Enclosure of Public Footpaths.
Last night large and influential meeting of the parishioners of Battersea was held at Mr. Gosling’s, the Swan Tavern, to consider what proceedings should be taken relative to the enclosure of portion of Wandsworth common, situate Battersea parish, through which had existed right of way, or public footpath, from very remote period.
Mr. John Chancellor, of Hyde-house, Battersea, was the chairman, and stated that, although little acquainted with the details of the matter in question, felt that he had right, as an old parishioner, to resist an encroachment upon the rights of his fellow parishioners, had been given to understand that a court leet, held Wandsworth a short time since, had given Earl Spencer the power to grant a lease to two gentlemen, living contiguous to the footpath alluded to, of certain common land, and they had availed themselves of that privilege to enclose, not only common land, but the footpath.
He did not question the right of the lord of the manor to dispose of common land, but no man had right to deprive the people of right of way which time had rendered sacred.
Several resolutions were passed, the principal inviting the churchwardens of Battersea to call vestry meeting upon the subject.
The requisition was signed by the greater portion of those assembled, and it was determined that subscription should be promoted to thwart this and other contemplated encroachments on public rights.
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This is almost certainly Plough Green . . . The conflict will continue for twenty or more years . . . and ultimately lead to . . . True, there's a right of way, along the roads, but this area of Common is now under housing. The threatened right of way is presumably soe approximation to today's ? Road.