LINDSEY ROW.
It was mentioned at the commencement of the description of Lindsey House, that it had been divided into five houses, called Lindsey Row. These houses still remain, and are inhabited at the present time by families of great respectability. They command a most delightful prospect of the Thames, which here forms a sort of bay; the view from the upper stories is bounded on the south by the Surrey Hills, and Putney Heath on the north.
Henry Constantine Jennings, Esq., a most eccentric and unfortunate gentleman, resided in the first house on the east. He was born in 1731, and was descended from a very ancient and illustrious family, the Nevils. The celebrated Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, he reckoned among his progenitors. At an early age he obtained a commission in the first regiment of Foot Guards, and afterwards went abroad on his travels. While in Italy, he formed an acquaintance with the Duke of Marlborough, then Marquis of Blandford, and it is said he suggested the idea of the cabinet of antiques, afterwards engraved by Bartolozzi, and so well known as the Marlborough Gems. It was at this period, doubtless, that Mr. Jennings acquired a passion for objects of taste. On his return to England, he repaired to his seat at Shiplake, in the county of Oxford, and unfortunately for him became addicted to the pleasures of the turf, and the result was that his fortune was soon dissipated. Mr. Jennings now withdrew from society and lived in obscurity. A sudden change of fortune seems, however, to have released him from pecuniary difficulties, for we find him collecting, with great ardour, every object of antiquity, &c., that was presented to his notice, and which he could purchase. He also possessed a most valuable library. But, again, he became reduced in his circumstances, and had to dispose of his books and collections at a vast loss.
From this time but few particulars are known of Mr. Jennings, until he settled at Lindsey Row, about 1792. Here he continued to reside, fully occupied as an antiquary, a virtuoso, and an author, until, at length, his health began to decline, and his fortune daily became deteriorated, in consequence of his inordinate passion for collecting objects of taste; at last he closed his eccentric career a prisoner within the rules of the King’s Bench, where he expired February 7, 1819, aged 88.
This remarkable gentleman, whom I well remember, seemed more properly to belong to some distant generation rather than the one in which he lived—his character, dress, and manners, were so different in every respect. The fate of such a man, to a certain extent, awakens our sympathy, for his pursuits were generally throughout his life most refined; and the disasters which befel him is a warning to many in the present day.
Mr. Jennings’s Museum well deserves to be noticed. It consisted of a rare and valuable collection of the most chosen specimens of taste, and probably the completest collection of shells. Many fine specimens of minerals and scarce coloured gems, cameos, and intaglios; crystals, and other choice productions of nature, such as diamonds of almost every colour, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, &c.; not to omit many excellent specimens of well-preserved birds and quadrupeds. Old, and first-rate impressions of prints from Raphael, and others of the Roman school; some fine specimens of sculpture, both ancient and modern; many fine and scarce impressions of first editions, classical and of the entertaining kind, with many original drawings and pictures; in short, all that could interest one who had been long a real amateur. Among the portraits was a fine one of Mary, Queen of Scotland, and another of Titian and his Mistress, the Mary in her fourteenth year; likewise several rare enamel miniatures of interesting characters; among which was one of the Princess Elizabeth, about seventeen years of age, this latter by Holbein; with some well-preserved medals in gold and silver.
This collection was disposed of by auction, by Mr. Phillips, in 1820; the shells, and most valuable articles, being removed to Bond Street, and the preserved birds, quadrupeds, and other articles of rarity, together with the furniture, were sold at Lindsey Row.
T. Bonner, Esq., a gentleman much respected in the parish, resided in Lindsey Row for many years. Mrs. Bonner was at all times most active in relieving the necessitous and deserving poor. She occupied the house some time after the death of her husband, and died a few years ago.
Sir Mark Isombard Brunell, the originator and designer of the Thames Tunnel, resided for a considerable period in the centre house. His public works will immortalize his name to the latest posterity, as being one of the most eminent engineers of the present century.
John Martin, R.A., K.L., so well known for those grandly-conceived and sublime compositions, “Joshua commanding the Sun to stand Still,” “The Fall of Nineveh,” “The Last Judgment,” &c., also resided in Lindsey Row for some years. The late Prince Consort was a frequent visitor to his Studio, and it is a pleasing fact to record that Mr. Martin kindly permitted the neighbouring inhabitants, and others, to have access occasionally to it, accompanied by an attendant, during his absence from home. He died, as will be remembered, not many years since.
Timothy Bramah, Esq., a distinguished engineer, likewise occupied a house in Lindsey Row, for some years. The family was always greatly respected, and a member of it still resides in a house near the one where Mr. Bramah resided. The “Bramah Lock” at once denotes the celebrity of the firm.
