Pigots 1840 - Kent
Seven Oaks, Riverhead, Chevening & Chipstead
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Seven Oaks is a very genteel little market town, in the parish of its name, (which comprises the liberties of Riverhead and Weald), in the hundred of Codsheath and lathe of Sutton at Hone – 24 miles SE by S from London and about 17 west from Maidstone. It is supposed to derive its name from seven large oaks which stood upon the eminence whereon the town is built. The principal ornament of this district, and a point of great attraction to visiters is “Knole” the princely seat of the Countess of Portsmouth; the park and walks display scenery of surpassing beauty, rich and diversified. This has been a seat of consequence since the time of the conqueror: The Duchess of Dorset bequeathed it to the late Earl, upon the express condition that he should expend six thousand pounds per annum on its improvement. The town is well built and divided into two principal streets, which are lighted with gas. The ancient market house is near the centre of the town, and in the assizes are formerly held. It is under the jurisdiction of the county magistrates and certain officers are chosen annually at a court leet, but their authority is very circumscribed. The petty sessions for the lathe of Sutton at Hone are held here, and a court of requests for the recovery of debts not exceeding £5. The church dedicated to St Nicholas is a spacious and handsome edifice. A new church (or chapel), was erected a few years since in the Weald liberty; and a handsome Episcopal chapel has been more recently built at Riverhead about a mile from Seven Oaks. There are also chapels for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists. The charitable institutions belonging to Seven Oaks are of a valuable nature. There is an hospital for the care and maintenance, in their old age, of thirty two decayed trades people. A school for educating poor children was endowed by Sir William Sevenoak – afterwards incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, and since designated “Queen Elizabeth’s free school;” it has six exhibitions which are not confined to any college or university; this is an admirably conducted establishment; the present master is Rev James L Wallace. Lady Boswells school, endowed on 1675, is another praiseworthy charity; it is a neat stone building erected in 1818 and within its walls one hundred and twenty boys and ninety girls receive the benefits of education. The weekly market (a good one for corn), it is held here on Saturday, a cattle market on the third Tuesday in every month and fairs on the 10th July, 12th of October and 17th of December. The entire parish contained by the returns of 1831, 4709 inhabitants.
About a mile and a quarter from Seven Oaks is Riverhead, a chapelry and respectable village in that parish. An Episcopal chapel has been erected and endowed by the Earl of Amherst and M Lambard esq; the living is a district incumbency in the patronage of the founders at whose decease the right of presentation will become possessed by the vicar of Seven Oaks. There is a small endowment for instructing a limited number of poor children in reading, writing and arithmetic. The population is returned within the parish.
Three miles NW from Seven Oaks, in the same hundred and lathe, is the small village of Chevening. The church dedicated to St Botolph is of stone, small, very old and inconvenient, with a square tower; it contains some handsome monuments to the Stanhope and Dacre families. “Chevening House”, the seat of Earl Stanhope, situate here is a very fine mansion encompassed by delightful grounds, laid out with taste assisted by the natural beauties of the surrounding country. It was at this seat that the late earl established the improved printing press bearing his name; he died in 1816. A fair is held here on 16th may.
Chipstead is a short distance from, and although but a hamlet to, Chevening is the principal place for business. The parish contained in 1831, 901 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE - Seven Oaks, Thomas POULTER, Postmaster. Letters from London and all parts arrive every night at eleven and are despatched every morning at three.
