Annual Report and Accounts for the Year 1932

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 1932. l e n t ^rffta?0%iral ^ncii-tiL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 1932. THE Council herewith presents its Seventy-fourth Report and Statement of Accounts for 1932. It has been customary in the past to deal first in the Report with the membership, for upon the members' subscriptions the prosperity of the Society generally and the publication of Archceologia Cantiana particularly depend. The decline experienced during the year has been disappointing, as it follows a considerable fall in the number of members in 1931. The hst on 31st December, 1932, includes five Affiliated Societies, four Honorary, eighty-nine Life and 818 ordinary members, making a total of 916, against 954 a year before. While a decline in membership in both 1931 and 1932 has been a common experience of County Archaeological Societies, it should be pointed out that in those two years the deaths of more than seventy-five members of this Society were notified. The number of Life Compounders continues to fall, being seven fewer on the year. Despite the bad times more than fifty new members paid their entrance fee and first subscription in 1932. Among those whose loss by death has to be recorded the name of Mr. Augustus A. Arnold, F.S.A., a Vice-President, should be first mentioned. He died in his ninety-eighth year, and was a member of the Society for ho less than seventy-two years, having been elected in 1860. He was a prominent figure in the early days of the Society. An obituary notice appears in Vol. XLIV of Archceologia Cantiana. Other deaths include Lord Harris and Lord Northbourne, both Vice-Presidents ; Dr. Randall Davis, much identified with the antiquities of Hythe, and an old member of the Council; Rev. H. J. Boys, a member since 1875 ; Dame Janet Stancomb-Wills; and Mr. Mark Green, an Honorary Auditor to the Society. xxxviii REPORT, 1932. The Annual General Meeting was held on 7th April in the Museum, Maidstone, by kind permission of the Museum Committee, who with their usual liberality placed their rooms at the Society's disposal. The chair was taken by the Rev. C. Eveleigh Woodruff, M.A., Vice-President, the President, Lord Conway, being abroad. About forty-five members were present. The Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were read by the Hon. Secretary and confirmed. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the Report, expressed his regret that there had been a reduction in the membership during the year, and pointed out that an important factor was the unusually large number of deaths. He referred to the loss of Dr. Phihp Norman, F.S.A., and Mr. Wilham Whiting, as mentioned in the Report, and since the year had turned, of Dr. Randall Davis, who had been a member of Council for thirty years. He was pleased to say that they had been able to obtain the services of Mr. Norman Cook, of the Maidstone Museum, as Curator, to succeed the late Mr. Elgar. Vacancies on the Council had been filled by the election of Surg.-Capt. Kenneth Jones, Mrs. Gardiner, and Dr. Gordon Ward. He thought all members would be pleased with the volume of Archceologia Cantiana recently issued, and that Mr. Macdonald, the Hon. Editor, was to be congratulated. The Chairman then alluded to the decision of the Council to proceed with the compilation of a General Index to Vols. XX to XL of Archceologia Cantiana, and to the removal of the Headquarters of the Records Branch from London to Canterbury. The Hon. Treasurer then dealt with the finances, which were in a sound condition, and was paid a well-deserved tribute for his skilful management. The motion for the adoption of the Report and Accounts was seconded by the Hon. H. Hannen, and carried unanimously. The six members of Council retiring by rotation were re-elected, viz. Rev. R. U. Potts, Sir Gerald Woods Wollaston, Dr. Gordon Ward, Rev. Canon S. W. Wheatley, Mr. F. H. Day and Dr. Chas. Cotton. The Chairman informed the members that since the notice of meeting was issued Mr. Mark Green, one of the Hon. Auditors, had died. He therefore proposed that the other Auditor, Mr. F. C. Allwork, be re-elected, and that the choice of a successor to Mr. Green be left in the hands of the Council. This was agreed. Eight new members were elected. Mr. Frank Godwin, Excursion Secretary for West Kent, outlined a suggested REPORT, 1932. xxxix programme for the Summer Excursion on 26th and 27th July, in the neighbourhood of Mailing, and promised to consider a proposal by Canon Livett that Nettlestead should be visited. Major Usborne said that he was preparing the Autumn Excursion on 13th September, in the part of the county between Boughton Aluph and Smarden. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the officers. In the afternoon a well-attended general meeting was held, more than a hundred members and friends being present. Two lectures had been arranged, the first by Surgeon-Captain K. H. Jones, M.B., F.Z.S., R.N., on " St. Stephen's Church, Hackington, and its possible connection with the great church of Archbishop Baldwin near Canterbury " ; and the second by Mr. C. R. Councer on " Medieval Painted Glass in Kentish Parish Churches." Both lectures were illustrated by lantern shdes, and ehcited considerable discussion. