Charles
Payne Crawfurd was born at Saint Hill on 14th March 1826. Charles
was the son of Robert Payne Crawfurd (1801-1883). Charles entered
the Anglican Church and was ordained in
1850.
The Rev. Charles Crawfurd married Mary Ogle and the couple had eleven
children including Gibbs (1854), Arabella (1855), Caroline (1856),
Robert (1857), Georgina (1858), Charles (1860) and Lional (1864).
Rev. Charles Crawfurd, a curate at Bourton-on-the-Water, returned
to East Grinstead in 1863 and established a home for his family at
East Court.
Once back in East Grinstead, Charles Crawfurd became involved in the
local community. With the help of J. H. Rogers, assistant warden at
Sackville College, Crawfurd established a cottage hospital in Green
Hedges.
Crawfurd was also active in local politics. A staunch Conservative,
Crawfurd was elected to the Local Government Board in August 1884.
Appointed chairman, Crawfurd held the post until December 1894. He
was also the first chairman of the newly formed East Grinstead Urban
District Council but relinquished this post in August 1895 on medical
advice.
Although Charles Crawfurd did not return to political office after
1895, he continued to serve as a magistrate until shortly before his
death on 10th March, 1909.
(1)
East Grinstead Observer (5th May, 1900)
At the Police Court on Monday, before Reverend Charles Payne Crawfurd,
William Price, John Graydon and John Mack, were charged with refusing
to do their allocated task at the East Grinstead Workhouse that morning.
Mr. J. Williams, the master, stated that they refused to pick 4lb
of oakum. The three men were sentenced to seven days' hard labour.
(2)
East Grinstead Observer (20th April, 1904)
James Williams, master
of the East Grinstead Workhouse, said that David McDonald was admitted
to the casual ward on Monday evening. The next day he was given 4
lbs of oakum to pick and the task should have been completed by nine
o'clock the next morning. McDonald only picked up 1 lb. Mr. Williams
said the officer in charge of the casual ward told him he found the
prisoner asleep at different times during the day. Reverend Crawfurd
passed sentence of 7 days hard labour.
(3)
East Grinstead Observer (15th April,
1905)
At the Police Court on
Wednesday before Rev. Charles Payne Crawfurd, William Langridge, a
tramp was charged with sleeping out at East Grinstead on the previous
evening. When he was asked why he had not gone to the Union Workhouse
for the night he replied that he would rather go anywhere than to
the place. He was given seven days hard labour.
(4)
East Sussex News (4th September, 1903)
Another stage
in the 'Passive Resistance Movement' at East Grinstead was reached
on Monday when nine ratepayers were summoned at the Petty Sessions
for refusing to pay the poor rate, which includes a small portion
devoted to educational purposes.
Joseph Rice, assessed at £2 2s 6d, sent a cheque for £1
15s - deducted 7s 6d for educational rate. Rice said "I object
to Rev. Crawfurd and Mr. Stenning on the bench. Mr. Stenning is an
interested party, being a manager and part-owner of a so-called Voluntary
School." He added that "this was essentially a fight between
the Church of England and the Free Church." Joseph Rice had to
be taken from the court by force.
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