THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
m
BBS
THE
HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
BY
WALLACE HEKRY HILLS.
EAST GRINSTEAD:
FARNCOMBE & CO., LIMITED, PUBLISHERS,
LEWES, EASTBOVKNE AND EAST GRINSTEAD.
1906.
TO
JOHN C. STENNING, ESQ.,
Who was the first to write a History of East Grinstead,
and whose great knowledge and valuable collection of
documents concerning the Town have been freely placed
at my disposal, this Volume is respectfully dedicated by
his grateful Servant,
W. H. HILLS.
S2031
LOCAL
PBEFACE.
TJ^ROM an enormous mass of material available, never yet collected
into one volume, and much of it never before put into print, I
have selected that which is of general as distinguished from purely
antiquarian interest. I have endeavoured to sketch the rise and
progress of the town and the history of its institutions — those which
have passed away, as well as those which still exist.
In my researches I have received valuable help from very many,
both old friends and those who, until this work was taken in hand,
were entire strangers to me. My grateful thanks are especially due
to the officials at Somerset House, the Record Office, the Charity
Commission and Brighton Free Library and of the L.B. & S.C. Eailway
Company for courteous assistance readily rendered at all times. I
also desire to express my gratitude for the loan of documents and rare
books and for help in other ways to the Most Noble the Marquess of
Abergavenny, the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, Sir Augustus
Oakes, the Rev. D. Y. Blakiston, Mr. J. Batchelar (Lingfield), Mr.
W. H. Campion (Danny), Mr. F. GK Courthope (Lewes), the Rev. C.
W. Payne Crawfurd, Mr. R. P. Crawfurd, Mr. Jury Cramp (Horsham),
the Chaplain and Mother Superior of St. Margaret's, Mr. C. H.
Everard, Mr. D. W. Freshfield, Miss M. K. Gainsford (Keston), Mr.
A. H. Hastie, Mr. Evelyn A. Head, Mr. W. A. Head, Mr. James
Harrison, Mr. E. P. Whitley Hughes, Mr. Alan Huggett, Mr. S. J.
X. PREFACE.
Huggett, Mr. J. E. Lark, Mr. John Mooii, Mr. J. R. Fearless, Mr. J.
J. Pierce (Lamberhurst), Mr. R. G. Payne, Mr. J. Rice, Mr. H. Smeed,
Miss Stenning, Mr. J. C. Stenning, Mr. W. V. K. Stenning, Mr. Alan
Stenning, Rev. C. N. Sutton (Withyham), Rev. A. J. Swainson, Mr.
John Tooth, Mr. F. Tooth, Mr. A. W. True and Mr. Edward Young.
My grateful thanks are particularly due to Mr. R. P. Crawfurd,
Mr. A. H. Hastie, Mr. Evelyn A. Head and Mr. J. C. Stenning for
their great assistance in reading and correcting proofs. In fact I have
received nothing but kindness from all I have approached, and my
task has thereby been made an exceedingly pleasant one. To mention
all the published works which have been consulted would be impossible,
but it is only right that I should acknowledge the great help which
the Sussex Archaeological Society's Collections have been to me.
I sincerely hope this book will be found to supply, in some small
measure, a want which has long been felt.
W. H. HILLS.
LAXSDOWXE HOUSE,
EAST GKIX STEAD,
APRIL, 1906.
CONTENTS.
CHAVTER PAGES
I. EAST GRINSTEAD.
The Origin of the Name — Ashdown Forest — Royal
Properties — The Sackville Ownership — Area —
Population — Rateable Value — The Borough —
The Medway — Industries — Traders' Tokens —
The Town Arms 1-18
II. THE DOMESDAY SURVEY 19-21
III. THE BOROUGH OF EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MEMBERS
OF PARLIAMENT.
Members elected from 1300-1 to 1831, with
Biographies and Notes on Local Families —
Election Petitions — The Eight of Voting —
Burgage Holders — The Reform Act — The
Abolition of the Parliamentary Borough —
County Elections 22-62
IV. THE PARISH CHURCH: ITS VICARS, REGISTERS AND
TITHE OWNERS.
The Establishment of a Church — Its Destruction
by Fire— The Rebuilding— The Fall of the
Tower— The Last Rebuilding — Church Loans
and Rates — The Restoration — Gifts — The Bells
— The Church Terrier — List of Vicars, with
Biographies — The Registers — The Tithes and
their Owners — The Payne and Crawfurd
Families — Chantries and Fraternities — St.
Mary's Church 03-86
Xll. CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGES
V. NONCONFORMIST AND ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The Countess of Huntingdon's Church — Moat
Congregational Church — The Wesleyan — The
Eoman Catholic Church — Other Places of
Worship 87-95
VI. SACKVILLE COLLEGE.
The Founder— His Will— The Statutes— The 60
years' Law-suit — Sources of Income — The
Warden — List of Wardens, with Biographies —
Assistant Wardens 96-107
VII. EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS.
Grinstead and Sheffield Grinsted — Brambletye and
Lavertye — Imberhorne — Shovelstrode — Place-
land — Duddleswell — Walhill — Walstead —
Ashurst or Grinsted Wild — Standen — Brock-
hurst — Hazelden — By sshecourt — Maresfield —
Mayes — Bower — Goddenwick — Pixtons 108-121
VIII. THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES.
The London Road Almshouses — The Church
Street Almshouses — Henry Smith's Charity —
The Payne Endowment — Thomas Hall's Charity
— Haire's Charity— John Smith's Trust— The
Hoper Trust— Rev. B. Slight's Trust — John
Southey Scholarships — Felbridge School — The
Evelyn Monument — Felbridge Beef and Faggot
Charity 122-140
IX. THE IRON INDUSTRY : WITH SOME NOTES FROM A
CARRIER'S JOURNAL OF 1761 TO 1769.
List of Local Furnaces — Surreptitious Exportation
of Guns — The Work at Gravetye, The Warren
and Millplace — The Timber Industry — Some
Curious Recipes 141-146
CONTENTS. Xlll.
CHAPTER PAGKS
X. EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY : WITH
SOME NOTES ON THE BATCHELAR FAMILY.
The London and Lewes Eoad — Coach Services —
John Batchelar's Diary — A Newspaper Duel —
The Change of the London to Brighton Route
— The Establishment of the Railway — Connec-
tions with Three Bridges and Godstone — The
Last Coach 147-154
XI. TOLL-GATES AND ROAD MANAGEMENT.
The First Turnpike Trust— A Table of Weights
Allowed — The Tolls Payable — Farming the
Tolls — The Measurement of every Road in the
Parish 155-160
XII. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY.
Early Agitation— The First Local Bill— The East
Grinstead to Three Bridges Line — A Local
Company— Transfer to the L.B. & S.C.R. Co.—
Extension to Tunbridge Wells — The Low-level
Line — The Parish Pound — Lengths of Line —
The First Time Tables 161-165
XIII. THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.
The North Pevensey Legion — Plans for Resisting
Invasion — Disbandment of the Legion — Forma-
tion of a Rifle Corps — Local Contingents in the
Boer War • — Officers of the Local Corps —
Sergeant Instructors 166-175
XIV. SOME LOCAL WORTHIES.
John Rowe — Bishop Kidder — Spencer Perceval —
The Rev. C. J. Paterson— The Rev. F. Mills—
Dr. Epps — Thomas Cramp and his Diary — Mrs.
Neighbour — Sir Edward Blount — John Payne,
Sheriff of Sussex — The Paynes of East Grin-
stead — The Sussex Diarists and Local References 1 76-1 99
XIV. CONTENTS.
CHAPTEII PAGES
XV. THE ABERGAVENNY FAMILY AND KIDBROOKE.
The Building of Kidbrooke — Successive Owners
— The Abergavenny Vault — List of Burials
therein 200-205
XVI. DR. NEALE AND ST. MARGARET'S.
The Life of Dr. J. M. Neale— The Founding of
St. Margaret's — Its Branches — Qualifications
for the Sisterhood — Rev. Laughton Alison .... 206-213
XVII. THE BURNING or THE MARTYRS.
Foxe's Reference — The Families and Homes of
the Martyrs 214-215
XVIII. CRIMINAL RECORDS.
The Assizes— Fall of the Court House Floor —
The Rents of Assize and Irnberhorne Manor —
Police Courts and Constables— The Wall Hill
Mail Robbery — The Law's Severity in Olden
Time — The Agricultural Riots — The Sussex
Smugglers — A Brambletye Suit — A High
Treason Trial 216-227
XIX. THE CARE OF THE POOR.
Ancient Poor Laws Locally Applied — The Old
East Grinstead Workhouse and the Webster
Law Suit— Guardians and Rural District Council 228-233
XX. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
The Local Board and Urban Council — Street
Watering — The Drainage System — The Burial
Board and Cemetery — Tree Planting — Fairs
and Markets — The Fire Brigade — The County
Court— The Post Office — East Grinstead Cricket
— Cottage Hospitals — The General Dispensary
— Literary and Scientific Institutions — Public
Halls and Meeting Places — The National
Schools— The Modern School -Banks.. , 234-263
CONTENTS. XV.
CHAPTER PACKS
XXI. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND KINDRED ORGANISATIONS.
The Freemasons — The Foresters — The Shepherds
—The Odd FeUows 264-267
XXII. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES.
The Gas and Water Company — Sanitary Laundry
Company — Constitutional Club Company — Rice
Brothers, Limited — The Southdown and East
Grinstead Breweries, Limited — A. & C.
Bridgland, Limited — Farncombe & Company,
Limited — Fosters, East Grinstead, Limited —
II. S. Martin, Limited — John Stenning & Son,
Limited 268-274
ADDENDA 275
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS 277-280
INDEX TO LOCAL PLACE NAMES . 283-288
EAST GEINSTEAD.
CHAPTER I.
EAST GRINSTEAD is a town of considerable antiquity
and importance. As its name implies, it possibly owes
its origin to the fact that it was a "green stede" or a
pasture clearing ("East" being added later to distin-
guish it from West Grinstead) in that great Forest of
Anderida, 120 miles long by 30 miles wide, which
formed an almost impenetrable barrier stretched along
the northern boundary of the County of Sussex, but
which, in time, got cut up into several minor forests, of
which that of Ashdown was one of the most extensive.
This latter is now mainly within the boundaries of the
parishes of Buxted, Forest Row, Hartfield, Maresfield,
Fletching and Withyham. The site of the Forest of
Anderida can be still traced in a complete line from
Tunbridge Wells to Horsham, there remaining to this
day portions known as the Forests of Frant, Broadwater,
Ashdown, Worth, Tilgate, Balcombe and St. Leonard's.
In Saxon times it must have been the scene of many
wild forays and freebooting encounters. The kingdom
of Sussex was founded by Ella in 491. In 650 it was
ruled by Ethelwald and was unsuccessfully invaded by
Ceadwalla, a Prince of Wessex, who was repulsed, how-
ever, and had to seek refuge in the Forest of Anderida,
where he drew to his side a band of outlaws, whose
numbers so increased that finally he met and slew King
Ethelwald in battle. Then followed years of bloodshed,
of which this district must have seen its full share. In
time the kingdom was conquered, and annexed, in 803,
by Egbert, King of Wessex, to his dominions.
From the time of Edward III. down to the reign of
Charles I. Ashdown Forest was strictly preserved as a
Royal hunting ground, and our Monarchs often followed
2 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the chase within its boundaries. It formed part of the
possessions of John of Gaunt, fourth son of Edward III.,
by whom it was enclosed, becoming known as Lancaster
Great Park. The hunting castle, erected by the Duke
of Lancaster, was in the Vechery Wood (a name derived
from the Norman-French "vacherie" — a cow-house or
dairy) — a part of the Buckhurst property, but now
belonging to Mr. S. M. Samuel, M.P. Herds of deer and
swine formerly roamed at will through its glades and
woods ; wolves and wild boars had haunts therein ; less
than a century ago eagles frequented its almost untrodden
warrens ; and the now rare blackcock was often seen.
Mr. John Turley, a local poet, in a volume issued in
1856, records the fact of two eagles being caught alive
in dog traps some years before on the Forest. They
were brought to Counsellor Staples, who lived at Hurst-
an-Clays, and the men in charge of them started, later
on, to take them to London. They never reached
the Metropolis, however, for a press-gang seized the
men, and the fate of the birds is unknown. The
presence of deer in the Forest gave rise to several of
the local names, such as Hart-field, Buck-hurst, Buck-
stead (now Buxted), Hind-leap and Kid-brook. The
last of the wild deer was killed by the Hartfield Harriers
about 1808.
In time the Forest became neglected, fences went to
decay, the public gradually began to regard it as a sort
of no-man's land, and in 1611 common rights were
granted over about 6,400 acres, of which some 800 were
in East Grinstead parish. In 1625 the Earl of Dorset
was appointed Master of the Forest, Governor and
Master of the Game and Keeper and Surveyor-general
of the Woods. This appointment was made by the
Duchy of Lancaster.
When Charles I. was dethroned, Parliament took
possession of all the Royal lands and Cromwell had a
very careful survey made of the Forest. To inhabitants
in East Grinstead rights were confirmed over two
sections, in all 723 acres in extent, one part lying
between Plawhatch, Wych Cross and Kidbrook, and the
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 3
other between Mudbrook, Dallingridge and Plawhatch.
Between thirty and forty persons were named as possess-
ing these rights and they were allowed to turn out 445
head of cattle. On April 1st, 1662, the Forest was
leased to the Earl of Bristol for 99 years, at £200 a
year, but it is doubtful if he made much use of his
tenancy. The rent was made part of the Queen Dowager's
jointure, but the Earl did not pay it, made no profit
from the grant and allowed it to become void. In 1678
the Forest was granted to Charles, Earl of Dorset, and
his heirs for ever, and in his descendants it is still
vested.
The open part of the Forest, to be preserved for ever
for public enjoyment, is now managed by a Board of
Conservators, the first election of whom took place on
August 18th, 1885. How its present name was derived
is unknown, certainly not from the number of ash-trees,
for of such scarcely any traces can be found. The present
name may be a corruption of the word " Archedown."
The ordinary acceptation of the word " Forest" must not
be taken as applying to that wild tract which formerly
surrounded East Grinstead. In mediaeval times a forest
meant an extensive territory of uncultivated ground, not
necessarily a thickly wooded portion of country. It was
regulated by special laws and guarded by special officers.
Dr. Cox, in his book on parochial histories, says :
A forest included within its boundaries, not only the King's land,
but often also many manors belonging to private lords, whose rights,
however, were much restricted, for they could not change their land
from pasture to arable, nor cut down their woods, nor make enclosures
such as would prevent the free access of the larger game. Though a
forest was unenclosed, it frequently had, within its limits, several
parks, which were always enclosed by a wall or pale.
The Royal properties in East Grinstead were not
confined to the Forest area, but extended into the town
itself. In 1650 a survey was made of certain lands
and tenements in East Grinstead, " late pcell of the
possessions of Charles Stewart, late King of England,
as pte and pcell of the Dutchy of Lancaster," and though
the Earls of Dorset had sold or leased those properties,
B 2
4 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the Commissioners valued them among the Royal estates.
They included a messuage and dwelling-house called the
George, with its four burgages, two barns, stable, stall,
garden, orchard and yard, occupied by Robert Pickering,
who had recently built the house of stone and had secured
a demise of it for ever on the payment to the Earl of
Dorset of twelve pence and to Richard Amherst of forty
pounds. A second property was Hartscroft, or Bushfield,
or Bushcroft, of 4£ acres, in the tenure of Edward Paine,
who had acquired it of two persons named Allen Carr,
possibly father and son (one was Vicar of East Grinstead),
for £40. A third was known as Digman's Mead or
Katteraw's Mead and two parcels called the Riddens,
of 11 acres, then held by Richard Cole, whose family
acquired this also of the Carrs for £120. Katteraws is
no doubt a corruption of " Katherines " and was a meadow
originally belonging to the chantry or guild of that name.
The revenue arising to the King from these three and one
other property in Lingfield was £6 per annum, and a jury
sitting at East Grinstead on May 20th, 1646, apportioned
a rent of £2 to the George, £1 to Hartscroft, £2 to
Digman's Mead and £1 to the Lingfield property.
Cromwell's Commissioners valued the improved rent four
years later at £24. 10s. and reported that they were
unable to ascertain by what right or title the vendors
had sold to the tenants named. But we know now that
there was established in the town, a least a century
before this date, a fraternity or merchant guild of St.
George and St. Catherine. It had a chapel and owned a
messuage called the George. In 1547, on the abolition
of chantries, the George and other premises belonging to
St. Catherine's Chantry passed to Edward VI. by Act of
Parliament, and in 1551 the King granted these premises
in fee simple to John Johnson and others for the use of
Lord Richard Sackville, who thereupon granted the
premises to his son, Thomas, for 60 years, and about six
weeks later granted them in reversion for 99 years to
William Sackville. But in the same year the premises
came again to the Crown on an exchange made with
Lord Clinton.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. O
For a very long time the Sackville family owned the
greater part of the town proper, the final portions of
their property being sold on June 8th, 1882. They
were not bad landlords and often dealt generously by
the town. The following extracts from the Stewards'
Accounts relating to East Grinstead, being payments
made on behalf of Charles, Duke of Dorset, are interest-
ing:—
£ s. d.
Pd. to the Poor in Sackville Colledge in East Grinstead
for two years pension at Michmas, 1696 241 11 8
Charge for two special Courts at East Grinstead 116 0
1698. Paid Mr. William Smith and others for the
purchase of 560 acres of land in Ashdowne Forest. . . . 280 0 0
1699. A horse sent to Knowl, which was seized in my
Lord's Borough of East Grinstead, upon conviccon of
one who was executed for picking a pocket there.
Charge in seizing of the horse on conviccon of the
pickpocket at East Grinstead and sending him to
Lewes 10 0
Of Mr. Edward Head for East Grinstead Parsonage per
ann. £120, for one year, due at Michas, 1700 120 0 0
Of Matthew Lant, Esq., for a croft of land p. ann. luiiijs,
for two years rent due at Michmas, 1720 002 8 0
Of Mr. Head for East Grinstead Parsonage p. ann. cxxu
for the like 240 0 0
Of the Widow Cheal, vice Head, for a Cottage on East
Grinstead Common p. ann. x8 for the like 001 0 0
Of John King for a Tenemt near Sackvil Colledge in East
Grinstead, formerly p. ann. 1", but lately burnt down,
so remains for the like 0 0 0
Of John Heaver for a windmill newly erected on East
Grinstead Common, p. ann. xiijs iiijd, for the like .... 001 6 8
Casual profits. Timber, wood, faggots, &c., in the Manor
of Imberhorne 167 1 1 0
Paid Mr. Staples and Mr. Millington, which his Grace was
pleased to order to be paid to the poor Sufferers by
ffire, lately happening at East Grinstead, as by two
acquittances appears 40 0 0
Paid him two years Pension to the Poor of Sackville
Colledge, at East Grinstead, due at Michmas, 1720,
being cxxij" i" viijd p. ann., as by acquittances
appear 244 3 4
Paid Mr. Edward Head, which his Grace was pleased to
order him, for collecting Eastgrinsted quit rents, due at
Michmas, 1718, as by acquittances appears 001 0 0
6 HISIORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
The parish of East Grinstead was originally the largest
in Sussex, with the possible exception of Kirdford and
Rotherfield before Frant was taken from the latter. It
consisted of about 15,138 acres, but the exigencies of local
government in time demanded that this rather unwieldy
district should be divided, so in 1894 the district of
Forest Row was created a separate parish, taking 8,635
acres and leaving East Grinstead, which is co-terminous
with the urban district formed in 1884, with 6,503.
According to the Tithe Commutation approved on July
26th, 1842, the parish then contained, of: —
A. II. P.
Arable land 4,569 2 5
Meadow 2,034 0 5
Pasture
Hop
Common
Glebe
Wood
2,595 2 7
20 1 18
1,265 0 31
200
4,585 1 8
The last occasion, so far as is known, of " beating the
bounds" of the Parish of East Grinstead took place on
May 23rd, 1808, and two following days. At Baldwins
Hill on this occasion the boundary stone was moved from
private land to its present position in the roadway.
According to a license granted to Edward and James
Woodman, in 1635, to sell wine, "Forest Roe" was also
then known as " Walhatch." This latter may be a
contraction of Wallhill Hatch, Wallhill being a farm near
Forest Row and the Hatch or entrance to the Forest of
Ashdown being named from the nearest recognised point.
These hatches, or forest gateways, had an upper and a
lower division, the latter for the passage of persons on
foot and the upper to prevent the deer leaping over the
barrier.
It is difficult to get at any very accurate idea of the
population of East Grinstead in early days, but in 167(>
a religious census was taken of the Province of Canter-
bury, inquiries being sent to all ministers and church-
wardens as to the number of persons above 16 years of
age, " by common account and estimation inhabiting
within each parish." The return from East Grinstead
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 7
showed a total population of 800 above the age named,
though this is possibly an approximate estimate. It
would make the total population of East Grinstead about
1,100. Those concerned were also ordered to ascertain
11 what number of Popish recusants are there among such
inhabitants ? " They found that there were only five in
this parish. Thirdly, they were required to state " what
number of other dissenters are resident in such parishes
which either obstinately refuse, or wholly absent them-
selves from the communion of the Church of England ? "
East Grinstead was found to contain 28 of such, so that
the seed of Nonconformity had not taken very deep root at
that date. This left 767 " Conformists." In the whole
county at that time there were only about 52,000 inhabi-
tants over 16 years of age and of these, all but 385 Papists
and 2,452 " Sectaries," were returned as members of the
Church of England. A somewhat similar census was
taken again in 1 724, when it was ascertained that out of
310 families in the parish of East Grinstead eleven were
Presbyterian, one was Quaker and one Anabaptist, all the
rest belonging to the Established Church. This would
mean a total population then of about 1,250.
The first properly organised census of England was
made in 1801 and has been continued every 10 years
since, generally being taken on the first Sunday in April.
Until 1891 the parish included Forest Row and no
separate returns were made for the town and country
divisions of the parish. Appended are the complete
returns for the whole parish of East Grinstead from the
commencement :
1801 2,659
1811 2,804
1821 3,153
1831 3,364
1841 3,586
1851 3,820
1861 4,266
1871 5,390
1881 6,968
1891 , 7,569
1on1 ( East Grinstead 6,094 ) Q Rin
1901 < -r, , -r, ctzial 8,610
( Forest Kow 2,516)
5 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
It is difficult to compare the present rateable value of
the parish with any of the very early figures obtainable,
but the few following facts are interesting :
May 7th, 1333. The value of taxes and rates in East Grinstead
was returned at £3. 4s. Id.
April loth, 1524. The total value of the rates in East Grinstead
was returned at £5. 14s. 6d.
February 20th, 1620. Total value of the rates in East Grinstead
returned at £6. 4s. 8d.
June 18th, 1649. A return made this day showed that the total
value of all lands, quit rents and tithes in East Grinstead was
£3,178. 9s.
The rateable value of the real property in the parish
has shown a very large increase during the last 80 years,
as the following figures will show :
March 25th, 1825 £4,141
1826 3,949
1827 4,459
1828 3,974
1829 4,025
1842 9,720
1852 9,145
March 25th, 1864 (when the first valuation
list on the present lines came into force) £16,380
March 25th, 1874 19,932
„ „ 1884 28,741
„ „ 1894 41,540
„ 1904:-
East Grinstead. £37,845 ) , , _,.„
Forest Eow .. 17,128) &4'y7
November, 1905 : —
East Grinstead. £42,076 \
Forest Eow . . 17,755 ) °y'8d
The increase of values during the last half century
has been very great. A typical instance is afforded by
the two houses which formerly stood where the premises
of Rice Bros., Limited, now are. These were sold by
Mr. Morphew in 1850 for £150 and bought by Messrs.
Rice Bros. 40 years after for £750.
Apart from its history as a parish, East Grinstead has
a very distinct and interesting history as a borough.
At one time the town formed a part of the Royal possess-
sions which went with the Castle of Pevensey, and it is
still in the Pevensey Rape, one of the ancient divisions
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 9
of the County of Sussex, now used principally for excise
and ecclesiastical purposes. Henry I. gave the estates to
Gilbert de Aquila, whose son forfeited them by engaging
in a rebellion, when the King re-took possession and
settled them on his grandson, who afterwards became
Henry II. This monarch assigned them to William, son
of King Stephen, who held them until Henry came to
the throne and four years later surrendered them back to
his lord, conditionally that he should have an hereditary
right to all lands belonging to his father, King Stephen,
before he became King of England. The King there-
upon returned the estates to the family of de Aquila,
who appear to have enjoyed them quietly for some years.
In the reign of Henry III. the head of this family made
himself obnoxious to the King, and, as he went over to
Normandy without the Royal license, the King seized all
his property, which included his manor of East Grinstead,
and in 1234 granted it to the Earl of Pembroke, but
seems to have taken it back six years later, when he gave
it to Peter de Savoy, who was uncle to his Consort. A
few years later the property appears to have once more
reverted to the Crown, and the King then gave it to
Prince Edward and his heirs, Kings of England, on
condition that it should never be severed from the Crown
— a condition not long observed.
In the thirteenth century the mother of King Edward I.
held the Barony of the Eagle and with it the Borough
and Hundred of East Grinstead. The Hundred of East
Grinstead was described as an escheat of the Normans,
an escheat being a property reverting to the Crown by
reason of the failure of lawful heirs or the offences of
the owners. The jurors of the Hundred of East Grin-
stead reported about the same time that there were in
the "Barony of Aquila (Latin for an eagle) 62 knights'
fees which pertained to the Castle Guard of Pevensey."
A "knight's fee," as applied to land, represents no definite
quantity, but anything between one and five hundred
acres of cultivable land.
King Edward I. paid one visit to his mother's borough.
He came from Horsham on Tuesday, June 30th, 1299,
10 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
and departed on Wednesday, July 1st, for Leigh, on his
way to Canterbury, where he was married for the second
time on September 10th. In connection with this Royal
visit a record is in existence of the following payments :
To the Clerk of the Marshalsea, advanced for the cure of certain
sick horses of the King by the hand of Nicholas the Marshal, 10s.,
and for 8 quarters of oats at 2s. 6d., 20s.; to the Clerk of the Kitchen,
for 2 quarters of wheat bought of Isabella de Puleyne at Chichester
at 6s. per quarter, 12s. ; to the Clei'k of the Pantry, for 6 score gallons
of beer bought from Gunnora, wife of Walter Alewede, 4s. 2d. ; and
for 55 gallons of beer from Peter de Hakenden, 4s. 7d.
In the reign of Edward III. the lordship of the town
belonged to Reginald Cobham, Lord Stereborough, who
in 1340 procured a charter of free-warren, namely, an
exclusive right to kill all hares, rabbits, partridges and
pheasants over its area, and he left it so privileged to his
son, Reginald, in 1361.
According to the Harleian MSS. an inquisition was
taken in 1559 in regard to the extent of the Borough of
East Grinstead, and the jurors found that it was —
a Liberty of itself, without any intermeddling of ye hundred, or vice
versa ; is within ye parish of East Grinstead, within ye Dutchy of
Lancaster and ye liberty of ye same. There is contained within the
said boro' of lands and tenements, as they are divided, 48 burgages, 47
Portlands, 24 cottages, besides a stable and a smith's forge, and there
be divers owners of the said burgages. The burgage holders and
cottagers are all the Queen's tenants, and hold their tenements of her
Majestie, as of her Manor of East Grinstead, by fealty only and suit
of Court. This boro' is within the Liberty of the Dutchy and within
ye parish of East Grinstead only, and there is no more of ye boro' of
East Grinstead, but only ye town, and yet there is a common or heath,
which is a common appendant to ye said boro', and lieth also within
ye said boro' and is altogether within ye said parish of East Grinstead
and within ye said Dutchy and Liberty of ye same. This boro'
boundeth to ye lands of John Duffield, called Browning's Cross, and
to ye glebe land of ye Parsonage of north part ; to Love Lane of ye
east part ; to ye lands of John Duffield the elder, and lands late John
Leedes of ye south ; of ye Queen's highway leading from said boro'
to Westleigh and to ye lands late Richard Homewood west. Ye said
common or heath boundeth to Edw. Goodwin's lands south ; to certain
copyhold lands belonging to Imberhorne manor and ye demesne lands
of said manor west ; to ye lands of Thos. Sands, Esq., lands Birchcroft,
Edw. Goodwin's lands, a croft late Thos. Durkins, ye lands of Win.
Outred and John Besh, lands belonging to ye George Inn and Win.
Langridge's tenements ; and it is to be remembered that there is on
ye common or heath one little piece of ground called the Windmill
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 11
Place, wch Henry Duffield purchased to him and his heirs of King
Henry VII., with one tenement and a piece of ground lying west of
ye said common and called Ye New House, wch Edw. Duffield now
hath and holdeth.
The Duffields were long resident in East Grinstead
and one of them named Thomas, a yeoman, was convicted
for participating in 1541, at Laughton, with Lord Dacre,
in that unfortunate poaching affray which brought this
nobleman to the gallows. The mill spoken of was not
pulled down until about 1900.
On May 15th, 1626, the Hundred of East Grinstead
was ordered to raise money for 10 barrels of powder to
be kept in store and also to keep the beacons sufficiently
repaired and watched. A year later, on August llth,
the Hundred was called on to find 3s. and two men
towards a press of 50 required from the county, no doubt
to help in our ill-fated struggles in France and Spain.
The Alderman or High Constable of the Hundred
had annually to appear at a " Sheriffes turne Court"
held upon Berwick Common on the Thursday in Whitsuii
week. In a return to Parliament, dated June 1st, 1650,
the duties of the "Aldermen" are thus quaintly set
forth :-
The Aldermen of the sevall hundreds (wch are chosen at ye leetes for
evy hundred one) are then to appeare, and to certify how many head
borrowes are in each hundred, and to bi-ing 12 men with every alderman
according to custome, to make a grand inquest, and the head borrows
of evy borrough in the said hundreds are to appeare wth two side men,
wth each of them to psent all publique abuses wthin their said borroughs
and hundreds ; any of these fayling are severally amerced, viz', the
Aldermen xxs each at the least, and their jurates vjs each, the head-
borrough each iij" iiijd at ye least, ye side men vjd, and all deodans
fellons goods, fugetives and fellows of themselves, &c., psented and
amerced, and all publique annanses, all ye fines and amercants at y*
said court are levied by ye feodary BailifFe of ye Dutchy, and ought to
be accompted or compounded for by him . . .
A deodand was a personal chattel which had been the
immediate occasion of the death of a rational being and
for that reason " given to God" —that is, forfeited to the
King to be applied to pious uses and distributed in alms
by his high almoner. The Crown, however, frequently
granted the right to deodands to devolve with certain
lands. They were abolished in '1846.
12 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
"Annanses," or annants, or annates, were the "first
fruits," or a year's income of a spiritual living, given to
the Pope on the death of a bishop, abbot, or parish priest,
and paid by his successor. At the Reformation they were
vested in the King and by Queen Anne restored to the
church and appropriated to the augmentation of poor
livings, forming the nucleus of the well-known Queen
Anne's Bounty Fund.
It is impossible to conceive what a vast difference there
would have been in the whole character of the town and
neighbourhood if East Grinstead but possessed a navigable
river. Our forefathers were not blind to the advantages,
both commercial and otherwise, which the district thus
lost and they made several attempts to remedy the
deficiencies of nature. In the sixteenth and seventeenth
years of the reigri of Charles II., Parliament passed an
Act for making the river Medway, which originates from
a number of little streams rising in and around East
Grinstead and Turners Hill, navigable in the counties of
Kent and Sussex. This vast work was never executed
and 65 years later private individuals took the matter up
and got a second Act passed authorising the formation of
a company, to be called " The Company of Proprietors
of the Navigation of the River Medway," and the making
of that river navigable from Maidstone to Forest Row,
but this enterprise lingered on in imagination only until
the country gradually became covered with a network of
railways, when the project was finally abandoned.
For centuries the town proper consisted of only one
straggling street reaching from the paygate, which stood at
the east end of the High Street, to a spot near the present
Literary Institute. There were a few houses between
there and the White Lion. The town was entered from
the London direction under a magnificent avenue of
elms, which occupied both sides of the roadway from
where the Tunbridge Wells railway line now goes under
it to Queen's Road, and a portion of which still remains
on the Placeland Estate.
The Common, already referred to, commenced just
beyond the White Lion Hotel and, but for a few isolated
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 13
cottages, formed a wild open tract reaching practically
from the town to Felbridge and from Baldwins Hill to
Imberhorne. The Duke of Dorset, as Lord of the
Manor, began its enclosure about 1760 and his successors
continued it until the only public piece now remaining
is the Ling-field Road Recreation Ground. At North End
formerly stood the public lime-kilns. Farmers used to
fetch chalk by road from Lewes and make their own
lime, for agricultural purposes, in the kilns on the
Common. These were used by whoever needed them
and, as may be imagined, disputes in regard to their
occupation were not rare. The cartage of chalk was
so great and so necessary an industry that by many
general and local Acts carts conveying it were exempted
from the payment of tolls, but a special clause was
inserted in the last Act governing the East Grinstead
roads (1850), withdrawing this exemption in regard to
chalk and lime and continuing it in regard to lime only
when being conveyed for use in improving land.
The town has never had much more than its residential
and sporting capacities and its agricultural industry to
depend on. It has long been the centre of a very fair
timber trade, and at one time was enriched by the iron
industry, but no large manufactories have ever been
established, though many industries, such as brewing
and mineral water making, boot and harness manufactur-
ing, have been well represented in a moderate way.
The quill pen manufactory established by Mr. Palmer,
the issuer of penny and twopenny bank-notes, gained a
wide repute and secured for the establishment the grant
of the Royal Arms, the only one ever obtained by a
local tradesman, arid still to be seen over the premises,
now owned and occupied by Mr. W. H. Dixon. The
old felt hat manufactory was a fairly large one. Thomas
Boille, assistant warden of Sackville College, and who
issued his own farthing, was a hatmaker here in 1680
and in 1798 William Tooth was carrying on the same
business. It was located where the boot shop of Mrs.
Roberts, in the London Road, now stands. The Tooth
family then owned almost all the land between what is
14 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
now London Road and Hill Place, including Glen Vue,
Queen's Road andWest Street, then mainly of an agricul-
tural character. A diary kept by the great grandfather
of Messrs. Frederick and Edwin Tooth, who are now
partners in business in the High Street, contains the
following concerning his nephew :
December 19th, 1827, John Tooth sailed in the "Bencoolen," Captain
John Martin, Master, for Van Diemans Land and New South Wales,
with hops, rum, porter and hats for sale.
His brother had established himself as a brewer at
Cranbrook and thence came the hops, rum and porter
which formed part of this miscellaneous cargo. The
hats came from East Grinstead. The goods apparently
sold well, for John Tooth settled down in Sydney,
established a brewery there and died worth over
£300,000. His descendants have come back to England
and are famous for their munificent donations to national
and charitable institutions.
As already mentioned a few of our traders have had
their own coins. In the reign of Charles I. and during
the Commonwealth, before regal copper money was
brought into general use, many tradesmen issued tokens
of a farthing value, and the following were struck by
East Grinstead residents :
1. Obv.: THOMAS . BODLE . ix. (The Mercers' Arms.)
Rev. : EAST . GRIMSTED . SVSEX. T. E. B.
Thomas Bodle was a mercer and hat maker. The
name is a fairly common one in Sussex, and Mr. Lower
suggests it was possibly corrupted from Bothel.
2. Obv. : WILL . CLIFTON . SVSEX. (A sugar loaf.)
Rev. : ix . EAST . GRIMSTED. W. S. C.
This trader was apparently a grocer, but the name is
not a common one in the district.
3. Obv. : AT . THE . CATT . ix . EAST (A cat).
Rev.: GREEXSTED . 1650. T. E. P.
This was issued by the proprietor of what is now the
Dorset Arms. The famous old coaching house has borne
several names. It comprised two of the 36 burgages,
giving its tenant a right to a vote for the Members of
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 15
Parliament, and when first built was called " The Newe
Line." Subsequently it was named "The Ounce" and
afterwards " The Cat," both these titles being derived
from the two leopards which form the supporters of the
Dorset arms. It was not called "The Dorset Arms"
until the "Dorset Head," which stood where Barclay
and Co.'s Bank now is, was done away with. This was
originally named " The Chequer,7** and gave the name to
the mead in the rear, which was subsequently attached
to the Crown Hotel. John Taylor's " Catalogue of
Tavernes in tenne Shires about London," published in
1636, says:
At East-Greensteed John Langridge and Henry Baldwin ; the signes
at East Greensted are the Crown and the Cat.
In 1811 The Dorset Arms was let at £30 a year, and
The Crown, with its " outhouses, stables, yard, garden
and bowling green," at the same figure. Both then
belonged to the Sackville family. A considerable farm
at that time went with the Crown, including the Friday,
Chequer and Hips fields, and this farm was valued at
£42 a year. The three coins named above were all
farthings ; the next, though practically of the same size,
was a halfpenny :
4. Obv. : *RICH . PAGE . AND . HEX . SEASTID. (A Cl'OWn.)
Rev.: *EAST . GRIMSTED . IN . SVSSEX. THEIR HALF PENY.
Richard Page also issued a Hellingly halfpenny in
1669, and he may have been in partnership with Seastid
in East Grinstead. The latter name is a rare one, but
may be .the same as Isted or Histed, both of which are
possessed by old local families.
In the latter part of the eighteenth century the copper
coinage ran very short, and tradesmen again issued their
own tokens in vast quantities. The only local one was
issued by J. H. Boorman, a grocer and draper :
Obv. : The Freemasons' Arms, supporters, crest and motto, with
legend " PRO BONO PTJBLICO."
Rev. : The script cypher "J. H. B." in the field, with a pair of
scales above and "1795" below and legend "EAST
GRINSTEAD HALFPENNY."
Edge : PAYABLE AT j -f- H. BOORMAN 0 + 0 + 0.
16 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Our traders at one time strongly resented the intrusion
of outsiders, for the House of Commons minutes for
February 9th, 1705, inform us that a petition of the
aggrieved shopkeepers in the Borough of East Grinstead
was presented to Parliament against continuing the
licensing of hawkers and pedlars, and praying that
some effectual remedy might be had to suppress such
"intestine enemies." The petition was referred to a
committee of the whole House, and possibly never
thought of again.
It is quite possible that such an old Parliamentary
Borough as East Grinstead had its coat of arms at a very
early date, but it was either forgotten or in abeyance in
1572. In this year Thomas Cure, of Southwark, was
elected M.P. for the Borough of East Grinstead, and he
appears to have signalised his return by procuring for
the town a grant of arms, presenting to the township a
silver seal engraved therewith. What appears to be the
original parchment grant of arms from the Heralds
College is still in the possession of the Crawfurd family,
to whom it has probably descended from their ancestor,
John Payne, of East Grinstead, who died in 1579, and
is one of the burgesses named in the grant, which reads
as follows: —
Be it remembered that Gilbert Dethik alias Garter, Principall Kinge
of Armes did graunt and allowe tlie xxxth day of May anno dni 1572
Anno Eegni Eegine Elizabethe viiijto At ye specyall suyt of wyllyam
Langridge then baylyffe of the bowronage towne of Estgrinsted in
ye Countye of Sussex, Edwarde Goodwyne, John Payne, Thomas
Lullingeden junior, John Duffylde, Edward Duffylde, Thomas
Lullingeden senior, James Baldwin, Robart Hartfylde, wyllyam Bryan,
Thomas ffawrkenor, John Atree, Edwarde Langredge, John Saxpes,
Henry Browne, Thomas Dureky, Thomas Homewoode, George Partrydg
and John Hazelden then being burgesses in the sayd burrowe towne
and other the inhabytants of the sayde towne. fc!r And by the
procuremente of maister Thomas Cure of Sowthwarke in the countye of
Surr' esquyor, the paterne of ye Seale herein enexed to be a paterne
of ye seale for the sayd Borrorghe towne, and that ye same paterne,
and a Seale graven in sylver, accordinge to the same paterne was cawsed
to be made and geven to the sayde Bayliffe, burgesses, townshipe and
inhabj'tants to the use of the sayde townshipe by the sayd Thorns' Cure
at his proper cost & charges only, for the love & good wyll that he the
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
sayde Thomas Cure bare unto the sayd Burrowe towne and inhabytants
thereof. Dated the day and yeare before written.
Per me Humfridum Boydon
1572
ffinis
A Paterne of a Seale for the Borroughe
Towne of Estgrinsteed in Sussex.
Graunted by Garter Principall
Kinge of Armes
by me Gilbert Dethick,
als garter principall
King of armes.
The five Prince of Wales feathers are in blue, with gold
touches to the tips, the ground yellow, the rim gilt and
the letters brown. The silver seal referred to has long
since disappeared.
According to some authorities the town had another
coat of arms — a rose surmounted by a crown. Cox's
11 Magna Britannia" gives a ducal crown, with rose below
and "Sus" "sex" on either side, as the arms of the
town, but there is no record of this at the College of
Arms. Some local bodies have adopted this rose and
crown as their seal, but they do not agree either as to
the shape of the rose or the formation of the crown. The
Gilbert Dethick who signs the grant was first Norroy
and then Garter King of Arms, being raised to the latter
office on April 29th, 1550. He was succeeded by William
Dethick (possibly his son) on April 21st, 1586, and in
connection with the grant to East Grinstead it is interest-
ing to note that about this time gross irregularities with
regard to the granting and confirmations of arms obtained
in the Heralds College. " Some of the Heralds," we are
told, " had taken to visiting and giving grants of arms
on their own initiative, which they had no right to do
except as deputies to one of the Kings of Arms." Their
action brought about a positive scandal, so on July 18th,
18 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1568, the Duke of Norfolk, as Earl Marshal of England,
issued fresh regulations, one of which was :—
That from henceforth there shall be no new arms granted to any
person or persons without consent thereunto of the Earl Marshall had.
Provided always that it shall be lawfull for Garter, Clarenceux and
Norroy and every other of them jointly together to give new crests
and confirinances as heretofore they have done . . . and that no
patents of arms he granted unless the hands of the three Kings of
Arms be thereto subscribed.
Four years later the East Grinstead arms were granted.
The latter part of the Earl Marshal's rule had been
generally disregarded and new grants of arms continued
to be issued on the authority of the Garter or one of the
Kings of Arms alone. This is the case with East
Grinstead ; Garter alone signs it and the Earl Marshal's
warrant is not mentioned and presumably was not
obtained. The order had so little effect, and the scandal
of unauthorised grants increased so much, that the public
executioner obtained a grant with the Royal Arms of
Aragori and Brabant ! This was too much and the
granter, Segar, successor to W. Dethick, was sent to
prison for his freely bestowed favours.
THE DOMESDAY SUBVEY.
CHAPTER II.
IN the year 1086 a survey was completed of that
portion of Great Britain ruled by William the Conqueror.
Appended is a translation of the local part of that
very famous manuscript volume, written at Winchester
from notes made by special officers sent to every part of
the realm. Obsolete names and words are explained in
parentheses, the renderings being mainly those suggested
in the issue of Domesday Book published by the Sussex
Archaeological Society, or the Victoria History of
Sussex : —
In Grenestede Hundred.
In Calvrestot (Shovelstrode Manor) the Earl (Earl
Robert of Mortain, half-brother to William the Con-
queror) has 1 hide (probably meaning as much land as
one plough could cultivate), which lay in the rape of
Lewes. It is now outside the rape. It does not pay
geld (land tax called "Dane-geld"). Alnod held it of
King Edward (Edward the Confessor). There is land
for 2 ploughs. There they are with one villein (persons
in absolute servitude with their children and effects) and
3 bordars (cottagers). From the herbage 3 hogs. From
the wood 5. (Rents were then often paid in swine.)
In the time of King Edward and now worth 20
shillings.
In Celrestvis (? Shovelstrode Manor) Ansfrid holds one
virgate of the Earl outside the rape. It has never paid
geld. ^Elmar held it of King Edward. There is land
for 1 plough. There it is with one villein. From the
wood and herbage 2 hogs. In the time of King Edward
it was worth 5 shillings ; now 7 shillings.
In Felsmere (Falmer or Felbridge) the Earl holds 1
hide and a half outside the rape. It has not paid geld.
Villeins held it, and it is rated in the manor.
c 2
20 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
In Berchelie (Burleigh, Turners Hill) William holds 1
hide and a half of the Earl. It is outside the rape. It
has not paid geld. In the time of King Edward Alfer
held it of the Holy Trinity (probably some ecclesiastical
establishment), in the Manor of Odetone (Wootton Manor
in Westmeston), as the hundred testifies. There is land
for 4 ploughs. There are 3 villeins and 1 plough. In
the time of King Edward it was worth 20 shillings ;
now 10 shillings.
The same William holds Warlege (Warley) of the
Earl. There are 2 hides. It has never paid geld ; it is
outside the rape. Ulueva held it of King Edward for 1
manor. There is land for 5 ploughs. There are 3
villeins with 3 ploughs. From the herbage 5 hogs and
wood 2 hogs. Then 20 shillings; now 15 shillings.
The same William holds Sperchedene outside the rape
of the Earl. It lay in Wildetone (a Manor of Ashurst
or The Wilde) and has never paid geld. Cano held it of
King Edward. There is land for half a plough. It was
then worth 3 shillings ; now 2 shillings.
Ansfrid holds 2 hides less one virgate outside the rape
of the Earl. King Edward held them. They lay in the
Manor of Diceninges (Ditchling), and have not paid geld.
There is land for 6 ploughs. From the wood and herbage
6 hogs. There is one acre of meadow and one iron mine.
(The only mine mentioned in the Sussex survey.) There
are six villeins with two ploughs. In the time of King
Edward they were worth 15 shillings ; now 20 shillings.
The same Ansfrid holds half a hide outside the rape.
It is called Halseeldene (Hazelden ; or Hazeldene in
Dallington ; or Haselden in Burwash). Ulward held it
of King Edward. It lay in Alitone (Allington in St.
John's, Lewes) and has never paid geld. There is land
for 2 ploughs. It was worth 10 shillings : now 5 shillings.
The same Ansfrid holds half a hide Biochest (Buck-
hurst in Withyham ; or Brockhurst, an extinct manor in
East Grinstead ; or Burghurst, near Horsted Keynes)
outside the rape of the Earl. Frane held it of King
Edward. It lay in Waningore (Warringore Manor in
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY. 21
Chailey). It has never paid geld. There is land for 1
plough and there it is with one villein. It was worth 15
shillings ; now 5 shillings.
Ralph holds Branbertie (Brambletye) of the Earl.
Cola held it of King Edward. It then and now vouched
for one hide. There is land for 1 plough and a half.
There is a priest with one villein and one plough and a
hah0 and 14 bordars. From the wood and herbage 12
hogs and 5 acres of meadow and I mill of 2 shillings.
(This mill still exists and is occupied by Messrs. Hohnden
and Son. The only other mill in the district was at
Hertevel — Hartfield — and its annual rent was 4s. and
350 eels, rent being then often paid in eels, which
abounded in the mill-ponds.) In the time of King
Edward it was worth 30 shillings ; now 20 shillings.
The same Ralph holds Waslebie (Whalesbeach Farm
in East Grinstead) outside the rape of the Earl. There
is 1 hide. Fulchi held it of King Edward. It lay at
Lovintune (East Lavant). It has never paid geld. There
is land for 3 ploughs. There are 2 villeins with half a
plough. It was worth 30 shillings ; now 20 shillings.
The Earl himself holds outside the rape one virgate
and a half, Standene. (Possibly Standen, but if really
outside the rape then Standean in Pyecombe and
Ditchling.) Azor held it of King Edward. It lay at
Bevedene (Bevendean in Falmer). It has never paid
geld. It is accounted for and rated in the manor of
Torringes (Tarring Neville).
The Earl himself holds Ferlega (?Fairlight) for one
rod. It is outside the rape, in the rape of Lewes. It lay
at Dicelinges( Ditchling). It has never paid geld. There
is land for half a plough. There is one villein with one
plough. It was worth 10 shillings ; now 5 shillings.
THE BOROUGH OF EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS
MEMBERS OE PARLIAMENT,
CHAPTER III.
FOR more than 530 years the Borough of East
Grinstead was represented by two Members in Parlia-
ment and the town has sent many famous men to the
House of Commons. The privilege was possibly first
conferred in 1295, when the "First Complete and Model
Parliament " met, but the earliest record of any return
is in the year 1300-1, the 29th of the reign of Edward I.
The right of voting, when it came to be exercised by
the inhabitants, was almost exclusively confined to the
holders of burgages, and the number of this class of
tenements seems never to have exceeded 36, of which
almost the whole were for many years vested in the
Sackville family, so that it was essentially a " nomination
borough." The last patrons of the nomination borough
were the Earl De la Warr and the Earl of Plymouth,
their Lordships having married two sisters, co-heiresses
of the Duke of Dorset, a former patron. A burgage
holder was a burgess, citizen or townsman who held his
land or tenement direct from the King, or other lord, for
a certain yearly rent, or who held it under socage — the
tenure of one over whom his lord had a certain jurisdic-
tion. There were several kinds of socage, the most
common in East Grinstead being "free socage," implying
that the service to be rendered was not only certain, but
honourable, such as the payment of a merely nominal
yearly sum or the declaration of fealty, meaning, "If
you need my sword to be drawn on your behalf it shall
be at once unsheathed." Thus an independent free-
holder or a tenant under any but the King or Lord of
the Manor had no vote whatever. Appended are the
names of Members, so far as they can be ascertained,
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 23
with brief biographies of the more famous and notes of
petitions and other events of interest :
1300-1. Willielmus ate Solere and Willielmus le Fughel.
Both these were East Grinstead people, their names
appearing in a local subsidy roll of that date.
1307, Oct. 13th. Galfridus le Fissher and Thomas Squier.
1309, April 27th. Willielmus de Holindale vel Holmdale and
Galfridus le Fisshere.
It was evidently the first named of these two members
who founded, in 1325, a chantry in the parish church of
East Grinstead and endowed it with lands in the parish
and rents out of the Manors of Duddleswell and Imber-
horne. There were Hollingdales living in East Grinstead
at the Round Houses until they were pulled down to
make room for the Constitutional Club.
1311, Aug. 8th. Thomas Flemyng and Galfridus ate Solere.
1311, Nov. 12th. Willielmus de Holyndale and Johannes atte
Solere.
1313, Sept. 23rd. Galfridus le Ku and Willielmus de Holyndale.
For the four next Parliaments no returns were made
for the Borough of East Grinstead.
1322, Nov. 14th. Willielmus de Holindale and Galfridus Cocus.
The latter was possibly the same person as " le Ku"
returned in 1313.
1325, Nov. 1 8th. Willielmus atte Sol ... and Willielmus de
Holy . . .
The finals of both these names are defaced in the
original returns. They possibly were Solere and Holyn-
dale.
1348. Willielmus le Couk and Johannes atte Solere.
1354. Thomas Rous and Willielmus le Couk.
1355. Willielmus Couk and Thomas Rous.
1357-8. Willielmus Couk and Thomas Rous.
1360. Thomas Rous and Johannes Alfray.
The Alfreys were a well-known Sussex family, for a
long time owners of Gulledge and Tilkhurst, which now
form part of the Imberhorne estate.
1360-1. Thomas Rous and Johannes Alfray.
1362. Gregorius atte Hole and Johannes Alfray.
24 HISTORY OP EAST GRINSTEAD.
1363. Gregorius atte Hole and Johannes Alfray.
1 364-5. Gregorius atte Hole and . . . Holyndale.
1366. Gregorius atte Hole and Eicardus Clerk.
1368. Gregorius atte Hole and Johannes Alfray.
1369. Thomas Eston and Galfridus Cook.
1371. Gregorius atte Hole.
1372. Galfridus Cook and Gregorius atte Hole.
1373. Eicardus Mayhew and Eicardus Danyel.
1378. Eicardus Hygon and Eicardus Woghere or Wowere.
" Woghere" is possibly the same as the modern name
of Woolgar, which is well known in East Grinstead and
common throughout Sussex.
1381. Johannes atte Sloughtre or Sleghtre and Johannes Farlegh.
1382. Eicardus Woghere and Eicardus Danyel.
1382-3. Thomas Wykes or Wyke and Johannes Dyn.
John Dyn or Dyne was probably descended from the
Dynes of Wikedyn, Northampton, who came over with
the Conqueror and branches of which family afterwards
settled at Bethersden, Kent, and Westfield and East
Grinstead, in Sussex. The present representative of this
old family is Mr. John Bradley-Dyne, of Lincolns Inn,
Barrister-at-law, one of the Conveyancing Counsel to the
Court of Chancery.
1383. Johannes Sleghtre and Thomas Wyke.
1384. Eicardus Danyell and Eicardus Wcghere.
1385. Eicardus Danyel and Eicardus Woghere.
1387-8. Johannes Dyn or Dyne and Johannes Heldele.
1388. Eicardus Wowere and Willielmus Nelond.
1391. Johannes Alfray and Johannes Dyn.
1392-3. Thomas Easse and Thomas Aleyn.
1394-5. Thomas Farlegh and Willielmus atte Hulle.
1396-7. Johannes Punget and Johannes Dyn.
1397. Johannes Dyn and Johannes Punget.
1399. Johannes Dyne and Eicardus Woghere.
1402. Johannes Dyne and Eicardus Wowere.
1407. Johannes Dyn and Eicardus Wowere.
In this year the Commons established the Constitu-
tional maxim that all money grants must originate in
their House and not in the Lords.
1413. Johannes Hoke and Thomas Aleyn.
1414. Johannes Dyn and Thomas Wower.
1419. Willielmus Fenyngham and Johannes Hamme.
The Fenningham or Frenyngham family lived at
Waldron and during Jack Cade's insurrection the rebels
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 25
plundered their house of precious stones and other
valuables and held the owner, William Fenningham,
possibly the member who sat for East Grinstead in 1436,
to ransom.
1421. Johannes Wower and Ricardus Fowell.
The Fowles are still a well-known East Grinstead
family.
1421. Johannes Alfray and Johannes Wower.
1422. Willielmus Fenningham and Johannes Alfray.
1423. Johannes Wowere and Johannes Dyne.
1425-6. Johannes Wowere and Georgius Eyr.
This was the "Parliament of Bats," which met at
Leicester, so called because the members had to take
cudgels to protect themselves.
1427. Johannes Mason and Ricardus Foull.
1429. Thomas Bordeveld and Ricardus Foghell.
1430-1. Johannes Huddle or Hudde and Jacobus Janyn.
1432. Jacobus Janyn and Johannes Hudde.
1433. Jacobus Janyn and Thomas Russell.
1435. Robertus Davers and Johannes Page.
1436-7. Willielmus Fenyngham and Johannes Wogher.
1441-2. Ricardus Dalby and Willielmus Redeston.
1446-7. Johannes Alfray and Radulphus A. Legh.
1448-9. Johannes Blakeney and Johannes Stokke.
1449. Hugo Huls and Johannes Blakeney.
1450. Johannes Alfray and Johannes Westbourne.
The dates hitherto given are those on which Parlia-
ment was summoned to meet. In the original records
the actual dates of election at East Grinstead now begin
to find a place, and where these can be ascertained they
are inserted.
1452-3, Feb. 20th. Ricardus Strickland and Johannes Alfray.
1459. Johannes Alfray and Robertus Rednesse.
1460. Thomas Chaloner and Ricardus Alfray.
Thomas Chaloner lived at Deanlands, Hurstpierpoint,
and was one of the well-known Cuckfield Chaloners. He
died on January 3rd, 1481. In 1621-2 one member of
the family married Fortune Mascall, a widow, of East
Grinstead, and in 1632 Richard Chaloner was a mercer
in East Grinstead. He married Anne Bryant, of this
town, and then removed to Cuckfield.
26 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1467. Nicolaus Morley and Ricardus Alfray.
1472, Sept. 18th. Ricardus Lewknor and Robertus Foster.
Foster has always been a fairly common name in East
Grinstead. The Lewknor family occupied a very high
position in Sussex from 1300 to 1550. Its members
frequently filled the office of High Sheriff and represented
East Grinstead and other towns in Parliament. Richard
Lewknor, who was elected M.P. for East Grinstead in
1472, lived at Brambletye. He was Sheriff of the County
in the years 1471, 1492 and 1496. When Richard III.
came to the throne there was trouble in the State and
Richard Lewknor was one of several called on to besiege
Bodiam Castle, which the rebels were holding and
which belonged to Thomas Lewknor. He served in two
Parliaments as M.P. for this Borough and died February
13th, 1503. His second wife was Katherine, daughter of
Lord Scales, to whom further reference will be found in
the chapter dealing with the Charities of East Grinstead.
1477, Dec. 31st. Bicardus Lewknor, sen., and Ricardus Alfray.
1529. Willielmus Rutter and Edwardus Godewyn.
This was the beginning of the " Seven Years' Parlia-
ment." From the 22nd year of King Edward IV. down
to the 14th of Henry VIII. it is the only return for East
Grinstead of which any record has been preserved. To
a certain extent this is accounted for by the fact that
Parliament was rarely summoned. It only met once
during the 13 years of Henry VII. 's reign, and very
rarely during the first 20 years of Henry VIII. 's.
1541-2. John Sakevyle.
This apparently was the first member of the illustrious
Sackville family sent to Parliament by East Grinstead.
He lived at Chiddingly, and married an aunt of Anne
Boleyn's, so was great uncle, by marriage, to Queen
Elizabeth. He died on October 5th, 1557, and was
buried at Withy ham. He willed that at his funeral " 12
great tapers of viii. Ib. a piece be alight all the service
time and every man receive a gown, viid and his dinner."
1547. Jasperus Culpeper and Johannes Sakvyle, junior.
The Culpepers were a very old Sussex family and for
a long period of years occupied Wakehurst, the mansion
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 27
there being built by Sir Edward Culpeper in 1590. They
were the owners of " divers lands and tenements in East
Grinstead," held of the Manor of Walstede "by fealty
only."
1552-3, Feb. 18th. Sir Eobert Oxenbrege and George Darell.
Sir Robert Oxenbridge, of Brede, was a famous public
character and statesman. He sat for the County of Sussex
in 1554, 1555 and 1557. In 1539 he was one of the Com-
missioners of Musters for the Rape of Hastings, and in
1551 was Sheriff of Sussex. He was Constable of the
Tower of London in 1556-7.
The Darell family for a time resided at Scotney,
Sussex.
1553, Sept. 25th. Sir Thomas Stradling and John Story, D.C.L.
According to an ancient historian the first named of
these Members was the eldest of 12 brothers, "most of
them bastards," who had " no living but by extortion
and pilling (? pillaging) of the King's subjects." He
was born in 1498, his father being Sir Edward Stradling,
of St. Donats, Glamorgan. He became Sheriff of
Glamorgan and was knighted on February 17th, 1549.
He represented first East Grinstead and then Arundel in
Parliament. He was a staunch Roman Catholic, but
early in 1561 was arrested for having caused four pictures
to be made of the likeness of a cross, as it appeared in
the grain of a tree blown down in his park at St. Donats.
For a long time he was kept prisoner in the Tower, but
was finally released on entering into a bond for 1,000
marks to appear when called on. He died in 1571 arid
was buried in the private chapel attached to St. Donats
Church.
The Member returned with him to represent East
Grinstead — " The Blessed John Story, Roman Catholic
martyr," according to one authority, and " the bloody
butcher and traitorous rebel," according to another — had
a most remarkable career, which merits more than passing
notice. He was a north-countryman, born about 1510,
and early became a lay brother of the Grey friars. He
was educated at Oxford, took the B.C.L. degree in 1531
28 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
and four years later was appointed Civil Law Lecturer,
becoming Principal of Broadgates Hali (afterwards
Pembroke College) in 1537. This post he resigned two
years later, but got his D.C.L. degree before doing so.
In 1544 he was in Boulogne and rendered great services
during the siege in the administration of the Civil Law.
As a reward for his services he received a fresh patent
for his office at Oxford and ranks as the first Regius
Professor of Civil Law at the University. Soon after the
boy Edward VI. came to the throne Story recanted
his Romanist opinions, but this secession was only
temporary. He strongly opposed the Act of Uniformity
and caused a great sensation in the House by exclaiming,
during the debate, " Woe unto the land whose king is a
child ! " For this he was thrown into the Tower and
thus provided the first known instance of the Commons
punishing one of their own members. In time he made
submission and was released, but thought it advisable to
get out of England, so he retired to Louvain until Mary
came to the throne. Lady Jane Grey safe in the Tower
he at once came back, was restored to his Professorship
and a month later was elected M.P. for East Grinstead.
He soon resigned his Oxford appointment and became
the most active of all the Queen's agents in bringing
heretics to trial and the stake. Foxe, in his " Book of
Martyrs," says he " consumed to ashes two or three
hundred blessed martyrs," and applies to him some of
the strongest epithets which he uses throughout the work,
such as "bloody tyrant," "bloody persecutor" and
"bloody Nimrod." In 1555 he was appointed Queen's
Proctor for the trial of Cranmer. On Elizabeth's accession
he renounced all foreign jurisdictions, but in 1559 he
made a speech glorying in what he had done during
Mary's reign and quickly found himself in the Fleet
prison. But only for a time. Liberty, however, was
almost as brief and his next compulsory home was the
Marshalsea. From here he escaped to the Spanish
embassy and was smuggled away to Flanders. Philip
II. granted him a pension, the Duke of Alva put him
into office and he established the Inquisition in Antwerp.
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 29
In England a plot was hatched for his capture. A vessel
sailed to Bergen, Story was enticed on board by a tale
that forbidden books were among the cargo, the hatches
were battened down, the vessel at once set sail and Story
soon found himself at Yarmouth. He was taken to the
Tower and on May 26th, 1571, brought to trial in
Westminster Hall on a charge of inciting the Duke of
Alva to invade England. He refused to plead and
claimed to be a Spanish subject, but was condemned
for treason, sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered,
and on June 1st this sentence was carried out at Tyburn
in its entirety and with cruelties too horrible to detail
here. Three centuries later Pope Leo XIII. honoured
his memory by raising him to the ranks of the Blessed —
one stage below the Saints — the decree of beatification
being dated December 29th, 1886.
1554, April 2nd. Eicardus Whalley and Anthoninus Stapleton.
Richard Whalley was a famous man in his day.
Born in 1499, he was the only son and heir of Thomas
Whalley, of Kirkton, Northampton. Introduced at
Court he ingratiated himself with Henry VIII. by
reason of his grace and skill in martial exercises, and
being entrusted with some work in connection with
the suppression of monasteries did it so well that on
February 26th, 1538-9, he was rewarded with a gift
of Welbeck Abbey and other lands. Some seven years
later the Manors of Sibthorp and Wimbledon were
added to his possessions. When Somerset became Lord
Protector to the young King Edward VI. Whalley was
made his steward and for a time stuck to him through
all his intrigues, though he found himself in the Fleet
prison as a consequence. But when Somerset was
arrested, Whalley's fidelity gave way and he was one
of the principal witnesses against him. The master
went to the block ; the man was deprived of all his
manors and on September 19th, 1552, was committed
to the Tower. Immediately on Mary's accession he was
released, and a few months later was sent to Parliament
by East Grinstead. He subsequently got into favour
30 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
with Elizabeth, and on July 3rd, 1561, she granted him
the Manors of Whatton, Hawkesworth and Towton, and
he finally passed away on November 23rd, 1583, despite
all his troubles, a very wealthy man. He was three
times married and was the father of 25 children.
1555, Oct. 14th. William Berners and John Wiseman.
1557-8, Jan. 18th. Thomas Sakevyle and Thomas Parker.
Thomas Sackville was a famous statesman, who after-
wards became Lord Buckhurst and first Earl of Dorset.
He was born at Buckhurst in 1536, and as a youth
showed great ability and wrote some poetry which won
him a very early reputation, while a play of his was
produced with great success at Drury Lane 175 years
after his death. He was first elected to Parliament for
both East Grinstead and the County of Westmoreland
and elected to sit for the latter, but when Elizabeth
came to the throne he chose to represent East Grinstead.
For six years, from 1561, he was Grand Master of the
English Freemasons. He became attached to the Court
of the Virgin Queen and, after his father's death, was
granted by her the reversion of Knole. He was
knighted on June 8th, 1566, by the Duke of Norfolk,
and on the same day Ellizabeth raised him to the degree
of a peer, making him Baron of Buckhurst. In 1570
he was sent as a special ambassador to Charles IX.,
King of France, and a year later was one of the peers
who tried and condemned the Duke of Norfolk, the very
man who knighted him, for high treason by reason of
his connection with Mary, Queen of Scots. Lord
Buckhurst was chosen to convey to this unfortunate lady
her sentence of death, and he did this so delicately that
she presented him with a carving from her private chapel,
a gift which is still preserved at Knole. His conduct
of a mission to the low countries to inquire into
complaints against the Earl of Leicester incurred the
Queen's disfavour and on his return he was confined to
his house by her orders for nearly a year, during which
time he never saw his wife or children. The Earl of
Leicester dying soon after, Lord Buckhurst stepped
immediately into Royal favour again, was made a Knight
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 31
of the Garter and Chancellor of Oxford University,
being finally raised, on Lord Burleigh's death in 1598,
to the office of High Treasurer of England, in which
appointment he was continued by King James, who
made him Earl of Dorset on March 13th, 1604. At a
Council Meeting at Whitehall on April 19th, 1608, he
had an apopletic seizure and died suddenly, leaving
behind him, says Southey, " an umblemished reputation
in murderous times." He was buried at Withyham.
1558-9, Jan. 14th. Thomas Sackvile and Humphrey Lloyd.
1562-3, John Sackvile and Lawrence Banister.
1571. Sir John Jefferay and Henry Berkley.
Sir John Jefferay was raised to the judicial bench five
years after his election for East Grinstead. Having held
the appointment a year and a half he became Chief Baron
of the Court of Exchequer, but died in the succeeding
year " at London in the Ward of Collmans Streate, 13
May, 20th Elizabeth." His mother was, before her
marriage, Miss Elizabeth Whitfeld, and it was one of her
relatives who afterwards owned Rowfant and carried on
the ironworks there. Sir John was a considerable owner
of property in and around the parish of Chiddingly, in
Sussex.
1572. Thomas Cure and Michael Heneage.
Thomas Cure, of Southwark, in the year he was first
elected, presented East Grinstead with its coat of arms.
He was Lord of the Manor of Lavorty, and died May
25th, 1588.
Michael Heneage in turn represented Arundel, East
Grinstead, Tavistock and Wigan. He was a famous
antiquary, and he and his brother were appointed joint
keepers of the records in the Tower. Though living in
London he was a landed proprietor in Essex. He died
December 30th, 1600.
1584, Oct. 22nd. Francis Alforde.
1586, Oct. 1st. John Coverte and Drew Pickesse.
The first-named of these members lived at I^whurst and
was the second son of Richard Covert, of Slaugham. He
married Charity, daughter of Sir Martin Bowes, jun.,
32 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
and a niece of his father's second wife. His nuncupa-
tive will was proved in 1589, and contains the following:
That for his bodye, his disease excepted, he was as sounde as any
man in Englande, and concerning his landes and goodes, if he had
ten 1000 pounds I would put iny brother Walter in trust withall, unto
whom all things shall goe if my daughter fail.
The Walter named was his elder brother, knighted in
1591, and the builder of the magnificent mansion at
Slaugham, of which only ruins now remain.
Drew Pickesse came of a family which, for a brief
period, occupied Brambletye.
1588, Oct. 21st. Francis Alford and Thomas Frere.
1592-3. Reade Stafford, of Bradford, Berks, and John Shurley, of
Isfield, Sussex.
The latter was the son of Sir John Shurley and died
October 24th, 1611.
1597, Sept. llth. George Ryvers and Eichard Baker.
1601, Sept. 25th. Henry Compton and Q-eorge Rivers.
Henry Compton, of Brambletye, was afterwards
knighted. He built the house which now stands in ruins.
He was a son of Sir Henry, afterwards Baron, Compton,
of Compton Wynyates, Warwick, an ancestor of the
present Marquess of Northampton. He married, firstly,
Cecille, daughter of Robert, Earl of Dorset, and, secondly,
Mrs. Mary Paston, a daughter of Sir George Browne.
The name is derived from the lordship of Compton, near
Warwick, of which place its founders were lords previous
to the Conquest. Sir Henry, for many years, held the
post of Ranger of Ashdown Forest and he was apparently
a very easy-going official, for there are several instances
on record, in Parliamentary reports, of his allowing
people to erect houses on the Forest and enclose portions
of it " contrary to the laws in force " and exempting the
tenants from all rents or service for the same.
