Bethersden; Its Church and Monumental Inscriptions

( 66 ) BETHEESDEN, ITS CHUECH, AND MONUMENTAL INSCEIPTIONS. BY THE EEV. A. J. PEARMAN, M.A. (FOEMEELY VIOAE OF BETHEESDEN.) THE parish church of Bethersden is a lofty and spacious building, standing in a good situation at the west end of the village. It follows very much a local type, and consists of nave, with north and south aisles; chancel, with north and south chapels, belonging to the Frid and Lovelace estates; vestry; south porch; and western tower, which contains a clock and peal of six bells. A seventh bell is placed on the exterior of the tower. No mention is made of Bethersden in Domesday Boole, but Archbishop Hubert about the year 1194 confirmed " ecclesiam S. Margaretse de Beatrichesdenne cum bosco et decimis et cum capella de Hecchisdenne "* to the Priory of * HECCHISDENNE, or Etchden, lies at the north-eastern extremity of the parish. Hasted says that in Henry III.'s reign "one William de Hacchesden had some claim to the possession of it." 12 Richard II. (1389) Thomas Try vet, Chivaler, and Elizabeth his wife, held in " Beterisdenne " a certain tenement called " Heithesdenne," a member of the manor of Boughton Aluph, as of the Honour of Boulogne. Four years afterwards it was the property of Thomas, Earl of Stafford. It now belongs to Lord Hothfield. The house has no remains of antiquity, but the moat is still to be seen, and is partially filled with water. There may be also noticed the trunks of some aged oaks; one in particular must have been a fine tree centuries ago. Of late the Haugh has been grubbed. Though I never saw it in its full extent, I remember it of considerable size, and have often enjoyed a ramble among its beeches—a secluded spot, abounding in fox-glove, broom, and gorse. In winter the house was almost inaccessible, and should a heavy rain chance to fall during his stay, a visitor would find some difficulty in leaving it. Mr. Hussey, in his Churches of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, says," The Taxation of Pope Nicholas (1291) has Ecclia de Hacchelwelden, which I have supposed to signify High Halden : it is, however, possible that the name may mean Heochindenne in the adjoining parish of Bethersden where a chapel is said to have existed." The only reference I have found to the chapel, besides that in the grant of Archbishop Hubert, is in the will of William Wyderden, who, 1471, leaves a bequest to the " Light of the Blessed Mary of Achenden." A wooden shed for cattle, standing among the farm buildings, has always been called The Chapel, and a- few years since a paved pathway leading towards it from the house wds found at some distance below the soil. I think that some of the existing internal wood-work may have been part of the earlier fabric BETHERSDEN CHURCH. 67 St. Gregory in Canterbury, so that a church had been built here and endowed previous to that date. The existing building is mainly Perpendicular; but the double-light window at the west end of the north aisle is " Early English," and the removal of the plaster on the exterior, in 1873, afforded unmistakable evidence that a portion of the fabric is much older than has been supposed. Along the entire length of the north aisle the original wall, which was about 10 feet high, may be traced. The lower part' of the wall of the south aisle also belongs to the earlier edifice. There is a " Decorated " niche under the entrance to the rood loft. Although Archbishop Hubert's charter calls it St. Margaret's, there has been some doubt as to the dedication of the church. The name of the parish has been thought to point, in the words of my predecessor Jonathan Whiston, to "a certain local Saint Beatrice " as the patron. In the Liber Regis this is the dedication given, and Kilburne makes the same assertion. But in the face of the Archbishop's charter and of the will of Thomas Brethiam, chantry priest, who in 1467 desired to be buried "i n the church of St. Margaret, Bethersden," and of the further fact that, according to Hasted, the fair was formerly held on St. Margaret's Day, July 20th, I can but conclude that to St. Margaret the dedication belongs. The parochial accounts unfortunately throw no light upon the subject, though they tell us that in 1557 eight shillings and fourpence were paid to " Gyllam of Assheford for the Eood, Mary, and John, and the fatten of the Churche." Some of the windows contain fragments of good ancient glass—chiefly canopies. More remained until the great storm of 1822 blew in the windows, and did great damage throughout the neighbourhood. Weever says, in his Funeral Monuments, that " in this church are the arms of Surrenden, twice singly and once impaled with Crouch, which Surrenden was there the principal inhabitant temp. Edward II., 1307- 1327." He does not mention whether the arms were in glass, or on wood, or stone; in any case they have long disappeared. On the spandrels of the tower was a cross engrailed, which I take to be the coat of the Hautes of r 2 6 8 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, Surrenden in Pluckley, whose property extended into this parish. The church was re-seated in 1851 with plain oak pews, open and uniform. The remains of the rood screen were removed; but some of its carved work was placed on the prayer desk. It is of the usual Perpendicular type. In 1873 the stone-work was renewed, the roofs were opened, and a wall was built round a considerable part of the churchyard. The church is full of the memorials of the departed, though few, if any, of those on the floor occupy their original position. The most ancient are two slabs in the central aisle, commemorating members of the Lovelace family. The first has lost the coats of arms with which it was indented, but bears on a brass pla.te the inscription, " Hie jacet Will'mus Lovelace gentilma' quo'dam civi' civitatis Londin' qui obiit xxvj die Augusti a0 D'ni M.C.C.C.C.LIX CU' a'e propicietur Deus. Amen." This gentleman, no doubt, was the founder of the Lovelace chantry here.* The other slab retains the coat Lovelace and Eynsham quarterly, and bears the figure of a man apparently much older than is specified in the words: " Hie jacet Thomas Louelace, unus filiorum Will'mi Louelace, seruietis ad legem, qui obiit xxiij die Octobris A" D'ni 1591, Annoque Reginoe Elizabeth 33, et A" cetatis suos 28." This Thomas was a younger brother of Sir William Lovelace, and on the death of his father, the Serjeant, in 1577, inherited the advowson and rectory of Newnham, near Faversham. I have entered so fully into the history of the Lovelace familyf that it is not necessary for me to say more of them here, than that they possessed property in this parish from A.D. 1368 to 1649; and that William Lovelace (1540), Alice his wife (1541), Sir William (1629), and Mabella, Lady Collimore, his daughter (1627), are all buried in this church. The two last named certainly lie in the south chapel, although no memorial remains (if one ever existed) to mark the spot. Next to the Lovelace memorials is one (removed from the Lovelace Chapel) for Eichard Hulse, Esq. It has a long * Archceologia Cantiana, Vol, X., p. 187. t Dyid, AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 69 Latin inscription, of which part is decayed, and part is hidden by the flooring of the pews. The following is a tolerably close translation of it: " Here lies RICHAED HUXSE, Esq., sprung from an anoient and illustrious family, once in flourishing circumstances, but then declining and almost ruined. What his father and grandfather, by supineness and too great liberality, had scattered; he by his own unaided vigour abundantly restored. For after he had travelled through not a few of the nations of Europe, he at length settled in Kent, where his remarkable virtue, together with his activity and singular force of character, secured him wealth and the highest honours in the county. He married MAEY CLEEKE, a soion of an illustrious stook; being the daughter of SIE WILLIAM CLERKE, Knight, who breathed out his heroic soul while gallantly fighting for King Charles, at the head of his regiment, in the battle with the rebels at Cropredy Bridge. By her he had