Barberry Cottage
Research by Terri and Kevan Freeland February 2022 Barberry is, of course, the name of a shrub with attractive, highly-coloured flowers and fruits. It makes a charming house-name and, from the look of this photograph, the shrub may have adorned the front of Barberry Cottage on Box Hill on the Road. The house is one of the oldest on Beech Road, with a datestone of 1834, long before the rail-track ran from Clift Quarry down to The Wharf. Strangely, the property runs at right-angles to Beech Road when this road was the Old Turnpike Road from Corsham to Box. The orientation of the house is believed to relate to a pathway running north-south to access a water standpipe from a local spring. In actual fact, Barberry comprises three properties with separate entrances and staircases (the central one having been removed many decades ago).[1] Two of the properties were one-up, one-down with a larger central property about double that size. Left: Walter Reuben Oatley with bicycle outside Barberry Cottage (courtesy Richard Pinker) |
Davis Family
The first reference to the ownership of the property is the 1840 Tithe Apportionment details which doesn’t name the house but says that William Davis owned and occupied a cottage, basket-maker’s shop and garden reference 385b on Box Hill. We can see from the Tithe map that the house is on Beech Road and running at 90 degrees to the line of the road.
The first reference to the ownership of the property is the 1840 Tithe Apportionment details which doesn’t name the house but says that William Davis owned and occupied a cottage, basket-maker’s shop and garden reference 385b on Box Hill. We can see from the Tithe map that the house is on Beech Road and running at 90 degrees to the line of the road.
We don’t know how William acquired the property or if he occupied all or only part of it. He still owned it in the 1860s and 1870s but part of the building was rented out to Samuel Oatley. This is confirmed by a newspaper report of 14 April 1870: Samuel Oatley, of Box Hill, was summoned by William Davis, of the same place, basket maker, for an assault, on Monday evening last. It appears that defendant lives in a house of complainant’s and the latter called on the evening in question for some rent due. Defendant pushed him down and threatened to knock his brains out. Ordered to pay £1 including costs.[2]
Oatley Family
A branch of the Moor Green Oatley family moved to Box Hill in about 1845 when James and Sarah Oatley came with their children. Their eldest son Samuel (1839-) was a stonemason at Box Quarries in 1871. He was frequently in trouble for petty offences, not uncommon amongst the hard-working underground miners. He was charged with drunkenness in 1870 along with his friends John Butler, John Viveash, John Moody and Henry Waldron.[3] In 1875 he was charged with George Hancock for breaking a pane of glass at night in the home of Gifford Head.[4] In 1878 Samuel, Francis Butler and James Viveash were fined for breaking the windows of William Hutton of Corsham.[5] Misbehaviour continued most of his life, notwithstanding his marriage to Anne Batley. In 1881 he was charged along with David and Albert Dancey for refusing to leave the Queen’s Head in Box, but not sent to prison for 14 days like the Danceys.[6]
Oatley Family
A branch of the Moor Green Oatley family moved to Box Hill in about 1845 when James and Sarah Oatley came with their children. Their eldest son Samuel (1839-) was a stonemason at Box Quarries in 1871. He was frequently in trouble for petty offences, not uncommon amongst the hard-working underground miners. He was charged with drunkenness in 1870 along with his friends John Butler, John Viveash, John Moody and Henry Waldron.[3] In 1875 he was charged with George Hancock for breaking a pane of glass at night in the home of Gifford Head.[4] In 1878 Samuel, Francis Butler and James Viveash were fined for breaking the windows of William Hutton of Corsham.[5] Misbehaviour continued most of his life, notwithstanding his marriage to Anne Batley. In 1881 he was charged along with David and Albert Dancey for refusing to leave the Queen’s Head in Box, but not sent to prison for 14 days like the Danceys.[6]
After William Davis’ death in 1885, his son Frederick inherited the property. Frederick Davis was a rag and metal dealer, based at Cornwall House, Walcot Street, Bath. He and his wife Rose believed that they had an estate in fee simple (freehold).[7] But the situation was more complicated than that as the Poynder family, lords of the manor of Hartham, also believed that they owned the property. Probably the Davis’ holding was copyhold which was later abolished in 1926 being converted into freehold. The origins of copyhold tenure date back to the decline of serfdom after the Black Death when lords guaranteed rights to their villeins which were recorded with copies for each of the parties.
