Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Dec 2, 2011 in
Historian Situated along the London Road in the small town of Kegworth is the former home of the 19th century poet, songwriter and friend of Lord Byron – Thomas Moore.
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore moved to The Cedars, built in the late 18th century, in 1812. He lived in the house with his wife Bessie and it was the location for the birth of his daughter, Anastasia. Moore published his first poem at the age of 14 in 1793. He achieved great success as a poet and songwriter amongst the aristocracy and became a close friend of Lord Byron.
The Cedars
While living at The Cedars, Moore wrote one of his most famous songs Irish Melodies and it is also believed he completed Those Evening Bells, inspired by the church bells of nearby Sutton Bonington. However, Thomas and Bessie Moore only lived in the house a short time as by 1813 they had moved to Ashbourne.
The Cedars
By the early Victorian period, The Cedars had become the home of framework knitters. Framework knitting was a large industry across the region during this time and the census records reveal almost every second house was occupied by framework knitters.
By the late 1870s the house had become the home of Reverend Thomas William Wasdale-Watson, the curate of Kegworth. The 1881 census records the Reverend in the house with one domestic servant, as well as 20 year old boarder, John Mayers from Suffolk, recorded as a ‘lunatic’. It has proven difficult to discover more of John Mayers, so his story remains a mystery.
1881 census showing John Mayers - lunatic (The National Archives)
For more on the history of The Cedars you can read my blog for Country Life or go to The history of The Cedars – Kegworth
For more details about the property, on the market with Chesterton Humberts, go to - The Cedars
Tags: Chesterton Humberts, framework knitters, Irish Melodies, John Mayers, Kegworth, Lord Byron, poet, Reverend Thomas William Wasdale-Watson, The Cedars, Thomas Moore, Those Evening Bells
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Nov 28, 2011 in
Historian I recently researched a house on one of the oldest streets in Chelsea – Cheyne Row. Most famously it is known for the former residence of writer Thomas Carlyle, but I was sent to research a more recent house formerly home to the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth.
William Booth
The house along Cheyne Row was part of a terraced row completed in 1849 by builder developer, John Todd. It was first known as No.12 and Mr Todd chose to make it his own home.
Cheyne Row
At the time of the 1851 census, Mr Todd was 34 years old and recorded as ‘builder’ employing 24 men. He was in the house with his 33 year old wife, Ann, and their six children aged between one month and ten years old. John Todd was a successful builder in the area as ten years later, at the time of the 1861 census, he was living in a larger house in Milner Street and he was ‘employing 72 men and 10 boys’.
By the late 1860s through to the 1880s, the house along Cheyne Row had become the home of John Todd’s eldest son, Alfred, an assistant decorator and an insurance agent. Although, at the time of the 1881 census he was recorded as a draughtsman.
Cheyne Row
It was in 1889 that the house along Cheyne Row became a Salvation Army Training Depot headed by preacher, philanthropist and founder, William Booth.
William Booth 1900
However, the cadets in the Salvation Army did not live quietly in Chelsea. The Times newspaper reports a number of occurances in 1889 of police incidents related to the residents of Cheyne Row. These included ‘wilfully obstructing the public footway with preaching’ and another causing a nuisance with ‘loud singing and clapping of hands’. Another incident involved Captain Arthur Reynolds and 14 other members of the army involved in ‘disorderly conduct, causing a crowd to assemble, and refusing to disperse…whereby the thoroughfare was obstructed and a breach of the peace rendered probable.’ The house did not remain a training depot for the Salvation Army for long, as by 1894-5 the London directory records that the house had become ‘St Vincent’s Orphanage’ with mistress, Sister Mary Francis.
Cheyne Row
The house later became the home of German author, Gustav Glaser and renowned children’s author and publisher, Frederick Joseph Harvey Darton.
To read the complete history of the house along Cheyne Row go to – The history of No.33 Cheyne Row
For more details on the property for sale with Chesterton Humberts go to – Cheyne Row
Tags: Chelsea, Chesterton Humberts, cheyne row, frederick joseph harvey darton, gustav glaser, john todd, salvation army, thomas carlyle, william booth
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Nov 15, 2011 in
Historian I have recently spent quite a bit of time researching in Wiltshire and Somerset and in particular in some of the small villages between Bath and Chippenham. One of my recent house histories, also featured in my latest blog for Country Life, is The Old Rectory in Biddestone.
The Old Rectory
The house was designed by architect, George Alexander in the early 1840s. It has been suggested that it was in fact built in the 1820s, but documentary evidence, as well as architectural evidence clearly identifies it as built in the early Victorian period, between 1840 and 1850.