1603-4, Feb. 8th. Sir Henry Compton and Sir John Swynerton.
This was the first Parliament of James I. It sat
until 1610. From then until 1614 there was no sitting;
then " The Addled Parliament" met, but did no business.
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 33
1620-1, Jan. 1st. Sir Henry Coinpton and Thomas Pelham.
This was the third Parliament of James and the first
in his reign to do any real work. Thomas Pelham was,
no doubt, the second holder of the Pelham baronetcy, to
which he succeeded in 1624, and an ancestor of the present
Earl of Chichester.
1623-4, Feb. 7th. Sir Robert Heath and Mathias Caldicote.
Sir Robert Heath was made Solicitor-General on Jan.
22nd, 1620, and Attorney-General on Oct. 31st, 1625.
When the House met on Feb. 9th, 1625-6, the Speaker
drew the attention of the Members to the fact that the
Bailiff of East Grinstead had returned the Attorney-
General as a Member contrary to the decision the House
had come to on April 8th, 1614, that this officer of the
Crown should not be allowed a seat in Parliament. The
House decided to uphold this decision, and the next day
a new writ was ordered to be issued for East Grinstead
in the room of Robert Heath, Attorney-General, declared
incapable of sitting. He became Chief Justice of the
Court of Common Pleas in 1631 and Chief Justice of
the King's Bench in 1643. The Heaths were a well-
known Exeter family, who from 1685 to 1785 owned
and resided in the house at Ottery St. Mary, the present
seat of Lord Coleridge, whose ancestors bought it from
the Heath family about 1795.
1625-6. Sir Henry Compton and Sir Eobert Heath.
1625-6. Sir Henry Compton and Robert Goodwyne, Goodwin or
Godwin.
Robert Goodwin, a Covenanter, was afterwards knighted
and four more times elected for East Grinstead. He last
sat in Richard Cromwell's Parliament, which met on
Jan. 26th, 1659.
1627-8, Feb. 18th. Sir Henry Compton and Robart Goodwyn.
From 1629 to 1640 there was no Parliament, Charles I.
dissolving it because of the u seditious carriage of some
vipers, members of the Lower House."
1639-40, March 4th. Sir Henry Compton and Robert Goodwin.
This was the " Short Parliament." Charles wanted
money, the Commons would give him none, so he dismissed
34 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
them after they had sat only three weeks. The East
Grinstead election led to the first petition of which
there is any record in connection with this borough. It
appears that some of the inhabitants, other than the
burgage holders, were allowed by the Bailiff of East
Grinstead, Mr. Blundell, to record their votes, and others,
being dissatisfied, petitioned Parliament, which met on
April 13th, 1640. Mr. White got 13 votes, Mr. Goodwin
14, and the allegation was that the latter made "a
feoffement . . . woh did multiply voices." Mr. Goodwin
affirmed that the inhabitants as well as the burgage holders
had a right to vote, and Parliament at that time upheld him
and declared him and Sir Thomas Compton duly elected.
It was stated during the hearing of this case that Mr.
Blundell, the bailiff, threatened both at the time of elec-
tion and to witnesses who were going to give evidence at
the trial that if people would not vote for Mr. White, or
if they raised their voices for Mr. Goodwin, "their
servants should be prest and their carts taken." On behalf
of the Earl of Dorset, however, it was affirmed that he
wrote to the town " to make a fair and a very free elec-
tion." The House decided, on April 24th, that Sir H.
Compton and Mr. Goodwin were well elected, and they
were duly called to their seats in the House. Edward
Blundell, the bailiff, was sent for by the messenger of the
House, "as a delinquent for misdemeanours by him com-
mitted at, before and since the election." How the over-
zealous Bailiff subsequently fared the House of Commons
journals do not record. His delinquencies were possibly
overshadowed by the more serious affairs of State. The
Bailiff had returned Mr. White as duly elected, but that
Member was returned also for Rye, and elected to sit for
that borough, so that the whole petition, so far as it
concerned the actual representation of East Grinstead,
was quite a useless one.
1640. Richard, Lord Buckhurst, and Robert Goodwin.
There seems to have been a complaint about this
election also, for on Nov. 16th the Committee of
Privileges reported that Lord Buckhurst was well
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 35
elected and well returned to serve for East Grinstead,
and ought to be admitted to sit. On Dec. 24th a
similar report was presented in regard to Mr. Goodwin.
Accordingly they were called to their seats. This was
the memorable "Long Parliament," which met on Nov.
30th, 1640. The Civil War broke out on Aug. 22nd,
1642, and on Jan. 30th, 1648-9, Charles I. was beheaded,
but the Parliament, or such as remained of it, for its
Members were less than 100 in number, continued sitting
until it was personally expelled by Cromwell on April
20th, 1653. Lord Richard was a Royalist, who after-
wards became fifth Earl of Dorset. He was born Sept.
16th, 1622, so was only 18 when returned for East
Grinstead. When the Civil War broke out he joined
the King's forces and on Sept. 12th, 1645, was disabled
for continuously absenting himself from the service of
the House. After Cromwell's death he became the
leader of the Royal party and was one of those mainly
instrumental in bringing about the peaceful restoration
of the Monarchy.
1645, Oct. 10th. John Baker.
This was the by-election held to fill the vacancy
caused by the disablement of Lord Buckhurst. There
was at this time trouble about the office of Bailiff of
East Grinstead. Mr. Cole and Mr. Bowyer both claimed
to hold the position ; the former returned Mr. Pickering
as Member, the latter Mr. Baker. In February of the
following year the matter came before the House, and it
was decided that Mr. Cole had no claim to the office of
Bailiff; that Mr. Bowyer had, and that therefore Mr.
Baker was the proper person to sit for East Grinstead.
1653. In this year the "Barebones" Parliament
assembled, but it does not appear that East Grinstead
was represented therein. Cromwell called together an
assembly of 140 nominees, " men faithful, fearing
God and hating covetousness." This Parliament soon
voluntarily resigned. Cromwell now became Lord Pro-
tector, and called his first real Parliament to meet on
September 3rd, 1654. This was dissolved without passing
D 2
36 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
a single Act. Cromwell's second Parliament met in
1656 and his third in 1658, and the records of the repre-
sentation of East Grinstead again become obtainable.
1658-9. Sir Robert Goodwin and George Courthope.
This Parliament met on Jan. 27th, dissolved itself
on March 16th, 1659-60, and issued writs for a new
Parliament to meet on April 25th, 1660, which assembly
called back King Charles II. to the throne.
George Courthope was a man of considerable repute
in his day, and his descendants still occupy honoured
positions in this county. He wrote his autobiography,
and from a manuscript copy of it, the only one known,
in Mr. Courthope's library at Whiligh, the following
particulars are taken. He was born in 1616, and was the
only son of Sir George Courthope, of Whiligh, Ticehurst,
a Commissioner of the Alienation Office. This Commis-
sionership was held by a long and unbroken succession of
Courthopes, the first of whom was appointed by Queen
Elizabeth, while the last held the post until the abolition
of the office in the reign of George III. After spending
some time at the Merchant Taylors' and Westminster
Schools, young Courthope went to Oxford, and on leaving
the University joined the suite of the Earl of Leicester,
who was then on his way to France to take up the post
of English Ambassador at the French Court. But, in
consequence of an accident, Courthope had to leave the
party before Paris was reached. In time he resumed his
travels and made a long tour through Switzerland, Italy
and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean. At
Mitylene he was arrested on a charge of investigating,
too closely, the fortifications of that island, but judicious
— and judicial — bribery secured his early release. While
at Constantinople he got news of his father's serious
illness and hastened home, arriving on Christmas Eve,
1641, in time to see his father before he died at their
house in Leadenhall Street, London. This fine old
mansion was only demolished about 20 years ago, and
the site is now occupied by the spacious range of build-
ings known as Africa House. This is still the property
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 37
of the family, and came to them, together with other
houses and land on which now stands a great part of
Liverpool Street Station, when the subject of this notice
married Elizabeth Hawes, a daughter of his father's second
wife by her first husband. On his father's death he
hurried to the North of England to interview Charles I.,
to whom his uncle, Mr. John Courthope, was a gentleman-
in-waiting, and managed to secure from the King, on
payment to His Majesty of £1,300, the appointment to
the Alienation Commissionership, which had been held
by his father and grandfather. During the Protectorate
he was summoned to appear before Cromwell's Council on
a charge of having supplied the King and his family with
money, and the charge was, no doubt, to an extent, true,
but the trial was adjourned sine die and never completed.
On the restoration of Charles II. he was present at the
great banquet given by the King at Windsor Castle, being
in attendance on the Earl of Northumberland, Lord
Lieutenant of Sussex. That same morning he received
the honour of knighthood, and the King remitted the fee
of £100 usually demanded from those raised to this dignity,
and also granted Sir George pardon for having sat as M.P.
for East Grinstead in the Protectorate Parliament. Sir
George subsequently sat in several Parliaments for Sussex
constituencies and finally resigned in consequence of
severe illness. His death occurred at Whiligh in 1 685, and
a mural tablet, with a Latin inscription, in Ticehurst
Church, commemorates a man of considerable talent and
a loyal servant of his King.
1 661 , March 28th. Charles, Lord Buckhurst, and George Courthope.
Lord Buckhurst, who became sixth Earl of Dorset,
was born on Jan. 24th, 1637. He was elected to Parlia-
ment for East Grinstead soon after the restoration of
Charles II., with whom, by reason of his courtly
manners, generous nature and sprightly wit, he became
a great favourite, being appointed a gentleman of the
bedchamber. He saw some active service against the
Dutch and went on several embassies to France. He
was made Baron of Cranfield and Earl of Middlesex in
38 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1675, and went to the House of Lords, a new writ being
issued for East Grinstead, for which town he was then
Member, on April 4th of that year. On the accession
of James II. he withdrew from the Court, being strongly
opposed to many of the stringent measures directed
against the Protestants. He was one of those mainly
instrumental in placing the Prince of Orange on the
throne, and he got his immediate reward by being made
Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King William.
On Feb. 3rd, 1691, he was created a Knight of the
Garter. He died at Bath, Jan. 19th, 1705-6, and a
month later was buried at Withy ham.
1678. Capt, Edward Sackville.
This Member was son of Richard, Earl of Dorset, and
he died while representing East Grinstead. He was
buried at Withyham on Oct. 18th, 1678, and a new writ
was issued for East Grinstead on the 28th of the same
month.
1678-9, Feb. 14th. Thomas Pelham and Henry Powle.
This election seems to indicate the existence of a
family quarrel between some members of the Sackville
family. Richard, Earl of Dorset, died on August
27th, 1677, and left a widow, Frances. In 1687
Henry Powle appears as owner of the Manor of
Imberhorne "jure uxoris, Frs. Countess of Dorset," he
having married the Dowager Countess. The marriage
was apparently ignored by the Sackville family, for at
her death she was buried as " The Rt. Horible. Frances
Countess Dowager of Dorset, wife to the Rt. Honble.
Richard Earl of Dorset," her relationship to Mr. Powle
being unmentioned. The Dorset nominees at this elec-
tion would appear to have been Thomas Pelham and
Edward Sackville. They were opposed by Henry Powle
and William Scroggs. The bailiff returned the two
former as duly elected. It was in this year that the
terms Whig and Tory first came into use. On March
18th, 1678-9, as soon as Parliament met, several of the
inhabitants of East Grinstead complained that there had
been an undue return at this election and that Henry
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 39
Powle should have been one of the burgesses returned for
the Borough. At the same time William Scroggs com-
plained that he ought to have been returned in the place
of Edward Sackville. Both petitions were referred to the
Committee of Privileges and Elections, and on April 7th
following the report of this Committee on the subject
was presented to the House. The great question at issue
was whether the inhabitants at large or the burgage
holders only had the right of election. Records from the
reigns of Mary, Elizabeth, James I. and Charles I. were
produced, setting forth that the returns of Members were
made by " The Bailiff, Burgesses and all other the
Inhabitants," or words to that effect, and a number of
witnesses were examined to bear out the same contention.
Mr. Robert Goodwin, a former M.P. for East Grinstead,
who said he had known the Borough for 60 years,
averred that he was always elected by the inhabitants
as well as the burgage holders. Thomas Cockett
said he was never a burgage holder, but he voted for
Mr. Goodwin 40 years before. At this actual election
it appeared some 60 inhabitants voted for Mr. Powle and
no more than 18 for anyone else, but the Bailiff declined to
return him. Counsel on both sides agreed that the inhabi-
tants as well as burgage holders had a right to elect, but
as Mr. Scroggs had not petitioned against the return of
Mr. Pelham his petition was practically rejected, and the
Committee decided that Mr. Powle should have been
returned instead of Mr. Sackville. The House adopted
this view and decided to amend the return, which was
accordingly done on April 14th, 1679. But Henry Powle
" had something up his sleeve." Had the petition gone
against him he would still have been an M.P., for he was
also elected for Cirencester, and immediately the House
had amended the return and he had ousted Mr. Sackville,
he declared his intention of sitting for Cirencester, so a
new writ had to be issued for East Grinstead, and this
was done on the very same day as the Bailiff's return
was amended. Henry Powle was a man of high repute.
In regard to his subsequent career we need to look a few
years ahead. The first and only Parliament of James II.
40 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
was a packed one. It was prorogued in 1685 and finally
dissolved in 1687. The King, in the meanwhile, tried
to get together a Parliament of Catholics and Noncon-
formists, but he failed, and for the remainder of his reign
there was no Parliament in England. When the Prince
of Orange came over, the Convention which had invited
William and Mary to occupy the throne changed itself
into a Parliament without an election. It was first sum-
moned to meet on January 22nd, 1688-9, at 9 a.m., and
as soon as the Members had gathered the Earl of Wilt-
shire rose and said, " There is an honourable person in
my eye whom I conceive very well experienced in
methods of Parliament and in every way qualified for
the Speaker's place." He thereupon proposed the former
Member for East Grinstead and the proposition was
unanimously agreed to. Mr. Powle begged the House
to choose some more worthy person, but his excuse was
not allowed and he continued as Speaker until a new
Parliament met on March 20th, 1689-90, when he was
succeeded by Sir John Trevor.
There were apparently at this time about 33 burgage
holders and their names are set forth in the following
copy of a parchment document still in existence : —
EASTGEINSTED BUEROUGH.
A Rental of the Lords rent of the said Burrough, due and payable to
the Right Honorable the Countess of Dorsett, from the yeare
1678 to thy present yeare 1683.
£ s. d.
Edward Payne, Esqr., five burges and six portlands .... 00 02 09
Andrew Ledger, one burgage 00 00 03
William Relfe, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
William Austen, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
Robert Mathew, Jun., two burges, two portlands 00 01 00
Richard Page, two burgages, two portlands 00 01 00
Jarvas Thorp, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
William Taylor, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
Tobyas Shewin, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
Widd Moore, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
John Butching, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
Thomas Cooper, one burgage, one portland 00 00 06
James Levett, two burgages, eleven portlands 00 03 03
Henry Brasted, one burgage . 00 00 03
Widd Elmer, one burgage 00 00 03
ITS MEMBERS OP PARLIAMENT. 41
£ s. d.
Thomas Broomley, one burgage 00 00 03
James Linfeild, three burgages, fower portlands 00 01 09
John Bodle, two burgages, two portlands 00 01 00
Alexander Luxford, Gent., one burgage 00 00 03
Robert Wickersham, one burgage 00 00 03
Thomas Wood, one burgage 00 00 03
Jeremy Johnson, Gent., one burgage 00 00 03
Bryan Walton, Esqre., 4 burges, 5 portlands 00 02 03
The Occupiers of Mr. Does, 2 burg" and 2 portlands . . 00 01 00
William Coster, 2 burgages, 4 portlands 00 01 06
James Blott, one burgage 00 00 03
William Putland and Tho. Piggot, one burgage 00 00 03
John Butchingson, 2 burgages, 2 portlands 00 01 00
John Underbill, two burgages, two portlands 00 01 00
William Langridg, One burgage, one port 00 00 06
William Butching, 2 burgages, 2 portlands 00 01 00
Edward Payne, Gent., one burg, one port 00 00 06
There are 29 other entries of cottagers paying 2d.
each, but the occupation of these did not confer the
privilege of voting. The total rental was £1. 14s. lid.
The manorial rent for each burgage was, therefore,
threepence and for a portland the same. The portlands
were small fields or portions of the common-land of the
Borough allotted to burgages in much the same way as
common rights of pasture on Ashdown Forest were
allotted to estates in East Grinstead and other parishes.
The Portland Road in East Grinstead is so named
because some early deeds of that estate show that some of
the portlands were there situate. It ought properly to
be called Portlands Road, its present name suggesting
that it had something to do with the Portland family,
which is not the case.
1679, Aug. 19th. The Hon. Goodwyn Wharton and William
Jephson.
The Hon. Goodwyn Wharton was no doubt connected
with Lord Wharton, whose descendant, Philip Wharton,
was created Duke of Wharton, January 20th, 1718, but
was attainted for joining the Chevalier, and all the
family honours died with him. Goodwyn Wharton was
appointed by James II. one of the Lords of the
Admiralty.
42 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
William Jephson belonged to Mallow and was con-
nected with the well-known Jephson family of Froyle,
in Hampshire, ancestors of the present holders of the
Jephson baronetage.
1680-1, Feb. llth. Sir Cyril Wyche and Henry Powle.
This Parliament last met in 1681 at Oxford, but only
for a week, and was not called together again during the
reign of Charles II.
1684-5, March 19th. Simon Smith and Thomas Jones.
On May 23rd, 1685, John Conyers complained to
Parliament of the undue election of these two Members,
but nothing was done in the matter.
1688-9. Sir Thomas Dyke, Bart,, and Thomas Sackville.
This was the Convention which called William of
Orange to the throne and afterwards formed itself into a
Parliament.
The Dyke family belonged to Horeham, Sussex, and
were owners of the Star Inn and of the "two burgages
formerly called the New Inn, alias The Ounce, after-
wards The Cat and then called The Dorset," the famous
old house not being so last named until the Sackville family
acquired the freehold from Sir John Dixon Dyke, the
third Baronet, and who married a Miss Jane Philadelphia
Payne Home, of East Grinstead. This lady was the
daughter of Mr. George Home, of London, banker, who
is buried in the chancel of East Grinstead Church (1738),
under a stone engraved with his name and coat of arms.
This Mr. Home had married Philadelphia, daughter of
Edwd. Payne, of East Grinstead (1662-1713) and half-
sister of Chas. Payne, of East Grinstead and Newick
(1707-1734), whose monument may also be seen on the
walls of the chancel of our Parish Church, so that old
John Payne, of Pixtons, in East Grinstead, who died in
1507 and whose will is set out in the chapter dealing
with the church history, may claim amongst his many
other lineal descendants the present representative of the
Hart Dyke family. Sir Thomas, the Member for East
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 43
Grinstead, succeeded his father as Baronet on March 3rd,
1677, and died October 21st, 1706.
Thomas Sackville belonged to Sedlescombe, near
Battle, and in 1 688, replying to the test questions, stated
that he was for liberty of conscience and was prepared
to support the King's declaration and to live friendly
with those of all persuasions as subjects of the same
Prince and as good Christians ought to do.
This election was petitioned against by John Conyers,
and the question as to who really had the right to vote
was again fully gone into. Witnesses were called on
either side, some averring that the inhabitants generally
had often voted, others that only burgage holders had
done so. The Committee came to the conclusion that
the privilege did not rest with the latter only, and that
John Conyers, and not Sir Thomas Dyke, should have
been declared elected ; but the House disagreed with the
report and Sir Thomas retained the seat.
1689-90, Feb. 25th. Thomas Sackville and Sir Thomas Dyke,
Bart.
Thomas Sackville died while still Member, and a new
writ was issued on January 5th, 1692-3.
1692-3, Jan. 18th. Simon Smith.
Smith died before Parliament was dissolved and a new
writ was issued on Feb. 2nd, 1694-5.
1694-5, Feb. 26th. Et. Hon. Lyonell, Earl of Orrery and Baron of
Broghill.
In reference to this by-election the Steward's accounts to
Charles, Duke of Dorset, contain the following entries :—
Charge of electing my Lord Orrery a Burgess for the
Borough of East Grinstead on Mr. Smith's death as
by bills £0044 05 10
To the Eingers in Beer x8 0000 10 00
To Mr. Jodrell for the Speaker's order 06" 8d. Secretary
Blan for the Warrant x'. Ld. Keeper's Secretary
for the Writt a Guinea being then xxv*. To the
Sheriffe for the precept xl'. To the Sollicitor for
his fee and often attending xx" in all 0005 01 08
44 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Lord Orrery was connected with the Dorset family,
being the son of Roger, second Earl Orrery, by his
marriage with Lady Mary Sackville, daughter of Richard,
fifth Earl of Dorset. He died August 24th, 1703, and
was buried at Withyham.
1695, Nov. 19fch. Sir Thomas Dyke, Bart., and John Conyers.
Four days before this election the leading residents of
East Grinstead were entertained at supper at the expense
of the Earl of Dorset, the meal costing him £10. 16s. 6d.,
a fair sum over 200 years ago. The " bribe," however,
seems to have been ineffectual, for the Dorset nominees
were defeated. They were Lord Orrery and Sir Spencer
Compton. John Conyers, who was son-in-law to Robert
Goodwin, the Covenanter and a former M.P. for East
Grinstead, had evidently taken a considerable part in the
public life of the town. He owned Mill Place and Pick-
stones (?Pixton Hill), but is described as living at
Walthamstow. Ten years before his election he had
petitioned Parliament as to the right of the inhabitants to
vote, and he again went before them on the same grounds
in 1 688. Lord Orrery petitioned Parliament on Nov. 25th,
1695, that John Jenner, the bailiff of East Grinstead,
had refused to admit several good votes, and that Sir
Thomas Dyke and John Conyers were declared wrong-
fully elected. At the same time Spencer Compton pre-
sented a petition setting forth that the Bailiff arbitrarily
returned the two Members named, though the petitioner
had a majority of legal electors voting for him. Both the
petitions were referred to the Committee of Privileges, as
was also another petition from the inhabitants of East
Grinstead, presented four days later. On this occasion the
matter seems to have been more fully gone into than ever
before. Numerous witnesses were examined and some
interesting side-lights were thrown on the conduct of
elections in those days. A man named Ledger swore
that when Sir Thos. Dyke canvassed him, just before the
election, he pulled out a handful of money and said he
would do the voter quite as much kindness as Mr. Compton
would, while a canvasser named Payne offered him " the
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 45
running of a horse" if he would vote for Sir Thomas.
The other side seems to have gone one better. Thomas
Pollard's evidence was this : —
Mr. Packer desired his vote for the Earl of Orrery and Mr. Compton
and promised to be a good friend to him, and told him Sir Thomas
Dyke had been in the House a good while and had done no good, and
that he was a Jacobite and kept a Jesuit in his house, and that he
would not be suffered to sit in the House.
All this seemed to trouble Pollard very little and he
intimated that Sir Thomas would have his vote, where-
upon Packer threatened him with a " stone-doublet " (i.e.,
imprisonment) and carried it into effect, for three days
before the election he was arrested, confined for a period
and then let out without any charge, apparently, being
brought against him. Another canvasser, named
Percivall, seems to have been very active. He offered
to treat Pollard to a trip to London to get him out of the
way and he told Jeremy Johnson that if Sir Thomas
Dyke was elected he would not be allowed to sit, for he
knew the House was going to turn him and fifty-nine
other Members out again. Another active agent was
Robert Bodell, who, before the election, warned the
tradesmen that if they disobliged "my Lord of Dorset
they should be troubled with soldiers and lose the
Assizes." When the fight was over he told the same
people that he had the order of the Lord Chamberlain to
stop the pensions of Widow Taylor and Widow Jenner,
because some persons had voted for the sitting Members.
Another man was heard to declare that if he voted for
the Dorset nominees " he could have a place for his
mother in the College of £8 a year," and he estimated
this was worth £100 to him. The Committee came to
the conclusion that the right of election rested with the
burgage holders only, but that Sir Thomas Dyke and
John Conyers had been duly elected. The general
question was forced to a division in the House and the
Committee's resolution was confirmed by 221 votes to
128.
1698, July 25th. Lyonell, Earl of Orrery, and John Conyers.
1700-1, Jan. 7th. John Conyers and Mathew Pryor.
46 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Matthew Prior rose from the ranks to become a famous
poet and diplomatist. He was born at Wimborne
Minster, in Dorset, on July 21st, 1664, and was the son
of a joiner. On the death of his father an uncle got him
up to London and sent him for a time to Westminster
School, but soon took him from there and set him to
work in a tavern which he owned near Charing Cross.
The Earl of Dorset was there one day with some friends
when a dispute arose concerning the meaning of a
particular passage in Horace. Young Prior was called
in and soon satisfactorily solved the difficulty. Finding
he was a studious youth the Earl of Dorset took him
under his protection and on April 2nd, 1683, sent him to
St. John's College, Cambridge. Here he remained for
five years and was then appointed Secretary to the
English delegates at the Hague Congress. He became
Gentleman of His Majesty's Bedchamber to William of
Orange and was made Secretary for the English
negotiations in settling the Treaty of Ryswick. In the
same year he became Principal Secretary of State in
Ireland, and the next he was made Secretary to the
British Embassy in Paris. On being elected for East
Grinstead he was made one of the Lords of Trade, and
subsequently Chief Commissioner of Customs. In
settling affairs with France, after the termination of the
war, he took a leading part and in course of time became
our Ambassador in Paris. The Earl of Stair succeeded
him and when Mr. Prior arrived in England on March
25th, 1715, he was immediately arrested and a month
later was ordered into close custody and no person
admitted to see him without leave of the Speaker. He
was imprisoned, without trial, in his own house for two
years, the complaint against him being his supposed
share in the treaty of Utrecht. On his release he*
published, by subscription, an edition of his poems,
which brought him the handsome sum of 4,000 guineas,
doubled by the generous gift of his friend, Lord Harley,
son of the Earl of Oxford, at whose house, at Wimpole,
in Cambridgeshire, Prior died on September 18th, 1721.
He was buried in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey,
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 47
where a monument was afterwards erected to his memory
by order of the King of France. He was a pleasing
poet, remarkable for his skill in versification, though
many of his pieces border on the indecent.
1701, Nov. 24th. Lyonell, Earl of Orrery, and John Conyers.
1 702, July 1 7th. John Conyers and John Toke, of Godinton, Kent.
John Toke was born in 1671, and married Susannah,
daughter of Rev. Daniel Miles, D.D., of Crutched
Friars, London. He died in 1746 and was connected
by marriage with the Paynes of East Grinstead, the
wife of Edward Payne, already referred to, being Miss
Elizabeth Toke, of Godinton.
1705, May llth. John Conyers and John Toke.
1708, May 5th. Richard Lumley and Henry Campion.
Henry Campion, of Combwell Priory, Kent, was the
first of the name to occupy the Danny Estate at Hurst-
pierpoint. This property had been for many years in
the possession of the Courthope family, and it came to
the Campions when this Member for East Grinstead
married Barbara, daughter and sole heiress of Peter
Courthope.
John Conyers was this time a defeated candidate, and
he petitioned Parliament that he had a majority of votes
and ought to have been returned, but the admitting of
" double voices for one and the same burgage-hold," and
permitting others to vote who had no right, and
threats and other undue practices, Henry Campion,
alleged, was returned. Parliament decided to have the
matter threshed out at the bar of the House, but before
it came on for hearing John Conyers withdrew his
petition.
1710, Oct. 7th. John Conyers and Leonard Gale.
Leonard Gale was of humble origin, but rose to become
a very wealthy man and M.P. for East Grinstead. He
was the grandson of a blacksmith at Sevenoaks, and his
father managed to save up enough money to start a forge
at Tinsley, in Worth, where, in the flourishing days of
48 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the Sussex iron industry, he amassed a considerable
fortune and left a decent property to his son Leonard.
This young fellow soon after purchased Crabbett, giving
for house, land and timber £9,000. He had been called
to the bar, but he gave up all idea of practice in order to
devote himself to the management of his Sussex estates.
He married Mrs. Sarah Knight, his "mother's sister's
only daughter," at Charlwood, on August 19th, 1703.
By the time he was 52 years of age he estimated he
was worth £40,667. One of his aunts married the Rev.
Henry Woodward, Vicar of East Grinstead. He was
elected Member of Parliament for this Borough, as he
tells us, " without expense or opposition," and he has left
on record this scathing denunciation of the electioneering
tactics then in vogue : —
We have seen of late innumerable instances of the power of bribes
and threats in the election of Members to Parliament. Men have
deserted their old friends and neighbours to whom they have been
pledged every day of their lives, and gone over to strangers they never
saw or heard of, who come with money in their hands and empty
promises in their mouths, to the eternal scandal of the whole nation,
from the highest to the lowest, whereby our lands and liberties are,
and must be, precarious, and our so much boasted privilege of having
free Parliaments utterly lost ; for this is an observation founded on the
greatest truth, that he who will buy his seat in Parliament will sell
his vote, and to what misery and poverty such men will soon bring this
nation God only knows !
Leonard Gale died in 1750 and was buried at Worth
Church. Mr. W. S. Blunt, the present owner of Crabbett,
is a lineal descendant. Leonard Gale also owned Shep-
perds and Scarletts, in East Grinstead.
1713, Aug. 28th. Spencer Compton and John Conyers.
Spencer Compton was the son of James, third Earl of
Northampton, and rose to positions of the highest
possible importance in the State. He was Chairman of
the Committee of Privileges and Elections, and at the
assembly of the first Parliament of George I., on March
17th, 1714-5, he was unanimously elected Speaker of
the House of Commons, being described by one of his
proposers as " descended of a very noble and honourable
family, in all times famous for their steady adherence to
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 49
the constitution in Church and State and for their
inviolable loyalty to a deserving Master." He was
re-elected to office in the next Parliament and held the
position for 13 years. He was subsequently Paymaster-
General of the Forces and Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital.
On January llth, 1728, he was raised to the peerage as
Baron Wilmington and in 1730 was made Lord Privy
Seal and advanced to the dignity of Viscount Pevensey
and Earl of Wilmington. He was next made Lord
President of the Council and a Knight of the Garter. He
was one of the Lords Justices during the King's absence
in Hanover and was also one of the Governors of Charter
House. On the accession of George II. he was named
by the King as Prime Minister, bu^he did not take this
office until February llth, 1742, holding it until his
death on July 4th, 1743. He died unmarried and all his
honours became extinct, his estates passing to his nephew,
James Compton, fifth Earl of Northampton, and subse-
quently to the Dukes of Devonshire. He was owner of
the house in this town in which Mr. George Bankin, the
lawyer, lived and sold it to Lord Geo. Sackville.
1714-5, Jan. 28th. Spencer Cornpton and John Conyers.
1721-2, March 21st. Spencer Compton and John Conyers.
John Conyers died while still Member for East Grin-
stead and a new writ was issued on March 22nd, 1724.
1727, Aug 19th. Richard, Lord Viscount Shannon, and Henry,
Lord Viscount Palmerston.
Viscount Shannon was the second holder of this title.
He was a grandson of Francis, fourth son of Richard
Boyle, commonly called " The great Earl of Cork." He
died in 1740, when the title of Viscount Shannon became
extinct.
Henry Temple, born in 1673, was the first Viscount
Palmerston. His father was Speaker of the Irish House
of Commons and his great grandson, the third and last
Viscount Palmerston, the famous Prime Minister and
statesman of the early years of Victoria's reign. This
M.P. for East Grinstead, when only seven years old, was
made, with Luke King, Joint Remembrancer of the Court
50 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
of Exchequer in Ireland. When Charles II. died the
post was renewed to him and his son for their lives, and
as it was worth £2,000 a year it was a very snug position
for an "infant." On March 12th, 1722, he was raised to
the peerage of Ireland as Baron Temple and Viscount
Palmerston. He sat in the English House of Commons
from 1727 to 1731 and died at Chelsea on June 10th, 1757.
1734, April 26th. Charles Sackville, Earl of Middlesex, and Edward
Conyers.
The Earl of Middlesex was Governor of Walmer
Castle, and afterwards became the second Duke of
Dorset. He was for a long time Master of the Horse to
Frederick, Prince of Wales.
1741, May 5th. The Earl of Middlesex and Whistler Webster.
The Earl of Middlesex accepted office in the following
January as Steward of His Majesty's Honour of Otford,
Kent, and thus vacated the seat. Whistler Webster
afterwards became Sir Whistler Webster, Bart., of Battle
Abbey. He married Miss Nairne, daughter of the Dean
of Battle and a relative of Mr. Charles Nairne Hastie, of
Place Land, East Grinstead, who used sometimes to stay
at Battle Abbey and knew Isaac Ingall, the old butler,
who died there in 1798 (as appears from the Court Rolls
of the Manor of Battel) at the remarkable age of 120
years. There are many people who can remember Mr.
C. N. Hastie, and it thus follows that they knew one who
often conversed with a man born in 1678, so that the
record of three such lives covers a period of no less than
12 reigns in English history. The Websters were
formerly considerable owners of property in East Grin-
stead. Among their possessions were the Crown Inn, the
Chequer Mead, the Friday Mead, the Hipps Mead, part
of the Middle Row (originally built on the Lord's waste)
and some half-dozen burgages, all of which were purchased
of Sir Godfrey Webster, by Lord George Sackville.
1741-2, Jan. 23rd. John Butler.
1747, July 1st. Whistler Webster and Sir Sidney Stafford Smythe.
The latter Member is said to have been " The ugliest
man of his day." He was born in 1705? was called to the
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 51
Bar in 1728, in 1740 was made Steward of the Court of
the King's Palace at Westminster, in 1747 was made a
K.C., and at the general election in that year was returned
to Parliament for East Grinstead. While still Member he
was made a Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and a new
writ was issued for the Borough in consequence on January
1 7th, 1 750. The new judge was knighted before the year
closed and became Lord Chief Baron on October 28th,
1772, but resigned three years later in consequence of
infirmities, and died on November 2nd, 1778. His wife
was a daughter of Sir Charles Farnaby, and they both
took very great interest in the Evangelical movement.
1750, Jan. 22nd. The Hon. Joseph Yorke.
The Hon. Joseph Yorke was the third son of the first
Earl of Hardwicke, Lord High Chancellor of Great
Britain. He was elected for East Grinstead when about
25 years of age, was afterwards knighted, rose to high
rank in the army and was aide-de-camp to H.R.H. the
Duke of Cumberland at the battle of Fontenoy. He was
elevated to the peerage as Baron Dover, from which town
the family emanated, on September 18th, 1788, but he
married very late in life, and having no family the title
died with him.
1754, April 19th. The Hon. Joseph Yorke and Sir Whistler Webster,
Bart.
1761, March 31st. Charles Sackville, Earl of Middlesex, and Lord
George Sackville.
The Earl of Middlesex became Duke of Dorset while
still a Member, and on his going to the House of Lords
a new writ was issued in December, 1765. The latter
Member was also returned for Hythe, for which con-
stituency he elected to sit, and a new writ was issued for
East Grinstead December 1st, 1761.
1761, Dec. 8th. Sir Thomas Hales, Bart.
Sir Thomas belonged to Bekesbourne, in Kent. He
died the following year and a new writ was issued.
November 25th, 1762.
1762, Nov. 30th. John Irwine.
E 2
52 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
This Member afterwards became the Rt. Hon. Sir J.
Irwine, Major-General of the Forces.
1765, Dec. 30. Sir Ohas. Farnaby, Bart., of Sevenoaks.
1768, March 18th. Lord George Sackville and Major-Gen. Irwine.
At this election boroughs were openly bought and sold,
the price for the right to represent a small borough being
£4,000, and Pitt declared that the House elected repre-
sented, not the nation, but " ruined towns, noble families,
wealthy individuals and foreign potentates."
Lord George Sackville was born on January 26th,
1715-16, and assumed the surname of Germaine, in
compliance with Lady Elizabeth Germaine's will, by
which he inherited a considerable fortune, in 1770.
Long before this time he had acquired a world-wide
reputation in consequence of his trial, at his own request,
for disobedience to orders at the battle of Minden, fought
on August 1st, 1759. In this struggle the French were
beaten by British and Hanoverian troops and the victory
practically ended the seven years' war. It is memorable
as having been the only known occasion on which
infantry charged through and destroyed more than their
own number of cavalry. The allied forces were com-
manded by Prince Ferdinand of Prussia and Lord George
served under him as commander-in-chief of the British
cavalry of the right wing. The allegation against him
was that, when told to advance his brigade, he neglected
to immediately comply and so jeopardised the safety of
the infantry. It appeared that two aides-de-camp took
different orders to him and Lord George's defence was
that, in the confusion thus caused, he did what he con-
sidered best. Though the battle was won Prince
Ferdinand reported Lord George to the King, he was
recalled, tried, convicted and judged "unfit to serve His
Majesty in any military capacity whatever." He was a
man of great educational attainments and one of those
credited with writing " the letters of Junius," a most
elaborate book being published with a view to proving
this contention. Though his career as a soldier was thus
cut short, he afterwards rendered great services to his
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 53
country as a politician. He filled some of the highest
offices in the State, being for many years Secretary for
the American department prior to the war of indepen-
dence. He was elevated to the Peerage on February
llth, 1782, as Baron Bolebrook and Viscount Sackville
and died October 10th, 1795. He lived at Stoneland
Lodge, Sussex, and was the owner of much of the
Sackville property situate within the Borough, and
according to an Act passed on May 6th, 1811, for vesting
the estate in trustees, it comprised 33 distinct tenancies,
let at rents amounting to £467. 15s. per annum.
1774, Oct. 10th. Lord George Germaine (Sackville) and Lt.-Gen.
Irwine.
1775, Nov. 15th. Lord George Germaine (Sackville).
This was a by-election consequent on Lord George
being made one of the Principal Secretaries of State and
having to seek re-election.
1780, Sept. 8th. Lord George Germaine (Sackville) and Lt.-Gen.
Sir John Irwine.
Lord George was made a peer during this Parliament,
and a new writ was issued for East Grinstead, February
12th, 1782. Sir John Irwine was Colonel of the 57th
Regiment of Foot, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in
Ireland, and a Privy Councillor of that kingdom. He
accepted the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, and
a new writ was issued April 25th, 1783.
1782, Feb. 19th. Henry Arthur Herbert.
1783, May 3rd. George Medley.
This Member was the owner of several local properties,
including " The Chequer Inn," subsequently named " The
Dorset Head," and two fields called " Pigeon House or
Slaughter House" and " Play-field," let to the then Vicar
for £12. 15s. a year. These were sold to Lord George
Sackville, of Minden fame. Medley also owned Buxted
Place, Friston Place and Coneyboro' Park, all in this
county, acquiring these properties on the deaths of his
three elder brothers. His lather was Thomas Medley
and his mother a daughter of Sir Samuel Dash wood,
Lord Mayor of London, and granddaughter of John
54 HISTORY OF EAST GRlNSTEAD.
Smith, Speaker of the House of Commons. He was in
business as a wine merchant at Lisbon when the great
earthquake of 1755 occurred and sustained severe losses
in consequence of it. He was M.P. for Seaford, 1768 to
1780, and for East Grinstead from 1783 to 1790. He
had no children and all his estates passed to his niece,
Lady Shuckburgh Evelyn, only daughter and sole heiress
of James Evelyn, of Felbridge, by his first wife,
Annabella Medley. His only daughter by his second wife
was accidentally burnt to death.
1784, Nov. 30th. Henry Arthur Herbert and George Medley.
Herbert accepted the Chiltern Hundreds Stewardship,
and a new writ was issued February 24th, 1786.
1786, March 3rd. Lt.-Gen. James Cunninghame.
This Member died in October, 1788, and the Speaker
issued a new writ during the recess.
1788, Oct. 8th. The Et. Hon. Lt.-Gen. Eobert Cunninghame.
This Member accepted the Stewardship of the Chiltern
Hundreds, and a new writ was issued February 20th,
1789.
1789, Feb. 27th. Eichard Ford, of the Inner Temple.
1790, June 18th. Nathaniel Dance, of Carnborough, near Win-
chester, and William Nisbet, of Portman Square, London.
The first-named famous, but somewhat eccentric, repre-
sentative was born in London in 1734, of a family that
possessed artistic talent. His father, George Dance, was
the architect of the Mansion House, London, and also of
several city churches. Nathaniel was for some time in
Italy, from whence he sent to England pictures, chiefly
of classical subjects. While here he fell in love with
Angelica Kauffman, and persistently followed her, renew-
ing his matrimonial offers again and again. But that
famous lady would have nothing to do with him, so he at
last returned to England, and some years later consoled
himself by marrying a widow named Mrs. Dummer, who
brought him a fortune of some £18,000 a year. He had
himself, by this time, amassed considerable wealth. He
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 55
was one of the founders of the Royal Academy and his
portraits were in great request. The most famous of
his pictures was "David Garrick as King Richard III."
After his marriage he dropped his profession and became
Member of Parliament for East Grinstead from 1790 to
1801. He changed his name, and when made a Baronet
in 1800 appeared as Sir Nathaniel Dance Holland. It is
reported that his head was turned ; he withdrew from the
Academy, bought up all his pictures he could lay his hands
on, and burned them without a qualm. Perhaps he was
a good critic. He died suddenly at Carnborough, on
October loth, 1811, leaving a fortune of £200,000. A
new writ was issued for East Grinstead during the
Christmas recess.
1796, May 25th. Nathaniel Dance and James Strange, of Hertford
Street, Mayfair, London.
This was the first Imperial Parliament of the United
Kingdom.
1802, July 7th. Sir Henry Strachey, Bart., of Rooksnest, Tandridge,
and Daniel Giles, of Lincoln's Inn, London, and Youngsbury,
Hertford.
The voting at this election was: Strachey and Giles,
nine each; John Frost, one. The two elected were the
nominees of the Duchess of Dorset, who at this time
controlled 29 out of the 36 burgage tenements. The
defeated candidate petitioned against the return, as also
did Mr. T. Hurt, Mr. John Turley, after whom Mr. F.
Maplesden's house in Ship Street is named, and others.
John Frost alleged that a considerable majority of the
show of hands was in his favour, but when he demanded
a poll Mr. Geo. Bankin, senior, the bailiff, said "a poll
for the Borough of East Grinstead was unusual and
uncustomary." After some hesitation, however, it was
granted, and at the poll Mr. Frost alleged the Bailiff
accepted several "illegal, split and occasional votes" for
the returned Members. He also alleged that the can-
didates, their friends and agents were guilty of many
"undue, illegal, unwarrantable and corrupt practices."
A special committee of 49 members was elected by the
56 HISTORY OF EAST GRttfSTEAD.
House on March 17th, 1803, to try the petition. An
objection was first taken to Mr. Frost being heard, on the
ground that he had been convicted in the Court of King's
Bench of a libel on the Government, had been struck off
the roll of attorneys and had been ordered to stand in the
pillory, but though this sentence was passed it was never
put into execution. Accordingly he was allowed to
proceed, but the committee declared the sitting Members
duly elected and that the petitions were frivolous and
vexatious. It came out in evidence during the trial that
the burgages were let at sums varying from 3d. to Is. per
annum, but not one of the voters who voted at this election
had ever paid these quit rents or the land tax. The
majority of the tenants had had to sign a declaration that
they held as trustees of the Duchess of Dorset, and only
two of them held their own title deeds. Very few of the
voters lived in, or had any connection with, East Grin-
stead, being simply brought down to vote, fed and sent
away again. The costs of this petition came to
£706. 3s. 4d. and their recovery led to further lengthy
suits, but in 1808, six years after the election, Messrs.
Burt, Turley and those associated with them had to pay.
Sir Henry Strachey was born May 23rd, 1 737. In 1 764
he was private secretary to Lord Olive, subsequently
Joint Secretary to the Treasury, one of the Under
Secretaries of State and Master of the Household. He
was created a Baronet on June loth, 1801, and died
January 3rd, 1810.
1806, Oct. 31st. Sir Henry Sti-achey, Bart., and Daniel Giles.
1807, May 8th. Sir Nathaniel Holland Bart, (previously named
Dance), and Charles Rose Ellis, of Claremont, Surrey.
This was the last contested election for the Borough
and it led to another petition. Only 19 electors polled
and the defeated candidates were Sir George Wright,
Bart., and Mr. Samuel Hill. They went before Parlia-
ment on July 10th and alleged that the Bailiff, Mr.
George Bankin, had rejected legal votes tendered for
them and received votes in favour of those returned from
persons who had no right to vote, but they failed to
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 57
deposit the required security, so the petition was dis-
charged 15 days after presentation.
Mr. Ellis, who afterwards became the first Lord
Seaford, was a member of a wealthy West Indian family.
He was born in 1771, and first entered Parliament when
only 22, being returned for Heytesbury. His wife was
the daughter and heiress of Lord Hervey and on July 8th,
1803, their son succeeded his great-grandfather, on the
maternal side, in the Barony of Howard de Walden.
Mr. Ellis was a strong supporter and friend of Canning's
and was the acknowledged head of the West Indian
interest. For some years he represented Seaford, but
lost his seat for that town in 1806, and the following
year was returned for East Grinstead. In 1826 Canning
nominated him for a peerage and he was created Lord
Seaford on July 16th. He died July 1st, 1845.
1812, Jan. llth. Richard Wellesley, of Grosvenor Square, London.
This Member accepted the Chiltern Hundreds during
the following year, and a new writ was issued March
3rd, 1812.
1812, March 9th. George William Gunning, of Horton, North-
ampton.
Mr. Gunning was the only son of Sir Robert Gunning,
who was made a Baronet after serving as Minister-
Plenipotentiary at the Courts of Denmark, Prussia and
Russia. The Member for East Grinstead, who had
also represented the Boroughs of Hastings and Wigan,
succeeded to the baronetcy on September 22nd, 1816,
and died on April 7th, 1823. He only sat for East
Grinstead three months on this occasion, accepting the
Chiltern Hundreds on June 1st, 1812.
1812, June 8th. Nicholas Vansittart, of Great George Street,
Westminster.
This Member was a son of one of the Directors of the
old East India Company and was born in 1766. When
30 years of age he was elected M.P. for Hastings, and
early in 1801 was sent as Minister-Plenipotentiary to
Copenhagen with a view of detaching that power from
58 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the northern alliance, but his mission was a failure. On
returning to England he was made Joint Secretary to
the Treasury, three years later became Chief Secretary
of Ireland and, after a while, again went back to the
Treasury. In 1812 Lord Liverpool wanted a successor
to Spencer Percival as Chancellor of the Exchequer, so
Mr. Gunning resigned his seat for East Grinstead. Mr.
Vansittart was elected in his stead and four days after
his return for this Borough was appointed to the office
named. During his tenure of it he carried through a
conversion of the National Debt and the consolidation of
the English and Irish Exchequers. He held the office for
about eleven years and, on his resignation early in 1823,
was raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Bexley,
a title which died with him. He continued to hold a
seat in the Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster until 1828. Lord Bexley occupied a very
conspicuous position in the religious world. The late
Mrs. 0. A. Smith, of Hammerwood, East Grinstead, was
related to this statesman.
1812, Oct. 8th. George William Gunning and James Stephen, of
Great Ormond Street, London.
Stephen accepted the Chiltern Hundreds and a new writ
was issued April 4th, 1815.
1815, April 14th. Sir George Johnston Hope, K.C.B.
Sir George was appointed a Rear- Admiral in the British
Navy on August 1st, 1811, and subsequently became one
of the Lords of the Admiralty. He died in 1818 and a
new writ for East Grinstead was issued on May 4th.
1818, May 13th. The Et. Hon. Charles Gordon, Lord Strathaven.
Charles, Lord Strathaven, who became 10th Marquess
of Huntly, was the son and heir of George Gordon, 5th
Earl of Aboyne, by his wife Catherine Anne, younger
daughter and co-heir of Sir Charles Cope, 2nd Baronet,
of Brewerne. He was born January 4th, 1792, and suc-
ceeded his father, who, in 1836, on the death of the last
Duke of Gordon, had become 9th Marquess of Huntly,
on June 17th, 1853. He married, firstly, Lady Elizabeth
Conyngham, and, secondly, Maria Antoinette, daughter of
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 59
the Rev. P. W. Pegus and the Dowager Countess of
Lindsey. He died September 18th, 1853.
1818, June 19th. Lord Strathaven and the Hon. Charles Cecil Cope
Jenkinson.
This election afforded the rare instance of nephew and
uncle being returned for the same constituency. The
second of these Members afterwards became the third
Earl of Liverpool. He was a son of the first Earl
of Liverpool, his mother being a daughter of Sir Cecil
Bisshopp, Bart., of Parham, Sussex. He was a Page of
Honour to George III., served in the Royal Navy 1794-7
and fought in several naval actions, including Lord
Howe's victory of June 1st, 1794. He was afterwards
attached to the Embassy at Vienna, and, later, fought at
Austerlitz as a volunteer in the Austrian army. He held
various posts as an Under Secretary of State in the
Ministry of his brother, who was Prime Minister for 15
years. He was Lord Steward of the Household to Queen
Victoria from 1841 to 1846, and died at Buxted on Oct.
3rd, 1851. He lived for a time at Fel bridge Place, having
acquired that property in 1810 by marriage with Julia,
the only daughter of Sir George Augustus William Shuck-
burgh-Evelyn, a baronet distinguished for his scientific
researches, and who married in 1785 Julia Annabella,
daughter and sole heiress of James Evelyn, of Felbridge
Place. Shuckburgh Cottage, in East Grinstead, is named
after this nobleman, but the family belonged to Warwick,
where it had been located for over eight centuries. The
Member for East Grinstead, who became the third Earl of
Liverpool, was also Baron Hawkesbury, and the latter
title was revived in 1893, when his grandson, the Rt. Hon.
Cecil George Savile Foljambe, was raised to the Peerage
as Baron Hawkesbury, and the former in 1906, when he
became Earl of Liverpool.
1820, March 9th. Lord Strathaven and the Hon. C. 0. C. Jenkinson.
1826, June 9th. Lord Strathaven and the Hon. C. C. C. Jenkinson.
1829, Feb. llth. The Et. Hon. William Pitt Amherst, Lord
Viscount Holmesdale.
This Member afterwards became Earl Amherst, and he
lived to see East Grinstead, as a County Parliamentary
60 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Division, again return its Member to Parliament in 1885.
He died March 26th, 1886, aged 81.
1830, July 31st. Viscount Holmesdale and Frederick Richard West,
of Ruthin Castle, Denbigh.
Mr. West was a grandson of John, second Earl De la
Warr. He was born in 1799 and died May 1st, 1862.
1831, April 30th. Viscount Holmesdale and Frederick Richard West.
This was the last election for East Grinstead. Parlia-
ment was dissolved on December 3rd, 1832, and on that
day the existence of the town as a Parliamentary Borough
came to an abrupt termination. The Bailiff of East
Grinstead was, ex-officio, the Returning Officer, and in
1831 Mr. Edward Cranston occupied this position. He
was called on by Parliament to furnish a report, and this
interesting document is dated December 23rd, 1831. In
it Mr. Cranston stated that he believed the then number
of electors was 36 and that at the last contested election
in 1807 19 electors polled. In the town of East Grin-
stead there were then 131 houses, and about 50 of these
were outside the old Borough. In the previous year these
houses paid £21. 19s. 6d. in assessed taxes, and the
total assessed taxes paid by the Borough amounted to
£162. 5s. 3d., the total assessment for the whole parish
at Lady-day, 1831, being £763. 3s. 6d.
This report was of such a nature that Parliament at
once sent down a Surveyor to go more fully into details.
He ascertained that there were 36 burgage tenements
(these alone giving the right to vote), but in four
instances two burgages were occupied together as one
house, leaving really only 32 places in respect of which
a vote was allowed. Of these, 24 were estimated to be
worth £10 a year or upwards. The Commissioner
estimated that there were 151 occupied and two
unoccupied houses in the town, there being, in addition
to the burgage tenements, 79 rated houses and 80
cottages, not rated, in the town division of the parish,
40 of the latter being in the town proper. The
Commissioner summed the facts up by stating : —
The boundary of the old Borough is entirely unknown, as I was
assured both by the old and present Bailiffs. All that I could learn
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. 61
was that the Borough is certainly not co-extensive with the town
division of the parish, which is merely a division made for the con-
venience of the parish officers in collecting the rates. It was stated
to me as probable that the Borough does not extend beyond the town
on any side but the north, on which last-mentioned side is a burgage
tenement at some distance from the town. It appears certain that no
part of the Borough can be out of the town division of the parish and
it probably falls very short of it.
This report was accompanied by a map showing the
Borough boundaries so far as they could be ascertained.
They included the whole High Street back as far as the
Hermitage ; Ship Street ; and the London Road, about as
far as Newlands. The result of these reports was that in
the Act passed the following year East Grinstead was
one of the many small Boroughs disfranchised, and its
political life was henceforth merged in a county con-
stituency.
The same Act practically abolished the office of Bailiff.
This officer had always been annually elected at the
Courts Leet of the Duke of Dorset, and the position had
been held alternately for some years by Mr. John
Stenning and Mr. Edward Cranston. The latter's final
work was the preparation of the report just quoted; the
former was elected to succeed him at a gathering of the
tenants of the Manor held in Sackville College on
November 23rd, 1 832, and this was the last appointment
to the time-honoured office.
For 50 years afterwards East Grinstead remained a
part of the county constituency of East Sussex, and it
then gave the name to the existing Parliamentary
Division. At the first election for the newly-formed
constituency, on December 2nd, 1885, Mr. G. B. Gregory,
of Boarzell, Hawkhurst, who had sat for East Sussex,
and was for many years Treasurer of the Foundling
Hospital, was elected in opposition to Mr. C. J. Heald,
who stood in the Liberal interest, but who, on September
19th, 1885, had been thrown over by all the wealthy
leaders of his party. On May 5th, 1886, the old
Member was entertained at a complimentary banquet in
East Grinstead, and on July 13th following the Hon.
A. E. Gathorne Hardy, son of Viscount Cranbrook, and
62 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
now a Railway Commissioner, was chosen to succeed
him. The next Member, the Hon. G. J. Goschen, son
of Viscount Goschen, opened his political campaign on
January 17th, 1894, Lord Cantelupe and Mr. C. Goring,
who both sought to come forward in the Conservative
interest, having retired in his favour. Mr. Goschen was
duly elected and again chosen on October 10th, 1900.
The Government then formed remained in power until
the close of 1905, and Mr. Goschen sat for the constitu-
ency until the dissolution in January, 1906.
At this election Mr. C. H. Corbett, of Woodgate,
Danehill, stood for the third time, his opponent being
Mr. E. M. Crookshank, of Saint Hill, East Grinstead.
The former was declared elected on January 26th, 1906,
and thus became the first Liberal Member for the Division.
Appended are the results of all contests in the constitu-
ency : —
1885.
Mr. G. B. Gregory (Conservative) 3530
Mr. C. J. Heald (Liberal) 2579— 951
1886.
Hon. A. E. G. Hardy (Conservative) 3289
Mr. C. J. Heald (Liberal) 1877—1412
1892.
Hon. A. E. G. Hardy (Conservative) 3987
Sir E. G. Jeukinson (Liberal) 2349 — 1638
1895.
Hon. G. J. Goschen (Conservative) 3731
Mr. C. H. Corbett (Liberal) 2874— 857
1900.
Hon. G. J. Goschen (Conservative) 3890
Mr. C. H. Corbett (Liberal) 3003— 887
1906.
Mr. C. H. Corbett (Liberal) 4793
Mr. E. M. Crookshank (Conservative) 4531—262
TEE PAEISH CHURCH: ITS VICARS, REGISTERS
AND TITHE OWNERS,
CHAPTER IV.
ALTHOUGH the first mention of a church at East
Grinstead is subsequent to the founding, in 1078, of the
Priory of St. Pancras at Lewes, it is possible that a
church had existed in the town long prior to that date.
Christianity was introduced into Great Britain during
the Roman occupation from B.C. 55 to A.D. 418, when
the Romans were compelled to withdraw their forces
from the extremities of their empire, including this
island, in order to protect themselves at home. The
Christian religion was tolerated during the Roman
dominion and the churches were under the rule of their
own British clergy and so remained until A.D. 449, when
the invasion by the Angles and Saxons commenced.
During the 200 years of Saxon domination the paganism
of the conquerors was practically supreme throughout
the country. When Christianity re-appeared, East
Grinstead was possibly one of the last places, owing to
its then isolated and inaccessible position in the Forest
of Anderida, to be brought to the Christian faith. One
of the earliest churches is supposed to have been
dedicated to St. Edmund, King and Martyr (A.D. 840
to 870). Subsequently St. Swithun became the patron
saint. His translation took place on July 15th, 971.
No means seem available to ascertain why or even when
the alteration (if such occurred) in the dedication took
place, but it may have been due to the building of a
new church in place of a former one. No mention of a
church in East Grinstead is made in the Domesday
Survey, but this is no argument for its non-existence, as
churches are known to have been then existing, though
not mentioned j the reason being that the Survey dealt
64 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
only with rateable lands, and churches were then, as
now, exempt from taxation.
On September 6th, 1683, the church was struck by-
lightning and set on fire. The following account of this
catastrophe is from Mr. J. C. Stenning's "Notes on East
Grinstead," the MS. having been furnished him by the
late Mrs. Chevall Tooke : —
In the year 1683, on the 6th Sept., about half an hour after 6 p.m.,
Greensted steeple was set on fire by lightning, which began in the
cross and then continued burning in the Shaft that went up to the
Cross, but were two hours before it came to the shingles and yet could
not by no means that was used be prevented from going farther. At
length it took hold of the shingles and after an hour more made the
steeple so hot, by reason of the falling of fire, that people could work
there no longer. They then attempted to save the bells, but too late,
for the fire fell so fast that none could stand to work. The fire which
fell from above into the battlements fired the steeple at the lower side,
which after a small space burnt with intolerable violence and in a
short time burned down all the steeple, melted all the bells, burnt the
bell lofts, stick and stake, all to the ground. But it was six of the
clock the next morning before the lofts and all were burnt down, and
yet notwithstanding this great fire and mighty heat in the belfry, by
reason of the fire falling so fast, together with the melting of the
bells, the Church, by God's mercy and the people's industry, was
preserved untouched by the fire. But the mercy of God was yet more
remarkable in the preservation of the town, for when the fire began
the wind was high and in the east, which drove it over upon our back
houses and barns very terribly. Although the fire was but small in
comparison of what it was after, yet people were obliged to get upon
the barns and back houses and defend them with wet sheets, quench
the fire with water and beat it out with poles as it fell ; and had the
wind then continued our Town had certainly been burnt which many
expecting pulled their goods out of their houses as fast as they could.
But God in his infinite mercy had better things in store for us ; the
wind turned immediately as by a miracle and blew the sparks quite
from the Town the best way that could possibly be imagined, for
which benefit God of his infinite mercy make us truly and heartily
thankful. Amen. Amen.
Some of the bells destroyed by this conflagration had
been purchased a few years before from Framfield
Church, the tower of which fell in 1667.
On June 9th, 1684, the first stone was laid towards
the re-building of the tower. It was a noble structure,
upwards of 80 feet high, exclusive of the minarets, and
27^ feet square. But bad materials and faulty workman-
ship seem to have been used, for it stood only a
THE PARISH CHURCH. 65
century, the tower then falling on to the body of the
church and almost completely demolishing it. The
following account of the event appeared in " The
Gentleman's Magazine " for 1785 : —
This stately building, the tower of the Parish Church of East
Grinstead, was re-built in 1684 (the old one having been burnt down
by lightning in 1683), but had for some years past been in a state of
decay, owing to the want of judgment in the architect, bad workman-
ship and worse materials. But within this twelvemonth it hastened
very rapidly to its dissolution, by showing a large crack at the
foundation of the north - east (? north - west) angle, which passed
through the stone staircase contained in that angle, and which led
to the top of the tower by winding steps. A large part of the outside
of the foundation of that angle had at several times fallen down, which
discovered the badness of the materials, being nothing but a case of
stone filled up with rubbish, and that stone being very indifferent.
The bells, which were six and very heavy and hung in the third loft,
had not been rung for some time past, as it was observed that they
shook the tower very much.
On Saturday, the 12th November, 1785, a very considerable quantity
of stone fell from the north-west angle, some distance up the tower ;
this brought near a hundred persons into the churchyard. The
stones kept continually falling, and many of them, from the violent
pressure, flew from the foundation to a considerable distance, as if
thrown from an engine ; when another large parcel of stone fell from
the same angle, and raised a great dust, which served as a warning to
the spectators to keep at a greater distance. The grand crack was then
observed to run very fast up the tower, and about a quarter of a hour
before two o'clock it gave some dreadful cracks, and stones were heard
to fall withinside ; when the tower immediately divided north and
south at the top, and the north-west minaret tottered for some seconds,
which, together with the south-west and south-east minarets, fell down
almost perpendicularly. The north-east minaret immediately followed,
but unfortunately fell on the roof of the church, and, driving one pair
of rafters against another, beat down three pillars out of the four and,
with some large stones which fell from the south-east angle, unroofed
all the north, and middle aisles, beyond the pulpit, and beat down one
of the pillars in the south aisle in such a manner that the roof there
also must be taken off ; so that it may fairly be said two-thirds of the
roof are destroyed by the fall of the north-east minaret and the stone
from the north-east angle. The west part of the tower sinking almost
perpendicularly, the stones did not reach so far into the churchyard on
the west and south sides as might have been expected ; so that none of
the houses (though very near) were damaged and providentially no lives
lost, though some persons had been both in the church and belfry, but a
few minutes before, and the master and scholars had just left the School
Room, which was adjoining to the steeple (sic} and was also destroyed.
The tower, being very large and of a great height, fell with the
most dreadful noise, and shook the earth to a very considerable
66 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
distance round the town, and the cloud of dust raised by it was beyond
description, insomuch that the spectators could not distinguish an
object a foot distant from them. Five of the bells lay on the top of
the rubbish, only covered by the lead of the roof, but the fourth bell
was buried some distance, and has since been dug out, and they are
whole to appearance, but whether any of them are cracked cannot be
determined till they are hung up to give their sound.
John Bridgland and Avis Austen, the grandparents of
Mr. R. Bridgland, who now lives in the East Grinstead
Timber Yard, were married in the church in the morning
before the tower fell.
"Nov. 12th, 1785. The steeple of East Grinstead
church this day suddenly gave way and falling upon the
body of the church utterly demolished it." Thus was
this sad misfortune described in a petition presented to
Parliament on March 4th, 1790, by the owners and
parishioners of East Grinstead. They stated that since
the tower fell there had been no religious services, and
though they had exerted their utmost endeavours they
could not raise money sufficient, by voluntary means, to
re-build the church. They begged Parliament to pass a
Bill enabling them to make a rate for the purpose. The
House acted very expeditiously. Parliament referred
the matter to a Committee, who had Mr. Gibbs Crawfurd,
of Saint Hill, before them, and on his evidence they
found the allegations proved, and recommended that a
Bill should be brought in. This was done on March
12th and by the 29th it had been read a second time and
sent to another Committee. Several amendments were
made in it and it finally passed the Commons on April
26th and the Lords on May 18th, the Royal Assent being
given on June 9th.
The secret of this expedition possibly lay in the fact
that Mr. Abbot was then Speaker of the House of
Commons. He resided at Kidbrooke and took a deep
interest in the matter. He declared, " I will have a
tower I can see and a bell I can hear at Kidbrooke," and
in complying with his wishes it was said that the last 20
feet of the tower cost as much as all the rest put together.
By the measure referred to it was enacted that it should
be lawful for the trustees or any five of them to cause
THE PARISH CHURCH. 67
the church to be re-built, and to raise a total sum not
exceeding £4,000 for that purpose. The names of the
first trustees were: — William Board, John Shelley,
George Bankin, Charles Sawyer, William Isted, R.
Hilton, Alexander Donald, John Batchelor, John
Balcomb and Thomas Richardson. Meetings were to
be held at the house known by the sign of the Swan,
and a Treasurer, Clerk and Collector were to be
appointed. The trustees were to allot pews, following
old legal titles therein ; to build the church by contract ;
and to make rates which should be paid half by the
landlord and half by the tenant. The rates might be
levied by distress, and persons quitting their house
without paying the rates might be followed. The
trustees might raise money by sale of annuities or
mortgaging the rates, the annuities were to be exempt
from taxes and might be assigned. The rates might also
be assigned as security for money borrowed. Twenty-one
years later a second Act was passed authorising the
borrowing of a further £4,000. But it cost £30,000 to
erect the building and pay the contingent charges. The
architect was Mr. Wyatt and the stone came from Selsfield,
Black well and Wych Cross.
Among the loans made was one of £1,000 by Mr.
Gibbs Crawfurd. He afterwards disposed of his claim,
five-ninths of the amount being acquired by William
Boorman, who gave it to his daughter, Mary Nash
Boorman, as a dowry, on the occasion of her marriage
to Mr. John Jones Pierce, who still lives at Lamberhurst.
The Boorman family was at one time in business in East
Grinstead, J. H. Boorman issuing his own halfpenny in
1799. Mrs. Pierce's sum was paid off, capital and
interest, £555. 10s. 10d., in January, 1858. Another
loan was one of £2,000 by Sir Alexander Munro, one of
the Commissioners of H.M. Customs, for which sum he
purchased an annuity of £220 a year, which terminated
at his death. Mr. James Evelyn, who then occupied
Felbridge Place, advanced £1,000 on July 30th, 1791,
at the low rate of 3 per cent., and on his death this
became vested in the third Earl of Liverpool. In
j? 2
68 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1852 the authorities began to pay off this loan by
sums of £100 to £300 a year, the final instalment being
paid on Jan. 1st, 1856. The final payments on the
original loans were made on Nov. 29th, 1876, being the
last of three life annuities held by the Sun Insurance
Office.
The Act abolishing compulsory church rates was
passed on August 4th, 1868, but they continued to be
made in East Grrinstead for some seven years after that
date, in order to realise the amounts still due on the old
loans for the church re-building. To meet the ordinary
church expenses a voluntary rate was first tried, but so
few people paid, that, at a meeting held on October 10th,
1872, it was decided to take no further steps in this
direction, but to provide in future for the necessary
annual expenses of the church by voluntary contribu-
tions, a practice which still continues.
The original design of the building has never been
completed. The whole of the side buttresses were to
have had pinnacles similar to those on the tower, of
which St. Peter's Church, Brighton, affords a very good
example, but funds fell short, and the present capitals
were substituted. There was not even enough money to
complete the roof or seat the church, so a flat ceiling of
plaster and whitewash was put in and the floor was paved,
rushes were strewn and people brought their own chairs.
Various plans for pewing the church were prepared from
1796 onward, but it was not until 1806 that it was deter-
mined to act upon any one of them. A few pews were
early built by private enterprise, until the Trustees passed
a resolution forbidding the practice. Eventually the
interior was allotted, as set forth in the Act for rebuilding,
to the various estates in the neighbourhood and a uniform
plan of pews adopted. These were of deal, 4-ft. 6-in.
high. When the Rev. D. Y. Blakiston was presented to
the living he at once set about remedying this undesir-
able state of affairs. At a public meeting held on April
llth, 1872, he suggested the formation of a Church
Council, but the meeting negatived the proposal by a
small majority. A resolution was, however, passed in
THE PARISH CHURCH. 69
favour of re-seating the church, and on a poll being
taken it was confirmed by a majority of 20 voters
with 40 votes in favour, to seven voters with 15 votes
against. A committee was formed to carry the matter
through. Mr. J. M. Hooker, an architect, of Seven-
oaks, was consulted, plans for 1,013 seats and estimates
were got out and an appeal was issued for £900,
to include also the cost of installing gas, oil lamps
having, up to this time, been used. In the year 1855
some progressive worshippers had sought to secure the
introduction of gas in the place of these oil lamps, in
order that evening services might be tried, but on
December 6th of the year named the parishioners decided
in Vestry that it was not desirable to have evening service
in the Parish Church and refused to sanction tne rate
proposed for fitting up and lighting the edifice with
gas.
The estimate for the re-seating was far too low. The
work was carried out by the late Mr. John Godly, and
the total cost of re-seating, lighting and cleaning was
£1,523. It was not completed without opposition. A
few opposed the granting of the faculty, but all finally
fell in with the scheme except the late Mr. C. C. Tooke,
of Hurst-an-Clays, and the late Mr. Henry Taylor, the
latter then one of the churchwardens. The former's large,
ugly pew was especially exempted by the faculty from
the scheme, and it remained in the church, a sad dis-
figurement to the whole interior, until his death on October
21st, 1890, when, by the consent of his daughter (Mrs.
