THE DOVER EXPRESS AND EAST KENT NEWS—FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1901.

XIV. CAPLE-LE-FERNE.

Caple-le-Ferne is a fine breezy place on the high ground south of Alkham Valley, and on a level with tho cliffs that overlook the Warren near Folkestone. The parish of Caple comprises an area of 1,036 acres, and the houses are pretty evenly distributed over it, for although there is a place called Caple Street, the houses, instead of being congregated there, are both few and far between.

Ways to Caple.

There are many ways to Caple, and none of them very easy to find, for in spite of most kind and voluminous directions, we “wandered wide.” and thereby saw a good deal more of the parish than we bargained for, but not a bit too much, nature presenting charms in every direction. From Dover, on foot, Caple can be reached through Elms Vale, West Hougham, and from thence over the fields. The church, stands in the fields, surrounded by a strong bodyguard of tall firs. Church Farm, now called Manor House, a substantial mansion with a glorious garden, adjoins the churchyard, giving the idea of its being the Vicarage, but Caple enjoys no such endowment. Then there are other ways to Caple. It can be reached from the Folkestone-road, just about the Royal Oak. From Alkham Valley there are several ways. The nearest, a footpath up from Drellingore, is difficult to find, for it dodges in and out amongst gorse bushes, the track being indistinct owing to little use and its intersection by sheep runs. There is also a carriage road, rather steep, from the Standen Waterworks, which, by sundry windings through lovely lanes, leads through Hockley Sole up to Caple Street and Satmar. Then there is a path up the hill from Standen, which affords a splendid view of that part of Alkham Valley which lies towards Folkestone. When the top of the hill is reached, the valley, comprising Great and Little Cauldham Farms, Standen Farm, Oak Farm, and Lady Wood, lies before the eye like a piece of many-coloured patchwork, the green of the woods and hedges contrasting with the hematite brown of the arable patches, the deep fresh green of the lucerne, the golden hue of the cornfields, and the dead, burnt-up, colour of the hillside pastures. A charming landscape, well worth climbing to the top of Mr. Aird’s sheep run to see. Turning from the valley, towards the tableland southward, the path comes out at Hockley Sole, and after sundry twistings and turnings, leads to Caple Sole, and from thence round to the church.

The Church and its History.

We found the church—the church of St. Mary—standing solitary in the fields. It is a well-constructed edifice, which must have stood some centuries—probably six. The general style of the fabric is Early English, but the windows, which seem to have been inserted later, are good examples of the perpendicular. There appears to have been an ancient church at Caple-le-Ferne at the time of the Conquest, for soon after that period it was presented, by the name of Chapel of Maureggo, by Hamo de Crevequer, to the Abbot and Convent of St. Radigund, and with them it seems to have remained till the dissolution of religious houses in the time of Henry VIII. Then it passed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was joined with the Vicarage of Alkham. The re-building of the church in its present style, and its dedication to St. Mary, must have taken place during the time it was in the possession of the Abbot of St. Radigund, for the St. Radigund’s fraternity were great builders, it appearing from the papers in the Record Office, that they entered into a contract between the years 1346 and 1349 to do extensive works of repair at Dover Castle, and the probabilities are that St. Mary’s, Caple-le-Ferne, was built and dedicated at that period. The church as it stands consists of chancel, nave, south porch, and low western tower containing two bells. The interior is remarkably plain, and has accommodation for about a hundred worshippers. Formerly, a western gallery afforded some additional room, but that has long since been removed. The most remarkable feature in the church is a singular triple arch between the nave and the chancel, an arrangement which we have not noticed elsewhere, and probably was the work of an original genius from St. Radigund’s, when church-building styles were invented and not slavishly copied. On the south side of the chancel are two small nitches with trefoil heads, and on the north side, near the floor, is an ancient brass, on which are engraved two principal figures and five smaller, and it bears an inscription in old text, which, owing to the unusual formation of the letters and the dullness of the light, we were not able to decipher. Turning from ancient to modern features, we find traces of the generosity of the Morris family, who are present owners of the Manor. One member restored the tower, another the south porch, another gave the Church Bible, and the beautiful and substantial lych gate was the gift of Captain and Mrs. Morris on the occasion of their marriage in 1894. The one thing needed in connection with this church is the want of a sufficient separate endowment to warrant the appointment of a Curate-in-charge. At the present time there is but one Sunday service, but that is even better than the parish fared in the early days of the Reformation, it appearing from the records of Archbishop Parker’s visitation in 1573, that many of the churches in East Kent were neglected, being in the hands of pluralists, and it is mentioned that Caple-le-Ferne at that time was only having an average of one sermon a year. And yet Caple-le-Ferne has made the fortune of one junior clergyman in a way that might incite some modern young curate to volunteer to do regular service.