NOBILITY, GENTRY & CLERGY
AUSTEN Col. Henry, Bellevue
AUSTEN Rev John, Chevening
AUSTEN Col. Thomas, Seven Oaks
BAILEY Capt James, Seven Oaks
BAYLEY St John, Seven Oaks
BRIGGS Rev John, Bessell’s green
BUCKLEY Henry esq, River hill
CADE Mrs Elizabeth, Riverhead
CHIN Rev John, Seven Oaks
COLE Geo Calverley esq, Seven Oaks
COMFORT Mr Robert, Seven Oaks
CRAWFORD the Misses, Bessell’s green
CURTIS Rev Thomas Sackville, Seven Oaks
DASHWOOD Mrs Sarah, Vicarage
GATTY Mrs Mary, Seven Oaks
GILPIN Rev Percy, Seven Oaks
GLENDENNING Mr Alex, Ash grove
HALL Mrs Mary, Seven Oaks
HARMAN Thos esq, Bradbourn vale
HART Mrs Charlotte Jane, Seven Oaks
HERRIES Robert esq, Rose bank
HUGHES Mrs Harriet, Seven Oaks
HUGHES Henry esq, Seven Oaks
IVERY Mr Thomas, Chipstead
KNOKES Mrs Judith, Seven Oaks
LAMBARD William esq, Beechmont
LIGHTFOOT Thomas esq, Seven Oaks
LYNE Thomas esq, Seven Oaks common
MACHIN Mrs Frances, Seven Oaks
MARKHAM Miss, Bessell’s green
MILLS Mr Thomas, Seven Oaks
MORELAND Miss Mary, Seven Oaks
MOUNT William Foot esq, Riverhead
NEPEAN Capt, Seven Oaks
NORTON Miss Mary, Riverhead
NOUAILLE Peter esq, Seven Oaks
ONSLOW Rev, Weald
PAINE Rev William, Chipstead
PERKINS Frederick esq, Chipstead place
PETLEY Charles Robert Carter esq, Riverhead
PETLEY Miss Judith, Riverhead
PETLEY Mrs, St Johns hill
PLYMOUTH The Countess of, Knole
POSNETT Mr Thomas, Seven Oaks
ROBERTS Mr William, Seven Oaks
ROGERS John esq, Seven Oaks
ROSE Mrs Dinah, Seven Oaks
SHIRLEY Rev Thomas, Seven Oaks
STANHOPE The Right Honourable Earl, Chevening house
WELLS Mrs, Seven Oaks
WIGGINS Mr Thomas, Seven Oaks
WIGZELL Mrs Ann, Seven Oaks
WILLARD Charles esq, (clerk of the peace for the county), Seven Oaks
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS – not otherwise described are Day Schools
BRIGGS Rev John, Bessell’s green
BUSAIN Margaret, Seven Oaks
FIELD Catherine, Seven Oaks
GOWER Elizabeth & Sarah, (boarding & day), Seven Oaks
Grammar School (endowed), Seven Oaks, Rev James Lloyd WALLACE, master
Infant’s school, Seven Oaks, Mary COX, mistress
Lady Boswell’s Charity School, Henry PARKER, master; Margaret WELFARE, mistress
PEAT Abraham, (boarding & day), Vine house, Seven Oaks
STURLEY Harriet, Seven Oaks
SUMMERFIELD Sophia, (boarding & day), Seven Oaks
ATTORNEYS
AUSTEN & CLARIDGE, (& clerks to the magistrates), Seven Oaks
CARNELL Thomas, (& commissioner for taking acknowledgements of deeds by married women), Seven Oaks
COLE Geo Calverley esq, (& master extraordinary in chancery, commissioner for taking affidavits, and acknowledgements of deeds by married women), Seven Oaks
MORRIS Richard William Grave, Seven Oaks
AUCTIONEERS
HOOPER George, Seven Oaks
SANDES Benjamin, Seven Oaks
BAKERS
COLLINS Henry, Seven Oaks
COOMBER James, Riverhead
GEORGE William, (& biscuit), Seven Oaks
HUNT Charles, Seven Oaks
KNIGHT Henry, Riverhead
LAMBERT Edward, Chipstead
MARSHALL Richard, Seven Oaks
RING William, Seven Oaks
RUSSELL Jno, (gingerbread), Riverhead
BANKERS
BEECHING & Son, Seven Oaks – draw on Masterman & Co, London – William MORPHEW, agent
