Kensington Genealogical Records
Kensington Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Records of baptism for people born in and around Kensington between 1898 and 1906. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.
Baptism registers document the baptism and sometimes birth of people in and around North Kensington St Thomas, Kensington. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.
Baptism records from people born in and around Kensington between 1885 and 1906. Lists the name of people's parent's and other details.
Records of baptism for people born in and around Kensington between 1884 and 1906. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.
Kensington Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Marriage records from people who married at Notting Hill St Colomb, Kensington between 1902 and 1921. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.
Marriage registers are the primary source for marital documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They typically the record marital status and residence of the bride and groom.
The Marriage registers of Holy Trinity At Notting Hill, Kensington, document marriages 1889 to 1920. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.
Name index linked to original images of the marriage registers of St Cuthbert, Kensington. Records document marriages from 1888 to 1921. Details may include a party's age, residence, martial status, father's name and signature.
Kensington Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Burial records for people buried at Notting Hill St Peter, Kensington, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1926 to 1960. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.
Burial records for people buried at St Barnabas, Kensington, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1852 to 1955.
Burial registers are the primary source for death documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.
Burial registers are the primary source for death documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.
Kensington Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
An index to and images of registers recording over 17 million voters' names, their residence and qualification to vote.
Lists of those registered to vote in London, including their residence and sometimes other supplementary details. Useful for tracing families in between censuses and can be used as a post-1911 census substitute, as listings are ordered by residence. A name index connected to original images.
Records compiled by parish overseers, recording those who claimed eligibility to vote. The record name, address and the nature of their connection with that property.
Newspapers Covering Kensington
A local paper including news from the London area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.
A local paper including news from the Shoreditch area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.
Original images of a local newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the London area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.
Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the New Windsor district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.
A weekly, liberal newspaper published in London. It contains family notices.
Kensington Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Archdeaconry Court of Middlesex. These records can help trace families back to the late 16th century.
A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Archdeaconry Court of London. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.
A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Commissary Court of London. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.
A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Consistory Court of London. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.
Kensington Immigration & Travel Records
Orders to remove convicts from Middlesex and deport them to penal colonies.
A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.
A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.
An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.
Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.
Kensington Military Records
Service records for various voluntary corps and regiments from London and Middlesex at large.
A general history of the yeomanry, focusing on the involvement of its men in WWI.
Details of almost over 10,000 London council employees who fought in WWI. Contains both occupational and military details.
A list of names found on World War One monuments in Middlesex, with some service details.
A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Middlesex, with some service details.
Kensington Court & Legal Records
An index to over 1,800 cases brought before the court. For witnesses, age and residence is usually given. The cases cover such matters as defamation, marriage and tithes.
An index to and images of registers recording over 17 million voters' names, their residence and qualification to vote.
Registers recording details of around 9,000 prisoners held in ships stationed in Kent. Records describe a convict's name, age, place of birth, physical description, offence, conviction, sentence, discharge and conduct report.
Digital images and transcriptions of records investigating suspicious deaths in the county of Middlesex.
Digital images and transcriptions of records that tried both misdemeanor and serious offences, but mostly felony cases.
Kensington Taxation Records
A history of coal duties paid on coal coming into the City of London and environs. Contains an investigation into posts marking where duty was due.
Digital images of records that detail land – its owners and tenants. Very useful for tracing the succession of freehold and tenancies, and thus genealogies. Records can be searched by a name index.
Records listing those who were assessed for taxation based on the number of hearths they possessed.
The details of income taxes paid by several thousand individuals and institutions in Surrey and Middlesex.
Assessments for a tax to pay for warfare in Europe. It covers London and parts of Middlesex.
Kensington Land & Property Records
Digital images of records that detail land – its owners and tenants. Very useful for tracing the succession of freehold and tenancies, and thus genealogies. Records can be searched by a name index.
Abstracts of records that detail land conveyances.
Records compiled by parish overseers, recording those who claimed eligibility to vote. The record name, address and the nature of their connection with that property.
An index to and images of books recording money paid for maintenance of the sick and poor. The records list the name of the owner and occupier of a property, the type of dwelling, the name or situation of the property, how much rent was collected, and the rates paid.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
Kensington Directories & Gazetteers
An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
Kensington Cemeteries
Photographs and descriptions of Kensington & Chelsea's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.
Kensington Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Kensington Histories & Books
Detailed descriptions of Metropolitan London.
Detailed histories of parishes in the London area.
Extremely detailed histories of parishes in and surrounding The City of London.
Extremely detailed histories of parishes in and surrounding The City of London.
A large database of images depicting people and places in Metropolitan London.
Kensington School & Education Records
Records or admission and discharge for over 1 million pupils attending over 800 state schools in London. Records are indexed by name linked to original images of the registers; and may contain details on the pupil's parents, date of birth, residence, parent's occupations and scholastic history.
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
Kensington Occupation & Business Records
Biographical stubs of 19th Century photographers and allied tradesmen in London.
A history of private road transportation in London, from the horse drawn carriage to the motorcar.
A name index connected to original images of over 75,000 records recording the lives of those employed by the royal family.
An index to and images of hospital records listing over 250,000 names. Records may list name, age or year of birth, occupation, residence, why in the hospital and a whole host of other details.