a daughter, snatched away by death seven years before his own departure, and a surviving son, who bears his name. When at length he had happily ended his course of fourscore years, full of years and riches, and laden with honours, to the grief of the succeeding generation, and particularly of his neighbours, who miss his unwearied zeal in the administration of justice, with the utmost serenity of mind he died, at his mansion of LOVELACE in this parish, on the twelfth of the Calends of Maroh 1687. His devoted wife ordered this poor memorial to be placed and inscribed; that so she might keep alive his memory, if it may be, for ever. Here also lies RICHAED HTJLSE, Esq., only son of Riohard Hulse of Lovelaoe, Esq., who died 2a April in the year of our redemption 1706; having lived 38 years. Of the family of the Hulses he was the last." In the Lovelace Chapel is a small black tablet with this inscription: "Beneath this stone lieth y° body of Cicely Hulse, onely daughter of Riohard Hulse, of Lovelace Place in Bethersden, Esq., and of Mary his seoond wife, daughter of Sr William Clearke of Wrotham, Kn', and of Mary his wife; who on the sixth day of January, in y° yeare of our Lord 1679, returned to heaven in y° tenth year of her age; as hopefull in respeot of vertue, witt, and beauty, as her yeares could admit or her parents wish. She departed this life to their great sorrow, who only comfort themselves with y° assured hope of her blessed immortality." Above the tablet to little Cicely Hulse is one : " Saored to the memory of Dorothea Christi Annette, the deeply beloved and only child of Edward Hayward, Esq., Barrister at Law, of the Middle Temple, and of Low-Wood Manor House in this parish. She departed this life 18 Feb. 1864, aged 24. * Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field.' Also the above-named Edward Hayward, Esq., who died June 14,1877, aged 72 years." The helmet hanging in this chapel was formerly placed immediately above the Hulse tablet, but was removed to make way for the Hayward monument. The crest more 7 0 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, nearly resembles that of the Clerke family, than any other with which I am acquainted. Eichard Hulse, soon after the death of Charles I., purchased Lovelace Place from the poet Lovelace. He seems, however, to have rented it as early as 1644. His first wife, some years his senior, was Clara Toke of Godinton, widow of John Smith of Eomney. The second was Mary, daughter of Sir William Clerke of Ford in Wrotham, who at the age of 36 was killed with his friend Sir W. Boteler in the skirmish at Cropredy Bridge 29 June 1644, exclaiming as he fell," Look to Sir William Boteler, for I see he is wounded." Eichard Hulse the younger sold Lovelace to his uncle, Sir Edwin Stede of Stede Hill, Colonel and Governor of Barbados, who had married Cecilia Clerke. Mr. Hulse retired to Tenterden, where he died. By his will, dated 1701, and proved in 1706, he gives £10 to his relation and good friend, Sir George Choute, Bart., of Bethersden, to purchase mourning, and desires to be decently buried at the discretion of his executrix, his loving wife Elizabeth, to whom and her heirs for ever he leaves his houses and property at Tenterden, and elsewhere in Eent. In one of Hasted's MSS. in the British Museum there is an elaborate pedigree of this family, drawn up by Taylor for Eichard Hulse, Esq., of Bethersden, with the coats of arms coloured. It shews also a figure of the first Sir Hugh in armour, bearing his pennon; a portrait of the Chief Justice in his robes; and apparently the design for the painted glass now at Lovelace Place.* It traces the connection of * The old mansion, LOVELACE PLACE, occupied, as far as I could gather from the aged inhabitants, three sides of a quadrangle, with a paved court in front, and was approached by an avenue leading to the churoh. tt was taken down by W. Baldwin, Esq., of Stede Hill, early in the present century, and from it some oak panelling and some stained glass were removed to the present house. The glass shews a shield of Arms (with crest, mantlings, etc.)—Quarterly of six: 1 and 6, HULSE, Argent, three piles sable, one issuing out of chief, and two out of base. 2, BUCKLEY, Sable, a chevron between three bulls' heads oabossed argent. 3, DUMVILE, Azure, a lion rampant argent, collared gules. 4, , Argent, two chevrons gules, on a canton of the seoond a oross-orosslet fi tehee' or. 5, KNOTSFOED, Argent, four fusils sable in fesse. Crest: A stag's head proper, gorged with wreath vert, between the antlers a sun in splendour. Below this large quartered shield is another, of Hulse impaling Knotsford. This glass is not in the churoh, but in Lovelace Plaoe. AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 71 the Kentish branch with that of Sutton Courtney, and says, " This Sir Hugh of the Hulse was in the warres in Normandy with King Henry I I . ; and after went with him with a greate army into Wales, where the Welsh had a greate overthrow, and there was knighted, 1157." " Sir Hugh Hulse of Cheshire, Knight, Lord Chefe Justice, lived 1412; and married Margaret, daughter and heir of John Dumvile of Moberly, Chester." His descendant, William Hulse of Standen, Beds, died in 1588. William Hulse of Standen.=j=Elizabeth Snagg, sister of Thomas Snagg of Died 1588. Marson, Beds, a Baron of the Exchequer. John Hulse, third son.=f=Margaret, heir of Nicolas Hawkes of Claxwell, Beds. Clara Toke, born 26 Aug. 1589. Bur.=Richard Hulse, died in=f=Mary Clerke of at Bethersden 13 Nov. 1667. 1687, aged 80. Wrotham. Born 1645. Mar. 1668. Riohard Hulse, horn 21 Oot. 1668.=Elizabeth Cecilia. Bapt. 11 Jan. 1671. Bapt. 3 Nov. 1668. Died 2 April Bur. 11 Jan. 1679-80. 1706, s.p. On a slab, in the middle of the church, removed from its original position in the north or Frid Chapel, where I believe it was formerly enclosed by an iron rail, we read, " Underneath are laid the bodys of SIE GEORGE CHOTJTE, Knight, and of his son, SIR GEOKGE CHOTJTE, Baronet." To the latter there is also a handsome mural monument, surmounted by the family arms: " In this chancel lies interred the body of Sr GEORGE CHOUTE, Bar1, who dyed Feb'J 4 in — I infancy. Thomas. J Samuel Wither-1 den. Bapt.4Dec. 1707. Mar. 2 Jan. 1736. Bur. 12 Oct. 1761. ^Elizabeth Whitfeld. Bapt. 21 Oct. 1699. Bur. 5 June 1779. George. Bapt.: 2 June 1714. Bur. 26 July 1758; of Turnden. :Elizabeth Wilmot. Bapt. 12 Oct. 1714. Bur. 3 Sept. 1765. EUzabeth. Bapt. 6 July 1739. Bur. 11 April 1777. Owned 85 acres in Smarden. Thomas Witherden.n= Bapt. 27 April 1737. Purchased Romden 1790. Bur. 12 July 1800. Sarah. Bapt. 14 Oot. 1741. Bur. 9 Aug. 1763. Anne. Bapt.=Thomas 10 Jan. 1751. Jackson. Bur. 4 Feb. Bur. 14 1812. April 1836. George Witherden. Bapt. 17 July l781.=rCatherine Taylor. Bom 28 Aug. Mar. 13 June 1803. Bur. 6 Oct. 1849. 1784. Died 6 Jan. 1867. Anne Witherden. Bapt. 16 Jan. 1804. Bur. 4 May 1804. On the north wall of the north chapel is a cenotaph with arms of Curteis impaling Thorne. " In memory of the late Rev. WHITFELD CDETEIS, M.A., Rector of Smarden, in this County, who died at Bath on 31 July 1834, aged 56. His attention to the wants of the poor, and his kind and conciliatory conduct towards all his Parishioners, deservedly procured for him their highest respect and esteem. He lived in the sincere regard of his numerous relatives and friends, and died deeply regretted. The remains of himself and sister were deposited in the Crypt of St. Saviour's Churoh, Walcot, Somersetshire. Also of Mary, wife of the above Rev. Whitfeld Curteis, M.A,, who died on 22d Oct. 1853 in the 69th year of her age. Mary Ann Curteis, his sister, died at Bath on 2nd day of June 1835, aged 51." " T H E THORN," the residence of the Whitfelds, stands at the east end of the village, and is a handsome though 8 0 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, decayed house, containing a good entrance hall and staircase, and in the left-hand portion a fine chimney-piece of Bethersden marble, on which is cut the arms of the Whitfelds in the centre with the crest on each side. This family is of northern extraction, being originally seated at Whitfeld in