Road, is Dove Dale Place, founded by the late Mrs. Lightfoot of Balham,
(Widow of the late Dr. Lightfoot) for persons in reduced circumstances
professing godliness, whether in connection with the Church of England
or members of other Christian Churches having small yearly private
incomes of their own. There are twelve accommodations of two small
rooms each, there are two four-room cottages one at each end with
gardens. In the middle of the centre block is a Chapel and over the
window is the representation of a Dove bearing an Olive Branch. There
are some pecuniary advantages connected with the foundation. It is in
the hands of Trustees.
On a plot of ground by the main road opposite Dove Dale Place stands
an _old boiler_ that belonged to one Andrew Mann--it has stood (we are
told) where it is for the last twenty five years. Before its removal to
Battersea, it stood on a piece of land in Vauxhall Bridge Road.
LAMMAS HALL situated in Bridge Road West, is Licensed Pursuant to Act
of Parliament of the 25th of King George 2nd, was erected in 1858.
The Hall will seat about 400 persons and may be hired for lectures,
concerts, and other public purposes. The front part of the building
is used as a Vestry Hall and for the transaction of other parochial
business. A more commodious Hall is urgently needed in a central part
of the parish, so also are required Baths, Lavatory, and a Public
Library. Lammas Hall owes its origin from a fund which was paid by
the Battersea Park Commissioners for the extinguishment of the Lammas
Rights to the Churchwardens, by resolution of the Vestry after several
schemes had been brought forward they proposed to build a Hall and Vice
Chancellor Stuart appointed the Trustees hence its name "Lammas Hall."
Mr Thomas Harrap, _Vestry Clerk_.
THE UNION WORKHOUSE, erected in 1836 is situated within the boundary
of Battersea parish at the junction of East Hill and St. John's Hill,
it is an extensive brick building with accommodation for 833 inmates.
The Infirmary adjoining was added in 1870 at a cost of £40,000. The
Casual Ward in addition is constructed for 117 casual paupers. The
Union comprises Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting,
and Wandsworth with a population in 1871 of 125,000 and an area of
11,488 acres. John Sanders, _Solicitor and Clerk_; Edward H. Taylor,
_Assistant Clerk_; Rev. William Armstrong, _Chaplain_; T. H. Cresswell,
_Medical Officer_; John Hodge, _Master_; Mrs Martha Hodge, _Matron_;
Mr. Pettman, _Missionary_.[1]
[Footnote 1: The poor of England till the time of Henry VIII. subsisted
as the poor of Ireland until 1838 entirely upon private benevolence.
Judge Blackstone observes that till the Statute 26, Henry VIII. cap.
26, he finds no compulsory method for providing for the poor, but
upon the total dissolution of the Monasteries, abundance of Statutes
were made in the reign of King Henry VIII., Edward VI. and Elizabeth
which at last established the Poor's Rate, a legal assessment for the
support of the poor. Before the Reformation immense sums of money
were appropriated for charitable purposes, and notwithstanding many
abuses the religious order of those days never so far lost sight of
this original institution as ever to neglect the poor. The famous
Statute of the 43rd of Elizabeth, 1601, by which Overseers were
appointed for Parishes is the basis of all the poor laws in England.
By Statute 23, Edward III., 1342, it was enacted that none should give
alms to a beggar able to work. An Act was passed 1531, empowering
Justices to grant licenses to poor and impotent persons to beg within
certain limits of territory. By the Common Law, the poor were to be
sustained by "parsons, rectors of the church and parishioners so that
none should die for default of sustenance," and by 15 Richard II.
impropriators were obliged to distribute a yearly sum to the poor. An
act of 1601 directed that every parish shall provide for its own poor
by an assessment to be levied by the Justices in General Sessions and
embodied regulations as to how assessment should be made and applied.
In 1782 Workhouse Unions were introduced by an Act called Gilbert's
Act. The Act of 1834 among other changes established the system of
Poor Law Unions. In Scotland the poor were really maintained by the
private Alms of individuals and by certain funds under the management
of the _Kirk Session_, which when regularly constituted consisted of
the Minister, Elders, Session Clerk and Kirk Treasurer. The Presbytery
was by law appointed Auditor of the Poor's Accounts of the several
parishes. In the event of any difficult case arising in the discharge
of this duty the Presbytery could lay it before the Synod for advice.
