Newspaper Stories 1860 - 1869 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

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Newspaper Stories 1860 - 1869


1860, February 11: Theft Charge at Fawkham Gravesend Reporter
Bexley Magistrates. "Drusilla Fleech, a domestic servant at the house of Mr Rolls, Fawkham, was charged with stealing a purse, containing one £5 note, 5 sovereigns, 2 half sovereigns, 3 half-crowns, 2 shillings and 1 gold ring, the property of her fellow servant Ellen Cox. It appeared that Cox left the place to go to another at Sydenham about a week since; previous to leaving she lost the key of her box, and searched everywhere for it and could not get her box open; she took the box with her to Sydenham, and on arriving there burst it open, when she missed the above mentioned articles. She immediately returned to Fawkham, and sent for PC Mookes, and stated that she supected the prisoner of robbery, it was then nighte and the prisoner had retired to bed, the Constable went to her door and knocked, and told her was she was accused of; the prisoner at once acknowledged that she had got the purse and contents, having found it outside the box, but had intended giving it to the prosecutrix when she met her in London. The prisoner was remanded to this day"


[She was brought up to the West Kent Quarter Sessions and acquitted, paper said her name was Drusilla Luck - Kentish Gazette 13.3.1860]


1860, April 3: Barred from Public Meeting at Longfield South Eastern Gazette
Someone writes to paper to say they wanted to attend the annual parish meeting to be held at the Green Man, but was told it had been moved to the Rectory. When he went there he was refused admittence as it was a private meeting, when actually any ratepayer is entitled to attend.


1860, April 10: Sale of Hop Poles at Hartley Wood South Eastern Gazette
"Important and Extensive Sale of Oak and Elm timber......


Mr William Hodsoll is favoured with instructions to sell by auction, at the Lion Hotel, Farningham on Thursday April 12th 1860 at 2 o'clock...... At the same time and place will be sold, 18,000 of 10 feet, 14 feet and 16 feet hop poles, lying in Hartley Wood.... The timber etc may be viewed on application to... Mr Allen, Hartley....."


1860, April 14: Obstructing the Fire Brigade Gravesend Reporter
"William Coe, a carman was charged with using abusive and obscene language to PC Day in High Street [Gravesend] on the preceeding Monday evening, when the latter requested him to move his dray to make room for the engine which went to the fire at Longfield Hill. The defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs, or 7 days in default."


1860, June 5: Manor Courts Kentish Gazette
"Our ancient manorial courts for this and the neighbouring manors of Holywell and Ridley, were held at the Swan Inn, on Whit-Wednesday, before Mr William Francis Holcroft, solicitor, Sevenoaks, steward of William Lambarde esq of Beechmont, in that parish, the lord. After paying our quit rents, and presenting changes of tenantry, we partook of an excellent dinner, well got up, at which Mr Holcroft presided, and thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the day"


1860, June 23: Accident Building the Railway Gravesend Reporter
"John Butler, aged 29, a labourer, employed on the East Kent railway works at Longfield Hill, was on Wednesday descending a ladder at the bridge in course of erection there, when the mass of masonry and earth fell in upon him and his mate, causing several contused wounds on the scull of Butler; there was difficulty in getting the men out, and Butler was the only one injured. The weight which fell on them was about a ton. It was thought desirable to send Butler to the Gravesend and Milton Infirmary,where it was ascertained his injuries were providentially slight, and he is now going on well."


Accident (Chatham News 30.6.1860)


"A bridge on the railway at Longfield, just completed, has fallen in; two men, Waterhouse, a bricklayer, and Butler, a labourer, were in great peril; the former escaped with a severe shaking; Butler was taken to Gravesend Infirmary, and it is expected he will recover."


1860, July 28: Death building the Railway Gravesend Reporter
"An inquest was held at the Town Hall, before EA Hilder esq, coroner on the body of James Cheesman, a labourer on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, who dies from injuries received whilst at work in the cutting at Longfield.


Miles Overton, a labourer on the railway, said he had known the deceased for about 7 months and worked with him on the line. On Wednesday evening last, about 5 o'clock, witness was at work with deceased on the line of railway at Longfield Hill; witness was brakesman; there were 3 carriages at work; there were no other persons but those two. The carriages were loaded with chalk, containing 3 tons each; withness was on the last carriage at the time; they were being drawn by a horse which was driven by the police. The horse came out at the usual place and deceased was in the act of unhooking the chain from the first carriage; witness, however, observing that the deceased could not unhook the carriage applied the brake and stopped the carriage as quick as he could, but deceased got entangled with the chain, and he was thrown towards the near wheel of the first carriage on his face and dragged under, the wheel stopping on the centre of his arm; witness was still at the brake; the carriages then stopped and he jumped off and called for assistance; deceased was saying 'do get them off me.' The chain belonging to the horse was twisted round his neck and he was bleeding at the mouth. Assistance having been procured, deceased was put in the car and brought over to the Gravesend and Milton Infirmary by direction of witness's employer. There was hardly any incline, but nearly on a level and they were going at a walking pace.


Dr Armstrong deposed that he was on the rotation for the week at the Infirmary; on Wednesday evening he wsa sent for to the Infirmary; on arriving there he found the deceased still alive, but in a hopeless state from serious injuries about the chest and back. The right arm was broken near the shoulder. As far as he could judge all the ribs on the right side were smashed and the blade on the scapula broken in several pieces. He was faint and weak and this continued till his death. The injuries were so extensive as to render his recovery impossible. Every assistance was rendered that it was possible to afford. He died on Thursday afternoon, about 2 o'clock.


Mr Rowland Hall, general manager and superintendent for Messrs Peto & Co, on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, stated that the deceased and last witness were employed by him at the cutting at Longfield Hill. The deceased gave his name as James Cheesman, from Etchingham or Hurst Green in Sussex; he was about 19. On the day in question the deceased and Overton were at their ordinary work. The three carriages were not more than they were able to manage; in fact, they have often managed a dozen carriages. Witness was standing about 200 yards away from the carriages, but on being called went to the spot with several men, and found the deceased under the wheel. There was no blame to be attached either to the deceased or Overton. Witness put the deceased into a carriage and caused him to be taken to Gravesend, being the nearest spot for medical assistance. The deceased was perfectly sober at the time, and was a steady, industrious man.


Verdict: Accidental death. Mr Stall stated that the Company would be at the expense of the funeral."


1860, September 18: Earthquake in Kent Kentish Gazette
"Mr W E Hickson of Fairseat, Wrotham writes as follows to a London contemporary:- "On Monday, September 3, this neighbourhood, and as it now appears a considerable part of Mid Kent, was alarmed by a shock of violent explosion, followed by a storm of hail and rain of unusual severity. The morning had been fine, with the barometer steadily rising, as it had done, after a long depression, the two days previous; so that the difference in the height of the mercury between Saturday and Monday, at 9am was fully an inch. Fahrenheit's thermometer indicated no further wavering of the temperature, standing in the shade as on the day before at 60, and wind blowing from the north-east, a dry quarter; we had decided in our minds against the probability of any unfavourable change in the weather for the next 24 hours. At 3 o'clock however in the afternoon, the inmates of every house in this hamlet, and those of every village and town for some miles round, were startled by a violent shaking of doors and windows, accompanied by a noise, which to some sounded like the rumbling along a road of heavily loaded waggons, and to others as if the roof were falling in, or some heavy piece of furniture was being rolled overhead. The vibration was sufficient in the house of one of my neighbours to shake a hammer and some other articles from the kitchen shelves, to the great consternation of his domestics, and to cause the horses in our stables to neigh loudly, and struggle hard to get loose. Out of doors there was a tremour of the ground, but of a less strongly marked character. After the shock, the duration of which was probably 20 seconds, the clouds were observed to gather, and at a quarter to four discharged, with some thunder and lightning, first a shower of hail of the largest size (some with us having been picked up as large as marbles), and then a perfect cataract of rain, the heaviest seen this year, which is saying much, considering the quantity that has fallen. This storm had a limited area, commencing about Nurstead and going off in the direction of Tonbridge. A few drops only fell at Cobham, and none at Ash, villages 10 miles apart, although the roads between were deluged with water. At East Peckham, between Tonbridge and Maidstone, the lightning struck and destroyed the spire of the church, doing at the same time serious injury to the town. The cause of the shock preceeding this storm was at first ascribed to blasting operations at Cuxton, near Rochester, for which preparations had ben made, and this was so strongly my own impression that on Sunday I visited Cuxton, with a scientific friend from Guys to inquire into the fact. At Cuxton however, we learnt that there had been no blasting there on the 3rd, and that the operations carried out on the 7th for blowing down a chalk cliff had produced no sensible effect at the distance of a hundred yards; but the shock we heard and felt on the 3rd, was heard and felt at Cuxton, and was referred to the supposed explosion of a powder mil at Tonbridge. In some places reports wre current of a powder mill having been blown up at Sittingbourne, in others at Dartford; but no accident of the kind anywhere during the week has been announced and as it now appears certain that the shock must have had either of a meteoric or telluric origin, all the particulars that can be collected of it, as connected with the extraordinary characters of the season, become of interest. A local paper says that onl the day in question 'the attention of Mr Flint, of Mill Hall near Aylesford, was suddenly arrested by strange rumbling noise, and immediately afterwards the house began to shake so violently as almost to threaten the destruction of the building. At the same moment the servants came rushing in from the kitchen, greatly alarmed, stating the earthenware was clattering on the shelves. The effects of the shock were still more perceptible on a large heap of coals in a shed at the back of the premises, and a man who was erecting a wall there states that it rocked to and fro in such a manner that he expected every moment to see it fall the ground. The same extraordinary vibration was experienced at various other places, chiefly as our reports would seem to indicate in the country between Maidstone and Farningham. At the former town it was felt in different directions, and still more distinctly at Malling; while our Sevenoaks reporter states that, in some instances, even the house bells in that town were set in motion, and the turret bell at Knole House was suddenly rung to the dismay and consternation of the inmates.' Statements to a similar effect reach me daily. Our medical authority communicates the case of a poor woman, a patient, who having experienced earthquakes abroad, rushing out of her cottage with her children, expecting it to fall, as she had seen houses fall in Peru. Mr Durling of the Plough, Meopham, standing on a haystack, felt the stack give way beneath him, while at the same instant, a lad assisting him near the stack cried out 'the ground is moving'. At Stansted a man who had been employed in cutting peas, and was sitting on the ground, feeling the shock, started on his feet from the surprise it occasioned. At Borough Green some bricklayers, at work at a new school room there building, saw the sand falling of itself from a heap they had deposited for mortar. Earthquakes have not been common in Kent, but they are not confined to volcanic districts; and if the cause of earthquakes be sometimes, as supposed, a disturbed state of the electric currents, and an effort of nature to restore their equilibrium, this is certainly a year to account for their occurrence, even on chalk downs. The weather has been remarkable, and remains so. On these elevated lands we have still large breadths of corn uncut, and which shows no signs of ripening, from the deficiency of heat. Today, the 12th of September with a bright sun, my thermometer in the shade stands at 1pm, but at 56; and we have had white frosts this week for three nights in succession Kent has lost almost totally this year three of its staples - fruit, potatoes and hops. Oats will be a fair crop, but the wheat greatly below an average, except on warm sandy soils, and we have a proverb that:


When the sand doth feed the clay


Then for England well a day!


