Charles Payne Crawfurd

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.