Bromley

The Environs of London: Volume 4, Counties of Herts, Essex and Kent. Originally published by T Cadell and W Davies, London, 1796.

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'Bromley', in The Environs of London: Volume 4, Counties of Herts, Essex and Kent, (London, 1796) pp. 307-323. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-environs/vol4/pp307-323 [accessed 17 March 2024]

BROMLEY.

Etymology.

This place is supposed to have derived its name from the Saxon words Brom-leag, signifying a field or heath where broom grows; the great quantity of that plant on all the waste places near the town, sufficiently corroborates this etymology.

Situation and boundaries.

Land-tax.

Bromley is a market town (fn. 1), lying in the hundred of Bromley and Beckenham, and situated on the road to Tunbridge, at the distance of ten miles from London. The parish is bounded by Beckenham, West Wickham, Hayes, Keston, Farnborough, Orpington, Chislehurst, Lee, Eltham, and Lewisham. It contains about 3000 acres of land, of which 350 are wood (fn. 2), 250 waste, the remainder arable and meadow, but principally the former. The soil is various; but chiefly clay and gravel. This parish pays the sum of 296l. to the land-tax, which is at the rate of 9d. in the pound.

Manor.

The manor of Bromley was given to the Bishop and Church of Rochester in the eighth century, by Ethelbert, King of Kent (fn. 3). It is probable that it was taken away from them by some future monarch; for it appears that King Edgar, in 967, for a large sum of money, granted to Bishop Alfstan ten hides of land in Bromley, with extensive liberties and privileges (fn. 4). His son Etheldred, not regarding his father's grant, seized this land, and in 987 gave it to his minister (fn. 5); but afterwards, repenting of what he had done, in the year 998, the convent of Rochester and some of the principal nobility being present, he restored to the Bishop six hides (fn. 6), being the same, I suppose, which his predecessors had enjoyed under King Ethelbert's grant. After the Conquest, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, seized this manor; but it was recovered to the see of Rochester by the exertions of Archbishop Lanfranc, in a solemn assembly of the whole county, held by the King's command in 1076 (fn. 7). In the mean time, it had been diminished in extent one-half (fn. 8). It has since continued in the uninterrupted possession of the Bishops of Rochester, except during the Rebellion, and Cromwell's usurpation in the last century. This manor was sold, in 1649, to Augustine Skinner, for the sum of 5665l. 11s. 11d. and continued in the possession of his family till the Restoration (fn. 9). In 1255, the manor of Bromley was valued at 23l.; in 1267, at 29l. 3s. 7½d.; in 1291, at 32l. 11s. 2d. (fn. 10) The Bishop of Rochester, as lord of the manor of Bromley, has the return of writs within the manor, the assize of bread and ale, view of frankpledge, &c.

Bromley palace.

The Bishops of Rochester had a mansion at this place at a very early period. In the time of Bishop Gualeranus, or Walleran, who died in 1184, it was become so ruinous, that his successor Gilbert de Glanville, Chief Justice of England, was obliged to expend a great sum of money on the repairs (fn. 11). Bromley-palace has long been the only habitable house belonging to the see of Rochester. Having undergone frequent alterations and repairs (fn. 12), the late Bishop, finding it much decayed, pulled it down soon after he came to the see, and erected in its stead a plain brick mansion, which was finished in 1777. It stands about a quarter of a mile from the town, and is pleasantly situated on the brow of a hill, looking towards Beckenham and Hayes. A view of the old palace, as it appeared in 1756, was engraved for Hasted's History of Kent.

Roger Ford, abbot of Glastonbury, was killed at Bromley-palace in the year 1261, being on a journey which he took to defend the rights of his church (fn. 13). At this palace, in a flower-pot, was found the parchment forged by a conspiracy, of which Bishop Sprat printed an account (fn. 14).

St. Blaze's Well.

There is a spring of mineral water in the Bishop's ground called St. Blaze's Well, near to which, before the Reformation, stood an oratory. It was much frequented, not only on account of the medicinal virtues of the water, but for the sake of certain indulgences (or remittances of penance) which Lucas, legate to Pope Sixtus IV. granted to all such as should offer up their orisons at this oratory of St. Blaze, in the three holy-days of Pentecost (fn. 15). The oratory fell to ruins after the Reformation, the well was filled up, and its site forgotten. It was discovered in 1756, when an account of the discovery, and the use of the water, which is a chalybeate, was published by Thomas Reynolds, surgeon.

Manor of Sundridge.

