John Hale was a servant of Henry Norris, occupant of Kew Farm, who was executed in 1536 for adultery with Anne Boleyn. Six months after Norris's execution, Hale was granted the monopoly of the Kew ferry. This has led to the suggestion that he was being rewarded for information against his master. The residents of Kew lodged a petition against him because he charged a levy on any boatman who took passengers across the river in their own boats.

O/S Co-ords:1850.7752
Source(s):

Kew Past

This is recorded at the end of the 15th century in the ownership of Thomas Byrkis. In 1522 a chapel was licensed here but that was discontinued in 1534. Byrkis was joined as neighbours by the cousins of Henry VII. In Henry VIII's time it was acquired by Henry Norris who was executed for adultery with Ann Boleyn. It was then granted to the new queen's brother Edward Seymour. Edward became the Duke of Somerset and later the Protector of Edward VI. Following Somerset's replacement as Protector and owner of local estates by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland it was removed from that family's grasp by Queen Mary. Elizabeth returned the property, amidst the several estates of his father, to John Dudley's son Robert, Earl of Leicester. When Leicester lost power he sold all his Kew estates to Thomas Gardiner who, when found to be robbing the treasury, sold on to Hugh Portman. It was acquired and rebuilt in great splendour by Robert Carr, Earl of Ancrum. Ancrum bought from the youngest son of Sir Hugh. The Earl had stayed there when, as a lad in the reign of James VI of England, he was frequently in the company of Henry Stuart, Prince of Wales, Elizabeth Stuart - Henry's sister who was in the care of John Lord Harington a lessee of the farm - and Lord Harington's son. The Earl's estate was found to be substantially the largest on Kew Green when assessed by the Parliamentary Commissioners under the Commonwealth. The Hearth Tax records of 1664 show the Farm as having 35 hearths, more than any other house in Richmond, which may be compared with 26 in the Dutch House. Two houses replaced Kew Farm at the end of the 17th century

O/S Co-ords:1850.7752
Source(s):

Kew Past