Pigots 1840 - Kent
Sheerness comprising Blue Town & Mile Town - Isle of Sheppy
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The parish of Minster contains the several places know as Sheerness, Blue Town and Mile Town; the name Sheerness is erroneously, though commonly, applied to the entire, as that place comprises only the fort and the point of land on which the garrison stands. The whole are locally in the liberty of the Isle of Sheppy and the lathe of Scray – Sheerness being 51 miles SE from London, 21 NE from Maidstone, and 27 NE from Canterbury. Near this island the rivers Thames & Medway intermix with the waters of the German ocean. About the year 1667, in the reign of Charles II, the erection of the fort was commenced under the superintendence of Sir Martin Beckman, who had not however made much progress when the Dutch effected their memorable attempt on the shipping in the Medway and demolished the new works; then proceeding up the river, they committed considerable havoc among the merchant vessels and returned down without molestation. This bold aggression roused the energy of the nation and the fort soon assumed the form of a regular strong fortification, mounted with heavy cannon. A royal dock for building and repairing ships of was also constructed here, which gave employment to numerous hands and led to the progressive rise of Blue Town and Mile Town. The dock yard has, during and subsequent to the late war received considerable improvements, by the formation of magnificent docks, a basin, and storehouses for the equipment of ships of the largest class, at an expense of four millions sterling. The three principal docks are all equally spacious and communicate with a basin, nearly five acres in extent, so conveniently constructed, that a first rate ship of war, of one hundred and twenty guns, with all her crew, guns and stores of every description, can without any difficulty be docked at any time of high water; but the enlargement of the dockyard has produced the almost entire demolitions of the fortifications. New defensive works, however, on a most extensive scale, are in contemplation and are evidently necessary for the security of this important place, and that of the vessels of war laid up in ordinary in the contiguous harbour. The trade of the towns is mainly supported by the government establishments; and considerable supplies of corn and seed, the produce of the Isle, as well as oysters from the numerous prolific beds that line the coast; are shipped for the metropolitan market; there are extensive copperas works, likewise within a few miles of the towns. The principal Inns are the “Fountain” situate in Blue Town and the “Wellington” in Mile Town. During the continuance of hostilities the entire Isle of Sheppy was thickly populated, animated and thriving; but it is a deplorable fact that this place, and others once flourishing from the same cause have retrograded from prosperity since the establishment of peace; other sources of emolument than those created by the state of warfare must now be discovered. In 1835, a very handsome pier or jetty, extending nearly five hundred yards over the bed of the Medway and beyond low water, was erected, so that steam packets can land and embark passengers at all times; this is a great public accommodation and has materially increased the celebrity of Sheerness as a watering place; and the warm and cold sea water baths established by Mr Court have added another attraction to those previously existing.
Blue Town, is seated at the western part of the parish, and Mile Town about half a mile from it; the latter has been much improved under the patronage of the late Sir Edward Banks, who erected a number of neat brick dwellings, in agreeable situations. The facility of passage to and from the metropolis, the many pleasing spots in the Isle and the beautiful and extensive views obtained from its elevated parts, combine to render it an eligible resort of those who seek relaxation and quiet, distant from the bustle of crowded towns.
