C4-4k14140-404A tp-t)-1 Ven i\fe, 639494 Lesser Known Buildings: Bridge Place, Kent MALCOLM PINHORN The Hundred of Bridge Bridge Place is situated in the small village of Bridge, some three miles south of Canterbury on the Dover Road. The village is said to take its name from the bridge on the main road over the Nail Bourne river, which rises at Lyminge. At the time of the Norman Conquest the village was spelt Bregge. The main road (A2) along which the older houses of the village are strung was originally the Roman Watling Street and relics of the Roman occupation have been found in the neighbourhood, although so far as is known there was no settlement at Bridge. But Bridge must soon have become an important centre for it gave its name to one of the districts or hundreds into which the counties of England were divided for administrative purposes, This probably indicates that the hundred court sat in or near the village; Bridge Place is built on the site of an ancient court house. The Hundred of Bridge contains several parishes but it is interesting to note until recently Bridge itself never achieved parish status, being a chapelry of the neighbouring village of Patrixbourne. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, con- tains fragments of Norman work but was extensively repaired and partially re- built in the mid-nineteenth century by Mrs. Gregory of Bridge Hill House, the widow of the Revd. Edward Gregory (1). The Hundred of Bridge contained a number of manors including Patrixbourne Cheney, Bridge, Blackmansbury, and Hautsbourn, The manor of Blackmans- bury consisted of the property part of which today is known as Bridge Place. According to the Kent historian Edward Hasted the Hundred of Bridge came into the possession of the Cheyney family during the reign of King Edward II (1273-1307) and it remained in the same family for some three hundred years until Henry, Lord Cheyney (d. 1587) sold it to William Parteriche towards the end of Elizabeth I's reign (2). The Cheyney family came from Shurland in the Isle of Sheppey and one branch of the family is recorded in the herald's visitations of Kent in 1574 and 1619 as living at Higham in the parish of Milsted near Sittingbourne. Lord Cheyney's father, Sir Thomas Cheyney (d. 1558) lived at Shurland, but Henry, although he was member of parliament for Kent at one time, lived and died at Toddington in Bedfordshire. Lord Cheyney died in 1587 without male heirs, apparently owning a considerable amount of land and property in the county, much of which was either sold by him immediately before or by his widow shortly after his death (3). It is doubtful if members of the-Cheyney family ever lived in the hundred, although the manor of Patrixbourne Cheyney, on part of which in the early 17th century Bifrons Park was built, commemorates their period of ownership. William Partheriche's grandson, Sir Edward Partheriche, is said to have 47 conveyed the Hundred of Bridge to Arnold Braems, the builder of Bridge Place, in 1638. oar 0 The Manor of Blackmansbury 'Villare Cantianum' by Thomas Philipot (4) and 'The Hisiory and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent' by Edward Hasted (5) contain a basic account of the • /16 history of the manor of Blackmansbury which can be supplemented and corrected by recent research. We know little about the beginnings of Bridge Place or the manor of Black- ' • mansbury, as it was known until the seventeenth century, beyond the fact that during the middle ages it was part of the property of St. Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury and that the annual rental formed an important contribution to the funds of the Sacristry. Wallenbergs 'Place Names of Kent' lists Blackemanns- a byrie (sic) as recorded in 1253/4. g In 1538, at the dissolution of the monastries, the manor passed into the hands of the Crown which retained it until 1544, when King Henry VIII sold the manor to Henry Lawrence, a barrister of the Middle Temple, London. Lawrence is gri listed as admitted to the Middle Temple with a William Lawrence, between February 1524/5 and February 1550/1 (6). In his will dated 1565 (no date or month given) Henry Lawrence described himself as 'gentleman' of Bridge. Lawrence occupied chambers in the Temple and the manor house at Bridge, but died about 1565 in the City of London, his will being proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in that year (7). His son, John, was under 21, but event- . ; • ually sold the property in 1576 to William Parteriche of Eastry. William Partheriche was a member of an interesting family, a number of whom played a part in the conduct of the nation's affairs. Partheriche held the position of Surveyor of the Ordnance Office, at that time the second principal officer. The office was, in the absence of a War. Office or permanent military establishment, of some importance. "It also supplied the navy with armaments and some other equipment. It was responsible for the ordering, purchase, U- 4 storage, maintenance, issue, recovery, and repair of all munitions of war both by land and sea; manufacture was in private hands, but the suppliers of both w oz cannon and gunpowder were paid under officers in the department, as were those responsible for match, cordage, timber and iron ware. The ordnance was directly subordinate to the king and the Council" (8). William's brother Edward Partheriche and Edward's son Nathaniel were also officers of the Ordnance Office, holding the positions (?jointly) of Keeper of the Hand (or Small) Guns. Nathaniel married, Joan, daughter of William Payneter, who was Clerk of the Ordnance Office (1561-1594) (she re-married after his death). Payneter, who lived at Twiddal Manor, Gillingham, Kent, was the author of 'The Palace of Pleasure' (1566) used by Shakespeare as a source of a number of his plots (9). i'3 4'. •"F"-- William Partheriche's first wife was the daughter of a Londoner; his second wife was the daughter of Sir Thomas More's secretary, John Wild. His third 49 "• -., `N V wife was Affra Morton (10) a half sister of the diplomat Sir Henry Wootton (a witness to William's will) and of the first Baron Wootton, and aunt to Sir Albertus Morton, Secretary of State to King Charles (11). In 1582 William was a member of a Commission appointed by Queen Elizabeth I to carry out extensive improvements to Dover harbour (12). William Partheriche died in 1598, but his wife, who in 1607 remarried Sir Anthony St. Leger, Master of the Rolls in Ireland (13), continued to live at Bridge. At the time of William Partheriche's purchase the manor of Blackmansbury probably comprised the greatest part of the parish of Bridge. The manor of Patricksbourne claimed part of the side of the village of Bridge to the East of the Dover Road, but before the end of Elizabeth's reign William Partheriche had purchased the manors of Patricksbourne Merton (which included the advowson of Patricksbourne with Bridge) and Patricksbourne Cheney. In addition he appears to have held an interest in the manor of Kingston (14). William Partheriche had a son Edward who married, firstly, Susan Stede of Harrietsham, and they probably lived at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, Kent, the home of Susan's stepfather, Francis Colepeper. Edward was, however, buried at Bridge in 1612 (15). Edward left a son Edward (later knighted) and a daughter Catherine. Catherine married Herbert Springett, whose father owned Broyle Place,Sussex. Their son William Springett, knighted at the age of 20, married Mary, daughter of Sir John Proud, and they boarded with his uncle, Sir Edward. Their grand- daughter Guilelma Maria Springett, was the first wife of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania (16). Sir Edward Partheriche married, firstly, Catherine, youngest daughter of Sir Arthur Throckmorton and a niece of Sir Walter Raleigh, and secondly, Mary, daughter of Sir Edward Fagge. Sir Edward, who was member of parliament for Sandwich (Kent) from 1640-1648, was an Adventurer in and a candidate for the Directorship of the drainage of the Bedford Level (17). Sir Edward appears to have lived firstly at Greenway Court, but after he sold the Bridge Place estates in 1638 is said to have moved at first to Faversham, where his wife had in- herited property from her father (18). Afterwards he moved to Ely to be near his interests in the draining of the fens. The purchaser of the Blackmansbury estates was Arnold Braems of Dover, a wealthy and influential merchant, , who is mentioned several times in Pepys' Diary, and was knighted in 1660. Arnold Braems, who built the house known today as Bridge Place, about 1638-40, was succeeded by his son Walter Braems. Walter died in 1691 and under the terms of his will, the Bridge Place estate was sold. By a series of transactions dated 8 June 1695 Sir Henry Palmer, Robert Cony and Abraham Parrott, as trustees of the will of Walter Braems, sold the estate to John Taylor (who had recently purchased Bifrons, a small estate in the neighbouring parish of Patrixbourne) subject to a mortgage in favour of amongst others, the celebrated admiral Sir Clowdesley Shovell (1650-1707) (19). 