year 1807, from a collection of autographs made by Mr. John Wilson, of Broomhead, near Sheffield, who died in 1783.) “. Borrowman's source was probably Archaeologica Cantiana published in the 1890's.

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.

On Saturdaye morning,before you goe out of towne, send Snelgar to Sir John Spralie, to fetch the hourse hee hath lent me, and let him be wel looked to at my stable in London, till I coom thither on mundaie; then I will dispose of him, and would have Mr Brookes to fit the boyes shute to him, and if there be ever on ould laced band of mine past my wearing, let the boye have it. If the Croidon Shoemaker hath not brought my boots and the boy’s let him be sent for with all speede. I woulde have the coachman, if thou canst spare him to goe to Langlie for a day or two, and let him take oile with him, to oile the great coche and let him bee sure it bee well mended and cleane, for I wolde have that Coche brought to mee on Shrove Sundaie to London, to be theare in readiness. I would have thee send for Sir Cornelius Fairemedu, to desire him not to faile to be ready according to his promis, on Tewesdaye monrninge, to goe along with mee; also that he speak to Sir John Ashfield and Mr. Braye and any one gallant man like hiumselfe, that may make the better showe. Let Mr. Brooke be spoken to my satin shute bee in readiness and, if I have never a silver hatband, that he bespeak mee a curious neate one. I wold have brought from Langleye the felt hat laced with satten, and my damaske night bagg and cloth.

This is all Sweete Harte, I can remember for this time, I pray thee bee merry and make mutch of thyself and take the coch and goe brode this fayre wether, it will do thee good so, with my best love to thee, and my kind remembrance to my sister and all our friends, in great hast by Reason of the spedie departure of the bearer who hath promised me safely to deliver this letter, I rest thy trewly loving husband Hm Stile

From Mon de Soubise his howse neare Salisbery the 16^th Feb To his ever honoured friend the Lady Elizabeth Stile at her howse in Aldersgate Street next door to the Half Moon Taverne be these delieured.

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 travel to and from London especially where it might carry infection to royal residences. (source BHO Calendar of State Papers Charles I)

61. The Council to the Justices of Peace, co. Middlesex. The selling of rags in this time of infection being a great cause of dispersing the plague in the country near London, and there being no means to suppress such dealing whilst the paper mills in Middlesex are suffered to work, his Majesty had commanded the writers to give directions that no paper mills within that county be permitted to go or work until it shall please God to remove the contagion. The justices are required not only to stay the working of all such mills, but to suppress the buying of any rags or old clothes, and if any refuse to obey, they are to commit them till they be brought to a better understanding. [Draft. ½ p.]

62. The same to the Justices of Peace for Surrey near Nonsuch and Oatlands. By letters of 11th June the Lords gave them charge to inquire what houses within ten miles of Hampton Court and Oatlands received inmates or sojourners and to take order for the present removing of them. The Lords are given to understand that diverse Londoners have obtained houses, not only near Hampton Court and Oatlands, but near Nonsuch also, and there inhabit, going daily to and from London, which cannot be without great peril to their Majesties. The justices were charged not only to perform the former letter, but also to remove such persons as coming from London or Westminster have settled as aforesaid. Persons who settled before the said letters are to be enjoined that they neither go nor suffer their servants to pass to and from London, upon pain to be removed from their houses or to have the same shut up. [Draft. 1¼ p.]

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.]

1636 – Beckenham connected Coulsdon, Surrey; Surrey Wills ref; SW/13_54
Thomas Haswell of Coulsdon, yeoman, sick 25 Nov 1636
I am indebted to my sister Agnes Kempsell for £10 which to be paid within six months and I leave her the dwelling in my house for life; my brother John Haswell owes me £30 which I give to him; to the three daughters of John Haswell late of Beckenham, Kent deceased 13s 8d each when 21; residue to my wife Jane Haswell, exec.
Overseers: Miles Hatcher; William Greene
Witnesses: John Butler, writer
Proved: 31 Mar 1639 to exec. [DW/PA/7/13 ff.24v-25r; DW/PA/5/1639/70]

See Haswell 1623. The evidence of a Haswell/Kempsall link adds to the genealogy of Beckenham families. As no Agnes Kempsall is in burial records after 1636 she either remarried or moved away (into the Coulsdon house?).

1637 - 15th March; The King's protection to Sir Humphrey Stiles [Style], which had been stayed from passing the Great Seal as being contrary to the Council's Orders, was allowed, this once only, after promises made by Style to the King for the settlement of his debts.

1637 – Robert Snelgrave, a younger son of Sir Henry Snelgrave of Beckenham Manor marries; SNELGRAVE Robert, gent, of Beckenham, co. Kent, bachelor, 36, and Mary ADAMS, of St Giles in the Fields, widow, 33 – at St Gregory, London. 11 Nov 1637. I wonder if marrying a widow both in their 30’s may mean they had no offspring being a reason that Beckenham Manor descended to Henry Snelgrave’s grandson in 1639.

1638/39 - Beckenham Manor (at the latest) - Patricius or Patrick Curwen, MP for Cumberland sold his interest in (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 – Sir Humphrey Style of Langley is appointed a commissioner for collection of subsidy; Charles I, 1640: An Act for the releif of His Majesties Armie and the Northern Parts of the Kingdome.

Sir Humphrey Style of Langley, co. Kent, bart v William Shaw the younger of St Michael, Crooked Lane, London, merchant

Style complained that close to midnight on 7 January 1640, at a supper in the Bell Tavern in St Martin Orgar, London, in the presence of his brother, Michael Style, draper, Robert Ellis, merchant, and Mr Job Royce, Shaw had said, 'I know what Sir Humfry Styles is, he is a man worth nothing; he hath gamed away all his estate; he doth flinge his baggs in every corner; he is a base conditioned fellow'. Style was not present, but his brother and Ellis began trading blows with Shaw who later had Michael Style brought before a J.P. and bound over to appear at the next quarter sessions. Shaw and Michael Style also began suits against each other in the Court of Common Pleas and Crown Office. Process was granted on 15 February 1640 and Style presented his libel on 1 May. His brother and Ellis appeared as witnesses before the court in June and July and proceedings were still under way in October 1640; but nothing further survives.

Brogreve, Edward, of London, gent; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, collier; Godfrey, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Morys, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Kitman, Robert, of Bekenham, laborer; Colyns, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Style, Edmund, of Mepeham, horse collar maker; Toppesfeld, Robert, of Batersey, Surrey, laborerBrogreve, Edward, of London, gent; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, collier; Godfrey, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Morys, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Kitman, Robert, of Bekenham, laborer; Colyns, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Style, Edmund, of Mepeham, horse collar maker; Toppesfeld, Robert, of Batersey, Surrey, laborerBrogreve, Edward, of London, gent; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, collier; Godfrey, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Morys, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Kitman, Robert, of Bekenham, laborer; Colyns, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Style, Edmund, of Mepeham, horse collar maker; Toppesfeld, Robert, of Batersey, Surrey, laborerBrogreve, Edward, of London, gent; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, collier; Godfrey, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Morys, Richard, of Bekenham, laborer; Kitman, Robert, of Bekenham, laborer; Colyns, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Lowen, Thomas, of Bekenham, laborer; Style, Edmund, of Mepeham, horse collar maker; Toppesfeld, Robert, of Batersey, Surrey, laborer

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.

1642 - In 1615 Edmund Style purchased the 40a of Cook’s Farm in Wickham & his son William was able to acquire “part of Cook’s in Great Mead or in other words the now cleared frith of the manor and in 1642 the Styles enclosed this part with a pale or deer fence, this is now the (Langley Park) golf course. More adjacent parcels followed to form a home farm for Langley that eventually became known as Red Lodge. West Wickham Past & Present Patricia Knowlden & Joyce Walker

1642	Trin	Surrey	Robert Killick	Thomas Bedford de Beckenham, Kent, collier; And v. Henry Udall de Newington St Mary, innholder	Debt: each render £40: sum: nh: cap; cap: nei: s pr cap	CP40/2501, m. 3171 f[1,751]

1642 - Kings Bench; May we guess that Thomas Snelgrave as son of Sir Henry Snelgrave (d.1639) may have been passed over by his father's will because he was in debt and the grandson, Henry Snelgrave was Sir Henry's beneficiary. At this time during the Civil War it may be that the Snelgraves were in decline as Sir Henry had been a magistrate for Charles I. This culminated in Snelgraves moiety of Beckenham Manor eventually being sold to the St.Johns.

1642	Trin	London	Richard Hubert, knight, executor of Thomas Wroughton, armiger	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	KB27/1676, m. 263 [2,402]

Ordered, That Sir Humphrey Stiles, a Servant to His Majesty, shall have a Pass, quietly to go to Oxford. Charles I held court at Oxford during the Civil War. Sir Humphrey was a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and a cup bearer to the king.

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 (sequestered) from his occupancy of the parish church presumably by the Puritan movement during the Civil War.

A website called Connected Histories has an entry from May 1644 "17. 133. Petition of Giles Theyer to the Committees for the Parliament. That he being possessor of a team in Beckenham was obliged to disburse 5 l . 3 s . 4 d . to redeem his team of horses,
"The full story from Mocavo....

May 17. 133. Petition of Giles Theyer to the Committees for the Parliament. That he being possessor of a team in Beckenham was obliged to disburse 51. 3s. 4d. to redeem his team of horses,they being seized for non-payment of the l0d. tax levied on that parish; the deficiency was caused by inability to collect the sum assessed on Dr. Skynner, late rector of that parish, who was then under sequestration. Older having been passed by the Committee that money disbursed for taxes unpaid of lands in sequestration shall be allowed out of the rents from the tenants, or upon account by the Treasurer of Sequestrations. Petitioner being a poor man prays that order may be taken for repayment to him of the said sum, which he cannot afford to lose. Underwritten,

133. I. Ordered that Daniel Shetterden shall repay the money advanced by Giles Theyer. Dorso,
133. II. Receipt by Giles Theyer for 51. 3s. 4d. received of DanielShetterden. 18th May 1644.
133. III. Ordered, that as the above-named sum was omitted to be allowed to Mr. Shetterden upon the passing of his former sequestration accounts, the same be allowed to him out of such sequestration money as is now in his hands.

1644 - Foxgrove: LEIGH, Sir Francis II (1590-1644), of Addington, Surrey. and East Wickham, Kent dies. He is the Sir Francis Leigh identified as holding Foxgrove Manor by Thomas Philipott (see 1659 below) also see History of Parliament online. And he is the Francis Leigh indicated on the Beckenham Manor map because when Proudlove copied the map he did not update the Foxgrove landlord/s for 1768. A little confusing as the last Leigh to hold Foxgrove is also named Sir Francis who dies in 1711. It appears that Thomas Leigh holds Foxgrove from 1644 until 1665

1645 - John Philipot, author of Villare Cantianum, published by his son Thomas. He was at Oxford with the Court during the Civil War until captured by a parliamentary troop in the spring of 1645 and brought to London.He never compounded, but drew up his will on 15 Nov., wherein he asked his wife to publish ‘the survey of Kent wherein I have taken so great labour and pains’.He died a week later, and, all social pretensions at an end, was buried as ‘Mr. John Filpott’ at St. Benet, Paul’s Wharf, the parish in which the College of Arms was located.The Kent survey to which he referred was published under the name of his eldest son, Thomas, in 1659.In the following year his catalogue of the knights dubbed by James I also appeared in print. No later member of the family entered Parliament.
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/philipot-john-15889-1645

1646 - Letters of Sir Stephen Lennard & his wife Anne source West Wickham Past & Present Patricia Knowlden & Joyce Walker

Two hundred Parliamentary soldiers are billeted locally. They have brought the sickness (smallpox) into Beckenham in two houses Abigail my maid and Mr Laines son (of Langley brewhouse) is sick. Sir Humphrey (Stile) & his wife are gone from Langley for fear of it.

see 1643, Sir Humphrey Stile summoned to Oxford to the court of Charles I. It was strange how apparantly opponents in the Civil War co-existed? Very Civil indeed.

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)

1647 – Various properties in Beckenham and Penge descending froim Michael Leigh to the Batt family. Starts with Michael Leigh snr. In his will 1647 he mentions Willmers Field & Powry Field purchased from Humphrey Style 4 years before and possibly other land in Beckenham. Beneficiaries son Michael & daughter Rose (Kinsey).

Michael jnr dies 1688 and leaves the lands to his nephew & niece chidren of sister Rose, Richard & Mary Kinsey. Rose Kinsey died 1707 and left a will beneficiaries son & daughter (now Mary Batt wife of Henry)

Around this time we see a Chancery case 324r Kent 1690, May 26 Pyne, John, son and heir of Thomas Pyne late of Beckenham, deceased Kinsey, Richard; and Henry Batt Concerning a legacy devised by the will of Michael Leigh the elder of Battersea, Surrey. Dismissal of the defendants.

The son Richard Kinsey dies 1710 Beckenham. No will so Mary inherits his portion too.

Robert Hamond (X) of Penge, Battersea, sick and weak 18 Mar 1688/9 (to be buried in Beckenham, Kent)

all to Henry Batt of Penge, snr. exec. and rest of land to Henry Batt, jnr. at lawful age with remainder to Henry, snr.; to my sister ... King 2s 6d; to my brother John Hamond 2s 6d; to my brother Nicholas Hamond 2s 6d; to my brother Jacob Hamond all my clothes, a pair of sheets and £3

purchased of the children of the late John Harris of Beknam a messuage & 14a now occ John Woodly settled on his daughter Mary Batt & her heirs

To my wife Mary Batt ú10pa from messuage called Fullers 15a at Sidenham Green in Lewisham occ John Constable

To my son Henry Batt lands previously of the Earl of Oxon (Countess of Oxford) in Lewisham, Beknam, Battersea & Bromley which i have agreed to purchase for ú3000. Directs purchase to go ahead in the names of his wife & son Henry. After completion to sell parts ie several parcels of land & messuage in Bromley now occ Col Edward King, a messuage & 4a in Bromley town occ Thomas Comb butcher, 26a Bromley Common occ Robert Shorter, land at Sidenham Green Lewisham 9a occ Robert Tilbersome, a further 15a at same occ Richard Clowder to settle any debts.

Wife & son to convey messuage 15a in Battersea occ Robert Fox to daughter Jane to fund an annuity

Will to son Henry (then grandson Michael Batt "St Peters Hall"inc barn stable 13a occ Matthew Golderin Penge and adjacent Gatehouse Field 6a behind widow Tomsetts house, & Calloways Croft 2a next Sarah Hammonds house occ Thomas Tomsett also land abutting Shawfords bridge called Long Mead occ John Collier also Brooks Field 4a occ Mark Matthew, also 3 tenements occ Matthew Wright, William Sparrow & Christopher Chapman, also Hubbards 5a, Christmas Croft 4a, five fields called Wilmots Fields adjacent to Wilmots Bridge 12a

To daughter Mary & heirs (or grandson Michael Batt if none)wife of Samuel Pugh two fields called Powey Fields 8a lying in or near Batts Lane occ John Carpenter, my house.

Cousin Jane Marshall, godson Richard Marshall his sister Mary wife of Wm Sumpter

son Michael will benefit from joynture of Elizabeth Batt his mother & the will of his grandmother Mary Batt so he provides for his daughter Mary Batt leaving property in Beckenham, Bromley & Battersea.

Title: Lease for 21 yrs @ £32 p.a. of Roystons, a messuage, orchard, and garden near Penge Green, and closes (field names and acreages given)

dau Eleanor f'hold on Pickards Lane bought of John Cliff rebuilt & occ Robert Howard

Description Probate of will and administration of Samuel Pugh of Beckenham. Appoints wife Mary and daughters, Susannah Willis and Eleanor Pugh, executrixes. Bequest of £3000 to Thomas Burke, of Southwark, George Roberts, and John Willis, of Southwark, dyer,as trustees for Eleanor Pugh. Bequests of £1000 to Mary Pugh; freehold messuage bought of John Cliff and since rebuilt, and 5 acres near the lane leading to Pickards Green, Beckenham, occupied by Robert Howard to Eleanor Pugh; To wife Little Farm, 2 houses and 16 acres, at Aylmers End (thereafter to grandson Sherlock Willis); 9 acres at. Sydenham occupied by - Anderson; 17 acres at Sydenham occupied by - Clowder (thereafter to grandson, John Willis); Mansion, appurtenances, garden and 22 acres, Beckenham (thereafter to Susannah Willis): Leasehold messuage, dyehouse, yard, outhouses in the Maze, Southwark, Surrey (thereafter to grandson Pugh Willis). Also money bequests to named grandchildren, relatives, friends. Administration granted to John Willis, 11 March 1760

to (Mrs) Mary Oakman (wife of Thomas?) of Milton, Kent, sp. all my clothes and all my goods, three gold rings, a pair of silver buckles, a silver spoon marked EW and a silver bodkin; to (Mrs) Joan Pugh wife of (Mr) Samuel Pugh my wedding ring and another ring marked JW; to my son in law Robert Wright 1s; residue to (Mr) Samuel Pugh of St Olave Southwark, dyer, exec.

Witnesses: Mathew Smith; Edward North; William Hopkins, clerk to (Mr) Woodcraft in the

lands in Southwark from husband Samuel Pugh to 4 grand daughters Mary Heaton, Eleanor Willis, Eleanor Baylis & Mary Baylis

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].

Also; Chancery case TNA ref: C 5/396/42 Short title: Evelyn v Snelgar alias Snelgrave.
Plaintiffs: John Evelyn.
Defendants: Henry Snelgar alias Henry Snelgrave and Thomas Snelgar alias Thomas Snelgrave. property in Beckenham, Kent. Document type: answer1648

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.

1648 – Beckenham Manor/Penge?; From Surrey Record Office, this Exemplification of a recovery is recorded here as Battersea covered parts of Penge in the 17^th Century and could refer to parts of Snelgrave’s moietie of Beckenham Manor which had been leased. It would be contemporary with the Snelgrave sale of Beckenham Manor, see previous 1648 item.

Henry Martyn, gent, and William Whorlwood, gent, plaintiffs, Robert Abbott, defendant, Henry Snelgar alias Snelgrave, vouchee 2 messuages, 2 gardens and 1a land in Battersey [Battersea]. Recovery suffered Michaelmas term 24 Car. [I]; exemplified 28 Nov 24 Car. I [1648]

The mention of Robert Abbott here implies some connection with the moietie of Beckenham Manor which was between Penge and Rockhills and the farm called Abbey. Henry Snelgar/Snelgrave was the grandson of Sir Henry Snelgrave and sold his interest to the Evelyn brothers John, George and Richard. See 1651 where the Evelyns sell to Walter and Henry St. John.

1649 - John Stensmore (Stainesmore) husbandman, leaves a will mentioning his wife Katherine, two granddaughters Ellen and Richard Terle, children of his daughter Catherine and son in law Alexander Terle (Ferle?) and friend Roger Musgrove, Yeoman. Yeoman indicates a small landowner/gentleman farmer while husbandman indicates a tenant farmer. The next entry 1650 indicates that Stainesmores had been landowners but sold it to the Gattons who in turn transferred it to the Burrells via Jones Raymond of Langley. Gatton land was between Kelsey and Langley on the Burrell Kelsey map.

The Stainesmores were recorded in parish registers from the earliest records until mid 17th century when the family disappeared from local records.

1650 - This schedule of deeds it states this land to originally being that of John Stainsmore, one of several yeoman landowners in Beckenham, and found its way into the hands of Gatton and then Burrell via Jones Raymond. We are challenged to identify the land in question apart from that annotated ‘Gattons’ on the Burrell Kelsey map of 1735 and the presence of a Walnut Tree Field in Langley belonging to Jones Raymond circa 1740. Several field names are duplicated on various estates such as Barn Field, Pond Field etc.
Schedule of indentures of land belonging to Nathaniel Gatton in Beckenham

1/3/1650 Ind(enture) between John Stainsmore & Ron Lloyd of one part & Wm Williams of the other & bonds for performance of covenants included

Ind of Edward Hendrick son & exor of Joseph Hendrick decd & said Hill on one part & Richard Pope as trustee for Edward Gatton the other

11/4/1705 general release from Mrs Susan Gatton widow & admon of Edward Gatton decd to her son Nathaniel Gatton

15/2/1709 Tripartite indenture between Nathaniel Gatton first part Elizabeth Whifling (Whiffin) second part & Richard Pearch & John Uppington third part with an endorsement thereon dated 18/6/1728 whereby the premises therein mentioned are assigned to Merrick Burrell

8/1 1719 tripartite ind between James Brook of the first part, Nathaniel Gatton & wife second part & John Chetwynd third part with an endorsement dated 14/6/1728 whereby premises are assigned to Jones Raymond Esq in trust for Peter Burrell Esq

1728 ind of fine between Peter Burrell Esq & Nathaniel Gatton & wife deforcients

1616 George Stanesmore yeoman of Beckenham leaves a will benefitting son Bartholomew

1648 John Stainsmore leaves a will benefitting widow Katherine & daughter Katherine Texle?

Many burials for Stainsmore at Beckenham implying a long association with Beckenham and perhaps a longstanding land-holding

John Stainsmore is probably son of the one who died 1648, not sure who the Lloyd is but there was a Griffith Lloyde of Beckenham in 1586 though I doubt a connection. We have not been able to find much other about the Stainsmore’s but they were in Beckenham for over a hundred years.

1651 – 21st June; Beckenham Manor, The moiety of the manor belonging to Snelgrave which was mortgaged to the Evelyns in 1648 is sold on to Walter and Henry St.John. Surrey Archive: Confirmation of bargain and sale (in return for purchase money) 1) John Evelyn of Middle Temple, George Evelyn of Wotton and Richard Evelyn of Baynards, esqs 2) Walter and Henry St John of Battersea, esqs. Moiety of manor of Beckenham, Kent, and of advowson; also manor house and certain named fields.[This may be a stray record from the Evelyn archives introduced by William Bray]. https://www.surreyarchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/SHCOL_LM_SectionG_10_9_4_1

LM/351/11 dated 1651 being Confirmation of bargain and sale (in return for purchase money) 1) John Evelyn of Middle Temple, George Evelyn of Wotton and Richard Evelyn of Baynards, esqs 2) Walter and Henry St John of Battersea, esqs. Moiety of manor of Beckenham, Kent, and of advowson; also manor house and certain named fields. [Surrey Archive thing this may be a stray record from the Evelyn archives introduced by William Bray]

The field names listed in the document are as follows with the spelling variation on the 1623 map in brackets and some fields appear to have an occupants name as well i.e. Edwards Pond Mead. Henry Snelgrave (grandson of Sir Henry) is also mentioned along with the Evelyns so he has some claim or share under the prior mortgage?

