Pigots 1840 - Kent
Hawkhurst, Benenden, Newenden, Rolvenden, Sandhurst & neighbourhoods
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Hawkhurst is a neat genteel and thriving village, in the parish of its name, lathe of Scray and hundred of Barnfield (the parish extending into Henhurst hundred, County of Sussex), is situated on the main road from London to Rye, 48 miles SE of the former and 15 NNW from the latter. The village is divided into parts; in the more modern, named Highgate, are the principal shops and two chief inns; on a hill about half a mile to the south, is the other part, where stands the church. The views from either of these divisions are pleasant, the situation is healthful, and it is the residence of a number of respectable families; the parish is extensive, irrigated by several small streams, and well cultivated and wooded. The church, dedicated to St Lawrence is a neat substantial erection of some antiquity, with a low square tower, clad by time with moss; the rectorial tithes belong to Christ’s College Oxford, but the benefice is the property (if he claim it) of the oldest bachelor or the next in succession. There are several charitable institutions here; the principal is a school founded by Sir Thomas DUNK, in 1723 for the education of twenty boys (thirty is the present number); with six almshouses for three poor men and three poor women. Courts lets and baron, under the Earl of Winchelsea, who is the Lord of the Manor, are held here in May; and a small fair, for pedlery is annually holden on the 10th August. At the last census the population of the parish amounted to 2,428 persons.
Benenden is a small village, in an extensive parish of the same name (the latter nearly seven miles in length and three in breadth), in the lathe of Scray and hundred of Rolvenden, situate on the road from Cranbrook to Tenterden, four miles SE from the former and six W from the latter place. The church, an ancient fabric, is dedicated to St George. The free school here was endowed by Edmund GIBBON Esq. in 1609. Fairs are held here on a large green, on the 15th May and the 4th August for horned cattle. In 1821 this parish contained 1,721 inhabitants – at the last census (that of 1831), this number was reduced to 1,663.
Newenden, though now an inconsiderable village, formerly was a large sea port and it is said to have contained fifty two taverns. The river Rother, which divides this county from Sussex, washes a portion of the parish. The village is situated 5½ miles SSW from Tenterden and about the like distance E from Hawkhurst; it is a liberty of itself, and is still governed by a bailiff and under bailiff independent of Selbrittenden hundred, in which it is locally included. The church dedicated to St Peter, is small and inconvenient and contains nothing worthy of description. A fair is held on 1st July, chiefly for pedlery. Population 158.
The village of Rolvenden is in the parish and hundred of its name, situated between Tenterden and Newenden, three miles from either place. The village is neat, and the church, which a few years since was completely repaired and handsomely embellished is a true specimen of beautiful simplicity; it has lately been furnished with an organ, at an expense of five hundred guineas; it is crowned by a square tower, containing eight bells. There is a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists and another for unitarians. Population in 1831, 1507.
Sandhurst is a small village in an extensive parish, in the hundred of Selbrittenden, separated from the County of Sussex by the river Kennet – five miles SSW from Tenterden. The chief produce of the land here is hops. The church is dedicated to St Nicholas; it stands about half a mile from the village, it is ancient but convenient structure. There are chapels for baptists and Wesleyan methodists, and a national school. A fair is held on the 25th of May, for cattle and pedlery. The parish contained in 1831, 1307 inhabitants.
POST OFFICES - High gate, Hawkhurst, James DOUBELL, Postmaster and Sandhurst, John BARNES, Postmaster – letters from London and all parts arrive (by mail cart from Lamberhurst) every morning at four, and are despatched every night at a quarter before eleven.
POST OFFICE - Benenden, Thomas WIGHTWICK, Postmaster – letters from London arrive very morning at eight and are despatched every evening at five.
