A Leading Townsman
Alderman Henry Huggins Mayor of Gravesend 1914,15,16.
The Man Henry Huggins was born on 17th October 1862 in West Milton, Gravesend, Kent, Grandson of James a Paymaster Captain in the Royal Navy and son of Louisa and Henry, a Soap Manufacturer and local employer based at the Canal Basin, Albion Parade in Gravesend. He was one of three children, Maria Louisa born in 1863 and Edith 1868 and he Baptised at Christ Church in Milton on 20th November 1862. By the April 1871 Census the family were living at 6 Clarence Place, Gravesend and Henry listed as a Scholar. They also had a 21 year old servant, Elizabeth Cackett living with them. Henry was educated at The Proprietary School in Gravesend and at King’s College in London and by 1881 the family had moved to 3 Clarendon Place, Gravesend and Henry now 18 had followed in his father’s footsteps joining the family business as a Soap Manufacturer and Analytical Chemist. Caroline Burt also served the family as their general servant. Henry was a keen cricketer and as Honorary Secretary of the Gravesend Cricket Club met and married Elizabeth Annie Boorman during the third quarter of 1889. They were presented with an inscribed clock by the club and this remained in their house for the rest of their lives. They moved to 48 Park Place where they lived with their servant Alice E Hammond. Harry and Elizabeth had three children, Henry Charles born in 1892, who later served as a Private in the Northamptonshire Regiment during World War I and was later Manager of Westcliffe of Sea Branch of National Westminster Bank. Hilda Elizabeth 1893 who married Elton Ede, and sadly died in 1937 aged only 44 and Gerald Farn, 1895, who also served as a Private in the Great War in the Norfolk Regiment and later in charge of the Eastern Telegraph Company’s Station at Valetta in Malta. By 1901 the family were living at 13 Clarence Street in Milton, Henry describing himself as a Journalist and Author, seemingly having moved away from the soap industry. It was around this time that Henry became interested in local affairs and in 1904 was elected as a Councillor onto Gravesend Town Council aged 42. In 1908 he became Chairman of the Education Committee, a role he relished and held for the next 34 years until his death. In 1911 the family had moved to 17 Clarence Street and later 25 Portland Road, Gravesend where Henry and Elizabeth lived for the rest of their lives.
Henry Huggins' Past Mayor of Gravesend Jewel
On Monday 9th November 1914, just over 13 weeks after the start of World War I, Henry was elected Mayor of the Corporation of Gravesend. Mayor making was usually a day of great excitement in Gravesend, but it was deliberately kept a more sombre affair due to events in Europe. The day began with the bells of St George’s Church being rung at frequent intervals, and the annual breakfast at the Clarendon Royal Hotel where the Council entertained the retiring Mayor. The Gravesend Town Band then led the procession of Mayor, Aldermen, Councillors and officials to the Town Hall, where at 12 noon, the retiring Mayor Alderman A E Enfield presided over the ceremony. Following the National Anthem and a presentation of a bouquet of flowers to Elizabeth Huggins as the new Mayoress, Alderman H E Davis rose and said “It is my pleasing duty to propose Councillor Huggins as Mayor of Gravesend for the ensuing year. There is no need on my part to introduce Councillor Huggins to you. He is a native of the Borough and has long been before you as a member of the Council. As Chairman of the Education Committee he has always done his duty, not only to the committee but also to the town at large”.
Councillor J G Prevost seconded the nomination saying “I have been associated with Councillor Huggins for some considerable time, and from my knowledge of him I believe he will carry out the duties of Mayor greatly to the credit of himself and the town. It is unnecessary to take up your time with a long speech, but Councillor Huggins can take it from me that it is the desire of the council that I should tender him a sincere wish for a happy year and that you and he and his wife will enjoy good health. I am firmly of the opinion that the influence of a good woman on a man will tend to make the year of office successful”
Henry’s election was unanimous and before divesting himself of his robes of office, the retiring Mayor Alderman Enfield said, “I have known Councillor Huggins for a good number of years and I am very pleased that he has been elected to this high and honourable position. He is a town-born child and I am convinced he will be a worthy successor to the large number of town-born Mayors that have gone before him. Gravesend has been fortunate in having its own sons to fill that high position. I hope in conclusion, and wish from the bottom of my heart that the Mayor and Mayoress will perform their duties to the satisfaction, not only of the burgesses, but also to the credit of themselves and trust that the creator of all Good will be kind to Councillor Huggins and his dear wife, that they might have health and strength to carry out the duties they have undertaken.