The manor of Sundridge was, in the reign of Henry III. the property of Peter le Blund, Constable of the Tower of London; and, about the middle of the fourteenth century, came by intermarriage with an heir of the Blunds to the family of Willoughby (fn. 16). In 1393, it was the property of Sir Richard Stury. William Booth, Esq. died seised of it in 1486; from him it descended to Sith Booth, Esq. one of whose coheirs married Thomas Bettenham, Esq.: Stephen Bettenham, Esq. (great grandson of Thomas) gave this estate in marriage with his daughter Anne to Robert Pynsent, Esq. who died at Sundridge, in 1679, without issue. He was succeeded in the possession of this manor by Thomas Washer, Esq. who died in 1720. Mary, daughter and sole heir of John Washer, his son, married William Willson, Esq. whose grandson William Wilson, Esq. sold it, in 1792, to Edward George Lind, Esq. the present proprietor. This manor is held under the Bishop of Rochester.

Manor of Simpsons.

The manor of Simpsons was, in 1302, the property of John de Banquel (fn. 17). Thomas Banquel died seised of it in 1361 (fn. 18); and it appears that, upon a division of his estates, his younger son William had this manor. The next owner upon record was William Clarke, who had a licence from Henry V. to fortify and embattle his mansion-house, which was surrounded by a moat (fn. 19). About the year 1450, it came by purchase to John Simpson, from whose family it derived its present name (fn. 20). Nicholas Simpson, his descendant, (who was barber to Henry VIII.) aliened it to Alexander Basset, by whom it was conveyed to Sir Humphrey Style. It has since passed through the same hands as Langley-park in Beckenham, and is now the property of the Right Hon. Lord Gwedir. Mr. Samuel Rickards, the tenant, occupies it as a farm.

William de Latimer, in 1329, obtained a charter of free-warren on lands at Bromley, which he had inherited from his father, who died in 1327 (fn. 21).

Freelands.

Freelands, a house with lands in this parish, was, in 1701, the property of John Whalley, merchant. Some years ago a lease of it was granted to Robert Nettleton, Esq. Governor of the Russia Company. The lease has since passed through the hands of Mr. Welles, and Robert Adair, Esq. the late Surgeon-general: it is now vested in Thomas Raikes, Esq. Deputy Governor of the Bank, who resides at Freelands. The fee belongs to Mrs. Assheton.

Bickley, &c.

Between Bromley and Chislehurst is Bickley, the seat of William Welles, Esq.; at Plaistow, that of Peter Thellusson, Esq.

Parish church.

The parish church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a spacious structure of flint and stone; consisting of a chancel, nave, and two aisles. At the west end is a square embattled tower, with a cupola.

Monuments.

Bishop Pearce.

On the north wall of the chancel is a single stone stall of Gothic architecture; the upper part is mutilated. On the same wall is the monument of Bishop Pearce (fn. 22). On the south side of the chancel are the monuments of Harington Bagshaw (fn. 23), curate of Bromley, rector of Woolwich, and 40 years chaplain of Warner's College, 1739; Abigail, his wife, daughter of Sir John Busby, Knt. 1713; Thomas Bagshaw, A. M. curate of Bromley, rector of Southflete, and 54 years chaplain of Warner's College, 1787; and a wooden tablet in memory of James Young (fn. 24), merchant, 1687. On the floor, are the tombs of Anthony Calthorpe (fn. 25), Esq. 1594; Richard Thornhill (fn. 26), Esq. 1600; John Yonge, Bishop of Rochester (fn. 27), 1605; John Travell, Esq. of London, 1652; Catalina, relict of Thomas Neesham, late rector of Stoke Dabourn, 1676; Robert Pynsent, Gent. 1679; Mariabella, wife of John Whalley, of Freeland-house, merchant, 1701; and William Willson, Esq. 1776.

Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Johnson.

In the nave are the tombs of John King, of London, draper (fn. 28), 1603; Jane, daughter of John Brewton, Gent. wife of Henry Bodenham, Esq. of Folston, Wilts, 1625; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Samuel Johnson (fn. 29), 1753; Owen Gethin, Gent. 1754; Edward Wyat, Esq. 1758; and William Everest, Gent. 1777.

At the east end of the south aisle is a wooden tablet, with the arms and quarterings of Style (fn. 30), and an inscription denoting that the pews beneath were appropriated to the sole use of the Styles, ancient owners of Simpsons', and were then (1727) the property of Lady Elwill. On the same wall is the monument of John Maunsell, Esq. (fn. 31), of Chichely, Bucks, 1625; on the floor are the tombs of Edward Brewster, apothecary, 1674; James Gosling, Esq. 1765; the Rev. John Derby (fn. 32), rector of South-flete, 1778; Henry Savage, Esq. 1785; Mary, wife of Charles Gore, Esq. 1785; and Mrs. Mary Dimes, 1788.

