The New House Inventory
How did Shoreham’s wealthiest family live nearly three hundred years ago? Documents in the National Archives take us through the keyhole into their home.
John Borrett was a wealthy lawyer and landowner in the 18th century who owned considerable assets in Shoreham, including Filston, Preston and Castle Farm. On his death in 1739, he left most of his property to his second son, Thomas. This included all of Borrett’s household goods in “my dwelling house at Shoreham”.
This home is almost certainly New House, a villa built in a Palladian style south of the village on the east bank of the Darent, as described in the 18th century by Edward Hasted and indicated on maps of the time. It was abandoned by the 19th century, then demolished and replaced by the Mildmay family with their mansion, Shoreham Place, built a short distance away. It’s thought that busts on the “coachman’s cottage” at the front of the Old Vicarage and on Flint Cottage in Darenth Way may have come from New House, but no images of the house itself survive.
John Borrett was a wealthy lawyer and landowner in the 18th century who owned considerable assets in Shoreham, including Filston, Preston and Castle Farm. On his death in 1739, he left most of his property to his second son, Thomas. This included all of Borrett’s household goods in “my dwelling house at Shoreham”.
This home is almost certainly New House, a villa built in a Palladian style south of the village on the east bank of the Darent, as described in the 18th century by Edward Hasted and indicated on maps of the time. It was abandoned by the 19th century, then demolished and replaced by the Mildmay family with their mansion, Shoreham Place, built a short distance away. It’s thought that busts on the “coachman’s cottage” at the front of the Old Vicarage and on Flint Cottage in Darenth Way may have come from New House, but no images of the house itself survive.
When Thomas Borrett wrote his own will in 1749, he also composed an inventory of furniture and items “at my house at Shoreham”. His widow, Susanna, was to have the use of all of these items during her lifetime, but most were to be passed down intact after her death, seemingly in accord with a marriage settlement. (She was granted full ownership of all the home’s linen however, plus all the items at Thomas’s house in London.) When Thomas died in 1750, his trustees found his will and the inventory in a bureau in his chambers at the Inner Temple, London, “amongst papers of moment and concern”.
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Below is a full transcription of the New House inventory. It gives a sense of the things people in those days – even rich people – considered of value, from bedsteads and pillows to fire shovels and curtains. But the large number of goods here contrasts with the handful of items sometimes listed in wills of humbler people in the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s interesting to speculate how many of Thomas’s items might have ended up in the hands of later Shoreham residents: his son-in-law inherited the Shoreham estate in due course and had to sell it in the 1790s to pay off debts.
In this big house, we can see that the principal bedrooms had curtained beds and people kept warm under a counterpane or quilt and usually three or four blankets. Each room had a mirror (“glass”), while bedrooms and dressing rooms had a surprising number of chairs, presumably for people popping in. “Close stools” in the dressing rooms referred to lavatories with lids on them, to be emptied by the servants. As today, quite a lot of investment went into heating – the metal fireplace surrounds and their accoutrements, including firedogs for the grate (“doggs” or “wood doggs”).
There are eight bedrooms listed, three of them with separate dressing rooms. One bedroom was shared by the “young ladies” (no doubt Thomas’s two daughters, Susanna and Martha), and there was a well-appointed room for the housekeeper. A room shared by (at least) two maids is the only one where a clock is noted. But the housekeeper and the maids may not have had the luxury of fireplaces – and that, too, would likely have been the case for the other servants living in five “garretts”. More than 90 pictures are noted, and it would be nice to know what happened to the “family picture” in the Yellow Room (a bedroom probably belonging to the master). In the living areas, the Great Parlour boasts ten leather-bottomed chairs and a carpet, while the Hall has a large square table with ten oak chairs to go with it.
The family’s valuable “plate” consists of a smallish number of tableware items perhaps passed down as heirlooms, from candlesticks to salt bowls and even “muggs”.
The original spellings are retained in the inventory below.
The family’s valuable “plate” consists of a smallish number of tableware items perhaps passed down as heirlooms, from candlesticks to salt bowls and even “muggs”.
The original spellings are retained in the inventory below.
The Yellow Room 1 Bed & Bedstead with yellow Damask Curtains, 1 Cotton Counterpain, 4 Blanketts, 1 Bolster, 3 Pillows, 1 Glass, 6 Chairs, 2 Tables, 1 Family Picture, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, 1 Pair of Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Brush and Bellow, 1 Tinn Fender. The Dressing Room belonging to the Yellow Room 2 Tables, 6 Yellow Damask Stuff Chairs, 11 Pictures, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs, 1 Tin Fender, 2 Cabinets, 1 Glass, 1 Close Stool, 2 pair of Yellow Stuff Damask Window Curtains. |
The best wrought Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 White Callico Quilt, 4 Blanketts, 1 Mattrass, 1 Bolster, 3 Pillows, 6 Wrought Chairs, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Picture, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Brush and Bellowes, 2 pair of Flower’d Callico Window Curtains.
