A Walk around Merton Rush in the early 20th century

N
Detail from John Rocque’s map of 1745, with
suggestions as to the identities of some of the buildings
N
Detail from John Rocque’s map of 1745, with
suggestions as to the identities of some of the buildings
N
Dallett’s rents (later Pass’s cottages) or ‘Hutchin Reads’ copyhold
Rutlish Charity cottages or
‘Braxtons’ copyhold

Verandah Villa, lately
Chestnut Cottages,
formerly the copyhold
‘Our Lady House’

with the house numbering at the
end of the 19th century

N
ISBN 978 1 903899 57 1

Published by Merton Historical Society – April 2009

Further information on Merton Historical Society can be obtained from the Society’s website at
www.mertonhistoricalsociety.org.uk , or from
Merton Library & Heritage Service, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey. SM4 5DX

MERTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
LOCAL HISTORY NOTES – 28
A Walk around Merton Rush
in the early 20th century
Conducted by Cyril Maidment and Peter Hopkins
‘Old Cottages, Merton
Rush’

Watercolour by Madeline
Graham Barker 1929
reproduced by courtesy
of Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

C. Archer and R. Guy, independently as far as one can tell, set out to make a photographic record of old
Merton Rush before it was destroyed. These photographs are in the collection of the Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History. This publication sets out to make them easily available to anyone interested
in the local history of Merton Rush. By good fortune, other relevant photographs have kindly been made
available and these are included, together with an illustrated newspaper article from 1929. To facilitate
identification, the photographs are lettered a through to w.
A John ate Russh’ was a taxpayer in 1332,1 but otherwise the first known use of the placename ‘The
Rush’ is in the manorial court roll for 1487, when William Braxston surrendered ‘a toft of land called
Calays lying in Merton next to the Rush’ to a James Long of London. By 1550 ‘Calleys’ was described
as an orchard, and in 1626 it came into the same ownership as Our Lady House, which it adjoined, and
was probably absorbed within it.

‘Le Rushe’ is also mentioned as a landmark in 1548 and 1617. The ‘Rush Pond’ is mentioned between
1732 and 1827 in describing Braxtons, and the ‘Rush Tree’ is referred to in 1780.

Most of the properties around Merton Rush were copyhold of the manor of Merton. These were customary
tenements held from the lord of the manor at a fixed ‘quit-rent’ – quit of all other services and demands.
When such properties changed hands they were surrendered to the lord of the manor at the manorial court,
and the new tenant, whether heir or purchaser, swore fealty to the lord, paid an entry fine, and was admitted
to the tenancy. The transaction was recorded in the manorial court roll, and from the 16thcentury the new
tenant received a copy of the court roll entry as proof of tenure.

It is therefore possible to follow the tenure of these properties in the Merton manorial court rolls, which
survive from the end of the 15thcentury to the mid-17thcentury at the Guildhall Library, London, and from
the start of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century at the John Innes Centre, Norwich. A few
16th- and 17th-century copies of individual admittances also survive at Surrey History Centre and elsewhere.

By the 15th century, copyhold properties were often named after previous tenants, and many of these
tenement names survived into modern times. The Nelson Hospital covers two former copyholds. One,
recorded in 1489 as formerly held by William Braxton, was still called Brackstons in 1666, shortly before
it was purchased by William Rutlish (plots 84-85 in the Tithe Apportionment Survey of 1844). The other,
formed from two customary holdings held by Hugo Read before 1491, and called ‘Redis and
Hochynredis’ from 1511, was still known as Hutchins Reads in 1851 (plot 83). Opposite was a
‘messuage, garden and 1 acre of land, called Our Lady Acre’ in 1488 because the 6 shillings (30p) rent
was paid to ‘the custodian of the chapel of blessed Mary within the precinct’ of Merton priory, which
held the lordship of the manor. From 1512 until 1828 it was known as Our Lady House, becoming
Verandah Villa by 1869 (plot 81). The Leather Bottle (plots 58-59), on the north side of Kingston Road,
was so-called by 1727, but there was certainly a building on the site by 1702. Unfortunately it is not
possible to trace it in the earlier court rolls, as it seems to have been one of several properties owned
by the Lock family in the 16th and 17th centuries and reorganised beyond recognition. The same is true
of the adjoining Leather Bottle Field (plot 57).

1905/6
Directory

Samuel Shotter
Frederick Chappell
Mrs Buddin
Charles Ash
Richard Dynes
Mrs Sarah Styllwell,
Laundress

Mrs Elliott
Harry Botting
Timothy Elliott
George Nash

Grocer

Nash & Co.
House decorator
Frederick Emery
Henry Dawson
William Reeves
Thomas Penfold
Henry Ward
William Panting
Joseph Blythin
William Blythin
Joseph Neville

Charles Thomas Pilcher,
Florist

1909/1910
Directory

Jack Short
Frederick Chappell
Miss Buddin
Charles Ash
Mrs Dynes
Mrs Alice Merchant

Laundry
Mrs Elliott
George Brockwell

George NashBeer retailer

Nash & Co.
House decorator, grocer

Frederick Emery

Thomas Penfold

Charles Thomas Pilcher,
House agent, florist

1913/14

Directory

Henry Thomas Herbert

Frederick Chappell

Miss Buddin

Charles Ash

Mrs Dynes

Mrs Alice Marchant

Laundry
Mrs Elliott
Laundry

Hugh Jones

Henry Arthur Cook

George Nash

Beer retailer

Nash & Co.
House decorator, grocer
Frederick Emery

William Nesbitt

Thomas Penfold

Mrs Steele
Frederick Capon

William Pantin

Robert Joseph Wooton
Florist

35

House
No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

34
House 1891
No. Census
34
House 1891
No. Census
1891
Directory
1901
Census
1 J. Hillman Samuel Shotter
Dairyman’s assistant
2 James Burling Manager of Dairy
James Burling Frederick Chappell Main gas pipe layer
3 William Jackson
In receipt of Parish Relief
William Jackson Deborah Budden 4 Deborah Budden
Laundress Wash
Mrs Budden Charles Ash,
Brass Finisher
5 William Jeffries
General labourer
William Jeffries Violet Dynes,
Charwoman, (domestic)
6 Henry Stillwell Mrs H Stillwell
East Cottage laundress
Sarah Stillwell
Laundry
7 Sarah Elliott
Laundress
Mrs Elliott Sarah Elliott
Laundress
8 Sophia Walker Mrs Walker Harry Botting,
Builder’s labourer
9 Timothy Elliott Gardener
10 George Nash Grocer
George Nash Grocer
George Nash Grocer
Joseph Nash House decorator
11 Elizabeth Winter Mrs Winter William Reeves
Bricklayer
12 John Allistone
General labourer
John Allistone
13 John Parslow John Parslow Henry Newman Navvy
14 Daniel Lee Thomas Lee Thomas Penfold
Engineer’s labourer
15 Alfred Chapman General labourer
Alfred Chapman Henry Ward,
Retired wood sawyer
16 Mary Pell Walter Joyce William Panting Contractor’s carman
17 Joseph Blythyn Bricklayer
Joseph Blythin Joseph Blythyn Bricklayer
18 H. Williams
Gardener
William H Blythin
Gardener
19 Joseph NevilleGeneral labourer
Joseph Neville Joseph Neville Living on own means
20 Margaret Nicoll Florist
John Nicoll
Florist
John Nicoll
Florist