50 51 BRIDGE PLACE. Photograph of a drawing of part of the secondary staircase in the north-east wing ("ye little staior case"). It was Taylor who, preferring the Jacobean mansion of Bifrons built by John Bargrave, demolished two thirds of Bridge Place, which he then appears to have used as a dower house. It is not yet known who occupied the remaining third of Bridge Place in the early years of the eighteenth century but John Taylor's (unmarried) grand- daughter Mary Taylor lived in the house from 1742 to 1770, during which period she brought up the daughter of Brooke Taylor, the first secretary of the Royal. Society, who died whilst his daughter was under age (20), This daughter after- wards became Lady Young, the wife of a colonial governor (21). In 1772 the house was let to John. Hardy, who was probably a relative of the Hallett family, the builders of Higharn, now known as Highland Court, in the parish of Patrixbourne. Hardy's occupation probably dates from 1770 for on 26 April that year he married the daughter of the vicar of nearby Bekesbourne, the Revd William Bedford. Hardy died in 1778, but his widow Ann continued to live in the house until her death in 1783 (22). She was followed by William Hougham (d. 1828) who afterwards moved to his family home on Longport, Canterbury, now a girls school (23). In 1766 when the then freehold owner Herbert Taylor mortgaged some of his property to a James Brockman (24) for £3000, the mortgage deed dated 18 December that year described the Bridge Place Estate as follows: "An that capital messuage or tenement situate and being the vile of Blackmansbury within the ... parish of Bridge in the ... county of Kent together with all Houses, Edifices, Buildings, Outhouses, Orchards, Gardens, Courts, Yards, Lands Arable Meadow Pasture and Woodlands with their and every of the appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging in any wise appurtaining or therewith used occupied or enjoyed containing by estimation 40 acres or thereabouts be the same more or less sometime in the tenure or occupation of Nicholas Heniker or his assigns and late in the tenure or occupation of Walter Breames or his assigns with all warrens for coneys and grounds inclosed for coneys to the same belonging or appertaining with the two tenements thereupon theretofore built by William Partherick Esq deceased whereof one of the same tenements is with- in the said furclosed (sic) grounds commonly called Hounds Pitts and the other is in a close called Whitehill in Bridge near the highway leading to Dover". We know from Hasted that the property was occupied by Lady Elizabeth Yates, after the death of her second husband in 1793 (25). She was married firstly to Sir Joseph Yates (1722-1770), who was employed by the Crown against John Wilkes when be was accused of libelling King George III. Lady Yates married secondly, on 12 January 1776 Dr. John Thomas (1712-1793), who was consecrw- ted Bishop of Rochester and died in office on 22 August 1793. Lady Yates lived at Bridge until her death in 1808 (26). Her daughter married Col, Cholomeley Dering, guardian of Sir Edward Bering, the eighth baronet, who lived at nearby Howletts, built for Isaac Baugh a few years earlier (27), The next_ tenant of whom we have knowledge was the Revd Charles Hughes, who was vicar of Patrixbourne for 35 years (28). Charles married in 1806 53 Francis Anne, the eldest daughter of Sir Edward Knatchbull, eighth baronet, of The Architecture of Bridge Place Mersham Hatch, Kent, and came to live at Bridge Place two years later, staying until 1813. It was whilst here that four of his twelve children were born. When (Sir) Arnold Braems purchased the Bridge Place estate in 1 638 the sale In 1829 the owner of the Bifrons estate, with the consent of Herbert Edward included the manor house which had probably been built by William Partheriche, Taylor, his eldest son and heir apparent, leased the estate for a year to one Surveyor of the Ordnance Office, shortly after Partheriche purchased the Ambrose Humphrys of Upper Wimpole Street, London (29). The estate, which estate in 1576 (35). Part of the semi-basement of this house (which was incorp- had been part of a marriage settlement (dated 31 August 1802) between Edward orated into the succeeding building and used as a kitchen) was discovered during Taylor and Louisa Beckingham, daughter of the Revd John Charles Beckingham excavations in 1964 and 1965 at the time of the writer's ownership of the pro- of Bourne Place, prior to their marriage on 6 September 1802, is then described perty. This had centrally brick built hexagonal pillars (cemented over and the (as it related to Bridge Place) in the following words "... all that capital mes- brick outlines redrawn) which doubtless supported a vaulted ceiling similar to suage or mansion house with the offices outbuildings and appurtenances thereto the one which survives in the cellars of Chevening, Kent (36). belonging and the cottage therewith used or enjoyed; and all those several fields Braems, a wealthy merchant of Flemish descent with considerable business closes pieces or parcels of land thereto belonging and therewith used and enjoyed interest in Dover and London (37), probably, on purchasing the property, largely situate and lying and being in the .. Parish of Bridge in the .. County of Kent demolished the existing manor house to ground level and started the build a new containing by estimation 11 acres or thereabouts be the same more or less for- house incorporating the semi-basement of the old house. In the words of merly in the tenure or occupation of Dame Elizabeth Yates her undertenants or Thomas Philipot writing in 1659 (38) - "Mr. Arnold Brame of Dover, ... upon the assignees". This lease was probably the legal device current during that period foundation of the ancient fabrick hath erected that magnificent pile which obliges for conveying the estate to a new owner, for it was at that time that negotiations the eyes of the passenger, both to admiration and delight, and which like a were taking place with the first Marquess of Conyngham for the sale of the Phoenix seems to have arose more glorious out of the ruins". Bifrons Estate to him. Eventually he purchased it for the gross sum of £97,475 . The evidence for dating the house before the Commonwealth is primarily Of this sum Edward Taylor had to pay £18,083. 19. 8d. in settlement of outstand- based upon three facts. Firstly the Hearth Tax Returns for Bridge shortly after ing debts (30). the Commonwealth state that the house had 24 hearths (39); this would fit Bridge Place was let, in common with many smaller country houses in Braems' new house. Secondly the description of the house and grounds and the Victorian times, to a farmer. In the 1830's it was occupied by Richard and sketches of Bridge Place by William Schellinks when he stayed at Braems' Sarah Brice, Richard Brice being described as a yeoman (31). Later the Athill house in 1 660 indicate the rebuilt house (40). Thirdly, Braems was a strong family lived at the house. In 1 857 three of the children of George Athill, a Royalist and was heavily fined during the Commonwealth (41), suggesting he farmer, were baptised at Bridge (32);one of them, Charles Harold Athill, MVO, would not have been in a position to afford to build a new house after the Civil FSA(1853-1922) was Clarenceux King of Arms from 1919 until his death. War. By 1862, however, Bridge Place had ceased to be a farmhouse, for in that If, as seems likely, the house was built before the Civil War the fact that year George Henry Conyngham, Lord Mount Charles, later third Marquess of Cornelius Johnson the portrait painter lived at the house a number of years as a Conyngham, came to live in the house, staying until 1867. There followed a guest of the owner before leaving for Holland at the outbreak of the war (42), number of further tenants, including Julian Hedworth George Byng (1862-1935) suggests the new house had been completed when Johnson arrived. There is no later created Viscount Byng of Vimy (33). reason why Braems should not have built his new house immediately he bought In 1956 the freehold of the house was sold to the Hon. Mrs A. L. C. Neame of the estate - that is about 1638-1640. Hardres Court, near Canterbury (34) who only lived in the house a short period The plan of the house was simple: it was square, having four wings round a letting it for the rest of her ownership. small central (enclosed) courtyard which served as a light well (43). The front In 1962 the writer purchased the property and occupied it until 1967. (south) wing incorporated the semi-basement of the old house which extended to approximately half the east and west wings, the latter having what appears to have been an indoor well. It was not possible to extend the semi-basement area further due to the water-table (44). Four of the bays of the original south (front) wing and five bays of the east wing survive with later (Georgian and Victorian) additions. The new house was built of red brick made in a field adjacent to the building (45). On the outer face the bricks were laid entirely as stretchers, with 54 55 Flemish bond on the inner face. The bricks are soft and have not weathered 014.....iiromml well. itImumimmi 111111'11.1111111MI IIIIIII The south and north wings consisted of nine bays, the east and west wings of NM BOO seven bays, with semi-basement, ground floor, first floor and attic storey. BNB MEI The semi-basement, ground and first floor window frames were of brick plas- tered over the simulate stone mullions and transoms. Some of these survive I IMNMNIINOIMi f and it must be doubted whether wooden window frames had been introduced into PRISM England by this time as has been claimed (46). The semi-basement had two light and the ground and first floor four light windows. The attic two light win- rl dow frames (some of which survive with contemporary glass) were of wood. Mil The principal front with wide outdoor terrace faced south east. The founda- MIN 411111111nounii illf tions of this terrace and the main entrance steps were discovered during the •.l lINNINIINIItIIlN1IN 'quo!) excavations carried out during the writer's occupation of the property. From r.::• I I 1 Wit-rnl tri 11:"1 ;1::::: the inventory of goods and chattels compiled on the death of Sir Arnold Braems iMpirl.. 