A Visit to Smiths Hall -1834

"Recrossing Coxheath, we paid a visit to West Farleigh. Smiths Hall, the residence of Sir H. FitzHerbert, Bart., stands on the site of an old mansion of the same name, which for many centuries belonged to the Brewer family. In the reign of John, William de Brewer, of Smiths Hall, was Lieutenant of Dover castle. Tutsham, or Totesham Hall, stands about three quarters of a mile to the westward of the church; the present house is chiefly modern, but some parts of the original mansion are still to be seen. John de Totesham was one of the Judges of the great Assize under King John. The view from this spot is exceedingly fine: immediately beneath the eye is a most lovely valley, in which the corn field, the hop garden, the orchard, and the mead, interspersed with stately trees, unite their varied beauties, amidst which, the Medway holds its path, enlivening with its silvery mazes the charms of the prospect, which is bounded on the left hand by the high part of Mereworth park, in front, by the church, village, mansion and park of Teston, and on the right by the rising ground of Barming, and the Boxley hills, which are seen in the distance."

from - "A Brief Historical and Descriptive Account of Maidstone and Its Environs," S.C. Lempreys, 1834. Page 100