Edward Ryde

Ryde rose through his profession until becoming President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors from 1880-1883

Picture courtesy of Nicky Ryde

Edward Ryde was born on Sept 4th. 1822 at (old) Woking, eldest son of Edward Ryde, miller, and his wife Maria. He attended school at Grove House in Peascod Street Windsor, the school master was a Mr. Jones. On 14 May 1837 he went with his father to Chertsey Fair and met for the first time Mr. Sanderson, a surveyor, and on 20 June 1837 "left my father's house in Woking village and went into the office of Mr. James Sanderson of Sunbury as an articled pupil". He worked for Mr. Poulter of Guildford before returning to Mr. Sanderson for whom he is making a survey of Chobham Parish when the diary opens in 1844. On the 19 August 1845 he is taken as a partner and opened an office in 35 King Street Westminster. It was never a very happy partnership and was dissolved on 7 Dec. 1846. He spent 8 years in London as freelance and land agent. On the 13 Jan. 1848 he married Sarah and they had 5 sons and I daughter Ada. In August 1865 he bought Poundfield House "old" Woking and lived there entirely from 1878-1892 when he died. A house called The Hangers was built for Leo the second son near St. Johns to which church the father gave an organ.

History of Ryde’s Surveys in Chobham (from Ryde’s report dated 21 July 1874)

James Martin Sanderson of Sunbury. He in 1834 valued the Parish under the old statute for Poor Rate, in 1837 after the passing of the Parochial Assessment Act in 1836 he was called upon to amend his valuation in accordance with the provisions of that Act, this work I (Edward Ryde) did for him. I also in that year with him measured the timber upon Chobham Place estate then recently purchased by Mr. (now Sir Denis) Le Marchant from the Hon. and Rev. M. Bertie. During the 10 years that I was with Mr Sanderson first as his articled clerk then as his partner we had a great deal of general business in the Parish, but in the year 1844 1 surveyed, and mapped the Parish for the purpose of Tithe commutation. I surveyed the brick kilns at Broomhall on 7 May 1844. In 1865,6,7 1 surveyed and valued the whole of the Chertsey Union including the Parish of Chobham for the Parochial Assessment and ever since 1865 1 have had a residence in Woking within 4 miles of these commons and I very frequently drive across them. The total area of the parish of Chobham is stated by the Ordinance Surveyors to be 9,578 acres but according to my survey the area is 9,448 acres; the differences probably arise in connection with the undefined boundary of the common, of this area 2,658 is arable 1.672 are grass 61 woodland 470 homesteads and gardens. 4.461are public roads and commons and wastes. Enclosed lands in the parish 5,000 acres and common lands 4,500. Number of houses is 462, 206 cottages, 78 farm houses and 128 other houses and shops. There are 270 proprietors upon the 5,000 enclosed lands

These extracts relate to a period from January to May 1844 when Edward Ryde was surveying Chobham to prepare the Tithe Survey. At this period the villages changed from paying tithes in goods to the vicar to paying an annual fee. The survey was intended to allow the fee to be agreed. Ryde’s Tithe Map and its Apportionment (lists field names, who owned, who rented and annual tithe value) can be seen in the Surrey History Centre.

I have added the words in italics to help understand the diary; also highlighted in red those pieces of the diary which may help us trace the history of Chobham. The abbreviations are as used by Edward Ryde. After each entry Ryde lists his expenses for the day. The original typed document from which this electronic copy was derived contained a few transcription errors; those for which corrections are not obvious have survived into this version.

The diary paints a vivid picture of the life of a single professional man in temporary lodgings. Despite the awfulness of the unmade roads in Winter he thinks nothing of visiting friends in Woking, Guildford and Godalming – often walking to Woking. Even popping over to Bagshot just for the evening. Journeys seem to be remarkably rapid; one morning he goes to Woking on business and returns before breakfast!

We learn that Chobham had a market every Friday evening; a regular horsedrawn coach service to Woking; fires on the Heath were common in Spring; that Chobham was wet even then – spats and boots needed frequent repair and even replacement; that without photocopiers, plans and documents were copied laboriously by hand. Pleasures are simple – plays whist with friends in the evening, and Ryde finds huge amusement in making his assistants run races – especially if it entails them falling in the Bourne.