POST OFFICE – Rolvenden, William EDWARDS, Postmaster – letters from London arrive every morning at half past six and are despatched every evening at eight.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY
ATKIN Mr Thomas, Hawkhurst
AYERST Mr Francis, Hawkhurst
BOYS Rev. Daniel, Benenden
CLEVELAND Mrs, Benenden
COBB John esq, Hawkhurst
COLLINGWOOD Mrs Sarah, Hawkhurst
COLLINS Newman Ward esq, Sandhurst
COOMBE Rev John R, Rolvenden
CRAYTON Mrs, Hawkhurst
CREIGHTON Mrs Emeline, Hawkhurst
DURRANT Mr Jno Mercer, Hawkhurst
FAIRBANK Mr William, Crithole, Benenden
FRENCH George esq, Risden, Hawkhurst
GREGSON the Misses, Hawkhurst
HARRISON Mr John, Hawkhurst
HODGES Thomas Law esq, Benenden
HOOD Mrs Ann, Hawkhurst
HOOPER Rev John, Rolvenden
HUTCHINSON Rev Cyril, Hawkhurst
LAMBERT James esq, Hawkhurst
LAWRENCE Rev Alfred, Sandhurst
MONYPENNY Rev Philip, Rolvenden
MONYPENNY Robert Joseph esq, Rolvenden
MONYPENNY Thomas Gibbon esq, Rolvenden
NEVE Mr Thos. Benenden
OYLER Geo. esq, Kent ditch, Hawkhurst
RICHARDSON Mrs, Rolvenden
ROLFE Jno esq, Hensill, Hawkhurst
SPRINGETT Mr John, Lodge Farm, Hawkhurst
SPRINGETT Mr Thos, Brook, Hawkhurst
SWEET Rev William, Down gate, Sandhurst
TWEDIE Capt. Michael, Rolvenden
VIGNOLES John esq, Field green, Sandhurst
WELLER Robert esq, Rolvenden
WILSON Francis esq, Hawkhurst
WINCHESTER Mrs Eliz, Hawkhurst
WISLER Mrs Eleanor, Hawkhurst
WYNCH Mrs Sophia, Elford house, Hawkhurst
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS
EDMONDS Eleanor (boarding and day), Hawkhurst
Free School, Benenden, William LANDSELL, master
Free School, Hawkhurst, William SMITH, master
HOPKINS George (boarding), Hawkhurst
National School, Hawkhurst, John SEDGWICK, master; Ann PORT Mistress
National School, Rolvenden, James OXLEY, master; Sarah COVENEY, mistress.
PARNELL Miss (boarding), Rolvenden
WHITWELL Mr & Mrs (boarding & day), Hawkhurst
WILLARD Mary, (boarding & day), Hawkhurst
WILSON John, (boarding & day), Tudor Hall, Hawkhurst
ATTORNEYS
BEECHAM & UPPERTON, Hawkhurst
SPRINGETT Thos. Brook, Hawkhurst
BAKERS
CHAPMAN George, Hawkhurst
COUCHMAN Samuel, Hawkhurst
DURRANT Edward, Rolvenden
REEVES George, Sandhurst
WENMAN John, Benenden
BANKERS
SMITH, HILDER & Co. Hawkhurst & at Hastings (draw on MASTERMAN, PETERS & Co, London)
Savings Bank, Hawkhurst, (open on Monday 12 till 1), George HOPKINS, actuary.
