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The estate and its tenants

The Earls of Darnley ran the estates using income from:

  • rental from tenants, both in Kent and Ireland;
  • farming;
  • borrowing, using the lands as collateral;
  • timber and underwood businesses;
  • shooting and fishing rights.

In the 20th century, they made attempts to make the estate financially viable by running a commercial plant nursery business, property speculation and by opening the hall and grounds as a leisure attraction.

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

Select an image for a larger version

Picture of the illuminated address presented by his agricultural tenants to the Earl of Darnley on his marriage

Left. Illuminated address presented by his agricultural tenants to the Earl of Darnley on his marriage. 1899 [U565_F018].
Right. List of carriages and menservants. 1896 [U565_H040].

Image showing list of carriages and menservants
Image of the valuation of timber and underwood at Cobham Hall and Park. 18th century

Left. Valuation of timber and underwood at Cobham Hall and Park. 18th century. [U565_E651].

Right.

  • Extract from the rental for the Estate, showing some of the tenants in the Parish of Cuxton, the farm or property and yearly rental. 1864 [U565_E274].
  • Part of some instructions on tree planting, detailing species, distance between each tree, depth of hole and cost. 19th century [U565_E652].

Extract from the rental for the Estate, showing some of the tenants in the Parish of Cuxton, the farm or property and yearly rental

Part of some instructions on tree planting, detailing species, distance between each tree, depth of hole and cost. 19th century

Right. The Darnleys were involved with the Cobham Yeomanry, which was set up in 1794 and existed as a unit within the West Kent Yeomanry Cavalry from 1838. In 1907, the Territorial Army (TA) was formed and the system of yeomanry ended. The Cobham Yeomanry was then fully absorbed into the West Kent Yeomanry. This photo shows the cavalry in Cobham Park. c.1905 [U565_O25]. Photo of the Cobham Yeomanry
Photo of girl at the Well, Cobham Farmyard

Photos from a series by Miss Gertrude Rogers, Sevenoaks, Kent, entitled Scenes from Rural Life. Original 1861. Couchman Collection [DE402_23_59].

Left. Girl at the Well, Cobham Farmyard.

Right. The College, Cobham.

Photo of the College, Cobham

 

For more information contact Medway Archives and Local Studies by telephone: 01634 332714 or by email: malsc@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Archives and Local Studies , Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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