Yours truly W E Hickson"


[The main areas affected were Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Wrotham and others with the epicentre believed to be 7 miles west of Maidstone. Uncertain if Hartley was affected but the quake was felt at Meopham and Stansted.]


1860, November 17: Wood for Sale Maidstone Journal
William Hodsoll to auction 66 pieces of Beech and 600 new hurdle gates at Hartley Court.


1861, February 19: Property to Let, Ash Maidstone Journal
"Farm to let at Ash near Dartford, Kent. Containing 260 acres of arable, pasture, hop and wood land, together with dwelling house, cottages and outbuildings. For further particulars, apply to Mr Dann surveyor, Bexley SE; and to be viewed on application to Mrs Salmon, West Yoke Farm, Ash."


1861, March 21: All Saints' Church Morning Post
Grant by Incorporated Church Building Society to Hartley church


1861, July 13: Oddfellows Meeting at Black Lion Maidstone Telegraph
"Hartley - the Oddfellows' anniversary was held at the Lion Inn on Monday last. The members sat down to a good dinner provided by Mr Cooper, the host after which they retired to a field adjoining the inn, attended by the Birling Amateur Band, and greatly enjoyed themselves in dancing and cricket. The amusements however, were greatly marred by two very severe thunderstorms."


[The Oddfellows were a mutual help society, which still exists as a Friendly Society today. According to the 1875 return of the Dartford District, the Heart of Oak lodge based in Hartley was founded in 1852 and met at the Black Lion every 4th Saturday. It was well supported with 69 members. The Oddfellows Heart of Oak lodge were still going in at least 1937.]


1861, August 7: All Saints' Church - Alterations The Guardian
"On Wednesday July 10th, the little parish church of Hartley, Kent was reopened, having been under repair for 10 weeks. The Church is about the date of 1100, with later insertions. The east end has been entirely rebuilt, and a handsome Early Decorated window put up. The old pews and west gallery have been removed, and the church fitted with substantial open seats, whereby 35 additional sittings have been obtained. A sum of nearly £400 has been expended on these and other improvements, which have been most successfully carried out under the superintendence of Mr J P St Aubyn. Evening prayer was said at 4 o'clock, and an admirable sermon preached by the Rev Edward King, Dean of Cuddesdon. The collection amounted to £11. After the service the whole parish adjourned to the rectory grounds, where a substantial tea was provided."


1861, August 20: Female Farm Workers at Fawkham South Eastern Gazette
"In one of Mr Russell's fields might have been seen daily last week, a woman mowing wheat. She uses the scythe very scientifically, and does her work well. She is now at work at Brands Hatch Farm."


1861, August 24: Boat Excursion by Land Gravesend Reporter
"On Monday, according to custom, the winner of the boat at the [Gravesend] regatta, with a number of watermen and others, took the boat in a van, preceded by the Shaftesbury Band, through Meopham, Wrotham, Fawkham, Dartford and Northfleet, and on reaching Gravesend at half-past ten, passed through several streets, burning blue lights all along the route."


1861, December 31: Sale of Reversion South Eastern Gazette
"Mr Marsh has received instruction to include in his next monthly periodical sale of reversions, policies etc, appointed to take place at the Mart, on Thursday next, Jan 2, at 1 o'clock punctually, the absolute reversion of 2 eighth parts or shares of and in valuable freehold estates, situate in the parishes or Snodland, Halling, Ash next Ridley, Hartley, Luddesdown, Moepham and Birling, in the county of Kent; comprising several farms, with dwelling houses and buildings, and about 778 acres of land; producing an aggregate rental of £766 per annum. The shares will be receivable on the decease of a gentleman now in the 54th year of his age..."


1862, January 28: Poor Law Maidstone Journal
"John Featherstone of Fawkham, was charged with leaving his father chargeable to the parish. The bench however, declined to make an order."


1862, May 7: The Local Carrier Gravesend Reporter
"Dartford Petty Sessions before Sir P H Dyke and F M Lewin esq. John Page, a labourer living in Green Street Green, was charged with assaulting an old woman named Sarah Roots, on Saturday 3rd May. It appeared that complainant, who is a sort of carrier twice a week from Ash to Dartford, was going over the green on her return home, having a large dog tied under the cart. The defendant, who was drunk, kicked the dog, when the complainant struck at him with her whip. He then commenced a savage assault upon her, for which the bench fined him £2 and 9s 6d expenses."


1862, May 27: County Rates and County Expenditure South Eastern Gazette
"….. A large blue book has lately been published by order of the House of Commons, setting forth the mode of rating in every county of the kingdom, this being regulated by the magistrates alone, under Act of Parliament. This return shows that the system of rating - if it can be called a system - is full of inequalities and anomalies of the most extraordinary description. The ratings run from 7s in the pound, in the comparatively poor parish of Ash, in the Dartford Union, to a fathing only in the pound in the rich and fertile parish of Lullingstone. The reason for this discrepancy we ourselves happen to know. Many years ago while the old poor law was in existence, the proprietor of the parish, in order to have no pauperism round his park pales, and to avoid any deduction from this annual income on account of poor rates, go rid of the labourers residing in the parish, and pulled down their dwellings. Hence it occurred that as the old poor died out, no new ones arose. The amended poor law, consequently, by fixing 'establishment' charges on Lullingstone a burden was inflicted on the patron of the place, and so far created for him a grievance." Paper highlights many other cases of high rates in poor parishes, contrasted with low rates in those well able to pay. They point out the county rate is assessed in the same manner, so the inequalities are magnified.


1862, July 8: West Kent Quarter Sessions Kentish Gazette
"Alfred West, 20, labourer for attempting to abuse a girl under 10 years of age at Longfield, on the 12th April. Mr Smith prosecuted and Mr Francis defended. Convicted of a common assault. 12 months' hard labour."


[Earlier Dartford Magistrates Court appearance mentioned in South Eastern Gazette 22.4.1862, said he was remanded until the trial and named the victim as Harriet Fry]


1862, July 12: All Saints' Church Kentish Independent
Gravesend Church Union give grant of £20 to provide additional accomodation in the parish church of Hartley.


1862, September 23: Red Cow Farm Sale South Eastern Gazette
"Capital live and dead stock and effects of Mr Bennett who is leaving the farm.


To be sold by auction by Mr Wm Mungeam, on Thursday, September 25th, 1862, sale to commence at 1 o'clock.


Comprising 6 capital cart horses, 1 cart colt, rising 3 years old, 3 milch cows, 5 short horned heiffers forward in condition, 1 weaning calf, 15 southdown ewe tegs in good condition, waggons, dung carts, ploughts, harrows, woodland rollers, bean brake, hop nidgets, cleaning machine, cutting box, Bentalls scarifier, horse rake, manure drill, hop bins, cloths and pokes, scales, beam and weights, about 100 hurdle gates, waggon and plough harnesses and effects."


1862, October 15: Gift of Pennis Farm to Westminster Hospital Derby Mercury
"Munificent Bequest: Joseph Almond Cropper esq, barrister, died on Saturday the 27th September last, at his residence, Fulwood House, Gray's Inn, London. He has left by his will the following legacies, clear of legacy duty, viz


£200 to the East Kent and Canterbury Hospital


£200 to the Midland Institution for the Blind


£200 to the Leicester Infirmary


£200 to the Stafford Infirmary


£100 each to each of the 20 following charitable institutions: Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road; St Mark's Hospital, City Road; Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street; University College Hospital; Hospital at Brompton for Consumption; St Mary's Hospital, Paddington; Strangers' Friend Society; Royal General Annuity Society; Society for the Suppression of Mendicity; London Socity for the Protection of Young Females; Female Aid Society (late London Female Mission); Indigent Blind Visiting Society; Ragged School Union; Fox Court Ragged Schools, Gray's Inn Lane; Great Northern Hospital, King's Cross; Adult Orphan's Institution; Trinity National School, Bedford Road; Field Lane Ragged School and Night Refuge for the Utterly Destitute; Bethnal Green Philanthropic Pension Society and City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest.


The testator also devises houses and land woods and woodlands in the parishes of Fawkham, Ash, Hartley, Horton Kirby, Milton next Gravesend, Plumstead, Meopham and Luddesdown in the county of Kent, to the Governors of the Westminster Hospital.


He gives his manor of Ashborne and houses and land in Caldow and Carlton, Staffordshire; Whitwick, Thringstone, Belton, Shepshed and Dadlington in Leicestershire to St George's Hospital.


He gives his fee farm rents in the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and Chester, and his houses and land at Windsor, Wapping, Kingston upon Thames, East Greenwich, Croydon and Fulwood House, and all the residue of his personal estate, to the Middlesex Hospital.


Mr Cropper has also left several small estates and legacies to his friends, and appointed W Latham esq, solicitor, Melton Mowbray, and George Capes esq, solicitor, Gray's Inn, his executors or trustees. This gentleman was a native of Loughborough, and died at the age of 79 and left no relatives, his only son having died unmarried about 23 years ago. The rent of the property devised to Westminster Hospital amounts to about £800 p.a.; to St George's Hospital, £300; and the Middlesex Hospitl will receive in rents £1,000 p.a, and money to amount of £4,000. These hospitals are enabled, by special acts of Parliament, to receive lands, notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain."


[Pennis Farm is mostly in Fawkham, but did include about 4 fields in Hartley on the western boundary too. The rents from Pennis etc, are said to be worth £800 p.a which is equivalent to about £60,000 today.]


1862, November 22: The Diminution of the Poor Rate by Improved Legislation Dorset County Herald
Review of book by Standish Grove Grady, Recorder of Gravesend. He says legislation tying poor person to parish means they have no incentive to seek work elsewhere, or to save. "He knows thawt he could never mend his condition, that all his savings would, in fact, only relieve his parish; so, in order to drown his cares, and to enable him to sink in oblivion his fallen and degraded condition, he flies to the public house, where he and his class spend between 60 and 70 millions a year upon intoxicating beverages....". He discusses one remedy which is to equalise the rates burden within Poor Law Unions, at the moment in Dartford union, the rate is ¼d in Lullingstone and 7 shillings at Ash. Also there are huge inequalities between Unions. He proposes a hybrid of a local and national rate. The reviewer says it should only be a national rate - "The immediate effect of this would be to make the whole wealth of the country support the whole poverty of the country. Why should the dainty dwellers in aristocratic squares be exempt from those fiscal burdens which press so heavily on the shopkeeprs in Ratcliff Highway and the New Cut?". The reviewer would also abolish the principle of settlement, to save a fortune in removals and legal expenses.


