Newspaper Stories 1801-1850 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

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Newspaper Stories 1801-1850

23 July 1801 - Sale of Advowson of Hartley Church

By Messrs Skinner & Dyke at Garraways this day, July 23, at 12 o'clock, by order of the executors and trustees of the late Mr Richard Forrest deceased.

The advowson and next presentation to the Rectory of Hartley, situate 5 miles from Northfleet and Southfleet, and within 10 of Dartford and Rochester, a beautiful fine healthy part of the county of Kent, comprising the Great and Small Tithes of the parish, containing about 1,200 acres of very good land, with a parsonage house now in tenement, tithe barn, and out-buildings, and 9 acres of glebe land, producing an income of about £230 pa, the present incumbent 52 years of age....

The Times.  The advowson is the right to appoint a Church of England vicar to the church, they still exist today but you can't put them up for sale like this any more.  In many cases such as Hartley, the owner failed to appoint someone in time and then the advowson falls into the hands of the bishop.  The indelicate reference to the age of Rev Bradley is to give the buyer an indication of how long they might have to wait until they could exercise this right.  In Hartley's case, Rev Bradley lived to 1826 by which time Edward Allen owned the advowson, he had no problems appoining a new rector as he chose...... himself!!


4 August 1801 - Kent Assizes

Gaol calendar, Summer Assizes at Maidstone, John Cartier esq, sheriff.
.....
Thomas Wood, for stealing a fat hog from Thomas Edmeads of Hartley - discharged by proclamation.

Kentish Gazette


4 August 1802 - Obituary of former Rector of Hartley

Died suddenly on Saturday morning, 31st ultimo, in the 83rd year of his age, the Rev Richard Clarke, formerly rector of St Philips, Charleston, South Carolina, and late rector of Hartley, Kent.  He was a good man, a profound scholar, and of great philanthropy, an able and zealous advocate for the doctrine of universal love and universal restitution, which his voluminous publications testify, and that his mind was highly illumined, deeply penetrating into the hidden mysteries of genuine religion.

Morning Chronicle


16 October 1812 - theft at Hartley

(West Kent Quarter Sessions)
Henry Mockeridge, for stealing in Hartley, about a gallon of wheat the property of Francis Treadwell - to be six months in Maidstone Bridewell...

Canterbury Journal


22 April 1820 - Sale of Pennis House, Fawkham
The Times

Elegant Freehold villa and 261 acres of land - by Mr W M Stevens at the Mart on Tuesday May 16 at 12, by order of the assignees of Mr F Devey.

Pennis House and Farm, a very desirable and compact freehold estate, land tax redeemed, delightfully situated in Fawkham, a most romantic part of the county of Kent, and distant 4 miles from Farningham, 6 from Dartford, 6 from Gravesend and 21 from London; the property consists of an elegant residence, cased with Roman Cement, erected within a few years at a considerable expense, and calculaed for the occupation of a famiy of the first resepectability, surrounded by extensive pleasure grounds and plantations, the whole arranged with peculiar (sic) taste, and 261 acres of arable, meadow, pasture and coppice lands, a substantial farm house, barn, stabling, and requisite outbuildings, a convenient cottage residence, with capital garden,and 2 other cottages.  May be viewed by leave of the tenants ......

A few fields of the Pennis estate are in the parish of Hartley


15 June 1820 - Hartley House to Let

To be let, with immediate possession, a newly-erected convenient small house, with garden, and 2 stall stable, chaise house, well of excellent wter, 3 acres of pasture and orchard land, very pleasantly and salubriously situate in the parish of Hartley, in the county of Kent, a sporting country, about 4 miles from the turnpike road leading from Farningham to Wrotham, 5 miles from Farningham, and 7 from Dartford and Gravesend; this will be found a very desirable situation for a small family wishing for a healthy situatio or for a summer residence.   Apply to Mr Hooks, solicitor, Dartford; or Mr Santer, 49 Chancery Lane, London.

The Times


27 April 1821 - Death at Hartley Court
Canterbury Journal

On Saturday, the 14th instant, the following singular and melacholy occurrance took plae near Dartford.  The ladder that led up to a granary, belonging to Mr Bensted of Hartley Court, being deficient of some of some rounds, a rope with a loop at the end was affixed to enable persons to ascend.  On the day in question, a boy, about 11 years of age, named Bowers, was found dead suspended by his neck in the loop of the rope.


8 September 1824 - Improvemets to the future A2
Morning Post

New Roads.  Among the improvements undertaken in London and the environs, none seem more useful than the extensive works now going on for making new roads and levelling hills.  In Kent and Surrey the advantages gained this way are highly important.  Shooters Hill, which sometime since was almost insurmountable, is now much more easy of ascent.  The soil to a great depth has been cut away from the highest part, and thrown into the declivity, in consequence of which great relief is afforded to the horses, and the progress of travellers much accelerated.  Solid chalk hills have been cut through near Northfleet, and the road much improved.....  Similar exertions in other parts near London shew a spirit of activity which cannot fail in producing some of the best roads in the world.


27 January 1827 - Theft at Hartley
South Eastern Gazette

Prisoners committed to the County Gaol, Maidstone: ...... Nathaniel Woodward, felony at Sutton at Hone.......Richard Doodeney, felony at Hartley.....

The result of the trial was reported by the paper on 27 March 1827.


27 March 1827 - Richard Doodeney at the Assizes
South Eastern Gazette

Kent Lent Assizes:  (11) Richard Doodeney, 22, laboureer, for stealing a coat, value 10 shillings, the propety of Joseph Doodeney.  Discharged by proclamation.

Discharged by proclamation usually meant no evidence was offered against them.  Although it appears Richard had spent 2 months on remand in Maidstone Gaol.


12 October 1830 - Ploughing Match
Maidstone Journal

Kentish Agricultural Association - The annual ploughing match took plae on Thursday last, in a field int he occupation of Mr John Staples of Highlands in the parish of Sutton at Hone.  There were 35 fine teams of horses, belonging to the members of the assocation, with the turnrise and other ploughs, set to work, each having half an acre to plough.  The day being fine, brought to the field a large and most respectable meeting of gentlemen, agriculturists, servants, and labourers, and tradesmen of all classes.  It was considered one of the most pleasing and gratifying sights ever seen of that kind in the western part of the county of Kent.

