Monument record TR 05 NW 203 - Site of an 18th century telegraph station, Perry Wood

Summary

Site of an 18th century telegraph station.

Location

Grid reference TR 0417 5539 (point) Estimated from sources
Map sheet TR05NW
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT
Civil Parish SELLING, SWALE, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A telegraph station, sometimes known as Old Wives' Lees, part of the Deal line of the Admiralty Shutter telegraph system c. 1796, was sited on the hill. A letter to the Gentleman's Magazine in 1796 described the situation of the telegraph station. He included sketches of the site showing the earthwork ditch around the land containing the windmill and the telegraph. (1-4)

The shutter telegraph system operated from 1796 until the end of the Napoleonic wars (c. 1816). It is not clear where the tower actually stood on the hill top.


<1> The Old Telegraphs 1976 10 20 Map (G Wilson) (OS Card Reference). SKE50454.

<2> Hist and Toporaphical Survey of the county of Kent 1778 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43780.

<3> Gentleman's Magazine I 1796 473-5 (Z Cosens) (OS Card Reference). SKE43578.

<4> Gentleman's Magazine Library I 1887 BB Rems 157-8 (Z Cosens) (OS Card Reference). SKE43579.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: The Old Telegraphs 1976 10 20 Map (G Wilson).
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Hist and Toporaphical Survey of the county of Kent 1778 (E Hasted).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Gentleman's Magazine I 1796 473-5 (Z Cosens).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: Gentleman's Magazine Library I 1887 BB Rems 157-8 (Z Cosens).

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Mar 20 2018 4:41PM