The church of Minster parish is ancient, the greater part of Norman architecture and was originally a monastery, or nunnery founded by Sexburga, widow of Ercombert, King of Kent; very little of the conventual pile is now standing, except a gatehouse and part of the church; the latter consists of two aisles, a chancel and a neat chapel; with the lower part of a square tower at the west end; it contains several ancient monuments, to a few of which are attached some curious traditionary anecdotes and legends. This church stands at the inconvenient distance of four miles from the towns and therefore affords but little accommodation to their inhabitants; in 1836 however the inconvenience was obviated by the erection of a handsome church at Mile Town, containing about eleven hundred sittings; of this living the Rev George Ranking is incumbent, who is assisted by the Rev W M Mungeam as his curate. The income of the minister is derived from pew rents, but six hundred free sittings are reserved for the use of the poorer classes. There is also an elegant Episcopal chapel, contiguous to and connected with the dockyard, and wholly independent of the parish church, for the convenience of the officers, artificers and others identified with and other public departments, the chaplain being appointed and being paid by the Lords of the Admiralty. There are besides, places of worship for Baptists, independents, Wesleyan Methodists and other religious denominations. In 1837 spacious and appropriate rooms were built at Mile Town for the purposes of National schools, which establishments, under the judicious management of the Rev George Ranking are in a very flourishing state; recently another educational institution, named the Sheerness British School, has likewise been opened in which children of the working classes are instructed at a trifling expense. The market is held on Saturday, in High Street, Blue Town where a market place was erected by Mr James Beal and opened 23rd December 1837. The parish of Minster, with Sheerness Ville, contained in 1831, 7983 inhabitants - being a decrease, since the census of 1821, of 431 and an increase since 1801 of 2422.
POST OFFICE – Blue Town, William KNEWSTUB, Postmaster. Letters from Sittingbourne arrive (by foot post) every morning at half past seven and are despatched every evening at six.
GENTRY & CLERGY
BANKS Delamark esq, Red House
BARTON Rev John, Eastchurch
BURFORD Mr Thomas, Minster
BUSTARD Rev John, Banks town
KIRBY Rev John, Royal Dock Yard
MUNGEAM Rev William M, Banks town
RANKING Rev George, Banks town
TURMINE Rev Henry, Minster
WARD William, esq, Banks town
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS – not otherwise described are Day Schools
ACLAND Charles, Banks town
BLACKMAN Isaac, Mile town
BOWTON Mrs, Blue town
British School (boys & girls), Mile town, W. EDWARDS, master; Sophia MARSHALL, mistress
COURTNEY Miss, Banks town
EDWARDS Ellen & Fras, Banks town
GARDNER Sarah & Jane, (boarding & day), Banks town
HARRISON Sarah, Mile town
National School, (boys & girls and Infants), Banks town, Henry E SNASHALL, master; Mrs MILLIGAN, mistress
National School, Minster, Thomas CROMPTON, master
NORRIS Thomas, Eastchurch
READ George, Eastchurch
ROBINSON James, Mile town
TEMPLE William, Blue town
WILLIAMS Thomas, Eastchurch
YARROW, Julia, Emma and Amelia, (boarding & day), Banks town
