CHAPTER 31: SCOTLAND YARD, NORTH OF WHITEHALL PLACE
(U). (fn. 1) This case is interesting as showing the very small beginnings
of certain leasehold interests in Scotland Yard. In 1679 Thomas Butterworth, "being a person who hath attended long in the Court to make
clean, dress & pann hatts for his Majties Servts," had for some time exercised his trade in the porter's lodge near Scotland Yard Gate, but his presence there being found inconvenient he was permitted "at his own charge" to build a shed in Scotland Yard, "wch he may quietly inioy & possess to use and manage his sd Trade." (fn. 2) The site chosen was on the
east side of the passage leading from Middle to Great Scotland Yard and
to the south of the premises numbered 52 ("The Kings Lock Smith")
on the plan of 1670. Twenty years later Elizabeth Duke, who had for
many years been a "retainer to ye Court and … Served therein as a
Necessary Woman untill ye Death of her late Matie of blessed memory
… being desirous to see Herbs for a Livelyhood … humbly besought
Leave to erect a Shed in Scotland Yard for that purpose." She was
accordingly allowed at her own cost to "build a Shedd … adjoineing to
the Shedd of Thomas Butterworth, Hattmaker, which she may quietly
possesse … Provided she doth not build any Chimney therein or make
any fires there wch may be dangerous to the adjacent Buildings." (fn. 3) The next
we hear of Butterworth's building is in 1730, when John Butterworth
mortgaged (fn. 4) it for 99 years, and two years later effected another mortgage
in the form of a lease for 1,000 years. (fn. 5) In an assignment of the latter
mortgage in 1736 (fn. 6) the "Messuage Tenement or Shedd" is mentioned to
have formerly been in the occupation of Robert Montgomery, barber, and
then of John May. The latter in 1743 applied for a lease of two "small
old Sheds" in Scotland Yard. The one, in his own occupation, consisted of
a shop, 13 feet long by 10½ feet broad, with one room over it and a cellar
adjoining 9 feet long by 9½ feet wide, which premises he had "long held by
tacit consent of the Crown." The other, which was undoubtedly that built
by Mrs. Duke, was about 12 feet long by 9½ feet wide, and was "likewise a
low old Building in possession of one Boness, a poor Widow, who the Petr
does not intend to disturb during her life." (fn. 7) A lease for 50 years was
granted to May on 27th January, 1743–4. In 1775, when "by his care and
industry" May had "made a shift to pull down the sheds" and had
"built a small brick house still used as a Barber's shop," (fn. 8) he applied for
a reversionary lease, which was granted on 22nd July, 1775, for 31 years as
from 7th February, 1794. The premises were demolished in connection
with the erection of No. 9, Whitehall Place.
(V). The exact extent of the Granary in Scotland Yard has not
been ascertained, but it seems to have occupied the upper floors of the
buildings marked on the plan of 1670 as 50 ("To Mrs. Churchill" (fn. 9) ),
49 ("The Queens Landry"), The Spicery and The Cyder House. It
may even have extended over the buildings (65) north of the latter, for it is
occasionally referred to as "over the dock." (fn. 10) A guard-house was in
existence in Scotland Yard in the time of the Commonwealth, (fn. 11) and from the
mention of stairs leading to it (fn. 12) it is possible that it was already established
in the Granary, where we find it shortly after the Restoration. (fn. 13) A foot
passage from Middle Scotland Yard ran beneath the premises, (fn. 14) and when
this was heightened by 6 feet in the early part of the eighteenth century
(see p. 206) a great part of the Guard Room "where the soldiers lye" was
rendered useless, there remaining "only 46 feet 7 inches of any use for
exercising the officers and soldiers, and not room for so many men to lye
there as before." (fn. 15) The northernmost portion of the ground floor (fn. 16) beneath
the Guard Room became converted into The Mitre public-house. The
building was in 1815 marked out for demolition, "as the intended improvements in Scotland Yard will, we are inclined to think, render a Guard there
no longer necessary," (fn. 17) but in February, 1816, a great part of the roof fell
in, and the opportunity was taken of removing the building entirely. (fn. 18) On
Plate 103 are reproduced a view of the premises towards the end of their
existence and a drawing giving details of the roof.
