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Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Kentish, Nathaniel Lipscomb

1798 - 11.10.1867

Although born in Winchester, the son of a naval surgeon, Kentish spent the second half of his life in Australia. He was baptised at St Laurence church on 7 May 1798. On 7 February 1826 he married Anna Maria Judd. Kentish had a somewhat ‘chequered’ career, including pamphleteering and political agitation, and was frequently beset by financial problems.

Initially a land surveyor, his inclusion in this project arises from has attempt to create "a Great Map" of Hampshire. Beginning in 1822, the aim was to produce a map of the county at a scale of 5 inches to the mile. Consisting of at least 26 sheets, it was to be accompanied by a complete topographical description of the county. Unfortunately it was never completed due to financial mismanagement. ‘In December 1824, Kentish announced that he had sold his interests to the London firm of Greenwood, Pringle, & Co, who were to publish (in 1826) a one inch to one mile map of Hampshire in six sheets. The third printing added "N L Kentish" to the authorship, but his name was removed at the next printing in 1834.’

By now he was in Australia. His home was in Sydney at the time of his death..

Sources

Portrait

None found.

Contribution to county’s history

With respect to the “Great Map” of Hampshire Kentish’s ambition exceeded his achievements. However, he did assist in establishing the value of cartography for local history and he can be said to have contributed to the laying of conceptual foundations on which later cartographers and, in particular, the Ordnance Survey [OS] were to build. The 25 inch and 6 inch to the mile OS series have proved to be an invaluable source for local historians.

Relevant published works

  • The first map (sheet 16) to be completed, and reportedly sent to the engravers, was that of Winchester and its environs. At the Hampshire Record Office there are copies of some of his maps. For example:

    • ‘Photocopy of one sheet from a map of Hampshire surveyed by Nathaniel Kentish of Winchester, known as his 'Great Map'. The sheet has been copied in six A3 sections, showing: Chilcomb, Compton, Morestead, Otterbourne, Owslebury, Pitt, St Cross at Winchester, and Twyford. The scale is approximately 4.8 inches to one mile’ (Ref: Copy/743/1).
    • ‘Map of Hampshire surveyed by C & J Greenwood and N L Kentish, 1825-6, scale: 1 inch to 1 mile, published in 1826’ (Ref: 89A04/1).

  • By September 1823, Kentish was concentrating on the district immediately surrounding Southampton (sheet 25). At Southampton Archives can be found:
    • Map of the County of Southampton, from an actual survey, 1825-26, by C & J Greenwood. One inch to approx. 3 miles; published 4 July 1829. In colour.
    • Map of County of Southampton, scale one inch to one mile, by C & J Greenwood, 1826. Reproduced in ‘250 Years of Map Making in Hampshire’, with notes. This covers the years from 1575 to 1826 and provides details of the maps produced prior to Kentish’s efforts.

Critical Comments

Although Kentish’s aspirations were laudable, he clearly did not have the necessary range of skills to bring them fully to fruition.

Other Comments

Contributor

Roger Ottewill and Joanne Smith (7 June 2024)

Key Words

Cartography, Great Map of Hampshire

Any queries or further suggestions for this part of the list should be addressed to celebrating@hantsfieldclub.org.uk.

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