1863, August 11: Mr Bensted's Sporting Achievements South Eastern Gazette
"Farnborough - High Elms Races: These now annual races, which are carried out under the auspices of Sir John W Lubbock, bart, came off at High Elms, the seat of the worthy baronet, on Friday last.


Greater publicity than usual having been given to the gathering, and the day being fine, a very large number of persons were present, including the principal families of the district....... The proceedings were carried out in a most beautiful spot, and it was in every way admirably adapted for the object, being a level plain nearly a mile in length. The course was properly fenced, and was well kept by a body of the metropolitan police, under Supt Bray, and Inspectors Kent and Nimmo. Apart from the racing there wasa all th paraphernalia of a first class fair, and the lovers of music were delighted with the excellent playing of the Royal Artillery Band from Woolwich, under Mr Smyth......


The Farmers' Race - A silver cup given by R Birbeck esq for horses which have regularly been hunted with the West Kent, Old Surrey or Burstow's foxhounds, or Mr Russell's harriers, the property of and to be ridden by, farmers or their sons.


Three-quarters of a mile, 7 entries. 1st Mr W Bensted's (Hartley) Harkforward; 2nd Mr Thorne's Perseverance; 3rd Mr F W Smith's High Flyer.....


Hurdle Race - Open to horses that have run the Farmer's Race, and the Whip. Entry 10s. 12 ran. 1st Mr H Jenner jun's Jumping Powder; 2nd Mr B W Lubbock's Quicksilver; 3rd Mr W Benstead's Harkforward.


.....Foot Races etc.....For the prize for the high jump there were 9 competitors, and it was won by Mr F Lubbock, who cleared 4ft 11in; Mr Benstead of Hartley, near Dartford, being second....."


[Mr Bensted lived at Hartley Court]


1863, October 10: Charge Withdrawn with Apologies Gravesend Reporter
Dartford Magistrates: "George Ludlow, a decent looking man, in the employment of Mr James Treadwell of Pinden, appeared in answer to his own recognizance, having been remanded by TH Fleet esq, on a charge of stealing some walnuts off the grounds of Mr Rolls of Pennis House, Fawkham, on Wednesday the 30th ult. Mr Neale appeared for Mr Rolls, and said that he was instructed not to go into the case, as his client had admitted that he had acted too hastily in the matter, and was agreeable to make the defendant some recompense. He therefore begged to offer him £2. Mr Gibson, on behalf of the defendant, agreed to accept the same, and thus the matter ended."


1863, October 10: Electoral Registration Morning Herald
Electoral Register changes accepted: Hartley (no old voters struck off, 1 new Conservative Voter admitted); Ash (1 Cons 1 Lib struck off; 2 Conservatives admitted); Fawkham (no names struck off, 1 Conservative admitted). Overall Conservatives gain 13 voters in Gravesend area (incl Hartley and Ash), 10 in Dartford area (incl Erith, Bexley, Fawkham) and 110 in the whole West Kent seat.


1863, October 20: Wood for Sale South Eastern Gazette
"17½ acres of Superior Underwood on the St Clere Estate, in the parishes of Igtham and Wrotham. Also 10 acres in Hartley Wood, and 3 acres in Foxbury Wood, Hartley, Kent.


To be sold by auction by Mr William Hodsoll on Friday October 30th 1863 at 2 for 3 o'clock at the Portobello Inn, Kingsdown, near Farningham, Kent.


The underwood on the St Clere Estate will be shown on application to John Baker, gamekeeper at Heversham near Kemsing, and that in Hartley Wood may be viewed on application to Mr Allen, Hartley Court..."


1863, October 27: Theft Charge at Fawkham South Eastern Gazette
West Kent Quarter Sessions: "John Still, 20, labourer, for stealing a pair of shoes and a pair of leggings, value 11s 6d, the property of James Man Webster, at Fawkham, on the 30th September. Prisoner pleaded guilty to stealing the leggings - 4 months' hard labour."


1863, December 26: Fires Gravesend Reporter
"on Saturday night, about 6 o'clock, a fire broke out on the premises of Mr Cleghorn, Terry's Lodge Farm. It appeared to commence in the eaves of a lodge which was thatched, and soon afterwards fire was seen to issue from a barn at some distance from the lodge, which seems to make it certain that the fire was caused by an incendiary. The whole of the outbuildings, agricultural implements, and some wheat in the barn, were destroyed. The police were in attendance, and assisted by the people assembled, did all that was possible to prevent the fire extending. On Monday night another fire occurred at New House Farm (Mr W Treadwell's) The fire was seen about 8 o'clock, and commenced in a barn. The out-buildings were destroyed and also 2 or 3 stacks of corn The cause of the fire is entirely unknown. Mr Superintendent Brandon with some of his men were present, and did all they could to stay the progress of the fire."


1864, January 2: Fire Sussex Advertiser
"Another destructive fire occurred at New House Farm, Ash (sic) near Wrotham, on the evening of the 21st December."


1864, January 5: More Local Fires Kentish Gazette
"Fawkham - Fire. At about 12 o'clock on Christmas night a fire broke out in a stack near the road leading from Fawkham to Ash, and continued to burn until 2 stacks standing near to each other were consumed. They were the property of Messrs John and William Crowhurst of West Yoke Farm, Ash. This is the third fire within a fortnight - Terry's Lodge first, then New House, Hartley and now West Yoke. They all seem to be the work of an incendiary."


1864, January 9: Magistrates Court Gravesend Reporter
(1) Dartford "William Martin a labourer, was committed for trial for stealing a watch, the property of James Kent, ganger on the London and Chatham Railway, stationed at Longfield."; (2) Rochester - Paltry Charge - On Monday last, James Coger, of the parish of Meopham, was charged before the county magistrates Rochester, with stealing a piece of fire wood, valued at one penny, from the roadside. The prisoner admitted the charge, and urged that he was without any fire this inclement weather, that he had 7 little children at home, and that his wife had only recently been confined, and he took the wood to light a fire for her. Mr Brigden, the prisoner's master, gave him an excellent character, and stated that during the 2 years he had worked for him he had never lost an hour, and that he had always borne the best character for honesty and sobriety. The magistrates, under these circumstanace, refused to inflict any punishment on the accused, and ordered him to be immediately discharged."


1864, January 12: Stealing a Watch at Longfield Maidstone Journal
West Kent Quarter Sessions: "William Martin, 19, labourer, was charged with stealing a silver watch, value £5, the property of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company, at Longfield, on the 11th November last. Mr Russell was for the prosecution.


John Dent, a ganger on the railway, said on the day named he sat down and went to sleep. Previous to going to sleep he had his watch quite safe; and when he awoke he found it was gone. The watch produced was the one he had. The prisoner was in his company when he fell asleep.


Henry Heckoney, a watchmaker, proved that the prisoner brought the watch in question to hime to be repaired. He took it to repair, and lent prisoner another in the meantime. He was quite sure prisoner was the man who brought the watch to him.


James Roberts, a police constable, proved finding the prisoner in the parish of Darenth. Prisoner, on being asked about it, took out the wathc and gave it to him. He said he bought the watch at Gravesend, and gave 15 shillings for it. He was quite sure prisoner said he bought the watch at Gravesend.


Guilty. Three months' hard labour."


1864, February 16: Call for a Station at Longfield Maidstone Journal
"Sir. As the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company are about to form a siding on their line at or near Longfield, it is most desirable to bring under the notice of the directors an inconvenience much felt and complained of in the neighbourhood - I allude to the want of a station between Meopham and Farningham. An intermediate station might be placed with manifest advantage at Longfield, where the proposed siding is to be made; or on that part of the line where the parishes of Longfield and Fawkham meet. Either situation would be convenient to the surrounding parishes of Southfleet, Fawkham, Ash, Ridley, Hartley etc; and if the passenger traffic should not be great at frst, there is no doubt as to its being sufficiently remunerative to the company in a commercial point of view. If you will make known this crying want through the medium of your widely-circulated journal, it may meet the eye of those who have now an excellent opportunity of supplying the accommodation desired, and by so doing will greatly oblige the inhabitants of a wide district now deriving no benefit from a line running through the midst of it.


Yours obediently, A mid-Kent Farmer."


[It would not be until 1872 that the writer of the letter would get his wish.]


1864, March 22: Closure of Dartford Savings Bank Maidstone Journal
"Notice is hereby given that this bank will be closed on the 2nd April 1864. Depositors are requested either to withdraw or transfer their money before that time. Arthur Perry, secretary."


[Kentish Independent 17.9.1864 reported that 5 had transferred their accounts to the Gravesend Savings Bank]


1864, March 29: Theft from Mr Treadwell of New House Farm Maidstone Journal
"Isaac Outred, a labourer, was brought up on remand, charged with stealing 2 pieces of wood, value 1s, the property of Mr W Treadwell, farmer, Hartley. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to 7 days' hard labour."


1864, May 14: Judge Proved Wrong Gravesend Reporter
"Benson v Rolls - this case was tried at the Dartford County Court on the 23rd March last, beofre James Espinasse esq, judge. Joseph Benson, a groom, sued his master, Mr Josiah Rolls, a gentleman residing at Fawkham, for £16, wages alleged to be due to him. The case was tried by jury. Mr Wood was counsel for the plaintiff and Mr Cutbill for the defendant. The case, having occupied a considerable time, the jury, all of whom were respectable tradesmen of the town, returned a verdict for the plaintiff for the amount claimed. Rolls the defendant, had paid £12 4s 6d into court, denying his liabilty to pay more. Directly the verdict has heard, the judge said 'it is a most perverse verdict, and if there had been a more intelligent jury such a verdict would never have been returned.' Mr Wood, counsel for the plaintiff, then asked the judge to allow the costs of witnesses and also plaintiff's costs, but he said 'no! certainly not, for I think it is a most perverse verdict.' Mr Cutbill then moved for a new trial at the next court, and his honour at once granted the applciation, saying 'his reason for doing so was that the jury had given a verdict grossly contrary to the evidence and to common sense.' He suggested that the new trial take place at Bromley, Rochester or Maidstone, and Bromley was ultimately decided on. The case was reheard at Bromley before the same judge on Tuesday last, the same counsel attended, and the same evidence was adduced. The case again had a lengthened hearing, and the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. Whether the judge allowed the plaintiff's costs we do not know, nor whether his honour made any remark upon the verdict, but, we should imagine, he must now be quite disgusted with the 'perversity' of an English jury."