Henry Padwick), it was speedily removed. The church
was closed on September 7th, 1874, and re-opened by the
Bishop (Dr. Durnford) on November 14th following; in
the meantime the services were held in the School and
the Holy Communion administered in Sackville College
Chapel. On the re-opening day, for the first time, the
church choir appeared in surplices.
The re-seating with oak threw into prominence the
ugliness of the dirty deal panelling, which ran round the
whole church to a height of over 5-ft., the plastered walls
and fiat whitened ceiling. The committee decided to build
70 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
a new open roof, remove the panelling and clean the beauti-
ful stonework of the whitewashed plaster which hid it from
view. This led to almost interminable disputes. An indig-
nation meeting was held, law-suits were threatened and
the re-appointment of Mr. John Tooth as parish church-
warden, he having by this time succeeded Mr. H. Taylor,
was opposed. At the Easter Vestry Mr. C. R. Duplex
was elected people's warden, and Mr. Tooth thereupon
demanded a poll. This was the only contested election
of a parish churchwarden that, so far as can be ascertained,
has ever occurred here ; certainly there has been no other
during the past century. The voting took place amid
intense excitement on April 2nd, 1875, and the result was:
J. Tooth, 247 ; C. R. Duplex, 180. The victor was after-
wards drawn through the streets in a carriage, and the
Volunteer Band turned out and played "See the Conquer-
ing Hero comes." Meanwhile the committee had gone
on with its work unmoved. The present roof was put on
arid the walls pointed as now, for a sum of £858. By
this time "dry rot" had manifested itself in the floor and
another £200 was expended on curing this. The work
of restoration occupied no less than 12 years, and of the
1 0 members on the committee at the beginning, only four
— the Vicar, Messrs. C. Absalom, W. V. K. Stenning and
J. Tooth — remained in office the whole time. Messrs. E.
L. Hannam and E. A. Head were among those elected to
fill vacancies and they served until the work was com-
pleted. Others who acted on the committee for a time
were the Rev. T. D. Hopkins, the Rev. C. W. Payne
Crawfurd, Mr. A. Hastie, Mr. W. A. Head and Mr. C.
Sawyer. The whole £2,500 was raised by voluntary
contributions. Of the 1,013 seats about 400 are unappro-
priated. The present iron fencing which borders the
churchyard and paths bears peculiar evidence of an act
of fanaticism. All the main supports were formerly
surmounted by an ornament which bore resemblance to
a cross. People awoke one morning to find that the
whole of these, with one solitary exception, and over one
hundred in number, had been knocked off during the
night, and the fence, so mutilated, remains to-day.
THE PARISH CHURCH. 71
In addition to many works, the cost of which has
been defrayed by public subscription, the following
personal gifts have been made towards the adornment
or furnishing of the existing fabric : —
Work. Donors.
The Eestoration of the Chancel Eev. C. W. P. Oawfurd.
East Window Miss E. H. Clarke, in memory of her
parents.
First Window in South Aisle Mrs. Stenning, in memory of her
husband, William Stenning.
Second ,, ,, ,, ,, The Misses Clarke, "In Memoriam,"
by desire of their father, G. E.
Clarke, and other members of his
family.
Fourth ,, ,, ,, ,, Mrs. A. K. Whyte, in memory of her
husband, John Whyte.
Fifth ,, ,, ,, ,, Miss K. G. Clarke, in memory of her
sister, Eebecca Worrell Clarke.
First ,, ,, North ,, Mrs. Buckley, in memory of Eichard
Theodore Buckley.
Second ,, ,, ,, ,, The Misses Moir, in memory of their
parents, Peter and Margaret Moir.
Altar Table, Eed Frontal and
Credence Table Miss E. H. Clarke.
Carved Oak Pulpit The Misses Clarke, erected by desire of
their father, George Elliott Clarke,
to the memory of his wife, Eebecca,
his only son, Forster Mayers, and
his daughter, Marion Crawfurd
Louis.
Oak Lectern Eev. C. W. P. Crawfurd.
Service Books Mr. and Mrs. K. E. Murchison.
,, ,, Sir George Wyatt Truscott and Lady
Truscott.
The Organ The Mother Superior and Sisters of
St. Margaret's.
Decoration of the Organ-pipes Eev. D. Y. Blakiston.
The Gates at the South Porch Mrs. Covey, in memory of her husband,
the late George Covey.
Bell - ropes and Chiming
Apparatus Eev. C. W. P. Crawfurd.
Some interesting gifts are referred to in the will,
dated July 8th, 1507, of John Payne, of Pixtons. The
following is translated from the original Latin : —
In the name of God Amen. I John Payii the elder of fforestrowe in
the parish of Estgrensted being of sound mind and memory make my
72 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
will in form following. Imprimis I bequeath, my soul to almighty
God, to the blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints, and my body to
be buried in the Churchyard of the parish Church of Estgrenstede.
Also I bequeath to the mother Church of Chichester 8d. Also to
the high altar of Estgrensted for tithes forgotten and unpaid 12d.
Also I bequeath to Elizabeth my wife for the term of her life my
manor farm called Pyckestonns (now Pixton Hill, a small estate and
private house near Forest Row occupied by Mr. T. Hyde) and at her
decease to my eldest son then surviving and his heirs and in default
of this heir to the next heirs of me the aforesaid John Payn.
Also I will that whosoever shall possess the aforesaid manor-farm
of Pyckestonns shall pay a yearly sum of 16d so long as the world
endures for the maintenance of a lamp before [the image of] St.
Mary the Virgin situate in the church of Estgrenstede in the north
part of the aforesaid Church.
Also I devise to George my son the tenement Beeches (tenm de
Beeches) and to his heirs and in default of an heir of him then to
the next heirs of me the aforesaid John Payn.
Also I bequeath to each of my sons and daughters two young bulls :
also I devise the tenement called Maveld (tenm de Maveld) to Elizabeth
my wife and after her decease to [my] elder son then surviving and to
his heirs and in default of heirs of him to the next heirs of me the
aforesaid John. Also I devise Shoberys to the use and behoof of
John Payn junior my brother. Also I will as to Westfeld, late
Robert Kelys, provided that at the end and term of 5 years he shall
pay or cause to be paid to my relict Elizabeth or to John my younger
brother 5 marks, that he shall have again the aforesaid Westfeld, but
otherwise I will that the aforesaid Westfeld shall remain to John
Payn my younger brother. Also I bequeath for the reparation of
Wallhill one cow. Also I bequeath to the church of Estgrenstede
one torch of the value of 6s 8d. But the residue of my goods
undisposed of (after deducting debts due) I give and bequeath to
Elizabeth my wife that she may dispose of them on my behalf as to
her shall seem best : and her I ordain and constitute my true and
lawful executrix, but John Payn junior my brother I make overseer
before these witnesses, viz., Mr. Thomas Dagnall, Chaplain, John
Sprengett and others. Dated 8th July 1507.
Dagnall was probably a chantry priest or chaplain to
a nobleman ; he was not Vicar of the parish. The
statue of the Virgin Mary, like the bequest, has long
since been forgotten.
The organ, presented by St. Margaret's Sisterhood and
decorated by the Vicar, was used for the first time on
April 5th, 1888.
There is no doubt that at one time the churchyard
extended over a portion of what is now the vicarage
garden. The old vicarage stood closer to the church
THE PARISH CHURCH. 73
than the existing house, being near the corner of the
churchyard and Church Street. The present house was
built largely at the expense of Mary Lady Amherst,
who was the patron of the living, and who spent
considerable sums on religious objects. She charged
the estate of Imberhorne with three separate rent
charges amounting to £70 annually, for ever, towards
the support of the church at Forest Row.
The church possesses as fine a peal of bells as there is
in the South of England, and the tenor is one of the
largest in the county. It measures 52J-in. in diameter
and weighs a ton and a quarter. Each bell, from the
first to the sixth, is inscribed, " T Mears of London,
fecit, 1813." The seventh has simply " T Mears fecit,"
and the eighth the fuller inscription, "East Grinstead,
Thomas Mears, fecit 1813." The first complete peal of
Grandsire Triples (5,040 changes) was rung on them on
December 21st, 1843.
The last attempt to enforce the " Church Terrier" was
made on August llth, 1869. This was a document
setting forth the liabilities of certain properties in regard
to the upkeep of the churchyard wall and fences. The
Vestry called on Mr. Capes "to repair the carriage gate
leading into the churchyard at the east end by the beer-
shop, as he was bound to do such repairs according to
the Church Terrier in respect of his property called
Brookhurst." The churchyard wall along Church Street
gives good evidence of the effect of the old Terrier. It
is built and repaired in about ten distinct sections, some
of brick, some of stone, being at one time evidently
maintained by people of very diverse tastes and means.
Appended is a copy of the "Terrier" as prepared in
1711:—
THE MARKS AND BOUNDS OF THE CHURCH YARD OF EAST GRINSTEAD
IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX TO BE MADE BY THE INHABITANTS
AND OWNERS OF LANDS WITHIN THE SAID TOWN AND PARISH AS
FOLLOWETH ON THE TABLE : —
1. The Church Gate on the South Side of the yard containing eight
foot to be made by the Town.
From the Church Gate towards the East and so forward.
74 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
2. Dallingridge 7 foot.
3. Hazleden 8 foot.
4. Sheppards & Scarletts 8 foot.
Leonard Gale, Esq., Owner ; Arthelbert Wicking, Tenant.
5. The Manor of Weild, alias Wallhill, 10 foot. William Peck,
Esq., Owner ; Thomas Martin, Tenant.
6. Eidgehill, 9 foot. John Shelley, Esq., Owner ; Abraham
Huggett, Tenant.
7. Millplace, 8 foot. John Conyers, Esq., Owner ; Edward Creasey,
Tenant.
8. Homestall, 8 foot. Charles Goodwine, Esq., Owner ; Ninnon
Creasey, Tenant.
9. Pauls farm, 4 foot. John Storror, Owner.
10. Mays farm, 11 foot. Michael Mateire, Gentleman, Owner;
Edward Bannister, Tenant.
1 1 . Frampost, Thomas Maynard, Owner ; Edward Godley, Tenant,
4 foot.
12. Charlwood, Elizabeth Nickoll, Owner ; Robert Langridge. Tenant,
4 foot.
13. Whalesbeech, 12 foot. John Biddulph, Esq., Owner; Henry
Lindley, Tenant.
14. Lovekines, 7 foot. Mary Thatcher and Sarah Wheeler, Ownei's ;
Jno. Payne, Wheelrit, Tenant.
15. Harwoods. John Hurst, Gentleman, Owner; Henry Johnson,
Gentleman, Tenant, foot.
16. Send ere, Brambletye, Twenty and nine foot. Jno. Biddulph,
Esq., Owner; Henry Lindley, Tenant.
17. Boylies, Fifteen foot. Thomas White, Gentleman, Owner ; John
Tyler, Tenant.
18. Cullens, Ten foot. John Biddulph, Esq., Owner ; Thomas
Suxford, Gentleman, Tenant.
19. Eenvills, Twenty foot. John Biddulph, Esq., Owner; Herbert
Maynard, Tenant.
20. Eutters Worsteds, Nine foot. John Pickering, Gentleman,
Owner ; Nathaniel Austen, Tenant.
21. Worsteds. John Earle, Owner ; Eight foot. Richard Good wyne,
Tenant.
22. Bucknors, Brokehui'st, Five foot. Jno. Pickering, Esq., Owner ;
Nathaniel Moore, Gentleman, Tenant.
23. The Manor of Brokehurst. James Tulley, Gentleman, Owner,
being the carrying gate contain'g Ten foot. Jervise Thorpe,
Tenant.
24. The Bower, Thirty foot and the stile, 5 foot, in all, thirty and
five foot. Jno. Payne, Gentleman, Owner.
25. The Shewill, Ten foot. Widow Woodgate, Owner.
26. Pickstones, Ten foot. John Conyers, Esq., Owner; William
Norris, Tenant.
THE PARISH CHURCH. 75
THE VICARS.
Soon after the Priory of St. Pancras was established
at Lewes in 1078, Alured, who was " Pincerna," or cup
bearer, to Robert, first Count of Mortain, gave the church
of East Grinstead and half a hide of land belonging to
it at Imberhorne towards the support of this Priory.
This is the first mention of such a building in East
Grinstead. This grant was confirmed by William Count
of Mortain, half-brother to the Conqueror, by a charter
circa 1108. In 1352 the living was exchanged by the
Prior and Convent of Lewes for the church at Burton,
but the living continued in the presentation of the Prior
until 1554, when Anne of Cleves appointed a Vicar.
She lived for a time at Lewes and had been divorced in
1540, the right of presentation probably being given her
at the time of the confiscation of ecclesiastical property
in 1545. She died in 1557, and the privilege of
presentation has since belonged to various branches of
the Sackville family, now represented by Lord Sackville,
of Knole.
Appended is a list of Vicars, so far as they can be
ascertained: —
Peter, 1241. An entry in the muniments of St. Mary Magdalen
College, Oxford, says, "Grinstead Eay Peter Rector."
Alard, 1285.
Robert de Wynton, 1296. This Vicar got into trouble for fishing in
a pond at Hymberhorne without permission from the Prior of St.
Pancras, Lewes.
William de Astania or Estanaye, 1304. Was also Rector of West
Grinstead and Prebend of Lincoln, Wells and St. David's.
Thomas, 1306.
Peter, 1327. Deemed to be Vicar, as he headed the list and paid
the largest sum of those taxed in the Borough of East Grinstead.
Johannes de Wynton or Wyntonia, 1328. John de Wanenne
brought an action against Adam de Wyntou, monk, and John, "p'sona
ecclie de Estgrenestede." Exchanged the living of Atherton with
Raymond Pellegrini, 1331. Exchanged livings with
Annibaldus (Cardinal), 1331. Bishop of Tusculum and holder of
several benefices and high offices. Died at West Grinstead, 1351.
Richard de Bannebury, 1346-7. This rector was summoned by John
de Warrenne, Earl of Surrey, for breaking into Worth Park and
hunting therein.
Richard de Derby, 1350-1.
76 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
William de Lougburgh, 1351.
Simon de Breden, Oct. 3rd, 1351.
John Kirkeby, formerly Vicar of Sidleshain and Rector of Horsted
Keynes. Exchanged livings with
Richard Markwyk, from Little Horsted, admitted Oct. 17th, 1381.
Richard Stoneherst, 1387-8.
Thomas Fferryng, 1395. Was summoned by the Prior of Lewes for
breaking with force of arms into a close belonging to the said Prior in
East Grinstead.
John Bakere, 1397.
Ricardus atte Estcote (? East Court), 1410.
Michael Preston, appointed April 27th, 1411.
Robert Burgh, exchanged livings with
John Mankyn, Feb. 26th, 1417. Rector of North Lidyard Milcent.
Adam Newyle or Alan Neroyle, exchanged livings with
John Bennet. who' was Yicar of Wadhurst, Jan. 12th, 1423.
William Lane, exchanged livings with
GeofFry Medewe, Rector of Rosfphlegh, Diocese of Lincoln, 24th
July, 1438.
Robert Blowere, formerly Rector of St. Michael's, Lewes, appointed
Dec. 10th, 1438.
John Cook, 1463.
John Brether or Crothes, or Crowther, 1478. Died Jan. 16th,
1499.
Edward Prymer, 1528-9.
William Breton, LL.D., appointed Feb. 28th, 1528.
Robert Best, appointed 1552-3, deposed, but reinstated in 1556-7.
William Devonishe, appointed Sept. 23rd, 1554.
Robert Best, Vicar for a second time, 1556-7.
Richard Burnopp, or Burnap, the first Vicar presented to the
living by the Sackville family, was appointed Sept. 24th, 1563; died
1595. The Star Chamber proceedings state that this Vicar being "a
very lewd and wicked p'son altogether swarvinge from his profession
nor having the fear of God before his eies " did, at Lewes Sessions,
falsely swear that James Pickas, gent., arrested him. while at the
communion table, to the great disturbance of the communicants. It
was proved that such an event never took place and that Richard
Burnopp was "a common reporter of manifest untruths and dayly
disturber of his quiet neighb" and an intermeddler in other men's
causes," having procured them to spend over £500 in useless law suits.
What the Star Chamber did to him is not stated.
John Walwyn, M.A., appointed Nov. 28th, 1598. Formerly Vicar
or Rector of Wisborough Green, Arundel, Withyham and Fletching,
and afterwards Vicar of Heathfield.
Edward Topsell, M.A., appointed May 5th, 1610. He was an author
of considerable repute and published some books which were, in those
days, very popular. His chief works were "The Historie of Foure-
footed Beastes " and "The Historie of Serpents." He was perpetual
curate of St. Botolph, Aldersgate. but held several country livings,
including East Grinstead, at the same time.
THE PARISH CHURCH. 77
Alan or Allen Carr, appointed May 6th, 1615. He owned several
parcels of land in East Grinstead and Lingfield.
James Inians, appointed Sept. 2nd, 1637. Was formerly Rector of
Streat and St. Ann's, Lewes; buried Feb. 23rd, 1642, at East
Grinstead.
Richard GofFe or Gough, appointed 1643; ejected because he was
proved to be "a common haunter of Tavernes and Alehouses, a
common swearer of bloudy oathes and singer of baudy songs, and
often drunko and keepeth company with Papists and scandalous
persons."
Samuel Pretty, 1 645. The living was sequestered from Gough to this
Vicar, who does not seem to have been in Holy Orders. He was ordered
to pay a fifth part of the profits of the Vicarage to his predecessor's
wife, and neglecting to do so an action was brought against him.
While it was in progress the Committee of Plundered Ministers
sequestered the Vicarage from Pretty and returned him " into the
County of Wiltshire, from where he had been driven by the King's
forces." This was on Feb. 17th, 1645-6.
Stephen Watkins, Puritan, appointed Feb. 17th, 1645-6, but resigned
before Aug. 27th, 1647.
George Blundell, appointed Aug. 27th, 1647. Described as "a
godlie man and orthodox Divine " (a Puritan), but he afterwards con-
formed.
Robert Crayford, appointed Feb. 10th, 1657. A Puritan. Sub-
sequently Rector of Barcombe ; buried there Sept. 21st, 1709.
Christopher Snell, appointed 1658, a Puritan ; ejected 1662.
John Say well, D.D., appointed Aug. 31st, 1671. Resigned in the
following Nov. and reinstated the same month.
John Staples, M.A., appointed Jan. 25th, 1689. Died of small-pox
Aug. 2nd and buried at night Aug. 4th, 1 732.
George Gurnett, M.A., appointed Nov. 15th, 1732. Formerly Rector
of West Chiltington; died Aug. 2nd, 1746.
Thomas James, M.A., appointed Nov. 25th, 1746.
Henry Woodward, M.A., appointed June 9th, 1757. Died Nov.
20th, 1763.
Charles Whitehead, M.A., appointed Jan. 13th, 1764. Afterwards
Rector of Worth.
Stileman Bostock, M.A., formerly Rector of Folkington, appointed
Mar. 15th, 1792.
Richard Taylor, M.A., appointed April 23rd, 1811, died Mar. 20th,
1835.
Christopher Nevill, M.A., appointed May 27th, 1835, died Dec.
15th, 1847. While acting as English chaplain at Lisbon in 1830
Mr. Nevill collected the necessary funds for the erection of a sarco-
phagus over the grave of Henry Fielding, the novelist, who died at
Lisbon in 1754.
John Netherton Harward, M.A., appointed June 6th, 1848, died
Nov. 24th, 1863.
78 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
It may not be out of place to record here that this
Vicar had two sons who won great distinction in the
Army. At the battle of Inkerman, at a moment when
the Russians had the ascendant, and the defeat of the
Allies looked almost assured "with what to the Russians
seemed absolute suddenness," says Kinglake in his
" Invasion of the Crimea," "a new power came into
action." Lord Raglan ordered up two heavy guns,
weighing over two tons each, and known to bear very
strong charges of powder and carry an 18-lb. ball with
precision and terrific power. They were located in an
exposed position and the gunners working them were
exposed to a perfect hurricane of shot, directed on one
narrow spot from several batteries, and the losses were
very heavy. But as a gunner dropped out, dead or
wounded, another took his place, and they never ceased
to hurl back their fateful answers. One of the guns was
laid every time by Lieut. Greorge Sisson Harward and
every shot fired carried havoc into the enemy's batteries.
It was one of the most marvellous artillery duels of
the whole Crimean campaign. Two guns against a
hundred, but, to quote again from Kinglake, " at the
end of a quarter of an hour it could be seen that our
gunners were conquering for themselves a comparative
immunity. The slaughter, the wreck, the confusion
they spread in the enemy's batteries had by that time
weakened his fire and henceforth, every instant, it
began to seem more and more plain that this was an
unequal conflict. . . . Whether tearing direct through
a clump of the enemy's gunners or lighting upon some
piece of rock, and flinging abroad, right and left, its
murderous splinters; whether bounding into a team of
artillery horses, or smashing and blowing up tumbrils,
the terrible 18 pounder shot never flew to its task
without ploughing a furrow of ruin." The change
wrought by the duel was one of great moment and it
was the first real agent in the ultimate defeat of the
Russians. Lieut. Harward and his men, according to
Lord Raglan, rendered " distinguished and splendid
service." The other son who attained distinction was
THE PARISH CHURCH. 79
General Thomas Netherton Harward, who served
through the Indian Mutiny campaign and was mentioned
in despatches.
John Peat, M.A., formerly Master of Sevenoaks Grammar School,
appointed Dec. 26th, 1863.
Mr. Peat gained some repute as an author. He wrote a translation
of the Sapphic Odes of Horace and also published a lengthy poem
entitled "The Pair Evanthe," in which he described that which is
" beautiful, graceful, excellent and holy in women." He died on May
10th, 1871, and was buried at Chevening, near Sevenoaks.
Douglas Yeoman Blakiston was appointed Oct. 30th, 1871. The
present Vicar is the third son of the late Rev. Peyton Blakiston, M.D.,
F.R.S., and Frances, eldest daughter of John Polliot Powell. He is a
grandson of the late Sir Mathew Blakiston, the second baronet of the
present creation, who was born in 1760 at the Mansion House, London,
during his father's Lord Mayoralty, and who married, as his third wife,
Annabella, daughter of Thomas Bayley, M.P. for Durham. The Vicar
was at one time a student at the Royal Academy and a silver medallist.
He married on July llth, 1861, Sophia Matilda, youngest daughter of
the Rev. Wm. Dent, of Crosby Cote, Yorkshire. He was educated at
Downing College, Cambridge ; took his B.A. degree (2nd Class Theo-
logical Tripos) in 1868 and M.A. 1872. He was ordained Deacon in
1868 and Priest in 1869 at Ely. From 1868 to 1871 he was Curate of
Toft-with-Caldecote, Cambridgeshire, and was then presented to the
living of East Grinstead by Reginald Earl De la Warr (then Lord
Buckhurst, of Knole).
THE REGISTERS.
The earliest records in the parish registers occur in
1558. Twenty years before, Cromwell, as Vicar-
General, had issued the first mandate for keeping
registers of baptisms, marriages and burials in each
parish, and the mandate was repeated, in rigorous terms,
on the accession of Elizabeth in 1558. The Rev. Robert
Best was then Vicar, but it is doubtful if the existing
registers were started by him, for a great uniformity in
the earlier entries seems to suggest that they were
written at one time, possibly as a result of the ordination
in 1597, that parchment register books should be
purchased at the expense of each parish and the names
in the older books from 1558 re-entered in them. Thus
it happens that a vast number of parish registers
commence in this year. To give the whole of the local
lists would fill a very large volume and a few entries
80
HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
must suffice. The following is a complete list of the
11 Christeninges " from December 26th to the end of the
year, March 25th (old style) : —
Dec. 26, 1558 IsabeU Allyn.
Jan. 21
Feb. 20
March. 3
20
John Humffrey.
Willm. Soane.
Alice Milles.
John Baylie.
John Palmer.
John Hartfield.
Margarett Smythe.
Thomas Drewrie.
The marriage entries begin on November 17th, 1558,
but time, damp, rust and moth have mutilated the out-
side leaves and nothing is legible before the following : —
John Payne and Johane Wood.
Harrie Cooper and Anne Humffrey.
Roger Heathe and Ursula Alfrey.
Thomas a Kent and Alice Boyes.
John Huggett and Elizabeth Humffrey.
Alexander Coxe and Isabel Canawey.
Edward Soane and Dynnesse Page.
Roger Spurway and Margrett ffoster.
The first few pages of burials have evidently been
detached from the book and lost, but appended are all
the entries from January 18th to March 25th, the end of
the year (old style) : —
Jan. 18, 1574 . . Nicholas, son of Robert Walter.
Sept.
15, 1560
»»
22,
Oct.
6,
>>
13,
»
20,
»
27,
Nov.
3,
»
10,
20,
„ 27,
„ 28,
March 15,
Margerie Brian.
John Page.
John Mawle.
Samuell Drewe.
Families bearing several of the above names still
reside in the district.
In all the earlier volumes there are, at the ends,
records of " Briefs " received from other parishes.
These were royal letters patent authorising, almost
ordering, collections in churches for charitable and other
purposes. The repair and rebuilding of churches was
for a long period of years effected by this method. They
were originally issued from the Court of Chancery, but
grew so frequent that they were latterly only granted by
THE PARISH CHURCH. 81
that Court on the application of Quarter Sessions. The
records in the East Grinstead registers only refer to
briefs received from other parishes and not to those issued
on behalf of this parish, so that they are devoid of local
interest.
The average nett yearly value of the living is now
about £300, with a good house and over two acres of
glebe land. The owners of the great tithes are Lord
Sackville, Earl De la Warr and the Rev. C. W. Payne
Crawford. Their predecessors gave up their claims on
a tithe of the produce of the parish under the Tithe
Commutation Act in 1842, as did also the Vicar his
claim to the small tithes, and received instead rent
charges, varying with the price of corn, fixed then at
the following amounts and in the following proportions: —
£ s. d.
To Earl Amherst (now represented by Lord Sackville) . . 932 13 9
To Mr. Robert Crawf urd (now represented by Eev. C. W.
Payne Crawf urd) 300 0 0
To Earl De la Warr and Earl Amherst jointly 67 6 3
To the Vicar of East Grinstead 500 0 0
To the last-named amount was also added an extra-
ordinary tithe of 10s. per acre on all cultivated hop lands
in the parish.
The Crawfurd family, long resident at Saint Hill, then
at East Court, but now at Ardmillan, hold their portion
of the Rectorial tithes of the parish and their rights in
the chancel of St. Swithun's by virtue of a deed dated
29th June, 1624, which is still preserved among the title
deeds by the present owner, viz., the Rev. C. W. P.
Crawfurd, J.P., of Ardmillan. This deed is a convey-
ance for the sum of £635, of a certain portion of the
Rectorial tithes, and is made by Robert Cooper, citizen
and alebrewer, of Southwark (who had quite recently
acquired them by purchase from the Dorset family)
in favour of Edward Payne, the younger, of East
Grinstead, gentleman, and Hanna, his wife. From a
recital in the same deed we learn that the "chauncell"
of the Parish Church was then in ruin and decay, and
Cooper covenants to indemnify Payne, his heirs and
82 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
assigns against all claims for present or future repair of
the said chancel.
It is an interesting fact, and one that brings out
clearly the continuity of our parish annals, that these
same tithes, with certain rights in the chancel and the
Payne vault beneath it, have descended lineally through
seven successive generations to Mr. Crawfurd, their
present owner, while each successive holder has been
a resident landowner in the parish and buried in the
chancel of St. Swithun's, until the late Mr. Robert
Crawfurd, J.P., D.L. (formerly of Saint Hill and father
of the present holder), dying in 1883, was buried in the
Cemetery. The direct ancestors of that Edward Payne
(born 1593, died 1660), who purchased the tithes in
1624 and became Sheriff of Sussex in 1644, had already
been resident landowners in this parish for some 200
years certainly, and probably for much longer, and con-
tinual references to members of the family occur among
old local records. Thus in 1588, when Queen Elizabeth
made a special appeal to the nobility and gentry to
contribute funds "for the better withstanding the intended
invacon of this realme " by the King of Spain, the con-
tributions sent from East Grinstead included one of £25
— a handsome sum in those days — from Edward Paine,
jun. (1560-1643).
This was the father of the Edward Payne who, with
his wife Hanna, is party to the above-mentioned deed of
1624. Edward was born and baptised at East Grinstead
in 1593, and was son and heir of Edward Payne (1560-
1643) of the Borough of East Grinstead, gent., by Anna,
his wife, daughter and heir of John Payne, of Hicksted,
in Twineham, yeoman, and granddaughter of John
Payne, of Hicksted, who died in 1545.
In 1619 he married Hanna, daughter of Richard
Yerwood, of South wark, gent. In 1644 he was Sheriff
of Sussex, and dying in 1660 was buried at East Grin-
stead. At his death he owned freeholds, burgages and
Portlands in East Grinstead and Hartfield, the manor and
lands of Gravetye and Wildgoose, Goddenwick Farm in
Lindfield, John Bartholomew's house in East Grinstead,
THE PARISH CHURCH. 83
Cooke's Mead (ten acres held of Irnberhorne Manor),
Pilsliers or Gallows Croft (three acres near East Grin-
stead Common and now forming part of the Halsford
estate), the manor and farm of Burley Arches in Worth,
a farm and lands in Barcombe and the manors and
farm of Chiddingly in West Hoathly. The Hicksted
property in Twineham thus came to the Paynes of East
Grinstead by marriage in 1583, and so descended to
Charles Payne Crawfurd, of Saint Hill, who sold it
about 1800. Goddenwick, Pilsners, Burley Arches and
Chiddingly also descended to the late Mr. Robert
Crawfurd, of Saint Hill, and were sold about 1850.
Almost a century later, viz., in 1685, we find the
Sessions House at East Grinstead being rebuilt by local
contributions, and chiefly by the aid of yet another
Edward Payne (1622-1688), then bailiff of the borough
town. This was the eldest son of Edward Payne, the
purchaser of the tithes. The second son Richard (1629-
1694), a considerable landowner, settled at Lewes and
there founded a thriving family, he himself being Sheriff
of Sussex in 1690, and his son Richard becoming M.P.
for Lewes at intervals between 1702 and 1707. The
purchaser's third son, Robert (1632-1708), of Newick and
East Grinstead, founded in East Grinstead the Free
School, now represented by the Payne Endowment
Scholarships, a matter more fully referred to in the
chapter which deals with the charities of East Grinstead.
They were evidently useful citizens, these " Paynes
of the Towne," as they are frequently styled in the early
Parish Registers and elsewhere, to distinguish them from
the many other families in the parish of the same name
but of rather humbler degree, e.g., the Paynes of Ashurst
Wood, Wallhill and Pickstones; the Paynes of Plaw-
hatch, Legsheath, Walesbeech, Monkshill and Maules ;
the Paynes of Horshoe (now termed " Horseshoe ") ;
the Paynes of Blackwell and others, who, though pro-
bably connected in the distant past, had been left
behind by " the Paynes of the Towne " in the race of life.
However this may be, the latter seem to have risen, by
dint of frugality and industry, from substantial yeomen
o 2
84 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
in early times, to become in the sixteenth century, and
long thereafter to continue, ironmasters of some note and
considerable landowners in the parish and surrounding
district, till, in the year 1661, we find them applying for,
and obtaining, a grant of arms from the Heralds' College,
duly issued to " Edward Payne, Richard, Robert, Charles
and Henry, his brothers, the sons of Mr. Edward Payne,
late of East Grinstead, in the County of Sussex, deceased."
The arms and crest then assumed by the family appear
on several of the monuments in the chancel. Much of
local interest might be recorded of this quiet, undis-
tinguished family, but enough has been said to suggest
how long and how closely successive generations of the
old stock continued to identify themselves with their
native parish.
The male line of this particular family of Paynes died
out in East Grinstead upon the death of Charles Payne,
of East Grinstead and Newick, Esq., in 1734, but his
only surviving daughter and heir, Miss Anna Payne
(1732-1797), married, in 1760, Gibbs Crawfurd, of Saint
Hill, J.P., a Clerk of H.M. Ordnance and M.P. for
Queenboro', in Kent, thus merging in the Saint Hill
estate the bulk of the old Payne possessions in this and
the surrounding parishes. Mr. Gibbs Crawfurd (1732-
1793) was son and heir of John Crawfurd (1694-1763),
of Saint Hill, Messenger to the Great Seal, who came
into Sussex from Ardmillan, co. Ayr, about the year 1725,
and shortly afterwards built the original house at Saint
Hill, of which there may be seen a water-colour sketch,
dated 1733, among the Burrell MSS. in the British
Museum. By his wife Anna (nee Payne) Mr. Gibbs
Crawfurd left two sons, viz., Charles Payne Crawfurd
(1765-1814), of Saint Hill, J.P., Paymaster of Widows'
Pensions and Barrister-at-Law, and Thomas Gibbs
Crawfurd (1768-1832), of Paxhill Park, Lindfield, J.P.,
an officer in the Royal Horse Guards (Blues).
It was during the lifetime of the late Mr. Robert
Crawfurd (1801-1883), of Saint Hill, J.P., D.L., only
child and heir of Charles Payne Crawfurd, that the
family estate of Saint Hill, including, as we have seen,
THE PARISH CHURCH. 85
the bulk of what was once the Payne property, was sold
by degrees to various purchasers, though his son, Mr.
Crawfurd, of Ardmillan, still retains the Payne tithes,
purchased, as stated, in 1624, with certain rights in the
chancel of St. Swithun's and also part of the Dean Fields,
adjoining College Lane, which were a small farm with
oast-house and stables upon it when purchased by the
Payne family about 1700.
CHANTRIES AND FRATERNITIES.
In very early times there were undoubtedly chantries
in East Grinstead. A chantry in the church was
founded in 1325 by William de Holyndale, who was M.P.
for the Borough of East Grinstead. It was endowed
with lands in the parish and rents out of the Manors of
Imberhorne and Duddleswell. These chantries often
formed part of a church and were built and founded by
someone who paid a priest to chant masses (hence their
name), generally daily, for the soul of the donor or for
the souls of persons named by him. The priest some-
times lived in a chamber or parvise over the porch of
the church. Old East Grinstead Church had such a
porch with a chamber above. A pension of £5 a year
was granted to the last incumbent of the East Grinstead
chantry when all such were dissolved in 1547.
There was a fraternity and chapel of the Blessed
Virgin Mary in 1603, but perhaps not located in the
town. It owned lands here, however, and in the year
named they were returned as valued at £35. 18s. The
chantry of St. Catherine has already been referred to in
the opening chapter. Established, it is supposed, for
the benefit of those who were too feeble to walk as far
as East Grinstead Church, there was a chapel at
Bramble tye as early as 1273, and at East Grinstead on
January llth, 1389, writs for the returns of all guilds
in the parish were proclaimed by John Bradebrugg, who
is described as " Bailiff of the Liberty of John, King
of Castile and Leon." This is John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster and Lord of the Honour of the Eagle. He
took the kingly title on marrying Constance, heiress of
86 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Don Pedro, King of Castile. Unfortunately this return
does not seem, to have been preserved. The "true
worth " of the chantry of Brambletye was put at 30s.
in 1357-8, when a valuation was made of all benefices.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin is not yet com-
pleted, but has been in use about 15 years. Its
foundation stone was laid by the Ven. Archdeacon
Sutton, acting for Bishop Durnford, on July 7th, 1891.
That part of the church at present in use has been
erected and furnished at a cost of £4,686. In addition
a sufficient endowment has been provided to enable the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners to contribute £100 a year
on their usual terms. The Vicarage is practically
completed at a cost of about £1,700 and stands on land
adjoining the church and which was purchased some
years ago for £300. The organ has been partially
erected at a cost of £600. The building was not
consecrated until July 1st, 1905, fourteen years after
its commencement, the ceremony being performed by
Dr. Wilberforce, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. On
December llth, 1905, the King signed an Order in
Council assigning a district chapelry to the Church, the
district in question comprising the whole of the parish
which lies to the north and west of the high level line
from Imberhorne Bridge to East Grinstead Station, and
the low level line from East Grinstead to the Surrey
boundary, except that portion which had already been
assigned to the district of Felbridge. The Rev. W. W.
Handford was appointed Curate-in-Charge of the Church
at its establishment and he is now its Vicar. Mr.
Handford was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge,
and obtained his B.A. degree in 1886 and M.A. in 1890.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1888 and Priest in 1889 in
the Diocese of S. Albans. Prior to his residence in
East Grinstead he was Curate of Castle Hedinghani,
Essex.
NONCONFOEMIST AND BOMAN CATHOLIC
CHUECHES.
CHAPTER V.
IT was about a century ago that Nonconformity gained
a sufficient hold in this town to justify the establishment
of a place of worship for the promulgation of doctrines
other than those taught in the Established Churches of
the land. Since that time there has been a great growth
in all phases of religious life, and the history of each
place of worship is hereafter briefly outlined.
THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S
CHURCH.
Zion Chapel, the first Nonconformist place of worship
erected in East Grinstead, was opened for public service
on April 23rd, 1811, when that famous man, the Rev.
Rowland Hill, was one of the preachers. The necessary
funds had been provided from the Countess of Hunting-
don's Trust. The foundation stone was laid on July 2nd
of the preceding year by the two sons of Mr. John Burt,
of Stone House, Forest Row, in the presence of about
200 persons. A month after the chapel was opened the
first Sunday School in the district was started by Mr.
Burt, and at the beginning 50 boys and 54 girls put in
an appearance, but before a year had passed the scholars
numbered close on 400. They came for miles to get
the benefits of the education imparted, and the school
flourished exceedingly. The children from the Poor
House were, after a time, allowed to attend, but the then
Vicar of East Grinstead, the Rev. Richard Taylor,
stepped in, and by some means prevented this. In the
88 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
old register he is described as " a dog in the manger
who will not either teach the children or let them be
taught."
But later Vicars of East Grinstead wiped away this
reflection, the first Sunday School in connection with the
Parish Church being established in 1848, the necessary
funds having been raised by means of a series of dramatic
readings given by Mr. R. Crawfurd in Thompson's corn
store, and commenced as long before as May 2nd, 1845.
As showing to what free use wine was then put, it is
interesting to note that at a treat given to the scholars of
this school on Nov. 20th, 1849, every child present was
given a glass of wine, though the few who professed
temperance sought to induce the Vicar and teachers to
abandon the idea. The late Lord Colchester soon after
opened a school at Forest Row, and, others also springing
up, the attendance at Zion naturally began to dwindle,
though for nearly 40 years the number on the register
exceeded 300. In the early days the anniversaries were
of such a nature as to attract the children. An old
record states that in 1812, after service, 341 children, 50
teachers and visitors, and 15 of his own family, "400
souls in all," were entertained at Stone House to a
dinner of "cold rounds of beef and plumb puddings."
This was repeated a year later.
The registers contain some very quaint records. The
worst boys in the school were named Ellis and this shows
a sad decadence, as they, possibly, were descendants of
Anne Tree, one of the three martyrs burnt in East
Grinstead. One girl, named Gorringe, drowned her
mistress's baby in a copper of water and her parents
believed it was religion drove her to commit this awful
act, so they at once withdrew the other members of the
family from the school. To these particulars the recorder
adds a note: " Dreadful idea." In another case two
girls named Chapman were taken away because they
found that if they went to church instead of chapel they
could do a better trade with the milk they sold in the
town. Self-preservation 80 years ago was evidently as
keenly thought of as it is to-day.
NONCONFORMIST CHURCHES. 89
The house adjoining the chapel was added in 1813 and
the vestry was built in 1862 and opened on April 9th.
The chapel underwent extensive repairs in 1880.
The following is as complete a list of ministers as can
be compiled from such records as are still in existence : —
Rev. A. Start, appointed 1813. Died at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Rev. Geo. Mottram, appointed 1820. Died at Ashbourne, Derby-
shire.
Rev. James Trego, appointed 1825.
Rev. W. Alldridge, appointed 1829.
Rev. Cole.
Rev. J. Blomfield, preached his farewell sermon March 24th, 1844.
Rev. Robinson, preached his first sermon March 31st, 1844.
Rev. Gibb, afterwards went to America.
Rev. W. Sisterson, Dec. 9th, 1855, to Dec. 12th, 1858.
Rev. D. Davies, appointed without the church members being con-
sulted, March 27th, 1879.
Rev. E. E. Long, Aug. loth, 1869, to Jan. 28th, 1877.
Rev. W. A. Linnington, appointed Oct. 6th, 1878.
Rev. Joseph Bainton, appointed July 1st, 1888, now at Ashbourne,
Derbyshire.
Rev. J. Campbell began his ministry June 28th, 1903.
Burials formerly took place in the tiny piece of ground
in front of the chapel and the last of these interments
was the occasion of a very remarkable demonstration.
On May 13th, 1846, a young man named George Pobgee
died at the age of 23. He was a very intelligent fellow
and possessed high educational attainments. He had
publicly expressed his scepticism in regard to religion,
so the Rev. C. Nevill, the then vicar, declined to allow
the relations to inter the body in the family vault in the
churchyard, and himself picked out a place for burial
close to the back door of the Rose beerhouse, where the
Pobgees resided, so that the body should be brought
no further into the churchyard than was absolutely
necessary. He declined to read the burial service or
allow anyone else to do so. The relations refused to
fall in with the conditions and the body remained
unburied for 10 days. Then the Dissenters offered to
bury the young fellow in front of Zion Chapel. This
offer was accepted and the funeral on May 23rd was the
90 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
occasion of an immense gathering. A Mr. Veal, of
Forest Row, read the burial service.
MOAT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
According to the Trust Deeds of this church it is to be
used " for the public worship of God, and other religious
and philanthropic purposes, according to the principles
and usages of Protestant Dissenters of the Congrega-
tional Denomination, called Independents, being Psedo-
Baptists," i.e., those who believe in infant baptism. The
Congregational Connexion first established itself in East
Grinstead about 1866, beginning with Sunday services
in the old Town Hall, conducted by an P^vangelist named
Parry, of the Nottingham Institute. The Rev. Benjamin
Slight had given up his work at Tunbridge Wells, and
at his instigation it was decided to erect a church and
mainly by his instrumentality the necessary funds were
raised, but of the thousand pounds collected only £5 was
subscribed by persons residing in the town, so small was
the Nonconformist interest. On October 1st, 1868, Mr.
Joshua Wilson, who was Treasurer to the Home
Missionary Society, and Mr. John Finch, both of Tun-
bridge Wells, acting as Trustees, purchased from the
late Mr. Edward Steer, for £191. 2s., the plot of land at
the corner of London and Moat Roads, with a frontage
of 91 feet to the former and 102 feet to the latter. On
December 7th, 1870, they purchased for £115 an
adjoining plot with a frontage of 79 feet to Moat Road.
On December 13th following, Messrs. Wilson and Finch
conveyed their interests in the first plot to the Church
Trustees, namely: Rev. B. Slight, of Ashurst Wood;
Rev. J. Radford Thomson, of Tunbridge Wells ; Messrs.
W. H. Steer and Wm. Clark, of East Grinstead; E.
Steer, of Turners Hill ; James Waters, of Forest Row ;
and J. Towlson, W. Brackett, J. Whittem Hawkins and
E. H. Strange, of Tunbridge Wells. The second plot
was handed over to the survivors of these Trustees on
March 5th, 1874.
The title deeds to the property contain what is rarely
found in such documents, namely, a schedule specifying
NONCONFORMIST CHURCHES. 91
the doctrinal beliefs necessary in those who occupy the
property. They are : —
1 . The Divine and special inspiration of the Holy Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament and their sole authority and entire sufficiency
as the rule of faith and practice.
2. The Unity of God, with the proper Deity of the Father, of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
3. The depravity of man and the absolute necessity of the Holy
Spirit's agency for man's regeneration and sanctification.
4. The Incarnation of the Son of God in the person of the Lord
Jesus Christ, the universal sufficiency of the atonement by His death,
and free justification of sinners by faith alone in Him.
5. Salvation by grace, and the duty of all men to believe in Christ.
6. The Resurrection of the dead and the Final Judgment, when
the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous
into life eternal.
The church was built by the late Mr. Edward Steer at
an expense of just over £1,000 and was opened on April
5th, 1870, the whole cost up to date having been met.
The opening services were conducted by the Rev.
Joshua Harrison, then a popular minister in London,
and who had been at college with Mr. Slight. Various
ministers supplied the pulpit until the Rev. J. T.
Maxwell, who had preached here on August 14th and
28th, 1870, began his fixed ministry on January 1st,
1871. His congregation on the morning of the opening
day consisted of 11 adults and a few children, and in
the evening of 22 persons. But by the end of February
the chapel was crowded at all services and money came
in well. By June, 1871, £1,335. 7s. 8d. had been
raised and this had more than paid for both plots of
land and the building of the church. On April 30th,
1872, Mr. Maxwell was publicly ordained and the church
formally constituted. A service of Communion plate
was, at the close of this meeting, presented to the
church by the Pastor's mother. The plate now in use
was given by Mr. Gaius Idiens, of Blindley Heath. By
the end of 1872 the church was self-supporting, arid
from January, 1873, managed its own finances and
affairs according to Congregational usage. A school
had been established, under the superintendency of the
92 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
late Mr. Thomas Cramp, in May, 1870, and the school
buildings to accommodate it, which cost £600, were opened
on April 29th, 1874. Mr. Maxwell gave notice of his
intention to resign on September 28th, 1875, leaving on
November 1st of that year. He was succeeded a year
later by the Rev. J. Brantom, whose ministry lasted
from September 25th, 1876, to August 24th, 1884.
While he was in charge the manse was built at a cost of
over £800 ; a warming apparatus was installed in the
church and the existing organ was obtained. The
foundation stones of the manse were laid on June 4th,
1878, by Mrs. and Miss Brantom, Mr. T. H. W. Buckley
and others, and the house was formally dedicated on
November 25th following. The total debt on the
manse was liquidated by the end of 1882 and the organ
was opened on January 30th, 1884. Mr. Brantom was
succeeded, some three months after his departure, by
the Rev. J. J. Brooker, who began his ministry on
January 3rd, 188(>, and resigned on December 2nd,
1891. The Rev. F. J. Austin began his charge of the
church on July 3rd, 1892, and continued until March,
1899. Twelv7e months later the Rev. W. Hipkin under-
took the pastorate, preaching his first sermon on April
1st, 1900. He left to go to Canada on July 22nd, 1903.
The present minister is the Rev. W. H. Edwards, B.A.,
whose pastorate dates from May 1st, 1904. Since he
has been in charge new and spacious vestries have been
added.
THE WESLEYANS.
The Wesleyan community began operations in East
Grinstead on Sunday, April 14th, 1878, when they hired
the Public Hall for religious services and continued them
until their chapel opposite was ready. The Rev. John
Mack started the services. The purchase of land and
the erection of chapel and school room cost about
£2,800. Two foundation stones were laid, one by Mr.
R. W. Perks, who subsequently became M.P. for the
South Division of Lincolnshire and President of the
Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Million Fund,
NONCONFORMIST CHURCHES. 93
and the other by Mr. John Turner, of Langton, but,
contrary to the usual custom, those foundation stones have
never yet borne an inscription. The existing chapel was
opened on March 16th, 1881, by the then President of
the Conference (Dr. E. E. Jenkins). East Grinstead
had been made part of the Tunbridge Wells circuit in
1879 and continued as such until 1902, when it became
amalgamated with the Sussex Mission, which has its head
quarters at Lewes. Appended is a complete list of local
ministers, with the year of their appointment :—
1878. Eev. W. A. Labruni.
1881. Eev. V. W. Pearson, now Principal of the Sheffield Training
College for Pupil Teachers.
1884. Eev. D. W. Barr.
1886. Eev. T. L. Walton, died at New Cross, Jan. 22nd, 1894.
1889. Eev. W. C. Bourne.
1892. Eev. A. E. Eaw.
1895. Eev. Frank Edwards.
1898. Eev. Austin Davey, died at East Grinstead, 1901.
1901. Eev. AUan Parsons.
1902. Eev. E. Hugh Morgan.
1905. Eev. J. G. Gill.
The following were the first appointed Trustees of the
Chapel : — Messrs. H. A. Perkins and Frank Skinner, East
Grinstead ; S. W. Jenks, Ashurst Wood ; Joseph Wilson,
Crawley Down ; Richard W. Tregoning, Worth ; John
Newman, Copthorne; Henry W. Andrew, Lingfield ;
John Turner, Langton ; John B. Wells, Win. G. Harris,
Wm. H. Coates, Jos. H. Nye, Benj. Pomfret and Win.
Oliver, Tunbridge Wells ; Win. Baldwin, Tonbridge ;
and John Beauchamp, Highgate, London. Of these only
Messrs. Turner, Jenks, Newman, Pomfret and Skinner
now hold office. The local Trustees appointed to fill
vacancies are Messrs. G. H. Broadley, A. W. True and
A. G. Reeves.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The adherents of the Church of Rome early found
opponents in East Grinstead. On February 23rd, 1813;
several of the inhabitants of the Borough and its vicinity
petitioned Parliament, setting forth that they observed—
with astonishment and alarm the persevering efforts of the Eoman
Catholics to obtain admission to all offices of trust and authority, both
94 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Civil and Military, and to the exercise of legislative functions, and
that it is with unfeigned satisfaction that they see their fellow subjects
of the Romish Church freed from all pains and penalties on account
of their religion, and in the full enjoyment of the blessings of tolera-
tion; but the Petitioners feel it their bounden duty, not only to them-
selves, but to posterity, to resist their endeavours (notwithstanding the
numerous concessions already made to them) to get possession of
political power and legislative authority, and thereby to destroy that
Protestant ascendency to which the people of this country are indebted,
under Providence, for the establishment of their liberties on a firm
and solid basis ; for they consider it as a fixed and unalterable principle
of our glorious Constitution, as settled at the Eevolution, that the
Legislative and Executive Authorities of this Protestant Country can
be administered only by Protestants ; and that the Petitioners regard
the Laws by which that principle is established as no less sacred and
inviolable than Magna Charta and the Habeas Corpus Act ; and they
implore the House steadfastly to reject all applications for the repeal
of those Laws.
All of which had little effect. In 1850 there was again
a stir against the aggressiveness of the Roman Catholics,
and at a public meeting held in the town on November
25th addresses to the Queen and Bishop of the Diocese
were adopted, praying them to curb the energies of the
Pope's emissaries. So far as is known the first recognised
place of worship which the fraternity possessed was the
chapel established by Sir Edward Blount at Imberhorne.
The mission here was superintended by the monks from
the Franciscan Monastery at Crawley, and soon after its
establishment Sir Edward arranged for a school to be
started for Catholic children. Instruction was for some
time given in an improvised school room in a granary
at Imberhorne. Later, the Catholic schools now in exist-
ence between the mansion and the town were built at Sir
Edward's expense. They are under the charge of several
Sisters of Mercy, and a small convent is attached. About
80 children there receive an excellent education.
The Roman Catholic Church in the London Road,
dedicated to " Our Lady and St. Peter," is a massive
structure in the Early Norman style. It was built at the
expense of Lady Blount, who, however, did not live to
see its completion, and was opened on October 2nd, 1898.
The Rev. J. Burke has been the priest-in- charge from
that time to the present.
NONCONFORMIST CHURCHES. 95
OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP.
The Rocks Chapel formerly stood in the corner of Old
Road, facing the East Court Estate. It was established
in the year 1847 by members of the Charlwood family
and others, who withdrew from the Countess of Hunting-
don's Connexion in April of that year. They made shift
for a time in a temporary room and opened the chapel
on Good Friday, March 29th, 1850, as a Congregational
Church ; 20 years later the Primitive Methodists occupied
it, and it continued in existence until Moat Church was
established, when its supporters gradually dwindled and
it was soon closed. On Sept. 24th, 1861, a chapel, built
by Mr. Berger, was opened at Saint Hill.
Providence Chapel, in the London Road, was built in
1891 and is occupied by the sect known as Strict
Baptists. It has no resident minister.
The Salvation Army commenced its operations in East
Grinstead on Feb. 5th, 1887.
SACKVILLE COLLEGE,
CHAPTER VI.
FOR nearly 300 years the fortunes of this institution
have been very closely interwoven with the history of
East Grinstead.
The College was founded by Robert, second Earl of
Dorset, a man of great ability and who spoke, which was
rare in those days, several languages with much fluency.
His father was the famous Thomas Sackville, Queen
Elizabeth's High Treasurer and one of the Judges who
sent the Duke of Norfolk to the headsman's block for
his complicity in the alleged attempt to get Mary Queen
of Scots placed on the English Throne. Through the
founder of Sackville College these two families became
closely united, for this eldest son of the High Treasurer
married Margaret, the only daughter of the beheaded
Duke. He held the title but a short time, dying on
February 27th, 1608-9, at the comparatively early age
of 48, having made his will on February 8th of the same
year. It contained the following : —
Whereas I have been long and still am purposed to build and erect
an Hospital or College in the said Town or Parish of East Grinstead,
in the County of Sussex, and to bestow on the building thereof the
sum of one thousand pounds, or such a sum as shall be necessary, and
to endow the same with a rent charge of £330 by the year, to be
issuing out of all and singular my lands and tenements in the said
County of Sussex, or elsewhere within the Eealm of England, for
ever, towards the relief of one and thirty single and unmarried
persons, thereof one and twenty to be men and the other ten to be
women, there to live, to pray, serve, honour, and praise Almighty
God : I therefore will and devise that mine executors, if I shall not
live to perform the same in my life-time, shall bestow a sufficient sum
of money in the purchase of a fit place in the said Town or Parish of
East Grinstead, to thereupon erect and build a convenient house, of
brick and stone, with rooms of habitation for the said one and thirty
persons, employing and bestowing thereupon such reasonable sums of
money as they shall think fit in their discretions, and that they shall
incorporate the same, according to the laws and statutes of this Eealm,
by the name of Sackville College for the poor.
SACKVILLE COLLEGE. 97
When the building was commenced is now unknown.
It is supposed that much of the stone and timber used
came from Buckhurst, the old mansion there being dis-
mantled about this time. The earliest date recorded is
1619, which is on the knocker that used to adorn the
great door, and also on a triangular shield in the hall,
inscribed, "I pray Grod bless my lord of Dorset, and my
ladie, and all their posteritie. Ano. do. 1619." The
College was evidently in use by this time ; we know it
was on April llth, 1622, for the parish registers record
the first burial from Sackville College on that date.
A contemporary document says : —
Richard Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, was, after the death of his father,
the third Earle of Dorset of that family, and is now living Anno. 1622.
Hee finished the aforesaid College beganne by his father, and new built
our Lady Chappell at Withyham. in Sussex, where his Ancestors lye
buried.
A draft of a Bill laid before the House of Lords on
February 14th, 1620-1, recited, " The executors of the
will have bought lands and have begun to build at East
Grinstead ; but the College or Hospital has not been
incorporated, and the endowment intended to be given
thereto is liable to uncertainty in consequence of entails
and incumbrances of the Earl's estates." The Act for
establishing the College was not passed until 1624, though
the first draft of the Bill had been laid before the House
of Lords ten years earlier and read a first time. The
Charter of Incorporation, still preserved in the College,
was granted it by Charles I., on July 8th, 1631. The
statutes governing the College, and based on the provi-
sions of the founder's will, were approved in the same
year. They forbade any inmate to "lodge or receive
any person in the house, or secretly entertain any
stranger ; " to ever be out, without permission, for more
than twelve hours at a time, or to ever secretly use u any
dicing, carding, or unlawful games for any money or
money's worth." The last rule, however, was relaxed at
Christmas-time, for then they were allowed to play
publicly, but "in noe sort in any corners or private
rooms." Regular tines were to be imposed for secret
90 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
feasting, excessive drinking, swearing and frequenting
taverns. The doors were to be open in the winter from
seven a.m. to seven p.m., and in the summer an hour
earlier and an hour later. The hour of closing in the
summer is now nine p.m. All fines were to be put in a
"box or hutch" fixed in the chapel, and were to go
towards the College repairs. The first record of the
opening of this box is on June 12th, 1718, when it was
found to contain only 5s. 9d. During the next 12 years,
however, the fines amounted to £26. The fines box has
long ceased to exist.
The College had not long been established before it
became involved in a disastrous series of law -suits
lasting over 60 years. The founder's son, Earl Richard,
sold many of the family estates and the purchasers were
not told, or said they were not told, of the rent charges
on the land and which formed the sole income of the
College. They declined to pay, so the inmates
appointed Thomas Maynard and William Vargis to
commence action. On February 8th, 1631, the Court
of Chancery ordered Lord William Howard, the
«/
surviving executor under Earl Roberts' will, to make
good the yearly sum of £330. The order seems to
have had but little effect, for it is on record that on July
5th, 1632, the poor brethren were "left destitute of all
relief and maintenance and are ready to perish for want
of bread." The Court thereupon ordered Lord William
to pay up £200 at once or go to prison. He paid the
money. Then came the Civil Wars and the impossi-
bility of enforcing the decrees of any Court of Law.
Once more money failed to come in. The College
inmates were reduced to the lowest possible state of
destitution and five of them actually died of starvation.
Their condition at this time is thus described in an
affidavit, dated November 3rd, 1648, by Emery Allen,
one of the inmates, who affirmed that : —
William Vergis, late Warden of the College, lived in great want
and misery because the pay was detained from the College and was
forced to pawn or sell his gown for bread, and had not wherewith to
subsist, but did merely starve for want of subsistence, having nothing
SACKVILLE COLLEGE. 99
wherewith to relieve himself or to satisfy his creditors ; that William
Harman, late one of the almsmen of the College, lived in great misery
for a long time for want of his pay, ran into debt, sold his bed and
lay upon straw, and, though he had two gatherings made for him in
East Grinstead Church, at last starved for want of sustenance;
another almsman lived in great misery for a long time, went about
the country begging and finally died for want of sustenance ; whilst
other almsmen have been forced to run into debt and are very likely
to starve if speedy relief be not given them.
On the establishment of the Commonwealth, action
was again commenced and between the years 1645 and
1656 Edward Lucas, the receiver, managed to get in a
good sum of money, but still leaving arrears of £2,389.
On January 23rd, 1663, the Earl of Thanet was sent to
prison for ignoring an order to pay up some of these
arrears, and the money was then forthcoming. This
nobleman was one of the chief of those who defended this
lengthy and disastrous law-suit. His defence was fully
set forth in his answer to a petition presented to the
House of Lords on August llth, 1648, by the inmates
of the College. He contended that :—
The persons calling themselves the poor of Sackville College were
not placed there by the heirs of Robert Earl of Dorset, and ought not
therefore to have any benefit from the gift of the founder ; the Earl of
Thanet acknowledges that in right of his wife he holds lands late the
property of Richard Earl of Dorset, but he conceives that they are not
liable in law to the charge nor to the decree in Chancery to which
he and his wife were no parties, but that the rent - charge should
issue solely out of the Manors of Buckhurst, Munckloe, Hendall and
Fiscaredge, which he trusts to prove by review in Chancery ; not only
are the petitioners not placed in the College according to the will of the
founder, but they are not qualified for an hospital, few of them being
resident in the College, some of them tradesmen abroad, and many of
debauched and most of idle lives.
Slowly the suit dragged itself on and did not finally
end until 1700, the ultimate result being that £113. 7s. 3d.
of the annual College income was extinguished and the
revenue permanently reduced to about £217.
This is derived from property scattered all over the
south of England. A few of the rent charges have been
redeemed during latter years by the payment of a capital
sum and its investment in 2£ per cent, annuities to yield
an equivalent income. On January 24th, 1899, Mr.
William Davey, of Brighton, paid £46. 13s. 4d. to redeem
H 2
100
HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
£1. 3s. 4d. a year charged on three pieces of land, part of
the Manor of Brighthelmstone; on September 30th, 1902,
Lieut.-Col. C. A. M. Warde paid £4. 13s. 4d. to redeem
2s. 4d. a year charged on Kent Hatch Farm, Westerham,
belonging to him ; on the same date Mr. Francis Verrall,
Lord of the Manor of Southover, Lewes, redeemed three
separate charges of lid., 4s. and £2 on land called the
Hydes, at Lewes, by paying £90, and on November 4th,
of the same year, the Corporation of the City of London
freed themselves for ever from paying £1. 5s. 8d. a year
charged on 54, 57 and 57a, Shoe Lane, City, by a purchase
of £51. 6s. 8d. annuities. The following table gives the
other sources of income : —
Land or Estate.
Owner.
Manor of Michelham Park Gate . . Lord Sackville
,, Milton ,,
,, Lullington ,,
„ Hangleton ,,
„ Chiddingly „
,, Imberhorne Mr. Edward Blount
,, Knowle Lord Sackville
The Rectory of East Grinstead . . ,,
,, Manor ,, . . Lord Sackville and
Earl De la Warr
Lands of St. Catherine's, East
Grinstead ,, ,,
Chantry -lands, East Grinstead .... ,, ,,
Priors „ .... „ „
A messuage ,, .... ,, ,,
Two burgages „ „ „
For other various properties ., ,,
Manor of Swanburgh Earl De la Warr
Diggens Land, Kingston
Manor of Blackham
,, Cullinghurst
,, Broome
John A. Bowrie's land in Kingston
Messuage called Coppers Bowker,
in Kingston
Manor of Chariness
Framfield
Buckhurst
Alchornds
. East Bourne Measey . .
Muncklow ...
Fiscaridge
Amount of
Rent charge.
£
11
8
9
14
3
2
2
1
d.
4
2
8
10
8
0
8
4
2 4
1
3
4
11
8
5
8
2
4
1
9
1
11
4;
15
3
4
1
3
4
9
16
0
1
15
0
3
13
6
7
0
11
8
9
18
11
2
19
9
8
6
4
4
8
4
10
10
SACKVILLE COLLEGE.
101
Land or Estate.
Manor of Lewes ,
Part of Stoneland
Dorset House, garden, &c., Kent.
Sir H. Compton's messuage.
The Vechery Wood, Maresfield ,
An acre and a half in Kingston ,
Manor of Bolebrook
St. Tyes
,, Houndean, Lewes
Owner.
Earl De la Warr
Mr. E. S. Samuel,
M.P
Earl De la Warr .
Amount of
Rent charge.
£ s. d.
1 3 4
268
5 16 8
268
1
Five parcels of Brook meadow
called Thackwood
Pound Farm, Withyham
Bartletts, ,,
Summerford, „
Tophill, „
Inn at Withyham
„ Nutley
Manor of Eeigate
46 to 53, Shoe Lane, London ....
132, Salisbury Square, London . .
Eectory of St. Dunstans, W
Manor of Wilmington
2
3*
..834
..406
Marquess of Aber-
gavenny 6 8 4
Mr. J. E. Haig .
Earl De la Warr
Living of Eottingdean
,, Southover, Lewes ....
The Shelleys, Lewes (formerly
known as The Vine)
Manor of Claversham
,, Allington
,, Meeching, Newhaven . .
,, Holywych
Mill Field, Cowden
Ware Land, ,,
The Cemetery, Lewes
11 8
256
12 0
6 0
1 19 7
16 0
1 2
Lady Henry
Somerset 9 5 4
Messrs. Pontifex and
Wood 317 8
Mr. W.G.King .. 11 8
Eev. L. James .... 140
The Duke of Devon-
shire 20 0 0
1 4 10
17 4 8
Mr. Eichard Greene.
Mrs. Miles, Croydon.
Lord Monk Bretton.
Earl of Sheffield . .
Capt. F. Maitland. .
Trustees of the
Harvey Estate . .
All Saints and Cliffe
Burial Board .
11
2 16
2 19
4 0
5 10
11
There is little more to add concerning the College
itself. During the last 200 years it has quietly served
its intended purpose, but to a limited extent, and has
undergone various improvements. The hall and porch
have been restored, the belfry (which had been beaten
down by a storm on November 26th, 1703) and the
102 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
chapel re-erected at a cost of £700, the foundation stone
being laid on August 1st, 1850, the latter decorated;
and the massive roof slates re-laid.
On February 25th, 1851, there was a riot at the
College in consequence of some objections made by the
relatives and others to the form of burial service it was
proposed to observe at the funeral of a female inmate
named Alchin. The relatives and a body of townspeople
went to the College in the afternoon, got the body, and
carried out the funeral as they desired. In the evening
the mob re-assembled and the College windows were
smashed. Ten of the townspeople were subsequently
summoned and seven of them were sent for trial at
Lewes Assizes. They subsequently issued a public
apology for their conduct and at the Assizes pleaded
guilty. The case against them was thereupon not
pressed, and they were bound over to come up for
judgment if called upon.
It is not now a place where pensioners are starved to
death, for the inmates afford several instances of longevity.
On October 2nd, 1819, there died Elizabeth Knight, who
had lived in the College 52 years, and on March 21st,
1829, Mary Knight, who had been for 42 years a
pensioner in the institution, breathed her last. Nicholas
Piggott, who died on December 21st, 1784, was a
pensioner for exactly the same period. At the present
time there are 18 inmates, 14 women and four men, of
whom seven of the women and all of the men get
allowances of £14 a year, the remainder getting their
rooms only.
The right of appointing the Warden, who gets his
residence and £28 a year, has always rested with the
heirs of the founder, the privilege, to-day, being in the
hands of Earl De la Warr, who, on a vacancy arising, is
supposed to appoint within "the space of three score
dayes." If he neglects so to do then the assistants and
inmates meet on the afternoon of the first Sunday after
this allotted time has expired and propound the name of
one of their own number to the Patron for appointment.
SACKVILLE COLLEGE. 103
The following ordinance setting out the Warden's duties
is very quaint : —
If the Warden shall, in anything, neglect his duty and swerve from
the orders and statutes of the said College or Hospital then being in
force, in regard he should be a light and lanterne to the rest, and his
bad example very pernicious to the whole company ; the two Assistants
shall hear and determine any question arising between him and the
thirty Brethren or Sisters, or any of them; and if in their judgments
he shall appear faulty, they do admonish him thereof, as also of any
other error they shall observe in him, toties qiwties, to the third
admonition and thereupon to advertise the heirs male of the body of
the said Robert, Earl of Dorset, and he either to cause the Warden
to reform himself or else to expell and displace him if he continue
obstinate and perverse.
The following condition is now more honoured in the
breach than the observance, but it shows that the
introduction of tobacco had by no means met with
universal favour in 1631 : —
If either the Warden or any brother or sister do take any tobacco
in the house, or keep any in the said Colledge or Hospitall, shall forfeit
five shillings, to be deducted out of his or her next quarter's wages
. . . for that the same is offensive to many, procureth much drink-
ing and other inconveniences most meet to be forborn by all and used
by none.
The ordinances further set forth that the Warden, the
assistants and all the inmates should dine together each
quarter day " at their equal charges, soe it be not
respectively under twelve pence and not above two
shillings a peece, the Warden to be double to any of the
others."
The Warden had further to see the " Brethren and
Sisters morning and evening, to meet at a certain due
hour in their Chappel, there to pray, serve, honour and
praise Almighty God," and he, or such as he might
appoint, was to read the service and prayers.
The name of the first Warden is now unknown.
Appended are brief particulars of all his successors : —
2. William Vargis was appointed in 1638. He had been joint
collector and procurator for the College since 1629. He was buried in
the Parish Church on April 6th, 1646.
3. The Rev. Reyner Herman was appointed on July 7th, 1646, and
held the office ten years. He carried on a Grammar School, and among
his pupils was Richard Kidder, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells.
104 HISTORY OF EAST GRtNSTEAD.
On leaving the College Herman was presented to a good living in
Sussex, but being a Royalist Bichard Cromwell accounted him a
malignant and declined to sanction his institution. Kidder was then at
Cambridge, and he was instrumental in getting his old master appointed
head master of Stamford Grammar School. He subsequently became
rector of Tinwell, in Rutland, where he was buried in 1668.
4. George Parkyns was appointed in 1657 and died in 1663.
5. William Bushey, 1663, to Jan. 21st, 1677.
6. Joh. Cuttefordwas first sent to the College by the Earl of Dorset
on Aug. 10th, 1673, as a pensioner. He had previously lived at Bristol,
where he attained to civic honours and was one of the chief inspectors
of the port. At the Restoration he was granted a certificate of loyalty.
He seems to have fallen on hard times, and when he was appointed to
a pension in the College he was described by the Earl as " very aged,
and a fit object of my charity." He was subsequently appointed
collector for the Earl of Dorset's estates in Sussex, and stepped into
the Wardenship on the death of William Bushey, holding it until
March 24th, 1680.