A brief outline of the history of the individual copyhold properties follows, and a fuller summary of the
information given in the manorial court rolls is included after the photographic exploration, together with
a table, based on the 1891 and 1901 Censuses and street directories of 1891, 1905/6, 1909/1910, and
1913/14, which gives information on the people living in Merton Rush over this period. Some maps are
included on the back page to assist understanding. These are drawn upside-down with south at the top,
because Merton Rush is normally viewed from Kingston Road, and not from Watery Lane. Furthermore,
the postal address, No. 1 Merton Rush, was on the Kingston Road side and the houses numbered from
this point. The first is a detail from John Rocque’s map of ’10 Miles around London’ dating from 1745,
with suggestions as to the identities of some of the buildings shown. The next map is of the area
surrounding Merton Rush as shown in the tithe apportionment map of 1844, including the plot numbers.
These specific plot identities are invaluable from a historical point of view because they have survived
through the centuries. The main map shows Merton Rush with the house numbering as it was at the end
of the 19th century. (A map produced by the late John Wallace was helpful in the preparation of this one.)
A small version of this map accompanies each photograph and is marked with an arrow to show
approximately where the photographer was standing.

BRIEF HISTORIES OF INDIVIDUAL PLOTS
Plot 57, Leather Bottle Field

Leather Bottle Field always seems to have been held by the owners of the adjoining Merton Hall Farm.
It is first mentioned in the court rolls for 1702/3, when there was a cottage on the site, but this had been
demolished by 1709. Although orders were given by the court authorities that the cottage should be
rebuilt, there is no record that this was ever done. The field carried the ancient field path to Wimbledon.
By 1897 the path had become Merton Hall Road in anticipation of a substantial housing development.
A new Leather Bottle pub was built on the corner with Kingston Road in the following year.

Plot 58, site of the Leather Bottle

Records of a building on the Leather Bottle site go back to 20 January 1702, but the first mention by
that name in the manorial court rolls was in 1727, when Edward Hebbard took out a mortgage on the
property. In 1711 Hebbard had inherited a property on the site now known as Dorset Hall and another
in Church Path, both of which he mortgaged in 1714. This was presumably to finance the purchase of
the Leather Bottle site, which he took over on 30 September 1714. He is recorded (as Edward Hubbart)
in a list of local victuallers in 1725,2 but by1727 the property was in the occupation of Simon Martin.
Hebbard sold the Dorset Hall site in 1727, and two years later he sold the Church Path and Leather Bottle
sites to Hugh Marshall, a Wandsworth coachmaker. The two properties were each divided at Marshall’s
death in 1754 between his daughter and his son’s son. The grandson, also a coachmaker, was declared
bankrupt in 1763, and his share was sold to pay his debts, and in due course was bought by Richard
Dallett, a member of a family that had long links with Merton (see plots 59 and 83 below). The Leather
Bottle itself, with half the Church Path site, passed to Marshall’s daughter’s daughter, Mary Smith, later
Mary Gover and then Mary Freeman, who sold it in 1821 to John Edney, a Merton bricklayer or builder.
In 1867 it was sold to Joseph Hayes, an alehousekeeper, who had been Edney’s tenant when the Tithe
Apportionment Survey was undertaken in 1844. In Hayes’ time it was known as the Old Leather Bottle.
In 1876 William Thomas Palmer was the publican, and Mrs Ellen Hayes was living in Ivy Cottage, one
of the Dallett cottages adjoining the Leather Bottle. Hayes’ grandson, William Joseph Walker, inherited
the alehouse in 1894, and purchased the freehold three years later.

This pub would have played an important role in the social life of the local community. When the new
Leather Bottle was opened in 1898, the old building became the site of the business of H.G. Copus,
grocer, newsagent, stationer and removal contractor.

Plot 59, the Dallett Cottages

Plot 59, the Dallett Cottages

83. One of the cottages was occupied by his sister, Judith Jenkinson. On his death in 1813 these
copyhold properties passed to his nephew, Matthew Dallett, son of his brother Christopher. Judith
Jenkinson’s daughter, Diana, was the tenant of his cottage at the Tithe Apportionment Survey of 1844.
Matthew died in 1849 and his son-in-law, Michael Pass, inherited. Michael was a bankrupt at his death
in 1895, and the properties were sold to pay his debts.
Plot 60, Long Lodge

The fascinating history of Long Lodge is given inLong Lodge at Merton Rushby John Wallace.3

Plot 81, Our Lady House, Verandah Villa

The first record of this plot is from 9 May 1488, when Merton Priory granted it to John Watson. It then
comprised a dwelling house, a garden and one acre of land, known as ‘Our Lady Acre’. The name ‘Our
Lady Howse’ first appears in the Merton manorial court rolls on 8 October 1512 and was still in use
in 1828. Our Lady House had a chequered history, three times in the late 15th and early 16th centuries
being taken back into the hands of Merton priory, lords of the manor, because it had been allowed to
become ruinous. In 1528 a two-acre plot of meadow or pasture land in Cannon Hill Lane was added
to the holding, and further encroachments from the adjoining Merton Common were added over the
centuries. In 1828 a three-acre plot there was leased to a local farmer, but seven ‘messuages’ had also
been built. The original site by the Rush had been divided into two tenements by this time. It was one
of two copyholds (the other being a cottage in Church Path) held by Mary Head Harwood, illegitimate
daughter of William Head, farmer of Bakers Farm in Cannon Hill Lane. William died in 1807, when Mary
was just six years old. In 1828 she was about to marry Frederick Wilson Sutton, and the property was
placed in trust for her and her heirs in such a way that her husband could not control it. At the Tithe
Apportionment Survey of 1844 the properties were listed in the name of James Sutton (plots 81, 9597),
and occupied by Ann Wilkes and others. Mary’s daughter, Mary Ann Sutton, inherited the property
in 1869, and purchased the freehold shortly after. In 1906-7 the plot was cleared and Merton Park
Parade built, apparently without any photographs ever having been taken of the previous buildings.