The judges for the ploughing for this year were: Thomas Colyer esq, Southfleet; Mr Russell, Horton (Kirby); John Green esq, Eltham; Mr Sears, Dartford; Mr Russell, Swanscombe; Mr Solomon, Swanscombe and they awarded the premiums as follows:-

To George Stevens, servant to Mr Cooper of Sutton at Hones, with a turnrise plough and 4 horses - £3.
Thomas Levitt, servant to Mr Attree, Erith, the 2nd prize, £2
David Weller, servant to Mr Bensted of Hartley, the 3rd prize, £1 10s
Henry Bird, servant to Mr Sears of Dartford, the 4th prize, £1
Stephen Bassett, servant to Mr Elgar of Sutton at Hone, with a turnrise plough and 3 horses, £2
John Trull, servant to Mr John Staples, with a turnrise plough and 3 horses, the 2nd prize, £1 10s
Edward Vallins, servant to Mr John Shearley, Wollary Cray, £1

The unsuccessful ploughmen were all paid a small sum for encouragement, and several who were not entitled to premiums, received presents from the committee.

The company retired to the Hop Pole Inn, Farningham, to dine at 4 o'clock, and nearly 100 gentlemen and farmers, with their friends, sat down to an excellent dinner.  The worthy baronet, Sir Thomas Dyke, the president of the association, from ill health, was unable to preside; he however kindly supplied the table with some excellent venison and game from his park at Lullingstone Castle.  Percival Hart Dyke esq, took the chiar and Bertie Cator esq acted as vice-president.  In addition to the usual toasts and sentiments on such occasions, several excellent vocal performers highly entertained the company till a late hour.

The premiums for the shepherds and servants will be awarded by the committee as soon as they can conveniently meet to adjust them.


7 December 1830 - Reduction in Tithes
Maidstone Journal

At his tithe audit, on Thursday last, the Rev M Allan (sic - should be E Allen), minister of Hartley, reduced his tithes ten per cent.


20 September 1831 - Sale at New House Farm
Maidstone Journal

New House Farm, Hartley, Kent: Valuable live and dead farming stock, household furniture etc to be sold by auction by George Mandy on Friday Sept 23rd 1831 by order of the proprietor, Mr Owen Parsons (removing) on the premises, New House Farm, near Meopham, Kent.

The valuable livestock comprises 5 useful draught horses, one active nag horse, a milch cow in calf, pigs and poultry.

The dead stock consists of 2 strong wagons, 3 good dung carts, 2 turnwrest ploughs, rolls, ox and other harrows, harness for 4 horses complete, hop poles, fire wood etc; and various articles of household furniture, brewing utensils etc .....

Sale to commence at 12 o'clock precisely


28 December 1832 - Election Malpractices
Liverpool Mercury

At the West Kent election, Mr Rider said, 12 months ago the (secret) ballot would have had its opposition, but during the present elections he had been witness to such a system of corruption and intimidation that he was convinced that a full and fair exercise of the elective franchise could not be secured without it, and if returned to Parliament he should give his best support to that measure.  Long Continued cheering.

Mr Rider was elected in 1832 for the Liberal party.  However it was not until the 1874 General Election that the secret ballot was used.


11 November 1834 - A Robber Shot
Kentish Gazette

On Wednesday night, Mr Murley, a gentleman of Meopham, was disturbed at midnight, by the shutting of the door of his poultry house.  He immediately arose, and notwithstanding his age (between 70 and 80) armed himself with a gun and proceeded to the spot, he found the door nearly closed and pushed it open with the muzzle of his gun, when he observed two men inside, one of whom, he states, put his hand on the barrel of the piece, when he (Mr M) drew back, and at the same instant received a blow from a bludgeon, which felled him to the ground and for the moment stunned him, on recovering from the effects of the blow, he missed the gun from his hand and saw the men mking off, one being borne on the back of the other, with his clothes on fire.  Mr M returned into the house, and arming himself with a sword, again ventured out, and found the gun near to where he fell, and on further search observed a basket containing various articles of provision, and a gabardine in which a dozen of his fowls had been deposite by the thieves.   The wounded man was carried only a short distance by his companion, who left him under a hedge, where his groans were heard by Mr M during the remainder of the night, but apprehensive of danger, he was deterred fro going to his assistance, and he remained there till about half past four o'clock, when Mr M hearing some labourers going to work, called to them, and with them went in search of the unfortunate wretch, whom they found in a deplorable condition, and conveyed him to a neighbouring beer house.  The delinquent says Mr M was not struck until he had discharged the gun.  Surgical assistance was procured from Gravesend, and on examination it was found that the thigh bone was dreadfully shattered, the charge having passed through the small clothes, leaving a hole on each side not much larger than the muzzle of the gun, the orifice on each side of the clothes being alike burnt, as if the fire had passed through with the charge.  But faint hopes are entertained of his recovery.  His name is Charles Day, from the neighbouring parish of Hartley, and he has a family of 6 children; he refused to name his companion.  Mr M's family, consisting of his wife, 2 maid servants and a grandchild were, as may be imagined, dreadfully alarmed at seeing his head and face covered with blood, and they were during the encounter screaming and calling loudly for assistance  We understand that on Monday the Earl of Darnley and William M Smith esq, justices of the county, examined numerous witnesses, and that Day, and also a neighbour and companion of his, named John Hollands having been distinctly identified by Mr Muley, the latter has been fully commited for trial at the next Kent Assizes, and a warrant for the commital of the former will be put in force as soon as he can be removed with safety.

Charles Day was born in Hartley and lived at the time in Hartley Bottom Road, probably at Goldsmiths Cottage or possibly the next door Skips Cottage.  In spite of the injuries he lived to the age of 83, and was able to work as a farm labourer.  See 4 August 1835 for details of the trial.


24 November 1834 - Passenger traffic from Gravesend to London
South Eastern Gazette - public notice

London and Gravesend Railway Company being a continuation of the London and Greenwich Viaduct (to be incorporated by Act of Parliament).  Capital £600,000 in 30,000 shares of £20 each, deposit 10 shillings per share........

