225th anniversary
Whitehead Monckton of Maidstone: a brief history
At Whitehead Monckton we can trace our roots back 225 years to the time when George III was on the throne, William and Caroline Hershel discovered Uranus, the British were beaten by the Americans and the French at the Battle of Yorktown (but they were out numbered!), William Pitt was the youngest person elected to Parliament at the tender age of 22 and railway engineer George Stephenson was born. As you can see we are in illustrious company.
John Monckton
Lance Monckton
Stephen Monckton
In 1968 the current firm of Whitehead Monckton was created by the amalgamation of Whitehead, Thomas & Urmston and Monckton Son & Collis. Both these firms had a long, but somewhat contrasting history. The firm of Whitehead, Thomas & Urmston began in premises at No. 9 King Street by George Burr in about 1781. However, between then and 1968 there were no less than 23 alterations to the firm’s name reflecting changes in partners. It seemed necessary in earlier days to reflect any change in the composition of the firm by an equivalent change in title.
By contrast, in 1825 John Monckton set up in practice at the lower end of the High Street in Maidstone and in 1839 moved to No. 70 King Street which was also used as a residence for the Monckton family. Some years later he acquired the adjoining premises at 72 King Street. Both buildings are still in use as the main office of the firm but have undergone significant changes over the years and now provide comfortable modern facilities for clients and staff.
Historically both firms were noted for their connection with public appointments including the posts of Under Sheriff of Kent, Town Clerk of Maidstone, Clerk to the Tax Commissioners, Law Society agents and Coroner of Mid Kent and Medway. Partner Stephen Beck is currently the Deputy Coroner.
The firm expanded in to the Weald of Kent in 1984 when Timothy Monckton opened a branch office in Tenterden. He still heads up that office, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004 and represents the sixth generation of the Monckton family in succession to be partners in the firm. This must be something of a record.
The firm also had a branch office in West Malling for a number of years during the 1980s and 1990s when Anthony Bishop was a partner.
The firm was one of the first law practices in the country to open an Investment Management Department in 1995 to provide an in house service to clients with investment portfolios and a dedicated independent financial service. That department continues to thrive to this day, adding important services to the wide range of legal disciplines practiced in the firm.
Whitehead Monckton is proud to have served the people of Kent for 225 years and we look forward to continuing for the next 225.
Images courtesy of Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery.