At one time called Parsonage-lane. At the end of a turning on the
right-hand side was the old Roman Catholic Chapel, which was used until
the present Church was erected in the High-road. The Grange needs no
description, as it still looks as it did in the days when I remember Miss
Buckworth living there. After passing several good houses, one came to
the Vicarage, which still stands; the senior curate, the Reverend John
Saumarey Winter, lived there. Then there were two good houses, the
further of which was the scene of a very sad accident—two children being
burned to death in their beds. The parents were away from home, and the
servants, taking advantage of their absence, gave a party, and forgot all
about the poor little ones until too late. Before St. Katharine’s
College was built the ground was used for allotment gardens; there is so
little alteration in the cottages and houses that follow that no
description is needed. Dr. Robinson, who wrote the History of Tottenham,
in 1818, lived in the house now known as Trafalgar House. There was a
large field opposite, the path through which formed a quick cut to the
bend of the lane. On one side was a quick set hedge, and bank; in about
the middle the path widened into what looked like a little room, and
here, under the shelter of the hedge, poor old Blind Charlie lived for
many years. The Rev. Mr. Hall, the Vicar, kindly gave him a mattress to
lie on. In the field adjoining the Churchyard a poor, homeless boy dug a
hole, near the hedge, where he used to sleep, the opening being covered
with a tea-tray. But he was not allowed to stay there long, as children
were afraid of passing. The old bridge crossing the Moselle was a
pretty, narrow one, and on either side stood a fine oak tree. The trees
in the second field were very beautiful.