The National School for Boys was built in 1841, and the Drill Hall in 1864. Here the Vestries were held for some years. There were two nurseries on the left hand side of the lane, and then on both sides fields till one came to Willoughby-lane. Here stood Willoughby House; there was not much architectural beauty about it; it was a one-storied, straight-looking, white building, with three windows on either side of the door, and seven on the floor above. There was not much land attached to it, only a little over nine acres in all. Mr. Henry Lewis Smale was the owner and the last occupier. In the eighteenth century it belonged to Daniel Booth, Esq., the Governor of the Bank of England.
“The Crow’s Nest,” a quaint old house, was on the opposite side of the way, and next came Willoughby Farm, the property of the Rector of St. Luke’s, Old-street, E.C. There was an old farmhouse and upwards of fifty-one acres of land.
which in the eighteenth century was called “Coney Bee’s Croft,” was formerly the Workhouse, and quite large enough for all requirements. The deeds relating to the Parish lands were kept here, in a tin box, within an iron repository.
which was built in 1841–2, is one of the largest in England, and none too large for present requirements. Coombes Croft was then used for several different purposes. At one time it was a Home for Little Boys, and afterwards offices for the Local Board of Health. This body was not organised until 1850, when the meetings were held at the Free Grammar School.
The private improvement rate was made when the main works for the water supply and drainage were approaching completion. This the owner could either pay at once, and in that case was entitled to a reduction, or it could extend over a period not exceeding thirty years. All who were able to pay in one sum did so. Mr. Heath was the first clerk. He served the Board for nineteen years, and was succeeded in 1869 by Mr. Crowne, who still holds the office of Clerk to the Tottenham Urban District Council. When Mr. Crowne first came Tottenham and Wood Green were one parish. In 1888 they were separated, and Wood Green became a separate parish in 1894. Years ago there was so little postal work that only one postman was employed for the two parishes.