Yes, our local area seems to have a link to so many significant historical events. This time, step up Josias Dewey. Mr Dewey was a very successful maker of gunpowder. Before then, it’s amazing how many people were creating gunpowder that never actually went bang.
Josias spent at least 40 years in the area developing explosive materials at the Hackbridge Mills around what is now Wilderness Island in Carshalton.
He didn’t have far to commute. One of his homes was Strawberry Lodge, and this still stands.
Infact, Josias was very rich and he had at least three homes in the area. His main residence was called ‘Bacons’, on the site of what later became Shepley House (in 1780 to be exact). Another was the Mill House, though I’m unsure where this was – it was a long time ago. All of these buildings are now gone.
Anyway, he was a main supplier to the government of King Charles II. And in September 1666 he supplied 16 barrels of gunpowder to create a firebreak, around the area of Cripplegate in the city of London. By blowing up houses, it meant the fire couldn’t spread any further. This was one of the first times this approach had been tried, and of course, it was successful.
Before coming to the area in 1661 Josias lived and worked at Chilworth, Surrey – where there’s a lovely walk through the ruins of the old mills. It would have been a great way for him to get a taste of life at what is now Wilderness Island.
Dewey built Strawberry Lodge circa 1685
This is one of Carshalton’s oldest buildings. The house stood within 44 acres of land, and it’s presumed Dewey originally built it to rent out as an investment.
Josias Dewey died in 1698 and is buried in Carshalton.
Written and compiled by Secret Carshalton, with additional research sources: Gunpowder Mills Study Group, Michael Wilks, 1990 and The Wandle Museum, Mitcham. Got something to add, have we missed some key facts? Login and let us know in the comments. Thanks.