7. Rev. Thomas Grice, appointed on Aug. 20th, 1680, was also
incumbent of Gosport. He held the office until June, 1684.
8. Richard Jux, previously an inmate of the College since Aug.
18th, 1676; was Warden for nine months only, July 18th, 1684, to
April 8th, 1685.
9. Rev. Thomas Hardmett held office less than seven months, May
22nd, 1685, to Dec. 5th, 1685.
10. Rev. Thomas Winterbottom was appointed the same day as
his predecessor was buried, Dec. 8th, 1685. He resigned after holding
office 31 years. On May 12th, 1687, the Rev. John Wood, Rector of
Horsted Keynes, made an agreement with this Warden that for £ 1 0 a
year the latter should read Divine sevice every Sunday and Saint's day
at Horsted Keynes, and preach a sermon when required at 8s. extra
for each sermon.
1 1 . John Millington, a native of Coventry and long in the Dorset
service, was admitted as a pensioner on Nov. 4th, 1710, was made
Assistant Warden on Aug. 27th, 1715, and stepped into the office of
Warden on Sept. 29th, 1716, the only person who ever occupied all
three positions.
12. John Bright, 1733 to 1751.
13. William Wood, 1751, to Sept. 14th, 1772.
14. George Knight, April 21st, 1772, to Oct. 7th, 1813, a Warden-
ship of 41 years, exactly half the length of his life.
15. Thomas Palmer, Nov. 3rd, 1813, died Dec. 4th, 1844. During
his term of office he got the Patron to appoint inmates, who, without
receiving pensions, should occupy the vacant rooms, and this practice
has been continued ever since.
16. Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D. The warrant of this famous
Warden bears date May 26th, 1846, eighteen months after his
predecessor's death, but he arrived at the College about a month
SACKVILLE COLLEGE. 105
before his formal appointment. During his regim6 the dilapidated
buildings were completely restored and numerous improvements
carried out, the Warden himself spending something like £2,000 on
the building during the time he was resident there. The Warden
re-established the daily services, from time to time administered the
Sacrament of the Holy Communion, and frequently preached. Dr.
Gilbert was then Bishop of Chichester, and after a confirmation held
in the Parish Church on May 7th, 1847, he visited the College chapel
and the next day inhibited Dr. Neale from celebrating Divine
worship and from the exercise of clerical functions in his diocese.
Dr. Neale, after consulting with the Patron, decided to ignore the
inhibition so far as services within the College were concerned. The
Bishop appealed to the Court of Arches and a private inquiry was
opened in the Parish Church of East Grinstead on April 4th, 1848, and
on June 3rd of the same year the case came on for trial. The real
point at issue was whether the College was subject to the Bishop's
jurisdiction and Sir H. J. Fust, the Judge of the Court of Arches,
decided that Dr. Neale was liable to ecclesiastical censure, but the
Court would be satisfied with admonishing him to abstain from
officiating in future without due authority, that authority being the
license of the Bishop. Dr. Neale was condemned in the whole costs.
The Bishop remained of the same mind for 1 3 years, when he virtually
withdrew the inhibition, it being formally withdrawn in November,
1863, though Dr. Neale had never, as he himself writes, "withdrawn
a single word, nor altered a single pi'actice (except in a few instances
by way of going further)." Dr. Neale at once responded by dedicat-
ing his "Seatonian Poems" by permission "to the Lord Bishop of
Chichester, in token of veneration of his character and office, and of
thankfulness for his many labours." Thus was the matter happily
and gracefully ended. Dr. Neale died on Aug. 6th, 1866, aged 48
years, greatly loved by the College pensioners. His work in connec-
tion with St. Margaret's Sisterhood is dealt with elsewhere.
17. William Hooper Attree, Nov. 28th, 1866, to March 18th, 1872.
18. John Henry Rogers, M.D., March 28th, 1872, to Oct. 18th,
1879, when he died suddenly. He was the founder of the first
Cottage Hospital in East Grinstead.
19. George Covey, M.E.C.8. Eng., L.S.A., Dec. 25th, 1879, to
July, 1893.
20. James Harrison, the present Warden, was appointed on July
10th, 1893. He was educated at Rossal School, Owen's College, the
London Hospital and Edinburgh. He was made a Licentiate of the
Royal College of Physicians at the last named place in 1881, and in
the same year became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of
England. He is also a Member of the British Medical Association
and was for a time senior house surgeon at the Manchester Royal
Infirmary. He came to East Grinstead from Devonport, where he
was medical attendant to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh and his
household and also assistant surgeon to the Royal Albert Hospital in
that town. He is at the present time one of the Medical Officers to
the East Grinstead General Dispensary and Cottage Hospital, also
106 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Medical Officer of the East Grinstead Workhouse and the High Grove
Sanatorium, Public Vaccination Officer for East Grinstead, and
Surgeon to the East Grinstead Court of Foresters and Sanctuary of
Shepherds.
By his will the founder of the College ordained that
" there shall be two of the honest and better sort of the
inhabitants of the said town of East Grinstead,
associates to the said Warden, to be elected and chosen,
from time to time, by me and my heirs for the better
government and ordering of the said Hospital or
College." They were each to receive £3. 6s. 8d. per
annum. This office of Associate or Assistant Warden
has been held by many distinguished people, as the
following list will show : —
Edward Iron.
Edward Balder.
Sackville Turner.
Sir Henry Compton, Bart., of Brambletye, son-in-law of the
founder, appointed 1628. Sir Henry took more interest in the cause
of King Charles than he did in Sackville College. He was one of
the Sussex Eoyalists whose estates were sequestered by an ordinance
issued on Aug. 19th, 1643, but he was allowed to compound by paying
to Cromwell's Exchequer the sum of £1,372. 2s.
Edward Bender.
John Thacker.
Edward Lucas was elected by the pensioners themselves about 1645.
He worked extremely hard in promoting the claims of the inmates to
the money left them by the founder, and it was almost solely due to his
voluntary exertions that the College was preserved as a charitable
institution. He was receiver of the College, and died, deeply mourned,
on Nov. 29th, 1667.
Eichard Cole.
Eev. E. Crayford, Vicar of East Grinstead, appointed in 1668.
James Linfield, appointed 1674.
Thomas More, appointed 1674.
Eev. John Saywell, DD., Vicar of East Grinstead, appointed 1684.
John Milles, appointed Sept. 29th. 1688.
Thomas' Bodle, appointed Sept. 29th, 1689. This sub-warden farmed
the land around the College and also owned property in Church Street.
Edmund Head, appointed Sept. 29th, 1706.
John Millington, appointed Aug. 27th, 1715, afterwards Warden.
Eichard Still, appointed Sept. 29th, 1716.
Francis Green, appointed Dec. 25th, 1718.
Benjamin Faulconer, appointed March 25th, 1727.
John Thorpe, appointed Sept. 29th, 1727.
Edward Green, appointed March 25th, 1749.
John Smith.
SACKVILLE COLLEGE. 107
Nathaniel More, 1762.
John Cranston, of East Court, 1767.
Lord George Sackville, appointed Sept. 23rd, 1769. For an account
of the life of this famous nobleman see Parliamentary History.
Edward Bodle, June 13th, 1829.
Charles Nairn Hastie, of Placeland, appointed June 13th, 1829,
died 25th December, 1860.
Hon. and Rev. R. W. Sackville West, M.A., appointed Aug. 26th,
1848, afterwards Earl De la Warr.
George Lowdell, appointed Aug. 26th, 1848.
John Heniy Rogers, M.D., appointed Sept. 12th, 1853, subsequently
Warden.
George Elliot Clarke, of Frampost, appointed 1872, died 1879.
Kenneth Robert Murchison, J.P., of Brockhurst, appointed 1873.
He bore the expense of erecting the west boundary wall of the College
grounds, and one stone, with the following inscription, now almost
defaced, was built into it : —
Huxc MURUM
COLLEGIO SACKVILLEXSI
SUIS IMPEXSIS CIRCfMDEDIT
KEXNETHUS ROBERTUS MURCHISOXUS
Axxo SALUTIS MDCCCLXXVI.
Arthur Hastie, of Placeland, appointed 1878, died Nov. 10th, 1901.
Charles Henry Gatty, M. A., D.L., J.P., of Felbridge Place, appointed
1881, died Dec. 12th, 1903.
Arthur Hepburn Hastie, of East Grinstead, and 17, Queen Street,
Mayfair, practising as a solicitor at 65, Lincolns Inn Fields, appointed
17th November, 1901.
Muriel Countess De la Warr, appointed April 8th, 1904, the first
lady to hold the office.
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANGES,
CHAPTER VII.
THE manorial history of East Grinstead is very vague
and it is difficult to identify modern names with the
Manors or pieces of Manors referred to in such ancient
documents as are accessible to the student of archaeology.
The old manors were by no means co-terminous with the
parish, or even the county, neither did they comprise
unbroken estates, but included lands scattered all over
the Kingdom.
GRINSTEAD AND SHEFFIELD GRINSTED.
The Manor of Grinstead is not mentioned in Domesday
Book. On September 29th, 1284, Alexander ffoghell
(Sergeant of Grensted) returned £2. 10s. 9|d. as Queen
Eleanor's rents from the Manor of Grensted for one year.
In 1346, Edward III. gave it to the Cobham family, it
having been forfeited to the Crown by Sir Thomas de
Arderne, who had been convicted of rape and murder.
According to a return dated January 2nd, 1412, John
Halsham had the Manor of Grenstede, and it was then
worth £13. Galfredus de Say gave the Manor to the
Knights Templars, but by 1468 it had got back again
into Royal hands, for Edward IV. granted it to his
Queen Consort for life.
In 1565 the Manor was greatly enlarged by the addition
of lands in the neighbourhood of Eastbourne, for on
December 8th the Manor and demesnes of Wilmington
and other possessions of the Dean and Chapter of
Chichester in that neighbourhood were conveyed to the
Queen that she might grant them to Sir Richard Sackville
(Under Treasurer of the Exchequer) and his heirs for
ever, the Manor and demesnes of Wilmington to be held
of the Crown in capite by the service of the 20th part of
a knight's fee and the residue in free socage, as of the
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. 109
Manor of East Green stead by fealty only. This Manor
of Wilmington was afterwards charged with £20 a year
for the support of Sackville College, Elast Grinstead. It
now forms part of the possessions of the Duke of
Devonshire.
At an inquest held in East Grinstead on August 19th,
1574, concerning the possessions of Henry Alfrey, an
idiot, who had died on March 6th preceding, it appeared
that he held certain lands and tenements called Heathland,
in Estgrynsted, of Philip, Earl of Surrey, as of his Manor
of Sheffield Grensted, by rent of 20s. in free socage ; and
they were computed to be worth £7. 7s. lOd. This same
family owned Gulledge, Tilkhurst and other properties.
In 1580, at an inquest held concerning the estates of
John Payne, of East Grinstead, it was proved that two
burgages and two portlands called Gaynesford, and a
cottage called the Forge, were held of Queen Elizabeth
in chief, as of her Manor of Estgreensted, the two
burgages by fealty and rent of 12d. and the cottage by
fealty and rent of 10d., the burgages being worth 53s. 4d.
and the cottage 13s. 4d. The same person held another
burgage and portland of the same Manor, and these were
rented at 17d. and worth 20s. He was also seised of a
croft containing three acres and called Shortes Crofte,
and a field of seven acres called the Greenefylde, held of
Philip, Earl of Arundel, as of his Manor of Sheffyld
Greenested by fealty, the former at a rent of 18d. and
worth 6s., and the latter at a rent of 7d. and worth 4s.
In 1606 the Manor of Grinstead was rented at
£11. 8s. ll^d. per annum, and in 1835 it belonged to
the Biddulph family, of Petworth. The Manor of
Sheffield Grinsted was purchased, about 60 years ago, by
the late Mr. William Pearless, and the Lordship is now
held by his two sons, James and Reginald, as his trustees.
BRAMBLETYE AND LAVERTYE.
The Manor and ruined mansion of Brambletye have,
by means of Horace Smith's well-known novel, very little
of which is based on fact, acquired a fame which they
110 HISTORY OF EAST ORINSTEAD.
scarcely merit. It is undoubtedly the most interesting
of the old East Grinstead Manors, but the ruined
" castle" was never the scene of the events which are so
graphically described in " Brambletye House." It is
referred to in Domesday Book as " Branbertie." In the
time of Edward the Confessor it was possessed by one
Cola, and after the Conquest was held by Ralph, of the
Earl of Moreton and Cornwall, half-brother to the
Conqueror. His barony subsequently became known as
" The Honour of the Eagle," a corruption from the name
of Gilbert de 1'Aigle, to whom Henry I. gave all Earl
Moreton's estates. The term " Honour" was usually
applied to a lordship which possessed subsidiary lordships,
though at one time no lordship was deemed an "Honour"
unless it belonged to the King.
In the reign of Edward I. (1272-1307) the Manor and
the right of the patronage to the chapel were vested in
the Aldham or Audeham family. The first of the family
was Baldwin de Aldham, who succeeded as heir to his
mother, Isabella de la Haye, who was heiress of William
of Montacute. About 1285 the Bishop of Chichester,
John, Prior of Lewes, and Alard, parson of the church
of Grenestede, granted license to John de Monte Acuto
to set up a private chapel in his house of Lavertyefor the
use of his mother, probably an infirm or aged woman
who was unable to reach the Parish Church. For this
privilege Montacute paid the incumbent of the parish a
bezant yearly during the mother's lifetime, on the
understanding that at her death all divine offices should
cease in the chapel at Lavertye. On the death of William
of Montacute his widow, Nicholaia, held the hamlet and
patronage of the chapel, with knight's fees in Buckhurst
and elsewhere.
In 1322 Francis Aldham forfeited his property, includ-
Brambletye and Lavertye. These were granted on April
loth, 1326, to Panciusde Controne, the King's physician,
for life, to secure him an annuity of £100 per annum so
long as he should stay in this country. Francis de
Aldham was at the Battle of Borough bridge 16th March,
1322, and was taken prisoner, and afterwards sentenced
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. Ill
to be drawn for acts of treason and to be hanged for
homicides and robbery committed by him, which sentence
was executed at Windsor.
Brambletye seems, however, shortly to have reverted
to the Aldhams, for we find (1 Edward III., 1326-7) that
a Francis de Aldeham held on the day of his death the
Manor of Brambletye of the King in chief, as of the
Honour of the Eagle, by the service of half a knight's fee,
a whole knight's fee being then 640 acres of land under
cultivation. In this family it seems to have continued
until 1336, when John, son of John Seynclere, was
declared to be the nearest heir. He died in 1389, and
upon an inquisition taken it appeared that he had held
Brambletye of the Duke of Lancaster as of the Honour
of the Eagle. In 1386-7 John Seyntclere held jointly
with Mary, his wife, inter alia, the Manors of Brambletye
and Lavertye. Thomas Seyntclere is mentioned in 1412
as having lands in East Grinstead of the yearly value of
£10, and a certain annuity receivable from the Lordship
of Lewes of £20. Thomas Sender (the name occurs
variously spelt), of East Grinstead, Heigh ton, &c., was
at the Battle of Agincourt 25th October, 1415. In 1411-2
John Pelham (a connection of the Seyntclere family) had,
inter alia, " the Manor of Bembiltye £2, and the Manor
of Lavertye, worth nothing beyond reprises ; " that is,
yearly deductions, duties, charges, &c. According to the
Felham deeds, in 1422, Heyton St. Clare has a certain
park called Lavertye. This park and the house were
returned as worth nothing, beyond the upkeep of the
fencing of the park and of the ditches ; to the same park
belonged 100 acres of arable land, of which the value per
annum was put at 6d. per acre, and 12 acres of meadow
valued at 16d. per annum and assessed at 20s. It was
then still held of the Duchy of Lancaster as of the Honour
of the Eagle.
In 1428 Galfridus Motte, a priest, re-conveyed to
William Cheyne, Knt., and others, inter alia, his right
in the Manor of Brambletye ; William Cheyne had lands
in Dalyngregg (Dallingridge), in East Grinstead, worth
£4 yearly. The Manor of Brambletye was in the
112 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
possession of Sir Thomas Seyntclere at his death, 6th
May, 1435. He left three daughters co- heiresses —
Elizabeth, then aged 12; Eleanor, 11 ; and Edith, nine
years. The property was held of the King by military
service and was worth 100s. a year. Brambletye came
to his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who married, firstly,
William Lovell, by whom she had one son, Henry, who
died, leaving two daughters co-heiresses, Elizabeth and
Agnes, and, secondly, she married Richard Lewkenor.
On 10th December, 1473, a jury found that Elizabeth,
wife of Richard Lewkenor and daughter of Margaret
Seyntclere, was the co-heiress of Sir William Bulleyn.
Richard Lewkenor is the first person of that name who
is described as of Brambletye. He probably built the
house at Brambletye which preceded the one now in
ruins.
In 1503 died Sir Reginald Bray, who married Catherina,
daughter of Nicholas Hussey, who was described as of
Brambletye, and was probably a relative of the Lewkenors.
In 1551 a return was made of the extent of all the
manors, &c., being the inheritance of Harry Wyndsor,
Esq., an idiot (committed to the care of Sir Andrew
Dudley), and Constance, wife of Thomas Ryve, Esq.,
was declared his sister and next heir apparent, his
moiety of the Manor of Brambletye and Lavortye being
£16 per annum.
In the will of John Shery (archdeacon of Lewes and
precentor of St. Paul's), dated 1st August, 1552, proved
in November following, he leaves to his nephew, John
Monke (possibly John the Monk), "my parte moite and
purparte of the Manors of Bravelly and Lainerty in
Grynsted and Hartfield." In 1589 William and John
Shrev, or Sherry, or Sheref, seem to have been connected
with the Manor.
A family of the name of Pickas, Pycas, or Pykas,
were at Brambletye circa 1579. James Pickas held it
in this year. John Payne held the Tanhouse Mead of
three acres in East Grin stead of James Pickas, gent.,
as of his Manor of Brambletie, in free socage by fealty
and rent of 7d., the mead being valued at 6s. Drew
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. 113
Pickesse was returned, 1st October, 1586, as M.P. for
East Grinstead, and in 1589 was found seized of the
Manor of Brambletye.
On 25th May, 1588, Thomas Cure died seized of
the Manor of Lavortye, leaving George his eldest son
and heir. This Thomas Cure was the donor of the Seal
to the Borough Town of East Grinstead in 1572.
In 1603 Thomas, Lord Buckhurst, possessed the Manor
of Brambletye; 1610 to 1621 Richard Earl of Dorset
held it of the King as of his Honour of Aquila at the
value of £4.
The property next came into the possession of the
Comptons, and to Sir Henry Compton is ascribed the
building of the house which now stands in ruins.
Henry, Baron Compton, of Compton Wynyates, who
died in 1589, married Lady Frances Hastings, who died
in 1574, and then Anne, (laughter of Sir John Spencer
and widow of Lord Monteagle. Sir Henry Compton, of
Brambletye, was a son of this second marriage. He
married Lady Cecille, daughter of Robert Sackville, Earl
of Dorset, who bore him three daughters and four sons.
The second son, Henry, was slain in a duel by Lord
Chandos and was buried at East Grinstead in June,
1652. The fourth son, Thomas, was the last of the
family to possess Brambletye.
The family resided here during part of the Common-
wealth, 1649-1659, and James Compton, the son of Sir
Henry Compton, died there on 28th July, 1659, and
was buried at Withyham, which circumstance disposes
of the report that the house was destroyed in the time of
Cromwell. The last Court held by the Comptons was
on January 13th, 1660, the year of the Restoration, and
was the first act of the then proprietor, George Compton,
on the return to peaceable times.
Sir James Richards next lived at Brambletye. He was
of a French family, his father having come into England
with Queen Henrietta Maria, the unfortunate wife of
Charles I. For saving several men of war James
Richards was knighted and afterwards — February 22nd,
1683-4 — was raised to the rank of a baronet, being then
114 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
described as "of Brambletye House." He is the last
known occupier of the mansion, or castle, as it is now
termed. It is said that the owner was suspected of
treasonable practices, and officers, on visiting the house,
found there a considerable quantity of arms and military
stores. The owner, whoever he may have been, was
then out hunting, and getting wind of the discovery,
never returned to his house. It may have been this same
baronet, for he is known to have married, as his second
wife, a Spanish lady, named Beatrice Herrara, and to
have quitted this country and settled in Spain, where
some of his descendants rose to high positions in the
army of that country. The fourth baronet was Sir
Philip Richards, a general officer in the Spanish service.
He married the eldest daughter of the Duke of Montemar,
but of this baronet or his descendants nothing further is
known.
No Court appears to have been held after 1660 until
August 19th, 1714, when the Biddulphs held their first
Court. They purchased the Manor about 1673. In 1774
Charles Biddulph, of Burton, near Arundel, was owner
of the Manor and of the lands his ancestors purchased.
In 1790 John Biddulph held it, and it continued in that
family until 1866, when the late Mr. Donald Larnach
purchased the land, but not the manorial rights, and
built the existing mansion, which was partially destroyed
by fire on September 18th, 1903, but immediately
re-built.
The present Lords of the Manor are Mr. J. R. Fearless
and Mr. R. W. Fearless, of East Grinstead, who hold
the lordship jointly as Trustees of their late father, Mr.
William Fearless. The Manor, according to the accounts
of Mr. Geo. Bankin, who was steward in 1782, consisted
chiefly of freehold tenants, who held of the lord by
fealty, suit of court, heriot, relief and other ser\7ices and
certain yearly rents. The best beast was due for a
heriot, for every tenement of which a tenant died seized.
Some of the copyholds were subject to heriot in kind
and fineable at the lord's will. Other copyholds were
stinted as to heriot and fine,
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. 115
Lavertye or Lavortye seems to have been a sub-
feudation of the Manor of Brambletye, and the two have
not always been held by the same person. In 1691
John Newnham, the elder, gent., was seized of the Manor
of Lavertye and 500 acres of land thereto belonging. In
this family it seems to have remained until 1774. In
1793 an Act was passed for investing the fee simple of
part of the Manor and estates of Lavertye in East
Grinstead, in John Trayton Fuller, of Ashdown House,
who was succeeded by his son, Augustus Elliott Fuller,
whose daughter Clara married Sir George Tapps, Bart.,
who afterwards assumed the name of Tapps Gervis. His
daughter Clara (Miss Tapps Gervis) is the present life
tenant of the Ashdown House Estate and the Manor of
Lavortye.
IMBERHORNE.
This is a very widespread Manor, over which Lord
Sackville now exercises rights. In the early days it was
in the possession of the Priory of St. Pancras at Lewes,
and possibly included a gift of 100 solidates or one hide
of land made by Alured de Bendeville and Sibilla his
wife to the monks of Lewes and confirmed by King
Stephen.
In 1288 Roger de Sautknappe gave up to the Monks
of Lewes all the rights which he had in a certain land
called Hengteswynde, in the Manor of Hymberhorne.
There is an extremely interesting deed preserved of
about the year 1336 which, reduced to modern language,
shows that Peter de Joceux, then Prior of Lewes,
granted to Walter le Fyke and his heirs for ever a field
called Feldlonde, which abutted on the road leading
from East Grinstead to Imberhorne, on payment of a
yearly rent of 4s. and the customary heriots, the new
owner to make " suit at our Court of Imberhorne for the
said tenement from three weeks to three weeks for
ever." He was never to part with it except to the
Priory of St. Pancras so long as they were minded to
give for it as much as would be offered in good faith by
a stranger.
i 2
116 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
In 1537 the Manor was granted to Thomas, Lord
Cromwell. A few years later it came by exchange
into the hands of William, Earl of Arundel, who
held it for about 12 years and then granted the
Manor to the Crown in exchange for other lands.
From, the Royal hands it passed to the Sackvilles, who
have long since sold all the lands, but have retained the
manorial rights. In 1567, according to an inquest held
at Cokefield to ascertain the estates of Stephen Bord,
Lord Bukherst was then the owner of this Manor ;
Stephen Bord holding Racies of the Manor by fealty and
rent of 3d., and numerous records since show that it has
never left the possession of the family. The last Court-
leet was held at the Crown Hotel, East Grinstead, about
20 years ago, when the only tenant who put in an
appearance to do homage and be sworn in on the silver
rods was Mr. Head, of Kingscote Nursery. He paid a
penny and had a glass of whiskey and a cigar in return.
The custom of Borough-English is believed to have at
one time prevailed in connection with this Manor — a
custom whereby entailed property went to the youngest
son. The Plawhatch estate was originally part of the
Manor.
SHOVELSTRODE.
This was a fairly large Manor owned in the 12th and
13th centuries by an important family bearing the same
name as the estate. In the reign of Henry VII. it
belonged to John Aske, whose family had long held it,
but who was convicted of high treason and forfeited his
possessions to the King, by whom the Manor was
granted, under a patent dated August 23rd, 1536, to Sir
John Gage and his heirs. It was charged, at one time,
with 6s. a year, due to the King in respect of his Forest
of Ashdown.
Sir John Gage, K.G. (1481-1557), of Firle, was
Constable of the Tower of London and an eminent
statesman and general. His tomb may still be seen in
the church of West Firle, with the recumbent figures of
himself and his wife beautifully sculptured in marble.
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. 117
Sir Edward Gage, son of Sir John Gage, K.G., who
died on December 26th, 1567, was seized of the Manor
and by his will : —
In consideration of her years and the number of children it hath
pleased Almighty God to send me of her body, for the which I take
myself to be more bound and thankful to Him than for all the worldly
goods and treasures, I give to my said well-beloved wife Elizabeth
further all the whole rest of my Manors of Hedgecourt and Burstowe
and my Manor of Marisfield and all my lands in Estgrinsted.
At an inquest held at Lewes on March 23rd following
it appeared that the Manor of Shovelstrode was held of
the Queen in chief by service of part of a knight's fee
and was worth £14. 19s. lOd.
On April 12th, 1614, John Avenn became tenant of
the site and demesne lands of the Manor for 21 years at
an annual rental of £55, one fat bullock and six capons.
Subsequent owners of all or portions of the Manor were
Robert Goodwyn and his son-in-law, John Conyers, who
both represented East Grinstead in Parliament, Sir
William Gage, Bart. (1718), Sir John Major (1773), Sir
John Henniker, Bart. (1787), and the Harcourt family
(1835). The early Court Rolls of this Manor are
preserved among the manuscripts of Lord Gage, of
Firle Park, near Lewes.
PLACELAND.
This was formerly a Manor known also by the names
of Haskenden, Harkenden or Stone Rocks. According
to the Burrell MSS. it was contained within the parish
of East Grinstead, and on an inquisition held in 1593
William Ridder was found seized of it. In 1627, at a
Court held for the Manor of Horsted Keynes Broad-
hurst, a presentment was made that Robert Goodwyn,
the Covenanter M.P. for East Grinstead, held to himself
and his heirs " a Manor freely called Stonrocks, alias
Haskinden alias Placeland by the rent of 5d. yearly."
In 1579 John Payne died seized of a field called
Conyclappers, held of John Duffeld, jun., as of his Manor
of Hakenden in free socage by fealty and rent of Id.,
the field being worth £4.
118 HISTORY OF EAST GKINSTEAD.
*
The Manor of Horsted Keyries Broadhurst, also
comprised, in East Grinstead, the Lanefeld of 10 acres,
Tannershyll of seven acres, and Stonefeeld of 10 acres,
Nicholas Lewkenor and Richard Michelborn being the
joint Lords a couple of centuries ago.
At a much earlier date there was a religious house
known as East Grinstead Place, situate possibly in or near
the field now lying between the Institute and Placeland
stables. From this is evidently derived the name Place-
land. The Moat Pond and the Dean Fields may have had
some connection with this religious house. Placeland
at one time belonged to Nicholas Firminger, who left it
to his wife Frances for life, with remainder to his and her
daughter, also named Frances. The family of the present
owners, the Hasties, like their cousins, the Nairnes, were
settled in Scotland prior to the Jacobite rising of 1745.
After the rising many members of both families were
attainted by Act of the Scotch Parliament and they fled
to the Court of France. Archibald Hastie, with his two
sons, Hepburn (who became in 1799 a Director of the
Westminster Fire Office) and James, returned to London
between 1750 and 1760. They took building leases
from the then Duke of Portland and laid out a number
of important areas, including Harley Place, Devonshire
Place, &c. These leases remained in the family for 99
years, the last of them expiring about 1870. Hepburn's
son, Charles Nairne Hastie, was a London solicitor in
partnership with the solicitor to the then Duke of
Portland, and used to stay with his cousins, the Nairnes
of Barnets Place, who owned much of the parishes of
West Hoathly and Horsted Keynes. While there he
met and married the only daughter of Nicholas and
Frances Firminger, and so became in time possessed of
Placeland, where he came to reside soon after the
marriage. Representatives of the family have ever since
been in residence there. A former occupier of the
property was John Ready, one of whose relatives entered
the Army and rose to the rank of Major-General, being
afterwards appointed Governor of the Isle of Man. His
daughter Mary married Dr. Charles Milner, and their
EAST GKINSTEAD AND ITS MANOES. 119
son is Lord Milner, the famous statesman and late High
Commissioner of South Africa.
DUDDLESWELL.
In 1650 this Manor comprised in the parish of East
Grinstead : " One messuage or tenem4 one barne and
certaine assart lands called leggs heath" containing 10
acres and rented at Is. per annum ; " one tenem* called
Brockets als Tyces al Tavels and one barne and 3 crofts
of assert lands at Plawhatch " of four acres at 9s ; " one
cottage and one pcell of land called the Clay Pitts" of
2^ acres at Is.; "ij peeces of assert lands called Clay-
pitts" of six acres at 2s.; and "two pcells of assert
lands called Twy fords " of seven acres at Is. 6d. At
this same date there was held for this Manor, according
to the returns of the Commissioners appointed to report
on the royal lands, "a Court Barron or three weekes
court, still continued from three weeks to three" for
trial of actions under 20s. The jurisdiction of this
Court extended over the Hundred, the Town and the
Borough of East Grinstead. The tenants of the Manor
had to perform their service at these Courts. There was
also the Aves Court held annually on the next Tuesday
after All Saints Day and the Woodmote Court held three
weeks later. At the former the tenants had to pay their
fees for turning out cattle on the Forest "yearely for a
bullocke half a penny, and for a horse a penny," and at
the latter Court make presentments of abuses of customs,
of encroachments, &c. The custom of this Manor was
for land to descend to the eldest son or daughter, who
had to pay one year's quit rent for admission upon
decease. A heriot of best beast was payable on death
or surrender. Mr. Barchard is the present Lord of this
Manor.
MINOR MANORS.
Walhill was probably at one period part of the Manor
of Imberhorne, but in time became distinct and may be
the Warlege referred to in Domesday Book.
120 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
John Culpeper died at Wakehurst on March 25th,
1565, leaving as his son and heir Thomas Culpeper.
He died seized of divers lands and tenements in East
Grinstead and elsewhere, held of Sir Thomas Browne
by fealty only as of his Manor of Walstead. When an
inquisition was taken after the death of Thomas Culpeper
in 1571 this was confirmed.
From a petition presented to Parliament on February
23rd, 1802, by certain inhabitants of East Grinstead it
appeared that there was " a certain common and waste
land called Ashurst Wood lying and being within the
Manor of Ashurst, or Grinsted Wild, or Walhill Manor,"
and the petitioners set forth that it might be much
improved if enclosed, divided into allotments and dis-
tributed among them. In 1835 the Manor of Ashurst,
or Grinsted Wild, or Walhill, belonged to the Earl of
Burlington, from whose family it was purchased by the
late Mr. William Fearless, whose two sons and Trustees
are the present Lords of this Manor.
The Manor of Standen was subordinate to the Manor
of Imberhorne, but Horsfield states that it paid quit
rents, and courts were held for it down to 1835.
The Manor of Brockhurst is possibly the Biochest of
Domesday Book. Its records are very scanty, but we
do know that in 1574 it belonged to Philip, Earl of
Surrey, and that it then chiefly consisted of freehold
tenements held of the Lord by fealty and certain rents
and heriots. The custom of Borough-English prevailed
in regard to it. By an inquisition taken at Horsham
in 1606-7 it appears to have been subordinate to the
Manor of Sheffield-Grensted, of which it was held by
John Leedes by fealty and 4d. rent yearly.
The Manors of Hazelden (granted by Henry VIII. to
John Baker, his Attorney-General), Bysshecourt and
Maresfield (which included the Priory, Forest Row and
100 acres of land) were also partly in the parish of East
Grinstead.
There was also a Manor of Mayes within the parish,
and in 1624 it belonged to Richard, Earl of Dorset.
John Gowland, apothecary to the King, owned it 150
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS MANORS. 121
years later, and he sold it to Mr. Gibbs Crawfurd, who
exercised Lordship over it from 1786 to 1790.
The Bower was a reputed Manor in East Grinstead and
Hartfield, and Goddenwick another in East Grinstead,
owned in 1788 by Mr. Gibbs Crawfurd. There is still a
Bower Farm at Hammerwood. Goddenwick Manor
possibly extended to Lindfield and was connected with
Mr. Gibbs Crawfurd's estate there.
Pixton's was also a reputed Manor, and in 1507 we find
John Payne, senior, of Forest Row, leaving to his widow
for life the Manor called Pyckestorms.
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE following particulars of the charities of East
Grinstead have been gathered from the manuscript and
printed records in the Charity Commissioners' office and
from other sources : —
THE ALMSHOUSES.
There are eight very small old cottages, situate well
back from the London Road, opposite the White Lion
Hotel, which have always been known as "The Alms-
houses." It is supposed that they were left to the town
by Richard Lewkenor, of Brain bletye, or his wife, Lady
Katherine. The only direct evidence that they so left
such a property is furnished by an inscription on a brass
now fixed to the east wall of East Grinstead Church.
This has often been quoted in whole or in part, but rarely
correctly given. It reads : —
Here under this marbille stone lyeth Dame Kateryne Ore}', daughter
of Thomas, some tyme Lorde S (*) lis, wyff to Sir Thomas Grey,
Knyght and banneret, and after wyff unto the Honorable Esquyer
Richard Lewkener the elder of Brambilletey and oon of the ladys to
Quene Elizabeth, wyff of blessed memory Edward iiijthe and after-
warde to Quene Elizabeth, wyff unto owre Soffereyne Lorde Kyng
Harry the vijtbe the wiche passed owte of this transsitory worlde the
ixth day of June the yere of owre Lorde Grod M'CCCCCV. ; and the same
Dame Kateryne and Richard her husbonde have fownded, indued and
inorned thys present Churche of Estgrenested to the lawde and honor
of God in dyvers ornamentis and a almess howse of iij parsons on
whose sowlis Ihu for thy bitter passion have on them thy mercyffulle
compassyon. Amen.
This brass was rescued from the ruins of the church,
inserted in a tablet of marble, and placed on the east wall
by Thomas Wakeham, of the Hermitage, in 1798.
There is not the slightest record concerning the alms-
houses to be found anywhere. In 1835 the Charity
* The brass is here pierced and a few letters (possibly " ca ") obliterated.
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 123
Commissioners made an investigation, and ascertained
that they were occupied by labouring people, whose only
right seemed to rest on permission given, as vacancies
occurred, by Mr. George Bankin, Steward of the Manor
of Brambletye, to whom all applications were made.
This had for many years been the custom. The Lord of
the Manor claimed no right in connection with the houses,
and Mr. Bankin had granted to such persons as he thought
deserving the privilege of living in the different tene-
ments, without entertaining the slightest notion of any
legal power vested in him to do so. In many cases the
privilege had descended from parent to child. The
repairs were always done by the occupants, and when
Mr. Bankin died those then in residence retained posses-
sion and the property became " key hold," the only
evidence of ownership being the holding of the door-
key. The houses have since been several times sold, but
all early title deeds are missing. The general belief that
they were the almshouses referred to in the inscrip-
tion quoted above is strengthened by the fact that the
founders lived at Brambletye, and that the Steward of
that Manor long exercised the right of nominating the
tenants.
The houses in Church Street, which face the church-
yard, are described in some of the title deeds as "The
Old Almshouses," and it is possible that they once con-
stituted one of the local charities and were the houses
referred to in the will dated December 12th, 1579, of
John Payne, of the town of East Grinstead, which con-
tained the following :—
Item I give unto James Duff eld, Stephen Ffrenche and George
Harman churchwardens of Estegrensted and to their successors wardens
there for ever to the only use of the most needy poor persons of
Estegrensted all that tenement and orchard which I late leased to one
John Hastinges and which was formerly in the possession of one . . .
widdow paying the services due to the lord thereof.
He died on January 19th, 1580, and in the report of
an inquest held at East Grinstead on March 21st following
all the words quoted above are scratched out, as though
the testator had altered his mind, or the writer of the
124 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
inquest report had made an error, but the following
appears as a codicil to the same will : —
He did bequeath and give by words nuncupative unto James
Duffeilde, Stephen ffrench and George Harman churchwardens of
East Greensteade and their successors wardens there for ever to the
onlie use of the most neede poore persons of East Greensteade all that
tenement or orcharde wth th'app'tancs wh he late leased to one John
Hastings and wch was sometime possessed of one Baylies widow paying
the services to the chiefe lorde thereof.
The above testator, John Payne, was son of George
Payne, of East Grinstead, who died in 1538, grandson
of John Payne, of Pixtons, in Forest Row, who died in
1507, and an ancestor of Robert Payne, who founded
the free school in East Grinstead in 1708.
HENRY SMITH'S CHARITY.
This ancient and very widespread charity has a deeply
interesting history. Henry Smith, commonly known as
" Dog Smith," was a citizen and alderman of London,
and by a deed dated October 20th, 1620, he conveyed
all his real estates in Sussex, Middlesex and London for
charitable uses, subject to the Trustees paying him £500
a year for his own use. He at first retained power of
revocation, but after a time withdrew this, and then,
becoming dissatisfied, brought an action against his
Trustees, and as a result, in a decree dated June 20th,
1626, they were ordered to let him have the use, for life,
of his mansion in Silver Street, London, and all the
profits arising therefrom. In a deed bearing date January
20th, 1626-7, he fully set forth his intentions as to the
class of people he desired to benefit by his large
gifts. His primary intention was to help the poor and
infirm and he ordered that none of his money was to go
" to or for the relief of any persons who should be given
to excessive drinking, common swearers, pilferers, or
otherwise notoriously scandalous, or to any persons that
should have been incorrigible or disobedient to those
whose servants they should have been or to any vagrant
persons." He further directed that all recipients of his
bounty must have resided five years in the parish before
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 125
receiving the relief and, if able, must have worked when
work was offered them. He died on January 3rd,
1627-8, aged 79, and by his will, dated April 24th, 1627,
he greatly augmented his previous gifts. The extent
of the estate to be administered may be gathered from a
Parliamentary report issued in August, 1828. At that
date the Trustees of the charity held 4,047 acres of land,
yielding a rental of £3,760. 4s. lOd. per annum; from a
further unstated quantity the sum of £95 was realised ;
tithes brought in another £520. 8s. 4d. per annum ; and
the average profits of a manor were £186. 13s. 4d. In
addition nine houses yielded £116. 7s. 6d. a year; fixed
rent charges £215, and quit rents £56. 19s. 8d. There
was a further sum of £6,185. 12s. Id. invested in redeem-
able consols, £9,158. 15s. 4d. in 3 per cent, stock and
£1,890. 14s. 7d. in consolidated stock, these three last
items bringing in £508. 6s. 8d. a year. The Treasurer
further had in hand a cash sum of £2,335. 17s. lOd.
On December 20th, 1641, a deed was executed setting
apart the rents of a certain estate to be divided among
21 parishes, of which East Grinstead was one. It was
ordered that the churchwardens and overseers of this
parish — the Vicar, strange to say, is not named — should
receive £15, or an equivalent portion, this sum being
then 15-220ths of the whole income from this specific
estate. The income received by East Grinstead has
varied greatly. From 1813 to 1818 it ranged from
£30. Os. lid. to £35. 11s. 6d.; in 1847 it was £40. 7s. 2d.;
in 1878 it rose to nearly £60 ; and in 1904 it had dropped
to £17. 15s. The estate in question is called Stoughton,
and consists of a house and 315-a. 3-r. 9-p. of land in the
parishes of Stoughton, Houghton, Errington and Busby,
in Leicestershire. The first charge on the rent is one of
£24. 2s. 8d., payable to Worth as interest on £804. 10s. 7d.
borrowed from that parish for the redemption of the land
tax on Stoughton.
Up to 1835 it had been the custom to spend all the
money received by East Grinstead on gowns, costing
6s. 6d. each, and giving them at a public meeting to the
poor women belonging to the parish, but not always
126 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
residing in it. The Charity Commissioners characterised
this as a most undesirable method of dealing with the
money and suggested that some more fitting appropriation
of it should be devised. Accordingly a change was made,
and general drapery goods have since been purchased and
distributed.
THE PAYNE ENDOWMENT.
This educational charity was founded in the year
1708 by Robert Payne, of Newick, a member of a very
old East Grinstead family to which reference has already
been made. In the chancel of East Grinstead Church is
a tablet bearing the following quaint inscription : —
Sacred
to the Memory of
Those Worthy Persons and Loving Brothers
ROBERT & HENRY PAYNE
of Newick, in this County, Gent8
the Sons of Edward Payne, late of this Parish, Esq.
True Friends to Monarchy and Episcopacy
Generous Promoters of Piety and Charity.
The Elder in Particular
Liberally endowed a Free School wth a farm call'd Serreys
in Eastgrinsted for ever.
Moreover they left behind them
a Rare Example of Fraternal Affection
for they lived together above 40 years
without the least interruption and with constant agreement.
As in Life united so in Death not divided
for they soon followed each other the same year
and near this Place are both interr'd
amongst their Ancestors.
£:£& ! Carted this Hfe { £££££$ } o, his age.
An0 Domin 1708.
On the monument appear the arms of the Payne
family, quartered with, it is presumed, those of Yerwood,
to which family belonged Hanna, the wife of Edward
Payne and mother of these two " loving brothers."
Robert Payne's will was dated August 16th, 1708, the
same year as he died, and it contained the following : —
Whereas I am minded and intend to found a Free Grammar School
in East Grinstead aforesaid, to teach and instruct the youth of the said
parish, and to endow the same with the farms and lauds hereinafter
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 127
mentioned ; And that my Trustees shall and may provide a pious and
learned master, to teach in the school-house now built in the said
parish, and adjoining to the said church of East Grinstead aforesaid,
and to be from time to time nominated and appointed by my said
Trustees hereafter named, and the Vicar of East Grinstead aforesaid
for the time being ; And for the better maintenance of such school-
master I doe hereby give and devise unto the aforesaid Eichard Payne,
Edward Payne, John Payne, son of the said Charles Payne, and to my
cousin, Thomas Moore, and to John Staples, clerk, now Vicar of East
Grinstead, and to their heirs and assignes for ever, all that my
messuage or tenement, barns, buildings, land and hereditaments, with
all the appurtenances, commonly called Serryes Farme, or by whatever
other name or names called or known, situate, lying and being in the
aforesaid parish of East Grinstead and now in the tenure or occupation
of the said John Aynscomb or his assignes ; To the intent and purpose
and upon this trust and confidence that they the said Eichard Payne,
Edward Payne, John Payne, Thomas Moore and John Staples, and
the survivors and survivor of them, and his heirs, shall yearly for ever
pay the whole clear rents and profits of the said farme (after the taxes,
reparations, and their necessary charges and disbursements deducted)
to such person for the time being as shall be schoolmaster of the said
school. And for the continuing of the said charity above mentioned
for ever, I doe will and appoint, that when all my said Trustees but
one or two, shall be dead, then the surviving Trustees or Trustee
shall, by his or their deed of feoffment or other lawful conveyance,
convey to six others of the most able and nearest relations of the said
surviving Trustees (whereof the Vicar of East Grinstead for the time
being, to be one of the said Feoffees) and to their heirs, All the said
farme, lands, and premises in the occupation of the said John
Aynscomb, or his assigns to the respective uses and trusts aforesaid, of
which said new Trustees or Feoffees, after they shall all be dead but
one or two, the survivors or survivor in like manner to convey to six
others and their heirs ; and soe to be conveyed by the survivor or two
survivors, to six others and their heirs for ever, in like manner, for the
preservation of the said charity for ever, according to the true intent
of this my last will and testament. Provided always, in case at any
time hereafter the Vicar of the said parish of East Grinstead, for the
time being, or any of the inhabitants of the said parish of East
Grinstead, shall hinder or molest the schoolmaster of the said intended
Free School to teach in the said school-house adjoining the church of
East Grinstead, then the said devise of the said farme, lands and
premises called Serryes, to the said Eichard Payne, Edward Payne,
John Payne, Thomas Moore, and John Staples, and their heirs, shall
be void ; and in such case I give and devise my said farme, lands, and
premises, called Serryes, to my own right heirs for ever. And my further
will and meaning concerning the said Free School is, that my said
Trustees and their successors shall order and direct how many scholars
the schoolmaster shall teach from time to time, at their discretions.
And that my Trustees and their successors shall have power to let
leases, for one and twenty years, of the said farme and land called
Serryes, from time to time, at the full improved rent thereof.
128 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Thomas Moore, one of the Trustees, was son of the
testator's kinsman, Eliot Moore, of Wivelsfield, an old
family, whose monuments appear in their Parish Church.
For a long time the school was accommodated in the
vestry of the Parish Church, and the number of scholars
varied according to the rent received from the farm. In
the year 1772 the school was closed for a time, as the
Trustees could not procure a master able to teach Latin in
addition to other subjects. Nearly three years later the
following advertisement appeared in the Lewes Journal : —
Twenty pounds a year to teach, ten boys. Apply to Elfred Staples,
Esquire, East Grinstead.
Mr. Palmer, of Eastbourne, applied for and obtained
the situation, and with the accumulated rent an additional
free scholar was added, making the number eleven. Then
came the destruction of the church, and consequently the
school room, in 1785. After its re-building the vestry
was reported to be ready for re-occupation by the school
on September 24th, 1808. This vestry is no less than 30
feet high, it having been intended, when the church was
built, to divide the space into two rooms, one to be used
as a vestry, the other as a school room, but the lack of
funds led to the combination of the two. In 1816 the
school was associated with the National Society and
removed to Sackville College, where it flourished until
1839, when, owing to no room being available, and to a
quarrel which arose between the master and trustees, it
was again suspended for about eight years. The average
number of scholars was then 80, of whom 25 were admitted
free at the expense of the Trust. The Charity Com-
missioners held an inquiry into the matter, and in the
year 1842 the Court of Chancery approved of a scheme
for the future conduct of the school, which led to bitter
disputes between Churchmen and Nonconformists and the
issue of strongly worded pamphlets by the Rev. Christopher
Nevill, vicar of East Grinstead, on the one side, and the
Rev. James Blomfield, pastor of the Countess of Hunt-
ingdon's Church, on the other. This scheme set forth
that in lieu of the Greek and Latin languages there should
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 129
be taught " the English Language, Reading, Writing and
Arithmetic, the Catechism of the Church of England and
the Holy Scriptures." The Trustees and master had all
tq be members of the Church of England, every child
admitted had to produce a certificate of baptism, and
each Sunday, Christmas Day and Good Friday the
scholars had to attend, with their master, at the morning
and afternoon services held in the Parish Church. Subject
to the approval of the Trustees the master was allowed to
take other than the free scholars. The final clause in the
scheme was :—
That the children of persons, dissenters from the Established Church,
shall be permitted to attend at the said school, and shall be capable of
baing elected scholars of the said charity, such children in all respects
observing the directions and regulations of the said Trustees of the
charity.
The specific rules drafted by the Trustees under this
scheme incorporated Psalmody among the subjects
taught and increased the number of free children to 50,
allowing others to come in on payment of one shilling a
week each for one class of scholars and fourperice a week
for another. The following rules proved particularly
objectionable to many : —
Every child taught in the school is to be brought to the parish
church by the master, whenever that church is opened for the celebra-
tion of divine worship.
The school on Sunday is open at nine in the morning, and two in the
afternoon, into which are received all children without any payment,
who are unable to attend the school during the week.
The following rule, though quaint, is not of a very
obnoxious character: —
The master is particularly enjoined, as well by precept as example,
to see that all the children entrusted to his care, both in school and
out of school, behave themselves lowly and reverently to all their
betters.
While the school remained closed some evening classes
were formed at Zion Chapel and over 40 children
attended.
The Free Grammar School was re-opened on November
8th, 1847, when it found for a time a habitation at
130 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Cromwell House, in the High Street, and later on in
what now forms part of Mr. J. B. All work's private
house. Then at a cost of £5 a year Mr. C. R. Duplex,
who was at that time the master, hired a stable-like
tenement of two rooms, which stood in the corner of the
Hipps field, facing the cottages which now stand in Old
Road. Here the school was carried on until he retired
on a pension of £40 a year about the year 1880.
In 1887 the Charity Commissioners formulated an
entirely new scheme and founded the Payne Endowment
as it exists to-day. It is administered by a body of
Governors, of whom the Vicar for the time being is the
only ex-officio member. One other is appointed by the
Urban Council, one by the Magistrates for the Petty
Sessional Division of East Grinstead and two by the
Educational Authority. There are also three co-opted
Governors, elected by the remainder, but the first
co-opted Governors were nominated in the scheme and
numbered five. They were Lord Colchester, the late
Earl De la Warr, the late Mr. K. R. Murchison, of
Brockhurst, the late Mr. H. R. Freshfield, of Kidbrook,
and the Rev. A. J. Swainson, Vicar of Forest Row.
All religious differences were stifled by the following
clauses : —
Religious opinions or attendance or non-attendance at any particular
form of religious worship shall not in any way affect the qualification
of any person for being a Governor under this scheme.
No boy or girl shall, by reason of any exemption from attending
prayer or religious worship, or from any lesson or series of lessons on
a religious subject, be deprived of any advantage or emolument out
of the endowment of the Foundation to which he or she would other-
wise have been entitled.
The scheme authorises the spending of the income on
evening lectures on u scientific, technical or literary
subjects," and on the founding of exhibitions each of a
yearly value of not less than £10 nor more than £30.
The conditions attaching to them are : —
These Exhibitions shall be awarded on the result of such examina-
tion as the Governors think fit as nearly as may be equally to boys
and girls, not less than 12 nor more than 14 years of age, who are of
the parish of East Grinstead.
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 131
These Exhibitions shall each be tenable for not more than three
years at any place of education, higher than elementary, approved by
the Governors.
Every Exhibition shall be given as the reward of merit, and shall,
except as herein provided, be freely and openly competed for and shall
be tenable only for the purposes of education.
If the holder of an Exhibition shall, in the judgment of the
Governors, be guilty of serious misconduct or idleness, or fail to
maintain a reasonable standard of proficiency, or wilfully cease to
pursue his or her education, the Governors may deprive him or her of
the Exhibition.
About 20 years ago Serryes or Surries Farm, situate
at Ashurst Wood, was sold to the late Mr. Oswald Smith,
of Hamrnerwood, and has ever since formed part of the
Hammerwood estate, and the capital is now represented
by the sum of £3,937. 12s. lid. invested in India 3
per cent, stock and producing an annual income of
£118. 2s. 4d. The present Governors are: The Rev.
D. Y. Blakiston, ex-oMcio; Mr. Joseph Rice, nominated
by the Urban Council ; Mr. W. V. K. Stenning, by the
Justices ; Mr. W. Young and Mr. S. Jenks, by the Educa-
tion Authority ; and the Rev. A. J. Swainson, Mr. C. H.
Everard and Dr. H. S. McCalmont Hill, co-optative
governors. Mr. E. P. Whitley Hughes is the Clerk to
the Endowment Trust.
THOMAS HALL'S CHARITY.
Thomas Hall, by his will, dated August 12th, 1817,
left " £20 to be placed out on sound security, the interest
to be given for ever in bread to 20 poor women, a
sixpenny loaf to each to be given twice a year on January
6th and July 6th." He, however, left no instructions as
to whom the money was to be paid to or who were to be
Trustees. Messrs. Russell Hall and William Hall, his
brothers, were the executors, and for three years after his
death they distributed 10s. worth of bread on each of the
dates named. They repeatedly applied to the Vicar and
parish officers to receive the money and invest it, but
they declined to accept it, so the money remained in the
executors' hands, was never invested and in time the
charity entirely lapsed.
K 2
132 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
HAIRE'S CHARITY.
Mary Ann Haire, the wife of Thomas Haire, a doctor,
of Lewes, died on May 3rd, 1854, and by her will, dated
December 13th, 1845, she directed £400 to be invested
on trust, the income to be expended annually at Christmas
on the purchase of bread for distribution among such
poor as were not in receipt of alms or parochial relief.
Three-eighths of the income were to go to All Saints
Parish, Lewes, and one-eighth each to East Grinstead,
Lindfield, Buxted, Maresfield and Ardingly. Her estate,
however, did not realise sufficient to pay the bequest in
full, and in 1879 the Rev. William John Langdale, of
Ormonde Terrace, Regent's Park, hearing that the various
beneficiaries under the will were bitterly disappointed
at the smallness of the legacies as realised, expressed a
desire to make a free gift out of his own money to the
various charitable institutions which had suffered in
consequence of the deficient realisation. Accordingly
he paid £968. 17s. Id., and by order of the Court of
Chancery a sum of £142. Os. lOd. was allotted out
of it in augmentation of the bread charity. The
Charity Commissioners prepared a scheme dividing up
the augmented capital among the parishes interested,
and they appointed the Vicar and Churchwardens trustees
for East Grinstead, but invested the money in their own
names. The share of this parish is represented by
£28. 2s. 6d. consols, yielding just over 15s. a year, and
this is paid annually to a special account in the name of
the Rev. D. Y. Blakiston at Barclay & Co.'s Bank. The
income is so small that it is allowed to accumulate, and in
years of severe distress is used for the purchase of bread
or the augmentation of other charities.
JOHN SMITH'S TRUST.
This Trust has a very peculiar history and might well
be called " The Smith and Mills Charity," for the name
of the late Mr. John Mills, of The Rocks, Ashurst
Wood, as much merits association with it as that of Mr.
John Smith, who was an auctioneer in East Grinstead,
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 133
and died on June 10th, 1862. By his will, he directed
his Trustees to purchase so much consolidated three per
cent, annuities, or to invest a sufficient sum on real
securities, as would enable them to provide an annuity
of £300 a year for his wife and £80 a year for his
mother during their respective lives, and he gave the
residue of his real and personal estate to his wife and to
John Mills, sen., in equal shares. There was no mention
of any charity in the will, but shortly after his death a
memorandum was found amongst his papers to the effect
that he wished that all the residue of his property and
the funds from which the annuities might arise should,
subject to such annuities, be applied to the benefit of
the poor inhabitants of East Grinstead and adjoining
parishes. His widow married the late Mr. William
Burgess, of Jacks Bridge, Lingfield, in January, 1864,
but previous to this marriage her interest under her first
husband's will was assigned to the Trustees of her first
marriage settlement. Mr. John Mills, sen., was most
anxious to see the discovered wishes of his old friend,
Mr. John Smith, as to the devotion of the money to
charities, fully carried out, and he strongly impressed on
his wife and two sons the fact that though the legacy was
left to him, he or they had no real right to it. He died
on April 8th, 1865, before he could carry his desires into
effect, leaving a will dated February 5th, 1853. His
property was left to his widow and sons, and it naturally
included his share of John Smith's estate. The opinion
of the Court of Chancery was sought on the subject, and
an order was made on June 1st, 1867, by which it was
declared that the property of John Smith was given to
his widow and to John Mills, not on trust, but for their
individual benefit entirely. Despite this decision Mrs.
Mills, the widow, was most anxious to carry out the
desires of both the original testators, Mr. Smith and her
husband, and in this wish she was joined by her sons,
Messrs. John and Henry Mills. A deed was drawn up
setting forth that they were desirous of assigning their
individual moiety, and in order to carry out this desire
the money was assigned to John Mills and two others.
134 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
The indenture was dated March 6th, 1871, and was made
between Mr. W. A. Head, Mrs. Mills, Mr. John Mills, Mr.
Henry Mills and others. In the agreement come to it
was arranged that three equal twenty-seconds of the whole
sum so assigned should be set apart
to pay the interest, dividends and income thereof to the vicar,
churchwardens and overseers of the poor for the time being of the
parish of East Grinstead to be applied by them in such manner as
they or the majority of them for the time being should think fit for
the purchase of coals for or otherwise for the benefit of the poor
inhabitants of the said parish or any of them not being inhabitants of
the ecclesiastical district of Forest Row.
At this time the Trustees had £6,550 out on eight
mortgages and had also £1,107. 5s. lOd. cash in hand.
Half of this, being Mr. John Mills' share, came to the
Trust, the other half, on Mrs. Burgess's death, being paid
over to the Trustees of her marriage settlement and it
has never come into the charitable trust. The present
Trustees or Governors are Mr. W. V. K. Stenning
(chairman), Mr. J. McAndrew, Mr. G. F. Walker and
Mr. A. Bridgland. Mr. E. A. Head is Clerk to the
Governors. The capital sum quite voluntarily handed
over by Mrs. Mills and her two sons, in accordance with
the wishes of both Mr. Smith and Mr. Mills, is now
represented by £400 on mortgage of two freehold houses
in St. James' Road, East Grinstead, of which the
Governors are at present in receipt of the rents ; £ 1 , 1 30 on
mortgage of freehold houses at Richmond; £998. 3s. lid.
in India 3 per cen't. and £836. 10s. lid. in 2f per cent,
consols : a total of £3,364. 14s. lOd. The income is
about £115 a year and it has to be divided into 22 parts,
of which Cowden, West Hoathly, Withy ham and Hartfield
take two each; Forest Row and East Grinstead, three
each ; and Lingfield and Worth, four each. Each share
being at present worth about £5, East Grinstead con-
sequently gets some £15 a year from this charity.
THE HOPER TRUST.
Mrs. H. L. Hoper, whose family owned and lived at
Thorn Hill, left the sum of £1,077. 9s. 3d. stock for the
benefit of the Forest Row portion of the parish. A
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 135
declaration of trust, dated 1869, set forth that half the
income, then £29. 12s. 4d. per annum, was to be devoted
to the benefit of the church schools in Ashurst Wood and
Forest Row, and the other half distributed among the
poor. There being no church school at Ashurst Wood,
Forest Row gets the full half. The other half is equally
divided between the Coal and Soup Fund and the
Clothing Club. The conversion of consols by Mr. Goschen
slightly reduced the income from this Trust and it is
now about £25 per annum.
REV. B. SLIGHT'S TRUST.
The Rev. Benjamin Slight, for many years a Noncon-
formist minister at Tunbridge Wells and during the
closing period of his life resident in East Grinstead and
then at Nen thorn, Ashurst Wood, died on August 17th,
1889, and by his will, dated March 22nd, 1883, left to the
Trustees of the Congregational Church at Ashurst Wood
the sum of £500, less legacy duty, on trust, "that they
and the other Trustees from time to time of the said
church do invest the same and apply the income towards
the support of the minister or the current expenses of
the said church as to its Trustees shall from time to time
seem expedient." The capital sum is now represented
by £471. 16s. 5d. invested in India 3 per cent, stock in
the names of the Charity Commissioners and yielding
£14. 3s. a year. There are no expenses of management
and the whole income is used to pay the rent of the
minister's house or expenses in connection with the
chapel. The present Trustees of the chapel are Messrs.
Wm. Brackett and F. Bell, of Tunbridge Wells; J. W.
Hawkins, of Upper Tooting ; James Waters, of Forest
Row ; Edward Young, of East Grinstead ; and B. Grove,
G. Mitchell and S. Jenks, of Ashurst Wood. The last
named acts as Treasurer and Correspondent.
JOHN SOUTHEY SCHOLARSHIPS.
Mr. John Southey, an old and esteemed tradesman of
East Grinstead, died on March 3rd, 1899, and by his
136 HISTORY OF EAST G&lNSTEAb.
will, which was proved on May 1st following, he instructed
his executors —
To set aside the sum of Four thousand two hundred pounds and
invest the same in Two pounds ten shillings per centum Bank
Annuities and stand possessed of the same and use the income resulting
therefrom for the purpose of endowing three Scholarships for two Boys
and one Girl the Children of Tradesmen or of any person below the class
of a Tradesman and whose parents or parent having the custody of
such Children or Child shall have been resident in the Parish of East
Grinstead for not less than five years, such Fund when set aside to be
called "The John Southey Endowment Fund" and such Scholarships
to be called " The John Southey Scholarships," and I direct that my
Trustees or such persons as they shall think fit to appoint to administer
this Trust and their successors for the time being shall fix the time
for which any Scholarship shall be held by any one Boy or Girl and be
the sole judges as to whether any and what Boy or Girl shall be
entitled to compete for and hold any Scholarship and to make such
arrangements for the examination of the Candidates for such Scholar-
ships as they shall think advisable.
The two Trustees appointed were Mr. Bromley Hall,
of Ivy Mill, Godstone, and Mr. Evelyn A. Head, of
East Grinstead. On June 8th, 1901, they applied to
the Charity Commissioners for sanction to a scheme for
administering the Trust and this sanction was given on
August 28th of the same year. This sets forth that the
Trustees of the Charity shall consist of the Governors,
for the time being, of the Payne Endowment and two
co-optative Trustees — Messrs. Hall and Head — who
are to hold office for life. On the death of either of these
the remaining Trustees can appoint any person residing
or carrying on business in or near East Grinstead to act
for a period of five years.
Mr. Southey's estate did not realise the amount he had
anticipated, and instead of £4,200 being available for
investment the total received by the Trustees was £1,725,
now represented by £1,671. 7s. 6d. in 2J per cent,
annuities, yielding £41. 15s. 8d. per annum. Mr. E. P.
Whitley Hughes acts as Clerk to these Governors.
FELBRIDGE SCHOOL.
The benefits of this charity extended to East Grin-
stead. It was founded during his lifetime by Mr.
James Evelyn, of Felbridge. He was born on July
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 137
17th, 1718, and died July lltli, 1793, being buried
at Godstone. By an indenture dated November 4th,
1783, made between himself and the Rev. Geo.
Bethune, of Rowfant, it was set forth that Mr. Evelyn,
having recently built himself a mansion on Felbridge
Heath, had caused a piece of land adjoining, with a
house thereon, to be fenced in for the use and support of
the master of the school, and he proposed to convey, for
the schoolmaster's benefit, the said house and parcel of
land and £21 a year, clear of all deductions. Accord-
ingly, for the nominal sum of 10s., he sold the house,
land and rent charge to Mr. Bethune and his heirs for
ever. The £21 was charged on Stocklands House and
12 pieces of land, 48 acres in all, situate in the parish of
Bletchingley and then let at £35 per annum. On the
death of James Evelyn, Jane, his wife (who was a
daughter of Sir Richard Oust, of Belton, Lincolnshire),
and their direct heirs, the appointment of the school-
master was to devolve upon the Rectors or Vicars of
Godstone, Home, Worth and East Grinstead. The
master was to teach the children reading, writing,
arithmetic and to repeat the catechism. Eight boys and
four girls were to be admitted free of charge and the
master was to find them in quills and ink, but to teach
them to make their own pens. The boys were to be
between the ages of six and 10, the girls between six and
13, all were to reside within 2^ miles of the school, and
they were to be drawn from the parishes named in the
following proportions : — Godstone, three boys and one
girl ; Home and Worth, each two boys and one girl ;
East Grinstead, one boy and one girl. The right of
nomination was to be in the hands of the respective
Vicars of the parishes after the deaths of James Evelyn,
his wife and direct heirs. This arrangement continued
in force until 1864, when a scheme was approved making
the owner of the mansion at Felbridge a trustee of the
charity, authorising him to receive the income, giving
him the power of appointing the schoolmaster, the
right to decide as to the best matters to be taught in
the school, and the power to exclude any children for
138 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
misconduct. Such drastic powers in one man's hands
did not long remain, for in 1866 another scheme was
sanctioned, giving him the power of appointing the
schoolmaster and mistress, subject only to the consent of
the other trustees, who then were Mrs. Gatty, Mr. C. H.
Gatty, Rev. G. W. Banks (Rector of Worth), Rev. G.
Bird (incumbent of Blindley Heath) and the Vicars of
East Grinstead and Godstone. Despite this arrangement
the management of the whole affair drifted exclusively
into the hands of Mr. Gatty and the rent charge on the
Bletchingley property was not collected for many years.
When Mr. C. H. Gatty died inquiries were instituted
and as a result Mrs. Pelly, the owner of Stocklands,
without admitting liability, and, as an act of grace, paid
over, to the school funds, the sum of £400 in full dis-
charge of any claim which might be made on her. As
there is now universal free admission to elementary
schools the charity has practically lapsed.
It may not be out of place here to add that James
Evelyn, who founded this charity, erected the obelisk
which still stands in Felbridge Park, to the memory of
his father and mother, Edward and Julia Evelyn. The
inscription on it, in hardly classical Latin, reads :—
JACOBUS EVELYN, FILIUS EDWARD: EVELYN
Et JuliiE uxoris ejus
(0 Beiiignissimi Parentes)
Hanc Columnam
Hac Terra (Natale Solum)
Poiieudam
Pientissime Gratissimeque
Curavit
A.D. MUCCLXXXVI
Johannes Soane
Architectus.
Much of the base of the column is further occupied
by the whole of Addison's exquisite Hymn of Gratitude,
commencing " When all Thy mercies, 0 my God."
Some lengthy references to members of this remark-
able family will be found in the chapter which deals with
the Parliamentary history of East Grinstead. They were
the possessors of the Felbridge estate for nearly 300 years,
THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES. 139
it being purchased by the late Mr. George Gatty, in 1856,
from Selina, Viscountess Milton, mother of the present
Earl of Liverpool, and the second of the three daughters
and co-heirs of the third Earl of Liverpool and third
Baron Hawkesbury. The estate fell to her share on the
death of her father on October 3rd, 1851. John Evelyn,
author of " Sylva," in his diary, makes frequent mention
of visits paid by him to his relative, Sir John Evelyn, at
Godstone.
FELBRIDGE BEEF AND FAGGOT CHARITY.
More than half the inhabitants of East Grinstead have
the right to participate in the benefits of this interesting
charity. It was founded, like the Felbridge School
Charity, by Mr. James Evelyn, who, by a codicil to his
will, dated July 3rd, 1793, recommended that four stone
of beef should be provided and made into broth and
distributed, as during his lifetime, from the first Thursday
in November to the last Thursday in April, and that a
round of beef, weighing not less than 4-stone 2-lbs.,
should be provided every Sunday in the year, as during
his lifetime, and that the schoolmistress should be allowed
at the rate of one penny per head for beer and one penny
per head for bread for those who partook of it. The
number of guests was not to be less than 12 nor more
than 14. Two hundred faggots were to be provided
yearly for the schoolmistress to dress the meat with, and
she was to be allowed sixpence a week for preparing the
broth. On April 19th, 1807, the Court of Chancery
made an order setting aside the sum of £3,500 from a
total capital of £11,327. 8s. 9d. invested in 3 per cent,
annuities, to meet all future expenses of this charity.
On July 15th, 1821, the Hon. Chas. Cecil Cope Jenkinson,
who had married James Evelyn's granddaughter, was
M.P. for East Grinstead, and afterwards became Earl of
Liverpool, together with Samuel Forster, of Lincoln's
Inn, were made trustees of the charity, and the costs of
this order were paid out of the capital sum belonging
to it, the amount invested being thereby reduced to
£3,441. 10s. 6d. It was invested in the names of the
140 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Official Trustees of Charitable Funds for the County of
Surrey. On Jan. 29th, 1864, a scheme was authorised
by the Charity Commissioners making the owner of
the mansion at Felbridge manager of the charity and
receiver of all the income. This scheme further con-
firmed the rules as to the distributing of broth on
Thursdays in the winter and the provision of Sunday
dinners at the school. The recipients were to be
residents in the district of Felbridge or within 2J miles
of the school house, "and shall be selected and excluded
at the discretion of the Manager." The recipients were
not to be less than 12 in number, and the Manager was
given power to increase them as funds allowed. An
amended scheme was approved on December llth, 1866.
