Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Mar 1, 2010 in
Historian St Benedicts Priory in Deeping St. James, featured in my latest blog for
Country Life, was built in the early 1600s on the site of a 12th century priory. Today, St Benedicts Priory is Grade II * listed and retains many original features including a fine Jacobean staircase and the original thick studded wooden front door.
St Benedicts Priory
The history of St Benedicts Priory offers many stories about the people who have lived in the house and called it home, as well as former land owners who were involved with significant historic events involving the Kings of England and some who were closely linked with events during the English Civil War.
However, we can’t move on to the 17th century before having a brief look at the original priory, located on the very site of the house, from the 12th century. The priory was founded by Baldwin Fitz Gilbert in 1139 and dedicated to Saint James. The priory was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539 and the lands and buildings granted to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk (Anne Boleyn’s uncle) in 1540.
The lords of the manor of Deeping St. James in the 17th century, were the Wymondsold family. The earliest documentary evidence of the house is an indenture from 1659 specifically naming the former priory lands (including today’s St Benedicts Priory – then simply known as the Priory Farm). The document details the transfer of the land from William Wymondsold of Putney to his grandsons.
1659 Indenture for manor of Deeping St. James - Lincolnshire Archives
William Wymondsold was a prominent gentleman in Putney (today’s south west London) and was high sheriff during the Civil War. Most particularly, William Wymonsold was present at the Putney Debates in 1647 and General Fairfax was billeted to his house. Other members of the Wymondsold family held high positions in the court of Kings, including Sir Dawes Wymondsold, a favourite of Charles II and Robert Wymondsold was knighted by James II in 1684.
The Wymondsold family ceased to be lords of the manor of Deeping St. James by the turn of the 18th century when it had transferred into the hands of the Whichcote family. It is not clear if this was through marriage, or whether the Whichcote family actually purchased the manor.
Sir Jeremy Whichcote was created baronet by Charles II in 1660, but by the mid 1700s the lord of the manor was Sir Christopher Whichcote, who lived at Aswarby Hall in Sleaford. A surviving rent receipt from 1776 for Priory Farm shows the payment of fifteen pounds, five shillings and six pence for the annual rent on the farm. The receipt also clearly identifies the occupant at this time was Mr. John Pawlett.
1776 rent receipt for Priory Farm - Lincolnshire Archives
It is uncertain how long before this time the Pawlett family had lived at Priory Farm, but they are recorded at the farm throughout the late 18th century into the 19th century. During the 1770s the rent books show that John Pawlett occupied the farmhouse, as well as farmed over 400 acres of land.
John Pawlett was actively involved in the local community, acting as vestryman (early council member) and was overseer of the poor (responsible for distribution of money to the poor). John’s son, also called John, followed after his father and became chief constable of Deeping St. James during the 1840s.
The Pawlett family continued at the Priory Farm until the 1885, when Edmund Pawlett passed away and the house transferred to Richard Ward. It is also believed that the freehold of the house was purchased by the Ward family at this time.
St Benedicts Priory staircase
By the turn of the 20th century Priory Farm had passed to Richard Ward’s son, Albert, but by 1919 had once again passed on, this time to Albert’s son, John.
The mid 20th century saw a lot of change at the Priory Farm and by the 1980s the house was in much need of restoration and care. Fortunately, the Rickard family bought the house in 1987 and spent many years restoring the house. It was at this time that the house also acquired the new name, St Benedicts Priory.
St Benedicts Priory is for sale with Chesterton Humberts – for more information visit our website
For the complete history of the house – The history of St Benedicts Priory – Deeping St James
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Feb 8, 2010 in
Historian Fosters Farm has been situated in the open fields of Kent since the late 15th century. It began life as a medieval hall, but has seen a great many alterations and additions to transform it into a comfortable home for the 21st century. Today is it Grade II listed and features original 16th and 17th century timber beams, as well as 17th century oak stairs.