Details of almost over 10,000 London council employees who fought in WWI. Contains both occupational and military details.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Kensington
An essential work for those researching in and around London. This publication gives genealogical and brief biographical information on several hundred thousands inhabitants of London and the surrounding area.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
Kensington Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Photographs and descriptions of Kensington & Chelsea's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
A name index connected to original images of over 75,000 records recording the lives of those employed by the royal family.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Kensington Church Records
An index to over 1,800 cases brought before the court. For witnesses, age and residence is usually given. The cases cover such matters as defamation, marriage and tithes.
An index connected to original images of most early Middlesex & London parish registers. Also includes over 100 registers from Surrey, Essex and Kent.
The parish registers of Middlesex are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1538 to 1965.
A calendar for the Diocese and a list of over 6,000 of its clergy.
Confirmations are Church of England ceremonies conducted by Bishops that affirm one's commitment to the doctrines of the church. These records contain the names of those confirmed, their age, date of baptism & confirmation, address and sometimes other details. The records are indexed by name and connected to images of the original registers.
Biographical Directories Covering Kensington
Biographical details for medical professionals, institutions and businesses in the London area.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
Kensington Maps
Detailed maps of London and 125 other places in the vicinity.
A series of maps showing the evolution of Bethnal Green from a rural village to metropolitan suburb.
A detailed map of the London area, showing buildings, streets, natural features and geological deposits.
A detailed map of London, showing streets and important buildings and features.
A street map of London, with an index to streets.
Kensington Reference Works
Outline details of records that will assist family historians tracing an ancestor who was a member of the Metropolitan Police Service in London.
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
Kensington is situated on the great western road, about one mile and a half from Hyde Park Corner. This village is called in Doomsday book Chenisitun, and in other ancient records Kenasitune, and Kensintune. Holland House, a well-known ancient mansion-house in this parish, is the manor house of Abbot Kensington, in this parish, and takes its name from Henry Rich, Earl of Holland. It was erected by his father-in-law, Sir Walter Cope, in 1607, and afterwards greatly improved by bis lordship. The stone piers at the entrance of the court were designed by Inigo Jones; the internal decorations were executed by Francis Cleyne, a foreigner. One apartment, called the Gilt Room, exhibits a very favourable specimen of this artist’s abilities: the ceiling is a grotesque pattern; the wainscot is in compartments, ornamented with cross croslets and fleurs-de-lis. Over the chimney are some emblematical figures, done (as the Earl of Orford observes, in his Anecdotes of Painting) in the style and not unworthy of Parmegiano. A gallery, of 118 feet long, occupying the whole of the west wing, contains some good portraits of the Lenox, Digby, and Fox families, in one of the bed rooms is a portrait of the late Charles James Fox, when an infant.
The most remarkable occurrence in the history of this mansion is that it was at one time the residence of the celebrated Mr. Addison, who became possessed of it in 1716, by his marriage with the Countess Dowager of Warwick and Holland. He died at Holland House, June 17, 1719.
Campden is another well-known mansion, in this parish, built by Sir Baptist Hukes, about the year 1612. In 1691 it became the residence of Queen Anne, then Princess of Denmark, who resided here about five years with her son the Duke of Gloucester.
In the garden at Campden House, Miller speaks of a remarkable caper tree, which endured the open air of this climate for nearly a century.
Kensington Church stands near the road side. It is a brick structure, consisting of a chancel, nave, and two aisles, separated by wooden pillars, with Corinthian capitals. At the west end is a low embattled tower, with a wooden turret. The body of the old church was pulled down and rebuilt, about the year 1694, the tower being left standing. The greater part of the new building was taken down again, and the walls strengthened, in 1704. In 1772 the church underwent a complete repair, when the old tower was pulled down, and the present erected, in its room.
The chancel is ornamented with stained glass, representing the figures of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John, and St. Andrew, given by Mr. James Arnold, and his niece Mary Green.
On the south side of the altar, against the east wall, is the monument of Edward Henry Earl of Warwick and Holland, who died in 1721, aged 24. His effigies, in white marble, is represented in a Roman habit, sitting, and leaning with his right arm upon an urn. On the base of the monument is a long Latin inscription. In the chancel, among many others, is the monument of Thomas Henshaw, Esq. with the following inscription:
" Near this place lyeth interred the body of Thomas Henshaw, Esq. born the 10th day of June, 1618.