The Trustees named were those already given as acting
for the School Charity. The mode of distribution was
altered. The Manager was to provide victuals and coals,
the victuals to consist of beef or other good meat, with
or without vegetables, to be distributed each Saturday
afternoon or evening, the victuals not to be cooked, but
the Schoolmaster to receive 6d. per week for receiving
and distributing them. Coals were to be provided to
warm the school house at a cost of 30s. a year. As
with the School Charity, so with this, its management in
time drifted entirely into the hands of Mr. Gatty, who,
though supposed to annually make a return of the income
and expenditure to the Charity Commissioners, only did
so on three occasions, and even then did not trouble to
balance his accounts. From the returns made it
appears that the annual income was £94. 12s. 8d., arid
Mr. Gatty regularly spent a small portion of this on
the school insurance, on coal for warming the building
and on cleaning the church, the value of the meat
annually distributed being just under £90. The weekly
distribution still takes place, but a new scheme is in
course of preparation whereby a fresh set of Trustees,
of whom Mr. W. V. K. Stenning represents East Grin-
stead, will no doubt be given a wider discretion in the
application of the income.
THE IRON INDUSTRY,
WITH SOME NOTES FROM A CARRIER'S JOURNAL OF 1761
TO 1769.
CHAPTER IX.
To the prosperous days of the famous Sussex ironworks
several of the local stone-built houses owe their origin.
Gravetye, Gulledge and Rowfantare examples of mansions
built by the old ironmasters of the neighbourhood, who
employed a vast number of hands and amassed consider-
able fortunes. Among the places in and around East
Grinstead where furnaces existed were Tickeridge, Cans-
iron, Millplace, Hammerwood, Furnace Farm (Cowden),
Furnace Pond (Felbridge), Wire Mill, The Warren
(Crawley Down), Gravetye (where the mansion was built
by Richard Infield, who married one of the Culpepers,
and died March llth, 1624), Parrock (Hartfield) and
Rowfant. The destruction of timber to feed the furnaces,
coal being too costly and difficult to obtain in large
quantities, was necessarily very great, and as early as the
reign of Henry VIII. (1543) it was enacted " that no wood
shall be converted into pasture ; that in cutting coppice
woods at 24 years' growth or under there shall be left
standing and unfelled for every acre twelve standils or
storers of oak, or in default of so many, then of elm, ash,
asp or beech ; and that if the coppice be under 14 years'
growth it shall be enclosed from cattle for six years."
Many subsequent Acts were passed to the same effect.
On February 15th, 1574, Ralph Hogg complained of
the infringement of the patent granted him by the Queen
as to the exportation of ordnance, and a list was prepared
of the owners of ironworks in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
It included the following : —
Mr. Mighell, 1 furnace in Hoadlee (West Hoathly).
Mr. Reynoldes, 1 furnace in Mylplace (Millplace).
Mr. Payne and Duffild, 1 fordg, 1 furnace in Grynsted,
142 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
This Mr. Payne was John Payne, a burgess of the
town at that time, who, in his will dated December 12th,
1579, gave to his cousin, Roger Hayte, his tenement and
" Smythes fforge now in the occupacon of Joseph Duffield
and John Larke scytuat in East Greensted." From the
fact of its being styled "le fforge in Burge de Est
Greensted" in an inquisition held in 1580 on the death
of its owner, John Payne, it would seem to have been
the only forge within the limits of the borough, which
were by no means coterminous with the parish, as already
explained.
The Lord of Bucklierst, 1 fordge, 1 furnace in Parrock, in the
hands of George Bullen.
The Quene's Matie, 1 fordge, 1 furnace in Ashdowne, in the hands
of Henry Bowyer.
Ashdown Forest was at this time held by the Crown,
and the forge referred to was at Newbridge.
Robert Whitfelde, 1 fordge in Rowfants.
This was an ancestor of the Whitfelds, the well-known
Sussex bankers.
Henry Boyer, 1 fordge in Tynsley (Worth).
The following were ordered to appear before the
Council : —
John Blacket, furnace at Hodley (West Hoathly).
Robert Reynold, a forge at Brambletynne (Brarubletye).
From the following bonds were taken, under a penalty
of £2,000, not to found or sell ordnance without license
from the Queen : —
Robert Reynolds, of East Grinstead.
John Thorpe, of East Grinstead.
John Duffold, of East Grinstead.
Robert Whitfylde, of Worth.
George Bulleyn, of Hartefeild.
In defiance of these measures, however, the surrep-
titious exportation of Sussex cannon went on. In 1587,
the Earl of Warwick, as Master of the Ordnance,
despatched "a gentleman of his, one Mr. Blincoe," into
Sussex, to summon all the gunfounders of the county up
to London to understand his pleasure respecting their
THE IRON INDUSTRY. 143
further continuance of the manufacture. " Henry Nevel,
and the rest of that occupation," obeyed the summons,
and the matter was referred to the arrangement of Mr.
Hockenal, the Deputy Master of the Ordnance, and Mr.
Blincoe. The result was that not more than a certain
quantity of cannon was to be cast annually for the
necessary provision of our own navigation, a certain
proportion being allowed to each founder. It was also
stipulated that no ordnance should be sold except in the
city, and not even there but to such merchants "as my
lord or his deputy should name." These instructions
seem to have been quickly disregarded, for two years
later Thomas, Lord Buckhurst, Queen Elizabeth's Lord
High Treasurer, wrote a letter complaining of the
infringement of the regulations by the ironmasters : —
Their Lordshypps doe see the little regard the owners of furnaces
and the makers of these peeces have of their bondes, and how y*
importeth the state that the enemy of Her Majesty should not be
furnished oute of the lande with ordnance to annoy us.
The Lord Treasurer goes on to direct the Magistrates
to enforce the provisions made by the Earl of Warwick.
Another letter, from the same officer to the local Justices,
dated October 6th, 1590, directs them as to " straighter
restraint of making shott and ordnance," and to take
bonds of £1,000 each of every furnace owner and
farmer; and also to forward their bonds, and a list of
their names, to him with all convenient speed.
According to a return made about 90 years later the
ironworks at Millplace and Rowfant had been discon-
tinued before 1664, and partly ruined, but the former
were re-stocked and started again when the Civil War
broke out, and guns or shot were made there for the
supply of the King's stores. Millplace was owned in
1711 by John Conyers, M.P. for East Grinstead.
In 1740 there were only 10 furnaces in all Sussex,
turning out 1,400 tons of iron in the year, but as late as
1769 local ironworks were in a very flourishing state.
Those at Gravetye ; at the Warren, which was near the
borders of Sussex and Surrey, in the Crawley Down
district; and at Millplace, situated about midway between
144 HISTORY OF FAST GRINSTEAD.
Stone Farm and Tickeridge, in East Grinstead, were all
doing a considerable trade in the casting of ordnance, as
is shown by the journal kept by Robert Knight, who
had a very prosperous carrier's business in East Grin-
stead at that time. In the year 1761 Gravetye furnace
was carried on by Messrs. Glutton & Co., and in August,
1762, the business was apparently sold to Messrs. Eade
and Wilton. From April 23rd, 1761, to the end of the
year 1762, from this one furnace alone, Robert Knight
carried to London or Woolwich, principally to the latter
place, over 225 guns, of which 27 were of unstated
calibre, 20 were three-pounders, 29 four-pounders, four
six-pounders, 66 nine-pounders, 35 twelve-pounders, 33
eighteen -pounders, and 18 thirty-two-pounders. From
the very careful entries which Robert Knight made in
his account book we are able to gather the approximate
weights of some of these guns. A four-pounder weighed
about half a ton, a nine-pounder 25 cwt., a twelve-
pounder 36 cwt., and a thirty-two-pounder 56 cwt.
The Warren furnace was then being carried on by
Messrs. Masters & Raby, and later on by Messrs. Raby
and Rogers, and was also doing a very considerable
trade with the Government. Its owners supplied
numerous guns of various weights and calibre to Wool-
wich and also cast a large quantity of shot and shell.
On three days in December, 1768, Knight carted to
London 187 pieces of 10 and 13-inch shells, and brought
back two tons of pig iron to the Warren and a plate of
iron and a mould to Gravetye. This would seem to
indicate that Messrs. Raby & Rogers had more casting
orders on hand than they could produce local iron for.
Occasionally the waggons came back loaded with coal or
steel. Through January the work of carting shells and
guns to London continued, 165 shells or 32-lbs. shot
being taken in the first eight days of the year 1769.
By this time the Gravetye and Warren furnaces were
apparently under the same management, for Knight
makes very frequent entries in his ledger of ordnance
carted between the two, the Warren supplying Gravetye
with iron and Gravetye sending to the Warren guns
THE IRON INDUSTRY. 145
11 with the heads on" or " with the heads off," nearly
100 pieces, ranging from " half-pounders " to nine-
pounders, being thus specified. The Wakehurst Estate
sent in a lot of timber for use at Gravetye, and coal was
brought up in considerable quantities from Lewes, being
water-borne thus far, the quantity averaging about 12
loads a month. One of Mr. Raby's places is described
as Woodcock Forge. This was the one known to be in
use at Wire Mill, or Weir Mill, as it used to be called,
adjoining the well-known pond at the foot of Woodcock
Hill.
In 1763 Millplace furnace was in the hands of Messrs.
Ralph Glutton & Durrant, and guns of a much finer make
were apparently manufactured there. During February
of the year named they consigned to Seamans Wharf,
London, about 150 swivel guns, weighing only about
one cwt. each. They also cast a number of twelve-
pounders, as eight of these were sent to Woolwich in
May, 1763. That this business was a considerable one
is shown by a written statement in the ledger setting
forth that during the year ending in August, 1762, Mr.
Glutton paid to Knight the sum of £293. 12s. lOJd.
on account of his cartage bill and there was then a
balance due of £40. 5s. 4Jd.
These furnaces must have ceased operation very
shortly afterwards, for in 1788 there were only two
charcoal fuel furnaces in the whole county of Sussex,
and in 1796 only one, the last to cease working being
that at Ashburnham, near Battle, in 1823.
Mr. Robert Knight's journal contains much other
interesting mattter, in addition to the numerous entries
in reference to the cartage of guns and shells. The
blacksmiths who shared his work were Master Burr and
William Wren, the latter then holding the forge at
Felbridge, which for a century or more remained in the
same family. The amount of timber and bark carted to
London was enormous. In one day, July 18th, 1764, he
took from Hasleden to " Mr. Coleman's, the tanner, in
Long Lane, London," 25 bags of bark, each weighing
over three cwt. Messrs. Clifford & Gardner then carried
146 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
on business as timber merchants here and their bill was
a very heavy one. Mr. Whatley and later on Mr.
Jourdon were also frequent consignors of timber from
the Bower Farm and Gotwick Farm, in East Grin-
stead, and also from Blindley Heath and West Hoathly
to Westminster, Vauxhall or Lambeth ; Messrs. White
and Jourdon from Crabbet, Worth ; the Crosses, Lingfield,
and elsewhere to London. Another merchant doing a
large business then between this town and London was
Mr. Walters. " Esquire " Evelyn then had Felbridge
Park, and his name figures frequently in the book as a
creditor for corn, &c., sold to the worthy carrier.
lt Master Turner of Ember Horn," also figures
occasionally in the ledger, as also does Mr. Edward
Prentis as a buyer of timber from the same estate, and
from Laberty (possibly Lavortye, a part of Brambletye),
his timber going to Tonbridge wharf, for distribution
over Kent. Mr. Edward Belchambers and afterwards
Messrs. Belchambers & Rose were apparently trading in
1769 as timber merchants, for some thousands of planks
and scantlings were brought for them to East Grinstead
Common from Blockfield Farm, Blackham, Crawley Down
and elsewhere, and thence distributed to London and all
parts of the country.
The whole of the entries in this extremely interesting
book are beautifully written, though the orthography
is peculiar. The following recipes on the final page may
give a useful (?) hint to horse owners of the present
time : —
A Reaceat for to Cure a Brokeing Winding Horse. The first thing
you must do is to Bleed the Horse in the Vain of the Nick, then give
him. Holfe a Pint of Sweet Oile the first day, the nixt day you most
give him a quort of Ases milk, a quort of Surrup of Howr Hound, a
Pint of Bed Wine, a Pound and quorton of Honey, 2 ounces of
Spanish Lickrish, and Stire it all togather for 10 minnetts and Keep
him fasting for 2 Howrs bfore and after. this Eeaseat will Cure.
A Eeaceat for to Cure a Horse that Bleed at nose. Take three
Handfulls of Bramble Leaves and Three Handfulls of Hunny Suckles
Leaves and three Handfulls of Stinging Nettles. Put them in 3
quorts of Spring Water and Stew them till it Comes to a quort.
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY,
WITH SOME NOTES ON THE BATCHELAR FAMILY.
CHAPTER X.
EXCEPT for the carrying of merchandise, East Grinstead
seems for a very long period to have contented itself
with the facilities for passenger traffic afforded by the
through coaches which ran between London, Lewes and
Brighthelmstone. The road through this town was by
far the oldest and for a long period the chief route. The
distance was 58 miles and horses were changed at
Croydon, Godstone Green, East Grinstead, Uckfield and
Lewes. The first person to set up any stage coach
between London and the county town was one Batchelar,
who ran a coach long prior to turnpikes being created.
This business was handed from father to son until it
came into the hands of the real pioneer of the Brighton
coaching era, James Batchelar, whose family had by this
time become of some importance and considerable
owners of property in and around East Grinstead.
They originally sprung from Easingwald, in Yorkshire,
one branch settling in Norfolk and another in Sussex.
Their coat of arms — three wings and three fleur-de-lis —
suggests that the family had a French origin. James
Batchelar began a proper coach service through the town
of East Grinstead in May, 1756. In this year the
Batchelars were living at the Dorset Arms, in this town,
while they also held a lease of the Moats Farm, granted
them by Mrs. Payne, widow of Mr. Charles Payne, and
her daughter Anna, afterwards Mrs. Gibbs Crawfurd, of
Saint Hill.
Moat Road, East Grinstead, is named after this
particular farm, which then covered the whole site of
the present thoroughfare and included also Stoneleigh
and the nursery gardens. The following entry is from
L 2
148 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
John Batchelar's account book, he apparently looking
after the agricultural work at that time and James
dealing with the coaching : —
Janry. the 9, 1764. Then A Greed with John Hills to do all ye
work in the hop Garding att the Motes as the year before for Six
pounds 6s.
The hop garden disappeared many years ago. It is
clear that Batchelar kept a good supply of horses before
this date, for his own records, kindly placed in my
hands by his descendant, Mr. George Batchelar, of
Lirigfield, show that in 1743 £76 was paid for oats at
home, but in 1764 this item had risen to £148. 19s. 9d.
for the year, the price at this time ranging from 13s. 6d.
to 17s. per quarter. The family then occupied not only
Moats, but also Lunnenden (now Lullenden) Farm, while
they also owned the Anchor at Croydon and Stumps
and Gates Farms, in the parish of Lingfield, then held of
the Manor of Imberhorne. On July 21st, 1817, James,
the then owner, cut 33 oak trees on Gates Farm and sold
them to Mr. John Stenning for £150, handing over to
Mr. George Bankin, jun., "for his part for the Lord of
the Manor," £70. Mr. Bankin was a well-known solicitor
in East Grinstead and died on February llth, 1847,
aged 75. Mr. George Batchelar's grandfather, James,
and his three brothers were all born at the Dorset Arms,
East Grinstead. A sister, Mary, married a clergy-
man named Blagden, and an oil painting still exists of
her and her husband. The James of coaching fame
died about 1763. His brother John continued to drive
the coach and the widow carried on the business for
some years; indeed, she did not die until 1817. The
property passed to her son James and he sold Stumps
and Gates Farms to a Mr. Grange, who amalgamated
them under the one name of The Grange, after his own
patronymic, and the estate has perpetuated the fact of
his brief ownership ever since. The property was after-
wards sold to Mr. St. George and it has since passed
through the hands of the Dumelope, Hastie, Yatman,
Budd and Hubbard families, and is now owned by Mr.
Reeve.
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY. 149
But to return to coaching matters. Mr. George
Batchelar has one of the original posters, issued in May,
1756, announcing that James Batchelar's " New
Machine " would run every Monday, Wednesday and
Friday from the George Inn, Haymarket, to East
Grinstead, Lewes and Brighton, completing the journey
in one day, returning on the other days of the week.
The full fare between London and Brighton was 16
shillings (including 14-lbs. of luggage) for inside
passengers), but only half that sum for those who rode
outside. The fare from East Grinstead to London was
6s. The old account books contain many entries show-
ing the payment of this sum per seat. The turnpike
dues between East Grinstead and London were 2s. and
the sum paid for stabling in town was always 7s. 2d. a
day. At the same time Batchelar ran a second coach
from the Talbot Inn, in the Borough, to Godstone, East
Grinstead and Lewes, starting each Tuesday at nine
o'clock and Saturday at five o'clock. In all his
advertisements and on all his posters he inserted the
words "If God permit," a provision possibly rendered
necessary in consequence of the disgraceful state of the
roads in these early days. The payment to the employes
at this time was not a particularly heavy item, as witness
the following extracts from Batchelar's diary : —
May 19, 1734. Agreed with John Stenning to sarve me to old Mich'
Day for 2s. 6d. for weeke.
July 2, 1742. A Greead with Bob. Wickarsham to mow 15 akars
of grass for one and twenty pence per akar.
This man farmed part of the present East Court Estate.
Oct. 10, 1746. A Greade with old Gibb for James for four pound
four shillings and a pair of shows (shoes) for one year.
Sept. 29, 1750. A Gread with Eichd Mills for three pounds ten
shillings for a year.
Feb. 9, 1750. Pd. Eichd. Mathews in full for one yeares wagers toe
Feb. the 6th. £3-3-0.
A year later the same man got seven guineas for his
year.
Oct. 7, 1759. Agreead with John Hills to old mickelmas next for
seven shillings pr. week.
150 HISTORY Of EAST GRlNSTEAt).
Occasionally his men gave him trouble, for we find
on —
Aug. 17, 1750. Crissmas Kilner lost a tosing up att London of my
money=14s. 6d.
Dec. 25, 1754. Crismas Kilner pd. me short 9s.
Judging from his name he had possibly been celebrating
his birthday.
Ap. 23, 1755. Crismas Kilner pd. me short 14s.
Some of these men were, no doubt, agricultural
labourers and not all engaged solely in the coaching
business. His general cartage work entailed other
expenses, as this entry shows : —
Nov. 3, 1754. Gave Mr. Harman and his wife one ginney for to go
through his ground with my waggons from the Mays wood till one
month after Lady Day next.
The business was, no doubt, a profitable one and opposi-
tion soon sprang up. J. Tubb and S. Brawne started, on
June 7th, 1762, a "new Flying Machine, hung on steel
springs, very neat and commodious," from the Golden
Cross, at Charing Cross, via East Grinstead to Brighton.
This vehicle did the down journey on Mondays, Wednes-
days and Fridays, and the up on the alternate days. The
fares were the same as Batchelar's, who, in order to cope
with this interference with his old custom, started " a new
large Flying Chariot, with a box and four horses to carry
two Passengers only, except three should desire to go
together." But the new-comers still drew his patrons
away, so Batchelar lowered his prices. This so irritated
Tubb that he rushed into print, and in the Lewes Journal
of November, 1762, then the only paper published in the
County of Sussex and now known as the Sussex Advertiser,
appeared a notice in which he said : —
Gentlemen, Ladies, and others, are desired to look narrowly into the
Meanness and Design of the other Flying Machine to Lewes and
Brighthelmston, in lowering his prices, whether 'tis thro' conscience or
an endeavour to suppress me. If the former is the case, think how
you have been used for a great number of years, when he engrossed
the whole to himself, and kept you two days upon the road, going fifty
miles. If the latter, and he should be lucky enough to succeed in it,
judge whether he wont return to his old prices, when you cannot help
yourselves, and use you as formerly. As I have then, been the remover
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY. 151
of this obstacle, wliicli you have all granted by your great encourage-
ment of me hitherto, I, therefore, hope for the continuance of your
favours, which will entirely frustrate the deep-laid schemes of my great
opponent, and lay a lasting obligation on,
Your very humble servant,
J. Tubb.
The blood of the Batchelars was up, and the following
week the same paper contained this answer : —
Whereas Mr. Tubb, by an Advertisement in this paper of Monday
last, has thought fit to cast some invidious reflexions upon me in respect
of the lowering my Prices and being two days upon the road with other
low insinuations, I beg leave to submit the following matters to the
calm Consideration of the Gentlemen, Ladies and other Passengers, of
what Degree soever, who have been pleased to favour me, viz. : —
That our Family first set up the Stage Coach from London to Lewes,
and have continued it for a long Series of Years, from Father to Son,
and other Branches of the same Eace, and that even before the Turn-
pikes on the Lewes Eoad were erected they drove their Stage, in the
Summer Season, in one day, and have continued to do so ever since,
and now in the Winter Season twice in the week. And it is likewise
to be considered that many aged and infirm Persons, who did not chuse
to rise early in the morning, were very desirous to be two Days on the
road for their own Ease and Conveniency, therefore there was no
Obstacle to be removed. And as to lowering my prices, let every one
judge whether, when an old Servant of the Country perceives an
Endeavour to suppress and supplant him in his Business, he is not well
justified in taking all measures in his Power for his own Security,
and even to oppose an unfair Adversary so far as he can. 'Tis,
therefore, hoped that the Descendants of your very ancient Servants
will still meet with your farther Encouragement, and leave the
schemes of our little Opponent to their proper deserts.
I am, Your old and present
most obedient Servant,
J. Batchelar.
0 disingenuous Batchelar ! You did not inform your
London and Brighton patrons that the two-days' journey
was broken at the Dorset Arms, East Grinstead; that
your own family owned that famous hostelry, and that
they drew not only the coaching fee, but also the lodging
bill of those who u did not chuse to rise early in the
morning." But his burst of virtuous indignation seems
to have had its effect, for J. Tubb did not reply to his
" great opponent." He bided his time and a few years
later purchased from Batchelar's executors the rival
business which had given him such sad worrying.
152 HISTORY OF EAST GRtNSTEAD.
In 1770 East Grinstead was served from London on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the coach leaving
the Golden Cross at Charing Cross at five a.m., passing
through to Brighton and returning during the night,
leaving the coast town at five p.m. and East Grinstead
about nine p.m. At this same time a waggon regularly
ran between the Dorset at East Grinstead and the Talbot
in the Borough, but what accommodation it afforded is
not now known. We do know its outgoings, for Batchelar
records in his journal, under date November 4th, 1761,
the fact that his
Expences for the wagon and man three days to the Talbot Inn
without going into the settey (City) come to about £1. 2s.
Shortly afterwards the present main road between
London and Brighton began to meet with more favour,
and one by one the through coaches ceased to visit East
Grinstead, until at last our town was almost left to shift
for itself in providing communication with the outside
world. In 1790 the East Grinstead route had fallen so
low in favour that a writer afterwards thought fit to say
of it : — " There were three roads from Brighton to
London. The first and chief passed through Cuckfield
and Reigate. This was the Appian way for the high
nobility of England. The other two were vulgar."
0 tempora, 0 mores ! What a slight on the wild beauties
of Ashdown Forest and the quaint picturesqueness of
our fine old town !
According to Gary's "Itinerary of the Great Roads,"
only one coach was running in 1815 solely between
London and East Grinstead. This left the Spur Inn,
Borough, at three o'clock each day, arriving at the
Dorset Arms, East Grinstead, at eight o'clock in the
evening. It returned each morning at 7 a.m., arriving
in the Borough at 12 noon. The service from the south
was also daily, a coach starting from North Street,
Brighton, every morning "in the season" at seven
o'clock and going through East Grinstead to London,
completing the journey in ten hours, so that this town
had a second service to the Metropolis.
EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY. 153
Another volume published at the same time, entitled
" The Three Grand Routes from Brighton to London,"
announced, as one of the attractions of the town at that
time, that at the Dorset Arms Hotel a ball was annually
given by the subscribers of a Book Society. In a con-
temporary diary is recorded, " 1842, Oct. 19. Book
Club Ball at the Crown. A scene of vanity." Dumsdale,
a tailor in a small way of business in East Grinstead,
had a son who was a cripple from his childhood, and he
built for him a light four-wheeled cart, to which young
Dumsdale used to harness an unicorn team of bulldogs.
He made his way to London in February, 1830, and
drove down the Strand. He used to do the 28 miles
from East Grinstead to Brighton comfortably in four
hours, and often beat the coach that travelled by this
road, occasionally doing ten miles an hour. Dumsdale
was generally permitted by the toll-gate keepers to travel
toll free.
Some ten years later a pair-horse coach used to run
daily from the Dorset Arms through Lingfield on to
Godstone, with passengers. Here they were met by a
four-horse coach which ran from Bletchingley to London,
until the line from Godstone to London was opened,
and then on October 5th, 1842, a daily service between
East Grinstead and Godstone Station was commenced.
This was temporarily stopped on March 20th, 1843, but
resumed in the course of a few months. The coaches
seem to have been fairly free of mishaps, but on
September 7th, 1842, the Grinstead coach was over-
turned on the Common. The horses were blinded by a
flash of lightning, got off the road and upset the coach,
but the six passengers all escaped with nothing worse
than a severe shaking.
This pair-horse coach was for a long time driven by a
man named Bashford, who died on December 31st, 1846,
and to him succeeded William Thomas, whom many will
still remember as the driver of Mr. Southey's hearse.
The Godstone vehicle was always called "the bus" and
had its headquarters at the Dorset. On May 16th, 1849,
it commenced to do the journey twice daily. The
154 HISTORY OP EAST GRINSTEAD.
opening of the main line at Three Bridges took place on
July 12th, 1841, but East Grinstead took no steps to get
a regular connection with the line there until June 4th,
1849, when a vehicle, always called "the coach," to
distinguish it from the Godstone " bus," began to run
twice daily from the Swan at East Grinstead to the
Station at Three Bridges, and was driven by a man
named Holdsworth until 1855, when the railway
between Three Bridges and East Grinstead was opened.
By the time the South-Eastern Line was opened the
Batchelars had removed to Lingfield, and the James of
that day issued a bill on March 28th, 1844, stating that
in future his goods would be taken by rail from Godstone
to London and back every Tuesday and Friday,
by which arrangement he will be enabled to deliver them, at a much
CHEAPER KATE than before, and most respectfully solicits a continuance
of those favours which have been entrusted to him and his Family
upwards of 100 years, feeling confident that, with the aid of the
Railway, he shall be able to forward, in any quantities, to the perfect
satisfaction of his Friends and Employers.
The last of the mail coaches which ran between
London and Brighton was taken off the road in 1841.
Among the habitual visitors to the Dorset Arms during
its long career as a coaching house were the eccentric
Lord Liverpool, who owned Buxted Park ; Lord
Abergavenny, who then lived at Kidbrooke Park ; Lord
Seymour, Lord Delawarr, Spencer Perceval — the Prime
Minister who was murdered — and several of the ladies
who attracted the amorous attentions of the Prince
Regent, one of whom actually left her luncheon bills to
be settled by the State. In 1827 the Princess Victoria
passed through East Grinstead, accompanied by her
mother, the Duchess of Kent. They changed horses at
the Dorset Arms and while waiting there were loudly
cheered by a great gathering of inhabitants.
TOLL-GATES AND EOAD MANAGEMENT,
CHAPTER XI.
THE first effective attempt to get the main road running
from London to East Grinstead put into a proper state of
repair and placed under organised management was made
in the year 1717. Many of the users of the road became
alarmed at the proposals and petitioned Parliament that
they might be freed and exempted from any charge likely
to be enforced in consequence of making good the high-
way, and that they might be at liberty to pass as usual
to and from London free of expense. But their prayer
was not listened to, and in the following year the Act
was passed creating the Turnpike Trust over the road
which ran from London, through Godstone to East
Grinstead. At this time and for many years later an
argument prevailed with Sussex people that if they
made good roads through the county the French would
immediately invade England and use the roads on their
march to the Metropolis.
The Act in question set forth in its preamble that the
road running from London to East Grinstead, by reason
of the heavy traffic, was becoming a very ruinous and
almost impassable for the space of five months in the
year," therefore Trustees were appointed with power to
erect turnpikes and charge tolls and devote one-third of
one-half of the proceeds to amending the road from
Croydon to East Grinstead. This Act was to continue
in force for 21 years, but by 1720 the Trustees had
expended £11,000 on the road over and above the
amount of the tolls, and to enable them to borrow with
greater ease the Act was extended for 23 years in all.
In 1724 another Act was passed extending the Trust so
as to include the road right through the town of East
Grinstead and on to Highgate, which was then the
entrance to Ashdown Forest.
The borrowing of £2,500 for repairing the road from
Croydon to Highgate was authorised ; the meeting place
156 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
for the local Trustees was fixed at the Crown Inn ; and,
for the first time, all coaches and persons on horseback
were ordered to be allowed to go free on the days of
election of Members of Parliament in Surrey or Sussex.
Funds running short, another Act was passed in 1731
putting on additional tolls of one penny for animals and
threepence to sixpence for vehicles. Six years later
Parliament again dealt witli the matter and continued
the Acts for 15 years after March 25th, 1762, and as and
from July 25th, 1737, doubled many of the existing
tolls. A general Act passed about the same time fixed
very severe penalties for those who interfered with the
toll-gates or their keepers. They were to undergo
imprisonment for three months and to be " once publickly
and openly whipt" in the market place of the nearest
town to which the offence was committed.
The whole of the general laws relating to turnpike
roads in England were embodied in one Act passed in
1768. Specific widths of wheels and weights were
defined for every class of vehicle, and the Turnpike
Trustees were empowered to erect cranes, machines or
engines at each toll-gate to weigh all vehicles and charge
all overweight 20s. per cwt. No four-wheeled vehicle
was allowed more than eight horses and no two-wheeled
vehicle more than four, but the number could be increased
during times of deep snow and ice. Every vehicle with
wheels less than six inches wide had to pay half as much
again as the specified tolls, and after 1776 this penalty
for light running traps was increased to double the
amount set forth in any previous Act of Parliament. In
the same year all tyres were first compelled to be flat and
the nails sunk so as not to rise above the surface.
This is a copy of the notice as to weights posted on
the East Grinstead toll-gate 130 years ago:—
Table of Weights Allowed in Winter and Summer
(including the Carriage and Loading).
SUMMER. WINTER.
TONS. CWTS. TOHB. CWTS.
To every Waggon upon Rollers, of the Breadth
of 16 Inches 8 0 .. 7 0
To every Waggon with 9 Inch Wheels, rolling
a Surface of 16 Inches on each Side. ... 6 10 .. 6 0
TOLL-GATES AND ROAD MANAGEMENT. 157
SUMMER. WINTER.
TONS CWTS. TONS. CWTS.
To every Waggon with. 9 Inch. Wheels 6 0 .. 510
Cart „ „ „ 3 0 .. 2 15
„ Wagon ,,6 „ 4 5 .. 3 15
„ „ „ n » rolling
a Surface of 1 1 Inches 510 .. 5 0
To every Cart with 6 Inch Wheels 212 . . 2 7
,, Waggon with Wheels of less Breadth
than 6 Inches 3 10 .. 3 0
To every Cart with Wheels of less Breadth than
6 Inches 110 . . 1 7
In 1784 the powers of the London to Highgate
Trustees were greatly enlarged and they were given the
sole control of the road between the points named. The
Trustees were about 200 in number and included the
Vicar of East Grinstead and some 20 other local residents.
Their qualification was the enjoyment of land worth £40
a year, or the possession of personal estate worth £800.
For the purpose of carrying out the Act they were given
all the powers of Justices of the Peace, whether they
were Magistrates or not. They were strictly forbidden
to appoint any innkeeper to any office under the Trust,
but this did not apply to a person who farmed the tolls,
as the last toll-gate keeper at the point where Surrey and
Sussex joined at Felbridge was Mr. George Worsell, who
also occupied the Star Inn. The following were the
tolls then demanded at the toll-house in East Grinstead,
which stood at the southern entrance to the town, on the
land which now forms part of the forecourt of Dr.
Poynder's house : —
For every Horse, Mule or Ass, laden or unladen, and not drawing Id.
For every Chaise, or other such like Carriage, drawn by One
Horse only 2d.
For every Coach, Chariot, Landau, Berlin, Hearse, Chaise,
Calash or other such like Carriage, drawn by Two or more
Horses 6d.
For every Cart, Dray or other such like Carriage 2d.
For every Wagon, not laden with Hay or Straw 6d.
For every Waggon, laden with Hay or Straw 3d.
For every Drove of Oxen, or other Neat Cattle, the sum of Two-
pence per Score ; and so in proportion for every greater or lesser number.
For every Drove of Calves, Hogs, Sheep or Lambs, the sum of One
Penny per Score; and so in proportion for every greater or lesser
number.
158 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
These tolls were considerably increased in after years,
for some vehicles had to pay as much as eighteenpence.
Among the vehicles exempted from tolls were those
which carried fish ; road-mending material ; manure for
local land; bricks or timber for local buildings; hay,
corn or straw during harvest time ; agricultural imple-
ments ; vagrants sent by legal passes, and persons going
to or from an election.
In 1850 occurs the first mention of horseless vehicles,
the Sussex and Surrey Roads Act (13 and 14 Victoria)
fixing these tolls for East Grrinstead : —
8. d.
For every carriage with, four or more wheels, not drawn by any
horse or other beast, but propelled or moved by machinery 2 0
For every carriage with three or a less number of wheels, not
drawn by any horse or beast, but propelled or moved by
machinery 1 0
The first steam plough passed through the town on
April 18th, 1864, and its passage, without horses, excited
intense interest.
The instances in which the Turnpike Trustees them-
selves managed the toll-gates were comparatively few
in number. They farmed the tolls, the same being
disposed of, at a properly convened meeting, by public
auction. Parliament itself laid down the conditions of
sale, which included the following : —
To prevent fraud or any undue preference in the letting thereof, the
Trustees are hereby required to provide a Glass with so much Sand in
it as will run from One End of it to the other in One Minute ; which
Glass, at the Time of letting the said Tolls, shall be set upon a Table,
and immediately after every Bidding the Glass shall be turned, and as
soon as the Sand is run out it shall be turned again, and so for Three
Times, unless some other Bidding intervenes : And if no other Person
shall bid until the Sand shall have run through the Glass for Three
Times, the last Bidder shall be the Farmer or Renter of the said Tolls.
On February 15th, 1809, the Trustees of that portion
of the turnpike road running from Godstone to Highgate,
Forest Row, petitioned Parliament for an enlargement of
the powers given them under three previous Acts, as the
money already borrowed on the security of the tolls was
not sufficient to keep the road in decent repair. The
expedition with which Parliament dealt with the matter
TOLL-GATES AND ROAD MANAGEMENT. 159
is little short of marvellous. The petition was referred
to two Members. A week later leave was given to bring
in a Bill. It was before the House on March 13th ; passed
its third reading by April 1 8th ; was agreed to by the
Lords on the 24th, and received the Royal assent on the
28th. Thus in a little over two months was done what
would possibly now take two years. The local turnpikes
were abolished some 70 years later, and on June 27th,
1882, the road through East Grinstead was declared a
main road and taken over by the county authorities, as
and from October 16th following.
We hear very little now about the " Old Road" and
the " New Road," though the names still linger in the
memories of some residents. The town was originally
approached from Forest Row by the disused road which
turned in some 50 yards on the town side of Budgen's
Barn and traversed what is now called Frog's Hole, a
dangerous, circuitous route for vehicular traffic. About
70 years ago the then Earl De la Warr purchased a
number of old and dilapidated buildings which sur-
rounded Sackville College and had them removed, the
present wide roadway which provides so charming an
approach to our town from the Lewes road being made at
the same time.
The approach to the town from what is now known as
Sunnyside was originally by way of Hurst -an -Clays
coach road, that being a public thoroughfare up to 1860.
The necessary land for the making of Ship Street on its
present site was given by the late Mr. C. C. Tooke, in
return for a relinquishment of all public rights over the
old road which led immediately past his front door and
under the dove-cote. The scheme was approved by the
Vestry on October 2nd, 1860.
An exact and careful measurement of all the roads in
the parish was completed on March 14th, 1881, and the
following table of distances was compiled : —
Miles. Yds.
From Felbridge, through the town, to Wych Cross 6 1653
Imberhorne Lane, from near Felbridge, to Hazelden Cross 1 1 395
From Hazelden Cross to Saint Hill Green 1 186
,, ,, ,, ,, Hurley Farm 1 556
160 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Miles. Yds.
From the town end of West Street to Hazelden Cross .... 1 528
the top of West Street, by the Ship Inn, to Tyes Cross 3 1546
the Crossways, near Hurst-an-Clays dove-cote, to the
Town by the Hermitage 692
Tyes Cross to Forest Eow Church 3 826
Ashdown Park to Stone Farm. 4 246
the Forest Road to Twyford Lodge 548
Lingfield Eoad, from London Road to the County Boundary 833
Opposite Miles' Cottage at Felbridge 216
Hartfield district turnpike road 1 888
From Forest Row to Park Corner 1 128
,, Ashurst Wood to East Grinstead Lane, by Shovel-
strode 2 648
Road at Ashurst Wood, opposite Brambletye lower lodge . . 40
From. Hartfield Parish, by East Grinstead Lane, to the Town 3 1 700
Frog's Hole Road 243
Shepherd's Grove Road 596
From the Larches to Sandhawes Hill. . 182
Total 33 1570
Since that date many new roads have been laid out,
and the following, within the Urban District, at present
taken over by the public authority, completes the list to
date I— Yards.
Portlands Road 417
Moat Road 434
Cranston Road 418
Maypole Road 121
Durkins Road 1 80
Green Hedges Avenue 99
Queen's Road 440
Wellington Town Road 264
Charlwoods Row 70
Lower Glen Vue 110
GlenVue 313
Station Road 209
De la Warr Road 330
Cantelupe Road 418
Chequer Road 99
St. James' Road 198
Fairfield Road 225
This gives a total of 36 miles, 635 yards, of which
there are in the existing parish of East Grinstead : —
Miles. Yds.
Main County Road 3 338
District Roads ., 15 1330
Total.. 18 1668
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY,
CHAPTER XII.
THE residents of East Grinstead and the neighbour-
hood first began to agitate for railway facilities in 1845.
On October 10th of that year a public meeting was held
at the Crown Hotel and an influential committee, under
the chairmanship of Mr. Robert Crawfurd, of Saint Hill,
was formed to facilitate the scheme. Numerous meetings
followed in rapid succession and at a very large gather-
ing held on November 6th a decision was come to, but
not unanimously, in favour of a branch running from
East Grinstead to join the South-Eastern Company's line
at Godstone. This gave great annoyance to many of
the gentry, who strongly favoured a branch to join
the South Coast Company's line at Three Bridges.
Encouraged by both the decision and the opposition,
surveys were immediately commenced for both lines,
and the two Companies named went to Parliament, each
with a Bill to secure the necessary powers. The South-
Eastern was unwise enough to change the proposed site
of its terminus from where the Urban Council offices now
stand to a less convenient spot ; a public meeting held on
March 4th, 1846, protested against the alteration; the
Company would not give in, so on the 14th of the same
month, at a great public gathering, the inhabitants
decided that " owing to the want of straightforwardness
in the South-Eastern Company " they would withdraw
support from their scheme and transfer it entirely to the
Brighton Company's proposals. This was apparently
the turning point in the fight between the two Companies,
for six days later the Brighton Company's Bill passed a
Committee of the House of Commons and that of the
South-Eastern Company was rejected. The raising of
£106,666 was authorised to carry out the work and duly
subscribed, but the railway panic of the following year
induced the Company to devote the money to some other
purpose, and so the town lost the benefit of both schemes.
162 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
This action on the part of the Railway Company gave
great dissatisfaction, and so indignant did the residents of
East Grinstead become at the delay shown in carrying
out the approved proposals that on June 5th, 1848, a
public meeting was held and a large number of signatures
obtained to a petition to the House of Lords praying
them not to grant permission to the South-Coast Company
to commence any more new projects until they had com-
pleted the East Griustead and Three Bridges branch.
Nothing came of the agitation, however, and in the
summer of 1852 the residents of East Grinstead and the
district intervening between this town and the main line
themselves took the matter up in earnest, formed a Com-
pany in September of that year, raised the necessary
capital, went to Parliament and got their Bill provisionally
approved on May 12th, 1853, the reception of the news
being made the occasion of great rejoicing in the town.
The Act finally passed both Houses on July 8th. The
first sod was cut by Mrs. A. Hastie on November 22nd
of the same year, and the first engine passed over the
new line on June 6th, 1855. A month later, on July
9th, ordinary traffic commenced. The first train ran out
of East Grinstead at 12.15 and returned from Three
Bridges at one o'clock, some hundreds of townspeople
being carried free of charge. It was a day of great
festivity in East Grinstead. All the shops were closed
at noon ; a band came up from Brighton ; the church
bells were rung; flags were flying; over 200 sat down
to a banquet served on Mr. Hastie's lawn ; and the six
trains in and out were all well patronised. The building
of the line cost £53,000, and incidental expenses brought
up the capital expenditure to £60,000, of which £10,000
was raised by debentures and £50,000 by shares of £25
each. The original East Grinstead terminus was where
the goods station house now stands. Later, when the
line was extended to Tunbridge Wells in 1866, the now
disused station below the bridge in London Road came
into use, and the entrance on the bridge and down the
steps was provided. This finally ceased to be used for
passenger traffic on October 14th, 1883, when the present
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY. 163
more commodious station was opened and approached by
way of Glen Vue. There was originally no station at
Grange Road. Sir C. M. Lampson sold his land rather
cheaply on condition that a station should be built at
Rowfant and that the train leaving East Grinstead each
morning between nine and ten o'clock, or the nearest to
those hours, should always stop there, and this arrange-
ment is still in force.
The provisional Directors of the Company, according
to its prospectus, were Mr. J. Dorrien Magens, of Hammer-
wood (Chairman), Mr. George Head (Banker, of East
Grinstead), Mr. F. Moor ( Holy wych, Hartfield), Mr. Wm.
Stenning (Halsford), Mr. C. C. Tooke (Hurst-an-Clays)
and Mr. F. C. Worsley (Imberhorne), with Messrs. Wm.
Fearless and Arthur Hastie as joint secretaries. The two
latter acted until the Company was wound up, but the
Directors were reduced to four in number, and the
following acted for almost the whole time of the Com-
pany's existence: Messrs. J. D. Magens, B. Hale, W.
Stenning and G. Head. Before it was completed arrange-
ments were made for leasing the line to the Brighton
Railway Company for £2,000 per annum, not a very
satisfactory financial bargain, as by the time all expenses
had been met and interest on debentures paid there was
not enough left for a 3 per cent, dividend on the
ordinary shares, and the most the shareholders ever got
in one year was £2. 18s. 8d. per cent. The Brighton
Company had a purchasing clause in the lease, and in
1865 they put this in force, taking over the debenture
debt of £10,000 and paying £43,000 in addition, so
that the shareholders in the East Grinstead Railway
Company did not get back their capital in full. The
expenses of managing the Company were only about
£b'0 a year. The Directors drew £20 a year between
them, the two Secretaries only £12. 10s. each and the
two Auditors (Messrs. John Mills and John Turley) a
guinea each. Such economy of working is sufficiently
rare as to merit notice.
At the outset the Sunday trains were naturally more
freely patronised than were those on week-days, and this
M 2
164 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
brought about strong protests, the leader in the agitation
being the Rev. H. Woodingtori, who was then Curate
here. He used to go to the station at train time,
distribute tracts and urge the people to listen to the
church bell rather than the railway bell. A public
meeting was held in reference to the matter, but the
agitation was devoid of results, for Sunday trains have
not yet ceased to run.
The first turf of the section between East Grinstead
and Tunbridge Wells was cut on July 18th, 1864, by
Lord West; and a company of about 300, including
the Bishop of Oxford and many noblemen, celebrated the
event with a sumptuous luncheon, at which there was
no stint of either wine or meat. This section of line
was opened on October 1st, 1866, without any public
ceremony in East Grinstead. At the same time there
were numerous other projects in view in which East
Grinstead was to play a leading part. Bills were intro-
duced for a line from London to Beckenham, East Grin-
stead, Lewes and Brighton; another from Redhill to
East Grinstead; and a third from East Grinstead to
Uckfield; but not one of these projects met with the
approval of Parliament. The first-named did pass the
Lords on July 25th, 1866, and the East Grinstead church
bells were set ringing, the band was called out and torches
and tar barrels were lighted and carried through the town.
The place of this proposed line was taken nearly 20 years
later by the South-Coast Company's low-level route from
Lewes, through East Grinstead, to a junction with the
old main line at South Croydon. The southern section
below East Grinstead was opened in August, 1882, and
the northern part in March, 1884.
In making the new line from East Grinstead to
Croydon the Railway Company took possession of the
Old Parish Pound and paid the sum of £50 to the
Churchwardens and Overseers for it. Subsequently,
Mr. A. H. Hastie, on behalf of Lord Sackville, Lord of
the Manor of Imberhorne, claimed the money. The
ratepayers, in vestry assembled, declined to part, so
Lord Sackville claimed the sum from the Company and
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY.
165
they eventually paid him and reclaimed the money from
the parish, and it was refunded to the Railway Company
some three years later.
The following table gives particulars of the lengths
and dates of opening of the five lines running out of
East Grinstead :- Length-
Route. Authorised. Opened. Miles. Chains.
East Grinstead to Three
Bridges July 8, 1853 July 9, 1855 6 71
East Grinstead to Groom-
bridge Aug. 7, 1862 Oct. 1, 1866 10 10
East Grinstead to Culver
Junction Aug. 10, 1877 Aug. 1, 1882 17 13
East Grinstead to South
Croydon June 17, 1878 Mar. 10, 1884 18 70
East Grinstead to St.
Margaret's Junction
(loop line) „ „ „ „ 55
In the following table is given the train service as it
was on the opening day of each section : —
EAST GRINSTEAD AND LONDON (vid THREE BRIDGES).
JULY, 1855.
Week-days. Sundays.
London (dep.) 6.0 10.0 12.0 4.0 5.5 6.0 j 7.0 6.0
East Grinstead ....(arr.) 8.20 11.20 1.20 5.15 6.30 7.40 | 9.14 7.50
East Grinstead .... (dep.) 6.55 8.30 11.30 3.50 6.50 7.50 6.50
London (arr.) 9.15 9.50 1.0 5.25 8.45 10.45 9.0
EAST GRINSTEAD AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS.
OCTOBER, 1866.
Tunbridge Wells .. (dep.) 7.53 9.0 11.10 3.5 5.40 7.35
East Grinstead ....(arr.) 8.25 9.26 11.42 3.27 6.12 8.7
East Grinstead .... (dep.) 9.33 1.7
Tunbridge Wells . . (arr.) 10.5 1.39
3.41
4.13
5.16 6.13
5.40 6.45
8.11
8.43
8.16 5.46
8.48 6.18
10.20 8.5
10.52 8.37
EAST GRINSTEAD AND LEWES.
AUGUST, 1882.
Lewes (dep.) 8.15 10.47 2.42 6.30 9.0
East Griustead (arr.) 9.25 11.53 3.48 6.35 10.6
East Grinstead .... (dep.) 6.45 9.55 1.20 5.45 9.10
Lewes (arr.) 7.46 10.56 2.21 6.51 10.22
8.52 2.47 6.37
9.58 3.52 7.43
10.35 4.20 8.15
11.36 5.21 9.16
EAST GRINSTEAD AND LONDON (vid OXTED).
MARCH, 1884.
London (dep.) 8.10 11.50 4.10 7.27
East Grinstead ....(arr.) 9.23 1.3 5.26 8.40
East Grinstead (dep.) 8.7 10.22 2.55 8.55
London (arr.) 9.24 11.35 4.8 10.8
8.40 6.50
9.53 8.3
9.58 8.8
11.12 9.22
CHAPTER XIII.
A COMMITTEE was appointed in 1779 to carry into
execution a plan for raising 24 Volunteer Companies to
be associated for the defence of Sussex, and Captains
were appointed in the different Rapes of this County, but
the movement would seem to have been of a temporary
character. However, in the year 1803 so real and acute
became the fear of an invasion of this country by the
French that the inhabitants of East Grinstead and the
surrounding neighbourhood, comprising the northern
district of the Rape of Pevensey, offered to form a legion
of 1,220 men, consisting of two troops of cavalry, two
companies of riflemen or skirmishers, and 12 light
infantry companies. The then Lord Sheffield was at
the head of the movement ; it was strongly backed up
by the Duke of Richmond, and George III. was
" graciously pleased to approve and accept" it, especially
as the Legion asked nothing from Government but arms
for the infantry and "a jacket and pantaloons for such
of the infantry as cannot afford to supply themselves ; or
an allowance of one guinea each to furnish the same."
Thus sprung into being the first local volunteer military
organisation. The first East Grinstead officers were : —
The Et. Hon. Charles Abbot, Kidbrook
(Speaker of the House of Commons) Lieut. -Colonel.
Edward Cranston, East Court Major.
Magens Dorrien Magens, Hammerwood Capt. -Lieutenant.
Alexander Geo. Mackie, East Grinstead 1st Lieutenant.
John Shuter, East Grinstead 2nd ,,
Thomas Palmer, jun., East Grinstead . . ,, ,,
The following were the first non-commissioned officers :
David Duke Pay master Sergeant (afterwards 2nd Lieut.).
John Stenning .... Sergeant.
John Palmer ,, (afterwards Qr.-Master-Sergt.).
William Moon .... Drill Sergeant.
James Lynn Corporal.
John Trice ,, (afterwards Sergeant).
William Pobgee . . „
Henry Bysh ,,
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 167
The oath of allegiance required from each Volunteer
was: —
I, A. B., do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and
bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Third, and that
I will faithfully serve His Majesty in the North Pevensey Legion
against all his enemies and opposers whatsoever. So help me God.
This was taken after Divine service in the morning on
Sunday, October 23rd, 1803, and in the evening the
men were drilled for the first time in the Chequer Mead.
A month later Lord Sheffield issued a special order, in
which he thanked the Volunteers of East Grinstead " for
their great attention and steadiness under arms, which at
once renders them equal to any service."
By the end of the year the East Grinstead contingent,
which had a total strength of 84, was in good working
order. Sunday was always the day set apart for drills
and field days, the former taking place in a large barn
at the back of Newlands, the firing in the Pit field at
Fairlight Farm, on Major Cranston's East Court estate,
and the field manoeuvres on Ashurst Wood Common. The
men always slept with their arms and uniforms by their
side and several days' provisions packed ready for use,
so that no delay should ensue when the beacon signal
flashed its warning light over the country side. It was
arranged that in the event of invasion by Napoleon
the families of all the gentry resident in the Lewes
and Pevensey Rapes should be conveyed for safety
to the wild district of Copthorne, the famous rendezvous
of prize-fighters, smugglers and poachers. An enormous
number of cartridges, both blank and ball, were served
out, and the consumption of flints for use in the old flint-
lock muskets was also considerable. At Christmas
the signal for assembly was hourly expected. The
East Grinstead Company was ordered to remain in
the town, except for detaching a Lieutenant, Sergeant,
Corporal and 20 men to Hartfield or Withyham. The
general orders were amplified by Major Cranston on
New Year's Day, 1804, in the following terms : —
The following regulations for the good of the Company, the Com-
manding Officer thinks it both prudent and proper to insert in orders,
168 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
to prevent confusion, should the enemy occasion an alarm, which seems
to be daily expected. On the beacons being fired, or any other certain
intelligence arriving, the drums are to beat to arms and the Company
will immediately assemble, sending away one or two of the Volunteers
to summon in the out-resident men. After the names are called over
and the Officer Commanding has made out the real strength, he must
then send a Sergeant to the Magistrate requesting him to order the
constables to billet the Company as equally as possible among the
public-houses. Those men, however, who have homes and families in
the town will, of course, have no occasion for billet.
The men were divided up into messes of seven, orderlies
were appointed, sentries nominated and every possible
detail arranged to fit the Company for immediate active
service. Before the Legion had been in existence nine
months Lord Sheffield was able to issue the following
very complimentary order: —
Lord Sheffield has been highly gratified by the general good conduct
of the North Pevensey Legion, as observed during the late inspection.
The attention, steadiness and soldierlike appearance of the Volunteers
is truly honourable to them. The perseverance they have manifested
will ensure that degree of perfection which is necessary to the forma-
tion of good troops, on which the welfare of the nation is to depend.
It may not be necessary during the ensuing hay and corn harvest to
assemble for exei'cise on the week-days, but it is earnestly requested
that the several troops and companies meet either early on the Sunday
morning or in the afternoon, in order that they may not lose the
ground they have gained so creditable to themselves, the necessity for
their preparing to defend their religion, their liberty, their families
and property being no less urgent than it has been at any period during
the existence of the nation.
On July 8th, 1805, the Legion received its colours and
the men swore they would never allow them to fall into
the hands of the enemies of our country. They kept
their word. Major Cranston occasionally read his men a
severe lecture, but always finished with a stirring appeal
to their patriotism. Here is an eloquent conclusion to
one of his addresses : —
Let us then go forward with our present undertaking hand in hand,
and become, in unanimity and in discipline, an example to the Legion,
and still endeavour to retain that credit we already have acquired —
that our names may be recorded for posterity to see that in an hour
when danger threatened this happy Isle we (the Volunteers of East
Grinstead) came forward to protect and defend our country and our
King!
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 169
During August and September of 1805 the whole
nation was in a ferment, and no one doubted but that
the Frencli would be landing before many weeks had
passed. Precautions were doubled and all possible
preparation made to resist invasion. Napoleon had
concentrated an army of 130,000 men, 15,000 horses,
600 guns and a vast flotilla at Boulogne, and was only
waiting for the junction of the French and Spanish
fleets in the English Channel to carry out his purpose.
Then came the ever memorable battle of Trafalgar on
October 21st, 1805, and the temporary shattering of the
maritime power of the two countries opposed to us.
England breathed freely again and the general feelings
of jubilation which prevailed may well be judged from
the following " Orders" issued in East Grinstead : —
In consequence of His Majesty's proclamation for a general thanks-
giving on Thursday, the 5th day of December next, for the late
florious and unexampled victories obtained over the combined fleets of
ranee and Spain, by the late tho' ever memorable and most gallant
Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, and other distinguished officers of
His Majesty's Royal Navy, the Volunteers are desired to assemble for
parade in uniform with side-arms only at £ past 10 o'clock in order to
proceed to church to unite in prayer and thanksgiving for those signal
exercises so recently received, whereby the dread of invasion is in a
great measure removed and may ultimately open to us the prospect of
peace, when each of us may, without interruption from military
service, pursue our respective avocations and rest secure under the
pleasing reflection that in an hour when our country was in danger from
the threatened attacks of our enemies — in which all that is dear and
valuable would have fallen a sacrifice, without that general spirit and
unanimity which hath so manifestly appeared in every rank and
condition in life — we also came forward to contribute all in our power
to the general cause.
On September 28th, 1806, the Legion was disbanded
and the East Grinstead men were called on to hand back
their arms and accoutrements at the Vestry on October
8th and to dine with the Speaker of the House of
Commons at the Swan Hotel that evening. The order
of dismissal seems to have given intense dissatisfaction.
The Company met in the Play Field on Sunday, October
5th, to receive it, but before doing so addressed a letter
to their Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. Cranston,
setting forth that Lord Sheffield had tendered the
170 HISTORY OP EAST GRINSTEAD.
resignation of the services of the Legion " without any
general consultation of the members thereof," and that
the East Grinstead men, to vindicate their own honour
and credit, could not but express their deep concern at
so unexpected and as we conceive unreasonable an event and do
consider it is an extreme hard case that after a conscious and faithful
discharge of our duty for upwards of three years, we should now be
reduced to the unpleasant situation of meanly retiring from so
laudable and beneficial an undertaking and, in consequence, becoming
liable to serve in the Militia or other additional promiscuous force, as
also that our past exertions should be thus ungratefully rewarded.
The letter proceeded at great length much in the
same strain and the writers concluded by offering their
services to form a distinct Company under the command
of Lieut.-Col. Cranston. The offer was refused and on
October 7th the East Grinstead men again met and
decided to present a similar petition to the Speaker, who
was also an officer of the Legion. Their wishes were
again set forth at great length and the writers concluded
with the following expressions : —
It is then, Honourable Sir, iinpress'd with these sentiments, we are
now induc'd to tender our services under your command, for your
acceptance and that of our country. But should our application fail
and from other important duties of your exalted station, you cannot
possibly meet the wishes of the Company — We shall then retire in
silence under the reflection of having done, thus far, all in our power
to assist in the general cause ; and tho' obliged to yield to resignation
on one hand, yet on the other willing to renew our services, were they
thought of sufficient moment to meet acceptance. Still should the
horrors of war threaten our native land and the inveteracy of our
enemies increase towards us, we are determined individually to act
like Britons, and in an hour of impending danger to use our efforts to
defend and rescue our weeping country from every foe.
The Rt. Hon. Lieut.-Col. Abbot wrote back express-
ing his deep regrets that he was unable to accept the
patriotic offer, but he promised that if the war continued
and circumstances changed he would do his very best to
enable the men of East Grinstead to give effect to their
loyalty and ardour. Thus closed the three years' history
of the East Grinstead contingent of the North Pevensey
Legion.
The warlike spirit of our ancestors seems to have
slumbered for 46 years, but in 1852 groundless fears of
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 171
another invasion by the French were disseminated and
some of the townspeople were induced to ascertain which
of the inhabitants would be ready to take up arms in
case their hearths and homes were threatened. On July
12th of that year a public meeting was convened by Mr.
R. Crawfurd, of Saint Hill, and the matter was talked
over, but nothing definite was done. The Crimean war
soon began and the Alliance between England and France
caused public fears to subside, and no further attempt to
re-establish a local Volunteer Company was made for
seven years. Then came the Carbonari's attempt to
assassinate Napoleon III. The conspirators had lived
and prepared their bombs in London and the French
soldiers looked on our Metropolis as a centre of con-
spiracies. A number of French colonels sent an address
to the Emperor asking to be allowed to invade England
and " rout out this nest of treasons." The address was
published in the official organ of the French Government
and England's immediate reply was the formation of the
present body of Volunteers.
East Grinstead again took its fair share in the move-
ment. A Rifle Club was formed in 1859, with Mr.
W. A. Head as its Honorary Secretary, and a large sum
of money was raised for its support. But it was thought
better to form a Rifle Corps and some members were
sworn in during November, 1859, but owing to infor-
malities the ceremony had to be gone through again a
few months later. The oath was administered by Earl
De la Warr, and present on the Bench when the first
contingent made allegiance was Mr. John Stenning, who
was not a Magistrate, but had served in the local Company
of the North Pevensey Legion as a Sergeant 56 years
before. The first officers were Major A. R. Margary,
Captain ; Mr. A. C. Ramsden, Lieutenant ; and Mr. W. A.
Head, Ensign ; and all three attended the reception of
Volunteer officers held by Her late Majesty early in 1860.
The first muster was on February 23rd, 1860, and 60
members formed the local Corps, which was known as the
5th Sussex Rifle Volunteers. In April of the same year
three Administrative Battalions were formed for the whole
172 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
county and East Grinstead was put in the Third, with the
Brighton, Ouckfield, Lewes and Battle Companies. It
remained associated with this Battalion until January
22nd, 1862, when it was united to the 2nd Administrative
Battalion of the Sussex R.V., the head quarters of which
were at Petworth, where they remained until 1869, when
they were removed to Horsham. On February 20th,
1874, the two Battalions were consolidated, and the head
quarters have since been at Worthing. On February
7th, 1880, the existing Corps were formed into one
Regiment, and that in East Grinstead became " C "
Company of the 2nd Sussex Rifle Volunteers, after-
wards the 2nd V.B. of the Royal Sussex Regiment.
The Company wore the grey uniform until March,
1880, when the colour was changed to scarlet, the
present drab uniforms being first worn in the spring of
1903.
The Boer War which broke out in 1899 gave the
Volunteers their first chance to engage in active fighting.
The East Grinstead men were possessed of a good deal
of that spirit which animated the members of the North
Pevensey Legion a century before and several members
of "C" Company were among the first to offer their
services. The contingent, consisting of 116 officers and
men, under the command of the late Major Sir Walter
Barttelot, sailed for South Africa on March 10th, 1900,
and two months later a further draft of 21 was sent out.
The Company embarked for home on May 15th, 1901,
having seen some severe fighting, and leaving 16 of
their number, including Private Caldwell, of the East
Grinstead Company, buried beneath the African veldt.
Meanwhile steps had been taken to form a second Active
Service Company, and on April 27th, 1901, Lieut.
S. W. P. Beale, of the East Grinstead Company, and
who was given the temporary rank of Captain, sailed
in command of 115 officers and men. They remained
in South Africa 12 months. A third contingent was sent
out on April 17th, 1902, but the war was over before it
reached the scene of actual fighting, and this third
Company returned immediately.
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 173
The following is a complete list of the officers who
have commanded the East Grinstead Company : —
Capt. A. E. Margary, of Chartham, Feb. 9th, 1860, to May 4th,
1861. Capt. Margary was formerly in the 54th Foot and was made
an honorary major in the Army on retirement.
Capt. Grenville Granville Wells, of Ashdown House, May 4th, 1861,
to June 27th, 1863. This officer joined the Corps as a Lieutenant on
Oct. 3rd, 1860.
Capt. W. A. Fearless, June 27th, 1863, to Feb. 16th, 1866. Mr.
William Austen Fearless, a member of the well-known firm of local
solicitors, joined as an Ensign on May 4th, 1861, and got his Lieutenancy
on April 18th, 1863. On Feb. 16th, 1866, he resigned the captaincy
and was made Honorary Assist. Quarter-Master of the Regiment. He
rejoined the East Grinstead Corps on March 7th, 1871, and for a
second time became Captain, commanding the Company until June
28th, 1885, when he died at Uplands, while his men were encamped
at Arundel Park. He had been made an Honorary Major on Nov.
23rd, 1881.
Capt. F. S. Blunt, of Crabbett, Feb. 16th, 1866, to March 7th,
1871.
Major E. Henty, of Crawley, from the autumn of 1885, to Dec. 9th,
1893. This officer also served in the Cuckfield and Arundel Com-
panies. He holds the Volunteers Officers' decoration for 20 j'ears'
service.
Capt. J. 8. Oxley, of Fen Place, Dec. 9th, 1893, to Aug. 8th, 1902.
Mr. Oxley joined the Company as 2nd Lieutenant on June 25th, 1887.
He was made Lieutenant on Jan. 26th, 1889; Captain on Feb. I Oth,
1894 ; and Honorary Major on Nov. 10th, 1897. He was first appointed
to the Staff of the Battalion on Dec. 6th, 1890, as Instructor of
Musketry. He was formerly a Captain in the 1st V.B. Royal Fusiliers
and since 1901 has been A.D.C. to the Brigadier commanding the
Sussex and Kent Volunteer Infantry Brigade. On Aug. 9th, 1902,
he was on duty as a Gold Staff Officer at the King's Coronation
in Westminster Abbey and received the Coronation medal. As a
long range shot Major Oxley has had few superiors. He has often
been included in the English team for the Elcho Shield and has
won many valuable prizes at Wimbledon and Bisley.
Capt. S. W. P. Beale, of Standen, took command Aug. 8th 1902.
He joined the Corps on April 28th, 1887, as 2nd Lieutenant; became
Lieutenant on March 15th, 1899; was made an Honorary Captain in
the Army on July 26th, 1902, and Captain of "C" Company on
Sept. 27th of the same year. He commanded the second Active
Service Company sent out to South Africa from Sussex, and served
in the Boer War from April, 1901, to June, 1902. He acted as
Intelligence Officer to Lieut. -Col. Du Moulin's and Major Gilbert's
column from Aug., 1901, to March, 1902. He wears the Queen's
medal, with clasps for Cape Colony and Orange Free State.
174 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Since the establishment of the Corps the following
have also held commissions :
Arthur Charles Eamsden, Lieutenant from Feb. 20th, 1860, to
Oct. 3rd, 1860.
William Alston Head, of High Street, now of Domons, East
Grinstead, joined as Ensign Feb. 20th, 1860, made Lieutenant May
4th, 1861 ; resigned April 18th, 1863 ; made Hon. Assist. Quarter-
Master in the Battalion March 7th, 1871, resigned April 24th, 1880.
John Whyte, Lingfield Lodge, East Grinstead, Hon. Assist. Surgeon
from May 18th, 1860, to Dec. 19th, 1864.
Rev. Edward Polehampton, Rector of Hartfield, Hon. Chaplain from
July llth, 1861, to July 24th, 1880.
John Cuthbert Stenning, Steel Cross, Tunbridge Wells, Ensign
April 18th, 1863; Lieutenant June 27th, 1863; resigned Sept. 6th, 1867.
William Rudge, Ensign from June 27th, 1863, to December 19th,
1864.
James Richardson Fearless, of The Hermitage, now of Sackville
Cottage, East Grinstead, joined the Corps on its formation ; made
Ensign Dec. 19th, 1864; Lieutenant March 7th, 1871 ; Hon. Capt. on
his resignation Feb. 7th, 1891. Received a public presentation on
completing 30 years' service Feb. 22nd, 1890, and Volunteer Officers'
Decoration in July, 1892.
Robert Turner Head, High Street, East Grinstead, Hon. Assist.
Surgeon from Dec. 19th, 1864, to Dec. 22nd, 1875; Assist. Surgeon
to the Regiment Dec. 21st, 1872; Surgeon Oct. 1st, 1877; resigned
Jan. 5th, 1881.
William Vicesiinus Knox Stenning, Halsford, East Grinstead,
Ensign March 7th, 1871 ; Lieutenant June 1st, 1873; resigned July
7th, 1880. Mr. Stenning was a renowned county shot and brought
several valuable prizes to East Grinstead.
Charles Edward Collins, Redstede, East Grinstead, Assist. Surgeon
December 22nd, 1875; Surgeon Oct. 1st, 1877; Staff Surgeon Feb.
7th, 1880 ; Surgeon- Major Aug. 29th, 1891 ; resigned Feb. 10th, 1894.
Mr. Collins has been a well-known shot at Wimbledon, where he won
many valuable prizes, including the Wimbledon Cup in 1886.
Evelyn Alston Head, of Westfields, now of Daledene, East Grinstead,
2nd Lieutenant May 18th, 1881 ; Lieutenant July 1st, 1881 ; resigned
Nov. 17th, 1883.
Reginald Wilson Fearless, of The Hermitage, now of Green Hedges,
East Grinstead, Lieutenant from Oct. 24th, 1885, to March 26th, 1887.
John Ashburner Nix, Tilgate, Crawley, 2nd Lieutenant Nov. 2nd,
1889; Lieutenant June 13th, 1891; made Captain and posted to the
command of the Worthing Company, March 24th, 1897.
John H. Luscombe, Hayheath, Worth, 2nd Lieutenant April 28th,
1897; Lieutenant June 3rd, 1899; resigned Aug. llth, 1902, and
joined the Royal Garrison Regiment,
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 175
Ernest Gresham Moore, High-street, East Grinstead, Lieutenant
since Feb. 27th, 1901 ; made Captain March, 1905, and granted at the
same time the honorary rank of Major. Is Commanding Officer of
the Cyclist Company of the Battalion. Was formerly a Captain in
the 1st Notts (Eobin Hood) E.V.
The following have held office as Sergeant-Instructors :
Sergt. Smith, Royal Sussex Militia. He did not nominally rank as
Sergeant-Instructor, but did excellent work in getting the Corps into
shape.
Sergt. Edward Brind, 21st Scots Fusiliers, died in 1870.
Sergt. Hand, 60th Rifles.
Sergt. J. C. Raw, 100th Foot, from Nov. 15th, 1878, to Aug. 3rd, 1886.
Sergt. James Palmer, Royal Sussex Regiment, Sept. 15th, 1886, to
April 15th, 1897.
Col. -Sergt. H. W. Saynor, Royal Sussex Regiment, April 1st, 1897,
to Jan., 1905.
Col.-Sergt. H. W. Gallop for two months in 1905.
Col. -Sergt. A. Nye, Royal Sussex Regiment, appointed July, 1905.
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE lives of many local worthies have already been
dealt with, but there are others who also merit mention.
JOHN ROWE.
John Rowe, a most able lawyer and antiquary,
described by one writer as " The Father of Sussex
Archaeology," came, on the maternal side, from an old
East Grinstead family. His father was John Rowe, of
Tonbridge, and his mother was the daughter and
co-heiress of Thomas Drew, of East Grinstead. He
was born in 1560 and became principal of Clifford's Inn.
He died on November 27th, 1639, and was buried at St.
Anne's, Lewes. For a quarter of a century he was
Steward to Lord Abergavenny, and while so acting made
a vast collection of manuscripts relating to the manorial
history of Sussex, and a copy of this, ornamented with
the arms of the owners of the Manors, was for a long
time kept at the Hermitage, East Grinstead, while Mr.
