top of page

Epsom: a Pictorial History

1996/3 p6

 

Epsom: A Pictorial History

 

Since 1992 when I wrote Epsom: A Pictorial History, in conjunction with Trevor White, certain errors have come to light. Some of these have emerged in the course of research, others have been brought to my attention by friends of the Museum whom I should like to thank for their contributions.

 

Introduction

The ‘Saxon Pendant’. At the time of writing I knew only that this was found ‘near Epsom’. Norman Nail has researched the matter further and tells me that it was found at Stoneleigh, apparently in soil redeposited from elsewhere. There is, therefore, no Epsom connection.

 

The name Ebbi, in the place name Epsom, is that of a man and not a woman.

 

‘Ebbisham Street’. I followed John Blair (Early Medieval Surrey) in regarding Epsom High Street as a planned settlement by monastic landowners. I now feel that this interpretation relies too heavily on the layout seen in the Tithe Map, which is the result of eighteenth century subdivisions. The earlier property boundaries, which can be reconstructed from Lehmann’s Copyholds, were not so highly organised. But the personal name ‘Newburgh’, from a 13th century record, still supports the view that there was planned settlement.

 

‘The Assembly Room’. I have been in error about the plan of this building. Norman Nail and John McInally have produced a wealth of evidence and interpretation to show that the Assembly Room in fact occupied the rear east ground floor of Waterloo House, and was not a separate structure.

 

Illustrations

Fig. 23. The situation at Christ Church was more complex than I supposed. Elizabeth Trotter was anti-ritualist (see her will), but Canon Hunter was Anglo-Catholic (see his autobiography). It seems that worship at Christ Church was taken over at some time after its foundation by a High Church party.

 

Fig. 83. This building is not 75 South Street. I don’t know where it is.

 

Fig. 98. Far from being listed, the signal box at Epsom Station was condemned and pulled down shortly after the publication of Epsom: A Pictorial History.

 

Fig. 203. The date of the 1953 Derby was the 6th, not the 12th June.

 

Fig. 213 The celebrant at the re-opening of the Old Wells was the curate, not the vicar of Christ Church.

 

I am happy to have been able to set the record clear on these points. Perhaps any readers who have copies of Epsom: A Pictorial History, would like to alter them accordingly.

 

Jeremy Harte

bottom of page