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to each lecturer. Tea was kindly provided by a member of Council in the Library. The usual quarterly meetings of Council were held in March, June, September and December. The vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Randall Davis was filled at the March meeting by the election of Mr. W. P. D. Stebbing, F.S.A., of Deal. In order that the Local Secretary for Tunbridge Wells should be resident in that town, an arrangement was made whereby Mr. C. W. Powell of Speldhurst surrendered his Secretaryship to Mr. Chas. R. Bosanquet; and owing to Rev. M. L. Man's departure from Tenterden, his place as Local Secretary has been taken by Mr. Arthur Moore, F.S.A. There is not much to add to the previous report on the Library. The Council authorized the re-arrangement of the shelving as planned by the Hon. Librarian and the work has been carried out. The writing-table for the use of visitors has been provided. The Council has to thank the Editor of the Victoria County Histories for the gift of Vol. I l l of Kent, which was issued during the year ; and Dr. Hardman has presented a set of the Invicta Magazine, three vols. The Report of the Records Branch, the Headquarters of which are now at 12 St. Dunstan's Street, Canterbury, mentions that the next volume to be issued is Professor Putnam's on " Two Rolls of Kent Keepers of the Peace ", 10-11 Edw. II, which is well advanced and will probably be distributed early in the new xl REPORT, 1932. year. The recent conference of Record Societies has resulted in the formation of a new Association, known as the British Records Association, for undertaking the practical work of the preservation of records. Miss Irene Churchill, D.Phil., F.R.Hist.S., a member of the Council of the Kent Archasological Society, had the honour of being elected one of the Hon. Secretaries for the ensuing year. Mr. F. W. Jessup, who has taken over the Place-Names work from Mr. Matthews, in consequence of the latter having moved out of the county, reports that Mr. Matthews completed early in the year a schedule of all the Kentish Hundreds and parishes mentioned in the Subsidy Roll for 1333, and has promised to let the Society have his notes on the Saxon Charters. Mr. Jessup has ascertained from Professor Mawer that it will be some time before the Place-Name Society will be able to begin the work on Kentish Place-Names ; and that all that is needed in the meantime is for the Secretary to look after the material which has been collected, to get information from local workers, and answer queries which may arise. In Mr. Jessup's opinion the delay will not be altogether a disadvantage, as each county dealt with tends to be an improvement on those preceding. The issue of Archceologia Cantiana, Vol. XLIV, before the end of the year could not be achieved, however desirable.. It contains some twenty articles of the most varied description, besides notes and reviews of books, and compares favourably with previous volumes. Great credit is due to the Editor for its successful compilation. As to the cost, probably few members realize that it amounts to 7s. 7|d. a copy, exclusive of illustrations paid for by authors, the balance remaining out of the 10s. subscription being all that is available for the other objects of the Society and administrative expenses. It will be seen from the accounts how important it is that the membership should be maintained at not less than one thousand, if a full volume of Archceologia Cantiana is desired. The sum of £22 17s. 6d. was. subscribed by fifteen members to the Illustrations Fund, against £12 17s. 2d. last year. The finances of the year reflect the able management of the Hon. Treasurer, as they show a credit balance of £77 5s. ld. ; but to arrive at a fair comparison with previous years, certain adjustments have to be made. Income has been increased by the receipt of £99 9s., Income Tax refunded, almost the whole of which is in respect of the six previous years and will not recur ; REPORT, 1932. Xli on the Expenditure side £49 18s. 6d. has been paid on account of the new Index ; this makes the real credit balance £27 14s. 7d. The General Index to Vols. XX to XL is proceeding at the hands of Mrs. Bowring, and the Council has decided to combine with it in the same volume an Index to Illustrations in the first forty volumes of Archceologia Cantiana, and also a Catalogue of the books in the Society's Library. With the General Index aheady pubhshed (Vol. XIX) there was included a hst of " Errata et Corrigenda ". It is intended to include with the new Index a similar hst of Errata, etc., in the first forty volumes, which have not been otherwise recorded. If any members have found or should find mistakes which come into this category, the Council begs that they will send particulars to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. G. C. Druce, Flishinghurst, Cranbrook, for transmission to the Editor of Archceologia Cantiana. Dr. Irene Churchill, F.R.Hist.S., attended the annual gathering of the Anglo-American Conference of Historians, held at the Institute of Historical Research in London in July ; and the Hon. Secretary was present and represented this Society at the Annual Meeting of the Congress of Archaeological Societies at Burlington House on November 