Plot 82, Waste of Manor, Cross Row, Andrew’s Cottages

This plot covers cottages numbered 1 to 5. This is the ‘island’ of Merton Rush. It was the last plot to
be developed and in 1940, the last plot to be cleared. Only part of it, presumably the narrower triangle
behind the houses, seems to have been copyhold, as on 19 August 1780 licence was granted to ‘Josiah
Vivian of Mitcham, callico printer, to enclose a certain piece of the waste of the manor near Rush Tree
on the south side of the road leading from Merton to Kingston containing in length 36 feet little more or
less and in breadth at the west end 36 feet and at the east end 58 feet more or less, at a peppercorn rent,
granted on condition that no cottage or other erection or building be at any time erected or built on the
said piece of waste’. Vivian held other properties in Merton that had come into the possession of John
Charles when the Tithe Apportionment map and schedule were drawn up. Charles Buddin was the
occupier of John Charles’ ‘tenements and yards’ on this site, which presumably included the ‘waste’
granted in 1780.The dimensions given prove that this grant did not include the whole of the ‘island’, and
it is clear from pictures c and d that the buildings shown had been erected around this date. One wonders
if the ‘Rush Tree’ was the dominant tree in these pictures.

31.3.1807 William Head deceased to Mary Head Harwood aged 6, guardian Elizabeth Harwood widow, her
mother: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/7.4.1818
Elizabeth Watts, wife of Thomas Watts, of Merton gent, mother & guardian of Mary Head
Harwood received allotments in Merton Common following enclosure

2.8.1828 Mary Head Harwood to Sparrow Toms & Thomas Archdeacon Lewis, trustees under marriage
settlement whereby Mary to marry Frederick Wilson Sutton: Our Lady House, 2 acres &c, now 7
messuages late occ Letitia Moore, John James, – Trew, John Freeland, James Wagland, Nancy
Harwood & Lieut Hutchinson, now occ Letitia Moore, John Freeland, John James, – Taylor,
Elizabeth Watts, – Dickson & John Cooke; and 3 acres occ John Cooke; and messuage divided
into 2 tenements with yard &c; and allotments from Merton Common

28.10.1840 Thomas Archdeacon Lewis, Sparrow Thoms being deceased, was granted an enclosure of a piece

of waste ground @2d
22.4.1858 Thomas Archdeacon Lewis to Mary Head Sutton, widow: various messuages etc
18.12.1867 Mary Head Sutton deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs
1.3.1869 Mary Head Sutton of Verandah Villa Merton, deceased, to Mary Ann Sutton, daughter: 3 acres

meadow with 7 cottages; and 1 cottage divided into 2
16.6.1869 Mary Ann Sutton enfranchised her copyholds

LEATHER BOTTLE FIELD

[early history unclear, probably one of many copyholds purchased by the Lock family and reorganised]

8.7.1702/3 Robert Dorrill, Esq admitted as tenant to 3 copyholds: Randalls Yard and Walkfield [both adjoining
Church House site] and Leather Bottle Field with 1 customary cottage or tenement formerly in the
tenure or occupation of Marmaduke Deacon and now or late Richard Fillmore.

–.9.1709 Robert Dorrill deceased to Robert Dorrill: Leather Bottle Field (demolished cottage late in the

tenure of Thomas Whapham, to the value of £3 per annum, to be rebuilt) &c.
–.3. 1714 Robert Dorrill held: Leather Bottle Field, value £6/10/-, & 3 commonings, occupier Jos. Whapham
24.6.1742 Robert Dorrill deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs. None came.
9.9.1742 Henry Meriton of St George Hanover Square was admitted: Leather Bottle Field &c.
9.1.1758 Henry Meriton deceased to daughter, Ann Meriton of Chelsea, widow: Leather Bottle Field &c.

Ann Meriton to Thomas Chitty Esq, Alderman of the City of London: Leather Bottle Field &c.
7.11.1762 Sir Thomas Chitty died 17.10.1762
14.3.1766 Eleanor, wife of George Bond and Sarah, wife of Samuel Seawell of Mark Lane, merchant,

daughters of Thomas Chitty, were each admitted to a moiety of the 3 copyholds, @ 6/8d each.
5.4.1790 Sarah Seawell, widow, deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs [repeated 9.4.1792 and 4.5.1792]
30.11.1793 Eleanor Bond of Bath, widow, daughter of Thomas Chitty, Esq, Alderman and afterwards Knight,

was admitted to moiety of Sarah Seawell, deceased: Leather Bottle Field, occupier Richard Dallett

14.5.1805 Eleanor Bond of Bath, widow, deceased to Thomas Bond of Norton House Dartmouth Devon,
grandson and surviving devisee, admitted under the terms of Thomas Chitty’s will. Surrender to
use of Thomas Bond’s will: Leather Bottle Field &c.

15.8.1805 Thomas Bond held 14 commonings [also 30.7.1806 and 31.3.1807 prior to enclosure of Common].
31.3.1807 Thomas Bond deceased to Essex Henry Bond, his brother: Leather Bottle Field &c.
26.2.1819 Essex Henry Bond to Rear Admiral Isaac Smith of Clapham: Walkfield and Randall’s Yard.

Leather Bottle Field and cottage remained with E H Bond.
12.10.1819 Essex Henry Bond deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs: Leather Bottle Field and cottage.
3.6.1820 Essex Henry Bond deceased: 2nd proclamation for heirs: Leather Bottle Field and cottage.
4.10.1820 Essex Henry Bond’s copyhold lands forfeit to the lord for want of a tenant.
31.10.1821 Essex Henry Bond deceased to Alfred Marjoribanks Bond, a minor, youngest son and heir:

Leather Bottle Field and the Common allotments. Guardianship granted to Charles Frederick Bond.
28.10.1823 Reverend Charles F Bond was granted licence, out of court 5.3.1823, to demise to Thomas Whalley
customary tenements, held by C F Bond as guardian to Alfred M Bond, for up to 7 years.
28.10.1840 Alfred Marjoribanks Bond to James Page of Merton, farmer, for £444: Leather Bottle Field

containing 1 acre 2 roods 34 perches. Also 3 allotments containing 7 acres 3 roods 12 perches.
26.10.1842 Proclamation for the purchaser of Alfred Marjoribanks Bond’s copyhold to come forward.
8.11.1843 Proclamation for the purchaser of Alfred Marjoribanks Bond’s copyhold to come forward.
18.12.1843 James Page was admitted to the copyhold: Leather Bottle Field and allotments from Common.

Compiled by Peter Hopkins from transcripts of the court rolls prepared by himself (pre 1700) and the late
John Wallace (post 1700).