Dr. Hawksworth.

On the west wall, under the gallery, are the monuments of Peregrina, wife of Lieut. Bussy Maunsell, 1721; and Jane, relict of Charles Scot, Esq. (fn. 33), of Gorrembury in North-Britain, (of the noble family of Buccleugh,) 1767. Above are the monuments of Thomas Chase, Esq. (fn. 34), 1754; and Mary, wife of William Lyndon (fn. 35), Esq. (daughter of Richard Ashe, Esq.), 1780. On the south wall is that of Mary, wife of the Rev. Thomas Winterbottom, rector of Ashurst, and vicar of Birling in Kent, 1720. At the east end are monuments in memory of John Hawksworth, LL. D. (fn. 36), 1773; Mr. Benjamin Brown, (brother of Mrs. Hawksworth,) 1777; and Thomas Chase, Esq. (fn. 37), 1788. The north aisle was rebuilt in 1792; towards the expence of which, Bishop Thomas contributed the sum of 500l.

The font is square; of Norman architecture; the sides are ornamented with rows of plain circular arches.

Walter de Henche, Bishop of Rochester, who died in 1360, was buried in this church, in the south aisle (fn. 38).

Against the south wall of the church, on the outside, is the monument of Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. George Richards, vicar of Hadlow, Kent, 1767.

Tombs in the churchyard.

In the churchyard are the tombs of Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Giles, daughter of Joseph Herlackehden, 1668; Richard Gratwicke, merchant, 1674; Ann, his wife, daughter of Samuel Leaver, merchant, 1712; Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Leaver, wife of Richard Hampden, 1738; Capt. John Tanner, 1709; Barbara, widow of the Rev. William Davidson, rector of Berwick upon Tweed, 1713; Samuel King, citizen and clothworker, 172–; Charles Hickman, Esq. of the Middle Temple, 1729; Thomas West, Esq. (fn. 39), 1731; John Lawson, 1734; Edward Ironside, banker, 1737; Jane Belchier, his daughter, 1738; Mary Hunter, his daughter, 1752; William Emmett, Esq. (eldest son of Maurice Emmett, Esq.) 1736; Eleanor, his wife, daughter of John Thornhill, Esq. 1739; Avis, relict of the Rev. Mark Hildesley, M.A. vicar of Sittingbourn, and rector of Witton, (who died in 1726,) 1743 (fn. 40); Samuel Hyde, Esq. (fn. 41), 1748; Elizabeth Monk (fn. 42), 1753; John Innocent, Gent. 1755; Mary, widow of the Rev. Philip Stubbs, Archdeacon of St. Alban's, aged 95, 1759; Thomas Reynolds, Esq. 1759; Mrs. Hannah Nettleton, 1764; Mrs. Mary Nettleton, 1768; Sarah, relict of the Rev. William Perfect, vicar of East Malling, 1769; Ann, wife of Gilfred Lawson Reed, merchant, (grandaughter of Samuel King,) 1769; Mr. Solomon Demeza, 1771; John Hyde, Esq. 1771; Mary, widow of Edward Palmer, rector of Chalvington, Kent, 1773; Thomas Jukes, Esq. 1775; William Jukes, Esq. 1790; Mr. John Buchanan, 1779; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Shrimpton, Esq. of MarkLane, 1779; Henry Blake, Esq. 1780; Mr. Robert Stephens, son of John Stephens, rector of Colwall, Herefordshire, 1781; Mary, relict of James Barham, vicar of Bethersden, 1783; Rev. Richard King, 1783; Lydia, relict of Samuel Kellett, Esq. 1786; Frances, relict of William Huddleston, rector of Newenden, 1786; Richard Welles, Esq. 1787; Mr. John Thomas, son of John Thomas, vicar of St. Mary Hill, Glamorganshire, 1788; Edward Russell, Esq. 1789; Sarah, widow of Osborne Atterbury, (son of Bishop Atterbury,) rector of Oxhill, Warwickshire, 1789; Joseph Sparkes, Esq. 1790, John Christian, Esq. 1791; Mary, widow of the Rev. Samuel Watson of Amersham, 1792; John Dewar, Esq. 1795; and Thomas Grendon, Esq. (the date illegible).

Rectory.