(W). At the Restoration, Stephen (afterwards Sir Stephen) Fox was
accommodated, as an officer of the Greencloth, with rooms over the Great
Bakehouse, shown in the plan of 1670 as lying to the south of Scotland
Dock. The rooms were "but 3 in number, and very inconvenient low
roomes." Fox therefore obtained leave to add to them at his own expense.
Some years later he acquired other rooms "that did belong to the servants
of the old Bottlehouse … insomuch that it [became] a large habitation," (fn. 19)
including not only the rooms over the Great Bakehouse, but those marked
48 in the plan of 1670. Shortly before the Revolution Fox obtained
James II's warrant to hold and enjoy all the lodgings, except certain specified
rooms to be reserved for his successors in the Greencloth office, until he
should have been reimbursed £1,000 which, it was alleged, he had expended
in connection with the lodgings. (fn. 20) He afterwards applied to William III
for a lease of the whole, including those rooms which had previously been
excepted. The Board of Greencloth opposed the application, (fn. 21) but in vain,
and Fox obtained a lease for 42 years from 22nd July, 1692. The premises
are described (fn. 22) as abutting north on Scotland Yard, 97 feet; east on the
Thames, 100 feet; west partly on a passage and partly on "ye foot Guard,"
124 feet; and south "on ye Woodyard & on a Passage from thence to ye
Thames," 94 feet. The Great Bakehouse itself was included, on the undertaking of Fox that he would build another, (fn. 23) and this he did, apparently in
1695, (fn. 24) on the site of one of the unnumbered buildings shown in the plan
of 1670 between 50 and "The Charcoal House." Fox's interest passed to
William Aislabie, who on 7th July, 1719, obtained a fresh lease for 50 years.
The premises were stated to be "in a very Ruinous Condition, and must be
Rebuilt before they can be made Habitable." (fn. 25)
On 3rd August in the same year a lease was granted to John Child
of premises to the north, comprising "the Wharfe and Dock and old
Carpenter's Yard," abutting north-east on the Duke of Somerset's garden,
175 feet; north-west on H.M. Storeyards, 148½ feet; south-west in part on
the end of the old guard-house 42½ feet, and in other part on Aislabie's
premises 100 feet; and south-east on the Thames. The ground as shown
on the plan of 1670 included "The Wharfe," (fn. 26) about half of "The Deale
Yard" (fn. 27) and a corresponding portion of the unnamed open space (The
Timber Yard (fn. 28) ) on the south of the latter.
Both leases came into the hands of William Benson, who assigned
his interest to the Duke of Chandos. The latter in 1729 applied (fn. 29) for fresh
leases, which were granted on 22nd November, 1733, of Aislabie's property
for 50 years from 7th July, 1732, and of Child's premises for 13 years from
3rd August, 1750. In 1741 the duke petitioned for a new lease of both
for 50 years, and this he obtained on 27th March, 1742. Chandos died
in 1744, and in 1753 the Earl of Northumberland, who had purchased the
lease from the duke's executors, applied for an additional piece of ground,
comprising the remainder of the Deal Yard and Timber Yard, "on wch
there are some sheds & other small Buildings, which appear very unsightly and also intercept the View of the River Thames from Northumberland
House." (fn. 30) The application was resisted by the Board of Works, who
pointed out that the ground was "part of the Antient Storeyard" belonging to them, which had been already "very much Incommoded and
Straightened" by the "Improvident Grant" to Child, and was "now the
only Remaining Place the Office of Works are in Possession of to deposit
the Stores & Materialls dayly wanting for his Majesty's Buildings att
Whitehall and Elsewhere." (fn. 31) A portion of the property was also already
on lease to Henry Flitcroft. (fn. 32) In spite of the objections raised, the Treasury
persisted "in the opinion that a Lease shod be granted to the Earl of the
premises except what is in Lease to Mr. Flitcroft," (fn. 33) and a 31 years' lease
was accordingly made on 29th January, 1757. The Earl (then Duke) of
Northumberland on 27th June, 1787, obtained a new lease for 50 years of
all three properties.
