DARTFORD HEATH. 179 



Morgan, like many other Lords of Manors between 

 1865 and 1S69, began to assume ownership over the 

 Common, and with a view to that, commenced the 

 digging of gravel on an extensive scale, so as to ruin 

 and deface its surface. 



The cudgels on behalf of the public were in this 

 case taken up by Mr. Charles Minet, the owner 

 of a considerable property, called Baldwyns, in the 

 same Manor. This estate had formerly belonged to 

 Cardinal Wolsey, who gave it to Cardinal College, 

 Oxford ; but on the attainder of Wolsey, it was seized 

 by Henry VIIL, who later granted it to Eton College. 

 Subsequently it was exchanged for other property, 

 and came into the possession of Mr. Minet, who, by the 

 advice of the Solicitor of the Commons Society, Mr. 

 Hunter, brought a suit against Mr. Augustus Morgan, 

 in respect of his common rights, belonging to Baldwyns, 

 to restrain the inclosure of the Heath and the exces- 

 sive digging of gravel. Mr. Minet unfortunately died 

 before the suit came to a hearing, leaving six daughters 

 his co-heirs. Ultimately, one of these ladies undertook 

 the task of saving the Heath, and was prepared to 

 prosecute the suit. Mr. Morgan, however, thought it 

 imprudent to contest the case any further. 



On June 9th, 1874, a decree was made by consent, 

 under which the Commoners were quieted in the posses- 

 sion of rights of common, and the Lord of the Manor 

 was restrained from digging, in any one year, more 

 than two roods of gravel, and two of peat, or more than 

 two acres of turf. He was also restricted in all 

 m 2 



