Extract from Evening Mail - Monday 07 November 1881

THE BURIAL ACT—Two-thirds of a large cemetery for the extensive parish of Hadlow, near Tonbridge, were consecrated on Saturday afternoon by the Bishop of Dover, under a Commission from the Archbistiop of Canterbury. The Rev, J. T. Manley, as surrogate, and Mr. Hassard, the Archbishop's registrar, were both present with the Bishop. The Rev. P. H. Monypenny. the vicar of lladlow, had from the first accepted the title of "Chairman of the Burial Board." Thirty thousand pounds was raised on the rates over 31 years; and three-and-half acres of land were secured and enclosed. The Board have worked throughout with perfect harmony. It is stated that the Archbishop will consecrate a large portion of the Wateringbury Cemetery, now approaching completion, before the close of the year.

Extract from Morning Post - Saturday 28 January 1882

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE. Dr. Parry, the Archdeacon of Canterbury, under commission from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and accompanied by Mr. Hassard, his Grace's registrar, attended on Thursday afternoon last at Wateringbury, near Maidstone, and, in pursuance of a petition received by the Primate from the Wateringbury Burial Board, consecrated three-fourths of their new cemetery. The land enclosed is part of the Prydon Hall [sic, but should be Royden Hall] estate, and has been purchased by the board from Edwin Berkeley Cook, a minor, with the approval of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice. The Rev. S. W. Phillips, the vicar of Wateringbury, had from the first accepted the office of chairman of the burial board, and not, like many clergymen, left the office to drift into other hands. The result is a cemetery formed with the most hearty goodwill, and the saving of the wasteful expense of the "two rival chapels." Hereafter, if found necessary for rainy and bad weather, some substantial rustic building can be erectad to meet the wants of all. The Church and the Dissenting chapels are both within easy range of the new cemetery. The whole of the proceedings of the board have been in perfect harmony from first to last. A short service took place at three o'clock in the old parish church, where about 150 parishioners had assembled. The Bishop of Dover delivered a stirring address, which occupied about 15 minutes. Then a procession of carriages was formed to the ground, though many persons proceeded on foot. There were present the Rev. E. H. Stapleton, rector of Mereworth; the Rev. H. S. Gladstone; the Rev. Cyril F. Grant, rector of Aylesford; Rev. W. F. Cobb, rector of Nettlestead; Rev. A. F. Russell, rector of Chingford, Essex; and Mr. Ernest Phillips. Of the burial board six members attended — namely, Messrs. T. White, 0. F. Lenny [?Leney], R. H. Fremlin, F. Russell, W. Jude, and E. J. Goodwin. The afternoon, unfortunately, turned gloomy and cold, the frost at the time being severe.

TAB Note:

There are a number of documents in Kent Archives which indicate a 1881 date for the establishment of the cemetery. I have not inspected them and the descriptions given are as per the catalogue.

1. U1508/T12, dated 1880, is a Contract for sale to Wateringbury Burial Board of land adjoining road from Mereworth to Wateringbury , with plan annexed, and additional contract referring to action Cook v. Hawes.

2. P385/23/28, dated 1881, is a conveyance of a freehold piece of land in Wateringbury from J.G. Howes, Esq., to the Burial Board for use as a burial ground

3. P385/23/27, dated 1881, is The bill of costs of Edwin Berkeley Cook in obtaining the sanction of the High Court of Justice to the sale and granting of the conveyance to the Wateringbury Burial Board of a piece of land for a cemetery.

4. DCb/E/F/Wateringbury SS Peter and Paul/1, dated 1881, is a Petition by Burial Board for consecration of a new Burial Ground.

The Burial Book indicates that the first burial was 7th February 1882 .