Northumberland. Miles Whitfeld, of Aldston in Cumberland, had a son, Eobert, who, attracted by the iron-works with which the Weald of Sussex then abounded, removed to Wadhurst about 1491, and some thirty years afterwards, in the reign of Henry VIII., was apprehended on suspicion of being a Scot. He was the direct ancestor of the Whitfelds of Canterbury, Ashford, and Lewes. One of his descendants, Francis Whitfeld of Tenterden, died possessed of The Thorn in 1660, and was buried in this church. By his ultimate successor, Mr. Curteis, it was sold to Mr. Edward Wood of Bethersden, who left it to his daughter, Anne, wife of Mr. George Small, and her representatives parted with it, about 1855, to Mr. James Adams of Mill Farm, the present owner. The Whitfeld arms are: Argent, a bend plain between two cottises engrailed sable. Crest: Out of a pallisado crown argent, a stag's head or. The following memorials remain to the Whitfelds : " . . . . Who (viz., FBANOIS WHITFELD) departed this life the 11 of April 1695, aged 62 years, who had two wives, viz., Elizabeth his first, the daughter of THOMAS WATEEMAN of this Parish, Gent., by whom he had issue one son, Thomas; and Martha, the second wife, daughter of THOMAS RUCK of Harmons Sole, in the Parish of Nether Hardes, in this county Kent, who also lieth underneath this stone, by whom he left issue one son, William, and one daughter, viz., Martha. Under this stone lieth the body of THOMAS WHITFELD of this Parish, Gent., son to the above-named Franois, who died April 19,1714, aged 46. He left a wife, the daughter of STEPHEN HAEFENDEN, of the Parish of Egerton, Clerk, by whom he left issue one son and four daughters, viz., Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Francis, and Margaret. Under this stone lieth the body of ELIZABETH, wife to the above-named Thomas, who died 11 May 1740, aged 69. Near here also lieth the body of Mary . . . ." In characters much defaced: " Under this stone lieth the body of MAEGAEET WHITFELD, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Whitfeld this place. She died March 1745, aged 34." On a tablet, bearing the arms of Whitfeld impaling Wilmott, within the altar rails on the north side of the chancel: AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 81 " FEANCIS WHITFELD, Gent., died 14th June 1782, aged 73 years. SAEAH, his wife, was daughter of THOMAS WILMOTT, Gent. She died 10th Nov. 1778, aged 62. They had issue two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. Sarah died unmarried 29th Sept. 1781, aged 28 years. William Curteis, of London, Merchant, in Nov. 1775, married Elizabeth. They, in 1784, erected this monument. In this Chancel lie interred the remains of SAEAH WHITFELD, late of Ashford, one of the daughters of Thomas Whitfeld of this Parish, sister to the above Francis. She died 8th March 1795, aged 90 years. ELIZABETH, the wife of WILLIAM CUETEIS, ob' 29 Dec. 1795, setat. 43, lies buried in the family vault at Tenterden, leaving issue three sons and two daughters, viz., William, Whitfeld, Edward, Sarah, and Mary." WHITFELD PEDIGEEE. Francis Whitfeld, Churchwarden of Smarden, 1637.=f:Dorothy Jott. Bur. at Married 1629. Bur. at Bethersden 28 July 1660. I Bethersden 19 May 1659. Elizabeth Waterman.=r=Prancis Whitfeld. Bapt.=j=Martha Ruck. Bur. Bur. at Bethersden 14 Sept. 1671. 1633 at Smarden. Bur. 17 April 1695 at Bethersden. at Bethersden 1 Feb. 1689-90. Elizabeth. Francis. Maria, v Dorothy. Died s.p. 'Thomas Whitfeld.: Bapt. 10 Nov. 1668. Bur. 21 April 1714 at Bethersden. :Elizabeth Haffenden. Mar. 1698. Bur. at Bethersden 17 May 1740, aged 69. William. Bapt. 4 Dec. 1673. Removed to Bibrook in Ashford. Eliza-=S.Witherbeth. den. Thomas, s.p. Mary, s.p. Sarah. Bapt. 13 Aug. 1705. Bur. 17 March 1795 at Bethersden. Margaret. Bapt. 15 Feb. 1711. Bur. 8 March 1745 at Bethersden. Francis Whitfeld. Mar. 18 Feb. 1747. at Bethersden. Bapt. 1 Oct. l708.=fSarah Wilmott. Bapt. 5 July 1716. Bur. 22 June 1782 Bur. 17 Nov. 1778 at Bethersden. William Curteis, Merchant=pElizabeth Whitfeld. Bapt of London. Died'1813. Bur with his wife at Tenterden privately 29 Feb. 1752. Mar. at Ashford 2 Nov. 1775. Died 29 Dec. 1795. Sarah. Bapt. 8 Oot. 1753. Bur. 6 Oct. 1781, s.p. William=j= Whitfeld Curteis,=Mary Thorne Curteis. Rector of Smarden. of Ashford. Died 1834, s.p. Died 1853. Edward Cur- Mary teis of Ire- Anne, land. Died 1835. Sarah. Frederiok William Curteis of Tunbridge Wells. On the south wall is a tablet with the arms of Wilmott impaling Thurston, inscribed with these words: " Near this place lie int&rr'd the remains of THOMAS WILMOTT, late of this VOL. xvi. o 82 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, Parish, Gent., who departed this life Nov. 24th, 1769, aged 52 years. (Mary, his wife, erected this monument.) Also the aforesaid MART, who died 29th March 1789, aged 70 years." On the same wall is another memorial to the same family: " In the middle vault at the west end of the Churchyard are deposited the remains of EDWAED WILMOTT of Low Wood, in this Parish, Esq., who died 3rd April 1797, aged 70 years. Elizabeth, his first wife, died without issue 13th Jan^ 1759, aged 34. Mary, his second wife, died 19th May 1793, aged 59, by whom he had issue six sons and one daughter. Three died in their infanoy, and Thomas 24 July 1790, aged 23; left surviving Edward, George, and Elizabeth. Also ANN WILMOTT, sister to the aforesaid Edward Wilmott, Esq., died 7th July 1783, aged 50. Edward died 12th March 1836, aged 70. George, son of George and Mary Wilmott, died 17th May 1814, aged 4 years." On a slab: " . . . . WILMOTT and MAEY his wife. He died 26 July 1701, aged 75 years. Mary his wife died 1st Jany 1689, aged 41 years. They left issue one son and two daughters. Also THOMAS WILMOTT, son of the above said Thomas Wilmott and Elizabeth his wife. He died 1st May 1753, aged — years. Elizabeth his wife died 9th July 1741, aged 48 years. They left issue two sons and three daughters. Also Ann Wilmott, Spinster. She died 7th July 1783, aged 50 years." The Wilmotts were clothiers. Thomas Wilmott, in 1701, left £10 per annum issuing out of land in Bethersden to his daughter Mary, wife of John Browne, and £5 to his daughter Margaret, issuing also out of land in Bethersden. All his other property in Bethersden, Woodchurch, and elsewhere he bequeathed to his son. Low-WOOD stands near the Turnpike Eoad to Tenterden. From the Wilmotts it passed into the hands of Mr. James Avery, who, becoming embarrassed, parted with his interest in it to Mr. Burr of Maidstone, by whom it was sold, about 1847, to Edward Hayward, Esq. Shortly before his death, in 1877, Mr. Hayward alienated it to J. D. Cameron, Esq., J.P., the present owner, who has built a new house there. In the old house there was found fixed to the south end a large iron plate, doubtless the baek of a fire-place, ornamented with the royal arms and the letters J. E. There was in my remembrance a remarkably fine aspen in front of the house, and some good chestnuts remain in which is a rookery. Mr. Furley states that "Le-wode" was a "dene" in Bethersden belonging to the Manor of Mersham, and suggests that it may possibly be identified with Low-wood. AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 8S WILMOTT PEDIGBEE. Thomas Wilmott. Born 1626. Died=fMary. Born 1648. Died 1690, 1701, aged 75. Bur. at Bethersden. | aged 41. Bur. at Bethersden. Mary. Bapt.=John 2 Feb. 1675. Brown. Mar. 19 Dec. 1700. Thomas Wilmott.: Bapt. 11 Dec. 1678. DiedlMay 1753, aged 74. Bur. at Bethersden. :Blizabeth. Born 1693. Died 9 July 1741, aged 48. Bur. at Bethersden. Margaret. Bapt. 11 Dec. 1676. John. Edward. Died in infancy. Elizabeth.=George Bapt. 12 Wither- Oct. 1714. den. Died 30 Aug.1765, aged 50. Bur. at Bethersden. Sarah. Bapt.=Francis 5 July 1716. Whit- Mar. 18 Feb. feld. 1747. Died Nov. 1778, aged 62. Bur. at Bethersden. Thomas Wil-=Mary Thurmott. Bapt. 1 Aug. 1717. Died 24 Nov. 1769, aged 52. Bur. at Bethersden. ston. Born 1719. Died 29 March 1789, aged 70. Bur. at Bethersden. Elizabeth Favell.=Edward Wil-: Born 1724. Died mott. Bapt. 13 Jan. 1759, 21 June 1726. aged 34. Bur. at Died 3 April Bethersden. 