In 1812 the Chelsea and Brompton Dispensary was established in Sloane Square, principally through the great exertions of the Rev. George Clark, M.A., the then chaplain of the Royal Military Asylum. At the meeting convened for that purpose, the late W. Wilberforce, Esq., M.P., presided, whose name will be ever associated with the abolition of slavery, and as the advocate of almost every humane society in this country. This admirable institution indicates the rapid growth of the population. The earliest annual average of patients did not exceed 1200, in 1860 it was upwards of 6000, and since the last date the number has greatly increased. The first physicians were Dr. Ainsley and Dr. Adam Black, and its first surgeons Robert Smith and Anthony Todd Thomson, Esqrs.
Mr. Fraser’s Botanical Grounds adjoined Sloane Square. He explored distant parts of the world several times, so ardently attached was he to botanical researches. He was patronized by a large number of the nobility and gentry. His death took place, in 1811, at his residence.
It will be seen shortly that if the King’s Road, in the “Olden Times,” was almost exclusively occupied by farmers and gardeners, that, for a number of years afterwards, one of the principal attractions to it was the many celebrated nursery and floricultural grounds.
The high wall at the Royal Military Asylum, which formed the back of the boys’ lavatory, &c., and which stood more forward than the present enclosure, had no pathway whatever against it, and the road being at one part very narrow, it was not only inconvenient but at times dangerous.
Mr. Colvill’s Nursery Ground stood on the site of Colvill Terrace, and the entrance to it was at the eastern corner. His display of flowers excited general admiration, and consequently an immense number of the gentry generally paid him a daily visit during the summer season.. The grounds, however, were only enclosed with an old wooden fence, and here again there was no footway for passengers.
Mr. Thomas Davey was also a celebrated florist, and his ground was opposite what was called the White Stiles, now known as the Royal Avenue to Chelsea College. The origin of the former name arose from there being an ornamental stile at the entrances.