AGENTS
ATTWATER James Thomas, (house & land and auctioneer), Mile town
BENTHAM William Walter, (to Lloyds & Trinity house), Blue town
BRIGHTMAN Richard, (house), Mile town
EDGCOMBE Thomas, (house), Mile town
EDGCOMBE William, (ship and custom house and the deputy receiver for droits of admiralty), Blue town
FELKIN Edward, (house & law stationer and accountant), Mile town
ATTORNEYS
EDMEADES Robert, (& clerk to the magistrates), Mile town
HOOKER Edward, Banks town
WARD James, Mile town
BAKERS
BROWN Aaron, Blue town
COPPIN Rosamund, Mile town
FELTON Samuel, Banks town
FRENCH William, Mile town
HEARN Thomas, Mile town
HOOKER George, Eastchurch
HOOKER Samuel, Mile town
JACKSON Francis, Blue town
JOHNSON Charles, Mile town
JOHNSON Edwin, Blue town
KIMBER Robert, Mile town
PALMER William, Shrubsole, Blue town
RAYNER William, Mile town
SISLEY Richard, Laysdown
TAYLOR James, Blue town
WEBB Thomas Dalston, Mile town
WEST James, Mile town
BLACKSMITHS
BURNETT William, Minster
DENNIS George, Mile town
FARMER Henry, Minster
LOFT William, Eastchurch
SMITH Thomas, Blue town
WILLIAMS Thomas, Eastchurch
BOOKSELLERS
BRIGHTMAN Richard, (& news agent), Mile town
COLE John, Blue town
DOWDELL Sarah, (& library), Banks town
ELVY Jane, (& printer), Mile town
HERBERT James, (& library), Blue town
KNEWSTUB William, (& Printer), Blue town
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
BAKER Edward, Blue town
BAKER James, Minster
BIRCH Lot, Mile town
BROWN John, Mile town
COLE John, Blue town
ELGAR Robert, Mile town
FOX Charles, Minster
GLASS James, Eastchurch
GREEN James, Mile town
HILL Charles, Mile town
HUMPHREY Robert, Mile town
JARRETT Edward, Minster
JOHNSON James, Mile town
KING George, Mile town
LARGE George, Mile town
LARGE Richard, Banks town
LEFTLEY George, Mile town
LESTER Leonard, Blue town
LUCAS James, Mile town
MORGAN William, Blue town
ROUSE Richard Edward, Minster
SANSOM Joseph, Mile town
SAVERY William, Blue town
SHRUBSALL Joseph, Mile town
SHRUBSALL Squire, Blue town
TAYLOR Edward, Eastchurch
BRICKLAYERS
DODD Robert, Mile town
ROBINS William, Mile town
BUTCHERS
ALLEN George, Blue town
BLACKMAN John, Mile town
BROWNING William, Mile town
BUCKHURST George, Blue town
COLE William, (& grazier), Mile town
ELLIS William, Mile town
FILMER Thomas, Blue town
FILMER William, Blue town
GRIFFIN Thomas Crayden, Mile town
HAVILL Henry, Mile town
HEAD John, Blue town
SNELLING William, Mile town
SWIFT Thomas Craydon, Eastchurch
TAYLOR John Edward, Blue town
WARREN William, Minster
CABINET MAKERS
ATTWATER James Thomas, (& undertaker), Mile town
BURLINGHAM John, Mile town
MANTLE James, Mile town
SOUTH George, Blue town
CARPENTERS & BUILDERS
COURT John, (& appraiser, surveyor & undertaker), Mile town
FORSTER Richard, Mile town
GREENSTREET William, Eastchurch
HOLTON John, Blue town
MACKETT William, Mile town
PALMER Nathaniel, Mile town
ROBINS John, Mile town
ROBINS William, Mile town
SOUTH George, Mile town
THOMPSON William, Eastchurch
WHITE Edward, Mile town
CHINA & GLASS DEALERS
BEAL James, Blue town
MARKS Christr Beaven, Mile town
PILCHER George Francis, Blue town
CHYMISTS & DRUGGISTS
FIFE John, Mile town
FIFE Thomas, Blue town
KIRTON William, Blue town
POLSON Charles, Mile town
SAFFERY Stephen William, (& oil & colourman), Mile town
VENABLES Francis, (& oil & colourman & window glass & lead merchant), Mile town
COAL MERCHANTS & DEALERS