The Dressing Room belonging to the best wrought Room
2 Tables, 3 wrought Elbow Chairs, 1 Glass, 2 work’d Stools, 11 Pictures, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel & Tongs, 1 Close Stool, 2 pair of Flower’d Callico Window Curtains.
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 White Callico Quilt, 4 Blanketts, 1 Mattrass, 1 Bolster, 3 Pillows, 6 Wrought Chairs, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Picture, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Brush and Bellowes, 2 pair of Flower’d Callico Window Curtains.
The Dressing Room belonging to the best wrought Room
2 Tables, 3 wrought Elbow Chairs, 1 Glass, 2 work’d Stools, 11 Pictures, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel & Tongs, 1 Close Stool, 2 pair of Flower’d Callico Window Curtains.
The Green Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Stuff Curtains, 1 Mattrass, 1 White Callico Quilt, 4 Blanketts, 1 Bolster, 3 Pillows, 2 Tables, 5 Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Picture, 1 Glass, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs and Bellows, 1 Double Chest of Drawers, 1 Close Stool.
The upper wrought Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 Mattrass, 1 White Counterpain, 3 Blanketts, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Bed and Bedstead with Stuff Curtains, 1 Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Table, 1 Glass, 1 Picture, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs with Brass Nobbs, Fire Shovel, Tongs & Brush, 1 Tinn Fender.
1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Stuff Curtains, 1 Mattrass, 1 White Callico Quilt, 4 Blanketts, 1 Bolster, 3 Pillows, 2 Tables, 5 Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Picture, 1 Glass, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel, Tongs and Bellows, 1 Double Chest of Drawers, 1 Close Stool.
The upper wrought Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 Mattrass, 1 White Counterpain, 3 Blanketts, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Bed and Bedstead with Stuff Curtains, 1 Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Table, 1 Glass, 1 Picture, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs with Brass Nobbs, Fire Shovel, Tongs & Brush, 1 Tinn Fender.
The Young Ladys Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Bed & Bedstead with Stuff Curtains, 1 Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 pair of White Dimothy [dimity] Window Curtains, 1 Chest of Drawers, 6 Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Table, 5 Pictures, 1 Family Coat of Arms, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel & Tongs, & Wood Doggs.
The Youngs Ladys Dressing Room
3 Chests of Drawers, 1 Writing Desk, 7 Great Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 2 Small D[itt]o, 2 Tables, 2 Glasses, 14 Pictures, 1 Steel Hearth with a Brass Rim to it, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Brush, Bellows and Wood Doggs, 2 pair of Yellow Stuff Damask Window Curtains.
1 Bed & Bedstead with wrought Curtains, 1 Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 Pillows, 1 Bed & Bedstead with Stuff Curtains, 1 Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 2 pair of White Dimothy [dimity] Window Curtains, 1 Chest of Drawers, 6 Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Table, 5 Pictures, 1 Family Coat of Arms, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel & Tongs, & Wood Doggs.
The Youngs Ladys Dressing Room
3 Chests of Drawers, 1 Writing Desk, 7 Great Rush Bottom’d Chairs, 2 Small D[itt]o, 2 Tables, 2 Glasses, 14 Pictures, 1 Steel Hearth with a Brass Rim to it, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Brush, Bellows and Wood Doggs, 2 pair of Yellow Stuff Damask Window Curtains.
The Housekeepers Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with Pink & Yellow Damask Silk Curtains, 1 Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Pillow, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Linnen Ditto, 6 Pink & Yellow Damask Stuff Chairs, 1 Picture, 1 Glass, 2 pair of Yellow Stuff Wi[n]dow Curtains.
The Maids Room
2 Beds & Bedsteads with Green Harateen Curtains [a woollen material], 2 Printed Linnen Quilts, 6 Blankets, 2 Bolsters, 1 Pillow, 2 Pictures, 1 Glass, 3 Old Stuff Chairs, 1 Cane D[itt]o, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Clock.
The Passage Room
1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Glass, 13 Pictures.
1 Bed & Bedstead with Pink & Yellow Damask Silk Curtains, 1 Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Pillow, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Linnen Ditto, 6 Pink & Yellow Damask Stuff Chairs, 1 Picture, 1 Glass, 2 pair of Yellow Stuff Wi[n]dow Curtains.