7•11ff igiiiiiiiiiiil 1 (47) we know there was an open verandah incorporated into one wing providing a U !INDIUM' In I II RP 1:1 NI lionmoommi min 1! II 1 IIIIIIMENI11111111 ,Alinill covered terrace. It seems likely this was the west wing as from aerial photo- inammunionc 1 , 1i IINIIII1INNiI graphs it is clear there was an extensive water garden on this side of the house U U 1g12,!: :SIMI II f"-=--61. (48). The east wing faced the stables, of which only part of one wall survives. thifirii :::::iii ,b menomi The special external features of the house were firstly, the porch which, iiiiiniffilinallis f'.... ,.!niiii marsiminwompqmoir" 'Nil judged by the sketch of 1660 by William Schellinks, may have been of stone and 1 1111M1111111111111111 I Hi : 411 u '11111111111a1ME f 41p1MILti,i all IIIIIII is a single storey version of a typical Jacobean porch topped with a balcony (49). Secondly the pilasters with rubbed and cut bricks displaying the technical skill of 3 NW HITir ft, IP the bricklayer-contractor, superimposed between all the windows. The pilasters do not represent an orthodox rendering of the Tuscan order but are 111111iirwat7f'1111 it !marl "subordinated to the exigencies of the material". Thirdly, the windows between I Kingliiiiniiiiiiin :: :::i ii 11 -1',,111.111/11111. Iii •Ggil Anilinimiiii ..... --- :.)141• 1111••••••••111b4811tilmump i ground and first floor are separated by a full entablature, with a deeply project- tWortIFHP1 !Thinitfilimili ing cornice. Fourthly,the roof is hipped on close-set eaves brackets. Fifthly, f .."%li:: the plain, neatly grouped, chimney stacks. There were five stacks in all, one at ;iiiiiiiiiiiiiii' 1 each corner and the other in the middle of the front (south) wing (50). The II 1 ' 1 lannanmnann ii• iiii 1 a 1 i IIII111:11111112111111 ,. 11111 II second and fifth features were already to be seen at nearby Broome Park in 1638 1 dIVIIIIIIIItItil HIM / 1 1 1 VIIIIIMIII21111i! nu unil when Arnold Braems bought the estate. It is tempting to suggest that the men ii,TeifF.::rrm 1 I IL=.1-:— -----:1 1 I, employed at Broome by Sir Basil Dixwell moved on to Bridge (51). -2z Of the internal features only the secondary staircase, two wooden cornices, tiiiii•3 MINIM NI i' ' 1 41.1.11fil11111110111 ;AZ mill two fireplaces, some panelling and some doors survive of Braems' fittings (52). .1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII MAUI iii 1, Ill ' I 1 0 11111 1111111111111111 111111 I 1111E1 to111111N1111111111111111 I .4111111M11111111111111111111 IttIM1MI my Approximately two thirds of Arnold Braems' house was demolished in the late 1690's, leaving, as has been stated four ninths of the principal (south) front and four sevenths of the east wing. The cornices, which are probably cut down from I IM 11 1 11111111111 I Minn MEN Mil' larger rooms, are of wood and carved. One has a scale pattern seeming to ' I I IIIIMISEENI III 1 to 11 INIIIRIIMNININIMI 411111111 represent the scales of a fish (?to commemorate the owner's maritime connec- IM -1 litrillillaWill! rii tions) with carved heads (one, for example, with a Flemish hat, another with a , .. full bottomed wig) which probably represent friends and relatives of the owner. ......_,:,J., The other cornice has a leaf design, punctuated with bunches of fruit. The fire- places are of carved Bethersden marble. Finer examples of similar work sur- 411111.11111MMINIENUM IM reffial vive at nearby Broome Park and other houses (53). IMIIIIIMEMMIN, ri 57 Notes and References 1. The Revd Edward Gregory's will was dated 25 May 1846 and was proved on 23 August 1849. He left his wife and a brother George, of Willesborough, Esq. His widow died 27 March 1867 and her will was proved 13 April 1867 by the Revd Albert Cheese of Gosforth and Phillips Buchanan of Wychwardine Hall, Willington, Salop. , the nephew and executors, estate under £60,000 (ex info. P. H. Blake, Esq), 2. Edward Hasted's 'The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent': Canterbury, 1790, vol. 3, pp. 724 and 725. 3. 'Complete Peerage', vol. 3, pp. 192 and 193. 4. Published in London in 1659 (p. 66). 5. See note 2 above. 6. Reynold's 'Admissions to the Middle Temple' vol. 1, p.16. 7. PCC 29 Morrison. 8. G. E. Aylmer's 'The Kings Servants' 1961, p. 41. 9. For an account of William Paynter (or Painter) see the Dictionary of National Biography (vol. 43, p. 80). His will was proved in 1596 (PCC 6 Drake). His daughter Joan, married firstly, Nathaniel Partheriche, who was buried on 13 February 1587 at St. Peter ad Vincula (Parish Registers: will 1587 PCC 13 Rutland). She afterwards married John Orwell. (Visita- tion of Kent 1619 and Visitation of London 1568, published by the Harleian Society). 10. Her will was proved in 1631 (PCC 101 St. John). Affra (or Affara), the daughter of Robert Morton by his wife Eleanor (daughter of William Finch of The Mote, Canterbury), was the half sister of Edward Wootton, 1st Baron Wootton (1548-1626) and of Sir Henry Wootton (1568-1639), a witness to William Partheriche's will. For further details of Edward and Henry, and their father and grandfather (Thomas Wootton (1521-1587) and Sir Edward Wootton (1492-1555)) see the Dictionary of National Biography. 11. Sir Albertus Morton (d.1625; letters of administration with will annexed PCC 138 Bowyer) was Affara Partheriche's nephew. 12. J.13. Jones's 'Annals of Dover', Dover, 1916, p. 93. 13. William Partheriche was buried at Bridge 26 June 1598 (Parish Register); his will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC 62 Lewyn). Sir Anthony St. Leger's will was also proved in PCC (PCC 12 Capel 1613). 14. See note 2 above. The home farm of the manor of Blackmansbury was the subject of an article in the "Vanishing Houses of Kent" series in a recent volume of 'Archaeologia Cantiana' (?1964). In 1830, the farm (then about 100 acres) was the property of Richard Barham and in the occupation of Joseph Huckstep (sic) (evidence from a map of the parishes of Patrixbourne and Bridge and of the Bifrona estate in 1830 in private hands). His son BRIDGE PLACE. Photograph of a drawing of the ground floor plan Of the house as originally built, based upon recent excavations (reduced). Since this drawing William Huxstep was in occupation ca. 1841-1851 and William's widow, was made it would appear there might have been a fireplace immediately Mercy Huxstep, in occupation ca.1861. In 1841, William is described as a opposite the main entrance. 58 59 I Bailiff, but in 1851 as a farmer (Census Returns for the village of Bridge 31. Land Tax Returns at Kent Archives Office. PRO HO 107/465; HO 107/1623, at Public Record Office, London). 32. They were all baptised on 18 August 1857 (Bridge Parish Register). 15. Bridge parish registers. 33. Byng probably occupied Bridge Place from 1905 to 1907 when he commanded 16. 'Guile'ma:wife of William Penn' by L. V. Hodgkin (p. 11) and evidence of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in the Eastern Command ('Complete Peerage' vol. 'Alumni Oxonienses' and parish registers of Honeybourne and Langley, Kent. 13, p. 317). 17, 'Draining of the Fens': Darby. 34. Third daughter of John Alexander Dewar, first baron Forteviot, and widow 18. Catharine (or Katherine) Throckmorton (1598-1632) was the first wife of of Lt. Col. Arthur Laurence Cecil Neame. (see Burke's 'Landed Gentry' Edward Partheriche. He married, secondly, Mary, daughter of Edward 1952 edition). She died in 1967. Fagge of Ewell, Faversham, Kent. 35. The construction of the cellar discovered during the recent excavations 19. Deeds in the possession of the author. Among the possessions of the suggests the Partheriche family built their house in the last quarter of the Braems family was a 21 year lease of the rectory (i.e. the property which sixteenth century. went with the office of rector) of Folkestone, Kent. Prior to 1640, when it 36. Article in 'Country Life' vol. 47 p. 512 and p. 548. was first granted to the Braems family, the lease of the rectory had been in 37. See article in 'Blackmansbury' vol. 4 Nos. 3 & 4 "Early Stuart Architecture". the hands of the famous Dr. William Harvey (see DNB) and five of his 38. See note 4 above. brothers (article in 'Kentish Gazette' 12 July 1963). 39. Hearth Tax Returns for Kent at the Public Record Office, London. 20. For Brooke Taylor (1685-1731) see DNB vol. 55, p. 404. 40. Walpole Society vol. 35. 21. See Young of Dominica GEC 'Complete Baronetage' vol. 5, p.153. 