BLACKSMITHS & FARRIERS
CAMBELL Noneus, Benenden
EDWARDS Thomas, Rolvenden
JEWHURST Edmund, Rolvenden
MUNN George, Benenden
PADGHAM Thomas, Sandhurst
REED Joseph, Hawkhurst
REED Samuel, Hawkhurst
ROOTS William, Benenden
SANDS Richard, Hawkhurst
SNISHER James, Hawkhurst
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS
BANISTER Thomas, Hawkhurst
CORKE Henry, Benenden
GILLHAM John, Sandhurst
HINKLEY Stephen, Benenden
HUTCHISON William, Rolvenden
HYLAND Young, Rolvenden
MUNN Jarvis, Benenden
NASH Thomas, Sandhurst
PAYNE Thomas, Rolvenden
REEVES John, Hawkhurst
ROBERTS James, Hawkhurst
VOUSLEY Richard, Rolvenden
WINDER Richard, Rolvenden
BRICKLAYERS
PIPER Richd (& mason), Hawkhurst
SHOOBRIDGE & BURTON, Rolvenden
SHOOBRIDGE James & Jos. Benenden
THATCHER Samuel, Sandhurst
BUTCHERS
ALLEN Thomas, Sandhurst
CRISFORD John, Hawkhurst
HAMMOND Henry, Hawkhurst
KINGMAN Thomas, Benenden
OXLEY David, Rolvenden
PADGHAM Thomas, Hawkhurst
PAINE Mary, Newenden
SOUTHON Thomas, Benenden
WATTMAN William, Benenden
WICKEN William, Hawkhurst
WINSER Edward, Hawkhurst
CARPENTERS
BUTTON William, Rolvenden
COOPER Thomas (& lathe render), Sandhurst
DAVIS David, Hawkhurst
HARDEN Thomas, Rolvenden
HARVEY Richard (& furniture broker), Hawkhurst
HICKS William, Hawkhurst
HINKLEY & SHARP, Benenden
REED James, Hawkhurst
REEVES William, Sandhurst
VIGOR William, Sandhurst
WENMAN John, Benenden
WEST James, Benenden
CHINA, GLASS & c. DEALERS
ADAMS George, Hawkhurst
HARMER William , Hawkhurst
COACH & HARNESS MAKER
GREEN James, Hawkhurst
COOPERS
MOORE John, Sandhurst
WICKEN James, Hawkhurst
CORN & COAL DEALERS
AYERST Thomas, Newenden
BRYANT John (& hop factor), Hawkhurst
HARDEN William George, Rolvenden
FIRE & c. OFFICE AGENTS
Kent, George HOPKINS, Hawkhurst
Norwich Union, John BRYANT, Hawkhurst
Phoenix (fire) & Protector (life), James DOUBELL, Hawkhurst
GARDENERS & SEEDSMEN
MILTON Samuel, Sandhurst
NASH Thomas, Sandhurst
TAPLIN George, Hawkhurst
WATSON Robert, Rolvenden
GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES – marked thus * are also linen drapers
* ADAMS George, Hawkhurst
* AVARD John, Hawkhurst
* BARNES John, Sandhurst
* BARNES William, Newenden
* BEACH Ann, Sandhurst
* BRYANT John(& appraiser), Hawkhurst
BUSBRIDGE Mrs Joseph, Benenden
CHEESMAN Thomas, Hawkhurst
* CORKE Benjamin, Rolvenden
DURRANT Lettice, Hawkhurst
* EDWARDS William (& fire office agent), Rolvenden
* KEATING James, Four Throws, Hawkhurst
MORRIS Elizabeth, Rolvenden
PIPER William, Hawkhurst
REEVES George, Sandhurst
* RUSSELL George, Benenden
STEDMAN John, Rolvenden
VIGOR William, Sandhurst
WENMAM John, Benenden
WICKEN James, Hawkhurst
* WIGHTWICK Thomas, Benenden
* WOOLVEN John, (& undertaker), Hawkhurst
HAIR DRESSERS
COPPINGER Charles, Hawkhurst
WELLS John, Rolvenden
INNS
Queens Head, (commercial & posting and family), Thomas GODFREY, Hawkhurst
Royal Oak, Edward BAKER, Hawkhurst
MILLERS
AYERST Thomas, Slip Mill, Hawkhurst
COLLINS James, Sandhurst
REEVES Richard, Benenden
TOBIT Edmund, Hawkhurst
MILLINERS & STRAW HAT MAKERS
CAMPANY Harriet, Hawkhurst
HUNT Catherine, Rolvenden
PLUMBERS, PAINTERS & GLAZIERS
BEALE Alfred, Hawkhurst
COMFORT & Son, Sandhurst
SHOOBRIDGE John, Benenden
STEDMAN Stephen Moor, Hawkhurst
TUER Charles, Rolvenden
SADDLERS
CHEESMAN Jesse, Hawkhurst
COLLINS Jno., Benenden & Cranbrook
JACKSON John, Rolvenden
MUNN Ann, Hawkhurst
OTTAWAY Mary, Hawkhurst
SURGEONS