Manor House occ Henry Snelgrove, Longmeads (Long Mead), Skeltons Mead (Shiltons Mead), Edwards Pond Mead (Pond Mead), Great Riddens (Great Ridens), Buarche Riddens (Brake Ridens), Spaur Leges (Spare Lease), Parkerlase (Park Close), Kingshall (stet), Three Acres (possibly one of the three Lodge Crofts), Catenomeads (Gaters Mead), Five Acre Mead (Five Acres), New Lodge Croft (Lodge Croft and Coppice), Spring Park (stet), Alder Park (stet), Rounds Park (stet), Gardners Brooke(stet), Doppis Two fields = The Hydes (The Hides), White Burroughs, Mire Burroughs (New Bowros), Great Burroughs, Little Burroughs, (Burroughs seems to be a variation of Bowros on the map which has Great Bowros, White Bowros, Great/Little and New Bowros, The following don’t have a match on the 1623 map but may be alternative names for Court Downs, Pound Field, Church Field, and Broom Field i.e. Denterfield, Pantswort, The Larone, The Paddock, Mere Lever Mead, The Chinteene, Ladys Coggine. Masons late occ widow Kempsall (may be at Mason’s Hill Bromley), Wheatfields (escaped identification), Webblands – John Balden (shown on the 1780 map as in the area that became Eden Park.

The Evelyns were active in the buying and selling of properties and some are referred to in John Evelyn’s diary. Here follows a passage from Evelyn's diary though he is absent from England having gone to France and Italy along with several other personalities, presumably all royalist avoiding the Civil War while pursuing a kind of 'grand tour'. I assume one of Evelyn's brothers complete the sale of Beckenham Manor to the St.Johns:

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.

1651 – John Brograve is buried at St. George’s and he is most likely the John Brograve whose house is annotated on the Beckenham Manor map of 1623. He did not leave a will but there is a record of an Act of Administration at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

1651 – Giles King of Beckenham, victualler, dies leaving a will. He is tenant of some land on lease from Walter St. John and and leaves the leased land to his sons and wife. As victualler he is ‘landlord’ of the George Inn leased from the St.Johns. Also some property leased from the Brograves of Kelsey called Little Hopett (Hoppit?). There are more than one field called Hoppit but the map below may contain the one in question, on the site of the roundabout by the Chinese Garage but not conclusive.

bequests to son Henry King 2/-, Rowland King son of John, Richard son of John King, Marie daughter of John King

1652 – Believed to be land belonging to Old Court Manor Greenwich which descended to John Morden and Morden College; 8 May William Wood v St John Heydon and Mirabell Heydon his daughter, an infant. Title to messuages and lands in Bromley, Beckenham, Eltham, Lee, Mottingham and Chisilhurst, Kent. C78/478, no. 4 [59]

Henry Draper gent of London decd did convey said lands etc to Mirabell Heydon dau of Sir John Heydon who appear to have leased them to William Wood

1653 – The Will of Roger Tapsell/Tapsfield, yeoman; We can identify Tapsfield as small landowners to the south of Upper Elmers End Green just outside of the Kelsey estate which belonged to the Brograves at this time. Roger leaves property to his two sons Roger and William and his wife Emm has her half share in dower for the remainder of her life until 1667. He refers to a cottage and land called Great Webbs and we can trace fields called Weblands on maps of Langley. The will offers other information as one of his daughters, unnamed but assumed deceased, has married a Thomas Kempsall also deceased but there are two grandchildren Thomas and Sarah Kempsall thus linking the Tapsell/Tapsfield family to the Kempsall family who have four spelling variations and as said elsewhere in this timeline, property adjacent to Chancery Lane. Another daughter Elizabeth has married a Mr. Etherton and in the burial records a Mr Etherton is described as the parish clerke. The grandchildren are left “ffyve pounds apiece” and the daughter Elizabeth one shilling. Whether this implies that Roger did not approve of the marriage to Etherton is a curiosity but we find small bequests are quite common perhaps as expressions of disapproval. The witnesses to the will are Nicholas Hammond of West Wickham and Robert Slyter of Beckenham who are each left half a crown to buy gloves. The Tapsfield name is recorded in burials from 1613 to 1765. See 1669 Roger Tapsell son of Roger Tapsell, shoemaker bound apprentice carpenter, which would be, presumably, the grandson of this Roger and indicates his son had become a shoemaker? It may be that the eldest son Roger was not keen on following an agricultural lifestyle and hence became a shoemaker. Also see 1736 will of William Tapsfield mentioning the same fields called Webbs etc.

1653 – Langley; Final concord or agreement; Final concord John Brompton, gent plaintiff and Humphrey Styles, knight & baronet, deforciant. 22 messages, 20 cottages, 2 mills 2 dovehouses, 22 gardens, 22 orchards, 1000 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow, 300 acres of pasture, 300 acres of wood in Beckenham, Bromley, Heyes, Lewsham, West Wickham, Orpington, Deptford and Keston, Kent, 20 acres of land in Battersey, Surrey. Date: 8 days of the Purification of the blessed Mary 1653 (Lincolnshire Archive 7-ANC/1/1/1)

Brompton is presumably acquiring Style land for probably a fixed period of time or ‘at will’ since the land remains Style owned. Questions arise as to what Humphrey Style, a staunch royalist, was doing during the Cromwell / Commonwealth years.

1654 - Langley; Sir Humphrey Stile and his second wife, Hester Wright, have a son Charles born in January but dies he dies in February. In 1659 Langley will pass to Humphrey's half brother William.

1656 - Kelsey; The Brograves borrow £300 from Doctor Baldwin Hamer to be repaid in 1660 secured by mortgage on some of the Brograve land, the sum was not repaid by the time of Hamer’s death and his executur Ralph Palmer sought to recover the debt. Richard English advanced the Brograves the money in order to repay the debt and upon mortgage of the same Kelsey property in 1677. In 1679 the Brograves were unable to repay the money and borrowed a further £100 from English. In 1680 the Brograves were unable pay the interest or the loan and borrowed a further £50 from English. After the deaths of the Brograves who took out the mortgage loans the subsequent heirs defaulted on debts which amounted to £566. A Court of Chancery case was brought which was decided in 1687. The case was complex in that the Brograves sought to avoid repayment of the mortgages on several parts of the Beckenham property named in the loans. The outcome propagated the sale of Kelsey to Peter Burrell. See 1687 and 1688.

1656 - William Lambarde in his “Perambulation of Kent,” published in 1656, mentions Beckenham, and gives the name of Edmund Style as Justice of the Peace for Beckenham at that time, and records under the heading of “The tenth and fifteenth of Kent” that Beckenham paid £5 19s. 6d., as against the £8 paid by Bromley. Lambarde’s “Kent,” which is referred to by nearly all the later writers, is full of Kentish, Norman, and Saxon history, but unfortunately contains little information about Beckenham. (Borrowman)

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 EssexWilliam 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. Esquire, and after his Decease to Sir

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.
Hasted could then report the events of the next 150 years but we can dispute a few details later in this timeline.

1659 - Old Court Manor; Believed to be land belonging to Old Court Manor Greenwich which descended to John Morden and Morden College; 5 May Mirabel Heydon daughter of Sir John Heydon decd by Henry Nevill v William Wood Waste committed on trust settlement of tenements and lands in Bromley, Beckenham, Eltham, Lee, Mottingham and Chisellhurst, Kent. C78/594, no. 9 [76]

The Lodge in Bromley is mentioned, more investigation is necessary but there is a temptation to connect with Lodge Farm which was on Bromley Hill.
See 1652

1659 - Langley passes from Humphrey Style (1585-1659) who dies without a surviving heir to his half brother William Style (1603-1679). Humphrey had a son, Charles who predeceased him. No doubt the name was chosen as Humphrey was a supporter of Kings Charles I and II. This portrait of William is dated to 1636 and shows him before becoming landlord of Langley. However, William had inherited property called Cookes in West Wickham from his father William who had died in 1624. William has two sons and two daughters but only one son, Humphrey survives him and has descendants. (see 1679)

Sir Humphrey Style 1585-1660 Sir Humphrey and wife Elizabeth Sir William Style 1603-1679

Borrowman records this from Humphrey's will "An instance of satire and lack of charity on the part of a testator is contained in the will of Sir Humphrey Style in 1658. His widow Dame Hester Style married shortly after his death John Scott, who is buried at Hayes, and we gather from the following extract from Sir Humphrey’s will that his married life could not have been a happy one. He gives to his wife “the summe of £20 to buy her mourning apparell to mourne for me “if she please. Item I give unto her the sum of 5/- and so no more for “good reasons best known unto myselfe but not for her honour to be “ published.” It may be remarked that Sir Humphrey prefaces his will by expressing his trust that his Lord and Saviour would remit and forgive all his sins and offences whereby he had provoked His justice ! Sir Humphrey died childless, (although Hester had borne him a son who died soon after birth) and his widow died and was buried in Beckenham on August 23rd, 1671. William Style, the half-brother of Sir Humphrey, to whom the Langley estates descended on the latter’s death, conjures his daughters Mary and Hester “to live in the feare of GOD and to bee loving “ and affectionate as it becometh sisters one to the other.”

1659 - October 9th; a son Rodger is baptised, son of Rodger Clissold, Rector of Beckenham (from St. George's baptisms transcript).
We know that the vicar/rector Skynner was sequestered for not signing up to the Cromwelllian doctrine regarding the Church of England and Clissold was installed by Parliament..

1661 - 17th Century Map of Monks Orchard Wood showing Monks Orchard Copps, Monks Meade, Paddox, Furse & Park no scale acreages given Surrey Archives 7624/4/1

Possibly the map seen by Tookey for his research which is quoted by Copeland, the map is being researched further.

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.

1662 – Beckenham, Penge, etc: TNA Reference: C 7/496/18 Short title: Lady Dacre v Rosse.
Plaintiffs: Elizabeth [Lennard] Lady Dacre.
Defendants: Lord John Rosse, Aubrey [de Vere] Earl of Oxford and others.
Place or subject: property in Bradfield, Manningtree, Essex, Battersea, Surrey, Beckenham, Penge, Kent, Stoke Orchard, Gloucestershire, Caldecote, Hertfordshire, Laxfield, Suffolk, London etc.
Document type: bill and answer.
SFP. Date 1662
This has relevance to the later transactions between Henry Batt and the Countess of Oxford’s estate. Lennard Road gets its name from the Lennard connection (Manor of West Wickham). We haven’t been able to define the land in question but all or part of Kent House Farm and other sites are involved.

1664 – The Hearth Tax 1664 is levied in Beckenham in the Hundred of Bromley and Beckenham shows 93 households and 225 hearths. Some properties may have been omitted from the transcript at the link below. However, with the information available we can deduce the size of some properties, their occupants and whether a charge was levied or not. There must have been some evaluation of the size of a chargeable hearth as all uncharged properties had 1 or 2 hearths whereas some properties with 1 or 2 hearths were charged. I’m guessing that something large like an inglenook fireplace was charged whereas small hearths in something akin to a hovel were not charged? But The National Archive describes some conditions whereby assessments took into account the wealth of the inhabitant and if too poor they were exempted from the tax. Two names in the transcript are for the local constable and borsholder. These appear to be the persons responsible for collecting the tax? A borsholder is the head of a tithing or underconstable. Only The George Inn and perhaps Woolseys Farm are identified because to members of the King family occupied them.

1665 – Penge; Surrey Wills ref; SW/19_102
William Fox (X) of Penge, Battersea, husbandman, sick and weak 4 Apr 1665
to my son John Fox £15 and half my land; to my grandchild William Fox £15 when he reaches 21; residue to my wife Eliza Fox (with £1 to her son George Ward)
Overseers: friends Michael Leigh, Thomas Greenaway and Henry Batt (6s 8d each)
Witnesses: Thomas Bowler, Richard Humpheryes (X), Thomas Pyne
Proved: 8 Jun 1665 [DW/PC/5/1665/48]

Husbondman usually describes tenant farmers so Fox is either leaving an unexpired lease to his son or has some of his own land. Leigh, Batt, Humphreys, Payne are names which occur regularly in records.

https://findingaids.folger.edu/dfowilliams.xml L.f.570
Affidavit of Edward Pate, tanner of Beckengham, Surrey, 1665 June 162 leaves (bifolium)
Pate declares that he does not know of any judgments, recognizances, or debts with which certain lands, tenements, etc. are encombered. Refers to a feoffment tripartite between William Violett, Edward Pate, and Susan Pate of the first part, Thomas Booth of the second part, and William Stistead and John Walker of the third part.
Beckengham, Surrey is probably Beckenham, now part of Bromley, Greater London.
Watermark: Gate posts/columns (small type). Initials: N? - confused
Digital image(s): https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/32v0q0

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. The Hearth Tax records Richard King of Wolssi in 1664. The Kings have been connected with farming in Beckenham for many years.

1666 - Robert Stile dies at Chickering Hall, Suffolk apparently childless. He had married in 1645 but no widow mentioned in the will. Half brother of Humphrey Stile of Langley, he had inherited Cooks Farm in West Wickham from his father and in his will leaves Cooks Farm and other property in Westerham to Elizabeth, daughter of his brother Michael Stile. Other brothers are mentioned in the will with small bequests of money and other bequests to the poor of Bromley, Beckenham, etc. (source; PCC wills, Ancestry, Bromleag magazine)

1667 – Beckenham King family background; Surrey Wills ref; SW/20_615
Richard Wade (X) of Mitcham, blacksmith, sick 13 Aug 1667 (to be buried in the churchyard)
to my son Richard (after death of my wife Susan Wade) my two messuages I late bought from Nicholas Phipps of Cheam, sawyer in Carshalton in the occupation of Henry Hayward and John Hayward; to my daughter Susan Wade at 18 £40 due to me from Richard King of Beckenham, Kent, armourer by bond of 6 Oct 1660; to my son Humphrey Wade £5 to apprenticing him; residue to my wife Susan, exec.
Overseers: friends Henry Lake; John Goldsmyth
Witnesses: Henry Lake; John Goldsmyth (X); Edward Brigstocke
Proved: 4 Oct 1667 to exec. [DW/PA/7/14 QQ.46-47; DW/PA/5/1667/90]

The description of Richard King as an armourer is interesting and whether Humphrey Wade was apprenticed to King is too vague to assume.

1667 - BHC; various properties but as we included Plaistow and Sydenham etc. this may fit with some other evidence

(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 (Hull History Centre)

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

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. (see 1668 also)

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 examined 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 (£1500) . 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

1670 – Kelsey; The Brograves had been borrowing money secured on their property and a judgement is made in favour of Thomas Povey for £600 of debt. Related documents record the several tenants who occupy various parts of Kelsey, the names of fields and acreages. We find Henry Batt of Penge, Rowland King of Beckenam and various others as tenants. Some earlier activities of the Brograves seems to indicate a fast and loose approach to finance and property. The accumulating debt is believed to be the ultimate reason for Brograves sale to Peter Burrell in 1688.

At Trinity Term 1670 A judgement obtained by Thomas Povey Esq against Thomas Brograve in debt for £600: and costs: The debts had been accumulated over a couple of generations of Brograves starting with £300.

1671 – Kelsey; Trinity Term 12 Charles II; Mathew Brograve and Thomas Brograve levy a fine to William Williams of 70 acres of land 12 acres of meadow, 15 acres of Pastdure and eight acres of wood in Beckenham. (Mathew is the widow of John Brograve and Thomas is her son).

Hasted's entry for Hayes has more to say but seems to imply there was at least one child from the marriage which seems to be an error although as Hester's second husband they apparently resided at Langley until Johns death and he is said to be buried in Hayes church.. John's 1670 will names him as 'of Beckenham'.

If Hester and John resided at Langley until 1670/71 then it may be that William Style, Sir Humphrey's half brother, did not take up residence until after that date. He had married in 1640 in West Peckham, Kent. There are no records for the baptisms of William's children locally? It looks like William's son Humphrey who would inherit Langley was born in Rochester?

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 has 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).

1672(circa) – Foxgrove connection; John Brice is described as being a Presbytarian Teacher preaching at his own house and at Francis Ligo’s house in Beckenham. Ligo is recorded as being a leaseholder/tenant of Foxgrove Manor/Farm. Such dissenters or non-conformists may or may not have been able to be buried in the Anglican churchyard? Certainly the Quakers had their own burial grounds but none is recorded in Beckenham/Bromley although we know of one in Southwark (Long Lane).

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Freedom_After_Ejection/ytHmAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq="john+brice"+beckenham&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover

1673 - Sympsons Place; 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.

1674 - · Will of Nicholas Northopp 1674 (some relevance to the Brograves of Kelsey)

· Description:To my grandson Nicholas son of my son Nicholas, deceased all my messuages in Croydon and Beddington at 24; to my granddaughters Joyce and Ellen daughters of said deceased son Nicholas 200 each at 21 and 20 more each in 3 years; to my said grandson Nicholas 4 silver spoons, a silver tankard, a silver bowl, a silver chain and coral and other furniture and goods; to my said granddaughters 3 silver spoons each with furniture and goods; the goods to be put in chests and kept by John Newton and to be divided before the marriage of my daughter in law if she intends to marry and she to bring up my grandchildren receiving 14 p.a. for Nicholas until he is 24 and 13 p.a. each for Joyce and Ellen until they are 20 or married; if John Newton died Edward Lynne of Croydon, carpenter and my daughter Northopp in her widowhood to receive my rents until Nicholas is 24; I am owed 400 and interest by Mr Thomas Brograve of Beckenham, Kent secured by mortgage on lands there; and my daughter Northopp to live in the house she now lives with me except the malt rooms late in occupation of George Heathfeild but if she marries to pay rent of 4 p.a.; to my daughter Ann Curtis, widow 5 p.a. for life and to live rent free in the same house in her widowhood; to my grandson Richard Curtis (her son) 100 at 24 to set him up as a tanner to which he is now apprenticed; if Nicholas dies without issue then the messuage and workhouse and use of adjoining yard now in occupation of Edward Lynne, snr. and barn now in occupation of Henry Cooper to Edward Lynne, jnr. son of said Edward for life with remainder to Richard Curtis for life and then Ellen and Joyce N., the messuage in occupation of Ann Curtis to her for life and then to Ann Lynne daughter of said Edward, all my messuage in occupation of Robert Bentley, jnr. to Mary Lynne another daughter of Edward; to Edward, Ann and Mary Lynne children of Edward 10 each at 21; if Nicholas dies without issue then all my messuages except what is given to Edward L.'s children to my daughter Ann for life and then to her son Richard and her daughter Ann wife of Edward Lynne, snr. paying to my daughter in law Ellen Northopp 15 p.a. in her widowhood; to my kinsman Watkin N. 30 at end of his apprenticeship and if Nicholas dies a further 40 and also in that case to my kinsman Benjamin N. 20 at 21; grandson Nicholas, exec.; friends John Newton of Coulsdon and Edward Lynne and also my daughter in law Ellen N. in her widowhood, trustees and overseers (10s each for a ring)
Witnesses: Thomas Edwards; John Woodward
Proved: 22 July 1675 to John Newton in minority of exec. TNA Ref PROB 11/348/291

The debts owed by the Brograves is the subject of other entries and is thought to be a reason for Brograves sale of Kelsey to the Burrells. The Brograves were mostly absentee landlords it would appear with very few of them being buried locally and the wills of some of the family relate to the Home Counties.

· Description:My tenement Longs with buildings in Beckenham, Kent rented at 7 10s p.a. of which 6 p.a. to my wife Jane and rest to my grandson John Osborne at 21 with remainder to my grandson Robert O.; to my daughter Ann wife of Robert O. of Croydon due to me on bond from William Rogers late of Croydon; of rest 4 to my daughter Ann O., 15 to my grandson Robert O. at 21 and rest to my grandchildren Andrew, Jane, Mary and Susan O. at 21; friends John Saxby, jnr. and Edward Leigh both of Chelsham, yeomen, execs.; John Phillip of Chelsham and John Floud of Addington, overseers
Witnesses: John Floud (X); William Allingham
Proved: 13 July 1683 to exec. John Saxby, the other exec. dying in testator's lifetime

1675 – The Will of Samuell Hale of Foxgrove leaves freehold and copyhold land in the Parish of Goddison or elsewhere in the Countie of Hereford to his father in law Francis Ligoe of Foxgrove to be sold and proceeds to Samuel’s wife Mary nee Ligoe. Hale is either tenant by lease or copyhold of Foxgrove but describes land in Hereford as his freehold. (Ancestry.co.uk)

Copyhold land was land held from a manor. ... Smaller landholdings within manors were held by copyhold tenure. Title deeds for these pieces of land do not exist in quite the same form as for freehold land. This is because copyhold land was technically owned by the Lord or Lady of the Manor.

See 1691 Chancery case between Ligoe and Leigh (Leighs are Lords of the Manor of Foxgrove).

1677 – Foxgrove connection; Francis Ligoe widower marries Mrs Anne King widow. Ligoe’s address given as Snow Hill London. Anne’s is given as Beckenham and the King family are an old established Beckenham family, we don’t know Anne’s maiden name before marrying King. See 1688, Francis and Anne still in Beckenham. Beckenham burials has a Mrs Ligo being buried in 1676 and this is probably Francis remarrying. Remarriage was often soon after decease of a partner for social and financial reasons.

1678 – Foxgrove; Ligo occupants; SORRELL John, of St John the Baptist, London, gent, bachelor, about 18, with consent of his mother, Sarah SORRELL, widow, and Mrs(mistress) Anne LIGO, of Beckenham, Kent. spinster, about 17, with consent of her father, Francis LIGO, of same, gent – at St Martin, Outwich, London. 2 Dec 1678.

1678 – Langley; Marriage of Humphrey Style; STYLE Humphry, of Langley, in the parish of Beckenham, co. Kent, esq, bachelor, about 26, and Mary HOVELL, of St Paul, Covent Garden, Middlesex, spinster, about 20, with consent of her father, Hugh HOVELL of same, esq – at St Clement Danes, Middlesex. 16 Dec 1678.

