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Gazette Extracts

Houses that are no more. . .

27 December 1768: Friday evening, between ﬁve and six, a fire broke out at Mr Henry Simmons,
Weaver, at Bridge, which intirely consumed his workshop, with an adjacent building, in which were
stowed 150 pieces of hop-bagging, but by the timely assistance of the neighbouring inhabitants, the hop
bagging was saved from the ﬂames. This unhappy accident was occasioned by the candle setting fire to
some loose pieces of tow in the loom.

This was as nothing compared with the sums claimed elsewhere. . .

26 August 1791] To be let. A Mansion house called Bridge Place, now in the occupation of William
Hougham Esq. Jun. Consisting of an eating parlour 22 by 18‘/2, a drawing room 22 by 17, and a small
room,; on the second ﬂoor, good bedrooms; and four garrets etc. [again in 1793]

Advice to the Ladies

Never sit between two windows open, or a door and window, to play at cards. This short hint may save
the life of many a good Card-Player. I have sneezed above a thousand times from so sitting, and would
not do it again to get two sole voles in a night. An ingenious author says, if a man gets a fever by
drinking and dies, he dies of drinking, and should be put down so in the bills of mortality; so if a Lady
dies of a cold caught at quadrille, she dies of quadrille. [1768]

V On Friday next will be played in Boum Paddock, a MATCH OF CRICKET between the Gentlemen of

Surrey and the Boum Club, for a large sum The last match was thought to be as good a match as was
ever played. [August 1768]

15 August 1772] On Wednesday next the 19”‘ instant, will be played in Bourn Paddock the long and
great depending match of cricket, the Gentlemen of Hampshire against all England; the wickets to be
pitched at ten o’clock, and the match to be played out. There is a large commodious stand for
gentlemen, and a ﬁne ordinary as usual, there will be a large Ring made, and it is hoped that no one
will, out of the great company expected, encroach upon the noble players.. . .[l8 August] At the cricket
match to be played in Bourne Paddock tomorrow, is expected the greatest company ever met on such
an occasion; amongst whom will be the Duke of Dorset, the Duke of Richmond, the gentlemen of the
county and much company of rank and distinction. Sir Horace Man has made great preparations at
Bourne house, and a long range of booth are erected in the paddock for the reception of the spectators.
[21 August 1772]. . . The concourse of spectators is incredible, and a computation can scarcely be
formed, but there were supposed to be in the ﬁeld on the first day’s sport between 15 and 20,000
people, among whom were several noblemen, the principal gentlemen of the county, and otherpersons
of rank and distinction. [scores given — England won by 2 wickets]

24 July 1769: Monday next July 24 will be run At Bridge-Hill, A match of running by Maids. To strip
at ﬁve o’clock, They are desired to meet at Bridge-Hill on Saturday evening, at six o’clock to give in
their names, and to run that night that the Goals may be made equal on Monday.

[later] On Monday evening the match of running by young women was played upon barham Downs, to
the great satisfaction of a vast concourse of people.

28 June 1770: This present evening will be run at Bridge Hill a match at running between twenty-four
gentlemen of the Chilham Club, and twenty-four gentlemen of East Kent, to meet at four o’clock, and
strip exactly at ﬁve o’clock. It is expected to be a ﬁne match, as both parties are determined to set
every stroke aside, that does not appear remarkably clear. . . . . (won 7-3 by chilham) There was a very
numerous appearance of genteel company, who were well entertained with the sport of the day, and
what added to the general satisfaction was, that the whole match was won without a single dispute.. . .

We hear that on Monday the 18"‘ inst. [July] there will be a match of running on Barham Downs,
between young women, twelve or ﬁfteen on a side. The meeting to be at Bridge-Hill, at 4 o’clock in the
afternoon on that day, or on the ﬁrst day afterwards that the weather will permit; --- great diversion,
and much Company are expected. We hear likewise, as a reward to those who shall have the best of the
match, that twelve shifts will be given them by the gentry &c. [again on August 15‘ — unless this was
the ﬁrst clear day!]