Once Henry had been invested with the robes and chain of office and undertaken his oath he returned thanks, perhaps mindful that his sons, Henry Junior and Gerald were of an age to be fighting in the war, and unaware of the four years of horror and carnage to come. “I thank you all most sincerely for the position you have placed me in, I feel almost I cannot thank you enough. I am glad indeed to be amongst you and to take the office and I assure you that I will do my utmost to carry out my duties successfully. My wife and I have received many kind congratulations and I thank one and all for their wishes of success. These congratulations will be an incentive for us to do our utmost to carry out the positions of Mayor and Mayoress of the good old town of Gravesend in a way that others had done in the past. We will at any rate do our best. I am taking this position at a crisis in the history of our country that has never before arisen, not even in the great Napoleonic wars. I do not want to look on the sad side of war not for these few minutes in any event. I wish to look on the brighter side and hope the grand news we have heard this morning will continue until this country is victorious once and for all. Looking on the brighter side again I might say when this war first began we anticipated there would be a great deal of distress in the town and neighbourhood, but I am glad to say up to this present time this has not been realised. At the Borough War Relief Committee on Friday evening my old friend and opponent Mr Terah Smith, who is now a sincere friend, told us that the distress not only in Gravesend and neighbourhood but also throughout the whole country is next to nothing, and he did not think there were more than a hundred able bodied men out of work. That is a glorious thing to think of when the war has been on over three months and it shows what grand work the Army and Navy were doing in keeping open their means of communication. We have taken every care in Gravesend to alleviate as much as possible any distress that might arise. The part Gravesend is taking in the war is shown by the splendid roll of honour that appears week by week in the papers. There has also been a splendid response to that volunteer movement, showing that men of all ages were taking their part. Once again I beg to thank you and hope that this year, if, a case of war abroad, we will have peace at home".
Henry was to remain Mayor for the next three years until November 1917, and during this time together with Elizabeth, who was awarded the MBE in 1920 for her work as Treasurer of the Gravesend Prisoners of War Fund, organised many successful fetes and social events to raise funds for the Gravesend Disabled Soldiers and Sailors and the building of bungalows for disabled Ex Servicemen, these being named after his wife, ‘Elizabeth Huggins Cottages’ and built at the junction of Cross Lane West and Wrotham Road. One such event was the Tipperary Fete held in the Windmill Hill & Gardens on 26th July 1916. He was also elected to the Aldermanic Bench in 1916. Following the war Henry remained on the council, continuing as chairman of the Education Committee, joined by Elizabeth who was also elected to it in 1922. In 1919 he became a member of Kent County Council and a Justice of the Peace with Gravesend Magistrates. In 1926 he became Chairman of the Probation Committee, until 1938, and Chairman of the local branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Councillor J G Prevost seconded the nomination saying “I have been associated with Councillor Huggins for some considerable time, and from my knowledge of him I believe he will carry out the duties of Mayor greatly to the credit of himself and the town. It is unnecessary to take up your time with a long speech, but Councillor Huggins can take it from me that it is the desire of the council that I should tender him a sincere wish for a happy year and that you and he and his wife will enjoy good health. I am firmly of the opinion that the influence of a good woman on a man will tend to make the year of office successful”
Henry’s election was unanimous and before divesting himself of his robes of office, the retiring Mayor Alderman Enfield said, “I have known Councillor Huggins for a good number of years and I am very pleased that he has been elected to this high and honourable position. He is a town-born child and I am convinced he will be a worthy successor to the large number of town-born Mayors that have gone before him. Gravesend has been fortunate in having its own sons to fill that high position. I hope in conclusion, and wish from the bottom of my heart that the Mayor and Mayoress will perform their duties to the satisfaction, not only of the burgesses, but also to the credit of themselves and trust that the creator of all Good will be kind to Councillor Huggins and his dear wife, that they might have health and strength to carry out the duties they have undertaken.