1679 – Langley and Simpson’s Place; Humphrey Style (1648-1718) inherits Langley from his father William Style (1603-1679). See also 1718. William’s 1679 will describes how Simpson’s Place had been mortgaged by his brother Humphrey to Roger Garland of Stobenheath, Surrey who was a mariner. William pays the mortgage and assigns Simpson’s to a cousin John Alleyn of Chatham in trust for William’s son Humphrey. Some investigation is necessary as evidence indicates that Sir Humphrey also raised money from his wife’s family the Bosviles. See 1670 Chancery suit.

William's will leaves property and money to two daughters Mary and Hester and the main estate to his son Humphrey. One of the executors is 'Doctor' Style who I take to be William's only surviving brother Thomas "Doctor of Laws" who was of Cooks, West Wickham. Thomas died in 1677.

1680 - Church Lands; from Borrowman 1910; :—“Style of Langley aforesaid gave Church Field at “the yearly rent of £2, two acres in Backs Lane at £1 10s. per annum, “Grubs Field at 10s. per annum the donor unknown.” It was stated at the public enquiry which, as already stated, was held as to the Beckenham Charities in 1877, that “ E. Style gave Church field and Two Acre field in “Becks lane also Grubbs field in Becks lane for Church purposes, the rents“ of which had hitherto been applied in aid of Church rates.” Becks, Backs, or Baxes lane is the road lately known as Arthur Road, but now Churchfields Road and Beck Lane.

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

(source: BHC). These records are a small window on the smaller properties and owners for periods which are very much a mystery. see 1703 connected.

1684 - Henry St. John (1652-1742); from Lysons; “In 1684, being then Mr. Henry St. John, he was tried for the murder of Sir William Estcourt, Bart. and was convicted. Bishop Burnet speaking, no doubt, of this affair, tells the story thus:—That a young gentleman of a noble family, in the year 1684, being at supper with a large party, a sudden quarrel arose between him and another gentleman, very warm words passed, and swords were drawn, three persons were engaged in the rencounter, one of whom was killed on the spot, the other two were indicted for murder; it appeared uncertain by which the fatal wound was given, nor did the proof against either amount to more than manslaughter: yet the gentleman abovementioned being one of the two, was advised to confess the indictment, and to let sentence pass for murder. He was threatened with the utmost rigour of the law if he neglected to follow this advice; if he complied, he was promised a pardon. He thought it prudent to comply, and was convicted accordingly: but to his cost found, that his pardon was to be purchased at the high rate of £16,000; one half of which the king converted to his own use; and bestowed the remainder upon two ladies who were in great favor. This is bishop Burnet's account. It appears, however, that after the conviction, a doubt arose, whether the king could pardon him.—The matter was much debated, and bishop Barlow wrote one of his cases of conscience upon the subject : he determines the point in the affirmative. It is said, that to obviate all doubts, the king granted him only a reprieve; in confirmation of this, no pardon appears to have been enrolled : the reprieve was for a long term of years, which the extreme old age which he attained rendered it probable that he would survive. In 1716 he was created Baron St. John of Battersea, and Viscount St. John, and died in 1742, as mentioned above, on the verge of ninety.” https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-environs/vol1/pp26-48
Henry was the son of Walter St. John who had bought one half of Beckenham Manor in 1651. His son John and grandson Frederick followed him in ownership of this moiety. One assumes the two ladies referred to would have been among Charles II's string of mistresses.

1685 - King James II until 1688

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.

1686 - William Ash 1686/7
Repository: Surrey History Centre, Woking SHC Ref No:PCC/BER/532
Date:23 Jan 1686/7
Description:To Thomas and Ann son and daughter of Thomas Toomes of Aldgate, Middlesex, tailor 5 each; to William Jackson and John Fox a gold ring each; residue to my son Henry, exec. and my messuage leased at Beckenham, Kent; friends Bennett Hall and William Bawtree of Bermondsey, overseers (2 each for a gold ring) who may prove will in absence of exec.
Witnesses: Henry Wooddington; Thomas Titcombe; Edward Benson, scr.
Proved: 4 March 1686/7 to overseers, exec. being abroad

1687 – Southend Mill, Lewisham; Ephraim How, Master Cutler is producing Cutlery at Southend Mill. He is buried at St. Mary’s Lewisham in 1720 but his son continues manufacture. This was the Mill on the junction of Bromley Road and Southend Lane (its protected successor building was demolished without permission circa 2000)

1687 - Peter Burrell ; the 9th son of Walter Burrell of Holmstead House in the parish of Cookfield in the County of Sussex Esqre and married anno 1687 to Isabella 2th daughter of John Merik Esqre of Stubbers in the Parish of Northockendon in the county of Essex by whome he had six sons and four daughters of which only two sons and three daughters survive him. He departed this life the 13th of Septbr 1718 and in the 68th year of his age. (Borrowman)

Though Burrell shortly afterwards acquired Kelsey, his first home was in the Cityof London and first children were born there.

1687 - Kelsey; From 1656 the Brograves borrowed £300 from Doctor Baldwin Hamer to be repaid in 1660 secured by mortgage on some of the Brograve land, the sum was not repaid by the time of Hamer’s death and his executur Ralph Palmer sought to recover the debt. Richard English advanced the Brograves the money in order to repay the debt and upon mortgage of the same Kelsey property in 1677. In 1679 the Brograves were unable to repay the money and borrowed a further £100 from English. In 1680 the Brograves were unable pay the interest or the loan and borrowed a further £50 from English. After the deaths of the Brograves who took out the mortgage loans the subsequent heirs defaulted on debts which amounted to £566. A Court of Chancery case was brought which was decided in 1687. The case was complex in that the Brograves sought to avoid repayment of the mortgages on several parts of the Beckenham property named in the loans. The outcome was that the plaintif English was awarded £638.8.2d from the defendants Brograve and this propagated the sale of Kelsey to Peter Burrell. See 1687 and 1688. I suppose we can consider this against the backdrop of the time whereby loans were taken out before the Fire of London and the Great Plague. England had been at war with the Dutch, the Cromwellian period gave way to the Restoration of the Monarchy. The Brograves were described in the case as being in receipt of rents from their Kelsey estates from various tenants and it was one generation of the Brograves who took out the loans and left a subsequent generation liable for repayment. But it would appear that the Brograves lived beyond their means despite some evaluation in the court case that shows they were well off by the standards of the times.

See 1688 for this reference Richard English plaintif and the Brograves defendants; Richard English , citizen and merchant taylor of London v. Mathew Brograve of Beckenham, Kent, widow (sic), late wife of John Brograve of Beckenham, esq; and Mary Brograve widow of Thomas Brograve of Beckenham, esq, who was son and heir of said John; and John Francis Brograve, son and heir of said Thomas.

Mathew is perhaps an unusual woman’s name rather like Frances depending on a spelling difference from Matthew, but these two widows, Mathew being the mother in law of Mary and John Francis Brograve the son of Mary were defendants in the case.

John Brograve d.1651 probably intestate as there was a probate Act of Administration and he may have had a son John d.1679 as well as Thomas d.1680. All three are buried at St.George’s. The two widows Mathew and Mary appear to have died and been buried at St.George’s in 1697 and 1700 respectively and it is not known if they lived in or around Beckenham after 1688 but were buried in the family vault.

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, which is a 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 but see 1687. Source University of Houston, USA

Court of Chancery; Richard English , citizen and merchant taylor of London v. Mathew Brograve of Beckenham, Kent, widow (sic), late wife of John Brograve of Beckenham, esq; and Mary Brograve widow of Thomas Brograve of Beckenham, esq, who was son and heir of said John; and John Francis Brograve, son and heir of said Thomas.

1688	3 March	4	Richard English , citizen and merchant taylor of London v. Mathew Brograve of Beckenham, Kent, widow (sic), late wife of John Brograve of Beckenham, esq; and Mary Brograve widow of Thomas Brograve of Beckenham, esq, who was son and heir of said John; and John Francis Brograve, son and heir of said Thomas		C78/1063, no. 2 [49]

1688 – Ligoe of Beckenham (Foxgrove); Copy of a feoffment dated 30 May 1688 by which Francis Ligoe of Beckenham co Kent Gent, and Anne his wife and Tho 8 Smith of Beconsfeild co Bucks gent, and Rich d Gosnold of Wooburne sd. co. gent, enfeoffed John Lowe of Holbourne co Midd. gent in consideration of 900 of a capital messuage called Waddenton House Beconsfeild. Evidences Ligoe’s other property.

1689 - King William III and Queen Mary II (after the Glorious Revolution of 1688)

1689 – Kelsey estate; Kent Archive ref;U36/T363 John Francis Brograve 20/8/1689 lease to George Smith 16a occ George Smith 21 yrs called Shores Mead alias Shortlands. The date is perhaps debatable as Brograve sold Kelsey to Burrell at this time.

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 and Bygrove who may have been related. (source National Archive).

1691 - Kent House Farm Indenture regarding title Ref; A62/6/61 Lewisham Archive; within this bundle an apparent transfer from Smallbone to Hodgekins. See other dates in the timeline.

Anne Loveday, Jonathan Brundrett, Alexander Baring, Sir Thomas Baring, John Cator, William Cator, Bertie Cornelius Cator and John Foakes.

Details of other agreements receited - Indenture dated 27 Aug. 1691 between John Smallbone and Mary his wife and Benjamin Hodgekins;

Act 5 and 6 Ann (1706-7) to rectify mistake in marriage settlement of William Peck - partitioning between William Pierrepoint and Hon. Charles Egerton, through which inheritance became absolutely vested in Jno. Reynolds.

Indenture dated 6 Dec. 1706 between Jno. Reynolds, Lancelot Stephens, Edward Corbett, Wm. Peere Williams, William Williams; (Mortgage)

Lease and release dated 6 and 7 April 1709 between Jno. Reynolds and Sir John Lethieullier;

Indenture of Assignment of same date, Jno. Reynolds Wm. Peere Williams, William Williams, Sir John Lethieullier Samuel Lethieullier and John Lethieullier

Lease and release dated 25 and 26 March 1778 between John Green Lethieullier and Susannah his wife, William Octber, John Seaber, Robt. Morphett, Thomas Symonds, Thom Hearden, George Jennett, John Kilvington, John Harrison and Thomas Lucas and a recovery of part of premises Trinity Term, 18 Geo.III.

Thomas Lucas devises property to widow Elizabeth, who remarries John Julius Angerstein. John Beach, Thomas Plummer and Joseph Paice trustees.

Indenture of Bargain and Sale dated 17 Feb. 1797 Joseph Paice, Thos. Plummer, Sir Francis Baring, Alexander Baring and Charles Wall.

Details of wills, dates of death, etc. of Elizabeth Angerstein, Sir Francis Baring, Chas. Wall John Cator, Bridget Cator, Elizabeth Scott, Geo. Sparkes.

Details of dates of death, wills etc. of Samuel Lethieullier, William Lethieullier, Mary Tooke, Sarah Loveday, Dame Anne Hopkins, John Loveday, John Lethieullier, Smart Lethieullier, Charles Lethieullier, Elizabeth Lethieullier (marriage to Jno. Goodere), Mary Hulse, who died intestate. Letters of Admon. to Jonathan Brundrett.

Indenture of Lease and release dated 26 and 27 July 1828, Alexander Baring, Sir Thos. Baring, John Cator, Wm. Cator and Bertie C. Cator in trust for Ann Loveday and John. Brundrett.

Details of field names and acreages of land on Kent House Farm and Penge Common, with names of tenants.

1691 – Foxgrove; Chancery case; Ligoe is in some way related to Eleanor Leigh and we know that Francis Leigh has debts at his death in 1712 which may be in some way a cause for cases such as this. See also 1675 will of Samuell Hale son in law of Ligoe

Plaintiffs: Francis Ligoe. Defendants: Eleanor Leigh (widow of Thomas Leigh) and Francis Leigh.

Place or subject: manor of Foxgrove, Kent. Document type: answer only TNA C 7/602/21

Also 1691; Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Pleadings before 1714, Collins. Short title: Leigh v Goring. Plaintiffs: Francis Leigh kt. Defendants: Peircy Goring , Edward Goring , Sir William Goring baronet, Mary Goring and Eleanor Leigh. Subject: manor of Fox Grove, Kent

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.

1693 – Woolseys Farm (now Shortlands House/Bishop Challoner School) Lincolnshire Archive 7 ANC/1/7/1

Also see 1705 transfer to Peter Burrell. These documents disprove our earlier thoughts that Woolseys Farm came to Burrell via Brograve of Kelsey. Although it raises some questions about the earlier route by which Woolseys Farm evolved. We have to investigate how Loader’s purchase from Mercer and Medbury.

On reverse:
For Loader to pay £412 the 9^th of August 1693
Woolsey’s Farm in Beckenham for 500 years

(1) Isaac Loader of Deptford, Co. Kent, anchorsmith
(2) Samuel Shephard, Citizen and distiller of London
From (1) to (2)

Property: messuage or tenement called Woolseys Farm in Beckenham, Co. Kent and lands etc:

Three corner Close or Gravill Pitt field about 3 acres, Oldcroft about 3½ acres, Old Croft Spring about 3½ acres, Kitchen Croft, Clay field about 2½ acres, Lay Street Wood, Lower Pitt field about 5 acres, Leystreet field about 9 acres, Clayhill field about 1 acre, Brookland about 7 acres, Ryefield about 3½ acres, Kitchencroft about 4 acres. (42 acres)
And all other messuages, lands or tenements of Isaac Loader which he bought from Elizabeth Mercer, Zachariah Medbury and Hannah his wife in the parish of Beckenham.
Term: for ever
Rent: peppercorn annually for 500 years.
Consideration: £412
8 Feb 1692/3
Endorsed: receipt of Isaac Loader for £400 received from Samuel Shephard, 8 Feb 1692 [New Style 1693]. Sealed and delivered.
Attached: Receipt dated June 30^th 1704 of Esqr. Lowder the sume of eighteen pounds ffor nine months Interest of ffour hundred pounds Deed of 9^th of May Last yeare £18
Signed: Phill. Shephard (paper)
(1 large parchment sheet, endorsement and attached paper receipt)

1694 – Humphrey Style (1648-1718) is appointed one of the deputy lieutenants of Kent under William and Mary. This is Humphrey, son of William Style and nephew of the earlier Humphrey.

1696 – Rogers of Beckenham; Surrey Wills ref; SW/24_97
John Seaman (X) of Godstone, husbandman 1 Apr 1696
to my eldest brother William Seaman £5; to my brother Michael Seaman £2; to my brother Thomas Seaman £2; to my sister Mary Rogers wife of Nicholas Rogers of Beckenham, Kent £2; to William Eliffe now living with me £12 paid to (Mr) Thomas Clayton for apprenticing him; wife Joan Seaman and friend Thomas Clayton of Blechingley, gentleman, execs.
Witnesses: Christopher Hawkins (X); Elizabeth Hyam (X); Thomas Peyto
Proved: 20 Aug 1696 to exec. Joan power reserved to other exec. [DW/PA/7/17 pp.151-2;
DW/PA/5/1696/58] (£136 3s 8d)

1697 - Penge; Surrey Wills ref; SW/24_196
Robert Hamond (X) of Penge, Battersea, sick and weak 18 Mar 1688/9 (to be buried in Beckenham, Kent)
all to Henry Batt of Penge, snr. exec. and rest of land to Henry Batt, jnr. at lawful age with remainder to Henry, snr.; to my sister ... King 2s 6d; to my brother John Hamond 2s 6d; to my brother Nicholas Hamond 2s 6d; to my brother Jacob Hamond all my clothes, a pair of sheets and £3
Witnesses: Richard Kinsey; Mary Thorne (X); Jane Wood (X); Thomas Watford
Proved: 27 Oct 1697 to exec. [DW/PA/7/17 p.301; DW/PA/5/1697/43]

A relationship between the Hamond, King and Batt families is evidenced or implied. Hammond has a few spelling variations Hamon, Hammonde etc. Robert and Jacob Hammond appear in burials in 1717 but not John or Nicholas. "X" shows that people signed with their mark ie illiterate.

1697-98; burial of Merrick Burrell and baptism of Isabella Burrell respectively. The first records in parish registers of Burrell family. Prior registrations at the parishes of Outwich and Fink, City of London. Although the Burrells acquired Kelsey in 1688 their main abode was in London.

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.

1699 – Langley Farm; From the records of Morden College Blackheath; John Morden of Morden Hall and Wricklemarsh purchases the Manor of Old Court. Sir John Morden, as endowment for his College, bought the Manor of Old Court in 1699, and this included land at Beckenham, specifically Pightle Green, King’s Field, Shortlands Green, Langley Farm and Morden Field, and this land was exchanged for land in Lewisham with Lord Gwydir in 1813. Among the papers the secretary of Morden College took over from her predecessor is a photocopied plan, possibly from a large scale OS map, and I see that the land in question is bounded on the north by the Turnpike road from Wickham; on the northeast by Kelsey Park, and on the west by Langley Park and Langley Lodge lands.

However, most maps show a small parcel of land annotated as ‘Morden College’ so the matter is debatable.

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.

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 it is a transcription error, 3 and 8 looking similar.

1704 - Foxgrove/Francis Leigh; It is.recorded ln the old minute-books at the Parish Church, that in April 1704, in consideration of his having spent £12 in alterations and repairs to the pews in the body of the Church, the said Sir Francis Leigh was granted sole use of “ the first and largest seat adjoining to the north aisle, he, having promissed to leave the key of the said pew in his absence with the Clark to place such strangers of Ouality and good fashion as shall be thought fit and that the other foremost adjoining seat shall be always left open tor any of the Panshioners to sit intermixt with tenants of Foxgrove, as the Church wardens shall appoint”;

This is a rare example of some occasional visitation to Foxgrove by Leigh who is thought to have been mainly an absentee landlord.

1705 – Woolseys Farm (now Shortlands House/Bishop Challoner School); Lincolnshire Archive 7 ANC/1/7/2

We had hitherto assumed that Peter Burrell acquired Woolseys Farm along with Kelsey from the Brograves. This was erroneous as this document shows that Burrell acquired Woolseys Farm separately in 1705 and the phrase ‘Shepheard acquits Peter Burrell and Walter Challoner (trustee) for ever’ could be equivalent to acquiring the freehold instead of the 500 year lease. Burrell must have had the wherewithal to exchange Woolseys with Frederick St. John for Beckenham Manor house and grounds in 1759.

On reverse: Mr Shepard by direction of Mr Loader his assignment to Mr Burrell’s Trustee to the attend the Inheritance 1705

(2) Phillip Shepard, citizen and distiller of London, sole executor of the last will of Samuell Shepheard, late citizen and distiller of London deceased.

Reciting indenture dated 8 February 1692 between Isaac Loader and Samuell Shepheard in consideration of Isaac Loader who demised, bargained and sold to Samuell Shepeard his executors, administrators and assigns all that messuage and tenement called Woolsey’s Farm in the parish of Beckenham, county of Kent [fields etc listed as in 7 ANC/1/7/1] for 500 years under yearly peppercorn rent under proviso to be void on payment by Isaac Loader to Samuell Shepheard of £412. Whereas the sum of £412 was not paid and is due to (2) Phillip Shepheard and whereas (3) Peter Burrell has purchased and contracted with (1) Isaac Loader to purchase the said message, lands etc for a term of 500 years upon trust.

Consideration: £400
Phillip Shepheard acquits Peter Burrell and Walter Challoner (trustee) for ever
Refers to Indenture of release with a consideration of £816 (which includes the £400) of same date as this deed between (1) Isaac Loader and Mary his wife and (2) Peter Burrell.

Endorsed: Receipt of Samuell Shephard for £400 received from Peter Burrell being the consideration money within mentioned and £24 2s interest. Sealed and delivered by Phillip Shepard.

1705 – Beckenham land etc. Surrey Wills ref; SW/26_792
William Woodman (X) of Chelsham, yeoman 12 Sep 1698
to my daughter Ann Woodman £100; to my daughter Elizabeth Woodman all my land in Beckenham, Kent; to my wife Ann Woodman £5 p.a. for life from my son John Woodman and a featherbed she lies on and all goods in that chamber; to my son John all my land in Warlingham and Merstham, all my messuages and land in Walton on the Hill and residue, exec.
Witnesses: Nicholas Stacy (X); Robert Stacy (X); Thomas Wood (X); Thomas Newton
Proved: 5 Nov 1705 to exec. [DW/PA/7/18 Q.31; DW/PA/5/1705/110C]

Land to be identified and whether freehold or leased? But the bequests imply substantial divers property. Chelsham close to Biggin Hill.

1706 - Jones Raymond is born on the 6^th November, baptised on the 29th, the son of Hugh Raymond and Dinah/Dynah (nee Jones), he will become landowner, if only for a short time before his death, of parts of Foxgrove Manor and some of what would later become Beckenham Place Park under John Cator the Younger.

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 property April; 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 (Plaistow) 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: BHC

1706 - Kent House Farm Indenture regarding title Ref; A62/6/61 Lewisham Archive; within this bundle the transfers of Kent House are described. See 1691 and other dates in the timeline.

Indenture dated 6 Dec. 1706 between Jno. Reynolds, Lancelot Stephens, Edward Corbett, Wm. Peere Williams, William Williams; (Mortgage)

Lease and release dated 6 and 7 April 1709 between Jno. Reynolds and Sir John Lethieullier;

1707 – Henry Batt of Penge writes his will referring to the 1706 purchase from the Countess of Oxford and bequests to his children, see 1715 for his probate.

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.

1709 – Peter Burrell purchases parcels of land from Humphrey Stiles, about 18 acres plus any crops or resources on it i.e. timber. Images from Kent Archive.

1709 - Kent House Farm Indenture regarding title Ref; A62/6/61 Lewisham Archive; within this bundle the transfers of Kent House are described. See 1691 and other dates in the timeline. This part is the acquisition by the Lethieulliers from Reynolds
Lease and release dated 6 and 7 April 1709 between Jno. Reynolds and Sir John Lethieullier;
Indenture of Assignment of same date, Jno. Reynolds Wm. Peere Williams, William Williams, Sir John Lethieullier Samuel Lethieullier and John Lethieullier, see 1706 Reynolds acquires Kent House from the estate of the Countess of Oxford.