Jan. 13 1844 send Tidbury (Ryde’s assistant) to Cottrells for my apples and send him a hay measurer. Tidbury returns at 1 o’c. with apples; In afternoon make Tidbury assist in getting down my Imperials: clean them and my measuring chains etc. In eveg. read aloud to Mrs. Sanderson (his boss’s wife) "Oliver Twist".

Jan.14 Sunday. Breakfast at ¼ to 10, at 11 o’c. leave home. Mrs. Tanners at Isleworth to dinner as per invite. Get there at 1/4 to 1 o’c. dine at ½ p 1. Michl. and Mrs. and I walk in garden at 3 o’c. are joined by three young Lawrences. Stay out till dark. Lawrences go home. Go into tea Mr. George Warren here: at ½ p. 7 leave Michl. and Mrs. M. walk with me to Twickenham come home from there by coach a very late night: hard frost

Jan. 15 Mon Rule field book for Chobham survey: Mr. Sanderson looks me out reduced plan of the land at Chobham which I am not to measure (this would include land on which no tithe was paid to the Vicar, e.g. charity allotment land, the lord of the Manor’s land, Chobham Common, verges, etc): call at Mr. Boxholmes and get more medicine; after tea finish reading Oliver Twist to Mrs. S. after which a page and little more of feet and inches. Very sharp frost

Jan.17 Wed. Write to Miss Jones 30 Lower Holborn London ordering a theodolit Take an invent of all my wearing apparel, and effects. In eveg. read and walk down to Collet

Jan.I8. Thurs. Try and rectify the chains with Tidbury and start him to Chobham to cut sticks tomorrow and. to fetch poles from Farnboro on Saturday

Jan. 21. Sun. Send Tidbury to Chobham for a horse and cart to convey me and my lumber there tomorrow.

Jan. 22. Mon. Drive to Chobham in the cart of Squires, call on Mr. Bolt at Halliford "on route". Arrived at the Sun Inn at ½ p. 11. take my baggage in doors 1 have some luncheon and go out to commence the survey. Begin at Milford Green by setting out a line at N from that place and leave off this eveg. at that line at Mr. Rogers garden where we encounter a little difficulty,, use my theodolite for the first time. Return to Sun to dinner at ½ p. 5. Mr. Waterer there, dine, read Sam Slick in England, send for Jere Howard -see him about some timber as requested by Mr. Sanderson. Take coffee at 8 fill up diary. Write to Esther Nunns (friends in Woking) to say if convenient I will visit them on Sunday. Go to bed.

Jan. 24. Wed. Breakfast with a commercial gent at 1/4 to 8. Walk to Bonseys Farm begin measuring. Measure the main line all thro finishing at 5 on the common. get to the Sun about 6; dine write to Mike Warren. Have coffee go to bed. A most beautiful day,

26. Jan. Fri. Measure the line set out yesterday. Cold morning but fine, at 10 p. 3 I start Tidbury off to Sunbury with letters for Collett, Mr. Bolt and Mr. Sanderson. Measure in the meadow until ½ p. 4 with one man; find a letter from Esther Nunns saying they will expect me to-morrow. Market night here but I feel too poorly to go down. Coffee and go to bed early

27. Jan. Sat. Begin measuring at 9 o’c. on Southmoor Tidbury joins us at about ½ p. 9 from Sunbury bringing with him Kerith's trigonometry from Collett and from Mr. S. Measure in the meadow until 2 o’c. Walk to Mrs. Nunns at Oaks (Woking) to spend Sunday as per app. Mr. Nunns in town but soon arrives home, spend evening with Esther Mr. N. going to bed directly after tea, play a variety of games and go to bed about 11.

28. Jan. Sun. A very wet morning. Breakfast 10. Spend the whole of the day almost solely with Esther, Mr. Nunns goes twice to church but I do not go out of doors, a fine afternoon.

29. Jan. Mon. Breakfast with Esther Nunns at ½ p. 8 walk to Chobham with surveying all remm. of day on or near Coxhill and Milford Green, threatens much for rain but none comes till after I get in in the evening: This evening reading and studying trigonometry as applied to the calculation of distance by the measure of angles, received a very nice letter from Robert Harrow

31. Jan. Wed. This morning one of the adjusting screws on my theodolite legs would not work after about hour waiting I got it rectified by a black smith who happened to be in. Walk to Ottershaw surveying in the Park and on the estate when after threatening all day it came on to snow which compelled us to go home: got wettish in so doing. George Lee came upstairs and spent a great part, of evening with me.