Once Henry had been invested with the robes and chain of office and undertaken his oath he returned thanks, perhaps mindful that his sons, Henry Junior and Gerald were of an age to be fighting in the war, and unaware of the four years of horror and carnage to come. “I thank you all most sincerely for the position you have placed me in, I feel almost I cannot thank you enough. I am glad indeed to be amongst you and to take the office and I assure you that I will do my utmost to carry out my duties successfully. My wife and I have received many kind congratulations and I thank one and all for their wishes of success. These congratulations will be an incentive for us to do our utmost to carry out the positions of Mayor and Mayoress of the good old town of Gravesend in a way that others had done in the past. We will at any rate do our best. I am taking this position at a crisis in the history of our country that has never before arisen, not even in the great Napoleonic wars. I do not want to look on the sad side of war not for these few minutes in any event. I wish to look on the brighter side and hope the grand news we have heard this morning will continue until this country is victorious once and for all. Looking on the brighter side again I might say when this war first began we anticipated there would be a great deal of distress in the town and neighbourhood, but I am glad to say up to this present time this has not been realised. At the Borough War Relief Committee on Friday evening my old friend and opponent Mr Terah Smith, who is now a sincere friend, told us that the distress not only in Gravesend and neighbourhood but also throughout the whole country is next to nothing, and he did not think there were more than a hundred able bodied men out of work. That is a glorious thing to think of when the war has been on over three months and it shows what grand work the Army and Navy were doing in keeping open their means of communication. We have taken every care in Gravesend to alleviate as much as possible any distress that might arise. The part Gravesend is taking in the war is shown by the splendid roll of honour that appears week by week in the papers. There has also been a splendid response to that volunteer movement, showing that men of all ages were taking their part. Once again I beg to thank you and hope that this year, if, a case of war abroad, we will have peace at home".
Henry was to remain Mayor for the next three years until November 1917, and during this time together with Elizabeth, who was awarded the MBE in 1920 for her work as Treasurer of the Gravesend Prisoners of War Fund, organised many successful fetes and social events to raise funds for the Gravesend Disabled Soldiers and Sailors and the building of bungalows for disabled Ex Servicemen, these being named after his wife, ‘Elizabeth Huggins Cottages’ and built at the junction of Cross Lane West and Wrotham Road. One such event was the Tipperary Fete held in the Windmill Hill & Gardens on 26th July 1916. He was also elected to the Aldermanic Bench in 1916. Following the war Henry remained on the council, continuing as chairman of the Education Committee, joined by Elizabeth who was also elected to it in 1922. In 1919 he became a member of Kent County Council and a Justice of the Peace with Gravesend Magistrates. In 1926 he became Chairman of the Probation Committee, until 1938, and Chairman of the local branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
In between all this he found time for his hobbies which included, Etymology, the study of the origin of words, Philately, Cricket, Coursing and shooting. He also led the local Horticultural Society for a time. On January 13th 1935 aged 68, Henry was honoured to have a portrait of himself unveiled and hung in the Town Hall Council Chamber by the current Mayor Councillor Graham Simmonds JP to mark his three terms of office and 21 years as Chairman on the Education Committee. The portrait, by Mr James Clark RI, was a joint enterprise between the local schools and the Council and funds were raised by subscription. During the unveiling Alderman W E Thomas JP said “This is a unique occasion. We have met to honour one of our leading townsmen, Alderman Huggins, who for three years, held the proud position of Mayor and leading citizen of the town. This evening we will be mindful of the fact that for 21 years Alderman Huggins has been Chairman of the Local Education Authority. He has given of his time, energy and ability unsparingly, and those who served under him this long period of time recognise his splendid chairmanship and the good work he has done in the cause of education in the town. I am sure Alderman Huggins is pleased to know he has earned the goodwill of the teachers of the town. I wish Alderman and Mrs Huggins health and strength to continue their work in the town”. The Mayor said “I have perhaps known Alderman Huggins longer than anyone in this room, we were school fellows together and have remained friends ever since, he has been on this council over 25 years and no man could have given better service to the town. He has not pleased everybody, but has given satisfaction to the council and Education Committee and I believe to teachers and most of the scholars. I have nothing but praise from the children for the way Alderman Huggins has looked after their welfare.