Fosters Farm - Haysden Lane
Fosters Farm was formerly part of the manor of Bidborough, which can be traced back to the 13th century and the time of Edward I. However, when the house was built it belonged to the Vane family, but in 1551 Sir Ralph Vane was found guilty of high treason and hung at Tower Hill in 1552. When Elizabeth I came to the throne she granted the manor to her cousin, Henry Carey, the nephew of Anne Boleyn, son of Mary Boleyn. It is also thought that he could have even been the illegitimate son of Henry VIII!
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the manor was in the hands of the Smythe family, but it was during this period that Fosters Farm and surrounding land were sold. In the earliest surviving land tax records, in 1780, the farm was owned by Thomas Constable, but by 1790 had passed to William Crundell. At this time the farm was occupied by James Godwin.
Fosters Farm dining room
It was in the early 1800s that the farm house became the home of Lawrence and Elizabeth Foster – where the farm gained the name that has carried on for 200 years to today. The 1841 census shows Lawrence Foster, 72 years old, living in the house with 63 year old Elizabeth and their 25 year old unmarried daughter, Jane.
By the mid 19th century Fosters Farm was owned by John Deacon of ‘Williams, Deacon, Labouchere & Co.’, a prominent high street bank. While the Deacon family continued as the owners, the occupiers of the farm changed a number of times, until the turn of the 20th century it was home to George Hewitt, a ‘house painter’.
1901 census - The National Archives
Through the early to mid 20th century the ownership, as well as the occupation of Fosters Farm changed a number of times. It was in the early 1950s that Fosters Farm was purchased by the Vizard’s and it has continued in the family to this day.
For more information on Fosters Farm visit – Chesterton Humberts
For the full history of the house – The History of Fosters Farm
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Feb 3, 2010 in
Historian 
I am honoured to have won the ‘Best Newcomer’ award in the Prime Location blog awards amidst very tough competition, as well as being shortlisted in the ‘Best Blog’ and ‘Users Favourite’ categories. Thank you so much to all those who voted and all the twitter supporters, I really appreciate all the support and comments.
Chesterton Humberts’ House Historian named ‘Best Newcomer’ blog by PrimeLocation.com
What Prime Location said:
The House Historian
Chesterton Humbert’s in-house historian Melanie Backe-Hansen is one clever lady. Her blog ran away with the Best Newcomer crown, thanks to its unique and original content (Melanie spends her time digging up the past of houses and streets – and then shares her findings on her beautifully presented blog).
The voting for ‘Users Favourite’ was certainly tough and congratulations to winner, Renter Girl, but also sincere commiserations to The Rat and Mouse. Congratulations also to the winner of the ‘Best Blog’ – A Little Drop of Congac
The awards certainly reveal a certain shift in the way social media can be used effectively in the property industry, but I’m also pleased that a subject like the history of houses has inspired readers and gained support across a wide spectrum of our media savvy society!
Thank you again – and another house history blog will be on its way soon!
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jan 25, 2010 in
Historian Late last year I was approached to speak at the Listed Property Owners Club show in February 2010 and in a lead up to the show (website) I’ve written an article for their latest magazine, Listed Heritage Jan/Feb 10. This has inspired me to feature the house, The Old Sweet Shop, in my blog!
The Old Sweet Shop - Chipstead
The Old Sweet Shop is a fabulous example of a house that has had many lives, but still retains an unmistakable historic character. It began life as a medieval hall house (attached to its neighbours) dating back to the late 15th century. For much of its early history the house would have been home to farmers and labourers working the land. Sadly, with very few early documents it is not possible to give exact details of the early residents, however, by the 18th and 19th centuries we can see that the house was still intact and home to the Cowland family.
The Cowland family appear to be connected to the house for many years, but it was during the mid 19th century that the house was divided into three separate homes, with No.22 becoming a grocers and sweet shop.
Children gather outside the sweet shop (late 19th century)
Sometime during the 1850s a large Victorian shop window was added to the house as it became a focal point for the village of Chipstead. A few years later No.26 (the other end of the house) became the working men’s club.