The church of Bromley is within the diocese of Rochester, and in the deanery of Dartford. The rectory, to which a manor belongs, was in the reign of Henry VIII. appropriated to the Bishops of Rochester (fn. 43). In 1287, it was rated at 30 marks; in 1534, at 39l. 12 s. The rectorial manor, parsonage-house, glebe lands, and tithes were valued all together, in the year 1650, at 182l. 8s. 9d. per annum. They had been all leased by Bishop Warner for 21 years, commencing in 1639, at the reserved rent of 60l. per ann. and 40 quarters of oats (fn. 44). John Younge was lessee in 1646. In 1706, the lease was in the possession of William Emmett, Esq. whose grandaughter brought it to Mr. John Innocent. The present lessee is George Norman, Esq. of Bromley-common, whose father married Mr. Innocent's daughter.

Curacy.

The benesice was formerly a rectory in the patronage of the Bishops of Rochester. Since the appropriation above mentioned, it has been only a curacy. The curate, who is appointed by the bishop, receives 20l. per annum out of the great tithes (fn. 45). It is not in charge in the King's books.

Henry Maundrel, curate.

Henry Maundrel, B. D. appointed curate of Bromley in 1680, was Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, and chaplain to the factory at Aleppo. He published a book of Travels from Aleppo to Jerusalem, which is in considerable reputation, and has gone through several editions. A volume of his letters from the Levant, in MS. is now in the possession of Mr. Montague of Alderton in Wiltshire. Mr. Montague is great-nephew of Sir Charles Hedges, (Queen Anne's Secretary,) who was related to Maundrel.

The present curate is Henry Smith, D. D. appointed, on the death of Thomas Bagshaw, in 1787.

Meetinghouses.

There are two meeting-houses in this parish, belonging to the Methodists.

Parish register.

The register of baptisms in this parish begins in 1558, that of burials in 1578, that of marriages in 1575.

Comparative state of population.

Average of Baptisms. Average of Burials.
1580–9 24 9/10 191/5
1630–9 341/5 31
1680–9 342/5 38 3/10
1730–9 43 474/5
1780–9 68 9/10 632/5
1790–4 821/5 693/5

The present number of houses is 357 (fn. 46).

Burials in the plague years.

In 1603, there were 26 burials; in 1625, 110; of which, 67 were between the months of July and December. In 1665, there were only 27; seven persons are said to have died of the plague.

Extracts from the Parish Register.

Bishop Yonge.

"The 14 of Maye the reverend father, John, Byshop of Rochester, had his funeral solemnized, his sonne, Mr. John Younge, being cheese mourner, 1605." Bishop Yonge published an Exposition of the 131st Psalm.

"April 11, 1608—a still-born child of my Ld of Rochester's buried."

"Anne, daughter of Sr Thomas Monson, buried Oct. 29, 1609."

"Christian, wife of Sr Timothy Lowe, buried Aug. 4, 1615; Sr Timothy Lowe, Sep. 9, 1617."

Family of Thornhill.

"Thomas, son of Sr Timothy Thornhill, baptized Sep. 24, 1615; Frances, his daughter, buried Aug. 17, 1621; Elizabeth, baptized Nov. 8, 1621; Mary, daughter of Sr John Thornhill, baptized July 4, 1634; Jane, July 7, 1635; Charles, Oct. 18, 1636; Frances, baptized, Dec. 18, 1640; buried Jany 1, 1640–1; Sr John Thornhill, buried Aug. 7, 1646; Samuel, his son, June 28, 1647."

"William, son of Walter Curle, Ld Bishop of Bath and Wells (fn. 47), baptized Dec. 27, 1629."

"Aug. 12, 1630—the Lady Cutts died in this parish, and was buried at Fairland."

Family of Prescott.

"Margaret, daughter of Sr John Prescott, Knt, baptd Dec. 21, 1630; buried, Apl 14, 1633; Weston, his son, baptized May 28, 1634; Elizabeth, his daughter, buried Oct. 30, 1634; Susan, bapt. Dec. 30, 1635; buried Apl 28, 1637; Henry, buried Feb. 17, 1637–8; Jane, bapt. July 17, 1638; another Elizabeth, Oct. 21, 1639."

Bishop Buckeridge.

"May 31, 1631—the Rt Revd Father in God, John Buckeridge, the Ld Bishop of Ely, sometime Bishop of Rochester, buried." Bishop Buckeridge, who had been President of St. John's College in Oxford, was translated from the see of Rochester to that of Ely, in 1628. He published a book against Cardinal Bellarmine, concerning the Pope's authority in temporal affairs, and a few sermons (fn. 48).

