Pigots 1840 - Kent
Dartford, with the villages of Darenth, Sutton-at-Hone, Wilmington & neighbourhoods
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Dartford is a flourishing and respectable market town and parish, in the lathe of Sutton at Hone, and the hundred of Axton, Dartford and Wilmington – 15 miles SE from the metropolis; situated on the great road from London to Canterbury, Dover and other populous towns on the coast, in a fertile valley, on a ford of the river Darent; from the latter locality its name is derived, being a contraction of Darent-ford. The most eventful historical circumstance connected with this place was the insurrection under Wat Tyler, which commenced here in 1355, in the fifth year of Richard II. Edward III founded a monastery here and endowed it with various manors and estates; at the dissolution of the religious houses its yearly revenue amounted to £380 9s 0½d; Henry VIII caused the structure to be fitted up as a residence for himself; the vestiges which have at different periods been recognized as forming part of the monastery evince that it must have been of considerable extent; the remains still preserved are composed of brick and present a large embattled gateway, with some detached portions to the south which have been converted into farm buildings. That this town is of very ancient foundation appears certain from the relics of former ages that have been discovered; not many years since, in tilling a piece of land belonging to Mr John LANDALE, a number of valuable antiquities were found at some depth below the surface. Exclusive of the animation produced by its great thoroughfare situation, Dartford possesses within itself many sources of active prosperity, in its iron foundries, chymical works, and paper and corn mills; steam engines, also are constructed, and gunpowder manufactured upon an extensive scale; besides which the seed crushing mills and mustard manufactory of Messrs SAUNDERS and HARRISON are perhaps the largest in the kingdom. By the convenience of a creek, water from the Thames is admitted, which at high tide is navigable for hoys, barges &c. thus maintaining a regular communication with the metropolis. Petty sessions for the lathe of Sutton are held here; and a court of requests, for the recovery of debts, not exceeding £5, site every third Friday.
The church dedicated to The Holy Trinity is an ancient and commodious structure, with an embattled tower, it contains many monuments of former ages – amongst the rest, one to the memory of Sir John SPIELMAN, a German, who it is said, introduced the paper manufacture into this country. The old burial ground is some distance from the church, on a hill so lofty that the level overlooks the church tower; this elevated position commands a fine view of the river Thames. A few years since, a new cemetery was consecrated in a more convenient situation. There are places of worship for independents and methodists; and the charities comprise, a free grammar school, one upon the national plan, connected with the church, and two sets of almshouses. The market day is Saturday, and an annual fair is held on the 2nd August. The parish in 1831, contained 4715 inhabitants.
Rather more than two miles southeast from Dartford in the same hundred, is the village of Darenth, situated on the river Darent, from which the parish and village obtain their name. The church is dedicated to St Margaret, is principally in the early style of English architecture and presents several defined specimens of the period of its erection, particularly the font which has attracted much attention; the living is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Rochester. Population of the parish in 1831, 588.
Somewhat more than a mile southwest from Darenth is the pleasant village of Sutton at Hone; this extensive parish, which gives name to a lathe, is intersected by the river Darent. The church dedicated to St John the Baptist, is a spacious edifice – its architecture in the decorated style; the benefice, a vicarage, is in the gift of the dean and chapter of Rochester. Sutton Place, an ancient brick building in this parish, formerly belonged to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who had a commandery here. Population 1012.