A local spat in 1769:


[August] William Nash Clock and watch maker at Bridge

Begs leave to inform the publick, that the servitude of his brother, John Nash, is now dissolved.
Therefore what watches he should be instructed with for the future, I will not be accountable for, nor
for the performance. I continue working in the country as usual, and shall be ever studious in meeting
the approbation of those who will continue their favours to their obedient humble servant William
Nash.

Wanted immediately, a journeyman or a young person, to be instructed in the Clock and Watch Making
business.

[September] John Nash takes this opportunity to acquaint the public, that there is no occasion for his
brother Mr William Nash, to be answerable for any watches intrusted in his care, for he has not
wronged him of any thing, as wascimagined by his advertisement. New Clocks and Watches to be had
at reasonable terms, by sending to John Nash at Beakesboume, near Canterbury, who will go round the
country as usual. All persons, that please to favour him with their custom, may depend on their work
being done well, and reasonable, by their humble servant John Nash.

[11 December 1769] John Nash, Clock-Maker at Beakesboume. Whereas some malicious Reports have
been propagated by my brother, Wm Nash, clock-maker at Bridge, representing me as imposing on my
kind employers, - in particular, that I had overcharged Mr Drayson of Upstreet, for repairing his clock;
and as such Reports have a manifest tendency to prejudice me in my business, I have taken the
opportunity to lay the said charge before some reputable clock-makers of Canterbury; who have
conﬁrmed the equity of the same, and will readily attest, if called upon, the injustice done to John
Nash.

[16 December 1769] William Nash, Watch-maker At Bridge. Thinks the advertisement in last
Tuesday’s paper too abrupt to pass unnoticed. — The clock of Mr Drayson, that could not perform, was
charged 85 6d. It was examined by Mr Warren, the reputable watch-maker, who said, what was done to
the clock was worth 4s. and the other 4s for fetching and carrying it back. This is my brother’s method
of working in the clock way. I have said, and can attest, he never cleaned and put together more than
one watch, to my knowledge, all the time he was with me, and that was in April last. Therefore what
injustice is done to John Nash by me, I leave the reader to determine.

If the kind friends of John Nash would prevent his ill designs, and put him on a better plan, it may
answer his end better, as well as the reputable watchmaker and his former friend, William Nash.

[march 1769] Cock ﬁghting. At Bridge-Hill on Thursday the 23” instant — Canterbury against Bridge —
to shew eleven cocks on each side, and ﬁght for four guineas a battle and ten the main. Dinner will be
ready at one o’clock. NB a pair of ﬁve pound cocks to ﬁght before dinner for ﬁve guineas.

.6 June 1772] Cock-Fighting. At John palmer’s, the White Horse at Bridge; to show twenty-one cocks
on each side; to weigh on Tuesday the 9”‘ of June and to ﬁght on Wednesday and Thursday for four
guineas a battle, and ten the odd battle. A close pit and a good ordinary at one o’clock each day. A pair
of large cocks to ﬁght before dinner.

In addition to the regular easter and Auturrm meetings

[22 April 1769] Horse racing. On Tuesday next will be run for, over barham Downs, a match of ﬁfty

guineas between a bay gelding, late the property 0 fWilliam Lynch esq; who won the Easter Plate last
year, and a grey gelding, who won the Easter plate this year, the bay gelding to carry eight stone, two
pounds, and the grey gelding nine stone. Dinner will be ready, at Bridge-Hill, at one o’clock.

Origins of the Horticultural Society?

[1769] This is to acquaint all lovers of Auriculas. That on Thursday the 6”‘ of April, will be an Auricula
feast, at Sarah Gilbert’s the White Horse, in Bridge. The best ﬂower produced, will be entitled to a
guinea, the second best to ﬁfteen shillings, the third best to half a guinea and the fourth best to ﬁve
shillings. Each ﬂower that is entitled to a prize, must have six pips. And every person that shews a
ﬂower must have had it in his own possession fourteen days before before the day of shewing, which
must be attested on oath if required. No person will be entitled to a prize, but who has subscribed half a
crown three months before the day of shewing, unless he makes it up ﬁve shillings on the feast day,
before one o’clock. No ﬂower to be entitled to a prize, unless it is in the house before one o’clock. And
no person to win two prizes. Every person that shews a ﬂower to appoint an umpire. NB There will be
a good twelvepenny ordinary at one o’clock.