1. Feb. Thurs. Severe frost and very cold but good day for surveying. Surveying in, the meadows adjoining Bonsey's farm and Horsele Parish. Reading all evening; write to Howard saying if convenient I would spend Sunday with him

2. Feb. Friday. Very deep snow. Do a little plott on a Spare sheet of paper. Send Tidbury to Byfleet to Mr. Dennett who pays me £50, Anthony Waterer spends evening with me and 2 of the Mr. Fladgates are in a short time. Standish (from Bagshot) comes and we play whist, Howard and I versus Mrs. Howard and Standish lose 1/

Sat. 3. Feb. Walk to Woking station arrive too late for the 1st. coach to Guildford. call on Miss Beck. Go to Guildford by 1/4 to 12 coach see Clarke dine at Aunt Leggatts return to Woking by coach walk over to Chobham. Mr. Howard sends over his horse and cart for me to go to his house.

5. Feb. Mon. Sharp frost. Take a walk with Howard, we measure a hay rick, call on Standish they invite the Howards and I to spend evening with them, return to dinner at 2 o’c. Howards wish the Standishes to come there in preference to the other way. Mr. Standish looks in to play draughts. Go over to Standish's prevail on Mrs. S. to accompany to Mr. Howard’s where we spend evening playing whist as on Sat. and breakfast at 12

6. Feb. Tues. Mr. Howard walks with me to Standishes; Standish walks with me to Windlesham; Find Randle Jackson: he, I and Standish go to Half Moon; have 1/2 and 1/2 walk to Chobham; dine; letters from Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Bolt; write to Collett; walk to Nunns at Woking; Take Tidbury to carry bag: Spend eveng with Mr. Nunns; Esther N. and Miss Halliday; play whist; and sleep there. lose 1/

7. Feb. Wed.- Go to London by 9 o’c. train; Omni(bus) to Holborn pay Jones for theodolite; buy protractor buy a seal for Haily Nicholson; buy a travelling portmanteau and music for Esther Nunns. Dine at Gresham Rooms; return to Woking by 4o’c. train: Spend eveng with Esther and Miss Halliday, Mr. Nunns Sleep here. The snow has been thawing and it now rains fast.

Railway and omnibus to Town 9/. Dinner,1/. Theodolite £16. 18/. Protractors 2 for 10/. Harly Nicholson seal 15/. Cravat pin engraving 5/. Leather hat case 10/. Portmanteau 18/ engraving on each 3/6. Drawing paper Mr. S's A/C 6 sheets 6d. Hat 8/ Life of Sir William Wallace 2/6. Post office order payable to my father £12.0.3, order songs for Esther Nunns- Pilgrim father; Come dwell in my cottage and then you'll remember me 5/6

8. Feb. Thurs. Breakfast at Oaks (house of the Nunns); get back to Chobham; a fine morning; commence business once more by setting out a long line S. towards N. from Grants Green to Chobham Place; John my Chobham man now jumps into water.

11 Feb. Sun. Breakfast at ½ p 11, walk to dine, spend the afternoon eveng and sleep at Mr. Nunns at Oaks. Mr. Lee of Ripley and Mr. Geo Baker come up in afternoon, also Mr. John Baker - Mr. Lee goes to London by railway at ¼ p. 6. Mr. J. and G. Baker go home at 9 o’c. Sundries 1/9

13. Feb. Tues. A very unfavourable day being a dense fog which does not once clear off in the slightest degree, do a little measuring and get on as well as under all circumstances could be expected. In eveng write to Robert Harrow and my mother

14. Feb. Wed. A very rhymey morning tho much clearer than yesterday; at about 12 o’c. it thaws and for about an hour the drips from the trees is very bad, after this it is a very fine day. Do a good days work. Mr. George Hull goes thro here just as I go out in the morning and returns just as I come in in the eveng, Anthony Waterer comes in about 1/2 p. 6 and takes coffee with me. Mr. Richard Rowland brings me in a pair of new breeches and I ask him to stay and take a hand in a rubber with Tony and I which he says he will do when he has closed his shop. Mr. R. comes in and I with a dummy play Tony and him and beat them - they stay until past 12 -.