He married Anne, the younger daughter and one of the coheirs of Robert Kipping, of Tewdley, in the county of Kent, Esq. by whom he had six sons and two daughters. Two of his sons, one daughter, and his dear and virtuous wife, who died October 4, 1671, lies buried by him. His daughter Ann, the only survivor, is now the wife of Thomas Halsey, Esq. of Gadesdon, in the county of Hertford. He had the honour to be gentleman in ordinary of the privy chamber to King Charles and James II. by the former he was employed some years as envoy extraordinary to Christian V. king of Denmark, and was also French secretary to King James and his present majesty King William. He departed this life, at his house in this parish, on the 2nd day of January 1699 -1700, in the 82nd year of his age. "
Kensington Palace, formerly the seat of Lord Chancellor Finch, afterwards Earl of Nottingham, was purchased by King William, who greatly improved it, and caused a royal road to be made to it, to run through St. James’s and Hyde Parks. Queen Mary enlarged the gardens; Queen Anne improved what Mary had begun, and was so pleased with the place that she frequently supped in the beautiful green-house; but Queen Caroline completed the design, by extending the gardens from the great road in Kensington to that leading to Acton; bringing the Serpentine River into them; and taking in some acres out of Hyde Park, on which she caused a mount to be erected, with a chair on it which could be easily turned round, for shelter from the wind, since decayed. This mount is planted about with evergreens, and commands a fine view over the noble gardens, and the country south-west. They were originally designed by Kent, and have lately been much improved by Brown, and though they contain no striking beauties, which their flat situation will not admit, yet they have many pleasing parts, and do not only afford delight to the inhabitants of London, whose professions will not allow of frequent excursions to more distant places, but they have been, for some years past, a very fashionable Sunday promenade. These gardens are three miles and a half in compass, and are kept in great order.
The Palace is irregular in point of architecture. The royal apartments, however, are very noble. It was at this place King William, Prince George of Denmark, Queen Anne, and King George II. died. We first ascend the great stair-case, in which Mr. Kent has painted balconies, with the portraits of particular people, who appear to form groups in them; as Mustapha, the Turk, and Ulrick in a Polish dress, both pages to George I. Peter, the Wild Boy; and other persons well known at that time. We next proceed through the apartments in the following order:
The Presence Chamber, in which the pictures are, the late Princess Dowager of Wales, and her family, by Knapton; three cartoons, by Carlo Cignani, namely a Cupid, Jupiter and Europa, and Jupiter; Prince Edward, by Coates; two Daughters of Philip of Spain, by Sir Anthony More.
The Privy Chamber: the pictures, a German Lady, with an orrery and dog, by Parmegiano; an Italian Lawyer, by Paris; Bourdon St. William, by Giorgione; Duchess of Valentia, by Jannet; Wise Men’s Offering, by Luca Giordano; a man with his cross at his breast, by Giorgione; a Man shewing a Trick, by ditto; an Old Man looking up; Duke of Savoy’s Mother in a ruff; the late King of Prussia, a whole length; a Man with a glass in his hand, by Brugghin; an Old Man, with a grey beard, by Tintoret; the Empress of Russia, a whole length; the Dutchess of Portsmouth, by Varelst; her present Majesty’s Sister, by Woge.
The Queen’s Drawing Room, hung with tapestry, representing a Winter Piece, and diversions in Holland, by Vanderbank, has Sir Thomas More, by Holbein: a Man’s Head, in a furred gown, by Tintoret; William Duke of Cumberland, on horseback, by Wootten; and a Man’s Head, by Giorgione.
The Queen’s Dining Room has Giorgione’s Head, by himself; James IV. of Scotland, his brother Alexander, and St. Andrew, by Mabuse; Henry V.; Richard III.; a Man’s Head, by Albert Durer; Henry VI.; Edward VI.; a Man’s Head; the Queen of James IV. of Scotland, with St. George, by Mabuse; Bassan’s Head, furred garments, by himself; Emperor Maximilian I.; Philip the Fair; Henry VII.; Elizabeth, his queen; that excellent monarch Lewis XII. of France; Princess of Castile; King of Arragon; Queen of Arragon; Charles IX. of France; St. Matthew called from the receipt of Custom, Albert Durer; Maximilian, Archduke of Austria; a Young Man’s Head; portrait of Dr. Linacre, founder of the college of physicians, by Quintin Matsys; Raphael’s Head, by himself; Virgin and Child, by Sabutani; Philip II. of Spain, by Jannet; a Dutch Merchant and his Wife; John de Bologna’s Head.
The Queen’s Dressing Room: Judith and Holifernes, by Paul Veronese; Ruins and Figures, by Bamboccio; Windsor Castle, by Wostermam; four Views of Venice, by Canaletti; a Plundering, by Woverman; Departure of Charles II. from Schievling, by Lingelbeck; a Battle, by Woverman; Old Hampton Court, by Danckers; a Landscape with hawking; three Landscapes, namely, Hawking, the Managed Horse, and Fishermen, by Wovermans; Ditto, a Skirmish, by Bercham; Boys in a Landscape, by Avont; an Altar Piece, by Albert Durer; Battle of Forty, by Snayers; a Landscape with. Ruins, by Paul Brill.
The Queen's Gallery: Henry VIII.; his queen Catharine of Arragon; Queen Elizabeth, in a Chinese dress, by Zucchero; James I. by Vandyck; his Queen, by Vansomer; Charles II. by Lely; James II. by ditto; King William, by Kneller; Queen Mary, by ditto; Queen Anne, after ditto; George I. after ditto; George II. by Seman; Queen Caroline, ditto; Emperor Charles VI by Kneller; Philip III. of Spain, and his Queen, by Valesque. Kneller was knighted for painting the two pictures of King William and Queen Mary.
The Cube Room: here are six Gods and Goddesses; over the chimney is Cleopatra, antique, and above her is a Roman Marriage, all in marble, by Rysbrack.
