Pigots 1840 - Kent
Folkestone
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Is a market town and sea port, and a member of the cinque ports of Dover, in the parish and hundred of its own name and Lathe of Shepway – 71 miles ESE from London, 16 S from Canterbury and 7 SW from Dover; situated in the eastern part of the county, on the shore of the English Channel, opposite to Boulogne, and in a hollow between two cliffs rising precipitously to an elevation of ninety feet above the level of the sea. The line of the South Eastern railway, on its route from London to Dover, will traverse the under cliff, close to the town. The houses are irregularly built and chiefly stand on the ascent of the western cliff; the streets are narrow and but indifferently paved and lighted; but the environs possess many attractions and the high grounds command an extensive prospect of the coast of France. The water is limpid, the shore level, and the air bracing and salubrious; these advantages have rendered it the resort of numerous visiters in the bathing season. As yet there is a lack of lodging houses, as compared with the demand, but great facility is afforded for the erection of new ones. A large extent of land, most eligible situate, has been laid out by the Earl of Radnor for building purposes; and there are few places, it is presumed that would better repay a well directed building speculation. A pier of singular and uncouth appearance protects the port; it is formed of masses of unwrought uncemented stone which seem to have been dropped one upon the other without any regard to regularity of arrangement; but surveys have lately been made and reported upon by order of government and it is probable that ere long some permanent improvements will be made upon the pier and in the harbour. The majority of the inhabitants are occupied in the fishery; considerable quantities of mackerel, cod &c. are in their respective seasons conveyed from hence to the metropolitan markets. Folkestone was made a cinque port member before the reign of Henry; Henry III incorporated the inhabitants and under that chapter it was governed until the act of 1835 vested the municipal power in the hands of a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors, under the title of “the mayor, jurats and commonalty of the town of Folkestone”. A separate court of sessions is held here for the borough; there is also a separate commission of the peace, by virtue of which the justices sit in petty session once a fortnight; the corporation have power to hold a court of record of pleas to any amount; and a court of requests for the recovery of debts under 40s is held monthly. A new and spacious guildhall has been erected within these few years, and the market house has been rebuilt. There is a common gaol and house of correction, of which the Earl of Radnor is hereditary keeper, appointing a deputy.
The church dedicated to St Mary and St Eanswith, stands on the summit of the western cliff; it is a venerable pile, of cruciform structure, with a tower in the centre, which is a conspicuous landmark for mariners passing along this part of the coast; in the south aisle is a curious altar tomb, with figures of two armed knights; the living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the see of Canterbury. There are places of worship for baptists, independents and Wesleyan methodists and the society of friends; a free school founded and endowed for twenty poor children, and another conducted upon the British system. There are sundry charities arising from the gifts of different individuals, which are under the superintendence partly of the town council and others, and partly of the trustees for charities. The markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday, and the fairs on the 20th June and the Thursday in Easter week. In 1831 Folkestone town and parish contained 4296 inhabitants being a decrease of 245 since the returns of 1821; it is confidently stated, however, that since the last census was taken the population of the town has considerably increased.
POST OFFCE - Rendezvous street, John BOXER, Postmaster. Letters from London arrive (by mail cart from Dover), every morning at seven, and are despatched every evening at half past eight. Letters from Brighton, Bromley, Cranbrooke, Hastings, Hythe, Lamberhurst, Lewes, Romney, Rye, Seven Oaks, Tenterden and Tonbridge Wells arrive every evening at eight and are despatched every morning at seven.