"Scotland and Ireland have been legislated for separately, their poor
laws are similar to the English in principle and practice; both are
administered by a Central Board, which supervises the local bodies
charged with relief, and in both the rate is levied on the annual value
of real property. The present system in Scotland was instituted by the
8th and 9th Vic. c. 83 (1845). Scotland is divided into 883 parishes,
some of them combined for Workhouse accommodation. The relief is
administered by a parochial board, appointed by ratepayers, the Burgh
Magistrate and the Kirk Session. They appoint Inspectors of the poor
who act as relieving officers. The Scotch law differs from the English
and Irish in allowing no relief to able bodied adults."]
Old Battersea Workhouse, which has long since been pulled down,
was situated in the neighbourhood of Battersea Square. In the same
neighbourhood is the "Priory," now the residence of Mr. Oakman. Not
far from the Raven Tavern was the "Cage," in Surrey Lane, for the
confinement of petty criminals. Near the Prince's Head Tavern was the
Pound in which cattle were enclosed for trespass until replevied or
redeemed. Also a wooden machine called the "Stocks" to put the legs of
offenders in, for securing disorderly persons, and by way of punishment
in divers cases, ordained by statute, &c., was erected without the
gates of Battersea Churchyard, near the waterside.
In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, writes Robert Chambers
in his "Book of Days," there flourished at the corner of the lane
leading from the Wandsworth Road to Battersea Bridge a tavern yclept
"The Falcon," kept by one Robert Death--a man whose figure is said to
have ill comported with his name, seeing that it displayed the highest
appearance of jollity and good condition. A merry-hearted artist,
named John Nixon, passing the house one day, found an Undertaker's
company regaling themselves at 'Death's door,' having just discharged
their duty to a rich Nabob in a neighbouring churchyard, they had ...
found an opportunity for refreshing exhausted nature; and well did they
ply the joyful work before them. The artist, tickled at a festivity
among such characters in such a place, sketched them on the spot. This
sketch was soon after published, accompanied by a cantata from another
hand of no great merit, in which the foreman of the company, Mr. Sable,
is represented as singing as follows, to the tune of 'I've kissed and
I've prattled with fifty fair maids':--
"Dukes, Lords, have I buried, and squires of fame,
And people of every degree;
But of all the fine jobs that ere came in my way,
A funeral like this for me.
This, this is the job
That fills the fob;
Oh! the burying of a Nabob for me!
Unfeather the hearse, put the pall in the bag,
Give the horses some oats and some hay;
Drink our next merry meeting and quackeries increase
With three times three and hurra!"
A portion of the Falcon Tavern erected about 275 years ago at the end
of Falcon Lane still remains with the old witch elm tree in front,
its hollow trunk, to which a door is attached, answers the purpose
of a bin or cupboard where hay is put with which to feed horses, and
the old wooden-cased pump, fastened with rusty holdfasts to the tree,
may still be seen. On the 15th of January, 1811, a printed engraving
was published representing "Undertakers regaling" by this road-side
inn, a copy of which may now be seen within. At that time R. Death was
the landlord, he had written outside the tavern in large characters,
Robert Death, Dealer in Genuine Rum, Gin, Wine; an Ordinary on Sundays;
Tea, Coffee and Hot Rolls; Syllabubs and Cheese-cakes in the highest
perfection. The subjoined doggerel lines as a skit or burlesque on the
publican's name is published with the engraving:--
"O stop not here ye sottish wights,
For purl nor ale nor gin,
For if you stop whoe'er alights
By Death is taken in.
When having eat and drank your fill
Should ye, O hapless case,
Neglect to pay your landlord's bill
Death stares you in the face.
With grief sincere I pity those
Who've drawn themselves this scrape in,
Since from this dreadful gripe, heaven knows,
Alas! there's no escaping.
This one advice my friend pursue
Whilst you have life and breath,
Ne'er pledge your host for if you do
You'll surely drink to Death."
The Falcon Tavern is now kept by Mr. J. G. Brown.
