rendezvous of pleasure boats and barges in the reign of Charles II. that
some persons have described the scene as being a sort of Pall Mall
Afloat, and it was called “Hyde Park on the Thames,” in that king’s
reign. The reach is the widest of any part westward of London Bridge,
which rendered it peculiarly suitable for such grand aquatic displays.
There were dukes and duchesses, marquises, earls, and barons, with a
similar fashionable throng to that which may still be witnessed in Hyde
Park. The watermen were arrayed in dresses of all colours, and the whole
presented a scene of grandeur which cannot be adequately described.
* * * * *
Fishing, at the above period, was carried on to a very considerable
extent at Chelsea; but, owing to the fishermen using unlawful nets, and
other causes, it fell into decay, and, finally, proved an unprofitable
speculation. In my earlier days two or three fishermen earned a scanty
living by selling the fish they caught, and a few lovers of angling also
occasionally “pulled up” some very fine roach and dace, in the prime
season, at Battersea Bridge.
SAILING MATCHES.
The river at Chelsea, some years since, presented in the summer season a
very animating and pleasing scene. The sailing matches attracted numbers
from London, and excited great interest amongst the inhabitants. As aged
men, however, are said to see nothing now equal to “the days when they
were young,”—and lest it should be thought I was magnifying the scene,
making the sailing matches of former days something like, for excitement
and enthusiasm, the present renowned Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races—I
will endeavour to avoid the possibility of being charged with giving an
exaggerated description of them. But, seriously speaking, it may be
said, with truth, that Cheyne Walk and Battersea Bridge, on such
occasions, were crowded with many of the nobility, and a vast number of
ladies and gentlemen, either in carriages or on horseback. The fleet of
sailing boats, with the little _Spitfire_ generally ahead, and “Tom
Bettsworth,” {41} the owner, on board, when seen at a short distance
approaching Chelsea, with the sun shining on the white canvas sails, and
other pleasure boats decorated with flags, in many of which were
musicians playing various lively popular tunes, presented a sort of
miniature resemblance to those delightful spectacles which are now only
to be seen off Erith, &c. The steamboats have rendered such displays
impracticable for some years past at Chelsea, and pleasures of this kind
must give way to the transactions of business and public convenience.
Commodore Capt. Harrison, a distinguished member of one of the first
Yacht Clubs, took a great interest in the Chelsea Sailing Matches. He
resided in the parish, and was highly esteemed for his conviviality and
gentlemanly deportment. His remains were interred in the Brompton
Cemetery.
* * * * *
I will now renew the notices of distinguished residents in this part of
the parish, occasionally giving a short description of new public
erections, and other interesting particulars.
Henry Sampson Woodfall, Esq., was born in Little Britain, in 1739, and
when he retired from the active affairs of life, he took a house in
Lombard Street, near the Old Church. At a very early age he had the
honour of receiving from Mr. Pope half-a-crown for reading to him, with
much fluency, a page of Homer. When twelve years old he was sent to St.
Paul’s School, on leaving which he was apprenticed to his father, a
printer in Paternoster Row; and at the age of nineteen he had committed
to his charge the whole business of editing and printing the “Public
Advertiser.” From this period till the beginning of 1793, he continued
constantly in the exercise of this laborious function. During so long a
time, when parties ran extremely high in politics, it is not surprising
that a printer should have gotten into some difficulties. He used
jocularly to say to his Chelsea friends that he had been fined and
confined by the Court of King’s Bench; fined by the House of Lords and
Commons, and indicted at the Old Bailey. He laid particular emphasis on
the words “fined” and “confined.” His conduct respecting those
celebrated letters, signed JUNIUS, displayed great integrity and
disinterestedness of character. He associated much with Garrick,
Coleman, Bonnel, Thornton, Smollett, Goldsmith, and other wits of his
day, and his own conversation overflowed with interesting anecdotes.
* * * * *
In this street resided for many years Mr. W. Lewis, bookbinder, the
intimate friend of Dr. Smollett, and his fellow companion, on their
journey from Edinburgh to London. It was by the advice of Smollett that
he settled at Chelsea; he is pourtrayed in the novel of “Roderick
Random,” under the character of Strap the Barber, and many facetious
anecdotes are there related of his simplicity, vanity, and ignorance of
the world. Mr. Lewis died about 1785.