(X). On the north side of Great Scotland Yard stood the Clockhouse, the earliest reference to which that has been discovered in the investigations for this volume is in 1626–7 (fn. 34) . In 1706 Samuel Lynn petitioned (fn. 35)
for a lease of "a peice of Waste Ground adjoyning to his Dwelling house in
Scotland Yard on Wch stands an Old Clockhouse that is of no use to her
Maty." The application was opposed by Wren on the ground that the
Clockhouse was "of manifold & necessary use for the Officers of the Workes,
in the discharge of their Dutys." (fn. 36) By 1784 the underpart of the building
had been converted into stables, (fn. 37) which in 1812 were used by persons
holding official positions in the Admiralty. In that year new premises were
required for the Marshalsea Court House, and it was decided to allot the
site, together with a house adjoining on the west, for that purpose. (fn. 38) On
representations afterwards being made that "the Inhabitants and Neighbourhood of Scotland Yard have long enjoyed the advantage of the Clock
& Vane now standing on the Building called the Clock House," arrangements were made for the clock and vane to be replaced on the new
building. (fn. 39) The Marshalsea Court remained in occupation until it was
abolished at the end of 1849. A plan of the building (consisting "only of
the Court and one small Room adjoining … each 20 feet high, and with
not any Room above, but only a Clock Turret") made in 1850, is reproduced
on p. 208. In the latter year the premises were taken by the Metropolitan
Police, who on 16th December, 1850, were granted a 21 years' lease, conditionally on the clock being kept at all times going and in good order, and
being refixed in as conspicuous a position if its removal should at any time
be found necessary in altering the premises. (fn. 40) The lease was surrendered
in 1855, (fn. 41) when a new lease, containing the same provisions regarding the
clock, was granted for 50 years in consideration of the expense incurred in
"enlarging, altering and repairing" the premises.
Figure 37:
Plan of the Marshalsea Court House, 1850
(Y). On 3rd March, 1660–1, Charles II granted (fn. 42) to Sir John
Denham (fn. 43) for 51 years "all that Dead Wall Leading from the Office of our
Workes to the house yt was latelie Charles Lord Wilmotts Deceased & as much ground within the said Wall, being parcell of Scotland Yard
adioyneing to our Royall Pallace of Westminster … as the whole length
of the Wall and Thirtie foote in Breadth, and a Space of xiiijeen foote square
for makeing a Payre of Staires, except and out of the premises hereby
graunted alwaies reserved a convenient way & passage to and for coaches
and Cartes where … the sd Sr John Denham … shall thinke fitt." On
this ground, which had a length of about 140 feet, Denham erected a
number of houses shown in the plan of 1670 as "Sr Iohn Denhams New
Building." When the Great Fire was raging in 1666 steps were taken to
dismantle the buildings to prevent the conflagration, if it came so far, from
reaching the Palace, and the necessary repairs were afterwards carried
out at the King's cost. (fn. 44) Denham died in 1669, leaving to his (fn. 45) daughter
Elizabeth "the Lease which I hold by grant from his Majesty of the Ground
in Scotland-Yard adjoyning to White Hall, whereon I have att my owne
sole Costs … built a new Rainge of Brick buildings." In 1675 Elizabeth
married (fn. 46) Sir Thomas Arden Price, Bt., in whose possession the buildings
are found in 1679, when he complained (fn. 47) that some of his tenants refused
to pay their rent and "yet continue Tennants in his house," relying no
doubt on the fact that, being within the limits of the Palace, they were
secure from arrest. (fn. 48) A portion of these buildings (probably the southern
portion) was about this time used for State purposes. (fn. 49) In 1678 the premises
were included in the lease of the Manor of Westminster to Sheldon and
Charlton, afterwards transferred to Sir Humphrey Edwin (see p. 77). (fn. 50)
In 1737 the property (fn. 51) is found divided between (a) John Edwin and his
sisters, who held the southern portion, including the rooms over the gateway
into Great Scotland Yard, and (b) Humphrey Edwin and his sister, who
held the northern portion. The two portions were separated by a party
wall a short distance north of the gateway, and the middle staircase was
common to both parties.