41. The list of Compounders for Kent at the Public Record Office, London 22. Based upon the Land Tax records at the Kent Archives Office, Maidstone. (SP28/157). Sequestered royalists could pay a fine and regain their estates. For an account of the Hardy family see 'Blackmansbury' vol. 2 no. 2. See also 'The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion 1640-1660' by 23. Land Tax returns, Berry's 'Kent Genealogies', and Hasted. A. M. Everitt, Leicester 1966 for a general account of Kent at the period, 24. The mortgage was dated 18 December 1766 (Kent Archives Office,Maidstcne) although the conclusions of the author in the fields of architectural and 25. Lady Yates was the daughter of Charles Baldwin of Munslow, Shropshire. family history are unsatisfactory. 26. Lady Yates was buried 16 April 1808 at Bekesbourne, Kent (Parish 42. Walpole Society vol. 35. Register). 43.. Compare BalisPark, Hertfordshire (see 'Blackmansbury' vol. 4 Nos. 3 & 4). 27. For an account of the Dering family see Burke's 'Peerage' 1967 edition. 44. The stream known as the Nail Bourne flows a few yards from the foundations 28. Revd Charles Hughes-Hallett (1778-1846) was the father of Revd James of the north wing of the house and during recent excavations water soon ap- Hughes-Hallett, the last member of the family to be a donor of the Dunmow peared when holes a few feet deep were dug. Flitch (see Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 18th ed. vol.1). He was the son of 45. A small brick works was still operating within living memory on the site. William Hughes by his wife Mary Hallett. Mary was the daughter of John 46. This is discussed in the article in 'Blackmansbury' vol. 4 Nos. 3 & 4. Hallett of Little Dunmow, Essex, and sister of James Hallett, who in 1781 47. Transcribed and published with this article. purchased and rebuilt Higham (now renamed Highland Court) about three- 48. Aerial photographs in the possession of the author taken for the Ministry of quarters of a mile from Bridge Place. When James died unmarried in 1823 Housing. his nephew, the Revd Charles Hughes, succeeded to the estate and assumed 49. See drawing by Willem Schellinks in Walpole Society vol. 35. Schellinks by Royal Licence the additional name and arms of Hallett, thus founding the described life at Bridge Place in 1661 in his journal. "This estate of Sir family of that name, A. Braems lies in an exceedingly pleasant valley. Besides the manor house 29. Conyngham papers at Kent Archives Office. The deed is dated 22 May 1829; provided with very many rooms, a great hall and other fint apartments, it Edward was then living in Brussels. has its own deer park stocked with hart and hind, woodland, a rabbit con- 30. Conyngham papers at Kent Archives Office. Lady Conyngham was notorious servatory on the hill, very fine and skilfully made pleasure gardens and in her husband's lifetime as mistress of George IV, and it is probable that orchards which are all irrigated with an ever running, fresh crystalline the King purchased Bifrons for her. Writing of Bifrons in 1838 Greenway in stream of wonderfully sweet water. This flows in various channels and his 'History of Kent' states: "In 1798 the Revd Mr. Taylor was succeeded by sluices, and into several fish ponds throughout the estate. In these a cer- his eldest son, Edward Taylor, Esq. , of whom we believe it was purchased tain type of fish called Trout is fed and taken, being very much like large by the late King George IV". It is known that the King stayed in the district carp, and is well prepared in the English way - a very delicate food. The at Charlton Park in the next parish. estate also has a large vineyard around the garden, and outhouses so that 60 61 every year two or three hogshead of wine are made there from it. And its The Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Sir Arnold Braems kt large dove cote, looking like a chapel, is so well provided with young doves that during the whole summer and longer, twelve or even fourteen dozen are A True & Perfect inventory of all & Singular goods & Chattles of Sr. Arnold taken out and put into pies or otherwise prepared. When the men go hunting Braems Kt. of Bridge in ye County of Kent diseased, taken & apraised ye 7th daily they catch many partridges and pheasants, which we had every day at day of Decemb(er) 1681 By Robt. Jacob Sen. of ye Towne & Port of Dover, and table, besides various other delicate foods, richly prepared with an extra- John Burton, Yeoman, in ye Parrish of Bishopsborne in ye County of Kent. ordinarily tasty English sauce. The drink consists of different sorts of wine and perry which is made of pears. The estate has its own brewery, Impri(mi)s:The testators wearing apparrell & puree 10. 0. 0. bakery, winepresses, hop gardens, barns, stables, oxen, cows, sheep, Item in ye Halle three tables three formes four Chairs one Grate pigs, geese, ducks, etc. , corn and fruit, and, finally, everything that one two Andiarns one forke one Clocke 4. 0. 0. could desire. And since this gentleman is so amiable and hospitable and four Mapps & twelve small pictures 1. 0. 0. keeps a princely board, he has an extraordinary number of visits from knights and high born gentlemen and their ladies so that he is continually Item in ye great Parlor one Couche two tables fourteen Chaiers one surrounded by his family and neighbouring friends at table. " Carpit one looking glass one Seston & water pott one screen 50. This is based upon evidence discovered during recent excavations. Two Andiarns Ten pictures 6. 0. 0. 51. See IBlackmansbury` vol. 4 Nos. 3 & 4. Item in ye little Parlor Two tables & Carpitt one Couch eight Cheers 52. Another fireplace survived until the present century but during the period of Andierns fire pan & tongs 1. 9. 6. the tenancy of a Mrs. Penn it was apparently destroyed when the internal wall between the present dining room and the entrance staircase collapsed. Item in ye Bake hoes one Chest Mill table Two Kneading troughts one 53. See 'English Country Houses, Caroline 1625-1685' Hill & Cornforth, 1966. ( ? ) two peales & a paire Andiarns 1. 2. 5. Item in ye Larders one Safe three frying pans pestell & Mortar five trays one brine tubb one Chest one table 0.15. 4. Appendix: Memorial inscriptions to the Brice family in the churchyard of the parish church at St. Nicholas at Wade, Kent. Item in ye Kitchen one Jacke one table one pair grates fire pan & Transcribed by PETER REID tongs five Spitts three Dripping panns three Kettles five potts Two Stew panns three Scillitts three paire potthooks three Sacred to the Memory of Sarah/the wife of/John Dadds/of Crumps Place Farm pott hangers 4.15. 3. in this Parish/and daughter of Mr. Richard Brice/of Bridge Place in this county/ Item in ye 'Wilke house ten trays one (? one) Rings one table one She departed this life on the 12th of October 1838 aged 27 years/Also of Henry Churmb one Cheese tub one milk paile two Chees bales one son of the above/John and Sarah Dadds/who died on the 25th of/September 1835 Starching tubb 0.13. 6. aged 4 months/Also of the above John Dadds/who died on the 18th June 1882/ Aged 77 years/Also of Harriett second wife/of the above John Dadds/who died on Item in ye buttry one bins on napkin press one table & one Safe 0.16.11. the 28th March 1891 aged 87 years/ 5. 9, 6. Item in ye Sellers twelve Stillings ten Casks & Six Iron bound Casks Sacred to the Memory of/Mary/the wife of/Ambrose Collard/of St. Nicholas I(te)m on ye Stayer case paper pictures & board pictures 0.12. 2. Court/in this parish and daughter of/Mr. Richard Brice/of Bridge Place in this Item ye furniture of Sr. Arnolds Chamb(er) one Mohaire bed with all county/who departed this life/on the 29th day of May 1844/aged 35 years/Also ye furniture belonging to it 40. 0. 0. of Harriett/daughter of the above/Ambrose and Mary Collard/who died on the 16th day of/October 1843 in the/eleventh year of her age/also of Sarah Ellen Seven Cane bottom Cheiers & Coshins with ye rest of ye third daughter of the above/Ambrose and Mary Collard/who died March 8th 1877/ furniture belonging to ye Roome 5. 0. 0. aged 33 years. a ?pcell pict(ur)s 10, 0. O. one Screen 3. 0. 0. one looking glass 10. 0. 0. one Japan Cabinett 8. 0. 0. 62 63 a ?pcell ( ) 5. 0. 0. Item in ye Clossett next Sr. Arnolds Chamb(er) one Cabinett & frame a ?pcell books 10. 0. 0. two looking glasses one Couch two Cheers one paire Curtaines one Necklas of pearl & one Lockett , 130. 0. 0. & a pcell Images & glasses 14. 3. 4. Two diamon rings 15. 0. o. Item ye red Chamb(er) over ye Kitchen bed bedstead Serge Curtains Sr. Arnolds pict(ure) 60. 0. 0. & Vallaixas three quilt two blanketts one bolster two pillowes one Gould watch .. 12. 0. 0. three Cheiers two squabbs; side table one looking glass one pr three Cornelians Rings & a Smalle Jewelbs 20. 0. 0. Croopers fire pann & tonges 9.10. 0. It(em) one Chieffin dish two porring(er)s one Cupp & two Candle Sticks 181.19. 7. of one hundred forty Seven ounces at fiue shillings per oz 36.15. 0. Item in ye Rubd Roome over ye Terris walke one wrt. bed bed Steed 364.15. 0. Curtains Valliants one Rugg two blankett two bolsters two Item in ye Billiatt Roome one billiate table aside table eight Chaiors pillowes one Counter paine four Cheiers two squobb two stands one Screene two side tables Two looking glass one paire Andorns one squobb one paire Stands a paire of Andiorns fire pan & Cropers fire palm & tonges bellows Snuffers three window tongs & Croopers 3. 