The London and Greenwich Railway, having received the sanction of Parliament, and a considerable portion of hte works being already performed and now fast advancing towards compleiton, within the estimates originally made, it has occurred to many persons who are friendly to that undertaking, as well as to the general formation of railways, that an extension of that mode of communication from Greenwich to Gravesend would not only prove an advantageous investment for capital, but to a commercial and political point of view, of the greatest public benefit.  A meeting has therefore taken place, under the auspices of the gentlemen whose naes are enumerated above, for the purpose of carrying the proposed measure into immediate operation, who have entered into a subscription whith other gentlemen for the purpose of defraying the expenses of a survey and application to parliament.

The advantages of a railway communication to all persons engaged in business who resort to Gravesend and particularly those connected with the arrival and departure of the foreign mails, numerous Indiamen and other vessels, which aare frequently and necessarily detained there, as well as to all persons travelling to every town on the Canterbury and Dover road and the coast of Kent, must in this case be peculiarly striking, more especially as the time will thereby be reduced from an average of 2 hours and a half to one hour.

An arrangement, satisfactory to both parties, has been effected between the gentlemen concerned in this undertaking and the Greenwich Railway Company, for the passage of their engines and carriages along the Greenwich Viaduct.

The ascertained number of passengers going by steam boats to and from London and Gravesend alone, during the last year, exceeded 750,000.

The following is an estimate of the returns derived from the present traffic on the line of the road, founded upon railway charges.

Stage Coach Passengers £25,884
Parcels by coaches and vans £5,237
Posting, and travelling by private carriages £9,325
Goods by common carriers £2,234
Goods by private carts not common carriers £5,780
Fish now actually forwarded by land carriage £265
Steam Boat passengers, 1/10 of the number now travelling between London and Gravesend £11,250

Total £59,975

Deduct Annual expense of locomotive power, repairs, taxes, rates, salaries and management £25,000

Net annual income £34,975

Nothing is assumed in this estimate for any indirect traffic on the Maidstone, or Ashford and Folkestone roads (although the committee believe that they might calculate upon a considerable revenue from that source), nor for any increase of traffic resulting from this improved mode of conveyance.  In the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and other similar undertakings, and increase in the item of passengers alone  has been proved to have taken place to an extent varying from 75 to 300 per cent.

To accomplish this object, itis proposed that a coapital of £600,000 shall be raised 30,000 shares of £20 each; and that a deposit of 10 shillings per share shall be paid on subscribing, which shall be held applicable to defray all the incidental expenses incurred in preparing for, and obtaining an act of parliament etc.

The subscribers to be answerable beyond the amount of their actual deposits, should the act not be obtained; and if obtained, not beyond the amount of their respective subscriptions....

When the bill came before parliament it was lost, local MP Sir William Geary supported it, but Greenwich MP John Angerstein apposed.  George Young, MP for Tynmouth from a firm of shipbuilders was also opposed - could this be because the proponents of the bill thought they would take a lot of the steamer trade?  The Admiralty were also known to oppose a line east of Greenwich.  In 1836 the South Eastern Railway won the right from Parliament to construct a line from London to Dover via Dartford and Gravesend, but it was not until 1849 that the line reached Gravesend.

This prospectus gives an interesting insight into the amount of passenger traffic on the roads and river at the time, but it must be remembered that these are estimates.  At the time passenger fares averaged 2d per mile, so the revenue suggested that they reckoned annual road traffic between Gravesend and Greenwich to London was 4.23 million passenger miles, with a further 16.5m passenger miles for the mainly tourist river traffic to Gravesend.  Today the rail traffic from Gravesend alone amounts to over 60 million passenger miles annually.


4 August 1835 - Burglary at Meopham
Kentish Gazette

Charles Day and John Holland were indicted for burglarously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Mr John Murley of Hoo(k) Green near Meopham in October last.  This case excited considerable interest, in consequence of the helpless state of Day, who was carried into court in a chair, and seemed to be in a most pitiable condition.  Both prisoners pleaded not guilty.  It appeared from the evidence of the prsecutor that on the night of the burglary, he had gone to bed at 10 o'clock, having first seen that the house was fastened up.  About 12 he was awoke by hearing the flapping of a door, which being repeated he took a gun and went down into the fowl-house, and by the light of the moon he saw two men.  He asked them what they were doing there.  The made no reply, but Day seized hold of the gun and tried to pull it out of his hands.  During the struggle the prisoner Holland struck the prosecutor on the head with a stick; he received a severe wound, and fell to the ground where he remained insensible.  When he recovered his senses he saw Holland carrying Day, whose clothes were on fire, the gun had gone off and wounded him in the thigh.  Prosecutor then went into his house, and got another gun and a sword, but did not see the men, he afterwards found Day in hte pathway moaning, with a severe wound in his thigh.  It was stated that Holland's character had been previously good.  The jury found both the prisoners guilty, but recommended Holland to mercy on account of good character.  The learned judge, after consulting the surgeon of the gaol concerning the wound of Day, and learning that he would never again be able to maintain himself, passed a sentence of 3 months' imprisonment.  He passed this sentence not as a punishment, for the sufferings he had already undergone had been a severe one, but to enable him to receive those attentions which his unfortunate situation required.  Holland was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the House of Correction, and hard labour.


17 February 1838 - Pigeon shooting at Longfield Hill
Kentish Mercury

A grand match was shot at Longfield Hill on Thursday, February 15h 1838 between W Andrus and W Benstead of the same place, against Albert Dorrington and Mr Cheyne at 14 birds each, which unfortunately, through a wrangle was not decided.  Each man shot his birds, till a baker, of the name of Mannerson, of Lowfield Street, shot one of Mr Benstead's birds within the bounds, which caused the disturbance.  Another match then came off between William Andrus and Mr Cheyne, at 5 birds each, ast which each man killed his birds.  This being a tie they shot at 5 more birds, when another tie took place, as each many shot 4 birds.  It being now dark, and too late for any more sport, the match will be finished next Thursday at Meopham.  A second match came off between W Cooper of Sutton, and H Andrus of Hartley, at 5 birds each.  Mr Andrus won by killing all his birds, and Mr Cooper lost through his bird (although shot), falling out of bounds.  The evening was convivially finished at the Green Man, Longfield Hill.