Mr. Edward Walford in his work entitled "Old and New London," published
by Cassell, Petter and Galpin, London; in Part 66 at Page 479, writes,
"Battersea has other claims to immortality: in spite of the claims
of Burton and Edinburgh, there can be little doubt, if Fuller is a
trustworthy historian, that one of the ozier beds of the river side
here was the cradle of bottled ale. The story is thus circumstantially
told in 'The Book of Anecdote':--Alexander Nowell, Dean of St Paul's
and Master of Westminster School in the reign of Queen Mary, was a
supporter of 'the new opinions' and also an excellent angler. But,
writes Fuller, while Nowell was catching of fishes Bishop Bonner was
after catching of Nowell, and would certainly have sent him to the
Tower if he could have caught him, as doubtless he would have done
had not a good merchant of London conveyed him away safely upon the
seas. It so happened that Nowell had been fishing upon the banks of
the Thames when he received the first intimation of his danger, which
was so pressing that he dared not even go back to his house to make
any preparation for his flight. Like an honest angler, he had taken
with him on this expedition provisions for the day, in the shape of
some bread and cheese and some beer in a bottle; and on his return
from London and to his own haunts he remembered that he had left these
stores in a safe place upon the bank, and there he resolved to look
for them. The bread and cheese of course were gone; but the bottle was
still there--'yet no bottle, but rather a gun: such was the sound at
the opening thereof.' And this trifling circumstance, quaintly observes
Fuller, 'is believed to have been the origin of bottled ale in England,
for casualty (_i.e._ accident) is mother of more inventions than is
industry.'"
On the road to Wandsworth and facing Plough Lane was "Ye Plough Inn,"
erected A.D. 1701. In front of this Inn grew an oak to which an iron
ring was fastened, and it is supposed that here Dick Turpin the
notorious highwayman occasionally reined up his bonny black mare. When
the Inn was re-built in 1875-6 the trunk was removed to the front of
the "Old House" in Plough Lane, which formerly belonged to Mr. Carter,
who owned extensive market gardens about here. The following lines were
written in commemoration of the famous Old Plough Tree, and the present
landlord has had the lines enframed for his customers to read:--
"This stump the remains of the Old Oak Tree,
That flourish'd when knights of the road roamed free,
When bands of lawless yet chivalrous knights
Struck fear to the hearts of purse-proud wights!
This gay old king of the forest's wilds,
His proud head bow'd to the sun's bright smiles,
In glorious prime when his branches were strong
As shoulders of Atlas in time long gone!
His leaves in the murmuring breeze did fling
Their sweet green shade o'er the Old Plough Inn!
When the knights of the road of their deeds did sing,
'Twas there to his side was first fixed the ring
To which Dick Turpin the gallant and bold
When going to the Plough to spend his bright gold
Did tether his mare, swift Bonny Black Bess.
When rider and horse stopp'd here to get rest.
Removed from his place when the Old Plough's head
By time's fell decree in ruin was laid!
This stump that remains of the Old Plough tree
In front of 'The Old House,' in Plough Lane you may see.
Here placed in memory of the Old Plough Inn
An aged memento of things that have been!
Here in his last stage, sapped branchless and grey,
Here in cool September, the trunk's first day,
In the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six,
Was planted by Messrs. J. Goodman and Wilkes."
_William Holloway._
Situated in Plough Lane, and nearly opposite the residence of the late
Rev. I. M. Soule, were Alms Houses for eight poor widows, founded by
Mrs. Henry Tritton. The whole of this estate is now built upon and is
called May Soule Road.
At Lawn House, now occupied by Mr. Miller the Barge Builder in Lombard
Road, of the Firm of Nash and Miller, lived Mr. Hammett, of the firm
of Eisdale and Hammett, Bankers. He was a great patron of the rowing
fraternity and kept an open house two days in the year. He awarded the
prizes for the Kean's Sovereigns and the Funny Boat Club races on the
lawn in front of his house.
The Old Swan Tavern (now kept by Mr. R. Turner) nearly opposite the
Star and Garter, was a kind of half-way house between Lambeth and
Putney for the Eton and Westminster scholars who used to put in
here when training for the great rowing match so strongly contested
between them, but who in the zenith of their fame never obtained such
popularity as the annual boat race has done of late between the Cantabs
and Oxonians.
An old-fashioned print represents the former Parish Church of
Battersea with square tower crowned with lantern and pinnacles, not
far off is the Swan Tavern with stairs leading down to the river
where persons arriving by boat might land. An excellent wood-cut
engraving in "Lysons's Environs" represents not only the New Parish
Church but the sign of the Old Swan with two necks. Charles Dibdin in
a ballad opera entitled "The Waterman; or the first of August," first
performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, August 8th, 1774, Scene
III.--Battersea--represents a room at the Swan, with a large open
window looking on the Thames in which Master Bundle the honest gardener
and hen-pecked husband, and Mrs. Bundle the termagant wife, the Star
of Battersea, figure conspicuously. Reference is also made in Scene I.
to the "Black Raven," now kept by W. Ambrose. It is said that in olden
time this was a Posting Establishment for Royalty.