1864, May 17: Important Jury Case South Eastern Gazette
"Benson v Rolls - Mr E P Wood, barrister, instructed by Mr Wheatley of Symond's Inn, Chancery Lane, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Rosher, barrister, instructed by Messrs Roy and Cartwright, for the defendant.


The case was originally heard before a jury at the Dartford court, the defendant being a gentleman residing at Fawkham, in that district, and the defendant had been a coachman in his service; but his honour, being dissatisfied with the verdict that was returned in favour of the plaintiff, at once gave permission that application might be made for a new trial. Application was made at the April court, when the judge granted a new trial, but directd that it should take place at Bromley, where an unprejudiced jury might be empanelled. The action was to recover £16 for wages and £12 4s 6d had been paid into court.


Mr Wood, in opening the case, sid tha tthe issue they had to try arose out of an action of contract. The case had already been tried at the Dartford court, but in consequence of an application that had been made for a new trial, his honour had sent it for trial at Bromley, thinking that, from some local issues, a trial at Dartford could not be fairly heard. It appeared that in June 1863, the plaintiff advertised in the Times for a situation as groom and coachman. The defendant replied to the advertisement, and submitted 4 questions to which he wanted replies. One was as to the amount of salary, and the plaintiff wrote that he should require £26 a year. Subsequently the parties met at London Bridge railway station, and the defendant said he had never paid more than £20, and offered the plaintiff that some if he would go into his service. The plaintiff absolutely refused to take £20, as his previous situation had been worth more, and he objected to give up the name of his reference unless the terms he asked were agreed to, upon which the defendant said that he was not nice to a few pounds if he gave satisfaction. The plaintiff then gave up his reference, believing he was to have the £26, and as his character was satisfactory he entered the defendant's service. Matters went on comfortably for about 4 months, and the quarter having passed the plaintiff naturally enough fancied he was entitled to a quarter's wages, and applied for the same; but the defendant then said that he never paid under 6 months. After 6 months plaintiff again applied for his wages, when the defendant said he never paid under 12 months, and he offered money on account. The plaintiff then remonstrated with Mr Rolls, and said that he would either have all his wages or none, and gave a month's notice to leave, which was to expire on the 31st January. The day before the notice expired the defendant made the plaintiff an offer of £11 4s 6d, but he refused to take it, his wages for the 7 months and 10 days being £16.


His honour here said that the sole point for the jury was whether there had been a hiring for £20 or £26 a year; that was the short and simple question. As £12 4s 6d had been paid into court, the amount really sued for was £3 15s 6d.


Mr Wood continued - Because the plaintiff refused to give receipt in full for the amount offered by the defendant, the latter called in a policeman, had the plaintiff's boxes searched, charged him with stealing a pair of boots, and had him turned off the premises before his notice had expired. The agreement was certainly made in rather a loose way, but the words 'I am not nice to a few pounds if you give me satisfaction,' would convey and impression to any reasonable man that the £26 was the amount agreed upon. When the case was originally tried, the verdict was for the plaintiff for the full amount, and he believed that when they had heard the plaintiff's evidence they would return a similar verdict, more especially when the plaintiff refused throughout to receive less than that he considered he was entitled to.


His honour said that with regard to the persistence of the plaintiff in making his demand, this might cut both ways, because the defendant had persisted in resisting that demand. It was as something like the observation of the late lamented Lord Chief Justice Tindal, in the trial of the murderer Courvoissier when the counsel for the prisoner told the jury that his (the murderer's) ghost might haunt them, the Chief Justice siad that it might also have been suggested to the jury that Lord William Russell had a ghost as well.


The plaintiff was then called, and gave evidence corroborating the statement made by Mr Wood; and in reply to the court he said that he could not conscientiously state the the defendant had agreed in express terms to give him £26 a year, but he was fully impressed from the conversation that he was to have that amount, and to one of the jurors he replied that it was clearly understood Mr Rolls was not to write for a character unless he agreed to give £26.


Mr Rolls, upon being called, most positively denied having agreed to give £26, and said that he at once told the plaintiff that he had never given more than £20, that he never would and that he would give the plaintiff that amount if he came into his service. He never said he was not particular as to a few pounds.


Defendant's son, who was present at one interview between the parties at London Bridge, said that the agreement was for £20 a year.


Mr Wood having replied upon the case, his honour said, in summing up thast he was very glad they had come to the close of the case, for he could not help saying that a great deal of valuable time had been wasted in its investigation, and topics had been gone into and indulged in which they were totally to lay out of their consideration, and to consider this narrow, short point only upon the evidence - did they or did they not believe that the plaintiff was hired at £26 a year? Allusions had been made to a former trial at Dartford and he thought in the exercise of his discretion, after hearing the case fully, that it was a case that ought to go to another trial, for the reason only that had been admitted by the plaintiff himself, that upon the former trial a great deal of what he had said today was not put before the jury, but that upon the trial the plaintiff's sole reliance was upon a letter. Therefore the jury appeared to him (the judge) to have come to the conclusion that because he had put in a letter that he should require £26, that that was the sum actually agreed to. He thought he had put this question to the former jury, as men of common sense, 'If a man writes to me that the price of a horse is £30, is that to preclude evidence on the other side that ultimately he did not agree to take £25?' His honour then went carefully throught the whole of the evidence, and said the sole duty was to say by their verdict whether they thought hte evidence of the plaintiff was entirely to be relied on, or whether it had been contradicted to their satisfaction by the two witnesses for the defence. As to the verdict of the former jury, the jury before whom the case afterwards came were to exercise their own discretion. The jury retired, and in about a quarter of an hour returned and gave verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. His honour ordered immediate payment and allowed costs."


1864, May 31: Sunday Trading at Black Lion South Eastern Gazette
"William Treadwell, landlord of the Black Lion, Hartley, was charged by PC 149, KCC with having his house open for the sale of beer, between the hours of 3 and 5 o'clock on Sunday April 24th. The defendant pleaded guilty. The Bench fined him only 5s and costs, as it was the first offence, and the house being properly conducted."


1864, June 21: Pinden for Sale Maidstone Journal
"Horton Kirby near Farningham. Messrs Cobb will sell by auction, on Monday the 11th July 1864, at the Guildhall Coffee House, Gresham Street, London, a valuable tithe free estate called 'Pinden' in the parish of Horton Kirby on the road from Longfield to Green Street Green, near Dartford, consisting of a brick built house, stable, lodges, and piggeries, and 31a 0r 12p of highly productive arable and fruit land, let on lease for 7 years, from Michaelmas 1843 to Mr William Conford, a respectable and responsible tenant, at £80 per annum.


The property is close to the contemplated station of the London, chatham and Dover railway, about to be erected at Fawkham, is suitable for building purposes, and contains a quantity of excellent brick earth..."


1864, October 1: Drink and Money Gravesend Reporter
"Walter Martin and Catherine Hayes, who were on Friday convicted of drunkenness, were again placed before the bench under the following circumstances. Mr Superintendent White said that the prisoner both were on Friday convicted of drunkenness,a nd he woman then stated she had been robbed of a half sovereign and some silver. On enquiries being made he (the superintendent) ascertained that the man was seen to take some money out of the woman's breast; another constable was told so at the time, but he admitted it; he therefore detained them at the police station, instead of sending them to Maidstone on Friday with the other prisoners. Mrs Mary Ann Page deposed that while standing in Church Street on Thursday evening last; she saw the woman rolling down on a door step drunk, and the man was with her, and she saw him put his hand into her breast and take out some money; it looked like gold, but she could not positively say it was gold. Mrs Huntley, a neighbour, fully corroberated Mrs Page's evidence, and stated that she told the constable about it on Thursday evening when he took them into custody. Catherine Hayes, the woman, said she did not know the man Martin, but she had walked from Hartley Bottom with him to Gravesend; she then had about 14s, she was not drunk when she came to Gravesend. Superintendent White said that there was 12s 8d found upon Martin when he was brought into custody. The bench ordered money found upon the man to be given to the woman, and they also remitted her sentence, the man was then removed to undergo the 14 days' imprisonment for drunkenness."


[The case related to money belonging to Catherine Hayes. It shows that people were prepared to walk a long way on business, for she and the accused walked together from Hartley Bottom to Gravesend. Catherine Hayes could be the Catherine, born in Cork, Ireland in 1845 and working as a servant at the Royal Oak Pub at Spital Street, Dartford in 1861.]


1864, October 19: Stealing a Rabbit Gravesend Journal
Dartford Magistrates: "Percyvall Edward, aged 13, was charged with stealing a tame rabbit on Wednesday, belonging to Miss Fanny Marshall of Hartley [King's Arms, now Hartley Bottom Farm]. When charged with the robbery, he admitted it, and said he skinned it, and his mother burnt the skin. The remains of the rabbit were found by PC Rolfe between the bed and the sacking. 14 days' imprisonment, and once whipped."


1864, November 5: Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
Licence of Black Lion transferred from Henry Treadwell to Henry Cooper.


[The transfer of licence may have had something to do with the recent prosecution for Sunday Trading, as it would have made a renewal less likely.]


1864, December 5: Fire at Fawkham in 1604 Maidstone Journal
"Antiquities of Maidstone - Presentments and Petitions to the Justices of the Peace Assembled at Maidstone.


….We will, therefore, proceed with the much more pleasant duty of printing an application, in which a charitable appeal is made to the kindly feeling of the Justices in behalf of an unfortunatel fellow creature:-


'To the Right Worshipful the justices of his majesty's peace for the county of kent, at hir Quarter Sessions.


We, the inhabitants of the parish of Fawkham, in the county of Kent, whose names are hereunder written, do signify unto your lordships, that upon Monday, being the 22 day of August last past, a great part of the dwelling house and goods therein of our poor neighbour Thomas Smithe, the bearer hereof, was utterly wasted and consumed by fire, to the value of £20 and upwards, and that he himself, in venturing to save his said house and goods, was very sore bruised and hurt, to the great hinderance and undoing of him, his poor wife, and family. (The premises understood) we most humbly beseech your good worships to extend your favourable friendship towards our said poor neighbour, that he may have some relief out of the county stock, or otherwise as shall seem best by your good worships, towards his great loss and hinderance. For the which, not only we, but he and his poor wife and family shall be bound daily to pray unto the Almighty God for your worships' long and prosperous healths, with the increase of worship. Amen. Dated the 7th day of April, Anno Domini 1605. By me William Baker, clerk and parson there; Thomas Walter gentleman, John Marshal, Abraham Haskek, Thomas Warde, Thomas Carrier.'


It was not in the power of the justices of the peace assembled at Maidstone to resist such an appeal as this, so it was unanimously resolved that a grant of 60 shillings should be allowed to the petitioner, out of the county funds....."


