On the Old Rectory at Northfleet

74 ON THE OLD RECTORY AT NORTHFLEET. century, the primitive method of burning a fire in the centre of the hall began to die out, and fireplaces came into general use in the houses of the humbler classes. Such cottages, once the residences of the proverbially well-to-do yeomen, abound in Kent. One for example, by the churchyard at Headcorn, has the history of its internal changes clearly marked on its exterior. They are more rare in the chalk districts, but good examples can be seen near Northfleet, at Sole Street, and at Luddesdown. The more common arrangement, of having side stories on the first floor projecting on overhanging timbers, is not followed at Northfleet Rectory, where the rudeness and absence of ornamentation and ordinary comforts (such as glass to the windows) denote that the building was not intended for any family of means or importance. This helps us to agree with the suggestion of Mr. Arnold, that it was somewhat austerely built for the temporary residence of the chaplain or steward appointed by St. Andrew's Priory to superintend the collection and transmission to Rochester of the grain and tithe from their lands at Northfleet. The internal re-arrangement of the hall, the new staircase and the additions at the back, all of which are shewn hatched on the plan, were made in the next century, and we are fortunate in being able to fix a date for them by the discovery (embedded in the ceiling plaster) of a token, dated 1656, of Edward Pashlowe (who was Mayor of the neighbouring town of Grravesend in 1653). Although much damage has been done to the old timber work, by the insertion of sash windows and the rebuilding of the decayed portions, sufficient has fortunately been preserved beneath the many coats of plaster, with which the whole building had been covered, to shew the character of the work, and to fix an approximate date. The two original windows of the hall, which were opposite to each other, east and west, have been brought to light. Their position proves that no upper floor could have existed at first. They are of very curious detail, the mullions being very close together and without groove, rebate, or any means of fixing glass. They probably had wooden shutters which opened or shut at will, to suit the conditions of light, weather, and smoke inside. Most of the other window openings are still more primitive, being filled in with square mullions placed close together and diagonally, after the manner of cellar windows in old houses. Only one old doorway remains inside, with moulded jambs