* * * * *
Danvers Street was begun to be built in the latter end of the 17th
century, on the site of Danvers Gardens, and from thence takes its name.
Danvers House adjoined Sir Thomas More’s estate, if it was not actually a
part of his property, or that of his son in-law, Roper; there existed
anciently a thoroughfare or private way between the houses in Lombard
Street, on the north side, towards the King’s Road, but to what extent
cannot now be ascertained.
* * * * *
Sir John Danvers, who possessed this property as early as the reign of
Elizabeth, was the younger brother of Sir H. Danvers, created Earl of
Danby in 1625, and by reason of his noble birth was made Gentleman Usher
to King Charles the First. In this promotion, having more pride than
wit, he lived above his income, and finding himself plunged deeply in
debt, and discarded by his family and his Sovereign for associating with
the seditious, and propagating their principles about the Court, he, with
hopes of gain, and of protection from his creditors, joined the rebels,
always embraced the religion of the prevailing party, and at last
submitted to that base office, to assist with his presence in the mock
court of justice, and, with his hand and seal to the warrant annexed, to
take away the life of that king whose bread he had eaten; being induced
thereto (as a writer of that period states) chiefly through an
expectation of ousting his brother, and seizing upon his estate for his
own use, by the same authority and power as so unjustly cut off his
Majesty’s head. He died a natural death in 1659, before the restoration.
* * * * *
Sir John married Magdalen, daughter of Sir Richard Newport, and relict of
Sir Richard Herbert, by whom she was mother of the famous Lord Herbert of
Cherbury.
* * * * *
After the death of her first husband this lady continued a widow twelve
years, and was highly esteemed for her great and harmless wit, cheerful
gravity, and obliging behaviour, which gained her an acquaintance and
friendship with most people of eminent worth or learning in the
University of Oxford, where she lived four years, to take care of the
education of her eldest son, her children being all young at the death of
their father. She died in 1627, and was buried at Chelsea. The Dean of
St. Paul’s, whilst preaching her funeral sermon, could not refrain from
tears, as Walton reports, who was present.
* * * * *
Danvers House passed from the Danvers family to the Hon. T. Wharton, who,
by Queen Anne, in 1714, was created Marquis of Wharton. The house was
pulled down about 1716. The garden and grounds extended to the King’s
Road; considerable remains of this house were discovered on the site of
Paultons Square in 1822, consisting of the foundations of walls, the
remains of the great bath, and various fragments of stone pillars and
capitals, the whole covering a great space of land, but being considered
by the proprietor, Mr. Shepherd, nurseryman, too extensive to take up,
they were again covered with earth. It was Sir John Danvers who first
introduced into this country the Italian method of horticulture, of which
his garden was a most beautiful specimen. Against the wall of the house
at the south end of Danvers Street, is placed a stone thus
inscribed:—“This is Danvers Street, begun in ye year 1696 by Benjamin
Stafford.” In 1742 this was a public house, the sign of the Bell, which
was suspended across the street. The house at the south-west corner was
also, it is said, formerly a public house, known by the sign of the
Angel.
* * * * *
Duke Street, as already indirectly intimated, was first built at the time
when the Duke of Buckingham resided at the “greatest house in Chelsea,”
and was thus named in compliment to that nobleman. There is nothing
clearly known as to the origin of Lombard Street.
* * * * *
Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., first resided in Cheyne Walk, but afterwards
removed to the spacious house at the western corner of Beaufort Street,
fronting the river. He was a very great benefactor to the parish, an
active and intelligent magistrate, and interested himself in promoting at
all times whatever was conducive to the welfare and improvement of
Chelsea. He was treasurer of the Parish Schools for many years, and, in
1818, through his indefatigable exertions, he succeeded in nearly
doubling the number of children that had attended them, and who were
clothed and educated free of expense to their parents. Towards the close
of his life he went to Brighton, where he remained till his death, which
occurred about 1860. His munificent annual gifts to the poor of this
parish, as bequeathed in his will, but which he desired to be at once
carried into effect, during his remaining days, will cause his memory to
be revered in this parish by all future generations. Mr. Flood possessed
some valuable pictures by the most eminent Masters.