18. 7. Curtaines 18. 5.10. Item in ye Dineing Roome two tables one side Marble table one pair Item in ye Chamb(er) next ye great Staiyer Case bed bed Steed Stands one looking glass eight & twenty Chaiors two squobbs one paire brass Andiorns Croopers fire pan & tonges Seven paire Curtaines Vallians Rugg two blankett two pillows one quilt three Cheiers one table 4. 10. 0. Curtians 13. 2. 4. one Ciprus Chest & Carpitt 3. 0. 0. Nine pictures 30. 0. 0. Item in ye Maids Chamb(er) two feather beds two flock beds four Item in ye Dineing Roome Chamb(er) one Cloth bed find with sasnett Blankett two Coverlitts two bolsters two Chests looking glass one Silke quilt two blanketts two quilts & a Fether bead one & pictuer 0. 17. 6. bolster two pillowes seven Cheiers one squobb one side table one Carpitt one Marble table two stands one looking glass three Sixteen dozen diap(er) napkins twelve diap(er) table Clothes two pr. Curtaines a pr. Croopers fire pan tongs Bellows & Snuffers 20. 2. 0. & twenty diap(er) sideboard Clothes twelve planie sideboard Item in ye Staior Case Chamb(er) one bed bedstacke Curtaines Clothes eight plane table Clothes twelve pr ordinary Sheets Vallians two quilts three blanketts bolster two pillows one eighteen paire Servants Sheets two Callieoe & one holland table one Stand four Cheors ten picturrs Croopers fire pan ?Spittong Sheets Seven pr pillow Coats two pr fine quiltene tonges & Bellows .... 4. 13. 8. Coats Seven fine towell Clothes three dozen ?hom made towells twelve Servants towells twelve dresser Clothes six plaine Item in ye little Staior Case one percian Carpett one small table & napkins 32.19. 0. Carpitt two Chests drawers two Chests two trunks 10. 0. 0. odd Curtains & other small things 2. 0. 0. Pewter five hundred one quarter weight at Six pence per pound 14.14. 0. Seven pr sheets old Seven old diap(er) table Clothes thirty Seven Brass Candle Sticks 0.10. 0. paire Sheets three paire Course Sheets ( ? ) paire pillow Item in ye Chamb(er) next ye Maids one bed bedsteed Curtains Clothes Nine dozen damask napkins eight dozen diaper napkins Vallians Rugg Blanketts Bolster & pillows one table two spices thirteene damask table Clothes three diap(er) tableelothes boxes one Case bottles Earthen platters Side Sadie Case & bridle 5.10. 0. five damask towells twenty diap(er) table Clothes fourteen Item in ye Steele house two Steeles & Limbucks 2. 0. 0. diap(er)towells six doz old diap(er) napkins six small diap(er) table Clothes 67. 8. 0. Item in ye Brew house two Coppers two tonns three Coole backs four paire home-made sheets & a pcell pictures 5. 0. 0. five tubbs 19.15. 8. Item in ye dressing Roome two Looking glasses Chest drawers one Item in ye men Servants Chamb(er) two flocks bed & Coverings 1. 0. 0. table one press & a peen pictures 2. 1. 8. 64 65 Item one waggon two Courts (?) a hutch (?) three harrows one plow Ite(m) in ye drying Roome three Spanish tables one long table one waggon harnis & plowharnis 4.10. 0 Screene one paire Andiorns firepan & toungs Six Smoothing Irons 2. 0. 0. 112.12. O. Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) over ye Billiett roome one bed bedsteed Item for five horses 25. 0. 0. Curtains & Vallians one boulster one rugg two blanketts one three Sheepe 1.10. 0. side bord table & Carpitt two Cheiers 4. 5. 0. one Cow 3. 0. 0. Ite(m) one Coach & harnis 40. 0. 0. Six load of heiy 6. 0. 0. ten ( ? ) barly 10. 0. 0. Item) one table in ye great Stayer Case 0.12. 0. two piggs 1. 0. 0. Ite(m) for plate two hundred Seventy Nine ounces plate at five Shillings Ite(m) in ye Servants Chamb(er) flocke bed & Covering 0.15. 0, per ounce 69.17. 6. It(ern) in ye Cornor Chamb(er) next ye Stable yard one bed bed Steed It(em) Things vnseen & forgott as wood & other Lumb(er) 3.10. 0. Curtains Vallians rugg two blankitt one bolster two pillows one 124. 4. 6. looking glass one table three Chaiors one Stand one pair 36.14. 7. Croop(er)s fire pan & tonges • 9. 0. 0. 181.19. 7. Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) within ye Corner Chamb(er) one bed bedsteed 364.15. 0. one bolster one quilt two blanketts one Chafer one Stand 6. 0, 0. 112.12. 0. 89.17. 6. Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) next to ye green Corner Chanab(er) one bed 910. 3. 2. bedsteed bolster Curtaines three Coverlitts two pillowes one The original inventory is at the Kent Archives Office, Maidstone, to the staff of table & Chaire 5. 0. 0. which our thanks are especially due for the courteous assistance given in con- Ite(m) in ye green Corner Chamb(er) one bed bedsteed Curtains & nection with the researches. Vallains of Serge bolster two pillows one Rugg two blanketts one side baord table one paire Croopers fire pan tongus & Threatened houses of architectural or historic interest bellows 7. 10. 0. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings issued their eleventh list Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) over ye Red Chamb(er) bed bedSteed Curtns of threatened houses of architectural or historic interest for sale or to let in & Vallians bolster two pillows one rugge two blankitts side June 1968. Among the houses included for sale or to let were: bord table Carpitt four Chears one Stand one looking glass two Bedfordshire - Goldington Hall pict(ur)s pr Croop(er)s fire pan toungs & bellows 5.10. 8. Berkshire - The Manor Farmhouse, North Hinksey Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) next ye great Corner Chamb(er) bed bedsteed Lincolnshire - The Greyhound Inn, Folkingham Curtains one bolsters two pillows:1: Coverlitt & two blanketts Northamptonshire - Stanwick Rectory, Raunds one sid bord table one Cheier 4. 3. 4. Northamptonshire - The Old Grammar School, Guilsborough Wiltshire - Littleton Wood Farmhouse, Semington, Trowbridge Ite(m) in ye Chamb(er) next ye back Stayers one bed bedsteed Curtains Yorkshire - Grimston Park, Tadcaster Vallians one bolster two pillows one Coverlitt two blankitts one Yorkshire - Stone Hall, Stokesley side bord table one Window curtaine one Choler .. 5. 8. 6. Full particulars of these and other properties for sale and to let can be obtained 89.17. 6. from The Secretary, SPAB, 55 Great Ormond Street, London, W. C. 1. Ite(m) in ye Little Merchts. Chamber) one bed bedsteed Curtains The Laurence Sterne Trust has been formed to buy the freehold of Shandy Vallians one rugg three blanketts one bolster one sidebord Hall, Yorkshire, restore it faithfully and to maintain it permanently as a Sterne table five Cheiers one Stand 4. 10. 0. Museum with a collection of first editions, manuscripts and portraits. Further particulars may be obtained from The Honorary Secretary, 2 Clareville Grove Mews, London, S.W. 7. 66 67 LAte.JA- \I( g Iv, 3 e ? Notes THE BRAEMS FAMILY OF KENT 1. From 'The Lady of the White House' by Eleanor Roosevelt. "Uncle Ted" was Theodore Roosevelt then President of the United States. Malcolm Pinhorn BA 2. Forerunner of the Parish Church of St George's, Hanover Square. 3. General Monk who was principally concerned in effecting the Restoration of Introduction Charles II and was created 1st Duke of Albemarle. Alan Everitt's 'The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion' (1) mentions a 4. The name then in fashion for the new Squares. It was soon dropped in favour number of families which were once prominent in Kent but have now apparently of plain English. died out. One of these families is Braems (2). It is not claimed that this is a definitive account of the Braems family - so Editor's Footnote far as is known no grants are yet available to provide financial assistance for An account of the early history of the area in which Brown's Hotel is situated is thorough genealogical studies - but it is believed to be the first major account to be found in 'Berkeley Square to Bond Street' by B H Johnson (1952). of the English branch of this family. Corrections, amendments and additions will be very welcome. Brown's Hotel was acquired by Trust Houses Limited (now Trust Houses Forte Ltd) in 1948, and it is thought that this paper, by the late Edmund Vale, was Location written about that time. It is published by kind permission of Trust Houses The English branch of the Braems family probably came to Kent from Brabant Forte Ltd. in the mid-sixteenth century as the result of Spanish political and religious policy. They apparently settled at first in Sandwich, a town five miles south west of Ramsgate, later moving to Dover. BLACKWOOD AND SHOVELL FAMILIES Blackmansbury is the principal manor of the village of Bridge, three miles from Canterbury and twelve miles from Dover. The manor house built for Sir 'Blackmansbury' Vol. 4 Nos 5 & 6 (Dec. 1967 & Feb.1968) contained notes on the Arnold Braems is known today as Bridge Place (3). Blackwood and Shovell families. The recently published 'History of Charlton' by Elmstead, where Colonel Walter Braems is buried, is six and a half miles John G Smith (Part 7) (obtainable from Mrs A Latter, 8 Combe Lodge, Charlton, from Ashford, Kent. London SE7) states that Sir John Perceval, 1st Earl of Egmont (whose son is mentioned in the will of Ann Blackwood of Chariton dated 1737) took a lease of Narrative pedigree and biographical details Charlton House