"Stephen, son of Sr Stephen Scott, baptized Jan. 31, 1622–3."

"Samuel, son of Sr Edward Peyton, Knt and Bart, baptized May 25, 1647; buried Aug. 18, 1648."

"George, son of Sr George Jeffreys, Knt, Recorder of London (fn. 49), buried Aug. 26, 1679."

Three children at a birth.

"Joseph, Benjamin, and Rachel, children of John Dudney, baptized Oct. 17, buried Oct. 20, 1724."

Instances of longevity.

"Elizabeth Monk, widow, aged 101 last April, buried Sep. 3, 1753; Anne Passenger, Gent. aged 94 years, buried Feb. 26, 1767; Elizabeth Woodham, widow, aged 94, buried Oct. 20, 1771; Mary Screven, aged 90, buried Feb. 21, 1773."

Dr. Hawksworth.

"John Hawksworth, LL. D. buried Nov. 22, 1773." This well-known writer was editor and principal author of the Adventurer; he wrote also an Eastern tale called Almoran and Hamet, and some dramatic pieces, among which was Edgar and Emmeline, a fairy tale acted with much success. The Narrative of the first Voyage to the South Seas was drawn up by him, for which work he received a very large sum of money. He published also a Translation of Telemachus, and was for some years editor of the Gentleman's Magazine. His widow is still living, and resides at Bromley. See his epitaph, p. 314.

Bishop Pearce.

"Zachary Pearce, D. D. Ld Bishop of this diocese, aged 84, buried July 8, 1774." This learned prelate was born at Ealing in Middlesex (fn. 50). His principal works are, Commentaries on the Evangelists, to which his portrait is prefixed; an edition of Cicero "de Oratore," and "de Officiis;" an edition of Longinus; some controversial Tracts against Middleton and Woolston. He published also several sermons, and contributed to the Spectator and Guardian.

Bromley College.

Benefactions to it since the founder's death.

Bromley College was founded by the munificence of John Warner, Bishop of Rochester, (from 1637 to 1666,) for the residence and maintenance of 20 widows of loyal and orthodox clergymen. This worthy prelate, by his will, bearing date 1666, empowered his executors, Sir Orlando Bridgman and Sir Philip Warwick, to raise a sum of money adequate to the purposes of such a building out of his personal estate, and charged his manor of Sway ton with the annual payment of 450l. viz. 50l. per ann. for the chaplain, and 20l. each for the widows. The founder had expressed a desire, that this building should be erected as near to Rochester as conveniently might be, but as no healthy or convenient spot could be obtained near that town, power was given by an act of Parliament, passed in 1670, (for the purpose of explaining and settling some parts of the Bishop's donation,) to build it any where within the diocese, according to the discretion of the executors, who fixed on the present site at the north end of the town of Bromley. The founder not having made any provision for repairs, his executors, with the consent of the heir at law, charged the said manor of Swayton with the farther sum of 5l. per ann. but this being thought insufficient, the executors generously gave 100l. each, with which a fee-farm rent of 10l. was purchased; but still this income was found much too small to keep the buildings in a state of decent repair, and the trustees have been at times under the necessity of soliciting voluntary contributions for that purpose. The fund has since received farther augmentations. Dr. Plume, Archdeacon of the diocese, left 100l. to it in 1704; Archbishop Tenison, who died in 1715, left 100 guineas, one-half to the widows, and the other half for repairs; Joseph Wilcocks, Esq. (son of Bishop Wilcocks) completed the inclosure of the College-grove, by building a wall on the eastern side, at the expence of 120l.; and Mrs. Wolfe, mother of the General, by her will, bearing date 1765, left the sum of 500l. to put the buildings in a state of thorough repair.

Figure 9:

John Warner, Bishop of Rochester & founder of Bromley College

Jeffrey Hetherington, Esq. of North Cray, for many years before his death, (which happened in 1767,) applied the interest of 2000l. Old South Sea annuities, to the purpose of purchasing coals and candles for the widows in Bishop Warner's College. This sum, after his decease, was generously settled as a perpetuity, for the same purpose, by his surviving brother and heir the late Rev. William Hetherington. Bishop Pearce bequeathed the sum of 5000l. Old South Sea annuities, for the purpose of augmenting the widow's pensions to 30l. per ann. and the chaplain's salary to 60l.; Mrs. Helen Betenson, of Brabourne in Kent, by her will, bearing date 1786, left the sum of 10,000l for the purpose of building ten additional houses at Bromley College (fn. 51), and endowing them with 20l. per ann. each, for widows of clergymen. William Pearce, Esq. (brother of Bishop Pearce), who died in 1782, left the sum of 12,000l. on failure of issue from his great nephew William Pearce, Esq. and his great niece, who was afterwards wife of the late John Farr Abbot, Esq. (both now deceased without issue), for the purpose of building ten houses (fn. 52) for widows of clergymen, in addition to Bishop Warner's College, and endowing them with 20l. per ann. each. He directed also, that 20l. per annum, should be applied towards the augmentation of the chaplain's salary, which has experienced a farther increase of 6l. per ann. by the interest of 200l. 3 per cent. left by the late chaplain, Mr. Bagshaw. The present chaplain is Andrew Price, M.A.

