Copy of Letter from Sir Edward Gregory to Mr Whitaker, solicitor of the Admiralty
Sir, this owns the receipt of yours of the 15th, since which I have taken occasion to discuss with the oldest men now living in these parts, from whom all that I can learn amounts only to what follows –Tis most certain that the Crown has been in possession of the Land whereon this Yard is built for near on years 74, where off have revolv’d since it was finished. Tis very probable from all that I can collect from my conference with these aged Sparks that the Land whereon this Yard and the Docks now stand, was formally the property of Sir William Butler Baronet then Lord of the Manor of Chatham, and off John Duling Gentleman then living at his Seat called West Court in the Parish of Gillingham. Tis certain there is yet a great stone under our Majesties Ropemakers office window marked ‘DG’. I am assured there was another near our Blockmakers Shop, a third at the head of the Double Dock, which I have often seen and sat upon, a forth close by the Storehouse at the end of the Sawhouse, and a fifth without the Plank yard Gate near to the Brickwall, which were all said to be Boundary Stones marking out the Land of the said John Duling. Upon examination of John Holding, an aged Smith that has wrought about Sixty Three years in this his Majesties Yard, relays that when he was a youth, he remembers to have heard several Elderly Men say that King James the 1st purchased the marsh land of John Duling, before mentioned, and that Sir William Butler being then of the Bedchamber for the said King James made a present it his majesty of the that Land of his upon which the Yard now stands.
Mr. Richard Burton affirms, that having occasion not many years ago to search for the Kings Office for some other matters he was informed that in year 41, or thereabouts, there was a fine levied by Sir William Butler for two Wharfs, two Storehouses and ten Messages in the Parish of Chatham and St. Margaret’s, which in all probability must relate to the Pound upon which the Kings Yard and Docks now stand, purchased (as he believed) by the Crown [words illegible] Sir William Butler, or it may be, given, as is before asserted. In a word all things relating to this affair seem to be very dark and obscure, for the Old Gentleman above mentioned can affirm nothing with any sort of certainty. Only they also agree, that the King (who God preserve) is Chief Lord of the Manor of Gillingham, whereof Mr Charles Dallison of Chatham, attorney, is Steward, and to whom I may leave to refer you for a further account thereof.
They say, that though there be sundry reported Manors in Gillingham, they all pay Quit Rent to the King as Chief Lord of the Fee, particularly of West Court now in the possession of the Widow Caesar pays 40s. a year for His Majesty.
If any good use can be made of this advice, or any thing also that I have said, I doubt not but you will industriously improve it to His Majesties best advantage, though I am humbled to find that our Friends at the Navy Office can give no other account of the Kings title, but a long possession.
I Am Your Very Humble Servant, Edward Gregory. Commissioner at Chatham.