Tunbridge Wells, and its neighbourhood / illustrated by ... etchings and historical descriptions.

  • Amsinck, Paul, -1814.
Date:
[1824?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tunbridge Wells, and its neighbourhood / illustrated by ... etchings and historical descriptions. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    20/170 (page 4)
    We shall now cursorily review its several divisions, with the intent of pointing out the improvements of the place, and noticing the individuals by whom they have been principally effected. Mount Ephraim will here claim precedence, as comprising the greater number of objects worthy of notice. And here the first in point of beauty, comfort, and extent, is Bishop’s Down Grove, the present residence of the widow of the late B. Gen. Yorke, of the Royal Artillery ; who, in the year 1806, unfortunately perished on the coast of Brazil, when engaged in a military expedition destined against the Cape of Good Hope : an appointment to which his distinguished services, on its former capture, had principally recommended him. This place was formerly the property and residence of Sir George Kelly, Knt. a physician of some eminence, who had settled here, and become possessed of considerable property in the neighbourhood. Dying in the year 1772, his property vested in three sisters his coheirs. The only male descendant from whom is Thomas Christopher Gardner, Esq. late Major in the 95th Regiment of Foot; in which corps he for some years served with the highest credit, in Holland, Egypt, and South America. On the demise of Sir George Kelly, Bishop’s Down Grove was purchased by Martin Yorke, Esq. who, during an occupancy of about twenty-five years, so improved the house, and beautified the grounds, as, in a great measure, to have constituted him the maker of the place. But in the recollection of those who knew him, who shared in his friendship, and partook of his hospitalities, he has left testimonies to his merits, far beyond what the works of art or the improved beauties of nature can record. Another place on Mount Ephraim worthy of some remark, is that which was the property and residence of the late Sir Richard Heron, Bart. The original of this house (which has been added to and diminished till a very small part of the first structure remains) was built for the celebrated, or rather infamous, Judge Jeffries ; and, in consequence, long retained the name of the Chancellor’s House, though it does not appear that it was ever occupied by him. It was, till purchased about thirty years since by Mr. Heron, only a lodging-house. It was again let during his absence in Ireland as secretary to the Earl of Buckinghamshire. During his