The Great Drawing Room: Charles I. and his Queen, by Vandyck; Jacob's Separation, Bassan; the Audience of Sir Henry Wotton, in the Senate House at Venice, by Fialletti; Holbein’s Head, in water colours, by himself; the Flaying of St. Bartholomew, by Lenanci Niteno; Holbein’s Wife’s Head, in water-colours, by Holbein; Venus and Cupid, by Michael Angelo; Charles XI. of Sweden, on horseback, by Wyck; Duke of Wharton, by Rosalba; a Tyrolese Girl, by ditto; Rosalba's Head, by herself; Duke of Buckingham and his family, Honthorst; a Wild Boar, by Snyders; the taking of Tournay, by the Duke of Marlborough, by Wootten; St. Peter and the Angel, by Steenwych; St. John, by Leonard Spado; a naked Venus, &c. by Titian; a Madona, with St. Catherine, and St. John with a Lamb, by Old Palma; our Saviour healing the blind, &c, by Verrio; St. Catherine at the Altar, by Veronese; the taking of Lisle, by the Duke of Marlborough, Wootten.
The King’s Slate Bed Chamber: a Man’s Head; Mary, Queen of Scots, by Jannet; four Cartoons, by Carlo Cignali, namely. Pan and Cupid, Bacchus and Ariadne, Apollo and Daphne, and the Triumph of Venus; a Woman’s Head.
The Prussian Closet: the Hungarians at Ovid’s Tomb, by Schonfeld; Lucretia, after Carracci; Herodias’s Daughter, with the Baptist’s Head, by Davinci: a Doge of Venice, by Tintoret.
The Green Closet: a Landscape, by Paul Brill; a Woman asleep, with a book in her lap, by Ger. Douw; the Adoration of the Shepherds, by Zucchero; Mars, Venus, and Cupid, by Veronese; an Italian Musician, by Giorgione; six long narrow slips, with figures and trees, by Schiavoni; our Saviour and Mary Magdalen at the tomb, by Holbein; an Altar-piece, with doors; Sophonisba, by Gaetano; St. Catherine, by Leo. Da Vinci; a Woman going to stab herself, and a Man, by Palamedes; Henry VII. and VIII. with their Queens, by Reemi; King Francis II. of France, when Dauphin, by Jannet; Lucretia, by Titian; a Witch riding on a Goat, with Boys, by Elshiemer; a small round piece, with architecture; Nymphs bathing; Peter with the Angel in prison, small round picture, by Steenwyck; Venus and Satyrs, with Cupids, by Rottenhamer; Mary, Queen of Scots, in her widow’s habit, by Jannet; the second Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Sir Peter Lely; Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia, grandmother of George I. by Cor. Jansen; her seven children, her consort, by Cor. Jansen; Prince Arthur, Prince Henry, and Princess Margaret, children of Henry VII. by Mabuse; Frobenius, printer to Erasmus, by Holbein; Erasmus, by ditto; a small Landscape, manner of Ferby; the Virgin and Child, with Tobit and the Angel, by Titian; Virgin and Child, St. Catherine and St. Ignatius, by Gorgione; a long picture, with boys, by Pollidore; a Landscape, by Everdingen; a China Dish, with Heart Cherries, by Daniel Nes; a Landscape, by Mola; Niobe’s children shot out of the clouds, by Rottenhamer; St. John, with a Lamb; Venus and Adonis. This room was King William’s writing closet, in which his table and escritore are still shewn.
His Majesty's Gallery: Queen Mary, by Wissing; the Adoration of the Kings, by Seb. Ricci; King; William, by Wissing; Henry Sommers, jester to Henry VIII. looking through a casement, by Holbein; Van Cleeve’s Wife, by himself; Prince Charles of Mecklenburgh, by Zoffani; the Duke of Alva, by Titian; Prince Charles of Mecklenburgh's Wife, by Zoffani; Van Cleeve, by himself; Charles I. on Horseback, by Dobson; William Duke of Gloucester, a whole length, by Claret; Queen Anne, when Princess, by Kneller; Inigo Jones, by Nogary; William Duke of Gloucester, in an oval, by Kneller; Prince Henry, son to James T. Mytens; Henry IV. of France, by Tourbus; Edward VI. by Holbein; Julio Romano; Catherine of Medicis; the Nabob of Arcot, by Wiilison; Queen Mary of Medicis, by Pourbus; Queen Elizabeth, when young; Paul Veronese; Princess Anne, with a dog; George Prince of Denmark, by Dake; James by Vansomer; a Man in Black, with a bonnet in his hand, by Tintoret; Queen Henrietta, by Vandyck; Guercino, by himself; a Lady’s Head with a laced ruff, by Sir Anthony More; Duchess of Richmond, in man’s apparel, by Houseman; Holbein, a Head; her Majesty, with Prince William and Prince Edward, by Ramsey; George I. by Vanderbank; Michael Angelo, a Head; Edward Duke of York, by Batoni; Charles I. by Vandyck; a Head; Charles I. by Vandyck; a Head; Charles II by Wissing; a Man in Armour, with a red scarf, by Giorgione; Sir Henry Guildford, by Holbein; a portrait with a large ruff, by Vandyck; Bishop of Osnaburgh, by Zoffani; a Dominican Friar; Artemisia Gentileschi, by herself; Henry VIII. by Holbein; a portrait by Rembrandt; Duchess of York, by Lely; Duke of York, ditto; a large drawing of the Transfiguration, after Raphael, by Casanova.