1865, January 14: Refusal to Obey Orders Gravesend Reporter
"At the magistrates' room on Saturday last… Thomas Osmer, a farm labourer, was charged with refusing to obey the orders of his master, Mr Henry Mungeam, farmer, at Fawkham. It appeared that the defendant was employed as a waggoner's mate to drive the horses, which he refused to do. His master then set him about some other employment, the duties of which he also neglected to do; in fact, he was a downright lazy fellow, and the bench sentenced him to 10 days' hard labour."


[This case and the one later in the year of William Saxton show the limited freedom of farm labourers before trade unions. While to us this seems an entirely civil matter, Mr Mungeam was able to bring the full force of the criminal law on his employee.]


1865, February 6: Fire at Fawkham Maidstone Journal
"On Friday last, at midday, a fire broke out on the premises of Mr Samuel Killick, known as Courtleet Farm", but fortunately it was confined to one part of the premises, called the long double barn, containing 57½ quarters of oats, 7½ load of straw ready bound for market, besides a quantity of unthreshed oats, beans, and peas, which were entirely destroyed. The engine belonging to the Norwich union, from Dartford, was quickly on the spot. The fire was first discovered by Relf, 149, KCC but its origina is at present unknown."


1865, February 18: Non Payment of Rates Gravesend Reporter
Joshua Rolls of Pennis House ordered to pay £3 19s 6d in back rates.


1865, March 13: Hartley - Archaeological Discovery Maidstone Journal
"Whilst Mr Treadwell and a party of friends were rabbit shooting last week in Chapel Field, Hartley, near the Black Lion, an archaeological discovery of muh interest was accidently made. A wounded rabbit sought shelter in a hole, when, after vainly probing for some time, the rabbit seekers sent for spades, and, upon digging a short distance, a mass of foundations were laid bare. Further examinations were then made, when masses of oyster shells were thrown out, three layers of ashes, mixed with heaps of pottery, which from the description given to us, appear to have been Roman amphorae and urns. The fictile ware was in enormous quantities. Below this debris were oyster shells again. It is intended to puruse these explorations by further excavation, and two or three gentlemen who take an interest in archaeological matters in this county have been invited to be present."


[The ruins of the old house in Chapelwood were rediscovered in 1927. Like Rev Bancks sixty years later, the ruins were wrongly assumed to be Roman.]


1865, April 8: Discharged from Master Gravesend Reporter
"Dartford Magistrates: William Saxton, 13, was charged with absconding from the service of his master, Mr Thomas Young, farmer of Fawkham, on the 24th March. Mr Young said the boy was engaged by him to look after his cows and feed the pigs etc, at 1 shilling per week and his board and lodging. He had been with him 18 weeks, but he had not paid him any wages. He could not account for his leaving. The boy when asked if he was guilty or not, did not seem to understand the question. The mother of the boy stepped forward and said the reason the boy had left was that he had to sleep with a man who had infected him with a loathsome disease, which she could prove by the evidence of a doctor. The bench, after hearing this, ordered his wages to be paid, and discharged him."


1865, June 4: Black Lion Freehold for Sale The Era
"Dartford, Kent. Mr J J Orgill is honoured with instrucitons from William Fleet esq to submit to public competition at Garraway's Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, London on Monday the 26th day of June 1865, at 12 for 1 o'clock, in one lot, a valuable freehold estate known as FLEET'S BREWERY, situate and being in Lowfield Street, Dartford, Kent. It is scarsely necessary to allude to the high position the above brewery occupied in relation to its compeers; for it is a well-attested fact that for stern integrity, solid respectability, and all the attributes which ought to characterise all large establishments, it stands second to none in the kingdom, and which is amply confirmed by a successful career for upwards of a centry by the present proprietor and his family. The premises are very extensive, in good repair, well drained, and possess an abundant supply of excellent water; they are conveniently situate, being but a short distance from the station, and about a quarter of a mile from the wharves at Dartford Creek. The erections are well built, of a substantial character, and comprise a 35 quarter brewhouse, wiht the usual appliances for efficiently conducting a trade of magnitude; also a capital Vat Store of a capacity of nearly 1,400 barrels, extensive beer and ale stores, numerous malt floors and hop lofts, abundant stables, cooperage, carpenter's shop, counting houses, principal's office etc, large garden and field. The present business is extensive, but capable of great augmentation, inasmuch as only porter and one class of ale is brewed, leaving it to future proprietors to introduce stout and other malt beverages, so much sought for in the present day;


also 26 Freehold inns and public houses viz, The Black Boy, The Crown, The Cricketers, the Windmill, the Waterman's Arms and the Long Reach Tavern, all situate at Dartford; the Brown Bear, Greenhithe; the Railway Hotel and Blue Anchor, Swanscombe; the Bull, Hawley; the Jolly Millers, South Darenth; the Chequers, Farningham; the Portobello Inn, Kingsdown; the White Swan, Ash; the Black Lion, Hartley; the King's Head, Bexley, the Red Cross, North Cray; Five Bells, St Mary's Cray; New Inn, Farnborough; Blacksmith's Arms, Cudham; One Bell, Crayford; Fox and Hounds, Darenth; Rising Sun, Fawkham; the Ship, Southfleet; Six Bells, Northfleet; King's Arms, Eltham; all in excellent condition, let to old and respectable tenants at manifestly low rents, amounting to £800 per annum, together with the goodwill in Trde arising from the aforesaid house, as also from several others, held by lease etc. If it is desired, £15,000 of the purchase money can remain on mortgage for a period of 7 years, upon interest at the rate of 5% per annum. The Brewery can be viewed by cards from the Auctioneer....."


[The Morning Advertiser of 27 June 1865 records the auction realised £32,100.]


1865, July 18: Want Position South Eastern Gazette
"Groom and Gardener - married; 3 years' good character - HM, Hartley, Dartford, Kent."


1865, July 18: Sale at Longfield Rectory South Eastern Gazette
"Mr William Hodsoll is favoured with instructions from the executors of the late Rev James King to sell by auction, on the premises as above, on Friday, July 28th 1865 at 11 o'clock.


The neat and useful household furniture, comprising mahogany 4 post and other bedsteads, mahogany chests of drawers, washstands, toilet tables etc etc. The dining and drawing room furniture includes mahogany chairs in morocco, dining and other tables, 2 sofas, 2 pianofortes, Turkey and other carpets.


Library - a large quantity of books, pair of globes etc etc.


Also sundry culinary and dairy utensils, a patent mangle, garden tools, iron roller, dog cart, harness, saddles and bridles, and numerous effects." "


1865, August 7: Threatening Letters from Hartley Daily News
""Lambeth Police Court: William Parris, a labouerer, was charged with sending threatening letters to Sir G Grey and others.


Dr Bullen, surgeon to Lambeth Workhouse, stated that prisoner had before been held to bail, and in default suffered 6 months for a similar offence. He was of weak mind, and had been confined in the County Asylum. The following letter had been sent to him by the prisoner:


""July 23, 1865 - To Mr Bullen - Now, Bullen, you may think that you have done it up fine by taking that false oath, but you must look out for your blood head. I, William Parris, will pop a bullet in your head yet, you blood murderer, and will be hung for you yet. I told you I would stick to you like the cabman did Muller, you blood murderer of hell flames; I will have you yet. Your or also me must have a coffin, or both of us.""


A letter of similar style was produced, which had been sent to Mr Worster, of the Vauxhall Gas Works, where prisoner had been employed, and contained threats of murdering him.


Revell, one of the warrant officers attached to the court, said he took prisoner at the King's Arms, Hartley Bottom, Kent, where he had just finished and was about posting a letter addressed to Sir G Grey, which was as follows:


""Let him beware. I, William Parris, formerly called Woolwich Will, now at the King's Arms, Hartley Bottom, now write to ask you how long you are going to hide them blood murderers at Lambeth. If you don't soon make a stire in it I must have a bill stuck up. I will not hide murders and blood scandals, and I mean to stick to them as the cabman did Muller."" ""


[William Parris is recorded as being admitted to the Surrey County Asylum on 1 May 1865 and discharged as ""recovered"" on 12 June 1865. O 18 July 1866 he was back in the asylum, where he stayed until discharge on 2 April 1867. On 14 August1865 he had pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey for sending another threatening letter, the court sentenced him to 6 months for this in October 1865.] Prisoner, in a wild manner, said he should next write to the Queen and the Times. The Magistrate said the case was a very serious case and committed the prisoner for trial at the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court."


1865, September 4: Accident at Longfield Maidstone Journal
"On Thursday afternoon last, Mr James Schofield, baker, of Parrock Street, was returning down Longfield Hill towards Gravesend, in his pony cart, accompanied by his son, aged about 10 years, who was driving, and another child about 2 years of age, the pony slipped on its knees, and in recovering itself the left shaft of the cart was broken. The broken shaft frightened the pony, which started, and Mr Schofield immediately jumped out with his youngest child, and fell, spraining his ankle very severely, the child however, not being injured beyond a few scratches. The boy in the cart managed to pull up the pony before it had proceeded far. Mr Schofield was so badly injured as not to be able to walk, and he sent the boy on the pony in quest of assistance, as there were no houses near. The boy came up with Mr George Russell, baker, of Union Street, who placed Mr Schofield in his cart and conveyed him home. Dr Granishaw was sent for, and attended to the wounded limb, but it is likely to be some days before Mr Schofield will be able to go about."


1865, October 3: Longfield Court Estate for Sale South Eastern Gazette
"West Kent, in the parishes of Longfield and Horton Kirby, on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, near to Gravesend and Dartford.


Messrs Cobb are directed to sell by auction at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, London, on Friday, the 6th day of October 1865 at 12 o'clock, a portion of the valuable Freehold Property, known as Longfield Court Estate in 8 lots, as follows:


Lot 1 - the comfortable and substantial residence called Longfield Court, close to the church. It contains 6 bedrooms, dining and drawing rooms, library, kitchen, offices, coachhouse and stabling, together with 3 cottages, barn, lodges, oasthouse, and 22a 0r 14p of arable and pasture land.


Lot 2 - 11a 1r 16p of arable land, on the Longfield Road, adjoining lot 1.


Lot 3 - 12a 0r 15p of arable and woodland, adjoining lot 2.


Lot 4 - 9a 2r 0p of arable land, opposite lot 1 on the Hartley Road.


Lot 5 - 16a 1r 2p of arable land, adjoining lot 4.


Lot 6 - 15a 0r 24r of arable land, on the Dartford and Fawkham Roads.


Lot 7 - 3a 1r 7p of arable land, on the Fawkham Road, on the south side of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway.


Lot 8 - 24a 1r 15p of arable, hop and woodland. This lot has a quantity of ornamental timber on it, and commands fine views of the surrounding country.


The proposed stateio, for which land is retained next lots 4, 5 and 8, will, when made, render the greater portion of the property eligible for building purposes, the locality being proverbally the healthiest in the county. Possession may be had on completion of the purchase.