It would seem that at some time before 1676 Sir Philip Howard (fn. 52)
went to reside in the southern portion of Denham Buildings. (fn. 53) In that
year, when Captain of the King's Guards, he obtained a licence to make a
door into Scotland Yard "out of a House hee then lived in adjoyning to
the said Yard, upon account of his attendance upon his then Maty, and
alsoe to inclose a small yard adjoyning to the said House, containing 32 foot
in length and 16 in breadth out of the said Scotland Yard, wherein the said
Sr Phillip built two Shedds." On Howard's death the door was "made up
by Sr Christopher Wren, "but was afterwards opened again for Capt. Richard
Fowler, (fn. 54) "who hath been eminently in our Service ever since wee
[William III] came to the Crowne, and still is, who lives in part of the said
House." On Fowler's departue in 1692 the door was again bricked up,
"Wee not allowing a private passage from the street into Our Pallace should
be made a Right to belong to any private House." (fn. 55)
In 1745 the southern portion of Denham's Buildings was taken
by the Government on a 21 years' lease for the use of the comptrollers of
the army accounts. (fn. 56) Its later history is dealt with in chapter 32.
In an indenture of 1712 (fn. 57) containing the names of the tenants of both
portions of Denham Buildings Widow Wells is given as occupying a tenement in the north portion. She was presumably the proprietress of
Mrs. Wells' Coffee House, (fn. 58) and this in turn was probably the establishment
known afterwards as Wills' Coffee House, (fn. 59) which was certainly situated in
the north part of Denham Buildings. (fn. 60)
On 26th May, 1759, Humphrey Edwin obtained a fresh lease of
the northern part of Denham Buildings to hold for 22 years from 5th January,
1787, and on 4th March, 1760, assigned the premises to Sir Hew Dalrymple
and his wife Martha, Humphrey's sister. In 1800 Sir Hew Dalrymple
Hamilton applied for a fresh lease. (fn. 61) As a result of a survey of the premises
it was stated (fn. 62) (24th April, 1801) that "on the … Plot of Ground which
abuts towards the South on the Gateway leading to Great Scotland Yard,
are three Houses (fn. 63) consisting of Kitchen Offices on the Basement Story,
three Square Stories above the Ground & Garrets on the Roof. The three …
Houses were new fronted some years since, but the interior parts are very
old & the back fronts bulged and decayed, and they are incommodious from
being very shallow in depth and having the Basement Stories particularly
low, and for Want of Sewers not capable of being drained." The plan
then made is here reproduced. A reversionary lease of the premises (then
Nos. 33–35, Charing Cross, representing the present Nos. 49, 51 and 53,
Whitehall) was on 10th May, 1803, granted for 53½ years from 5th
April, 1808.
Figure 38:
Nos. 33–35, Charing Cross, in 1801
(Z). (a) In 1605 particulars were drawn up (fn. 64) for a lease to Simon
Basil, surveyor-general of works, of a tenement newly built on the northwest corner of the base court, commonly known by the name of "Scotteland,"
lying between the common way leading from Charing Cross to Westminster
on the west, and the base court on the east, containing 50 feet on both
sides, and abutting on the tenement then in the tenure of Alice Blathe,
widow, towards the north, containing in width 13 feet, and on the base
court towards the south, also 13 feet. (fn. 65) It was noted that there was formerly
a parcel of an old tenement on the site "where the said newe Tenemente
is nowe buylded. The Charges whereof were done by one Symon Basell
Esquier … beinge well buylded wch I esteeme did coste him fiftie poundes.