15th. The Summer Excursion took place on 26th and 27th July in the neighbourhood of Mailing, the arrangements being in the hands of Mr. Frank Godwin. A large party was present and the programme was carried through successfully, despite somewhat showery weather. On the first day Addington Church and the stone circles there and at Coldrum were first visited, and in the afternoon Aylesford Bridge and Allington Castle, by kind invitation of the President and Lady Conway. Lord Conway pointed out the features of the castle and the restoration work which had been lately carried out, and then tea was served in the great hall. On the second day East Farleigh and Yalding bridges were inspected with the help of Mr. C. R. Ashbee, who addressed the members on the spot; then Nettlestead Court and Church, and lastly St. Leonard's Tower and the Benedictine Abbey of Mailing, where excavations, by special permission of the Lady Abbess, were in progress. Tea was provided at the Hermitage by kind invitation of Colonel and Mrs. Luck. The Autumn Excursion was held on 13th September, the party being in charge of Major Usborne. Westwell and Boughton Aluph churches were visited in the morning and Pluckley and Smarden xlii REPORT, 1932. in the afternoon, tea being kindly provided by Professor E. P. and Mrs. Stebbing at Romden Castle. The Professor contributed a few notes on the history of the Castle and pointed out the repairs and improvements made by Mr. Basil Worsfold. Communications from Local Secretaries and others respecting excavations and finds have been more numerous than in previous years. They can only be briefly mentioned in this report, leaving fuller particulars for the pages of Archceologia Cantiana. Mr. E. G. J. Amos, who reported the finding of a skull on the site of the new Priory Station at Dover in 1931, and which is now in the Dover Museum, writes that nine skeletons were found afterwards which were re-buried without his knowledge ; and that at a greater depth there were evidences which seemed to point to traces of early man. Nearer the Folkestone road fragments of vessels were recovered, one of which Mr. Amos has assembled. He reports the finding of many objects on private property at Bishopsbourne and others brought out by the steam shovel at pits near Fordwich, including a fine flint implement about five inches long, of which he sends a photograph. Mr. Amos has been carefully watching the building of a new bank on the site of the church of St. Martin-le-Grand, and sends a full account of new discoveries made and the confirmation of old ones. He has been able to identify many parts of the old church, and his notes thereon are valuable. Mr. Amos also sends additional notes of work carried out at Dover Castle, which form a useful supplement to his paper which appeared in Vol. XLIII of Archceologia Cantiana. Mr. H. E. Boulter (Ramsgate) reports the discovery of two skeletons at Ramsgate and a wattle-knife in the grave of one of them. Mr. Frank Godwin (Sevenoaks) sends particulars of an urn burial of the Roman period, about A.D. 80-120, at Chevening ; and of a Roman pot about 15 feet away, empty, without signs of an associated burial urn. Also the discovery of a paleohthic implement of twisted ovate type from the valley gravels near Westerham. He adds that the two Roman sites at Otford referred to in recent annual reports still await further exploration, and is anxious that an aerial survey should be made. Mr. Godwin also draws attention to an important paper in Sussex Archceological Collections, lxxiii., on the mapping of the Roman road which passes through Edenbridge, by Mr. Ivan D. Margary, F.S.A. REPORT, 1932. xliii The services of the Society's Curator, Mr. Norman Cook, have been in request for the inspection of excavations and objects found, especially in the Maidstone area. Several burial groups of the Roman period have been found in the town during the year: in February a group in Havock Lane, consisting of a large urn containing the burnt bones of a child, pottery and a small glass bottle, which Mr. Cook dates from the middle of the second century A.D. On the opposite side of the same road other pottery was found, which, unfortunately, was destroyed except a small cup of red glazed ware, stamped MACERATI. This potter worked at Lezoux in the Hadrian-Antonine period. Later on more pottery was found on the Corporation's new housing estate at Ringlestone, which has not yet been examined in detail, but which probably wiU prove to be of second century date. Mr. Cook points out that all these finds have been made on the line of the Maidstone-Chatham road, and afford further evidence of the use of the road in Roman times. Mr. E. F. Cobb (Rochester) writes that on land at Cooling belonging to Mr. Fred Mugeridge, whose excavations have previously revealed considerable quantities of pottery, a Roman kiln and two skeletons were recently uncovered. Mr. Cook reports that as the graves have been cut through the layer of burnt clay and pottery debris surrounding the lain, it is evident that the pottery was in disuse before the date of the earhest burial, which seems to have been about the beginning of the second century A.D. The cemetery consists of both cremations and inhumations. Two items from Sturry have been reported on by Mr. Cook— Early Iron Age : a section was