BRIGHTMAN Richard, Mile town
COLE James, (dealer), Blue town
JACKSON George, Mile town
JESSUP Charles, (dealer), Blue town
MATTHEWS Thomas, Blue town
POLLARD John, Blue town
WATSON Edward, Mile town
CONFECTIONERS
CHAPMAN Mrs, Banks town
HARRIS William, Mile town
PALMER William, Blue town
CORN DEALERS
BASTARD Thomas, Mile town
BERRY Joseph, Mile town
FIRE, &c, OFFICE AGENTS
Atlas, John POLLOCK, Blue town
Globe, Richard BRIGHTMAN, Mile town
Kent, Edward FELKIN, Mile town
London Assurance, George JACKSON, Mile town
National Provident, John COLE, Blue town
Norwich Union, Jas. BEAL, Blue town
Protestant Dissenters, John GORHAM, Mile town
Royal Exchange, Fras. VENABLE, Mile town
Sun, Jas. Thos. ATTWATER, Mile town
West of England, Thos EDGCOMBE, Mile town
FRUITERERS
FRAY John, Mile town
SCOTT Theophilus, Mile town
WICKEN John (& eating house), Blue town
FURNITURE BROKERS
LEVY John, Blue town
RUSSELL Samuel, Mile town
GROCERIES & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
ADAMS Joseph, Minster
AMNER James, Mile town
BAKER Elizabeth, Minster
BEAL James, Blue town
BELTON Thomas, Mile town
BILLS James, Eastchurch
BLAXLAND John, Blue town
BRENCHLEY Elisha, Mile town
BRISLEY John, Eastchurch
COLYER Thomas, Blue town
EATON John, Mile town
ELLIOTT George, Mile town
FLUNDER Ralph, Mile town
FRANKLIN Alexander, Mile town
FRANKS Thomas, Mile town
HOGBEN George, Mile town
HOLMES William, (& shoe warehouse), Blue town
JARRETT Elizabeth, Blue town
JENNINGS John, Blue town
LEFTLEY George, Mile town
MARKS Christr Beaven, Mile town
MONK John, Blue town
NEEDHAM William, Mile town
NICHOLASS Robert, Mile town
PRATTEN Francis, Blue town
READ George, Eastchurch
SAFFORY John, Mile town
SHRUBSOLE Lewis, Blue town
SISLEY Richard, Laysdown
SMITH John, Blue town
SPAIN Thomas, Mile town
STICHTON John, Warden
WAGHORN William, Blue town
HABERDASHERS
COLE John, Blue town
EASTERBY James, Mile town
FULLER Elizabeth, Mile town
JACOBS Phoebe, Blue town
HAIR DRESSERS
BAKER John, Blue town
BENNETT Richard, Banks town
HEATH William, Mile town
LEWEN George, Blue town
PILCHER George Francis, Blue town
TAYLOR Thomas, Mile town
THARP George, Blue town
HATTERS
LEDDELL John, Blue town
MEESON Richard, Blue town
HOYMEN
BARREN Henry, Banks town
MAY Samuel, New town
SHRUBSOLE William, Ordnance marsh
INNS
Fountain, (& wine & spirit merchant), George CLARKSON, Blue town
Royal Hotel, (& wine & spirit merchant), John Thomas SMITHSON, Banks town
Wellington, (commercial), H. BEECHING, Mile town
IRONMONGERS
LEWCOCK Robert, Mile town
MULLINGER Edward, Blue town
SOUTH John, Blue town
LEATHERS CUTTERS
HILLS John, Mile town
TOWNSEND Isaac, Mile town
LINEN DRAPERS
ALDRIDGE Edward, Mile town
BAKER Thomas Brenchley, Blue town
EASTERBY James, Mile town
EVANS Edwin, Mile town
HOGBEN George, Mile town
MILLERS
HOWE Baldwin, Minster
VENABLES Francis, Mile town
WEBB Thomas, Mile town
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS
BARNETT Susannah, Mile town
CHEESEMAN Mary A, Mile town
JACOBS Phoebe, Blue town
LEDDELL Mary Ann, Blue town
LEWIN Hannah, Blue town
NEEVES Sarah, Mile town
WATTERS Caroline, Mile town
WICKEN Rebecca, Blue town
NOTARIES – PUBLIC
BENTHAM William Walker, Blue town
PATTEN Thomas, Blue town & Rochester
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS & GLAZIERS
CLAYTON John, Blue town
DODD Mary, Mile town
HARE Stephen, Mile town
PAWNBROKERS