3 October 1840 - Local education and new Hartley School
West Kent Guardian
The report mentions the two new schools built at Hartley and Meopham.  The attitudes of the speakers are very interesting.  None of them appear to believe in education to better the prospects of the poor, but rather as a form of social control.  This is summed up in one comment: "The best policeman was the schoolmaster; the best gaol was the schoolhouse or the church".

Meeting of the Societies for Promoting Christian Knowledge and National Education

This meeting, which took place at the Town Hall, Gravesend, on Thursday, the 24th instant, was announced for one o'clock, but owing to the unpropitious state of the weather it did not commence till 2pam, at which hour W M Smith esq of Camer, took the chair, supported by the Venerable the Archdeacon of Rochester, he Revs Dr Joynes, Messrs Stokes, Lonsdale (Principal of King's College), Hindle, Edmeades, Heberden, Johnston, Alcock, Kyle, Day, Tate, Irish, Allfree Otley, Dixon, and W Gladdish esq on the platform.  The meeting was opened with a prayer by the Rev J Stokes.  The chairman began the business of the day by briefly alluding to the comparative thinness of the assembly, occasioned by the state of the weather, and after expressing a hope that the interests of the society would not suffer, concluded by calling on the Rev A Tate the Secretary to read the report; from which it appeared that grants had been made from the local association in the course of the last year to assist in the erection of school houses at Meopham, and at Hartley, and that the inhabitants of Stone and Swanscombe, stimulated by this association, had raised subscriptions sufficient to build a school for the two parishes.  The total receipts for the Christian Knowledge Society for the past year ammount to £79 14s 4d, of which £39 18s 2d arose out of the sale of books.

The expendiure during the same period was £71 6s, a sum of £5 having ben ahded over tot eh aprient society for its general purposes, hte balance in hand is £3 8s 4d.  The distribution of books from depository had been as follows: 96 Bibles, 63 New Testaments, 167 Prayer Books, 2,840 books and tracts.  Total 3,166 publications.  

The Rev Heberden moved, and the Rev J Day seconded the adoption of the above report.

The Venerable Archdeacon of Rochester in moving the second resolution, which was as follows 'That this meeting, convinced that no greater benefit under Divin Providence, can be furnished through the instrumentality of man to the poor and nation at large than a sound religious education, and gratefully recognises the aid which the National Society has ever received from the SPCK, approve their united operation, and recommend the objects to public support', said ....... he felt that there was such a call upon him now, and this was what induced him to come forward.  Teh question of national education was one of vital importance  It was in fact, the question of questions.  He would not go into details, but confine himself to one of two important points, first, he would endeavour to shew from the facts and figures, the connexions between the want of education and the increase of crime; and secondly,t he quantity of education that was required for the people of this country.........  In England and Wales, during the course of the last year, there were 73,612 persons put on their trial.  Of this number 8,464 were utterly without education; 12,298 were imperfectly educated, and only 300 had received what could be called a decent education.  It was an appalling fact, and one that strongly proved the necessity of a system of national education, tht 2,654 of these persons wer 14,15 or 16 years of age.  There surely must be a great want of education, since so many of that ge ould be found in the criminal list.  He would come still nearer home.  The population of all England and Wales was 15 million; that of all Kent 500,000.  Now the persons accused of crim in Kent during the last year had been 896 whereas, according to the proportion of the population, to that of the entire county, it should have been 766, a frightful proof of the effect of want of education.  Of this number 128 were under the age of 16, whereas, according to the proportion of the population, 88 should have been the number.  He considered nother further necessary, after these facts, to prove his part of his statement, and would therefore proceed.  In the second place, to point out the quantity and exent of the education required.  He would remind them that the population in England and Wales was 15 million; the proportion of these under education ought to be 4.5 million, but  in point of fact not more than 1.5 million were receiving education, and at least a half of these received no instruction except from Sunday Schools.  In this district alone, there were at least 3,000 children who ought to be receiving education, of which number only one half were receiving it, and 500 only Sunday Scholars.  Part of those who received daily instruction obtained it at private schools, or dame schools or similar places.  Of all Protestant countries he believed this to be the worst, in point of national education; for let England be considered in reference to other countries, Denmark was about the best specimen, perhaps, in Europe; its population was about 2 million, amongst whom were abut 300,000 children, of whom 278,500 were under education.  Prussia with 14 million of populatio and 2.8 million children, had 2,250,000 in her schools.  France 33 million, children 4.8 million, of whom 2 million were educated............. After these facts, he would briefly conclude by saying, that if he were to appeal to the charity of the meeting, he would have a right to do so; for no cause was dearer to God than the one relating to the salvation of the soul.  But he might go beyond the mere point of duty, and shew them that it was their best interest to promote this cause, as there could not be a more effective way to keep the country in general, and their own neighbourhood in particular, peaceable, orderly, and quiet.  The best policeman was the schoolmaster; the best gaol was the schoolhouse or the church; and if they knew the superior value of preventive to punitive measures - and if they therefore promoted the extension of schools and of churches, they would soon discover a sufficient reward for their expense and labour in the increasing tranquility and virtue of the land.  They could not stop the course of national education; he know that it had many opponents; that there were many who had actually set their faces against it, he could scarsely say why; but it seemed to hi that it would scarcely be a want of charity to suppose that they had not been really well educated themselves, and not therefore having derived any benefit from the instruction which they had themselves received, they wee the less willing to incur expense and trouble to extend it to others what they had not found a blessing in their own case.  The National Society was however progressing, notwithstanding their opposition.  It was formed in the yer 1811, and from that period up to the year 1837 its income had never reached to £11,000; indeed, in the year last mentioned, it was but £1,054, and had but 560 subscribers; but in the year 1839 its income amounted to £21,000 and it could number 12,000 staunch friends.  This resolution spoke of the connexion between the National Society and the SPCK, and he ought to observe that £5,000 of the above large increase in the income of the former of these societies was derived from a grant from the latter....  In its first formation it embraced not only its present objects, but those also of the National Society and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and within 40 years from the date of its establishment it had founded upwards of 2,000 schools; since 1811 it has confined itself to the supply of books to the schools; last year it had given away £5,000 in such a manner as to occasion a saving of £14,000 to the funds of the National Society.  The meeting ought to remember that he was now pleading for those who could not assist themselves to obtain a good education without the aid of such societies as those under their consideraion.  If the poorer classes were not instructed by them, they never could afford to obtain instruction at all.  Those who heard him expected to be well and faithfully served by their inferiors, but how could they reasonably expect this if they left them untuaght in every right principle.  He concluded by saying "Let us only give the poor a really good, a religious education, and they never will be able to call us their debtors.".........

