Hill House Farm, Middlehill Verity Jeffery with Shirley and Ainslie Goulstone, November 2015
Hill House Farm in about 1867. The pond was filled in when a new dairy was built in 1948.
Unless stated otherwise, all pictures and further research courtesy Shirley and Ainslie Goulstone.
Origins of Hill House Farmhouse
Hill House is one of the most fascinating of all farmhouses in Box. The Historic Buildings Listing describes it as: Originally open-hall house (smoke-blackened timbers) with fine 6-panel inserted ceiling, heavily moulded beams and large infilled stone fireplace. Segmental pointed arched doorway to cross passage with early 17th century plank door.[1] It also had an earth floor and a late medieval solar, a first-floor room where the family could sleep away from the servants in the open hall.
Hill House is one of the most fascinating of all farmhouses in Box. The Historic Buildings Listing describes it as: Originally open-hall house (smoke-blackened timbers) with fine 6-panel inserted ceiling, heavily moulded beams and large infilled stone fireplace. Segmental pointed arched doorway to cross passage with early 17th century plank door.[1] It also had an earth floor and a late medieval solar, a first-floor room where the family could sleep away from the servants in the open hall.
It was built by the Snell family and has their coat-of-arms carved into a first-floor stone fireplace (below left). This is intriguing because their arms include a depiction of negro slaves, possibly hinting at the source of their money. They may have built the house in about 1510 and John Snell lived there after 1618 when he married Katharine Pleddall of Gloucester.[2] They had a son, Charles Snell (1619 - 1671), who also lived in the house.
The Snell coat-of-arms (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Arrow slot in bedroom (Carol Payne)
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The exterior of the present building is a facade and hides the earlier property inside. So the door in this picture has the older door within the entrance. We know this was the original doorway because there are slots for a bar to be inserted for protection. In the upstairs rooms are arrow slot windows for further defensive needs (above right).
The modern exterior (courtesy Carol Payne)
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The building was originally a medieval open-hall house and altered in the late medieval times with a cross passage in the middle of the house where the fireplace was positioned to provide cooking and water heating on one side of the passageway and giving warmth in the main living room on the other side.
In one section was the area where animals were kept indoors at certain times and an old dairy section, built adjacent to the house, which you can see in the right of the picture above. It had milk processing downstairs and a cheese room above. Right: old oak beam in the part of the house called the Old Dairy (photograph courtesy Carol Payne) |
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One of the oldest details in the property is a window with medieval glass, an early example of the residential use of the precious material glass, rather than using wooden shutters.
Above: details of the window extracted for the magazine Country Life of 20 September 1979
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Iddols Family
One of the earliest records of Hill House Farm was in 1835 when the tenant James Iddols, yeoman, died leaving everything to his wife, Mary, and their five children. He had land and property in Corston, Malmesbury as well as Hill House Farm. James had been born in 1762 and married Elizabeth Tanner (1766 - 1796) in 1794. After Elizabeth's death James married again to Mary Beake (1776 - 1863) in 1800. His son John took over the work at Hill House but his eventful tenure lasted only nine years. In 1837 the local newspaper reported that a bay gelding was stolen from Mr Iddols. The 1841 census recorded his family there: John and his wife, Mary, together with their four children (three girls and a son, Alfred James). John died aged 44 in 1844 and was buried in Box. Alfred James died in childhood, aged 9, three years later. Undaunted, grandmother Mary Iddols continued the farming business but it continued to be problematic. Right: This door was once the exterior door of the property, capable of being secured against intruders by bars dropped into side slots (photo courtesy Carol Payne). |
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Redoubtable Mary Iddols
In September 1850 the engine driver of the mail train noticed a fire at Hill House and gave the alarm. The fire burnt from noon until 7pm. The newspaper report of the incident recorded, After emptying two ponds, the people formed lines of half a mile in length down a steep hill to Box Brook. [3]The fire was restricted to two ricks, a barley stack and a stack of straw. The report concluded with a personal comment about Mary Iddols that the farm is occupied by the Iddols widow and son. They are well respected by all who know them. William Bullock, aged 23, was later convicted of starting the fire and of sheep-stealing. He was sentenced to ten years transportation in 1851. We don't know whether the sentence was carried out or remitted.