This excellent institution is under the management of 14 trustees, seven of whom are, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Rochester, the Archdeacon, and the Chancellor of that diocese, the Dean of St. Paul's, and the Dean of the Arches, for the time being. The others are elective: the present trustees being, the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Sydney; the Right Hon. Lord Amherst; Sir William Ashhurst, Justice of the King's Bench; Sir Beaumont Hotham, Baron of the Exchequer; Henry Lee Warner, Esq. (representative of the founder); Multon Lambard, Esq.; and George Norman, Esq. who is Treasurer.

Charity school.

Bromley College was exempted from the payment of taxes, by an act of Parliament, passed anno 30 Geo. II.

There is a charity-school at this place, in which 13 boys, and the same number of girls, are clothed and educated. It was established before the year 1718. It is supported by the interest of 1000l. (fn. 53) 3 per cent., an annual subscription, and the collections at a charity sermon (fn. 54).

Benefactions to the poor.

Bishop Buckeridge, anno 1631, gave 20l. to the poor of this parish, with which, and a small addition, a house was purchased, let formerly at 40s. per ann. but now inhabited by paupers, rentfree. Bishop Warner, anno 1666, gave the interest of 20l. to the poor. Mrs. Eleanor Emmett, anno 1739, gave a rent-charge of 40s. per ann.

