which was built in 1841–2, is one of the largest in England, and none too
large for present requirements. Coombes Croft was then used for several
different purposes. At one time it was a Home for Little Boys, and
afterwards offices for the Local Board of Health. This body was not
organised until 1850, when the meetings were held at the Free Grammar
School.
The private improvement rate was made when the main works for the water
supply and drainage were approaching completion. This the owner could
either pay at once, and in that case was entitled to a reduction, or it
could extend over a period not exceeding thirty years. All who were able
to pay in one sum did so. Mr. Heath was the first clerk. He served the
Board for nineteen years, and was succeeded in 1869 by Mr. Crowne, who
still holds the office of Clerk to the Tottenham Urban District Council.
When Mr. Crowne first came Tottenham and Wood Green were one parish. In
1888 they were separated, and Wood Green became a separate parish in
1894. Years ago there was so little postal work that only one postman
was employed for the two parishes.
“The Three Coneys” was the original name of what is now known as “The
Bell and Hare.” Passing by Park-lane there were several good houses—one
was called “The Cedars.” The name was given to it on account of two
beautiful cedar trees in the garden, which were planted by Queen
Elizabeth on one of her visits to Tottenham. The next house has been
occupied by a doctor as long as I remember, and the adjoining house,
lately called “The Vicarage,” was first used for that purpose when the
Rev. J. G. Hale was Vicar of All Hallows; prior to this it was occupied
by Capt. Goss, the first commanding officer of the local Volunteers. The
title deeds of the next house, occupied by the late Mrs. Mudge, date back
as far as the time of Charles I. It has a basement kitchen, with very
low ceiling. The steps from the road lead into the sitting-room, and
when one has passed through the door there is still a step to be taken to
get on the floor; the windows extending below the level of the floor.
In the small house, which came next, James Filsell, the Parish Clerk,
lived. He had the care of the parish map; this is now kept in the vestry
room at All Hallows.