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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Of the Town of Woolwich, so far as regards its buildings, we have nothing 
very interesting to record. The place, however, is of great antiquity. In 
Domesday Survey it is called Ilulviz; in the Textus JRoffensis, Wlewic; in 
1041 it is Wulewick; in the 14th century Wolwiche: and in the 16th 
century Wolwych. The most acute historians have failed in determining 
its etymology.* A few of its old half-timbered houses may still be found 
in obscure bye-streets, as in “Nile Street'' (whilom “ Hog Lane”) and in 
the portion of High Street near the Arsenal wall. They are, however, of 
the very humblest character. In Cannon Row is yet seen the Hospital 
founded in Queen Elizabeth's time by Sir Martin Bowes, Lord Mayor of 
London, as an “ Alms-house for five poor Folk.” The present structure is 
a re-erection of 1771. In our map of 1778 will be seen a block of building 
in the form of a bow and its string. That is the old Rope Yard, where in 
earlier days the Cables for the Royal Navy were manufactured. A street 
called “Rope Yard Rails” still exists on this spot. Continuing the line of 
the bowstring towards the river, we impinge on the old Market-place, 
where the Gun Wharf was situated previously to its removal to “ the 
Warren.”—(Lysons' Env. Yol. IY.; and see MS. 16,946 in Brit. Mus. for 
plan of this spot). Arrived at the river, we may mention that in the 
middle-ages the fishery of Woolwich was of considerable value, and Thames 
salmon was procured here, with various other fish. In 1320 we learn from 
the ancient Letter Books of the City of London that “Master John le 
Eisshmongere” and others “ produced at the Guild Hall, before the Mayor 
and Aldermen, sixteen nets called Kidels, taken in the Thames while under 
the charge of John de Pelham, fishmonger of Wolwiche, and John Godgrom 
of Plomstede: who said that the same kidels belonged to certain men of 
Plumstede, Lesnes, Berkynge and Erhethe, who were there named; and 
that the said kidels were placed in the water aforesaid, to the destruction of 
the small fish and salmon, &c. It was therefore adjudged by the said 
Mayor and Aldermen that the kidels should be burnt, and that the said 
fishmongers, on the peril which awaits them, should not commit the like 
offence again.”—(Riley's Memorials of London, p. 135). The lawful 
measure of the meshes of Thames nets at this time was “ two inches from 
one knot to the next nearest knot.” 
Of the Old Church we have already had some notice. The towm contains 
also several new churches ; and, like all manufacturing places, a variety of 
Dissenters' Chapels, to which star-preachers from London are often invited, 
to repair the funds of the establishments. The writer once heard Mr 
Spurgeon preach at one of these meetings. It was soon after the opening 
of the railway, and of course he “ improved the occasion.” The reverend 
gentlemen pictured the competition there would be at the latter day for the 
best rewards of Heaven, even among those who had done but little here 
below to deserve them. But vain, my brethren, vain to crush and to 
clamour ! you must produce your claims ; for there, at the Gate of Heaven, 
you will find Saint Peter, whose cry will be “ Show your tickets—show your 
tickets!” 
* PWolcUwic. 
