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History and Occupiers of
Heleigh House, Middlehill Martin and Elizabeth Devon August 2015 Few properties in Box have had such an interesting and varied number of inhabitants, many of whom put their marker on the property by re-naming it. Unless stated otherwise, all photos courtesy Knight Frank Estate Agents |
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A property is shown on the 1630 map of Box published in Kidston's book History of the Manor of Hazelbury on the site now occupied by Heleigh House. However, the ownership is cryptic. The key to the elucidation of the history of the house came about more or less by accident. The various deeds of conveyance in our possession refer to an Indenture of Release dated on or about 23rd November 1745 between William Northey and Thomas Arlett, but go on to say that production of that document should not be required – ie it was missing.
About 1983, we were carrying out research for the first edition of the St Thomas à Becket guide book in the Wiltshire Records Office, then in Trowbridge. There, among the Kidston Deposition, was the said Indenture of Release (see download of transcription below) which is in effect the creation of the freehold. A framed facsimile now hangs in the house. The fundamental clue was that at the time of transfer in 1745 the property was known as Panton's, and that it was part of the Hazelbury estate. So, working backwards through the wills of the Speke-Petty family, the following is revealed: Thomas Speke-Petty received the property in the will of his father George Speke-Petty. This will gives the formal title as Middlehill Farme with William Panton as the tenant-in-chief. The will of George Speke-Petty shows that he had bought the property from William Clement of Ditteridge.
About 1983, we were carrying out research for the first edition of the St Thomas à Becket guide book in the Wiltshire Records Office, then in Trowbridge. There, among the Kidston Deposition, was the said Indenture of Release (see download of transcription below) which is in effect the creation of the freehold. A framed facsimile now hangs in the house. The fundamental clue was that at the time of transfer in 1745 the property was known as Panton's, and that it was part of the Hazelbury estate. So, working backwards through the wills of the Speke-Petty family, the following is revealed: Thomas Speke-Petty received the property in the will of his father George Speke-Petty. This will gives the formal title as Middlehill Farme with William Panton as the tenant-in-chief. The will of George Speke-Petty shows that he had bought the property from William Clement of Ditteridge.
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Chronology
The chronology can now be set out in the correct order:
1630 The map shows the property consisting of the house and surrounding grounds together with the field below known as Hill Close (now Ardgay House) and the field opposite known as Arlese (now part of Hill House Farm). The Arlese plot bears the name Butler, a family prominent in the area in the 17th century.
27 March 1674 A date and initials on a coping stone indicate that the front wall was built or repaired by RB (R Butler?).
23 January 1683 William Panton baptised at Holt.
25 February 1693 Thomas Arlett baptised at Box.
20 May 1714 George Speke Petty wrote in his will I give to my eldest son Thomas...my tenement called Middlehill Tenement with its appurtenances situate in the parish of Box...now in the tenure or occupation of William Panton and which I heretofor purchased of one William Clement. This must be William Clement the younger since William Clement the elder died in 1651 and George was born in 1649 – unless, that is, George was a property dealer at the age of two !
1 June 1722 Thomas Speke Petty wrote (rather wordily) in his will And also all that my Tenement or Farme called or known by the Name of Middle Hill Farme or by what other Name or Names the same hath been called or known lying and being in the said Parish of Box alias Box Agard or elsewhere in the said County of Wilts with all the Lands as well Arable as Meadow and Pasture Ground Wood and Underwood thereunto belonging lying and being within the said Parish of Box alias Box Agard or elsewhere in the said County of Wilts with their Appurtenances now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Panton.
The beneficiaries were Edward Gore, Anthony Blagrove and George Millard the Vicar of Box, who jointly also received the manors of Box alias Box Agard, Hazelbury and Ditteridge, the Vicarage at Box, the advowsen or right to appoint the vicar and the Rectory at Ditteridge.
20 November 1724 Thomas Speke Petty granted a 99-year lease of Pantons to Thomas Arlett, Tyler, of Box.
11 February 1726 William Northey of Compton Bassett purchased the Hazelbury Estate.
23 November 1745 Thomas Arlett signed an Indenture of Release whereby he surrendered the 1724 lease and received full ownership of the property on payment to William Northey of thirty two pounds of lawfull money. Thomas, Daniel and Aaron Arlett were sons of Aaron Arlett, tyler, of Box.