OUR LADY HOUSE, later called VERANDAH VILLA, and other properties in the present Cannon Hill Lane

OUR LADY HOUSE, later called VERANDAH VILLA, and other properties in the present Cannon Hill Lane

4.10.1493 John Watson’s copyhold was waste and was taken into the lord’s hand: cottage with yard called
Sangers & 1 acre called Our Lady Acre in Goldyngisffurlong, pertaining to custodian of chapel of
blessed Mary within precinct

19.4.1504 Merton priory granted to William Palmer: messuage, garden, 1 acre called Our Lady Acre in furlong
called Goldynge subte Bradwey, formerly John Watson
5.4.1508 William Palmer to Thomas Flynders: messuage, garden, 1 acre called Our Lady Acre in Goldyng
furlong, formerly John Watson
4.10.1510 Thomas Flynders to William Hendy, chaplain: messuage, garden, 1 acre called Our Lady Acre in

furlong called Goldynge subr Bradwaey, formerly John Watson
8.10.1512 William Hendy, chaplain, allowed to be ruinous, not yet repaired: tenement called Our Lady Howse
28.3.1515 William Hendy, chaplain, tenement ruinous – taken into lord’s hand: Our Lady House
9.10.1528 Merton priory granted to Henry Conrode: tenement called Our Ladyhouse & 2 acres next to

demesne land called Bakers
10.10.1533 Henry Conrode to Roger Purpyll: tenement called Our Lady House & 2 acres near Bakers
8.10.1535 Roger Purpill deceased to Agnes Purpill, widow for life, reversion to son Thomas: tenement called

Our Lady House & 2 acres near Bakers
27.4.1549 Agnes Andrews, widow of Roger Purpill, deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs: tenement called Our

Lady House & 2½ acres near Bakers @12/12.10.1549
Thomas Purpill: 2nd proclamation for heirs: Our Lady House, garden & 2½ acres near Bakers
11.4.1550 Thomas Purpill: 3rd proclamation for heirs: Our Lady House, garden & 2½ acres near Bakers
13.10.1550 Merton priory granted to George Cotton: Our Lady House, garden & 2½ acres near Bakers
3.10.1556 George Cotton to William Tyrrell: Our Lady House, garden & 2½ acres near Bakers
3.10.1572 William Tyrrell to Richard Morris, citizen & ironmonger: Our Lady House, garden & 2 acres

adjoining @12/20.7.1582
Richard Morrys to John Mantle: Our Lady House, garden & 2 acres adjoining @12/12.8.1592
John Mantell, clerk, held a tenement with commonings for 4 kyne & 1 horse, occupier James Heron
18.6.1599 Johanna Mantell surrendered and was regranted for life, with reversion to John & Elizabeth Galley
17.6.1603 Johanna Beven, deceased, wife of David Beven, to John & Elizabeth Galley: Our Lady House,

garden & 2 acres land @ 12/8.6.1615
John & Elizabeth Galley to Thomas & Dorothy Sergeant: Our Lady House, garden & 2 acres near
Bakers @12/–.
6.1626 Thomas & Dorothy Sergeant were granted a piece of land between Caleys and the road

1626-1701 no extant court rolls

9.5.1707 Richard Chauncey of London, gent, son & heir of John Chauncey, deceased, to Edward Chalkhill
of Streatham, yeoman: Our Lady House & 2 acres belonging, &c @ 13/- with 6 commonings,
formerly in occupation of Oliver Phillips gent & Robert Pettit gent

–.3.1714 Edward Chalkhill held Our Lady House &c @ 13/-, with 6 commonings, occupier Thomas Whapham
8.7.1721 Edward Chalkhill to Mary Bignall, daughter: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/-, formerly in occ

Oliver Phillips gent, now or late in occ John Vearell
5.9.1724 William & Mary Bignall to Edward Chalkhill, brother: Our Lady House & 2 acres, in occ John Vearell
1740 Edward Chalkhill deceased to Percival Chalkhill, brother: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/4.8.1744
Perceval Chalkhill to Perceval Lewis of Putney esq: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/7.11.1762
Perceval Lewis deceased to Abigail Lewis widow, by will: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/7.5.1766
Perceval Lewis deceased had not surrendered to use of his will, therefore it passed to Thomas

Lewis of Lime St, youngest son: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/7.5.1766
Thomas [& Abigail] Lewis to John Kentish of Cornhill, goldsmith: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/19.8.1780
John Kentish deceased to James Green & Dorothy Addison, trustees for wife Frances Kentish for

life: copyhold messuage, garden and appurtenances at Merton, occupier William Easton
17.4.1786 James Green & Dorothy Addison, trustees, deceased, to John Planck of Serjeants Inn Fleet Street,
jeweller, nephew of James Green: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/- [and 21.10.1786]
18.5.1792 sold by decree of Chancery for heirs of John Kentish for £320 to Robert Fisher [recorded

14.5.1805]
25.7.1796 John Plancke forfeited to lord because ruinous: Our Lady House & 2 acres @13/18.12.1801
John Planck: 1st proclamation for claimants of title by Chancery decree
14.5.1805 Robert Fisher to William Head gent of Merton & Mary Head Harwood

Plot 83, Hutchins Reads, Dallett’s Rents, Pass’s Cottages

This plot covers cottages numbered 6 to 15. The first recorded landholder is Hugo Rede, and on 19
October 1491 Thomas Rede sold the plot, comprising one cottage and half an acre, to Thomas Lok,
whose descendants became major landholders in Merton in the 16th and 17th centuries, though this
particular property was sold in 1498.

Three years later it was bought by John Salyng, whose descendants also had long connections with
Merton, though the link was continued through the female line. John, a member of a family that provided
several canons and two priors at Merton priory, obtained Braxtons, Redis and Hochynredis in 1501.
On his death 10 years later, his wife Elena received a life-interest in Redis and Hochynredis, while his
daughter, Margaret Goffe, received Braxtons. Elena died in 1542, having been widowed three times,
leaving a husband who had no claim to the properties, which also passed to Margaret. Margaret died
in 1555, also having been widowed three times, and her son Augustin Goffe inherited both properties.
On his death three years later his heir for ‘Redys’ and ‘Huttchyn Reades’ was his infant son, William,
‘aged one year and more’, the manor of Merton following the practice known as Borough English,
whereby the youngest son inherited customary holdings. Under Augustine’s will, ‘Brakstones’ was left
to his widow, Christiana, for life or until she remarried, and then to his elder son, Richard. William died
in 1563, aged only 12, and Richard inherited his properties. The following year Christiana remarried,
and Richard inherited Brakstones, but sold it immediately. In 1572 he sold most of ‘Reads’ and
‘Huchens’ to the parson of Merton, John Mantell, but two acres, later
known as Goffes Croft, were sold to John Carpenter, owner of West Barnes Farm. So the family link
ended after 71 years and four generations.