The Rev. James Hutchins, M.A., who succeeded his father, the Rev. John Hutchins, as Evening Lecturer at the Old Church, resided for some years at a house at the western corner of Milman’s Row, fronting the river. Mr. Hutchins, the son, was also Evening Lecturer at the new St. Luke’s Church for several years. The Lecturer was remunerated by voluntary contributions, chiefly, collected from the inhabitants throughout the parish, the average amount altogether being about £60 per annum.
Milman’s Row, which nearly adjoins Lindsey Row, and which might now with great propriety be called Milman Street, leads to the King’s Road. It derives its name from Sir William Milman, who died in 1713, the estate having been for some years in his possession. The ancient parsonage-house and grounds, which were exchanged by the Rector in 1566, with the Marquis of Winchester, for the present Rectory, stood upon this spot. Strewan House, which is on the western side of Milman’s Row, has been occupied at different periods by many highly-respectable families. It is now in the possession of George Berry, Esq.
The foundry, which belonged to a person of the name of Janeway, was situated near World’s End Passage. It was very extensive, and here the old bells of the Church were re-cast in 1759. Riley Street, which stands on part of the foundry ground, was built principally in 1790.
Patrick Gibson, aged 111 years, lived in a house near the old World’s End Tavern. For many years this remarkable man was a purser in the navy, in the reign of George III., and on all occasions he was invariably found in the thick of the battle, fighting with the most determined bravery. He assisted in conveying General Wolfe off the field, and served under Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. William IV., when Duke of Clarence, visited him at Chelsea, and took great interest in his affairs. He resided in the parish 20 years, and died in 1832, at the remarkable age of 111 years, which was proved to be correct from official dates and by particular events. An exceedingly striking portrait of Patrick Gibson, by McNaughten, adorns the walls of Greenwich Hospital.
The World’s-End Tavern was a noted house of entertainment in the reign of Charles II.; the tea-gardens and grounds were extensive, and elegantly fitted up for the reception of company. The origin of the sign of the house is uncertain. It was probably so named on account of its then considered distance from London, and the bad and dangerous state of the roads or pathways to it. Most of the visitors came in pleasure boats along the Thames. This ancient tavern is particularly mentioned in Congreve’s comedy of “Love for Love,” in a dialogue between Mrs. Foresight and Mrs. Frail, in which the former accuses the latter of having been seen at the “World’s End.”
Mrs. Foresight.—I suppose you would not go alone to the World’s End?
Mrs. Frail.—The World’s End! what, do you mean to banter me?
Mrs. Foresight.—Poor innocent! you don’t know that there is a place called the World’s End. I declare you can keep your countenance—surely you’ll make an admirable player.
Mrs. Frail.—I declare you have a great deal of impudence, and, in my mind, too much for the stage..
Mrs. Foresight.—Very well, that will appear who has most. You never were at the Word’s End?
Mrs. Frail.—No.
Mrs. Foresight.—You deny it positively to my face?
Mrs. Frail.—Your face, what’s your face?
Mrs. Foresight.—No matter for that, it is as good a face as yours.
Mrs. Frail.—Not by a dozen years wearing. But I do deny it, positively, to your face, then.
Mrs. Foresight.—I’ll allow you now to find fault with my face; for I declare your impudence has put me out of countenance. But look you here now; where did you lose this gold bodkin? Oh, sister! oh, sister!
Mrs. Frail.—My bodkin!
Mrs. Foresight.—Nay, it is yours—look at it.
Mrs. Frail.—Well, if you go to that, where did you find this bodkin? Oh, sister! sister! sister every way!
Mrs. Foresight.—Oh! bother on’t that I could not discover her without betraying myself. (Aside.)
Joseph Mallard W. Turner, Esq., R.A., resided for some time in a small house directly facing the Thames, in the road leading to Cremorne, where he died in 1851. No doubt he selected this spot on account of the attractive scenery on the river, and the fine view of some parts of Surrey, as also to enjoy for a time the benefits arising from a more secluded life. At the age of thirty years, Mr. Turner was recognised as the first landscape painter of the day. For a period of sixty years he contributed to every exhibition of the Royal Academy, sending in all 259 pictures. For many years he refused to part with some of the choicest specimens of his art, and after his death it was found that he had left those to the English nation, together with a great number of drawings and engravings. Mr. Turner, while residing here, lived in almost entire seclusion. He would not see any person, excepting a few very intimate friends, and, in fact, was extremely anxious not to be recognized. This inclination, at the close of his life, was very natural. The world is indebted to him for his productions, and Chelsea is proud to add his name to its list of distinguished residents.