Either Thomas Arlett was very successful in his trade as a tiler or he had married well. Mrs Arlett was Sarah Sydnell and they were married at Box on 6th July 1734. Starting probably in the 1740s the house was substantially rebuilt. The central gabled section of the house still retains traces of a 17th century house. At some point the first floor level was raised, leaving earlier decoration within the floor zone together with a mid-Georgian penny.
The chronology can now be set out in the correct order:
1630 The map shows the property consisting of the house and surrounding grounds together with the field below known as Hill Close (now Ardgay House) and the field opposite known as Arlese (now part of Hill House Farm). The Arlese plot bears the name Butler, a family prominent in the area in the 17th century.
27 March 1674 A date and initials on a coping stone indicate that the front wall was built or repaired by RB (R Butler?).
23 January 1683 William Panton baptised at Holt.
25 February 1693 Thomas Arlett baptised at Box.
20 May 1714 George Speke Petty wrote in his will I give to my eldest son Thomas...my tenement called Middlehill Tenement with its appurtenances situate in the parish of Box...now in the tenure or occupation of William Panton and which I heretofor purchased of one William Clement. This must be William Clement the younger since William Clement the elder died in 1651 and George was born in 1649 – unless, that is, George was a property dealer at the age of two !
1 June 1722 Thomas Speke Petty wrote (rather wordily) in his will And also all that my Tenement or Farme called or known by the Name of Middle Hill Farme or by what other Name or Names the same hath been called or known lying and being in the said Parish of Box alias Box Agard or elsewhere in the said County of Wilts with all the Lands as well Arable as Meadow and Pasture Ground Wood and Underwood thereunto belonging lying and being within the said Parish of Box alias Box Agard or elsewhere in the said County of Wilts with their Appurtenances now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Panton.
The beneficiaries were Edward Gore, Anthony Blagrove and George Millard the Vicar of Box, who jointly also received the manors of Box alias Box Agard, Hazelbury and Ditteridge, the Vicarage at Box, the advowsen or right to appoint the vicar and the Rectory at Ditteridge.
20 November 1724 Thomas Speke Petty granted a 99-year lease of Pantons to Thomas Arlett, Tyler, of Box.
11 February 1726 William Northey of Compton Bassett purchased the Hazelbury Estate.
23 November 1745 Thomas Arlett signed an Indenture of Release whereby he surrendered the 1724 lease and received full ownership of the property on payment to William Northey of thirty two pounds of lawfull money. Thomas, Daniel and Aaron Arlett were sons of Aaron Arlett, tyler, of Box.
Either Thomas Arlett was very successful in his trade as a tiler or he had married well. Mrs Arlett was Sarah Sydnell and they were married at Box on 6th July 1734. Starting probably in the 1740s the house was substantially rebuilt. The central gabled section of the house still retains traces of a 17th century house. At some point the first floor level was raised, leaving earlier decoration within the floor zone together with a mid-Georgian penny.
Transcript of the Indenture of 1745 Between Thomas Arlett and William Northey
| indenture_of_23_november_1745.pdf |
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Somewhere after 1780 a major new front was added to the house. Dating is facilitated by two factors: many of the plasterwork details are identical to or copied from details in Queen Square, Bath (about 1785) and the costumes of the shepherdesses carved on the chimneypiece in the drawing room are of a rounded style which was superseded by the empire line in the last few years of the 18th century.