The growndeworke of the saied Tenemente at the Entire consistenth one
lytell Yearde, one lytell Hall, one lytell Kytchin, and one other voyde
Roome, wth three Chambers buylded over the saied buyldinge." The
tenement had apparently been built about two years before, for Basil first
appears in the ratebooks in 1603. The ground actually included in the
lease for 60 years, which was not granted until 28th January, 1610–11, (fn. 66)
was of much larger dimensions than was originally proposed, comprising
two plots, each 70 feet from north to south, and 13 and 80 feet respectively
from west to east. The width of 70 feet is inconsistent with the plan of
1816 (Plate 93) which shows the distance from the north part of Denham
Buildings to the "Boundary of the Crown Land" as only about 54 feet.
It is, however, indubitably correct, and it will be seen that the small plot,
afterwards No. 29, Charing Cross "(the northernmost Z on the plan), lying
outside the "boundary," was always treated as part of the Basil premises. (fn. 67)
To complete the story of the leases of the Basil property as a whole
it may be said that (i) on 5th February, 1629–30, a reversionary lease for
41 years was granted to Thomas Cary (fn. 68) ; (ii) in 1678 the premises were
included in the lease of the Manor of Westminster and were afterwards
transferred to Sir Humphrey Edwin; (iii) in the division of the property
between (a) John Edwin and his sisters, and (b) Humphrey Edwin and his
sister, the former obtained No. 29, Charing Cross, and the latter all the
remainder.
On the land granted in 1611 Basil erected two houses in addition to
the one which he himself occupied. The southernmost and largest of the three
was that known as Wilmot House, the history of which is given in chapter 33.
The identification of the early occupiers of the middle house presents
considerable difficulty, but it seems fairly certain that Dr. Young, dean of
Winchester, was there from 1620 to 1625. "Doctr Castle" is shown at
the house for 1648 and 1649, and Sir Thomas Alcock from 1650 to 1654.
Simon Basil died in 1615, (fn. 69) and Inigo Jones, who became the new
surveyor-general, succeeded him in the occupation of the northernmost
house. (fn. 70) During the Civil War Jones was absent from his house for nearly
four years, during most of which time he was, with the Marquess of Winchester, besieged in Basing House, where he was taken prisoner in October,
1645. His estate was sequestrated, and on 9th January, 1645–6, information
was given to the Committee for Compounding of "goods, plate, money, etc.,
belonging to him concealed in his house near Whitehall, or in some rooms
in Scotland Yard belonging to him." (fn. 71) The ratebook for 1651 shows Jones
still at the house, but from a survey of the two northern houses made in
August, 1650, (fn. 72) it would appear that John Webb, (fn. 73) his pupil and friend, was
already in occupation. The survey runs as follows:
"All that Tenemt built [wth Brick and Covered wth Tyle] …
adioyning East (fn. 74) on th'aforesaid house [Wilmot House], consistinge
of one Hall Wainscoted next to ye streete, one Kitchen paved wth
stone, and one Lodginge Roome and a Larder behind the same, and
under the same two small Sellers, and above stayres in the first story
one dyneinge Roome and two Chambers lyeinge backwards adioyninge to the same, And in the second story 3 Chambers, and over
the same 3 garretts, contayninge by admeasuremt 75 feet of assize
in Length and 15 feete in breadth, now in ye occupacion of Sr Thomas
Alcock and the Lady Brian, and is worth per annum … xxxiijli.