1709 – Captain Richard Pearch of Holwood, Keston, in 1709, on the marriage of his niece, Elizabeth Whiffin, with Nathaniel Gatton, esq. of Beckenham (Hasted)
Fields called Gattons Land between Langley and Kelsey which appear on the Burrell 1735 map were later purchased by Peter Burrell.

1709 – Robert Callant, son of Robert Callant deceased is indentured as a Tallow Chandlers apprentice bound to David Heywood of London for seven years. Callant will reappear as a Tallow Chandler in Beckenham in 1750 and an elector/property owner in Beckenham in 1754.

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. Hasted: 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: This timeline will challenge and correct some of Hasted’s description, by 1765 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. See 1712 below

1712 – Foxgrove Manor; John Tolson was said to have purchased Foxgrove presumably from the executors of Francis Leigh’s will. See 1711. But due to the 1716 Chancery direction that Foxgrove should be sold to pay Francis Leigh’s debts some clarification is needed as Tolson leaves unspecified land in Bromley in his will in 1713 but see 1727 Lancelot Tolson. There is some question as to whether John Tolson bought Foxgrove or was it his brother Lancelot Tolson? If Lancelot Tolson bought Foxgrove Manor then the 1720 map would probably be drawn to clarify ownership as it is contemporary with the Burrell map of 1723 and the estates were somewhat entangled. Francis Leigh’s will was the subject of some legal processes as the executors did not execute the will and his son and widow were involved in actions to finalise his affairs. See 1716.

1712 – Langley; Elizabeth Style marries Sir John Elwill at Bridewell Chapel, City of London. A marriage settlement is in Kent Archive. Subject to reading the settlement it would seem to settle the Langley estate on Elwill as regardless of the marriage being childless and Elizabeth remarrying Henry Bartelot in 1730 and her subsequent death in 1731 the estate remains in the Elwill family until sold to Hugh Raymond in 1732.

1712-1727 – This plan shows the area of Shortlands Bridge over the Ravensbourne and is William Passenger’s land. It can be dated by the marriage Sir John Elwill to Elizabeth Style to his death in 1727. The river appears to have a ford at this time.

1713 - Langley; The Reverend Stukeley, an antiquarian, made a sketch of Lady Elwill's House at Langley. Lady Elwill was Elizabeth Style. The sketch is in Stukeley's diary at the Bodleian Library. The house is similar to the print in Hasted's 1778 History and Topography of Kent.

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. A property conveyance took the form of a fictitious lawsuite.
Chirurgeon is an archaic spelling for Surgeon.

1715 - (Hasted). 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.

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.

1715 – Henry Batt of Penge dies and leaves a will. The Batt family can be traced back to the 1550’s in burials. One of the witnesses to his will is John Tolson. The brother Joseph is referred to as ‘late’ and therefore not a beneficiary. The Batts are landowners and lease additional land from Peter Burrell.

Will: 23 June 1707; Probate: 20 May 1715
Bequests of messuage, appurtenances, and 14 acres, Beckenham (purchased of the 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. John Reynolds is to pay £580 to Batt (for Kent House which he later sells to Lethieullier).

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.

The estate of the Earl of Oxford is difficult or impossible to define as parts are in Battersey, Lewisham, Bromley and Beckenham. It seems to include all or part of Kent House Farm. The Earl of Oxford, Robert Harley was a statesman in the time of Queen Anne and was closely associated with Henry St.John, Viscount Bolingbroke. Whether Oxford acquired some property from Bolingbroke remains a question. Edward King mentioned in this will is a name appearing on the map of Simpsons Place as a neighbouring property in 1735.

The Burrell Estate Map 1735 shows Batt land around the boundaries of Burrell land on the Kent/Surrey border. The Boundary Stream can be seen. Batt also has a property in Beckenham High Street.

1716 – Foxgrove Manor is subject of a Chancery case prescribing the settling of proceeds of the sale to pay Francis Leigh’s creditors. Hasted said it changed hands in 1712 after 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. Some question remains as to whether as executor she sold Foxgrove to John Tolson prior to his death in 1713 or it was sold to Lancelot Tolson about 1716 related to the Chancery direction. Nevertheless, Lancelot Tolson held it at the time of his death in 1727 and left it to his nephew, Lancelot Tolson-Tilly.

William Lethuiellier late of London merchant now of Beckenham & William Davies of Beckenham Kent & John Dodd of Fenchurch Street London … of the other part witness £280 paid for purchase of house and lands
All that house tenement etc in parish & town of Beckenham – a piece of arable land called The Ridge adjacent/lying near house 8 roods, Plohesland Slow 2.5a, abutting lands late of Thomas Brograve now Peter Burrell on the N lands late of Wm Stiles now of Sir John Elwill to the S & Bunhill 1a abutting the highway Beckenham Church to house late Thomas Brograve on the N late in occ Edward Clubb tailor by lease from William Lethuiellier

Schedule 27/7/1661 Robert King of Shirley Southampton & Margaret Board of St Martin in the Fields Middlesex widow – lands and tenement in Beckenham

Tripart indenture 6/10/1677 Thos Burnoll of St Martin in the Fields linen draper & Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizabeth Board & granddaughter of Margaret Board late of Charterhouse Yard St Sepulcre widow decd 1st pt, Anthony Rawlins of St Olaves 2nd pt and Joseph Reeve merchant of the staple of England 3rd

Exemplification of common recovery Moses Crouch & Joseph Reeve demand against Anthony Rawlins & Thos Burnole & his wife

Tripart Indenture 26/4/1704 William Lethuiellier 1st, Edward Gilbert of London scrivener 2nd & Wm Sayle of London gent 3rd
Exemplification common recovery Wm Sayle demand, Edward Colbert & William Lethuiellier 1705

Defendants: Sir John Elwill and Elizabeth Elwill his wife, Peter Burrell, [unknown] Hoskins, Peter Southey, Thomas Hinman, William Hall and Elizabeth Colson.

Whether this is Humphrey Style who dies in 1718 or his son disatisfied with the terms of Humphreeys will remains unexplained but there are several cases relating to Langley, Elwill and Style. The terms of Humphrey's will 1718 implies that Langley remains with Elizabeth Style and any issue. That not being the case then the estates should revert to the Style line. I can only deducethat the cases found in favour of Elwills and the subsequent sale of Langley to Hugh Raymond.

1718 – Kent House etc. Sir John Lethieullier dies on the 4th April. He possesses extensive property Beckenham, Lewisham, Lee, West Wickham etc. Much of it leased to tenants. His will states “my lands and tenements in Beckenham, Lewisham & Battersea in the tenures and occupations of Thomas Draper, Richard Clowder, widow Stevens, Abraham Phillips, John Batt, Nicholas Sheeres & Thomas Brasyer to son William.” along with other properties in Kent. His son John gets property in Essex and London. His daughters Leonora and Letitia get property in Lewisham. See 1739 the death and will of William Lethieullier.

1718 – Langley; Humphrey Style (1648-1718) died and his surviving daughter Elizabeth inherits Langley, Simpsons Place and any other property in Kent as his will specifies she should have all his messuages etc in Kent. Some had been part of her marriage settlement with John Elwill. She had married Sir John Elwill in 1704 who by right of his wife holds Langley although Humphrey’s will specifies that Sir John Elwill should not have control of the estate it raises some legal issues and questions about what other arrangements or commitments Humphrey made. Humphrey Style names Peter Burrell I as one of his executors and trustees along with his own son also named Humphrey Style. Humphrey makes provision for Frances Shippe from Norfolk who appears to be a mistress or common law wife. The will dated 27^th March 1718 mentions his son also named Humphrey Style who has some bequest of the remainder of Styles leasehold estate apart from that in Kent but is unspecified. It appears this Humphrey dies in 1744 and is buried at St. Georges but the implication is that he occupied property outside of Kent, possibly Norfolk as Humphrey had been residing with Francis Shippe at Kenning Hall Place, Norfolk.

Humphrey had expected his daughter Elizabeth to bear heirs as implied in the wording of the will. She had been married for 6 years since 1712 aged 26 and her only son named John had died, apparently an infant in 1714. There were no other children. As the Beckenham and Bromley property became the Elwills and was sold to Hugh Raymond, by then a relative of Peter Burrell, there may have been some influence exerted by Burrell as an executor of the will? This is speculation on my part and we don't know the exact conditions of the Elwill/Style marriage settelement, although it is BHC ref 841/3/1/4

The only Styles mentioned in the will are the daughter Elizabeth and son Humphrey. Perhaps the son was not expected to father any heirs for whatever reason. Other children must have pre-deceased their father. It was more usual for such wills to determine that property followed on via some other branch of the family but that is not the case here. See 1734 for more implications.

Kenning Hall Place in Norfolk had been the residence of the Howards and the much grander house had been demolished and reduced to this farmhouse.

Humphrey’s words regarding Frances are “whereas I have brought Ffrances Shippe out of Norfolk from her parents and by that means she is become destitute of the comfort and assistance she would have had from them therefore I do give and bequeath to her the said Ffrances Shippe in case she shall be living with me at the time of my decease the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and also all the singular household goods, beds, bedding or other household furniture which shall be belonging to me and which at the time of my decease shall be in and about my now dwelling house or apartment at Keming Hall Place in the County of Norfolk

Hasted says: "Humphrey Style's only (surviving) 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 aisles of the parish church of Beckenham, to Hugh Raymond of Great Saling, in Essex, esq. See 1731/32.

Humphrey Style’s will mentions his ‘good friend’ Peter Burrell (of Kelsey) but whether it is the first or second Peter Burrell is unclear. If it was Peter Burrell the first then he dies in September 1718 shortly after Humphrey in April. Humphrey and his wife Mary Hovell had six children, three of whom died before him but the fate of one son, Hovell Style, is unknown. And the son Humphrey is a mostly a mystery having been mentioned in the will but as no will of his or other record apart from his burial at St.George's has been found the trail goes cold.

There is a marriage settlement document drawn up between Sir John Elwill and Elizabeth Style which we assume settles Langley upon Elwill as there is no evidence that Langley should have descended to other members of the Style family. Taking account of earlier financial problems related to Sympson's Place perhaps Elwill settled money on the Styles? We should review the marriage settlement at some time in the future.

1718 – September, 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 who will marry Amy Raymond in 1723. Having inherited Kelsey he expanded it with further purchases, see 1719.

1719 – Kelsey; 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 the document dates 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. (source: Kent Archive, research K.Baldwin)

Widow Kempsall is possibly the last of a long line of Kempsall landowners in Beckenham from the early 16^th Century (1507) but the burial records for Kempsalls carry on until 1756. “Leasons” fields bounded Oakwood Avenue which used to be called Green Lane and there were Upper, Hither and Further Leasons. The 1766 copy of the 1720 Foxgrove Manor map shows land annotated “Henry Kempsall Yeoman”. See 1507 for the Warranty evidencing a land transfer.

1720 - Foxgrove Manor An estate plan 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 except by ownership. 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.

1720 – The South Sea Bubble: it will affect the future of Beckenham in some way. South Sea Company stock was equivalent to government borrowing and seen as a safe bet. But things got out of hand since the stock had a fixed yield but the price of the stock was dependent upon demand.

It transpires that several Beckenham and Bromley residents or landlords are connected with the Bubble whether as investors or members of the company. Although it is before he becomes a Beckenham landowner Hugh Raymond is connecte to Beckenham by the marriage of his daughter Amy to Peter Burrell II shortly after the Bubble and probably a business connection existed prior to the marriage.

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 later as Village Place; This is the earliest known record of Thomas Motley associated with Beckenham and he will own Farms and Property in the village, see 1736. Some absence of evidence regarding Elmers End Farms might mean he already was owner of land at Elmers End but we find him adding property from Hugh Raymond called Elmer Farm in 1734. The Motley map of 1736 shows a house and grounds which he called The Mead. Interpreting maps implies that the later Village Place was a newer building than the original Mead. The description ‘lately built’ in this reference roughly dates the building of The Mead and the lands of The Ridge and Bunhill were its grounds. The 1736 map shows formal water features and gardens

1721 – Pugh was a Dyer and had a dying (as in dying cloth and not failing) business in Southwark and a mansion house in Beckenham as well as property in Beckenham and Lewisham.

1716 - Langley; presumed date of the installation of an obelisk near Hayes Lane close to the Greenwich Meridian. The date matches that of Edmund Halley's fixing of the Greenwich Meridian and we have guessed whether it might be a southerly marker visible from Greenwich Observatory at that date? Some authorities say not but the jury is still out. The obelisk was removed and now stands in a housing estate in Hither Green.

1722 – Mary Batt, widow of Henry Batt (d.1715) leaves property: The absence of any detailed maps of fields leaves us guessing regarding their exact locations. Michael Batt eventually leaves a quarter of his inheritance to his sister and three quarters to his second wife with no apparent male or female heir.

Will to son (then grandson Michael Batt "St Peters Hall"inc barn stable 13a occ Matthew Golderin Penge and adjacent Gatehouse Field 6a behind widow Tomsetts house, & Calloways Croft 2a next Sarah Hammonds house occ Thomas Tomsett also land abutting Shawfords bridge called Long Mead occ John Collier also Brooks Field 4a occ Mark Matthew, also 3 tenements occ Matthew Wright, William Sparrow & Christopher Chapman, also Hubbards 5a, Christmas Croft 4a, five fields called Wilmots Fields adjacent to Wilmots Bridge 12a

To daughter Mary & heirs (or grandson Michael Batt if none) wife of Samuel Pugh two fields called Powey Fields 8a lying in or near Batts Lane occ John Carpenter, my house.
To grandson Henry Batt & granddaughter Elizabeth Batt
Cousin Jane Marshall, godson Richard Marshall his sister Mary wife of Wm Sumpter
Cousins Elizabeth Kinsey & Mary Jones
daughter in law Elizabeth Batt
kinswoman Susanna wife of Rev Epiphany Holland
Kinswoman Elizabeth Chapman
daughter Mary Pugh
cousin James Gidden & Rebecca his wife

1722 – See Appendix, marriage settlement Peter Burrell II and Amy Raymond, details of trust, property, trustees etc. Part of the 1825 record regarding the sale of the Gwydir estate.

1722 – 22^nd March, 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.

1722 - Peter Burrell II of Kelsey (to be 'of Langley' later on) and Amy Raymond marry. She is a daughter of Hugh Raymond of Saling Hall and Stepney who purchases Langley in 1732. These pictures have been dated 1724 but perhaps are wedding portraits.

1723- The Stamford Mercury of 30^th May carries this piece regarding Hugh Raymond and his involvement in the South Sea Bubble. The term ‘allowance’ is confusing and perhaps means he retains that portion of his estate. However, he appears to retain more wealth than that. How this affected any marriage settlement upon his daughter the previous year could be interesting.

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 and 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. The Penge property is described as being occupied by Henry Ball (probably Batt due to fading and transcription error). Woolsey’s occupied by Buxted?.

With thanks to Sir Charles Burrell Bt. of Knepp Castle, East Sussex who is a direct descendant of William Burrell (1732-1796) and his father Peter Burrell II (1692-1756) of Kelsey. William Burrell is recorded on the 1769 Andrews, Drury and Herbert map as residing at Kelseys

1723 – A continuation of the previous entry, part of Peter Burrell’s property near Penge is leased to Henry Batt. Batt owned property in his own right around Penge and also leased adjoining land from Burrell. This plan in the British Library illustrates the property including ‘Kate Field’ and is on the Surrey/Kent Border close to Kent House.

Courtesy of the British Library and National Library of Scotland, the 1870 OS map shows the county boundary and a triangular plot on Beckenham Road and the outline of ‘Kate Field’ is also discernable.

Although these marked fields are Burrell land leased to Batt, much of the land around the fields is marked as Batt’s who also had a plot in Beckenham High Street neighbouring the site of the George Inn.

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)

1725 – Elmers End, William Motley is landlord of Old and New Farms and brings this case against the South Sea Company possibly related to the South Sea Bubble of 1720? Many people were compensated for misdealing within the SSC. TNA ref; C 11/2385/26 Short title: Motley v Rigby.

Defendants: Richard Rigby, Governor etc of South Sea Company. Date of bill (or first document): 1725

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.

Sarah Orchard , Sarah Hutchins , Mary Loveday , Thomas Atkinson , William Watson , Mary Cockshead, Mary Trigger , Rebecca Bignell , Ann Macclane , Elizabeth Fletcher , John Jackson, JosephBrockhouse , Benjamin Blocksedge , Temperance Stonly, Rebecca Read , Thomas Owen, CharlesAtkins , 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 – Lancelot Tolson dies and leaves land 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 at the time of his death. An unresolved question is whether John Tolson only had the Plaistow part of what would be on the Foxgrove Manor map of 1720 and whether it was his brother Lancelot who added the rest of Foxgrove in 1716. Other possibilities arise such as John Tolson perhaps having a mortgage on the Leigh/Foxgrove estate or indeed whether John left money to Lancelot with which he purchased Foxgrove? 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 – Death of Sir John Elwill of Langley; 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. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Henry Bartelott but Langley had passed to her first husband who left it to his brother Edmund. Elizabeth probably remained at Langley as dowager. As Elwill’s will is in latin we cannot deduce the full details of it. See 1732 and 1734

1727 – Penge: Henry Batt leases property from William Lethieullier. It can be found referenced in William Lethieullier’s will of 1739.
Ref: 728/11/1 Lease for 21 years at £32 per annum of Roystons, a messuage, orchard, and garden near Penge Green, and closes (field names and acreages given) 10/10/1727 William Lethieuller, of Beckenham to Henry Batt, of Penge Green, gentleman.

Field names and acreages would be of interest if a detailed map of Penge was available.

Rocque’s 1746 Map which although inaccurate in several ways does give an overview of the area with Clockhouse showing Mrs Lethieullier. Unfortunately Royston’s is not annotated.

1728 - John Cator the elder marries Mary Brough as recorded on 11th February, the parents of John Cator the younger who will be of Beckenham Place (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 25^th of March and did not like to refer to some days of the week as they derived from pagan gods.

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.

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. See 1709 - 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.

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.

1728 – Clockhouse Lethieullier connection, in this marriage settlement Susannah Colt is sister in law to Sarah Holland who was the widow of Samuel Lethieullier. This is perhaps the first connection of the Hoare family with Beckenham albeit distanced.Marriage of Henry Hoare and Susannah Colt; stepdaughter of Epiphanius Holland, clerk of Beckenham from his wife Susannah’s first marriage to Stephen Colt.Ref; 212B/6266 (1) Hoare, Henry, Esq. (2) Epiphanius Holland, clerk, of Beckenham, Co. Kent, and Susannah his wife, formerly wife of Stephen Colt Colt, Susannah, daughter of Susannah by her first marriage. (3) Michell, Simon, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, Co. Middx.Marriage Settlement of the Castle of Stourton, the Dairy house and Malthouse in Slade Mead and "Great Buckleys," "Hay Barton", "Dairy Mead" "Little Buckleys" "Spencers Mead" "Slade Mead" "Barn Mead" "Broome Wood Mead", [etc.]. 1728 July 5

Plaintiffs: John Elwill esq an infant aged four years (by David Polhill esq, Geoffery Amherst esq, Peter Southey gent his next friends) and the said David Polhill, Geoffery Amherst and Peter Southey.

Defendants: Sir Edmund Elwinn bart and Dame Wlizabeth Elwill his wife, Humphrey Style, Hanry Walrond, Henry Herring esq and Edward Gilbert gent.

A curious case as Sir John Elwill is apparently named wrongly as Edmund here and Elizabeth Elwill is Elizabeth nee Style and Humphrey is apparently her brother. Edward Gilbert was a trustee/executor of Humphrey Style's will from 1717. Sir John Elwill died in 1727 and the John Elwill infant of 4 years could be a second offspring of John and Elizabeth if we assume they had a surviving child from circa 1724.

1729 - Lancelot Tolson had come into possession of the Manor of Foxgrove whichhe or his brother John Tolson had purchased from the estate of Francis Leigh circa 1713/16. Through John Tolson and his brother Lancelot not having direct heirs the estate passed to the nephew Lancelot Tolson Tilly (LTT) by their sister Mary Tolson married to Joseph Tilly.LTT died young leaving the estate to his parents and the widowed Mary divided the estate.

1729	11 Dec	3	Lancelot Tolson Tilly, an infant, by James Humberstone, of New Inn, Middx, gentleman v. John Simpson, esq., and John Brome, esq., and Joseph Tilly, & Mary, his wife	re. will, 5 Feb. 1726, of Lancelot Tolson [1673-1727], great-uncle of complt, of Plaistow, in par. Bromley, Kent, having no wife or child; his manors, messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Beckingham [Beckenham], Bromley, Lewisham, Dartford, Swanscombe, and Darent and in par. Wadhurst, Sussex, and in par. Saint Botolph's, Aldersgate, London, etc.,... and a large and plentiful personal estate, ready money, banknotes, navy bills, bonds, mortgages, South Sea stock, Orphan stock, African and East India stock, etc., plate, jewels, rings, books, household stuff, ...etc., etc.	C78/2066, no. 3 [81]

1730	18 Feb	3	Thomas Lockyer v. John Simpson and John Brome esqs; and Lancelot Tolson Tilly	re. will 25 Feb 1726, of Lancelot Tolson of Plaistow, Kent; considerable real and personal estate; bequests.	C79/20, no. [7]

1730 – Beckenham; Surrey Wills ref; SW/31_407
Richard Philips (X) of Beckenham, Kent, yeoman (died) 2 Sep 1729
my late brother James Philips by his will of 30 Mar 1729 devize to me his messuages etc. (4 acres) in the occupation of William Lewin in Beckenham to me for life and then to my daughter Sarah Philips and if she dies to me; I bequeathe this if my daughter dies to my wife for life and then to (Revd Mr) Talbot of Beckenham; my wife Sarah if she remarries to enter bond for daughter; to my mother Sarah Meager, my brother William Philips and brother in law Henry Wooden and his wife Sarah Wooden half a guinea each; residue to my wife, exec.
Witnesses: James Combs (X); Elizabeth Whiffin (X); Elizabeth Smyth
Proved: 8 Apr 1730 to exec. [DW/PA/5/1730/97] (late of Addington)Several Philips in burials for the 17^th and 18^th Centuries including James in 1729 but not Richard who may appear in Addington burials? The 4 acres may be close to Thayers Farm as Lewin was a tenant of Thayers Farm around 1735 and the plural messuages indicate more than one property. But this is another example of the complex land ownership under yeomen around the larger estates. The (X) in the text I take to mean that these people made their mark as they were illiterate. Where this occurs its usual for the mark to be witnessed i.e. by Elizabeth Smyth?