It was probably about this time that the house was given a new name, Newtown House, often written New Town House, in the expectation of a property development following the discovery of hot artesian water and the building of Spa House, Middlehill. However, the water was (and is) too far below the surface and the spa failed. |
Information from the Censuses 1841 to 1911
There is now a rather long gap until the 1841 census. Entries in this and subsequent censuses are as follows:
1841 Ann Holworthy, 40. independent means Ann Holworthy, 11 Harriett Holworthy, 8 Henrietta Holworthy, 6 Sarah Ashley, 30, servant George Gale, 20, groom
1851 Ann Holworthy, wife, 50, gentlewoman Henry A Holworthy, son, 20, gentleman Samuel W Holworthy, son, 19, gentleman Elizabeth A Holworthy, daughter, 21, gentlewoman Henrietta A Holworthy, daughter, 16 Harriet E Holworthy. daughter, 18 Georgina Haine, visitor, 21 Martha Aust, servant, 22 Fanny Woodman, servant, 18
Ann Holworthy née Adey of Ormonde House, Bath married Henry Thomas Holworthy at Swanage, Dorset on 30th October 1827. Although she describes herself as wife in both 1841 and 1851, Henry Holworthy is not present on either occasion. The couple were formally separated and Henry lived in London until his death in 1862.
1861 Thomas Woodgate, commander RN (ret), age 47 Louisa H Woodgate, wife, 34 Thomas Woodgate, son, 2 Louisa, daughter, 5 months Julia Baker, general servant, 22 Sarah Davis, general servant, 55 Susannah Hill, nurse, 22 Eliza Lay, nursery maid, 18
1871 Before this census, Cdr Woodgate had built and moved into Ardgay House, built at the top of Hill Close. In the 1871 census, Newtown House is noted as unoccupied
1881 Newtown House is again occupied by relations of the Holworthy family. Ann Holworthy's maiden name was Adey. Elizabeth Holworthy married Dr Joseph Nash. WH Adey Nash, holder of land and houses, age 25, Martha West, housekeeper, 56
1891 Alfred Harston, from Islington, age 42, law stationer living on his own means Beatrice Harston, grand-daughter, age 10, born in New South Wales. It is assumed that Mr Harston was a tenant, as it seems likely that the Holworthy family sold the house directly as follows.
There is now a rather long gap until the 1841 census. Entries in this and subsequent censuses are as follows:
1841 Ann Holworthy, 40. independent means Ann Holworthy, 11 Harriett Holworthy, 8 Henrietta Holworthy, 6 Sarah Ashley, 30, servant George Gale, 20, groom
1851 Ann Holworthy, wife, 50, gentlewoman Henry A Holworthy, son, 20, gentleman Samuel W Holworthy, son, 19, gentleman Elizabeth A Holworthy, daughter, 21, gentlewoman Henrietta A Holworthy, daughter, 16 Harriet E Holworthy. daughter, 18 Georgina Haine, visitor, 21 Martha Aust, servant, 22 Fanny Woodman, servant, 18
Ann Holworthy née Adey of Ormonde House, Bath married Henry Thomas Holworthy at Swanage, Dorset on 30th October 1827. Although she describes herself as wife in both 1841 and 1851, Henry Holworthy is not present on either occasion. The couple were formally separated and Henry lived in London until his death in 1862.
1861 Thomas Woodgate, commander RN (ret), age 47 Louisa H Woodgate, wife, 34 Thomas Woodgate, son, 2 Louisa, daughter, 5 months Julia Baker, general servant, 22 Sarah Davis, general servant, 55 Susannah Hill, nurse, 22 Eliza Lay, nursery maid, 18
1871 Before this census, Cdr Woodgate had built and moved into Ardgay House, built at the top of Hill Close. In the 1871 census, Newtown House is noted as unoccupied
1881 Newtown House is again occupied by relations of the Holworthy family. Ann Holworthy's maiden name was Adey. Elizabeth Holworthy married Dr Joseph Nash. WH Adey Nash, holder of land and houses, age 25, Martha West, housekeeper, 56
1891 Alfred Harston, from Islington, age 42, law stationer living on his own means Beatrice Harston, grand-daughter, age 10, born in New South Wales. It is assumed that Mr Harston was a tenant, as it seems likely that the Holworthy family sold the house directly as follows.