Poynder Family Ownership
The Poynder family owned considerable cottages at Rudloe and Box Hill. On 24 November 1909 the Poynder family held an auction of several plots of their land at the Chequers Inn, including Barberry Cottage. By then, their estate had become so complicated that the sales details were printed by the trustees for the benefit of bidders.
The sale particulars recorded that on 26 November 1873 Thomas Henry Allen Poynder of Grosvenor Square, London, Hartham Park and Hilmarton Manor died leaving life interests to his brother William Henry Poynder and his heirs and thereafter the estate was to pass to his sister’s son John Poynder Dickson, subject to certain conditions.[8] William Henry died a bachelor without heirs on 3 August 1880. In 1887 John Poynder Dickson came of age as a 21-year-old and a few months later was granted a royal license by Queen Victoria to append the name Poynder to his surname. The conditions for inheriting the estate had been fulfilled but the land around Barberry Cottage was still confusing.
The Poynders bought out Davis’ interest for £215 on 8 September 1892. At this date the cottages themselves were tenanted by Walter Oatley, Nathaniel Butler and James Davis. Just when matters seemed to be clearing, a new problem emerged. The trustees of Thomas Henry Allen Poynder confirmed that the enormous sum of £25,758.2s.1d (today worth £350,000) was outstanding on THA Poynder’s estate and required to be paid before any sales could be made. Against this background of confusion, on 25 January 1910, the freehold of two of the Barberry Cottages was sold by Sir John Poynder Dickson Poynder to Walter Reuben Oatley for £150, and an adjacent premises Victory Cottage was sold separately.[9]
Poynder Family Ownership
The Poynder family owned considerable cottages at Rudloe and Box Hill. On 24 November 1909 the Poynder family held an auction of several plots of their land at the Chequers Inn, including Barberry Cottage. By then, their estate had become so complicated that the sales details were printed by the trustees for the benefit of bidders.
The sale particulars recorded that on 26 November 1873 Thomas Henry Allen Poynder of Grosvenor Square, London, Hartham Park and Hilmarton Manor died leaving life interests to his brother William Henry Poynder and his heirs and thereafter the estate was to pass to his sister’s son John Poynder Dickson, subject to certain conditions.[8] William Henry died a bachelor without heirs on 3 August 1880. In 1887 John Poynder Dickson came of age as a 21-year-old and a few months later was granted a royal license by Queen Victoria to append the name Poynder to his surname. The conditions for inheriting the estate had been fulfilled but the land around Barberry Cottage was still confusing.
The Poynders bought out Davis’ interest for £215 on 8 September 1892. At this date the cottages themselves were tenanted by Walter Oatley, Nathaniel Butler and James Davis. Just when matters seemed to be clearing, a new problem emerged. The trustees of Thomas Henry Allen Poynder confirmed that the enormous sum of £25,758.2s.1d (today worth £350,000) was outstanding on THA Poynder’s estate and required to be paid before any sales could be made. Against this background of confusion, on 25 January 1910, the freehold of two of the Barberry Cottages was sold by Sir John Poynder Dickson Poynder to Walter Reuben Oatley for £150, and an adjacent premises Victory Cottage was sold separately.[9]
Walter Reuben Oatley
Walter Reuben Oatley (27 June 1863-1950) was the son of Samuel and Anne but completely different to his father in character. Walter married Eliza Jane Walker (6 November 1862-6 September 1946)[10] on 22 April 1886 and they moved into Barberry Cottage in 1891 to look after Anne until her death in 1897. This was the first mention of the name of the house.[11] Walter had worked as a miner in the quarries for 32 years and, when the work became too physically-demanding, he became an insurance agent for the Wesleyan & General Insurance Company.