GENTRY & CLERGY
BANKS John, esq Broadmead
BENNETT Mr Thomas, Brook cottage
BOND John James esq, Church st
BROCKMAN Edward Drake esq, (recorder), Sandgate
BROCKMAN Ralph Thomas esq, Church st
CLARKE Rev John, Grove house, Dover road
COLLINS William Knight esq, Prospect house
FAOLEY Mrs Ann, Parade
HART Mrs E, Sandgate road
HART John esq, Dover st
HOBDAY Richard esq, Sandgate road
HOLMAN John esq, Dover st
HOLMAN Joseph esq, Dover st
HOLMAM Thomas esq, Sandgate road
JEFFERYS Mrs Ann, Canterbury road
MAJOR Mr John, Mill bay
MARSH Mrs, Cliff cottage
MINTER John esq, Sandgate road
MORRIS Arthur esq, Shellon's lane
PAPILLON Thomas esq, Acrise place
PEARCE Rev Thomas, Priory
PETMAN Robert esq, Broadmead
STACE William esq, Dover st
WHITE John esq, Ivy cottage
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS – not otherwise described are Day schools
British School (boys), Radnor st, Henry FLAHERTY, master
British School (girls), Kings Bridge st, Mary GRAYLAND, mistress
CLARK Ann (preparatory), Grove house, Dover road
CLARK Rev John (gentlemen’s boarding), Grove house, Dover road
CULLEN Eliz. (boarding & day), Parade house
DAVIES Thomas, Prospect row
EATON Mary, North st
Harvey’s Charity School, Rendezvous st, Hy BUTCHER, master
MACE Elizabeth, Radnor st
ATTORNEYS
BOND John James, (& coroner & clerk to the magistrates), Church st
BROOKMAN & WATTS, Church st and at Hythe
SILVESTER John, Dover st
AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
BOXER John, Rendezvous st
GODDEN Dav. (& house agent), Church st
MAJOR David, Beach st
BAKERS – marked thus * are also Confectioners
ANDREWS Abraham, Radnor st
ASHTELL John, Beach st
* BACK William, Dover st
DALE Edward, Radnor st
* DRAY William, Dover st
* HILLS William, Rendezvous St
* HODGES Thomas, Dover st
KING Charles, High st
* PEARSON Matthew, High st
* POPE Ebenezer, Dover st
ROSE James, Bail st
SMITH John Hart, South st
* TRITTON Henry, High st
WILLES Edward, High st
* WILLES Richard, Broad st
BASKET MAKERS
GOLLIVER Isaac, (& fancy repository), Beach st
MARSH Stephen, North st
BLACKSMITHS
BUTCHER John, South st
OVENDEN Anthony, Rendezvous st
PLEDGE John, Grace hill
PLEDGE William, Rendezvous st
TUCKER John, Mill lane
BOAT BUILDERS
MARSH Thomas Farley, Lower Sandgate road
PAIN Harvey, North st
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
ELDRIDGE John, Beach st
HART Henry, South st
JENKINS John, Rendezvous st
MAJOR Henry, High st
MILLER John, High st
MORFORD James, Bail st
MUMMERY Robert, Radnor st
NASH John, Dover st
OTTAWAY Robert, Seagate st
ROGERS Richard, Dover st
STEVENSON Thomas, High st
UPTON Philip, Dover st
BREWERS
MINTER John, Kings Bridge st
TITE Ham, (& maltsters), Broad st
BRICK MAKERS
POPE James, Fancy st
TITE & JEFFREY, (& tile), Cheriton Kilns
BRICKLAYERS
CULLEN Richard, Bail steps
POPE James, Fancy st
WEEKES Thomas, Bail st
BUTCHERS
CASTLE Henry, Dover st
FOORD Thomas, Broad st
HALKE John, Radnor st
JEFFERY David, South st
MAJOR John Griling, High st
MORFORD William, Beach st
MORFORD William, George lane
SQUIRE Jacob, Dover st
TAPLEY Mark S, Radnor st
CABINET MAKERS &c
GODDEN David, Church st
JONES William, High st
MOATE William, Mill lane
CARPENTERS & BUILDERS
BAKER Thomas, High st
HART John, Dover st
MERCER John, Rendezvous st
PAGE John, Church st
POPE James, Fancy st
SPAIN William, Rendezvous st
