THE DOVER EXPRESS AND EAST KENT NEWS-FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1901

XVIII. EYTHORNE.

SEVEN MILES FROM EVERYWHERE.

Eythorne is a village apart, independent, standing confidently on its own bottom. Its ecclesiastical benelice is a Rectory, not a Vicarage denuded of the great tithes as so many of the livings in East Kent parishes are, and its chapel is traditionally the head of a Nonconformist diocese. Its well appointed Post Office, its Schools, its places of business, its inns, and its societies, indicate that although the village is rural and somewhat isolated, it contains all the elements of independent life, and the new buildings springing up are a sign that it is not out of the current of progress.

Aspect of the Village.

Eythorne, divided into Upper and Lower Eythorne, occupies the two sides of a valley which broadens to a rolling down towards Coldred, Shepherdswell, and Barham. Lower, or Church Eythorne, rests on a gentle declivity to the north-west, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, with its characteristic embattled tower, being in that part called Lower Eythorne Street, adjoining which is the pretty Rectory, and not far south is Eythorne Court, while a little way to the east is Elvington. Upper Eythorne on the opposite side of the valley, consists of a group of well-built houses and places of business, with Waldershare Park for its background. Here are the Baptist Chapel, the National Schools, and the Post Office. The village has always been esteemed as a very salubrious place, much frequented in summer by visitors. In the past, its drawback has been the want of water, which could only be obtained from deep wells, but it is now supplied by the East Kent Waterworks.

History of Eythorne.

The name of this place is pronounced Aythorne, but for many hundreds of years it has been spelled Eythorne, although in Saxon records it is written Heyghe Thorne. One of the earliest historical records of this place is to the effect that Cutherd, King of Kent, about the year 807, gave three plougldands at Heyghe Thorne to his Minister AEthelnoth for three thousand pence, with the liberty of leaving them after his death to whomsoever he would. This seems to have been a very early example of freehold tenure, and it probably was owing to the land being thus enfranchised that at the time of the Conquest its ownership was respected by the Conqueror, the Bishop of Bayeux being only allowed to seize the small manor of Elmington. Eythorne Manor seems to have continued in the hands of private owners until the 15th year of Edward II., that is, A.D. 1322, when its then owner, Bartholomew de Badlesmere, being attainted, the Manor went to the Crown, and remained Crown lands until A.D. 1345, when it was given by the King to John de Goldborough. After passing through several hands, about the year 1461 it became the possession of Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth Castle, who was Treasurer of the King’s Household. He obtained liberty to impark, embattle, and for free warren, that is, to exercise the sporting rights. He established the annual fair at Eythorne on St. Peter’s Day, and he with his descendants appears to have exercised lordship over the manor for a period of 114 years, after which it passed through a variety of hands. Eythorne Court, which is supposed to have been the manorial residence, is an ancient stone building, and Hasted writing of it in his day said, “The walls are very thick and strong; they are much covered with ivy, the stems of which are the strongest I ever saw.” Elmington Manor was the possession of the Bishop of Bayeux, and after his disgrace it passed through many hands, and eventually came into the possession of Mr. David Papillon, of Acrise, who, in that way, came into the alternate right of presentation to the living of Eythorne.

Eythorne Church.