"All that Messuage or Tenemt built as aforesaid … Consistinge of one Hall next to the streete Wainscoted, and at the
farthest end of an Entry or narrowe Passage one Kitchen, one small
Larder paved wth Brick Tayle wth a small parlor and Larder and
Buttery behind the same, and a small stable behind them, alsoe one
yard and garden well planted wth Choyce and Rare flowers of
various sorts and Kyndes, very pleasant to the Eye and profitable
for use, and behinde the same one Woodhouse one Colehouse and
one house of office, And above stayers in the first story 3 Chambers
and one Gallery, and in the second story 3 small Chambers and one
Closett and two Garretts over the same, And abovestaires in the
buildings next to the streete over th'aforesaid Halle one Parlor and
2 Clossetts Wainscoted, and over the same one Lodginge Roome,
and a garrett over the same, wch said house contayneth by Admeasuremt
193 (fn. 75) feet of Assize in Length, and 19 feete broad on the front
and 30tie feete broad backwards, now in the occupacion of Mr John
Webbe, and is worth per annum ......................lvjli."
From a comparison with the description of Basil's tenement in 1605
(see p. 213) it is evident that the house had been considerably enlarged.
The interest in the leases of Basil and Cary had in 1661 come into
the hands of Edward Vaughan, (fn. 76) who is shown by the ratebooks as occupying
Webb's house from that year until 1669. The Hearth Tax Roll for 1666
gives the house as assessed for 12 hearths.
Alcock's house had meanwhile come into the occupation of Robert
Blackburne, (fn. 77) who held a lease for 14 years. In 1657 the house was taken
for the accommodation of Cromwell's life-guard. (fn. 78) The Hearth Tax Roll
for 1674 shows the house as assessed for 11 hearths and in the occupation of— Man. (fn. 79) This was the proprietor of the well-known Old Man's Coffee
House. (fn. 80) In 1712 Alexander Man obtained an assignment of the Edwin
lease in respect of that particular house. (fn. 81) He died at the close of 1714 or
beginning of 1715, leaving (fn. 82) to his widow Elizabeth "my Lease and all my
Right and Term in the Mansion house I now live in near Charing Cross,
and all the Stock of Coffee and Tea that I shall dye possessed of," and she
in turn bequeathed the lease to her daughters, Charlotte Man and Mary
Cooper. (fn. 83) In the ratebook for 1718 Alexander Man's place is taken by
Edmund Man, his son, who continues until 1729, (fn. 84) when he was succeeded
by John Wintle, who in 1735 gives place to Edward Hurst. (fn. 85) It would
appear that the premises had been divided before the assignment of the
lease to Alexander Man, for when Humphrey Edwin obtained his new
reversionary lease in 1738 the only portion of this property which it contained
was a messuage "now or late in the possession of John Cooper, (fn. 86) bounded
west partly on the street and in other part on Old Man's Coffee House."
On 15th May, 1740, Hurst obtained a reversionary lease (fn. 87) from the
Crown for 33 years as from Christmas, 1756, of "all that Messuage …
called Old Man's Coffee House … abutting East on a House or Ground
belonging to Humphry Edwin" (the house of Cooper), and later in the
same year the Edwins sold (fn. 88) to Hurst their new lease of the adjoining site
"whereon a Messuage … lately stood heretofore in the occupation of
Joseph Cooper," so that Hurst had now the whole of what was afterwards
No. 30, Charing Cross. (fn. 89) Hurst rebuilt a portion of the premises and
on 19th June, 1741, sold to John Heath the two plots "together with all
that new Brick Messuage … then lately Erected … on the said Ground
by the said Edward Hurst." (fn. 90)
Meanwhile John Edwin, who was in possession of the Crown
lease of what was afterwards No. 29, Charing Cross, had on 15th September,
1738, been granted a reversionary lease for 30 years from Christmas, 1756,
and on 17th January, 1741–2, had demised the house for 46¼ years from
24th September, 1740, to Edward Hurst. In 1769 George Heath applied
for a reversionary Crown lease of all three messuages, which was granted on
11th April, 1770. The northernmost house (No. 29) was said to be in
good repair, "now in the occupation of Jonathan Legge," and Old Man's
Coffee House, also in good repair, was stated to be "now called the
Admiralty Coffee house … at present in the occupation of Alexer Slainger."