ABRAHAMS Abraham, (& silversmith), Blue town
WEEKS James, (& silversmith), Blue town
PILOTS
DAINES Thomas, Blue town
HULL Thomas, Blue town
MILBANK William, Blue town
SHRUBSALL James, Blue town
TAYLOR Joshua, Blue town
POULTERERS
DANN Ann, Blue town
SMITH Richard, Blue town
SADDLERS & HARNESS MAKERS
CLARINGBOULD William, Eastchurch
FAIRHALL Joseph, Minster
HILL Walter, Minster
SLOP SELLERS
ABRAHAMS Abraham, Blue town
ABRAHAMS Michael, (& silversmith), Blue town
EASTERBY James, Mile town
ELLIS William, Blue town
JACOBS Isaac, Blue town
JACOBS Nathaniel, Blue town
LEVY Isaac, Blue town
STONE MASONS
KITT Arthur, Mile town
STUTELY Thomas, Mile town
STRAW HAT MAKERS
HOLMES Ann, Mile town
PLUCKROSE Stephen, Mile town
REED Elizabeth, Mile town
WATSON Elizabeth, Blue town
SURGEONS
CULLEN Peter & Son, Mile town
HANCORN James, Mile town
KEDDELL John Staples, Banks town
WALKER George, Blue town
WARD William Lewis, Banks town
SURVEYORS
COURT John, (& appraiser & undertaker), Mile town
EDGCOMBE William, (& shipwright & mast, block &c maker), Blue town
FARRIS Richard, (& appraiser), Mile town
TAILORS & DRAPERS
AKHURST John, Mile town
BEAL James, Blue town
BARLING Edward & Co, Banks town
CURRY Lawrence, Mile town
GREATHEAD Joseph, Blue town
HARRISON John, Blue town
HUGHES Thomas, Mile town
TALLOW CHANDLERS
FREELAND George (& melter), Blue town
GORHAM John, Mile town
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Anchor & Hope, William MARTIN, Blue town
Bell & Lion, Caleb SELBY, Mile town
Bricklayers Arms, Samuel BEAUMOMT, Mile town
Britannia, Sarah GIBBONS, Mile town
Carpenters Arms, John HILL, Mile town
Crooked Billet, William BRISLEY, Eastchurch
Crown, Sophannah LOCKYER, Mile town
Crown & Anchor, John STROUD, Blue town
Druids Arms, John BALLARD, Blue town
Duke of Clarence, John HEAD, Blue town
Ferry House, John ROBINSON, Harty
George, John PORTER, Blue town
Highlander, Elizabeth GRINSTED, Minster
Hit or Miss, John TURNER, Blue Town
Horse & Groom, Thomas ALLEN, Blue town
Kings Arms, Charles LESTER, Minster
Kings Head, Elizabeth COODY, Blue town
Lord Nelson, John BENSTEAD, Blue town
Mariners, William BAKER, Eastchurch
Marlborough Head, Francis CHAMBERS, Blue town
Navy Arms, William TONG, Blue town
New Jolly Sailor, Robert DODD, Mile town
Odd Fellows Arms, William REASON, Halfway house, Minster
Old Jolly Sailor, Edwin SHRUBSALL, Blue town
Parr’s Head, Thomas PARKER, Mile town
Prince Regent, Charles ALLEN, Blue town
Rose & Crown, Richard SISLEY, Laysdown
Ship, Samuel LONG, Blue town
Shipwrights Arms, Mary ATKINSON, Mile town
Smack, William, HODGES, Warren
Sun, John BACH, Mile town
Thatched House, Walter HILL, Halfway house, Minster
True Briton, Robert BRISLEY, Mile town
Victory, Jeremiah DAWKIN, Mile town
Waterloo, Joseph FAIRHALL, Minster
Waterman’s Arms, William HAMMOND, Blue town
White Horse, William SCOTT, Blue town
White Swan, James WARD, Blue town
TIMBER DEALERS
BAYLEY John, (& Sawyer), Mile town
BRETT Henry, Mile town
BRIGHTMAN John jun, Mile town
COLE James, Blue town
JESSUP Charles, Blue town
PALMER Mathew, Mile town
POLLARD John, Blue town
TOBACCO PIPE MAKERS
HUNT Henry jun. Mile town
STILES Mary, Mile town
TOY DEALERS
GORHAM Johannah, Blue town
THARP George, Blue town
THUSSON James, (& hardwareman), Mile town
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS
BARNARD Frederick, (& silversmith), Blue town