The Church at Eythorne, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul is an ancient edifice, but there appears to be no certain record of its foundation. It is known to have been in existence about a century after the Conquest, and must have been of early Norman origin. The fabric is constructed of flint with stone dressing, and is in many respects unique. The style is early English with an admixture of later features. The building is composed of nave, north aisle, north porch, with the square embattled tower built over the porch, which is an uncommon arrangement. The nave of the Church was thoroughly restored in 1875, by means of a public subscription, at a cost of £2,000, and the chancel was restored in 1890, so that the fabric is now in a very substantial condition; and during the term of the present rector, the Rev. Basil Burrows, several embellishments have been added, the bells have been re-hung, including an additional one, making now a peal of four, Two of the bells are ancient, dating from 1470, the third, a smaller one, bears date 1622, and the fourth is a modern one. At the restoration of the nave, a handsome new font was put in, the gift of the choir, and this replaced an old font, the top of which was a circular bowl of lead bearing symbolical figures, and dated 1628. The east window is a very fine one in perpendicular style, but the stained glass might be improved. The tracery of the window at the head of the north aisle is very fine. The living at Eythorne is a rectory, and has been so for many centuries. In some ancient records in the time of Kings John and Edward III., it is referred to as a vicarage, which may have been an error, at any rate, for seven hundred years it has been a rectory, and on numerous tablets in the Church are memorials of many of the rectors of Eythorne, it appearing that several rectors have held the living for long periods and most of the rectors have died here. The oldest inscription appears to be in memory of the Rev. Thomas Walton, who was Rector from 1661 till 1698. There is a slab in the nave with a Latin epitaph in memory of the Rev. W. Forster, A.M., who, according to the record, won golden opinions from all sorts and conditions of men, but he died of fever at the early age of 36, having been Rector from 1698 till 1708. There is also a tablet to the memory of the Rev. John Minet. This John Minet is the young Curate of Alkham and Caple, previously mentioned in our account of Caple. His father, in his diary, gives an account of his induction as Rector of Eythorne, which took place 17th January, 1722, by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Wise, of Canterbury, in the presence of the Rev. D. Campredon, Shepherdswell; Mr. Stockwood, tutor of young Mr. Furness, of Waldershare; Mr. Edward Maxted, church-warden of Eythorne; Dr. Pemble, of Eythorne; Mr. Thomas Rooth, of Dover; and Mr. Isaac Minet, the rector's father. The latter gives a minute account of the charges of induction, the details of which will be of interest:-

Payd Mr. Councillor Turner who gave the presentation for stamp, &c. £4 2s. 0d.

Given to his three servants - £1 11s. 6d.

And to 6 or 7 women servants - £2 2s. 0d.

To charge of ye fiat at Lambeth, and 5 servants £2 1s. 0d.

To ye Institution at Doctors Commons, and to ye Clerk - £5 2s. 6d.

To the first fruits at ye said office - £15 7s. 9d.

June ye 27 to the tenths paid at Canterbury - £1 11s. 8d.

And for procuration - 7s. 10d.

To charge of journey to London and expense - £4 10s. 0d.

To ringing the bells at Canterbury & Eythorne - 15s. 0d.

To Mr. Richard Edborough for having preached at Eythorne since the death of Mr. Corson from ye 30 Sept. to ye 13 of Jan. being 17 Sundays - £15 14s. 6d.

To ye reloxat and instrument of induction at Canterbury - 7s. 0d.

For a horse bought at Mr. Belner - £13 13s. 0d.

And for saddle and bridle &c. - £2 2s. 0d.

To Saml. Willmott for Mr. Edborough for being Curatt - £3 3s. 0d.

Payd Mr. J. Cason, of Eythorne, for ¼ of the King's taxes - £2 5s. 0d.

And halt a year window tax - 15s. 0.

Total - £75 15s. 9d.

Received from Mr. J. Cason for delapidation £13 0s. 0d.

The Rev. John Miuet was 27 years of age when he was inducted Rector of Eythorne, and he remained Rector of Eythorne till his death in 1771, nearly fifty years. He was, during part of the time, Chaplain of Dover Castle, and Vicar of Lower Hardres. It is a curious fact that although the Rev. John Minet died in 1771, his name is continued in the Army lists as holding the chaplainacy till 1787, and it would be still more curious to trace who pocketed the salary of the defunct Chaplain during those 16 years. This Rector of Eythorne either preached his sermons without manuscripts, or he carefully destroyed them all, for beyond his autograph he did not leave a line of writing behind him, and the only indication of the bent of his mind was a fine library of books, which he had evidently chosen with great care and accumulated at very considerable expense. In the chancel of Eythorne Church is the following inscription:—

Hic jacet

Johannes Minet A.M.