in Kent in 1720. The first earl's diary records a visit to Ann's The English branch of the Braems family is said to descend from Jordaan (second) husband John Blackwood in June 1731 and records the death of Ann's Villain, Count of Ghent, who was living about 1330 and had a son Jan dit Braem son (by her first husband) Lord Mansell of Margam in January 1744 - "This (4). A later descendant is claimed as Secretary to the Emperor Charles V for morning died Lord Mansel, a good natured youth of 24 years of age. He caught the Province of Flanders (4). The connected pedigree begins with Jasper his illness, which was a spotted fever, yesterday at Charlton, by sitting that Braems (5) who came to England in the time of Queen Mary and lived at frosty night three hours in Mr Blackwood's garden to gaze on the comet". Sandwich (6). He was probably a political or religious refugee settling at Mr Smith states that the Blackwoods lived in "the house built by Lord Romney". Sandwich because of the large refugee community of Flemings and Walloons (7), The house, which stood on the edge of Church lane near the parish church of enjoying a status similar to the status he had in his native country, as he does St Luke, is no longer standing. not seem to be included in the returns of aliens or strangers (8). By the early Readers of the previous note may remember that the first Lord Romney 1570s he appears to have moved to St Mary's parish in Dover. (d. 1724) was Ann Blackwood's brother-in-law being her (elder) sister Elizabeth's first husband. Doubtless Lord Romney's son (Ann's nephew) leased Jasper, about whom nothing further is known at present (9), possibly had issue his Charlton house to her. 1. Jan Braems b. Mar. 1581 in Dover; m. 12 Jul. 1608 at Amsterdam (Nether- lands) Abigael van Harinckhouck (b. 1586 in Sandwich) da. of Revd Anthonie van Harinckhouck (10) by his wife Abigael Wijts, and had issue a. Daniel Braems ba. 4 Nov. 1612 in Amsterdam; m. in England or I Amsterdam c1640 Marie le Maire da. of Johannes le Maire (by his wife Maria Mercier (11); d. 1645/5 in England of the plague; said to have 60 61 been treasure keeper to King Charles I and held in great esteem by the e. Margaret of Dover; ba. 24 May 1629 at Bekesbourne Kent (25) d. unm. court, but forced by the civil war to flee the country (12) bu. 1 Nov.1681 (16) will dtd 24 Apr. 1673 pd 8 Apr.1681 (28) b. Pieter Braems ba. 17 Feb. 1619 in Amsterdam. f. Arnold Braems, merchant of Dover; ba. 11 Aug. 1630 (16), left property in 2. Lambert (or Lambrecht) Braems, d. before 1593 (13) leaving issue Dover under will of sister Margaret (1673) and by Sir Arnold Braems a. Daniel Braems (14) living 1616 Tn. (1) Susan Carpenter and by her had "wareing apparel" (1679): will dtd 15 Oct. 1681 pd 9 Jul.1684 (29) issue 2. Arnold Braems (see later) i. Daniel Braems (or Braam) of Dover and afterwards of Rotterdam, 3. Christian b. c1598; m.14 Apr.1625 (16) Bartholomew Winsor, of Faversham Netherlands; b. 1593 m.Petronille Tys and d. 1669 leaving issue a son Kent, gent. (b, c1587) (30) Gilles van Braam (1621-1704), the ancestor of Aegiduis van Braam, vice-admiral of the Netherlands who was created Jonkheer by patent (Sir) Arnold Braems of Dover and Blackmansbury (Bridge Place) Kent, dated at the Hague 8 Jul. 1816 merchant; ba. Oct. 1602 (16); m. (1) 21 Apr.1631 at Bekesbourne Kent (25) Joan Daniel Braems tn. (2) Agnes, da. of Edward Grace of Eltham Kent and by (b. c1610), da. of Walter Harflet of Bekesbourne, who was bu. 21 Jul.1 635 at her had further issue St Mary's Dover (31) m. (2) 17 Aug. 1636 (32) at Chilham Kent Elizabeth Digges ii. Edward Braems (ba. 28 Oct. 1617 at Chilham Kent who d. 27 May 1 643 ("and was buried near the b. Charles Braems (15) handsome tomb in the chancel of Bridge Church under a gravestone" (33)) 3. Charles Braems (see later) second da. of Sir Dudley Digges, Master of the Rolls (34) m. (3) after May 1643 4. Jasper Braems, merchant of Haarlem, Holland; ba. Jan. 1575 (16) ; (35) Margaret (d. 1685) da. of Sir Thomas Palmer Bt of Wingham Kent; "stranger"; witness at wedding of brother Jan. knighted 27 May 1660, member of Parliament for Dover in the 1660 Parliament 5. Susannah Braems, of Dover, ba. 14 May 1578 (4) "stranger"; will pd 2 Oct. (36) bu. 1681 at Bridge (37) will dtd 12 Aug. 1679 and 3 May 1680 pd 30 Aug. 1613 (17) m. c1596 Thomas Elwood of Dover, gent, who d. before 1613 (18) 1682 (38) left issue (by first wife) 6, John Braems, ba. 19 Mar. 1581 (16) 1. Mercie ba. 20 May 1632 at Bekesbourne Kent bu. 14 Jun. 1632 at 7. Pamel Braems, ba. 30 Jan. 1583 (16) Bekesbourne Kent (25) 2. Walter (see later) Charles Braems of Dover, merchant; m. Christian Souters "a Flemish woman" 3. Jacob ba.19 Mar. 1634 at Bekesbourne Kent bu. 21 Mar. 1634 at (5) d. c1593 (19); will dtd 20 Aug. 1593 pd 26 Apr.1598 (20) left issue Bekesbourne Kent (25) Charles Braems (see later), and seven other children, whose names are, as yet, unknown Walter Braems of Dover and Blackmansbury (Bridge Place) Kent ba. 3 Oct. 1 633 at Bekesbourne Kent (25) Colonel in Charles II's army (39); Comptroller Charles Braems of Sandwich (1595) and Dover, merchant; m.1 Jul.1595 at the of HM Customs Sandwich (40); Comptroller of HM Customs Dover (41); amongst Dutch Church, Austin Friars, London, Jossiken van der Spick of Antwerp; will those instructed to make a survey of the limits of the port of Dover and also of dtd 1611; d. c1600s leaving issue quays and wharfs 20 Jan.1676 (42) m. c1663 (43) Mary (b. c1643, d. 27 Jan. 1684 1. Jacob Braems, of Dover, esquire (21) Customer of Dover m. (1) Katherine, bu. St Marys Dover (44) da. of Sir John Jacob Kt of Bromley Middlesex (45)) da. of Robert Bradnex of Cheriton (by his wife Joan Knight), who died before will dtd 10 Jan. 1691 pd 7 Oct. 1692 (46) bu. 7 Sep. 1692 at Bridge (47) leaving 1624 leaving issue with other issue (48) a. Charles Braems, ba. 24 Jan. 1621 (16) appointed sole executor of 1. Jacob Braems, b. 27 Jul. ba. 13 Oct. 1664 (49) left £1,000 in father's will; father's will Jun. 1641; probably died before 1673 (22) a professional soldier (50) m. (before 1691) m. (2) 5 Apr.1 624 at Bekesbourne Kent Mercy (b. c1606) da. of Walter 2. Margaret Braems, ba. 25 Jan. 1666 (16) left £1,000 in father's will; zn. Harflete (23) will dtd c1641 pd 2 Jul. 1642 (24) bu. ?St Gregory Dover (before 1695) Francis Gilborne Wheler of Charing Kent, esquire, (1655 -?) leaving issue by his second wife son of Col. Charles Wheler of the Palace, Charing (51) and had issue (52) b. unnamed child bu. 20 May 1622 (16) 3. Mary Braems, ba. 15 May 1667 (16) c. Walter Braems, ?of Canterbury, ba. 3 Jun. 1625 at Bekesbourne Kent (25) 4. Arnold Braems, ba. 9 Apr.108,1eft £100 in father's will "as well provided m. c1662 Sybilla Butts of St Margaret's Westminster (b. c1632) (26) for in grandfather's will" d. Jane ba. 22 Apr.1627 at Bekesbourne Kent (25) m. Edmund Peirce of 5. Katherine Braems, ba. 26 May 1669 (16) ?bu. 20 Apr.1687 Bridge Registers) Wilcott Shropshire, esquire (27) and left issue 6. Walter Braems (see later) 62 63 7. Joanna Braems, ba. 21 Dec. 1671 (16) London, goldsmith (Canterbury marriage licence dtd 12 Feb.1596), she 8. Charles Braems ba. 9 Sep. 1673 (16) d. 29 Jul.1678 aged 2 being described as Christian Breames of Dover, widow 9. John Braems ba. 26 Aug. 1674 (16); left "one heare trunck with drawers" by 10. A Daniel Harinchoech is recorded as a deacon(1610) and as an elder (1612) uncle Arnold Braems (1681); left £500 in father's will of the Dutch Church in London (Registers) 10. Grace Braems, ba. 10 Jan. 1 676 (16) alive in 1742 (53) m. Ryoes (dead 11. Johannes and Marie were married in Amsterdam in 1607. Johannes, one of by 1742 (53)) the most intolerant Calvinistic ministers of his time, was the son of a 11. Anthony Braems, ba. 20 Sep. 1677 (16) left £500 in father's will famous family from Tournai, and uncle of Jacob le Maire (1585-1616), the 12, Thomas Braems d. 22 Jul. 1680 aged 1 year 8 months bu. 29 Jul. 1680 (16) famous navigator. Marie's sister Susanna married a William Cooper of 13. Elizabeth Braems ba. 28 Feb, 1 680 (16) Essex (ex info. Mr Van Kretschmar). 14. Sarah Braems, under 21 in 1691 alive in 1742 (53) m. ....Read 12. Ex info. Mr Van Kretschmar 13. Left a beaker "redeemed by accident by my father" to keep for posterity Walter Braems of St Stephens, Canterbury, Kent, and St Margarets, Westminster, (ex info. Mr Van Kretschmar) Middlesex; ba.11 Aug. 1670 (16); left a "Camlet coate lined with red" by uncle 14. He is possibly the petitioner named in 1646 in the Calendar to the House of Arnold Braems (1681); left £500 in his father's will (1691); Colonel in Major Lords Papers (HMC 6th Report) Elliot's Regiment of Foot (54) m. (as her second husband) Anna Christiana. 15. The information regarding the descendants of Lambert Braems is taken (d. 23 Mar. 1739 aged 62) da, of Sir William Honeywood Bt of Evington, Kent, and from Burke's 'Peerage' (1904 edition under Foreign Titles of Nobility). I widow of John Dod, esquire, of Broxton, Cheshire (55); d. 16 Mar. 1741 (56); am indebted to Mr Peter Reid of London for this reference. A Memorial of admon to his nephew Charles Wheler, March 1742 (53) ?leaving issue Walter a Jacob van Braam "of the Royal American Regiment" enclosed with a Braems, ensign in Lord North and Greys Regiment of Foot (10th Regiment of letter dated 31 July 1777 is to be found in the Public Record Office Foot) 1702/3 (57). (CO 5/116 p. 47). It states (inter alia) that van Braam raised a regiment of which "Mr Washington ... was Colonel". 