* * * * *
Charles Hatchett, Esq., resided in the adjoining house, known as Belle
Vue House. It was built by his father, in 1771. In it was a small but
choice collection of pictures, amongst which were two landscapes, by
Salvator Rosa; a Madonna and Child, by Andrea del Sarto; a beautiful
small landscape, by Van Goen; another by Ferg, and a large one by George
Barrett, R.A., with cattle, by the elder Mr. Gilpin. A very excellent
portrait of Mrs. Hatchett, by Gainsborough; and a picture, supposed to be
by Giovanni Bellini, the subject “a Dead Christ and Holy Family.” The
library was very extensive, containing many valuable editions of the
Greek and Latin Classics, a numerous series of historical works, and the
voluminous Transactions and Memoirs of the Royal Society. The collection
of manuscript and printed music was also very considerable. Mr. Hatchett
was the author of several works on chemical science, and was a magistrate
for the county. He contributed to most of the local charities, and as a
private gentleman was much respected. He died in 1846, at an advanced
age.
Lindsey House, the Moravians, &c.
This ancient mansion stands also in front of the river, and adjoined Sir
Thomas More’s. It was erected by the Earl of Lindsey, in the reign of
Charles II., on the site of a house originally built by Sir Theodore
Mayerne, an eminent physician, and the only instance on record of a
physician who was retained in that character by four kings. He lived
many years in Chelsea, and died here at the age of 82. At his death,
Robert, Earl of Lindsey, purchased the house, which he pulled down, and
erected the present edifice; it has, however, undergone great alterations
by subsequent proprietors, and is now divided into five houses. The Earl
of Lindsey died in 1701, but his widow resided here till 1705. In the
same year Lindsey House was occupied by Ursula, Countess Dowager of
Plymouth, and by her son, Lord Windsor. It was afterwards in the
possession of Francis, Lord Conway, the second son of Sir E. Seymour, who
was created a peer in 1703. By his third wife, Charlotte, sister to Lady
Walpole, he had Francis, Marquis of Hertford, who was born at Chelsea in
1718. The house continued in the Ancaster family till 1750, when it was
purchased for the Moravian Society.
* * * * *
Count Zinzendorf, who was the purchaser, formed an intention of
establishing a settlement at Chelsea for the Moravians, and took a plot
of ground to erect a large building for the reception of three hundred
families, to carry on a manufactory; and, besides possessing Lindsey
House, he also purchased a piece of ground, part of the gardens of
Beaufort House, for a burial ground, together with the stables belonging
to that old mansion, and likewise a slip of ground to erect a chapel.
The chapel was fitted up, but the settlement, which was to be called
Sharon, failed. The house was, however, inhabited by some of the
society. Count Zinzendorf himself lived there, and presided over the
community as long as he dwelt in England. In 1754 an English provincial
Synod was held here, at which the minister of the brethren’s church at
London, John Gambold, a divine greatly esteemed for his piety and
learning by several English bishops, who were his cotemporaries at
Oxford, was consecrated a bishop of the church of the brethren; he had
previously published a hymn book for the children belonging to the
brethren’s congregation, printed entirely with his own hands at Lindsey
House. The inmates of the house consisted chiefly of Germans and
missionaries, for whose use the Count principally intended the
establishment, that they might make it a sort of caravansera or resting
place when they arrived in this country, in passing to or from their
various missionary establishments in the British dominions. The panels
of the great staircase, being wainscotted, were painted by Haidt, a
celebrated German artist; there were also in the house several admirable
portraits. The house was sold by the society in 1770. There has not
been any other settlement for the Moravians since that period. Their
church is episcopal and has been acknowledged as such by Parliament.
They live, in their settlements, like members of one large family; the
most perfect harmony prevails amongst them, and they seem to have but one
wish at heart, the propagation of the Gospel and the general good of
mankind.