By the early 20th century the estate owners were selling the land and holdings, including the three homes along the Chipstead High Street. The Sales particulars show the homes described as “Two Old Fashioned Freehold cottages and the Working Men’s Club”. No.22 was described as “the end cottage compris[ing] a Shop and Parlour, Kitchen and Cellar…three good Bed Rooms and an Attic”.
1916 Sales particular
After the house was sold it was converted back to a family home and has remained so ever since. It was only in the last few years that the owners renamed the house ‘The Old Sweet Shop’ to honour its former history.
For the full history of the house go to – The history of the Old Sweet Shop
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jan 11, 2010 in
Historian My travels around the history of buildings has recently brought about another collaboration with history magazine, History Today. A short time ago I went for a walk around the streets of Chelsea with History Today’s Kathryn Hadley, trying to ’sum-up’ the extensive history of the area into bite-size snippets. The result was the first of a series of history walks for the History Today blog – Walking through Chelsea: then and now
Kathryn and I had a great time wandering past the Royal Chelsea Hospital, Sloane Square, Kings Road and of course Cheyne Walk and the old Chelsea by the river. I have had the opportunity to research a number of houses in this area and it is absolutely bursting with historic connections and famous residents. One of these is the mansion block, Carlyle Mansions.
The History of Carlyle Mansions
Carlyle Mansions - Cheyne Walk
Carlyle Mansions has been given the name ‘the writers block’ because of its many literary connections, as it has formerly been the home of T.S. Eliot, Ian Fleming and Henry James, amongst many others. Carlyle Mansions, named after another famous Chelsea author, Thomas Carlyle, was built in 1886 by Messrs Sandon Brothers to the designs of Walter Seckham Witherington.
Illustration of Carlyle Mansions - The Builder 1886
Ian Fleming moved to No.24 Carlyle Mansions in August 1950 and it was from here that he began the famous James Bond series of books, completing his first draft of Casino Royale in early 1952.
Henry James, American author of Wings of a Dove and The Potrait of A Lady, lived at No.21 Carlyle Mansions from January 1913 until his death in February 1916.
Poet, T.S. Eliot lived at No.19 Carlyle Mansions from 1946 until 1957, where he wrote Notes towards the Definition of Culture (1948), and plays The Cocktail Party (1949) and The Confidential Clerk (1953).
Other notable authors at Carlyle Mansions have included Erskine Childers, Irish author of The Riddle of the Sands and novelist and playwright Somerset Maugham, who briefly lived at Carlyle Mansions in 1904.
For more go to – The History of Carlyle Mansions
For more of the history of Cheyne Walk see my earlier post – ‘Desperate Romantics in Chelsea’
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Jan 4, 2010 in
Historian Happy New Year to you all!
Now that the crazy (but fun) Christmas and new year period is over, it is well and truly time that I told you about another house history. The house I’ve chosen was one I completed a short while ago, but it was so full of history that I just had to blog about it.
No.47 Downshire Hill has had so many associations with artists that it is near impossible to fit it all in to an overview, so for the full history, please go here – The History of No.47 Downshire Hill
Downshire Hill garden
No.47 Downshire Hill was completed in 1820 at a time when the area was already popular with prominent residents, including the poet, John Keats and artists, John Constable and Dante Gabriel Rosetti.
Among the many notable residents in the house was Italian artist and mosaicist, Gaetano Meo. Gaetano Meo started his artistic career as a sought after model for artists such as Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Alma Tadema and Lord Leighton. However, Meo was an artist in his own right and exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy, but it was for his mosaics that he is most remembered. He is most noted for his mosaics in the Dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s Chapel in Westminster Cathedral.
It was during the early 20th century that No.47 Downshire Hill once again became the home of artists, but in this case it was an entire family of artists – the Carline family. In particular, it was three children within the Carline family who acquired the most fame as artists - Sydney, Richard and Hilda. Along side the family, the house was also open to many of their friends who came for the friendship and hospitality, but also for the critical debate and inspiration when they gathered together. The artists became known as ‘The Hampstead Circle’ and exhibited predominately in the New English Art Club and The London Group.
