ESHER, (Surrey) near Walton upon Thames and Hampton-Court, of which it has a fine prospect, as well as of other parts of
Middlesex. It stands on the bank of the r. Mole, where Will. Wainfleet Bp. of Winchester erected a house, which Card.
Wolsey used to reside in during the building of Hampton-Court. Upon his death, the manor came to the crown; but was
afterwards the possession of Mr. Rich. Drake, a kinsman of Sir Francis Drake, who lived in it, and made a present to the
steeple, of a bell which he brought from St. Domingo. During the civil wars it was in the hands of Capt. Colborn, who kept
the Fleece tavern in Cornhill, London; but was purchased by John Latton, son of Tho. Latton, Esq; of Berks, who, in the
Rs. of K. William and Q. Anne, was equery, avener, &c, and held other court preferments. The gate to the aforefaid
building remaining, was turned into a dwelling-house, and purchased by the D. of Newcastle's brother, the Right Hon. Henry
Pelham, now chancellor of the exchequer, who has beautified and augmented the old part, and laid the grounds about it in a
most elegant taste, and spared no cost to make it one of the finest seats near London; but 'tis so low that it is not
seen, till you come very near it; and the mole running from Esher-Park, near the back of the house, renders it very damp,
which takes off much from the pleasure of the place.