* * * * *
The Moravian Burial Ground, the entrance to which is at the north end of
Milman’s Row, occupies about two acres of ground. The whole is divided
into four distinct compartments. The brethren are buried in separate
divisions from those of the sisters; for, as in their public assemblies,
they still adhere to the ancient custom of separating the sexes, the men
occupying one, and the women the other side of the chapel, so they retain
it even in their burying ground. The tomb-stones are all flat, placed on
turf, raised about six inches above the ground, in regular rows. The
inscriptions in general record only the names and age of the persons
interred. Amongst them are the following:—
* * * * *
William Hammond, 1783, formerly a clergyman of the Church of England; he
was of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was the author of a book,
entitled, “The Marrow of the Gospel,” being the substance of some sermons
preached before the University. He was a man of considerable learning,
and an excellent Greek scholar, in which language he wrote his own life.
The late Rev. Mr. La Trobe had the manuscript in his possession some
years ago.
* * * * *
James Fraser, aged 63, 1808, who made fifty-six voyages between England
and Labrador, in the service of the Moravian Missions on that coast.
* * * * *
James Hutton, 1795, of whom there is an engraved portrait in mezzotinto,
with a trumpet to his ear. This worthy and well-known character was
accustomed to pay morning visits to some of the first families in
Chelsea; he used likewise to seek out objects that were in distress, and
relieved them according to their necessities. The character of Albany,
in Miss Burney’s celebrated novel of Cecilia, is said to be meant for his
portrait. He died in the 80th year of his age.
The Rev. C. J. La Trobe succeeded him as secretary to the brethren.
* * * * *
James Gillray, 1799, forty years sexton at this cemetery, father of
Gillray the celebrated caricaturist, whose works are so much admired for
their spirit and effect.
* * * * *
Pætrus Bæhler, 1770. A very active Minister among the Moravians, and one
of their bishops. He came to England in 1738, was very intimate with
Wesley and Whitfield, whom he visited at Oxford, and who were in the same
ship with him when he went to America as Minister of the Colony of
Georgia.
* * * * *
Benjamin La Trobe, 1786, father of the Rev. C. J. La Trobe, a man of
distinguished excellence as a preacher, the editor of several religious
works, and for a long time superintendent of the congregation in England.
He removed many “absurdities which prevailed in their religious
proceedings, and which had subjected the whole community to unmerited
scandal.”
* * * * *
Christian Renatus, Count of Zinzendorf, May 28, 1832. There is against
the south wall of the chapel a tablet to his memory. He was the only son
of the celebrated Count Zinzendorf.
* * * * *
Mary Theresa Stonehouse, daughter of Sir John Crisp, Bart., and wife of
the Rev. George Stonehouse, 1751. This monument is on the right of the
preceding.
* * * * *
In this cemetery also lies buried an Esquimaux Indian, called Nunak. As
he had not been baptized, he was not permitted to lie in the same
division with the community, but was placed outside the walk under an elm
tree, having an inscription to his memory in the same style as the rest
of the Brethren.
* * * * *
The burial service of the church is particularly impressive. The coffin
being deposited in the middle of the chapel, a hymn is sung by the
congregation, for they value and carefully cultivate music as a science,
and the responses of their liturgies are attended with peculiar effect.
The Minister then delivers a discourse, in which some account is given of
the deceased, with suitable exhortations. The form of service contained
in their Liturgy is next read, and the congregation then follow the
corpse, the men walking together, and the women the same. A scriptural
passage is read, commencing as follows. “Meanwhile none of us liveth to
himself; for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die,
we die unto the Lord,” &c. The following is then sung by the
congregation:—
“Now to the earth let these remains
In hope committed be,
Until the body, chang’d, obtains
Blest immortality.”
While the above verse is being sung the body is let down into the grave.
A prayer is then offered, and the whole is concluded by singing a verse
of another hymn.
* * * * *
The chapel at the north side of the burial ground occupies the site of
the old stables of Beaufort House. It is a plain building, displaying no
architectural adornments, and it is now upwards of fifty years since
Divine service was performed in it by the brethren. For a long time it
has been occupied as a schoolroom for the boys belonging to Park Chapel
National and Sunday Schools, and most of the annual meetings of the
numerous societies, which are supported by the congregation of Park
Chapel, are at present held in it.