Walter was a committed Methodist and trustee of the United Free Chapel. Despite being 51 years-old-when the First World War started, he volunteered for the St John’s Ambulance and served as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1915 until 1919.[12] He suffered varicose veins from long standing while on duty in ambulance train and was demobbed with a
recognised war disability. By 1939 he was working as a gardener at Crossways, next to Fogleigh House.[13]
Walter Reuben Oatley (27 June 1863-1950) was the son of Samuel and Anne but completely different to his father in character. Walter married Eliza Jane Walker (6 November 1862-6 September 1946)[10] on 22 April 1886 and they moved into Barberry Cottage in 1891 to look after Anne until her death in 1897. This was the first mention of the name of the house.[11] Walter had worked as a miner in the quarries for 32 years and, when the work became too physically-demanding, he became an insurance agent for the Wesleyan & General Insurance Company.
Walter was a committed Methodist and trustee of the United Free Chapel. Despite being 51 years-old-when the First World War started, he volunteered for the St John’s Ambulance and served as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1915 until 1919.[12] He suffered varicose veins from long standing while on duty in ambulance train and was demobbed with a
recognised war disability. By 1939 he was working as a gardener at Crossways, next to Fogleigh House.[13]
Walter and Eliza had five children and a long and stable married life. Their lives were troubled, however, particularly when their elder son Lance-Corporal Oliver Reuben Oatley died in World War I on 4 November 1918 fighting in France a week before the Armistice was declared. He was buried at Nord, France. They were a very well-known couple on Box Hill and Walter was an active supporter of The Institute, whose members gave him a silver walking stick on the occasion of his golden wedding celebrations.[14] Eliza died aged 84 on 6 September 1946 and Walter put the house up for sale, unable to cope on his own. It was advertised as 3 bedrooms, 2 staircases, wash-house, pig-sties, poultry house.[15] Walter went to live with his daughter Lillian and son-in-law Joseph Sumner in Melksham. Walter had an accident whilst holidaying with his son Albert in Bath in 1950.[16] He slipped on a step down into the garden, fell backwards and hit his head. After taking to his bed unwell for a couple of weeks, he deteriorated and died. The inquest found that he had broken two ribs and had a perforated lung. Walter Reuben Oatley and his sister Rhoda Ann Pinker (courtesy Richard Pinker) |
Aubrey Pinker’s Memories of Walter and Eliza Oatley
Richard’s father, Aubrey Pinker, recorded his memory of Walter and Eliza:
My first memory of Box Hill is about 1910-11 when staying with my uncle and aunt at Barberry Cottage. I stayed with them during an outbreak of diphtheria at Potterne School as the school had to be closed. I used to visit and stay with them regularly as a child and also as I grew older. When we moved to Trowbridge, I would cycle over from there to stay with them …[17]
William Henry Hobday
After Eliza Oatley’s death in 1946, the house was bought for £600 by William Henry Hobday (18 March 1882-1956). He was an elementary school headmaster living at 83 Grove Road, Millhouses, Sheffield, who had been born in Birmingham in 1882. His background was unusual in that he was baptised an Anglican only when 18-years-old in 1900, possibly reflecting a Low Church upbringing. He was the third child of a Birmingham man (also called William Henry, a manufacturer’s clerk). William was a pupil teacher in 1901 and then went to Sheffield University College, passing his Mathematics exam with distinction in 1904.[18] He was a keen sportsman, especially active in organising swimming events.[19] He volunteered for service in the Northumberland Fusiliers in the First World War, along with another teacher and 100 boys from the Abbeydale Boys’ School, Sheffield.[20] William appears to have been well-respected in the Sheffield area, receiving a grant of £250 from the Edgar Allen Institute in 1915.[21]
William’s wife Harriett Maud Sanderson (18 October 1881-) came from Totley, Sheffield where she was the sixth daughter of Edmund and Margaret Sanderson and worked as a teacher before her marriage to William in 1908 and they settled in Sheffield throughout the inter-war period. William was active in giving his pupils an all-round experience and in 1934 took a party of 80 boys from Burgoyne Road School, Sheffield on a tour of the House of Commons, London.[22] He was still teaching at Sheffield in 1939 but the location of the school had was extensively bombed during the Second World War. Presumably William retired from teaching about this time but we don’t know the reason for his relocation to Box in 1946. It could have been for family reasons as Thomas William Hobday (born 15 October 1906) was a well-known headmaster at Atworth School during the Second World War and thereafter at Wootton Bassett School.