Wakeham and his widow resided there. It is not known
where these documents now are, but a duplicate is
preserved in the British Museum. His daughter Anne
married Edward Raynes, of Lewes and Conyboro',
which marriage resulted in an only daughter, Susanna,
who became the wife, on August 15th, 1672, of Thomas
Medley, of Buxted, ancestor, through female lines, of the
present Earl of Liverpool.
BISHOP KIDDER.
Richard Kidder, afterwards a distinguished Bishop,
was born at East Grinstead and christened in the Parish
Church on February 9th, 1633-4. The family of Kidder
came from Maresfield, but the future Bishop's direct
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 177
ancestors established themselves in East Grinstead prior
to 1571. They were originally bailiffs under the Duchy
of Lancaster for part of Ashdown Forest. Richard
Kidder's father was William Kidder and his mother's
maiden name was Wickenden. The father was a mercer,
but possibly fell on hard times, for both he and his wife
died while inmates of Sackville College. Richard was
the youngest but one of a family of nine, and in his
early days was taught to read by a lady living in the
neighbourhood. He made such good progress that he
was sent to a grammar school carried on by Reyner
Herman, who was Warden of Sackville College from
1646 to 1656. At the age of 15 he was so far advanced
that he was fitted for a University, but as his relatives
did not possess the means to enable them to continue his
education he was sent to Sevenoaks to learn the business
of an apothecary. Some friends, however, took pity on
the lad and raised enough money to send him to
Cambridge. Here he made good use of his time and in
1659 was presented to the living of Standground, Hunts.
After the Restoration of 1662 he declined to subscribe
to the revised liturgy, so was one of the 2,000 clergy
ejected from their benefices on that account. At length
the Earl of Essex offered him the living of Raine, near
Braintree, and Kidder lived there for 10 years in great
discomfort. Other incumbencies followed and on the
accession of William and Mary he was made Dean of
Peterborough and one of the King's Chaplains, and the
degree of D.D. was conferred on him in the King's
presence. Finally he was consecrated Bishop of Bath
and Wells on August 30th, 1691, and controlled this
diocese with much zeal and ability until his awful death
during the night of November 26-27th, 1703. That
night a storm of almost unparalleled fury passed over
England. It did enormous damage in East Grinstead
and also swept down a stack of chimneys in the
episcopal palace at Wells, and the good Bishop and his
wife were killed as they slept and both buried in the
ruins.
178 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
SPENCER PERCEVAL.
The Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, a son of the Earl of
Egmont, and the Prime Minister who was shot in the lobby
of the House of Commons in 1812, after holding his high
position for nearly two and a half years, by a man named
Bellingham, has quite an accidental, but romantic, con-
nection with East Grinstead. In 1787 the Hon. Chas.
Geo. Perceval, his eldest brother, married the eldest
daughter of Sir Thomas Spencer Wilson, Bart., an
ancestor of the well - known family still occupying
Searles at Fletching. His brother, the Hon. Spencer,
also became attached to one of the sisters, Miss Jane
Wilson, a beautiful girl, but as he was then only a
briefless barrister his suit was not encouraged by her
parents. When Miss Wilson came of age the affection
was as strong as ever, so her father apparently decided
to give way, but not publicly. He accordingly discreetly
remained ignorant while his daughter was sent to East
Grinstead on a visit to Mr. Thomas Wakeham, an
attorney in this town and estate agent for the Wilson
family, then living at the Hermitage. Her lover followed
her and on August 10th, 1790, the bride being dressed in
her riding habit, they were married here, report com-
monly saying, in the ruins of the church which had been
but recently destroyed. This is quite possible, as the main
walls had been rebuilt in the preceding year. But the
idea is not favoured by the family, for Sir Spencer
Walpole, writing in 1876 to the Rev. D. Y. Blakiston,
says : —
I understand from Mr. Perceval's relatives that the wedding did not
take place in East Grinstead Church, but in a blacksmith's shed where
service used to be done at the time. Miss Wilson was staying for the
occasion at Mr. Wakeham's (The Hermitage), who, it is believed, was
Sir Thomas Wilson's agent. So far as I know Mr. Perceval did not
afterwards visit East Grinstead.
According to Cooke's " Topographical Description of
Sussex," services were held, while the church was in
ruins, in Sackville College Chapel.
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 179
The following is a copy of the entry in the parish
register : —
1790. The Honorable Spencer Perceval, of Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Batchelor, and Jane Wilson, of this parish,
spinster, married in this church by licence this tenth day of August in
the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety by me Chars.
Whitehead, Vicar.
Witnesses. Dorothy Wakeham Spencer Perceval
T. Wakeham Jane Wilson
The marriage was a happy one and the union was
blessed by a family of twelve children. Two days after
the assassination Parliament voted a pension of £2,000 a
year to Mrs. Perceval and the sum of £50,000 to be
invested for the benefit of her large family, some of whom,
living to extreme old age at Baling and elsewhere, have
only quite recently died.
THE REV. C. J. PATERSON.
The Rev. Charles John Paterson was a Curate of
East Grinstead who gained considerable fame beyond
this town, and an interesting account of his life was
afterwards written by Archdeacon Hoare, of Winchester.
He was born on March llth, 1800, and educated at
Putney, under Dr. Carmalt. His widowed mother
removed to Brighton as soon as he left school, and here,
while still a lad, he devoted himself to the study of the
mineral, animal and fossil kingdoms. He formed one of
the most valuable collections of Sussex shells and insects
ever got together. He went to Cambridge when 19
years of age and was ordained at Easter, 1824, being
immediately appointed to the curacy of East Grinstead,
under the Rev. Richard Taylor, taking up work princi-
pally in the Forest Row district. He became " admired,
applauded, courted and engaged in most of the circles of
general society in the neighbourhood." From the
proceeds of a purse presented to him for extra voluntary
work undertaken while in East Grinstead, he provided a
service of sacramental plate and a statuary marble font,
executed with much taste under his own immediate
order. Finally his outspoken sermons lost him many of
N 2
180 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
his friends, and in 1826 he resigned and went to Hasle-
mere, in Surrey. His farewell sermon here was preached
on July 4th, 1826, and a great part of the congregation
were moved to tears and left the church, so he himself
writes, " as returning from a funeral." A year later
very strenuous efforts were made by Lord Colchester and
others to get him back to East Grinstead, and though
they failed in this they got him appointed on August
29th, 1827, to the living of West Hoathly. Here he
accomplished a remarkable work, and his touching,
eloquent sermons, which changed the character of the
whole neighbourhood, were published in 1838. It was
while here, on November 10th, 1836, that he married
Miss Cordelia Cranston, third daughter of Mr. Edward
Cranston, of East Court, East Grinstead, but their happy
married life was of very brief duration, for Mr. Paterson
died on January 22nd in the following year, having won
a reputation which few men of 36 are able to enjoy.
His widow lived until November 13th, 1847, and accord-
ing to the diary of one who knew her well, " exhibited
a decision of character and devotedness rarely exceeded
in the circle in which she moved." Her only daughter
married the Rev. G. H. Marriott, the present owner of
part of the Cranston Estate, formerly comprised in the
East Court Estate, which, before its partition, consisted
of about 900 acres round the present house.
THE REV. F. MILLS.
An extremely interesting career was that of the Rev.
F. Mills, who was born at East Grinstead of very poor
parents, and gained what little education he had at Zion
Chapel School. He was a wild youth, got into trouble
and spent a month in Lewes Prison. He afterwards
enlisted as a soldier and was sent out to Jamaica. In
time he was invalided home and discharged from the
Army. By this date he had entirely changed his mode
of life and became a city missionary and lay preacher.
In due course he was ordained and obtained a Church
of England curacy in the North of England. About
SOME LOCAL WOETHIES. 181
1860 he was presented to the living of Lindfield, near
Hayward's Heath. Coming back so near his home
proved a serious error. Stories of his past career were
spread about, the gentry ignored him and steps were
taken to have him removed, but he remained in the
place five years, lived down all calumny and made many
friends. He died on August 9th, 1867.
DR. EPPS.
Dr. John Epps was a famous writer and social
reformer. He published some two dozen botanical and
medical works and classical translations. He was born
at Blackheath on February 15th, 1805. The family,
which traced its origin in this country from a Frenchman
who came back with Charles II. at the Restoration, after-
wards removed to Sevenoaks, and in due course young
Epps was apprenticed to Mr. Durie, a London surgeon.
He soon commenced to write poetry and published a
tragedy dealing with the life of John the Baptist, wrhile
still a lad. After a course of study at Edinburgh he
commenced to practice in London in 1827, and while
there married Miss Ellen Elliott on August 24th, 1831.
He started the Medical Reform Association and was one
of the founders of the Homoeopathic Society. He
lectured all over the country on many subjects, being
particularly active in urging the abolition of capital
punishment and church rates. He lived for a time at
Warlingham, and after a visit to Hastings was driving
back through Ashurst Wood when he saw a bill announcing
a small property for sale. He liked the situation of the
land, so he drove on to East Grinstead, called on the late
Mr. Pearless, whom he then met for the first time, and
told him to go and buy the place. The deal was carried
through and the transaction led to a sincere and lasting
friendship between Mr. Epps and Mr. Pearless. He
afterwards bought more land adjoining and built The
Yews, since enlarged and re - named Yewhurst. He
permanently took up his residence there on April
30th, 1861, and remained for eight years, going back to
182 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
London early in 1869, where he died on February
12th of that year. He had been invited to contest
Northampton for Parliament, but he preferred to work
outside Westminster, and became very intimate with all
the great Radical leaders, the Chartists, the Cobdenites
and the Friends of Italy, being on the Council of the
latter Society. As a speaker and writer he won a world-
wide reputation. By reason of his connection with
Epps's cocoa, Yewhurst was at one time locally known as
Cocoa Castle.
THOMAS CRAMP.
Mr. Thomas Cramp, the founder of the Temperance
cause in East Grinstead, was born at Lewes, where his
father was a veterinary surgeon, on April 21st, 1810.
He spent his boyhood at Bexhill and came to East
Grinstead as an apprentice to Mr. Palmer, the bookseller,
stationer and u Royal Quill Pen Manufacturer." He
married Miss Jane Pretty, the daughter of a Wesleyan
minister, on June 25th, 1841. He had begun his total
abstinence practice exactly four years earlier — total
abstinence from tea and coffee as well as alcoholic
liquors, water being his only beverage. The Society he
started met with most violent opposition. Its members
were stoned in the public streets; Mr. Cramp was
suspended from Zion Church and removed from his post
of Superintendent of the Sunday School ; and his pastor
preached a public sermon strongly condemning the new-
fangled craze. The chapel was crowded and at its close
an adjournment was made to one of the local inns and a
dozen of wine voted the preacher for his excellent dis-
course. But he declined the gift. It took many a long
day to live down the opposition, and it was not until
August 25th, 1845, some eight years later, that the use
of the same chapel was first granted for a temperance
meeting. But the cause grew and in due course East
Grinstead boasted of one of the strongest temperance
societies in the county. In 1887 Mr. Cramp's temperance
jubilee was publicly celebrated, and on April 21st, 1890, a
public meeting was held to congratulate him on attaining
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 183
his 80th birthday. He lived to celebrate one more,
passing away on August 18th, 1891. The clock in front
of the Literary Institute was afterwards erected to
perpetuate his memory.
Mr. Cramp was a useful public man. For over 35
years he was High Bailiff of the County Court, now an
obsolete office ; he founded the Penny Bank in East
Grinstead ; he was one of the founders and for 25 years
Secretary of the first Gas Company ; and he served most
of the parochial offices. For a long term of years he
kept a brief diary, which now fills five fairly large
volumes. By kind permission of his son, Mr. Jury
Cramp, of Horsham, the following interesting extracts
are made : —
1842, June 22nd. Mr. Edwards was buried. He was carried to
church by dissenters, who were detained with the mourners in the
church for almost an hour, the Vicar (Eev. C. Nevill) being at a
cricket match and forgetting the funeral.
1842, June 25th. The anniversary of Thomas and Jane Cramp's
wedding day. Their wedding was celebrated on the teetotal principle ;
they have neither tasted, given nor kept in the house any intoxicating
drinks throughout the year ; they have been preserved in health — no
doctor has been near ; in peace — no quarrel has arisen ; in comfort —
no want has been unsupplied.
1842, Aug. 22nd. A cricket match with East Grinstead and
Lingfield in the Chequer Mead. A great number of persons present.
At about 3 o'clock a heavy thunderstorm stopped the play. They are
now (10 p.m.) singing and rioting at the Crown. Such are the usual
endings of cricket matches. They have led many a young man
astray and brought him to ruin.
1842, Sept. 17th. Walked to Edenbridge Station and rode per
railway to London. This mode of travelling is superior to any other.
There is no stopping at public-houses — no fees to coachmen and guards
— no suffering and cruelty to the poor horses-1— but there is regularity,
speed, accommodation, civility and cheapness, and with at least an
equal degree of safety.
1844, Aug. 14th. Miss C. Cranston was this day married to Col.
Leslie. In consequence of the Vicar's Puseyite views and practices
the parties were forced, though very reluctantly, to have the marriage
performed at Lingfield Church.
1844, Nov. 15th. Lord Ellenborough passed through the town on
his way to Kidbrooke. An arch of evergreens made in honour to him,
music played and bells rang also, but all was got up by a publican,
who reaped the principal benefit, for the rioters spent the evening and
part of the night at his house.
184 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1845, Mar. 23rd. Mary Ann Meads, a blind young woman, was
interred in the churchyard without the tolling of the bell or the usual
ceremony, the Vicar refusing it in consequence of the young woman
never having been baptised.
1847, Mar. 24th. In consequence of the famine in Ireland and
some parts of Scotland a general fast has been appointed for this day
by the Government. The shops were generally closed and labour, for
the most part, suspended. Service twice at church, morning attendance
large. The Dissenters took no account of the day.
1849, Feb. 27th. About 25 teams competed in a ploughing match
on the Moats and Blackwell Farms.
1849, June 22nd. A company of players have hired the Court
House for six weeks. They gave their first performance this evening.
It is earnestly hoped that the friends of religion and morality will
make some decisive effort to counteract the evil tendency of this
dangerous amusement.
1849, July 5th. I enclosed a tract on the immoral and anti-Christian
tendency of the Theatre to all the inhabitants of the town.
1849, July 6th. The sending round of the tracts has caused a
ferment. Many persons, out of opposition, determined to go to the
play. The room was crowded and the Vicar informed me he had
heard that the performers passed a vote of thanks to me.
1849, July 9th. Scarely 20 people at the play to-night.
1849, July 12th. A large attendance of the gentry at the play.
1855, June 5th. Took a debtor to Lewes Prison. By the prisoner's
desire I walked all the way through Birch Grove, Sheffield Park and
Newick. From Lewes I walked to Brighton, took train to Three
Bridges and walked home. I walked about 35 miles and not over
tired.
1858, Jan. 2nd. An unusually mild season. Ripe strawberries and
raspberries have been gathered in several places.
1859, Sept. 6th. Walked to Cowden and summoned a young gentle-
man staying at the Rectory. Mr. Harvey, the Rector, invited me
into the breakfast room and bade me partake. There was grouse,
partridges, tongue, honey, &c., &c. What renders this invitation
remarkable on the part of the Rector is, I was dressed in a round frock,
came on anything but an agreeable errand and was well known to the
Rector as a decided Nonconformist. Mrs. Harvey was equally pleasant
and hospitable.
1860, July llth. Lord De la Warr's rent audit at the Crown. I
did not go, thinking such gatherings — that is, the drinking part of
them — great evils.
1860, Oct. 23rd. A most unusual wet summer. There appears to
have been nothing approaching it for wetness for nearly 50 years.
Parties returned from hop-picking and then went to reaping and
mowing again.
1860, Nov. 24th. Robert Payne died. Himself, his grandfather
and great-grandfather have all filled the office, of sexton.
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 185
1861, May 29th. Mr. Palmer was buried to-day in the family vault.
A legacy of £100 was left me by my old master.
1861, Nov. 28th. Took a debtor to Lewes Prison. He walked
four miles and brought me a rabbit by 6.30 a.m. It is not common to
find prisoners so obliging. I walked round the town of Lewes with
him before I lodged him in prison.
1862, June 10th. Mr. John Smith died. Having been auctioneer,
banker, &c., for so many years he will be missed. He had obtained a
respectable standing, being a man of integrity and had acquired
wealth.
1862, Aug. 14th. Rev. J. H. Bray died this evening. He has been
curate here 1 1 months. His simple, direct and earnest preaching of
the Gospel, coupled with a consistent life, secured the approval and
attachment of the parishioners generally, including the Dissenters.
1864, May 31st. Went to Felbridge Park and seized a horse for a
heriot, in consequence of Mr. Gatty's death.
1867, May 22nd. Snow storms — not a stray flake or two, but
actually fierce and plentiful falls of snow, covering the house-tops. It
is the Derby day.
1867, May 24th. Ice this morning half an inch thick.
1868, Feb. 4th. Mr. John Stenning died at Brighton, aged 93. A
remarkable instance of what industry and sobriety, when blessed by
God, will do.
1868, Aug. 12th. The Judge has an attack of gout Drinkers
have not always settled their wine account when they pay their wine
merchant.
1870, June 8th. I now cease my connection with Zion Sunday
School, after about 38 years' close attachment and steady attention to
it. I have not had fair play from the ruling deacons and shall join
the new Moat School, where I anticipate a wider and fairer course of
action.
1871, Feb. 6th. Mr. Murphy lectured on The Confessional. I
doubt whether the evil is not more likely to predominate than the good
from such revelations.
1872, March 14th. Wound up accounts of Thanksgiving festivities
for recovery of Prince of Wales. Besides their subscriptions each
member of the Committee had to pay 8s. to make fund balance.
1872, Dec. llth. Fair day. In consequence of the liquor shops
being compelled to close at 1 1 , there were but few cases of rioting.
1873, Feb. loth. Coal is now 50s. a ton.
1874, Jan. 2nd. Mr. Wm. Stenning died; a gentleman highly
respected by all classes and who, by a generous and consistent life,
showed that he was a doer as well as a hearer of Christ's words.
1875, August 30th. Mr. Pearless was buried to-day. There was a
marked absence of the too frequent funeral trappings, no hat-bands,
no scarves, no feathers, no mutes, no coaches, mourners walked behind
an unadorned hearse.
186 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
1877, Sept. 24th. Mr. T. E. Burt, solicitor, died. He was the
oldest professional. He was practising and living where he died when
I came to East Grinstead in 1825.
1877, Dec. 13th. Fat Stock Show — a large display. I doubt the
Tightness of making the poor creatures so helplessly fat. I think the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals should look into the
matter.
1881, Oct. 14th. Heavy gale ; 12 large elms blown down in
Chequer Mead and near there.
1881, Oct. 23rd. I resigned my offices as Treasurer and Superin-
tendent of the Moat Sunday School. Nearly all the teachers resign also.
1884, July 25th. Attended a Conservative meeting at the Crown
Assembly Koom. I moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and
commended the plain and gentlemanly manner the speakers stated
their views, although I was not able to endorse them.
1885, May 5th. To the Exhibition. Just as we entered there was
a little bustle, when lo ! the Queen, having hold of the Prince of
Wales's arm, was just coming out. We were almost touching her.
I had not seen her for 53 years. She was a little 12-year-old girl
then, now a bulky, serious-looking old lady.
1891, Feb. 9th. A beershop closed at Crowborough Town by the
East Grinstead Magistrates. Hoo-rah ! !
1891, March 3rd. Not well enough to attend County Court. Only
the second time absent during the 36 years I have been High Bailiff.
Judge Martineau called on me and very kindly chatted for a while.
1891, April 17th. First visitor to-day, a retired brewer (Mr.
Absalom) ; second, a fierce innkeeper and violent opponent of our
temperance work (Mr. Tracy). Both stayed awhile and chatted very
friendly.
1891, June 22nd. The 28th temperance excursion. I never missed
one before.
With this very appropriate entry the diary closes.
Two months later the good old gentleman passed away.
MRS. NEIGHBOUR.
Although East Grinstead is located in one of the
healthiest parts of this favoured county it cannot boast
of a long list of centenarians to hold up as witnesses to
its health giving properties. Many residents have closely
approached five score years, but history records only one
instance of an individual who passed that number. In an
old Family Bible the following was the quaint record : —
Mary Taylor Wos Bornd December 5 5 minets Be for to in mornen
1796.
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 187
On December 5th, 1896, I visited her — a pleasant
faced, but feeble old lady — and got from her some very
interesting particulars of her life. Her father was James
Taylor, who was for many years tenant of the still
existing blacksmith's forge at Lingfield, where the old
lady in question first saw the light. He committed
suicide by hanging himself when his daughter Mary was
but four years of age. Mary Taylor first married a
Mr. Baker, a carpenter, and gave birth to her first child
on November 16th, 1814, before she was 18 years of age.
Her second husband was John Neighbour, a tanner, who
worked first at Lingfield and then at Ashurst Wood.
By her first husband she had four children, not one of
whom survived her, and by her second husband seven
children. The chief branches of the family are now the
Huggetts, of East Grinstead, holding responsible and
honoured positions, one the Clerk to the Guardians,
another the Assistant Overseer and Rate Collector, and a
third the Parish Sexton and Cemetery Caretaker, and
the Inglefields, tradesmen of Westerham and Limpsfield.
When she was 100 years old her descendants numbered
303, namely, 11 children, 86 grandchildren, 172 great
grandchildren, and 34 great great grandchildren, of
whom, at that time, about 200 were living. Before she
died, on September 5th, 1897, in her 101st year, the
number had been still further increased. Mrs. Neighbour
was over 90 before she gave up active work. She used
to walk into East Grinstead daily from Ashurst Wood
to work as an upholsteress and was very clever indeed
at the trade.
SIR EDWARD BLOUNT.
Sir Edward Blount was born on March 14th, 1809, at
Bellamour, near Rugeley, Stafford. He was the second
son of Mr. Edward Blount, M.P., at one time Member
for Steyning in this county, by Frances, daughter of Mr.
Francis Wright, of Fitzwalters, Essex. The family
trace their origin to the Le Blounds, Counts of Guisnes,
in Picardy, the head of whose family accompanied
William I. when the Conqueror invaded these islands.
188 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
One of them is said to have been Commander of the
ships of war, and another brother General of the Army.
Many members of the family were knights, but the first
baronet, Walter, was created by Charles I. in 1642. Sir
Edward's grandfather was the sixth baronet of this
creation. The family has always remained staunch to
the Roman Catholic Church and Sir Edward fully main-
tained the faith of his fathers.
Sir Edward's education was commenced at Rugeley
Grammar School and continued at St. Mary's College,
Oscott. He first began work in the London office of the
Provincial Bank of Ireland, but soon gave this up and
became an attache at the Home Office, being afterwards
appointed to a like position at the British Embassy in
Paris. This was when he was 20 years of age. After
a time he was transferred to the Consulate at Rome.
He went back to Paris in 1831, where he joined the
banking house of Callaghan & Company. He soon
launched out on his own account, and, with his father's
help, founded the bank of Edward Blount, Pere et Fils.
It was about this time that he married the beautiful Miss
Gertrude Frances Jerningham, and their happy union
lasted only nine days short of 63 years, Lady Blount
dying at Imberhorne on November 9th, 1897. In due
course the Paris banking house became that of Charles
Laffitte, Blount & Company, and the partnership lasted
until the Revolution of 1848, when the bank was ruined,
but young Blount afterwards paid all his creditors in
full. Four years later, mainly by the help of the late
Mr. Brassey, he re-established himself as a banker under
the style of Edward Blount & Company. This bank
lasted until after the Revolution of 1872, when it was
wound up and the business transferred to the Societe
Generale of Paris, of which Mr. Blount became President,
holding the position until he resigned, much against the
wish of his colleagues, on June llth, 1901.
Sir Edward was the founder of railway enterprise in
France and practically financed the Western Railway
Company, of which he was chairman for 30 years, being
then ousted from the position by the demands of the
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 189
French Government, who professed to see danger in an
Englishman having too intimate an acquaintance with
their army mobilisation arrangements.
His connection with the political history of France
was an intimate one. He had the honour to be the
personal friend of its monarchs and leading statesmen ;
he was on intimate terms also with Kings and Queens
in other countries, and was always proud of the great
consideration ever shown him by the late Queen Victoria,
who, had she had her own way, would have raised him
to the Peerage. With the Pontiffs of Rome his
connection had been very intimate, for he was long the
banker of the Papal Government, and after the annexation
of the Papal States to the kingdom of Italy he arranged
the transfer of the financial liabilities and the conversion
of the Papal debt.
It was Mr. Blount's self-sacrificing, noble conduct
during the siege of Paris in 1870-1 that will for ever
endear his name to the English people. When nearly
all the wealthy foreigners fled, he remained, making his
starving compatriots, who were unable to leave the city,
his chief care. On January 24th, 1871, he was
appointed British Consul and his whole conduct of
difficult affairs was such that Lord Malmesbury, speaking
of him in the House of Lords, said his name would be
" considered noble as long as the history of the siege is
recorded." He had 2,200 English poor on his hands
and spent an enormous sum out of his own purse in
relief; indeed, he and Mr. Wallace and Dr. Herbert
distributed £40,000 in all, and the total returned to Mr.
Blount by the British Government was only £1,000.
Mr. Blount remained officially in charge of the British
Embassy until the end of March, 1871, when he left for
London. In recognition of his services Mr. Blount was
made a Companion of the Bath and on June 2nd, 1888,
was promoted to the rank of K.C.B., being at that time
President of the British Chamber of Commerce, of
which he was one of the founders.
His connection with the great financial houses of the
world was an important one. Not only was he at the
190 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
head of the Societe Generale, but he was also a
director of the General Credit and Finance Company
of Lothbury, of the Union Discount Company and of
the London Joint Stock Bank.
Honours had naturally been showered on him from all
sides. In addition to his English knighthood he was a
Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur and Commander of
the Orders of Pius IX., of Isabella of Spain and of the
Crown of Italy, and also held the Grand Cross of
Osmanli, Turkey.
In his younger days Sir Edward was a keen sports-
man. He was a partner in Count Lagrange's racing
stable, and as such had the honour of sharing in the
carrying off of many of the chief prizes of the Turf,
including the English Derby, which their horse,
Gladiateur, won in 1865. One of his chief hobbies
used to be coaching, and long after he was 80 he used to
handle his four-in-hand along the tortuous roads and
hills around East Grinstead with a skill which many a
young whip might envy. He died at Imberhorne on
March 15th, 1905, aged 96, and was succeeded in the
ownership of the estate by his grandson, Mr. Edward C.
Blount, J.P.
JOHN PAYNE, SHERIFF OF SUSSEX.
In the 14th Vol. of the Sussex Archaeological Society's
Collections, in an article on Ashdown Forest, by the
Rev. Edward Turner, appears mention of a John Payne,
of Plawhatch, and the writer proceeds : —
The old Payne here alluded to was probably the Patriarch of the
ancient family of Payne long resident at Legge's Heath, in East Grin-
stead, and a Master of the Forest. A descendant of his was Sheriff of
Sussex in 1738, of whom it is currently reported that during the year
he served the office he never went to church, or in any way appeared
in public, except in full dress, with a cocked hat on his head, and a
sword by his side, and whenever he went to market or a meeting of
any kind at East Grinstead, he had, in addition, his State saddle,
saddle cloth and holster furnished with a pair of richly silver-chased
pistols. When questioned on the subject, his reply was that in his
opinion the dignity of the office required it. The last of the family
of the direct line died in Maresfield at an advanced age and in very
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 191
reduced circumstances, about six years ago (1856). In his cottage I
have often seen the saddle cloth, richly embroidered with gold, the
pistols, the sword and the spurs, which his father used as Sheriff, and
which the son greatly valued as testifying to the quondam greatness
of the family. After his death they were all sold to a broker for a
few shillings.
The above notice, in which the date was incorrectly
given as 1768, in conjunction with his long strain
of East Grinstead blood, would seem to entitle the
subject of it to a place among our local worthies. John
Payne, mentioned above as Sheriff of Sussex in 1738, was
of Legsheath Farm, near Plawhatch, and one of the tribe
of Paynes living in our parish, but, for many genera-
tions before his day, of a family quite distinct from the
" Paynes of the towne," to whom frequent reference has
been made in the course of this work ; for we can trace
his ancestry back for at least five generations with
certainty to John Payne, of Monkshill, yeoman, who
was buried at East Grinstead in 1597, probably the
above mentioned Patriarch and the same person as John
Payne, of Plawhatch, mentioned in our Parish Registers
as alive in 1562, and not improbably at that date
recognised as a connection by his better known name-
sakes "of the town;" but the fact remains that John
Payne, of Legsheath, was the descendant of a long line
of Paynes who more than 350 years ago began to settle
themselves in the small farms on the extreme south
border of our large parish and on the verge of Ashdown
Forest; such farms were Plawhatch, Legsheath, Monks-
hill, Mawles, Walesbeech and, later, Charl woods, and
all owned by some member of the family of what we
may call the Paynes of Legsheath, though they seem to
have been earlier known as the Paynes of Plawhatch, a
name probably derived from the Plawe family, one of
whom, viz., John Plawe, held seven acres called
Twyfords, in 1560.
In 1560 Leggesheath was held of Duddleswell Manor
by Rowland Deane, and consisted of 10 acres of assart
land, i.e., cleared of forest or heath, lying in the parish
of East Grinstead, to the pale of the Forest towards
the south, to the lands of Lord Abergavenny called
192 HISTOEY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Hownynggrove towards the north, to the lands of Richard
Infelde called the Plawe towards the west, and to the
lands of Umphreyes called Mawles towards the east, but
by degrees, before 1600 and in the decade succeeding it,
not only Legsheath and Monkshill, but also Maules and
Walesbeech Farms had come under the rule of the
Paynes, and so continued down to the time of the
subject of this notice and after him to about 1825.
A bird's-eye view of John Payne's ancestry may be
given as follows, and its connection with farms in the
parish gives it special interest : —
JOHN PAYNE, of Monkshill, Yeoman (probably of Plawhatch in 1562),
owned, freehold lands called Malls ; buried at East Grinstead as
John Payne, senr., of Monkhill, in 1597.
JOHN PAYNE, of Maules, Yeoman, owned 7 acres at Buncegrove, called
Baches, Legsheath and Dockets ; died 1624.
WILLIAM PAYNE, of Walesbeech, Yeoman, owned Legsheath, Maules,
Dockets ; buried at East Grinstead as William Paine, of
Walesbeech, 1657.
WILLIAM PAYNE, of Maules, Yeoman (5th son), owned Legsheath and
Monkshill ; died 1658 ; by his will " to be buried at
East Grinstead."
Mu. WILLIAM PAYNE, of Legsheath, owned Velvicks ; his brothers,
Edward and Robert, lived at Maules and Monkshill ; buried at
East Grinstead as Mr. Wm. Payne, of Legsheath, 1727.
JOHN PAYNE, of Legsheath, Esqre., owned Maules, while his cousin,
Edward, owned Monkshill ; Sheriff of Sussex 1738 ; buried at
East Grinstead as " John Payne, Esq.," 1760.
So much for his ancestry, which shows him to have
been a true son of our parochial soil and to have made
strides forward, socially and financially, since his grand-
father, Wm. Payne, of Maules, yeoman, in an interesting
will, dated 1658, bequeathed
Unto Susan my nowe wife seaven fields or severall closes and one
coppice wood next adjoining to my customary tenement or house
com only called Munkshill with the orchard and garden plott there-
unto belonging, conteyning in all by estimacon 18 acres of land more
or less for and during the terme of her naturall life. And also three
rooms in the said Munkshill house during her naturall life viz. the
Hall, the chamber over the Hall, and the upper chamber over the
same with egresse and regresse to and from the same and to have and
take water and other convenient necessaries. . . .
The testator goes on to give £150 to each of his
daughters, five pair of sheets to each of his children
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 193
and Monkshill to Robert, his younger son, who also
occupied Stone and Standen Farms. In such surround-
ings was John Payne, of Legsheath, born in 1675, and
duly baptised at East Grinstead, succeeding his father at
Legsheath in 1727, as we learn from the Court Rolls of
Duddleswell Manor, of which Legsheath was held. In
1693 he married, at Hartfield, Bridget, daughter and
co-heir of Richard Knight, Esq., sen., of Cowden,
whose family had come to prosperity by virtue of the
iron industry of those days. This useful marriage may
account for John's somewhat sudden rise in the social
scale and may also account in a measure for his little
weakness for display in his official capacity of Sheriff,
a position that would have, no doubt, vastly astonished
his father, Wm. Payne, of Legsheath. There seems to
have been no issue of this marriage when his first wife
died in October, 1736, so he re-married, with no undue
delay, Margaret, daughter of John Shelley, of Fen
Place, Worth. As John was already 62 years of age
his prompt re-marriage was probably accelerated by the
meritorious desire, as strong in those days with yeoman
as with peer, to leave a son to inherit the ancestral
acres, however modest their extent. John's acres seem
from his will to have been numerous and productive, but
disappointment was his lot, for we find no issue of the
second marriage beyond an only daughter, Margaret,
baptised at East Grinstead in 1738 (the year of his
Sheriffdom) and buried there in 1751. This accounts
for his making his nephew, William Payne, son of
Edward Payne, of Monkshill, his heir, and, so far as
we can now ascertain, these farms remained in the
hands of Mr. William Payne until about 1827, when
he, or possibly his son of the same name, sold Stone
Farm to Mr. R. Crawfurd, of Saint Hill, and it is
not unusual about this date to find our local yeomen
tempted by the high price of land then prevailing
to part with their long cherished acres to the gentry
of the class above them, with the idea of living in
ease upon the proceeds of the deal. Unfortunately
in too many cases the yeoman had no knowledge of
194 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
investing his money safely otherwise than in farming
land, and the expulsion from the ancestral acres by the
prosperous Squire only too often resulted in pauperising
and extinguishing such old families as we are here
speaking of. Some such disaster would seem to have
overtaken the Sheriff's successors, for if any descendants
of the name now exist they are not known to local
annalists.
John Payne, ex-Sheriff and squire, died 110 doubt in
his picturesque old farmhouse at Legsheath at the age of
85, and was buried in the Churchyard of East Grinstead,
13th March, 1760. Whatever his foibles, his will shows
him to have been a careful man, of kindly and genial
disposition, with a due allowance of family pride and
other pleasant traits, nor could his worst detractor say
that he was too little appreciative of the dignity to
which he was called.
The following interesting extracts are from his will,
dated 3rd May, 1754, and proved 2nd May, 1760: —
To Mary Head, wife of Edward Head, the interest of £100 to be
put out at four per cent, for her natural life, with remainder to her
daughter Mary Taylor.
To William How £50, and to Elizabeth How, and Sarah How his
two sisters £30 each.
To Joseph Bridgeland son of John Bridgeland £100.
To John Showing £50.
To William Payne, son of Edward Payne of Monkshill £450 to be
laid out on a mortgage upon Monkshill, The interest of which £450 I
give to my cousin Edward Payne of Monkshill for his life. I also
give to my cousin Edward Payne, of Monkshill his living in Legsheath,
and the use of all the goods there till his son William Paj'ne is 23
yr old.
To Robert Payne £5 p. ann. for his life, to be paid out of a ffarin
called Smiths in Surrey.
To Mary Payne 40/- p. ann. for her life, to be paid out of " Smiths "
aforesaid.
To Susannah Shewing £30.
To Richard Payne I give a small ffarm called " Holehouse " for his
life.
To Colonel Joseph Ottaway £50.
To John Smith Esq £500.
All the residue of my estate real and personal ; all my ffreehold
and copyhold Lands in Sussex, Kent, and Surrey I give to my cousin
William Payne son of Edward Payne, of Monkshill for his natural
life, and I make him the said William Payne, son of Edward Payne,
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 195
of Monkshill, my heir after my decease — and from and after his
decease I give all to his heir male — and for want of such heir I give it
all to John Payne second son of Henry Payne of Worth.
I desire John Turner of Imberhorne, and Edward Jenner of East
Grinstead to be trustees for the said William Payne, whom I make
heir till he arrives at the age of 23 y", and to receive the rents, and
put out money at four per cent, for the benefit of the said William
Payne — and to put him to school till he is a compleat scholar. And
I desire my executors to make up that £1000 for my wife out of
Lockyer's mortgage, and that mortgage upon Eichard Martin's estate
at fforest rowe.
I desire that Edward Payne pay unto his son Edward £10 p. ann.
during the time he lives at Legsheath.
I desire to be buried in a Christian manner, and to be carried upon
men's shoulders. And I desire there may be roast beef, and boiled
beef for all the people to eat of that come to my ffuneral. And I
desire Master Bond, Master Humphry, Master Browne, Master
Banester, and Charles Woodman, may all have mourning hatbands.
And I desire they shall all have beer, wine, and gloves that are invited,
and the relations to have mourning hatbands.
My cousin William Payne son of Edward Payne, of Monkshill, to
be full and sole executor.
And I make John Turner and Edward Jenner executors, in trust to
William Payne my heir, till he arrives at three and twenty years.
And I desire to be buried by daylight.
The comment suggests itself that, whatever his
harmless predilection for public display, the careful
forethought of providing roast beef as well as boiled
beef for his own funeral banquet, when he would no
longer be acting host, is indicative of a kindly and
thoughtful nature. Possibly the " desire to be buried
by daylight" was due to some misgivings as to the
duration of the little orgy he thus anticipated over his
remains, for, considering what the nearest route must
have been like in those days between Legsheath Farm
and East Grinstead Church, it would need an early start
and resolute bearers to have accomplished the task set
them.
Much of old Monkshill was standing fifteen years ago
as it probably was in Queen Elizabeth's time. Mawles
has disappeared, though its site near Monkshill is well
known to old inhabitants. Legsheath, though restored,
still remains much as the old Sheriff knew it in his boy-
hood more than 200 years ago, and, as a farmhouse,
remote from the haunts of men, happily retains much of
o 2
196 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
its pretty old-world character amid surroundings which
have probably altered little since the days of Queen
Elizabeth, when the Sheriff's ancestors at Plawhatch
and Monkshill added Legsheath to their modest landed
possessions.
THE PAYNES OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
It is impossible to write much concerning East Grin-
stead without making constant reference to one branch
or another of the numerous families of Paynes. The
origin of the name is by no means certain. The theory
generally accepted is that it is derived from the French
pain — bread, and that the earliest owners of it in this
county were those who came from Normandy many
centuries ago and settled in the neighbourhood of Rye
and Winchelsea. The Paynes of Pixtons are referred to
in earlier chapters and the following additional particu-
lars are of interest. The will of George Payne was
proved November 7th, 1538, and is here subjoined: —
In del nomine Amen, the xxix. day of August in the yere of our
lord god a Thousande fyve hundreth xxxvij. I George Payne of
Estgrensted in the countie of Sussex being hole in mynde and wth
good remembraunce make this my last wille and testamente in fourme
following, in primis I bequeth my soule to almighty god our lady
Saint Mary and to all the holy company of hevyn, and my body to be
buried in the Churchyearde of Saint Swythvne in Grensted aforsaid.
Item I bequeth to the high awter there for my tithes and offeryngs
forgotten 3" 4d. Item I bequeth to Agnes my wife a bedde with all the
things apperteyning therto. Item I will to hir twoe kyne and a mare.
Item I will to Joane my doughter twenty pounds of lawfull money.
Item I will to Clemens my doughter twentie poundes. Item yf my
wife be with childe w* a doughter I will to it twentie poundes, yf any
of the said doughters to dye or she be maried that then I wille every
of them to be others heires equally to be devided among them. Item
to Johnne my sonne all my freeholds to him and his heires. Item all
suche lands as I have in morgage as doth appere by Indentures that
John my sonne shall have them, yf my wife be with childe w' a man
childe that then I will that Edward my sonne shal have the money of
the said morgage landes yf the money be paid agayn or ells the lands
whether it be. Item yf my wife have no man childe then I will that
the money that comyth agayn in payment shall be equally devided
amonge all my children. Item I will to John my sonne my fferme of
Brestowe parke w* all goods and catalls being uppon the said grounde
at the making of this p'sent testamente. . . . Item I will to Roger
my servant shal have his mendyng of wayes betwene fforest Bowe and
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 197
Grensted 20s. Item I will that John Boton my servant shal have his
indenture and 6s 8J of money. Item I bequeth to every of my god
children 4d. Item I will that my good maister Sir John Gage twoe
colts nowe being in Brestowe parke and to goo there tyll they twoe
be able to be rydden, if it please him desiring him to be good maister
to all my children and specially to John my sonne, all the residue of
my goodes not bequethed I give to my sonnes John and Edward except
that my wyfe have a man childe that then I will that Edward shall
have all the said goodes to his owne use and profite ffurthermore I
make and ordeyne my brother John Payne and Thomas Pellam of
ffyrryll my executoures to see my children ruled and this my testamente
f ulfillyed to the pleasure of god and the welthe of my soule and every
of them to have for their labours fyve mrks. Testes William Auery,
James Cole, Thomas Rutter cum multis aliis.
The above testator, George Payne, son of John Payne,
of Pixtons (see pp. 71 -2), was evidently a yeoman of
good substance as money went in those days. His
father in 1507 had devised to him the tenement of
Beeches (?in Ashurst Wood), but whether George lived
there we have no certain information beyond the fact
that he seems from the evidence of his own will to
have undertaken repair of the road between Forest Row
and East Grinstead.
His elder brother, John, had succeeded his parents at
Pixtons and his descendants seem to have owned that
farm until, in 1615, John Payne, sen., of Pickstones,
and Elizabeth, his wife, sold it to John Goodwin, gent.,
from whose family it seems to have passed to Mr. John
Conyers, who married a Miss Goodwin and was M.P.
for East Grinstead in 1695, and later it belonged to Mr.
Wicken and the Trulock family.
In 1615 the Manor of Pixtons seems to have consisted
of one messuage, one barn, one garden, one orchard, 20
acres of arable land, 16 acres of meadow land, 14 acres of
pasture, four acres of wood and three acres of moorland,
all in East Grinstead, and the whole appears to have been
acquired by John Goodwin for the modest sum of £100.
George Payne, whose will is quoted above, left two sons,
John and Edward, who both became prominent townsmen
of East Grinstead. John was the testator, whose will,
proved in 1580, is mentioned on pp. 123-4, in connection
with the old almshouses in Church Street, and he was
198 HISTOKY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
also one of the burgesses of East Grin stead to whom the
silver seal was presented in 1572, and a prosperous iron-
master, as mentioned on p. 142.
Edward, the younger son of the testator, George
Payne, born about 1536, was buried at East Grinstead
in 1599 as "Edward Paine the Elder." He was a
burgess of East Grinstead and had married Katherine
Losco, a widow of means belonging to Southwell, Co.
Notts.
Their eldest son Edward (1560-1642) became the
direct ancestor of a long line of Paynes " of the Town,"
who, as ironmasters and landowners, rose to considerable
affluence in East Grinstead and the neighbouring district
during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Their
daughter Clemence married John Farley, of East Grin-
stead, and had a numerous family.
Burstow, or Brestowe Park Manor, mentioned in the
above testator's will, was originally a possession of the
Archbishop of Canterbury arid included in the Manor of
Wimbledon. In 1531 Archbishop Warham granted the
manor to Sir John Gage on lease for 80 years, which
accounts for the testator's reference to Sir John Gage,
and his desire that the latter should be a good master to
his children, and also perhaps accounts for his choice of
Thomas Pelham, of Firle, as an executor. In 1649
Edward Payne, of East Grinstead, gent., a descendant
of the testator, George Payne, bought the Manor of
Burstow Park and it descended for many generations in
his family.
THE SUSSEX DIARISTS AND LOCAL
REFERENCES.
Mr. Cramp was by no means the first Sussex diarist.
The Rev. Giles Moore, Rector of Horsted Keynes,
was one of the first of this small band. He died on
October 3rd, 1679, and from his diary the following
references to East Grinstead are taken : —
Oct. 2nd, 1656. J. Dawes brought mee from Grinstead 4 stone of
beefe, which at 22d. the stone and 2-lb. of sewet at 4d. come to 8s.
SOME LOCAL WORTHIES. 199
Aug. 18th, 1662. I set forwards on my journey to Chichester with
Mr. Hale and Mr. Chatfield, physician and scholemaster at East
Grinstead, who met us at Portslade, whither wee went together and
came back together. On the 19th I payed in theyr presence to
Eobert Symes, sub-collector for the tythes of 1660 and 1661 due at
Christmasse, the summe of £2 and a marke all over and above for
charges, to the which he knavishly and unjustly put me, amounting to
£1. 6s. 7d. I spent in charges going and coming, 10s. lOd.
Aug. 10th, 1667. To Mr. Moore, of East Grinstead, collector, for
8 fire hearths due for one whole yeare expiring at Michaelmas,
together with one yeare more for the brewhouse chimney, I payed
18s. (The hearth and chimney tax was clearly no light one at this
time.)
Sept. 12th, 1669. I spent at East Grinstead when Mat (apparently
his daughter) was confirmed by the Bishop, Is. 4d.
In the journal of Timothy Burrell, barrister-at-law, of
Ockenden House, Cuckfield, occurs the following : —
March 24th, 1687. Church tax lid. Letter 4d. 9 ells of Holland
£1. 4s. I spent at East Grinstead (possibly during the Assizes)
£1. 2s.
March 26th, 1693. I spent at the Assizes at East Grinstead £1. 5s.
(The Winter Assizes in these days were held alternately at East
Grinstead and Horsham, and in the summer at Lewes.)
Richard Stapley, in his diary, under date August 3rd,
1697-8, notes :-
Bought a pair of double sewed ramskin gloves of Tobie Showen, of
East Grinstead, which cost me 2s. 6d.
Tobias Shewin will be found mentioned on page 40 as
a burgess of the Borough in 1678-1683.
Thomas Turner, of East Hoathly, who belonged to
the family which for several centuries has occupied
Tablehurst, Forest Row, left this record in his
voluminous diary : —
May 2nd, 1764. This day was fought a main of cocks at our public-
house between the gentlemen of East Grinstead and the gentlemen of
East Hoathly, for half-a-guinea a battle and two guineas the odd
battle, which was won by the gentlemen of East Grinstead, they
winning five battles out of six fought in the main. I believe there
was a good deal of money sported on both sides.
THE ABERGAYENNY FAMILY AND
KIDBROOKE,
CHAPTER XV.
THIS ancient and noble family, described bv one
J * «/
historian as being to mediaeval England what the Douglas
family was to Scotland, had a very intimate connection
with East Grinstead for a period which extended a little
over a century.
The mansion of Kidbrooke, at Forest Row, was built
for William, the 42nd Lord Abergavenny and 14th Baron
of the present creation, the money for the purpose being
provided by a special Act of Parliament passed in 1733,
authorising the sale of the Abergavenny entailed estates
at Kidderminster, known as the Manors of Kidder-
minster Borough and Kidderminster Forren, and the
re-investment of the proceeds in this parish. In 1744
another Act of Parliament was obtained for settling the
mansion of Kidbrooke and the lands belonging to it to
the uses of the family estates.
The Harleian manuscripts in the British Museum
contain a pedigree which professes to show the descent
of this illustrious family from Adam, through Enos and
Mahalahael to Noah, thence on to Woden, from him to
Hengist, King of Kent, then to Uchtred the Saxon, then
through the Earls of Northumberland to the present
known line. But modern historians generally content
themselves with tracing its descent from Gilbert de Nevill,
a Norman chieftain, who is said to have been Admiral to
William the Conqueror.
The particular branch of the family which occupied
Kidbrooke sprang from Sir Edward Nevill, K.G.
(whose mother was a daughter of John of Gaunt), sixth
son of Ralph, 1st Earl of Westmoreland, and uncle to the
THE ABERGAVENNY FAMILY AND KIDBROOKE. 201
famous Earl of Warwick and Salisbury, commonly known
in history as " The King Maker." This Sir Edward was
the 27th Baron of his line and the first Baron Abergavenny
of the present creation. He was a Yorkist, high in
favour with Edward IV., and one of his nieces married
the Duke of Clarence, brother of this monarch. Another
married, firstly, Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Henry
VI. , and , secondly, Richard III. , who stepped to the throne
after his murder of Edward V. and his brother in the
Tower of London. The all-powerful Earl of Warwick
seized his nephews' lands, castle and lordship, and himself
became Baron Abergavenny, but the possessions were
re-granted to George Nevill, grandson of Edward, by
Henry VIII.
It was in 1735 that the family removed from Birling,
in Kent, to Kidbrooke, in East Grinstead, and in 1805
they transferred their residence back to Eridge, the castle
there, which was one of their ancestral homes many
centuries before, having been re-built. The then Lord
Abergavenny sold Kidbrooke to the Right Hon. Charles
Abbot, who was Speaker of the House of Commons for
over 15 years, and was made Lord Colchester at his
retirement on June 3rd, 1817. He died on May 8th,
1829. Kidbrooke was greatly altered by him under the
superintendence of Mr. Robert Mylne, the architect of
Blackfriars Bridge. On November 3rd, 1874, the
mansion and park of 207 acres were sold by his
grandson to the late Mr. H. R. Freshfield, J.P., D.L.,
Sheriff of Sussex in 1885.
When Mr. Abbot sent down his agent to look at the
property in 1805 the only good road was that which
ran through the village from London to Lewes ; that to
Tunbridge Wells through Hartfield could be used by a
carriage in summer only. The query as to the principal
product of the place was answered in one word — Rabbits.
Mr. Abbot, under the direction of the famous garden
architect, Repton, laid out the grounds, planted exten-
sively and made ornamental lakes and cascades. He
purchased, either with Kidbrooke, or very shortly
202 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
afterwards, Hindleap Warren, which he also laid out as
an ornamental ground, with drives, walks and summer-
houses. He planned a lodge to be built near Hindleap
Farm on the top of the hill, but it was never erected.
Among the documents left by Mr. Abbot is a draft of a
letter to the Home Secretary asking that the bodies of
the highwaymen hung on Wall Hill might be taken
down before his wife drove to town. Thirty years ago
persons were living in Forest Row who remembered
having been taken, as boys, to touch the heels of the
corpses, a custom in vogue in order to impress their
minds with the results of such crimes. It is on record
that at this time half the hands employed in the
garden at Kidbrooke were "dames." In Kidbrooke
woods there is a spring of water very strongly impreg-
nated with iron, and near it an obelisk, erected by the
first Lord Colchester in remembrance of the escape of one
of his sons from shipwreck in the China Seas.
When the late Mr. Freshfield bought the estate he
built a new west wing, an entrance tower and remodelled
the hall and offices, making also considerable improve-
ments outside. He also built the Village Hall at Forest
Row as a memorial to his grandson, the architect being
the late J. M. Brydori, who designed the great block
of public offices now in course of erection opposite the
Houses of Parliament. The estate of Kidbrooke,
together with Hindleap, Broadstone and Pressridge
Warrens, is now owned by his son, Mr. Douglas W.
Freshfield, the well-known traveller, who, in the last
named Warren, has built, for his own use, a magnificent
mansion, surrounded by beautiful grounds, in which the
wild beauties of nature are charmingly blended with the
art and skill of man.
The founder of Kidbrooke was the first of his line to
be buried in the extensive vault beneath the Parish
Church of East Grinstead. He died on September 21st,
1744, at the early age of 46, and it is to his memory
that the only mural tablet concerning the Abergavenny
family remains on the walls of the building, others
having possibly been destroyed when the church was
THE ABERGAVENNY FAMILY AND KIDBROOKE. 203
wrecked by the falling of the tower in 1785. The
inscription on this reads : —
HlC JUXTA DEPOSITS
HONORATISSIMI DOMINI
GVLIELMI DOMINI ABERGAVENNY
BARONIS ANGLIC PRIMARII ;
Qui DIGNITATEM, A LONGA TRADITAM MAJORVM SERIE
GERENDO VERB ILLUSTREM,
MERENDO FECIT SUAM.
OMIT 21 SEPTEMBRIS 1744
47.
The bodies of two other Lords Abergavenny lie in
the vault, namely, George Nevill, the first Earl of
Abergavenny, who died on September 10th, 1785,
aged 58, and the Rt. Hon. Henry Nevill, the second
Earl of Abergavenny, Viscount Nevill and Baron of
Abergavenny, K.T., who died, aged 88, on March 27th,
1843. The funeral took place on April 4th. The
remains of the deceased nobleman were brought in great
state from Eridge Castle. The hearse and chief mourn-
ing coach were each drawn by six horses ; three other
coaches were drawn by four horses each ; numerous
carriages were also included in the cavalcade, and many
retainers on horseback brought up the rear; but the
grandeur of the display was greatly interfered with by a
heavy and incessant rain. The clergyman who officiated
was the Rev. Robert Gream, Rector of Rotherfield,
Chaplain to Lord Abergavenny, and the father of the
first Mother Superior of St. Margaret's, East Grinstead.
The vault was in use exactly 100 years and the
following is a complete list of the 20 members of the
Abergavenny family interred therein :—
William Nevill, Lord Abergavenny, the founder of Kidbrooke.
He was the son of Commodore Edward Nevill, who died abroad, by
his marriage with Hannah, daughter of Mr. Jervoise Thorp. He
succeeded his cousin Edward as 14th Baron and as 42nd Lord
Abergavenny on October 9th, 1724. Lord Edward died when only 18
years of age and left a young widow, Catherina, daughter of Lieut. -
Gen. Tatton, of Withenshaw, Cheshire. After seven months of
widowhood, this lady married Lord William, so that she was twice
over Lady Abergavenny. She died in 1729 and nearly three years
later his Lordship married Lady Rebecca Herbert, daughter of the
Earl of Pembroke. Lord Abergavenny was for a time Master of the
204 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Jewel Office. He died on September 21st, 1744, aged 46, and was
buried at East Grinstead on September 30th.
The Hon. Maiy Nevill, daughter of Lord William by his second
marriage with Lady Rebecca Herbert, died July 24th, 1758, aged 22.
Buried August 2nd.
Lady Rebecca Nevill, Dowager Lady Abergavenny, widow of Lord
William, of Kidbrooke, died September, 1758, aged 54. Buried at
East Grinstead, September 22nd.
The Hon. Sophia Nevill, daughter of Lord William, of Kidbrooke,
died December 29th, 1758, aged 21. Buried January 4th, 1759.
Mary Rebow, wife of Mr. 0. C. Rebow, of Smallfield Place,
Burstow, daughter of the Hon. Edward Nevill, younger brother of
Lord George, the llth Baron Abergavenny, died June 26th, 1762,
aged 63. Buried July 3.
The Hon. Harriet Nevill, daughter of Lord William, of Kidbrooke,
died August 8th, 1762, aged 28. Buried August 14th.
Hannah Nevill, widow of Commodore Edward Nevill and mother
of Lord William, of Kidbrooke, died March 25th, 1764, aged 96,
having survived her husband by no less than 63 years. Buried
April 2nd.
Henrietta Nevill, wife of George, 1st Earl and 15th Baron of
Abergavenny. She was a daughter of Thomas Pelham, of Stanmer,
and sister of the first Earl of Chichester. She died August 29th,
1768, aged 38, and was buried on September 8th.
George Nevill, 1st Earl and 15th Baron Abergavenny, the only son
of William, 14th Baron, by his marriage with Catherine, widow of
Lord Edward, 13th Baron. This nobleman was Lord Lieutenant of
Sussex and was raised to the dignity of an Earldom on May 17th,
1784. Died September 10th, 1785, aged 58. Buried September 18th.
Lord Henry George, Viscount Nevill, eldest son of Henry, 2nd Earl
and 16th Baron of Abergavenny, died April 8th, 1806, aged 21.
Buried April 20th.
The Hon. and Rev. William Nevill, son of William, 14th Baron,
by his second wife, daughter of the Earl of Pembroke. Rector of
Bishopston, Wilts, and Burghley, Hants. Died July 22nd, 1810,
aged 69. Buried July 30th.
The Hon. Catherine Nevill, only daughter of Lord William, of
Kidbrooke, by his first marriage with his cousin's widow. She was
Maid of Honour to Queen Charlotte, Consort of George III., and
died unmarried on January 19th, 1820, aged 92. Buried January
27th.
The Rev. George Henry Nevill, Rector of Chiltington, Sussex,
eldest son of the Hon. George Henry Nevill, by his marriage with
Caroline, daughter of the Hon. R. Walpole, M.P. for Yarmouth, died
September 20th, 1825, aged 33. Buried September 27th.
Capt. Lord Ralph, Viscount Nevill, R.N., second son of Henry, 2nd
Earl and 16th Baron of Abergavenny, died May 20th, 1826, aged 39.
Buried May 29th.
THE ABERGAVENNY FAMILY AND KIDBROOKE. 205
The Hon. Lady Henrietta Nevill, second daughter of Henry, Earl
of Abergavenny, died July 28th, 1827, aged 39. Buried August 6th.
Mary Ann Bruce, Viscountess Nevill, daughter of Mr. Bruce Elcock,
widow of Capt. Viscount Nevill, E.N., second son of the 2nd Earl
Abergavenny, died June 6th, 1828, aged 32. Buried June 16th.
The Rev. Henry Walpole Nevill, second son of the Hon. George
Henry Nevill. He married a daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, and
she being left early a widow, married Col. Sir Hambleton Francis
Custance, K.C.B. Died March 3rd, 1837, aged 33. Buried March
10th.
Caroline, wife of the Hon. George Henry Nevill, of Flower Place,
Godstone, second son of the 1st Earl Abergavenny, died December 21st,
1841, aged 76. Buried December 28th.
The Et. Hon. Henry Nevill, 2nd Earl of Abergavenny, Viscount
Nevill, 16th Baron of Abergavenny, K.T., died March 27th, 1843,
aged 88. Buried April 4th.
The Hon. George Henry Nevill, of Flower Place, Godstone, second
son of George, 1st Earl of Abergavenny, died August 7th, 1844, aged
84. Buried August 15th.
DR. NEALE AND ST, MAEGAEET'S,
CHAPTER XVI.
No history of East Grrinstead would be complete which
did not contain some account of the rise and progress of
that beneficent and popular institution known as St.
Margaret's, and some outline of the career of the
scholarly and remarkable man who founded it. John
Mason Neale was born in London, January 24th, 1818.
His father was a highly-gifted clergyman and his mother
a lady remarkable for her force of character. He was
brought up as a strict Evangelical, but after entering
Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1836, his views soon
broadened and he became a co-founder of the " Cam-
bridge Camden," afterwards called " The Ecclesiological
Society," its object being to re-construct the visible
worship and Church architecture of England. How
vast was the work it accomplished is known to all
students of Church history. In 1842 Mr. Neale was
made a priest and presented to the living of Crawley,
but he held it for six weeks only, resigning in consequence
of ill-health. The next three years he spent abroad with
his wife, who was a Miss Webster and aunt to Lord
Alverstone, the present Lord Chief Justice of England.
He was far from idle during this time. The amount of
literary work he accomplished was marvellous. He
wrote magazine articles and pamphlets by the hundred,
poems and hymns by the dozen, entered the domain of
fiction, but shone most as a Church historian, his uncom-
pleted "History of the Holy Eastern Church" gaining
him a world-wide reputation and winning him the special
thanks of the Czar of Russia, who made him a valuable
present in recognition of his great labours. He came to
East Grinstead, as the Warden of Sackville College, in
1846, and here he remained for 20 years, never resting,
always devising something for the benefit of his poorer
DR. NEALE AND ST. MARGARET'S. 207
neighbours, always having some literary work on hand.
It was while here that he received the degree of Doctor
of Divinity from Hartford College, Connecticut. Those
still living can well remember the bitter opposition which
his earlier efforts aroused, nor are the riots in East
Grinstead and Lewes forgotten, while we still occasionally
get vague echoes of the vituperation which poured upon
him through the Press of Sussex. But quietly, lovingly,
this great scholar and earnest worker plodded on, until
he lived down all opposition and won for himself and his
work a love and a reverence which is intensified as the
years roll on.
It is impossible to exaggerate the great value of his
contributions to our national literature. The hymns
composed or translated by him are sung in every country
where the Christian faith is known, and the popularity
will never fade of such beautiful lines as " Brief life is
here our portion," " To thee, O dear, dear country,"
" Art thou weary ? " " Jerusalem the golden " and " The
day is past and over." About one-twelfth of " Hymns
Ancient and Modern " are from his pen. He won the
Seatonian prize for poetry about a dozen times in all ;
he was for three years leader writer for The Morning
Chronicle; he published works in many different languages
— he was a master of about twenty; and the British
Museum Library catalogue contains a list of something
like 140 books written by him. Everything he under-
took he did thoroughly and he was wont to say, " What
is possible may be done ; what is impossible must be
done." The keynote of his life is beautifully expressed
by his own words in his Seatonian poem on Egypt : —
Go forward !
Forward, when all seems lost, when the cause looks utterly hopeless ;
Forward, when brave hearts fail, and to yield is the rede of the
coward ;
Forward, when friends fall off, and enemies gather around thee ;
Thou, though alone with thy God, though alone in thy courage, go
forward !
So much for the man ; now for the work. Of the
reasons which led to the founding of St. Margaret's, no
better account can be given than that written by Dr.
208 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Neale himself. His study window commanded a view
of Ashdown Forest, and gazing over its wide expanse he
saw "scattered farms, lonely groups of two or three
houses in an isolated green, 'ellenge' (i.e., solitary)
cottages, charcoal-burners' huts, places four or five miles
— and then through the worst of lanes — from any church :
how are the poor inhabitants to be attended to in this
world and prepared for the next ? " This question often
forced itself on his notice and in the winter of 1854 two
friends offered to engage in any work of mercy he cared
to suggest, so it was determined to start a Sisterhood.
A few weeks later Miss Gream, daughter of the Rector
of Rotherfield, and who afterwards became Sister Ann
and the first Mother Superior, offered her services. In
the spring of 1855 a circular was issued, stating that it
was proposed to establish an institution for supplying
the clergy of Central Sussex and South Surrey with
nurses trained for attendance on the sick poor, and their
services were to be entirely gratuitous. Funds soon
came in and one of the future Sisters was sent to West-
minster Hospital to get nursing training. A second
Sister soon followed, and in July of the same year the
operations of the Sisterhood began. Its two first members
were for a time resident in Sackville College and attended
to the needs of the old people there. They also had a
small house at Rotherfield, where one or two resided
when not engaged in nursing work. The first Sister
who went out on a nursing expedition of mercy left East
Grinstead for Shoreham by the very first train which ran
out of East Grinstead Station on the day of opening the
line, July 9th, 1855.
The need of a central home in East Grinstead soon
became apparent, so the house now used as offices by
Messrs. Fearless & Sons was taken and the Sisters
moved into it in June, 1856. Old Mr. Gream died at
the same time and his daughter was free to take up her
duties as Mother Superior and to devote the remainder
of her life to the work of the Sisterhood. Then came
the death of Miss Scobell and the riot at her funeral at
Lewes, at which Dr. Neale and the Sisters barely escaped
DR. NEALE AND ST. MARGARET^. 209
serious injury. The owner of the house occupied in
East Grinstead had conscientious scruples about allowing
the Sisters to remain there any longer and they had to
seek premises elsewhere. For a while they sought a
home in vain, but finally rented premises, also in Church
Street and nearer the main road, subsequently acquiring
also the house where Mr. F. M. Wilcox now carries on
his saddlery business, and afterwards getting the use also
of the two adjoining houses. The premises were found
most convenient and here the Sisters remained from
Midsummer, 1858, until the present head-quarters were
ready in 1870. Prior to this change the original scope
of the work had been enlarged. Early in 1857 Miss
Elizabeth Neale, who had for some time carried on an
Orphanage at Brighton, was invited to take charge of a
Sisterhood at St. George' s-in-the-East, and at her request
her brother took over the orphans and placed them under
the charge of the Sisters at East Grinstead, a house
being specially hired in the town. Dr. Neale took
for the purpose the house known as The Hollies in
London Road, where Mr. Henry Young now resides.
It was called St. Katherine's Orphanage and two Sisters
were placed in charge. This is his own simple, delightful
description, from one of his children's books, of the house
as it was then:—" This house stood by the roadside on
the outskirts of a country town. It was built of brick,
but in summer it had white roses that climbed very
prettily over it. On one side was a fruit garden, on the
other a little paddock ; and in the distance there were
pretty blue hills. If you went in, on the left hand was a
kind of school room, and on the right a parlour; and if
you went upstairs, there were bedrooms for a number of
children, and beyond these a little chapel, where these
children went in to prayers." The Orphanage was only
located here until Midsummer, 1858, when it was removed
to one of the houses adjoining the Home in the High
Street and re-named St. Margaret's Orphanage, by which
title it is still known.
St. Agnes' School for girls was opened in May, 1862, at
the house in Moat Road where Mr. Charles Wood, the
210 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
dentist, formerly resided, but it soon outgrew that and
was removed to the larger residence now occupied by the
Rev. J. Waller. In time this likewise got overcrowded,
so the next house, now occupied by St. Margaret's School,
was also taken, and the two were joined by a covered
corridor, long since removed. One house was known as
St. Agnes, the other as St. Cecilia. The school was
removed to the mother home in 1874 and now has about
65 boarders. The necessity for some larger building,
where all the various branches of the work might be
centralised, had long been apparent, and ten acres of
ground for the intended buildings, with the stone quarry
adjoining, were purchased in 1864. The first stone of the
magnificent pile was laid on July 20th, 1865, by the late
Mr. Francis Barchard, of Little Horsted, near Uckfield,
and a blessing was pronounced on the work by the
Archimandrite Stratuli of the Russian Church. Dr.
Neale thus saw the beginning of the work which lay
nearest his heart. He never lived to see its completion.
A year after the foundation stone was laid he passed
peacefully away, his premature death a distinct loss to all
Christendom.
The founder's death was not allowed in any way to
interfere with the progress of the noble works which he
had initiated. St. Margaret's was at once looked on as a
memorial to Dr. Neale, and was ready for occupation
in 1870. First the Sisterhood and Orphanage, then St.
Agnes' School, then the Industrial Training School for
Servants were removed there, and to-day the institution
has an average residential population of 230. The
magnificently proportioned chapel, considered one of the
late Mr. Street's masterpieces, was opened on February
24th, 1883, and the next development was the building
of a Guest House. In 1892 St. Margaret's College was
opened in the old premises which had been known as St.
Cecilia, and here there are now about 40 boarders and 45
day scholars. Some exquisite work is carried on within
the Convent walls. The Sisters make ecclesiastical and
secular embroidery of delicate and most artistic design.
They have established guilds, meetings and schools for
DR. NEALE AND ST. MARGARET'S. 211
all classes of the inhabitants, and many a stricken home
has been brightened and many a weary sufferer cheered
by the presence of one of the self-sacrificing, kindly ladies
of St. Margaret's.
The work has long reached beyond the confines, not
only of Sussex, but of England. There are to-day branch
Orphanages in Hitchin, Worcester and Burton-on- Trent ;
Missions in Cardiff, Sunderland, Dundee, Newcastle and
Chichester ; a Home for Consumptives at Ventnor ; a
Convalescent Home for Ladies at Kingsand ; a Cottage
Hospital and Nursing Home at Saltash ; a Home of Rest
at Shincliffe ; a Free Home for the Dying at Clapham
Common ; and a number of branch works in Ceylon and
Johannesburg. There are daughter houses, each with
several branch works of her own, known as St. Margaret's
of Scotland, Aberdeen; St. Saviour's Priory, London,
E. ; and St. Margaret's Home, Boston, U.S.A. These
three daughter houses are governed by the same rules,
but they elect their own Superiors and are dependent on
their own friends and resources for income.
A lady who feels disposed to devote herself to the work
of St. Margaret's must first enter as a postulant for six
months, during which time she is bound by no engage-
ment, but lives in the House, shares the life and keeps
the rules of the Sisters, in order that a judgment may be
formed on both sides as to her fitness for the community.
If the judgment be mutually favourable she stands for
election as a novice, and must be elected as such by a
majority of the Sisters. The novitiate lasts not less than
two years, arid the votes of a majority of two-thirds of
the professed Sisters of the House is necessary in order
to admit a novice to full profession, by which act she
devotes herself to God and the service of the poor for
life as a Sister of Charity. How well this work is
performed is recognised and appreciated wherever the
name of St. Margaret's is known.
Dr. Neale was succeeded in the chaplaincy of St.
