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Middlehill Househunting in 1850s
Investigation by Madeleine Symes Researched by Patrick Robertson in 1972 December 2015 All contemporary illustrations courtesy Madeleine Symes Madeleine’s mother had been researching her ancestor, Martha Shaw, for decades. Madeleine has recently carried on the work, including tracing diaries at the British Library and contacting several Box residents. Extracts from Martha Shaw's Diaries were published in the last issue. Her enquiries included researching the history of several Middlehill houses to discover the exact location of the drawings by Martha's children in the years 1850 -54. This drawing shows an un-named house and, in the distance, a church with a spire. In this article we try to find which was the Shaw's house. Was it Middlehill House, or another property? We welcome all contributions which will add to our knowledge. Right: Fanny Shaw's drawing of an un-named house and church |
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Martha Shaw's Diaries, 1850- 54
The first reference Martha makes to the house was on 16 February 1850 when she recorded in her diary, 'At ½ past 11 we arrive at Box and saw the Elizabethan house called Middlehill, belonging to Mr Mant'. The location appears to be definitive, except for the fact that that Middlehill House is Regency or Georgian, not Elizabethan. Was this mistaken architecture or should we be investigating a different house?
Martha's daughters, Clara Jane Shaw and Laura Shaw, gave clues through other wonderful illustrations of the area.
The first reference Martha makes to the house was on 16 February 1850 when she recorded in her diary, 'At ½ past 11 we arrive at Box and saw the Elizabethan house called Middlehill, belonging to Mr Mant'. The location appears to be definitive, except for the fact that that Middlehill House is Regency or Georgian, not Elizabethan. Was this mistaken architecture or should we be investigating a different house?
Martha's daughters, Clara Jane Shaw and Laura Shaw, gave clues through other wonderful illustrations of the area.
Laura Shaw's illustration of Box village
The most puzzling of all the illustrations is that below by Clara. It appears to show the same house as Fanny's picture and is referenced as Middlehill. Perhaps Fanny's picture (top of page) shows a view from a Middlehill House looking towards Box Church even though the angle doesn't appear to match?
Ordnance Survey Map, 1904
Clearly relevant on Fanny and Clara's illustrations is the direction of the view from the house in the foreground to Box Church in the distance. Several properties have a north-west to south-east orientation so we can investigate each property to see if the rest of the information fits.
Clearly relevant on Fanny and Clara's illustrations is the direction of the view from the house in the foreground to Box Church in the distance. Several properties have a north-west to south-east orientation so we can investigate each property to see if the rest of the information fits.
The 1904 Ordnance Survey map would suggest the following as possible houses:
- In Middlehill: Sunnyside, Middlehill House, Longridge House or Spa House;
- Also Middlehill but to the south: Ardgay House, Newtown House or Hill House;
- In Ditteridge: Cheney Court or Ditteridge House; and
- Further north: Alcombe and Coles Farmhouse.
Patrick Robertson's Research, 1972
An intriguing piece of research was undertaken in 1972 by a descendant of Laura Shaw, Patrick Robertson (1912-1982), who was a grandchild of Laura and her husband, George John Robertson. Patrick served in the Grenadier Guards, ending up as Lieutenant Colonel. In the Bath Chronicle, there is mention of Patrick at Spa House, Box, with his parents (Arthur and Norah Robertson) for the years 1935-1939. Arthur is Laura’s son. He was a solicitor in Bath, also Registrar at Bath County Court for 35 years. Mrs Edwin Lee died at Spa House in July 1932; Mrs Holmes was there 1933 to May 1935; and then the Robertsons after November 1935. Patrick's research was recorded in a letter he wrote to Madeleine's mother on 19 September 1972 (recorded in red below).
Did you realise that our house at Box belonged previously to the Hicks? It was called Spa House, Middlehill. Spa House is owned now by friends of Jeremy Fry and I gather Princess Margaret, who is a pal, often goes to the house when staying with the Frys.
Box's Spa
Spa House was purpose-built (on part of the land belonging to Middlehill House) in the late 1700s. The house had three storeys and an attic and a large, splendid window in the front, which served to give a view when the room was being used for formal receptions. This was referred to in 1793 as Assemble or Tea-Room, 39 feet long. The house had: standing for four carriages, stabling for 9 horses, with lodging rooms over the same. It had a pump room (to ensure the water supply never ran dry) and another separate boarding house.
The separate boarding house was probably Longridge House, between Middlehill House and Spa House, which was originally listed as: House adjoining Spa House. It is similar in style and the two properties are closely adjoining. The spa had some initial success and the owner Mr West cashed in by selling the property at auction in 1793. With the advent of the war against France in 1793, however, the success of the area was curtailed.