1731 – Langley; death of Elizabeth Style wife of Sir John Elwill deceased and then Henry Bartelot. The Reverend William Stukeley a well known antiquarian wrote of her “Elizabeth (Lady Elwill), of the old and opulent Kentish family of the Styles, a lady of an excellent character, a lover of flowers, admirer of the beautys of nature. Whilst marryed, and at Langley, I often visited, and was well received by her, through a certain similitude of disposition. Archbishop Wake was her godfather. July, 1729, the day after I was ordained deacon at Croydon by that Prelate, I visited her at Langley, her husband being lately dead. She afterwards marryed again, but did not live long, and was buryed in the same vault with Sir John Elwill in Beckenham church."

Stukeley is said to have made a drawing of Langley House in 1718 apparently in volume XVI of his published diaries but so far it evades discovery. It would be of great interest if it was the same or differs from the later 1779 picture of Langley in Hasted’s publication.

1732 – Hugh Raymond of Saling and Stepney purchases Langley Park Estate and Simpson's Place/Farm for the sum of £6,500 from Sir Edmund Elwill who had inherited from his brother Sir John Elwill, first husband of Elizabeth Style (1686-1731) (according to Hasted). This purchase appears to include some property belonging to Simpson’s at Elmers End i.e. Elmer Farm which is the subject of a sale to Thomas Motley in 1734.

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 straddled the Parish boundaries between Beckenham, Bromley, Hayes and West Wickham. Simpson’s was in Bromley and Beckenham. Elizabeth Elwill nee Style had married a Henry Bartelott after John Elwill’s decease. She died in 1731 which may have affected the date of the sale by Edmund as she may have occupied the estate in dower. There is some story about a family feud. Perhaps Elizabeth had intentions of carrying the estate to Bartelott? A memorial to Elizabeth is in St. George's raised by Bartelott. See 1718 death of Humphrey Style, Elizabeth’s father. Strangely the inheritance of such large estates was often put ‘in tail’ to any surviving male line but perhaps the lack of any direction to this effect in the wills of the Style family meant that Elwill’s family acquired it through the marriage even though there were no heirs produced out of the marriage.

Of Hugh Raymond’s occupation of Saling Hall it is said; The Carters sold the house in 1717 to the Raymond family. Hugh Raymond was a man of substance, a sea-captain and shipbuilder in London who was involved in the spectacular financial crash known as the South Sea Bubble. He commanded an East Indiaman, the Duchess, and built the South Sea Company's ship Royal Prince. He became Colonel of the Tower Hamlets' Militia for the defence of London and had a house on Tower Hill. While in the East he commissioned an early example of Chinese armorial porcelain known as the Saling Service, of which several pieces survive. He was succeeded at Saling (and Langley in Beckenham) by his son Jones Raymond, who apparently installed the wine-cellar whose inventory (in 1768) is preserved in the Essex Record Office.

The Raymonds then sold the Saling estate to William Evelyn in 1768 which coincides with Jones Raymond’s death so may have been part of a disposal to meet bequests? He leased it to Peter Burrell, who installed Mrs Amy Burrell (Hugh Raymonds oldest daughter who may have influenced the repurchase as she would have spent years before her marriage to Peter Burrell) in the house and she bought Saling Hall the following year (1769, by which time Amy had been widowed from Peter Burrell. Amy died in 1789 which may have prompted the sale by her grandson, Peter Burrell IV/Baron Gwydir). The house was then occupied by William Branch who was responsible for paying the church rate of £12.6.6. in 1789. Saling Hall was put up for auction in 1790 and the Hall was transferred to the estate of John Yeldham of Saling Grove beginning a connection between the two houses which was to last in one form or another into the twentieth century. Yeldham had built Saling Grove in 1750 and had commissioned Humphry Repton to lay out his park. Goodrich and his wife, Mary Wilson 'of New York', lived at the Grove from 1795.

Other references evidence that the Raymonds and Burrells shared their time between Essex and Kent much as we might deduce that the Rokele’s and Bruyn’s did from Beckenham Manor in the medieval times.

1733 – Langley; This intriguing court case must relate to the death of Humphrey Style of Langley in 1718. His will had left Kent estates to his daughter Elizabeth married to John Elwill although she later married Henry Bartelot when widowed. The other beneficiary of Style’s will was his son Humphrey d.1744 who appears as a defendant in this case. Its possible that Humphrey d.1718 did not mention Mary Style in his as some marriage settlement had been made? Or she was provided for by Persehouse. The fate of Style’s son Hovell is unknown. When the Elwill’s inherited Langley despite Elizabeth having married Bartelot the subsequent sale in 1732 to Hugh Raymond and probably some property to Lethieullier, Burrell etc. then some dissatisfaction has befallen Mary Style and other plaintiffs. Sir Thomas Style mentioned would be of Wateringbury and possibly a trustee of Style estates? In any case thereference evidences that all did not go smoothly with the sale of Langley. TNA Reference: C 11/2286/13 Description: Short title: Pershowse v Persehowse.

Plaintiffs: Mary Persehowse (nee Style widow of Thomas Persehowse, esq deceased{1719/20}) both of St Margaret Wetsminster, Middlesex.

Defendants: Humphrey Persehowse, Lawrence Martell, Thomas Joliffe, Thomas Persehowse and Humphrey Style.

Date of bill (or first document): 1720. Ref. C 11/2743/92 Description: Short title: West v Style. Document type: Bill only. Plaintiffs: Gilbert West, esq of St James Westminster, Middlesex and Catherine West his wife (late Catherine Bartelot spinster) executrix of Henry Bartelot, esq and adminstratrix with will of goods unadminstered of Dame Elizabeth Elwill.

Defendants: Sir Thomas Style, William Letheullier, Peter Burrell, Richard Wyatt, Peter Southey, David Polhill, Jeffrey Amhurst, John Elwill, Henry Herring, Humphrey Style and Hugh Raymond. Date of bill (or first document): 1733 (The National Archive)

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 and Bermondsey near Tower Bridge.

Plaintiffs: Gilbert West, esq of St James Westminster, Middlesex and Catherine West his wife (late Catherine Bartelot spinster) executrix of Henry Bartelot, esq and adminstratrix with will of goods unadminstered of Dame Elizabeth Elwill.Defendants: Sir Thomas Style, William Letheullier, Peter Burrell, Richard Wyatt, Peter Southey, David Polhill, Jeffrey Amhurst, John Elwill, Henry Herring, Humphrey Style and Hugh Raymond.Date of bill (or first document): 1733This suit must relate to a dispute over Langley property or Elizabeth Style’s (unadministered goods) effects as Henry Bartelot was second husband of Elizabeth Style, the last of the Styles whose first husband was Elwill. It was Elwill’s brother Edmund who sold Langley to Hugh Raymond. Just another instance of complications regarding property inheritance and disposal.1734 – Clockhouse and Beckenham Place; 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 – William Lethieullier sells two small pastures to John Overton of Penge by Indenture. The fields are adjacent to Henry Batt’s house and Penge Common. Henry Batt has property leased from Peter Burrell and also acquired from the estate of the Countess of Oxford.

1734 - 17th April Manor of Beckenham lands; Lease to Henry Batt of Penge 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. He also leased land from the Burrells. 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 aFrederick St. John (Bolingbroke), grandson of Sir Walter St. John. The existing or previous occupier Lethalear, a spelling variation of Lethieullier, shows the Lethieulliers of Kent House Farm are perhaps surrendering this previously leased land of Beckenham Manor. The Riddens and Riddens Wood are not far from the Lethieullier house at Clockhouse and their property at Kent House. The land between Redons Wood and Rounds Park is the position of Thayers Farm owned by Thomas Motley at this time.

North is toward the bottom right hand corner of this Beckenham Manor map. Kent House Road to the right of Lords Redons (spelling variation). The stream to the left of Lords Redons Wood is the Chaffinch which joins the Beck to become the Pool river which now joins in Cator Park. The house on the road left of the Chaffinch is believed to be Clockhouse or perhaps an earlier building on the site as this maps is a 1766 copy of the earlier 1623 version.

Clay Lane has become Elmers End Road and the closes may have been the Hursts which might be confirmed by viewing the documents

1734 – 31^st August; Elmers End Farm(s); A document in Lincolnshire archive evidences purchase of Elmer Farm by Thomas Motley from Hugh Raymond of Langley and Simpson’s Place. Subject to some clarification as Thomas Motley held Elmers End Old and New farms according to his 1736 map and this shows that the land called La Motes, which is now in South Norwood Country Park and other land south of Elmers End and land north of Croydon Road and parts of Thayers Farm are included in this acquisition by Thomas Motley and the land came to him via Hugh Raymond who apparently acquired it along with Langley and Simpsons Place from the Elwills who had acquired it through the marriage of Sir John Elwill to Elizabeth Stile in 1712. As Motley’s map only shows Elmers End Old and New farms this release is where he acquires the named land shown on the map. The details of field names shows that parts of Elmers End farms and part of Thayers Farm are included in this transfer and that indicates that the land was originally part of Simpsons Place, Bromley property which was acquired by John Stile circa 1500. This in itself draws some questions about the remainder of Elmers End Farms and Thayers Farm which may have belonged to the Aylmers circa 14^th Century.

Counterpart Release
(1) Hugh Raymond of Saling Hall Essex, Esq.
(2) Thomas Motley of Beckenham, Kent, Esq.
From (1) to (2).
Property: capital messuage called Elmers with barns, stables, buildings, lands, woods, near Elmers End, Beckenham, Kent.
Field names etc:
Parcel of land called La’motts or La Motes, part of Simpsons Place lands
The Barnfield containing Three acres and two roods, Long Mead two acres and Two roods, The Little Meadow one Acre, Three Rumballs Twelve Acres and two roods, Two Willow Slows Six Acres, Two Peices of Land in a Common Field called Blundells one acre and two roods. The undivided Moiety of Three Fields called Great and Little [P]ickingtons and Olivers Meadow Eight Acres, Two Closes lying behind Yeomans Cottage Six Acres, Two Closes called the Wildes Six Acres, [J]acks Field Two Acres and all that Parcel of Land called La Motes with the Shaws and Motes
The Great Mead, Long Mead, The Old Orchard, Two Broomfields, M[atch?]field and Loft Meadow.

Consideration: £1,689.
Reciting deeds 14 May 14 James I [1616] – 31 Aug 1734.

All that Capital Messuage Tenement and Farm commonly called or known by the name of Elmers with the Barnes, stables [?] and Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate and being at or near Elmers End in the Parish of Beckenham in the County of Kent And all those Fields Closes or Parcells of Arable Meadow or Pasture Ground to the same Messuage and Farme belonging or therewith used or Enjoyed containing together by Estimation Fifty acres be the same more or less also situate lying and being at or near Elmers End in the Parish of Beckenham and County of Kent aforesaid and with a parcel of Land called La’motts parts of Simpsons Place Lands now are or late were in the Tenure or Occupation of Walter Holden his Assignee or Assignes at the Yearly Rent of six and Forty pounds Ten shillings or thereabouts and all that or those the said Parcel of Land or Closes called La’motts containing in the whole by Estimation Twenty acres be the same more or less with the Appurtenances also scituate and being in the Parish of Beckenham and County of Kent aforesaid which said Capital Messuage Farm lands and premises hereinbefore Granted and Released or mentioned so to be were demised by Sir John Elwill Baronet deceased unto the said Walter Holden by Lease dated on or about the Nine and Twentieth Day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty two for the Term of One and Twenty years at the yearly rent aforesaid and the Fields Closes or Parcells of Land are therein more particularly described called and distinguished by the several Names and Descriptions therein and next hereinafter mentioned that is to say The Barnfield containing Three acres and two roods Long Mead two acres and Two roods The Little Meadow one Acre Three Rumballs Twelve Acres and two roods Two Willow Slows Six Acres Two Peices of Land in a Common Field called Blundells one acre and two roods The undivided Moiety of Three Fields called Great and Little [P]ickingtons and Olivers Meadow Eight Acres Two Closes lying behind Yeomans Cottage Six Acres Two Closes called the Wildes Six Acres [J]acks Field Two Acres And all that Parcel of Land called La Motes with the Shaws and Motes Twenty Acres be the same or any or either of them more or less And also all that Messuage or Tenement with the Barne Stable Buildings Yard Garden Orchard and appurtenances thereunto belonging and all those sixteen acres of Arable Pasture Meadow and belonging or therewith used or enjoyed which last mentioned Messuage or Tenement Lands Ground and Premisses are also scituate lying and being in the Parish of Beckenham and County of Kent aforesaid and now are or late were in the Tenure or Occupation of John Theyer or his Assignes by Lease from the said Sir John Elwill dated on or about the nine and Twentieth day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty six for the Term of One and Twenty years at and under the yearly rent of sixteen pounds Fifteen shillings or thereabouts and the same lands and Ground are there more particularly described and called by the several names and descriptions therein and next hereinafter mentioned that is to say The Great Mead, Long Mead, The Old Orchard, Two Broomfields, M[atch?]field and Loft Meadow Or by whatsoever other Name or Names or description at the said several Messages or Tenements Fields Closes Pieces or Parcells of Land and Premisses hereinbefore Granted and Released or any of them now are or have been called known or distinguished And all Houses Outhouses Edifices Buildings Barnes stables Yards Gardens Orchards Ways Paths Passages Waters Water courses Hedges Ditches Fences Trees Woods Underwoods Commons Common of Pasture Easements Profitts Commodities Advantages Emoluments hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Messuages …..

As Thomas Motley is named as trustee in some wills and transactions of the Lethieullier family we cannot discount the possibility that Motley’s other property may have been purchased from the Lethieulliers? Perhaps being originally part of Kent House Farm?

1734 - Brograve; November, Arabella Brograve is buried at St. George's and leaves a will in which she leaves a nominal "shilling" to one nephew and the rest of her belongings, South Sea Annuities and any other possessions to her nephew, William Dacres, husbondman (tenant farmer). Possibly the William Dacres who is tenant farmer of Staceys which is part of the Langley estate belonging to Hugh Raymond at this time. Arabella appears to be the last of the Brograve family to reside in Beckenham but we don't know where she lived. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Brograve.

1735 – Kelsey; 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, Bart. 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, spelt 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. Some of the Tolson land will come into the possession of John Cator giving rise to the interwoven patchwork of ownership which would enable later exchanges to consolidate estates and some will be acquired by Jones Raymond. Other detail on the map shows Kelsey with a formal square lake and more detail that could only be related in a small book.

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.

This can be compared to the ‘Langley belonging to Jones Raymond’ map which postdates Hugh Raymond’s death in 1737 but is undated and could be shortly after 1737 upto 1768. Whether maps were drawn in anticipation of deaths and settlement of wills is unknown but several maps are drawn from 1720 but of course these are only the ones we are aware of. As the ‘Jones Raymond’ map shows the southern part of Langley estate and has fields indexed K to O then the supposition is that at least one other part was drawn showing A to J.

The labelling of Langley Farm is a moveable feast as the original farm was centred around the main house but after several land exchanges Langley Farm was a part of the estate centred on what is now Langley Court leaving ‘Langley’ as a separate entity.

88 acres listed compared to earlier descriptions of Simpson’s with 160 acres. Whether the difference went to constitute New Farm needs to be confirmed or deduced.

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.

1736 – Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm, The Mead in Beckenham village. 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. The house and gardens called The Mead is on a site earlier called Shiltons Mead on the copy of the 1720 Foxgrove Manor map and it looks like the house is what later became known as the Mansion House, not to be confused with the Manor House opposite the church. 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. Thomas Motley acted as trustee on several Lethieullier wills and transactions implying a close link with the family. He is described as a friend by William Lethieullier in Williams will of 1739 and a trustee/executor to manage property for William's heirs. Also see 1734 whereby Motley purchases Elmer Farm from Hugh Raymond evidencing that that property had come to Raymond via his purchase of Langley and Simpson’s Place. Elmer Farm constitutes about half of Motley’s Elmers End Old and New Farms and raises the question of how Motley acquired the other property.

Some other interesting detail; Mrs Holland’s House is next door to Motley’s and land belonging to Samuel Pugh is adjacent. Pugh’s land looks like it is the site of the Old Woodhouse. Mrs Holland is possibly Susannah Holland, widow of Epiphaneus Holland. The Hollands become related to the Lethieulliers and Hoare families by marriages and although a later “Mrs Holland” mentions a house in Beckenham we believe that to be Clockhouse as she is widow of Samuel Lethieullier and subsequently after remarriage, widow of Stephen Holland the surviving son of Epiphaneus Holland.

The Mead (Mansion House) and Burrells house on the site of the Greyhound Public House

1736 – The will of William Tapsfield; A yeoman land owner describes some of his property in Beckenham and Croydon. Some plots in the occupation of tenants around Elmers End Green adjacent to Monks Orchard. Tapsfield is shown on the 1735 Kelsey map and on the 1809 Burrell map these plots are in the possession of Humphreys and Willis. St.John Humphreys is mentioned in Tapsfield’s will as an executor and beneficiary. (Ancestry PCC wills) see 1653 Roger Tapsell/Tapsfield

1736 – Old Manor and Kelsey; These small plots are leased from Morden College by Burrell and will later be purchased eventually becoming part of the Langley Farm property.

(1) Trustees of Morden College (Philip Papillion, Richard Chiswell, Thomas Cooke & Kenelme Fawkner, Turkey Merchants)
(2) Peter Burrell Esqr.
From (1) to (2).
Property: 2 pieces or parcels of land in Beckenham, Co. Kent called Great King’s Field (4a 5r 29p) on a road that leads from Langley to Clay Hill and Little King’s Field (1a 2r 14p) abutting on the north west on the road from Beckenham.
Term: 21 years.
Rent: £4 annually
Commences Lady Day 1736, expires Lady Day 1757.
Attached: small plan showing the location of the fields adjacent to land of Peter Burrill (sic) and woodland. 23 x 14 cms, colour.
10 March, 9 George II (Lincolnshire Archive)

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.

Hugh Raymond’s memorial plaque is in St. George’s Church Beckenham along with Jones Raymond’s and several members of the Burrell family.

Hugh has prepared an inventory of his properties; 'Schedule Book of all my Deeds and Writings 1737', probably belonged to Hugh Raymond and used after 1737 by Jones Raymond [his son]. Deeds c.1517-1767 with index, loose leaves of additional index, memorandum of further abstracts to be entered in book and note re Gladmans, Boxted, and surrender at court of manor of Rivers Hall, Borstead. Relates to estates of his sister Amy Burrell; of sister Bridget Glanville; purchase of ships and dealings with South Sea Company; Saling Hall Estate, Essex; copyhold called Barrows, Essex; Nicholls and Kings Farm, Essex, with 3r at Oxen End, Essex; lands called Langley and Gunnells, Great Saling, Essex; Bacon Farm, Stebbing, Essex; Great Coggeshall, Essex; tithes of Great and Little Coggeshall, Essex; Highfields, Kelveden, Essex; manor and estate of Shalford, Essex; Hawks and 6a in Shalford near Park End, Essex; Gooses and 2a, Shalford; copyhold lands in manor of Shalford; lands in Shalford; 106a in Deeping Fenn, Lincolnshire; Horsley Down estate, Surrey; brewhouse and premises, limehouse, Middlesex; plantation and distillery, Providence Island; house in Leadenhall Street; houses and lands at Wapping in Whitechapel and Stepney; Langley Estate, Kent; 5a, Pickhurst Green, Hayes, Kent; house in Marine Square; shares in Shadwell Water Works; 371a Deeping Fenn, Lincolnshire; 2 tenements and 24a in Great and Litttle Saling; 10a in Hayes, Kent; Bardfield Estate; smith's shop in Great Bardfield Street; estate at Pansole, Buckinghamshire; freehold farm called Playles alias Pages in Great Saling, Bardfield Saling and Felsted, Essex; copyhold in manor of Saling (Surrey Archive)

1737 – Samuel Pugh of Beckenham dies; He was one of the smaller landowners locally. His will offers some detail as he possesses ‘a mansion house’ and is married to Mary Batt. The Batts are another local land owning family based in and around Penge with property in Beckenham High Street (Beckenham Street as it was known). Samuel and Mary had been married in 1721 by Epiphaneus Holland, who also resided in Beckenham but the marriage was performed at St.Mary Somerset, City of London. A 1710 City of London Poll register of Liverymen records Samuel Pugh as a Dyer so we might assume that is where his wealth originates.

1738 - Jones Raymond is High Sherriff of Kent. Apparently replaced by Christopher Milles perhaps he is ill because he 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.

1739 – Kent House / Clock House?/ Village Place; William Lethieullier of Beckenham is buried on the 10^th December. In his will he describes himself as “of Beckenham and a Barber Surgeon of London”. He makes provision for his surviving second wife Mary of a house in Beckenham for life, to his eldest son John he has bought him the position of Remberancer for the City of London and to his second son Manning Lethieullier he bequeaths the house in Beckenham and his property, Kent House occupied by a Mr. Bolt and probably Clock House. Whether the house and Clock House are the same is to be confirmed but the Lethieulliers are connected with what becomes Village Place prior to Lea Wilson acquiring it. Another clue is the Thomas Motley map of 1736 which shows land next to Thayers Farm in the position of Clockhouse annotated as “the gardens of William Lethieullier”. Manning is also left property at Penge Green occupied by Henry Batt, and property in Lewisham and Bromley. A house in Bromley is left to widow Susan Adams for life. Sons William and Samuel are left other properties in Kent at Dartford Heath and Hartley which he had inherited from his father.

Thomas Motley of Elmers End is nominated as a trustee for some management of parts of William’s bequests but the will is lengthy and complicated. See 1717 for an earlier lease of Village Place/The Ridge. The date of the building of Clock House is thought to be during William Lethieullier’s landlordship of the Beckenham property.

"I resign my precious and immortal soul into the hands of my heavenly Father.... my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred .... in the parish Church of Beckenham... by my late dear wife and children".

