Clapham in 1815: Saints, Sinners – and the first Dads’ Army
The long years of the Napoleonic wars are finally over. Life for Clapham’s residents is returning to normal – money-making in the City, politely disagreeing over religion, and vehemently arguing about slavery.
In the village, local candlemaker-turned-mapmaker, Daniel Gould, is sitting down to draw up a remarkable plan, locating the prominent households around the Common along with their pubs, schools, shops, churches and chapels.
In this illustrated talk, members of the Clapham Society’s history group led by Mike Tuffrey will identify the rich cast of characters revealed by the plan – high minded reformers, two-timing rogues, and not forgetting their erstwhile volunteer defence corps. Together these evocative stories paint a rich picture of village life more than 200 years ago.
This talk forms part of the month-long Lambeth Heritage Festival, with some 60 events organised during September by Lambeth Archives and the Lambeth Local History Forum.