20 March 1774] again at Mrs Gilbert’s. A good ordinary on table at two o’c1ock, and every shewer of
ﬂowers to be at dinner, or have no right to shew his ﬂower.

[1769] Bridge. Made by John Thompson, Junior, a plough for lays, with two chips, one before the other
in the length of a common beam, with turned Reests, the fore share to cut only the turf, the other to
bury it. Also house joinery and carpentry work done, from the saloon to the plough. NB A journeyman
wanting for the last branch.

10 march 1772] Whereas on Friday night last, the 6”‘ of this Instant March, the workshop of John
Thompson, Carpenter at Bridge; was broken open, and the several tools hereafter mentioned stolen
thereout, viz One ax, one handsaw. One cast steel panel ditto, two tenant ditto, and one turning ditto,
one plough-plane, two bench ditto, one smoothing ditto, one double-iron smoothing ditto, and several
moulding ditto; one wimble-stock and bitts; several ﬁrmer chisles, gouges, mortis chisles, and socket-
chisles; one claw-hammer, one bench ditto, with squares, gauges and several other articles . . .if any of
the said articles are offered for sale, that the person offering them be detained. . .etc. Reward two
guineas.

8 August 1772] Thomas Kedman, for stealing one ax, five saws, a plough, several planes, and divers
other carpenters tools, out of the workshop of John Thompson of Bridge; and Margaret Lamb, for
stealing a pair of silverbuckles, a pair of silver buttons, two gold rings, two handkerchiefs, and three
caps, out of the dwelling house of Bridget Little, in Chatham, were burnt in the hand, and ordered to be
discharged.

[23 December 1769] We hear some public-spirited gentlemen intend to petition Parliament for a
turnpike act for the road from Dover lane in Canterbury to the half-way house leading to Dover over
Barham Downs, and that the gate will be erected opposite the mile-stone near St Lawrence.

[11 April 1772] Wanted. A mistress for a workhouse in the parish of Bridge, at Easter next. For further
particulars enquire of Mr Miller, or Mr Champion., Churchwarden, and Overseer. NB She must write a
tolerable hand.

Also at Bridge Hill House: 21 December 1773: Sale of property in Barham by auction.

24 january 1815] To Be Sold by Auction. At the White Horse Inn, Bridge-Street, on Friday the 27”‘
instant, at three-o’clock in the afternoon. All the interest or right and occupation of Mr Richard
Sherrard, as tenant under E.Taylor, esq. Containing a large Farm House, barn, yard, stabling, lodges,
and all other necessary out-buildings; together with 20 acres of rich pastureland, three acresof hop
ground and ten acres of arable. . .

21“/22“d March 1815] Auction of all the genteel and valuable household furniture of Miss Fitch, at
Bridge; consisting of four post and tent bedsteads, with handsome mahogany carved and plain pillars,
elegantly burnished gold and other comices, with fashionable white dimity and printed cotton hangings
to ditto; French drapery and festoon window curtains, with cornices to correspond; excellent goose and
down beds in bordered and plain ticks, paillasses, bordered horse-hair and wool mattresses, fine witney
and other blankets, large 14 4ths Marseilles quilts and counterpanes, Kidderminster, Venetian, and
Brussels carpets, nearly new; hearth rugs; mahogany double and single chests of drawers, circular and
straight fronts, of excellent workmanship; circular and square bason-stands, ditto commode dressing
drawers and tables, pier and dressing glasses, an elegant mirror in burnished gold frame, inlaid
sideboard with celleret drawer, set of mahogany dining tables with circular ends, two sets of mahogany
carved back chairs, neat painted and stained bedroom ditto, excellent elliptic, Pembroke, card and tea
tables, a square stuffed sofa, with bolsters and cotton cases; polished steel fenders and ﬁre irons, a
capital bracket clock, a barometer and thermometer, hall-lamp, ﬁgured and plain oil cloths, tea trays
and waiters, a set of blue and white printed dinner service, a quantity of queensware, a great variety of
of kitchen requisites in copper, pewter, and tin, in excellent preservation, washing tubs, brine tubs,
&c. an assortment of garden tools, hand glasses, ladders, and garden lights, about 11 rods of capital oak
garden fence, a quantity of coals, faggots, and other effects, as will be particularised.