He has purchased for his eldest son John Lethieullier the office of Remembrancer of London from John Preston for £2,900; and he has borrowed from William Gosselin of London the sum of £2,500 on John's behalf. Therefore he leaves manors of Sutton at Hone, Wilmington and Roughill in Kent, houses at Dartford, farm at Marsh Street near Dartford, to Thomas Mottley and Hugh Corry, that they raise the said sums from the revenues or sale of the same. Any interest payments he has made to go to his executrix. Annuity of £15 to be paid to Susan Adams, wife of John Adams of Bromley to paid from remainder, and rest to be held by trustees on John's behalf.

To dear and loving wife, Mary Lethieullier: his dwelling house at Beckenham. And to Susan Adams: his house at Bromley. To hold for life, then reversion to son Manning Lethieullier, to whom he also leaves Kent House Farm in Beckenham, messuage in Lewisham, 2 messuages in Bromley, messuage in Penge Green in Battersea. Subject to annuity of £10 for Susan Adams.

To third son William Lethieullier: farm at Dartford Heath and 2 woods called Haxells and Death Springe, which he bought off _____ Bucks of Erith.

"Also I give, devise and bequeath to my fourth son Samuel Lethieullier: all that my farm of Hartley Wood in the parish of Hartley in the said county of Kent with all and every of its appurtenances. To hold to him and his heirs and assigns forever."

He divides his personal estate into 3 parts, according to the custom of the City of London. One part to wife Mary; one part to be divided between his 7 children - John, Manning, William, Mary, Samuel, Letitia, and Leonorah Lethieullier; third part to daughter Mary and son John Lethieullier.

To wife Mary: all jewels, gold watch and rings which he gave her, his coach, chariot and coach horses and all household goods, except linen, at Beckenham. Also his stock on the land and silver scalloped tea table.

To wife and daughters Mary, Letitia, and Leonorah: all his household linen and plate.

To son Samuel: "my gold watch, which my wife gave me after our marriage, and which was formerly her uncle Winder's, which I will my said son shall have when his mother thinks fit".

To wife: £100 in trust for use of Elizabeth Carpenter, wife of John Carpenter of Beckenham, smith.

To godson John Williams: £100; and money for mourning to relations and friends at executrix's discretion.

Mary Lethieullier to be sole executrix and guardian of any underage children of theirs.

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 1716-1741 (LTT) dies. He had inherited Foxgrove among the estates of his uncle Lancelot Tolson who had no other heirs. The uncle Lancelot Tolson by his will of 1727 left estates to LTT upon reaching the age of 23. As LTT died aged about 25 he only just qualified to receive the estates. LTT by his will of 1737 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. This has relevance to Beckenham Place in 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.

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.

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

1745 - Rocque's Map is published showing about 10 miles around London including the park area. Note the houses or farms on Stoms Hill which would predate the Beckenham Place Mansion. Some buildings on Stumps or Stoms Hill make us curious about any pre-existing buildings. Certainly there was a house or farm near the Mansion which is illustrated on the Road Diversion plan of 1784, of which more later. The detail in Rocque's Map and some of the names are perhaps questionable. Rocque has Stoms instead of Stumps Hill and Langstead Wood is called Morrisswood or Lewisham Lands on estate plans. Rocque’s use of the name Stoms Hill reminds me of the Stomeshulle name in the 1334 taxation list? Also the road should run more north/south than it does east west on his map which might be regarded as schematic rather than accurate? As he was mapping all of London and its surroundings some short cuts and errors are likely. See the comparison with the Andrews and Drury map of 1769 later on which shows Cator’s house on the site of the buildings indicated in this Rocque map. The will of Izarde Curtys of 1590 refers to her property at Stumpeshill so occupation and buildings predating the current mansion is most likely. If we take Rocque’s map and the Drury map as reasonably accurate then perhaps earlier building remains are under the mansion forecourt and on the opposite side of the drive through the park.

Perhaps Rocque’s map, like the History written by Hasted was more about an A-Z for the gentry, it’s unlikely that all and sundry would have afforded such maps. Often these publications were produced by subscriptions from purchasers which perhaps went along with a guarantee of inclusion.

I’m sticking my neck out a bit here but the buildings between Stoms and Hill are the site of the Beckenham Place 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 driveway through the park.

John Cator’s brother Samuel is born, he will perhaps be the least fortunate of the Cator brothers. He is intended to join the timber firm but takes up a customs related post in Jamaica.

1746 - Chancery; This and other cases relate to the Manor of Foxgrove as disseminated by Mary Tilly or the wills of those involved. Nathaniel Tilly mentioned here is named as kinsman of Joseph Tilly and a beneficiary of part of his will. Tunewell should read Timewell, a beneficiary of Mary Tilly's will through his wife Deborah. Analysis of the case would take some investigation but we have explained the division of Foxgrove Manor in other parts of this history.

1746	3 July	20	Nathaniel Tilly of the parish of St Andrew, Holbourn, Middx, gentleman, and William Tilly of Bristol, wine cooper v. John Simpson of St Stephens near the city of Canterbury, gentleman; John Broome of Tuppendense, Kent, esq; Elizabeth Tilly the widow and relict of Lancelot Tolson Tilly; Elizabeth Bestman of the parish of St Andrew Holbourn, widow; Edward Tunewell of Chigwall, Essex esq & Deborah his wife; Sarah Brown of Holes Street in the parish of St Clements Dane, Middx, widow; and Edward Cockey of Warminster, Wilts	re. will, 5 Feb 1726, Lancelot Tolson of Plaistow, Kent and properties in Beckenham, Bromley, Lewisham, Stone, Swanscombe, Darenth and Ash, Kent & Wadhurst,Sussex & St Botolph-without-Aldersgate, London.	C78/1883, no. 6 [22]

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 (nee Batt) 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

1747 - Henry Batt of Penge dies in November and leaves property in Penge, Surrey, Bromley and Beckenham, Kent. He was the brother of Mary Pugh see 1746. His wife Elizabeth and eldest son Henry predecease him by about three months and are buried on the same day. The Batts also leased land from the Burrells

1747 – 11^th November, Elmers End; Francis Motley Austin is Christened, he will later inherit Elmers End farms etc.

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 or as the St. Johns had the advowson for the church and parish the clergy were in many ways the local council acting for the lord of the manor. 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.

1749 - Village Place, sometimes called The Ridge or The Cedars although some sources say the two names referred to two different houses. Much of the grounds were formerly part of Thomas Motleys “Mead” in 1736.

1 December 1749 Deed of exchange between Peter Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, esquire and Gent Unwin of Beckenham in relation to lands in Beckenham. 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. The mansion was built between 1718 and 1720 by William Davies, surgeon. After 1834 it was variously called 'Village Place' and 'The Cedars'. source Bromley Collections

Another account by Rob Copeland describes the Cedars as being opposite Village Place, but that seems to be a mistaken assumption.

1750 – Robert Callant listed as Tallow Chandler of Beckenham and is a freehold property owner/voter in the 1754 General Election.

1750 – Francis Flower acquires Elm Cottage by Southend Green which he renames Flower Hall (see 1770 image). It later becomes part of the Forster estate and the residence of Captain Henry Forster R.A. (Proceedings of the Lewisham Antiquarian Soc.)

1751 – Beckenham Manor etc. 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

1751/79 – Account book of Peter Burrell, esq. Loose items including list of arrears of tenants in Kent, 1775-1776, land tax receipts, letters and notes etc. Accounts including one with Clutton and Chatfield [Clutton possibly acting as agent for Burrell as well as being a tenant himself]. Lands including Sibbertoft, Northamptonshire [see 257/13/15]; Biggleswade estate, Bedfordshire; Elmers End, Beckenham, Kent [see 257/13/5]; fields and tenements at Penge, Surrey; lands and tenements at Beckenham, Lewisham and Sydenham, Kent; lands in Clay Lane and at Clay Hill, Kent; Kings Piece, Pickerel Green, Kent, belonging to Morden College; Braziers Farm, Kent; Bromley Market, Kent [see 257/13/12]; Great Oakley Farm, Higham, Kent; 44a at Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent; Ham Farm and Hailing Brooks, near Croydon, Surrey; Phelpham Farm, Sussex; Holmstead, Thorndean, Handley, Bolney and Abbots Farms, [?Cuckfield], Sussex; Plaw Wood, Sussex; Alconbury, Huntingdonshire [see 257/13/16]; the Chains, Rotherhithe, Surrey (Surrey Archive)

1751 – Death of St.John Hare of Beckenham. Will and administration in Surrey Archive. I am curious about the Hare family as Mrs Margaret Hare lent money to Frederick St. John and was involved in legal proceedings with John Cator over his purchase of Beckenham Manor from Frederick St. John (Viscount Bolingbroke). However the will leaves several household effects in bequests with a remainder to a nephew St.John Haynes and there is no mention of a wife.

1752 – Samuel Lethieullier of Beckenham (Clock House?) is buried on the 10^th October. His will leaves property to his wife Sarah and some bequests to his sisters Leonora and Leotitia. Sarah remarries in 1756 to Stephen Holland who dies in 1768. These dates are interesting because the Andrews Drury map of Kent of 1769 shows Clockhouse occupied by Mrs Holland who would be Sarah, Stephen’s widow by that time. Sarah dies in 1779 but in the meantime Admiral Sir Piercy Brett has moved into Clockhouse and an unknown date. Brett’s will does not mention Clockhouse in 1781 so presumably he either buys it and sells before his death or has only leased Clockhouse.

1752 – Manning Lethieullier of Beckenham (Kent House?) dies, buried with other Lethieulliers at St.Alphege’s in Greenwich on the 14^th December and leaves an informative Will. At the time of his death he has one surviving daughter Ann and leaves a Wife, also Ann. The wording of the will implies he knows he leaves his wife expecting another child as he says “for any child or children” and within some months John Green Lethieullier is born. Manning refers to houses in Lewisham and Beckenam which his wife and daughter can occupy. The house in Beckenham is referred to as opposite the Warren and believed to be Village Place but the Warren is opposite what was Thomas Motley's house in 1736. The Lethieulliers had Kent House Farm and also some land leased from Elizabeth Style or Elwill after the death of Humphrey Style and some land leased from the church (Glebe) which had been joined into one plot (The Warren). The Warren was between what is today The George Inn and The Greyhound. The records of the Lethieulliers are such that many questions arise as to where they lived as several properties were occupied by tenants or leaseholders.

In this will property at Penge is occupied by Elizabeth Batt. Mannings wife can have either a house at Lewisham or a dwelling house at Beckenham which she apparently prefers.

The village in 1863, the land with 117 in it is The Warren and Manning Lethieulliers house is most likely the one opposite the first "1" in 117

The buildings on the opposite side of the road to The George, The Old Wood House just in frame obscurring a large house with covered entrance way, then The Manor House (although misnamed as did not belong to the Lord of the Manor), then a house believed to be on the site of Thomas Motley's "The Mead". Manning Lethieulliers house belived to be The Manor House.

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).

1754 – Other properties of Beckenham landowners; Bromley Historic Collections Ref No 1080/1/1/1/19/5

Description Agreement between (1) Arnold King of Bromley, Kent, esquire; (2) Jones Raymond of Langley, parish of Beckenham,Kent, esquire; (3) Robert Neale of Castle Yard, Holborn, London, gentleman; (4) Thomas Farrington of Chislehurst, Kent, esquire; (5) William Tyser of St Botolph Without, Aldergate, London, laceman; (6) Thomas Walker of the parish of St Nicholas, Deptford, Kent, grocer; (7) Saint John Humphrey of Beckenham, Kent, gentleman; (8) Richard Valentine of Lewisham, Kent, yeoman and (9) William Ball of Bromley, Kent, victualler. All of the other parties have purchased property from the 1st party. Raymond has the deeds relating to all of the purchases and agrees to produce them at reasonable request of any of the others.

I find that the lands relate to Jones Raymond acquiring lands in Hayes, Southborough & Bromley Common

1754 – The Poll for Knights of the Shire to represent the County of Kent. The candidates were Robert Fairfax, Lewis Watson who stood jointly against Sir Edward Deering. Fairfax and Watson received 7 votes each from the Beckenham electorate who were residing in Beckenham at the time. Fairfax was elected for one of the two Kent seats in parliament. Of the Electors Callant is listed under Tallow Chandlers in 1750 and a will for Robert Callant is ‘of Greenwich’ in 1764 with property in Norwood and Croydon. The Burrells, Peter Burrell II and III, had Kelsey at this time. Motley had a house in the town and other land including Elmers End Farms. Humfrey had a house and land. Other freeholders of Beckenham land resided elsewhere at the time of the poll. We should look for Jones Raymond, Frederick St.John etc in the electors residing in and about London but they are not found, St.John as a peer of the realm may not have qualified to vote? Joseph Grove who owned Stone Farm at this time is resident in Richmond, Surrey and his land occupied by St.John Humphrey. Grove voted for Watson and Deering. Grove had inherited his Beckenham property from the widow of Lancelot Tolson Tilly. John Willis is residing in Southwark and his Beckenham house and land let to Mrs Pugh. A map showing Upper Elmers End indicates a house owned by Pugh Willis.

1756 - Peter Burrell I of Langley (1692-1756), dies, he is the son of Peter Burrell of Kelsey and properties are inherited by his widow Mrs. Amy Burrell and his son also named Peter. 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. The Beckenham election poll return in 1754 (above) shows Peter Burrell senior and junior with P.Burrell jun. already owning land in Beckenham.

1756 – Kelsey/Elmers End; 20th October; Counterpart lease for 21 years 1) Amy Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, widow 2) William of Grendon of Beckenham, maltster. Messuage, malthouse, appurtenances and land (field names given), 12a, called Guildhall, at Little Elmers End, Beckenham (Surrey Archive 257/13/5)

Recently widowed Amy Burrell is landlord of Kelsey etc. jointly with her son Peter Burrell III. This document could add to the understanding of property around Elmers End.

1756 - This messuage in Beckenham may be Clockhouse as this date is when Stephen Holland marries Sarah, Samuel Lethieulliers widow (see 1752). 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. The record needs investigation to gain some clarification. As we don’t know when Piercy Brett moved into Clockhouse this might even relate to Clockhouse. The Reverend Langhorn Warren is the father of Erasmus Warren who would be the beneficiary of Sarah Holland upon her death and inherit, presumably, Clockhouse. Motley is associated with the Lethieulliers in several references in some legal capacity. And Motley's ownership of Elmers End farms, Thayers Farm etc. may explain his interest in the property.

Ref; 1038/1 Property, Beckenham 1756 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..(Bromley Collections)

Hartley in Kent was part of Lethieullier properties for some previous generations. If related to Clockhouse Motley was landlord of neighbouring Thayers Farm. The Rev. Warren had property and a living from the parish of Hampstead. His will of 1762 disposes of property and annuities between his son Erasmus and daughter Dorothy and names his wife Kitty and cousin Stephen Holland as executors of the will. This does perhaps explain why Sarah Holland leaves her property to Erasmus later on as her closest heir?

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, (Tigers Head perhaps?) 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 diverse 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 1765 marriage settlement indenture and the 1768 dissolution of Bolingbroke’s marriage to Diana Spencer and 1773 Cator’s purchase of the Manor of Beckenham.

Lady Diana Spencer, later Diana Beauclerk
when remarried after her divorce from Frederick St. John (LordBolingbroke) 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 175

9 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 in that John Tolson died before 1716 and a complicated series of change of ownership took place 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 dies, landlord of Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm and The Mead in the High Street, and leaves property to his son in law Francis Austin of Sevenoaks. There is substantial land in addition to Beckenham property. It seems that his Ann Motley, wife of Francis Austin may have died in childbirth in 1747 of their son Francis Motley Austin and Francis remarries a widow of Samuel Lennard so creating a link with the Lennard family. The Austins are of the same family as Jane Austin who is a niece. Francis Motley Austin inherits the property on the death of Francis Austin in 1791.

1758 - A case concerning the will of Sir Samuel Lennard of Wickham Court. His will of 1726/7 devised his estate to two illegitimate sons born by Mrs Mary Johnson of New Bond Street via his executors Sir Peter Burrell and Francis Austin. The sons named Samuel and Thomas and this case is brought after the death of Samuel junior who had two illegitimate children named Stephen and Elizabeth Langford before he married Jane Chadwick and had a daughter Mary. Jane Chadwick/Lennard and the daughter Mary Lennard are named here as defendants along with Peter Burrell who was one of the executors of Lennard's will in 1726. The status of John Thomas Stanley via Mary Stanley needs to be researched. Mary Lennard married Sir John Farnaby and the estate seems to have followed that line intact regardless of any settlement via this case? Dame Mary was Mary Ward married to Stanley's father Sir Edward Stanley the 5th Baronet of Alderley.

1758	2 May	31	Sir John Thomas Stanley of Alderley, Ches, baronet, heir at law of Sir Samuel Lennard of West Wickham, Kent, baronet, an infant by Dame Mary Stanley widow his mother v. Jane Lennard, widow; and Mary Lennard, an infant; and Peter Burrell, esq, son and heir of Peter Burrell, esq	re. will 16 Nov 1726 of sir Samuel Lennard [1672-1727] a bachelor, property at West Wickham, Kestram [?Keston] and Hayes; provison for Samuel and Thomas Lennard of West Wickham, Kent and Dorothy Lennard & Francis Leigh of Addington, Surrey.	C78/1958, no. 2 [14]

Samuel Lennard (1727) left the estate to the son Samuel but rents from the estate to his son Thomas, his sister Dorothy's male children as well as his cousin Francis Leigh of Addington. As the will states 'heirs male' then probably any bequest ceased to be valid via female lines and hence, perhaps, Mary Ward/Stanley could not carry any claim, but the court record shows that Stanley's pedigree goes back to Sir Stephen Lennard's youngest daughter Christian and he claims inheritance as an only male descendant. The court appears to have followed the principal of 'in tail general' through the natural sons and final daughter Mary and dimissed the Complainants case (Stanley) in favour of the defendants (Jane and Mary Lennard) hence the estate came to Mary's eventual husband John Farnaby. The judgement was signed by Sir Robert Henley, Lord High Chancellor.

1758 – The Batt family dispose of some land. Between 1716 and 1752 the Batts lose 13 children to infant mortality.

Octave of Holy Trinity, 31 George II (1758) Fine of 1 messuage, 1 garden, 16 acres in Penge, and 30 acres in Beckenham
Joseph Constable, plaintiff
George and Mary Willson, Elizabeth Turton, Benjamin and Harriott Shield, Mary Batt, deforciants

1758 – Elmers End Green; William Tapsfield of Chislehurst leaves a will with bequests of his land at Elmers End inherited from his father. The properties are in the viscinity of Monks Orchard and some of it was leased to Peter Burrell. Some land ends up in the possession of St.John Humphreys who is Tapsfields executor and some in the possession of Willis. Willis is still holding some property in the 1838 Tithe, probably a later generation of Willis. (Ancestry and PCC wills) see 1736.

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 probably includes the land on which the Beckenham Place 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. Although the exchanges in 1759 are modest in their extent it does open the door for further exchanges which occur in 1777 and1793.

This evidences that John Cator 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.

Frustratingly we cannot absolutely identify where all these plots were, but can guess at some which must be on the 1766 Foxgrove Manor plan in Cator’s name and most likely include the site of the mansion. Whether it is either of the: messuage let to Thomas Watford or, the messuage called Staceys is a tantalizing conundrum. However, the 1785 road diversion plan shows fields enclosed by the old road through the park and the new road which becomes Southend Road and Beckenham Hill Road. If we note the orientation of the map to point north then three fields could be Upper, Middle and Lower, there is the ancient pond in Pond Field, Barne and Orchard fields could be around the buildings which could be those let to Thomas Watford. If this is correct it would extend the property in Cator’s possession around his new house and date it to 1760.

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.

1758 - Lease and release for £820 of messuage, appurtenances, 3 acres Battersea, Surrey (formerly occupied by Matthew Golden, George Thornton), occupied by Joseph Constable; (Penge?)
Gatehouse Field, Galloways Croft, and Hubbards, Beckenham occupied by St John Humphrey, Long Mead occupied by Joseph Constable;
Willmotts fields occupied by Elizabeth Batt
George Willson of Southwark, gentleman and wife, Mary, Elizabeth Turton of Penge, spinster and John Boyfield (co-heirs of Benjamin Turton) and Reverand Benjamin Shield of Black Notley, Essex, and wife, Harriott
to Joseph Constable of Penge, yeoman. source: BHS

St.John Humphrey is a landowner of interest but not much can be discovered about him. The name suggests he might be related to the St.John family of Beckenham Manor through an intermarriage with Humphreys.

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 – Beckenham Manor and properties elsewhere; Frederick St.John/Viscount Bolingbroke obtains a Private Act of Parliament permitting sale of parts of his family estate which would otherwise be ‘in trust’ or in tail for St.John heirs. Curiously Jones Raymond who was proprietor of Langley in Beckenham had apparently lent money against a mortgage with Fredericks father John St.John on parts of the estate in Whitstable.

1761 – Beckenham Village “Three Tuns”; 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. (Surrey Archive). The adoption of the name “London Coffee House” seems to be to appeal to some commuting gentry?

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. The section bottom left of this extract annotated Cator/Bolingbroke/Cator plus the Cator top right are fields I suspect were named ‘Delvins’ by comparing this map with the 1768 copy of the Beckenham Manor map.

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

1762 – Joseph Cator; This reference is interesting but not of great consequence to the history of the Beckenham Place Park or Clockhouse. It does add some substance to the biography of Joseph. “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). Subsequently Keith Baldwin acquired a copy of the will in 2021 which describes Villers daughter, Sarah Cator and her bequest in the will of her father Thomas Villers written in 1759.

TNA ref; CR.1709/138 Bond of indemnity in £2000 between John Cator (the elder) of Bromley, Kent, gent., and Edward Villers of Coventry, tinman, and Joseph Heacock of Coventry clerk, executors of Thomas Villers deceased whose daughter Sarah had been deserted by Joseph Cator, son of John Cator. Sarah was a beneficiary under Villers' will and the bond was made to ensure that Joseph, if still living, did not molest or sue Villers' executors on account of any payments or other legacies given to Sarah Cator under the terms of the will. 1762Warwickshire County Record Office

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. John Cator senior or the elder’s will does not mention any Quaker meeting houses but refers to the parish of Bromley to whom he leaves some bequest for the poor. The Cator’s subsequent transfer of faith to the Church of England does beg the question whether they are leaving the Quaker faith. The daughter Mary, sister of John Cator the younger is left £3000, half upon marriage and half upon death of her mother. This will become the subject of a Chancery court case Sparkes v. Cator some time later in 1797 regarding settlement of bequests made by Mary Cator’s husband Joseph Sparkes.