We are next conducted down stairs to the Guard Chamber, in which is a painting of Queen Elizabeth’s gigantic porter, by Zucchero. The pictures in this palace were, a few years since, new-arranged, and some exchanged for pictures brought from the other royal palaces.
As this place opens to the west, there were two great wings built, for receiving such as necessarily attend the court, and a large port-cocher at the entrance, with a postern: and a stone gallery, on the south side of the court, which leads to the great-staircase. The gardens and green-house, however, have been deprived of many of their beauties to enrich Richmond and Kew, as his present Majesty never resides at Kensington. The inhabitants of Kensington were afraid, when they found the court was no longer to be held there, that their houses and lodgings would be forsaken. The very contrary, however, has happened, owing to its being so convenient a lodging-place for city invalids; which is further improved by the gardens being open to the public.
In the year 1645, Roger Pemble, Gent. founded a Charity School, which he endowed with certain premises, now producing about fifteen pounds per annum. About the same time the parish raised a sum of money, by voluntary subscription, for the purchase of a school-house. In the year 1698, Mrs. Catherine Dukens gave 50l. to be laid out to the best advantage for the maintenance of a school; with this money and Mrs. Carnaby’s legacy of 40l. was purchased premises, which now let at 20l. per annum: the whole of which is appropriated to the school. In 1708 Queen Anne granted an annuity of 50l. to this charity, and Prince George of Denmark, one of 30l. both these grants were afterwards continued by George I. and the two annuities have been ever since continued from the crown. — With this endowment, assisted by collections at four annual charity sermons, preached at Kensington Church and Brompton Chapel, 22 boys and 11 girls are educated and maintained in the school-house. — Every boy when he leaves school receives an apprentice fee of 5l. out of Lady Campden’s benefaction. The girls go out to service, and if they continue 12 months in their place, are rewarded with a premium of 20s.
An Almshouse for six poor women of 60 years of age, being widows or maids, was erected in 1652, by William Methwold, Esq, near his mansion called Hall House at Brompton, and endowed it with an annuity of 24l. per annum.
The sum of 541. per annum, the produce of several benefactions to this parish, is appropriated to the apprenticing of poor children.
His Majesty gives an annual bounty of 25l. to the poor of this parish, over and above the benefactions already mentioned.
A great part of Knightsbridge is in the parish of Chelsea. On the north side of our road, about a quarter of a mile from Hyde-Park-Corner, is Knightsbridge Chapel, which formerly belonged to an ancient lazar house or hospital, held as it appears under the church of Westminster, at the rent of four shillings per annum, by the family of Glassington.
Adjoining to Knightsbridge Chapel is a Charity School, for boys and girls, instituted about 23 years ago, and supported by voluntary subscriptions.
"Adjoining to Knightsbridge were two other ancient manors called Neyte and Hyde, both be longing to the church of Westminster, till the reign of Henry VIII. when they became the property of the crown, having been given, together with the advowson of Chelsea, in exchange for the priory of Hurley in Berkshire. The site of the manor of Hyde constitutes, no doubt, Hyde Park, which adjoins to Knightsbridge, on the north, lying between the two roads which lead to Hounslow and Uxbridge. Hyde Park was seized among the crown lands, soon after the death of Charles I. and was excepted from sale, with some other royal demesnes, by an ordinance of parliament in 1649. — Three years afterwards it was resolved that Hyde Park, with some other lands, should be sold, and an actual survey was taken, previous to the sale, when it appears the park then contained 620 acres, valued at 894l. 13s. 8d. per annum. The timber was valued at 4, 779l. 19s. 6d.; the deer at 300l.; the materials of a lodge at 120l. and those of a building designed for a banqueting house at 125l. 12s. The park was divided into lots, and being sold to several purchasers, produced the sum of 17, 068l. 6s. 8d. including the timber and the deer. Alter the Restoration, when the crown lands were resumed into the king’s hands, this park was replenished with deer, and surrounded with a brick wall, having before that time been fenced with pales. The park has been considerably reduced in extent since the survey above-mentioned, partly by the building of dwelling houses, but principally by the making of Kensington Gardens. Its present extent, according to a survey taken in 1790 is 394d. 2r. 38p. In the upper part of the park adjoining to Kensington Gardens, are some fine trees, and the scenery is very pleasing. The large canal called the Serpentine river (which has so often proved fatal to adventurous skaiters and desponding suicides) was made about the year 1730, by order of Queen Caroline; the water is supplied by a small stream, which rises at Bayswater, and falls into the Thames near Ranelagh; dividing the parish of Chelsea from that of St. George Hanover Square."—Lyson’s Environs of London.
Brompton, a populous hamlet of Kensington, adjoining to Knightsbridge, is remarkable for the salubrity of its air. This place was the residence of Oliver Cromwell, and the house called Brompton Park-house is built on the spot where his palace stood.
