Chaffes Lane in the 19th Century

Named after the Chaffe family who were influential residents in the area, Chaffes Lane remained virtually unpopulated until well into the 19^th century. Cottages situated at Chaffes Place on the top left of the lane became the first dwellings during the early 19^th century followed by a row of cottages at Gore Bank during the second half.

So what did the lane and surroundings look like 170 years ago? A contemporary tithe map dated 1839 shows that after entering Chaffes Lane from The Street an orchard with fruit trees and a pond belonging to Church Farm was situated on the left with The Paddock on the right, not very different to its appearance in the early 1960s. Upon turning the first corner open arable fields stretched almost to the present Drakes Close on the left. The first of these was named ‘Long Field’ owned by St John’s College and the second was ‘Dingles’ owned by Holywell farmer Henry Miskin. On the other side of the road the vicarage grounds stretched up to the present recreation ground, which, in 1839 was an arable field named ‘Broom Field’ owned by St John’s College. John Walter of Gore Farm owned the adjoining field, also arable, which extended as far as the present Marstan Close. This was adjoined to another arable field owned by Rainham farmer Thomas Dodd then pasture extended to the top end of the lane. Chaffes Place with several cottages was situated on the left and behind that pasture extended from Gore Bank up to the entrance of Gore Farm. Horse drawn ploughs and large groups of labourers toiled in the fields and horse drawn hay or dung carts passed along the lane.

In 1861 Chaffes Place cottages, the only inhabited dwellings in the lane, housed agricultural labourers and their families. These included John Castle, Alf Castle, Henry Rose, George Wildish, Henry Seager and their families. Descendents of several of these families still reside in the village today. In 1861 the population of Chaffes Lane consisted of 35 people.

Memories of Upchurch.

With the construction of dwellings at Gore Bank, the population of Chaffes Lane increased to 41 in 1881. Things changed dramatically in the following ten years so that by 1891 129 people resided in the Lane. This coincided with a sharp rise in the village population during the second half of the 19^th century.

 People living in Chaffes Lane during the 1890s included James Ivory and Charles Allen who were employed in the cement works, William Clout, a farm servant, William Twort, a wheelwright and Fred Fielder, George Trice, George Clark and George Tabrett who were agricultural labourers.

During the 1890s two footpaths which still exist opposite Bradshaw Close led down to Forge Lane and Gore Farm respectively while the recreation ground was converted from an arable field in 1897. An oasthouse stood on the site of the present Marstan Close with a field behind. Opposite and a little farther up the lane were Chaffes Place Cottages. These constructions existed until the second half of the 20^th century when demolition led to new housing, an increased population and a changed image of Chaffes Lane.

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village.

David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood

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