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.

1763 – Beckenham Place; 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 John 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.

Holwood Memorandum 12 June 1763 Ann Dipper to Peter Burrell for £1800I agree to convey to Peter Burrell of Beckenham all my estate at Hollwood Hill in Keston viz the house and lands late in the possession of John Calcraft Esq the woodlands late in the tenure of William Brazier Ann Dipper & Peter Burrell sign By one of the settlements made on the marriage of Nathaniel Gatton & Elizabeth Whifling the Beckenham estate if not barred by Nathaniel Gatton the … is now vested in Ann Dipper as the only surviving issue of Dipper by Mary Gatton his wife who was the only surviving issue of that marriage she being now the heir in tail of her grandfather and grandmother and intitled to take under the limitations of this settlement a … in tail with the reversion in .. as the right heir of her grandfather Nathaniel Gatton she therefore by a issue may bar the estate tail and confirm Mr Burrells title but if a fine be not levied her issue will be tenants in tail and have the same claim she now hath notwithstanding she may release the reversion in fine.By the other settlement made on the former marriage Ann Dipper being also intitled to a … in tail in the estate called Hollwood Hill and having suffered a … recovery & thereby barred the estate tail and also the reversion in fee to the right heir of Richard Peach she may now convey that estate to Mr Burrell by lease and release.Follows a schedule of deeds of Mr Gattons estate at Beckenham 1650 March 5 Ind between Jos Stainsmore & Ron Lloyd & Wm Williams other pt bonds for performance of covenants inclosed

1655 Sep 15^th Ind between sd Williams 1^st pt & Charles Carshwell & Joseph Woolrich

1684 Sep 26^th Ind between Edward Hendrick son & Exor of sd Joseph Hendrick & sd Hill 1^st pt & Richard Pope being a trustee of sd Gatton

1705 Apr 11^th General release from Mrs Susan Gatton widow & adm of Edward Gatton to her son Nathaniel Gatton

1709 Feb 15th Triparte Ind between Nathaniel Gatton 1^st pt, Elizabeth Whifling 2^nd pt and Richard Pearch & John Uppingham with an ind thereon dated 12^th June 1728 assigning premises to Merrick Burrell Esq

1717 Apr 2^nd Ind of demise from Nathaniel Gatton, his wife & mother to Jas Brooke

Easter Term Ind of fine between sd Brooke plaintiff & sd Gatton & his wife deforcs

1719 Jan 8^th Ind triparte between Jas Brooke 1^st pt, Nathaniel Gatton & his wife 2^nd, & John Chetwynd Esq with Ind dated 14 Jun 1728 whereby premises are assigned to Jones Raymond in trust for Peter Burrell

1728 Trinity Term Ind of fine between Peter Burrell & Nathaniel Gatton & his wife deforcs

Ind 1695 between Peter Burrell of London & John Westbrooke of Ely? All that called Place Meade 3a. Longland 12a, Gowmand 5a, (incomplete)

1764 – Stone Farm/Foxgrove estate; 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. 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 know Cator had possession of Stone Farm by the time of the 1759 exchanges with Burrell and Raymond. We may never know the full story but maybe this adds some substance to Cator’s activities in property dealing.

1764 – The Will of St.John Humphrey; Humphrey was a Beckenham landowner who also leased land from other landlords, notably he leased woodland from Mary Tilly when she inherited Foxgrove Manor. Humphrey’s will leaves property to his son Joseph and make provision for his three daughters. He also has a half-brother Nicholas Hinge whom he prescribes should be allowed to reside in one of his properties. The will mentions land “freehold, leasehold and copyhold along with a house and several farms I occupy” The Humphreys arrived in Beckenham circa 1700 and became connected with other families through marriage. Whether the first name St.John is in any way connected with the St.Johns of Beckenham Manor is merely conjecture at present. This St.John Humphrey was the son of St.John Humphrey who died in 1744. Humphreys name can be found on the Burrell Kelsey map of 1735 in the viscinity of Upper Elmers End Green.

1764 – The papers of Henry Laurens describe correspondence showing that John Cator's brother, Joseph Cator and Joseph Sparkes have arrived in Carolina, USA from Jamaica and are making their way to Boston. Sparkes would shortly afterwards marry Joseph Cator’s sister Mary in August 1765.

1765 - Hasted states Foxgrove Manor (Farm) 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 now known to be Stone Farm hitherto part of Foxgrove manor so the date of 1765 is questionable at least for some of Foxgrove but Jones Raymond commissioned the 1766 Foxgrove Manor map showing parts he possessed and parts in the names of John Cator and Lord Bolingbroke. The Brydges were absentee landlords having inherited from a local relative Mary Tilly nee Tolson but the Raymond’s are ‘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 Beckenham Place 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 – Cator and Sparkes; John Cator’s sister Mary marries Joseph Sparkes of Bromley on the 22nd of August 1765. If not already then he will become a director of the East India Company thus strengthening the ties of the Cators to the EIC.

On April 9th Mary Cator, John Cator's mother having been raised as a Quaker becomes baptized into the Church of England with her two daughters, Mary and Ann. Her husband had died in 1763 so it appears she had sought conversion after his death. This is the most definitive description as to where John Cator the elder and his wife lived in Bromley "at the house over the churchyard".

The following entry in the register transcription below for Joseph and Ann Sparks seems to be the parents of Joseph jnr. who would marry Mary Cator junior. The Sparkes also appear to have been Quaker dissenters previously.

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 Manning’s book addresses the Sparkes connection. See 1806 to 1825 timeslots.

1765 - Manor of Beckenham: November 4th: An Indenture is written regarding the marriage settlement 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. As John Cator was already in possession of Stumps Hill and other land formerly belonging to the Manor of Foxgrove it is possible that Cator is leasing land adjoining his Stumps Hill and other properties. That detail is lacking in the indenture.

Extract showing a part from the indenture listing all that Manor of Beckenham field names and acreages.

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.

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 diverse 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.

Reproduced by permission of The British Library © Shelfmark(s): Cartographic Items Maps 188.k.3.(6.) This image is from the 1776 redrawing which is easier to read. The Cator holdings do not change between the two versions apart from some acquisitions in the village 'high street'.

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.

This aerial image is rotated to resemble the Foxgrove plan. Thistle Down is where the ‘R’ in Ravensbourne is.

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 the map may be related to the sale of property or land tax assessment.

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.

1766 – Gattons Land, Beckenham ex-Holwood; Attested copy of conveyance of a messuage and premises with 10 acres of land, 4 acres of pasture and woodland called Hollwood in Keston, Kent between Miss Ann Dipper of Bedington, Surrey, spinster (1st part); Peter Burrell of Beckenham, Kent, esquire (2nd part); Jones Raymond of Langley, Kent, esquire (3rd part) and Richard Jephson of the parish of St George the Martyr, Middlesex, esquire and Stephen Wilson of The New River Office, London, gentleman (4th part). In consideration of the sum of £1800 paid by Burrell to Dipper, she bargains and sells the property to him and quitclaims her interest in property in Beckenham. They both agree to levy a fine. Bank annuitites are to be transferred to the 3rd and 4th parties to idemnify Burrell against such demands. BHC ref 841/3/2/6

1768 – Kelsey; Amy Burrell and her son Peter Burrell (III) assign Leases for terms of 7 and 14 years 1) Richard Henry Alexander Benet (Bennet) of St James Street, esq, Amy Burrell and Peter Burrell, esq, her son 2) Stephen Cazalet of London, broker. Newly erected messuage, appurtenances and land, in Beckenham, Kent, late in tenancy of Tobias Frere, esq, then of Dudley Baxter, esq, now of said Richard Benet, esq. Schedule of property appended (Surrey Archive).

This record indicating that the building is newly erected and had prior lessees is interesting detail. Benet had married Peter’s daughter Elizabeth Amelia on the 10^th January 1766. Kelsey requires some more detail as there was the house originally occupied by the Brograves, a later mansion built by the lake and also Kelsey Cottage on Kelsey Lane. (see 1779 extension lease to Bennet by Peter Burrell IV)

Kelsey Park, 1809 Burrell estate map. ‘Brograve’ house near the village, Mansion by the lake, the original Benet messuage believed to be on Kelsey Lane west of the mansion but by 1809 Benet was still leasing this area from Peter Burrell IV (Lord Gwydir). Possibly with sub tenants.

1767-69: Thomas Motley; believed to be nephew of Thomas Motley of Elmers End and Beckenham. Captain of the EIC ship LONDON. Ship. 1763-1773. 676 bm. 20.12.1763: Launched by Wells, Deptford, for Charles Raymond. Captain John Webb. 1) 2.4.1764 - 26.10.1765: Bombay direct. 2) 4.3.1767 - 15.7.1769: Coromandel Coast and China. Captain Thomas Motley. 1773: Sold to the French East India Company. This Thomas Motley was buried in St. George's churchyard in 1770. The connection to the Raymond family perhaps draws some attention to Thomas Motley d. 1758 of whom little is known but who acquired parts of the Langley/Simpsons Place estate from Hugh Raymond.

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 the sisters Bridget and Dynah predecease Jones and their interest is bought out by 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 is in St. George's Church dated March 23^rd 1768

The 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 has 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. 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.

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 Beckenham Place Park is in Beckenham Manor.

1768 – Langley Road diversion/new road (South Eden Park Road) Kent Archive has this record but unfortunately any plans are missing. This predates the building of the South Eden Park Road. 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.

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.

"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 - Thayers Farm; is shown as Nottelly's Farm on the Andrews map but this is derived from the ownership under Thomas Motley as per his 1735 map and his occupation of Thanyer's Old Farm at that date. Although Motley died in 1757 it seems his name corrupted to Nottelly has been used on the Andrews map. Motley's property descended to his son in law Francis Austin and grandson Francis Motley Austen. (1735/6 and Elmers End Farms)

1769 – Foxgrove; Amy Burrell purchases 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

Amy's brother Jones Raymond had been the sole male heir to his father Hugh Raymond's estates "in tail". Her sisters who would be beneficiaries under Jones Raymond's will have all pre-deceased him leaving Amy and the children of her sister Bridget by William Glanville are the surviving heirs especially as her husband Peter Burrell had already died. Jones Raymond dies in 1768 but his will was written in 1738 so several things 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.

At this time Amy also repurchases the house at Saling in Essex which was her father’s and seems to hold some special attraction for her.

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 – Southend, Lewisham; The mill pond described as at Southend Green until the green was enclosed in 1810 (Proceedings of Lewisham Antiquarian Society)

1770 - Elmers End?; Thomas Motley, nephew of Thomas Motley who held Elmers End Farms, Thayers Farm and The Mead/Mansion House in Beckenham. Nephew died in 1770 and is buried at St. George's. Thomas Motley the uncle had left either Elmers End farm or another 'near Bygroves' on lease to the nephew for his lifetime or 21 years. The nephew is also described in parish register and other records as having been captain of The London East India ship which had been built for Sir Charles Raymond. This further cements contacts between the Motleys and Raymonds. Thomas Motley the uncle had earlier acquired parts of Elmers End and Thayers Farm from Hugh Raymond's Simpson's Place estate.

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 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 which was in fact in 1760. Perhaps Cator related the date of 1773 to Hasted for his History of Kent as he wanted to be more closely associated with his new found ‘lord of the manor’ status than his earlier ‘landlord’ status from 1760.

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 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. The earlier 1735/36 maps of Kelsey and Elmers End provide further detail of what was Burrell and St.John property as well as Thomas Motley’s Elmers End farms etc.

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 full ownership 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. However, the land exchanges significantly altered the boundaries of all these estates and unravelled much of the mingled properties which had existed in the early 18^th C.

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.

"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.

1774- Stumps Hill, Cator; 11 Jul 1774 Saunders Newsletter Dublin carried an article describing " There is at this present time a cucumber growing in Mr. Cater's garden at Stamps Hill (sic) near Bromley in Kent which measures four feet in length and only in diameter four inches."

1774 - Village Place/The Ridge; Lease from Barnard Gregory of London, gentleman; George Jones of Newbury, Berkshire, gentleman; and Berry Osgood of Barnstaple, Devon, gentleman to William Devisme of a capital messuage built at the costs of William Davies on 1 1/2 acres of land and lands known as the Ridge in Beckenham, Kent, along with a seat of gallery in Beckenham Church and a parcel of meadow ground in Beckenham for a year at the annual rent of a peppercorn. (1 membrane)
Release is between Gregory (1st part); Jones (2nd part); Osgood (3rd part) and Devisme (4th part). In consideration of the sum of £700 paid by Devisme to Jones in discharge of interest and in the further sum of £1400 paid by Devisme to Osgood, the 1st three parties bargain and sell the property to Devisme to hold forever. Osgood also bargains and sells 3 messuages in the High Street, Beckenham to Devisme to hold forever. Includes a map of the properties. 9/10 February (BHC 853/1/1/1/33)

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, Beckenham Place Park and other estates 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, son of Amy Burrell she outlives him and the estates eventually pass to her grandson, yes, another Peter Burrell, the fourth, who will become Baron Gwydyr. Peter IV is 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). John Green Lethieullier dies in 1779

1776 – (circa?); Langley; Langley mansion was largely rebuilt in 1776 which is the date of the engraving in Hasted. Some of the out-buildings are described as being very old the most noticeable being the old tennis court (used as a cowhouse) and a barn with massive timbers. Apparently there was until about 1840 a wooden footbridge connecting Langley with Eden Park (across either the new road or river Beck/Hawksbrook?). Source; R.Borrowman 1910.

The description of old buildings, one being a tennis court used as a cow house implies a Tudor ‘Old Tennis’ court after the fashion of Hamptons Courts? This lends some support to speculation that Langley had been a substantial Tudor Mansion perhaps dating to circa 1529.

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.

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’.

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.

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.

1777 – Kent House, Clockhouse, part of Penge etc. The Lethieulliers had acquired Kent House and a lot of other property in Lewisham, Sydenham, Bromley, Wickham and Lee by Sir John Lethieullier circa 1709 from John Reynolds. Although the Lethieulliers were said to reside at Kent House at least one Lethieullier, Manning said in his will that Kent House was occupied by a Mr Bolt. As they owned such properties as the Manor House at Lee its possible that, as the press cutting below says, much of the property was leased. Some land at Penge was leased to Henry Batt and the properties were an investment by the Lethieulliers to generate rental income as described in the press advertisement. The Wills of members of the family describe how family members may choose to reside in a selection of properties. We suspect that Sameul Lethieullier and his wife then widow Sarah who remarried Stephen Holland and was widowed again lived at Clock House but descriptions are vague. The archive material of the Lethieullier property indicates it was purchased by Thomas Lucas in 1777/78 who’s wife Elizabeth married John Julius Angerstein in 1785, who hence acquired the estates. Although Admiral Sir Piercy Brett was said to own Clockhouse prior to Joseph Cator acquiring it in 1782 we have no confirmatory evidence and Brett’s will does not mention Clock House but does mention other properties.

The Lady aged 55 sounds like Sarah Holland widow of Samuel Lethieullier and nee Painter born in 1712 died 1779.

1777 - Kent House Farm; passes from the Lethieulliers to Thomas Lucas. Indenture regarding title Ref; A62/6/61 Lewisham Archive; within this bundle an apparent transfers of ownership of Kent House from 1691. See other dates in the timeline.

Thomas Lucas devises property to his widow Elizabeth, who remarries John Julius Angerstein. John Beach, Thomas Plummer and Joseph Paice trustees.

Lewisham Archives A/62/6/61 Indenture regarding title to Kent House Farm. Anne Loveday, Jonathan Brundrett, Alexander Baring, Sir Thomas Baring, John Cator, William Cator, Bertie Cornelius Cator & John Foakes.

Agreements details 27 August 1691 between John Smallbone & Mary his wife & Benjamin Hodgekins; Act 5 & 6 Ann to rectify mistake in marriage settlement of William Peck partitioning between William Pierrepoint & Hon. Charles Egerton, through which inheritance became absolutely vested in John Reynolds.

Indenture 6 December 1706 between John Reynolds, Lancelot Stephens, Edward Corbett, William Peere Williams, William Williams; (Mortgage) Lease & release 6, 7 April 1709 between John Reynolds & Sir John Lethieullier; Assignment same date, John Reynolds William Peere Williams, William Williams, Sir John Lethieullier Samuel Lethieullier & John Lethieullier Lease & release 25 & 26 March 1778 John Green Lethieullier & Susannah his wife, William Octber, John Seaber, Robert Morphett, Thomas Symonds, Thom Hearden, George Jennett, John Kilvington, John Harrison & Thomas Lucas & recovery of part of premises Trinity Term, 18 George III.(1777) Thomas Lucas devises property to widow Elizabeth remarried John Julius Angerstein. John Beach, Thomas Plummer & Joseph Paice trustees. Bargain & Sale 17 February 1797 Joseph Paice, Thomas Plummer, Sir Francis Baring, Alexander Baring & Charles Wall. Details of wills, dates of death, etc. of Elizabeth Angerstein, Sir Francis Baring, Charles Wall John Cator, Bridget Cator, Elizabeth Scott, George Sparkes. Act 6 Geo IV enables John Cator (1825) to grant building leases. Details of dates of death, wills etc. of Samuel Lethieullier, William Lethieullier, Mary Tooke, Sarah Loveday, Dame Anne Hopkins, John Loveday, John Lethieullier, Smart Lethieullier, Charles Lethieullier, Elizabeth Lethieullier (marriage to John Goodere), Mary Hulse, who died in testate. Letters of Admon. to Jonathan Brundrett. Indenture of Lease & release 26 & 27 July 1828, Alexander Baring, Sir Thomas Baring, John Cator, William Cator & Bertie C. Cator in trust for Ann Loveday & John. Brundrett. Details of Kent House Farm & Penge Common, field names, acreages and tenants names. 18 August 1829

1777 - TNA RYCH/1025 Lease by Henry Thrale of the Borough of Southwark to Samuel Johnson of the parish of Saint Dunstan in the West, London, Doctor of Laws, and John Cator of Beckenham, for one year Sept. 27, 1777 Held by: Manchester University: University of Manchester Library, not available at The National Archives. And
Indenture between Henry Thrale, of the Borough of Southwark, and Hester Lynch Thrale, his wife, of the one part, and Samuel Johnson of the parish of Saint Dunstan in the West, London, Doctor of Laws, and John Cator of Beckenham of the other part, relating to the settlement of an estate purchased from Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton (TNA)

1778 – Edward Hasted publishes the first edition of his Topography and History of Kent now available on Google Books. The entry for Beckenham and its constituent estates has several updates or changes between the first and second edition in 1798. We should repeat here that several differences or errors appear in both editions of Hasted compared to the evidence which we have researched. One example, perhaps a printing error, states Jones Raymond died in 1738 instead of 1768. However, Hasted’s work and Philipot’s before him are still interesting reads and provided us with a good starting point.

1778 - Bayly's Print of the mansion is reproduced in Hasted’s History. 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. As the print shows a lake and predates the road diversion there is a possibility that a lake was installed and Langstead Lane may have been diverted or perhaps the initial lake was smaller. It appears that the lake design was also later changed by John Barwell Cator after 1806.

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.

1779 – Kelsey; Counterpart lease for 60 years 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 (d.1775) or his mother (Amy d.1789) shall live, timber and rights of way, in Beckenham, Kent. [See 257/13/2, loose item] (Surrey Archive).

This lease clarifies to some extent the occupation of Bennet in relation to Kelsey Mansion still held by Amy Burrell although Amy Burrell is said to live at Langley circa 1769 she retains access to these properties and others in Essex and Westminster. Benet’s wife is Amy Burrell’s granddaughter and she has great grandchildren by this time. Several of the fields named are traced on the Burrell Kelsey map of 1735.

1779 – Clockhouse? July burial of Sarah Holland widow of Stephen Holland and her first husband Samuel Lethieullier had been living at Clockhouse. Her will leaves “house in Beckenham” believed to be Clockhouse and other properties in Tottenham and Essex to the Reverend Erasmus Warren Rector of Hampstead. Although no evidence has come to light I believe Warren leased Clockhouse to Piercy Brett and then sold it to Joseph Cator. Brett’s will in 1781 does not mention Clockhouse. A 1769 map shows “Mrs Holland” resident at Clockhouse but whether in fact she stayed there until her death isn’t clear. Nevertheless, we take it that Brett could not have been in Clockhouse for more than 10 years. Erasmus Warren is defying investigation to find any relationship to Sarah either as uncle, cousin etc.

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 19^th 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 – A Map of the “Burrell” estates south of Beckenham, Kelsey to Langley Park area: Perhaps earlier but apparently divided to reflect the exchange of property in 1793 - 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. Subsequent maps of the Burrell estate dated 1809 and the Cator estate dated 1833 show the disentangled Burrell and Cator estates but other landlords still have significant properties. New roads are drawn on as if planned but not yet installed.

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: 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 (right hand side of image) although called Barnfield House owned by John Cator, the site bounded by the neighbouring ‘Kelseys’ belonging to the Burrells. (British Library©)

1779 - Kelsey Park; lease from Peter Burrell IV to R.H.A.Bennet who had married his sister Elizabeth Amelia Burrell in 1766. 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 Cator’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

It is tempting to assume some business connection between Cator and Henry Hoare but no evidence has emerged so far.

1780 - Harriet Ann Naylor is a sponsor for Peter Cator at his baptism in 1796 see KentOPC. Daughter of North Naylor d1780 Calcutta. Joseph Cator was a trustee and exor of his will. Baptised July 1780 Calcutta.

..for a description of Joseph Cator’s involvement in caring for North Naylor’s daughter.

1780 – William Cator marries Sarah Morse and Joseph Cator marries Diana Bertie, both marriages take place in Calcutta.

1781 - John Cator is High Sheriff of Kent, a position appointed each year from March.

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 – 4^th April, Henry Thrale dies, husband of Hester Thrale. The association of Cator with the Thrales is one of the few sources we have into John 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. Prior to this date a house called Bune Gate is shown on the Andrews Drury map and later shown as a leased property on the 1809 Burrell estate map. Bune Gate derived its name from some fields called Borngates on the 1735 Burrell Kelsey map. The name gets misspelt or mistranscribed as Barn gates on some documents. Eden Park or Farm is on land which is part of the Kelsey property and not as part of Langley as stated in some sources.