Most Common Surnames in Kensington
| Rank | Surname | Incidence | Frequency | Percent of Parent | Rank in Ossulstone Hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 2,134 | 1:76 | 5.13% | 1 |
| 2 | Jones | 920 | 1:177 | 4.96% | 3 |
| 3 | Brown | 899 | 1:181 | 4.70% | 2 |
| 4 | Williams | 795 | 1:204 | 6.04% | 5 |
| 5 | Taylor | 729 | 1:223 | 4.91% | 4 |
| 6 | White | 713 | 1:228 | 5.80% | 6 |
| 7 | Baker | 563 | 1:289 | 6.33% | 15 |
| 8 | Harris | 559 | 1:291 | 5.59% | 9 |
| 9 | Green | 535 | 1:304 | 5.54% | 12 |
| 10 | Clark | 532 | 1:305 | 4.62% | 7 |
| 11 | Davis | 521 | 1:312 | 4.78% | 8 |
| 12 | Wilson | 505 | 1:322 | 5.39% | 14 |
| 13 | King | 469 | 1:346 | 4.89% | 13 |
| 14 | Wright | 462 | 1:352 | 4.66% | 10 |
| 15 | Turner | 460 | 1:353 | 5.18% | 16 |
| 16 | Hall | 448 | 1:363 | 5.70% | 21 |
| 17 | Roberts | 444 | 1:366 | 6.58% | 31 |
| 18 | Edwards | 423 | 1:384 | 5.12% | 17 |
| 18 | Hill | 423 | 1:384 | 5.63% | 22 |
| 20 | Johnson | 421 | 1:386 | 4.29% | 11 |
| 21 | Hunt | 420 | 1:387 | 7.58% | 44 |
| 22 | Carter | 418 | 1:389 | 6.58% | 36 |
| 23 | Martin | 417 | 1:390 | 5.09% | 18 |
| 24 | Walker | 410 | 1:396 | 5.49% | 23 |
| 25 | Cook | 408 | 1:398 | 5.64% | 26 |
| 26 | Collins | 401 | 1:405 | 6.25% | 34 |
| 27 | Young | 396 | 1:410 | 6.87% | 42 |
| 28 | Webb | 390 | 1:417 | 5.76% | 30 |
| 29 | Moore | 387 | 1:420 | 5.65% | 29 |
| 30 | Clarke | 386 | 1:421 | 6.31% | 38 |
| 31 | Allen | 385 | 1:422 | 5.21% | 25 |
| 32 | Cooper | 377 | 1:431 | 4.68% | 19 |
| 32 | Ward | 377 | 1:431 | 5.77% | 33 |
| 34 | Evans | 376 | 1:432 | 5.04% | 24 |
| 35 | Phillips | 371 | 1:438 | 5.97% | 37 |
| 36 | James | 370 | 1:439 | 6.91% | 47 |
| 37 | Thomas | 365 | 1:445 | 5.31% | 28 |
| 38 | Robinson | 354 | 1:459 | 5.06% | 27 |
| 39 | Stevens | 347 | 1:468 | 6.27% | 45 |
| 40 | Thompson | 336 | 1:483 | 5.07% | 32 |
| 41 | Cox | 335 | 1:485 | 5.27% | 35 |
| 42 | Lewis | 330 | 1:492 | 5.45% | 39 |
| 42 | Morris | 330 | 1:492 | 5.52% | 41 |
| 44 | Bennett | 323 | 1:503 | 6.32% | 52 |
| 45 | Chapman | 320 | 1:508 | 6.03% | 49 |
| 46 | Wood | 319 | 1:509 | 4.03% | 20 |
| 47 | Parker | 313 | 1:519 | 5.45% | 43 |
| 48 | Scott | 304 | 1:534 | 5.62% | 46 |
| 49 | Jackson | 302 | 1:538 | 5.03% | 40 |
| 50 | Morgan | 301 | 1:540 | 6.72% | 60 |
| 51 | Fisher | 296 | 1:549 | 7.69% | 83 |
| 52 | Price | 294 | 1:553 | 7.42% | 81 |
| 53 | Harrison | 289 | 1:562 | 6.74% | 66 |
| 53 | Cole | 289 | 1:562 | 6.22% | 58 |
| 55 | Palmer | 287 | 1:566 | 5.77% | 54 |
| 56 | Miller | 277 | 1:586 | 5.25% | 51 |
| 57 | Davies | 276 | 1:589 | 6.28% | 63 |
| 58 | Adams | 274 | 1:593 | 5.13% | 48 |
| 59 | Watson | 270 | 1:602 | 5.37% | 53 |
| 60 | Day | 268 | 1:606 | 5.74% | 56 |
| 61 | West | 261 | 1:622 | 6.11% | 68 |
| 62 | Ford | 260 | 1:625 | 7.41% | 93 |
| 63 | Saunders | 257 | 1:632 | 5.84% | 62 |
| 64 | Andrews | 255 | 1:637 | 6.13% | 70 |
| 65 | Hughes | 252 | 1:645 | 5.85% | 65 |
| 66 | Knight | 245 | 1:663 | 5.23% | 55 |
| 67 | Anderson | 244 | 1:666 | 6.34% | 84 |
| 68 | Rogers | 241 | 1:674 | 5.17% | 57 |