Margaret's by the Rev. Laughton Alison, M.A., who,
coming of a family settled at Chorley, in Lancashire, and
in enjoyment of an honourable record in that county,
P 2
212 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, and after-
wards served the Curacy of Cuckfield, Sussex. He was
appointed Chaplain in March, 1867, soon after completing
his 31st year, and held the position until his death on
September 19th, 1892. He was a worthy successor to the
great founder; a man of sincere piety, of wide general
information and cheerfulness of spirit ; eloquent in speech
and kindly in manner ; a man who could not fail to win
the affection of all he met ; the friend of all in suffering,
need or distress. Regarded here in his early days with
distrust, by reason of his advanced views, he lived down,
and more than lived down, every vestige of this early
unpopularity, never personal to himself, but attaching to
the office he held in a community, viewed in those days
with somewhat general disfavour, but now enjoying
almost universal esteem. Many probably will credit
Laughton Alison, and justly too, perhaps, with a prime
share in effecting this pleasant change of sentiment
towards an institution of which East Grinstead may
well be proud. Certain it is, that for all his retiring
habits, and almost unconnected as he was with the
parochial life of East Grinstead, he somehow came to be
known and held in affectionate esteem by all classes in
the town, and on the day of his quiet funeral the place
seemed hushed in general mourning for a well-loved
friend. Such in brief outline was Father Alison, a title
gradually conceded to him outside his cure, even by those
who in matters of ritual stood far apart from him, but
learnt to know his worth, and to read in him the record
of a useful, unselfish and singularly blameless life. To
him succeeded the Rev. R. E. Hutton, the present
Chaplain, who was born in 1859 at Sompting Vicarage,
Sussex, and ordained Priest in 1885 in Chichester
Cathedral. Prior to coming to East Grinstead Mr.
Hutton held several curacies, among others that of
Pevensey, under the Ven. Archdeacon Sutton, and All
Saints', Clifton, under Dr. Randall, the late Dean of
Chichester.
The first Mother Superior, Miss Gream (Sister Ann),
was succeeded by Miss Crocker (Sister Alice), a very
DR. NEALE AND ST. MARGARET'S. 213
gifted lady, who acted as amanuensis to Dr. Neale for
many years, writing, at his dictation, in several different
languages, which he himself had taught her. She died
on June 2nd, 1902, and was buried with every token of
wide-spread respect in the recently-opened burial ground
attached to the Convent. Sister Ermenild, a daughter
of the founder, and a lady whose election gave intense
satisfaction to all friends of St. Margaret's, succeeded
her in her honourable office.
THE BUENING OF THE MAKTYKS,
CHAPTER XVII.
EAST GRINSTEAD did not escape the persecutions which
became almost universal in England during the reign of
Queen Mary. On July 18th, 1556, Anne Tree (familiarly
known as Mother Tree), Thomas Dungate and John
Form an were burned at the stake in East Grinstead, and,
so far as is known, were the only martyrs who met their
doom in this town. No record of their examination and
sufferings has been preserved, but the martyrdom is thus
quaintly and briefly recorded in the second volume of
Foxe's " Book of Martyrs : "
Nere about the same tyme that the three women with the infant
was burned at Guernsey suffered other three likewise at Grenested in
Sussex, two men and one woman, the names of whom were Tho.
Dungate, John Forman and Mother Tree, who for righteousness' sake
gave themselves to death and tormentes of the fire paciently abidyng
what the furious rage of man could say or worke against them at the
said Towne of Grrenested endying their lives the xvin. of the sayd
moneth of July and in the yeare aforesayd (1556).
Anne Tree's granddaughter of the same name resided
at East Grinstead and was married in the time of
Elizabeth to Edmund Ellis. The late George Ellis, of
East Grinstead, was a lineal descendant. There were
Dungates here 100 years later, as is shown by the record
of special marriage licenses granted in the Lewes
Registry and recently published by the Sussex Record
Society. From these it appears that : —
Stephen Dungatt, of East Grinstead, yeoman, was married 13th
July, 1611.
Edward Dungat, of East Grinstead, weaver, was married 14th
June, 1632, to Anne Bowre.
John Dungate, of East Grinstead, yeoman, was married 1st Nov.,
1642, at St. Ann's, Lewes, to Anne Constable, also of East Grinstead.
In a deed dated April 9th, 1609, Stephen Dungate
appears as owner of lands near Saint Hill, and as late as
THE BURNING OF THE MARTYRS. 215
1800 "Dungates Fields" were held with Hollybush and
Standen on the Saint Hill Estate.
By 1687 the Dungates had removed to Shoreham,
where one John Dungate carried on business as a mercer.
On November 10th of the year stated he and his wife
Susannah parted with their property in Church Street,
East Grinstead, where Mr. J. E. Lark now resides, to
Thomas Bodle, yeoman, and his wife Elizabeth, with
remainder to Thomas BodJe, junior, a hat-maker, and
his wife. This particular property was long known as
the Old Almshouses, for what reason is now unknown,
except it be that mentioned in the chapter dealing with
the charities of East Grinstead. Not only did one of
the East Grinstead martyrs evidently reside there, but
they were the home also of the Kidders, parents of the
boy who became Bishop of Bath and Wells. Margaret
Kidder, a widow, sold the property on April 30th, 1639.
Much of the adjoining property, then called Gaynesfords,
belonged to the Paynes, and a branch of this numerous
family held the Old Almshouses quite recently. In
1580 the forge near by was occupied by Joseph Duffelde
and John Larke, and it is peculiar that one of the same
name, but not sprung from a Sussex family, should be
residing there over 320 years later.
About three weeks before the burning of the martyrs
in East Grinstead, Henry Adlington, a sawyer, of
Grenestead, which may have been either East or West,
or Greenstead, in Essex, was burnt with 12 others at
Stratford-le-Bow.
CRIMINAL RECORDS.
CHAPTER XVIII.
VERY few, if any, crimes of world-wide notoriety have
been associated with the town of East Grinstead, but it
has been the scene of events, both civil and criminal,
which have excited considerable local interest and which
will bear re-telling in brief form.
The old records tell us that, in consequence of the
deplorable condition of the roads in Sussex, the Winter
Assizes were held alternately at East Grinstead and
Horsham and the Summer Assizes at Lewes, the county
town, but this was by no means a fixed rule, for reports
are still obtainable of cases tried at Assizes held in East
Grinstead during the months of summer. On July 7th,
1565, the Charter of Seaford was exhibited before the
Judges here, and Assizes were also held on June 17th,
1678.
The Court House stood in the High Street, the Middle
Row at one time forming one end of an almost continuous
line of buildings, which joined the four cottages, known
as the Round Houses, formerly standing on the site now
occupied by the Constitutional Club. At the Lent
Assizes in 1684 the floor of the Court gave way while
a trial was in progress, and in Sir William Burrell's
collection of manuscripts this event is thus described by
Mr. Bachelor, who appears to have been at that time
a surgeon of East Grinstead : —
On the 17th. of March, 1684, the second day of the Assizes, a jury
being sworn, consisting mostly of Knights and gentlemen, on a trial
between Lord Howard and another person of distinction, the floor of
the Nisi Prius Court fell down, and with it all the jury gentlemen,
counsel and lawyers into the cellar ; yet no person received any con-
siderable injury except one witness, who was cut across the forehead.
The bench where the Judge sat fell not, but hung almost to a miracle.
The rest of the trials were held in the Crown Court, and the Sessions
House was soon after quite pulled down.
The building was, however, immediately re-erected,
principally at the cost of the "burgage holders" — or, in
CRIMINAL RECORDS. 217
other words, the owner of this " pocket borough." The
last Assizes at East Grinstead were held in 1799.
The Judges were not the only people who held their
Courts at East Grinstead in the olden days. On April
30th, 1605, Archbishop Bancroft, who was distinguished
for his opposition to the Puritans, came to the town on
his Metropolitical Visitation and deprived ten ministers
of their livings.
The old Sessions House, with its adjuncts — the lock-up
or cage at the west end and the stocks and whipping-
post at the east — were removed during 1829. The
building materials were taken over to Buckhurst to aid
in the construction of the mansion there, and the Judge's
chair used in the Court still forms part of the furniture of
the De la Warrs' ancestral home. The old Court House
was occasionally used by a company of strolling players,
and at one time just prior to its demolition an unsuccessful
attempt was made to establish a meat and vegetable
market therein. The Dukes of Dorset, as owners of the
Manor of Imberhorne, long claimed a rent in respect of
the Assizes held here. The following interesting entries
are copied from the rent roil of the estate : —
£ s. d.
1700. Of the Bayliffe for the rents of Assize of the said
Borough pr ann 1 11 8
For one year due Mich"' 1700 Ill 8
EAST GRINSTEAD BURGEES.
Of the Baylift for the Rents of Assize of the said Borough
p. ann llb xi9 viijd for two years, rent due at
Michmas 1720 003 3 4
MASERU OF IMBERHORNE.
Of the Baylift for the Rents of Assize of the said maunor
p. ann xiiijlb xij8 for two years due at Michmas
1720 due 029 4 0
ffive years taxes due at Ladyday 1720 006 5 0
recvd 022 19 0
EAST GRINSTEAD BURGEES.
Of the Baylift for three years rent of Assize being
xxxi8 viij p. ann 004 1 5 0
IMBERHORNE.
Of the Baylift for three years rent of Assize being lv8 p. ann. 008 o 0
218 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
The last execution took place on the Gallows Croft, a
field now forming part of Halsford Park, in 1799, a man
being hanged for horse stealing. Gallows Croft, described
in 1710 as Pilchers, being three acres near East Grinstead
Common, was, for many generations, part of the Paynes'
property, and so descended to Mr. R. Crawford, of Saint
Hill, by whom it was sold to the Stenning family about
1840. The name Gallows Croft does not appear to have
attached to the field until late in the eighteenth century.
In still earlier times executions took place immediately in
front of the fine old stone house in Judge's Terrace,
belonging to Mr. P. E. Wallis. These houses are so
named as they stand on the site of an earlier residence
occasionally used as the Judge's lodgings during the
Assizes, though for some years the representatives of the
law found accommodation in Sackville College, where
the suite of apartments reserved for the use of the Dukes
of Dorset was placed at their disposal.
For Magisterial business Courts were for very many
years held alternately at East Grinstead and Forest Row,
at the former place at the Crown Hotel, on the fourth
Monday in each month, and at the latter place at the
Swan Hotel, on the second Monday. The present Police
Station in West Street, or, as it was then called, Chapel
Lane, was erected in 1860, and the Bench Room added
in 1875, being first used for a Petty Sessional Court on
January 17th, 1876. From 1820 to 1860 the Clerkship
to the Justices was held by Mr. C. N. Hastie, who was
succeeded by his son and partner, Mr. A. Hastie, who was
again succeeded on his retirement, January 27th, 1896, by
his partner, Mr. E. P. Whitley Hughes.
In former days the ordinary police were helped in
their duties by the parish constables, who were annually
appointed long after the creation of the existing county
force. The last of these appointments in East Grinstead
was made on February 23rd, 1872, and of the twelve
townsmen then nominated Mr. John Tooth is now the
only survivor. Under an Act, which did not long remain
operative, he was also appointed, by the Vestry, on
CRIMINAL RECORDS. 219
October 21st, 1869, the first and only local Inspector of
Workshops.
THE WALL HILL MAIL ROBBERY.
On July 19th, 1801, the Beatsons robbed His Majesty's
mail on Wall Hill, East Grinstead. John Beatson was a
Scotchman, who, after serving in the merchant service,
settled in Edinburgh as an innkeeper. He had adopted
a child and named him William Whalley Beatson, who,
in due course, married and took over the father's tavern.
His wife dying he sold the house arid went to London,
where he soon lost all his savings at the hands of some
unscrupulous sharps who got hold of him. His father
became a butler, and both seem to have got into low water.
For a time they lived at Hartfield and then drifted back
to London. On Saturday, July 18th, 1801, they left the
Metropolis and came as far as the Rose and Crown, at
Godstone, where they slept for the night. Next morning
they came on to the Blue Anchor, at Blindley Heath, and
stayed there until the evening.
Then they tramped on through East Grinstead to Wall
Hill, and there stopped the mail soon after midnight.
They did not injure the driver, but led the horse into an
adjoining enclosure and carried off the mail bags to
Hartfield, where they hid in a field of standing corn.
They opened all the letters and took from them the Bank
of England and country notes, leaving the remainder
of the contents in the field. These were discovered a
month later when the reapers got to work. In drafts,
bills, &c., over £9,530 had been left behind. This makes
a total of £13,000 or £14,000 carried by the mail. The
large sum is accounted for by the fact that in those days
even the town of Croydori and the whole district of
Godstone and Bletchingley were served from East Grin-
stead every day except Sunday, for no mail ran on
Saturday nights, and the neighbourhoods of Crawley,
Cuckfield and Lindfield got their letters on three days a
week only, also through East Grinstead. The mail cart
used to leave Brighton just after seven o'clock in the
220 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
evening, and the Sunday mail, carrying two days' letters,
was naturally a heavy one, a fact, no doubt, known to the
robbers.
Meanwhile the Beatsons had gone to Westerham,
thence to Deptford and London and finally on to
Liverpool. They had been suspected, their descriptions
circulated and, a hue and cry being raised throughout
England, they were finally arrested at the port named.
Property to the value of close on £3,000, chiefly in
bank notes, was found on them. They were taken to
Bow Street and thence to Horsham to await their trial
at the Assizes.
Here young Beatson nearly succeeded in escaping
from prison, but was re-captured in a sewer. The trial
took place on March 29th, 1802, before Baron Hotham,
and about 30 witnesses were examined. The father
acknowledged his guilt and both he and his son denied
that the latter had any hand in the robbery. The jury,
however, found both guilty and sentence of death was
passed. On April 17th they were brought from Horsham
to East Grinstead, and, on a gallows specially erected in
the field where they robbed the cart, were hung in the
presence of 3,000 spectators. Both acknowledged their
guilt and begged forgiveness of all whom they had
injured. After death their bodies were taken back to
Horsham for burial. It is said, and probably with truth,
that the place of execution is clearly indicated to this day
by two conspicuous holly trees, which stand out against
the sky-line from the modern road running below.
THE LAW'S SEVERITY IN OLDEN TIME.
In 1710, at East Grinstead, William Longley and
Samuel Kingston were convicted of burglaries and
sentenced to be hanged by Baron Bury, but they were
reprieved and assigned for transportation. Twenty-four
years later three death sentences were passed at East
Grinstead Assizes, one on a woman for robbery from the
person, but all got off with imprisonment. Baron
Perrett, in sentencing a real old offender named William
CRIMINAL RECORDS. 221
Boldry at East Grinstead in 1771, after ordering him to
be hung by the neck till he was dead, added, " Let him
be hung in chains on the most convenient spot upon
Burpham New Downs, in the parish of Burpham, nearest
to the gate at the end of Blakehurst Lane, near Arundel,
in the County of Sussex."
At the East Grinstead Assizes on March 24th, 1789,
one James Winn was convicted of horse stealing, and as
a reward for his efforts in securing a conviction, Henry
Bye was granted what was known as a " Tyburn ticket"
—in reality a certificate exempting him from all parish
and ward offices.
There were East Grinstead bank notes as early as
1812, for on March 23rd of that year Michael Ury was
sentenced to death for stealing a £2 East Grinstead
bank note.
On August 9th, 1817, sentence of death was passed on
James Graham for burglary at Worth.
On March 16th, 1818, James Cooper was sentenced to
death for cattle stealing at East Grinstead ; at the Assizes
a year later, on March 24th, James Betchley suffered a
like penalty for horse stealing at Hartfield, and nine
years later, on the same day of the month, William
Clarke was similarly sentenced for a like offence in the
same parish.
At the Summer Assizes at Lewes on July 29th, 1820,
there were two cases sent from the East Grinstead Bench,
and the death penalty was the Judge's order in both —
Horton Clarke for horse stealing at West Hoathly, and
William Harcourt and John Butcher for highway
robbery at Worth. Three years later, at the corres-
ponding Assizes on July 26th, George Wood was
sentenced to death for robbery from the person at Withy-
ham, having been committed from East Grinstead. The
ages of prisoners had little effect on the sentences in those
days. For instance, two young boys named Wale and
Chitter were sent for trial from East Grinstead in 1824
for housebreaking at Hartfield, and on August 14th, at
222 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Lewes, were sentenced to death, but a reprieve, as was
usual in such cases, was granted.
East Grinstead Fair yielded its troubles then as it
does now. On December 20th, 1824, William Thompson
was transported for life for stealing, in the Fair, a pocket
book from Mr. John Hillman, of Lewes; and on March
19th, 1832, George Robinson and Robert White were
sent beyond the seas for 14 years for stealing £80 in
bank notes from John Wickens, a farmer, who had come
to the Fair to trade.
For a burglary at East Grinstead in 1826 William
Harvey and James Smith were transported for life, but
for the less serious crime of housebreaking at Withy ham,
on December 18th of the succeeding year, John Holmes
was sentenced to be hung. A year later, on December
19th, a like penalty fell to the lot of Samuel Thompson
and Edward Moon, who were convicted of horse stealing
at East Grinstead. Exactly a year later, for a similar
offence in the same town, William Payne was also
ordered to the scaffold. Two years later, for cattle
stealing at East Grinstead, James Booth got off with
transportation for life, but on December 14th, 1833,
Charles Arnold incurred the death penalty for stealing
the paltry sum of 4s. 6d. from the person at Worth.
It is given to but few men to be twice sentenced to
death, but such a record is connected with this town.
On January 3rd, 1827, Cufty Brooker was ordered to be
hung for housebreaking at East Grinstead. He was
reprieved and imprisoned for six months only. On
August loth, 1829, he was again sentenced to death for
an exactly similar offence in the same town, and a second
time he got off with imprisonment. Whether he
eventually died on the gallows cannot be traced.
On October 19th, 1829, was executed Richard Gifford,
aged 26, whose father was for many years butler to Lord
Colchester, at Kidbrooke Park. Lord Colchester had
got young Gifford into a Government office, but he went
wrong and was hung for obtaining two sums of £125
and £27 by fraud.
CRIMINAL RECORDS. 223
THE AGRICULTURAL RIOTS.
At the close of 1830 the riots throughout the South of
England left their effect on this district. The outrages
commenced in the adjoining county of Kent and the
progressive march of incendiarism was as much feared
as that of an invading army. Stacks of grain and farm
buildings were everywhere burned and consumed ; gangs
of men went from farm to farm, breaking all the
machinery on the premises, and where the general body
of rioters did not go the local discontent was sufficient
to change the character of the simple labourer to that of
the midnight incendiary. Some neighbouring villages
actually assumed the appearance of encampments, as the
military and yeomanry made their presence felt and
arrested the rioters. The first local convictions took
place at the Lewes Assizes on December 18th, 1830,
when no less than 45 persons were charged with arson,
riot, threats and assaults. In almost every case there
was a conviction and a number of men were sentenced
to death, but the majority were reprieved, only two,
Thomas Goodman, a hoopmaker, of Battle, and Edmund
Bushby, a labourer, of East Preston, suffering the
extreme penalty, both being executed on New Year's
Day, 1831. Among those who escaped entirely was
George Buckwell, charged with firing a barn belonging
to William Ken ward, of Hartfield. Richard Hodd had
been committed by the East Grinstead Magistrates for
compelling two other men " to go along with him and join
a mob who had collected together for riotous and illegal
purposes." He was convicted and got off with 18
months' hard labour. A Magistrate on the East Grinstead
Bench (Mr. Robert Crawfurd, of Saint Hill, J.P., D.L.),
himself a considerable landlord, records in a letter
written some years afterwards to an agricultural news-
paper an anecdote which illustrates vividly enough those
troublous days in Sussex. He writes: "During the
riots of 1830 I dined with the late Sir Godfrey Webster
(of Battle Abbey) at Lewes. At a not very early hour
the Baronet prepared for his homeward journey. ' You
224 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
are a marked man,' said I ; * how are you armed ?
Barkers ? ' ' Pooh,' said he, pulling from the right and
left pockets of his great coat a couple of hog knives,
1 these are the tools — they never missjire.' ''
THE SUSSEX SMUGGLERS.
The Summer Assizes at East Grinstead in 1749 were
famous as marking the final break-up of one of the most
notorious gangs of smugglers, thieves and murderers that
ever infested this country. Thwarted in an attempt to
smuggle a cargo of tea from Guernsey, a gang of 30
men, aided by 30 others who kept watch, on the night
of October 6th, 1747, broke into the King's Custom
House at Poole, and stole the whole consignment of
which the revenue officers had deprived them. They
then scattered themselves over the counties of Hampshire
and Sussex, but the affair was too serious for the law to
overlook, and a man named Daniel Chater was brought
by a Custom House officer, named William Galley, to this
county in order to identify one of the smugglers, named
Diamond. They got as far as Rowlands Castle, near
Havant, where they were seized by a gang of the men
they were in search of. For several days the poor fellows
were subjected to the most brutal tortures, and finally
Galley was buried before he was quite dead and Chater
was thrown into a well in Lady Holt Park, and there
stoned until he succumbed. One of those who assisted
in Chater's murder was John Mills, and shortly afterwards
he and Jeremiah Curtis, suspecting a labourer named
Richard Hawkins of having stolen one of their bags of
tea, took him to the Dog and Partridge, at Slindon
Common, where they were met by several of their
companions, including a man named Rowland, or Robb,
and commonly called " Little-Fat-Back," who lived in
East Grinstead. They thrashed Hawkins to death, tied
stones to his arms and legs and threw his body into a
pond in Parham Park, where it was discovered nine
months later. A great number of arrests followed, and
the first batch of this dangerous gang was convicted at
CRIMINAL EECORDS. 225
Chichester in January, 1748, and met the doom they
richly merited. At the East Grinstead Assizes in August,
1749, there were numerous additional trials.
John Mills, called Smoker, a colt breaker of Trotton,
whose father and brother had both been hung, was
tried for participation in the murder of Hawkins, and
Henry Sheerman, otherwise Little Harry, of West
Strutton, for his share in the murder of Galley. Both
were sentenced to death and numerous other charges
against them were not gone into. Among others of the
gang convicted and sentenced to be hung at the same
Assizes were John Brown, called " Jockey," a well-
known young smuggler, for robbing John Walter of 12
guineas in gold and £12 in silver at Bersted; Lawrence
Kemp and Thomas Kemp, two members of the notorious
Hawkhurst gang, for burglary at the farmhouse of
Richard Havendon, of Heathfield ; and Robert Fuller, a
keen old smuggler, for stealing 7s. 6d. from William
Wittenden, at Worth. All these men were executed,
Mills on Slindon Common, where his body was after-
wards hung in chains, and the others at Horsham.
Among the counsel who appeared for the prosecution in
these various trials were Mr. Smythe, K.C., M.P. for
East Grinstead, and Mr. Staples, of Hurst-an-Clays.
A BRAMBLETYE SUIT.
Let us now take a look backward for three centuries.
Queen Elizabeth's Council of State had a most peculiar
matter brought to its notice from East Grinstead in the
year 1579. Brambletye House was then occupied by
James Pickas and Katherin, his wife, and they both seem
to have been mixed up in strange matters. The Vicar
of East Grinstead at that time was Richard Burnopp,
who was brought before the Council of State for falsely
accusing this James Pickas of having arrested him at his
own altar. According to the Star Chamber proceed-
ings, this Vicar was a man
that p'cured his said neighbours to spende in trobles and sutes in law
above five hundred poundes and to the end he may still dwell in bralles
226 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
and sutes of lawe he hath, very shamefully offered certain somes of
money unto one Thomas Ellis to enter into sutes of lawe again with
him.
He may therefore have had a finger in the following
strange suit, in which a lady figures very prominently.
John Turner was the attorney appointed for the " liverie
and sesin of a dede made from John Farnam of a chapel
and certain lands to the Lord Buckhurst," and Katherin
Pickas hunted him up at the house of Stephen French
in East Grinstead and asked him what he was up to. He
told her he was there "to take possession for my Lorde
of Buckhurste of the chapel of Brambletie and land
which pertanied thereunto." Thereupon ensued, accord-
ing to the lady, the following conversation :—
Mrs. Pycas : By what authoritie ?
John Turner : By authoritie from John Farnam.
Mrs. Pycas : What hath he to do here ; this matter is ended by the
Quene, God save her highness.
John Turner : Yt makes no matter for the Quene.
Mrs. Pycas : No ; Is my Lord of Buckhurst above the Quene ?
John Turner : Yes, in this respect.
This was enough for my lady of Brambletye. Here
was rank sedition ; here was a false allegation against
the Queen. Off she went with her six attendants and
very soon made her way to Lewes, where she laid her
version of the story before six Magistrates. They hardly
cared to deal with it, so they drew up a statement of the
facts and laid them before " the Right Honable and our
verie good Lordes the Lordes of her Majestie's most
honourable Privee Counselle." Katherin Pycas was
supported in her version of what was said by her six
attendants. John Turner's story was a very different
one. He stated that when he went to make " liverie and
seizin" of the chantry and chapel of Brambletye he
and his men were set upon and beaten and had to flee.
Katherin Pycas followed and on catching Turner up
said, "What have you to do here, and will you show
your authority ? " He produced the deed and the lady
thereupon claimed that her title to the chapel was a good
one, so Turner asked her to prove it. So she would,
" to his betters," she said, and as the lady was apparently
CRIMINAL RECORDS. 227
losing her temper Turner walked away, but she and her
men, armed with staves and other weapons, followed
him, she saying, "You Berkshire gentlemen, you think
to make me stoop to you, but I will not." Eventually
Turner got away, and so ended the episode. The Privy
Council possibly smiled and put it all down to a woman's
wilfulness, for nothing was done to the " seditious "
attorney.
A HIGH TREASON TRIAL.
A special commission of Oyer and Terminer, addressed
to several Peers, Judges and Esquires of the County of
Sussex, opened at East Grinstead on February 1st, 1586.
Before the Court was brought William Shelley, of
Michelgrove, who was charged with having, on Septem-
ber loth, 1583, imagined and compassed the death of
Queen Elizabeth, the subversion of the established
religion and government and the procurement of an
invasion of the Kingdom. It appeared that one, Charles
Paget, who had been an exile for treason, came back
secretly to England and Shelley met him in a wood at
Patching, and there the pair " held traitorous intercourse
touching the proposed invasion and the elevation of
Mary Queen of Scots to the throne." It was occurrences
of this character that no doubt helped to bring about the
execution of that unhappy monarch a year later.
Shelley was found guilty, committed to the Tower and
later on brought to Westminster Hall for judgment.
He was sentenced to death at Tyburn, but he escaped
the headsman, his attainder was subsequently removed
and when the order of Baronets was instituted in 1611
his son was the fifth person placed on that roll of
honour.
Q 2
THE CARE OF THE POOE,
CHAPTER XIX.
ABOUT the year 1631 there was great distress through-
out England, and the Poor Law Commissioners were
called on to make special reports to the King as to the
state of their respective districts. Those acting for East
Grinstead and the 17 other parishes forming the northern
part of Pevensey Rape were Sir Henry Compton, of
Brambletye, Sir Thos. Pelham, Sir Richard Michel-
bourne, Robert Morley and Anthony Fowle. They met
monthly at Uckfield and gave instructions to the
Overseers to make provision for the poor more plenti-
fully. Contributions were raised from the more wealthy
inhabitants and a "badger" was appointed to buy corn
and sell it to the poor at one shilling per bushel less than
it cost. They also got 30 boys apprenticed and found
that, by reason of the flourishing state of the Sussex
ironworks, there was ample employment for those who
wanted it. They routed out the vagabonds, punished
some of those who harboured them and closed up 16
alehouses where the poor were tempted to spend what
little cash they had.
One hundred and fifty years later the cost of maintain-
ing the poor of the parish of East Grinstead was
exceedingly heavy. The money raised by assessment
was, in £ s. a.
1783 1,48219 6
1784 1,374 14 9
1785 1,532 0 6
and the average yearly amount spent exclusively on the
maintenance of the poor was £1,349. 15s. 8d. The same
return sets forth that the average yearly cost of enter-
tainment for those who attended meetings relative to
the poor was £1. 10s.
At a Vestry meeting held on November 14th, 1821,
the Overseers reported that a number of paupers were
THE CARE OF THE POOR. 229
out of employ, that their numbers were daily increasing
and that they were costing the parish nearly £20 a
week. It was proposed to ballot off the unemployed
poor, according to the rentals of the respective occupiers,
each man to be employed for a certain number of days
by such person and to be paid by him after the rate of
18d. per day to married men and 12d. per day to single
men. At this date the amount of the poor rate was no
less than £5,391. 2s., an average of 34s. per head per
annum, 7s. more than the average for the whole
country.
In December, 1832, another meeting was held in the
town to consider the better employment of agricultural
labourers. It was resolved that every ratepayer should
employ his share of labourers at 10s. a week each, but
the Magistrates considered this insufficient remuneration
for the best workers, so local agriculturists finally agreed
to pay 12s. per week and fine every ratepayer 10s. a week
for each labourer not employed according to his propor-
tion.
In 1847 the prices of provisions generally rose to a
most prohibitive figure. Seconds flour advanced to
2s. l^d. per gallon, and in May of that year there were
no vegetables, except a few cabbages, to be had at any
price in East Grinstead. The Queen herself issued an
order that only seconds flour was to be used in all the
Royal palaces and the strictest economy everywhere
observed. It is on record that several of the East Grin-
stead gentry followed her example.
Distress became so acute in East Grinstead during the
winter of 1852-3, that on February 1st the parishioners
met in the Vestry and decided to supplement what was
being done by the Guardians. Having regard to the
extreme wetness of the season and the advanced prices
of provisions generally, the meeting authorised the free
distribution of 100 gallons of soup per week to the poor
and this was continued until the warmer weather set in.
On August 30th, 1869, the Vestry decided for the first
time to allow owners to compound for their rates at a
discount of 25 per cent. Poor rates were authorised at
230 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
specially convened Vestry meetings, and the last occasion
on which this was done was October 13th, 1892. Since
that date the Overseers have exercised their powers and
gone direct to the Magistrates without consulting the
ratepayers. The last appointment of Overseers by the
Vestry was on March 26th, 1894. Since then appoint-
ments have been made by the Urban Council.
An order was issued on September 5th, 1835, assigning
three Guardians to the parish of East Grinstead. On
September 10th, 1874, the Local Government Board was
asked to increase the number to five and a schedule was
attached to the appeal, showing the increase of popula-
tion from 1841 to 1871. But the figures for the 1831
census were inserted instead of those for 1841 and the
petition was ignored. In 1889 the ratepayers again
appealed for an increase, and on June 26th of that year
the Local Government Board issued an order dividing
the old parish into two wards and assigning three
Guardians to the Urban District and two to the Rural,
and the first election under the new system took place in
March, 1890.
One of the most important local law cases ever fought
concerned the old Workhouse in the London Road. In
1747 Sir Thomas Webster was a considerable owner of
property in East Grinstead and it was represented to him
that the inhabitants of the parish " had come to a resolu-
tion to build a Workhouse for the better reception and
employment of the poor." Sir Thomas was desirous of
helping in this good work, so he leased an acre of land
in the centre of the town to Elfred Staples, Benjamin
Faulconer, Edward Green, Nathaniel Moore, John Smith
and Thomas James, the last-named being the Vicar of
the parish, that they might build thereon a Workhouse
for the reception, employment, lodging and entertain-
ment of all the poor people of East Grinstead. The
lease was dated March 10th, 1747, and was for a term of
150 years, at a rental of one shilling a year. This
appears to have been paid up to April 4th, 1776, on
which date an endorsement was made on the lease by
Thomas Bankin, an attorney residing in East Grinstead,
THE CARE OF THE POOR. 231
that he had " Received from East Grinstead parish, by
Thomas Foster, the sum of one pound nine shillings,
being 29 years' rent of the land let by lease." From
that day the existence of the lease was absolutely
forgotten for over 100 years. In due course a new Poor
Law was passed, parishes were amalgamated for poor
law purposes, and the Workhouse having been built in
Glen Vue, the parishioners of East Grinstead, in Vestry
assembled, authorised the sale of the old Workhouse, as
well as the pest house on the Common, on February
14th, 1861, fully believing the former was their free-
hold property. It was at first proposed to sell the
land in plots, but finally on October 9th, 1862, it was
sold, as a whole, to Mr. Joseph Turner, the well-known
land agent and auctioneer, who sold it to Mr. Robert
Pink, but before the latter signed the conveyance he
re-sold it to the late Mr. C. C. Tooke, to whom it was
conveyed on December 16th, 1862. Subsequently Mr.
Tooke sold back the present site of the Grosvenor
Hall on May 25th, 1864, to Mr. Pink; in the same
month he sold to the late Mr. James Bridgland the
property now occupied by A. & C. Bridgland, Ltd.,
and on October 4th following he sold the remaining and
centre plot to the late Mr. John Southey.
Meanwhile the Websters had lost touch with East
Grinstead and disposed of all their local property. Sir
Thomas Webster was succeeded by Sir Whistler Webster,
who was M.P. for East Grinstead. He left his real
estate to his brother Godfrey and then came several Sir
Godfreys in succession. The estate finally passed into
the hands of Lady Webster, who conveyed it to her son,
Sir Augustus Webster, on March 21st, 1886. It was
about this time that the old lease turned up. By this
time the land had had valuable buildings erected on it
and was of the estimated value of £12,000. Sir Augustus
demanded his shilling, payment was refused, so an action
was brought to recover this sum, but in reality to get a
declaration that a presumed freehold was only a leasehold
expiring- in 1897. The case was tried in May, 1887,
before Mr. Justice Kay, and after a very lengthy hearing
232 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
judgment was given for the defendants on the ground
that the lease was bad ab initio.
May 16th, 1887, will not be readily forgotten. A
special edition of the East Grinstead Observer was issued
giving the result, and scenes of extraordinary excitement
were witnessed in East Grinstead. " As the news
spread," says a newspaper account, " people shouted,
danced, sliook each other's hands and alternately
laughed and cried for joy." Flags and bunting of
every kind hung from numerous windows ; favours of
white and blue ribbon were distributed by hundreds ;
places of business were closed; and the streets became
crowded with people. Over 1,000 persons gathered at
the station to meet the defendants on their arrival ;
their carriage was drawn to the town by the Fire
Brigade ; the Town Band led the way, and con-
gratulatory speeches were delivered in the presence of
3,000 listeners. The scenes of excitement continued
until long after midnight. To show his disapproval of
the Band taking part in such a demonstration the late
Mr. C. H. Gatty, J.P., of Felbridge Place, resigned his
presidency and withdrew all support from the Band for
several years.
The parishes at present forming the East Grinstead
Union, together with Lingfield in Surrey, were united
for the purposes of Poor Law administration in the year
1835, but it was not until 1860 that they opened the
existing Workhouse in Glen Vue for their joint use. As
a result of the Local Government Act of 1894, the
parish of Lingfield was eventually transferred to Godstone
Union, wholly in its own county of Surrey. By the
same Act was brought into being the Rural District
Council, the members of which, together with five elected
for the urban parish of East Grinstead, form the existing
Board of Guardians. Of the Rural Council Mr. W. V. K.
Stenning, J.P., of Halsford, was co-opted as the first
Chairman at the opening meeting held on January 3rd,
1895. To him succeeded, on May 5th, 1898, Mr. Job
Luxford, of Forest Row, an elected member, who held
the position seven years and had the honour of being
THE CARE OF THE POOR. 233
the first ex-officio Justice of the Peace to act on the
local Bench of Magistrates. He was followed, in 1905,
by Mr. J. Waters, of Hartfield. The Clerkship to both
authorities was for many years held by Mr. W. A. Head,
who resigned in November, 1 902, and was succeeded by
his partner, Mr. F. S. White, as Clerk to the Rural
Council and Mr. Alan Huggett as Clerk to the Guardians.
The present Chairman of the Board of Guardians is Mr.
John Longley, of Turners Hill, who succeeded the Rev.
C. D. Nix, of Worth. Prior to his term of office the
position was held for several years by Mr. W. V. K.
Stenning, and his predecessor was the late Mr. Bernard
Hale, J.P., who presided over the Board for a very long
period. He bought and presented to the Union the
piece of land adjoining the railway and now used as a
stone depot.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS,
CHAPTER XX.
THE present excellent condition of the town of East
Grinstead has been brought about very gradually, most
new proposals meeting at first with opposition and only
becoming permanent institutions after most persistent
efforts. Details are appended of the inception of schemes
which are now part of our ordinary life and government.
THE LOCAL BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL.
The agitation for the formation of East Grinstead into
an urban district took definite shape in the year 1881,
when a Committee, with Mr. "W. V. K. Stenning as its
chairman, was formed to carry the project through.
The promoters met with more than one serious rebuff.
The first Local Government inquiry was held on February
28th, 1882, and the opposition to the scheme from all
outside the town was tremendous. It was at first
proposed that the area should be that already in exist-
ence for lighting purposes, having a radius boundary of
1^ miles from the Parish Church tower. In the end the
Local Government Board positively refused the applica-
tion. But the Committee, though rebuffed, were not
disheartened. They amended their proposals, renewed
their application, and on February 2nd in the following
year a second inquiry was held. The applicants proposed
to relieve Forest Row of all liability in regard to the
drainage rate, and not to include the village in the urban
district. The residents there at once withdrew opposition
and the chief opponents left were mainly the proprietors
of the parks and agricultural land which it was sought to
include in the Local Board area. Their opposition was
futile, and finally, on March 25th, 1884, the desired
sanction was given by the Local Government Board,
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 235
though they had intimated ten months previously that
the scheme would be approved.
At the first election no fewer than 61 candidates were
put forward, and though many withdrew, yet 34 finally
competed for the 12 seats.
At the first meeting of the Board on August 30th,
1884, the Rev. C. W. P. Crawfurd was elected chairman
without opposition, and he held this office throughout
the whole of the Board's existence. The earlier meetings
were often the occasions of stormy scenes, but the
Chairman's tact in time led to smoothness of working,
and the Local Board served its purpose and did a good
public work.
Mr. Hastie, the first clerk and solicitor, gave good
advice to friend and foe alike, and when two years later
the exigencies of his London business compelled him
to retire, his partner, the late Mr. H. S. Little, was
elected to succeed him, and on his death Mr. E. P.
Whitley Hughes stepped into the breach.
First a Mr. Brown and then a Mr. Gordon held the
position of surveyor, but the Board never got on well
with the holder of that particular office until Mr. W. W.
Gale was appointed. When he came, the late Mr. G.
Ranger, who died on June 5th, 1891, was relieved of
the rate collectorship and for the sake of economy the
offices of surveyor, sanitary inspector and rate collector
were amalgamated. The combination of these multi-
farious duties was not found to work well and in time
the offices were again divided. Mr. S. J. Huggett
became the Rate Collector and Mr. R. Wilds succeeded
Mr. Gale as Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances. The
present holder 01 the latter position is Mr. W. E.
Woollam. The post of Medical Officer of Health was
held first by Mr. G. Covey and then by Mr. P. E. Wallis.
The Board came to an end in order to give place to an
Urban Council in December, 1894, and during the decade
which covered its existence the town in all its public
thoroughfares was well lighted ; High Street and London
Road paved, channelled and properly metalled; the
236 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
drainage very largely extended; owners of some half-
dozen private roads compelled to place them in such a
state of repair as to make them fit to be taken over by
the public authority; street watering adopted and the
collection of house refuse inaugurated. As a mark of
their appreciation of his conduct of business the members
of the Board, before they went out of office, entertained
their Chairman at a complimentary banquet on December
5th, 1894.
The first Urban Council election, at which plurality of
voting was for the first time missing, took place 011
December 17th, 1894, and the good work done by the
Local Board has been well continued by the existing
authority. The Rev. C. W. Payne Crawford was con-
tinued in the chair, and occupied the post until he retired
from public work in April, 1897. Mr. Evelyn A. Head,
who had for years been an active worker in the cause of
local government and solicitor to the original promoters
of the Local Board, then got a deserved reward in being
elected to the chair. The office has since been held by
Mr. T. J. P. Hartigan, Mr. W. Milburn (Brockhurst), Mr.
R. Chignell (Stoneleigh), Mr. C. H. Everard (Newlands)
and Mr. J. Rice. The last-named was the first repre-
sentative of the trading community to attain the honour
and thereby become an ex-qfficio Justice of the Peace for
the county.
STREET WATERING.
The plan of watering the streets during the summer
months was first adopted in East Grinstead in 1863,
when the heat was very oppressive, and the dust so bad
that tradesmen were quite unable to have shop doors or
windows open. It was thought that a supply of water
might be obtained from a disused well, situated partly
under the house then occupied by Mr. Bailye, in the
Middle Row. This well, in former years, had a pump
fitted to it, and was used by Lord De la Warr's tenants
in the High Street, but it got very much out of repair
and neglected, and as no subscriptions were forthcoming
for its restoration it was closed about the year 1840. The
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 237
views of the principal tradesmen of the town were
obtained in 1863 as to the advisability of watering the
High Street and part of the London Road, and at a public
meeting on May 1st a committee was formed to consider
the matter, consisting of the Vicar (the Rev. J. N.
Harward), Mr. T. R. Burt, Mr. E. Wilkinson, Mr. T. J.
Palmer, Mr. Gr. Shepard, Mr. Meades and Mr. T. Cramp.
Proposals were submitted by Mr. J. Tooth, and the Com-
mittee placed the work in his hands. Permission was
obtained from Lord De la Warr's agent to re-open and
examine the well mentioned, and it was found that the sides
had fallen in. When the well was dug it was six feet in
diameter, but the bottom was now found to have widened
in diameter to 14 feet. There was no water in the well.
It was decided to remove all stones and rubbish, have the
sides made secure and dig the well a few feet deeper, on
the chance of striking a fresh inlet of water. The well
was accordingly sunk five feet more and an abundant
supply of water secured, rising to a height of 12 feet.
A brass pump, with a standpipe at the top fitted with two
nozzles (one for pails and the other for the water barrow),
was then erected, and enclosed on three sides by walls of
brick and cement, with an ornamental cast-iron railing.
There were two accidents while the work was in progress,
Mr. Thomas Criswell being badly injured about the legs
and Mr. Simmonds (who is still alive to tell the tale)
getting his shoulders hurt. When the well was finished
and in proper working order it proved a great boon to
the High Street residents, as hitherto they had had to
fetch their water in a barrel fixed on a wooden frame, and
drawn by a horse, from a spring situated beyond the
Prince of Wales Inn, at Baldwins Hill. For the purpose
of street watering the Committee bought a galvanised
hand-barrow, capable of holding 100 gallons, and a man
named Edward Geer undertook the task at the rate of
6d. per hour. This went on for two summers, but for
want of sufficient subscriptions the practice was then dis-
continued and the water barrow sold, the sum of one
guinea, which it realised, being given to the funds of the
Cottage Hospital. The pump, however, continued to be
238 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
used by the inhabitants until Mr. Bailye built the present
premises, now occupied by Mr. Alex. Johnson, over the
site, when the pump, iron railing, &c., were removed in
October, 1877, by the parish authorities to the Union
" for safe custody." The refusal of the Rural Sanitary
Authority, which then controlled the town, to continue
the watering was one of the things that helped on the
agitation for the formation of a Local Board.
THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
The universal use of cesspools in East Grinstead was
abandoned very many years ago, but the- drainage
system adopted was an extremely crude and dangerous
one. At the centre of the town there was a brick drain
on each side of the road, receiving both surface water
and sewage. These drains united in one sewer, which
emptied itself into the Swan Mead, irrigating this large
meadow, which was close to the town and extended from
the present Police Station in West Street, across Queen's
Road and Glen Vue to the Railway Hotel. It then
flowed towards a pond, the outfall passed into an open
ditch, which in course of time also received drainage
from cottages in Glen Vue, two or three pigstyes, the
occasional overflow of the Workhouse cesspools and the
irrigation from a field near the present Cemetery, over
which a drain taking the sewage from the houses in
Chapel Lane, now West Street, emptied itself. This
accumulation found its way along the stream and entered
the Medway at Old Mill Bridge. Another drain com-
menced at the back of the Church, passed through
Brewer's or Brewhouse Lane, arid emptied itself on to a
field near the Hermitage. A third commenced in the
garden at the back of the Swan, receiving the sewage
from several houses in that neighbourhood. This was
carried to a cesspool built in an old stone pit at the back
of Chapel Lane and the overflow passed into a cleft in
the rocks and disappeared. The Rocks district at the
north entrance of the town was drained by another
sewer emptying into the Dean cherry garden. The
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 239
Railway sewage and that from a dozen houses near
the old station was taken along the line towards
Tunbridge Wells until it ultimately disappeared in a
cleft in the rocks. There were three other minor
sections, all equally primitive and dangerous. Each
person disposed of his refuse just as it seemed him best,
without reference to any law save that of gravitation.
Things had got so bad by 1853 that on October 27th
of that year Mr. C. R. Duplex was appointed Nuisance
Inspector, but he was unable to do anything. The first
Sewage Authority for the town was appointed on
September 18th, 1866, but this also was able to do very
little. On June 25th, 1875, a Parochial Committee,
consisting of Messrs. W. V. K. Stenning (the first public
office he ever held), C. Absalom and T. Cramp, were
appointed to act in conjunction with the Board of
Guardians in carrying out a drainage system for the
town, which was by this time in a fearful condition.
The hollow in the fork formed by the junction of Ship
and West Streets was nothing but a large pond of
reeking sewage ; the whole of the Swan Mead, where
Queen's Road and Glen Vue now stand, was merely a
receptacle for filth ; while on the other side of the town
the Moat fields were in almost as bad a condition
and typhoid fever was rampant. The Committee first
endeavoured to get land for a sewage farm in the valley
between East Grinstead and Forest Row, but the
opposition was so powerful that they were compelled to
look elsewhere, and eventually the present site of 30
acres in the parish of Lingfield was purchased. Five
loans, altogether amounting to £13,000, were raised
during 1879, and necessary extensions caused a further
expenditure of £2,630 before the end of 1882. The
pumping engine was fixed in May, 1879, and the bulk
of the connections were made with the farm during
1880. The broad irrigation system of treatment was
continued most efficiently until 1903, when the bacteria
system was introduced with even more satisfactory
results.
240 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
THE BURIAL BOARD AND CEMETERY.
The churchyard of East Grinstead was closed for
future burials on July 1st, 1866, except in existing
vaults, and in them it was ordered that each coffin should
be embedded in charcoal. On September 9th of the
previous year the Home Secretary had given notice of
his intention to close the churchyard, and on September
22nd the Vestry decided to purchase from Earl De la
Warr a portion of the "Green Field" at £100 an acre
for use as a cemetery. The negotiations with his
Lordship, however, fell through, and on July 16th, 1866,
the present cemetery site was purchased from Mr. W.
Fearless at £200 per acre. It was consecrated by Bishop
Trower on February 3rd, 1869. The first burial therein
was that of Mr. William East on February 6th, 1869.
The lowest number of burials in any one year since has
been 47 in 1889 and the highest 79 in 1893. The Burial
Board was formed in 1867, and at its first meeting on
July llth, Mr. T. R. Burt was elected chairman and
Mr. A. Hastie clerk. Subsequently the Rev. C. W.
Payne Crawf urd became chairman and remained so until
the extinction of the Board. It existed for nearly 30
years, the last election of members to it by the Vestry
taking place on July 26th, 1894. The duties were then
transferred to the Urban Council. The Mortuary at the
Cemetery was added in 1879.
TREE PLANTING.
In the year 1874 it was thought that it would be a
great improvement to the old town to plant some lime
trees on the High Street slope, the houses facing which
at that time belonged to Earl De la Warr. The sugges-
tion had been made by the Vicar to Mr. John Tooth,
who had an interview with Lord De la Warr's steward,
and he was granted permission to plant the trees, provid-
ing the tenants gave their consent to the proposal. All of
them fell in with the suggestion with the exception of
Mr. E. Gatland (who owned the premises now tenanted
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 241
by Mr. J. H. Honeycombe), Mr. Thos. Steer (who lived
where Mr. F. C. Watford's house now is) and Mr. Joseph
Sheppard (whose premises now form the shop of Messrs.
Brooker Bros.). The trees were planted at the expense
of the late Mr. W. A. Head and Mr. Tooth, and are
flourishing to this day, being now taken care of by the
Urban Council. The refusal of the three gentlemen above
named to allow the trees to be planted in front of their
premises accounts for two of the gaps in the row of
greenery which so charmingly sets off our quaint and
handsome old High-street during the summer months, the
space in front of Messrs. Brooker Bros, having been filled
up at a later period.
FAIRS AND MARKETS.
The date of the establishment of East Grinstead Fair
was July 16th, 1247. The following is a translation of
an entry in quaint and very abbreviated Latin, which
appears in a Chancery Charter Roll of this date : —
The King, &c. Know ye that we have granted and by this our
charter have confirmed to our trusty and beloved Peter de Sabaudia
and his heirs that his market, which was accustomed to be held every
week in his Manor of Grenested, henceforth shall be held every week
on Monday in the said manor. We have granted also to Peter that
he and his heirs may have a fair in his aforesaid Manor of Grenestede
every year, to last for two days, that is to say on the eve and day of
St. James the Apostle, unless that market and fair should be to the
hurt of the neighbouring markets and neighbouring fairs. Whereas
we will, &c.
W. Bishop of Salisbury.
S. de Monte Forti, Earl of Leicester.
John de Lexinton.
William de Vescy.
Paulinus Peyvere.
William de Say.
Robert de Musegros.
William de Bello Monte.
Robert le Norreys.
And others being witnesses.
Given by our hand at Clarendon on the 16th day of July in the
31st year of our reign.
The day of holding the market would seem, for some
reason, to have been changed from Monday to Sunday,
242 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
for in a Chancery Close Roll of 1285, the 13th year of
the reign of Edward I., appears the following entry,
also in abbreviated Latin :—
Whereas the King wills that his market, which the King's most
dear mother, Eleanor, Queen of England, has in dower, to be held in
the town of Grenestede on Sunday, shall henceforth be held on
Saturday, the Sheriff of Sussex is commanded that he do publicly
cause that market henceforth to be held on Saturday, to be proclaimed
in every market town of the county aforesaid.
Witness as above.
Witness the King at Neubiry on the 9th day of Jan.
The dates were frequently changed. The " Travellers'
Almanack" for 1697 notes that two fairs are held at
East Grinstead, viz., on the 16th of April and 25th of
September, but in 1766, according to the "Youths'
Faithful Monitor" for that year, the dates were the 13th
of July and the llth of December. Both books mention
that Thursday was then, as now, the market day.
According to the diary of Thomas Marchant in 1716 a
fair took place at East Grinstead on the 30th of
November.
The 13th of July fair has not been held since 1816.
In this year the spring and summer fairs were trifling
events, but the winter fair was one of great importance.
In 1826 a sum of £2. 16s. 6d. was collected for the
payment of special constables and watchmen during the
fair. The dates of the two fairs now are April 21st
and December llth.
In years gone by the fair lasted far beyond the
authorised day. In 1848 it began on Monday, December
llth, and a local record of Thursday, the 14th, says:
" The fair not done yet ; from the testimony of all there
appears to have been more dissipation this year than at
any preceding fair." It was not until December, 1875,
that the authorities succeeded in limiting it to the one
day allowed by the charter.
The first Fat Stock Show ever held in East Grinstead
took place on December 14th, 1876. After being
allowed to lapse for some years the stock market was
re-established on November 13th, 1884, and has since
flourished exceedingly.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 243
THE FIRE BRIGADE.
The first Fire Brigade was formed in East Grinstead
in the year 1863. Long prior to this time the town had
possessed two fire engines, which were kept in the west
room of the church under the belfry. At a Vestry
meeting held on February 6th, 1852, it was resolved
that the belfry of the Parish Church was "an incon-
venient and improper depository" for the parish fire
engines, and the parishioners decided to request Lord
De la Warr to appropriate some building for their safe
custody. But his Lordship apparently took no heed of
the request, for the engines were still in the belfry more
than ten years later. These "engines" were very
primitive machines indeed. The pumps were mounted
on small open trolleys drawn by hand, and when a serious
fire broke out on November 9th, 1863, at Messrs. Stenning
and Sons' timber yard, then situate in the field now
occupied by Buckhurst House and grounds belonging to
Mrs. Thompson, they were found to be of very little use.
The pumps were not in working order, the supply of
hose was very scanty and what there was was leaky. The
need of some change was evident. A public meeting was
held, and the following gentlemen were appointed the
first Fire Brigade Committee : Rev. J. N. Harward (who
died a few days later), Mr. G. Head (chairman), Mr. A.
Hastie, Mr. T. R. Burt, Mr. C. Absalom, Mr. C.
Sawyer, Mr. H. Gatland, Mr. William Head (the then
landlord of the Crown Hotel), Mr. William Stenning
and Mr. E. Steer, sen. Their first work was to have
the engine pumps mounted on carriages to be drawn
by horses and make the vehicles such that twelve
or fourteen firemen could also ride on them. This
work of re-construction was carried out within three
months by Mr. John Tooth at a cost of £95. A Fire
Brigade was organised and its first members were :
Edward Steer (the late), captain ; John Tooth, engineer ;
James Cooper, R. Puddicombe, R. Cheal, Wm. Tooth,
F. F. Payne, George Hills, William H. Steer (who
subsequently became Captain and was accidentally killed
244 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
on the railway at Grange Road Station on January
23rd, 1895), R. West, J. Hay ward and H. Skinner, fire-
men. One of the engines was placed at Forest Row and
a separate Brigade formed there. The two sections met
to test the engines at Moat pond and they were found to
act admirably. Of course, the completion of the work
and the formation of a Brigade had to be celebrated by a
dinner at the Crown Hotel. Helmets, boots and tunics
were provided for the firemen out of voluntary subscrip-
tions collected in the neighbourhood. The first fire the
Brigade was called to was at Wilderwick, where two large
haystacks were burnt, but some stables close by were
saved.
The re-built engine was too large to go back to the
church tower and it was for a time kept in a shed in the
Crown yard ; then it was removed to the Police Station ;
and when the late Mr. James Cooper became captain of
the Brigade he found a place for it at the rear of his
premises in the High Street. Later the premises now
used by the Central Meat Company were specially built
as a Fire Brigade Station by the late Mr. A. Hastie, and
finally the engine found a habitation at the present building
adjoining Mr. Heasman's corn stores. The existing engine
was purchased in 1884 with subscriptions collected by Mr.
A. H. Hastie, and its reception in the town on October
21st of that year was the occasion of great public rejoicing.
Up to March 25th, 1895, the affairs of the Brigade
were managed by a Committee elected by the Vestry,
and since that date the Brigade has been under the
control of the Urban Council. Mr. Evelyn A. Head and
Mr. H. Young have acted as Captains during that period.
THE COUNTY COURT.
The first County Court was held in East Grinstead on
Wednesday, April 28th, 1847, when Judge Furner
commenced monthly sittings at the Dorset Arms Hotel.
In 1858, owing to the small amount of business, the
Judge, despite a memorial to the contrary, abandoned
monthly sittings and held his Court but six times in
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPEOVEMENTS. 245
each year. This remained the custom until 1904, when
Judge Scully instituted a system which gives five Court
days to East Grinstead in one year and six in the next.
The Court was held at the Dorset Arms until
Thompson's corn store was turned into a Court House,
when the sittings were transferred to the more com-
modious building and continued there after its conversion
into the Public Hall. Then for a time the Police Court
was utilised and finally the Queen's Hall came into use.
Judge Furner, when first appointed, was a solicitor, and
almost the only member of this branch of the legal
profession who secured such an appointment. He got it
by virtue of being Judge of the "Court of Requests"
or " Court of Conscience" at Brighton, a civil court held
in the larger centres for the summary recovery of debts
under 40s. and which were superseded by the County
Courts. Judge Furner afterwards qualified as a barrister.
He remained in office for 30 years, the late Mr. Martineau,
one of the most able County Court judges ever appointed,
coming to East Grinstead as Judge for the first time on
October 24th, 1877. He died on September 30th, 1903,
and Judge Scully, a son-in-law of the late Speaker of the
House of Commons (now Lord Selby), entered on his
duties on November 1st of that year. The duties of High
Bailiff were at first performed by the late Mr. Lewis, of
Lewes. Mr. T. Cramp was appointed to this now obsolete
office on March 25th, 1855, and resigned it in July, 1891,
a month before his death. The office was then amalga-
mated with that of Registrar. The first Clerk to the
Court was the late Mr. Edgar Blaker, of Lewes, with
the late Mr. William Pearless as his assistant. The
latter in time became the first Registrar and he was
succeeded, in 1873, by his son, Mr. J. R. Pearless, who
still occupies the position.
THE POST OFFICE.
In the early days the Post Offices of the kingdom were
open on Sundays the same as week-days, but in 1846
there was an agitation set afoot in the town, and the
246 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Postmaster-General acceded to a very numerously-signed
petition and allowed the East Grinstead office to be closed
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Four years later all the Post
Offices of the country were entirely closed on Sundays by
order of Parliament, but the innovation caused such
intense excitement throughout the country that the order
was soon rescinded, and the East Grinstead office was
only entirely closed from Sunday, June 23rd, to Sunday,
August 25th. Mr. T. J. Palmer, for so many years post-
master, was succeeded in that position by Mr. J. Hay ward
on January 1st, 1870. Subsequent holders of the office
have been Mr. T. Isley, Mr. R. S. Whitehead and Mr. W.
Cleaver. The first postage stamps were issued in May,
1840. The first telegrams were received in East Grin-
stead on September 21st, 1870, and the first halfpenny
postage operated on October 1st following.
The Post Office was originally at Mr. W. H. Dixon's
shop in the High Street, then at the corner now occupied
by Lloyds Bank and Mr. F. Maplesden's printing works,
the present commodious premises being opened by the
Duke of Norfolk, then Postmaster-General, on September
16th, 1896. The day was one of public festivities and
Miss Head, daughter of Mr. Evelyn A. Head, the then
Chairman of the Urban Council, had the honour of
posting the first letter at the new premises.
EAST GRINSTEAD CRICKET.
So far as the memory of living men runs, and
apparently much further back too, East Grinstead has
enjoyed throughout Sussex, Surrey and Kent a continuous
and well-merited reputation for cricketing prowess of a
high order. When it first acquired this celebrity in our
great national game I cannot pretend to say, but
certain it is that for many generations cricket has been
indigenous in the town and in a lesser degree in the
district, of which the town naturally formed a convenient
central arena. Even now, natives who have passed their
three score years and ten talk, and talk credibly too, of
their feats, as boys, on local fields and of the feats of
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 247
their fathers before them. Arrangements may have
been primitive, fixtures few, grounds rough and the
pavilion a luxury non-existent and undreamt of, but
though doubtless in cricket, even beyond other sports,
the laudator temporis acti is a person to be seriously
reckoned with, yet we may none the less accept the
established fact that our local champions did inspire
terror among the surrounding tribes, at least 70 and 80
years ago. Precise authentic records of these prehistoric
battles seem difficult now to collect and classify, but
amongst other slight references to old local cricket we
have distinct notice of an important match played in the
town in 1835; the venue at that date being probably
either the present Play Field (fronting the Council
Schools) or the field on East Grinstead Common, now
the Lingfield Road Recreation Ground, for both seem to
have been used in old days, though soon after 1840, if
not before, the Chequer Mead, behind the Crown Inn,
was also in use, and was probably the scene of a grand
match on July 21st, 1845, when a team came up by
coach from Lewes to try conclusions with an East
Grinstead eleven. Be this as it may, and doubtless as
an outcome of the cricket spirit already prevailing in
the town, the East Grinstead Cricket Club as it now
exists was founded in 1857, the then Vicar (the Rev.
J. N. Harward, M.A.), with his sons and various
members of the Hastie, Head, Pearless and Stenning
families, being prominent among its original supporters,
and the Chequer Mead came into regular use as the
head quarters of the newly -founded club. There, on
September 20th, 1864, eighteen of East Grinstead and
District defied and played the County eleven, sustain-
ing, however, a signal defeat, and about seven years
later a similar match was played with a not dissimilar
result.
From the Chequer Mead the club migrated back again,
about 1878, to the field on the Common, but this ground
was inconveniently placed and never enjoyed the same
popularity as the Chequer Mead ; besides which troubles
arose owing to public footpaths crossing the field
248 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
inconveniently near to the pitch and making it impos-
sible to keep the premises in good order, so, after a
troublous tenure of some 10 years' duration, the club
finally abandoned the Common about 1889.
In July, 1890, Reginald, Earl De la Warr, announced
that this field would be sold by public auction, but the
general outcry against interference with rights so long
exercised was such that the owner countermanded the
sale and formally handed over the field to the care of
the Local Board, in whose successors it now remains
perpetually vested.
Meanwhile the pretty Chequer Mead, the scene of so
many cricket exploits in past days, had also become no
longer available for cricket, and indeed soon became
seamed with new roads and entirely covered with houses,
so that the next generation will find it hard to picture
such world-famed bowlers as Lilywhite and Southerton,
and such famous batsmen as H. Charlwood and the
Cotterills, playing on this site not so many years ago
against our undaunted local giants, among whom it would
be fairly safe to wager, without turning to the score
sheet, that there would be found some or all of such
names as Draper, Reynolds, Simmonds, Merchant,
Hooker, Payne, Head, Hoare, Moor and others, who
helped to make East Grin stead cricket famous in their
day, just as their successors, G. H. Lynn, Arthur
Huggett, Alfred and Wm. Payne, H. Tebay, J.
Charlwood, H. Gibb and others of more modern days
have done by appearing in the ranks of the Sussex
County XL
To return to plain facts, the Club, having left the
Common, turned in their hour of need to Mr. C. C.
Tooke and rented from him the present small, but
excellent, cricket field in West Street, then an outlying
strip of the Hurst-an-Clays Estate, and once, as it seems,
a cornfield. This satisfactory arrangement was largely
due to the good offices of Mr. P. E. Wallis, then, and for
many years previously, a prominent member of the Club,
as also to the aid of Mr. J. Sou they, always an energetic
supporter of local cricket till his death in 1899.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 249
The new ground was opened on May 26th, 1890, and
for several years, under the management of Mr. R. P.
Crawford (hon. secretary) and an able committee, cricket
flourished exceedingly on the new ground and the matches
were once more well attended by the town and prominent
residents from round about. The wickets, provided by
Alfred Payne, the groundman and an old county player,
were in high favour far and wide, and were justly
eulogised by such famous cricketers as Hay ward,
Brockwell and Lockwood, of Surrey, Mr. F. B. Whitfeld,
Mr. H. Whitfeld, W. Humphreys, Tate and Marlow, of
Sussex, Mr. A. J. Web be, of Middlesex, Mr. F.
Mai-chant and Mr. G. Weigall, of Kent, Mr. H.
Leveson-Gower, of Oxford fame, Mr. W. L. Murdoch,
the great Australian, and others too numerous to recall,
who have played in modern times on the West Street
ground and delighted spectators with their prowess.
On July 21st and 22nd, 1896, a bazaar, organised by
the Hon. Secretary of the Club and opened on successive
days by Lady Evelyn Goschen, wife of Mr. G. J.
Goschen, Member for the East Grinstead Division, and
Sir Edward Blount, of Imberhorne, was held on the
ground and brilliantly patronised by the neighbourhood
generally.
The bazaar yielded the handsome net profit of £465,
and this sum was handed over to a body of seven
trustees, who in November of the same year purchased
the freehold of the field from Mrs. Henry Padwick,
daughter of Mr. C. C. Tooke, for £1,000, the balance of
the purchase money being raised by a mortgage on the
premises for £600.
The trustees first appointed were Mr. Henry Blount,
D.L., and Mr. Robert P. Crawfurd (then respectively
president and lion, secretary of the club), Mr. C. H.
Everard, M.A., Mr. F. Maplesden, Mr. J. Southey, Mr.
P. E. Wallis, M.R.C.S., and Mr. T. S. Whitfeld, and in
them and their successors is vested the freehold of a
field, as conveniently placed as it is, in respect of its
outlook over distant Ashdown Forest, delightfully
situated. Soon after the purchase of the ground in
250 HISTORY OF EAST GRtNSTEAD.
November, 1896, Mr. R. P. Crawfurd resigned the
honorary secretaryship of the Club, and during the last
10 years this office has been filled by various members,
including Mr. F. Maplesden and Mr. E. T. Berry.
In 1901 an excellent pavilion, well worthy of the
ground, was added to the general amenities of the cricket
field, at a cost of £300, largely by the exertions of Mr.
F. S. White, then captain of the Club.
Cricket, we fear, since the advent of golf, does not
hold the same place as formerly in local affection, or
indeed in the country generally, but in East Grinstead
its roots struck deep, and with such famous traditions
behind it, of skill and knowledge of the game, unusual
in country towns, the Club will never allow itself, even
in days of partial eclipse, to despond or to forget the
palmy days of its pre-eminence among all surrounding
clubs.
COTTAGE HOSPITALS.
East Grinstead was the fourth place in the British
Islands to boast of a cottage hospital for the reception of
those suffering from accident or illness not easily treated
in their own homes. The first of the kind was opened
at Cranleigh, in Surrey, in 1859, and the little seed
planted there has since borne fruit throughout the length
and breadth of the land. The great cities and towns
had long had their hospitals and dispensaries, but in the
large tracts of country between these centres of civilisa-
tion there was, prior to the year stated, no refuge to
which poor creatures suffering from accident could be
taken but the Union Workhouse. Fowey followed the
example of Cranleigh a year later, and in 1861 the third
institution of the kind sprang into existence at Bourton-
on-the- Water.
The Rev. C. W. Payne Crawfurd was then curate
there, and he rendered very material assistance to its
energetic surgeon and founder, Mr. J. Moore. On his
return to East Grinstead he was able to render similar
aid to Mr. J. H. Rogers, then assistant warden and after-
wards warden of Sackville College. Mr. Rogers then
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 251
lived at Green Hedges, where Mr. R. W. Fearless now
resides, and he hired the cottage in the lane immediately
opposite his own residence. It was, and still is, a
delightfully situated cottage, its charming garden being
well bedecked with beautiful blooms and shrubs, the
cultivation of which was a great hobby with the doctor.
At his own expense he added a spacious room at the back
of the house, amply lighted by two large windows. He
was materially helped by local residents, one lady
supplying the entire furniture of a room, another person
giving all the medicinal and surgical appliances, and
others helping in various ways. It was opened in 1863
and gave accommodation for seven patients. For a short
time Mr. Rogers carried it on almost entirely at his own
expense, but others being desirous of helping, he accepted
subscriptions and it was thus maintained until 1874.
Its first balance sheet was issued for 1865, in which year
34 cases were beneficially treated. The donations and
subscriptions were £75. 12s. 6d., the payments by
patients £33. 12s. and the collecting box at the hospital
realised £2. 7s. 6d., a total income of £111. 12s., not
quite sufficient to meet all outgoings. Food, wine,
medicine, appliances, fuel, &c., cost £86. 7s. 4d., the
nursing staff £17; rates, insurance, furniture and other
sundries £12. 5s. 5d. This was hardly a typical year,
for the hospital accumulated considerable funds, having
nearly £370 to its credit when it was closed in 1874.
The need of such an institution soon again became
apparent. The late Mr. C. H. Gatty took an interest in
the matter and in 1881 built a splendid cottage hospital
in the Moat Road. This he completely furnished and
equipped even to the provision of surgical instruments,
but because people grew impatient and ventured, both
publicly and privately, to ask him when he proposed to
open it he took offence, removed the equipment and
finally sold the property to Mr. John Betchley. East
Grinstead remained for seven years, after Mr. Gatty
built his, without the benefits of a cottage hospital, but
in 1887 the late Mrs. Oswald Smith, of Hammerwood,
took the matter up and hired the premises now known as
252 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Lansdowne House, then only just completed. They
were opened as a hospital on January llth, 1888. Mrs.
Smith formed a ladies' committee, consisting of herself,
Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Covey and Miss Wallis. Feeling,
however, that it was not right to keep the hospital
entirely in their own hands, Mr. and Mrs. Smith decided,
in May of the same year, to make it known that they
would be willing to receive subscriptions and hand the
hospital over to a properly appointed committee. In
July a public meeting was held, presided over by the
late Mr. H. R. Freshfield, and the first meeting of
subscribers was held in the following November. It
was then announced that the cost of maintaining the
hospital would be about £300 a year. On January
8th, 1889, the first meeting of the properly appointed
committee was held. That meeting was attended by
Mrs. Smith and her eldest son, Mr. Guy Smith, and they
formally handed over to the committee the possession
and care of the hospital. At the same time Mrs. Smith
handed them the sum of £50 given by the late Mr.