Henry was presented with an album containing the names of the subscribers to the portrait. He also complimented the artist on his work, describing it as “true to life”.
In response Henry said “I would like to thank all members of the Council and Education Committee officials and teachers for the kindly thought which animated them to combine to recognise my 21st year as chairman of the Education Authority. I especially wish to thank the teachers for the kind way they responded to this appeal. In Gravesend, we do have a splendid lot of teachers. I know they do their utmost to help forward the boys and girls under their charge, and when we look at the results of the scholarships at both county schools none of us need be ashamed of what our teachers are doing for us. We always get more than our share in Gravesend and I hope we will continue to do so. On the Education Committee we have had most happy times since I have been chairman. We have not always agreed, but I think the Committee merits the name I have often given it – that of the ‘happy family’. We have argued things out in a comfortable way and have never fallen out at all seriously. It will always give me pleasure to help forward the cause of education and the unanimity which has prevailed on the committee has been a great help in pushing forward the education of the town and I hope the same happy state of affairs will continue in the future”.
The artist was congratulated on a striking success for the portrait, to which he responded “One of the reasons it was such a success was that he had such a good sitter, he was patient, good tempered and untiring”.
Following the unveiling tea and light refreshment were served and a selection of music and songs performed by an orchestra.
On Sunday 15th January 1939 Elizabeth sadly died, aged 77 and following a lengthy period of ill health. Her funeral took place on Thursday 19th and local schools were closed for the afternoon, at her express wish there was no mourning and the ceremony was attended by numerous local dignitaries and representatives from local schools, NSPCC and tenants of the Elizabeth Huggin’s Cottages. Henry continued serving as an Alderman, but following a special meeting held in the Town Hall on Wednesday 9th September 1942, collapsed and was taken to Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. He never fully recovered and died on Friday 6th November aged 80. He had been a member of Gravesend Council for 38 years, the longest serving and senior member. He was still Chairman of the Education Committee and on his death described as “One of Gravesend’s best known residents who had devoted so very many years to public service”.
A tribute was paid to him by the presiding Magistrate, Alderman J W Clunn, in the Police Court the same day who said “I wish to make reference to Alderman Huggins, our senior Magistrate who has passed away. His record of public service is a long and notable one. For something like 34 years he was Chairman of the Gravesend Education Committee. He was also a member of the Corporation for a much longer period, he was the first Chairman on the Probation Committee, which was formed in 1926, and remained until 1938. He took a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the work of the Justices of the Peace. A man of fine character and strong resolution he was always very determined to succeed in carrying through in a conscientious manner, any work in the public interest that he had set his mind to” The court stood in silence for a few moments. Henry’s funeral was held on Tuesday 10th November 1942, a certain irony that it was the day before Armistice Day, he having served as Mayor for three of the four years during World War I. Schools in Gravesend were closed for the day and children escorted the cortege carrying bunches of autumn flowers. The recently elected Mayor made his first public appearance for the occasion and Henry’s cortege proceeded from 22 Pelham Road, his late daughter’s and Son in Law’s home address to St James Church where the service was held and officiated over by the Reverend R R Savill. He left £6487.7s. Following the service Henry was interred in the family grave in Gravesend Cemetery alongside Elizabeth.
Henry was presented with an album containing the names of the subscribers to the portrait. He also complimented the artist on his work, describing it as “true to life”.