Footnotes

  • 1. In 1447 or 1448, a weekly market on Thursdays was granted to the Bishop of Rochester; and two annual fairs, one in the town on St. James's Day, and the other within the manor, on St. Blaze's.—Cart. 25 and 26 Hen. VI. m. 20.
  • 2. A considerable quantity of woodland has been grubbed up and converted into tillage within the last 40 years. About the middle of the last century, nearly half the parish was woodland.
  • 3. Hasted's Kent, vol. i. p. 89.
  • 4. Hasted's Kent, vol. i. p. 89.
  • 5. Reg. Roff. p. 186.
  • 6. Reg. Roff. p. 191.
  • 7. Hasted, from Reg. Roff.
  • 8. The Bishop of Rochester, says the Survey of Doomsday, holds Bronlei. In King Edward's time, it was taxed at six sulings, now at three only. The arable land is thirteen carucates. On the demesnes are two ploughs. There are 30 villans and 26 bordars, who employ eleven ploughs. There is a mill of 4s. rent, and two acres of meadow; pannage for 100 hogs. In the time of King Edward, and afterwards, it was valued at 12l. 10s. now at 18l. yet it yields 21l. wanting 2s.
  • 9. Hasted, vol. i. p. 91.
  • 10. In rents of assize, 23l. 10s.; in ploughshares, 8s.; hens, 12s. 6d.; two mills, 40s.; two caracutes of land, 60s.; the profits from herds and live-stock, 13s. 4d.; reliefs, heriots, and other perquisites of court, 20s.; pannage, 5s.; eggs, 12d.; sale of wood, 20s.; a carucate of land let to farm, 16 d.—Among the Cottonian MSS. at the British Museum, is an account of the stock which ought to remain on all the manors of the Bishop of Rochester after the decease of each bishop. It is stated, that at Bromley there should be left one cart-horse (value 13s. 4d.), 16 oxen, four stallions, eight cows, one bull, 100 ewe sheep, five rams, five sows, two young boars, and 25 hogs, of one year old. The land ought to be sown out of the assets of the deceased, and four carters and one harrower maintained for that purpose; and there ought to be left sundry utensils and household furniture, such as tables, casks, pots, &c. See Hasted, vol. i. p. 90.
  • 11. Reg. Roff. p. 11.
  • 12. In 1699, Bishop Sprat procured a licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury to pull down the old chapel at Bromley, and rebuild it. Regist. Lambeth. Tennison, f. 126. b. Bishop Atterbury and Bishop Wilcox laid out considerable sums in repairing and improving the old palace. Hasted, vol. i. p. 91.
  • 13. Willis's Mitred Abbies, vol. i. p. 105.
  • 14. Intitled, "A Relation of the wicked Contrivance of Stephen Blackhead and Robert Young, against the Lives of several Persons, by forging an Association under their Hands." Written by the Bishop of Rochester. 410, 1692.
  • 15. Philipott's Survey of Kent, p. 84.
  • 16. Ibid. p. 83, 84. The remainder of the descent is given from Hasted's History, vol. i. p. 92.
  • 17. He had that year a charter of freewarren for lands in Bromley. Cart. 31 Edw. I. No 46. Confirmed to Sir Richard Stury, by Pat. 16 Rich. II. pt. 2. m. 23.
  • 18. Esch. 35 Edw. III. pt. 1. No 30. It was then called "Lands in Bromley."
  • 19. Philipott, p. 84. I find no reference to this grant in the Calendars at the Tower.
  • 20. Philipott. The remainder of the descent of this manor is taken from Hasted, vol. i. p. 92.
  • 21. Cart. 3 Edw. III. No 43.
  • 22. Inscription:—" In the south aisle lyeth the body of Zachary Pearce, D. D. who was made Rector of St. Bartholomew's, behind the Royal Exchange, London, March 10, 1720; Vicar of St. Martin's in the Fields, Westminster, Jany 10, 1724; Dean of Winchester, Aug. 4, 1739; Prolocutor of the Lower House of Convocation, Dec. 7, 1744; Bishop of Bangor, Feb. 21, 1748; Dean of Westminster, May 4, 1756; and Bishop of Rochester, June 4, 1756. He resigned the Deanery of Westminster, June 24, 1768; and died, in a comfortable hope of (what was the chief aim of all his labours upon earth) the being promoted to a happier place in Heaven. He was born Sep. 8, 1690, and died June 29, 1774, aged 84 years." Mary, his wife, died in 1773. Arms—Erm. a leopard, and in chief three bees volant, proper; impaling, Erm. three mountain cats passant in pale, proper—the coat of Adams.
  • 23. Arms—O. a bugle-horn S: stringed V. between three roses G. impaling, O. three arrows S. headed and barbed A. on a chief of the second, three mullets of the first—Busby.
  • 24. Arms—Erm. on a bend cottised S. three griffins' heads erased O. impaling, Per pale Az. and G. on a bend O. between two eagles displayed Arg. three mullets S. on a chief of the third three garbs V.—Travell. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jn Travell, Esq.
  • 25. He married a daughter of Michael Harris, Gent.
  • 26. He married, 1. Margaret Mills; 2. Elizabeth Watson.
  • 27. Inscription:—" Memoriæ facrum:—Joanni Yonge, Episcopo Roffensi, Sacræ Theologiæ Doctori, Londini nato, Cantabrigiæ bonis literis innutrito, non minus variâ doctrinâ et prudentiâ quam vitæ sanctimoniâ claro, qui, cum domino diu vigilasset, senex, in domino pié placidéque obdormivit die 10 Aprilis 1605, cum annos 27 sedisset Episcopus, et 71 vixisset."
  • 28. He married Susan Woodward.
  • 29. Epitaph, written by Dr. Johnson:—Hic conduntur reliquiæ Elizabethæ antiquâ Jarvisiorum gente, Peatlingæ apud Leicestrienses ortæ, formosæ, cultæ, ingeniosæ, piæ, uxoris primis nuptiis Henrici Porter, secundis Samuelis Johnson, qui multúm amatam diuque defletam hoc lapide contexit. Obiit Londini, mense Mart. A. D. 1753." Mrs. Johnson was buried at Bromley, in consequence of her disconsolate husband having committed the disposal of her remains to his friend Dr. Hawksworth, who resided at this place. How long and how severely that excellent man felt his loss, appears from his frequent mention of his deceased wife in his devotions, and from the above epitaph, written but a few months before his own death.
