Hop-pickers Memorial St.Mary's Church      Hartlake Bridge  

THE HOP-PICKERS MEMORIAL, HADLOW
From Anne Hughes

In the corner of St. Mary’s Churchyard, Hadlow, is a monument shaped to resemble an oasthouse. It marks the resting place of thirty hop-pickers who were drowned in the River Medway at Hartlake on 20th October 1853. The victims ranged in age from 59 to 2 years, including four children and several young girls. Twelve of the victims are thought to have been from Ireland, while most of the rest were Gypsies from one extended family. All but one of the LEATHERLAND family died, parents Samuel and Charlotte, daughters Comfort, Selina, Alice and Lunia, together with Lunia’s husband John HERNE and their two daughters. Sarah TAYLOR, her son and grandson, both named Thomas and James MANSER, were related to the LEATHERLANDS’ by marriage.

The hop-pickers were employed by Mr. Cox of Golden Green and were being taken by wagon to their campsite on the Tudeley side of the river. One party had made the journey safely, but on the second trip, one of the horses stumbled and the wagon hit the side of the wooden bridge, which gave way. Wagon, passengers and horses all fell into the river, which was swollen with flood water. At the inquest held at The Bell Public House, Golden Green, Fanny LEATHERLAND described how the people went tumbling down like hailstones, but she managed to take hold of the harness of the hind horse and so was saved. The verdict was that the deceased were accidentally drowned due to the defective state of the road and bridge, the responsibility of the Medway Navigation Company.

Funerals took place in St. Mary’s Church over several days, the last on 14th November was of the two-year-old daughter of Lunia and John HERNE. Sadly it would seem that on-one was left who knew her Christian name. If anyone has come across this Herne family on the 1851 Census and can help, I would be pleased to hear details. The inscription on the memorial reads:

“This monument was erected by public subscription in memory of thirty hop-pickers who were drowned at Hartlake Bridge in a flood of the River Medway on the 20th October 1853 and whose bodies are buried in this churchyard” - “In the midst of life we are in death”

On the 19th of Ofctober 2003, the Rev. Gwen Smith conducted a moving memorial service to mark the 150th anniversary of the tragedy and to remember all those who died., while also giving thankes for their lives. It was attended by over 200 people, including some forty descendants of Sarah TAYLOR. An account of the accident, written by Alice RANSOME, was read by her sister Annie BRAZIL, both great-great granddaughters of Sarah. (Their grandparents, Sam COOPER and Annie SHEPHERD, chose to marry in St. Mary’s in 1896 during hop-picking, in memory of those who died). Candles were lit as the names of the victims were read out. The service, which was broadcast by Radio Kent, was covered by regional TV and local papers. It also featured in Rochester Link. One of those who heard the service was the great-grandaughter of Mary Ann TAYLOR who survived the accident and lived to celebrate her 100th birthday!

The wording and names carved on the memorial are now weathering and difficult to read, but it is hoped that panels listing the names will soon be placed next to it. Hartlake Bridge has recently been re-built and a plaque commemorating the tragedy can be found underneath it. Flowers are often left at the memorial, particularly near to the anniversary, so the thirty men, women and children laid to rest in Hadlow churchyard so many years ago, have not been forgotten.
The names of those who died are:-

  Samuel Leatherland (59 years) Selina Maria Knight ( 6 years)
  Charlotte Leatherland (56 years) Catherine Donohue (42 years)
  Comfort Leatherland (24 years) Ellen Collins (40 years)
  Selina Leatherland (22 years) Norah Donovan (31 years)
  Alice Leatherland (18 years) Catherine Clare (28 years)
  Lunia Herne (26 years) Margaret King (20 years)
  John Herne (28 years) Bridget Flynn (20 years)
  Centine Herne ( 4 years Ellen Devine (19 years)
  Baby Girl Herne ( 2 years) Margaret Mahoney (19 years)
  James Manser (18 years) Jeremiah Murphy (50 years)
  Sarah Taylor (55 years) Catherine Preswell (24 years)
  Thomas Taylor (38 years) Mary Quinn (22 years)
  Thomas Taylor ( 4 years) Catherine Roach (21 years)
  William Elsley (22 years) Ann Howard (49 years)
  Selinda Elsley (25 years) Richard Reed (30 years)

Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your lands
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand
And the blessing of God Almighty
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you and remain with you
this day and forever more
Amen

If you have any information to add to the above, particularly if you are related to one of the victims, please contact Anne Hughes, Spring House, Hadlow, Tonbridge, Kent. TN11 ODZ