cut across the ditch of a circular camp at Ashenden's gravel pit in September by Mr. T. D. Kendrick and others. The diameter of the camp seems to have been about seventy-five yards, the width of the ditch thirteen feet, and depth five feet. Further excavation is necessary. The pottery which was found in quantity about one foot from the bottom of the ditch has been identified as Belgic. Anglo-Saxon : an important cemetery was discovered in a gravel pit at Hearsden. In addition to the typical finds of a normal Jutish cemetery there are one or two window urns of Saxon type. It is expected that when the finds are fully pubhshed they will throw much hght on the origin of the Jutes. A series of burial groups were dug up in the garden of No. 7 xliv REPORT, 1932. Bolderwood Way, West Wickham, in May, and were brought to the notice of the Society by Mr. M. J. McCarthy. They were examined by Mr. Norman Cook, who says that special interest attaches to the early date of some of these groups, as the cemetery is on the line of a Roman road from New Cross through Surrey and Kent to Mailing Down, near Lewes. On the last day of the year the discovery of a skeleton in a chalk pit at Court Lodge Farm, Harrietsham, was notified by the pohce. Mr. Cook visited the site and completed the excavation of the skeleton. A buckle, a strap-end and knife were found in the grave, which Mr. Cook regards as late Anglo-Saxon in date. The Society was enabled to undertake some excavations on the site of the Abbey Church at Mailing. These were partly visible when the Society visited the site during the Summer Excursion, but digging was continued up till the end of October. The results have been of remarkable interest and have resulted in the discovery of two eastern terminations to the church, of different dates. Both of these appear to be square, an entirely unexpected state of affairs, but unfortunately it is at present impossible to speak with certainty regarding this as the area that would have settled the question has been much disturbed by drain and gas pipes and electric cables. A further examination will take place in the spring, when fuller results may be expected. A report will appear in the Society's proceedings on completion. The excavations have been supervised by Mr. F. C. Elliston Erwood, F.S.A., on behalf of the Society, and he has been considerably assisted on the site by Dr. F. H. Fairweather, M.D., O.B.E., F.S.A., one time of Rochester, who had aheady made a study of the buildings. The thanks of the Society are due to the Cowley Fathers as Trustees, and to the Reverend Lady Abbess for sympathetic interest and permission to excavate, mainly obtained by the helpful influence of our member, the Rev. Canon Potts, M.A. Should any member feel disposed to assist financially the work in progress, contributions will be thankfully received by the Treasurer. While the excavations at Mailing were in progress, opportunity was taken to discover the remains of the twelfth century house which is frequently spoken of in connection with the Abbey, but which very few appear to have seen. The Rev. Duncan Travers succeeded in tracing the house and as a result a REPORT, 1932. xlv full account of it will appear in a future volume of Archceologia Cantiana. It is a sad fact that Canon Travers died on the same day that the arrangements had been made to visit the site. Through the kind offices of Mr. P. Kemp of Dartford, and the Rev. J. R. Hale, Vicar of Boxley, both members of the Society, an opportunity was afforded of examining an ancient building in the grounds of Boxley Vicarage. This appears to be a fourteenth century small house, possibly the early vicarage, which was enlarged in the following century. An illustrated account with a plan is in preparation and will appear in a future volume. Last year information was received by the Society of obstructions on the hne of the Roman road between Richborough and Dover. Enquiry was made and Lady Northbourne, Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Rural Kent, interested herself in the matter. A report has now been furnished by her in which she says that in November of this year she personally walked the length of the road from Betteshanger to Dover, accompanied by Mr. C. R. Councer, a member of the Society, and they are able to reassure the Society as to its present state. There are only two places where the road is completely obhterated : one is the track across the park at Betteshanger, where there has been no trace for many years, and the other the grass field just beyond Cane Wood. There is, however, a gate at each end of the field, evidently on the track of the road, so there ought to be no question about the right of way. None of the road is ploughed ; some is covered with long grass and brambles or other natural growth, and it was agreed that it was undesirable to clear it out. Lady Northbourne wishes that the course of the road between the gates could be traced and some guarantee obtained that none be ploughed up. She proposes to bring the matter to the notice of the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society. On 21st January, 1932, a deputation organized by the Community Council of Kent met representatives of the Maidstone Town Council with reference to the setting up of an Agricultural History Museum in the " Old Tithe Barn ", Maidstone. The deputation was very sympathetically received and the Town Council has lent the first floor of the building (140 feet by 25 feet), in which to house a collection of old-time agricultural implements, etc. Aheady a hundred interesting relics have been brought together and the Hon. Collectors, Mr. G. H. Garrad, of x l v i REPORT, 1932. Brunswick House, Buckland Hill, Maidstone, and Mr. N. B. Bagenal, of Pilgrim House, Trosley, West Mailing, will be pleased to hear from anybody who has suitable material to offer or who is willing to contribute to the cost of collecting, cleaning, preserving and staging exhibits. The Hon. Henry Hannen is the representative of the Kent Archaeological Society on this Committee. Mr. F. C. Elliston Erwood, F.S.A., writes : The Woolwich Borough Council, having acquired part of the Well Hall Estate, including the remains of the early sixteenth century out buildings and the moated enclosure whereon stood at one time the Roper mansion, have now removed all the derehct buildings and sheds that cumbered the site, have executed emergency repairs to the old buildings and are laying out the grounds as a pubhc recreation ground, taking great care to preserve as far as possible the layout of the original garden. While laying a new drain in connection with the housing development, at Avery Hill, Eltham, a Roman interment was discovered. The only pottery vessel recovered intact has been acquired for the local museum. A half-groat of Richard II was discovered a few months ago on some allotments in Plumstead. It is in good condition and is in Mr. Erwood's possession. There are at present five Affiliated Societies. The Dartford Antiquarian Society is compiling its second volume of Transactions. Judging from its activities there should be plenty of material. Four ordinary meetings were held in 1932 ; and a large and important pubhc meeting was arranged on 21st January, when Canon Alexander lectured on " The History and Preservation of St. Paul's Cathedral". Excursions were made to Boxley, " Franks " and Horton Kirby. The Regional Survey Section records investigations on the site of urn burials near Longfield and a tribute is paid to Mr. Edmed for the cautious way in which the pit was worked when near the site of the burials and the care with which the urns were removed. Visits were also paid by members to Lesnes Abbey, Home Orchard, and the old Bridewell and other property in Dartford, and photographs and other records obtained. Mr. J. W. Kirby, Hon. Secretary of the Greenwich and Lewisham Antiquarian Society, states that the work of transcribing the Greenwich St. Alphege registers is being continued. A first volume (1615-1636) was pubhshed in 1920, and the volume at present in hand is carrying on from that date. REPORT, 1932. xlvii Mr. A. J. Phihp, Hon. Secretary of the Gravesend Archaeological Society, reports that the Tercentenary of the Mayoralty was celebrated in 1932, and out of it arose the question of the preservation of the Charters and Manuscripts belonging to the Corporation, which so far have been inadequately dealt with. A Committee has been appointed which includes four members of the Archasological Society to report on both the municipal documents and the revived proposal for the conversion of the Milton Chantry into a Museum. The Society has carried out its usual programme of excursions and lectures. There are good points in the Report of the Canterbury Archaeological Society. One of its principal objects is to keep watch on old cottages or other property which is hable to be destroyed in course of street alteration or rebuilding. In cases where such could not be saved, photographic records have been taken. Regret is expressed that old cottages have not been reconditioned before becoming too decayed. The reparation of the Castle is proceeding satisfactorily, and at Eastbridge Hospital the crypt has been taken in hand by the Rev. S. Gordon Wilson, recently Mayor and President, pillars strengthened and bases exposed by the removal of accumulated earth. The Refectory is being furnished with Minstrels' Gallery and fireplace of Tudor design. Restoration work at various churches and almshouses is also noted, and the Society's efforts to raise money for paying off the debt on the Bastion in North Lane purchased by it are meeting with success. The customary programme of Summer Excursions and Winter Lectures has been carried out, and the Society in addition acted as guide, philosopher and friend to the members of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society and St. Paul's Ecclesiological Society when they visited Canterbury on 25th June. The Report speaks of prospective work to be undertaken in the form of a fresh photographic survey of the city and a schedule of its ancient possessions, great and small. Members are reminded that, whatever the date of their election, the annual subscription of 10s. becomes due on the 1st of January and those who do not pay by Bankers' order are earnestly requested to remit that sum to the collector, Mr. Lancaster, 13 Oaten Hill, Canterbury, early in the year. This course assists the Society financially, by saving labour and expense in collecting. By order of the Council, Maidstone, Kent. GBOE^ °' ?ETOE' 16ft March, 1933. Hon- G e n e r a l S e o r e t a ry