About a mile south from Dartford is the village of Wilmington, pleasantly situated near the road leading from Dartford to Seven Oaks and Tonbridge. The manor house in this village, which is remarkable for the beauty of its situation, was in the reign of Edward IV, the residence of the king making Earl of Warwick. The church dedicated to St Michael, stands on the summit of a hill, near the high road; and its well proportioned lofty spire is seen for a considerable distance round the country; the living is a vicarage, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Rochester. The parish contained in 1831, 724 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE – High st, Dartford, William PITTOCK, Postmaster. Letters from London arrive every night at ten, and are despatched every morning at four. Letters from Dover &c. arrive every morning at four and are despatched every night at ten. Letters from Seven Oaks, Tonbridge Wells, Hastings &c. arrive every night at eight, and are despatched every morning at half past six. Letters from Swanscomb, Greenhithe, Darenth, Farningham &c. arrive (by foot post) every evening (Monday excepted) at seven and are despatched every morning (Monday excepted), at eight
GENTRY & CLERGY
BARRELL Mr James, West hill
CANN MR George, Overy st
CHAPMAN Mr Henry, Darenth
COOKE Mr Richard, Spital st
EVANS Dr John, Sutton
EVELEIGH Rev John (AM), Darenth
FLEET Mr Charles, High st
GRANT Rev Francis Bazett, Dartford
HALL Mrs John, Spital st
HAYWARD John esq, Wilmington
HURST Charles esq, Bowman’s lodge
KEMBLE Mr Mumford, Sutton-at-Hone
LEIGH Richard esq, Darenth
MINETT Isaac, Baldwins
MUGGERIDGE Mrs Ann, Giffords
MUMFORD Mrs John, Sutton-at-Hone
MUMFORD Mrs William, Sutton place
RASHLEIGH Rev Geo, Horton Kirby
RUSSELL John esq, Wilmington
SEARS Mr John, Spital st
SEATON Robert esq, Wilmington
STEVENS Rev Henry, Wilmington
STOREY James esq, Lowfield st
TASKER Mrs Ann, Wilmington
TRINDER Mr Thomas, Horton Kirby
WALL Miss Elizabeth, Overy st
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS
CORKFIELD Joseph, Lowfield st
Grammar School, Overy st, Thos, BARTON, master
HODDER Matilda, (boarding), Spital st
National School, Spital st, Jos. PAIN, master; Charlt. PAIN, mistress
ATTORNEYS
FOOKS Thomas Broadley, (& clerk to the court of requests), Spital st
HAYWARD John, (& clerk to the magistrates), High st
RUSSELL Alfred, High st
AUCTIONEERS
CALLOW John (& land & estate agent), Spital st
CLARK Peter, High st
HUBBARD William (& accountant), High st
PEARCE William Lucas, Spital st
STIDOLPH Henry, High st
BAKERS
ANDREWS James, High st
ANDREWS James jun. Overy st
BANKS Durrant, Wilmington
BANKS Priscilla, High st
BENSON Richard, Water lane
BRISLEY Charles G, Lowfield st
CLIFFORD John, Waterside
ELCOME Richard, Lowfield st
FISHER John, Sutton
GILES Henry, Mile End
GREEN George, Spital st
HILL Thomas (& biscuit), Lowfield st
HOOK Luke, Waterside
INKPEN William, West hill
MANNERSON Thomas, Lowfield st
TAPLEY John, High st
TRITTON William, High st
TURNER George, Water lane
WEBB Thomas East hill
BANKERS
HAYWARD John & Co, High st (draw on the Joint Stock Bank, Princes st, London)
BLACKSMITHS
BUCKLAND Edward, Lowfield st
BUCKLAND William, Wilmington
BUCKLAND William jun. Lowfield
CANN John, Bullhouse lane
CLARKE John, Wilmington
LAMB William, Sutton
PEARCE William, Spital st
WATSON Edward, Sutton-at-Hone
WRIGHT Thomas, Church hill
BOOKBINDERS
DOWNTON Arthur, (& printer), Lowfield st
DUNKIN & Son, High st & 10 New Road, Gravesend
HUBBARD William, High st
BOOKSELLERS & STATIONRS
DUNKIN & Son, (& printers), High st & 10 New Road, Gravesend
HUBBARD William, High st
WARCUP Samuel, (& music seller), High st
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
ANDERSON John, Spital st
BATT Richard, Lowfield st
BEAN William, High st
BELL James & William, (& leather sellers), Hithe st
BUSSEY Joseph, Lowfield st
CLEMENTS William, Waterside
COLDWELL Amos, Sutton-at-Hone
DURRANT John, High st
FORRESTER William, High st
FURR Thomas, High st
HODGES George & Son, High st