Longfield Court Farm - Messrs Cobb are directed by W Rashleigh esq to sell by auction, on the premises, on Thursday, the 12th day of October 1865, at 10 for 11 o'clock precisely. The valuable live and dead farming stock, including 6 powerful cart horses, a useful pone, quiet to ride and drive, 10 pigs, waggons, ploughs, dung carts, rollers, thrashing and chaff cutting machines, with other implement, harness etc; also 2 stacks of excellent hay."


1865, December 2: Fire at Fawkham Gravesend Reporter
"Between 9 and 10 o'clock on Saturday evening last, some consternation was caused in the town from the observance of a large body of flame in a southerly direction, and a report was pretty current that a fire had broken out in Perry Street. Many persons hastened towards that neighbourhood, but soon discovered that they had been deceived as to the distance of the conflagration, which turned out to be on the premises of Mr Martin Ray, farmer, known as Whitehouse Farm, Fawkham Bottom, situate about 8 miles from Gravesend. The fire broke out in a barn, containing about 50 quarters of wheat and a quantity of straw, and although a strong wind was blowing at the time, the fire was confined to the building, which with its contents was destroyed."


1866, January 10: Cattle Plague Regulations Gravesend Journal
Famingham: cattle plague meeting, included Messrs Mungean and Crowhurst of Ash.


1866, January 17: Cattle Plague Regulations Gravesend Journal
Cattle ban at Gravesend Market


1866, January 24: Dartford Flooding Gravesend Journal
Flooding at Dartford Creek - damage to old registers, altar cloth


1866, February 3: Theft from George Burnet Gravesend Reporter
"Hartley - on Wednesday last [31st January], a young man named Charles Lowell was apprehended by PC Relfe, on a charge of stealing a pilot cloth jacket, the property of George Burnet, of Hartley. He was taken on Thursday before Robert Bradford, esq, and remanded to this day."


[Gravesend Journal 7.2.1866 reported "Charles Lovell sentanced to 2 months hard labour for stealing a coat worth 10s"]


1866, April 20: Died while Sinking Well Dover Express
"On Friday an inquest was held at Farningham, on the body of William Flewin, aged 38, who met with his death while engaged on sinking a well at Fawkham, by being suffocated by the foul air. It appeared that the deceased and 2 brothers were engaged in the work, and had got to the depth of 205ft. On the day the accident occured the deceased descended the well without taking the necessary precaution, although cautioned not to do so by his brothers. Verdict of accidental death."


1866, May 26: Prize Fight at Longfield Gravesend Reporter
"Prize Fight - the neighbourhood of Dartford has long been noted for the resort of prize fighters, the marshes of Long Reach having oftern been visited by pugilists. On Thursday they visited the other side of the town, having come down by the London and Chatham Railway by special train, and alighted at Longfield Court, between Farningham and Meopham Stations. The combatants were Mace and Goss, but from some cause there was little or no fighting. The men stood in the ring for nearly an hour sparring and fencing, but scarcely touched each other, when they at last shook hands and agreed that it should be considered a drawn battle. Another pair agreed to fight for the amusement of those assembled, and while this was proceeding some police arrived from Dartford, and others who had been specially sent for from Chatham. One or two of the constables were roughly used, but the ropes and stakes were secured by Superintendent Brandon, and carried away."


[For more details of this boxing match, see article The Prize Fight at Longfield 1866.]


1866, May 28: Tenders Invited Maidstone Journal
Tenders invited for labour and scaffolding for brick and flint walls of house to be built at Fawkham. See EB Lamb, architect, Fawkham Green.


1866, June 16: Broken Windows Gravesend Reporter
"James Westrup was charged with wilfully breaking 3 windows at the Green Man, Longfield, kept by Thomas Blackman. He was ordered to pay a fine of 2s 6d, damage 40s and costs 5s or in default one months' imprisonment".


1866, July 11: Unmarried Couples Gravesend Journal
Dartford: Messrs William Whiffin (15s), William Marten (15s), Thomas Jarratt (£1), boarding house keepers, fined for allowing men and women to sleep together when not married.


1866, July 11: Horton Kirby Home for Boys Gravesend Journal
Details of new Homes for Boys at Horton Kirby


1866, August 11: Hop Drier Wanted Kentish Chronicle
"Hop Drier who perfectly understands his business. Apply to Mr Coulson, bailiff, Fairby Farm, Hartley, Near Dartford."


1866, August 25: Theft Charge at Fawkham Gravesend Reporter
"On Wednesday before TH Fleet esq, Sarah Buckingham and Emma Reelty, servants in the family of Mr Josiah Rolls, of Fawkham, were charged with stealing 3 shirts, 2 pillow cases, 2 table cloths, 4 pairs of stockings, soap, candles, sugar, and other articles, the property of their master. They were remanded to this day."


(Maidstone Journal, 27.8.1866) "Sarah Buckingham and Emma Reelty, servants in the service of Mr Josiah Rolls, of Pennis House, fawkham, and who were remanded on a charge of robbery, were discharged on the application of Mr Ribton, who informed the bench that as Mr Rolls had great doubt as to whether there was any felonious intention on the part of the defendants, he was desirous of withdrawing from the prosecution, to which the bench consented."


[This was not the first time Mr Rolls had brought charges against someone, only to have second thoughts, see Gravesend Reporter 10.10.1863 above]


1866, September 29: Poaching Charge Gravesend Reporter
"Game Trespasser - George Morgan, labourer, of Longfield, was on Wednesday charged before T H Fleet esq, with trespassing in search of game, on land at Hartley, in the occupation of Mr James T Smith, at 11.30 on the previous night. He was remanded on bail till this day."


1866, November 14: New House Farm Gravesend Journal
William Treadwell one of the judges at the Darenth Vale Ploughing Match


1866, November 20: Theft Charge at Hartley South Eastern Gazette
"Dartford Petty Sessions - Edward Longhurst was charged with stealing 12 rabbit nets and one ferret, the property of Thomas Hassel, at Hartley Wood Farm, in Hartley, on the 12th November. The charge was proved by the prosecutor and Relfe, 149 KCC. The defendant said he bought them of his own brother for 3s. The bench remanded him for a week and ordered the police to apprehend the brother, in order to ascertain the truth of the defendant's statement."


[At this time it was still called Hartley Wood Farm, as it had been since 1726. The Gravesend Reporter of 1 December 1866 reported William Longhurst was sentenced to 2 months' hard labour, his brother Edward was discharged.]


1866, December 24: Kent near the Metropolis Maidstone Journal
"Sir, A walk in that beautiful and wild part of Kent near Longfield and Fawkham, taken on one of those rare bright and frosty days, of which we have had so few lately, induces me to let you know what I saw, and what I went for. Of the latter I must speak first. What I went for - that was - if within a reasonable distance of London it were possible - to take a contemplative stroll in a rural district, without running full tilt upon brick walls and semi-detached villas said to be in the country, althoug it is evident that the atmosphere is still impregnated with carbon enough to forcibly recall the huge suburbs of the great metropolis. Well, at Fawkham, I found myself - and indeed for a primitive district, I know of none to surpass it. Only about 20 miles from London, hill and dale, wood - no, not water! except at a distance, where the silver Thames runs her varied course, every fresh turn presenting some agreeable prospect, and the woods were sufficiently inviting to draw me through them. Then, the clink of a trowel interrupted my reverie, and lo! on advancign a few paces further, the hand of a builder had commenced his ravages upon the rural scene - a comfortable looking house, however, with more pretension to character than is usual in the present day - or even in this district presented itself before me. In the midst of a wood, on a high hill, and in such a position as to command an extensive and beautiful view, this spot had been chosen, and indeed, the house seemed well fitted to the spot. The building is, as far as I can at presnt make out (for it is not yet roofed in) picturesque in the extreme, and when finished no doubt will be a lion in the neighbourhood. My curiosity promped me to make some enquiry on the spot, and the information I obtained somewhat startled me, as I found that a large plot of ground had been let on building leases, not for small walled in houses, and slips of gardens, but from 4 to 10 acres. This house is the commencement, and no doubt will be the nucleus of a thriving district, and a joy to neighbours not quite near enough to guess by their olefactory organs what is for dinner next door. It would be unfair not to mention that Mr Lamb is the architect of the property, and the first house clearly bears the stamp of his well known and distinctive characteristics. Now, Sir, I have finished my walk, and my rest after it, and feel satisfied that in spite of the spreading wings of the great village overshadowing its vicinity, there are still places within a short railway trip, possessing rural charms enough to satisfy the most fastidious requiremnts, not yet at all events, given up to more bricks and mortar. A Man of Kent."


1867, January 23: Concert at Meopham Gravesend Journal
In spite of bad weather, large company assembled at Camer for Mr Smith-Masters' concert for parishioners of Meopham


1867, February 9: Theft of Bread Charge Gravesend Reporter
"On Thursday last, Edward Harbour, a tramp, was charged before Sir F Currie, with stealing 4 loaves of bread from a baker's cart, the property of Mr Webb, baker of Hartley. It appears that on Tuesday, while the cart was standing at Hartley Bottom, the prisoner was seen by a boy to take the bread from the cart, and go behind the house. The prisoner was afterwards apprehended by PC Relf KCC. He was remanded until today, Saturday."


[The Gravesend Journal of 13.2.1867 said the magistrates dismissed the charge for unsatisfactory evidence]


1867, February 13: Leaving Master Gravesend Journal
Dartford Petty Sessions - William Gilham (16), farm labourer in employ of Thomas Young of Fawkham, accused of unlawfully leaving master's service on 27 January. Case dropped on his agreeing to return


1867, April 15: Cleared of Ill Treating Horse Maidstone Journal
"Dartford Petty Sessions - Before Sir PH Dyke, RO White esq and James Chapman esq. .. Richard Whiffin, a farm labourer, in the employ of Mr Henry Mungeam of Fawkham, was charged with ill treating a horse, belonging to his master, on the 3rd April. After hearing the evidence, the defendant was discharged, as it was not so bad a case as it was represented."


1867, May 1: Cattle Plague Regulations Gravesend Journal
Cattle Plague Regulations: Thomas Coulson, bailiff to Mr George Smith, at Hartley, fined £1 for allowing lad called Martin to drive cow along highway without necessary licence. Defendant said it had slipped his mind. On information of Supt Brandon.


[The disease was not foot and mouth but Rinderpest]


1867, May 4: Gravesend Hospital Gravesend Reporter
Collection at Hartley Church for Gravesend Hospital raises £1 16s 0d.


