Transcribed from the 1901 The Press Printers edition by DavidPrice, . Many thanks to KensingtonLocal Studies Library for allowing the use of their copy inmaking this transcription.
p.3Rambling Recollections
of Chelsea and the
surrounding District
as a Village in the early
part of the past century
By AN OLDINHABITANT
LONDON: The Press Printers,
142 Strand
p.5INTRODUCTION.
In offering my early recollections of Chelsea andsurrounding neighbourhood, I thought they might beinteresting to many of my old friends and neighbours, andwhile away pleasantly some of their leisure moments. The idea of compiling them from a diary, spasmodicallykept, only occurred to me when confined to my room,to pass away some of the weary hours, and I certainlyfound the task extremely advantageous. Accordingly, I have had them printed, forpresentation to my friends, as a souvenir of our oldfriendship.
Highfield Lodge,
Wandsworth Common.
June, 1901.
p.7CHAPTER 1.—Early Recollections.
In my early recollection Chelsea had many industriescharacteristic of the village, which have entirely passedaway. The only conveyance—a two-horse stage coach,called the “Village Clock”—used to run from theCross Keys, in Lawrence Street, twice a day, for one shilling toCharing Cross, and one-and-six pence to the City. It wouldp.8stop to change horses at the “Black Horse,”in Coventry Street. Time, from Chelsea, ten in the morningand two in the afternoon; supposed to do the journey in anhour—which it never did. This coach appeared to be asmuch as was required, as it was seldom full, although it would goround in the morning to pick up its regular passengers.
The roads and streets had a very different appearance at thattime, when the King’s Road was like a country road, with atoll gate on the north-east side of Sloane Square. By theAsylum Wall, as far as Whitelands, there was no path atall. Where Colville Terrace now stands was Colville’sNursery, as far as Downing’s Floorcloth Factory, with nopath, and on the opposite side from Whitelands to t