By March 1714 it was held by Ann Miles and known as Hutchins Reads and it included the right to pasture
three cattle on Merton Common. Her heirs sold it to Richard Dallett in 1774. It was during Dallett’s tenure
that Hutchins Reads was redeveloped, with eight houses being built. The central building, occupied by
James Noble in 1814, had a rent much higher than the others and part of it was then being used as a
chapel. This might well be number 10,picture g, which later became an off-licence – William Thomas
Palmer, publican of the Old Leather Bottle, took on a 28-year lease on 31 March 1876.

Matthew Dallett inherited the plot on 14 June 1814. In December 1851 the plot was inherited by Michael
Pass and comprised ten messuages, which became known as Pass’s Cottages. The last owner recorded
in the court rolls was Alfred Johnson, a grocer of 83 Hartfield Crescent Wimbledon, on 22 July 1898.

Plot 84, Braxtons, Rutlish Charity Cottages

This plot covers cottages numbered 16 to 20. William Braxton is the first known holder of this plot. On
9 May 1489 it was sold by John Godfrey to Simon Forte, having one messuage. Together with Hutchins
Reads, itcame into the possession of John Salyng in 1501 and remained in the family until 1564.

Many copyholders followed, the last being William Rutlish from July 1675 until his death on 30 May
1689, at which time the main house was four stories high. There is no evidence that he ever lived here,
though he was baptised in Merton in 1605, and his father, Fergus, served as constable and as tithingman,
dying in 1617. Four cottages adjoining the house were provided by the newly-formed Rutlish Charity
for ‘various poor persons upon trust’. In October 1786 the four cottages were replaced, possibly by
those in picture o. There is another reference to ‘new messuages by the Rush Pond’ on 4 October 1820.
Rutlish and his trustees also held the adjoining arable plot 85, as well as the White Hart in Kingston Road.

1 Surrey Taxation Returns Surrey Record Society XI (1922,1932)
2 Clive Whichelow, Pubs of Merton (Enigma Publishing 2003)
3 John Wallace Long Lodge at Merton Rush (John Innes Society 1993)

Article and drawing by Vincent Lines (1909-68) for Wimbledon Boro’ News 1929

Article and drawing by Vincent Lines (1909-68) for Wimbledon Boro’ News 1929

A bus roaring along the
Kingston Road will take
you to the very spot.

If you have seen it
often before, you may
go on your way, detached,
preoccupied and
disinterested; if you
have not, you will be
gratified, surprised.
In these days one has
grown accustomed to the
dreary monotony of main
roads, so that a little
community such as Merton
Rush, unaltered and
intact, affords a vivid
contrast.

Coming across this
quite suddenly the town-
dweller, a stranger to
Merton, might well feel
at Merton Rush that he
makes an unexpected
entry into a bygone
world.

There is a certain
unfathomable attraction
in the old timbers and
tiles of the Rush, and
the stranger, if he has a mind for such things, will not be contented with a cursory
glance from the bus. Each cottage is possessed of individuality, and it is both
pleasant and easy to cast away in imagination the modern surroundings, and
momentarily, to fancy oneself back in the times when Nelson roamed here.

Watery Lane leads to Church Path, so, should you journey a short way towards the
latter passage and then turn back, another pleasing aspect of the Rush is your
reward. Kingston Road is the thoroughfare visible in the distance, but happily
at this point it seems conscious of its responsibility to Merton, and some tiled
cottages have been left to harmonise with old Merton Rush.

It was early in the seventeenth century that the Rush was
built. During its history how many and varied have been the
changes round about. I learn that there is one structure,
used as a store now, that, from 1798 until 1841, served as

picture a

a Nonconformist Chapel. Every dwelling here must have had
some odd circumstance in its past which, if it could be re-
John Innes Society told, would have a place in local history.

Save that a general store has taken the place of the chapel,

Merton Rush (the name might almost have been ironically
derived from passing traffic) must be just as it was when
Nelson, unhappy Richard Sheridan, William Morris, the
artist, poet and craftsman, and Shields, the Victorian
painter, knew it.

Save, too, of course, that in those times no roaring bus
would have brought you along the narrow Kingston Road; you
would have walked, or, better still, have come by carriage.

a
N
LEATHER BOTTLE and adjoining property

[early history unclear, probably one of many copyholds purchased by the Lock family and reorganised]

20.1.1702 Mary Edes deceased had held for life: messuage @ 2/1

5.5.1702 Mary Edes deceased to James Edes son of Henry Edes: messuage @ 2/1

–.3.1714 James Edes held copyhold valued at £6, with 2 commonings, @2/1 rent, occupier William Hartley

30.9.1714 James Ede to Edward Hebbard of Merton, yeoman: messuage with common pasture for 2 beasts @ 2/1

9.3.1727 Edward Hebbeard mortgaged to George Platt of Mitcham cordwainer: The Leather Bottle with
garden, barn & shed &c in occupation of Simon Martin

1729 Edward Hebbeard yeoman of Merton & Annabella his wife to Hugh Marshall of Wandsworth
coachmaker: Leather Bottle, garden, outhouses, barn, shed &c @ 2/1, then in occupation of Simon
Martin [recorded -.4.1736]

14.10.1754 Hugh Marshall deceased; his two copyhold properties [the other was in Church Path] were
divided between:
Maskall Brocklesby of Wandsworth as trustee for Hugh’s daughter Susannah, wife of William
Smith of Wandsworth calico printer [no interest to husband], reversion to Hugh Bull,
and Hugh’s grandson, Hugh Bull, son of Thomas Bull of Wandsworth, coppersmith, guardian
Maskall Brocklesby: Leather Bottle, garden &c, on which erected 3 new messuages in the several
occupations of John Hudson, Stephen Stephens, William Banks

SUSANNAH SMITH’S MOIETY: Leather Bottle

21.10.1774 Mascall Brocklesby deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs

3.12.1778 Mascall Brocklesby deceased: 2nd proclamation for heirs

19.8.1780 Susannah Smith deceased to Mary Smith, daughter, wife of John Smith of Putney, labourer:
moiety of copyhold messuage late Hugh Marshall @10d

1.10.1808 Mary Gover formerly Smith, widow, of Putney, surrendered & was readmitted (to extinguish estate
in tail): moiety @10d

31.10.1821 Mary & Samuel Freeman, formerly Mary Gover, to John Edney of Merton, bricklayer: moiety
@10d, (paying 15/- a week to the Freemans for life)

18.12.1867 John Edney of Dalston, surveyor, to Joseph Hays of Merton, alehousekeeper for £200: Old
Leather Bottle, now occupied by Joseph Hays, formerly 2 messuages and 2 barns

11.10.1894 Joseph Imanuel Hayes, alehousekeeper, deceased, to William Joseph Walker, grandson: Old
Leather Bottle, in his own occupation

