The History of Wandsworth Common
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Wandsworth Common
IN THE NEWS
1835
True Sun — Thursday 16 July 1835
THE COMMON RIGHTS OF THE POOR AT BATTERSEA.
Very great dissatisfaction, at the present moment, exists among the poorer inhabitants at Battersea, in consequence of some proceedings taken on the part of those forming the Parish Board, in reference to some land, which is stated to have been bequeathed by Lady Lachmere, for the benefit of a certain portion a housekeepers, under particular restrictions.
It appears that, some centuries ago, the person in question left a piece of land in the parish, amounting to about twenty acres, in which any parishioner renting a house, under £ 10, might have a right to put in one head of cattle, from the 13th May to the 13th of November; and, if a person had two at a time, they were to be liable to a fine of forty shillings.
To September 4, the animal was to be staked with eight yards of rope; but, after that period till the 13th Nov., they were to be at large. About the latter part of the autumn of last year, a vestry was held, with closed doors, in reference to this property, when a decision was come to, to take possession of it in the name of the parish; and, shortly after it was entered by the parish authorities; since which time a part of it has been portioned off for garden ground and let to various inhabitants, the remainder being assigned by them, at their will and pleasure.
As usual, several of the inhabitants who were privileged to place cattle there, and who have done so, time immemorial, their fathers and grand-fathers having done the same, put their beasts in according to their ancient institututions. They were, however, shortly after proceeded against, and the churchwardens and overseers, chose four persons out of the number, who were summoned to appear at the Petty Sessions at Wandsworth. The four persons were Charles Yates, Thomas Cooke, William Butler, and Daniel Ladhum, and the damage was laid at 4/-.
The first hearing took place on the 19th of June at Wandsworth, before a bench of magistrates, where the parish board claimed a right to act as they did, being authorized by the Act of Parliament, for an enclosure of commons and waste land. The inhabitants contended that the property was freehold, and not common land, and did not come under the meaning of the Act of Parliament. The parishioners were then asked to show the deed by which they held themselves entitled to possession. They stated that they believed it was in the parish church. The question was then adjourned, for them to produce the document.
A second and third time both parties attended the Petty Sessions (the complaining parties not having found the will), the result of which has been that, on Saturday last, the parishioners were ordered not to offend again, as they would be liable to heavy penalties. Some of the parishioners, however, still insist on their rights, and, in despite of the Parish Board, intend to place their cattle there.
Great exertions have been made by the authorities of the parish to obtain signatures in support of their conduct, and they waited on Mr. Stirling, the coroner; but who gave his most determined veto against the part taken by the Parish Board, considering that they have no right to take possession.
Further legal proceedings, it is said, will follow, as the parishioners are determined not to lose their property by the despotism of the board; many of whom, though not entitled, did place their cattle there.
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London Evening Standard, 24 July 1835
Houses for rent, e.g. on East Hill, facing the Common
[Source: London Evening Standard, 24 July 1835.]