Situated on Wandsworth Common and overlooking the London Brighton and
South-Coast and South-Western Railways are the Royal Victoria Patriotic
Schools for Boys and Girls, children of deceased soldiers, sailors and
marines. Founded by Her Most Gracious Majesty, 1854-56. The Patriotic
Asylum was endowed by the Commissioners of the Royal Patriotic Fund
which was instituted in 1854 for the purpose of giving "assistance to
the widows and orphans of those who fell during the Crimean and more
recent wars, and to provide schools for their children." Within the
boundary of Battersea Parish is situated the Asylum for Boys but the
Asylum for Girls which is some three hundred yards distant is in the
parish of Wandsworth. 200 boys are in the Asylum. _Superintendent_, W.
Ridpath; _Office_, 5, St Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square; _Secretary_,
W. H. Mugford, Esq.
Near the southern boundary of the parish and not far from Wandsworth
Common Railway Station, are situated St. James' Industrial Schools.
[1]This Institution stands on a portion of 22 acres of land purchased
of the Right Honourable Frederick Earl Spencer, K.G., and conveyed to
the Governors and Directors of the Poor of the Parish of St. James,
Westminster, by Deed bearing dates, the thirtieth day of December, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty. The first stone laid 24th September,
1851. The School opened 22nd June, 1852. F. Parkis, Superintendent.
There are now 141 boys in the schools. On leaving a premium of £10 is
given to each boy to learn a trade. Mrs. Anne Newton, late of upper
Harley Street in the Parish of Mary-le-bone, widow, deceased, by her
Will left, dated the 12th of March, 1806, £1,000. £429 19s. 3d. has
been received through the Court of Chancery. The interest is given to
the best boy selected by his fellow scholars, on condition that the
Superintendent agrees with their decision.
[Footnote 1: Mr. Beal sold on Wednesday, March 13th, 1878, at the Mart,
14½ acres of land for £14,500, being part of 20 acres bought in 1850
for the sum of £600. The land is in Battersea Parish, bordering on
Wandsworth Common, and was part of the site of the Westminster Union
(St. James') Industrial Schools. It was bought by the British Land
Company.]
The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls supported entirely by
_Voluntary Contributions_, was instituted on the 25th March, 1788,
at the suggestion of the late Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini,
Surgeon-Dentist to his late Majesty, George the Fourth, for the
purpose of educating, clothing, and maintaining a limited number of
girls, whether orphans or otherwise, the children of Brethren whose
reduced means prevented them from affording their female offspring a
suitable education. His late Majesty, the Prince of Wales, with other
members of the Royal Family, the nobility, clergy and gentry, and
many of the most influential members of the craft, gave the project
their warmest support, and by their united efforts established this
Institution, which has preserved numbers of children from the dangers
and misfortunes to which females are peculiarly exposed, trained
them up in the knowledge and love of virtue and habits of industry,
and cultivated the practice of such social, moral and religious
duties as might best conduce to their welfare and eternal happiness.
A school-house was erected in 1793, near the Obelisk, St. George's
Fields, on leasehold ground belonging to the Corporation of the City
of London. At the expiration of the lease in 1851, it was determined
by the Committee to remove to a more healthy locality. Accordingly
about three acres of freehold land were purchased on the high ground
of Battersea Rise. Upon this land the present building, which is an
ornament to the neighbourhood, was erected in 1852. It is constructed
of red brick of Gothic architecture from the designs of Mr. Phillip
Hardwicke, and is noticeable for its great central clock tower. Since
the first erection of the building a wing has been added and the
wings of the buildings have been extended in front in order to afford
extra school-room, dining room and dormitory accommodation. Detached
from the main building an Infirmary has been erected in the grounds,
including _convalescent room, laundry, and every appliance necessary
thereto_. The establishment consists of a Matron; a Governess; three
Assistant Governesses; an Assistant to the Matron, and six Junior
Teachers; a Gardener and his Wife; and eight female Servants. Since its
establishment, one thousand and ninety-one girls have been educated,
clothed, and maintained within its walls. There are now _one hundred
and sixty-two_ girls in the Institution. The school is open for
inspection every day from eleven to four (Sundays excepted) and can
be reached by any train stopping at Clapham Junction which is closely
adjacent.