Later Owners
William died at Barberry on 9 June 1956 and his wife Harriett died there in 1962. The house then passed to their daughter Stella Hobday (15 June 1923-), a nurse, who had been active in the local Women’s Institute and performed in a play called Still Waters in 1955.[23] After her father’s death, Stella married James Barnett (1903-81) in 1960. There was an opportunity to sort out land boundaries and Stella sold an access plot for Victory Cottage to William and Margaret Woodland in 1983 and a building plot to Gordon Henry Hucker of Bristol in 1985. Terri and Kevan Freeland bought Barberry Cottage at auction in 2008, when Stella’s financial needs were being administered by the family. The cottage was in need of some considerable restoration.
Richard’s father, Aubrey Pinker, recorded his memory of Walter and Eliza:
My first memory of Box Hill is about 1910-11 when staying with my uncle and aunt at Barberry Cottage. I stayed with them during an outbreak of diphtheria at Potterne School as the school had to be closed. I used to visit and stay with them regularly as a child and also as I grew older. When we moved to Trowbridge, I would cycle over from there to stay with them …[17]
William Henry Hobday
After Eliza Oatley’s death in 1946, the house was bought for £600 by William Henry Hobday (18 March 1882-1956). He was an elementary school headmaster living at 83 Grove Road, Millhouses, Sheffield, who had been born in Birmingham in 1882. His background was unusual in that he was baptised an Anglican only when 18-years-old in 1900, possibly reflecting a Low Church upbringing. He was the third child of a Birmingham man (also called William Henry, a manufacturer’s clerk). William was a pupil teacher in 1901 and then went to Sheffield University College, passing his Mathematics exam with distinction in 1904.[18] He was a keen sportsman, especially active in organising swimming events.[19] He volunteered for service in the Northumberland Fusiliers in the First World War, along with another teacher and 100 boys from the Abbeydale Boys’ School, Sheffield.[20] William appears to have been well-respected in the Sheffield area, receiving a grant of £250 from the Edgar Allen Institute in 1915.[21]
William’s wife Harriett Maud Sanderson (18 October 1881-) came from Totley, Sheffield where she was the sixth daughter of Edmund and Margaret Sanderson and worked as a teacher before her marriage to William in 1908 and they settled in Sheffield throughout the inter-war period. William was active in giving his pupils an all-round experience and in 1934 took a party of 80 boys from Burgoyne Road School, Sheffield on a tour of the House of Commons, London.[22] He was still teaching at Sheffield in 1939 but the location of the school had was extensively bombed during the Second World War. Presumably William retired from teaching about this time but we don’t know the reason for his relocation to Box in 1946. It could have been for family reasons as Thomas William Hobday (born 15 October 1906) was a well-known headmaster at Atworth School during the Second World War and thereafter at Wootton Bassett School.
Later Owners
William died at Barberry on 9 June 1956 and his wife Harriett died there in 1962. The house then passed to their daughter Stella Hobday (15 June 1923-), a nurse, who had been active in the local Women’s Institute and performed in a play called Still Waters in 1955.[23] After her father’s death, Stella married James Barnett (1903-81) in 1960. There was an opportunity to sort out land boundaries and Stella sold an access plot for Victory Cottage to William and Margaret Woodland in 1983 and a building plot to Gordon Henry Hucker of Bristol in 1985. Terri and Kevan Freeland bought Barberry Cottage at auction in 2008, when Stella’s financial needs were being administered by the family. The cottage was in need of some considerable restoration.
Conclusion
Although the story of Barberry Cottage is complicated, it throws considerable insight into the development of Box Hill. The footpaths which crisscrossed the area shaped the way in which houses faced and help to explain some of the random locations of properties. The confusion over the ownership of the land and the rights attached to it dominated the area both for individual plots and commoners’ rights. It adds to the fascinating historical background of Box Hill.
Although the story of Barberry Cottage is complicated, it throws considerable insight into the development of Box Hill. The footpaths which crisscrossed the area shaped the way in which houses faced and help to explain some of the random locations of properties. The confusion over the ownership of the land and the rights attached to it dominated the area both for individual plots and commoners’ rights. It adds to the fascinating historical background of Box Hill.
