Nos. 15-17 Overy Street, Dartford. TQ 5451 7405 The first reference to a local pipemaker is in 1670 when Thomas Harris was noted by Dartford's churchwardens as being a donor to a fund set up for the `redemption of slaves in Turkey'. It is not, however, until the 19th Century that more information becomes available as to the full extent of the pipe industry in the town. This information was obtained from various sources including census returns and local directories covering a period from 1832 to 1892. The production was based at 15 & 17 Overy Street, with a sales outlet on the East Hill. Thomas Pascall, a Chatham man, was first to use the premises from 1832 until 1851. The last pipemaker to work in Dartfrod was James Rumley who had originally worked as an apprentice to Thomas Pascall. His name appears in directories of 1879 and continues until 1892. The excavations carried out by the Group including that at the `Pipe House', Overy Street have produced not only an almost complete sequence showing the clay pipe's developments but also the products of a once thriving industry in Dartford (1,2,3).

Dartford District Archaeological Group, 1975, Dartford District Archaeological Group newsletter (Article in serial). SKE53814.

<1> DDAS - C Baker 1979 (OS Card Reference). SKE39686.

<2> KARU Record Card D152 (OS Card Reference). SKE45491.

<3> Rediscovering Dartford, Dart Dist Arch Grp, 1986. 32,33 fig,50. (OS Card Reference). SKE49124.