Transcribed by Susan D. Young.

Kent Archive and Library reference .

Is a small town in the hundred of Blackheath, eight miles SSE from London, beautifully situated on a rising ground, on the high road to Maidstone. In former ages it in part belonged to the king, and partly to the MANDERVILLE family. Henry III kept his Christmas here, Edward II made it his frequent residence and in 1315 his queen was delivered of a son, called “John of Eltham.” At Eltham our sovereigns often celebrated their feasts with great pomp; on one of the last of these occasions (at Whitsuntide, 1515), Henry VIII created Sir Edward STANLEY, for his services at Flodden Field, “Baron Monteagle.”  Part of the stately hall, the scene of these entertainments, still holds its place; the roof resembles that of Westminster Hall. The mansion was for a considerable time was used as a barn, but has been repaired within these few years, with a view to its preservation. The church dedicated to St John, is a plain structure with a spire; the living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocess of Rochester. In the church, were interred in 1792, the remains of Dr HORNE, bishop of Norwich; and in the church yard those of Sir William BAINES Bart. and DOGGET the comedian, who bequeathed a coat and badge to be rowed for annually, on the 1st August on the River Thames. The independents have a place of worship here. Six almshouses founded by Sir Thomas PHILPOT in 1680, and a free school, established by Mrs Elizabeth LEGGATT in 1714, are the principal charities. This formerly was a market town, but the successful progress of other contiguous places has caused the market to decay. Eltham parish (including the hamlet of Mottingham), contained in 1831, 2129 residents.

POST OFFICE – Ruth PIKE, Postmistress. Letters from London and all parts arrive (by horse post), every morning at eight, forenoon at eleven and afternoon at five, and are despatched every morning at nine and afternoon and afternoon at four.

COACHES

To London, a Coach from the Castle every morning (Sunday excepted),  at nine; on Sunday morning at a quarter past eight and evening at seven.

To and from London, Dartford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Foots Cray &c. pass through Eltham, calling at the Greyhound, continually during the day.

CARRIERS

To London, Emanuel GRIFFIN & Fanny WALKER from their houses daily.

