Building Troy Town
The usual method of property development at this time was for the freeholder or ground landlord to lease plots of land to men, usually carpenters or bricklayers, who would then build a house or houses.
This is how part of New Road in Chatham was developed; in 1793 the owner, Thomas Whitaker, leased his land to Thomas Milton, a bricklayer and William Mannering, a house carpenter, on the condition that they built houses on the land within three years.
There were no planning restrictions at this time; anyone could build anything anywhere as long as he complied with local bye-laws or Building Acts, which were usually aimed at preventing the spread of fire.
A ground landlord or freeholder might wish to ensure that the houses built on his land were of a good standard, to attract a good quality of tenant. He could do this by imposing covenants on the land. For example in Camberwell, then in Surrey, between 1785 and 1793, eight long leases were granted on land belonging to a particular estate. The leaseholders were required to spend £500 or £600 building one or more houses.
Jacob Cazeneuve Troy imposed no such conditions on his leaseholders. Where the houses survive, on Maidstone Road, there is no unified design. The only requirement was that houses should be built in a 'workmanlike' manner. The builders, or subsequent occupiers of the houses, were also required to pave the land to a depth of six feet in front of their properties, and fence them with a post and rails of 'good solid oak' at least five feet high.
It is very unlikely that architects were involved in the building of Troy Town. House builders would draw on their own skills and experience. If they wanted to keep up with latest fashions, or needed other assistance, they might refer to pattern books. Pattern books not only contained illustrations of designs of houses and individual features, they might also specify the quantities and prices of materials needed, and instructions on constructing a feature such as an arch or dome.
Speculative building (without a purchaser lined up before starting work) was always a risky business. At the time the development of Troy Town was beginning, it was even more risky. The French Revolution broke out in 1789. Early in 1793, Britain went to war with Revolutionary France. A period of financial uncertainty and rising prices followed.
The production of bricks declined in the 1790s, based on figures derived from the brick tax, first imposed in 1784. The duty on bricks was increased from 2s 6d per thousand to 4s per thousand in 1794 and to 5s per thousand in 1796.
The decline in brick production suggests that there was also a slowdown in the building trade.
Even before the outbreak of war there were bankruptcies among the men who were building Troy Town. In 1790 The Kentish Gazette advertised a sale by auction of leasehold estates, by order of the assignees of Mr Thomas Goble, carpenter, of Strood. The estates included four new built brick messuages or tenements in Knatchbull Row and King Street, St Margaret's, Rochester, and two unfinished tenements in King Street. All the properties were held of Mr Troy.
Also to be sold, at Mr Goble's premises in Strood, were all his stock in trade, ironmongery, household furnishings, linen and other effects.
Edward Chiles was another of the builders of Troy Town. In May 1792, The Kentish Gazette advertised a sale by auction 'by order of the Trustees and for the benefit of the Creditors' of Edward Chiles. The sale included all that piece or parcel of LAND or GROUND situate in Union Street Troy Town Rochester together with the MESSUAGE erecting thereon, and a large quantity of Carpenter's work therein, cut out for the same.
When the houses were completed, the builders sold on their leases. Some might have a purchaser lined up when commencing building. For example, Philip Parker Day had contracted to purchase the house or houses which Thomas Winter, bricklayer, was to build. Others, as was typical for the time, built on a speculative basis, hoping to find a buyer when the house was complete or near completion. Jacob Cazeneuve Troy retained his interest as ground landlord, for payment of a minimal rent - in some cases, an actual peppercorn.
Over time, Troy Town ceased to be a building site and became a residential area. A future post will look at some of the first occupiers of the houses.
Next: Jacob Cazeneuve Troy
____________________
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Maidstone Road/Pleasant Row
This is how part of New Road in Chatham was developed; in 1793 the owner, Thomas Whitaker, leased his land to Thomas Milton, a bricklayer and William Mannering, a house carpenter, on the condition that they built houses on the land within three years.
There were no planning restrictions at this time; anyone could build anything anywhere as long as he complied with local bye-laws or Building Acts, which were usually aimed at preventing the spread of fire.
A ground landlord or freeholder might wish to ensure that the houses built on his land were of a good standard, to attract a good quality of tenant. He could do this by imposing covenants on the land. For example in Camberwell, then in Surrey, between 1785 and 1793, eight long leases were granted on land belonging to a particular estate. The leaseholders were required to spend £500 or £600 building one or more houses.
Jacob Cazeneuve Troy imposed no such conditions on his leaseholders. Where the houses survive, on Maidstone Road, there is no unified design. The only requirement was that houses should be built in a 'workmanlike' manner. The builders, or subsequent occupiers of the houses, were also required to pave the land to a depth of six feet in front of their properties, and fence them with a post and rails of 'good solid oak' at least five feet high.
Maidstone Road/Pleasant Row
It is very unlikely that architects were involved in the building of Troy Town. House builders would draw on their own skills and experience. If they wanted to keep up with latest fashions, or needed other assistance, they might refer to pattern books. Pattern books not only contained illustrations of designs of houses and individual features, they might also specify the quantities and prices of materials needed, and instructions on constructing a feature such as an arch or dome.
Speculative building (without a purchaser lined up before starting work) was always a risky business. At the time the development of Troy Town was beginning, it was even more risky. The French Revolution broke out in 1789. Early in 1793, Britain went to war with Revolutionary France. A period of financial uncertainty and rising prices followed.
The production of bricks declined in the 1790s, based on figures derived from the brick tax, first imposed in 1784. The duty on bricks was increased from 2s 6d per thousand to 4s per thousand in 1794 and to 5s per thousand in 1796.
Brick production, 1785-1804
The decline in brick production suggests that there was also a slowdown in the building trade.
Even before the outbreak of war there were bankruptcies among the men who were building Troy Town. In 1790 The Kentish Gazette advertised a sale by auction of leasehold estates, by order of the assignees of Mr Thomas Goble, carpenter, of Strood. The estates included four new built brick messuages or tenements in Knatchbull Row and King Street, St Margaret's, Rochester, and two unfinished tenements in King Street. All the properties were held of Mr Troy.
Also to be sold, at Mr Goble's premises in Strood, were all his stock in trade, ironmongery, household furnishings, linen and other effects.
Edward Chiles was another of the builders of Troy Town. In May 1792, The Kentish Gazette advertised a sale by auction 'by order of the Trustees and for the benefit of the Creditors' of Edward Chiles. The sale included all that piece or parcel of LAND or GROUND situate in Union Street Troy Town Rochester together with the MESSUAGE erecting thereon, and a large quantity of Carpenter's work therein, cut out for the same.
When the houses were completed, the builders sold on their leases. Some might have a purchaser lined up when commencing building. For example, Philip Parker Day had contracted to purchase the house or houses which Thomas Winter, bricklayer, was to build. Others, as was typical for the time, built on a speculative basis, hoping to find a buyer when the house was complete or near completion. Jacob Cazeneuve Troy retained his interest as ground landlord, for payment of a minimal rent - in some cases, an actual peppercorn.
Over time, Troy Town ceased to be a building site and became a residential area. A future post will look at some of the first occupiers of the houses.
Next: Jacob Cazeneuve Troy
____________________
See my historical mystery fiction on Amazon Kindle here
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