CHINA, GLASS & EARTHENWARE DEALERS
BAYLY Samuel, High st
BINFIELD James, Rendezvous st
CAISTER & Sons, Radnor st
PLEDGE William, Rendezvous st
CHYMISTS & DRUGGISTS
BOORN John (& tea and tobacco dealer), Dover st
CASTLE Thomas (druggist), High st
DAVIS John Oliver, High st
COAL MERCHANTS & DEALERS
GODDEN David, Church st
GOLDER Charles (& lime burner), Lower Sandgate Road
HODGES Thomas, Dover st
KING Charles, High st
MINTER John, Kings Bridge st
PLEDGE William, Rendezvous st
ROSE James, Bail st
TOLPUTT James, Dover st
WILLIS Edwin, Beach st
COOPERS
KENNETT John, Bail st
MARSH Stephen, North st
CORN MERCHANTS
CROUCH Thomas (dealer), High st
MAJOR David, Beach st
ROSE James, Bail st
STACE William Harvey, Mill bay
FIRE, &c OFFICE AGENTS
County (fire) & Provident (life), Thomas GOLDER, High st
Kent (fire & life), David MAJOR, Beach st
Norwich Union, John BOXER, Rendezvous st
FRUITERERS & GREENGROCERS
BOXER Ann, Dover st
CLOUT William, High st
CRESSEY Susannah, High st
JENKINS James, High st
PILCHER George, Fancy st
GROCERS & TEA DEALERS – see also Shopkeepers &c.
BAYLY Samuel, High st
BINFIELD James, Rendezvous st
CAISTER & Sons, (& tallow chandlers), Radnor st & at Hythe
JONES Pilcher, High st
KEMP John, Beach st
MAJOR David (& cheesemonger and tallow chandler), Beach st
MARSH Richard, Beach st
PLEDGE William, Rendezvous st
TUCKER John, Dover st
HAIRDRESSERS
CASTLE Thomas (& newsvender), High st
COOK Thomas, Queens place
WILLIAMS Thomas, High st
HERRING CURERS
CLOUT William, High st
FRANKS John, Radnor st
GOLDER William, Lower Sandgate road
POPE Ebenezer, Dover st
RICHARDSON Thomas, Queens place
WILLES Richard, Broad st
INNS
Folkestone Arms, Ann BROWN, Bail st
Kings Arms, George John DUNK, Sandgate road
Rose, (commercial & posting), John COULTER, Rendezvous st
IRONMONGERS & BRAZIERS
BAKER Thomas, High st
HALL John, High st
PUTTEE George, Radnor st
LINEN DRAPERS
COLLIER Richard, Dover st
LEFEVER Benjamin, High st
PUNNETT John, Beach st
REYNOLDS James, High st
SPEARPOUNT Thomas, Broad st
MILLERS
GARDNER James, Shellon’s lane
STACE William Harvey, Bradstone Mill, Mill bay
MILLINERS & DRESSMAKERS
FINN Bennett, High st
MICKLE Amelia, Rendezvous st
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS & GLAZIERS
BAKER Daniel, Seagate st
TOLPUTT James, Dover st
SHIP BUILDER
GOLDER Charles (& harbour master), Lower Sandgate road
SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN GROCERIES & SUNDRIES
BARTLETT Susannah, High st
COBB Robert, Beach st
COBB Thomas, South st
FOX Mary, Radnor st
HILL Gilbee, Rendezvous st
JOHNSON Alice, High st
KINGSFORD Elizabeth, Bail st
MARSH Edward, Kings Bridge st
RAYNOR Edward, Radnor st
SANDERS Henry, Radnor st
SANITCLEAR Jesse, Radnor st
SPAIN John, Rendezvous st
UPTON Philip, Dover st
SURGEONS
BATEMAN John, Rendezvous st
GEORGE Edward, Rendezvous st and at Sandgate
KNIGHT William, Bevan, Dover st
MAJOR James, Radnor st
TAILORS & DRAPERS
GOLDER Thomas (& hatter), High st
ROLFE & Son, (& clothiers), Dover st
TURNER Stephen, High st
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Black Bull, William, HARRISSON, Foord
Blue Anchor, Thomas RICHARDSON, Beach st
Bricklayers Arms, John POPE, Fancy st
British Lion, John CROWTHER, Bail st
Chequers, Sarah PAY, Seagate st
Earl Grey, Richard MAJOR, High st
Fishing Boat, Richard BOORN, Radnor st