SURNAME or NAME OF BUSINESS	GIVEN NAME or PROPRIETOR	RESIDENCE	TRADE or OCCUPATION
BANKS	James	Eltham	Plumbers & glaziers
BLACKHAM & WEBB		Eltham	Tailors
BRABY	John	Mottingham, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
British (fire) & Westminster (life)	John FRY	Eltham	Fire &c Office Agent
BROCK	Maria, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
CARTER	John, Mr.	Mottingham, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
CARTWRIGHT	Elizabeth, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
CASTLE	Robt. KENSEY	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses & Posting House
CASTLE	William	Eltham	Butchers
CEELY	Joseph	Eltham	Cow Keeper
CHAMBERLAIN	James	Eltham	Brewers & Cooper
CHEQUERS	James STYLES	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
CHRISTOPHER	William, Mr.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
COPPER	James	Eltham	Carpenters & Turner
CROWN	John BLUNDELL	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
CUNNINGTON	John	Eltham	Brewers
CURREY	Benjamin, Esq.	Eltham, Eltham Park	Gentry & Clergy
DARE	James	Eltham	Butchers
DAWSON	William,	Eltham	Saddlers
DEANE	Samuel	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
DELPRATT	Joseph, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
DICK	Samuel, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
EDLOW	Samuel	Eltham	Saddlers & Toy Dealer
EDMEADS	Mrs & Miss	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
EDWARDS	William, (& dealer in British wines, and agent for BETTS’ patent brandy)	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
ELCOMB	Rutland	Eltham	Bakers
ELLIOTT	Jane, (& china, glass &c. dealer),	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
FISK	John	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
FOSTER	Thomas	Eltham	Blacksmiths & Farriers
FOULGER	John	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
FRANCIS	Frederic	Eltham	Tailors & Wheelwright
FROST	John	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
FRY	Clempson	Eltham	Registrar of births & deaths and Parish Clerk
FRY	John	Eltham	Carpenters & Builder & House Agent
GAMBLE	George	Eltham	Plumbers & glaziers
GARLAND	John, Mr.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
GEACH	Peter	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
GLAZEBROOK	George	Eltham	Blacksmiths & Farriers
GLAZEBROOK	George	Eltham	Ironmonger
GOLDING	David	Eltham	Bakers
GOSHEN	Henry, Mr.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
GRAINGER	Richard, Mr.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
GREEN	John, Esq.	Southend, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
GREEN	Robert, Mr.	Courtyard, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
GREYHOUND	William HARDS (commercial & booking office for the Maidstone & Folkestone coaches)	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
GRIFFIN	Emanuel	Eltham	Horse & Gig Owner for Hire
GUILLEMARD	Isaac	Eltham	Surgeons & Apothecary
HAMMOND	John	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
HARROP	Thomas	Eltham	Corn & Coal Dealers
HAYWOOD	James	Eltham	Bricklayers
HAYWOOD	Mary	Eltham	Bricklayers
HISKINS	Mary	Eltham	Straw Hat Makers
HOLMES	Richard	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
HOLMES	Richard	Eltham	Linen Draper & Clothier
HOW	Peter	Eltham	Watchmaker
KENNEDY	John, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
Kent (fire & life),	Richard PHIPPS	Eltham	Fire &c Office Agent
KING	Charlotte, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
KING	David	Eltham	Surgeons
KING	David, Esq. (MD)	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
KINGS ARMS	William GOODWIN	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
LATHAM	John Henry, Esq.	Eltham, Eagle House	Gentry & Clergy
LE KEUX	Peter William	Eltham	Ironmonger & Brazier & Tin Man
LEWIN	Hendrina, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
LEWIN	Henry, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
LEWIN	Thomas, Esq. (Magistrate)	Eltham, Barn cottage	Gentry & Clergy
LUDGATER	James, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
M’DONALD	Margaret	Eltham	Academies & Schools (Day)
MAXTED	John	Eltham	Carpenters & Builder
MILLS	Rich. Esq.	Eltham, Moat cottage	Gentry & Clergy
MILNE	Alex. Esq.	Courtyard, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
MOLLING	Ann, Mrs	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
MOORE	Mr.	Mottingham, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
MUNN	Miss	Eltham	Academies & Schools (Boarding)
MYERS	William Thomas, Rev.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
NATIONAL SCHOOL	Richard WHITE, master; Mary WHITE, mistress	Eltham	Academies & Schools
PACKHAM	Daniel, Mr.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
PHIPPS	Richard	Eltham	Linen Draper
PIKE	Ruth	Eltham	Academies & Schools (Day)
PIKE	Ruth	Eltham	Watchmaker
PIPER	Jane	Eltham	Straw Hat Makers
PIPER	Mary	Eltham	Dressmakers
PLUMMER	George	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
PORCUPINE	Ann HARRIS, Mottingham	Mottingham, Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
POWIS	Richard, Mr.	Mottingham, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
PURVIS	Ann	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
RAYNES	Sarah, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
REYNOLDS	Mary, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
RICE	Henry, Esq.	Eltham, Fairy Hall	Gentry & Clergy
RISING SUN	Joseph MARLBOROUGH	Eltham	Inns & Public Houses
ROBERT	John	Eltham	Hairdresser, Bookseller and Sub Distributer of Stamps
ROGERS	Sarah	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
ROYAL EXCHANGE	Jos. BLACKHAM	Eltham	Fire &c Office Agent
SALTER	Geo.	Eltham	Chemist & Veterinary Surgeon
SANDERS	Charles	Eltham	Bricklayers
SAUNDERS	Robert John, Esq.	Eltham, Court Farm	Gentry & Clergy
SAXBY	Stephen Martin	Eltham, Eltham house	Academies & Schools (Boarding)
SCRIVEN	William	Eltham	Baker & Corn Dealer
SCUDDS	Stephen	Eltham	Coach Proprietor
SEAGROVE	John	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
SELVES	John	Eltham	Carpenters & Builder
SHAWBROOKE	John Kenward, Rev.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
SKINNER	John	Eltham	Boot & Shoemaker
SMITH	George, Jun.	Eltham	Blacksmiths & Farriers
STACEY	Jane	Eltham	Dressmakers
TAYLOR	John	Eltham	Butchers & Salesman
TERRY	Isaac	Eltham	Furniture Broker
TODMAN	James	Eltham	Nursery & Seedsman
VOLLER	William	Eltham	Tailors
WARNER	Mrs.	Southend, Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
WATSON	Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
WHOMES	Henry	Eltham	Tailors & Organist
WILLIMOTT	William, Esq.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
WOLLESTON	Catherine, Mrs.	Eltham	Gentry & Clergy
WOOD	Benjamin, Esq.	Eltham, Eltham Lodge	Gentry & Clergy
WOOLLEY	James	Eltham	Grocers & Dealers in Sundries
YATES	Samuel	Eltham	Corn & Coal Dealers