In "N. & Q." (Vol. i., p. 141.) there appeared an article upon the Isle of
Dogs, &c., which spoke of the neglected topography of the east of London,
and requested information on one or two points. Having felt much interested
in this matter, I have endeavoured to obtain information by personal
investigation, and send you the following from among a mass of Notes:--
1. _Isle of Dogs._ In a map drawn up in 1588 by Robert Adams, engraved in
1738, this name is applied to an islet in the river Thames, still in part
existing, at the south-west corner of the peninsula. From this spot the
name appears to have extended to the entire marsh.
2. _Dick Shore_, Limehouse. This is now called _Duke Shore_, Fore Street.
In Gascoyne's Map of Stepney, 1703, it is called _Dick Shoar_. Since that
time _Dick_ has become a _Duke_. Mr. Pepys would find boats there now if he
visited the spot.
3. Mr. Pepys, in his _Diary_ of Mar. 23, 1660, speaks of "the great
breach," near Limehouse. The spot now forming the entrance to the City
Canal or South Dock of the West India Dock Company was called "the breach,"
when the canal was formed.
4. July 31, 1665. Mr. Pepys speaks of the _Ferry_ in the Isle of Dogs. This
ferry is named as a horse-ferry by Norden in the _Britanniae Speculum_, 1592
(MS.). The ferry is still used, but only seldom as a horse-ferry.
5. Oct. 9, 1661. Mr. P. mentions Captain Marshe's, at Limehouse, close by
the lime-house. There is still standing there a large old brick house,
which may be the same; and the lime-kiln yet exists, for, as Norden says,
"ther is a kiln contynually used."
6. Sept. 22, 1665. Mr. P. speaks of a discovery made "in digging the late
docke." This discovery consisted of nut trees, nuts, yew, ivy, &c., twelve
feet below the surface. Johnson no doubt told him the truth. The same
discovery was made in 1789, in digging the Brunswick Dock, also at
Blackwall, and elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
This very week (Aug. 25, 1853) I procured specimens of several kinds of
wood, with land and freshwater shells, from as great a depth in an
excavation at the West India Docks; the wood from a bed of peat, the shells
from a bed of clay resting upon it. There exists an ancient house at the
dock which Mr. P. visited, and which is probably the same.
Other illustrations of the _Diary_ from this quarter might be adduced; let
these, however, suffice as a specimen.
It may probably be new to most of your readers, as it is to me, that an
ancient house in Blackwall (opposite the Artichoke Tavern) is said to have
been the residence of Sebastian Cabot at one time, and at another that of
_Sir Walter Raleigh_. Whether the tradition be true or not, the house is
very curious, and worth a visit, if not worthy of being sketched and
engraved to preserve its memory. Perhaps the photograph in this case could
be applied.
It is not impossible that Sir John de Pulteney or Poultney, to whom the
manor of Poplar was granted in the 24th of Edward III., resided on this
spot. My reasons for thinking it are--this fact, which connects him with
the neighbourhood; and the inference from two other facts, viz. that the
house in which Sir John resided in town was {264} called _Cold Harbour_,
and that _Cold Harbour_ is here also to be found. Sir John Pulteney is thus
connected with both the places known by this name.
I would give my name in verification, but you have it, as you should have
the names and addresses of all your correspondents.