The resolution was put and carried unanimously.

The Rev Dr Joynes moved the 3rd resolution, which was as follows: 'That this society views with satisfaction the efforts that have been ade during the past year towards the establishment of schools for the children of the poor in neighbouring villages.'  The Rev Dr began by expressing his conviction, that there was no need for saying uch after the eloquent address of the Venerable Archdeacon.  The destitution spoken of was a matter of fact, which needed few illustrations, but he would employ one  There was scarcely a week in which emigrant ships did not stop in the river here on their wasy to Nova Scotia, Canada or Australia.  This was in itself a proof of the increase of population in this country; as the population inreased, the means of obaining support by labour decreased; until the poor man's only hope of bettering his condition lay in emigration.  It followed hence that emigration proved that the labouring man in this country, was in want of means to live - how much more must he be in want of means to educate his children, unless assisted by this and similar societies?  The meeting or country might reason as they would, but they must ultimately come to the conclusion, that unless the poor were educated by their country, the mass of the must remain ignorant.  He had heard that in four alone of the great manufacturing towns of the north, there were no fewer than 84,000 young persons utterly uninstructed; and he would ask what must be the ultimate lot of this great number, but that they would swell the crowds of disorderly and vicious by which our manufacturing districts were already disgraced....... Now, if we were only to think of the consequences to ourselves, we shoudl see that this was launchig on the world tens of thousands of mischievous creatures hastening on to another world, without the least restraint on their willingness to injure ourselves.  If we were only to think of their happiness we should be inclined to help them; the labouring man cannot always find employment; what judgement is he to follow when he finds himself destitute of the means of support?  If he be not educated and therefore not in the habit of exercising his mental powers, there is nothing that he is more likely to do, than to follow his animal propensities to any excess of profligacy or violence, to which they may lead him.  If we were to look to his eternal interests, we ought ot remember, that the totally uneducated poor an has not been taught to look up for that divine guidance and grace, without which we can do nothing.  He therefore lives a mere animal life, and we have no right to suppose that, after years spent in all the all the misery of sin and vice, he will a length be launched into heaven by a miracle.  The age of miracles is past, and heaven works by means and though we may say that the labouring classes have the means, that they have Bibles, churches, ministers, and other means of instruction, yet, unless they be trained to it, they have no idea of using those means  Can we patiently sit by, whilst we have all these blessings ourselves abundantly, knowing that the children of the poor are exposed to such deprivations?  Nay, our own interest demanded an effort on this point.  A single mischievous servant might destroy the repose of a family.  The very comfort of our neighbourhood might be destroyed by the ignorance of the poor.  In walking from his own house to the Town Pier, he might be exposed to many annoyances from the want of education of the populace.  A drunken man might stagger against him with an oath, a beggar might interrupt him by his impertenance, and to this and the like the whole community might be exposed, so long as the mass of the population were untaught...........   Now he would say, that those 84,000 uneducated children in the four greatest towns, of which he had spoken, were likely to be the future chartists and socialists, and if the public did not educate them on scripture principles, they would be ready to break out presently.  Every one who was really a man of humanity would rather send a poor child to school to learn what is good, than to gaol for doing what was wrong.  We did not know what might be the future destiny of our country, but whatever calamity, whatever trial, whatever chastisement it might please God to send us, we ought to try to have the labouring classes ready to comfort us by their obediance and good under such visitations; we should therefore give a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether to educate the children of the poor; so shall we most effectually keep the whole country united, orderly and happy.

The Rev J P Alcock, in seconding the resolution, said that he felt he had strong reasons for supporting such a cause as this.  He was thankful for his own education; he felt it had been a blessing to himself, and he was anxious to extend the same benefit to others; he also remembered that one of the societies, whose cause he now pleaded, the National Society, had made a grant of £50 towards the erection of a building for a Sunday School in a parish of which had the charge some years since; he had felt it his duty to spend 3 hours every Sunday in that school, and he had the most convincing proofs of hte lasting benefits which it had conferred on the parish.  He had lately had occasion to visit that place, and he had not only had the pleasure of hearing that many of the young people trained in that school had turned out well, and were giving satisfaction to their employers, but the still higher gratification of receiving the blessings of many of their parents for the good which he had been the means of conveying to their children.  He would take the liberty of defining education in its true sense.  It was a training not for time only, but for eternity.  Whatever else might be taught, it was essential to impres on the mind of every child, that he had an immortal and responsible soul - that there was a God, who saw and judged every thought and action - that he had a Saviour, who died for his reconciliation - and that a future and eternal state of rewards and punishments awaited him..........  This country had within the last few years, expended £20 million in ransoming the best Indian slaves, and yet with a strange inconsistency was leaving thousands of factory children uneducated, and in all the slavery of ignorance (the £20m was the compensation paid to slave owners when slavery was abolished in 1833, equivalent to £16.5bn today).  The population of the country was daily increasing, and yet we had done little in church extension, or religious education.  Thousands have, through other means, recieved some instruction in literature, and what has been the consequence? Why, that we may find newspapers filled with abuse of everything that is venerable or holy, assailing private character and venting their filth not only against the throne, but against the majesty of God himself, read by thousands, while religious education was at a low ebb.  We had neglected to build schools, but we had built workhouses.  We had built jails, we had sent convicts by ship-loads to our penal colonies; we had neglected their spiritual interests there.  Such was not the system appointed by God himself............  Such was the testimony alike of the Scriptures and of the national church, as to the duty of Christian education; and he might adduce the testimony of their own feelings also.  They might go through a parish - they might look at the schoolhouse - they might admire the neatness of the building, and its apparent fitness for the purposes for which it was intended - but they would not be satisfied unless they were assured that a good education was given within.  The National Society exerted itself to satisfy them on that point; for it not only assisted in building and furnishing the schoolhouse, but it did what was of infinitely more importance.  It trained the teachers in the best methods of scriptural instruxtion, in order that the children, being taught to read an to understand the Word of God, and having the catechism and other formularies of our church impressed upon their minds, might go forth ready to give a reason for the hope that was in them ,might go forth thankful to thier school, to their church, to their Queen, and to their country, and might shew this thankfulness by becoming good and useful members of society.  And the blessings of such an institution often reached furhter than the school or the scholar.  He had himself conducted a Sunday School in one parish for more than 5 years; and in many instances he had found the parents had been instructed by their own children.  Some might feel inclined to ask what they could do much by their subscriptions, and still more by inviting their friends and neighbours to aid a society which extended such benefits to the rising generation.