Rector ecclesiae Eythorne

expectans Resurrectionem

Obit 13 Nov. A. Chr. Nat. 1771 anno

AEtat 77

In the north aisle of the Church there is a more ample inscription in English to the Rector and members of his family, affixed over the family vault. There is a tablet to the memory of the next Rector in succession, the Rev. Francis D'Aeth, M.A., who held the living 13 years, from 1771 till 1784, when he died. He was the youngest son of Sir Thomas D’Aeth, Bart. There is also a tablet to the next on the list, the Rev. Philip Papillon, sen of Mr. David Papillon, of Acrise, and grandson of Thomas Papillon, sometime M.P. for Dover, who founded the Dover Papillon Charity. He was Rector 25 years, from 1781 till 1809. The chancel has also a tablet in memory of the Rev. G. H. Teal Fairbrace, whose term was a record one, extending from 1809 till 1872, a period of 63 years. He, like Mr. Minet, came to Eythorne immediately after being ordained priest, and died in harness at a ripe old age. The last Rector, who died in office, and to whose memory there is a tablet, was the Rev. G. W. Seppings, who died January 1888, having been Rector 15 years, and it was during his term that the body of the Church was thoroughly restored. The other rectors prior to the Rev. Basil Burrows, were the Rev. W. Brandreth (who was instrumental in restoring the Chancel in 1890), and the Rev. Prebendary Palmes, who resigned to take the living of St. Mary’s, Dover. Space will not permit of our recording the many other interesting monuments to the Monyns, the Botelers, the Harveys, Fectors, and others that are on the walls of this Church, or of the epitaphs on the many old stones in the Churchyard. The Churchyard was enlarged some six years ago by the addition of a piece of land on the west side. There have already been many interments there, and there are several memorials, amongst which we noticed one erected by the Countess of Guilford in 1898 to the memory of Jane Friend White, who was for 44 years School Mistress of Waldershare Schools.

The Baptists of Eythorne.