HODSON Thomas, Lowfield st
JAGGS Thomas, Spital st
LINTON Henry, Overy st
MASSINGHAM John, Spital st
SKELT William, Water lane
VINER William, Sutton-at-Hone
WELLS John, Horton Kirby
BRAZIERS & TIN PLATE WORKERS
CHANDLER William, High st
EVITT George, Spital st
HANDS William, Lowfield st
INKPEN Charles, Marl place
WEEKES John, High st
BREWERS – see also Maltsters
FLEET Chas Hussy & William, Lowfield st
MISKIN Jas. Black, Waterside Brewery
PITTOCK William, Crown brewery, High st
TASKER John & William, Lowfield st
BRICKLAYERS
BILLS George, Sutton
BOLT George, West hill
MARTIN Jane, High st
PACKMAN George, Sutton
PHILCOX William, (& brick agent), Philcox wharf
SHARP James, corner of High st and Water lane
SHARPE John, High st
BUILDERS
CALLOW John (& surveyor), Spital st
HOW Henry, Sutton-at-Hone
SHARP James, corner of High st and Water lane
BUTCHERS
BARTON John, Lowfields st
BUTCHER Abraham, Dartford Bridge
CLIFFORD John, Waterside
CROSBY John, Spital st
KEMP Robert, High st
KEMP Thomas, Spital st
LEACH Thomas (pork), Lowfield st
MEDHURST Charles, High st
MEDHURST Friend James, Sutton
WALLIS Thomas, Water lane
WEST Thomas, High st
CARPENTERS
ACTON William, Sutton-at-Hone
BOOKER Francis, Lowfield st
CALLOW John, Spital st
GUMBRELL James, Wilmington
HOW Henry, Sutton-at-Hone
KNOWLER John, Spital st
SEAGER James, Darenth
SHARP James, corner of High st and Water lane
CHYMISTS & DRUGGISTS
EDWARDS George, Spital st
HAMMOND & GURNELL (& oilmen), High st
COACH MAKERS
HODSOLL Thomas, High st
STAPLES William, High st
COACH PROPRIETORS
CHAPLIND & EDWARDS, Spital st
HUGGARD Charles, Overy st
POTTER Rowley Edward, High st
COAL & WOOD DEALERS
BARTON Caroline, Lowfield st
INGLEW Silvester, Lowfield st
PAGE John, Water lane
SIBLEY Thomas, Lowfield st
COAL MERCHANTS
HAMMOND Simmons (& lime burner), Dartford
PHILCOX William (coke), Philcox Wharf
COOPERS
ASHDOWN Giles, Church hill
KILLICK George, High st
CORN DEALERS
LOWETH Charlotte, High st
PHILCOX William (merchant), Philcox Wharf
WILDING John (& seedsman), Spital st
ENGINEERS & STEAM BOILER MAKERS
HALL John & Edward, (& millwrights), Waterside; office, 23 Lombard st, London & 9 Rue d’Enghien, Paris
FIRE &c. OFFICE AGENTS
Kent, John FINCH, Dartford hill
Norwich Union, Richard CLARKE, Spital st
Phoenix, John LANDALE, Spital st
Royal Exchange, Rokeby Robinson HARDS, Dartford Bridge
Sun, Simmons HAMMOND, High st
FISHMONGERS
LYDALL James, Lowfield st
SIDNEY Luther, High st
SLADE George, High st
FRUITERERS & GREENGROCERS
LYDALL James, Lowfield st
MALCOM William, High st
GLASS, CHINA &c. DEALERS
FOOT John, High st
TOLHURST Sarah, Lowfield st
GROCERS, TEA DEALERS & CHEESEMONGERS – see also Shopkeepers &c. and also Tea Dealers
ATTWOOD William & Thomas, Sutton-at-Hone
BICKNELL Mark, Horton Kirby
BUNKER Richard, High st
DOVE William, High st
ELWIN Thomas (& tallow chandler), Spital st
HAMMOND George, High st
HERITAGE John, Dartford Bridge
LANGLAND Nathan, High st
TAYLOR & Son, High st
WILSON James (& tea dealer), Lowfield st
GUNPOWDER MANUFACTURERS
PIGON & WILKS, Dartford Mills and at 34 Throgmorton st, London
HAIR DRESSERS
EVEREST John, Spital st
FARELL John, High st
JUDGE Thomas, High st
HATTERS
KERR Thomas, Waterloo House, High st
PELTON Richard, High st
WHITTAKER George (& clothier), High st
INNS – posting
Bell, Letitia WOOD, High st
Black Boy and commercial Inn, Richard NORWOOD, High st
Bull and George, Charles MESSENGER, High st
Bull and Royal Victoria Hotel, (and Posting Master to Her Majesty). Rowley Edward POTTER, High st
IRON & BRASS FOUNDERS
HALL John & Edward, (& steam engine manufacturers & millwrights), Waterside; office, 23 Lombard st, London & 9 Rue d’Enghien, Paris
IRONMONGERS
CHANDLER William, High st
PEARCE William Lucas, High st
WEEKES John, High st
LINEN DRAPERS
ATWOOD William & Thomas, (& silk mercers), Sutton-at-Hone
BRAUND George, High st
JARDINE Joseph, High st
KERR Thomas, (& silk mercer, hatter & hosier), Waterloo House, High st
QUAIT Amelia, High st
SANDER Philip, High st
WILSON James, Lowfield st
MALTSTERS