The resolution being then put, was carried unanimously.

The Rev A Tate, in moving the 4th resolution, 'That the SPCK, from the care which it has taken of the wants of the people, deserves universal support', said he would simply allude to the operations, origin, and nature of that Society.  It was originally and necessarily a School Society; for in distributing Bibles, prayer books and other religious publications it had found the necessity of first teaching many of the poor to read.  It accordingly founded several schools in the metropolis, many of which continue to the present day......  About 10 years ago there had been a number of incendiary fires in this part of the country; and this, he maintained, was a proof of the ignorance of the peasantry, on one point in particular, on the nature of fire insurances, for, thad they understood these, they would have been awre that they were not, by their lawless proceedings, inflicting the slightest injury on the farmers, whom they so foolishly thought their enemies but a heavy one on a mercentile body with which they could never come into contact, they would have abstained from such a method of shewing their displeasure.  

(newspaper says they have run out of space to report further)
15 December 1840 - Theft of horse at Hartley Court
Maidstone Journal

Stolen from the stable of Mr William Bensted of Hartley Court near Meopham, Kent on Saturday night, the 12th or early on Sunday morning the 13th December 1840.  A black chaise mare, about 16 hands high, broken winded, with saddle marks and switch tail, the property of Mr John Jordan, Auctioneer, Milton next Sittingbourne.  A reward of £5 will be paid on conviction of the offender or offenders by applying to Mr John Jordan, Milton.  14 December 1840

I cannot find any evidence that anyone was charged for this crime.


10 April 1841 - Acquitted of theft from Hartley Court
West Kent Guardian

West Kent Quarter Sessions: Thomas Beven and John Day were charge with stealing 2 trusses of hay, the property of William Benstead at Hartley.  Mr Rose conducted the prosecution for Mr Bodkin and Mr Espinass for the prisoners.

Mr Richardson, servant to the prosecutor, deposed that on the night of the 27th of March, his master had 18 trusses of hay in the stable, and on Sunday morning the 28th he went to the stable and found only 16 trusses.

Mr Benstead, the prosecutor said from information received, he proceeded on the morning of the 28th towards Foxberry Wood, where he traced the hay stolen from his stable, from thence to a field into the high road to Hartley Bottom, where the prisoner Bevan keeps a public house, and in the prisoner's barn found the 2 trusses of hay which he had lost.  The prisoner Bevan said he knew not how it came there.

The Chairman said there was nothing against Day, and therefore ordered his discharge; and the jury acquitted Bevan.

The Quarter Sessions tried middling crimes between the Petty Sessions and the Assizes.  They were overseen by magistrates with a jury and met at the 4 quarter days of the year.  Quarter Sessions and the Assizes were replaced by Crown Courts in 1972.  The report gives us the historically correct pronounciation of Foxborough Wood and mentions the former King's Arms pub in Hartley Bottom Road, now Hartley Bottom Farm.


13 July 1841 - Missing person
Maidstone Journal

Hartley - this retired village has been in a state of excitement some days past, in consequence of the mysterious disappearance of a woman named Ann Day.  Several letters have been received by her friends, stating that she intended to commit suicide, having been rejected by her lover; they have made strict search in the vicinity for the woman, but have not yet succeeded in discovering her; her friends are in great alarm.

There is a problem with identifying Ann Day.  In the 1841 census 3 months' earlier there are two Anns living in Hartley, but they are 7 and 5, so can't possibly be the Ann of the story.  I cannot find any follow up to this story.


7 August 1841 - Fears of Grave Robbing
West Kent Guardian

Hartley - Singular Circumstance - Some years ago, a lady who died at this place was buried at Offham in this county; a few days since the coffin plate belonging to the deceased was found in a field at Darenth, the inscription being very legible.  This affair has caused much sensation among the friends of the deceased, who intend to have the grave opened to see if the remains are there; for it is supposed the body was disinterred by resurrectionists.

Resurrectionist is another term for grave robber.  Fortunately the local versions of Burke and Hare were not responsible.  The same paper of 21 August 1841 reported "A paragraph recently appeered in the papers respecting a coffin plate where the body had been interred.  The grave has since been opened and the coffin and plate undisturbed, so that there must have been two plates made, one of which most probably was thrown away, and was found as desribed."


30 November 1841 - Lost dog found
South Eastern Gazette

Gone astray on the 6th September 1841: A black and white pointer dog.  Whoever has lost the same may obtain it by applying to Mr William Treadwell, at the Black Lion, Hartley, on paying the expenses involved.


9 March 1847 - Vandalism at Fawkham
Maidstone Journal
This refers to the remains of the old manor house of Fawkham, which was in the field by the church.