1867, May 15: Southfleet Church Gravesend Journal
For sale by Southfleet Church - wood once forming gallery, stove and slates


1867, June 1: Combined Church Choirs Kentish Mercury
"On Thursday week the first festival of parochial choirs in the Archdeaconry of Rochester was celebrated in the Cathedral. The weather was most inclement, the rain coming down in showers throughout the day. The choirs assembled in the nave at 11.30 for reheasal, and were composed of the following:- The Cathedral; St Margaret and St Peter's, Rochester; St Mary's, St John's, St Paul's and the Garrison Chapel, Chatham; St Mark's, Brompton; Strood; Trinity, Gravesend; Ridley, Ash, Fawkham, Hartley, Cooling, Stone, Rosherville, Northfleet, Snodland, Luddesdown, Cobham, Meopham, Aylesford, Darenth, Cliffe and Wouldham. After rehearsal the members of the various choirs, to the number of upwards of 600, sat down to an excellent repast, provided by Mr Flint of the King's Head Hotel, Rochester, to which ample justice was done. Grace having been sung, the Ven Archdeacon Grant said he welcomed them to Rochester. He regretted the inclemency of the weather, but said it had one great advantage, as it proved the zeal of the multitude present, who had come in spite of the weather. Like the comets that return to the sun from time to time to gather fresh heat from that luminary, so they had come to the central luminary of the diocese, where he hoped they woudl gatehr fresh light, and carry it with them when they returned to kindle a new feeling to their Lord and Master.


The choir then proceeded to the Cathedral, where the service began at 3.30. The clergy and supliced choirs robed in the Chapter Room, and proceeded through the choir to their respective places in the nave, singing the processional hymn. The prayers were intoned by the Rev T T Griffith, and the Ven Archdeacon Grant read the lessons. The Cathedral was densely crowded, and the singing was faultless and showed the great amount of practice the chors had gone through.


The sermon was preached by the Very Rev W F Hook DD, Dean of Chichester, who selected for his text Ezra 3, 10 and 11 verses.......


The choir, th the number of about 600, partook of a sumptuous repast, served up in excellent style by Mr Fisher of the King's Head Hotel. The males, numbering 400, sat down at the Corn Exchange, while the females, were accommodated at the King's Head Hotel, and notwithstanding the large number to be provide for, Mr Fisher so carried our the arrangement that not the slightest confusion occurred."


1867, June 7: Accident at Dartford Dover Express
"On Tuesday a lad about 10 or 11 years of age, who came into Dartford with Mrs Patching of Hartley, met with a sad accident. While that lady went into the shop of Mr Tyer, grocer, the lad took off the bit, and was putting the nose bad on the horse, when something passing along the street frightened the animal, and it started up Mr Tyer's yard, knocked down the boy, and the wheel of the trap passed over his leg, breaking it about midway between the knee and the thigh. He was conveyed to the Union Workhouse, where he received every attention."


[Not sure where Mrs Patching lived, as there is no-one of that surname living in Hartley in the 1861 or 1871 census, so she presumably only lived a short time here. Alfred Tyer is listed in the Post Office Directory of 1867 as being a grocer and cheesemonger, his shop was in the High Street.]


1867, August 26: Theft Charge at Fawkham Maidstone Journal
Thomas Leonard committed for trial on charge of breaking into house of Harriet Whiffin at Fawkham and stealing stockings and other articles on 21 August.


1868, January 8: Uttering Counterfeit Coins Essex Standard
"Colchester Borough Quarter Sessions


Mary King, 35, was charged with uttering counterfeit coin at Colchester, on the 5th November 1867. Mr Croome prosecuted. In this case the prisoner went to the shop of Mr E M Watson, milliner, High Street, and asked Miss Jane Watson to look at some muffs, one of which she chose, and in payment tendered a shilling, five sixpences and 4 penny pieces (3s 9d). After she had left the shop Miss Watson, thinking the shilling was counterfeit, handed it to her father, who, on testing it, discovered it was a bad one. Miss Watson then followed the prisoner, and finding her in St Nicholas Court told her she had given her a bad shilling. Prisoner said she was not aware of the fact, and at Miss Watson's request, returned to the shop, where she was given into custody. On being charged with the offence she said she must have taken the shilling in change at a red-bricked house about 3½ miles on the London Road as she was coming into the town On the room which prisoner occupied in Magdelen Street being search a quanitity of plaster of Paris, sand, some pieces of copper wire, a melting ladle, and a small piece of metal were found. Evidence was also given that the prisoner had tendered 2 bad shillings in payment for a muff to Mrs Nichols, milliner, Crouch Street. In defence, the prisoner said she did not know that the shilling she had tendered to Miss Watson was a bad one; and dneied that she was ever at Mrs Nichols' shop in her life, or that she ever saw her before her first examination before the Magistrates The Recorder having summed up, the Jury found the prisoner guilty. The Recorder (H J Bushby esq), in sentencing the prisoner, said considering the serious consequences to other parties among whom conterfeit coin might be passed, the law visited the offence with great severity. He perceived she had already been in gaol 2 months, and he could not help thinking she had been the tool of the man with whom she had been living, both of which circumstances he should take into consideration. He could not, however, pass a lighter sentence upon her than 3 calendar months' hard labour."


[The accused, Mary Ann King, at her commital was said to be "respectably dressed" and told the magistrates she was from Hartley in Kent (Essex Standard 8.11.1867). There is a chance that it could be the other Hartley therefore. There was a Mary King living at the other Hartley in 1851, but she had married by 1853. In 1861 Census there was a Mary King living at Stone, near Dartford, and our Hartley being nearer Essex, it is more probable she was living here at the time. She was barely out of prison when she was convicted and sentenced to 7 days for being drunk in Colchester (Essex Standard 15.4.1868). A previous case in 1865 saw her getting 6 months for obtaining money by false pretences, an offence she had previously been convicted of in Suffolk. She was then described as being a hawker (Chelmsford Chronicle 30.6.1865)]


1868, January 22: Leaving Master Gravesend Journal
Thomas Lawrence fined £1 17s for absconding from service of master Wlliam Treadwell of Hartley on 24 December


1868, February 5: Assault at Hartley Gravesend Journal
Eliza Goodwin fined 5s and costs for assaulting Harriett Lynds on 19 January at Hartley.


1868, March 2: Treadwell's Improved Hop Wash Maidstone Journal
"Sir - Having read with deep interest your valuabel report of the Maidstone Farmer's Club, with Mr Barling's address on the washing of hops as an antidote to aphis blight, and the intelligent discussion which followed it, I beg with great submission, though with equal confidence, to reply to Mr Harris' question to Mr Barling, and to recommend one wash as superior to any I have seen used during along period of observations on the growth and cultivation of hops. Some 25 years ago I had the advantage of an acquaintance with a successful hop grower, Mr George Andrus, of Gills Farm, and from that time have been a close observer of the plant. Now, as to the cause of the blessed blight or the origin of the honey dew, I do not at present make an assertion, but as to the benefits of a wash I unhesitatingly assert that Treadwell's Improved Wash is the most efficacious of any I have seen. Last season the effect at New House Farm was little short of miraculous. The wash was not applied till the beginning of July, when there was every symptom of a total blight, the bine going quite black and being very smothered with vermin. It was applied by a common hand syringe, and within 3 days there was palpable evidence of increased healthiness of plant, and within 8 days the recovery was complete. The grounds were visited by many growers in this district, all of whom were perfectly astonished at the result. I have no doubt Mr Treadwell, of New House Farm, Hartley, would furnish any grower with particulars if applied to. I am etc, Observer."


1868, April 8: Maidstone Prison Gravesend Journal
Description of public execution at Maidstone of New Romney woman


1868, May 11: Hunting Unpopular at Hartley and Ash Maidstone Journal
"West Kent Hunt: The annual dinner to the Master, the Hon Ralph Nevill, took place at the Lion Hotel, Farningham, on Wednesday last, the Earl Amherst presiding over between 60 and 70 gentlemen and farmers interested in the national sport................


The Hon Ralph Nevill next proposed [a toast to] the "owners of the coverts" (Sir PH Dyke, J Wingfield Stratford, W Waring, Thomas Colyer, S C Umfreville esqrs and others). He said looking at the manner in which shooting was followed in the present day, he thought the supporters of fox hunting in West Kent might congratulate themselves upon having so many owners of coverts who were unmistakenably well affected fox preservers... There had not been one blank day during the past season, and he looked forward with pleasure to the prospects for the next....


Mr Waring also returned thanks, and in so doing observed that he was, always had been and hoped he always would be a preserver of foxes, but it was a trying position to fill, and very annoying to find that their best foxes, when they get to know any extent of country, got killed illegitimately on land where they were not welcome, and had not been brought up (cheers).....


The noble Chairman proposed the health of the tenant farmers, describing them as a body of gentlemen without whose concurrance and support fox hunting could not exist and to whom, therefore the hunting community was much indebted.....


Mr Treadwell likewise returned thanks, saying he had not always liked fox hunting; but so long as gentlemen rode as fairly as they did now in West Kent, he did not think there was any cause of complaint...


The Vice Chairman [said.....] his was not always a pleasant position... for it must always be remembered that fox hunting required the cooperation of all classes from the lord to the labourer, but above all calsses he considered it was to the tenant farmer class that they were the most indebted for their sport and they ought at all times to be treated with respect and courtesy. He was sorry to have occasion to allude to two instances to the contrary which had occurred at Ash and Hartley. He felt sure, however than in neither of those cases would the farmer continue unpleasant measures if those who followed the hounds acted as they ought to act, and as their much respected master, and in fact all connected with the hunt, wished them to act. With a pack of hounds regularly advertised, and there was no wish to debar anyone from participating in the sport, large fields were constantly out, and it was impossible for the master to be answerable to every one, but it is to be desired that those who do come out should act like gentlemen (loudly applauded throughout)........."


[This is an extract of a report of the West Kent Hunt's annual dinner. It is clear from many of the comments that they actually encouraged the fox population, so they would have something to hunt. The comments of Mr Waring show they took it amiss if someone shot a fox on their land to protect their livestock. Some of their staff ran "coverts" which were little copses of wood in open fields, which encouraged foxes to build earths there.


The hunt did acknowledge that they had been bad neighbours in Hartley and Ash where the local farmers were taking unspecified "unpleasant measures" against them.]


1868, May 25: Treadwell's Improved Hop Wash Maidstone Journal
"Treadwell's Improved Hop Wash for the Aphis Blight etc. WT is desirous of calling the special attention of all those interested in the cultivation of the hop, the singular efficiacy of his new and economic WASH, the merits of which have ben amply attested by those who have had the opportunity of observing its highly restorative properties, even in cases when the diseaase had seemed to have acuqired an almost entire mastery over the plant. This valuable preparation is also confidently recommended as a preventative to the incursions of flea and an antidote to honey dew and other atmospheric blight. To be obtained in any quantities, and forwarded to all parts, with full instructions for use, on application to: William Treadwell, New House Farm, Hartley, near Dartford, Kent.