1797, aged 70. Bur. at Bethersden. :Mary Viny. Born 1734. Died 19 May 1793, aged 59. Bur. at Bethersden. i i < John. John. Died in Anne. Bapt. 17 Nov. , r„ ll 7 3 2 -j^ d _ f infancy. 7Julyl788> Daniel.J aged 50. Bur. at Bethersden. Edward Wilmott. Three Born 1766. Died sons. 12 March 1836, Died in aged 70. Bur. at infancy. Bethersden. i Thomas Wilmott. Born 1767. Died 24 July 1790, aged 23. Elizabeth.=S. P. Newing- Mar. at ton of Goud- Bethers- hurst, den 21 Oct. 1794. George Wilmott of Deal. Sold Low-Wood. Born l770.=j=Mary Glover. Bur. at Bethersden 17 June 1846, aged 76. Dead. George Wilmott. Died 17 May 1814, Edward Wilmott. aged 4. Buried at Bethersden. Living 1865. 1648. Jan. 1. Thomas Wilmott buried. 1671. Dec. 1. Widow Wilmott buried. 1654. Thomas Tucker married Alice Wilmott. On a stone close to the Vestry door is the fragment of an inscription referring to THOMAS GIBBON, Esq., of Frid, " who departed this life July 1623, and in the 72 yeare of his age." The adjoining slab, from which the brass has been removed, is believed to have commemorated one of the Gibbons. FRID lies on the northern side of the parish. The Gibbons G 2 8 4 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, were a branch of the family seated at Eolvenden, from which the Historian of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire descended. They seem to have been at first tenants of the Darells, and to have subsequently purchased the property. In 1412 John Gybon sold " marie p i t s " in Bethersden to John Lovelace In 1527 Thomas Gebon was a witness to the will of Eobert Wetherynden. Thomas Gibbon. Bated to the Poor 1577.=j=Dorothy Davis.* Bur. at Buried at Bethersden 27 May 1583. Bethersden 6 June 1600. John, of Bishopsbourne. Joane. Thomasine Stonestreet,=Robert. Bur.: Bapt. a widow. Mar. 21 Sept. at Bethers- 27 March 1580. Bur 7 June 1607 den 3 July 1559. at Bethersden. 1618. Elizabeth Ashurst. Mar. 2 June 1608. John. Bapt. 9 Sept. 1610. Dead in 1618. Thomas. Died in infancy. Israel. Edward. i Alice Bacon. Bur.=FThomas. Bur. at= Died young. at Bethersden 19 Peb. 1602. Bethersden 4 Aug. 1623, aged 71. =Anne Boorne of Sharsted. Mar. 11 April 1603. Sara. Bapt.=Simon 5 Peb. 1581. Harlstone Had issue of Ford- 5 sons and 7 wich. daughters. Lydia. Bapt. 28 Aug. 1586.=Edward Chute of Mar. 27 Sept. 1608. Bur. 17 Old Surrenden in Nov. 1631, aged 45. Had Bethersden. issue 5 sons and 6 daughters. Close to the porch are the following monumental inscriptions : " Here under lieth buried the body of THOMAS WATEEMAN of Bethersden, who deceased 21 Dec. in the year of our Lord God 1637." " Under this stone lieth interred the body of EDWAED WATEEMAN,! late of Bethersden, who deceased the 25 day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1659, and in the 74 year of his age." "Here under rest in assured hope of a joyful resurrection the bodies of MAEGARET, the late wife, and RICHAED, y° son of RICHAED BAEEOW, Gent., who left issue two sons, William and Richard, and departed this life Sept. 13, 1636, aged 21 yeares." "Here lyeth buried y° body of THOMAS WOEEALL, son of Francis and * From Bethersden Register:" June 6th was buried Dorothy Gybbon, widdowe, uppon w'ch day was distributed the summe of iij I. amonge the poore in Bethersden, given as a legacye by the sayd Dorothy in her last will and testament, and payde by Rob't and Thomas Gybbons, her executors. Witness, Ra Gresbrooke, Stephen Odiarne, Chwarden, Isaac Brissenden, with others." t The Watermans were yeomen and lived at Chequer-Tree in the south-west corner of the parish. AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 85 Rachel Worrall, who departed this life Deo. 29, in the year of our Lord 1701, aged about 36 years. Hee lived 25 years with Sir George Chonte, Bart., where he behaved himself faithfully and honestly, and in whose service he died." " Sacred to the memory of THOMAS BUTTON of this Parish, who departed this life 12 July 1841, aged 38 years. Also of Elizabeth, wife of the above, who died May 4,1855, aged 50 years." We may note here that the communion paten has these words engraved on i t : "Bethersden in Kent, 1726. T. W. and T. W., Churchwardens"—i.e. Thomas Witherden and Thomas Wilmott. On the chalice is the sacred monogram, I.H.S., surrounded by a nimbus and this sentence: "We have redemption through His blood." On the flagon: " The giuft of Thomas Sharpery, 1631." The " inventory of the church goods," 1552, will be found Vol. VIIL, Arch. Cant., pp. 106-7. Bishop Goldwell of Norwich, who died 1498, left to the " Church of Beterysden two tunicles or habits for deacon and subdeaeon, for his own soul, his father's, and Will. Lovelas's." The original Parsonage or rectorial premises, to which the Manor of Bethersden was appendant, stood on the south side of the road, i.e. on the opposite side to that on which the Court Lodge now stands. The Chester House, as it was called, at any rate iu its latter days, was large and full of massive oak beams, but being dilapidated, and partly occupied as a cottage, was pulled down by the lessee in 1807. The Church of Bethersden seems to have been a portion of the original endowment of the Priory of St. Gregory at Canterbury founded by Archbishop Lanfranc in 1084 In the 8th year of Eichard II. a vicarage was endowed. In Valor Hccles., 26 Henry VIIL, the manor and rectory are entered among the possessions of the Priory at £12 6s. 8d., and the oblations at 3s. 4d. At the dissolution the property belonging to St. Gregory's was surrendered to the King. Soon afterwards this church became by exchange part of the revenues of the See of Canterbury, and (except the presentation to the vicarage, which the Archbishop retained) was leased from time to time. Sir William Lovelace was either the immediate or sub lessee in 1602, as in that year he gave permission for the erection of some seats in the high chancel. In 1633 his son's widow Anne, Lady Lovelace, mentions iu her will that she had from the Honeywoods a lease, with eleven years to run, of the Manor of Bethersden (appendant to the Eectory). Philip, Earl of Chesterfield, and George Gipps, Esq., of Canterbury, were subsequently lessees, until about the year 1800 this, with other property, was sold for the redemption of land tax on the Archiepiecopal estates. The sale had the unforeseen result of depriving the vicar of the augmentations to which, under recent legislation, he would 86 BETHERSDEN, ITS CHURCH, have been entitled had it continued in the possession of the Archbishop. The rectorial tithe was commuted for £480 19s. 6d., and there are 85 acres of glebe. The present owner is F. W. Cornwallis, Esq., of Linton Place. The vicarage is valued in the King's Books at £12, and the yearly tenths at £ 1 4s. A modus of fourpence per acre (excepting woodland, which was exempt as being within the Weald) was paid to the vicar, and has been commuted for a rent charge of £98 6s. 5^d. Archbishop Juxon, at the Eestoration, augmented the vicarage with £30 per annum from the rectory, and other additions have been made from reserved rents belonging to the See of Canterbury. The vicar has three acres of glebe, as well as five acres purchased about 1820 by the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, and known as the Jones Land. CHURCH LAND. Thomas Margant gave a house, barn, stable, and seven pieces of land, containing sixteen acres to the church, and Stephen Glover left for the same purpose eight acres now called Longberries. This latter was formerly known as " Wisbregges " or " Westbreggs," and the former as " Lamp Land." The oldest existing appointment of Trustees bears date 8 April 1658. Thomas Witherden, gent., of Ashford, and Lawranoe Smith, of Bethersden, yeoman, the surviving trustees, " enfeoff Edward Chute, Esquire, of Bethersden, Richard Hulse, gent., of the same, Edward Chute, sonne and heir of Phillip Chute, late of Kennington, gent., deceased, George Witherden, gent., and Thomas his sonne, Thomas Toke, gont., James Bateman, gent., John Waterman, yeoman, and John Chittenden, yeoman, all of Bethersden," in the church land. Personal possession was given to Edward Chute, Richard Hulse, and George Witherden in the presence of Andrew Symson (Vicar), Vavasour Barnham, Edward Melsted, and John Clerke. The previous trustees, appointed probably in 1588, when 6s. was paid by the Churchwardens for " wrytynge our newe deade of ffefemente for the churoh lande," were Sir William Lovelace, senr., Knt., Sir Anthony Dering, Knt., Stephen Odiarne, Thomas Holness, Thomas Browne, Joseph Chittenden, and William Hopper, in addition to Thomas Witherden and Lawrance Smith. The rents are still appropriated to the support of the ohurch and services. VICAES OF BETHEESDEN. WITH EXTRACTS EROM THE EEGISTERS RELATING TO THEM. JOHN ATTE BROK, died 1319. THOMAS DE IKELYNTON, 1319. EICHARD YONGE, who exchanged in 1352 for St. Mary's, Sandwich, with WILLIAM AUNOELL, 1352. PETEE OE BCTETON LEONARD, 13—; exchanged for Offham with EDMUND HAERENDENNE, 1372; exchanged for Walthamstow with EICHARD KYNET, or KYNET, 1377; exchanged for Chillenden with THOMAS MIDDLETON, 1387; exchanged for Denynton with ALAN BOYS, 1390. THOMAS BOYE, 1392-3. JOHN HESTYNGES, 1423 ; he exchanged in 1429 for Egham with AND VICARS. 