In response Henry said “I would like to thank all members of the Council and Education Committee officials and teachers for the kindly thought which animated them to combine to recognise my 21st year as chairman of the Education Authority. I especially wish to thank the teachers for the kind way they responded to this appeal. In Gravesend, we do have a splendid lot of teachers. I know they do their utmost to help forward the boys and girls under their charge, and when we look at the results of the scholarships at both county schools none of us need be ashamed of what our teachers are doing for us. We always get more than our share in Gravesend and I hope we will continue to do so. On the Education Committee we have had most happy times since I have been chairman. We have not always agreed, but I think the Committee merits the name I have often given it – that of the ‘happy family’. We have argued things out in a comfortable way and have never fallen out at all seriously. It will always give me pleasure to help forward the cause of education and the unanimity which has prevailed on the committee has been a great help in pushing forward the education of the town and I hope the same happy state of affairs will continue in the future”.
The artist was congratulated on a striking success for the portrait, to which he responded “One of the reasons it was such a success was that he had such a good sitter, he was patient, good tempered and untiring”.
Following the unveiling tea and light refreshment were served and a selection of music and songs performed by an orchestra.
On Sunday 15th January 1939 Elizabeth sadly died, aged 77 and following a lengthy period of ill health. Her funeral took place on Thursday 19th and local schools were closed for the afternoon, at her express wish there was no mourning and the ceremony was attended by numerous local dignitaries and representatives from local schools, NSPCC and tenants of the Elizabeth Huggin’s Cottages. Henry continued serving as an Alderman, but following a special meeting held in the Town Hall on Wednesday 9th September 1942, collapsed and was taken to Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. He never fully recovered and died on Friday 6th November aged 80. He had been a member of Gravesend Council for 38 years, the longest serving and senior member. He was still Chairman of the Education Committee and on his death described as “One of Gravesend’s best known residents who had devoted so very many years to public service”.
A tribute was paid to him by the presiding Magistrate, Alderman J W Clunn, in the Police Court the same day who said “I wish to make reference to Alderman Huggins, our senior Magistrate who has passed away. His record of public service is a long and notable one. For something like 34 years he was Chairman of the Gravesend Education Committee. He was also a member of the Corporation for a much longer period, he was the first Chairman on the Probation Committee, which was formed in 1926, and remained until 1938. He took a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the work of the Justices of the Peace. A man of fine character and strong resolution he was always very determined to succeed in carrying through in a conscientious manner, any work in the public interest that he had set his mind to” The court stood in silence for a few moments. Henry’s funeral was held on Tuesday 10th November 1942, a certain irony that it was the day before Armistice Day, he having served as Mayor for three of the four years during World War I. Schools in Gravesend were closed for the day and children escorted the cortege carrying bunches of autumn flowers. The recently elected Mayor made his first public appearance for the occasion and Henry’s cortege proceeded from 22 Pelham Road, his late daughter’s and Son in Law’s home address to St James Church where the service was held and officiated over by the Reverend R R Savill. He left £6487.7s. Following the service Henry was interred in the family grave in Gravesend Cemetery alongside Elizabeth.
The Story Mayors Jewel awarded to Henry Huggins was acquired from E-Bay on 4th May 2016 and of interest, as with other Mayors Jewels in this collection, due to the research potential. Once received, a letter to the Kent County Library as hoped, quickly uncovered many newspaper reports detailing his and his wife, Elizabeth Annie Huggins life and photographs. These coupled with a superb copy of an oil painting held in the old Gravesend Town Hall and Ancestry.UK helped build up Henry’s detailed biography, once again preserving for posterity the largely forgotten deeds of a man dedicated to his cause and country. As is often the case however, there was an unexpected outcome from the research, Henry’s wife Elizabeth Annie Huggins, who herself led an interesting life and was awarded the MBE for her services fund raising for disabled soldiers during World War I. Elizabeth’s distant relatives were also contacted and details swapped to assist each others research.