Gathering on the Terrace at 47 Downshire Hill by Richard Carline
This painting by Richard Carline features artists who regularly visited the house; Stanley Spencer, James Wood, Kate Foster, Richard Hartley, Henry Lamb, and Annie, Hilda and Sydney Carline.
After World War II No.47 Downshire Hill once again became a house associated with artists. This time it was Fred and Diana Uhlman, who setup the Free German League of Culture and the Artists’ Refuge Committee with the prime goal of helping artists escape Nazi occupied Europe. In particular, they welcomed controversial artist, John Heartfield, who escaped persecution in Nazi Germany in 1938. Heartfield is attributed with creating the photomontage art form that was later made famous by the punk scene in the 1980s.
Adolph The Superman (1932) by John Heartfield
John Heartfield was honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque for his residence at No.47 Downshire Hill in 2004.
For much more on the history of No.47 Downshire Hill and more details of the artists who have called it home, go to – The History of No.47 Downshire Hill
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Dec 18, 2009 in
Historian Wick House in Salisbury is a late Victorian country house that has formerly been the home of a number of distinguished residents. Today, the house has been divided into separate homes, but for most of its history the house was a grand country home.
Wick House showing today's Mesh Wick House
Wick House, built in the Queen Anne Style, became the home of Captain Archibald Hicks Beach, with his wife Victoria and their two young daughters, in 1890. However, by the turn of the 20th century the house had become the home of Henry Gallup.
The 1901 census shows Henry Gallup, a young gentleman aged 26, living in the house with his friend, 27 year old James Rawlence, both on independent means. At this time they lived in Wick House with six live-in servants. Henry Gallup played an active part in local affairs, including being master of the Wilton Hunt and president of the Downton Quoiting Club.
In 1912, Wick House became the home of the Bonvalot family, Antoine and Emily, along with their two sons, Edward and Cecil. Sadly, Edward was later killed at the Battle of Loos, during World War I in 1915. It was this sacrifice that inspired Emily Bonvalot to donate an area of ground near to Wick House for the creation of a memorial garden for all the residents of Downton.
Wick House changed hands a number times during the early 20th century, but the greatest change came after World War II when the house was on the market once again.
Wick House sales particulars 1949
Rare surviving sales particulars give great details of the house and grounds at this time, including descriptions of bedrooms, drawing room, sitting room and gun room. Wick House was acquired by Mrs Grenfell for her girls school, officially opening in August 1949. Mrs Grenfell was the wife of Captain Russell Grenfell, successful naval captain and author of a number of books, including The Art of the Admiral.
Wick House remained a girls school until the early 1960s, when the house was converted into separate homes, Wick House, Mesh Wick House and Mesh Wick Hall.
For the full history go to - The history of Mesh Wick House – Downton
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Nov 30, 2009 in
Historian My latest blog for Country Life has me writing about a lovely 17th century home in the seaside village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe in Kent. It has seen a lot of different characters in the house which made for a very interesting search through the history of the house.
Holly Lodge
The house has been traced back to the early 18th century, but architectural evidence suggests it may have first appeared in the 17th century. In the 1730s the Brett family rebuilt the house, but by 1750 it was recorded that the house reverted to the Lord of the Manor.
By the early 19th century Holly Lodge was bought by a gentleman farmer, Thomas Wood and his socialite wife, Maria. Maria is believed to have been central to village life with many parties in the village and up in London. Thomas and Maria Wood remained in the house until they passed away and in 1853 the house was acquired by another prominent local figure, school master, James Temple. Mr. James Temple was head master of the local school, so famed in the area that St Margaret’s at Cliffe was recongnised as an educational centre. Temple already owned a number of buildings and land around Holly Lodge, so it was a clear addition to the school grounds.
Holly Lodge bedroom
By the late 19th century the house had become the home of James Temple’s unmarried daughter, however by the early 20th century it had changed dramatically, becoming ‘The Holly Lodge Laundry’ run by Mrs Wickenden, a ‘High-Class Shirt & Collar dresser’.