In the 1861 census we find out the size of the farm, 130 acres, that Mary managed to keep together in the family's tenure but in 1863 the matriarch died aged 87 at Hill House. That marked the end of the Iddols' tenure. On 12 October 1864 Mrs Iddols, wife of John, gave up the tenancy and there was an auction of the farm assets and household goods, including 15 in-calf dairy cows, 79 half-bred ewes and 82 cross-bred lambs, 3 cart horses, 62 pigs and 60 fowls.[4]
In September 1850 the engine driver of the mail train noticed a fire at Hill House and gave the alarm. The fire burnt from noon until 7pm. The newspaper report of the incident recorded, After emptying two ponds, the people formed lines of half a mile in length down a steep hill to Box Brook. [3]The fire was restricted to two ricks, a barley stack and a stack of straw. The report concluded with a personal comment about Mary Iddols that the farm is occupied by the Iddols widow and son. They are well respected by all who know them. William Bullock, aged 23, was later convicted of starting the fire and of sheep-stealing. He was sentenced to ten years transportation in 1851. We don't know whether the sentence was carried out or remitted.
In the 1861 census we find out the size of the farm, 130 acres, that Mary managed to keep together in the family's tenure but in 1863 the matriarch died aged 87 at Hill House. That marked the end of the Iddols' tenure. On 12 October 1864 Mrs Iddols, wife of John, gave up the tenancy and there was an auction of the farm assets and household goods, including 15 in-calf dairy cows, 79 half-bred ewes and 82 cross-bred lambs, 3 cart horses, 62 pigs and 60 fowls.[4]
Painting of Hill House possibly from 1930s
Enter the Goulstone Family
Thomas Goulstone took over the farm tenancy in 1865 but it wasn't at first a smooth transition.[5] One problem was the Cattle Plague of 1867 which restricted movement of animals without the written authority of a Justice of the Peace. There was worse following. In 1870 his cowman, George Tovey, walked out on him and Thomas had to resort to a legal summons to get him to fulfil the balance of his contract from February until Michaelmas (29 September).
Thomas wasn't a young man to take on the lease; in 1865 he was 47 and had four daughters and no sons (Frederick James was born a year later). But he needed an income and was prepared to work hard in the tenancy, which was renewed after 10 years.
By 1891 Thomas had given up running the farm and his only surviving son, Frederick James, aged 24, was now in charge. Frederick James married Mary Ann Waldron in 1896 and they had five children: Dorothy Mary (b 1897); Margaret Rosa (b 1898); Frederick Thomas (b 1900); Phillip James (b 1903); and Marion Louisa (1905 - 1936).[6]
Again there were difficulties at Hill House in 1925 when the dairy herd was hit by an epidemic of foot and mouth disease and all animals had to be put down. It was a crippling blow and the children, Frederick Thomas and Philip James, took over the farming business from their father in 1928, the tenancy of Hill House going to Philip James on 25 March 1928.[7]
Thomas Goulstone took over the farm tenancy in 1865 but it wasn't at first a smooth transition.[5] One problem was the Cattle Plague of 1867 which restricted movement of animals without the written authority of a Justice of the Peace. There was worse following. In 1870 his cowman, George Tovey, walked out on him and Thomas had to resort to a legal summons to get him to fulfil the balance of his contract from February until Michaelmas (29 September).
Thomas wasn't a young man to take on the lease; in 1865 he was 47 and had four daughters and no sons (Frederick James was born a year later). But he needed an income and was prepared to work hard in the tenancy, which was renewed after 10 years.
By 1891 Thomas had given up running the farm and his only surviving son, Frederick James, aged 24, was now in charge. Frederick James married Mary Ann Waldron in 1896 and they had five children: Dorothy Mary (b 1897); Margaret Rosa (b 1898); Frederick Thomas (b 1900); Phillip James (b 1903); and Marion Louisa (1905 - 1936).[6]
Again there were difficulties at Hill House in 1925 when the dairy herd was hit by an epidemic of foot and mouth disease and all animals had to be put down. It was a crippling blow and the children, Frederick Thomas and Philip James, took over the farming business from their father in 1928, the tenancy of Hill House going to Philip James on 25 March 1928.[7]
At that time, the farm comprised 163 acres, 1 rood, 31 perches and the rent for the land, outbuildings, farmhouse and cottages was set at £310 per annum, although the farmhouse was clearly in need of considerable modernisation.[8]
In 1930 the landlord, George Edward Northey, Esq (now calling himself George Edward Wilbraham-Northey), having paid £101 on building a cow stall of sufficient size to hold nine cows received additional rent of £6.2s.3d from December 1930. The brothers rose to the challenge and in 1930 they won prizes for their animals at the Bath Christmas Fatstock Show.