* * * * *
The house adjoining the entrance to the Moravian Chapel and Burial
Ground, some few years since pulled down, was for many years in the
occupation of the Howard family, of the Society of Friends. The elder
Mr. Howard was gardener to Sir Hans Sloane; his brother having a natural
genius for mechanics, became a clockmaker, and made the clock in the Old
Church, in 1761, for the sum of £50. In the front of Howard’s house was
placed a large clock, and hence the origin of the appellation, “Clock
House,” as now applied to what was once the Moravian chapel.
LINDSEY ROW.
It was mentioned at the commencement of the description of Lindsey House,
that it had been divided into five houses, called Lindsey Row. These
houses still remain, and are inhabited at the present time by families of
great respectability. They command a most delightful prospect of the
Thames, which here forms a sort of bay; the view from the upper stories
is bounded on the south by the Surrey Hills, and Putney Heath on the
north.
* * * * *
Henry Constantine Jennings, Esq., a most eccentric and unfortunate
gentleman, resided in the first house on the east. He was born in 1731,
and was descended from a very ancient and illustrious family, the Nevils.
The celebrated Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, he reckoned among his
progenitors. At an early age he obtained a commission in the first
regiment of Foot Guards, and afterwards went abroad on his travels.
While in Italy, he formed an acquaintance with the Duke of Marlborough,
then Marquis of Blandford, and it is said he suggested the idea of the
cabinet of antiques, afterwards engraved by Bartolozzi, and so well known
as the Marlborough Gems. It was at this period, doubtless, that Mr.
Jennings acquired a passion for objects of taste. On his return to
England, he repaired to his seat at Shiplake, in the county of Oxford,
and unfortunately for him became addicted to the pleasures of the turf,
and the result was that his fortune was soon dissipated. Mr. Jennings
now withdrew from society and lived in obscurity. A sudden change of
fortune seems, however, to have released him from pecuniary difficulties,
for we find him collecting, with great ardour, every object of antiquity,
&c., that was presented to his notice, and which he could purchase. He
also possessed a most valuable library. But, again, he became reduced in
his circumstances, and had to dispose of his books and collections at a
vast loss.
From this time but few particulars are known of Mr. Jennings, until he
settled at Lindsey Row, about 1792. Here he continued to reside, fully
occupied as an antiquary, a virtuoso, and an author, until, at length,
his health began to decline, and his fortune daily became deteriorated,
in consequence of his inordinate passion for collecting objects of taste;
at last he closed his eccentric career a prisoner within the rules of the
King’s Bench, where he expired February 7, 1819, aged 88.
This remarkable gentleman, whom I well remember, seemed more properly to
belong to some distant generation rather than the one in which he
lived—his character, dress, and manners, were so different in every
respect. The fate of such a man, to a certain extent, awakens our
sympathy, for his pursuits were generally throughout his life most
refined; and the disasters which befel him is a warning to many in the
present day.
* * * * *
Mr. Jennings’s Museum well deserves to be noticed. It consisted of a
rare and valuable collection of the most chosen specimens of taste, and
probably the completest collection of shells. Many fine specimens of
minerals and scarce coloured gems, cameos, and intaglios; crystals, and
other choice productions of nature, such as diamonds of almost every
colour, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, &c.; not to omit many
excellent specimens of well-preserved birds and quadrupeds. Old, and
first-rate impressions of prints from Raphael, and others of the Roman
school; some fine specimens of sculpture, both ancient and modern; many
fine and scarce impressions of first editions, classical and of the
entertaining kind, with many original drawings and pictures; in short,
all that could interest one who had been long a real amateur. Among the
portraits was a fine one of Mary, Queen of Scotland, and another of
Titian and his Mistress, the Mary in her fourteenth year; likewise
several rare enamel miniatures of interesting characters; among which was
one of the Princess Elizabeth, about seventeen years of age, this latter
by Holbein; with some well-preserved medals in gold and silver.
* * * * *
This collection was disposed of by auction, by Mr. Phillips, in 1820; the
shells, and most valuable articles, being removed to Bond Street, and the
preserved birds, quadrupeds, and other articles of rarity, together with
the furniture, were sold at Lindsey Row.
* * * * *
T. Bonner, Esq., a gentleman much respected in the parish, resided in
Lindsey Row for many years. Mrs. Bonner was at all times most active in
relieving the necessitous and deserving poor. She occupied the house
some time after the death of her husband, and died a few years ago.
* * * * *