Aspects of Kentish Local History

Home
News & Events
  Publications Archaeological
Fieldwork
Local & Family
History
Information
by Parish
 

 
Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 58  1945  page 5

The Lost Dens of Little Chart by Gordon Ward, M.D., F.S.A.

   "Sawtnsreede alias Swansrde," whatever that may 
   meanpossibly Swansreede.
(e) Lands to the east of a common called the Heath.
(f) Cocks alias Mannards, 80 acres, in Bethersden.

Hildgaringdenn thus covered at least four parishes of which three, Smarden, Pluckley and Bethersden meet near Pluckley Station. To the south of this is Stanford Bridge Farm which is probably near to or identical with the Stanfords in Hilgaringdenn. I suspect that the common referred to may have been about Maltman's Hill in Smarden but certainty could only be obtained by a search of the Tithe Maps of the various parishes concerned, or by lucky finds of relevant Sale Particulars. I have a suspicion that the Bakers Garden lands were not really in Little Chart as we know it to-day, but more local information is much to be desired. On the whole I think it is likely that Hilgaringdenn adjoined Iddenden on the north, in the Dering Wood area, and extended south along the Smarden-Pluckley border well into Bethersden. Hasted says that Wissenden in Bethersden was always inhabited by a family called Witherden, one of whom lived there in his time. The Withernden Meadow in Hildgaringdenn may have been on the Wissenden estate.

CADACA HRYGC.
   K.PN. discusses this name and says that it is undoubtedly identical with "Calkeregge", a name which he seems to have from F. who later assumes that it is identical with "Harkridge" in Cranbrook. There is evidently some confusion here. The place is certainly in Cranbrook, but in the M.R. it is known as Karckredge, and a fortunate description of one holding leaves no doubt as to its situation. This holding has the following bounds:
   (a) On the south, the river and land of John Holden.
   (b) On the north, land of Sir Henry Bakerowner of Sissinghurst Castleother land of Thomas Ellis, and the road from Milkhouse to Biddenden.
   (c) On the west the lane from Milkhouse to Golfoorde, now called Chapel Lane.
    (d) On the east land of John Holdenwho probably farmed Branden.
These boundaries are clear on the map although it might appear that Cadaca Hrygc extended south of the river, which we do not know to have been the case. Other holdings in the M.R. are Tunstall Wood, Hookwood, Holehills in Sissinghurst Park, Langhornes and other houses in Milkhouse Street. I cannot identify these, but it is reasonably clear that Cadaca Hrygc was later Milkhouse and is now part

Previous page       Back to Page Listings       Next page

Back the Contents page       Back to Archaeologia Cantiana listing

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so
that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too localhistory@tedconnell.org.uk