Church Street
 

 

 

Has  played its part in the history of the town, one of the most historic buildings in the vicinity being that where Mr. C. B. Beecroft, grocer, auctioneer, and farmer, resided. It has variously found shelter for the gentleman farmer, the minister, the publican, the doctor, and  the auctioneer, etc. The gentleman farmer of the name of Mr. Samuel Downing was the first occupant of the house of which we have any record, and he would be living there in or about 1780, at which period he and another farmer named Outram were the most influential gentlemen in the parish. The death of Mr. Downing's wife took place September 8th, 1821, aged 77, and Mr. Downing's August 2nd, 1827, aged 88. They left behind them several daughters, one of whom (Frances) became the wife of the Rev. Charles Nott, the Particular Baptist minister, and they carried on a farming business there, retailing milk out to the inhabitants. Mrs. Nott died November 15th, 1853, aged 69, whilst her unmarried sister (Ann Downing) died Nov. 13th, 1855. These are buried in Sutton churchyard. The family worshipped at the Congregational Church, but on accepting an innuendo by the late Rev. C. Wilson that it was only natural that Mrs. Nott should attend the same place of worship as her husband, the family transferred their interest to the Particular Baptist sect. Downing Street (New Cross) received its name from this family. Subsequently the residence was converted into a public-house, having for its tenant the late Mr. R. Adlington, who was followed by the late Mr. Frank Handley. Later, it became a private residence again, and then the late Dr. Diver took up his abode there, followed by the late Dr. Booker and the late Dr. Dyer.