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Archives and local studies

up arrow : go up one level Darnley Exhibition
Servants and estate workers

The Earls of Darnley employed numerous people to work in the hall and grounds, some of whom were from Cobham village or other villages in the locality but also many who originated outside Kent. The censuses from 1841 to 1901 include Cobham Hall and list butlers, housemaids, cooks, dairy maids, grooms, gardeners, gamekeepers etc.

Several records in the Darnley Archive will be of interest to family historians who had ancestors who worked on the estate. They include various wages records, sickness records and occasionally, references for individuals have also survived.

These images are from the Darnley Archive and Local Studies collections. To see the originals please contact Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.

Select an image for a larger version

Photo of shooting party, probably including gamekeepers

Left. Shooting party, probably including gamekeepers on the Cobham Estate. Early 20th century [U565_E647].

Right. Part of a letter addressed to "Bennett" from the 6th Earl of Darnley, about arrangements for a pension and light duties in the stables as a result of ill-health. 1899 [U565_E468].

Facsimile of part of a letter dated addressed to "Bennett" from the 6th Earl of Darnley

Facsimile of a letter from Charles Gould to John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley

Left. Letter from Charles Gould to John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley, with character reference for John Onion, a footman. 1777 [U565_H029].

Right. Extract from the Cobham Estate accounts, showing wages paid to some of the servants. 1796 [U565_A15a].

Facsimile of an extract from the Cobham Estate accounts

Facsimile of part of a list of labourers invited to dinner

Left. Part of a list of labourers invited to dinner. 1907 [U565_F426].

Right. The stables and coachhouse at Cobham Hall. 20th century [U565_E829].

Photo of the stables and coachhouse at Cobham Hall

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For further information contact:
email icon Email : malsc@medway.gov.uk
Telephone icon Telephone :

01634 332714

Mail icon Write to : Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre
Civic Centre
Strood
Rochester
Kent ME2 4AU
Minicom icon Minicom :

01634 333111


Related A-Z index
Prehistoric Medway 350,000 BC - 43AD | Roman Medway 43 - 410 | Anglo-Saxon Medway 410 - 1066 | Medieval Medway 1066 - 1485 | Tudor Medway 1485 - 1603 | Medway in the 17th century 1603 - 1700 | Georgian Medway 1714 - 1830 | Victorian Medway 1837 - 1901 | Medway in the 20th century 1901 - 2000 | Map of Rochester in 1717 | Medway in the 21st century | Village histories | Local history links | Loans, donations and bequests | Local history collections | The Bligh family | Cobham Hall | The estate and its tenants | Leisure, pastimes and cricket at Cobham | Places to visit | all related items »

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