George Alexander was a Fellow Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Institute of British Architects, and exhibited at the Royal Academy a number of times between 1831 and 1849, including designs for interiors for St George’s Hall, Liverpool and the Athenaeum Institute in Sheffield.
Early sketch of The Old Rectory
The early residents were the curates of Biddestone St Peter, but in the 1860s it officially became the home of the rector of Biddestone, Reverend John Emra. It continued as the home of consecutive rectors of Biddestone throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
For more details – The history of The Old Rectory – Biddestone
And for sales particulars and details from Chesterton Humberts visit our website – The Old Rectory
Tags: Bath, Biddestone, Chesterton Humberts, Chippenham, Country Life, George Alexander, John Emra, The Old Rectory, Wiltshire
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Oct 17, 2011 in
Historian A short time ago, I was asked to research a house that wasn’t particularly old, but had a significant link to a momentus historic event. Rather than a famous resident or being built on an ancient site, this house in a small village in Lincolnshire was direcctly connected to the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, who fought in the Battle of Arnhem during World War II.
Millfield - Colsterworth
Built in around 1905, Millfield has had a few links with military history, but is was the connection with the parachute regiment and the Battle of Arnhem that has dominated its story. Their heroic efforts in the battle were also re-told in the famous film, A Bridge Too Far, featuing Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier, amongst a long list of other notable actors.
A Bridge Too Far - 1977
The day before the parachute regiment left Millfield to fly over to Arnhem, Private Vincent Goodman completed an illustration of the house at that time.
Millfield 1944 by Vincent Goodwin
However, Private Goodman is not only noted for his illustration of the house, but also his extraordinary story of his survival during the Battle of Arnhem. He later returned to Millfield and told his story. He was advised by his commanding officer to sew pennies into the breast pocket of his uniform for additional protection, and on his return to Millfield he still had the remains of one of those pennies that saved his life when he was hit by a bullet.
Vincent Goodwin with penny
For more on the history of Millfield you can read my latest blog for Country Life or go to the complete story - The history of Millfield – Colsterworth
For more details of Millfield, on the market with Chesterton Humberts, go to – Millfield
Tags: A Bridge Too Far, Battle of Arnhem, Chesterton Humberts, Colsterworth, Laurence Olivier, Lincolnshire, Michael Caine, Millfield, parachute regiment, Sean Connery, Vincent Goodwin, World War II
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Sep 27, 2011 in
Historian I have lately been researching houses across different parts of the country, including hunting lodges in Leicestershire, 16th century cottages in Cornwall (see last post) and most recently a Victorian rectory and a Georgian town house in Wiltshire.
The Old Rectory
I admit that Wiltshire is one of my favourite parts of Great Britain, although whenever I go somewhere new I decide that is my favourite, so this is liable to change with every new trip. However, visiting the archives in Chippenham allows me to drive through beautiful villages such as Pickwick and Box, as well as past one of my favourite views.
However, along with spectactular views and picturesque villages, the two recent houses have been quite challenging to research in their own individual ways. Firstly, the rectory, while only constructed in the 19th century was a bit tricky because conflicting information about when it was built caused a bit of a hurdle. However, after a visit to the RIBA Library in London I managed to track down the architect, who designed the house in the early 1840s, and was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities, exhibiting at the Royal Society many times between 1831 and 1849.
The second house has had a very different life, built as a large town house for a wealthy family in the early 1700s, changing many times to become a bank and offices.
The house, situated in the heart of a beautiful Wiltshire village has managed to retain many period features, including a protected staircase.
The house would in fact be ideal for a fabulous restoration to bring it back to life as a large family home.
Researching the house was also a bit of challenge, with many changes over the years, but with the help of the current owner, it has been established by trawling through deeds and a number of wills that the house was owned by the Perry family in the mid 18th century, and it is possible from its construction in around 1720.
Will of owner in early 1800s
Not only does this house offer the opportunity for a beautiful restoration, but it has the most spectactular views from the roof (a dream roof terrace).
I will be posting more on the houses of Wiltshire in the coming weeks, but thought I would post a ‘taster’ of what’s to come.