17. Feb. Sat. Measuring Mr. Daborns farm between Mr. Mumford's house and South Moor common, Master Geo Mumford out with me one part of the day and John also comes out - Dine at 5o’c, walk to Nunns get there at ½ p. 6. Esther is out Mr. Nunns and Miss Halliday are playing at draughts, have a game or two with Miss Halliday - whist with them both - sup - and whist again till 1/2 p. 11

19. Feb. Mon. Return to Chobham - showery until 12 o’c. do not go out until that hour, look up my dirty linen etc. and then set out lines in and near village all afternoon. Dine at 6 - Agree with Mr. Squires (landlord of the Sun?) that he shall charge and I will pay 25/ per week for my board and lodging exclusive of anything I may drink except beer at dinner.

23. Feb. Friday. Very fine day' until 3 o’c. do a good bit of measuring before that time for about an hour in the wet to get some lines finished - Saw Mr. Hull of Godalming who drove up to the gate just as I was going out this morning and gave me an invitation to come over and dine with him on Sunday

24. Feb. Sat. Measuring until the middle of the day when showing very much to rain. I sent my chain home and went setting out until 3 o’c. Dine walk to Woking station go by coach to Guildford; Bespeak a bed at Aunt Leggatts; spend the eveng with the Cooks return to Aunts to sleep.

26. Feb. Mon. Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Harris at ½ p. 7 return to Woking station by coach have a very heavy shower between Godalming and Guildford -- walk from Woking to Chobham: lunch... go to Chobham Place and set out a line westward from thence...get in to dinner at 6 o’c.

27. Feb. Tues. Setting out all day; very fine; get some very good lines, have a boy to assist two men, very fine boy.

1. March Friday. Measuring in the meadows as yesterday; in my manoeuvres to shorten the offsets to the Bourne by crossing it several times with the chain line I manage to jump in trying to jump over a part of it 20 links wide which 'I had previously cleared and should certainly have done Go again but the ground gave way with me in starting.

2. March Sat. Measuring at and near Mimbridge..fine until 4 o’c. when rain comes on which wets us thro long before we can get to Chobham.

3. March Sun. Leave Chobham at 5 o’c. and drive to Alton get to Thedden at 1/2 p. 10. Dine at Thedden..go to Alton to church and tea..I drive Willie and Martha ... sup at Alton and return to Thedden; Exchange Martha for Ellen.

4. March Mon. A very snowy morning; Willie Nicholson and I with Ellen leave Thedden at 11 o’c. go down to Alton... leave E1len there and start for Chobham snows all the way to Hartford Bridge where wet thro we stayed and had some lamb chops Brandy and water. dried our coats and started again ... Howard was to meet me at Blackwater and shew us over the college ... when we arrive there he is just gone... call at his house at Bagshot get into very deep water and wet all our spare wardrobe...this is a sad disaster but couldn't have been helped. All Chobham is flooded it still rains as fast as it has done all the, way home.

6 March Wed. Measuring long lines all day. Tonight James Mumford and Squires play whist with Willie and I, our two guests get groggy, Squires upsets the cribbage board and Mumford walks in a ditch going home.

7 March Thurs. Surveying short lines have rare fun at lunch time with the men and boy jumping over and into the Bourne for half pence given by Willie Nicholson who enjoys it much. Howard, Standish and Randal Jackson come over in eveng and play whist, sleep with us.

8 March Frid. Willie and I walk to Howards who drives us to Blackwater and takes us over the college with which Willie is much pleased. Return to Howards to dinner at 3. In eveng play whist joined by Standish, and Willie and I walk to Chobham. reaching there about I2 o’c.

11 March Mon. Wet morning play skittles and cork and farthing, dine at 10 o’c. Drive Willie to Farnboro station (call at Howards) Willie goes to Alton by Robinson, 1 return to Howard at Bagshot calling at McBride at Blackwater spend the eveng at Howards and drive to Chobham after supper.

16 March Sat. Surveying till 3 o’c. come in to dine about 4 o’c. walk over to Woking with the intention of spending to-morrow and the eveng at Oaks but on arriving there find they have left and gone to live at Kew. Go to station get on the coach and ride to Guildford - spend eveng at Aunt Leggatts.

18 March Mon. Get up at ½ p. 7 go up to call on Charles - ride to Woking by coach...very full load...very pleasant lady who had been a great traveller on outside with me. Walk to Chobham...breakfast... do good days surveying...dine at ½ p. 6

22 March Friday. Proceed to measuring in the meadow behind Soan's; at 1 o’c. rain comes: stand under a tree; stake out a steeplechase with four good jumps around which I run my men, rain does not cease till 1 o’c. meantime we eat our luncheon...at 1 o’c. recommence surveying and continue all day. Poor John, in running the steeplechase when about to take the last jump just before coming on a wide ditch very full of bog water and mid and surmounted with a high bank on the opposite side and covered in brambles and bushes, omitted to take sufficient spring and contrived to get in up to his middle.