From Mr JA Edmeades, Southfleet 'The Hazels, Southfleet, April 17th 1868. Dear Sir, - Having witnessed the extraordinary efficiacy of your hop wash in arresting the progress of vermin, I have pleasure in bearing testimony to its thorough adaptation to the end proposed. I am further of opinion that the preparation not only eradicates disease, but acts also as an invigorative stimulant to the plant itself. As you have been enaabled by private enterprise to demonstrate to hop growers in general, a most important result, I think you are fairly entitled to claim their support and patronage, whilst offering to the public a sure remedy at a very moderate cost. Wishing you success..."


1868, May 27: Farningham Church Gravesend Journal
Meeting to discuss improvements to Famingham Church


1868, June 22: Treadwell's Improved Hop Wash Maidstone Journal
Maidstone Farmers Club: Wash for Aphis Blight "Mr Treadwell of Hartley near Dartford, attended to explain the nature of his hop wash. He said he did not think it required any proof from him to show the great advantages derived from the washing of hops for the blight, as it must be evident to all those gentlemen who had witnessed the results of the past season - however prejudiced they might have been - that there was a very great saving upon the outlay. He wuld therefore come at once to the point for which he appeared before them that evening, viz. to explain to them the experiments with, and the advantages derived fromt eh use of his Improved Hop Wash. He called it improved because it was not a substitution, but an addition to the tobacco juice. In the first place he would tell them he was not a very large farmer, and had only about 20 acres of hops in plant, which were very much blighted last year. Of course he was anxious to save the crop, and used at first some tobacco juice etc, but finding it rather expensive, he resolved if possible to obtain something cheaper. He then tried a great many different things from chemists most of which were useless, as they injuried the bine, and when diluted so as not to injure the bine they wuold not kill the vermin; but after many tests and experiments he was at last (though late in the season), fortunate enough to mix a wash which wsa he believed more effective, and added so mucht ot the detergent qualities of the tobacco juice and soft soap, so as to reduce the expense one-third. He had 4 acres of hops at the back of his house which he experimented upon. He first washed 2 acres of them and then went to do some on the Swan Farm at Ash. They washed about the same quantity and then went back to finish the piece at home, but while they had been away the hops had gone so black that it appeared useless to do anything to them. The wash, however, was used as far as it would go on part of the garden, which left 1 acre and 4 hills not done, and after a few days there was a very great differnce in them. The 3 acres grew 22 cwt 3qr 6lb, and the 1 acre 1 cwt 2 qrs 15lb, making a difference of about 6 cwt per acre, at a cost of less than 50 shillings per acre. Now putting the pirce onan average at £8 for the good and £6 for the blighted, it would give a clear profit of £50 per acre, or one pound for every shilling expended. He thought the washing of hops ought not to be looked upon as a personal affair, but as a national one, for ever since the hop duty was repealed he was of opinion they would have a hard struggle with the foreigner which had been too plainly proved this last season; and if they were to gain the day they must grow every year sufficient hops for their own consumption, and grow them cheaper, or the foreigner would drive them out of the market. The growing of hops every year he felt certain could be easily managed if the growers would only take the trouble to wash when the ermin strikes the hops, for there was nothing esle that hindered a crop being grown to any extent but not the blight; the weather would make a little difference, but not more than 2 or 3 cwt per acre. But as to growing them cheaper there were 2 or 3 things to be considered - the labour, the polling, and the manuring, which were the greatest expense. The labour, he thought, could never be reduced to any extent, for that paid for itself, for the more they did to hops the more they would grow. But the polling he thought before long would be much reduced either by using a less number of poles, or by adopting the string system, or by Mr Boy's patent, but as he had never trie dthem he could not give any opinion upon those systems. Now the manuring (which was a very great item in the expense of the cultivation of hops) he considered was worthy the consideration of a club of that kind. For if they were to form a sort of company and buy the materials usually sold for hops, such as woollen waste, fur waste, seal skins, rags etc, by wholesale, and bring them here by water carriage he thought they woudl be enabled to supply the genuine article at a much cheaper rate (hear hear). Some questions were put and answered by Mr Treadwell, in the course of which it transpired that the cost of the wash itself was £1 16s per acre."


1868, July 8: Poaching Charge Gravesend Journal
John Ralph, a farm labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing a tame rabbit, property of William Marshall at Hartley, worth 3s. Defendant was of good character and plaintiff not wishing to press charges - case dismissed


1868, July 22: Fire at Horton Kirby Gravesend Journal
Fire at farm in Horton Kirby, property of George Ray. Owner gave men who put it out a barrel of beer


[Just like Bathsheba Evedine in Far from the Madding Crowd]


1868, August 19: Maidstone Prison Gravesend Journal
First private execution at Maidstone.


1868, October 19: Assault at Fawkham Maidstone Journal
"John Miles, labourer, was apprehended on a warrant and charged with assaulting Thomas Giles, a publican of Fawkham, on 1st August last. Fined 20 shillings and costs, in default 7 days' imprisonment with hard labour."


1868, November 6: A Novel Christening Chelmsford Chronicle
"On the 28th ult (October) a baby was christened in Hartley Church, Kent by the Rev W W Allen, when one of the godfathers was the child's great=grandfather, and is 86 years of age, and has living at the present time 6 children, 42 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren, making a total of 82."


[Sllight problem is that there was no christening at Hartley Church on 28 October 1868. Only one lot of christenings in October - siblings Harry, Elizabeth and William Barnes on 25 October. This story was widely reported throughout the country.]


1868, November 25: Taking Turnips Gravesend Journal
Mr Richardson of Northfleet fined for stealing turnips from James Rays fields at Ash


1868, December 9: Poaching Charge Gravesend Journal
William Wain and Thomas Green fined 30s or 1 month for being on William Allen's land at Hartley in search of game on 27 November [New House Farm]


1869, March 13: Incendarism Gravesend Reporter
"Between 1 and 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 7th inst (March), a large wheat stack situate on Fairby Farm, Hartley, the property of J T Smith esq, was discovered to be on fire. The police were immediately on the spot, and an engine from Dartford promptly arrived. The stack however, was totally consumed; it was of the value of £250, and was insured in the Kent Fire Office. It is supposed to have been wilfully set on fire, and a reward [of £25 - Gravesend Journal 17.3.1869] is offered for information that will lead to the conviction of the guilty party. The stacks adjoining the one consumed were covered over with wet sail cloths etc, and thus saved from destruction."


1869, April 3: Wood for Sale Gravesend Reporter
"To be sold by tender: 46 useful oak trees, with the lop top and bark, standing on Hartley Wood Farm, about 7 miles from Dartford and Gravesend, and within a short distance of a goods siding on the London, Chatham and Dover line. The trees are marked 1-46 incusive and may be viewed on application to the tenant, Mr Bensted. Tenders to be forwarded to Messrs Money & Son, Surveyors, Newbury, Berks..."


1869, May 22: Darenth Cottages for Sale Maidstone Journal
This advert offers for sale the following: (1) Darenth Grange and 370 acres; (2) Dean Bottom Farm, Horton Kirby and 140 acres formerly in the occupation of the late John Cooper; (3) Rentcharge on lands at Horton Kirby; (4) 28 acres of Marsh land at Dartford; (5) New Inn, High Street, Dartford occupied by Mr Black; (6) Tailor's and Outfitter's Shop in Dartford, tenant Mr Pelton; (7) 5 messuages in Hythe Street, Dartford; (8) 2 cottages adjoining the Cricketer's Inn, King William IV, Lowfield street, Dartford; (9) Garden ground at Bullace Lane, Dartford; (10) Building Land and 4 messuages adjoining Greenhithe Church; (11) 3 cottages with gardens near the Black Lion, Hartley.


[The Standard 12.6.1869 stated the cottages were rented at £21 pa.]


1869, June 12: Darenth Cottages for Sale The Standard
4 cottages at Hartley for sale, yielding £21 pa in rent, for sale by executors of John Cooper


1869, September 22: Accident at Hartley Gravesend Reporter
Accident to Mr Superintendent Brandon - "on Tuesday last Mr C Brandon with 2 constables was travelling through a narrow lane in Hartley when it is supposed that the brambles reaching into the road, scratched the horse's leg. The animal at once commenced kicking violently, and in some way got one of its hind legs over the shaft. After having kicked a hole in the front of the cart, and being unable to extricate its leg, it fell and precipitated the three occupants on to the road." Constables unhurt but severe injuries to Supt Brandon's back. Taken home in light cart, but he shows signs of improvement and no bones were broken" [attended to by Dr Moore - Reporter 25.9.1869]


1869, November 1: Wood for Sale, Ash Maidstone Journal
"18 acres of underwood in the parishes of Fawkham and Ash, near Dartford. Messrs J & F Ray will sell by auction on Wednesday, Nov 10th at 2 for 3 o'clock, at the Swan Inn, Ash. About 18 acres of capital underwood growing in Pennis Wood, Fawkham and Nine Horseshoes Wood, Ash. The falls in Pennis Wood will be shown by Richard Day of Fawkham, and Nine Horseshoes Wood by Jeremiah Simmonds of North Ash. Catalogues can be obtained at the neighbouring inns; at the place of sale; and of the auctioneers, valuers and estate agents, Reynolds Place, near Dartford."


1869, November 10: Poaching Charge Gravesend Journal
Edward Bicks fined 20s or 1 month for trespassing on land of Wlliam Allen esq at Hartley in search of game


1869, November 13: Maidstone County Court Maidstone Telegraph
"James and Henry Glover v Thomas Killick. A claim of £17 4s for 4 loads of straw at £7 4s and 2 tons of hay at £10. Mr T Goodwin appeared for the defendant. Plaintiff said that his man delivered 2 tons of hay to defendant. Defendant wante him to take it back. Had not received it back. Told defendant he had sold it once and did not want to sell it again. By Mr Goodwin - Defendant agreed to give him £5 a ton and would take 2 tons at that price. Defendant alleged that the hay was inferior to that which he agreed to purchase. The stack had not begun to be cut. There was always a little dust. Until the stack was cut it was impossible to tell the quality of the hay. Mr Killick is a job master and keeps the Swan Inn, Malling. His (plaintiff's) brother was the person who sold the hay, but was not present as he was confined at hom ill and paralysed. His honour could not proceed without the witness. The case was then adjourned till January by plaintiff consenting to pay the expenses of defendant's attorney and 3 witnesses."


1869, November 17: Poaching Charge Gravesend Journal
John Budd and George Hind given 2 months each for stealing 5 rabbits, property of William Marshall of Hartley on 6 November, and one rabbit, property of Thomas Metchell of Hartley on the same day


1869, December 22: Assault at Fawkham Gravesend Journal
Thomas Hills, William Forrester and George Dumnall fined 5s each for assaulting PC Bailey at Fawkham on 5 December. Low fine due to them having spent 6 days on remand.


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