Surrey, Kent & Sussex (branch), Seven Oaks – draw on the Establishment, 71 Lombard st, London – Chas & Jos. PALMER, agents
Savings’ Bank, Seven Oaks – open on Mondays from eleven till three – Thomas MILLS, actuary
BASKET MAKERS
PETT Charles, Seven Oaks
PETT Geoffrey, Seven Oaks
BLACKSMITHS
GILBERT James, Chipstead
GUEST Thomas, Seven Oaks
HOARE Richard, (& white), Seven Oaks
HUMPHREY George, Seven Oaks
KNIGHT Henry, Riverhead
SIMMONS James, Seven Oaks
VARGE Mary, Riverhead
BOOKSELLERS & STATIONRS
BAIN Sarah, (& fancy repository), Seven Oaks
CLOUT James, (& printer), Seven Oaks
PAYNE James, (& printer & sub distributer of stamps), Seven Oaks
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
BURGESS Charles, Seven Oaks
BURGESS Thomas, Seven Oaks
CRAMPTON James, Seven Oaks
KILLICK Philip, Tubbs hill
KNIGHT William, Seven Oaks
LEITCHFORD Thomas, Chipstead
LUCKHURST Daniel, Seven Oaks
MITCHELL Henry, Chipstead
MORGAN William, Seven Oaks
NICHOLSON William, Riverhead
PEARSON Richard, Seven Oaks
SKINNER William, Riverhead
SPARROWHAWK Richard, Chevening
WHITEMAN & BUSBRIDGE, Seven Oaks and Riverhead
BRAZIERS
BRIGGS John, Seven Oaks
ECCLESTON James, Seven Oaks
BREWER
WIGZELL John, Seven Oaks
BRICKLAYERS & PLASTERERS
MARCHANT & GROVER, Seven Oaks
MARCHANT John, St John’s
MARCHANT William, Riverhead
PARKER Thomas, Seven Oaks
TEDMAN John, Chevening
BUTCHERS
CORK Charles, Seven Oaks
COVELL William, Seven Oaks
FLETCHER John, Riverhead
GEORGE Thomas, Seven Oaks
HATFIELD William, Chipstead
KENNARD Jonathan, Seven Oaks
MOON William, Seven Oaks
REEVES William, Riverhead
YOUNG Edward, Chipstead
CARPENTERS & BUILDERS
BURTON Bryan, Seven Oaks
HOW Nicholas & Son, Seven Oaks
JOHNSON Matthew, Seven Oaks
MARTIN Thomas, Chipstead
MARTIN William, Chipstead
CHINA, GLASS, &c DEALERS
CHAPMAN Elizabeth, Seven Oaks
LAMBERT Sarah, (& toy), Seven Oaks
SMITH James, Seven Oaks
CHYMISTS & DRUGGISTS
GIRAUD Charles Elden, Seven Oaks
VINCER Edward, Seven Oaks
COACH BUILDER & HARNESS MAKER
ARROW Henry, Seven Oaks
COAL MERCHANTS
ASHDOWN James, Seven Oaks
BOWRA William, Seven Oaks
CONFECTIONERS
COOMBER James, Riverhead
ORCHARD Maria, Seven Oaks
SMITH James, Seven Oaks
COOPERS
ALLWORK John, Seven Oaks
GATES George, Seven Oaks
CORN DEALERS
CLARK John, (& brandy merchant), Seven Oaks
RING William, Seven Oaks
CURRIERS & LEATHER CUTTERS
PALMER John, Seven Oaks
PARKER William, Seven Oaks
FELLMONGERS
SUTTON John, Seven Oaks
WHITEMAN Edward, (& glover), Seven Oaks and at Riverhead
FIRE, &c OFFICE AGENTS
Atlas, Thomas CARNELL, Seven Oaks
British, Thomas PARKER, Seven Oaks
Guardian, William MORPHEW, Seven Oaks
Kent, Richard William Grave MORRIS, Seven Oaks
Norwich Union, Daniel LOCKHURST, Seven Oaks
Phoenix, George HOOPER, Seven Oaks
Royal Exchange, Benjamin SANDERS, Seven Oaks
Sun, AUSTEN & CLARIDGE, Seven Oaks
FISHMONGERS
CARE Thomas, Seven Oaks
CARE Thomas jun. Seven Oaks
PARSONS John, Seven Oaks
FRUITERERS & GREENGROCERS
HOOPER Charles, Seven Oaks
HUNT Charles, Seven Oaks
SHEPPARD John, Seven Oaks
SMITH James, Seven Oaks
FURNITURE BROKERS
COOMBER Samuel, Seven Oaks
HOOPER John, Seven Oaks