16. Transcript of the parish registers of St Mary's, Dover, at library of the Notes and references Society of Genealogists in London 1. Published by the Leicester University Press in 1966 17. This will is recorded by Edward Hasted (1732-1812) the historian of Kent 2. Spelt Braemes by Mr Everitt, but as both Sir Arnold Braems and his son (afterwards referred to as "Hasted") in a manuscript notebook preserved Colonel Walter Braems spelt their surnames without the second 'e' their at the Canterbury Cathedral Library, but the will cannot be found in the spelling has been preferred modern calendars either of the local probate courts or the Prerogative 3. There is no reference to Bridge Place in Mr Everitt's text or index, Court of Canterbury. Susannah, in her will, desires to be buried in the although there are numerous references to Blackmansbury. A history of chancel of the church of St Mary, Dover, near her late husband. Bridge Place (the manor house of the manor of Blackmansbury) was 18. Canterbury marriage licence dtd 21 Jul.1596; she described as Susanna published in 'Blackmansbury' Vol. 5 Nos 3 & 4 (Aug. & Oct. 1968) Branes (sic). He was possibly the Thomas Elwood, mayor of Dover in 1592 4. Information kindly given by Mr Van Kretschmar of The Hague, Netherlands and a member of Parliament for Dover for four years from 1594, who died 5. Visitation of Kent 1619 (Harleian Society); unless otherwise stated the in 1612, early pedigree is based upon this, supplemented by facts from parish 19. Hasted records a Charles Braems who was buried at the Church of registers and by information from Mr Van Kretschmar St Peter, Dover, "by his father" 6, This is according to the printed Visitation. According to a Dutch account 20. PCC 33. Lewyn he settled at Dover (ex info. Mr Van Kretschmar) 21. He was a merchant; his will refers to "my shipps and debtts of the 7. 'The Registers of the Dutch Church Austin Friars, London' (Lymington Dunkirkers". Built the Old Customs House at Dover 1884). This volume contains a valuable Historical Introduction by 22. Not mentioned in will of sister Margaret Braems dated 24 Apr.1673 W J C Moens (see especially p. XX) 23. Canterbury marriage licence dated 5 Apr. 1624 for Bekesbourne, Kent. He 8. The surviving returns are at Kent Archives Office at Maidstone. The is a widower about 27, she a spinster aged about 18 author is indebted to the staff of the Record Office for their assistance with 24. There appears to have been three probates of his will - two in PCC - 89 & his researches 104 Evelyn - and one in a local court. 9. It could be his widow who married, secondly, Harmon Boockholde, of 25. Parish Registers transcribed by Revd C H Wilkie (Canterbury, 1896) 64 65 38. In Canterbury Archdeaconry Court. Kent Archives Office Reference PRC 26. Marriage licence (Bishop of London's Registry) dated 6 May 1662 for 16/307. The reference for the inventory of his goods and chattels St Mary Magdalene, Old Fish street, London, she being a widow. (published in full in 'Blackmansbury" vol, 5 Nos 3 & 4) is PRC 11/46/70. 27. Canterbury marriage licence dated 27 Aug. 1661 for Bridge; she described 39. Walter Braems commanded a troop "belonging to ye personall Guards" of as being of Bekesbourne, Kent, he a widower. The bondsman was Walter King Charles II. He spent "above £500" for the king and petitioned for the Braems of Bridge, gentleman, son of Sir Arnold Braems. command of a troop of horse or other employment in the regiment 28. In Canterbury Archdeaconry Court. Kent Archives Office reference 16/305 commanded by the Earl of Oxford (the Royal Regiment of Horse known as 29. In Canterbury Archdeaconry Court. Kent Archives Office reference the "Oxford Blues" which was formed in January 1661). (State Papers PRC 16/154 Domestic) 30. Canterbury marriage licence dated 15 Mar.1624. She is described as a 40. In 1660 (SP 29/9) Walter Braems successfully petitioned for the position of maiden "whose friends being dead, she is now dwelling with Jacob Brames Comptroller of HM Customs at Sandwich stating he had been "at 14 years (sic) of Dover, Esquire, who consents"; at St Mary, Dover. The bondsman of age fetched out of his sicke bed by your Majesty's Enemies carried & was Arnold Braems (sic) of Dover, merchant - her brother. The will of her imprisoned in Dover Castle which hath since esteemed for an honour to son Jacob Windsor (sic) of Dover, gent. , was proved in a local court in 1669. crown his fidelity to have been ye youngest prisoner in England for your Bartholomew Winsor was appointed, with Sir Arnold Braems, an overseer Majesty's service". of the will of Sir Arnold's brother Jacob Braems in 1641. 31. She was the sister of Mercy Harflete who married his brother Jacob 41. In 1690 he petitioned for six years' arrears of salary (State Papers Domestic) Braems in 1624 (Canterbury marriage licence dated 15 Apr, 1631, for 42. Quoted in Lyon's 'History of Dover' (1813) Bekesbourne). Paul Pettit of Canterbury, gent, is the bondsman. 43. London marriage licence (Vicar-general of Canterbury) dated 13 May 1663. 32. Canterbury marriage licence dated 16 Aug. 1636 for Chilham. Thomas 44. Cozen records that on a black marble slab were the following inscriptions: Harfleet of Bekesbourne, armiger, is the bondsman. "Here lieth the Body of Dame Mary the daughter of Sir John Jacob of 33. Quoted by Zecharia Cozens (afterwards referred to as "Cozens") c1790- Bromly in the County of Essex Barnt and wife to Walter Braems of Bridge 1808 (MSS notes vol.1 p. 201)(in the possession of Dr W E Church, in the County of Kent Esqre. who died the 27 day of January 1614 in child- Bethersden, Kent, to whom the author is grateful for assistance and permission to quote) bead of her 14 Childe having had 7 sons and 7 daughters" On the same 34. The builder of Chilham Castle, Kent (see DNB and 'Blackmansbury' vol.1 stone: "Here lieth buried the body of Mrs. Joan Braems" "Here lieth the body of Charles Braems 4th son of Walter Braems EsqE and Mary his wife No. 4, Oct. 1964) daughter of Sir John Jacob Barnt He dyed the 29th day of July Ann° 1678 35. The date and place of the marriage remain to be discovered nere the 3rd yeare of his age. Also here lieth buried the body of Thomas 36. Elected in April 1660 with Sir Edward Montague (to whom Pepys was secretary). Known as the Convention Parliament, it "completed the work of Braems 7 son of Walter Braems Esqe and Mary his wife daughter of Sir reform which the Long Parliament had abandoned in the autumn of 1641 by John Jacob Barnt he died the 22nd of July ann° dno 1680 aged one yeare and abolishing purveyance and feudal tenures in return for a grant in perpetuity eight months". of a portion of the excise" ('The Stuart Constitution', Kenyon, p. 351). It was 45. See GEC 'Complete Baronetage' vol. 4 p. 3. A farmer of the Customs and a dissolved early the following year. council clerk extraordinary to King Charles I, "thus combining an 'active entrepreneurial role' with a prominent position in the central executive" He is mentioned by the diarist Samuel Pepys and the Journal of Edward Montague,1st Earl of Sandwich 1659-1665 (published by the Naval Records (G E Aylmer: 'The King's Servants") 46. In Canterbury Archdeaconry Court, Kent Archives Office reference PRC Society,1929) records "1664/5 27th January, Friday. 3'o'clock in the afternoon anchored in the Downs. Sir Arnold Braeme (sic) and his son and 16/325 47. "Colonel Walter Braems of Blackmansbury (sic) alias Bridge Place, in the Capt. Jacob from Dover dined aboard with me". A "Mr Breams" is stated East Chancel of ye Chappel of Bridge, on the 7 day of September 1692". to have been deputy to Colonel Stroud, governor of Dover Castle. 37. Cozens records "a handsome Tomb of White marble at the North side of Recorded in the bishops transcripts of the Bridge parish register in the area within the Communion rails" in Bridge Church. Doubtless this Cathedral Library at Canterbury, was destroyed in the 1860s when the church was "restored". Cozens 48. According to Hasted Mary Braems died "in her bed of her fourteenth child", records the memorials to the first and second wives of Sir Arnold Braems Certainly she had eleven children for that number are named in her (only) on the front tablet of the tomb. husband's will of 1691. In all Walter Braems left legacies to them totalling 66 67 £8,600 and to ensure that all eleven children were adequately provided for In 'English Army Lists & Commission Registers 1661-1714' (C Dalton 1904) his trustees to sell the estates "for ye best price", }lasted states "their Vol. IV 1702-1707. p. 175 Col. Roger Elliot's Newly-Raised Regt. of Foot+ only two sons are said to have come to an untimely end in their live's time" Captains but, in fact, Walter Braems left at least five sons who survived him when he Walt. Bream s 4 died in 1692. (Two other children died young - see note 44) 49, In spite of the fact that he had married without his father's consent, as "NB All the Commissions, except the Colonel's were dated at recorded in his father's will. St, James, 10 April 1703 d. " 50. A Jacob Braems is listed as a member of the Earl of Bath's Regiment of "A-Embarked for Spain in Spring of 1705 and served at Gibraltar. Foot in 1692 to be captain of the company of which Major Roger Elliot was Disbanded in Aug.1713 and Officers placed on half-pay" captain ('English Army Lists 1661-1714' published in 1960 by Francis "4. Appointed Lieut. in Earl of Bath's Regt. of Foot, (10th Foot), Edwards). Col. the Hon. James Stanley's Regiment of Foot included an 20 May 1693. Made Bt. Lt-Col. by Lord Galway 15 May 1708. Placed ensign George Braems in 1694. An Anthony Braems was to be ensign in on half-pay as Captain in 1713" Sir John Jacob's Regiment of Foot in 1697. 