| 69 | Barnes | 235 | 1:691 | 5.75% | 75 |
| 70 | Mitchell | 232 | 1:700 | 5.19% | 61 |
| 71 | Bailey | 228 | 1:712 | 5.26% | 64 |
| 71 | Butler | 228 | 1:712 | 6.12% | 88 |
| 73 | Wheeler | 225 | 1:722 | 7.71% | 109 |
| 74 | Howard | 224 | 1:725 | 5.48% | 76 |
| 75 | Ellis | 223 | 1:728 | 5.45% | 74 |
| 76 | Russell | 222 | 1:732 | 6.06% | 90 |
| 77 | Wells | 216 | 1:752 | 5.39% | 80 |
| 78 | Barrett | 214 | 1:759 | 6.43% | 96 |
| 79 | Lee | 212 | 1:766 | 4.01% | 50 |
| 80 | Harvey | 210 | 1:774 | 5.04% | 69 |
| 81 | Powell | 206 | 1:789 | 6.11% | 95 |
| 81 | Watts | 206 | 1:789 | 5.47% | 85 |
| 83 | Pearce | 205 | 1:792 | 5.09% | 79 |
| 83 | Lawrence | 205 | 1:792 | 6.25% | 97 |
| 85 | Gray | 203 | 1:800 | 5.45% | 87 |
| 86 | Mills | 202 | 1:804 | 4.92% | 73 |
| 87 | Richards | 201 | 1:808 | 5.47% | 89 |
| 88 | Newman | 199 | 1:816 | 4.65% | 67 |
| 88 | Warren | 199 | 1:816 | 6.25% | 101 |
| 90 | Richardson | 193 | 1:842 | 4.30% | 59 |
| 91 | Marshall | 192 | 1:846 | 5.26% | 91 |
| 91 | Parsons | 192 | 1:846 | 7.44% | 124 |
| 93 | Ball | 189 | 1:859 | 7.97% | 136 |
| 93 | Coleman | 189 | 1:859 | 7.73% | 131 |
| 95 | Brooks | 184 | 1:883 | 4.65% | 82 |
| 96 | Hawkins | 183 | 1:888 | 5.67% | 98 |
| 96 | Marsh | 183 | 1:888 | 9.12% | 178 |
| 98 | Foster | 181 | 1:897 | 5.64% | 99 |
| 98 | Perry | 181 | 1:897 | 5.72% | 103 |
| 100 | Simpson | 180 | 1:902 | 5.65% | 100 |
| 101 | Mason | 178 | 1:913 | 4.38% | 77 |
| 102 | Stone | 177 | 1:918 | 5.60% | 103 |
| 103 | Campbell | 175 | 1:928 | 9.50% | 202 |
| 104 | Bell | 173 | 1:939 | 4.93% | 92 |
| 104 | Page | 173 | 1:939 | 4.18% | 72 |
| 106 | Murphy | 170 | 1:956 | 5.99% | 113 |
| 107 | Fox | 169 | 1:961 | 6.37% | 121 |
| 108 | Curtis | 167 | 1:973 | 6.91% | 133 |
| 109 | Wilkinson | 166 | 1:979 | 6.65% | 130 |
| 109 | Rowe | 166 | 1:979 | 9.21% | 213 |
| 111 | Grant | 165 | 1:984 | 7.59% | 161 |
| 112 | May | 164 | 1:991 | 5.78% | 113 |
| 113 | Lloyd | 163 | 1:997 | 6.01% | 118 |
| 113 | Rose | 163 | 1:997 | 6.17% | 122 |
| 115 | Willis | 162 | 1:1,003 | 6.90% | 138 |
| 116 | Hart | 161 | 1:1,009 | 3.87% | 71 |
| 117 | Burton | 160 | 1:1,015 | 6.21% | 125 |
| 117 | Freeman | 160 | 1:1,015 | 5.58% | 110 |
| 117 | Austin | 160 | 1:1,015 | 7.15% | 153 |
| 120 | Blake | 159 | 1:1,022 | 7.17% | 155 |
| 121 | Sullivan | 158 | 1:1,028 | 4.24% | 86 |
| 122 | Norris | 155 | 1:1,048 | 8.12% | 190 |
| 123 | Reynolds | 154 | 1:1,055 | 4.87% | 102 |
| 123 | Frost | 154 | 1:1,055 | 6.97% | 159 |
| 125 | Lane | 153 | 1:1,062 | 5.00% | 108 |
| 126 | Payne | 150 | 1:1,083 | 3.69% | 77 |
| 127 | Wilkins | 148 | 1:1,098 | 7.64% | 185 |
| 128 | Gordon | 146 | 1:1,113 | 11.39% | 309 |
| 129 | Barker | 145 | 1:1,120 | 4.22% | 94 |
| 130 | Stewart | 142 | 1:1,144 | 7.51% | 193 |
| 130 | Shepherd | 142 | 1:1,144 | 6.01% | 137 |
| 130 | Nash | 142 | 1:1,144 | 5.14% | 116 |
| 133 | Jenkins | 138 | 1:1,177 | 5.67% | 132 |
| 133 | Kelly | 138 | 1:1,177 | 5.78% | 135 |
| 135 | Matthews | 137 | 1:1,186 | 4.33% | 103 |
