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1818, indeed, a comparatively small proportion of the area was built over as late as 1834. The development
of St. Pancras, in fact, has practically been accomplished within the last century.*
The census figures relating to population are given below, but as these relate to St. Pancras as
a whole, and do not convey any idea as to the development of the various portions of the parish, this
subject may be briefly referred to. Only a little more than a century ago the neighbourhood of
St. Pancras church has been described by Mr. T. J. Smith as quite a rural place commanding extensive
views of open country in every direction, Whitfield's chapel in Tottenham-court-road, Montagu
House (Great Russell-street), Bedford House (Bloomsbury-square), and Baltimore House (where
Russell-square is now built), being almost the only buildings in the direction of the town which met
the eye. Even in 1832 there were persons who "remembered when the last house in London was
the public house in the corner by Whitfield's chapel." Apart from the old church itself the parish
contained at the middle of the last century little of "past interest beyond tea gardens and country
inns," though even at this time it should be noted Kentish-town was a not inconsiderable village,
"on the road to Highgate, where people take furnished lodgings in the summer, especially those
afflicted with consumption and other disorders."
During the latter half of the last century, however, there are signs of some awakening. In
1754-5, the New-road (now Euston-road) was projected. In 1756 the Foundling was opened for the
reception of infants and the foundation stone of Whitfield's chapel was laid. In 1791 the building
of Camden-town was commenced, as in that year Lord Camden let out the ground on leases for
building 1,400 houses, in the same year the Veterinary College was established, and at about this date
Somers-towii was colonised by French refugees driven over to this country by the revolution. The
interval between Southampton-place and Somers-town soon became "one vast brickfield." Burtonstreet
and Burton-crescent preserve the name of the builder "who may be regarded as the creator of
all this district." The neighbourhood of Fitzroy-square became ''studded with artists." In 1812
Regent's-park was commenced, and not long afterwards the Hampstead-road fell under "the profanation
of the builders' craft," which in due course overtook "the beautiful fields leading to and
surrounding Chalk-farm, at one time regarded by reason of their secluded position as peculiarly suited
for settling 'affairs of honour."' Then too came the growth of the railways, and in 1835 the London
and North Western terminus was located at Euston. The building of Agar-town by "Councillor
Agar "was commenced in 1840, but this district was destined to be swallowed up by the Midland
Railway in 1862. In connection with the further history of building operations in St. Pancras, it may
be noted that Gospel-oak-fields had not entirely disappeared in 1857, as a rural fair was held there as
lately as in that year, while the erection of St. John's College-park and of Highgate New-town and the
preservation of the open space of Parliament-hill-fields are matters of quite recent history.
Statistics.
The number of inhabitants of St. Pancras at the census of 1896 was 240,764. At the present
time the population is practically stationary, the estimate made for the purposes of the Equalisation of
Rates Act for the 6th April, 1898, being 240,737. The growth of population between successive census
enumerations is deserving of study. The figures relating to population and to total houses (inhabited
and uninhabited) are as follows—
Year.
1801
1811
1821
1831
1841
1851
Population.
31,779
46,333
71,838
103,548
129,763
166,956
Total houses
4,426
6,092
9,224
13,156
15,345
19,392
Year.
1861
1871
1881
1891
1896
Population.
198,788
221,465
236,363
234,379
240,764
rotal houses.
22,830
25,376
25,947
25,922
25,800
These figures show that the population of St. Pancras, after increasing fairly steadily at the rate
of about 50 per cent. in each of the first three decennia of the century, began to show signs of a falling
off in the rate of increase as early as the census of 1841. The rate of increase continued to show signs
of diminution at subsequent censuses, until in 1891 there was an actual decrease as compared with the
number enumerated in 1881, for while at the census of 1881 the population was 236,363, at that of
1891 it was only 234,379. The census of 1896, however, showed an increase of population to 240,764.
St. Pancras is at the present time almost covered with streets and buildings, but it must not be
assumed that the maximum extent of crowding of buildings upon area has been attained. As has been
already stated the open space about buildings is now being curtailed in numbers of instances, and in
the present state of the law which regulates the matter, and with the present demand for accommodation
in the parish, it is likely that this process will continue in active operation.†
The rateable value of St. Pancras (6th April, 1898) was £1,664,218 10s. The total rates raised
in the year 1896-7 amounted to 6s. 3£d. and in 1897-8 to 6s. Id. in the £, the equivalent rates in the
£ of the net grants made to St. Pancras out of the equalisation fund constituted under the London
(Equalisation of Rates) Act, 1894, since its creation, were for 1894-5 (half-year) .57d.; 1895-6, 1.18d.;
1896-7, l.03d.; 1897-8, l.09d. For the first half-year of 1898-9 the amount credited to the parish
was £3,737 5s. 6d., equivalent to a rate of .54d. in the £.
*Some insight into its peculiarities at a comparatively remote period is afforded by one of Ben Jonson's comedies, the action of
which is described as occurring in the fields and country near Kentish-town, at St. Pancras, and at Totten-court, while several local
celebrities and a nnmber ot the inhabitants of Kentish-town are prominent characters. The rural nature of the surroundings of the
localities referred to, and the prevailing lawlessness of the times, are prominently brought out as the action of the play proceeds, and the
strange manner of speech of some of the dramatis personce is particularly noteworthy. As Chambers in his Book of Days, in commenting
upon this subject, remarks, they "seem as innocent of London as if they were inhabitants of Berkshire and talk a broad country
dialect."
† This subject has been dealt with by Dr. Sykes in his report upon the diminution of open spaces about buildings, and is referred
to on pages 46, 47 and 48 of his annual report for the year 1896.