In 1930 the landlord, George Edward Northey, Esq (now calling himself George Edward Wilbraham-Northey), having paid £101 on building a cow stall of sufficient size to hold nine cows received additional rent of £6.2s.3d from December 1930. The brothers rose to the challenge and in 1930 they won prizes for their animals at the Bath Christmas Fatstock Show.
Frederick Thomas and Philip James lived at Hill House Farm even after Philip married Larkie in 1933. They modernised the house and in May 1934 electricity and electric lighting were installed by Western Electricity Supply Company Ltd for £9.8s.0d, plus a charge to connect to the mains of £2.1s. It seems incredible to us now that the farm had previously operated without electricity. Even then, the number of points and lights was severely restricted to a single point and solitary light in each of the back kitchen, dairy, drawing room, hall, kitchen, landing (1½ lights ?), bathroom and 3 bedrooms. The lights were of 25 or 40 watts.[9]
By 1938 the brothers decided to split their partnership and Frederick Thomas Goulstone and his family took over at Hill House. The farm was mostly dairy and produced a reasonable return in the good years.
By 1938 the brothers decided to split their partnership and Frederick Thomas Goulstone and his family took over at Hill House. The farm was mostly dairy and produced a reasonable return in the good years.
James Pillinger
In their farming work, three generations of Goulstones were supported by an employee, James Pillinger at Ditteridge. He had started work aged 10 for Mr Hobbs at Coles Farm doing the work of sheep-minding and bird starving and then for over 40 years at Hill House Farm with Thomas Goulstone, then Frederick James, and lastly the partnership of Frederick Thomas and Philip James.[10]
His funeral in 1938 was a deeply felt tribute to a loyal and genuine hard working man, at which many people in Ditteridge turned out to pay their respects.
In their farming work, three generations of Goulstones were supported by an employee, James Pillinger at Ditteridge. He had started work aged 10 for Mr Hobbs at Coles Farm doing the work of sheep-minding and bird starving and then for over 40 years at Hill House Farm with Thomas Goulstone, then Frederick James, and lastly the partnership of Frederick Thomas and Philip James.[10]
His funeral in 1938 was a deeply felt tribute to a loyal and genuine hard working man, at which many people in Ditteridge turned out to pay their respects.
This wonderful photograph looking down from the church shows the funeral cortège of James Pillinger in 1938 passing the cottage of Johnny Naish.
John and Shirley Goulstone
There will be few people in Box in the last quarter of the twentieth century who hadn't heard of John and Shirley. John and his father took over at Hill House in 1948 and he and Shirley married in 1955 when the farm provided accommodation for many and employment sufficient to support eight families.
There will be few people in Box in the last quarter of the twentieth century who hadn't heard of John and Shirley. John and his father took over at Hill House in 1948 and he and Shirley married in 1955 when the farm provided accommodation for many and employment sufficient to support eight families.
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After World War 2 there was an emphasis on developing British farming and the success of their work enabled the family to buy the farm from Christopher Northey in 1965 after the death of Sir Armand. John and Shirley lived at Hill House Farm right up until 1993 when they moved across the way to Ditteridge.
By the latter part of the twentieth century the dairy industry was in deep trouble facing competition from cheap imports, and large scale production which severely dented North Wiltshire's traditional methods. This was followed by Mad Cow Disease (BSE) in the early 1990s and a collapse in meat prices. John was finding all the regulations of the European Union difficult to cope with, but the most difficult time was in 1999 when he took the painful decision to sell the herd. It was followed by more changes. John died in November 2003, aged 74. Shirley and her son, Stephen, decided to leave the farmhouse, which in February 2010 was sold to an imaginative new organisation, Jamie's Farm, catering for troubled children at risk of social exclusion. |
Auction notice on the farm sale of 1999
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Of course this ended the commercial husbandry that had dominated Hill House Farm for many centuries but has opened up an entirely new chapter in the story of the house.