The roadway in front of the house occupied by Mr. Turner, and along the front of that part of the river, has been considerably widened, and now presents a well-formed embankment. A handsome terrace has been erected, besides a number of houses on the adjoining ground.
CREMORNE HOUSE.
This villa was first formed by Theophilus, Earl of Huntingdon, who died in 1746. It afterwards belonged, successively, to Richard, Viscount Powerscourt; to the Countess Dowager of Exeter, relict of Brownlow, the eighth Earl; and to Sir Richard Lyttleton, who married the Dowager Duchess of Bridgewater, and died in 1770.
After the death of the Duchess, in 1777, Thomas Dawson, Viscount Cremorne, at that time Baron Dartrey, purchased the villa in 1778. He considerably enlarged and embellished the premises, under the skill of the eminent Mr. James Wyatt. His lordship died in Stanhope Street, Mayfair, in 1813, in his 89th year, greatly respected, and bequeathed the estate to his relict, the late Viscountess. It is stated, in an account published shortly after Lord Cremorne’s death, that “his generosity was unbounded, and his heart, in the most comprehensive sense, charitable. But his most excellent character is, that he was a Christian in mind and practice.”
The Dowager Viscountess Cremorne, born in Philadelphia in 1740, died at her house in Stanhope Street in 1825, in the 86th year of her age. Her ladyship resided at Chelsea a great portion of the year, and kept a large establishment. She was one of the most kind-hearted residents in the parish. For years it was her custom to entertain annually the children of the parochial and other schools, and she patronized the tradesmen of Chelsea as far as it was practicable, giving special orders to that effect to her household. Queen Charlotte occasionally visited her in the summer months, when the children again attended, and received tokens of her benevolent regard for them. She was buried by the side of her husband in the family vault at Stoke. The carriages of the Royal Family followed in the funeral procession for some distance, and most of the tradesmen closed their shops. She bequeathed the villa to her first cousin and executor, Granville Penn, Esq., second surviving son of Thomas Penn, and brother of John Penn, Esqrs., of Stoke Park, Bucks, Hereditary Governors and Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania. Granville Penn, Esq., resided in it for a few years. It would occupy too much space to give a sketch even of the history of this distinguished family.
Lord and Lady Cremorne possessed a very fine and extensive collection of paintings, which were sold by auction, on the premises, in 1827. Amongst them was a copy of Correggio’s picture of the Madonna and Child, and St. Jerome at Parma, by Copley, full size, and accounted the best copy of that celebrated picture. The late Lord Lyndhurst purchased it. The grounds, &c., are now known as Cremorne Gardens, but this once pretty villa can scarcely now be recognised as the favourite residence of Lord and Lady Cremorne.
Ashburnham House is situated to the west of the late Lord Cremorne’s premises. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley built the house, in 1747, for his own residence, but it has since been greatly altered by different occupiers. He was the eldest son of the Bishop of Winchester, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society when very young. In the learned world he was known as a philosopher. Dr. Hoadley was also an eminent physician. At his death Hoadley House was purchased by Sir Richard Glynn, who sold it to the Earl of Ashburnham, and thence it obtained the name of Ashburnham House. It was next in possession of that learned physician, Dr. Cadogan, who resided in it for a few years, and planted in the garden a large quantity of medicinal herbs. Lady Mary Coke resided here for about ten years, and sold it to Mr. Brown, who occupied a house near to it, called Ashburnham Cottage. Mr. Stevens at length possessed the house, and resided in it for many years. Afterwards it was the residence of the Hon. Leicester Stanhope, subsequently Earl of Harrington.
On the banks of the river, in front of Ashburnham House, was a piece of land, called the Lots. The Lammas rights of the parishioners, with respect to this land, are now extinct. Those who wish to know the particulars, will find them fully recorded in the Annual Vestry Reports, which may be obtained at the Vestry Hall, and which will render many parochial details in this work quite unnecessary.
On the south side of the King’s Road, and near to the boundary line which divides the parishes of Chelsea and Fulham, is Dudmarton House, which was for a considerable period the residence of Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who erected a chapel on the premises, where he occasionally preached, and amongst others the Rev. Dr. Jay, of Bath, the Rev. John and Charles Hyatt, the Rev. Dr. Collyer, &c. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, it is stated, preached his first sermon there when he was quite a youth. Mr. Poole also established a school for the education of poor boys, many of whom were clothed through his exertions.