Hasted, who gives very minute records of many things connected with Eythorne, does not mention it as the centre of East Kent Nonconformity, yet the fact is of great historic interest. The Nonconformity at Eythorne originated long before the ejectment of ministers from the Church of England in 1662; nor did the formation of this centre arise from the persecution under the Five Mile Act. The Baptist Church at Eythorne, which is the oldest Church of the denomination in the South of England, arose out of the persecutions in the Netherlands by the Duke of Alva, when, to escape his malignity, large bodies of the Flemings came to England, and many of them settled in East Kent. A community of Flemish Baptists settled at Eythorne about the year 1550, and they drew around them many sympathetic natives of the village, who were attracted by the simplicity of their faith and the purity of their lives. They were described as “cowherds, clothiers, and such-like mean people." At that date they met in private houses to study the Scriptures and talk of their religious experiences. Such meetings seem to have been held at Eythorne even before 1550, for Joan Boucher, who suffered martyrdom at Smith-field 2nd May, 1550, is reported to have said during his trial, “I see the end waiting me, but now I tremble not .... In our little meeting at quiet Eythorne where as a happy child I first drank in the truth, good Master Humphrey did once expound to us how true faith doth manifest itself by works.” This good woman, who seems to have been one of the pioneer Nonconformists of Eythorne, suffered at the stake, and has borne the name of “Joan of Kent.” What Master Humphrey it was who preached on the connection between fair hand work, to that cottage congregation, it is not known, but it might have been Humphrey Knott, for the Knotts’ seem to have been the early Eythorne ministers. For a period of 180 years four successive John Knott’s were the recognised Baptist preachers at Eythorne, from A.D. 1600 to 1780, and it might well be that Master Humphrey was one of their ancestors, but although the four John Knott’s were the regular masters they followed secular occupations. One John Knott was the village blacksmith, and it is recorded of him that on one occasion a warrant was issued for his arrest, which he eluded by hiding in the village saw pit. The warrant of habeas corpus having failed, his goods were seized, but as no one would buy the ministerial blacksmith’s belongings he was allowed to keep them. The meetings at private houses seem to have been continued until the year 1604, when the first chapel was built, not on the site of the present one, but further south, on the Coldred-road, the building afterwards being used as a stable. That Chapel is supposed to have been opened during the ministry of the four John Knotts, and the old cottage near it was the more ancient place of meeting. The Coldred Chapel was small at first. It had to be enlarged to double it size, and even then it was too small, the great increase having occurred during the ministry of John Giles, who was pastor from 1792 till 1807. People came from all the villages round to hear him, farmers driving their families in their market carts, and it was owing to this influx, that when the present Chapel was built in 1804, at the zenith of Pastor Giles’ career. They not only built the Chapel but extensive stabling for the convenience of those who drove in from the surrounding district, and that is the reason d'etre for the range of stabling to the north of the Chapel, which is still found useful. The Chapel opened by Dr. Rippon in 1804, is a large roomy building, a real nonconformist cathedral, larger now than is needed for the regular congregation, but it is filled to overflowing when the Baptists from the surrounding towns and villages “go up to Jerusalem” on Good Fridays. On such occasions an afternoon sermon, a grand tea party, and a great public meeting is the order of the day. The Chapel looks as substantial externally as it did when first opened, nearly a century ago, but it is too square and solid to be beautiful. It has served its purpose well from generation to generation under successive pastors. The Rev. John Giles finished his 35 years ministry in 1827, and his successors have been Revs. William Paine, 1829 to 1839; William Copley, 1838 to 1842; John Webb, 1843 to 1849; Ebenezer Pledge, 1850 to 1860; Charles W. S. Kemp, 1801 to 1866; Robert Shindler, 1867 to 1873; John Stubbs, 1874 to 1879; George Stanley, 1880 to 1899; and William Burnett, from 1899 to now. During this flight of time and changes, the Chapel had grown old fashioned and somewhat unsightly within, and there needed an enthusiast to come along and give it a brightening up, to give it afresh start for the twentieth century. The need was met by the Rev. W. Burnett, who entered on his ministry in 1899, burning with restoration zeal. The 350th anniversary of the Church was approaching, and he hit upon the happy thought of raising 350 sovereigns to do the work of renovation. He started upon it with a good heart, enlisted willing helpers, and more than succeeded. The interior of the Chapel has been made beautiful by appropriate decoration, convenient by reseating, and comfortable by a hot water heating apparatus. It now looks perfect, and for a country village, unique. In the restoration old associations have not been forgotten. On the right side of the pulpit is a marble tablet to the memory of the four John Knotts, erected at the expense of Lady Russell, wife of Sir Edward Russell, M.P., of the “Liverpool Daily Post,” Lady Russell being a descendant of those Eythorne worthies.

Eythorne of To-day.

Sufficient has been said to indicate that Eythorne is a place historically interesting, and that its situation is pleasant, but, standing as it does away from the railway, and therefore off the world’s great highway, it does not show the signs of modern development that other places do. Its actual population during the last decade has decreased, not owing to there being fewer families, but because the attractions of larger and busier places are drawing away the rising generation. In 1891 the population was 438, but we learn from Mr. F. Wyborn, the assistant overseer, that now it is 15 less, the present total being made up of 210 males, and 214 females. The decline of the agricultural interest, which is almost the sole interest at Eythorne, accounts for this state of things, and is also the reason why the rateable value of the property in the parish, in spite of new buildings, has decreased from £2,384 in 1891 to £2.124 now. The present small failing off in the population may be a mere fluctuation. There have been such at various times during the past century. In 1801 there was a population of 390, and in 1901 the total of 424 shows that in the long run there has been progress and growth, and the beautiful surroundings of “quiet Eythorne” and its salubrious situation, are an assurance that it will be continued.