51. He was the brother of the Revd Sir George Wheler Kt (see Burke's 'Landed Vol.IV. p. 45. Lord North & Grey's Regt. of Foot+ Gentry' 1952 edition under Wheler of Otterden, where the marriage is given "-f-The 10th Regt. of Foot" incorrectly). Ensigns 52. Their issue included a son Charles Wheler who was the administrator of Walter Breams34 the estate of his maternal uncle Col. Walter Braems in 1742. P. 47 "34. Probably son of Capt. Walter Breams who left above 53. PCC Pennyman March 1741/42 Administration. "Hon'ble Collonel Walter Regiment in April 1703. Ensign's Commission not forthcoming". Braems" On the 31st Day Administration of the goods and chattels and Vol. VI. Walter Breams of Elliot's Regt. to be Lt. Col. of Foot. credits of the Honourable Collonel Walter Braems, Esq. , late of the parish 10 May 1708 K. of St. Stephens near Canterbury, co. Kent, but in the parish of St. Margaret, 55. By whom she had issue John Harbord Dod, also of Broxton, Controller of Westminster in the county of Midx, widdower, deceased was granted to the Revenue of Tenths and First .Fruits to Queen Anne's Bounty, who Charles Wheler the nephew of the deceased being first sworn duly to married Elizabeth, daughter .of Charles Matthews, gentleman, of Exeter, administer. Grace Ryoes, widow, and Sarah Read the natural and lawful and Devon, and who died 3rd July 1732 aged 34 (M, I. in Elmsted Church, Kent). only sisters of the said deceased first renouncing. March 1743. (See Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 1847 ed. under Worthington) 54. Army Records relating to Walter Braems. He is not found in W H Powell's 56. M. I. in Elmsted Church Kent Manuscript index of 'Colonels 1680-1760' nor in 'List of Officers of the 57. Ex info. Mr Kenneth Myers of Southwick Sussex Royal Regiment of Artillery, 1716-1899'. In 'List of Half-pay Officers (English Estab.) 1714' (1900) the following appears under Major-General APPENDIX Elliot's Regiment of Foot: "Captains... Walt. Breams... ". In 'George the First's Army 1714-1727' (C Dalton, 1910) The humble remonstrance of Sir Arnold Braems of his services and sufferings (Add. MSS. BM. 22264, fol, 129) (Public Record Office Reference SP 29/9) Vol. 1 p. 202 "A List of Officers Displaced, etc.." When Dublin in Ireland declared for his late Majesty (1) and being in great want Officers who have In what Officers who Date of of corn he sent a ship of 300 tons laden with rye which was there disposed of to been Displaced Regt. have succeeded Commissions ye inhabitants relief and lost him above £2,000 the power of Parliament in either with leave those who were England increasing so fast and they forbidding all trade with those parts of to sell or displaced, etc. Ireland under his Majesty's power upon pain of confiscation of ships and goods, Otherwise surprised part of his goods coming in return of his corn to the value of £1200 Capt. Lombard Sankey 'a Walt. Breames 20 July 1716 or £1400 and made prize of it in the Court of Admiralty at London, and the deceased Foot Capt. remainder he lost at Dublin, as also his ship having 20 pieces of ordnance This and other vols contain details of an Arnold James Breames - hoping to escape the enemy's hands put into Milford Haven to have laden coals, Ensign in 1715,33 Foot, Major General Wade's Regt (Commissions and there was surprised by the Parliament's forces, all his ordnance and renewed 25 Mar. 1715)). provision both of war and victuals, and about £200 in money which was on board 68 69 his ship to have laden here with coals, was all taken away, by which he lost God's Providence avoided their sentence. above £2,000 more. In all other times since 1 648 until this present 1660 he was ready to pay all Before 1 648 several times plundered for refusing commissions from the duty towards the restoration of his Majesty. And now in this last Expedition, and Parliamentary power, and to act with them. by his Majesty's particular Command by Letters, prevailing with Vice Admiral In 1648 at Dover in the time of putting ourselves in armes to maintain our Lawson (10), in securing the fleet under his power for his Majesty's Service, his Petition to the Parliament for a Personal Treaty with his late Majesty, he made Majesty hath had a Particular of that success by the Lord Mordant (11) and stay of 100 barrels of powder, of which were spent in that service 40 barrels from himself, for which he was sued, and paid for the same. As to Trade in the time of his late Majesty when we had peace with Spain, In the same year to the revolted fleet in the Downs he paid his due assistance then trading as a Merchant he paid in the Port of Dover for Customs six and promoted their obedience to his Majesty, in which time we being over thousand and eight thousand pounds a year; and by his influence and Credit in powered by land forces he retired himself to Callice (2), where shortly after his foreign parts came through his hands in plate and bullion for many years five, now Majesty (3) came, and at that time we holding yet the Castles in the Downs six, and eight hundred thousand pounds each year, a great part of which he sent for his Majesty, a supply being wanting for their continuance, and holding out to several merchants in London to be coined in the Tower, and other part by against a land seige, he did contribute a considerable sum of money, and permission of a Privy Seal he transported to the Several Proprietors in foreign promoted the like from other English Gentlemen there, which was presently parts paying his Majesty a duty for the same. turned into powder, and other arms and sent to them, as I presume my Lord Culpepper (4), I am assured Sir John Mennez (5) and Mr Booth (6) do well Notes on Remonstrance remember. 1. King Charles I After which when your Majesty was in the Downs in person aboard the fleet, 2. Calais in France and having many laden ships of London under your power, and being then in a 3. King Charles II Treaty with the City of London to have £2,000 for their release to be bestowed 4. Probably a reference to John Colepeper (d. 1660) Baron Colepeper of in provisions which the fleet wanted, during which time his Majesty being Thoresway cautious in meddling with any of those goods, and their wants increasing, and the 5. Sir John Mennes (1599-1671) Comptroller of the Navy 1661-1671. After the Treaty growing cold, he did persuade the sending of several goods to Callice Restoration he was appointed GoVernor of Dover Castle. See DNB. which were turned into provisions, and their want of beer being most, he sent by 6. Possibly George Booth (1622-1684) who, in April 1661, was created Baron his Majesty's approbation 14 chests of sugar which he took by consent of the Delamer of Dunham Massey. See DNB. Master of a ship then in the Downs and sent them to Zeland (7) to be turned into 7. Zeeland in the Netherlands 100 tons of beer: which accordingly was done, and after that we were defeated in 8. Prince Rupert, Duke of Cumberland (d. 1682), a commander of the Royalist that design, and that most men were admitted to return home and make Army, was the son of King Charles I's sister Elizabeth by her husband composition for their estates, of which himself being one, he was afterwards Frederick V, Elector Palatine of the Rhine and King of Bohemia. arrested and sued in London for the said sugars, and was forced to pay for the 9. Southwark in Surrey. It has not been possible to identify Captain Morris; same. there are several wills of mariners of that name proved in PCC during the After which part of your Majesty's fleet under the conduct of Prince Rupert second half of the seventeenth century. (8) went for the southward, and some of them falling in at Lisbone where he had 10. Sir John Lawson (d.1665), admiral, was commander-in-chief of the fleet a ship with 30 pieces of ordnance new arrived from the Brasil, which said ship 1659. See DNB. fitted herself in a warlike manner and declared for his Majesty, and after our 11. Henry Mordaunt (1623-1697) Earl of Peterborough and Lord Mordaunt, See defeat there, was seized on, and at this hour lyeth sinke upon ye place. In which DNB. his proper loss besides what have or ever shall recover there, is above £4,000 Sir John Mennez then at Lisbone. The exact date in 1660 of this Remonstrance is unknown but possibly it is After which some of the seamen belonging to the said ship came into before July, when Lord Colepeper (see note 4) died. England, I made oath that he had given orders to Captain Morris then Commander of his ship, that he should not come for England, but put himself into service there for his Majesty against the Parliament, upon which he was fed for his life before the Judges of the Admiralty, in Southwark (9), and by 70 71