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Heleigh Name
Before the 1901 census, the house was bought by the Hon Mrs Dorothea Twisleton. She was born at Clontarf in Ireland in 1851 as Dorothea, daughter of Lord John Nicholas Thicknesse-Touchet and niece of George Edward, 21st Baron Audley of Heleigh. She was the great-granddaughter of Captain Philip Thicknesse, whose third wife was the subject of the famous portrait painted at Bath in 1760 by Gainsborough. Philip Thicknesse's second wife had been Elizabeth, daughter of 11th Baron Audley. Elizabeth died, but there was a son, George, by whom the barony, created in 1313, passed to the Thicknesse family. George amended the family name to Thicknesse-Touchet. The 11th Baron had also been Earl of Castlehaven, but that title could not descend through a daughter and so became extinct. The 19th and 20th barons lived at Sandridge Lodge, Bromham. The barony of Audley was in abeyance after the death of the 21st baron, but was called out of abeyance in 1937 in favour of Dorothea's cousin Mary who became 22nd baroness in her own right.
Before the 1901 census, the house was bought by the Hon Mrs Dorothea Twisleton. She was born at Clontarf in Ireland in 1851 as Dorothea, daughter of Lord John Nicholas Thicknesse-Touchet and niece of George Edward, 21st Baron Audley of Heleigh. She was the great-granddaughter of Captain Philip Thicknesse, whose third wife was the subject of the famous portrait painted at Bath in 1760 by Gainsborough. Philip Thicknesse's second wife had been Elizabeth, daughter of 11th Baron Audley. Elizabeth died, but there was a son, George, by whom the barony, created in 1313, passed to the Thicknesse family. George amended the family name to Thicknesse-Touchet. The 11th Baron had also been Earl of Castlehaven, but that title could not descend through a daughter and so became extinct. The 19th and 20th barons lived at Sandridge Lodge, Bromham. The barony of Audley was in abeyance after the death of the 21st baron, but was called out of abeyance in 1937 in favour of Dorothea's cousin Mary who became 22nd baroness in her own right.
The Holworthys and the Thicknesse-Touchets may have known each other socially for decades. They both owned property in the Melksham area, at The Spa and Sandridge respectively. Dorothea married the Hon and Rev Charles Twisleton in 1878. He was born in 1806, so 45 years older than Dorothea. He died in 1890. He was the brother of Frederick Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes 16th Baron Saye and Sele, the latter being a witness at the wedding. The formal seat of the Barony of Audley is Heleigh or Heighley Castle. which is at Madeley in Staffordshire (see notes appended below). The castle is ruinous and not open to the public. Mrs Twisleton therefore renamed her new home Heleigh House.
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In 1901 the house, newly renamed Heleigh House, but noted in the census as formerly Newtown House, was being decorated. 1901 Walter Miles, house painter, age 35 Ada Miles, wife, age 27
In 1911, the situation was that Mrs Twisleton was away at The Vicarage, Sonning, West Sussex, leaving her mother in charge, assisted by five domestic staff. The number of domestic staff had gradually increased over time. 1911 Elizabeth Touchet widow age 89 Rosetta Smith, nurse, age 45 Minnie Hall, cook, age 25 Harriet Watson, parlour maid, age 30 Mabel D...he (unreadable), housemaid, age 24 Elsie Ford, third maid, age 15 Right: The famous explorer, Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 3rd Baronet, is the fourth great-nephew of Dorothea Twisleton-Touchet. This photograph was taken in 2014 by David Ward. |
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Later Owners
Mrs Twisleton died in 1933 and bequeathed the property to George Arthur Touchet Jesson and Gertrude Anne Jesson (sister). In March 1934 they sold it to Alice Maude Meade-King, spinster.
In October or November 1939 the property passed on the death of Alice Meade-King to Alexander Duncan Skrine, formerly of Warleigh Manor.
15 December 1950 Conveyance Alexander Duncan Skrine to Allan William Rippon £7,550
20 March 1959 Conveyance Allan William Rippon to the Secretary of State for Air £7,500
22 December 1975 Conveyance Secretary of State for Defence to Anthony White and Frances Anne White (Heleigh House)
22 March 1976 Conveyance Secretary of State for Defence to Barbara Mullens (Heleigh Cottage)
2 April 1978 Conveyance Mr and Mrs A White to Mr & Mrs MR Devon and Mr & Mrs H Horton
Mrs Twisleton died in 1933 and bequeathed the property to George Arthur Touchet Jesson and Gertrude Anne Jesson (sister). In March 1934 they sold it to Alice Maude Meade-King, spinster.