Title: "EDEN PARK, KENT, ;"

British Library shelfmark: Maps K.Top.17.35.

Place of publication: [London]

Publisher: [W. Peacock].,

Date of publication: [1812]

Eden Farm, formerly Burrell's Bune Gate as occupied by William Eden from 1782 until his death in 1814 and then the lease taken over by his son George who may not have resided there as he was in India much of the time but George's siblings probably resided there. Willima Eden's career also determined that he spent considerable time away on official business.

1782 – John 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.

1782 - John Cator'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.

Part of the Clockhouse Estate plan (Penge off to the left, Beckenham to the right)

This shows Clockhouse stables on the left with the Clock House adjacent to the horse and cart. Although captioned ‘The Technical Institute’ it would become the site of the Technical Institute.

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 12^th April. Note the reference “John Cator, of Stump’s Hill” and the price of Wricklemarsh £22,550

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?

1783/84 – William Cator is portrayed with the Morse family in Calcutta in this painting attributed to this date.

1784 - Kent House: Thomas Lucas, of Lee, in this county, esq. 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)

1784 – In a letter of 15th April to Mrs. Thrale, John 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.baptized at St.George’s 20^th September — 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 – Stumps Hill; John 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 in Beckenham Place Park 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 Beckenham Place 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. There had been the exchange of further fields with Amy Burrell in 1777 which enabled the joining up of separated parts of the property. 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.

The 1780 Burrell map in the British Library shows two phases of planned road diversions, one in the viscinity of Red Lodge Road and the other is South Eden Park Road from what is now the Chinese Garage to West Wickham. As with Beckenham Place, Langley was on the former main road and the diversions and new roads took traffic away from the houses and emparked estates.

1785 – Kent House and land at Penge; John Julius Angerstein marries Elizabeth Lucas and acquires possession of the property which had been Lucas’s and before that the Lethieulliers. Angerstein was of German extraction born in St.Petersburg and became a London financier. Kent House and Beckenham/Penge property later sold to the Barings see 1797.

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 31^st 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. This is 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 diverse 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.

This from jamaicanfamilyresearch.com; 1788, Sept. 6. I send early intelligence of the vacancy of the comptrollers place of Port Antonio of this island by the death of a very particular old friend a Mr Cator, who has a brother of prodigious fortune 14 or 15 £1000 per annum in London .... the place or salary is either 80 or £100 pr ann. besides a few perquisites & entirely a sinecure .... about 20 barristers & above 100 attorneys here. My uncle Keyworth's loss of a son .... his other son & Sukey. It would amuse you & my mother to hear little Fortune talk half negroe like, which is the worst thing attending children here, but as they are always playing with the negroe children they learn their ways & language, notwithstanding my being very particular.

And earlier in 1784; 1784, Aug. 29. Mr Sam. Cator who from his great extravagance has for I may say a 3d time ruined himself is now in goal for life . ... . he will lose two places which he enjoys comptroller of Port Antonio & Deputy Register of the Court of Vice Admiralty ....

For a long time Samuel’s fate has been a mystery and only the evidence of his brother John Cator’s will showed that he had a widow Bridget in Jamaica. So far Bridget’s maiden name hasn’t been discovered. There was a child, Mary, from the marriage but it seems shed died young. Samuel’s gaoling apparently for debt seems to have been pardoned perhaps because his mother Mary Cator paid his debts? Some letters written by Mary Cator to her wayward son did not come to light until the death of her friend a Mrs Arduino of Blackheath in 1811. Mary Cator had entrusted the letters and some money to be sent to Samuel after her death which occurred in 1794. But Mrs Arduino did not complete the task. The letters from Mary Cator addressed to Samuel describe his mother’s distress at his. The money is described as £300 of government bonds (Consols) at 3 percent yielding £9 per annum so even then not a particularly life changing sum even though Samuels salary from the posts in Jamaica had been £100 per annum.

Samuel had earlier been destined for the Cator timber business and apprenticed under his brother John Cator but apparently that did not satisfy him and he launched upon an extravagant lifestyle beyond his means. His father John Cator the elder had made a substantial marriage settlement for one of his daughters and perhaps had been generous with his sons raising Samuel’s expectations from life. In the absence of any family diaries we can only join the dots for a biography.

1788 – John Cator, Beckenham Place; 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 1^st Earl of Rockingham had married Lady Catherine Sondes daughter of the 1^st 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.

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 – Beckenham Manor House; Henry Hoare purchases Beckenham Manor house and some grounds from Peter Burrell (source: Copeland). The property can be seen as occupied by Hoare on the 1809 Burrell estate map.

1788 – Calcutta Gazette 1^st May, property under the trustees Joseph Cator and James Barwell. Joseph had been an associate of Richard Barwell an East India Company nabob through which connection Joseph is thought to have accumulated his wealth. As trustees Joseph and James may have been acting for other owners? Maybe Richard Barwell. Barwell had a reputation for underhand dealing and his entries on History of Parliament and Wikipedia give some details.

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

1789 - Eden Farm; the building resembles the "Bune Gate" footprint shown on the 1769 Andrews map as Burrell's house and the 1809 Burrell estate map and plans as well as the 1812 British Library print. The building was superceded by John Woolley's rebuild in 1820.

1790 – Peter Burrell IV (Lord Gwydir) commissions Humphrey Repton to design the landscape of Langley. Repton produces a “Red Book” of designs which are only partially adopted. Gwydir's father Peter Burrell III had died in 1775 and his grandmother Amy Burrell died in 1789, buried in July leaving Gwydir in sole control of the estate, probably with some restrictions under trustees as the estate was 'in tail'. However, Gwydir would have leeway to apply his own will on the estate. Amy Burrell had apparently not liked Langley Lodge as a dower house and she had died in a town house in Belgravia. She had kept possession of Kelsey mansion by the lake according to the Kelsey lease to Henry Alexander Bennett. As stated earlier she had repurchased the house Saling Hall in Essex, her childhood home, and spent some time there. Gwydir is credited with rebuilding Langley about this time and map evidence shows that the earlier water features in the grounds are abandoned if not entirely removed. Recent (2022/3) investigation shows that the water features of long rectangular ponds are wholly or partially filled in or drained leaving only the pond to the south of the house with the stream draining around the site of Langley Lodge pond. There is no evidence of a sweeping view of a river as in this artists impression from Repton's Red Book. Gwydir's father had already had Gwydir House built on Whitehall in 1772.

Some question arises on the reasons for the Red Book. Repton submits a bill for visits to Langley in January 1790 and the Red Book describes Langley Lodge as Mrs Burrell's House and I had assumed this meant Amy Burrell but now I believe it refers to Elizabeth Burrell nee Lewis, Gwydir's mother who died in 1794. The plan for Langley Lodge and later photographs show that the paladian columns were installed at Langley Lodge and the 1809 Burrell estate map shows a pond where Repton drewn on on his design.

1790 – Lewisham Archive Ref A62/6/138; Some land transactions nearby, some not so near.

Lewin's land now Lady Dacre; 70 ac. land now Sir Gregory Page Turner; messuage late Sir George Champion now Lady Dacre; land late Mr. Boone now Charles Boone; land late Thos. Evelyn now Elizabeth Boyfield; Hookes Wood late William Coleman now Elizabeth Angerstein; land late Nich. Stoddard now Robert Dyneley: Crablands late Geo. Woods now John Hooker; Lady Croft, late Lady Lade now Geo. Butler; (Sir Gregory Page Turner sold Wricklemarsh at Blackheath to John Cator in 1783)

Stone Pitt Field, previously Sir Sam. Fludyer, now Lady Dacre Waste late Wm. Payne, now Elizabeth Payne his widow; House late Chas. Cornforth, now Chas. Boone his heir; Marvells, late John Wood, now Mrs. Freeland Barn and land late Richard Titterton now John Baud; Land Gloverswick & Gardiners, now called Pott Land and Winchcombe Springs, late Lady Lade, now John Green; Land Bramble Croft, late Mr. Wetherall, now Rev. Wm. William House Mrs. Lewis, now Mr. Blackmore her heir at law; Manor Place, Brockley, Broomfield and Pond Field, late Mrs. Nugent, now Edward, Lord Elliot

5 acres land at Loom Pitt Hill (Loam Pit Vale, Lewisham) late John Townsend now John Round.

40ac. land late Mr. Flower, now Elizabeth Flower, his heir (Flower House, Southend, Lewisham?)

Mess(uage). and lands at Southend, late Rogers, now Elizabeth Flower Cottage and houses in Lewisham (Shroffold) late Mr. Flower and Mr. Hawes, now Elizabeth Reed;

Fields, Grange Field and Deepslades late Mr. Wake's heir now heir of Eleanor Brooker.

House called Randall's, formerly Smetts, late Ephraim How, now - How, son and heir of Ephraim;

Lands in occup. Hawes, late Stoddard now Valentine. (tempted to associate with Hawes Farm, West Wickham but could be land near Shortlands)

Lands called Putroms, Bromley, late Andrew Devisme, were bought by William Duffie and now Peter Thelluson;

Land called Rustless Grave or Russell's Grove, late Lady Falkland then Francis Motley Auxstin not John Cator.

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.

Borrowman describes it as a fire which occurred on the 23rd December, 1790, when the spire and a portion of the old Church were destroyed. "a design (dated 1791) for rebuilding part of the tower and stone spire to replace the one destroyed in 1790." (Borrowman)

About this year or 1791 John Cator buys the Manor of Benchesham or Whitehorse at Norwood from the 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)

However, some documents dated 1791 in Lincolnshire Archive may date this exchange a year or two earlier. 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.

1793 – A Bill for the enclosure of Penge Common is presented in the House of Commons. It prompts a petition against it; Penge Enclosure Bill, Petition against.

Upon reading the Petition of several Owners and Occupiers of Estates within the Manor and Parish of Battersea, in the County of Surrey, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; taking Notice of a Bill depending in this House, intituled, "An Act for dividing and enclosing the Common or Parcel of Waste Ground called Penge Common, lying within the Hamlet of Penge, in the County of Surrey;" and praying Their Lordships, "That they may be heard by their Counsel against the said Bill, and that the same may not pass into a Law:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table till the said Bill be read a Second Time, and that the Petitioners be then heard by their Counsel against the said Bill at the Second Reading thereof, and that Counsel be heard for the Bill at the same Time, if they think fit.

1793 - Beckenham Place or Clockhouse?; Mary Cator aged 8 is buried at St. Georges. She is the daughter of John Cator's brother Samuel who was a rather wayward member of the family. Samuel had been intended to take over the timber business but had a chequered career in Jamaica, often falling into debt. He had died in 1788 and apparently the daughter came to England perhaps for education. Whether she resided with the childless John and Mary Cator or with Joseph Cator's family at Clockhouse is not known. Mary would be interred in the family tomb with other members of the family.

1794 - Eden Farm; 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. The lengths and dates of the leases is confusing as the Edens seem only to reside at Eden Farm for about 40 years from about 1780. (BHC)

1794 – John Cator sells the Bankside timber 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. Samuel had shown no interest in taking over the business and some letters from John and Samuel’s mother describe Samuel as being a bit wayward in his personal life. We can only guess until more 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

Graham is apparently a lawyer of Lincolns Inn and his mansion may be either on Village Place site or the mansion which was previously Thomas Motley's? This property is between what is now the High Street and Rectory Road and may be the grounds of Village Place. Shown below on the 1776 Foxgrove Manor map and was part of the exchange between Cator and Burrell having been part of the Burrells estate from before the 1736 Burrell map.

1794/5 – Probably outside of Beckenham Place ‘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)

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 Beckenham Place 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.

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.

1795 - The Hair Powder Act; a tax levied on the 'well to do' for the use of hair powder. A certificate cost one guinea (£1.05) the equivalent of £100 to fund the Napoleonic War (in part). The names of several local landlords etc and their staff who would be required to wear powdered wigs. I assume the employer paid as the tax would be onerous on low paid domestic staff. This gives us some names of the staff of those landlords.

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.

1796 – August; Joseph Cator’s sister in law Jane Bradford is buried at St. George’s. She was sister of his wife Diana Bertie and widow of Captain Cornelius Bradford. She was residing with the Cators presumably at Clock House. She left several bequests to relatives and some small bequests to Joseph Cator’s servants.

1797 - The second edition of Hasted's History and Topography of Kent volume 2 includes additions and corrections to the Beckenham entry with useful descriptions of the use of land etc. but some detail is questionable. Kent House had become a farmhouse. Lord Auckland's Eden Farm was leased from the Burrells and not connected with Rucker. This is some confusion with Clockhouse which Joseph Cator bought after Piercy Brett's death perhaps from J.A.Rucker?

PAGE 528. This parish reaches to the confines of Surry, where it is bounded by that of Croydon, a small portion of Camberwell, and Penge, a detached hamlet of Battersea. It contains three thousand one hundred and seventy acres of land, of which, in 1793, about eighteen hundred and fifty were arable, ten hundred and eighty meadow and pasture, and about two hundred and forty woods and orchards, but a considerable quantity has since been laid down in grass, the waste lands do not exceed thirty or forty acres; the number of houses are one hundred and forty.

Beckenham-place is an elegant mansion, standing on an eminence, and commands a beautiful, though not an extensive prospect. Kent-house is now occupied as a farm house.

Among other houses in this parish, the residence of gentlemen, is that of lord Auckland, near Elmer's-end, purchased of J. A. Rucker, esq. of Joseph Cator, esq. formerly Sir Piercy Brett's; of R.H.A. Bennet, esq. about half a mile south east of Beckenham-street; and of Mrs. Hoare, widow of Henry Hoare, esq. opposite the church; which two last are the property of lord Gwydir and of Edward King, esq. F.R.S. and F. S. A. Author of the Disseriation on antient Castles, Morsels of Criticism, and other learned works.

PAGE 545. Correct the time of Mrs. Amy Burrell's death: she died in 1789, æt. 89. It was the widow of her son, Peter Burrell, Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Lewis, of Hackney, who died in 1794.

PAGE 549. The following is an extract from a more correct list of rectors, communicated by the Rev. Mr. Denne, of Wilmington.


Advowson	Rector
Robert Leigh	Robert Cosyn, A. M. inst. 1548.
	John Calverley, LL.D. ins. 1561, obt. July 31, 1576.
	Thomas Lloyd, 1576.
	Thomas Anyam, S. T. B. induct. 1613.
Dalton, esq.	William Skinner, L. B. 1616, ob. 1647.
	Robert Clissold, A. M. 1661, ob. 1676.
	William Asheton, S. T. P. inst. 1676. obt. 1711.
Honourable St. John, bart.	Thomas Clarke, A. B. inst. 1711.
	William Furingneau, A.M. 1765, obt. 1778.
Mr. Rose.	William Rose, A.M. 1778. The present rector.

Dr. Epiphanius Holland was never rector; he served the curacy, and was buried in this church in 1730.

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.

1797 – Kent House transfers; the date of acquisition of Kent House by the Barings; Indenture of Bargain and Sale dated 17 Feb. 1797 Joseph Paice, Thos. Plummer, Sir Francis Baring, Alexander Baring and Charles Wall.

Details of wills, dates of death, etc. of Elizabeth Angerstein, Sir Francis Baring, Chas. Wall John Cator, Bridget Cator, Elizabeth Scott, Geo. Sparkes. The Cator wills will only be of interest after 1806 and the Act 6 Geo IV enables John Cator to grant building leases is dated 1825.

These details of dates of death, wills etc. of Samuel Lethieullier, William Lethieullier, Mary Tooke, Sarah Loveday, Dame Anne Hopkins, John Loveday, John Lethieullier, Smart Lethieullier, Charles Lethieullier, Elizabeth Lethieullier (marriage to Jno. Goodere), Mary Hulse, who died intestate. Letters of Admon. to Jonathan Brundrett may add substance to the transactions as would details of field names and acreages of land on Kent House Farm and Penge Common, with names of tenants contained in the bundle.

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.

1797 – Court of Chancery, Sparkes v. Cator; a dispute beginning with the marriage settlement of Joseph Sparkes and Mary Cator in 1765, the bequest made by John Cator the Elder in 1763 for his daughter upon her marriage and the subsequent arrangements between Joseph Sparkes and his mother in law regarding payments. A complicated case regarding subsequent bequests arising after the death of Joseph Sparkes in 1790 and his wife Mary Sparkes nee Cator in 1794. Four of the Sparkes children are disputing the division of the estate by their mother Mary nee Cator. The case confirms the number of surviving Sparkes children and the executors of the wills of both Joseph and Mary Sparkes are Joseph’s brother Thomas Sparkes and Mary’s brother Joseph Cator. I am assuming that the Cator in the case is Joseph as executor. The relevance here is that the Sparkes family were beneficiaries of John Cator’s will in 1806 as well as joint trustees of his estate and due to untimely deaths, lack of some heirs and family members dying without making wills the surviving Sparkes family members lost their inheritance of part of Beckenham Cator estates (see 1825 Private Act of Parliament)

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Reports_of_Cases_Argued_and_Determined_i/XnADAAAAQAAJ?q=Joseph+Sparkes+Cator&gbpv=1#f=false

1797 - Lawrence Banyer of Beckenham Lodge dies. Will at PCC. Leaves properties in Wisbech, Norfolk and Suffolk. John Clarkson and Hawkins Wall are named as executors but only Clarkson survives to become executor. His wife Dorothy has the house and effects for her natural life. There are no children but several beneficiaries of his extensive properties elsewhere. Dorothy survives until 1823 and is buried at St. Georges. It appears that Beckenham Lodge is then sold to John Woolley of Eden Farm and Kelsey Farm who resides at Beckenham Lodge on the 1838 Tithe schedule. Although the Banyers appeared to be childless a daugher Marianne may have predeceased them.

1798 - Land Tax: An Act of Parliament to raise aid for his majesty George III probably for pursuance of the Napoleonic war;

The register shows owners, tenants etc. for the various Parishes of Kent. Some information we can glean is that John Cator had a tenant on part of his estate ie Robert Haggard, probably of Copers Cope farm, Foxgrove Farm or both. Joseph Cator would be of Clockhouse, Lord Gwydir has a John Mathews as tentant of a small part, probably Stone Farm or similar property. Julius Angerstein posseses Kent House and is leased to Thomas Randall. Francis Motley Austin has leased Elmers End Farms to Alexander Jefferies.

Whether the sum payable is the ‘redemption’ value that represents the lump sum payable or the annual charge I cannot say but appears to be the annual charge.

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 2^nd 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.

The 18th Century had been a period of substantial change in the large estates with boundaries being redrawn. This process continued to some extent but property development began to rear its head. 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. His will dictates restrictions on selling or developing the estate which the Cators will get altered by Private Act of Parliament in 1825. 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.

The other large estate under the Burrells, now Peter Burrell IV (Baron Gwydir) will survive until his death in 1820 and then be divided through sale. Langley and Kelsey are divided between different buyers such as the Goodharts, Hoares, Woolley etc. and their various tenants with estates being fragmented i.e. the Kelsey and Langley estates divided between Goodhart, Woolley, Grosesmith and Hoare. Other properties such as Austin’s Elmers End etc. change hands and the district begins to become suburbanized.

The Cator estate sold some land while purchasing others i.e. the construction of Crystal Palace was on part of their Beckenham Manor land and Penge Place which had passed through their hands while they acquired Kent House Farm adjoining their Copers Cope Farm either side of the Beck, Chaffinch, Pool river confluence. The estate maps of 1809, 1833, 1864 and the Tithe map of 1838 plus publication of Ordnance Survey maps from early 1800 to 1860/70/etc. all allow us to make some assessment of the speed of change and development.

The Croydon Canal cuts through the western part of Beckenham but is short lived being superceded by the railway which followed most of the Canal's route.

Builders and speculative property developers emerge to buy or lease from the estate holders.

The reigns of George IV, William IV and Victoria will cover the century which sees the eventual abolishment of slavery, the growth of colonisation, some improvements in exploitation of labour but essentially the Industrial Revolution which had started in the previous century gathers pace fuelled by cheap labour and poor working conditions. Poverty leads to growth of the workhouse system which had been modestly parish led to become regional with large institutions established. i.e. Beckenham, Bromley and West Wickham workhouses are centralized into the Bromley Union Workhouse..

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).

1800 – September 18th; The Times reports that grain producers in Bromley and Lewisham including John Cator and John Forster undertake to supply their crop at a supplemented price to ameliorate suffering of the poor due to the high price of wheat and bread. A degree of means testing is applied by bakers to control the scheme. (Times newspaper and Ancestry.co.uk)

1800 – The Croydon Canal; an act of parliament is passed to incorporate The Croydon Canal company. In 1841 John Barwell Cator brings a case against the company.

12 Jul 1564	1564	BALDWINE	Robert s of Richarde
27 Sep 1567	1567	BALDWYNE	Richard (ye younger)
29 Apr 1611	1611	BALDWIN	John
22 Aug 1616	1616	BALDWIN	Richard
4 Jul 1618	1618	BALDWINE	Edmund
9 Apr 1618	1618	BALDWINE	Edmund s of Edm.
28 Jul 1624	1624	BALDINE	Alice w of Rich	The Abby
26 Feb 1649	1649	BALDROIN	child of William

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

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).

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

Ref No	242/9
Acc No	242
Title	Papers re: lawsuit: Thomas Austin (plaintiff) v. Robert King (defendant)
Description	Particular of Thomas King's property: Tenement in Bromley, occupied by Anne Harlackenden; Farm in Bromley, occupied by Philemon Wolfe; Tenement in Bromley, occupied by. Richard Gratwicke; Tenement and lands called Plaistow, formerly occupied by. Thomas King; Lands called Blackbrooks, occupied by. Elizabeth Beadle; Messuage, occupied by Tobias Ashmore; Croft, occupied by Peter Hunter; Woodland (18 acres), and land (3 acres), Chislehurst; Cotsams and Brooklands, tenement and land in Sippenham, occupied by William Shurmor.
Date	Post 1667

Title: "EDEN PARK, KENT, ;" British Library shelfmark: Maps K.Top.17.35. Place of publication: [London] Publisher: [W. Peacock]., Date of publication: [1812]

Title: "EDEN PARK, KENT, ;"

British Library shelfmark: Maps K.Top.17.35.

Place of publication: [London]

Publisher: [W. Peacock].,

Date of publication: [1812]