A Caple-le-Ferne Romance.

Hoping that the use of the term romance may be forgiven in connection with the church, we here relate a local story absolutely true. The Manor of Caple for many generations was in the hands of the Crevequer family, who first gave this Chapel of Maureggo to St. Radigund’s, and they had a residence that was more picturesque than comfortable, with the said chapel in its curtilage. The Crevequers passed away, and in their place came Captain William Young—not a military captain, nor yet a R.N. Captain Young was a master of ships for the East India Company, and he thereby amassed wealth. He bought Caple Church Farm, and also Caple Sole, and the ancient but inconvenient mansion of the Crevequers he swept away with his masterful command, and had built on its site, the large, roomy, and comfortable Manor House—the same, probably, that stands there to-day. Captain William Young might have settled down when he built that mansion, and allowed the ships of the East India Company to be navigated by others; but he was restless, and could not vegitate at a quiet place like Caple, notwithstanding that the whiff of the briny Channel came up to him ever the not distant cliffs. His son William was as restless as he, and they both went on a voyage to the East, he as the captain of the Degrave, and his son as his mate. The outward voyage was uneventful, but at Madras Captain William Young was stricken with fever and died. His son then took command, and in returning, the ship was wrecked, and the crew were cast ashore on the island of Madagascar, in the year 1702, where the natives secured them as prisoners, and William Young, the younger, was forthwith eaten by the savages. If we were writing a story for the “World-wide Magazine,” here would be a line opportunity to enlarge, for Robert Drury, one of the crew of the Degrave, who was too wide-awake to be eaten, lived on the island fifteen years, and afterwards published a book which ran through several editions, entitled “Madagascar: or Robert Drury’s Journal during fifteen years’ captivity on that Island; edited by Captain Oliver.” It is true that the details of Drury’s narrative were as much doubted as those of De Rougement, but the criticisms thereon only added to their interest. That, however, is another story. All that concerns us at Caple is that William Young, the younger, never returned, and by the will of William Young, the elder, the estates of the Manor of Caple, including Caple Church Farm and Caple Sole Farm, became the property of his daughter, Elizabeth Young, who was subsequently married to Henry Hughes, of Deptford, and there was issue of that marriage one daughter, Alice Hughes. Henry Hughes died, and Elizabeth, his wife, married a second husband, William Veel, Comptroller of the Customs of Kent. The whole family lived at the Manor House, adjoining the church, which Captain Young had not long before built, the family circle being made up of Alice Young, an aged dame, widow of the deceased Captain, William Veel and his wife. Alice Hughes, daughter of the first marriage, and Master Young Veel, son of the second marriage. Into this circle, in the year 1720, came the young Curate of Mr. Douling, Vicar of Alkham, on his occasional visits to Caple to preach there, and he won his way to the heart of Alice Hughes, who had the additional attraction of being the heiress of Caple Sole. This fortunate young Curate, by name John Minet, son of Isaac Minet, of Dover, was married to Alice Hughes in 1724, the Curate having in the meantime been transformed into a Rector—the Rector of Eythorne, and when we come, in due course, to tell the annals of that village, we shall continue this story, which more intimately affects that place than Caple; but at this point an extract from Isaac Minet’s diary will be interesting respecting this young Curate’s birth and entry into the ministry: “John Minet, borne ye 24 Sep., 1695. Baptized 30 Sep. Sd. John is a studient now at the University of Cambridge about 4 years (1717). He was Curatt one year to Mr. Douling, at Ocum, near Dover. The 18th Aug., 1720, this, my eldest son, John Minet, aged 25 years, gave me £15 to keep for him, it being the first money he had earned, for six months from about January last yr he had preached as Curat for Mr. Dolling at Ockam, Ewell, and Caple. I prayse God for it, and pray His blessing may be continued on my said son; and he paid me since half a year more, £15. I have made good the £30 above mentioned to my son, John Minet, in his account.” Without following the career of John Minet further now, it may be added that the Manor House at Caple, with the lands attached, went to, Mr Young Veel, and a few years later that estate was purchased by William Minet, and the two estates of Caple Church and Caple Sole remained in the Minet family from 1753 till 1874, when they by sale came into the possession of the present owners. In the nave of Caple Church there is a marble tablet to the memory of Alice Minet (nee- Hughes), widow of the Rev. John Minet, Rector of Eythorne, who died 15th August, 1778, aged 77. There is also alongside it a marble tablet to the memory of Mary Minet, wife of Hughes Minet, of London, who died 21st November, 1768, aged 31. This Hughes Minet, though described as of London, was the owner of the Caple estates, and was Mayor of Dover in 1765. His wife Mary, to whom the tablet refers, died at Eltham, and the body was brought to Caple for interment, the spot being endeared to Mr. Hughes Minet owing to his mother’s (Alice Hughes) connection therewith. As we look at the old church we can picture, in 1720, the young Curate, John Minet, preaching there, and the village maiden, Alice Hughes, in the seats below; and also, in later years, the more portly Rev. John Minet, Rector of Eythorne, on his visit to the Manor, preaching to a congregation which, though thin in number and dull in apprehension, had wonderful interest to him, arising out of old associations, fit is fitting that the name of his wife Alice, the maiden of Caple, be engraved in lasting marble over against the pulpit where her husband preached, and where he earned, in addition to his stipend of £30 a year, one of the best wives that ever lived.