24 March Sun. Walk to Mrs. Beck's at Woking to dinner rain overtaking me at half way and continues to accompany the remainder of the distance arrive just in time for dinner - James Beck there, Miss Sims teas there spend a very merry day retire to bed at ½ p. 10 - Discover my watch to be a stop watch.

31 March Sun. Have Mr. Squires horse and chaise and drive to Byfleet to consult with Henry Dennett on family matters - having time to spare drive out thro Woking and Ripley very hot day. Ostlers 1/

1 April Mon. Very hot day Do very well at surveying; have a stupid boy who cries at lunch because we wish him to jump the Bourne - Lose two hours in the morning in consequence of a dense fog.

3 April Wed. Not quite so hot but very oppressive. Surveying near Frys’ at lunch time my Chobham man John picks a shilling up from the bottom of the Bourne in more than two feet of water for which I gave it him. Letter from Collett write Toney Waterer asking him to go with me to Chertsey on Sunday next. Write Esther Nunns wishing her happy returns of her birthday on Friday next. John as herein stated 1/.

9 April Tues. Rise at 5 o’c. - find as I had requested a breakfast of cold eggs and lemonade set out for me; get to work at 6 o’c ... work until 10 o’c. walk to Standishs' at Bagshot change my things go with Howard and Mr. Standish in Mr. Howards gig to Mr. Lenis' in Windsor Park, Mrs. Lenis a bonnie woman with lots of tongue, dine then walk from there to see the Windsor Steeple Chase - am very much amused - two horses are killed in course of day and several have a tumble; return to Mr. S8S to tea, to Mr. Howards by 7 o’c. when I make a copy of a plan for him which he has been employed to make for Mr. Mears; play a rubber or two and return with Standish to his house to sleep.

14 April Sun. Walk with Toney Waterer, who has breakfasted with me, to Chertsey and I dine with him at his fathers. Mr. Maddox invited to spend afternoon with us but declines in consequence of having to attend a Miss Robinson to Laleham Church. Go for a row on water with Rob and Toney Wayerer. Mr. Maddox spent eveng with us Mr. Herring son and daughter also call. Miss Waterer very pretty girl and plays most beautifully. Sleep with Toney.

15 April Mon. Breakfast at ½ p 8 - at 10 o’c. we leave Chertsey riding with Rob Waterer, who is going to Kutterwell in a cart, as far as Horsele common Whence Toney walks to Knaphill and I to Chobham ... lunch go out surveying keep on late - do a good lot of work - dine at 7 o’c .... at 8 o’c. Collett comes in having walked from Sunbury to see me. Take coffee with me - draw him up a circular which is what he came for - he having taken a larger and better shop. Sit and chat go to bed at 11.

20 April Sat. Surveying at West End until 2 o’c. return to Chobham to dinner at ½ p 3. Walk to station go by coach to Guildford - call at Aunt Leggatts, sit with her about an hour then go down to Cooks.

22 April Mon. Breakfast with John at ½ p 6 get to Woking by first coach at 8 to Chobham on foot at ¼ to 9 - change toggery go to West End survey until eveng very fine day.

24 April Wed. Do a very good days surveying at Colony and Hag Thorn. Fire in the plantations at Rapley the largest I ever saw

25 April Thurs. Very hot day. Surveying at West End. Threatened by one Mason to have my chain cut in two by a broad axe if he catches me in his wheat - do not happen to have occasion to go thereon. Witness a large plantation fire at Frimley

26 April Friday. Very very warm day.. finish survey at West End - New church erc. etc. Immense fire in plantation at Wishmere the property of the Government. Toney Waterer spends the eveng with me. Beer 6d.

28 April Sun. Breakfast 11 o’c. walk to Standishs' at Bagshot where dine - tea at Mr. Howard’s and sup at Mrs. Standishs' - Miss Turner a nice girl - walk to Chobham. from Mr. Standishs' between 10 - and 10 p 11 warm day.