AYERST Thomas, Rolvenden
BLATHWAYT William, Hawkhurst
WELLS Robert, Benenden
YOUNG Edward, Hawkhurst
TAILORS – marked thus * are also Drapers
BARNS Thomas, Sandhurst
BURGIS Cornelius, Sandhurst
CHAPMAN Joseph, Hawkhurst
* COLLIER William, Hawkhurst
COPPINGER Henry, Hawkhurst
* MORRIS Richard, Rolvenden
NASH John, Benenden
POILE John, Benenden
TAPPLY Thomas, Rolvenden
* WIGHTWICK Thomas, Benenden
TANNERS & FELL MONGERS
EDWARDS William, Rolvenden
WINSER Edward, Rolvenden
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Bull, William MASTERS, Rolvenden
Bull, Mary SANTER, Benenden
George & Dragon, Alfred CROFT, Hawkhurst
Six Bells, Robert CRISFORD, Hawkhurst
Swan, Charles THWAITES, Sandhurst
White Hart, William HANSON, Newenden
VETERINARY SURGEONS
BANISTER Gideon, Benenden
LEANEY William, Hawkhurst
WHEELWRIGHTS
BARDEN Edward, Benenden
CHEESMAN Richd & Wm, Hawkhurst
COMFORT Ebenezer, Hawkhurst
DAWSON John, Rolvenden
HODGES Peter, Rolvenden
HUGGINS Peter, (& painter), Hawkhurst
MILLER & HARRIS, Newenden
MISCELLANEOUS
ADAMS John Elysium, surveyor & estate agent, Hawkhurst
Assembly rooms, Queens Head Inn, Hawkhurst
COCKERHILL Thomas, basket maker, Sandhurst
COOPER Edward, fishmonger, Hawkhurst
DOUBELL James, bookseller, stationr, chymists & sub distributer of stamps, Hawkhurst
GODFREY George, wine & coal merchant, Hawkhurst
HARDEN George William, ironmonger, Rolvenden
HASTMAN George, brazier and tinman, Hawkhurst
HAYWARD John, agricultural implement maker, Rolvenden
HUGGETT John, watch maker and toy dealer, Hawkhurst
JENNER Jas. professor of music, Rolvenden
KINGSNORTH William, linen weaver and hop bag maker, Rolvenden
MUNN Thomas, brickmaker, Benenden
PIPER William, statuary & mason, Hawkhurst
SARGANT Thomas, maltster, Hawkhurst
WALKER John, horse dealer, Hawkhurst
WINSER John, registrar of births and deaths, Rolvenden
COACHES
To London, a Post Coach (from Rye) calls at the Queens Head & Royal Oak, Hawkhurst, every morning at ten and the Flower of Kent (from Tenterden) calls at the Bull Inn, Rolvenden, every Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning at half past six.
To Rye, a Post Coach (from London) calls at the Royal Oak & the Queens Head, Hawkhurst every evening at six.
To Tenterden, the Flower of Kent (from London) calls at the Bull Inn , Rolvenden every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night at half past eight.
VANS – for passengers and goods
To Hastings a Van (from Maidstone) passes through Hawkhurst every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon at 2.
To Maidstone, a Van (from Hastings) passes through Hawkhurst, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at twelve.
CARRIERS – passing through Hawkhurst and Sandhurst
To London, Ransom & Wright every Monday
To Cranbrooke and Maidstone, Mary PIPER & William BARNES, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; MANWARING & RICHARDSON every Monday; W. FUNNELL every Monday and Thursday; and HODGES from Rolvenden every Saturday.
To Hastings & Staplehurst, RICHARDSON every Wednesday.
To Lewes, MANWARING every Wednesday.
To Robertsbridge, W FUNNELL, every Wednesday and Saturday.
TO Rye, H. RANSOM every Friday; Mary PIPER and William BARNES, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and WRIGHT every Tuesday & Friday.
This page was last updated on 06-Mar-2021.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.