2 may 1823] similar list for Mrs Stephens at Bridge.. Houses were sold with entire contents.


27 January 1773] Horse racing on 15' February a match over the new round course on Barham Downs,
one four miles heat, for one hundred guineas, between two gentlemen’s horses — one IS the grey horse,
that run twenty miles in an hour some time since on Barham Downs, the other a capital hunter. To start
exactly at twelve o’clock. Dinner will be ready at Bridge-Hill after the race is over.[further report later]

5 June 1799] Wanted, a roomy and airy situated house, or other sort of building, in the city or suburbs
of Canterbury, to be used a a regimental hospital. Any person, having such a building to let, may aply
to Dr Wardell, physician to the forces, Bridge, or to Dr Bruff, surgeon, 2"“ battalion of grenadiers, St
Dunstans.

1799] military camp on Barham Downs ca 6000 men. August 13] second encampment of 18-20,000
men. . . .The immense train of farmers and artillery wagons, employed in conveying the troops and
baggage, ammunition, military and other stores, and provisions, towards the camp, adding the
numerous carriages filled with officers and other passengers; these together have produced a scene of
populousness and trafﬁc in this ancient city which has not been beheld by its inhabitants since the days
of St Thomas Becket. . .

15 April 1823] A robbery attended with aggravating circumstances, was committed between the hours
of five and six o’clocl<, on Monday afternoon, in the house of ---Brooks, a shepherd in the employ of
Mr Henry Croasdill, of Tyler Hill, near this city. In the early part of the afternoon of the above day, a
man had been to the cottage, soliciting ahns, and from his apparently earnest representations of distress
and hunger, he was relieved, and a quantity of victuals given to him by the wife of Brooks: he was
however subsequently observed lurking about the premises by a part of the family, who expressed an
apprehension of the man’s intention. About fouro’clock, Brooks went from home, leaving his wife,
who also went out a short time after. The man, it would seem, watched the opportunity of their
absence, and with the aid of a knife, took out a pane of glass, and throwing up the sash, entered the
house, and stole a quantity of tea, four silver spoons, a silver watch, a pair of silver studs, three silk
hankerchiefs, and two cotton ones, together with a waistcoat and other articles of a portable nature; but
it would seem he was disturbed by the return of Brooks, as upon entering the premises, Brooks found
the back door, leading to the wood open, and upon calling his wife from a neighbouring house, and
remonstrating with her upon the impropriety of leaving the door open, the robbery was immediately
discovered. A search was commenced, and it was ascertained that the object of their suspicion had been
to a public house in North-lane, and there divided the tea between two men, acquaintances of the
fellow, and from their statement, a constable traced the robber, and overtook him at Renville pond, near
Bridge, with part of the property in his possession. After an examination of the prisoner, by the Rev. C
Hughes, of Bridge-place, he was committed to St Augustine’s gaol.

7 November 1823] Daring outrages. On Monday night a carpenter’s shop, at bridge, was broken open;

.the depredators stole from the tools there deposited several implements for breaking open doors, and on

their departure left a right-hand glove. The villains then proceeded to the church, which they forcibly
entered, and stole the prayer books and baptismal basin. It is supposed that the same gang subsequently
proceeded to the house of baron Montesquieu, and broke into the servants’ room, from which they stole
a quantity of wearing apparel; one of the servants, hearing a noise, struck a light, upon which the
robbers decamped. The same night the same depredators went to the parsonage at Beakesboume, from
whence they stole two hives of bees and the garden line; and here they left the fellow glove to the one
left at Bridge. They made a secure retreat with their booty, and no clue to discovery has yet been
obtained.

17 November 1823] In the night of Tuesday last, a barn in bifrons Park near Bridge was feloniously
entered by some thieves, who stole between three and four bushels of white wheat, with which they got
off undiscovered.