For more details about homes for sale in Wiltshire visit our website – www.chestertonhumberts.com
Tags: Box, Chesterton Humberts, Chippenham, Georgian, Pickwick, rectory, RIBA Library, Royal Society, Society of Antiquities, Wiltshire
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Sep 7, 2011 in
Historian I’ve recently been spending a lot of time on research trips around the country, including a trip down to beautiful Cornwall. I was asked to research two houses, both dating back to at least the 16th century (and possibly earlier!). The first of the Cornish houses was Trevithick Barton believed to be on the site of a Medieval monastery or manor house.
Trevithick Barton
However, not only does Trevithick Barton have a lengthy history, but it has also been the former home of an Admiral of the Fleet, Arthur Kempe, who sailed with Captain Cook in the pacific, as well as fighting in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Trevithick Barton - front door
During the 18th century, the house was almost in the possession of Lord Peter King, Lord Chancellor, but he passed away before inheriting it, so it passed to his wife, Ann Lady King Dowager Baroness of Ockham.
The earliest reference to ‘Trevithick’ has been traced back to 1303 when Edward I was King of England. However, the first documentary evidence directly connected with the house dates back to the 1530s when it was the home of Thomas Trevithick.
Title deeds 1602 - Cornwall Archives and Cornish Studies Service
Along with interesting former owners and residents, Trevithick Barton retains a number of historic architectural features, including stone floors featuring reused stone with mouldings, timber beams, granite moulded doorway, and a former back-to-back fireplace.
Detail on fireplace
Trevithick Barton interior
However, it also has a number of mysterious anomalies where doors have moved, hidden plasterwork appears in the roof, and even an old cellar is believed to be hidden under the floor.
There is quite a lot to the story of Trevithick Barton and more details are in my latest blog post for Country Life. However, the full history can be found here – The history of Trevithick Barton
For more details of Trevithick Barton – for sale with Chesterton Humberts – go to Trevithick Barton
Tags: /trevithick Barton, Admiral of the fleet, Arthur Kempe, Captain Cook, Cornwall, Lord Chancellor, Lord Peter King, St Ewe
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Aug 3, 2011 in
Historian The history of West Wantley is packed full of historic characters, formerly owned by the Shelley family, along with a former Archbishop of Canterbury, a writer and inventor, and was also visited by Clementine Churchill.
West Wantley
West Wantley is believed to date back to the 15th century, although there is some speculation that the earliest part of the house could in fact be as early as the 14th century.
Like many houses of this age it has seen a number of alterations and additions, but fortunately a number of historic features still remain in the house, including exposed timber beams and a large inglenook fireplace. The inglenook fireplace also features a cupboard for salt, a seat, and high up within the chimney is a recess for curing bacon, believed to be so large a man can lie full length in it.
When writer and inventor, Richard Haines inherited the house and estate from his father, he set about a large rebuilding and a date plaque over the entrance porch shows the initials R H M, for Richard and Mary Haines, along with the date 1656. A large drain head on the west side of the house also features the date 1656.
Drain head with date 1656
However, it was in the 18th and early 19th centuries that the house was owned by the Shelley family. In 1815, the estate was in the hands of Sir Timothy Shelley, 2nd baronet of Castle Goring, and father of the renowned romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. However, by this time, Shelley was 25 and had already written a number of books, as well as been married and run off to Switzerland with the writer, Mary Wollstonecraft. He died only a few years later, in 1822, in a boating accident in Italy. When Sir Timothy died in 1844, the baronetcy and estate passed to the son of the poet Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft, Percy Florence Shelley.
West Wantley interior
By the 1890s, West Wantley had become the home of Cecil and Mary Paget and it was during this time that Mary Paget would often invite the young Clementine Hozier, the future wife of Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, to stay. It is believed she visited West Wantley a number of times, before she travelled to Europe with her family as a teenager. Clementine married Winston Churchill in 1908.
West Wantley is featured in my latest blog post for Country Life but if you’d like to read the complete history, you can go to - The history of West Wantley
For more details about West Wantley, on the market with Chesterton Humberts, visit
Tags: Archbishop of Canterbury, Castle Goring, Chesterton Humberts, Clementine Churchill, Country Life, inglenook fireplace, Mary Paget, Mary Wollstonecraft, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Percy Florence Shelley, Richard Haines, Sir Timothy Shelley, Sir Winston Churchill, Sussex, timber beams, West Wantley
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jul 12, 2011 in
Historian Last night a crowd of historians, journalists and property people all gathered to celebrate the launch of my first book – House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door published by The History Press.
The book is a collection of stories of different houses from across the country. It features all sorts of different houses from fishermens cottages to Mayfair townhouses. Whether they’re big or small they all have a story. There are some homes which were formerly occupied by prime ministers and famous writers, as well as the understated ‘ordinary’ houses in villages and towns across the country.
