Christening followed by 780 for dinner (1849)

Post date: Dec 29, 2011 3:23:18 PM

The Kentish Gazette of Tuesday 14 August 1849 reported as follows:

WATERINGBURY.

The christening of the son and heir of S. L. Lancaster Lucas, Esq., took place on Tuesday last accompanied with great rejoicings. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Henry Stevens, vicar, the sponsors being the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Eden and Lady Grey de Ruthven, and Wm. Poynder, Esq., of Snodland.

A large party of Mr. Lucas' friends and principal tenants were invited on the occasion, and to the number of about eighty dined in the hall, a sumptuous banquet being provided by Messrs. Gunter, of the London Tavern.

At the same time about 700 of the parishioners, including all over 18 years of age, were regaled in a spacious booth with a handsome entertainment, supplied in an excellent manner by Mr. Harris, of the King's Head. Three pounds of meat, and an ad libitum supply of fine ale, were allowed to each guest, and a similar supply was sent to the labourers on Mr. Lucas' estates at Hollingboume, Bearsted, and Yalding.

The Cavalry Depot band was in attendance, and greatly enhanced the gaiety of the scene. In the evening there was a magnificent display of fireworks prepared by the pyrotechnist artist of Vauxhall. The general company then retired, but the party at the house, with numerous additions from the neighbourhood, including the Baroness Le Despencer, E. Boscawen, Esq., &c.,&c, concluded the festivity with a ball, which was kept up with great spirit for some hours. Everything went off well, and everybody enjoyed themselves to the utmost.

Mathias Lucas had died the previous year, at the age of 87, leaving his main estates in Kent including Wateringbury Place to Samuel Lancaster Lucas, his grandson (see Mathias' Lucas will).

Samuel's marriage was reported by the Essex Standard of 14th July 1848:

July 4th, at Bishopsbourne Church, Kent, Samuel Lucas Lancaster, Esq., of Wateringbury Place, grandson of the late Matthias Pryme Lucas, Esq, alderman of London, to Mary Yelverton, second daughter of the Hon. and Rev. William Eden, Rector of Bishopsbourne, Kent

Lavish entertainment at Wateringbury Place for large numbers from the village seems to have occurred on a number of occasions: see Queen's Diamond Jubilee and The School Treat.

On 21st January 1850 Samuel was elected a Life Governor of the Marine Society.

The 1851 census shows a total population, including children, for Wateringbury of 1,448. The 700 people at The King's Head, even in 'a spacious booth', seems an incredible number. The King's Head stood at the south-east corner of the cross-roads. Formerly a private house it opened as a the King's Head Inn in 1785. It was subsequently owned by Augustus Leney (one son of 'Frederick Leney & Sons' the brewers). It ceased trading in 1938. For details of other events held in The King's Head see Wateringbury hero and Wateringbury salutes its war heroes.