( 271 )
FURTHER NOTES ON PHIL. SYMONSON,
MAKER 01•' 1'1-TR MAP OF KEXT DATED 157G-159G.
IlY THE IION. H. HANNEN.
IN the short paper 011 Phil. Symonso11's early Map of Kent,
which I contributed to the last Volume of Arclueologici Oantiwna,
I had to say that I had failed to obta,in any information
concerning him. Since then I have, through the
kindness of Mr. A. A. Arnold, F.S.A.., learnt several particulars
about him and bis work.
It appears from enhies in the Rochester Bridge Warden's
accounts, which Mr. Arnold bas been good enough to
extract for me (the originals of which, by the courtesy of
the Bridge Wardens, I have been permitted to examine),
that Symonson was appointed "Expenditor,"* Supe1·intendent
and Suneyor of the Bridge and Bridge Estates, and
was also employed to " plot" several of the latter. He was
appointed at Whitsuntide 1592, and held the office until his
deat,h on the 30th of September 1598.
The Bridge vVn,rdens still possess three plans of certain
of their estates, all, apparently, made by him. They are
Nashenden and Little Delce, the Manor of Langdon (near
Faversham), and La.nds near Dartford. The "plot" of
the V\7 arden's estate at Tilbury in Essex, though referred to
in the accounts, is not now to be found.
That Symonson was a man of local importance is shewn
by the fact that he was Mayor of Roehester for the year
1597-8. He succeeded a Mr. Richard Harlowe as "Expenditor
for the Bridge," who was Mayor for the years 1570,
1571, 1573, 1578, 1579 and 1586.
* More particularly an officer appointed to expend 01· disburse money collected
by tax for repairs of sewers; in this case for repatrs to ltochester llridg e,
272 FURTHER NOTES ON PHIL. SYMONSON.
The fo1lowing are the references to Phil. Symonson and
his office that appear in the Bridge Warden's accounts, as
extracted by Mr. Arnold:-
Account for the year, from Whitsuntide 1591 to Whitsuntide
1592. (Vol. II.)
[The following is the first reference to Symonson, and is entered
on an almost blank page near the end of the account, and in a
different band from what precedes or follows it. Mr. Arnold sug•
gests that it may be very likely in the handwriting of Symonson
himsel£.J
Hue usq. Mr (sic) Richardus Harlowe, qui obiit Mo1·tem die
Mercurii viz. xxim0 die Februarii Anno domioi juxta computacoem
Ecclie Anglicanie 1592 Anuoq. regni Dfie Regnire (sic) Elizabethre
nunc tricesimo quinto, et sepultns foit die Saturni viz. xxiiijt0 die
mensis supradicti in Ecclia Oath. Ro:ffen. ,j(,
Et Philippus Simonson (sic), generosus, predicti Richardi officium
expenditoris pro ponte Roffense die et anno ult. suprascriptis
in mauus suaa ccepit ex dono et concessione gardianor et communitatis
Pontis predict.
1592-3. Paid to Phillip Symonson, gentleman, for his fee, due
unto him at this present accom:pt heretofore granted to him
for his paynes in Sounding the gullets, and furnishing the
Bridge with chalke, the sum of . iijll vis viijd
1593-4. (Vol. iii.) Paid to Phillip Symonson, gent., for his fee
for his paynes taking about the affairs of the Bridge, the
-
1594-5. [Thomas Fludd and William Lambard, Wardens for the
year.] Paid to Phillip Symondson (sic), gent., pa.ye master of
the Bridge work, £or his fee xii
Paid and allowed to the said Phillip Symons (sic) £or his paynes in
plotting ye Manorst of N ashenden and Little Delce in Kent,
and for the Manor 0£ East Tilberye in Essex, and £or a survey
* There exists no record of his burial in the Cathedral so far as can be
nsoerta.ined.
t These Manors still belong to the Wardens.
:FURTHER NO'l'ES ON PHIL. SYMONSON. 273
ancl. certificat to be made of the Stad.les'x' in the Coppis
woocl
Previous
Previous
The Rectors and Vicars of St Mildred's Tenterden: With an Appendix
Next
Next