LAUNDER George, Seven Oaks
SANDERS Benjamin, (& undertaker), Seven Oaks
GROCERS, CHEESEMONGERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
ANSELL Thomas, Riverhead
BOWERS John, Chipstead
CHAPPEL Thomas, Seven Oaks
COOMBER Samuel, Seven Oaks
COVELL John jun. Seven Oaks
DOUBELL Ansley, Seven Oaks
FULLJAMES Ann, Riverhead
GUEST Matilda, Seven Oaks
HOW James, Seven Oaks
HUNT Charles, Seven Oaks
IVES Mary, Seven Oaks
LAMBERT Edward, Chipstead
MARTIN William, Chipstead
PARKER Elizabeth, Seven Oaks
SHARVILL Edward, Seven Oaks
SUTTON Thomas, (& oil and Italian warehouse), Seven Oaks
SWANSBOROUGH William, Riverhead
TEDMAN John, Chevening
WEBB Henry, Seven Oaks
WINTER Richard, Seven Oaks
HAIR DRESSERS
SAUNDERS William, Seven Oaks
STEVENSON Joseph, Seven Oaks
HATTERS & CLOTHES DEALERS
GATES Thomas, Seven Oaks
MORPHEW William, Seven Oaks
PALMER Charles & Joseph, Seven Oaks
STEER & Co, Seven Oaks
WIGHTWICK William, Seven Oaks
HORSE DEALERS
COLLINS Henry, Seven Oaks
INNS & POSTING HOUSES
Amherst Arms, Benjamin PAWLEY, Riverhead
Crown, (& family hotel), Jno HARRIS, Seven Oaks
Rose & Crown, William LEWIS, Seven Oaks
Royal Oak, Thomas Saunders SUTTON, Seven Oaks
IRONMONGERS
BLIGH Samuel, Seven Oaks
BRIGGS John, Seven Oaks
SHEWEN John, (& iron plate worker & cutler), Seven Oaks
LINEN DRAPERS – marked thus * are also Woollen Drapers
* BOWERS John, (& clothier), Chipstead
EDWARDS William, Seven Oaks
MARCHANT George, Seven Oaks
* MORPHEW William, (& undertaker), Seven Oaks
* PALMER Charles & Joseph, (undertakers) Seven Oaks,
PAYNE John, Seven Oaks
STEER & Co, Seven Oaks
* WIGHTWICK William, Seven Oaks
MILLERS
DUDNEY Philip, Chipstead
KNOTT William, Seven Oaks
KNOTT William, jun, Chipstead
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS
COOMBER & GREEN, Seven Oaks
EDWARDS Ann, Seven Oaks
EVEREST Mary & Ann, (& haberdashers), Seven Oaks
HILDER Martha, Seven Oaks
LANGRIDGE Eliza. Seven Oaks
PAINE Susannah, Riverhead
MILLWRIGHT & ENGINEER
MOORE Joseph, (& agricultural machine maker), Seven Oaks
NURSERYMEN
SEALE William, Seven Oaks
SEALE William, jun. Seven Oaks
SMITH John, Seven Oaks
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS &c.
BAKER Rayner, Seven Oaks
EASTWOOD James, (& ornamental sign painter), Seven Oaks
ELLIOTT William, Seven Oaks
HARVEY Richard, Seven Oaks
SHOOBRIDGE Samuel, Seven Oaks
SIMMONS Robert, (sign & ornamental painter and oil and colourman), Seven Oaks
PROFESSORS
ANQUITEL John, (drawing), Seven Oaks
GIBBONS Thomas Percy, (music), Seven Oaks
SADDLERS
COVELL John, Seven Oaks
FINCH John, Seven Oaks
FLETCHER & LOVELAND, Riverhead
WIGZELL William, Seven Oaks
STONE & MARBLE MASONS
HENDERSON James, Riverhead
INGLEFIELD James, (& statuary), Seven Oaks
STRAW HAT MAKERS
BROOKS Rachael, Seven Oaks
ELLIOTT Agnes, Seven Oaks
HILDER Harriet, Seven Oaks
PETT Ann, Seven Oaks
SUMMERS Ann, Seven Oaks
SURGEONS
ADAMS Robert Ebenezer, Seven Oaks
HARRIS James, Seven Oaks and at Riverhead
KELSON George, Seven Oaks
STEDMAN Robert, (& medical referee to the General Annuity Endowment Association, Seven Oaks
SURVEYORS – LAND &c.