Fawkham - A short time since C R Smith esq, brought before the members of the British Archaeological Association, at their public meeting in Sackville Street, an act of vandalism, which he had been informed had been perpetrated at Fawkham, in this county during the past winter.  A J Dunkin esq followed upon the same subject, and observed that it was too true the ruins of the ancient manor house, an engraving of which would be found in Thorpe's Custumale Roffense, had been finally pulled down during the winter of 1846-7, by a man named John Longhurst, who rented the field in which they stood of the Selbys of the Mote, Ightham, and it had been stated without the knowledge and consequently the permission of the owner.  The flints and stones of whih it had been composed were sold at the rate of 9d per load to Richard Austen of Greenhithe, to ment the Dover road between Ingress Park Swanscombe and Galley Hall, in the same parish.  2 or 3 silver coins of the Edwards had been met with, which had been sent to London for sale.  It was much to be regretted tha the clergyman of the parish had not taken some steps to preserve the ruins, which were exceedingly picturesque.  But unfortunately there was an utilitarian spirit in the parish which had actually regarded the vandal act as exceedingly meritorious, from the sale of the materials having given bread and cheese to a man and family.  He hoped as here were some fine specimens of painted glass still in the windows of the church, a more conservative feeling would be created for these memorials of piety of our medieval ancestors.  Mr Dunkin thenn promised to obtain further particulars to lay before the association at an early period, and it was finally resolved that a party of archaeologists should be formed to visit the church and examine the glass and edifice.  One of the brasses in the chancel of the church was inscribed in Roman Capitals -

"Here lyeth interred Richard Meredyth
Esquire clerk of the Catrye, unto Queen
Elizabeth and unto King James, who de-
eased the 5th of June 1607 leaving behind
him Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Hum-
phrey Michell esquire adn 4 sons
Humfrey, Richard, Edmond & John"


16 March 1847 - Vandalism at Fawkam, the Rector speaks
Maidstone Journal

Sirs,
A paragraph having appeared in your last journal respecting the destruction of a small ruin in the parish of Fawkham, and regretting that the clergyman of the parish had not taken some steps to preserve it.  I beg to state, as rector of Fawkham, that not being now resident there, I was not at all aware that such a proceeding was even contemplated, and was much surprised and annoyed, on passing the spot accidently, to find the work of destruction was nearly completed.  I immediately called on the person occupying teh land, but was told that it was done with the full knowledge and consent of the proprietor.  I felt therefore that I had no further right to interfere, though much regretting that such permission should have been given.

I beg to add taht I have been always intereset in the preservation of the ruin, and when it came to my knowledge some few years ago, that a similar proceeding was contemplated by the father of the present tenant, I wrote to Mr Selby of Ightham Mote, then the proprietor, and succeeded in rescuing it from destruction; and had I been aware of the intended destruction I should certainly have taken the liberty of interceding with the present proprietor.

I beg to assure the members of the British Archaeological Association that I fully participate in their praiseworthy anxiety for the preservation of any memorials of the piety of our ancestors which still exist i the parish.

I am, sir, your obedient servant, P Salwey, Ash Rectory.


30 March 1847 - Vandalism at Fawkham, the owner speaks
Maidstone Journal

Sir,
Since my arrival at this place on Tuesday last from my residence in Northumberland, my attention has been directed to a letter which appeared in the Maidstone Journal of the 16th ultimo, from the Rev P Salwey, Rector of the parish of Fawkham, relative to the destruction of an ancient ruin within the precincts of that parish, by the occupier of he ground upon which it stood.  In that connectio Mr Salwey states that on passing the spot accidentally, he found the work of destruction nearly completed, and upon calling upon the occupier of the land was informed by him that it was done with the full knowledge and consent of the proprietor.

Now being the proprietor of the piece of ground in question and anxious to free myself fro the odium to which my consent to such an act of vandalism would justly subject me, I beg to inform the public and more especially the antiquarian and archaeologist through the medium of your journal, that the tenant in making such an assertion offered a most deliberate and impudent falsehood.  No permission indeed could have been grante, as no application for such a purpose has ever been made by the tenant since I came into possession of the property.

Noone, I assure you, can more sincerly regret the destruction of so venerable a relic than myself, and it was with a feelign of the deepest indignation I heard of the lawless and unjustifiable conduct of this person on my arrival from the north.  I have also greatly to regret that Mr Salwey had not been [....] made aware of the intended demolition of these interesting remains, [.....] communication from him, either addressed to myself, or my daughter Mrs [.....] residing at Ightham Mote would have sufficed to prevent this lawless [.......] I may be allowed to add as a further excuse for the ignorance in which I remained as to the [......] of the latter, that the piece of ground upon which the ruin stood and rented by him, is the only property I possess in the parish of Fawkham, and that it is at a distance of 12 or 14 miles from Ightham Mote.......

I am sir, your obedient servant, PJ Selby, Ightham Mote


3 July 1847 - Women's Cricket
Kentish Independent
There is only one reference I know, of Hartley having a men's cricket team earlier than this.  Alas no names of the players are given.  The article refers to the height of the stumps in this match being 48 inches, under the 1829 laws of the game, the normal height would be 27 inches.  Battledores were early badminton racquets

Gravesend - Novel Cricket Match - On Tuesday last, the first cricket match between females it was ever our lot to witness, came off in the cricket field at the Bat and Ball, and attracted numerous spectators.  The ladies were selected one side from Longfield, Hartley and Meopham, the other from Singlewell.  The game was called cricket, but was really a modification, the wickets about 4 feet high, had a round piece of board at the top, a foot or more in diameter, which it was necessary for the ball to strike to bowl a player out.  The bats were battledores, and the ball a light one.  The women batted with great spirit and energy, and the fielding was as may be imagined capital fun.  The match was not played out, but at a late hour when the wickets were drawn, the Shinglewell dames had the advantage in the first innings, by some 20 runs.  A band was on the ground and some dances on the grass were got up in the course of the afternoon.  In the evening the cricketers and their friends took tea together, and a day of exuberant fun, merriment, and good humour, wound up with a dance in the pavilion, which was kept up with great spirit.


11 January 1848 - Petition against hop taxes
Kentish Gazette
The question of hop duty came up regularly in Parliament at this time.  It was finally abolished in 1862.

To the hop growers of the county of kent.  We the undersigned hop growers, respectfully request the attendance of the hop growers generally of hte county of Kent, at the Star Inn, Maidstone, on Thursday January 13th 1848, to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the repeal of excise duty on home grown hops.

(25 signatures, including W Bensted - Hartley, W W & J Armstrong - Southfleet, Edward Collier - Southfleet)


14 May 1848 - Pigeon Shooting
Bells Life
Live pigeon shooting for sport was outlawed in 1921.  The King's Arms pub has since become Hartley Bottom Farm.

At Mr Hayes' King's Arms, Hartley Bottom, Kent on Tuesday lat, Mr Ward beat Mr Slanter, at 5 pigeons each for £5, killing all.  Mr Tilden bat Mr Waters at 5 each for £2, killing 4.  Mr Hassell beat 5 others at 5 each, 10s each.  Mr Smith beat Mr Walters at 5 each fo £2.  Other matches were shot.  Morris of the Old Kent Road supplied the birds.