The book is now available in all good bookstores as well as the many online book shops. For more details you can visit The History Press or The Book Depository or Amazon.co.uk
But, for a glimpse into the launch party last night here are a few photos 
With friends and fellow historians - Jonathan Foyle and Nick Barratt
With Robert Bartlett and Bel Mooney
Ladies from the Belgravia Residents Association
Editorial girls from the History Press
Amanda Laxton and Monica Rowe - Chesterton Humberts
with Nick Barratt
with Mohamed Nurmohamed - Chesterton Humberts
Signing book for Nigel Lewis - Primelocation
Bel Mooney and Robert Bartlett
Nigel Lewis, Elizabeth Tagge and Giles Milner
with Simon Umfreville - Chesterton Humberts
with Debra Stroud - Chesterton Humberts
Tags: Bel Mooney, Chesterton Humberts, house histories, House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door, Jonathan Foyle, melanie backe-hansen, Nick Barratt, Nigel Lewis, Robert Bartlett, The History Press
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jun 20, 2011 in
Historian My latest blog for Country Life features the story of Postern Heath on the outskirts of Tonbridge. The Grade II listed house features exposed timbers and a large brick fireplace, dating back to the 17th century, although possibly earlier. However, the house was refronted in the early 1700s with the beautiful Queen Anne facade that we see today.
Postern Heath
The house sits within an area that was formerly parkland attached to Tonbridge Castle. A survey in 1521 clearly shows the entire area attached to the castle, which at that time was owned by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. By 1542, the land had passed to Sir Ralph Vane, but who was later executed at Tower Hill in 1552. Queen Mary I then granted the estate to Sir Thomas Vane.
Exposed timbers and brick and stone fireplace
The relevant documents for Postern Heath in the 17th and 18th centuries are difficult to decipher so it’s unclear of the exact transfer of property during this time. However, it appears that by the 1670s the area was in the hands of Thomas Weller, who had also acquired Tonbridge Castle by this time. In fact, Thomas Weller is most rememberd for his involvement in a skirmish near Tonbridge Castle during the Civil War in 1643. But, it is also believed that Thomas Weller was responsible for the first construction of Postern Heath.
By the mid 18th century, it appears that Postern Heath was owned by John Eldridge, and then by 1780, James Eldridge West. Throughout the 19th century Postern Heath, then known as Postern Farm, continued as a farm house and even into the 20th century was still the home of a farmer and his family.
In the early 1960s Postern Heath was acquired by Mrs Heinz, wife of Jack Heinz of the world-famous Heinz Company. She began work in modernising the house, but by 1965 she had sold the house and it became the home of John Farrington, a retired mining engineer.
For more of the story of Postern Heath you can read the complete history here – The history of Postern Heath – Tonbridge
For more details regarding the sale of Postern Heath visit our website at – Postern Heath
Tags: Chesterton Humberts, Civil War, Jack Heinz, James Eldridge West, John Eldridge, Mrs Heinz, Posten Heath, Queen Anne, Queen Mary I, Sir Ralph Vane, Sir Thomas Vane, Thomas Weller, Tonbridge, Tonbridge Castle
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jun 15, 2011 in
Historian I have recently been spending a lot of time researching key areas across London, including
Chelsea Garden Squares and
Belgravia [follow the links to previous posts on these two histories].
One of my more recent area histories took me to north London, looking at the history of Islington Squares. The full brochure can be viewed here – Islington Squares
Myddelton Square c.1914
Prior to the 19th century, much of Islington was still open fields and was actually known as an escape away from London. It was also renowned for its provision of milk and cheese and became known as the ‘Dairy of London’.
Like much of London, the 19th century brought rapid growth in population and new building spread rapidly to the outer suburbs. The squares of Islington were built during the early to mid 19th century and all have differing stories and histories. They were built across different estates, designed by different architects, and have been home to a great mix of residents. The histories vary from the New River Head near Myddelton Square, the medieval and Tudor connections with Cannonbury Square and the rumour of a Roman fort on the site of Barnsbury Square.
Thornhill Square c.1900s
For the full story of the histories of Islington’s Squares delve into the brochure – available online here – Islington Squares
For more details about property in Islington visit our website – www.chestertonhumberts.com
Or contact our team – Chesterton Humberts Islington
Tags: Barnsbury Square, Cannonbury Square, Chesterton Humberts, dairy of london, garden squares, Islington, Myddelton Square, New River Head, Thornhill Square