19.11.1894 William Joseph Walker mortgaged to Victor Napoleon Donetil gent of Kingston: Old Leather
Bottle alehouse

10.3.1897 William Joseph Walker has repaid mortgage to Donetil: Old Leather Bottle public house

11.3.1897 William Joseph Walker enfranchised for £373/1/8: Old Leather Bottle

HUGH BULL’S MOIETY: cottages adjoining Leather Bottle

7.5.1763 Hugh Bull of Theobalds Row Middx, coachmaker, dealer & chapman, bankrupt, to Thomas Lee &
Ann Towley in trust for creditors

7.5.1763 Thomas Lee & Ann Towley to Daniel Parker of Wandsworth, carpenter

3.12.1778 Daniel Parker to Richard Dallett the younger of Merton, yeoman: moiety @10d

4.5.1813 Richard Dallett deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs: moiety

14.6.1814 Richard Dallett deceased, to Matthew Dallett, nephew: messuage occ by Judith Jenkinson @£6,
and messuage occ by Richard Payn @ £7

24.10.1849 Matthew Dallett deceased: 1st proclamation of heirs

23.10.1850 Matthew Dallett deceased: 2nd proclamation of heirs

5.11.1851 Matthew Dallett deceased: 3rd proclamation of heirs

30.12.1851 Matthew Dallett deceased, to Michael Pass

31.3.1876 Michael Pass of Hyde Vale Greenwich, cement merchant, granted a 28-year lease to William
Thomas Palmer, publican of Old Leather Bottle, Merton: Ivy Cottage, occ by Mrs Ellen Hayes, and
unoccupied cottage between Ivy Cottage & Olde Leather Bottle
SEE READS & HUTCHIN READS FOR LATER HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY

WASTE OF MANOR NEAR RUSH TREE

19.8.1780 License was granted to Josiah Vivian of Mitcham, callico printer, to enclose a certain piece of the
waste of the manor near Rush Tree on the south side of the road leading from Merton to Kingston
containing in length 36 feet, little more or less, and in breadth at the west end 36 feet and at the
east end 58 feet, more or less, at a peppercorn rent, granted on condition that no cottage or other
erection or building be at any time erected or built on the said piece of waste.

30 30
Margaret Gest, widow, deceased to Augustin Goffe: cottage and garden, yard and ½ acre land
called Redys, and toft with yard and croft called Huchenredys
3.5.1558 Augustine Goffe deceased to William Goffe, ‘aged one year and more’, youngest son, in custody
of Christiana Goffe, widow: cottage and garden, yard and ½ acre land called Redys, and toft with
yard and croft called Huchinnrede
27.4.1563 William Goffe deceased (aged 12) to Richard Goffe, brother and heir, of full age: cottage and
garden, yard and ½ acre land called Reades, and toft with yard and croft called Huttchyn Reades
@ 2/11
3.10.1572 Richard Goffe to John Mantell: cottage and garden, yard and ½ acre land called Reades, and part
of croft called Huchens @ 1/7 [a further 2 acres to John Carpenter @ 1/4 later Goffes Close]
12.8.1592 John Mantell, clerk, held a copyhold with common rights for 3 kyne, occupier William Taylor
25.9.1594 John Mantle, clerk, to Richard Taylor and wife Ann: messuage with garden, orchard, barn and yard
called a backside
24.10.1617 Richard Taylor deceased to Elizabeth & Margaret Taylor, daughters and heirs: messuage with
garden, orchard, barn and yard called a backside @ 1/7
8.4.1619 John & Elizabeth Snell & John & Margaret Trimmer, daughters of Richard Taylor to John Taylor:
messuage with garden, orchard, barn and yard called a backside, and ½ acre land abutting south
on Merton Common and north on land of lord of manor @ 1/7 [recorded 20.7.1626]
1626-1701 No extant court rolls
–.3.1714 Ann Miles held a copyhold with 3 commonings, valued at £14 pa @ 1/7, occupier Rob Willmott
30.9.1718 Ann Miles deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs: Hutchins Reads with 3 commonings
5.10.1719 2nd proclamation for heirs: Hutchins Reads with 3 commonings
8.7.1721 Ann Miles deceased to Rebecca, wife of George Hastings, vintner: Hutchins Reads with 3
commonings @1/7
–.4.1736 Stephen Cockerill, vintner & Rebecca his wife, late wife of George Hastings, to John Addington,
cooper of London: reversion (if heirs fail) of messuage called Hutchin Reads
10.4.1747 Rebecca Cockerill deceased to John Addington: Hutchins Reads & 3 commonings @ 1/7
10.4.1747 John Addington to William Addington of Cross Lane, St Dunstan in East, London, wine cooper:
Hutchins Reads & 3 commonings @ 1/7
21.10.1774 William Addington to Richard Dallett the younger of Merton, yeoman: Hutchins Reads & 3
commonings
14.5.1805 Richard Dallett held a tenement late Miles @ rent 1/7
30.7.1806 Richard Dallett held a tenement with 3 commonings [and on31.3.1807]
4.5.1813 Richard Dallett deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs: Hutchins Read @ 1/7
14.6.1814 Richard Dallett deceased to Matthew Dallet, nephew and heir: Hutchins Read @ 1/7, now
consisting of:
messuage occ William Luker @£8 messuage occ Joseph Hill @ £8
messuage occ Thomas Withall @ £8 messuage, part used as chapel, occ James Noble @ £15
messuage occ William Mash @ £7 messuage occ John James @ £5
messuage occ James Whitcroft @ £4 messuage occ Benjamin Froud @ £9
[+ messuages adj Leather Bottle]
28.7.1817 Matthew Dallett was granted licence to demise his properties for 21 years, including allotment of
2acres 2roods 5perches enclosed from Merton Common @1d [plot 10] [recorded 11.11.1817]
24.10.1849 Matthew Dallett deceased: 1st proclamation for heirs
23.10.1850 Matthew Dallett deceased: 2nd proclamation for heirs
5.11.1851 Matthew Dallett deceased: 3rd proclamation for heirs
30.12.1851 Matthew Dallet deceased to Michael Pass, appointee of trustees of Matthew Dallett’s will:
Hutchins Reads and allotment
6.9.1861 Michael Pass of Plymouth Wharf, Isle of Dogs, merchant, to James Page of Coombe Wood Farm,
Kingston, farmer: allotment [admitted 17.8.1868]
9.3.1869 Michael Pass mortgaged for £950 to Evan Hare & Harvey Lodge de Montmorency: his copyholds
14.5.1891 Michael Pass [and 2 sons], lime merchant of Plymouth Wharf, bankrupt, died 7.3.1895:
10 messuages situate at Merton Rush [+ 2 adj Old Leather Bottle] [recorded 10.12.1895]
22.7.1898 Evan Hare & Harvey L de Montmorency to Alfred Johnson of 83 Hartfield Crescent, Wimbledon,
grocer: their copyhold messuages sold for £1110, occ Soames, Wright [adj Leather Bottle];
Sittwell/Stillwell, Elliott [senior, Elliott junior], Rissin, Mash/Nash, Mott [senior, Mott junior],
Alliston & Chapman [as in 1895; cf 1891 Census and Directory entries on pp34-5]
18.9.1899 Alfred Johnson purchased the enfranchisement of copyhold for £650: his 12 messuages

Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913

picture b

A view of numbers 1 to 5 (Cross Row), with 8 and 9 in the distance,

Wimbledon Society from Kingston Road, looking south, with the corner of Merton ParkMuseum of Local History

Parade on the left. Milk is being delivered from the dairy on the right

P0324

by a horse-drawn cart with a single large churn.