87 EOBERT WARDROBE, 1429; exchanged for Tilbury, near Clare, with THOMAS LEOHE, 1433. WILLIAM THOMAS, 1446. WILLIAM BEVERLEY, 1449, on death of W. Thomas. JOHN BYNGHAM, 1458, Vicar of Stoke, Kent. WILLIAM WATSON, 1467, on death of Byngham. THOMAS THORPE, 14—; exchanged in 1475 for Eeculver with ALEXANDER SYDAY, 1475. WILLIAM CLERK, 1491, on death of Syday. JOHN MAYDWELL, died 1504. JOHN STYLEMAN, LL.B., 1504, resigned 1507. THOMAS DENYS, 1507, died 1524. JOHN MILLETT, 1524, Vicar of Lyminge 1508-11. CHRISTOPHER NORTH, 1530, "on death of last incumbent." Dr. Wm. Claiburgh, patron for this turn. JOHN ATKENSON, 1549, on death of North. JOHN JULYN, 15—, died 1560. JOHN EOBSON. " Oct. 10, 1560, were married John Eobson, Clerke and Vicar, and Margery Shargram." EOBERT CUTHBERT, inducted 23 June 1565. " Jan. 4, 1568, was buried Eobert Cuthbert, Vicar of Betrisden." ANDREW DOWLE, inducted Peb. 11,1568. "March 8,1572. Baptized Elizabeth Dowle, ye daughter of Andrew Dowle." He became Eector of Woodchurch in 1579, and died in 1582. NICHOLAS ASTYN, inducted March 28, 1578. Under date 1596 appears in the Churchwardens' Accounts : " Spent when wee weare citted to court by y° vicar's meanes, 12/2," and " payd at the court when I was excommunycat 7/6." We do not know what the dispute was about. " July 4, 1598, was buried Nicholas Astyn, Vicar of Betrisden." EICHARD GRESBROOKE, A.M., inducted Dec. 7, 1598, by John Pickerde, Eector of Pluckley. "Peb. 6, 1603. Bap* Marye, daughter of Ea Gresbrooke." " May 11, 1606, Eichard, son of Eichard Gresbrooke, minister." " Sep. 10, 1609, Elizabeth, daughter of Eichard Gresbrooke." " Sep. 14, 1609, was Eichard Gresbrooke, Vicar of Bethersden, buried." What a tale of family trouble do these two entries tell. JOHN HEPBORNE, A.M., Oct, 27,1609. " Sep. 3,1612, was buried John Hepborne, Vicker " (sic). JOHN COPLEY, inducted by Alexander Keith, Curate, 18 Oct. 1612. He was the fourth son of Sir Thomas Copley, Knt., of Gatton, Surrey, and married Martha Moone. In 1616 he became Eector of Pluckley, where continual quarrels occurred between him and Sir Edward Dering. Vide Arch. Cant., Vol. I l l , p. 194. About September 1643 he was deprived by the House of Commons in favour of Samuel Immatt, but recovered possession of his rectory at the restoration of Charles I I . He died at Ashford and is buried in the chancel of that church. The inscription on 88 VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. his stone was as follows: " Heere lyeth the Body of Mastar John Coply, late minister of Pluckley. He died June 2, 1662." His widow, who died in 1663, gave, by her will, twenty shillings to some " able and orthodox divine " to preach a sermon annually on the 3rd of June for ever in Ashford Church, and ten shillings to be distributed among the poor on the same day, the anniversary of her husband's funeral. These sums are charged on property in " New Bents," Ashford. She also bequeathed half a crown each to " those two men that were Churchwardens of Pluckley that year " Mr. Copley was restored to his benefice. JOHN ABNOYN, A.M., inducted on Sunday afternoon, 24 Nov. 1616, before service, by W. Lawse, Eector of High Halden, and "read himself in" the same day in the presence of Edward Chute, Eobert Gibbon, Thomas Witherden, a n d . . . . Knight. In 1622 he was deprived by the High Court of Commission for drunkenness. He is styled in the proceedings Perpetual Curate of Bethersden. EICHARD TAYLOR, M.A., was inducted by Mr. Copley 12 July 1622. "Peby 2,1627. Baptd Edward, son of Mr. Ed Taylor-" In the same year, 1627, he resigned this living on being appointed to the Eectory of High Halden, where he died and is buried. Walker says that though a man of a sober and pious life " his house at Halden was broken open, and he was abused iu his person," besides being often insulted in time of divine service, when once a " fellow cried aloud to him, ' You lye.' " Near the chancel arch in that church is a stone bearing the inscription: "Sub hoc tumulo jacet sepultus Eicardus Taylor, Ecclesi® Haldensis Pastor, qui mortem obiit 6t0 die Martii, Anno Dom. 1650, aetatis 65." And on another we read: " Here lieth the body of Dorathee, daughter of Eichard Taylor, Parson, who died the 22a of April 1642, setatis 7." JOHN THRIETE, A.B., inducted 25 Peb. 1627 by Henry Elye, Curate of Charing. " April 20, 1630, was buryed Master John Thrifte, Minister of God's Word." Prom his will, in the office at Canterbury, it would seem that he lived at Surrenden with Mr. Chute. He desires to be buried in the church or churchyard at Bethersden, and leaves £5 to be employed in placing out some poor child at the discretion of Edward Chute, Esq. Gives 5s. each to all the men and maidens dwelling with Mr. Chute and to Mrs. Master's maid (Mrs. Master was by birth Elizabeth Chute) ; 2s. 6d. each to Spratt and Wills. He bequeaths to Mabell Chute " six Turlrie cushions," adding " as for the Basen and Candlesticks they are Mrs, Chute's." His three worst suits of clothes he gives to three poor persons to he selected by Mr. Chute. He desires Mr. Doctor Peatley to look through his books and take his own. To the doctor'is servant he leaves 5s., and to Widow Powell, VICARS OP BETHEBSDEN. 89 his aunt, if living, 20s. Giving the residue to his executor and son, Thomas Thrifte. Dr. Peatley, Chaplain to Archbishop Abbot, and Eector of Lambeth, was son of John Peatley, by Marion Thrifte, and doubtless a relation. WILLIAM TURNER, inducted 2 May 1630 by E. Taylor, Rector of High Halden. His incumbency was very short. "Dec. 7, 1631, Mr. Turner, doctor of phisicke and Vicar, buried." EALPH ABBOT, A.B., 19 Dee. 1631. In the Ashford Eegister is this marriage : " 1641-2, Jan. 20 (or 29). Ralph Abbott, Vicar of Bethersden, and Joanna Haycomplaynte de Ashford, widdow, per licenciam." In the Bethersden: " Jany 10, 1643. The wife of Mr. Ealph Abbot buried." Near the vestry is a slab : " Here under resteth the body of Joan, wife of Ralph Abbot, Vicar of this church, who deceased, the . . Jan^ Anno Dom. 1643. Thou fading earthe farewell. My soule aspire to heaven. Hasting . . . . there. Thy Saviour's glorie, who shall once again unite thee to my Plesh with Him to reign. Eeader admire. Beneath this stone Lies Good and Woman both in one." JOHN WOOD. " Nov. 3, 1645. Samuel, son of John Wood, Clark, and Dorothy his wife, baptized." JOHN KEITH. " March 14,1651. Mr. John Keith, minister, buried." ANDREW SYMSON signed the Eegister as "Minister" in 1651. " Dec. 1, 1658, was buried Susanna, y° wife of Andrew Symson, Clerke." " June 12,1660, was buried Mr. Andrew Sympson, Clerke." In 1660 two bills, amounting to £16 6s. 2d., for repairs of the Vicarage House, are entered in the Churchwardens' Accounts; and in the following year, " Por a Pone to distrayne Mr. Symson's bookes and Attorney's Pees, and spent in the apprizing the bookes 9/8." " Spent upon the workmen when they came to survey the dilapidations of the Vicaridge 2/0." He was probably a Presbyterian, EOBERT COLE, B.D., inducted 3 Nov. 1660. After the Bartholomew Act he became, 14 Oct. 1662, also Eector of Smarden and of Shadoxhurst. Sir George Chute, Knt., left