| 136 | Robertson | 136 | 1:1,194 | 7.26% | 198 |
| 137 | Holmes | 135 | 1:1,203 | 4.72% | 111 |
| 137 | Long | 135 | 1:1,203 | 4.78% | 115 |
| 139 | Dunn | 134 | 1:1,212 | 6.70% | 181 |
| 139 | Read | 134 | 1:1,212 | 4.31% | 106 |
| 141 | Holland | 133 | 1:1,221 | 5.82% | 147 |
| 142 | Cross | 131 | 1:1,240 | 6.19% | 169 |
| 142 | Herbert | 131 | 1:1,240 | 6.96% | 197 |
| 144 | McDonald | 130 | 1:1,250 | 6.05% | 164 |
| 144 | Bishop | 130 | 1:1,250 | 4.22% | 107 |
| 146 | French | 129 | 1:1,259 | 6.43% | 178 |
| 146 | Simmons | 129 | 1:1,259 | 6.26% | 174 |
| 148 | Bird | 127 | 1:1,279 | 4.76% | 120 |
| 148 | Tucker | 127 | 1:1,279 | 6.01% | 171 |
| 150 | Cooke | 126 | 1:1,289 | 8.53% | 267 |
| 150 | Jarvis | 126 | 1:1,289 | 6.98% | 212 |
| 152 | Hobbs | 125 | 1:1,300 | 6.85% | 205 |
| 153 | Field | 124 | 1:1,310 | 4.37% | 112 |
| 153 | Griffin | 124 | 1:1,310 | 7.05% | 220 |
| 155 | Graham | 123 | 1:1,321 | 7.63% | 249 |
| 155 | Moss | 123 | 1:1,321 | 6.41% | 187 |
| 155 | Gibbs | 123 | 1:1,321 | 5.25% | 139 |
| 158 | Owen | 122 | 1:1,331 | 6.64% | 203 |
| 158 | Burgess | 122 | 1:1,331 | 5.36% | 148 |
| 158 | Fry | 122 | 1:1,331 | 10.30% | 338 |
| 161 | Reed | 121 | 1:1,342 | 4.74% | 126 |
| 161 | Jennings | 121 | 1:1,342 | 5.37% | 151 |
| 161 | Jordan | 121 | 1:1,342 | 7.40% | 240 |
| 161 | Davey | 121 | 1:1,342 | 7.51% | 250 |
| 165 | Sharp | 120 | 1:1,354 | 5.34% | 152 |
| 165 | Newton | 120 | 1:1,354 | 6.15% | 184 |
| 165 | Hopkins | 120 | 1:1,354 | 6.37% | 196 |
| 165 | Giles | 120 | 1:1,354 | 7.81% | 262 |
| 169 | Harding | 119 | 1:1,365 | 4.38% | 117 |
| 169 | Alexander | 119 | 1:1,365 | 7.30% | 241 |
| 171 | Spencer | 117 | 1:1,388 | 5.07% | 145 |
| 171 | Porter | 117 | 1:1,388 | 4.48% | 123 |
| 171 | Gilbert | 117 | 1:1,388 | 6.13% | 189 |
| 171 | Osborne | 117 | 1:1,388 | 7.01% | 231 |
| 175 | Griffiths | 116 | 1:1,400 | 5.03% | 144 |
| 175 | Fuller | 116 | 1:1,400 | 5.34% | 160 |
| 175 | Finch | 116 | 1:1,400 | 6.97% | 234 |
| 178 | Lowe | 115 | 1:1,413 | 7.20% | 254 |
| 179 | Fowler | 114 | 1:1,425 | 5.45% | 173 |
| 180 | Miles | 112 | 1:1,450 | 5.17% | 163 |
| 181 | Fletcher | 111 | 1:1,463 | 4.91% | 150 |
| 181 | Dean | 111 | 1:1,463 | 5.02% | 156 |
| 183 | Dixon | 109 | 1:1,490 | 5.11% | 166 |
| 183 | Wallace | 109 | 1:1,490 | 8.02% | 295 |
| 183 | Watkins | 109 | 1:1,490 | 5.70% | 188 |
| 183 | Pratt | 109 | 1:1,490 | 5.11% | 167 |
| 183 | Howell | 109 | 1:1,490 | 6.10% | 217 |
| 183 | Manning | 109 | 1:1,490 | 6.49% | 230 |
| 189 | Arnold | 108 | 1:1,504 | 4.83% | 154 |
| 189 | Kent | 108 | 1:1,504 | 6.63% | 242 |
| 191 | Ross | 107 | 1:1,518 | 6.44% | 235 |
| 191 | Goddard | 107 | 1:1,518 | 5.80% | 201 |
| 191 | Jacobs | 107 | 1:1,518 | 4.62% | 141 |
| 194 | Oliver | 106 | 1:1,532 | 5.21% | 176 |
| 194 | Hayes | 106 | 1:1,532 | 4.22% | 129 |
| 194 | Hodges | 106 | 1:1,532 | 7.74% | 291 |
| 197 | Pearson | 104 | 1:1,562 | 5.20% | 181 |
| 197 | Hammond | 104 | 1:1,562 | 4.45% | 140 |
| 199 | Williamson | 103 | 1:1,577 | 6.66% | 260 |
| 199 | Little | 103 | 1:1,577 | 7.53% | 293 |