CRIPPS William, Grinstead green
FLEET Chas. Hussey & William, Lowfield st
MISKIN Jas Black, Waterside brewery
MUGGERIDGE John, Horton Kirby
TASKER John & William, Lowfield st
MARKET GARDENERS
DOCKERY Thomas Thornton, Lowfield st
HALL John, Waterside
LANDALE John, Wets hill
PANKHURST William, Brent
PAYNE George, West hill
STOREY Charles, Lowfield st
MILLERS
CANNON Stephen, South Darenth
COLYER Hy, Dartford mills
HARDS Rokeby Robinson, Dartford Bridge
WILLDING George, Phoenix mills
MILLINERS
GREEN Ann, Spital st
HARMAN Maria, High st
KNOWLER Sarah, Spital st
MITCHELL Ann & Matilda, Lowfield st
SQUIRE Susan, Sutton
MUSTARD MANUFACTURERS
SAUNDERS & HARRISON, Phoenix Mills, and 10 Maidstone Wharf, Queenhithe, London
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS & GLAZIERS
BARHAM James, Sutton-at-Hone
CAVELL George Frederick, Lowfield st
CAVELL Thomas Devereux, High st
GANSDEN Thomas Spencer, Lowfield st
GILDER Thomas, Lowfield st
GILDER William, High st
PAPER MANUFACTURERS
HALL Henry, Horton Kirby Paper Mills, Horton Kirby
MORBEY & SAUNDERS, Darenth mills
WIGGINS Wm. Hawley mills, Hawley
SEED CRUSHERS & MERCHANTS
SAUNDERS & HARRISON, Phoenix Mills, and 10 Maidstone Wharf, Queenhithe, London
SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN GROCERIES & SUNDRIES
BALLARD Ann, West hill
BALLARD Joseph, Overy st
BROWN James, Spital st
CANN Sarah, Lowfield st
COCKUP John, Lowfield st
DIXON William, Orange place
FISHER John, Sutton
HACKNEY Mary, White hill
HARDING Frances, Wilmington
HILL Mary, Mile End terrace
HOOD William, Wilmington
HUGHES Sarah, Lowfield st
KETTLE John, Water lane
M’KEE David, Overy st
MARTIN John, Lowfield st
MARTIN Richard, Water lane
PACKMAN George, Sutton
PARKER John, Wilmington
SEAGER James, Darenth
SHARPE John jun. High st
SHEAVES John, Water lane
WEBB John, High st
STONE & MARBLE MASONS
MARSHALL Ann, Spital st
WATSON Richard, Spital st
STRAW HAT MAKERS
AMOS Mary, Lowfield st
HOPKINS Elizabeth, Lowfield st
KNOWLER Sarah, Spital st
TURNER Sarah, Lowfield st
SURGEONS
FISHER William, Lowfield st
HURST Charles James, High st
KINGSTON Daniel, Spital st
TIPPETT Richard, Spital st
SURVEYORS
CALLOW John, Spital st
HUBBARD William, High st
TAILORS
ALLCHIN Thomas, High st
FOOT John, High st
HODSON John William, Lowfield st
HOPKINS George, Lowfield st
LEARY David, Waterside
MACKNEY George Knight, Darenth
MITCHELL John (& glover), High st
PECKETT Thomas, High st
PELTON Richard (& draper), High st
QUILTER James, Lowfield st
WHITTAKER George, High st
TALLOW CHANDLER
ELWIN Thomas, Spital st
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Bull, Robert WATERS, Hawley
Bulls Head, George WHALLER, High st
Chequers, Geo Knight MACKNEY, Darenth
Coach & Horses, Ann CROSBY, Spital st
Cock, John MANN, Wilmington
Crown, John WILLINGALE, High st
Crown & Anchor, Richard STILE, High st
Eight Bells, Hy COLYER, High st
Eleven Cricketers, Edw WINTER, Church hill
Jolly Miller, Wm. SELMAN, Horton Kirby
Kings Head, Samuel ELLIOTT, High st
Old Granby, George BENNETT, High st
Plough, George STEEL, Wilmington
Post Boy, Thomas BUCKLAND, High st
Rising Sun, John BECKLEY, Dartmouth rd
Royal Oak, Thos, Sweeting DAY, Spital st
Ship, William BULL, Sutton-at-Hone
Smiths Arms, Nathan WHITLEY, Waterside
Two Brewers, Wm ALLCHIN, Lowfield st
Waterman’s Arms, Wm BAXTER, Waterside
Windmill, William ROWE, Lowfield st
TEA DEALERS
WILSON James, Lowfield st
WILSON Robert, Spital st
TIMBER, &c. MERCHANTS
BAXTER William, Waterside
CALLOW John, Spital st
HALL Thomas, Lowfield st
PHILCOX William (and brick), Philcox Wharf
TOBACCO PIPE MAKER
PASCALL Thomas, Overy st
WATCHMAKERS & SILVERSMITHS
BECKWITH William, Waterside
BRAUND William, High st
PAGE James, Spital st
WHARFINGERS & BARGE OWNERS
BAXTER Wm. (& hoy man), Waterside
HAMMOND Simmons, Hammonds Wharf
PHILCOX Wm. (& hoy man), Philcox Wharf
WILLDING George, Willdings Wharf
WHEELWRIGHTS
BUCKLAND James, Lowfield st
HOW Henry, Sutton-at-Hone
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
POTTER Rowley Edward, High st; vaults Spital st
