75 years ago, was a very pretty quiet village, most of the houses were
good and old-fashioned; there were several mansions, but very few shops.
It was a favourite resort for Royalty, and has always been considered a
very healthy neighbourhood. Some of the inhabitants lived to a very
advanced age.
The highway was measured in 1611; it was two miles and a quarter long.
Mile stones were then erected.
The parish was divided into different Manors, called Pembrokes, Bruces,
Daubeneys, Mockings, and Dovecotes or Ducketts.
Tottenham Manor was sold at auction, 10th April, 1805. Sir William
Curtis, Baronet, purchased it for £11,000. There were then 38 copyhold
tenants. A Court Leet was held every year at the Old Plough Inn,
High-road, and anyone wishing to be admitted attended there for that
purpose. This was discontinued about the year 1860, as there was not
sufficient homage to summon. All business since then has been transacted
at the office of the Steward of the Manor.
I remember hearing my father say one of the homage (a very old gentleman,
Mr. Philip Hunt), was late for the dinner. He explained he had nearly
reached his destination when he thought his poor horse looked tired, so
he took him home and afterwards walked there.
There was a considerable amount of waste land at that time, and the turf
was sold at 5s. per hundred, 2s. 6d. for the order, and 2s. 6d. for
cutting—10s. per hundred. This has been discontinued for a great many
years.