Gravesend Gravesend's 1619 arms are described as: Vert, a boat with 1 mast Or, a sail furled proper, rowed by 5 rowers hooded and cloaked, with oars and anchor, Sable, steered by a porcupine, Azure, chained and quilled of the third.
Crest: Boat Or with one mast lying at anchor in the river. On the hills beyond a Porcupine Sable.
After Gravesend's third royal charter dated 23 June 1635 James Duke of Lennox, Earl of March and Dudley was appointed to be the first High Steward of Gravesend. The town took a new coat of arms similar to the Dukes by way of respect and grateful acknowledgement of many great favours done for the Corporation of Gravesend and Milton by his grace. - The bull and tower were taken from the oldest seal of the town, the border was taken from the arms of the Duke. These are the arms on which the band badge is based. The heraldic description of the arms is: Argent a tower Gules charged with a Buffalo's-head Sable issuing out of a ducal Coronet Or, all within a Bordure Azure charged with five Fleur de Lis, and as many oval Buckles alternately of the fourth. The description of the town crest granted at the same time is: In a ducal Coronet Or a Buffalo's-head Sable armed Or Fire issuing from his mouth proper. As with all heraldry these descriptions are partly written in Norman French, and have no punctuation, so a more understandable description is: On a silver background there is a red tower on which a black bulls head sits in a golden ducal coronet. This is surrounded by an azure blue border that has five fleur de lis and five oval buckles alternating, each of which is coloured the same as the fourth colour mentioned i.e. gold. As no orientation is given for the bull it faces dexter (to its right) by default (so looks to the left as far as the viewer is concerned), and as per the English tradition is armed and langed Or (has gold weapons - horns and tongue). The crest is a black bulls head sitting in a gold ducal coronet. The bull has gold horns, and is breathing fire which is naturally coloured (gold outside, red inside!). The motto 'Decus et Tutamen' appeared on King Charles's Crown piece. It can be translated in many ways, 'Glory and Defence', 'Honor and Security', 'Shield and Protection', 'An ornament and a safeguard'. The translations towards the start of the list are probably the more meaningful ones in Gravesend's case.
Crest: Boat Or with one mast lying at anchor in the river. On the hills beyond a Porcupine Sable.
After Gravesend's third royal charter dated 23 June 1635 James Duke of Lennox, Earl of March and Dudley was appointed to be the first High Steward of Gravesend. The town took a new coat of arms similar to the Dukes by way of respect and grateful acknowledgement of many great favours done for the Corporation of Gravesend and Milton by his grace. - The bull and tower were taken from the oldest seal of the town, the border was taken from the arms of the Duke. These are the arms on which the band badge is based. The heraldic description of the arms is: Argent a tower Gules charged with a Buffalo's-head Sable issuing out of a ducal Coronet Or, all within a Bordure Azure charged with five Fleur de Lis, and as many oval Buckles alternately of the fourth. The description of the town crest granted at the same time is: In a ducal Coronet Or a Buffalo's-head Sable armed Or Fire issuing from his mouth proper. As with all heraldry these descriptions are partly written in Norman French, and have no punctuation, so a more understandable description is: On a silver background there is a red tower on which a black bulls head sits in a golden ducal coronet. This is surrounded by an azure blue border that has five fleur de lis and five oval buckles alternating, each of which is coloured the same as the fourth colour mentioned i.e. gold. As no orientation is given for the bull it faces dexter (to its right) by default (so looks to the left as far as the viewer is concerned), and as per the English tradition is armed and langed Or (has gold weapons - horns and tongue). The crest is a black bulls head sitting in a gold ducal coronet. The bull has gold horns, and is breathing fire which is naturally coloured (gold outside, red inside!). The motto 'Decus et Tutamen' appeared on King Charles's Crown piece. It can be translated in many ways, 'Glory and Defence', 'Honor and Security', 'Shield and Protection', 'An ornament and a safeguard'. The translations towards the start of the list are probably the more meaningful ones in Gravesend's case.