Oatley Family Tree
James Oatley (1815-), quarryman labourer, married Sarah (1817-). Children:
Ann (1838-); Samuel (1839-); Daniel (1841); Maria (1843); Thomas (1846); Benjamin (1847-); Sarah (1849-); and Priscilla (1851).
Samuel Oatley (1839-), mason, married Anne Batley (1825-). Children:
Walter Reuben Oatley (27 June 1863-28 September 1950) who married Eliza Jane Walker (6 November 1862-1946) in 1886. Children:[25]
James Oatley (1815-), quarryman labourer, married Sarah (1817-). Children:
Ann (1838-); Samuel (1839-); Daniel (1841); Maria (1843); Thomas (1846); Benjamin (1847-); Sarah (1849-); and Priscilla (1851).
Samuel Oatley (1839-), mason, married Anne Batley (1825-). Children:
- Samuel James (1860-1925), employee of Bath & Portland Stone Forms for 40 years and married Ellen Selina May in 1896;
- Walter Reuben (27 June 1863-1950);
- Rhoda Ann (1866-) who married Alfred Pinker;
- Benjamin Eli (1869-1933) who emigrated to USA in 1892 and was a renowned builder and contractor.[24]
Walter Reuben Oatley (27 June 1863-28 September 1950) who married Eliza Jane Walker (6 November 1862-1946) in 1886. Children:[25]
- Oliver Reuben H (December 1886-4 November 1918 at Nord). He was buried in Cross Roads Cemetery, Nord, and his name is inscribed on the brass of First World War Memorials at the back of Box Parish Church. He was a Lance Corporal 203322, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment;
- Douglas Eli Wilfred (12 May 1888-23 April 1946);
- Cecile Ellen (December 1891 died in childhood);
- Lillian May (31 May 1894-) who married Joseph A Sumner in 1933;
- Albert Edward (June 1902-March 1966).
References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 2 November 1946
[2] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 14 April 1870 (courtesy Pam Bryant)
[3] Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 26 March 1870
[4] North Wilts Herald, 5 June 1875
[5] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 10 January 1878
[6] Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 8 January 1881
[7] Indenture owned by Terri & Kevan Freeland
[8] Abstract of Title, Lots 3 & 5 1909
[9] Conveyance, 25 January 1910
[10] For family history see Jane Sheppard, Sheppard Family
[11] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 March 1897
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 May 1936
[13] Richard Pinker recalls his “Uncle" Walter - actually his father's uncle as his sister Rhoda Ann Pinker (nee Oatley) was Richard’s grandmother. Richard recalls the way that apples were laid out in storage up in the back shed.
[14] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 May 1936
[15] The Wiltshire Times, 2 November 1946
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 7 October 1950
[17] Courtesy Richard Pinker
[18] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 7 June 1901 and 20 August 1904
[19] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18 November 1924
[20] Sheffield Independent, 30 January 1915
[21] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 15 March 1915
[22] Sheffield Independent, 6 July 1934
[23] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 26 November 1955
[24] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 May 1933
[25] Courtesy Maureen Oatley
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 2 November 1946
[2] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 14 April 1870 (courtesy Pam Bryant)
[3] Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 26 March 1870
[4] North Wilts Herald, 5 June 1875
[5] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 10 January 1878
[6] Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 8 January 1881
[7] Indenture owned by Terri & Kevan Freeland
[8] Abstract of Title, Lots 3 & 5 1909
[9] Conveyance, 25 January 1910
[10] For family history see Jane Sheppard, Sheppard Family
[11] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 March 1897
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 May 1936
[13] Richard Pinker recalls his “Uncle" Walter - actually his father's uncle as his sister Rhoda Ann Pinker (nee Oatley) was Richard’s grandmother. Richard recalls the way that apples were laid out in storage up in the back shed.
[14] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 May 1936
[15] The Wiltshire Times, 2 November 1946
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 7 October 1950
[17] Courtesy Richard Pinker
[18] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 7 June 1901 and 20 August 1904
[19] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18 November 1924
[20] Sheffield Independent, 30 January 1915
[21] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 15 March 1915
[22] Sheffield Independent, 6 July 1934
[23] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 26 November 1955
[24] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 May 1933
[25] Courtesy Maureen Oatley