him 40s. by will 31 May 1664. The entries in the Register look as though he died of some infectious disorder. " July 31, 1667. Eobert Cole, Clarke, Vicar of Bethersden, buried." "Aug. 21, 1667. John Cole of Bethersden buried." " Aug. 26,1667. Mrs. Cole, wife of Bob4 Cole, was buried." EICHARD BANDS, M.A., inducted 24 March 1668 by Jonathan Crawford, Eector of High Halden, also Rector of Smarden. He was educated, if not born, at Northampton, and took the degree of M.A. from Exeter College, Oxford, 11 April 1662. JONATHAN WHISTON, M.A., 9 Aug. 1669. He was born at Northampton in 1635 or 1636, and there educated until he reached the age of 17. He was then removed to Christ's College, Cambridge, where he remained seven years and took the VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. degree of M.A. Pour years afterwards he was ordained, acting as Chaplain to Sir Lionel Tollemache; and in 1669, on the resignation of his old schoolfellow, Richard Bands, was, through the interest of His Grace's domestic chaplain, Samuel Parker (afterwards Bishop of Oxford), who had himself been " brought up among the Puritans at Northampton," presented to the Eectory of Smarden and the Vicarage of Bethersden by Archbishop Sheldon. Mr. Whiston appears to have greatly preferred Bethersden to Smarden, as he resided here, and speaks in the Smarden Eegister in the strongest terms of the heresy, schism, and infidelity which prevailed among the inhabitants of that parish. A few months after he had accepted the living the ancient Vicarage House of Bethersden, " a cottage of timber and thatched," was destroyed by fire. Prom the very substantial manner in which he erected the existing house, which, in its day, must have been unusually handsome and commodious for so small a benefice, we may conclude that he was a man of property, more especially as his brother Samuel, who was his Curate at Smarden from 1672 to 1678, built a house at Headcorn, of which he became Vicar, and bequeathed it to his successors. Mr. Whiston probably belonged to what is called the " Caroline'' School of Divines, and seems to have been very attentive to the duties of his office. The following letter by him is published in the History of Archbishop Laud's Troubles : " I do remember that being Chaplain to the Honourable Sir Lionel Tolmach, Baronet, about the year 1666, I heard him relate to some person of quality how that in his younger days he was at Rome and well acquainted with a certain Abbot, which Abbot asked him ' whether he had heard any news from England ?' He answered, ' No.' The Abbot replied, ' I will tell you then some; Archbishop Laud is beheaded.' Sir Lionel answered, ' You are very sorry for that I presume.' The Abbot replied again that they had ' more cause to rejoice that the greatest enemy of the Church of Rome in England was cut off, and the greatest champion of the Church of England silenced;' or in words to that purpose. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of Sept. 1694. JONA. WHISTON, Vicar of Bethersden in Kent." He made his will, "being very lame with the goute," leaving to each of his four daughters, Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, and Cecilia, on attaining the age of 21, an equal share in land and tenements at Littlebourne, Wickhambreaux, Charing, and Kennardington, and 60 acres at Goodnestone next Wingham. To Aphra, his wife, he gave her gold rings and all his plate, furniture, implements, etc., on certain conditions, failing which the executor was directed to sell and invest the proceeds in land or houses for the benefit of VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. 91 the daughters. His "study of books" he bequeathed to his brother Samuel, whom he appointed sole executor. On the wall of the north aisle of the church is a small black tablet with this inscription to his memory : " Beneath, at foote of this wall, lyeth the body of Jonathan Whiston, late Vicar of this Parish Church, who rebuilt the Vicarage House of Brick as it now stands in the spring, 1676, the former, of timber and thatched, being burnt downe to the ground Oct. 23, 1669. He changed this life for a better November the 30th 1697." " 1676. Mary, the daughter • of Jonathan Whiston, Vicar, and A]}hra, borne Nov. 28, and bapt. Nov. 30." "1677. Anne, daughter of Jonathan Whiston, Vicar, and Aphra his wife, borne Oct. 24, bapt. Oct. 26." " 1678. Thomas, ye son of Jonathan and Afra Whiston, bapt. Aug. 20, buried in woollen Aug. 21." " 1681. Elizabeth, the daughter of Jonathan Whiston, Vicar, burd Sep. 8th." " 1683. Elizabeth, the daughter of Jonathan Whiston, Vicar, bap' Sep. 5." " 1687. Cecilia, the daughter of Jonathan Whiston, Vicar, borne Peb. 8, betwixt 8 and 9 a clock at night, bapt. Peb. 18." " 1697. Mr. Jonathan Whiston, late Vicar, buried Dec. 3." "1708. (Ashford.) John Morton and Elizabeth Whiston, both of this Parish, married April 8." "1719. The Rev'd Mr. Robert Turner, Vicar of Tenterden, and Mrs. Mary Whiston, of the Parish of S' George's, Canterbury, married Nov. 12." " 1721. Mary, the wife of the Rev'1 Mr. Robert Turner, Vicar of Tenterden, buried Nov. 5." "1756. Mrs. Elizabeth Moreton, widow, from Ashford, buried May 14th." Close to the vestry is a monument inscribed: " Near this place lieth the body of Mary, wife of Robert Turner, Vicar of Tenterden, and daughter of Jonathan Whiston, late Vicar of this Parish, and Afra his wife. She was born Nov. 28,1676, and died Nov. . . 1721. Here also lieth Elizabeth, daughter of the said Mr. Whiston, and widow of Mr. Jn° Morton of Ashford. She was born Aug. 29, 1683, and died May 7, 1756. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." HENRY HUGHES, inducted 8 June 1698. He was the son of the Rev. Henry Hughes, Rector of Woodchurch, whom he succeeded in that benefice. In 1684 he was Rector of Palconhurst, which he held until his death in 1704. SIMON HUGHES, B.D., succeeded his father 2 Sept. 1704. " 1707. Edward Hughes, son of Simon Hughes, Vicar, and Mary his wife, was born Aug. 9, about noon, and bap' Aug. 26." He resigned in 1711, on being appointed Rector of Smarden. In 1719 he became a Prebendary of Chichester, and Vicar of St. Stephen's, Canterbury, where he was buried within the altar-rails, having been a benefactor to the vicaragehouse. A slab remains to his memory, incised with the arms, " A chevron between three lions rampant, impaling 92 VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. a chevron between three ducks," and the words, "Beneath this stone lies interred the body of the Reva Simon Hughes, late rector of Smarden, and vicar of this parish. He departed this life the 52a year of his age, and in that of our Lord 1728, in expectation of a joyful resurrection through the merits of the Saviour of mankind, having constantly endeavoured to approve himself a faithful servant of his God. Near those remains lies also the body of his only daughter Mary, who in the bloom of life, having arrived at the 25 year of her age, patiently resigned her soul into the hands of her Creator in the year of our Lord 1745." THOMAS MURIEL, B.A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, inducted 3 April 1711. "1712, Oct. 23. The Revd Mr. Thomas Muriel and Mrs. Elizabeth Hulse married." I take this to be the widow of the last of the Hulses—her name was Elizabeth. "1717. The Reverend Mr. Thomas Muriel buried Aug. 25." THOMAS HURDIS, LL.B., 3 Oct. 1717. He was the son of Thomas Hurdis of Atherstone in Warwickshire, and London, merchant, by Elizabeth, youngest daughter and coheiress of W. Samborne, merchant, of London, and was born in 1673. He was educated at Oxford, and in 1695 became a member of the Middle Temple. 