N
b

c
c
Photograph: H. C. Archer, 5 August 1913

picture c

Numbers 1 to 5 Merton Rush, close-up view of Cross Row from
Wimbledon Society Kingston Road looking south.
Museum of Local History

P0336 At one time the Plough beerhouse occupied one of these cottages.
The mansard roof would have provided good-sized rooms in the
attic.

N
A summary of the tenurial history of the copyholds as revealed in the manorial court rolls

BRAXTONS

9.5.1489 John Godfrey to Simon Forte: messuage, croft & yard formerly William Braxton

19.4.1493 Simon Forte to Thomas Lok, citizen & mercer: messuage & yard formerly Braxtons

–.10.1498 Thomas Lok to Laurence Aylemer, clothseller: messuage & yard formerly Braxtons

10.5.1500 Laurence Aylemer to Lionel Burton: messuage & yard formerly Braxtons

8.10.1501 Lionel Burton to John Salyng: toft called Braxstonys

3.10.1511 John Salyng deceased to William & Margaret Goffe: cottage, garden & croft called Brakestones

21.4.1531 William Goffe deceased to Margaret Goffe in own right

1538 Stephen Polen held, in his wife’s right: Brastonez @ 2/4

22.4.1547 Bartholomew & Margaret Geste to Elizabeth Gough, daughter of Margaret: reversion of cottage,
garden & croft adjoining called Brackestones

10.5.1552 reversion to Augustine Gough brother & heir of Elizabeth Gough deceased: cottage, garden &
croft adjoining called Brakstones

3.5.1558 Augustine Goffe deceased to Christiana Goffe widow until marriage, reversion to Richard Goffe:
cottage, garden & croft adjoining called Brakstones

6.4.1564 Christiana Goffe, marrying Richard Rypton of Mitcham, to Richard Goffe: cottage, garden & croft
adjoining called Brackstones @2/4

6.4.1564 Richard Goffe to Richard Powlle: cottage, garden & croft adjoining called Brackstones @2/4

12.8.1592 Richard Powell entitled to commoning for 4 kyne for tenement in own tenure

recorded Richard Powle to Elizabeth Powle, wife, for life, reversion to John Powle, grandson: messuage,

25.9.1594 garden & 1 acre

25.9.1594 Elizabeth Powle deceased to John Powle: messuage, garden & 1 acre

17.6.1603 John Powle to John Pollard: messuage, garden & 1 acre

1619 John Pollard to George Roper: messuage, orchard & close adjoining in occupation of Abraham
Henman [recorded 2.6.1626]

18.10.1663 George & Jane Roper to Thomas Harlowe gent: messuage called Brackstons with close adjoining,
late in occupation of Thomas Mansfield, formerly of Abraham Henman[recorded 20.4.1666]

1.7.1675 William Rutlish held a messuage, orchard & close adjacent in occupation of Thomas Mansfield
[recorded 8.4.1732]

30.5.1689 William Rutlish deceased to trustees of Rutlish Charity

8.4.1732 trustees deceased to new trustees: messuage situate next the Rush Pond 4 storeys high & 4
cottages adjacent with barn & other buildings adjoining or near, & piece of meadow/pasture
besides, etc occupied by various poor persons upon trust

21.10.1786 trustees to new trustees: 4 cottages above taken down & 4 new cottages erected

4.10.1820 trustees to new trustees: new messuages by the Rush Pond late occupied by Richard Dallett and
James Steel

READS & HUTCHIN READS

19.10.1491 Thomas Rede to Thomas Lok: cottage and yard and ½ acre land late Hugo Rede and yard and
croft late Hugo Rede

–.10.1498 Thomas Lok, citizen & mercer of London to Laurence Aylemer, citizen & clothseller of London:
cottage and yard and ½ acre land late Hugo Rede and yard and croft late Hugo Rede

10.5.1500 Laurence Aylemer, citizen & clothseller of London to Lionel Burton: cottage and yard and ½ acre
land late Hugo Rede, and yard and croft late Hugo Rede

8.10.1501 Lionel Burton to John Salyng: cottage and yard and ½ acre land late Hugo Rede

3.10.1511 John Salyng deceased to Elena his wife for life: cottage and garden, yard and ½ acre land called
Redis, and toft with yard and croft called Hochynredis

21.4.1542 Elena Bowes, deceased, wife of Edmund Bowes & formerly of John Salynge to Margaret wife of
Stephen Pullen, daughter of John Salynge, widow of Wm Goffe: cottage and garden, yard and ½
acre land called Redys, and toft with yard and croft called Huchen Rede @ 2/11 rent [admitted
7.10.1542]

13.10.1550 Bartholomew Geste, husband of Margaret daughter of John Salyng to Margaret Geste daughter of
John Salyng for life, reversion to Alexander Ardan: cottage and garden, yard and ½ acre land
called Redys, and toft with yard and croft called Hutchyns

14.10.1551 reversion to Augustin Goff, brother and heir of Agnes, late wife of Alexander Ardan: cottage and
garden, yard and ½ acre land called Redes, and toft with yard and croft called Huchens

John Innes Society

N
w
Postcard: Kingston Road looking northeast at the junction with
Quintin Avenue; a postcard from a photograph takenc.1905. picture d
This shows very little of Merton Rush, but is relevant and full of Wimbledon Society
interest. Museum of Local History
P0325

N
d
Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913
Numbers 1 to 5 Merton Rush, taken from Watery Lane.
In the distance, across Kingston Road, Copus’s grocery, which took

over the premises of the Old Leather Bottle, can be seen.

27

27

Photographs: R. Guy, June 1913 (top), H. C. Archer, 8 July 1913 Postcard: Another view of Kingston Road, looking northeastc.1920,

picture e picture v

(bottom) with the ‘Motor Works’ on the right.

