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]

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 Boum 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.. . .[18 August] At the cricket
match to be played in Boume 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
Boume 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 other persons
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 fun 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 nmning 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 shifis will be given them by the gentry &c. [again on August 1“ — 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 Beakesbourne, 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.

[1 1 December 1769] John Nash, Clock-Maker at Beakesbourne. 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
opportimity 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. — '1” he clock of Mr Drayson, that could not perform, was
charged 8s 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 Autumn meetings

[22 April 1769] Horse racing. On Tuesday next will be run for, over barham Downs, 21 match of fifty
guineas between a bay gelding, late the property 0 fWilliarn 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.