An Old Inhabitant

“ This gentleman built All Saints Church and intended to put upon it a spire as high as that on Salisbury Cathedral. Sad tales could be told of not a few who sank their all in bricks and mortar. Lawyers and money-lenders have in time past reaped a rich harvest at Notting Hill, but many a hard working man falling into their hands has been ruined. ”

“ The beautiful Portobello Lane was denuded of its hedges near Notting Hill, and a roadway cut through to where Horbury Chapel now stands. Beyond this, in that which is now Kensington Park Road the first new buildings were erected known at that time as the Swiss and Italian Villas. Ladbroke Square and other houses in that locality soon followed.
On the top of the hill, where once stood Notting Hill Farm and the grand stand of the Hippodrome Race Ground, the foundation stone of a new church, St. John’s, was laid about 1846. The last owner of this farm seems to have been a man highly respected. ”

“ Beyond Petersburg Place was Victoria Place, which led to a field upon which are now built Leinster and Princes Squares and Kensington Gardens Square.
A footpath across this field led to Westbourne Grove. This footpath was the only way except Black Lion Lane by which Westbourne Grove could be reached. So much was this field in the country that I have several times seen Sunday School children taken there for their annual excursions.
A little farther down the road was Camden Street, a perfect rookery. Dirty men, women and children infested this place. ”

“ The rich and the poor have all found here one common resting place, but amongst those unmentioned names how many an one whom the world has not esteemed will be found in the end to be among the number of whom the “world was not worthy.” ”

“ John’s Church, Notting Hill, being the spot on which the grand stand had been erected, and the course as nearly as I can describe is now covered by Clarendon Road, Cornwall Road, Portobello Road, Horbury Terrace and Ladbroke Square. I found that the inhabitants had insisted upon a right of way across the grounds, and taking the law into their own hands, with hatchets and saws had removed the barriers and thus by maintaining their right to cross the ground when they pleased caused the racing men to abandon it. ”

“ A number of carts filled with tubs passed daily to London gathering refuse from hotels and mansions to feed the large families of pigs gathered here.
It was not a savoury place and at the time of the cholera the inhabitants suffered severely.
Rough looking people they appeared, but upon closer acquaintance it was seen they looked more uncouth than they really were. The only religious or secular education the people and children received was provided by the members of the Baptist chapel at Silver Street, and the congregation at Hornton Street. ”

“ In 1612, in the reign of James I., the Archdeacon and other officials of churches were commanded to make answer to certain questions which threw some light upon the condition of the church and people of Kensington. From those answers I gather—
1. That all the parishioners receive Communion at Easter.
2. That the ministers are very careful about baptizing children at the font.
3. There is no stranger preacher, only men of worth.
4. That they intend to have a new Bible shortly.
5. That two poor men teach the children—sometimes they have a few, sometimes none. ”

“ Corn fields and meadow land on every side, the quiet only broken by the occasional passing of a train on the Great Western Railway at Kensal Green. It seems almost impossible to realize the fact, but it is a fact that during this 38 years the thousands of houses which are now to be seen from Ealing to Hampstead, Hampstead to Edgware Road have been built. Returning to the High Street, in the village of Notting Hill, the p. 20little shops from the Mall on the south side of the street were occupied by some of the principal tradesmen of that far off day. ”

“ They are not answerable for the separation of old married couples, against which separation I strongly protest.
It is not, however, every married couple who wish to live together; of this I had a proof once when I asked a man if he would not be more happy with his aged wife? ”

“ The churches and the country look to the young to follow in the steps of those who through good report and evil have worked on for the promotion of Christ’s kingdom and the welfare of their neighbours. ”

“ How many acres were connected with in 1844 I cannot record, but I have said that on all sides nothing but corn or meadow land was visible. The site of Portobello Farm may be known as upon that spot is erected a Roman Catholic building, a home for the aged. ”

“ The Wesleyans had their chapel behind the High Street, and the Baptists in Silver Street Kensington Gravel Pits. This church now worships as Westbourne Grove Chapel.
Old Silver Street chapel would hold about 200 people, it had one gallery in front of the pulpit, and behind the pulpit sliding doors opened on to the Sunday School Room. On great occasions the minister could have a congregation both in front and behind him. ”

“ Kensington Square in James Second’s reign, 1698.
Church Street probably took its name from the church at the end, or from the house called Church House, which was occupied by the “poore of the sufferance.”
Camden House was built by Sir Baptist Hickes, who possessed considerable property in the parish in 1612.
Phillamore Place was built 1787, and in 1811 David Wilkie, Esq., R.A., resided here. His works the “Blind Fiddler,” “Rent Day,” “Village Holiday,” &c., will be remembered by all.
Sir Isaac Newton, who by the way was never married, lived on Camden Hill. ”

“ WESTBOURNE GROVE BAPTIST CHAPEL
Was erected 1853. The first cost was £5,500. Galleries had soon to be erected at cost of £579, and in 1866 it was thought necessary to enlarge the building by adding 16 feet on each side at cost of £5,895; total, £11,974, the whole of which was raised by voluntary subscriptions, under the pastorate of the Rev. W. G. Lewis. In 1881 Rev. J. Tuckwell, of Luton, accepted the pastorate, and under his ministry the church and congregation have largely increased. ”

“ Her Majesty (Queen Ann) has been pleased to add near 30 acres more toward the north. Upon this spot nearly 100 men work daily.”
In George Second’s reign Queen Caroline threw a string of ponds in Hyde Park into one, so as to form what is called the Serpentine River.
Her Majesty also added 300 acres from Hyde Park.
At this time the gardens were only opened on Saturday, whilst His Majesty and Court went to Richmond, and company appeared only in full dress on this day.
Hyde Park was originally Hyde Farm, and belonged to the Monastery of Westminster. ”

“ That very church has become possessed of the means which would have enabled them to end their days in peace and comfort.
In Henry the Eighth’s time the manor of Paddington was valued at £41 16s. 8d. Edward the Sixth granted the manor and rectory to Bishop Ridley, then Bishop of London, and to his heirs and successors.
p. 8KENSINGTON church lands were also very extensive, as much property was given in the reign of Henry the First to the monastery of Abingdon. St. Mary Abbot’s district of Kensington will indicate the ground which was thus handed over to the abbots. ”

“ Kensington Gardens.—“Bewick” writes, 1705: “Whatever is deficient in the house is made up in the gardens. There is a noble collection of foreign plants—every inch is well improved—the whole, with the house, p. 12not being above 26 acres. ”

“ Many tried it, but they found p. 21they could earn more by labour than they could grow in an acre of the best soil. Close by where the Notting Hill Gate Station now is stood in those days the Village Pump, concerning the removal of which sundry indignation meetings were held and fierce threats made of law proceedings. ”