Wimbledon Society Numbers 6 to 9 Merton Rush John Innes Society

Museum of Local History
P0326 and P0335 Possibly without realising it our two main photographers took much
the same shot within weeks of each other. Watery Lane is on the left
of the end cottage, ‘The East Cottage Hand Laundry’, which was
formerly a shop. These timber cottages were probably a late 18thor
early 19th-century rebuild of earlier ones.

e
N
v
N

picture u

picture u

N
u
Photograph: Merton Fire Brigade engine in Merton Hall Roadc.1920,
outside the Old Leather Bottle, which had replaced the original
Leather Bottle in 1898.

Looking at all the surface water, the pub cellars must have flooded,
and needed pumping out.

It is of particular interest, because across Kingston Road can be seen
the outbuildings of the Dairy in Cross Row, Merton Rush, that lined
Kingston Road and by 1920 were occupied by a motor engineer. The
backs of some of the houses in Cross Row can also be seen.

picture f

Postcard, courtesy of Judy
Goodman;
Photograph: Cyril
Maidment
10 September 2008

N
f
Left – postcard: Part of number 6 Merton Rush, ‘The East Cottage
Hand Laundry’c.1910.

Right – the modern comparative photo shows part of what is now
number 10 Merton Rush.

Picture e gives another view.

Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913
Numbers 10 to 12 Merton Rush. The central houses in Dallett’s Rents.
A similar view to that of Madeline Barker’s watercolour on the cover.
Prior to use as an off-licence the premises had been a grocer’s and at
Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913
Numbers 10 to 12 Merton Rush. The central houses in Dallett’s Rents.
A similar view to that of Madeline Barker’s watercolour on the cover.
Prior to use as an off-licence the premises had been a grocer’s and at

Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History
P0330

N
g
one time it was a bakery. The off-licence, but not the building, was
maintained in Merton Rush until the 1960s. It is likely that the original
Congregational chapel in Merton used a room herec.1814 to 1839.

picture t

Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History
P0258

N
t
Photograph: R. Guy, November 1913.
Similar to picture s.
Note the summer awning has been removed, but Copus’s

horsedrawn vans are still parked in the same area.

picture s

picture s

N
s
Photograph: R. Guy, August 1913.

Part of the north side of Kingston Road, opposite Merton Rush.

The shop on the left was previously the Old Leather Bottle alehouse
until the present premises were erected immediately to the west at the
end of Merton Hall Road in 1898. Copus’s greengrocery is last heard
of in 1937.

The two cottages on the right once formed part of the same copyhold
as the alehouse but the property was divided c.1754. The name
‘Leather Bottle’ has been in use since at least 1727. On the far right
can be seen stables belonging to Long Lodge.

picture h
Photograph: H. C. Archer, 8 July 1913
Numbers 11 and 12 Merton Rush, looking south.

Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History
P0329

N
h

23

23

Photograph: H.C. Archer, 5 August 1913 Photograph: H. G. Quartermain, John Innes’ architect.

picture i picture r

Numbers 10 to 12 Merton Rush, looking south-east. View of the original Leather Bottle,c.1895, prior to its removal in
Wimbledon Society Merton Library Service 1898.

Number 10 is the off-licence and grocer’s shop of George Nash.

Museum of Local History

P0328 The former bakehouse is not smoking, as it is in picture j. On the left is the Morden Hall Dairy, established herec.1888.

N
i
N
r

15

15

Photograph: R. Guy, November 1913

picture q picture j

Numbers 16 to 19 Merton Rush, looking southeast, with the

Wimbledon Society greenhouse at number 20 of Robert Joseph Wooton, florist. Wimbledon Society Museum of Local History Museum of Local HistoryP0327

P0332

N
j
N
q
Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913

Numbers 13 to 20 Merton Rush.

In the distance the shops on the north side of Kingston Road can be
seen. Immediately in front on the left, ivy-covered and with a smoking
chimney, is what is thought to be a former bakehouse, dating from the
time when Number 10 was a baker’s. From this point it is possible to
appreciate the exact line of the Nelson Hospital extension, which
follows that of these houses, and the hospital front wall is on the line
of front garden walls of these houses.

picture k

picture k

N
k
Photograph: R. Guy, June 1913

picture p

Numbers 17 and 18 Merton Rush, looking south.

Wimbledon Society

In the 1913/14 Directory, Frederick Capon is registered as residing

Museum of Local History

at number 17.

P0334

N
p
Photograph: H. C. Archer, 5 August 1913

Numbers 13 to 15 Merton Rush.

There were 20 addresses in Merton Rush. Five were in Cross Row.
Only seven ‘front doors’ can be seen between numbers 13 and 20.
By 1895 there were ten messuages in plot 83. These would be
numbered 6 to 15. Houses10, 11 and12 can be seen clearly in
pictures g, h and i. Cottages 14 and 15 are those seen above. It is
possible that access to number 13 is between 12 and 14. Certainly
there are a number of chimneypots which probably do not all belong
to 14 and 15.

picture o

picture o

N
o
Photograph: H. C. Archer, 5 August 1913

Numbers 16 to 19 Merton Rush, looking southwest.

William Rutlish was the copyholder of this plot from July 1675 until his
death on 17 May 1689. The original house was four storeys high, and
probably stood on the site of Number 20. There is no evidence that
Rutlish ever lived here. A Thomas Mansfield is mentioned in the
manorial court rolls as having been an occupier.

The trustees of the charity set up under the terms of Rutlish’s will
probably built the four cottages which preceded those shown here.
These may be the replacements built in October 1786.

picture l

Wimbledon Society
Museum of Local History
P9359

N
l
Postcard: One of three similar views, l, m, and n, looking eastwards
from Kingston Road, across the back of Cross Row towards
Watery Lane.

This is the oldest, a postcard posted 2 September 1910, but the
photo was taken before Merton Park Parade was started in 1906.
Note the fine bicycle, bottom right, the water standpipe (mains
water came as early as 1850) and the bakehouse at number 12, not
covered in ivy.

picture m

from Kingston Road across the back of Cross Row towards Watery
Lane.

John Innes Society

Before Merton Park Parade was started in 1906 but probably not as

m
old as picture l because the water standpipe has gone but the plate on
the wall may indicate the water main. The horse and cart is outside the
off-licence and grocery of George Nash.

picture n

from Mr Fisk
by way of
Judy Goodman

N
n
Postcard: One of three similar views, l, m, and n, looking eastward
from Kingston Road, across the back of Cross Row towards Watery
Lane.

This is the youngest, a postcard posted 19 February 1924, but Judy
Goodman points out that the house immediately to the right of the bus
was under construction in July 1922, so it must be after that date and,
because of the foliage, it could have been taken no later than October
1923. Kingston Road was so narrow at this point that the bus stand
and the bus stop were at this location. It is also the best photo of the
rear of number 5 Merton Rush, and look at the motor cycle and
sidecar, bottom left.

N