9 Nov. 1727, he was collated to the rectory of Ringmer in Sussex, and died 1733. By Mary his wife, daughter of James Bowyer of Oxford, he had eight children, of whom Mary married Rev. James Barham, his successor at Bethersden, and Anne the Rev. Eichard Morton of Staplehurst. His son Thomas was D.D., Canon of Windsor and Chichester, Vicar of Amport, Wantage, and Seaforth, and Private Secretary to the Duke of Newcastle. His grandson (by his son James), Eev. James Hurdis, D.D., who died iu 1801, was Rector of Bishopston, Professor of Poetry in the University of Oxford, and author of The Village Curate, and other poems. His lines on a Bird's Nest are admired wherever they are known. Arms of Hurdis granted in 1695 : Azure, a ducal coronet or between three ostriches' heads erased argent. Crest: On a wreath argent and azure a sea-horse proper, gorged with a ducal coronet or, reposing his dexter foot on an anchor sable, the stock gold. " 1726. The Reverend Mr. James Barham, Vicar of iledcorne, and Mrs. Mary Hurdis of this Parish, married Dec. 21s t ." JAMES BARHAM, 1728. In 1723 he had been presented to the vicarage of Headcorn, which he seems to have held with this until his death. " 1734, March 17. Eeva Mr. James Barham buried." JOHN PETHERSTON, M.A., inducted 6th April 1734. In 1732 he resigned the vicarage of Benenden for that of Leysdown VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. 93 and Warden, which latter he vacated on his appointment to Bethersden. HENRY DELL, 2 April 1747. He was a man of property, and had for some time officiated as minister of a Presbyterian congregation at Canterbury. "1756, Aug. 25. Mary, wife of Rev. Henry Dell, Vicar of this Parish, buried." " 1763, Oct. 23. The Reva Mr. Henry Dell buried." " 1774, July 18. Elizabeth Dell a woman buried." " 1776, Oct. 9. Miss Mary Dell a woman buried." The four pavingstones lying in the nave near the tower, with the letters M. D., H. D., E. D., M.D. cut thereon, were moved from the south aisle, where they covered the remains of the above. A tablet on the south wall at the west end is inscribed, " Mary Dell died 21 Aug. 1756, aged 64. Henry Dell, Vicar of this Parish, died 17th Oct. 1763, aged 73. Elizabeth, daughter of the above Henry and Mary Dell, died 12th July 1774, aged 52. Mary, daughter of the above Henry and Mary Dell, died 4th Oct. 1776, aged . 57." WILLIAM JONES, M.A., P.R.S., inducted 16 Dec. 1763. This most illustrious of the Vicars of Bethersden was born at Lowick, Northamptonshire, 30th July 1726, and educated at the Charter House, whence he obtained an exhibition to University College, Oxford, and in due time became Curate of Pinedon, in his native county. He married Mary, daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Bridges of Wadenhoe. Archbishop Seeker presented him to the vicarage of Bethersden in 1763, and in 1765 preferred him to the rectory of Pluckley, which he vacated in 1777 for the Perpetual Curacy of Nayland in Suffolk, with the rectory of Paston, Northamptonshire. Subsequently he was appointed Chaplain to his early friend, the amiable and pious Home, Bishop of Norwich, and died 6th February 1800, aged 73. Mr. Jones was not only highly distinguished as a philosophical writer, but was also an excellent preacher, and an exemplary and laborious pastor in an age of coldness and neglect. His Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity and his Lectures on the Figurative Language of Holy Scripture are still considered standard works. There is a monument of white marble to his memory in Nayland Church, bearing his arms : Gules, a chevron or gutt6e de poix between three choughs proper; impaling, Argent, three water-bougets or, a bordure ermine. HENRY KENT, D.D., 24 Nov. 1765, resigned 1780. Of Merton College, Oxford. B.A. 16 April 1741; M.A. 1745; B. and D.D. 12 December 1769. He appears to have been non-resident. DAVID MARTIN, 24 January 1781. He resigned in 1786 for the vicarage of Leysdown, with which he held for thirty-two years' the curacy of Eastchurch, where he was buried 94 VICARS OP BETHERSDEN. 30th October 1821, aged 78. Mary his wife died in 1800, aged 66, and also lies at Eastchurch. Lisc. M. STRETCH, M.A., May 1786. In 1762 he was_ appointed Vicar of Leysdown, and exchanged with David Martin. In 1774 he was Curate of Merstham, Surrey. DANIEL WILCOX, M.A., 1787. He had been presented in 1780 to the rectory of High Halden, and continued to reside there after his appointment to Bethersden. There is a memorial of him in the chancel of Halden Church : " Near the outside of this door are deposited the mortal remains of the Rev. Daniel Wilcox, A.M., for Twenty-Six years Rector of this Parish and Vicar of Bethersden. He lived much respected by his Parishioners and Friends, and died greatly lamented 26th June 1806. This grateful tribute to his memory was erected by a few surviving friends." When I went to Bethersden he was remembered by the older inhabitants as a short stout man, wearing the threecornered hat then used by the clergy. DANIEL WILLIAMS DAYIES, B.A., 1806. He came to Cranbrook as Curate in 1802, and married a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Greenall. Prom 1807 to 1813 he was Vicar of Cranbrook. Afterwards he became Master of the Grammar School. Mr. Tarbutt, in his Annals of Cranbrook Church, gives extracts from a sermon preached by him on the Past Day of 1803, and some touching lines composed on the death of his young wife in 1808, and mentions some improvements effected during his incumbency. Affixed to the south wall of that church is a monument: " In memory of the Rev. Daniel Williams Davies, M.A., of Brazenose College, Oxford, formerly Vicar of this Parish, and for upwards of xxxvii years Master of the Grammar School in this town, he died November xiv, M.D.C.O.C.L., aged Ixxv years. Also of Louisa, his wife, who died April vii, M.D.O.C.O.YIII, aged xxii years. Also of Sarah, his second wife, who died April ist, M.D.C.C.O.LXII, aged lxxxiv years." Mr. Davies's son was the late Vicar of Tewkesbury. His Curate at Bethersden was the Eev. Joseph E. Henderson, M.A., of Trinity College, Oxford, who died about 1870 as Eector of Dufton, Appleby. A most impressive preacher to the poor, and the originator, in conjunction with Mrs. Knight, of the Bethersden Church Sunday-school, which was held at first in a room at The Thorn. THOMAS GREENALL, 1807. Mr. Greenall came to Bethersden by an arrangement with his son-in-law. " 1814, July 25. The Eevd. Thomas Greenall, Vicar of this Parish, buried." " 1814, Sepr. 8, Sophia Greenall, aged 37." A tablet on the chancel wall is thus inscribed: " Sacred to the memory of Thomas Greenall, late Vicar of this Parish, who died. July 20th 1814, aged 71 years. He was born at Hucking VICARS OF BETHERSDEN. 95 Hall, Middleton, Westmorland, and was many years Master of the Grammar School at Cranbrook. Also Sophia Greenall, daughter of the above, who died Sep1' 4 1814, aged 37 years." There is also a. stone to their memory in the churchyard, erected by Miss Greenall of Cranbrook in 1860. PATRICK KEITH, M.A., 1816. During the vacancy the duty was performed by Rev. George Norwood (who declined the living), then Curate of Great Chart, and subsequently Rector of Mersham. Mr. Keith was a man of considerable ability, and of a somewhat caustic turn. He wrote a work on botany, and had a reputation as a tutor, but his theological views are said to have been peculiar. He resigned this vicarage in 1823 for the rectory of Euckinge, and also held the vicarage of Stalisfield. In that church is a monument: " To the memory of the Reverend Patrick Keith, late Vicar of this Parish, who died 25 Jany 1840, aged 70 years, in the hope to rise when the last trumpet shall sound to a glorious resurrection. This monument was erected as a mark of affection by his disconsolate widow." Mrs. Keith lived for some years in Cogan's Hospital at Canterbury, where she died. Their beautiful but unfortunate daughter is understood to have been the heroine of a book published some twenty years ago, in which reference was made to persons and scenes in Ashford and the neighbourhood. RICHARD BURNET, M.A., 1823. Mr. Burnet, who had the reputation of being an excellent reader, had been Curate of Bungay in Suffolk, and Chaplain at Heligoland, and for a few years previous to his appointment to Bethersden held the Curacy of Woodchurch. In the last years of his incumbency the church was restored, and the national schools were built, mainly by the energy of his Curate and (subsequently) son-in-law, the Rev. James George Darling, B.A., now Rector of Eyke, Suffolk. " Jan? 7th 1830, buried Mrs. Elizabeth Naylor, aged 82." " Nov. 4th 1840, Charles Reginald Burnet, B.