Thomas Overy - benefactor of the white chapel
WESLEYAN CHAPEL - ORIGIN 1872
Thomas Overy instructed the Chapel built at his own expense, being on the hill above where lived. Leeford Cottage Mill Lane Whatlington.
This beautiful historic chapel, built with school under, being rare in it's architecture is listed as both historical and architectural importance.
The following Indenture's give an abundance of information of those persons who dedicated themselves to the communities cause.
Written by the present owner : Fred Waghorn year 2019.
OVERY FAMILY
Thomas Overy's mother Mary Bourner was born in the village of Warbleton south east of Heathfield on the slopes of the Weald, as was Violet Waghorn born 1908, mother of the current owner of the Chapel, Fred Waghorn.
Mary Bourner married Charles Overy (Charles being 20 years older than Mary) on January 2nd 1804 in Hollington. Charles and Mary lived at Grove Farm in St Leanards, a farm of at least 600 acres employing numerous people. Here having at least 8 children.
Thomas - Born 1804 - Died 1874 - Buried at Whatlington.
Mary - Born 1806
Harriet - Born 1808
Betsy - Born 1809
James Born 1816
Charles - Born 1817
Henry - Born 1821
Alfred - Unknown
THOMAS OVERYS MARRIAGE
Thomas married Hannah (born in Pett, East Sussex) who died in 1886, having had no children.
It was in 1851 they lived at Leaford Cottage Mill Lane Whatlington.
Both now buried at Whatlington Church.
THOMAS OVERYS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
A Very Brief Summary :-
His Wife HANNAH inherits 100 ponds plus the use of his house at 2 Calverley Park Villas Tunbridge Wells until her death, when it will be passed onto his brother JAMES.
Woods Place Farm, Whatlington to bequeathed to his nephew ALBERT APPS, as is Royal Oak Cottage Whatlington.
His nephew JOHN OVERY inherits Seaford Farm Whatlington and Mount Pleasant House Whatlington.
Nephew ALFRED THOMAS OVERY of Peasmarsh inherits The Manor of Battle and tenements in Mount Street Battle.
Thomas Overy left many shares - amongst others - Gas Works of Battle and the Alliance Bank of London, to his brother CHARLES and cousin John TURNER of Langton Kent.
Bequeathed money to - The Wesleyan Missionary Society - The Foreign Missionary Society of the Wesleyan Methodists - The British and Foreign Bible Society - plus many other worthy benefactors.
OF LOCAL INTEREST
Recorded in the London Times - 24th May 1845
The inquest on the body of a child was found drowned in the stream leading to the Sedlescombe Powder-Mills was returned today at the girls grandmother.
The defendant drew disgust fromthe whole of the jury.
Mr Watts the surgeon, said that such recrimination was very injurious to his patient : the jury, therefore, retired to the Royal Oak. Where the first inquest was held.
FIND LOCAL NAMES AND RELATIVES LISTED BELOW
ORIGIN OF CHAPEL COTTAGE 1659
Additional Information
The centre section of today's cottage stood to the south of the chapel for
nearly 200 years before Thomas Overy conceived the idea to build this
magnificent chapel on the rim of the hill that stood above where he lived
in Leaford Cottage in the valley below.
THE SITE OF THIS RELIGIOUS PLACE OF WORSHIP WAS SITUATED ABOVE WATER.
A WELL POSITIONED NEAR THE SPIRE BELOW THE CHAPEL FLOOR.
THE VERY PLACE THE OLD SAXONS NAMED WHATLINGTON.
BELOW ARE THE OLD SAXON MEANINGS FOR THIS WORD :-
WHAT means - The Earth Goddess
LING means - People of a fortified place.
TON means - A high Place.
The full meaning of Whatlington is :-
The Earth Goddess people, of a Fortified High Place.
Written by Fred Waghorn
THE INDENTURE FOR THE COTTAGE - AS WRITTEN
This Indenture made the eighth day of September in the yeare of our Lord
One thousand six hundred fifty and nine BETWEEN Edward Polhill of Burwash in the County of Sussex Esq. of the one part and John Beneye of Whatlington in the County aforsaid Collier of the other part WITNESS ETH
that the said Edward Polhill (for and in considderation of the yearly rent
covenants and agreemts. here in after reserved mentioned & expressed)
Hath demised leased granted and to farme letton and by these presents doth
demise lease grant and to farme lett unto the said john Beneye ALL THAT
cottage together with a piece of wastground lately taken out of the high street near Woodmans Croft situate lying and being in Whatlington aforesaid
conteyning by estimation Sixteen Rods whether of the same there be more or less TO HAVE AND TO BEHOLD the said Cottage and piece of Wastground
with all and singular the Apptenntes, Unto the said John Beneye his executors administrators and assigns from the first and twentieth day of March last past before the date hereof for and during the full time and terme,
andunto the full end & terme of one thousand years from thence next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended, YIELDING and paying therefore
yearly and every yeare during the said term, unto the said Edward Polhill his
heirs and assigns, the yearly rent of One Shilling and Six Pence
of lawfull money of England, on the first and twentieth day of March at or in the now dwellinghouse of the said Edward Polhill situate in Burwash aforesaid.
FEATURED ABOVE IS CHAPEL COTTAGE'S ORIGINAL FIREPLACE OPENING WITH 12" SPIRAL BRICK FLUE ABOVE - THIS BEAUTIFUL CHARLES 1st CAST IRON 32" HIGH X 44" WIDE FIRE BACK USED IN THE CROMWELLIAN PERIOD.
