Edward Greensted's history and anecdotes (1780)
Post date: Jan 06, 2012 7:9:36 PM
There is attached as a Word file a transcription of Edward Greensted's history and anecdotes of the parish of Wateringbury. It has been edited to modernise spellings, to reduce the number of words beginning with capital, to insert punctuation and paragraphs but, I am sure, could be further edited to aid modern understanding. It remains,though, more a research tool than something for light reading! Parts of it were previously transcribed and printed in the very early parish magazines.
Edward Greensted was a school master in Wateringbury and was Church Warden and Overseer of the Poor for one year in 1766. It was probably written in 1780. It is believed he was born in 1714 and died 21st March 1797, aged 83. He had a daughter, Frances, who died in 1829.
He may have been the local 'correspondent' for Hasted, a famous Kent historian. His work appears solid and when he speculates he usually says he is doing so. However, there are a number of absences:
there is no reference to Domesday Book, although this only became generally available in a printed form in 1783.
there are no references to either Bow Bridge or the Maidstone to Tonbridge turnpike, both of which were built during his life-time.
It includes a description of the 1763 Wateringbury hurricane similar, but not identical, to the one Greensted had published in The Gentleman's magazine and which is the subject of a separate snippet. The snippet on how Wateringbury water promotes long life was taken from this History.
Kent Archaeological Society (KAS) published in 1993 in its Archaelogica Cantiana (Vol 111) pages 123 to 130 a ballad Edward Greensted wrote describing his two day journey on foot in November 1772 from Wateringbury to Bethersden to visit a friend. The road and weather conditions he encountered on his journey were appalling. The publication by KAS was edited and introduced by Jack Cronk.
The only other known writing by Edward Greensted is on Nettlested Place.
The name Greensted is still reflected in the name of the care home in The Orpines, Wateringbury called The Abbeyfield Greensted.
I believe that it is only coincidence that Godil, the lady who owned part of Wateringbury in 1066, also owned Greensted in Essex. See Women own all of Wateringbury.
The copy of the history held by Wateringbury Local History Society ends, by a person other than Greensted, as follows:
Note Bene
The compiler of the forgoing history lies buried in Wateringbury churchyard. And a stone by voluntary subscription has been fixed in the church wall to his memory, of which the following is a description.
On the top are inscribed three characters in Greek signifying Christ the first and the last.
The Inscription
Near this place was deposited on 21st of March 1797 the body of Edward Greensted, who after a virtuous and well-spent life at the age of eighty three years dropped like ripe fruit into its Mothers lap.
Beneath is a mathematical figure consisting of a triangle inclosed in a circle in which are inscribed the 12 signs of the Zodiac. Then the following epitaph, written by Okey Balfour Esq of Lincoln’s Inn.
Here rests a man who plain without offence
With self taught science drawn from native sense
Displayed a striking lesson to mankind
Of tranquil goodness in a sphere confined
Who long time held with strict and wakeful care
His humble station in this house of prayer
And swayed with gentle and with equal rule
The little sceptre of his village school
Whilst cheerful patient and resigned he sought
Himself to practice what his precept taught
Then reader learn whilst pensive o’er his dust
To be like him devout and meek and just
What’er thy lot in life his plan pursue
Keep such examples always in thy view
To virtue only is the promise given
It leads to Peace to Happiness to Heaven.