The Maids Room
2 Beds & Bedsteads with Green Harateen Curtains [a woollen material], 2 Printed Linnen Quilts, 6 Blankets, 2 Bolsters, 1 Pillow, 2 Pictures, 1 Glass, 3 Old Stuff Chairs, 1 Cane D[itt]o, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Clock.
The Passage Room
1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Glass, 13 Pictures.
The White Room
1 Bed & Bedstead with Dimothy Curtains, Ditto Window Curtains, 1 White Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Pillow, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Glass, 1 Table, 1 Iron Fire Hearth, Wood Doggs.
The Studdy
1 Chest of Drawers, 13 pictures.
The 2 Garretts on the Right Hand
1st. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Table, 2 old Canvas Bottom’d Chairs, 2 Pictures.
2nd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 2 Blankets, 1 Bolster.
The 3 Garretts on the Left Hand
1st. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 2 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Picture.
2nd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 3 Chairs, 1 Stool, 2 Pictures.
3rd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with red Cloath Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Table, 4 Chairs, 1 Stool, 1 Picture.
1 Bed & Bedstead with Dimothy Curtains, Ditto Window Curtains, 1 White Counterpain, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Pillow, 1 Chest of Drawers, 1 Glass, 1 Table, 1 Iron Fire Hearth, Wood Doggs.
The Studdy
1 Chest of Drawers, 13 pictures.
The 2 Garretts on the Right Hand
1st. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Table, 2 old Canvas Bottom’d Chairs, 2 Pictures.
2nd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 2 Blankets, 1 Bolster.
The 3 Garretts on the Left Hand
1st. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 2 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Picture.
2nd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with Green Harateen Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 3 Chairs, 1 Stool, 2 Pictures.
3rd. 1 Bed & Bedstead with red Cloath Curtains, 1 Printed Linnen Quilt, 3 Blankets, 1 Bolster, 1 Table, 4 Chairs, 1 Stool, 1 Picture.
The Smoking Room
1 Slab, 6 Elbow Chairs, 1 Iron Fire Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Tongs and Fire Shovel, 1 Tinn Fender.
The Dressing Room
1 Cloaths-Press, 2 Cabinets, 6 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Easy D[itt]o, 1 Oval Table, 1 Washing Stand, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, 1 Grate, Fire Shovel, Tongs & Poker, Brush & Bellows, 1 Steel Fender, 1 Picture.
The Great Parlour
1 Slab, 1 Glass, 10 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Carpet, 1 Oval Table, 1 Picture, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Grate with a high Back, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Poker & Brush, 1 Square Table, Printed Cotton Window Curtains, 1 steel Fender.
1 Slab, 6 Elbow Chairs, 1 Iron Fire Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Tongs and Fire Shovel, 1 Tinn Fender.
The Dressing Room
1 Cloaths-Press, 2 Cabinets, 6 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Easy D[itt]o, 1 Oval Table, 1 Washing Stand, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Iron Back, 1 Grate, Fire Shovel, Tongs & Poker, Brush & Bellows, 1 Steel Fender, 1 Picture.
The Great Parlour
1 Slab, 1 Glass, 10 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 1 Carpet, 1 Oval Table, 1 Picture, 1 Steel Hearth, 1 Grate with a high Back, Fire Shovel, Tongs, Poker & Brush, 1 Square Table, Printed Cotton Window Curtains, 1 steel Fender.
The Hall
2 Marble Slabs, 1 large Square Table, 1 Card D[itt]o, 10 Oak Chairs, 1 Steel Hearth, 2 pair of Wood Doggs, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel & Tongs.
The Little Parlour
2 Marble Slabs, 7 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 10 Pictures, 1 large Fire Skreen, Printed Cotton Window Curtains, 1 Iron Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel and Tongs, 1 Tinn Fender.
2 Marble Slabs, 1 large Square Table, 1 Card D[itt]o, 10 Oak Chairs, 1 Steel Hearth, 2 pair of Wood Doggs, 1 Iron Back, Fire Shovel & Tongs.
The Little Parlour
2 Marble Slabs, 7 Leather Bottom’d Chairs, 10 Pictures, 1 large Fire Skreen, Printed Cotton Window Curtains, 1 Iron Hearth, 1 Iron Back, Wood Doggs, Fire Shovel and Tongs, 1 Tinn Fender.
Plate 4 Candlesticks and Nossells [nozzle fittings for candles], 4 Salts & Spoons, 3 Knife Cases, 2 Waiters, 2 large Salvers, a Ring for the Middle Casters, 2 Muggs, 2 Tops for Cruetts, 1 Tankard, 1 Punch Bowl, 1 Teapott, 1 large Mugg, 1 Snuffpann, 1 Tea Kettle, 1 Coffee Pott, 2 Sauce Boats. |