29 April Mon. Nice day for surveying. The boy John Evans who was with me some time during the fore part of my survey and who left in consequence of having obtained a permanent situation at Windsor, having left that place on Saturday last I took him on again this morning and make him follow the chain take Tidbury to take the offset which I think much expedites the matter. During lunch my three assistants run a steeple chase for a penny a run the winner and the second in which they have to cross a wide part of the Bourne twice each round, all this is excellent fun. Write Collett. .

30 April Tues. Very fine day; set out long line from Halebourne to Highams Lodge and measure it back. Lunch in Hodds Lane. Have some capital fun with Evans who runs a steeple chase against time running a distance and taking 7 jumps over barriers piled up for that purpose in 55 seconds. See a very large fire over Frimley way which I afterwards discover to be at Mr. Gibbons a very large quantity of Heath near Frimley lock

1 May Wed. A very fine day. Surveying near Halebourne; see a very large fire in the Government plantations at Rapleys' which commence near Rapleys' house and clears a space of about 1,000 acres towards Lord Limerick in whose place it is stopped after burning from l1 o’c. in the morning until 6 in the eveng: Alfred Nunns and Anthony Waterer spend the eveng with me - Keep it up till 12 o’c. Ginger Beer 1/

11 May Sat. Surveying at Langshot Farm and Glovers Pond - get into Langshot bog.

12 May Sunday. Breakfast 1/2 p 8, at 9 o’c. leave with Mr. Squires horse and chaise and start to Sunbury take John Sutton and his child with me.. get to Sunbury at ½ p 10 call on Mr. Bolt, put up horse at Castle - go to Mr. S. Mr. S. goes to church Mrs. does not., little Sanderson being unwell During church time go to look at apartments which Mrs. Goodman has to let dine at Mrs. - spend eveng and tea there - a Mr. and Mrs. Brown also tea there leave at 7o’c. - overtake John who,, in the meantime has been to Brentford to leave his child with its grandmother at the water splash...get home to Chobham, at ½ p 8. Horse 2/ Ostler Chobham 2/.

13 May Mon. Very hot day. Surveying at Burrow Hill...In eveng walk with James Mumford to Grants Green and call on Mr. Sam Mumford -.return to coffee at 9 - Receive by Omni. patterns from my tailor at Brentford of trousers, vests etc. from which I select and make a parcel and write note to return with them in the morning. Omni. 6d. ginger beer 1/ gloves 6d.

21 May Tues. Breakfast ½ p 7..go up to Staple Hill clump of Fir trees on the common; comes on to rain before we get the chain undone. Play Prison Base and a variety of things to pass away this time..lunch at 12 o’c. At I set off homewards, get about ½ mile when the rain ceases: return and go to work keep on till ½ p 5 get home to dinner before 7 o’c. Write to Mr.Howard,Robert Harrow and Mr. Nicholson.

22 May Wed. Breakfast ½ p 7 go to surveying at Broom hall - work round by Potnells' and Long Cross where we leave off at ½ p 5. Epsom races The Derby one by Running Rein the property of a Mr. Wood.

23 May Thurs. Breakfast at 1/2 p 7. Expect Mr. Howard he does not come - wait for him until ¼ p 8... go up to the common boundary against Pirbright parish surveying there all day; leave off at Main Stone at ½ p 5 get to Chobham at ¼ p 7.

25 May Sat. FINISH THE CHOBHAM SURVEY. Go to Long Cross survey the common boundary round Ottershaw, go to look over a portion of the map of the lands which I am not to survey and finish this extensive survey by 5 o’c. go to Sun dine, spend eveng at, Mr. Mumford.

26 May Sun. Breakfast at 10 o’c. Walk to Standishs' at Bagshot; dine with him. Mr. Standishs' niece Alfreda Hewell is also there ... Mr. Noble comes shortly after dinner. Spend a very merry afternoon... Tea …after tea romping supper Mr. Noble goes at 10 o’c. I sleep with Mr. Howard.

27 May Mon. Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Standish and Mr. Howell at ½ p 8 call on Mr. Howard at the park; go over the gardens have a glass of ale get back to Standishs' and at 12 o’c. leave for Chobham..arrive there soon after. I pack up my luggage with John to assist me- dine at 3 o’c.. at 4 o’c. leave Chobham..walk to Byfleet, tea with Mr. and Aunt Dennett, go round Henry's farm with him- sleep with him. Showery day.

Ryde's diary covering his work in Chobham in 1844 can be read in full by following the hyperlink in the left navigation bar [Top]