Jamie's Farm
Each year Jamie's Farm gives the opportunity for vulnerable, urban children to experience farming, family and therapy. The projects are primarily targeted at those excluded from school in the age range 11 to 16 years. Whilst at the farm, the children give up their computers and street-wise behaviour for the experience of farm life from lambing to gardening, often a life changing swap. Under the patronage of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, the organisation has gone from strength to strength with a second farm in Herefordshire and association with an urban farm in central London.
Each year Jamie's Farm gives the opportunity for vulnerable, urban children to experience farming, family and therapy. The projects are primarily targeted at those excluded from school in the age range 11 to 16 years. Whilst at the farm, the children give up their computers and street-wise behaviour for the experience of farm life from lambing to gardening, often a life changing swap. Under the patronage of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, the organisation has gone from strength to strength with a second farm in Herefordshire and association with an urban farm in central London.
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Shirley Goulstone has maintained a great affection and a close relationship with Hill House under the control of Jamie's Farm. She confirms how proud John would have been to see the work being done there by the charity and how wonderful it is to see how they have kept the farming going under such changed economic circumstances.
Family Tree
Iddols Family
James (1762 - 1835) was married twice: a. Elizabeth Tanner (1766 - 1796) on 8 December 1794; and b. Mary Beake (1776 - 1863) on 27 February 1800.
Children: John (1801 - 1844); Mary Ann (1802-1856); Elizabeth (1809 - 1883) unmarried; James (1810 - 1855) unmarried; and Ann (1812-1879).
John (1801 - 1844) married Mary (1801 - 1874)
Children: Sophia (1832 - 1870); Sarah Ann (1834 - 1859); Alfred James (1838 - 1847); Emma (1836 - 1864).
Sarah Ann married George Tanner Elliot in 1858 at Box. George was a Master Carpenter at Box. Sarah Ann died the following year aged 26.
Goulstone Family
See Goulstone Family story
Iddols Family
James (1762 - 1835) was married twice: a. Elizabeth Tanner (1766 - 1796) on 8 December 1794; and b. Mary Beake (1776 - 1863) on 27 February 1800.
Children: John (1801 - 1844); Mary Ann (1802-1856); Elizabeth (1809 - 1883) unmarried; James (1810 - 1855) unmarried; and Ann (1812-1879).
John (1801 - 1844) married Mary (1801 - 1874)
Children: Sophia (1832 - 1870); Sarah Ann (1834 - 1859); Alfred James (1838 - 1847); Emma (1836 - 1864).
Sarah Ann married George Tanner Elliot in 1858 at Box. George was a Master Carpenter at Box. Sarah Ann died the following year aged 26.
Goulstone Family
See Goulstone Family story
[1] Historic Houses
[2] Letter in Wiltshire History Centre
[3] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 24 September 1850
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 29 September 1864
[5] See the Goulstone Family story for more details
[6] Dorothy Mary Goulstone wrote her memoirs which will be published in a later issue.
[7] Amendment to Lease dated 29 March 1920 (courtesy Shirley Goulstone).
[8] 1 acre = 0.4 hectares; 1 rood = 0.25 acres; 1 perch = 0.025 roods
[9] Involce provided by Shirley Goulstone
[10] Bird starving was scaring birds away from corn or ripe crops. Reference courtesy Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 30 September 1933
[2] Letter in Wiltshire History Centre
[3] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 24 September 1850
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 29 September 1864
[5] See the Goulstone Family story for more details
[6] Dorothy Mary Goulstone wrote her memoirs which will be published in a later issue.
[7] Amendment to Lease dated 29 March 1920 (courtesy Shirley Goulstone).
[8] 1 acre = 0.4 hectares; 1 rood = 0.25 acres; 1 perch = 0.025 roods
[9] Involce provided by Shirley Goulstone
[10] Bird starving was scaring birds away from corn or ripe crops. Reference courtesy Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 30 September 1933