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, aged 32." " Jany 15th 1857, Revd. li. Burnet, Vicar of Bethersden, 84." " March 12th 1861, Catharine Burnet, widow of Revd. R. Burnet, Vicar of this Parish, 82." On a slab near the reading desk: " Here beneath lie the mortal remains of Charles Reginald Burnet, B.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, eldest son of the Rev. Richard Burnet, Vicar of this Parish, and Catharine his wife, who died 27 Oct. 1840, aged 32, beloved and respected by all who knew him. Also of Elizabeth Naylor, his maternal grandmother, widow of Lieut. John Naylor, of 16 Reg. of Foot, who died 28 Dec. 1829, aged 82 years." AUGUSTUS JOHN PEARMAN, M.A., 1857. Of Pembroke College, Oxford. Ordained to the Curacy of Ashford 1854. Vicar 96 VICARS OE BETHERSDEN. of Eainham 1866. Eector of Merstham, Surrey, 1876. He expended a large sum in repairing and improving the vicarage-house. * GEORGE COLE, B.A., 1866. Mr. Cole was a native of Worcester. He graduated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, was ordained in 1829, and having served curacies in Liverpool, Ipswich, Worcester, Weymouth, Chelsea, and Buckingham, was placed "in sole charge" of Eainham in 1851, where he remained until the death of Dr. Poore in 1866. In 1869 he became by exchange Incumbent of St. Michael, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, and died there 11th August 1874, aged 68. He was the author of The Threefold Cord, Tracts on the Prayer Booh, Euthanasia, etc. WILLIAM CLEMENTSON, M.A., 1869. Of Trinity College, Dublin. Superintendent of the Special Missions to Eoman Catholics in Great Britain, conducted by the Protestant Eeformation Society, 1852-57; Perpetual Curate of St. Michael, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, 1857-69. Mr. Clementson during his residence at Bethersden greatly improved the church and churchyard and enlarged the school. To improve the vicarage, he borrowed £450 from Queen Anne's " Bounty" in 1869. This debt causes an annual charge upon the benefice until A.D. 3900. The present annual payment is £23, but it will decrease by a few shillings every year. He became in 1877 Vicar of Wymynyswold, which living he resigned in 1880. AUGUSTUS PRANCIS SMITH, M.A., 1877. Of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Ordained 1854. Curate of Littlebourne 1859-77. Became in 1884 Vicar of Nackington, Canterbury. EOBERT PALMER, M.A., 1884. Of Trinity College, Dublin. Vicar of Queenborough 1873-84, where by his exertions he collected funds sufficient to increase the endowment of that benefice from £85 to £200 per annum. CHAPLAINS OE THE LOVELACE CHANTRY. 1511. WILLIAM NORRINGTON, died 1524. 1524. THOMAS DALBY, died 1530. 1530. JAMES GOLDWELL, LL.B. Patron, William Goldwell, gentleman. 1533. MAURICE AP EICHARDS. Patron, William Goldwell, gent. * Iu the course of the work some charred timber was found under the hall floor—a relic probably of the house burnt down in 1669. BETHERSDEN REGISTERS. 97 PAROCHIAL EEGISTERS. In the Churchwardens' Accounts for the 3rd and 4th years of Queen Mary we find, " Itm pd. for paper to make the Regester booke for the Churche iiij d." Of this "booke " a single leaf is yet in existence. A book of parchment was provided in 1600, into which the entries from 1556 were copied in a very neat hand by Richard Gresbrooke, the Vioar. The portion kept by Jonathan Whiston is also remarkable for its clearness. The entries from 1653 to 1660 were made in a separate volume, which was " long missing and given up for lost, but recovered in 1819 by Mr. Haffenden at' Lovelace.'" We find also that in 1649 the Churchwardens paid two shillings eaoh to Goodman Ward, Richard Anow, and Widow Haffenden for portions of the Register in their possession. The following are some of the more noticeable entries : Burials. 1578. April 21st was buried Creature, sonne to Robert Lappam. 1632. November 18 buried Joan a pilgrime. 1652. Feb. 2. Goodman Day who would not be buried neare any other corps, and said he should rise againe within three years. 1665. April.. John (soe called) the son of Thomas . . . . (a Brownist, beinge first buried without the minister and covered with earth, was taken up againe and buried by the minister). 1666. June 11. Elizabeth Butcher, widow (who about a fortnight before her death took Christopher Clarke of Smarden, carpenter, to bee her conoubine, I cannot say Husband because they took one another's woords in the Anabaptist Congregation), was buried. 1666. Deo. 8. Peter Gilsonne buried by the overseers without the minister. Marriages. 1591. December 18th were married John Golding, Gentleman, and Lettice Engeham, Gentlewoman. 1660. Dec. 17. Mr. Richard Daulinge, Clerk, Rector of Ringwould, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tylden, of Bethersden, were married by Lycense. Baptisms. 1668. Riohardus filius primogenitus Richardi Hulse et Marise Uxoris sure natus erat Die vicesimo primo mensis Octobris horit circiter tertia pomeridiana anno D'ni 1668 et baptizatus erat Die tertio Novembris An'o p'dict p: me R. Rands Vicariu' de Bethersden. 1670. Filia Eicardi Hulse Armigeri et Marias uxoris ejus nomine Cicelia (orthographiam lector ne quseras quandoquidem Infantis susceptrices sic ei suu' indiderunt nomen; attamen no' inepte quum vocabulum prseposteri prolatu' ingenio sexus segnioris perverso sit maxime congruu') nata est decimo primo calendas Februarias inter horas undecima' et duodecima' nocturnas Anno ineunte a Virginis puerperio cio ioc LXX et postero die manu Jonathanis Whiston obstetrioante Sia AovTpov iraXiyyeveirtas renata fuit. 1672. Csecilia Stede cui Pater Edwinus Stede Armiger e gente Stedoru' qui nuper montem Caballinu' apud Haretsham in agro Cantiano possederunt ac Mater cognominis ex antique, illustri, equestrique Clerioorum prosapia quas jamdiu tenuit Ford non procul il Wrotham in eodem comitatu : nata est paulo ante Horam tertiam matutinam octavo calendas Octobris anno cio ioc LXII* et baptismate sacris sanctissimi Jesu sexto nonas subsequentes initiata fuit. 1679-80. March 21. George the son of Robert Austen, Esq., and Mrs. Judith Austen his wife, baptized. * An x is omitted in original. VOL. XVI. H 98 BETHERSDEN MARBLE. Miscellaneous Entries. 1653. The Ordinatio Vicarise lost and supposed taken away to Rome at this time. 1661. The Covenant burned the nine and twentieth day of May. John Waterman and Sollomon Oxley, Churchwardens. 1669. Tugurium Bethersdensium quondam Vicariorum antiqua sedes heu decimo calendas Novembris anno Servatoris nostri cio ioc LXIX sibi pyra funerea factu' Vicariu' Habitatorem nuper suu' cineribus suis vivum et videntem sepelivit unde se resurrecturum desperat etiamsi illud Phoenicis instar pulohrius nitidiusque resurgat. BETHERSDEN MARBLE. A paper on Bethersden would hardly be complete without some allusion to the marble of which so many specimens remain in our Kentish cathedrals, churches, and mansions. " I t is made up chiefly of the shells of JPaludince, whole or in fragments. Occasionally the shells retain their form and weather out on exposure; but often only their casts are exposed, the matrix being calcareous matter derived from the disintegration of the shells. The shells of Dniones also occur, rarely retaining, their form ; more often as casts. Cypridse also occur in abundance. The animal matter of the Paludinse appears to be often preserved in this marble, and to give to the polished sections the dark grey and black markings so characteristic of the stone. Purbeck marble is a similar stone, older than that of the Weald clay, and formed of a Paludina of smaller size."—The Geologist, No. 36. I t is dug throughout the greater part of the parish but chiefly at Tuesnode. The term " quarry " can hardly be applied to the pit from which the stone is taken, as it is found at a few feet below the surface in thin courses of variable thickness and extent. It differs in colour, some being of a blue, other of a brownish tint, and is now used mainly in mending the roads. It has, however, been recently employed for paving the sacrarium in Ashford Church, and for the Pont in Christ Church, South Ashford.