BARHAM Abraham, Chipstead
BARRETT Henry, Seven Oaks
GREEN Samuel, Seven Oaks
PARKER Thomas, (of highways), Seven Oaks
TAILORS – marked thus * are also Drapers
* ARNOLD William, Seven Oaks
GATES Thomas, Seven Oaks
* GRANGER James, Seven Oaks
GREEN Edward, Chipstead
HOOKER Thomas, Seven Oaks
KIPPS William, Riverhead
KITCHEN Thomas, Seven Oaks
* MORRIS William, Seven Oaks
SUTTON William, Seven Oaks
* WOOD Thomas, Seven Oaks
TALLOW CHANDLER & MELTER
LEE John, (& wax), Seven Oaks
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Bat & Ball, Edward PECKHAM, St John’s
Black Boy, Mary CLARK, Seven Oaks
Black Lion, James PEARSON, Riverhead
Bricklayers Arms, Thomas WELSTEAD, Seven Oaks
Chequers, Stephen GREEN, Seven Oaks
Dorset Arms, John FARRELL, Seven Oaks
George, William, MILES, Chipstead
Kings Head, James THOMPSON, Bessell’s green
Star, William SANDS, Chevening
Sussex Arms, John BUXTON, Chevening
Wheat Sheaf, Charles PARKER, Seven Oaks
White Hart, James COOMBER, Riverhead
White Hart, George COVELL, Seven Oaks common
TURNERS – WOOD
BAIN Sarah, (& bat maker & stationer), Seven Oaks
FIELD Benjamin, Seven Oaks
LAUNDER Thomas, (& shovel maker), Seven Oaks
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS
BOWRA George, Seven Oaks
BOWRA William, Seven Oaks
BROOKS Ely, (& jeweller), Seven Oaks
JONES Samuel, Seven Oaks
WHITEHEAD Edward, Seven Oaks
WOODHAMS Thomas, Seven Oaks
WHEELWRIGHTS
ARROW Henry, (coach & cart), Seven Oaks
COUCHMAN Charles, Chipstead
CROWHURST Thomas, Chipstead
SIMMONS James, Seven Oaks
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
CLARK John, Seven Oaks
PARKER John, Seven Oaks
SOUTHERN Thomas, (& rectifier), Seven Oaks
WIGZELL George, Seven Oaks
MISCELLANEOUS
ASHTON Jno, veterinary surgeon, Seven Oaks
BAILEY Isaac, parish clerk, Seven Oaks
CLOUT Jas. cricket ball maker, Seven Oaks
FIELD Benjamin, clog & patten maker, Seven Oaks
FRANKS William, hardwareman, Seven Oaks
HEARNDEN Henry, poulterer, Seven Oaks
STANGER Jas. carver & guilder, Seven Oaks
THORPE George Durham, maltster, Riverhead
TIPPING Jos, hurdle maker, Seven Oaks
Union Poorhouse, St John’s hill, Jas. GAIN, governor; Mrs GAIN, matron
COACHES
To London, the Royal Mail, (from Hastings), calls at the Wheat Sheaf, Seven Oaks, every morning at a quarter before three; goes thorough Farnborough, Bromley & Lewisham and the United Friends, from the Chequers, Seven Oaks every morning (Sunday excepted), at eight.
To Hastings, the Royal Mail, (from London), calls at the Wheat Sheaf, Seven Oaks, every night at eleven, goes through Tonbridge, Lamberhurst &c.
** in addition to the above, coaches to and from London, Hastings, Rye, Tonbridge Wells &c pass through Seven Oaks every hour and a Van for goods and passengers passes through Chevening every Monday & Thursday.
VANS – for goods and passengers
To Maidstone, Thomas RICHARDS, (from Westerham), calls at the Chequers, Seven Oaks every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at eleven.
To Westerham, Thomas RICHARDS, (from Maidstone), calls at the Chequers, Seven Oaks every Monday, Wednesday & Friday afternoon at four.
CARRIERS
To London, Thomas BIRD, Thomas STENNING, Jesse LANGRIDGE and William FRANKS from Seven Oaks every Monday & Thursday morning.
To Dartford, Benjamin BOAKES and James ASHDOWN from the Wheat Sheaf, Seven Oaks every Wednesday & Saturday.
This page was last updated on 06-Mar-2021.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.