Bernard Hale, and on behalf of herself and family
guaranteed handsome yearly subscriptions. At that
same meeting Mr. H. A. Perkins was appointed to the
secretaryship and he has held the appointment ever
since. The Trustees then elected were Messrs. H.
Jeddere-Fisher, B. G. 0. Smith and W. V. K. Stenning,
and they still hold office. On February 9th, 1900, the
sum of £374. 6s. 9d., the balance of funds remaining
from the original cottage hospital started by Mr. Rogers,
was handed over to these Trustees. The work went on
smoothly and beneficially until 1892, when, owing to
the lamentable failure of Head's Bank, the hospital had
to face an initial loss of £473. 5s. That was very
unfortunate for the hospital, as in June the premises
were thrown into the market for sale, and the committee
felt it was their duty and for the advantage of the
hospital to purchase the property, which they did at a
cost of £675 and £25 legal expenses. In consequence of
the loss by Head's Bank failure the committee had to
make a special appeal for £300, and the response was
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 253
so liberal that £347. 3s. 6d. came in. Of that sum Mr.
Oswald Smith gave £100. The committee sold out the
Consols standing1 in the Trustees' names to the extent of
£364. 4s. 6d., making a total of £711. 8s., as compared
with £700 which the premises cost. Subsequently
dividends were received out of the bank's assets amount-
ing to £116. 11s. 4d., and that, added to the result of the
special appeal, meant a total loss owing to the bank
failure of only £9. 10s. 2d. From 1892 to 1899 the
hospital went on quietly with its work. In the latter
year, at the annual meeting, the following resolution
was moved by Mr. C. Wright Edwards (one of the
medical staff, who then had Dr. Poynder's practice)
and unanimously adopted: — "That the meeting recom-
mends the committee to take steps to consider the
advisability of making improvements and alterations in
the hospital accommodation." A sub-committee was
appointed to seek an available site for a new hospital,
with the result that a piece of land in Imberhorne Lane
was purchased for £275.
The endeavours to erect a hospital on that site were
much quickened by Mr. T. H. W. Buckley's liberal offer
of a sum of £250 towards the building in memory of his
mother. In July, 1900, the committee endeavoured to
get out plans for a building to cost not more than £3,000,
but after making most careful inquiries and visiting other
hospitals the sub-committee found that at least £4,200
would be required to erect a hospital replete with neces-
sary modern requirements. An appeal was accordingly
issued on January 8th, 1901. Eight days later it came
to the knowledge of the Secretary that the Holiday Home
in Queen's Road was likely to come into the market.
This place was erected, and for some years carried on, as
a coffee tavern, known as the Elephant's Head, after the
crest of Mr. 0. A. Smith. Then it was let to the Ragged
School Union, and by that body opened as a holiday
home on September 2nd, 1885.
Certain communications passed between Mr. Oswald
Smith, the owner of that property, and the Rev. C. C.
Woodland (chairman of the Hospital Committee), with
254 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the result that Mr. Smith offered the holiday home and
the land surrounding it absolutely free of cost for the
purposes of a hospital. At that time the whole country
was being moved to erect memorials to the late Queen
Victoria, and the committee thought it a grand oppor-
tunity to associate such a memorial with the new hospital,
and at a public meeting held on March 28th it was
unanimously decided that the memorial to Queen Victoria
should take the form of a new cottage hospital, and that
Mr. Smith's munificent offer should be gratefully accepted.
Plans for altering the building were got out by Mr. H.
E. Mathews, Mr. H. Young's tender to do the work for
£2,345 was accepted, and in September, 1901, the work
was commenced. In May, 1902, Mr. Abe Bailey, of
Yewhurst, gave £1,000 in memory of his late wife, and
this practically freed the committee from serious financial
worry. The land in Imberhorne Lane was subsequently
sold to Mr. Alan Stenning, from whom it had originally
been bought, and the old hospital in London Road to Mr.
W. H. Hills. The total cost of adapting the Queen's
Road " cottage hospital " and contingent expenses came
to £3,276, and after it was paid for nearly £300 remained
in hand, a result not often achieved in connection with
public institutions. It was opened for use on October
15th, 1902.
THE GENERAL DISPENSARY.
In August, 1858, a movement was set on foot to establish
a Dispensary in East Grinstead, and after a few pre-
liminary meetings two rooms were taken at the house
now occupied in the High Street, and the institution was
started on September 30th of the year named, 1 1 patients
being treated the first day. The first meeting of sub-
scribers had been held on September 23rd, the Honble. and
Rev. Reginald W. Sackville West (afterwards 7th Earl
De la Warr) being in the chair, but it is to Mr. Henry H.
Kennedy, then tenant of Saint Hill, that the institution
really owes its existence. At this meeting the late Mr.
J. H. Rogers, of Green Hedges, proffered his gratuitous
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 255
professional services to the charity, which were gratefully
accepted. For a long period the institution did good
work therapeutically, but was less successful financially.
Mr. Rogers controlled the finance department as honorary
secretary until January, 1865, when he tendered his
resignation of this office, and was succeeded by the Rev.
C. W. Payne Crawford, who still carries out its duties.
It may be remarked that the position of the Dispensary
now greatly differs from that which it held at its incep-
tion. It then occupied a hired house, there was no
patients' waiting room, the medical officers received no
salary, the credit balance was at zero. But the curtain
has risen on a transformation scene. The freehold house
has been purchased and vested in trustees, a commodious
waiting room has been supplied, the medical officers are
salaried, there is a credit balance in Consols. The Com-
mittee of Management embody the principal residents in
the district, and the average annual number of medical,
surgical and dental cases treated may be taken to be about
800.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS.
One hundred years ago, when circulating libraries in
the country were unknown, book clubs were common
institutions in the country districts. Some survive in
parts of Cardiganshire to the present day. A number
of people associated together and each was allowed to
order books to a given amount. These were then circu-
lated for a year in regular order amongst the members,
and at the end of 12 months each member had the first,
privilege of purchasing any book which he had ordered
at a given discount, and those books which were not so
disposed of were put up to auction among the members
generally and a fresh stock procured for the following
year. A club of this kind existed in East Grinstead, at
any rate, from 1811 to 1841, and possibly for a much
longer period. The only relic of it now is a decanter
waggon (for passing the decanters round the table after
dinner) in the form of a large boat mounted on wheels,
256 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
framed in oak made from the "Royal George" and
decorated and modelled in silver, with a very beautiful
silver chiselled dolphin's head for a figure head, now in
the possession of Mr. Hastie. On one side is the following
Latin inscription : —
CAROLO NAIRX HASTIE
qui sodalitatis literariae in Villa de East Griiisted constitute
per xxx annos immunis suaque voluntate rationes
fideliter procuravit
Hoc
Benevolentise simul gratique animi qualecunque
testimonium
DD
Amici ejus sodalesque
A.D. MDCCCXLI.
The following is a free translation : —
To Charles Nairn Hastie, who of his own free will for thirty years
gratuitously managed the affairs of the Literary Society of East
Grinstead, this slight testimonial of goodwill and grateful mind was
given by his friends and companions in 1841.
On the other side is another Latin inscription as
follows : —
E Nave
in classe Brittannica
Regalis Georgii cognomine insignita
qua? A.D. MDCCLXXXII rnari subinersa est
Anno MDCCCXLI e fluctibus revocata
Excerptum est
hoc robur.
This may be freely translated : —
This piece of oak is taken from a ship in the British fleet known
by the name of the "Royal George" which was sunk in the sea in
1732 and raised from the water in 1841.
When the book club came to an end in 1841 a
circulating library was established in the back room of
the shop of the late Henry Nicholas in the High Street.
He was the first person to undertake the sale of daily
newspapers in East Grinstead.
As the outcome of a meeting held on November 14th,
1843, at the Hermitage, the residence of Mr. W.
Fearless, the first Literary and Scientific Institute was
founded in East Grinstead. It occupied two rooms at
Mr. Paul's, adjoining the Swan Hotel, and among the
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 257
furniture purchased were 12 candlesticks and four pairs
of snuffers. The committee was soon charged with
promulgating infidel principles, but at a specially
convened meeting on September 13th, 1844, the accusa-
tion was denied. Some dozens of lectures were given,
but the committee refused to hear one on capital punish-
ment. The Institute was dissolved for want of patronage
on October 14th, 1847. Then the East Grinstead Young
Men's Mental Improvement Society sprang into being
and lasted from August 22nd, 1849, to October 10th,
1851, meeting in Zion School Room. Another Institute
was established on December 15th, 1851, and used
rooms at Mr. Garrett's in the Middle Row for two years,
when it ceased to exist. On March 28th, 1853, a
Mechanics' Institution was founded and flourished for a
long time at the old Court House, which stood on a part
of the site now occupied by Mr. C. M. Wilson's furniture
stores. On November 26th, 1855, the experiment was
made of lighting one room by gas. On March 31st,
1858, the Court House and a coachbuilder's shop
connected with it were demolished by fire and the
Institution Library of some 700 volumes entirely
destroyed. The organisation continued to exist until
September 26th, 1861, when its remaining property was
handed over to the landlord in lieu of rent. The fifth
institution of the kind was called " The East Grinstead
Association and Circulating Library," and this also used
the rebuilt Court House, lasting from March 10th, 1862,
to April 2nd, 1869. Nothing more was done until
January, 1881, when Messrs. F. Tooth and C. F. W.
Stannard were the means of forming a Mutual Improve-
ment Society at the Elephant's Head, now the Cottage
Hospital. Mr. W. Hosken was its first President and
Mr. F. Tooth Vice-President. This changed its name
to the East Grinstead Debating and Social Club. From
the Elephant's Head the Society moved to a room at the
then Public Hall and became the East Grinstead
Debating and Social Club. About this time some
gentlemen (Mr. E. A. Arnold, Mr. C. E. Collins and
others) felt the desirability of and need for a Library for
258 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
the town. They collected a sum of money sufficient to
form the nucleus of a Library, and, not wishing to create
another Society, approached the members of the Social
and Debating Club and amalgamated with them, the
Society becoming, on October 13th, 1882, the East
Grinstead Literary and Scientific Institute. At the same
time it moved to a room in the premises now occupied
by the International Tea Company, and from here to
rooms then in the possession of Mr. Geo. Bridgland and
now occupied by Haylock & Co. In October, 1888, the
members, with the Societies' effects, went over en bloc to
the new Institute established in the present building,
which was first used on November 3rd, but formally
opened by Lord Hampden on November 24th of that
year, the foundation stone having been laid on April 7th
by Mrs. Oswald Smith, whose husband had granted
the land on which the building was erected on a 999
years' lease, commencing on December 9th, 1887, at
a rental of Is. a year if demanded. The Trustees
nominated in the trust deed were Messrs. B. G. 0.
Smith, C. E. Collins, W. V. K. Stenning, G. S. Head,
H. S. Little (since deceased), J. Rice and W. Young.
This building stands as the town's memorial of the
celebration of Queen Victoria's first jubilee, and when
the 999 years of the lease have expired Mr. Smith's heirs
will have the right to take possession of it on paying
its full ascertained value.
PUBLIC HALLS AND MEETING PLACES.
East Grinstead possessed its theatre as long ago as
1758, but it was evidently of a very primitive character,
for an old play bill announcing the performance of the
" Tragedy of Theodosius" for May 4th of that year
states that: — " On account of the prodigious demand for
places, part of the stable will be laid into boxes on one
side, and the granary be open for the same purpose on
the other." Another play bill of June 7th, 1826,
announces " the elegant comedy of ' How to Get
Married,' " in the " Theatre, Town Hall, East Grinstead."
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 259
For many years the room used for public entertainments
was known as " Thompson's Corn Store," and then it
became known and used as the County Court House.
The first step towards building a really suitable Public
Hall for East Grinstead was taken on November 20th,
1867, when a town meeting was held to consider the
matter, a committee formed and a deputation appointed
to wait on George, 5th Earl De la Warr, and Lord West to
seek their aid. In due course a Company was formed, the
site of the old County Court House, which belonged to Mr.
William Fearless and Mr. John Smith, was secured, and
the Public Hall erected. Builders varied in their tenders
in those days. The highest was £1,750, the lowest
£1,007. The building was commenced in June, 1875,
and first used on January 4th, 1876.
Mr. G. Bridgland erected the Grosvenor Hall, London
Road, in 1883, and it was first used — for a C.E.T.S.
musical entertainment — on February llth, 1884.
The Queen's Hall was commenced by the late Mrs.
Murchison, widow of Mr. K. R. Murchison, of Brockhurst,
as a part of the Workmen's Club and as a memorial to
her husband, but she suddenly stopped the work when
she discovered that it was proposed to let the hall for
public purposes. The Trustees took possession of the
unfinished building, borrowed money for its completion,
and it was opened on July 8th, 1899, by the late Sir
Edward Blount.
The Parish Hall, standing in a corner of the old
Chequer Mead, was erected by members of the Church
of England connected with the Parish Church, and
opened on December 28th, 1899.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
The need of Elementary Day Schools became very
pressing in 1859. For those who would not or could
not get accommodation at the Grammar School, there
was no alternative but to walk to Forest Row, and many
lads did so, while the occasional closing of the Grammar
School, owing to disputes as to its management, rendered
s 2
260 HISTORY OP EAST GRINSTEAD.
the need all the more imperative. On January 13th of
the year named a public meeting was convened and
immediately two factions sprung into existence. The
Church of England adherents urged school establish-
ment on the National or Church system, and the
Nonconformists favoured the British and Foreign School
Society. The meeting adopted a resolution favouring
the latter, but a fortnight later the Rev. J. N. Harward
(Vicar) announced to a second meeting that the site for
the new buildings, money for their erection and means
for their maintenance were all forthcoming for schools
upon the National system. The Dissenters strongly
protested, but without avail, and the building of the
present Boys' and Infant Schools, with the school-house
between, was almost immediately commenced, the date
"1859" appearing over the centre doorway. The site
and much of the necessary fund for erecting the build-
ings were found by the Countess Amherst, a lady who
took the deepest interest in all religious work in East
Grinstead and provided large sums of money for Church
purposes.
On October 23rd, 1860, as the buildings were nearing
completion, she and her trustees granted and conveyed
them " without valuable consideration" to the Vicar and
Churchwardens, as trustees for the time being, "to be
used for a school for the education of children and adults
or children only of the labouring, manufacturing or other
poorer classes in the parish of East Grinstead and for no
other purpose." The schools were to be " always in
union with and conducted according to the principles
and furtherance of the ends and designs of the National
Society for promoting the education of the poor in the
principles of the Established Church." They were to be
managed by a committee, of whom the Vicar was to be
one, his curate or curates, if he cared to appoint him or
them, others and ten more elected by subscribers of 10s.
each, but no one was to be qualified to serve as a Manager
unless he subscribed 20s. or more annually and was a
member of the Church of England. The first 10
nominated by the trust deed were Messrs. R. W. Smyth,
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 261
G. E. Clarke, W. Stenning, W. A. Head, G. Head, J.
Whyte, G. Covey, J. Smith, A. Hastie and J. Hayward.
Not one of these survive to-day. The schools were
opened on January 1st, 1861, but the committee
appointed soon ceased to take an active interest in
them. For some 10 years or more they were con-
trolled by the Rev. C. W. Payne Crawfurd and for a
time flourished exceedingly, but after a while there was
a decided falling off in the voluntary subscriptions, and a
demand for public control arose. At a specially convened
Vestry meeting, however, held on June 17th, 1875, the
ratepayers decided by 11 votes to eight that a School
Board would be very prejudicial to the parish, but on
September 28th of the same year, the schools having
been entirely closed for a time, this decision was reversed
and the formation of a School Board decided on. The
first members of this body were the Rev. D. Y. Blakiston
(Vicar), the Rev. G. C. Fisher (afterwards Bishop of
Ipswich), Rev. E. E. Long (the Pastor of Zion), Mr. G.
Head, Mr. T. Cramp, Mr. J. Mills and Mr. W. Young.
For six years a contested election was avoided, but in 1881
there were nine candidates for the seven seats. Messrs. T.
Cramp and W. H. Steer were rejected, and those chosen
were Rev. J. Brantom (now of Hurstmonceux), Rev. W.
A. Linnington, Mr. J. Bridgland, Mr. J. I. Glaysher, Mr.
J. Mills, Mr. H. Morris and Mr. Ovenden (then landlord
of the Crown Hotel). Mr. Evelyn A. Head was Clerk
to the School Board for the whole time of its existence.
In 1877 the Vicar and Churchwardens leased the build-
ings to the School Board for seven years, at a rental of
5s. per annum, and in 1884 this lease was renewed for
another 21 years on the same terms. When the School
Board commenced work there was accommodation for 473
scholars, and when its duties were taken over by the
Education Committee of the County Council 837 scholars
could be dealt with. The present schoolmaster's house
and the girls' school were erected by the School Board
on land other than that conveyed by Lady Amherst, the
whole forming part of what was once known as Slaughter-
house Mead.
262 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
At the present time, the lease having expired, there is
some talk about the Church party re-taking possession of
the old section of the buildings and carrying on therein
a Church of England Voluntary School.
THE MODERN SCHOOL.
This valuable and much - needed institution was
established at its present location in the Cantelupe Road
in the year 1894 by the Rev. Robert Bid well Matson,
B.A., who had for some time been Curate here and who
saw the great need of a high-class day school for the
sons of the trading and professional classes in the town.
The number of scholars averages from 30 to 40 and the
boys are given a thoroughly sound and Christian educa-
tion. In fact, Mr. Matson not only turns out good
scholars, but he makes gentlemen of them. Though the
school has only been established twelve years, several of
its old boys have already attained honourable positions
in private life or public service. Mr. Matson is a B.A.
of Merton College, Oxford, was ordained in 1884 and
prior to coming to East Grinstead held a curacy at
Busbridge, Surrey, and a lectureship at the Exeter
Training College for schoolmasters, and was head master
of Zonnebloem College, South Africa.
BANKS.
The East Grinstead Savings Bank was started on
February 1st, 1819, and it very rapidly developed into
an important and popular institution, its deposits reach-
ing to £20,000 in a very short time. Its affairs were
managed by a number of local residents and it served a
useful purpose until the need for it ceased in consequence
of equal facilities being afforded by the Government
through the Post Office. Mr. Charles Turner was its
last Actuary and under his superintendence its affairs
were wound up and it ceased to exist on January
20th, 1896, the accounts of depositors, amounting to
£11,553. 19s. lid. and a clear surplus of £114. 12s. 5d.,
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND IMPKOVEMENTS. 263
being handed over to the Post Office Savings Bank.
The owners of several accounts, some running into
hundreds of pounds, have never been traced, and of
these the National Debt Commissioners stand a fair
chance of reaping the benefit.
To meet the needs of the poorer classes a Penny Bank
was established on September 18th, 1851, and opened on
the following Saturday week, when 28 individuals made
deposits amounting to 16s. 2d. A week later 58 deposits
were made, amounting to £2. 2s. 2d., and by October
llth the depositors numbered 85. In the first half-year
they grew to 215 and the amount deposited was
£61. 17s. 8d., increased to £121 by the time the year
closed. Mr. A. Hastie was the Treasurer and Mr. T.
Cramp the Secretary throughout its existence. It came
to an end on December 21st, 1877, when the £20 balance
remaining in hand was divided amongst the six Sunday
Schools in the parish.
The existing commercial banks are all of comparatively
modern date. At the beginning of the last century and
down to about 1810, there was a bank in East Grinstead,
known as John and Andrew Burt, carried on at the
house in the High Street now occupied by Messrs. Young
and Sons' extensive grocery establishment. After the
Burts gave up business Mr. John Head, grandfather of
Messrs. William and Evelyn Head, now in partnership as
solicitors, had the same premises and became agent for
the Lewes Old Bank, and he was succeeded in the same
agency by his son George, who in time established
himself as a banker, and Mr. John Smith then became
Messrs. Molineux, Whitfeld & Co.'s agent. To him
succeeded Mr. William Rudge, and at his death, on
February 23rd, 1887, the bankers themselves took over
the direct management of the branch here. Their firm
was amalgamated with that of Barclay & Co. in 1897.
Head's Bank failed on February 24th, 1892, and this
immediately brought into existence here branches of
Lloyds Bank Ltd. and the Capital and Counties Bank,
both of which were opened in the town the day the
failure was announced.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND KINDEED
ORGANISATIONS,
CHAPTER XXI.
BENEFIT CLUBS had a footing in East Grinstead in very
early times, but those which existed in the opening years
of the last century were all conducted on the share-out
system, and in course of time shared the fate of all such
societies and one by one became extinct.
THE FREEMASONS.
The Sackville Lodge of Freemasons, No. 1,619 in
the Register of the Grand Lodge of England, and the
18th oldest of the 35 Craft lodges in the Province of
Sussex, was consecrated by Wor. Bro. E. J. Turner,
Dep. Prov. G.M. of Sussex, on July llth, 1876, its
warrant being dated May 9th of the same year. Its
founders were Bros. W. Hale, C. Sawyer, J. H. Heckford,
W. H. Hook, C. T. Young, J. Clements and W. Clilverd.
The following have held office as Worshipful Masters : —
1876. W. Hale. Also P.M. of Lodges 78 and 1,351 ; Prov. S.G.
Deacon of Sussex in 1878; Lodge Treasurer from July llth, 1876,
to July 5th, 1881. Died April, 1883.
1877. W. H. Hook.
1878. Chas. Sawyer. Lodge Secretary from July 1st, 1879, to
September 7th, 1880. Bro. Sawyer went to New Zealand in 1885 and
in 1891 became Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of New
Zealand.
1879. J. G. Horsey.
1880. S. Davison.
1881. E. A. Head. Prov. G. Steward, 1881 ; Prov. S.G. Deacon
in 1882; Secretary of the Lodge from July 3rd, 1877, to July 1st,
1879; Treasurer since July 3rd, 1883. Is a Life Governor of the
Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls, and has twice served as Steward ;
also a Life Governor of the Boys' Institution.
1882. W. Eudge. Prov. G. Steward, 1883; Prov. G. Standard
Bearer, 1884. Died February 23rd, 1887.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. 26o
1883. J. G. Calway. Prov. Assist. G-. Pursuivant, 1887.
1884. J. Hopkinson.
1885. A. M. Betchley. Prov. G. Steward, 1888; Prov. G. Sword
Bearer, 1889; Secretary of Lodge since July 5th, 1887. Is a Life
Governor of the Boys' Benevolent Institution.
1886. T. Smith. Prov. G. Standard Bearer, 1893.
1887. G. D. Woolgar.
1888. W. Hosken. Prov. Assist. G. Pursuivant, 1894.
1889. G. Mitchell. Prov. G. Pursuivant, 1890. Lodge Secretary
from October 5th, 1880, to July 5th, 1887. Is a Life Governor of the
Boys' Benevolent Institution.
1890. W. H. Brown. Prov. G. Standard Bearer, 1891.
1891. G.Wilson. Prov. G. Standard Bearer, 1892.
1892. F. J. Budd-Budd. Prov. G. Steward, 1896; Prov. S.G.
Deacon, 1897. Is a Life Governor of the Boys' Benevolent Institu-
tion, and has twice served as Steward.
1893. F. J. Budd-Budd.
1894. D. Wood.
1895. G. M. Wilson. Prov. Dep. Assist. D. of 0., 1900.
1896. W. H. Dixon.
1897. J. E. Lark. Prov. G. Sword Bearer, 1902.
1898. F. J. Budd-Budd.
1899. A. Brandt. Is a Founder of the Gatwick Lodge.
1900. J. Harrison. Is a Founder of the London Hospital Lodge.
Prov. Dep. D. of C., 1905.
1901. W. H. Hills. Is a Life Governor of the Boys' Benevolent
Institution.
1902. H. Young. Is a Life Governor of both the Boys' and Girls'
Benevolent Institutions and has served as Steward for each. Is a
Founder of the " Semper Paratus " (Fire Brigade) Lodge.
1903. W. J. S. Mann. Is a Life Governor of the Royal Masonic
Benevolent Institution and has served as Steward.
1904. E. P. Whitley Hughes.
1905. H. E. Mathews. Is a Life Governor of the Boys' and Girls'
Institution, and a Founder of the Royal and Loyal Lodge, No. 2,952,
a Coronation Lodge in connection with the King's Royal Rifles.
From its establishment until May 19th, 1885, the
Lodge met at the Crown Hotel. The Masonic Rooms
over the Ironworks at the top of West-street were then
furnished, and here the brethren met from July 7th,
1885, until March 3rd, 1891, when they went back to
the Crown Hotel until the Masonic Hall in St. James's
Road was opened on Sept. 6th, 1898, the foundation
stone having been laid on June 22nd in the same year.
266 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
THE FORESTERS.
Court " Hand-in- Hand," No. 4,660, of the Ancient
Order of Foresters is the largest and oldest of the local
permanent benefit societies. It was opened at the Dorset
Arms Hotel on June 18th, 1857. Some six years later
the Sussex Arms was made its head quarters, and even-
tually it migrated to the Crown Hotel, which house has
remained its place of meeting ever since. Mr. W. Harding,
the present librarian of the Literary Institute, was its
first secretary, a position which has been held for the
past 36 years by Mr. John Moon. The membership roll
totals 481 and its funds to-day reach the very gratifying
total of £10,104. 12s. lOd.
THE SHEPHERDS.
The Ancient Order of Shepherds was founded as an
off-shoot of the Ancient Order of Foresters, the rules of
the latter at one time not admitting of the payment of
more than 14s. a week sick pay. The Shepherds was
started in order that those Foresters who could afford it
might secure an extra 7s., and for many years no person
was allowed to join who was not already a Forester. A
Sanctuary was opened at the Dorset Arms Hotel a year
or two after the founding of the Foresters' Court. The
late Mr. William Tooth was its first scribe, or secretary,
and he was succeeded by Mr. A. M. Betchley. The
membership in time became so small that those remaining
eventually amalgamated with the "Star of Sussex"
Sanctuary at Brighton, about a dozen members passing
over. In 1882 Mr. Charles Betchley took the matter up
in earnest and was instrumental in re-establishing a
Sanctuary in East Grinstead. This was opened on
September 26th of the year named at the Railway Hotel,
and Mr. Betchley became its first scribe. The position
has since been held by Messrs. W. Grove, J. W. Brown
and Geo. Bristow. The Sanctuary has, for some years
now, had its head quarters at the Crown Hotel. There
are at present 71 members, with accumulated funds
amounting to £390. 15s. 6d.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. 267
THE « PRINCESS ALEXANDRA" LODGE OF
ODD FELLOWS.
This Lodge was opened on October 26th, 1864, at the
Station Inn, now the Railway Hotel, by the officers of
the Lewes District, a dispensation for the purpose having
been granted to the "Victoria" Lodge at Uckfield.
Twenty members joined the first evening. Two years
later the Lodge, at its own request, was transferred from
the Lewes to the Tonbridge District. In 1878 the head
quarters were removed to the Crown Hotel, which has
been the place of meeting ever since. Mr. W. H. Wood
has been Secretary to the Lodge for 28 years. The
members now number 256 and the funds, exclusive
of a large share in the district capital, amount to
£4,371. 11s. lid.
There are branches in the town of the Redhill Work-
men's Provident Society ; the Tunbridge Wells and
South -Eastern Counties Equitable Association; and the
Hearts of Oak Friendly Society.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES,
CHAPTER XXII.
THE GAS AND WATER COMPANY.
THE question of establishing a Gas Company for East
Grinstead was first considered in 1847, a committee being
appointed at a meeting on January 19th in that year to
consider the matter. Nothing came of it, however, and
on October 25th, 1854, another public meeting was
held and the question taken up in real earnest. The
necessary capital was soon guaranteed; the provisional
directors were elected on November 16th; a week later
Mr. T. Cramp was appointed the first Secretary ; a
month after a site for the works was chosen ; and on
February 1st, 1855, the P^ast Grinstead Gas Light and
Coke Company was formed under a deed of settlement
and duly registered. In its early days the Company did
well. For many years its capital did not exceed £1,780,
arid dividends reaching 10 per cent, were paid. Then it
fell upon bad times and the whole concern was mort-
gaged for £500. But in due course, with a change of
management, its old prosperity was restored and enough
was earned to pay a dividend of 22% per cent. Then
came the addition of the Water Works, which were
opened with some ceremony on December 21st, 1880.
To meet the great expense involved a new Company,
with increased capital, had been formed under an Act
passed on June 17th, 1878. It was named the East
Grinstead Gas and Water Company. The shareholders
in the old Company received £12. 10s. of stock in the
new for every £5 of their holding in the first Company.
Mr. William Pearless was the first Chairman of the old
Company and he was succeeded by Mr. W. V. K.
Stenning, who still holds office. The first Directors, in
addition to Mr. Pearless, were Messrs. W. Chapman, J.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. 269
Sheppard, T. Gravett, T. Foster, J. Fowle and A. T.
Hooker. The present Directors are Messrs. W. V. K.
Stenning, J. B. Allwork, P. E. Wallis, T. Fieldwick, F.
Turner and J. Donaldson. Mr. Evelyn A. Head has held
the position of Secretary for many years. Mr. D. T.
Livesey is in charge of the Gas Works and Mr. R. G.
Payne, who comes of a very old East Grinstead family,
has the superintendence of the Water Works. The
authorised capital is £57,814, of which £5,814 is "A"
stock, £7,000 "A" shares, £5,000 "B" shares and
£40,000 " C " shares. The whole of the " A " stock and
"A" and "B" shares have been issued, together with
£20,000 of the "C" shares. There have also been
debentures issued to the amount of £8,053. 10s., making,
with premiums, a total capital issue of £48,232. 7s. 6d.
The progressive section of the community were not
long in making their presence felt after the establishment
of the Company. The subject of public lighting was
brought before a specially convened Vestry meeting, held
on September 22nd, 1855, and a resolution in favour of
the adoption of the Watching and Lighting Act was only
defeated on the casting vote of the Chairman. Nothing
daunted, the promoters began the collection of subscrip-
tions, and on November 9th, 1855, the streets of the
town were lighted for the first time by gas. The
benefits of the system were so appreciated that a year
later, October 16th, 1856, the Vestry reversed its prior
decision and agreed to adopt public lighting by gas for a
radius of 1^ miles from the Parish Church at an expense
not exceeding £80 a year. Having got the required
permission, the Gas Company lost no time in extending
the system under the direction of the lighting inspectors.
To meet the cost, the charge then being 7s. 6d. per 1,000
feet, it was found necessary at the ensuing Easter Vestry
on March 19th, 1857, to make a lighting rate over the
specified area of 8d. in the £ on houses and 2d. in the
£ on land. As soon as they had to pay people began to
grumble, and the result was that on November 27th of
the same year a poll was taken on the question of the
amount to be allowed and 152 people voted for £80 a
270 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
year, but only 16 for cutting it down to £40 a year.
Since then the system has gradually developed until now
East Grinstead is as well provided with public lights as
any town of its size in the South of England at a cost of
about £500 per annum.
In 1896 an attempt was made to introduce the electric
light, and on June 26th of that year the East Grinstead
Electric Lighting Company was incorporated with a
capital of £15,000. The Urban Council, however, gave
notice that it would oppose the Company's provisional
order, as it desired itself to have control of the electric
light. Consequently the Company died out, and in time
the Urban Council changed its mind and abandoned all
idea of building electric light works. The electric light
was first used in East Grinstead on January 13th, 1885,
when it was temporarily installed for a bachelor's ball at
the Crown Hotel.
Gas was first publicly used in the village of Forest
Row on November 18th, 1903.
SANITARY LAUNDRY COMPANY.
This Company was incorporated in September, 1889,
with a capital of £4,000 in 800 shares of £5 each, of
which 590 shares, producing £2,950, have so far been
issued. The Company was formed to take over the
laundry which had been built in Wood Street, Station
Road, and to carry on there or elsewhere the business of
a laundry company in all its branches. The premises
were publicly opened for use on November 2nd, 1889.
The present Directors of the Company are Messrs. Evelyn
A. Head (chairman), H. S. Martin, A. Bridgland, C. M.
Wilson and W. H. Hills. Mr. S. J. Huggett is secretary.
CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB COMPANY.
This Company was incorporated on July 3rd, 1890,
with a capital of £4,000, divided into 4,000 shares of £1
each, of which 2,124 shares have at present been issued.
The Directors of the Company are Messrs. W. V. K.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. 271
Stenning (chairman), W. H. Hills (managing director
and secretary), H. Daniels, H. B. Harwood, A. Heasman,
H. S. Martin and J. A. Payne. The Club was opened
on March 30th, 1893, the building occupying the site of
several small shops and cottages formerly known as
" The Round Houses."
RICE BROTHERS, LIMITED.
This highly-reputable and widely-spread business is
one of the oldest of the local trading companies, and
has had a successful career since its formation. Its
certificate of incorporation is dated August llth, 1893.
The Company was formed to take over the business of
saddlery manufacturers and implement agents carried on
by Mr. Thomas Rice and Mr. Joseph Rice, which had
been established many years before in the premises
now owned by Mr. George Brinkhurst and adjoining
the Swan Hotel. It was for a long period owned by
members of the Hay ward family, and then passed through
the hands of the Charlwood and Brinkhurst families
before coming to the Rices. The capital of the Com-
pany is £4,200, divided into 100 four per cent, preference
shares of £10 each and 320 ordinary shares of £10 each.
The whole of this has been issued. Since its incorpora-
tion the Company has opened up branches at Edenbridge,
Tunbridge Wells, Hay wards Heath, Lindfield and
Horsham. The Directors are Messrs. P. E. Wallis
(chairman), T. Voice, Thomas, Joseph, Alfred and James
/' ' *• '
Rice, the last-named having taken the place of Mr. Henry
Smith, who was an original Director.
THE SOUTHDOWN AND EAST GRINSTEAD
BREWERIES, LIMITED.
This Company was registered on June 1 1th, 1895, with
the object of acquiring the businesses of brewers and
maltsters and wine and spirit merchants of Messrs.
Dashwood & Co., East Grinstead, and Messrs. A. G. S.
and T. S. Manning, of the Southdown Brewery, Lewes,
as from July 1st, 1895.
272 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
The capital was originally £95,000, divided into 5,000
5 per cent, preference shares of £10 each and 4,500
ordinary shares of like value. There was also a 4 per
cent, first mortgage of £25,000 on the Southdown
Brewery, and 4 per cent, debenture stock for £50,000.
In 1898 Messrs. Monk & Sons' Bear Brewery, at Lewes,
and the Dolphin Brewery, at Cuckfield, having been
purchased, the share capital was increased to the present
total amount of £165,000, by the creation of 4,500 pre-
ference and 2,500 ordinary £10 shares, which were offered
for public subscription in March, 1898, the preference
shares at a premium of 10s. and the ordinary shares at
par. At the same time subscriptions were invited at £103
per cent, for £96,000 4 per cent, perpetual "A" mortgage
debenture stock, forming part of an authorised total of
£170,000. By this means the total capital was increased
from £170,000 to £321,000, the mortgage on the South-
down Brewery having been paid off. The balance of
the authorised debenture stock has since been issued, so
that the paid-up capital is now £335,000, made up of
£95,000 in preference shares, £70,000 in ordinary shares
and £170,000 in debenture stock.
Mr. A. G. S. Manning is the chairman, the other
Directors being Mr. William Pawley and Mr. T. S.
Manning (managing director). The Company has been
most successful, dividends on its ordinary shares having
reached 18 per cent.
A. & C. BRIDGLAND, LIMITED.
This Company took over the well-known manufactur-
ing and furnishing ironmongery business established in
the High Street in the year 1840 by the late Mr. James
Bridgland. It was removed in 1865 to the existing
premises in London Road, and there carried on by Mr.
Bridgland until his death in 1887, and afterwards by his
sons, Messrs. Alfred & Charles Bridgland. The Company
was registered on November 3()th, 1898, with a total
capital of £10,000, in 5,000 5 per cent, preference shares
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. 273
of £1 each and 5,000 ordinary shares of £1 each. There
have so far been issued the whole of the preference shares
and 4,000 of the ordinary shares. The Directors of the
Company are Messrs. A. Bridgland (chairman and
managing director), A. Heasman, J. B. All work and A.
Davis. Mr. E. T. Berry has been secretary from the
commencement.
FARNCOMBE AND COMPANY, LIMITED.
This Company owns businesses at Lewes, Eastbourne
and East Grinstead. It was registered on August 31st,
1899, to take over the general printing works in the
towns named long owned by Mr. Joseph Farncombe and
the newspapers published by him, including the East
Sussex News, Eastbourne Clironicle, East Grinstead
Observer, Sussex and Surrey Courier and other well-
known county journals. The capital of the Company is
£30,000, divided into 6,000 shares of £5, of which 4,300
shares, making a capital of £21,500, have up to the
present been issued. The Directors from the first have
been Messrs. J. Farncombe, J. Farncombe, jun., T. J.
Farncombe, F. R. Terson and H. G. Walston.
FOSTERS, EAST GRINSTEAD, LIMITED.
This Company was registered on April 10th, 1901,
with a capital of £3,000 in 600 shares of £5 each, for
the purpose of taking over the business of steam road
roller proprietors and reaping, mowing and haulage
contractors hitherto carried on by the Executors of the
late Mr. Abraham Foster, of Hazelden Farm, East
Grinstead. Up to the present 500 of the shares have
been issued. The first Directors were Messrs. Joseph
Rice (chairman), D. Dadswell, W. Miles and W. H.
Hills, and they still hold office. The character of the
business has been greatly changed during latter years
and the Company has now the largest engineering works
in the neighbourhood.
274 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
H. S. MARTIN, LIMITED.
This Company was registered on June 23rd, 1904,
with a capital of £10,000 in 10,000 shares of £1 each.
It was established to continue the business so long
conducted by Mr. H. S. Martin, and subsequently by Mr.
W. Carter, of chemist and mineral water manufacturer.
Only £2,880 of the share capital has been issued.
There is also a debenture issue of £3,000 out of an
authorised series of £3,500. The Directors are Messrs.
J. C. Umney, W. Carter, H. S. Martin and W. H. Hills.
JOHN STENNINa & SON, LIMITED.
This Company has a capital of £36,000, divided into
3,600 shares of £10 each, of which 2,276 shares, repre-
senting a capital of £22,760, have been issued. It was
incorporated on July llth, 1900, for the purpose of
acquiring, carrying on and working as a going concern
the business of John Stenning & Son, timber merchants
and sawmill proprietors, of London, East Grrinstead and
Robertsbridge, and which was originally established in
1792. The Directors of the Company are Messrs. A. H.
Stenning (chairman), W. J. Stenning and H. B. Harwood.
ADDENDA.
Pages 16 and 31. — Thomas Cure, who obtained the grant of arms for
East Grinstead on being returned by the Borough to Parliament,
was buried in Southwark Cathedral, and over his tomb is a marble
stone, inscribed : —
THOMAS CURE, Esqr
(of Southwark)
Obiit 24th May, 1588
Elizabetha tibi princeps servivit Equorum
A Sellis Gurus quern lapis iste tegit.
Serviit Edwardo Regi Mariaeque Sorori ;
Principibus magna est laus placuisse tribus.
Couvixit cunctis charus respublica Curae
Semper erat Curo Coinmoda plebis erant.
Dum vixit, tribui senibus curavit alendis
Nummorum in sumptus annua dona domos.
Tliis piece of punning poetry has puzzled many a latter-day scholar.
Was Cure a prosperous tradesman who served three monarchs, or
was he an officer in three successive Royal households — those of
Edward VI., Mary and Elizabeth ? Bearing in mind that it was
in the reign of the last-named monarch that he was elected to
Parliament and that Lord Buckhurst, the patron of this Borough,
was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth, the latter was
possibly the honour he enjoyed, and the following is perhaps not
a very incorrect free translation of the inscription : —
Cure, whom this stone covers, served Elizabeth as Master of her saddle-horses.
He served also King Edward and Mary his sister. A great honour is it to have
pleased three Sovereigns. He lived beloved by all. The State was ever a care to
Cure. The welfare of the people was a care to him. During his lifetime he
cared for the support of the aged and caused annual gifts of money to be assigned
to meet the expenses, and he gave houses also.
Page 24. — In 1384 Ricardus Danyell and Ricardus Woghere were
returned M.P.'s for East Grinstead on April 29th and November
12th.
Page 30th. — At the bye-election in 1557-8, caused by Thomas Sackville
electing to sit for Westmoreland, Thomas Farnham was returned
for East Grinstead.
Page 38.— On April 21st, 1675, Edward Sackville was elected for
East Grinstead in the place of Lord Buckhurst, created a Peer. —
On October 25th, 1678, Thomas Pelham was returned in'ce Edward
Sackville, deceased.
Page 49. — The following were additional bye-elections : On April 5th,
1715, and November 6th, 1722, Richard Lord Viscount Shannon
was returned for East Grinstead vice Spencer Compton, who on
each occasion elected to sit for the County of Sussex ; on April
6th, 1725, Edward Conyers was returned vice John Conyers,
deceased.
T 2
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS,
COPIES
The Most Noble the Marquess of Abergavenny, K.G., Bridge Castle, Sussex 3
J. Brook Allwork, 28, High Street, East Griustead 1
Colonel C. H. Bagot, C.B., Brook Cottage, East Grinstead 1
Abe Bailey, J.P., Yewhurst, East Grinstead 2
J. S. Beale, J.P., Standeu, East Grinstead 1
Alfred M. Betchley, White Lion Hotel, London Road, East Grinstead ... 2
The Rev. Douglas Y. BlaMston, M. A., The Vicarage, East Grinstead ... 1
Edward C. Blount, J. P., Imberhorne, East Griustead 2
Alfred Bridgland, 33 and 35, London Road, East Grinstead 1
Frank Brinkhurst, Henfield Villa, Cranston Road, East Grinstead 1
Frederick Bristow, Elm House, East Grinstead 1
W. Brunsden, Camden Cottage, East Grinstead 1
T. H. W. Buckley, The Grange, Crawley Down, Sussex 1
Harry Bentinck Budd, F.Z.S., Cromwell Hall, East Grinstead 1
F. J. Budd-Budd, 76A, Marine Parade, Brighton 2
Miss Bunting, The Larches, East Grinstead 1
Colonel W. H. Campion, C.B., V.D., J.P., Danny, Hassocks 1
F. H. Champneys, M.D., L.R.C.P., Nutley, Uckfield, and 42, Upper Brook
Street, Park Lane, London, W. 1
T. H. Church, 20, Bucklersbury, London, E.C 1
Mrs. Clark, 6, Cyril Street, Northampton 1
Alfred Clark, Moat Nursery, East Grinstead 1
Mrs. Stephenson Clarke, Brook House, West Hoathly 1
The Right Hon. the Lord Colchester, F.S.A., Carlton Club, London, S.W... 1
F. G. Courthope, Southover, Lewes 1
The Rev. C. W. Payne Crawfurd, M.A. Oxford, J.P. for Sussex, Ardmillan,
East Griustead 2
The Rev. Gibbs Payne Crawfurd, M.A. Oxon., The Vicarage, Bicester, Oxon. 1
Robert Payne Crawfurd, Baidland, Seaford, Sussex 1
The Rev. Chas. H. P. Crawfurd, M.A. Oxon., The Vicarage, Milbonie Port,
Somerset 1
The Rev. Lionel P. Crawfurd, M.A. Oxon., St. Cuthbert's Vicarage,
Gateshead, Durham 1
Raymond H. P. Crawfurd, M.A. Oxon.,M.D., F. R.C.P., 71, Harley Street, W. 1
Edgar M. Crookshauk, J. P., Saint Hill, East Grinstead 1
J. Dalziel, Craigcoila, East Griustead 1
The Rev. Prebendary Deedes, M.A., Little London, Chichester 1
John Ditch, Old Buckhurst, Withyham 1
W. H. Dixon, 51, High Street, East Grinstead 2
\Vm. Eagles, Falconhurst, Lingfield, Surrey 1
The Rev. Arthur Eden, M. A., Ticehurst, Sussex 2
J. Kennedy Esdaile, J.P., Hazelwood, Horsted Keynes 1
Chas. Hugh Everard, M.A. , J.P., Newlands, East Griustead 1
Miss Everard, Newlands, East Grinstead 1
John H. Every, The Croft, St. Anne's, Lewes 1
278 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
XO. OF
COPIBS
A. Faber, Offerton, Forest Row 1
Alderman Jos. Farncombe, Saltwood, Spencer Road, Eastbourne 1
Sir Richard Farrant, Rockhurst, West Hoathly 1
The Rev. Robert Fisher, M. A., St. Thomas's Vicarage, Groombridge ... 1
W. H. B. Fletcher, M.A., J.P., Aldwick Manor, Bognor, Sussex 1
Geo. P. Forwood, Great House Court, East Grinstead 1
Alex. Freeland, The Hermitage, East Grinstead 2
Douglas W. Freshfield, M.A., Wych Cross House, Forest Row, and 1, Airlie
Gardens, Campden Hill, W 1
The Hon. A. E. Gathorne-Hardy, 77, Cadogan Square, London, S.W. ... 1
Geo. A. D. Goslett, Chelworth, Chelwood Gate, Sussex 1
J. Eglinton A. Gwynne, J.P., F.S.A., Folkington Manor, Polegate, R.S.O.,
Sussex 1
R. Hall, Bookseller, Tunbridge Wells 1
J. Southey Hall, Albion House, London Road, East Grinstead 1
A. H. Hastie, 17, Queen Street, Mayfair, London 6
Miss H. A. Hastie, Place Land, East Griustead 1
Evelyn Alston Head, Daledene, East Grinstead .. 1
W. Alston Head, Domons, East Grinstead 1
Alfred Heasman, Holmewood, Station Road, East Grinstead 1
H. Heasman, South wick House, East Grinstead 1
H. S. McCalmont Hill, LL.D., The Priory, Argyll Road, Boscombe ... 1
M. Hills, Hadfold Villa, Boundary Road, Hove 1
Alfred Hoare, Charl wood Farm, East Grinstead 1
John H. Hooker, Courtfield, Cranston Road, East Grinstead 1
J. H. Honeycombe, High Street, East Grinstead 1
W. Hosken, The School House, East Grinstead 1
Ethelbert Hosking. M.R.C.S. Eng., Turners Hill, Sussex I
Robert Hovenden, F.S.A., Heathcote, 12, Park Hill Road, Croydon ... 1
Sydney J. Huggett, Belvedere, Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead 1
E. P. Whitley Hughes, The Moat House, East Grinstead 1
The Rev. R. E. Hutton, St. Margaret's Lodge, East Grinstead 1
T. Hyde, J.P., Pixtoii Hill, Forest Row 1
Herbert Jeddere -Fisher, M.A., Apsley Town, East Grinstead 1
A. Johnson, Greenstede House, High Street, East Grinstead 3
W. H. Johnson, Dover Cottage, East Grinstead 1
Sydney Larnach, Brambletye, East Grinstead 1
G. Locker-Lampson, Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex 1
Oliver Locker-Lampson, Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex 1
The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn, Lincolns Inn, London, W.C. ... 1
The Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, Kirkham Abbey, York, and 2, Carlton
House Terrace, London, S.W 2
Gerald W. E. Loder, F.S.A., Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Sussex 1
Henry Lucas, Bramblehurst, East Grmstead 2
Job Luxford, Forest Row 1
Major T. A. Maberly, Mytten, Cuckfield 1
W. J. S. Mann, Middle Row, East Grinstead 1
T. S. Manning, The Brewery House, East Grmstead 1
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 279
NO. OF
COPIES
Edward Martin, J.P., Woodcote, Forest Row 1
H. S. Martin, 5, Compton Avenue, Brighton 2
•G. M. Maryon- Wilson, J.P., Searles, Fletching 1
H. E. Mathews, Woodbury, East Grinstead 1
The Rev. R. B. Matson, B.A. Oxon., The Modern School, East Grinstead ... 1
Admiral Wm. H. Maxwell, J.P., Holywych, Cowden, Kent 1
John McAndrew, J.P., Holly Hill, Coleman's Hatch, Tunbridge Wells ... 1
Wm. Milburn, J.P., Shabden, Chipstead, Surrey 1
C. G. Morris, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead 1
The Mother Superior, St. Margaret's, East Grinstead 1
J. G. Mortimer, 20, Clifton Street, Brighton 1
Lady Musgrave, Hurst-aii-Clays, East Grinstead 1
Frank Newington, 208, High Street, Lewes ... 1
J. A. Nix, Tilgate, Crawley 1
His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, E.M., K.G., Arundel Castle, Sussex ... 2
The Most Noble the Marquess of Northampton, 51, Lennox Gardens, S.W. 1
E. L. Nunneley, Summerford, East Grinstead 1
J. S. Oxley, M.A., 44, Beaufort Gardens, London, S.W 1
Harry Payne. 151, London Road, East Grinstead 1
R. G. Payne, Waterworks, East Grinstead 1
James R. Pearless, LL.B., Sackville Cottage, East Grinstead 1
Pearless & Sons, Solicitors, East Grinstead 1
Sir W. ]). Pearson, Bart., M.P., Paddockhurst, Worth, Sussex 4
H. Perkins, Old Bank House, East Grinstead 1
Childe Pocock, R.B.A., Birkbeck College, Bream's Buildings, E.C 1
F. C. Poynder, M.B., 92, High Street, East Grinstead 1
W. W. Radcliffe, M.A., Fonthill, East Grinstead 1
T. E. Ravenshaw, J.P., South Hill, Worth 1
Mrs. Geo. Read, 19 and 21, London Road, East Grinstead 1
Stuart J. Reid, Blackwell Cliff, East Grinstead 1
Walter C. Renshaw, K.C., Sandrocks, near Hayward's Heath 1
Thomas Rice, London Road, East Griustead 1
George Rice, Godstone, Surrey 1
Henry Rice, High Street, UckfLeld 1
Alfred Rice, Fernleigh, Ship Street, East Grinstead 1
Joseph Rice, J.P., Wesley House, Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead 1
James Rice, 63, West Street, Horsham 1
Wm. Ridley, St. Wilfrids, East Grinstead 2
F. S. Robertson, The Mount, East Grinstead 1
R. Rouse, Middle Row, East Grinstead 1
John G. Scaramanga, 5, Campden Hill Terrace, London, W 1
Edgar Soames, Oasted, East Grinstead 1
J. C. Stenuing, Steel Cross House, Tuubridge Wells 6
The Rev. Canon Stenning, Overton Rectory, Hants 1
Frederick Stoveld Stenuing, M.A., St. Stephen's Club, Westminster, S.W. 1
Alderman Wm. V. K. Stenning, J. P., Halsford, East Grinstead 1
Alan II. Storming, F.Z.S., East Griustead 2
280 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
NO. OF
COPIES
Miss Stenning, Halsford, East Grinstead 2
Alex. R. Stenning, J.P., Hoathly Hill, West Hoathly 1
Edward Stewart, M.D., J.P., Brook House, East Grinstead 1
G. F. Stone, Station Road, East Griustead 1
Walter John Sykes, M.D., "Westfields, East Grinstead 1
The Rev. J. Thorp, Felbridge Vicarage, East Grinstead 1
W. Tongue, Rocklands, East Grinstead 1
John Tooth, 1, Hawthorn Villas, Sydney Road, Hayward's Heath 1
Sir Geo. Wyatt Truscott, Suffolk Lane, Cannon Street, London, E.G. ... 1
Chas. Turner, Oakhurst, Maypole Road, East Grinstead 1
Henry Turner, Elmstead, East Grinstead 1
Frederick Turner, Moor Place, East Grinstead 1
Geo. Underwood, Crown Hotel, East Grinstead 1
T. Voice, Wilmington House, High Street, East Grinstead 1
P. E. Wallis, M.R.C.S., Old Stone House, East Grinstead 1
Sir Spencer Walpole, K.C.B., Hartfield Grove, Coleman's Hatch, Sussex ... 1
A. E. N. Ward, Yewhurst, East Grinstead 1
Arthur C. Waters, Durkins, East Grinstead 1
F. C. Watford, High Street, East Grinstead 1
James Watson, M.D., Dormans House, Dormans Park, Surrey ... .. 1
Edward Waugh, Hayward's Heath 1
Geo. Webb, 87, Chelsham Road, South Croydon 1
Mrs. Whidborne, Hammerwood, East Grinstead 1
F. A. White, J.P., Oakleigh, East Grinstead 1
F. S. White, Portlands, Portland Road, East Grinstead 1
T. S. Whitfeld, Dormans Cross, East Griustead 1
Noah Whitman, Turners Hill, Sussex 1
Francis Moore Wilcox, Tor Leven , Cantelupe Road, East Griustead ... 1
C. M. Wilson, London Road, East Grinstead 1
R. Winser, London Road, East Grinstead , 1
Leslie S. Wood, High Street, East Grinstead 1
Chas. Wood, 76, Moat Road, East Griustead 1
William Jasper Wood, New Maiden, Surrey 1
The Rev. Clement C. Woodland, M.A., Hammerwood Vicarage, East
Grinstead 1
W. E. Woollam, Council Offices, East Grinstead 1
J. H. Woollan, 19, Deerbrook Road, Tulse Hill, S.E 1
Edward Young, 39, High Street, East Grinstead 1
Ernest W. Young, 49, High Street, East Grinstead 1
Henry Young, The Hollies, London Road, East Grinstead 1
INDEX TO LOCAL PLACE NAMES.
INDEX TO LOCAL PLACE NAMES.
A.
Alchornds, 100.
Almshouscs, The, 122 to 124, 215.
Anderida, Forest of, 1.
Ardingly, 132.
Ardmillan, 81.
Ashdown Forest, 1, 2, 3, 5, 32, 41, 116,
142, 152, 155, 177, 190, 191, 208, 249.
Ashdowii House, 115, 173.
Ashdowu Park, 160.
Ashurst, or The Wild, 20, 120.
Ashurst Wood, 83, 90, 93, 120, 132,
134, 160, 167, 181, 187, 197.
B.
Baches, 192.
Baldwins Hill, 6, 13, 237.
Beeches, 72, 197.
Birchcroft, 10.
Birch Grove, 184.
Blackham, 100, 146.
Blackwell, 67, 83.
Blackwell Farm, 184.
Bletchingley, 137, 138, 153, 219.
Blindley Heath, 138, 146, 219.
Blockfield Farm, 146.
Bolebrook, 101.
Bower, 74, 121, 146.
Boylies, 74.
Brambletye, 21, 26, 32, 74, 85, 86, 106,
109 to 115, 122, 123, 142, 146, 160,
225, 226, 228.
Brestowe, or Burstow Park, 196 to 198.
Brewers, or Brewhouse Lane, 238.
Brewery, The, 271, 272.
Broadstone, 202.
Brockets, 119.
Brockhurst, or Brookhurst, or Broke-
hurst, 20, 73, 74, 107, 120, 130, 236,
259.
Broome, 100.
Brownings Cross, 10.
Buckhurst (Withyham), 2, 20, 97, 99,
100, 110, 217.
Buckhurst House (East Griiistead), 243.
Bucknors, 74.
Budgens Barn, 159.
Buncegrove, 192.
Burghurst, 20.
Burleigh, or Burley Arches, 20, 83.
Burstow, 117.
Bushcroft, 4.
Bushfield, 4.
Buxted, 1, 2, 59, 132, 176.
Buxted Park, 154.
Buxted Place, 53.
Bysshecourt, 120.
0.
Cansiron, 141.
Cantelupe Road, 160, 262.
Capital and Counties Bank, 263.
Cat, The, 15, 42.
Cemetery, 238.
Chapel Lane, 218, 238.
Charlwood, or Charlwoods, 48, 74, 191.
Charlwoods Row, 160.
Chartham, 173.
Chartness, 100.
Chequer Inn, The, 15, 53.
Chequer Mead, The, 15, 50, 183, 186,
247, 248, 259.
Chequer Road, 160, 167.
Church Street, 73, 106, 123, 197, 209,
215.
Clay Pitts, 119.
College Lane, 85.
Common, The (East Grinstead), 5, 218,
231, 247, 248.
Coney boro' Park, 53.
Congregational Church, Ashurst Wood,
134.
Constitutional Club, 23, 216, 271.
Conyclappers, 117.
Cooke's Mead, 83.
Copthorne, 93, 167.
Cottage Hospital, 105, 237, 250 to 254,
257.
Court House, The, 216, 217, 257, 259.
Cowden, 134, 141, 184, 193.
Crabbctt, 48, 146, 173.
284
HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Cranston Estate, 180.
Cranston Road, 160.
Crawley Down, 93, 141, 143, 146.
Cricket Field, 248, 249.
Cromwell House, 130.
Crosses, 146.
Daledene, 174.
Dalliugridge, 3, 74, 111.
Danny, 47.
Dean Cherry Garden, 238.
Dean Fields, 85, 118.
De la Warr Road, 160.
Digrnan's Mead, 4.
Dispensary, 105, 254, 255.
Crown Hotel, The, 15, 50, 116, 153, 156,
161, 183, 184, 186, 218, 243, 244, 247,
261, 265 to 267, 270.
Cullens, 74.
Cullinghurst, 100.
D.
Dockets, 192.
Demons, 174.
Dorset Arms, The, 14, 15, 42, 147 to
154, 244, 245, 266.
Dorset Head, The, 15, 53.
Duddleswell, 23, 85, 119, 191, 193.
Dungates Fields, 215.
Durkins Road, 160.
E.
East Court, 76, 95, 107, 149, 166, 167,
180.
Edenbridge, 183.
Elephant's Head, The, 253, 257.
Bridge, 201, 203.
F.
Fail-field Road, 160.
Fairlight, 21, 167.
Felbridge, 13, 19, 54, 59, 67, 86, 107,
136 to 141, 145, 157, 159, 160, 185,
232
Feldlonde, 115.
Fen Place, 173, 193.
Fire Brigade Station, 244.
Fiscaridge, 100.
Fletchiug, 1.
Flower Place, 205.
Forest Row, 1, 6, 12, 73, 88, 90, 121,
130, 134, 158 to 160, 179, 195 to 197,
200 to 205, 218, 232, 234, 239, 244,
259, 270.
Framfield, 64.
Frampost, 74, 107.
Friday Mead, 50.
Friston Place, 53.
Frogs Hole, 159, 160.
Furnace Farm, 141.
Furnace Pond, 141.
G.
Gallows Croft, 83, 218.
Gas Works, The, 268 to 270.
Gaynesfords, 109, 215.
George, The, 4, 10.
Glen Vue, 160, 163, 231, 232, 238, 239.
Goddeiiwick, 82, 83, 121.
Godstone, 136 to 139, 147, 149, 153 to
155, 158, 161, 219.
Gotwick Farm, 146.
Grange, The, 148.
Grange Road, 163, 244.
Gravetye, 82, 141 to 146.
Greenfylde, or Green Field, 109, 240.
Green Hedges, 174, 251, 254.
Green Hedges Avenue, 160.
Grinstead, Manor of, 108, 109, 241.
Grinsted Wild, 120.
Grosveuor Hall, 231, 259.
Gulledge, 23, 109, 141.
H.
Halsford, 83, 163, 174, 218, 232.
Hammerwood, 58, 121, 131, 141, 163,
166, 251.
Hackenden, Hakeudeii, Harkeuden, or
Haskenden, 117.
Hartscroft, 4.
Hartfield, 1, 2, 21, 82, 112, 121, 134
141, 142, 160, 167, 174, 193, 201,
219, 221, 223, 233.
Harwoods, 74.
INDEX TO LOCAL PLACE NAMES.
285
Hayheath, 174.
Hazelden, 20, 74, 120, 145, 273.
Hazelden Cross, 159, 160.
Heathland, 109.
Hedgecourt, 117.
Hendall, 99.
Hengteswynde, 115.
Hermitage, 61, 122, 160, 174, 176, 178,
238, 256.
Hicksted, 82, 83.
Highgate, 155, 157, 158.
High Grove Sanatorium, 106.
High Street, 61, 130, 174, 175, 209,
216, 235 to 237, 240, 241, 244, 246,
254, 256, 263, 272.
Hill Place, 14.
Hiudleap, 2, 202.
Hips Fields or Mead, 15, 50, 130.
Holehouse, 194.
Holiday Home, 253.
Hollies, The, 209.
Holywych, 101, 163.
Homestall, 74.
Home, 137.
Horshoe, or Horseshoe, 83.
Horsted Keynes, 76, 104, 118, 198.
Horsted Keynes Broadhurst, 117, 118.
Hownynggrove, 192.
Hurley Farm, 159.
Hurst-aii-Clays, 2, 69, 159, 160, 163.
225, 248.
I.
Imberhorne, 5, 10, 13, 23, 38, 75, 83, 85.
94, 100, 115, 116, 119. 120, 146, 163;
164, 188, 190, 195, 217.
Imberhorne Lane, 159. 253, 254.
J.
Jack's Bridge, 132.
Judge's Terrace, 218.
K.
Katteraw's, or Katherine's Mead, 41.
Kidbrooke, 2, 66, 130, 154, 166, 183,
200 to 205, 222.
Kingscote, 116.
L.
Lancaster, Duchy of, 10, 177.
Lancaster Great Park, 2.
Lanefeld, 118.
Lansdowne House, 252.
Larches, The, 160.
Lavertye, or Lavorty, 31, 109 to 115,
146.
Legsheath, 83, 190 to 196.
Lewes Old Bank, 263.
Lindfield, 121, 132, 181.
Lingfield, 4, 77, 93, 132, 134, 146, 148,
153, 154, 183, 187, 232, 239.
Lingfield Lodge, 174.
Lingfield Road, 160.
Lingfield Road Recreation Ground, 13,
247.
Literary Institute, 183, 256 to 258, 266.
Little Horsted, 76, 210.
Lloyds Bank, 263.
London Road, 61, 90, 95, 122, 160, 230,
235, 237, 254, 256 to 259, 272.
Lovekines, 74.
Love Lane, 10.
Lower Glen Vue, 160.
Lullenden, or Lunncndcn, 148.
M.
Mareafield, 1, 120, 132, 176, 190.
Masonic Rooms, or Masonic Hall, 265.
Maules, Mawles, or Malls, 83, 191, 192,
195.
Maveld, 72.
Mayes, 120.
Maypole Road, 160.
Mays Fann, 74.
Mays Wood, 150.
Mechanics' Institution, 257.
286
HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Medway, The, 12, 238.
Middle Row, 50, 216, 236, 257.
Mill Place, 44, 74, 141 to 146.
Moat Church, 90 to 92, 95, 185, 186.
Moat Fields, 239.
Moat Pond, 118, 244.
Moat Eoad, 90, 147, 160, 209, 251.
National Schools, 259 to 262.
New House, 11.
Newick, 126.
New Inn, The, 42.
Old Mm Bridge, 238.
Old Road, 95, 130, 159.
Moats Farm, 147, 148, 184.
Modern School, The, 262.
Monkshill, Monkhill, or Muiikhill, 83,
191 to 196.
Mudbrook, 3.
Muuckloe, 99, 100.
N.
Newlands, 61, 167, 236.
New Road, 159.
North End, 13.
o.
I Ounce, The, 15, 42.
P.
Parish Hall, 259.
Parish Pound, 164.
Park Comer, 160.
Parrock, 141, 142.
Pauls Farm, 74.
Paxhill Park, 84.
Pevensey Rape, 8.
Pigeon House, 53.
Pilchers, or Pilshers, 83, 218.
Pixtons, 42, 44, 71, 72, 74, 83, 121, 124,
196 to 198.
Placeland, 12, 50, 107, 117 to 119.
Pluwe, The, 191, 192.
Plawhatch, 2, 3, 83, 116, 119, 190 to 192,
196.
Play-field, 53, 169, 247.
Police Court, or Station, 218, 238, 244,
245.
Portland, or Portlands Road, 41, 160.
Post Office, 245, 246.
Pressridge, 202.
Priory, The, 120.
Priors, 100.
Providence Chapel, 95.
Public Hall, 92, 245, 257, 259.
Queen's Hall, 245, 259.
Q.
| Queen's Road, 160, 238, 239, 253, 254.
R.
Racies, 116.
Railway or Station Hotel, 238, 266,
267.
Redstede, 174.
Renvills, 74.
Riddens, 4.
Ridgehill, 74.
Rocks Chapel, 95.
Rocks, The, 132, 238.
Roman Catholic Church, 93, 94.
Rose Beerhouse, The, 89.
Round Houses, 23, 216, 271.
Rowfant, 31, 137, 141 to 146, 163.
Rutters Worsteds, 74.
s.
Sackville College, 5, 13, 45, 61, 69, 96
to 107, 128, 159, 177, 178, 206, 208,
218, 250.
Sackville Cottage, 174.
Saint Agnes School, 209, 210.
Saint Cecelia, 210.
Saint Hill, 62, 66, 81 to 84, 95, 147,
159, 161, 171, 193, 214, 218, 223, 254.
Saint James's Road, 134, 160. 265.
Saint Margaret's Convent, 203, 206 to
213.
Saint Margaret's School, 210-
INDEX OF LOCAL PLACE NAMES.
287
Saint Mary's Church, 86.
Saint Swithuu's Church, 63 to 85, 90,
105, 122, 178, 196, 213.
Saint Tyes, 101.
Sandhawes Hill, 160.
Scarletts, 48, 74.
Searles, 178.
Selsfield. 67.
Serries, or Surreys, 126, 127, 131.
Sessions House, 216, 217.
Sheffleld-Grinsted, 109, 120.
Shepherds, 48, 74.
Shepherds Grove Road, 160.
Shewell, 74.
Ship Inn. The, 160.
Ship Street, 55, 61, 159, 239.
Shoberys, 72.
Shortes Croft, 109.
Shovelstrode. 19. 116, 117, 160.
Shuckburgh Cottage, 59.
Slaughter - house, or Slaughter - house
Mead, 53. 261.
Smallfield Place, 204.
Smith's Farm. 194.
Standeii, 21. 120, 173, 193.
Star, The. 42, 157.
Station Road, 160, 270.
Steel Cross, 174.
Scone Farm, 144, 160, 193.
Stonefeeld, 118.
Stonehouse, Forest Row, 87, 88.
Stoneland Lodge, 53.
Stoneleigh, 147, 236.
Stone Rocks, 117.
Stumps and Gates Farms, 148.
Sunnyside, 159.
Sussex Arms Beerhouse, The, 266.
Swan Inn, The, East Griiistead, 67, 154,
169, 238, 256, 271.
Swan Inn, The, Forest Row, 218.
Swan Mead, 238, 239.
T.
Tablehurst. 199.
Tannershyll, 118.
Tavels, 119.
Thompson's Corn Store, 259.
Thorn Hill, 134.
Three Bridges. 154. 161, 162, 184.
Tickeridge, 141, 144.
Tilgate, 174.
Tilkhurst, 23, 109.
Tinsley, 47, 142.
Town Hall. 258.
Turners Hill, 12, 90, 233.
Twfford Lodge. 160.
Twyfords, 119, 191.
Tyces. 119.
Tyes Cross. 160.
Uplands, 173.
u.
Vechery Wood. 2, 101.
V.
Velvicks, 192.
w.
Wakehurst, 26. 120, 145.
Wallhill. or Wall Hill, 6, 72, 74, 83, 119,
120, 202, 219.
Walstede. 27, 120.
Warley, 20.
Warren. The. 141 to 146.
Water Works, The. 268 to 270.
Weild, Manor of, 74.
Wellington Town Road, 160.
Wesleyan Church, 92, 93.
Westfeld, 72.
Westfields, 174,
West Hoathly, 83, 118, 134, 141, 142,
146, 180, 221.
Westleigh. 10.
West Street, 160, 218, 238, 239, 248,
265.
Whalesbeach or Walesbeech, 21, 74,
83, 191. 192.
White Lion. The, 12. 122.
Wilder wick, 214.
Wildgoose. 82.
Windmill Place, 10.
Wire Mill, 141, 145.
288 HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD.
Withyhani, 1, 26, 31. 38, 44, 76, 97,
113, 134, 167, 221, 222.
Woodcock Forge, 145.
Woodcock Hill, 145.
Wood Street, 270.
Workhouse, 106, 230 to 232, 238, 250.
Workmen's Club, 259.
Worth, 77, 83, 93, 125, 134, 137, 138,
142, 146, 195, 221, 233.
Worth Park, 75.
Worsteds, 74.
Wych Cross, 2, 67, 159.
Y.
Yews, The, or Yewhurst, 181, 182, 254.
z.
Zion (Countess of Huntingdon's)
Chapel, 87 to 90, 128, 129, 180, 182.
185, 257, 261.
JARNCOMBK AND CO., LIMITED, PRINTERS.
THE LIBRARY
TTWTVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
Form L9-10m-3,'48 ( A7920 ) 444
A 000997213 4
DA
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