Advertisement for Holly Lodge Laundry 1907
After World War I, St Margaret’s at Cliffe became a popular holiday resort, especially for celebrities and royals, with guests such as Ian Fleming and Noel Coward regular visitors.
St Margaret’s at Cliffe was greatly affected by World War II, being so close to the coast it was used to house Allied troops while also suffering regular attacks by the Luftwaffe.
Today, Holly Lodge has once again become a comfortable family home disguising a wealth of history behind its picturesque exterior.
For the full history – The history of Holly Lodge_St Margaret’s at Cliffe
For more property details visit – Chesterton Humberts
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Nov 26, 2009 in
Historian My latest research has taken me to a home that I have personally always wondered about. At last I had an opportunity to investigate the history of one of the iconic artists’ studios situated along Talgarth Road in London, formerly known as St Paul’s Studios, Colet Gardens.
Talgarth Road studio
The studios were designed by Frederick Wheeler for art publisher James Fairless and were completed in 1891. The studios were designed for bachelor artists and were immediately snapped up with all studios taken by 1892. The particular studio I researched was formerly known as No.5 St Paul’s Studios and was home to a number of prominent artists.
Firstly, it was the home of Inglis Sheldon-Williams, who was a forerunner of today’s photo journalist, illustrating from the Boer War and World War I. From 1903 No.5 St Paul’s Studios was home to celebrated artist, William Logsdail, who was mostly remembered for his scenes of London, including ‘St Martin-in-the-Fields’ now in the Tate Collection.
St Martin-in-the-Fields by William Logsdail
The Tate Collection
William Logsdail remained in the house until the 1920s when it became the home of another well-known artist, George Kruger Gray. Kruger Gray is most remembered for his heraldic designs, in particular on coins for Britain and many Commonwealth nations, as well as his designs for stained glass windows.
For a short time in 1949 and 1950 No.5 St Paul’s Studios was the home of playwright and author, Ernest Gebler, who wrote a number of books and plays, including ‘Hoffman’ made into a film with Peter Sellers and ‘The Voyage of the Mayflower’ made into a film with Spencer Tracy.
Large studio room
The Studios along Talgarth Road are some of the most intriguing buildings to be seen, but when walking through the door it is nice to see that the intrigue doesn’t stop there and these uniquely designed homes offer a beautiful artistic living space in Central London.
To read the complete history go to – The History of No.143 Talgarth Road
To read more about the property – Talgarth Road, London
Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Nov 19, 2009 in
Historian I have recently been researching a number of homes in the London suburb of Putney and thought these would be ideal to blog about. Some may think that a relatively small community within inner London wouldn’t have much history…but Putney is a prime example of a seemingly ‘ordinary’ area that is bursting with history!
I have researched a number of houses in the area, but I’m going to focus firstly on a home on Upper Richmond Road, known locally as a ‘captains house’ along with its nearby neighbours, all built around the same time in the 1860s.
Upper Richmond Road - a Nelson house
However, despite being known as a ‘captains house’ I discovered that this was another case of history corrupting over time, as the houses were in fact first known as ‘Nelson houses’. The reason for the name was attributed to the former landowner who developed the land, who married Francis Bolton, daughter of Thomas Nelson, 2nd Earl Nelson and also great neice of Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson.
Check – The history of No.340 Upper Richmond Road_A Nelson house
For more property details go to – Upper Richmond Road, Putney
The second of my Putney homes is actually closer to Roehampton, on Alton Road. It was built in the late 1860s on the former grounds of Parkstead (later known as ‘Manresa’). From very early in its history, the house became a lodging house known as ‘Petronilla Villa’.
Alton Road - Roehampton
This house on Alton Road later became known as ‘The Briars’ and was the home of a Frederick Rose, an highly commended engineer who worked in India and China. During the 1930s the house was also home to Charles Durst, an award winning meteorologist who was particularly noted for his work in aviation and navigation.
Check – The history of No.7 Alton Road
For more property details go to – Alton Road, SW15