ZINC MANUFACTURERS
Society for the Manufacture of Zinc, Dartford Zinc works and at 12 Rue Richer, Paris – Monsieur De STAINS, actuary
MISCELLANEOUS
BRAND William, corn inspector and parish clerk, East hill
Court of Requests, Town Hall, Thomas B FOOKS, clerk
DORMAN Joseph, cow keeper, Spital st
Gas Works, Waterside, William GREEN, clerk & superintendent
HOOK Wm. whiting manufacturer, Waterside
HOY John, horse dealer, Spital st
INGLEW Silvester, clothes dealer, Lowfield st
JAMES John Wheeler, currier, Spital st
KITHER John, gunsmith &c, High st
MARSHALL John, wire weaver and paper mould maker, Waterside
MARTIN William, basket maker, High st
MAY Isaac, carman, Spital st
PARKS John D, nursery and seedsman, Dartford nursery
PELTON Richard, undertaker, High st
PITTOCK William, stamp distributer and newspaper office, High st
QUAIT Amelia, pawnbroker, High st
SNOWDEN Jas. saddler & rope maker, High st
STIDOLPH Henry, cabinet maker. High st
Union Workhouse, Spital St, Nicholas PALMER, governor
WARCUP Samuel, professor of music, High st
WILKS Henry, travelling tea dealer, Spital st
WILSON John, supervisor, Lowfield st
COACHES –
Call at CHAPMANs & EDWARDs office, opposite the Bull and Victoria Hotel, High st - To London, the Royal Mail, every morning at four – a Coach every morning at three, nine and half past eleven, and afternoon at a quarter before two, three and half past four.
Call at the Bull & George Inn - To London, the Paris Mail every Tuesday and Saturday and a Coach, every morning at three and nine and afternoon at four and half past five.
Call at the Black Boy, High st – To London, a Coach, every morning at four and afternoon at two, quarter before four, four and five.
To London, Charles HUGGETTS coach, the Dart from the Eight Bells, High st, every morning at twenty minutes before eight, and another Coach, afternoon at four.
To Canterbury, the Defiance, from the Bull and Victoria Hotel, every morning at a quarter before nine, and every night at half past nine and the Tally Ho every afternoon at a quarter before five; go through Gravesend, Rochester, Chatham and Faversham.
To Chatham, an Omnibus, from CHAPLIN & Co’s office, every forenoon at half past eleven – the Commodore, every afternoon at a quarter past four – the Nelson every evening at seven and an Omnibus from the Black Boys every afternoon at one.
To Deal, passengers are forwarded from CLEMENT & BOULTON’s coach office Canterbury every evening at half past five.
To Dover, the Royal Mail, (from London), calls at CHAPMANs & EDWARDs office, every night at ten – the Eagle, every forenoon at a quarter past eleven – another Eagle, every night at ten – and the Defiance, at nine in the morning and half past nine at night – and the Union, from the Bull & George, every forenoon at half past eleven.
To Faversham, a Coach calls at CHAPMANs & EDWARDs office every afternoon at two.
To Gravesend, by the Canterbury, Chatham and Dover coaches.
To Margate and Ramsgate, the Express, from the Bull and Victoria Hotel, every forenoon at a quarter past eleven.
To Paris and the Continent, the Royal Mail (from London), calls at CHAPMANs & EDWARDs office, every Tuesday and Friday at night at eleven.
VANS
For passengers – To and from London and Chatham, a Van calls at the Black Boy, every afternoon (Sunday excepted), at one
For goods - To London, Stanbury & Co (from Dover), call at the Black Boy, every morning (Sunday excepted), at five. To Dover, Stanbury & Co (from London), call at the Black Boy, every evening (Sunday excepted), at seven.
CARRIERS
To London, Wrake & Co & Stanbury & Co calls at the Bulls Head, and William CLARKE from his house, Spital st, daily, and Jane COWELL, from Waterside, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
To Canterbury and Dover, Wrake & Co & Stanbury & Co Waggons from the Bulls Head, daily.
To Seven Oaks, BOWKES from the Eight Bells and __ SILLMAN from the Royal Oak, every Wednesday and Saturday.
This page was last updated on 06-Mar-2021.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.