In October or November 1939 the property passed on the death of Alice Meade-King to Alexander Duncan Skrine, formerly of Warleigh Manor.
15 December 1950 Conveyance Alexander Duncan Skrine to Allan William Rippon £7,550
20 March 1959 Conveyance Allan William Rippon to the Secretary of State for Air £7,500
22 December 1975 Conveyance Secretary of State for Defence to Anthony White and Frances Anne White (Heleigh House)
22 March 1976 Conveyance Secretary of State for Defence to Barbara Mullens (Heleigh Cottage)
2 April 1978 Conveyance Mr and Mrs A White to Mr & Mrs MR Devon and Mr & Mrs H Horton
The Holworthy Charities
In her will of 31 October 1859 Ann Holworthy gave to the Parish of Ditteridge the sum of £100 upon trust to invest the same in Government securities and to pay the dividends to arise therefrom unto and equally divide the same at Christmas annually for ever amongst six poor old persons residing in the said Parish of Ditteridge as should be members of the Church of England and be from time to time be considered by her daughter Elizabeth Ann Nash during her life and to the Rector for the time being after her death, deserving objects thereof.
The same was given to the Parish of Box, as recorded on the Benefactions Board at St Thomas a Becket, (omitting the last condition): Mrs ANNE HOLWORTHY of NEWTOWN HOUSE in this PARISH £100.0.0 Invested in the purchase of £110.13.4 5 per cent Consols and the Dividend divided annually at Christmas between six poor old Persons residing in the Parish and members of The Church of England.
In the same will, Ann Holworthy left to the parish of Ditteridge £200 towards the support of the Church School now held in the School House in the Parish of Ditteridge erected by my late Father (William Gyde Adey, died 1845).
Following the building of the new Box Church of England School, the three smaller, local Church Schools were amalgamated. Therefore, by a deed of 5 June 1894, the Ditteridge trust was varied such that the dividends were to be given as prizes to children of the Parish of Ditteridge and attending a Public Elementary School in which instruction in acordance with the doctrines of the Church of England is given. Alternatively the dividends could be accumulated and paid as an Exhibition not exceeding £5 per annum to a deserving child or children of Ditteridge who, having attended a Public Elementary School for not less than six years, were proceeding to a place of education higher than elementary.
In her will of 31 October 1859 Ann Holworthy gave to the Parish of Ditteridge the sum of £100 upon trust to invest the same in Government securities and to pay the dividends to arise therefrom unto and equally divide the same at Christmas annually for ever amongst six poor old persons residing in the said Parish of Ditteridge as should be members of the Church of England and be from time to time be considered by her daughter Elizabeth Ann Nash during her life and to the Rector for the time being after her death, deserving objects thereof.
The same was given to the Parish of Box, as recorded on the Benefactions Board at St Thomas a Becket, (omitting the last condition): Mrs ANNE HOLWORTHY of NEWTOWN HOUSE in this PARISH £100.0.0 Invested in the purchase of £110.13.4 5 per cent Consols and the Dividend divided annually at Christmas between six poor old Persons residing in the Parish and members of The Church of England.
In the same will, Ann Holworthy left to the parish of Ditteridge £200 towards the support of the Church School now held in the School House in the Parish of Ditteridge erected by my late Father (William Gyde Adey, died 1845).
Following the building of the new Box Church of England School, the three smaller, local Church Schools were amalgamated. Therefore, by a deed of 5 June 1894, the Ditteridge trust was varied such that the dividends were to be given as prizes to children of the Parish of Ditteridge and attending a Public Elementary School in which instruction in acordance with the doctrines of the Church of England is given. Alternatively the dividends could be accumulated and paid as an Exhibition not exceeding £5 per annum to a deserving child or children of Ditteridge who, having attended a Public Elementary School for not less than six years, were proceeding to a place of education higher than elementary.
References to Heleigh Castle in the Madeley Village, Staffordshire, Timeline
| timeline_of_heleigh_castle.pdf |