The third house, formerly Cooper's, was "used as a Back House with the
Admiralty Coffee House." (fn. 91) The lease became vested in John Stephens,
who on 22nd June, 1807, obtained a new lease for 44¼ years from 5th January,
1820. The premises are described as consisting of two houses, "No. 29,
in the occupation of Mr Richard Wild, (fn. 92) containing Kitchen Offices in the
Basement Story, four square Stories above And
Garrets in the roof—No. 30 in the occupation
of Mr James Window, containing Cellars in the
Basement Story, four square Stories above and
Garretts in the Roof, with a Yard and a Building
behind in which is a Kitchen and a Room over
it." (fn. 93) The plan accompanying the report on
Stephens' application is here reproduced.
Figure 39:
Nos. 29 and 30, Charing Cross in 1807.
Copied from plan in the possession
of H.M. Commissioners of Crown Lands
In 1829 Nos. 29 and 30, with others
on the east side of the road, were transferred (fn. 94)
by way of exchange to the Vicar of St. Martinin-the-Fields. The site is now covered by
Nos. 41 and 43, Whitehall.
(b) The history of the premises at the
rear of those above described is of importance
only in respect of their connection with Craig's
Court.
Reference has already (see p. 215) been
made to the acquisition by Edward Vaughan
in 1661 of the Basil and Cary grants. Vaughan
assigned his interest to George Jackson, and
on 8th July, 1673, the latter's widow, Elizabeth,
transferred it to John Leeson. The premises
then consisted of two tenements in the occupation of "Anthony" Man and Edmund Pusey,
with a garden or gardens behind, a tenement
built by Vaughan formerly in the occupation of Sir Joseph Williamson, (fn. 95) and
another which afterwards became a small alehouse known as The Hole in the
Wall. Leeson's widow assigned her interest on 28th September, 1693, to
Joseph Craig, who proceeded to pull down Williamson's house and erect new
buildings in connection with the formation of his new court (Craig's Court) then
in course of construction. Craig then, "upon perusall of his Title & compareing
the Assignments with the originall Leases," found that Williamson's house and
the alehouse, "with a small Court or Garden between them," was no part
of the original grant, but an encroachment made by Basil, "who being
Surveyor Generall of ye works and his Son Clark of the works … 'twas not
difficult for them to keep the possession of this Slip of ground which lyes
behind the Clock house & other buildings & stables on the North side of
Scotland yard." Craig at once voluntarily communicated his discovery to
the officers of the Crown, and petitioned for a new lease to include the
encroachment. Unfortunately the premises originally granted to Basil
had already been included in the lease of the Manor of Westminster (see
p. 213), and all that could be done to satisfy Craig was to grant him a lease
of the encroachment. (fn. 96) This was done, and on 26th December, 1694,
Craig obtained a lease for 99 years.
Figure 40:
South side of Craig's Court in 1783
On the ground thus obtained Craig built the two houses on the
south side of Craig's Court. In 1783 James Craig applied for a fresh lease
to include a piece of ground at the east end of the premises. The plan attached
to the report (fn. 97) on his application is here reproduced. The additional piece
of ground is marked A, the plots B and C having been included in the
previous lease. It will be noticed that a small portion of the open ground
of Craig's Court (C) is thus really a part of Scotland Yard. Craig obtained
his lease on 20th February, 1784.
On its termination on 6th July, 1833 (when it was held by Craig's
successor, the Earl of Harrington), the one house, then No. 5, Craig's Court,
was occupied by Messrs. Pearce, Kent and Thynne, and the other, No. 6,
had recently been in the occupation of the Hon. Leycester Stanhope. The
houses were combined and used for several years as the Museum of Practical
Geology. In 1850 they reverted to the Crown, and were handed over to the
registrar–general for use as the Census Office.