Fleur de Lis, Edward CHITTENDEN, Dover st
Folkestone Cutter, Wm. COURT, Dover st
Folkestone Lugger, Jos. EARL, Sandgate road
George, James KIMBER, George lane
Hope, Mary SMITH, Fancy st
Lord Nelson, Christian TAYLOR, Radnor st
Marquess Granby, Wm. HARRISON, High st
Red Cow, Richard GOODBURN, Foord
Royal Oak, Henry MARSH, North st
Ship, John PHILPOTT, Radnor st
Star, Elizabeth STEVENSON, Radnor st
Swan, John FRANKS, Radnor st
True Briton, Jno. ANDREWS, Kings Bridge st
Victoria, George HOGBEN, Kings Bridge st
TOBACCO PIPE MAKERS
COURT James, Mill lane
SWABEY Jesse, Mill lane
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS
BOXER John (& stamp distributer), Rendezvous st
MUMMERY Charles, Rendezvous st
WHEELWRIGHTS
MAJOR Richard (& coach maker), Bail st
MERCER John, Rendezvous st
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
ANDREWS Henry, Kings Bridge st
MACE James, Seagate st
MISCELLANEOUS
ASHTELL Henry, coach & van proprietor, Beach st
BAKER John, block maker, Back st
BENNETT William, sail & rope maker, Back st
BOXER Ann, confectioner, Dover st
BRICE John, pump maker, Rendezvous st
BROCKMAN Ralph Thomas, town clerk, clerk of the peace and solicitor to the trustees of the charities, Church st
Court of Requests, Guildhall, Ralph Thomas BROCKMAN, clerk, Church st
ELGER Richard, ship chandler, Beach st
Excise Office, Folkestone Arms, William LAW, officer, Dover st
FINCH Mary, saddler, Rendezvous st
Guildhall, Market place, Samuel FARLEY, jailer and water bailiff
MAY Robert, fishmonger, North st
PAIN Henry, parish clerk, Church st
PILCHER George, gardener, Fancy st
ROLFE & Son, pawnbrokers, Dover st
SWABEY Edward, working jeweller and clothier, High st
VINEY & Co, tanners, Grace Valley
WILLIS Edwin, bath proprietor and shell dealer, Beach st
COACHES
To London, the Times, from the Rose Inn every morning (Sunday excepted), at half past eight; goes through Hythe, Ashford, Lenham, Maidstone &c.
To Brighton & Hastings, a Post Coach, from Dover, calls at the Rose Inn, every day, (Sunday excepted), at twelve during the summer months.
To Dover, a Coach, (from Brighton), calls at the Rose every day, (Sunday excepted), at two
VANS – for passengers and goods
To Canterbury, ASHTELL, from the Rose Inn and Folkestone Arms every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning at nine.
To Dover, ASHTELL, from the Rose Inn and Folkestone Arms every morning, (Sunday excepted), at nine and a Van (from Maidstone) calls at the Rose every afternoon at half past four.
To Maidstone, a Van (from Dover), calls at the Rose Inn, every morning at ten; goes through Hythe, Ashford &c.
CARRIERS
To London, Ashford, Charing, Hythe, Maidstone &c. Charles BENTON every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning.
To Dover, Thomas WOOD, from the Rose Inn and Thomas HEDGECOCK from the George and Fleur de Lis, every Monday and Thursday afternoon and Daniel CATT from the Rose, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon.
To Romney & Lydd, Thomas WOOD, from the Rose Inn and Thomas HEDGECOCK from the George and Fleur de Lis, every Tuesday and Friday and Daniel CATT from the Rose, every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER
To London, Richard and Jacob SPICER’S Hoys, every Thursday.
This page was last updated on 06-Mar-2021.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.