King Street

King Street, sometimes King's Street, is named after the King's Field, one of the names of the piece of land on which it was built. 

Nothing of the original King Street remains; the only buildings that pre-date the First World War are those at the junction with Delce Road.

47 King Street, at junction with Delce Road, original (c.1900?) shop front still visible

Thanks to sale notices in the local newspapers, we do have some idea what the original, late eighteenth century, buildings were like.

The Kentish Gazette 16 August 1793:

To be SOLD by AUCTION

Under a Commission of Bankruptcy

A very substantial new-built Brick DWELLING-HOUSE, 20 feet in front, 100 feet deep, situated next the PORTLAND ARMS, in King Street, Troy Town, and contains an excellent butcher's shop and slaughter-house, a parlour, four chambers, kitchen &c, &c.

The east end of King Street in 1909.

Portland Arms indicated in blue, 47 King Street in red.

Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

A substantial new-built BRICK DWELLING-HOUSE excellently situated for trade, at the corner of Union and King's Street, in Troy Town, 16 feet in front, and 100 feet deep, containing two parlours, four chambers, kitchen, cellars, &c - These premises are not quite finished.

Another new-built DWELLING-HOUSE, adjoining Lot 3, also not quite finished, and of the same size, supposed when completed to be worth 18l per annum.

Junction of Union Street and King Street, 1866

Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

The sale also included

An Excellent new built brick Dwelling-house, containing 20 feet in front and 150 feet deep, adjoining the Theatre, in Stevens Row, Rochester, containing two parlours, a drawing room, four chambers, good kitchen, cellars and other conveniences, with a very good garden, completely walled round.

There was also a house in Strood High Street and pasture and woodland in Hadlow and Hoo. These properties were still being advertised for sale in November 1793. As noted before, 1793 was an uncertain year, due to the outbreak of war with France; people may well have been cautious about spending money.

It has not been possible to identify the bankrupt owner of these properties.

Junction of Union Street and King Street, present day

On 7 November 1800, the Kentish Gazette advertised

TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE CONTRACT

A newly-erected substantial built sashed MANSION delightfully situated as to views of the River Medway Dock-yard &c, in King Street, Troy Town, in the parish of St Margaret next the city of Rochester. There is every suitable convenience for a small genteel family, and an excellent pump of water. The premises are now in the occupation of Mr Kenrick, who has had notice to quit at Christmas next.

In the Kentish Gazette of 3 August 1804,

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

A neat and convenient well built Brick Dwelling House almost new, with a good garden and well of water, situate in King's Street, Troy Town, Rochester, now in the occupation of Mrs Dorrett, as tenant from year to year.The Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, 13 May 1806,

To Be Sold By Private Contract

A large, spacious and convenient Dwelling House with a chaise-house, two stall stable, and a large garden, and a small orchard, planted with choice wall-fruit and other trees, in a thriving condition, situate at the east end of King's Street, Troy Town, in the parish of Saint Margaret, Rochester, now in the occupation of Dr Becket, M.D,

Also, a Dwelling House adjoining, with a large shop in front, a printing office, and a wash house and garden, now in the occupation of Mr William Epps, printer.

The first-mentioned house is very pleasantly situated commanding one of the most delightful views in the county including the river Medway, dock-yard, barracks, fortifications, and considerable extent of country, and is well calculated for the residence of a genteel family, and from the great thorough-fare of the road adjoining, is advantageously situated for the purpose of trade; a great part of the garden fronts the new road, and is very valuable to build on. The land tax is redeemed and possession may be had at Michaelmas next, or sooner if particularly required. 

There is now nothing resembling a 'mansion house', large garden or orchard at the east end of King Street. At some point, a developer took advantage of the 'very valuable to build on' garden fronting the road and the land was built over.

King Street in the 1860s

Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

However, the remaining older building at the junction with Delce Road is a printer's shop. It would be interesting to know whether this is the same location as the printing office which in 1806 was occupied by Mr William Epps.

Next: The Cazeneuve Family Introduction

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