Gravesend is part of and is the principal town of the Borough of Gravesham. The borough was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Gravesend and Northfleet Urban District along with several parishes from Strood Rural District. Gravesend was incorporated as a Municipal Borough in 1835 under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 and Northfleet was constituted an Urban District in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894: Gravesend absorbed Milton (1914), Denton, Chalk and part of Northfleet, including Claphall, Singlewell and King's Farm (1935).
Gravesend is an ancient town in North West Kent, England, situated 21 miles (35 km) east south-east of Charing Cross (central London) on the south bank of the Thames estuary and opposite Tilbury in Essex. Located in the diocese of Rochester, it is the administrative centre of the Borough of Gravesham. Its geographical situation has given Gravesend strategic importance throughout the maritime and communications history of south east England. A Thames Gateway commuter town, it retains strong links with the River Thames, not least through the Port of London Authority Pilot Station and has witnessed rejuvenation since the advent of High Speed train services via Gravesend railway station. Recorded as Gravesham in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it belonged to Bishop Odo of Bayeux(half-brother of King William I), its name probably derives from "graaf-ham": the home of the Reeve, or Bailiff of the feudal lord. Another theory suggests that the name Gravesham may be a corruption of the words grafs-ham – a place "at the end of the grove" or derived from the Saxon Gerevesend, the end of the authority of the Portreeve (originally Portgereve- chief town administrator). The Domesday spelling is its earliest known historical record; all other spellings – in the later (c. 1100) Domesday Monachorum and in Textus Roffensis the town is Gravesend / Gravesende. A variation, Graveshend, can be seen in a court record of 1422, where Edmund de Langeford was parson, and attributed to where the graves ended after the Black Death. The municipal title Gravesham was adopted in 1974 as the name for the new borough. Stone Age implements have been found in the locality since the 1900s, as has evidence of an Iron Age settlement at nearby Springhead. Extensive Roman remains have been found at nearby Vagniacae; and Gravesend lies immediately to the north of the Roman road connecting London with the Kent coast now called Watling Street. Domesday Book recorded mills, hythes, and fisheries here. Its earliest charter dates from 1268, with town status being granted to the two parishes of Gravesendand Milton by King Henry III in its Charter of Incorporation of that year. The first Mayor of Gravesend was elected in 1268, although the first Town Hall was not built until 1573, being replaced in 1764 with a new frontage added in 1836. Although it ceased to be a town hall in 1968 when the new Gravesend Civic Centre (Woodville Halls) was opened, it remains in use as Magistrates' Courts, and in 2004, following a full refurbishment funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and grants from Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council, the Old Town Hall now thrives as a venue for weddings and private functions as well as community and public events. In 1380, during the Hundred Years' War, Gravesend suffered being sacked and burned by the Castilian fleet. In 1401, a further Royal Charter was granted, allowing the men of the town to operate boats between London and the town; these became known as the "Long Ferry". It became the preferred form of passage, because of the perils of road travel. Journeys by road to Gravesend were historically quite hazardous, since the main London-Dover road crossed Blackheath, notorious for its highwaymen. Stagecoaches from London to Canterbury, Dover and Faversham used Gravesend as one of their "stages" as did those coming north from Tonbridge. In 1840 there were 17 coaches picking up and setting down passengers and changing horses each way per day. There were two coaching inns on what is now Old Road East: the Prince of Orange and the Lord Nelson. Post coaches had been plying the route for at least two centuries: Samuel Pepys records having stopped off at Gravesend in 1650 en route to the Royal Dockyards at Chatham. From 1932 to 1956, an airport was located to the east of the town. It began as a civilian airfield, but during World War II it became a Royal Air Force fighter station, RAF Gravesend, and so Gravesend was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe. In 1956 the site was taken over by Gravesend Town Council; a large housing estate known as Riverview Park was built on its site. At 03:35 GMT on Sunday 5 February 1939, Alex Henshaw took off from Gravesend Airport at the start of his record-breaking flight to Cape Town and back. He completed the flight in 39 hours 36 minutes over the next four days; his record still stands.