CLAPHAM JUNCTION is in the direction of St. John's Hill, at the
north-eastern extremity of Wandsworth Common. "The station itself
which was at first one of the most inconvenient, was re-built a few
years ago, and now with its various sidings and goods-sheds cover
several acres of ground." It is one of the most important railway
junctions south of the Thames, offering facilities to persons desirous
of travelling not only to any part of the Metropolis but to all parts
of England. Easy access can be had to the eight different platforms
for "upline" and "downline," etc., on entering the tunnel. Booking
office for Kensington, Metropolitan line, etc., on the ground floor
at the north end of the tunnel and facing No. 2 platform; Booking
office South-Western line No. 5 platform; Booking office Brighton and
South-Coast No. 8 platform; also Telegraph office ditto ditto.
At the Junction there are thirteen waiting rooms, two refreshment bars,
two cab ranks, two carriage roads to the Junction from St. John's Hill.
Nearly 1,000 trains pass through the Junction daily. The staff of
railway employés are respectful and obliging to passengers; there is
none of that bull-dog growl in reply to questions which characterize
some men with surly dispositions who fill public positions.
"Evil is wrought from want of thought
As well as want of heart."
London, Brighton and South-Coast Railway: Station Master, Mr. John B.
Carne; South-Western Railway: Station Master, Mr. Thomas Green. West
London Extension Railway: Battersea Station, High Street.
BATTERSEA PROVIDENT DISPENSARY, 175, High Street, founded 1844,
re-organized 1876; President, The Rev. Canon Erskine Clarke, Vicar of
Battersea; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. B. W. Bayley; Committee
for 1881, Dr. J. Brown, Mr. J. H. T. Connor, Mr. Heale, Mr. Merry,
Mr. Pilditch, Rev. S. G. Scott, Rev. H. G. Sprigg, Rev. J. Toone,
Mr. Trehearne, Mr. Tyrer, Mr. H. Urwicke; Elected Representatives of
Benefit Members, Mr. King, Mr. Whensley; Medical Officers, Mr. Oakman,
The Priory, Battersea Square; Mr. G. F. Burroughs, Queen's Road, and
Grayshott Road; Dr. R. Frazer, Sisters Terrace, Lavender Hill; Mr.
Biggs, 93, Northcote Road; Mr. Sewell (Kempster & Sewell), 247,
Battersea Park Road; Resident Dispenser, Mr. Whitehead; Collector, Mr.
Chatting.
The Funds of the Institution are derived from two sources. (1) From
the weekly payments of Subscribers who are termed members. (2) From
annual contributions of the more affluent, who on subscribing to the
Institution become honorary members. Medical attendance and medicine
are supplied to persons earning not more than 30/- a week on payment
of one penny per week for those over 14, and one half-penny per week
for those under 14; but no greater sum than fourpence shall be required
from any family residing together as such. To persons earning more than
30/- and not more than 50/- per week, double the terms named above.
Members select their own medical attendant from the medical officers
of the Institution. The medical officers attend at the Dispensary at
appointed hours, but give advice at their own residences, and visit the
sick at their own houses when necessary. The Dispensary is open for the
supply of medicines daily, except Sunday, at 10, 3 and 7; but medicines
are supplied at all hours in urgent cases.
WANDSWORTH COMMON PROVIDENT DISPENSARY, Bolingbroke House.--President,
The Rev. Canon J. Erskine Clarke; Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers,
Rev. J. H. Hodgson, Church House, Bolingbroke Grove; J. S. Wood, Esq.,
Woodville, Upper Tooting; Honorary Dentist, A. J. East, Esq., St.
John's Hill, New Wandsworth; Resident Medical Officer, Dr. John H. Gray.
CHARITY ORGANIZATION SOCIETY, 1, Clifton Terrace.--Office hours, 9
till 10 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Joint Secretaries: J. H. Ward, Esq., and
Frank Knight, Esq., Agent, Mr. J. T. Thornton. Sub-office: St. George's
Mission Room, New Road.
THE PENNY BANK, 1, Clifton Terrace, Battersea Park Road, is open on
Mondays and Saturdays, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Conspicuously situated at the corner of Simpson Street, Battersea Park
Road, is No. 54 Metropolitan Fire Brigade Station, erected 1873-4,
is substantially built of red brick, with turret. In case of fire
two engines and one fire-escape are kept on the premises. Staff: one
officer and four men.
"We are indebted to Germany for the invention of the first fire engine."