Caple Memories.

Around the old church at Caple there is a a rather extensive graveyard, encircling which the tall straight firs stand as silent sentries, and if there were only time and a few clues, what a vast amount of Caple history might be here gathered up! Ranged along the east side of the path leading to the porch is a row of headstones, nearly all relating to the Knott family. The oldest stone of the series is in memory of Jane Knott, wife of John Knott, yeoman, who died in the year 1698; and the next stone is to the memory of the aforesaid John Knott (son of Stephen Knott), who died 1705, leaving four sons and two daughters. One of those sons was also named John, and that John Knott was twice Mayor of Dover. He was first elected in the year 1714, the year of the accession of George I., and he was chosen Mayor again in the year 1721 to fill the place of John Hollingbury, who was removed owing to some question of transubstantiation which had to be declared against by Chief Magistrates at that time. There are stones to the memory of many others of the same family who died and were buried at Caple during the latter part of the Eighteenth Century. Perhaps the largest group of monuments to one family is that of the Bromleys, a representative of which is now a member of the Dover Corporation. There is a very handsome marble headstone in memory of William Bromley, aged 46, with this verse inscribed by his widow:—

Sleep on, beloved,—on through summers sweet,

Sleep on, the daisies blowing at thy feet:

Through wintry blast, and autumn’s chilly rain,

Awake not, until Jesus comes again.

There are also memorials of the Andrews, Foats, Gilberts, Hogbens, Kingsmill, Marshes and Spains, families long connected with Caple. Enclosed within an iron palisade is a polished marble shaft to the memory of the Rev. T. B. W. Briggs, of Caple Lodge, and of his wife Annetta, and their faithful servant Alice Marsh. The Rev. T. B. W. Briggs, it will be remembered, was the Pastor of the Unitarian Church in Dover, and was for several years Editor and Proprietor of the “Dover Chronicle,” and was the founder of the “Kent County News,” which is now amalgamated with the “Kentish Gazette and Canterbury Press.” He died suddenly, after concluding a sermon in the Chapel at Dover in 1889. He was beloved by a large circle of friends, to which this monument will be a lasting testimony, but the growth within the enclosure needs attention from those who have authority to take steps in the matter. There is also in the graveyard a handsome rustic cross erected to the memory of Sophia Louise, daughter of Mr. C. W. Minet.