1 July 1848 - Cricket Sutton at Hone v Hartley
West Kent Guardian

Sutton at Hone - On Thursday last a match of Cricket was played in the field adjoining Court Lodge, Homestead, between 11 of Hartley and 11 of Sutton, which after some exceedingly good play on either side terminated in the very uncommon circumstance of each side having scored the same number of runs, viz 88; consequently the game was decided by the first innings.  Hartley scored 54 and 34; Sutton 28 and 60.


2 November 1849 - Cholera at Hartley
Daily News

The Cholera - England and Wales
Record of deaths from cholera and diarrhoea reported to the General Board of Health the 1st of November 1849:

Superintendent Registrar's District
......
Dartford (Hartley) - Cholera 1
......
Total (Great Britain) - Cholera 56, Diarrhoea 18.


Looking at the Burial register, the case was probably William Longhurst, aged 45, who was buried 3 November 1845.  The previous report had been 22 October 1849.


13 February 1850 - No drink at Dartford Workhouse
Morning Chronicle
Poor people in Hartley needing relief would have been sent to the Dartford Workhouse.  It might be wondered how much of the estate would have been left after all the lawyers' fees were paid.

Attorney General v Vint (before Sir J L Knight Bruce)
This was an information filed upon the relation of Mr F P ampbell, a guardian of the poor of Dartford Union, in Kent.  The defendants were the trustees and executors of the will of a Miss Grace Say, of Gartley House, near Dartford.  The information prayed that a legacy of £1,000 (which had accumulated to £1,223 17s 7d) Consols bequeathed by the testatrix might either be ordered to be transferred, and trusts thereof declared by the codicil for the benefit of poor inmates of the Dartford Union workhouse, or that, if necessary, a scheme might be approved.  The testatrix by her codicil bequeathed £1,000 Consols to her trustees and executors "upon trust to pay and apply the dividends to the providing each of the poor inmates of the Dartford Union workhouse who shall be above the age of 60 years with one pint of porter, more or less, according the number."  The testatrix died in August 1841.  It appeared that the executors, being doubtful as to the power of carrying out the intentions of the testatrix, had cuased application to be made to the poor law commissioners upon the subject, and had been informed by them that by the 91st, 92nd and 93rd secions of the Poor Law Amendment Act [1834], it was not lawful to introduce fermented or spirituous liquors inot any workhouse unless by the direction of the surgeon or guardians, or in conformity with the rules of the poor law commissioners.  At the same time they intimated that should this court decide the bequest was valid, and could be carried into effect, every facility would be afforded by them to ensure to the objects of the testatrix's bounty so far as it could legally be done, the benefits pointed out by the codicil.

Mr Russell and Mr Hallett, for the relator, contended that the bequest was good as a charitable legacy, and at all events could be carried out by cy pres, if by the Poor Law Amendment Act, it could not be precisely and literally carried into effect.

The Vice-Chancellor: Is the law in such a state that it is to be made a matter of grave argument, wither it is lawful to give a poor person above 60 a pint of porter?  Is that the case to be argued?

Mr Roundell Palmer and Mr G L Russell for the executors, said they did not wish to raise any difficulty, and the parties who would take the amount in the event of failure of the bequest were very desirous that, if possible, the poor should receive the benefit intended for them.

The Vice-Chancellor: All that is necessary is to direct that the fund shall be applied so far as it may be consistently with these sections of the act of Parliament, and if there should be a surplus, in consequence of the prohibition by the proper authorities, which cannot be so applied, then it must be applied in some other way.

Mr R Palmer said that he did not intend to argue before the court that the bequest was invalid as a charitable bequest although he would reminde the court of the case of Cherry v Mott decided by the Lord Chancellor, which tended to throw a doubt on it.

The Vice-Chancellor: I do not think any difficulty can arise.  All that is neessary to be done is to provide in the decree that the act shall be obeyed - namedly, that no porter (which is, at least I suppose ought to be, a fermented liquor) shall be used except in conformity with the act of Parliament; the fund to be applied to the purpose directed by the testator, so far as it is consistent with the 91st, 92nd and 93rd sections  This is a very kind and good natured bequest, I hope it ay be ofudn that the executors are able to carry it out.  Let the amount be paid to the vicar for the time being, in order to be by him applied to the purposes directed by the will, so far as the same may be done consistently with the act of Parliament.  And in case any difficulties or impediment shall arise in this way of employing the dividends, then with liberty to apply to the court.  That will answer every purpose.  Of course the law must be obeyed  Would it not be cy pres to give the amount in tea and sugar?  That we must all know to be lawful.  It has occurred to most of us to send things of that sort as little indulgences whih the poor may have according to the rules.  The expenses of this litigation may be reasonably argued to have been increased by the supposed necessity for a scheme, which in fact, the information proposes.  Therefore, I cannot hear anything as to that question  I direct the costs of the suit up this time - except at the hearing - on both sides to be paid out of the estate, asnd as to the cost of the hearing to be borne by each party, the executors bearing their own, and the charity its own  It will be better that the vicar should at the most convenient season state the manner in which the income had been administered.  Let the vicar, at the first general vestry after Good Friday in every year, lay before the vestry an account of the manner in which the income had been expended.


12 March 1850 - Horse for Service
South Eastern Gazette
Metal had a racing career in 1837-1838.

For Service, this season, 1850.
Metal, the property of Mr W Treadwell of Hartley, Kent at 2 guineas each mare and 5s the groom.  Metal is a beautiful chestnut, 5 years old, stands 16 hands high, with immense bone and substance, was got by Metal his dam by Sir Peter, by Worthy, the wonderful trotter; his dam by Orisis; Osiris by Sir Peter Teazle, out of Ibis by Woodpecker, out of Isabella by Eclipse.

Metal, bred by Captain Lamb in 1834, by Winter, by Muley, out of sister Juliana by Gohanna; granddam Platina, by Mercury; Metal's dam by Humphrey Clinker out of Gadabout by Orville.

He will attend the principal markets and fairs in the neighbourhood during the season

NB.  To save trouble the proprietor particularly requests that the money be paid to the groom at the time.



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