Dorking, Surrey


A Topographical and Statistical Description of the County of Surrey, to which is prefixed a Copious Travelling Guide forming a Complete County Itinerary, etc. (1810) by George Alexander Cooke , Editor of The Universal System of Geography

Dorking stands at the end of an ancient Roman road from London called Stone-street. It is a pleasant little town, situated on a rock of soft sandy stone on the angle of two fine vallies, surrounded by beautiful hills, from which are such grand prospects as are unparalleled by any inland county in England.

The custom of borough English prevails in this manor: that is, the youngest son is heir to a copy hold estate; which is supposed to have originated with the Saxons.

The church is collegiate, founded and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has a square tower near the middle. The tradition of the inhabitants is, that it was erected by the founder of the church of St. Mary Over, Southwark, and that there were several other churches here. The vicarage is in the gift of the duke of Norfolk.

The market day is on Thursday, which has for many ages been one of the largest for poultry. It is likewise a good corn market : and the mealing trade has been carried on here about 150 years ; some time previous to that period there was none in the neighbourhood.

There is only one fair, which is held the day before Ascension-day for cattle and lambs, and for the latter used to be accounted the largest in England. It still continues for toys, &c.

In the south part of the town is a convenient workhouse well provided.

On Cotman Dean, a pleasant little common or heath, which some eminent physicians have said possesses the finest air in England, are almshouses for widows, who have neat apartments and an allowance in money.

About half a mile north from the town, are large chalk pits, from whence are carried great quantities of chalk for manuring of land ; and the lime from these parts is generally reckoned superior to that made in most other parts.

Many donations have been left to the poor of this town, among which we notice the following. Mrs. Fenwick, of Betchworth Castle, bequeathed £300 the interest of which is set apart to relieve decayed housekeepers, and £5 to every servant on the day of her marriage, who has served seven years in one family.

Sixty pounds per annum was left to the poor of Dorking by Mr. Smith, of whom we have given some particulars in our account of Wandsworth. The story of Smiths having been a beggar, is very erroneous. He was, however, a person of very low extraction, which appears from his bequest of money to his poor kindred, viz. such as were aged, impotent, and unable to keep themselves. Upon being asked which of his poor kindred he meant, he said, The poorest of his sister's children, and their children successively.

Twenty pounds a year was also left by Mr. Beau, a clergyman, for the poor of Dorking.

Near Dorking, to the right of our road, is Deepden, a seat of the Duke of Norfolk, inhabited by Lady Burrel.

About a mile from Dorking, to the right, is Betchworth Castle for which Thomas Brown procured a fair from Henry VI. The castle falling to a daughter of the Browns, married to Mr Fenwicke, has been in part pulled down. The remainder, which is considerable, is a seat.

Fairs : The day before Ascension Day ; horses , bullocks , sheep and toys

Inns: Red Lion, White Horse.

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Quotations
 Chapter 43 
"I say nothing of which I am ashamed," replied he, with lively impudence. "I saw you first in February. Let every body on the Hill hear me if they can. Let my accents swell to Mickleham on one side, and Dorking on the other. I saw you first in February." And then whispering -- "Our companions are excessively stupid. What shall we do to rouse them? Any nonsense will serve. They shall talk. Ladies and gentlemen, I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse (who, wherever she is, presides,) to say, that she desires to know what you are all thinking of."
 

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