Late Tudor-early Stuart brick kiln, discovered in November, 1912, at the southern end of H. S. Pearson & Sons' brickfield, at the top of Heath Lane, south side, quite close to the Heath proper. The kiln was inspected by members of the Dartford Naturalists' Field Club in January, 1913, and information was given to local newspapers. Arrangements were made for a joint visit by the Antiquarian Society and the Field Club. A well-preserved kiln late Tudor or early Stuart. One firing hole was quite clear and there were traces of a second. Among the rubbish with which the kiln had been filled, were broken bricks and tiles of good colour and quality, very like those in the remains of Dartford Priory [ TQ 57 SW 90] . A quantity of charcoal clinker was found. (a) The kiln is below ground level. The fire holes were shaped, roofed and cirled by such bricks as were made there, and some of which were burnt black, almost to crumbling point. A few smashed clay tobacco pipes, thought to be of Dutch origin, with thick stems, sloping bowls, and flat "heels", were also found in the rubbish in-filling. The bricks found were about 8 ins. by 4 ins. by 2 ins. thick. Roofing tiles, with square peg holes, were also found. (b). (See Illustration Card.] The "live" or fire hole is roughly 3 ft. 6 ins. high at the apex of the arch, and 2 ft. wide at the top to 1 ft. 6 ins. at the bottom. About 18 ins. along one side can still be seen the flue by which the heat entered the chamber. The chamber was in all probability about 14 ft. square. A tile measured proved to be about 9 3/4 ins. square and 1 3/4 ins. thick.(c) (1) No finds from this site are held by Dartford Museum,Pearson's Pit has been identified by Mr. P. J. Tester as being that centred at TQ 531735 (now disused) but the above kiln is said to have been found on the south side of Heath Lane. Perhaps the pit centred at TQ 530733 was an extension of Pearson's Pit. (2)

<1> "Dartford Express" Jan. 10th, 1913. (OS Card Reference). SKE32614.

<2> "West Kent Advertiser" Jan. 10th, 1913. (OS Card Reference). SKE32699.

<3> "Dartford Chronicle" Jan. 10th, 1913. (OS Card Reference). SKE32613.

<4> Trans. Dartford & Dist. A.S. No. 1, 1931, pp. 92-5. Illus. (S. Priest) (OS Card Reference). SKE50671.

<5> F1 ASP 16-OCT-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42140.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 28 - October, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3137.