Aesculus
Active Member
In our extensive collection of old Baily's Hunting Directory's we have come across some diary entries from 1923-24 written in almost indecipherable long hand some if which I give below but has anyone idea as the the identity of the hunt (as he refers frequently to leaving kennels) or the diarist? He (assuming its a he) makes reference to a Capt ET Boylan being elected master (and we have no record of him in our archive) but the geography in the entries is also odd, taking in territory that was in 1923:- Old Surrey, Eridge, West Kent, Tickham and Essex Union and we are also assuming its a foxhound as opposed to a harrier pack.
I would be grateful for any help in getting closer to the identity of the diarist.
Here are selection of the diary entries-
Monday 5th November 1923
Shoreham Church.
11½ couple on. Field of 34. I rode The Duchess. This is the Knockholt Station “line” (but does away with long hack on Main Road, + … down steep hill from Shepherd's ….
Fine day, but going distinctly on heavy side.
Considerable amount of grip. The Duchess went well, but is nothing like fit yet.
Thursday 8th November 1923
Bell Hotel, Upminster.
10½ couple on. Field of 56 including 5 local people. I rode Trojan. Took out …...'s Red'st, but failed to pick up at the check. Bo...... rode my new charger, The Countess, … …, but had an awful time with her. She had the adventure …... Veterinary Hospital with a cut about 6 inches long on the face. Hounds hunted well on a catchy scent. A very fine day.
Saturday 10th November 1923
Went to Opening Meet of West Kent at the Kennels, Otford.
Showery, little or no scent, spent whole day in woods.
Monday 12th November 1923
The Kennels – 2.15.
12 couple on. Field of 67. A very powerful line, on the long side, causing considerable amount of refusals + grief. Found in Jackwoods, across to Hammell's + the Woodman. Down Drays' Lane + hack to bottom end of Jackwood Lane. Behind Rose's (now Glass's) up to Eltham Golf Course. Across Place's + …....... to … Eltham. Through Keene's up to Coldharbour Farm.
Rode Tommy.
Thursday 15th November 1923
Ash Church at 2.15.
11 couple on. All hunted well, especially Gamecock, Bridesmaid, Plesance + Bramley. Scent very weak owing to heavy rain + wind. Field of 44. Went out by back with Homewood. Poured until unkennelling at Portobello Inn, when it dried up + has had a very nice run
Rode Trojan.
Monday 19th November 1923
Eltham & Mottingham Station.
A very enjoyable day in spite of line being narrow. 12½ couple on. Field of 85. I rode Tommy. Homewood on The Duchess. Tommy did not go too well, refusing a lot chiefly on account of pace. Hounds had difficulty in opening up on to the line, but when once settled down to it, went a tremendous pace. Considerable amount of refusals + a good deal of grief. Fine, after frost, but going fairly heavy.
Jupiter threw up after about half-way, but …... …... Veteran ran into …...... Wood, but the 'lay on' + found his own way back to kennel.
Friday 23rd November 1923
Havering Church.
A very good line. 11 couple on. Field of 41. Rode Trojan first point, which hounds ran very fast and well. Rode The Duchess second point, which we slow-hunted, as I had not walked the line, which was a variation of last years, it was very interesting. Little grip and going very bad. Fine, cold day. Ran to Romford
I would be grateful for any help in getting closer to the identity of the diarist.
Here are selection of the diary entries-
Monday 5th November 1923
Shoreham Church.
11½ couple on. Field of 34. I rode The Duchess. This is the Knockholt Station “line” (but does away with long hack on Main Road, + … down steep hill from Shepherd's ….
Fine day, but going distinctly on heavy side.
Considerable amount of grip. The Duchess went well, but is nothing like fit yet.
Thursday 8th November 1923
Bell Hotel, Upminster.
10½ couple on. Field of 56 including 5 local people. I rode Trojan. Took out …...'s Red'st, but failed to pick up at the check. Bo...... rode my new charger, The Countess, … …, but had an awful time with her. She had the adventure …... Veterinary Hospital with a cut about 6 inches long on the face. Hounds hunted well on a catchy scent. A very fine day.
Saturday 10th November 1923
Went to Opening Meet of West Kent at the Kennels, Otford.
Showery, little or no scent, spent whole day in woods.
Monday 12th November 1923
The Kennels – 2.15.
12 couple on. Field of 67. A very powerful line, on the long side, causing considerable amount of refusals + grief. Found in Jackwoods, across to Hammell's + the Woodman. Down Drays' Lane + hack to bottom end of Jackwood Lane. Behind Rose's (now Glass's) up to Eltham Golf Course. Across Place's + …....... to … Eltham. Through Keene's up to Coldharbour Farm.
Rode Tommy.
Thursday 15th November 1923
Ash Church at 2.15.
11 couple on. All hunted well, especially Gamecock, Bridesmaid, Plesance + Bramley. Scent very weak owing to heavy rain + wind. Field of 44. Went out by back with Homewood. Poured until unkennelling at Portobello Inn, when it dried up + has had a very nice run
Rode Trojan.
Monday 19th November 1923
Eltham & Mottingham Station.
A very enjoyable day in spite of line being narrow. 12½ couple on. Field of 85. I rode Tommy. Homewood on The Duchess. Tommy did not go too well, refusing a lot chiefly on account of pace. Hounds had difficulty in opening up on to the line, but when once settled down to it, went a tremendous pace. Considerable amount of refusals + a good deal of grief. Fine, after frost, but going fairly heavy.
Jupiter threw up after about half-way, but …... …... Veteran ran into …...... Wood, but the 'lay on' + found his own way back to kennel.
Friday 23rd November 1923
Havering Church.
A very good line. 11 couple on. Field of 41. Rode Trojan first point, which hounds ran very fast and well. Rode The Duchess second point, which we slow-hunted, as I had not walked the line, which was a variation of last years, it was very interesting. Little grip and going very bad. Fine, cold day. Ran to Romford
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