FORSTER William Henry, Mile town
KAYSER J, Mile town
MUNN William, Mile town
NICHOLASS Robert, Mile town
WHEELWRIGHTS
CLIFFORD Charles, Minster
GARDLER Zachariah, Minster
THOMPSON William, Eastchurch
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
CLARKSON George, Fountain Inn, Blue town
SMITHSON John Thomas, (Royal Hotel), Banks town
MISCELLANEOUS
ALSTON Thomas & David, oyster merchants, Chine rock
BENJAMIN Joseph, furrier, Blue town
BLYTH Mary, stay maker, Mile town
EASTMAN Edward, superintendent registrar, Banks town
EATON John, cooper, Mile town
EVELEIGH Thomas, principal coast officer, Blue town
FELTON Thomas, brewer, Mile town
FISHENDEN William, registrar of births &c, Mile town
Gas Works, Mile town, Richard BRIGHTMAN, collector
GREENSTREET William, parish clerk, Eastchurch
FRANCES Thomas, umbrella maker, Mile town
HARLOW George, cow keeper, Blue town
HAWKINS Jno, brazier & tinman, Mile town
JARRETT Edward, parish clerk, Minster
KEYS Thomas, boat builder, Blue town
MULLINGER Edward, oilman, Blue town
PARSONS Samuel, lock & gunsmith, Mile town
PETERS Chs, registrar of births &c, Eastchurch
REASON William, barge owner, Minster
Registrars of births, deaths &c; Edward EASTMAN, superintendent (and for marriages), Banks town; William FISHENDEN, for Minster District, Mile town; Charles PETERS, for Eastchurch District, Eastchurch.
Savings’ Bank, Banks Town, open Saturday, James MITCHELL, Secretary.
Sheppy Union, Minster, Thomas Butler JONES, master; Mary Ann JONES, mistress.
TEMPLE William, blacking manufacturer, Blue town
VENABLES Francis, manager & secretary to the Economics Society’s waterworks and bakehouse, Mile town
YARROW Hy John, teacher of French, Banks town
ROYAL DOCK YARD
NAVAL DEPARTMENT
Commander in Chief – Sir R W OTWAY bart, KCB
Flag Captain - Charles PAGET
Admirals Secretary – B CHIMMO esq
DOCK YARD
Captain Superintendent – Sir John HILL
Master Attendant – John GAGE
Master Shipwright – J. FINCHAM
Store Keeper – John MILLER
Store Receiver – George VINTER
Chaplain – Rev John KIRBY
Surgeon - William WARDEN MD
First Clerk to the Captain Superintendent – John PARMINTER
Clerk to ditto – J. BLUSON
Assistant Master Attendant – Chas BROWN
Assistant Master Shipwright - _ _ BOIS
Timber Converter – N. ICELY
First Foreman of Smiths – T.BIDDLECOMB
Boatswain – W.EDDY
Director of Police – Lieut John WISE
Engineer – John MITCHELL
GARRISON
Governor-General – Lord COMBERMERE
Lieutenant-Governor – Colonel WALKER
Fort Major – Major PILLING
Surgeon – John BASSAN
Surgeon to Ordnance – P. CULLEN
Ordnance Clerk of Works – George CLACK
COAST GUARD
Inspecting Commander – Captain Edward William PILKINGTON (RN)
Lieutenants – Isaac RICHARDS, (Cockleshell Hard); John Corry SICKLEMORE, (Stangate Creek); George William TOMLIN, (Garrison Point); Joseph STRONG, (East End Lane); and Frederick Blair HENSBROOK (RN).
VANS – for passengers and goods
To Sittingbourne, Francis PATTENS, from Blue Town every morning (Sunday excepted), at nine.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER
Steam Packets -
To London, every morning at nine calling at Southend and Gravesend.
Sailing Vessels -
To London, Samuel MAY’S Hoys every Thursday morning and Henry BANEN and William SHRUBSOLE every Sunday morning.
To Chatham, a Barge, every Tuesday and Friday.
This page was last updated on 06-Mar-2021.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.