  • 30. 1. S. a fesse O. fretty of the first, between three fl. de lis of the second, all within a border of the last—Style. 2. Arg. a wolf passant S.—Wolston. 3. Arg. three turnpikes S.—another coat of Wolston. 4. Arg. on a chev. S. between three goats' heads erased Az. as many billets O.—Yarford.
  • 31. Arms—A chevron between three maunches.
  • 32. He was editor of Bishop Pearce's works.
  • 33. Arms—Arg. on a bend, Az. a star of six points between two crescents of the field—Scot. N. B. The field in the Duke of Buccleugh's arms is Or.
  • 34. Arms—G. a crescent A. between four cross crosslets O. on a canton Az. a lion pass. of the third, impaling, Paly of six, O. and Az. a canton Erm.
  • 35. Arms—Az. a mural coronet between three leopards' faces Arg. impaling, G. a chevron Arg.—Ashe.
  • 36. Inscription:—" To the memory of John Hawksworth, LL. D. who died the 17th of November 1773, aged 58 years. That he lived useful and ornamental to society, in an eminent degree, was among the boasted felicities of the present age; that he laboured for the benefit of posterity, let his own pathetic admonition at once record and realize. From the Adventurer, No 140. The hour approaches, in which, whatever praise or censure I have acquired by these compositions, if they are remembered at all, will be remembered with equal indifference, and the tenour of them only will afford me comfort. Time, who is impatient to date my last paper, will shortly moulder the hand that is now writing it in the dust, and still the breast that new throbs at the reflection: but let not this be read as something that relates to another; for a few years only can divide the eye that is now reading from the hand that has written. This awful truth, however obvious and however reiterated, is yet frequently forgotten; for, surely, if we did not lose our remembrance, or at least our sensibility, that view should always predominate in our lives, which alone can afford us comfort when we die. Bromley in Kent, Mar. 8, 1754."
  • 37. Inscription:—" Sacred to the memory of Thomas Chase, Esq. formerly of this parish, born in the city of Lisbon the first of November 1729, and buried under the ruins of the same house where he first saw the light, in the ever-memorable and terrible earthquake which befell that city on the first of November 1755; when, after a most wonderful escape, he by degrees recovered from a very deplorable condition, and lived till the 20th of November 1788."
  • 38. Regist. Roff.
  • 39. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Vokins, by whom he left issue, Elizabeth, the widow of Captain John Lawson, and Mary, wife of John Hyde.
  • 40. Mrs. Hildesley had 16 children born alive and baptized; five of them were born within one year and three days.
  • 41. He married, 1. A daughter of Timothy Keysar, by whom he had a daughter, Elizabeth, married to William Seymour, Esq. of East Knoyle. 2. Elizabeth Lawson.
  • 42. Inscription, written by Dr. Hawksworth:—" Near this place lies the body of Elizabeth Monk, who departed this life on the 27th day of August 1753, aged 101. She was the widow of John Monk, of this place, blacksmith, her second husband, to whom she had been a wife near 50 years, by whom she had no children (and of the issue of her first marriage none lived to the second), but virtue would not suffer her to be childless—an infant, to whom, and to whose father and mother, she had been nurse, (such is the uncertainty of temporal prosperity,) became dependant upon strangers for the necessaries of life: to him she afforded the protection of a mother; this parental charity was returned with filial affection, and she was supported in the feebleness of age by him whom she had cherished in the helplessness of infancy. Let it be remembered, that there is no station in which industry will not obtain power to be liberal, nor any character on which liberality will not confer honour. She had been long prepared, by a simple and unaffected piety, for that awful moment, which, however delayed, is universally sure. How few are allowed an equal time of probation ! How many, by their lives, appear to presume on more! To preserve the memory of this person, but yet more to perpetuate the lesson of her life, this stone was erected by voluntary contribution."
  • 43. Hasted's History of Kent, vol. i. p. 96.
  • 44. Ibid. from the Parliamentary Surveys.
  • 45. To this is added, at the discretion of the Bishop of Rochester, 38l. out of the interest of 2000l. left by Bishop Warner to augment poor benefices within his diocese.
  • 46. Of these, 225 are in the town, 18 at Mason's-hill, 26 on the common, 16 at Southborough, 30 at Widmore, and 42 at Plaistow.
  • 47. He had been Bishop of Rochester.
  • 48. Wood's Athen. Oxon. vol. i.
  • 49. Afterwards Lord Chancellor.
  • 50. See more of his family in vol. ii. p. 235, 236; and his epitaph in p. 312. of this volume.
  • 51. These houses are now finished, and inhabited.
  • 52. Mr. Pearce's reversionary benefaction having fallen in lately, the houses are not yet built.
  • 53. The Rev. George Wilson, anno 1718, gave 200l.; Mrs. Eleanor Emmett, anno 1739, 100l.; Lancelot Tolson, Esq. 100l.; Mr. Thomas Moore, anno 1734, 50l.
  • 54. From the information of the Rev. Mr. Baker, the resident curate, to whom I am indebted for his assistance in other respects, during my inquiries at that place.