The Village of Caple.

In our strolls through Caple parish and village we were struck with its many natural beauties situate on hill and dale, but also could not close our eyes to many drawbacks, a chief one being at present the want of water. At the foot of the hill at Standen is the Folkestone Waterworks, providing for the neighbouring municipality, and also preparing to make provision for the houses down in the Alkham Valley, but the only relief for the residents on the hill is by toilsome carting of water in barrels up the long slope. Most of the houses are furnished with wells, which, when sunk deep enough, are useful, but they have to be deep to tap the Drellingore spring in the bottom, and the repeated sinking of wells although a little fortune to the well sinkers, is a heavy tax on the property owners, and a constant toil to those who have to wind up the water. To avoid this labour the device of catching rain water in tanks is largely adopted, and is very serviceable, although for drinking water it is rather dangerous. There is a dry and arid district from Caple to Dover that badly needs a good water supply, and probably the works at Standen, which are about to lay pipes to supply the Valley, will also put in a rising main that will supply this district. Some such provision would add to the value of the land hereabouts for building purposes. At present the neighbourhood is not developing, the few new houses which have grown up in recent years hardly make up for older ones that have gone. Some of the prettiest modern additions are at Mr. F. Weston’s place at Hackley Sole. Amongst the cottages recently built is a pair called Manor Cottages, very well designed and substantial, seeming to be similar in style to some built during the Minet period. The Caple church house and Caple Sole have also been extensively renovated, the for in 1865, and the latter in 1867. In the latter house there is a record that it was struck by lightening in 1867.

Land and Landowners.

The census of 1841 returned 247 inhabitants, and 50 houses in Caple parish; now the population is about 10 less, and the houses, including six recently erected, only number 47. The whole of the property in the parish represents £2,431 rateable value in 104 separate ratings. The largest ratepayer in the parish is the South Eastern Railway Company. In the ownership of land there have been many changes during the last sixty years. In 1841 the principal landowners were Earl Radnor, the Earl of Thanet, C. W. Minet, and Richard Smithett. Of these, only Earl Radnor remains, his stake in the parish being about 190 acres. The largest landowner is Mr. Capel Morris, who has about 260 acres. Major Lawes has 182 acres, and Marshall’s mortgagees 185. Amongst other landowners in Caple are Messrs. G. C. Rubie, W. Wilson, F. Weston, C. A. Tanton, J. Hart, Miss Jeffries, Miss Campbell, Messrs. E. Kennett, J. Kingsmill, H. J. Atkins, John Banks, and James Young.

What Caple Lacks.

It has already been stated that Caple Church has service but once on a Sunday. There used to be a Primitive Methodist place of worship at Satmar, in Caple. The chapel was built in 1870, when Rev. W. Bickerdike had charge of the Dover and Deal Circuit, and there was a pretty good congregation here during the ministry of his successor, the Rev. Thomas Russell, but latterly it has fallen off, and about a year ago the chapel was sold and the services discontinued. There are no elementary schools in the parish, and we could not learn that there was any Sunday School. If a report of this sort were sent in from some island in far-off seas, there would be competitive commotion amongst the Missionary Societies to see who would be there first, but there seems to be no stir either in Folkestone or Dover to come over and help the Capleites. Per contra, however, we should mention that we saw no public house in the village, and although there is no school, we saw no neglected children, nor did we notice any want of intelligence amongst the people. Nevertheless, if schools and places of worship are good for one parish, they should be for another, and if the absence of a public house in a village is a condition of things worth keeping up Temperance organizations to agitate for, Caple may rejoice in enjoying that boon without any agitation at all.