Gravesend is an ancient town in North West Kent, England, situated 21 miles (35 km) east south-east of Charing Cross (central London) on the south bank of the Thames estuary and opposite Tilbury in Essex. Located in the diocese of Rochester, it is the administrative centre of the Borough of Gravesham. Its geographical situation has given Gravesend strategic importance throughout the maritime and communications history of south east England. A Thames Gateway commuter town, it retains strong links with the River Thames, not least through the Port of London Authority Pilot Station and has witnessed rejuvenation since the advent of High Speed train services via Gravesend railway station. Recorded as Gravesham in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it belonged to Bishop Odo of Bayeux(half-brother of King William I), its name probably derives from "graaf-ham": the home of the Reeve, or Bailiff of the feudal lord. Another theory suggests that the name Gravesham may be a corruption of the words grafs-ham – a place "at the end of the grove" or derived from the Saxon Gerevesend, the end of the authority of the Portreeve (originally Portgereve- chief town administrator). The Domesday spelling is its earliest known historical record; all other spellings – in the later (c. 1100) Domesday Monachorum and in Textus Roffensis the town is Gravesend / Gravesende. A variation, Graveshend, can be seen in a court record of 1422, where Edmund de Langeford was parson, and attributed to where the graves ended after the Black Death. The municipal title Gravesham was adopted in 1974 as the name for the new borough. Stone Age implements have been found in the locality since the 1900s, as has evidence of an Iron Age settlement at nearby Springhead. Extensive Roman remains have been found at nearby Vagniacae; and Gravesend lies immediately to the north of the Roman road connecting London with the Kent coast now called Watling Street. Domesday Book recorded mills, hythes, and fisheries here. Its earliest charter dates from 1268, with town status being granted to the two parishes of Gravesendand Milton by King Henry III in its Charter of Incorporation of that year. The first Mayor of Gravesend was elected in 1268, although the first Town Hall was not built until 1573, being replaced in 1764 with a new frontage added in 1836. Although it ceased to be a town hall in 1968 when the new Gravesend Civic Centre (Woodville Halls) was opened, it remains in use as Magistrates' Courts, and in 2004, following a full refurbishment funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and grants from Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council, the Old Town Hall now thrives as a venue for weddings and private functions as well as community and public events. In 1380, during the Hundred Years' War, Gravesend suffered being sacked and burned by the Castilian fleet. In 1401, a further Royal Charter was granted, allowing the men of the town to operate boats between London and the town; these became known as the "Long Ferry". It became the preferred form of passage, because of the perils of road travel. Journeys by road to Gravesend were historically quite hazardous, since the main London-Dover road crossed Blackheath, notorious for its highwaymen. Stagecoaches from London to Canterbury, Dover and Faversham used Gravesend as one of their "stages" as did those coming north from Tonbridge. In 1840 there were 17 coaches picking up and setting down passengers and changing horses each way per day. There were two coaching inns on what is now Old Road East: the Prince of Orange and the Lord Nelson. Post coaches had been plying the route for at least two centuries: Samuel Pepys records having stopped off at Gravesend in 1650 en route to the Royal Dockyards at Chatham. From 1932 to 1956, an airport was located to the east of the town. It began as a civilian airfield, but during World War II it became a Royal Air Force fighter station, RAF Gravesend, and so Gravesend was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe. In 1956 the site was taken over by Gravesend Town Council; a large housing estate known as Riverview Park was built on its site. At 03:35 GMT on Sunday 5 February 1939, Alex Henshaw took off from Gravesend Airport at the start of his record-breaking flight to Cape Town and back. He completed the flight in 39 hours 36 minutes over the next four days; his record still stands.
All photographs are copyright property of Kent County Council, to whom thanks are offered for their assistance in piecing together Henry Huggins' biography.
Jewel Details:
- Past Mayor's Jewel: COUNCILLOR 1904 HENRY HUGGINS MAYOR 1914-15-16 ALDERMAN 1916
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