Spa Cottage is possibly the old pump house and it also dates from the late 18th century. The coach house belonging to the cottage may have been for the travelling needs of visitors to the Spa but there is some evidence that it is a later addition. The venture as a spa had closed by 1814 when contemporary local historian, John Britton, reported that: the buildings thus raised at an immense expense are now let as lodgings to such persons as are disposed to retire economically from Bath during the summer season.
Waifs and Strays Home
Patrick continued his research referring to his great aunts, Emily, Fanny, Annie and Clara, who had lived at a lovely old house further up the hill which became after World War I a Waifs and Strays Home (Sunnyside, now called ByBrook House). But was Patrick correct that the Shaw family lived at ByBrook House?
An intriguing piece of research was undertaken in 1972 by a descendant of Laura Shaw, Patrick Robertson (1912-1982), who was a grandchild of Laura and her husband, George John Robertson. Patrick served in the Grenadier Guards, ending up as Lieutenant Colonel. In the Bath Chronicle, there is mention of Patrick at Spa House, Box, with his parents (Arthur and Norah Robertson) for the years 1935-1939. Arthur is Laura’s son. He was a solicitor in Bath, also Registrar at Bath County Court for 35 years. Mrs Edwin Lee died at Spa House in July 1932; Mrs Holmes was there 1933 to May 1935; and then the Robertsons after November 1935. Patrick's research was recorded in a letter he wrote to Madeleine's mother on 19 September 1972 (recorded in red below).
Did you realise that our house at Box belonged previously to the Hicks? It was called Spa House, Middlehill. Spa House is owned now by friends of Jeremy Fry and I gather Princess Margaret, who is a pal, often goes to the house when staying with the Frys.
Box's Spa
Spa House was purpose-built (on part of the land belonging to Middlehill House) in the late 1700s. The house had three storeys and an attic and a large, splendid window in the front, which served to give a view when the room was being used for formal receptions. This was referred to in 1793 as Assemble or Tea-Room, 39 feet long. The house had: standing for four carriages, stabling for 9 horses, with lodging rooms over the same. It had a pump room (to ensure the water supply never ran dry) and another separate boarding house.
The separate boarding house was probably Longridge House, between Middlehill House and Spa House, which was originally listed as: House adjoining Spa House. It is similar in style and the two properties are closely adjoining. The spa had some initial success and the owner Mr West cashed in by selling the property at auction in 1793. With the advent of the war against France in 1793, however, the success of the area was curtailed.
Spa Cottage is possibly the old pump house and it also dates from the late 18th century. The coach house belonging to the cottage may have been for the travelling needs of visitors to the Spa but there is some evidence that it is a later addition. The venture as a spa had closed by 1814 when contemporary local historian, John Britton, reported that: the buildings thus raised at an immense expense are now let as lodgings to such persons as are disposed to retire economically from Bath during the summer season.
Waifs and Strays Home
Patrick continued his research referring to his great aunts, Emily, Fanny, Annie and Clara, who had lived at a lovely old house further up the hill which became after World War I a Waifs and Strays Home (Sunnyside, now called ByBrook House). But was Patrick correct that the Shaw family lived at ByBrook House?
Rear of Sunnyside, now By Brook Nursing Home (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Cheney Court (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Sunnyside isn’t mentioned in the Historic Houses Listing. The first census reference to the name appears to be in 1871 when
Sir Morgan Crofton, Bart lived there. There is also an 1865 reference to General Hale living there, and 1866 to be let unfurnished. The 1866 letting notice says it comprised Conservatory, Dining Room, Library, 11 bed and dressing rooms, box room, two water closets … This appears to be a larger property than the eight bedrooms that Martha listed in her house.
However, Patrick was correct that the Fry family lived at Sunnyside because in the 1911 census it was owned by Joseph Fry (68), a Valuer who lived in 15 rooms at Sunnyside, with a companion for his wife and two servants.The problem with Patrick's conclusion is that The Lodge has a date-stone of 1903 and the main entrance of 1902, so the present building exterior is turn of the century. So for his conclusion to be correct we would need to explain how the house was repeatedly rebuilt during the 1800s.
Sir Morgan Crofton, Bart lived there. There is also an 1865 reference to General Hale living there, and 1866 to be let unfurnished. The 1866 letting notice says it comprised Conservatory, Dining Room, Library, 11 bed and dressing rooms, box room, two water closets … This appears to be a larger property than the eight bedrooms that Martha listed in her house.
However, Patrick was correct that the Fry family lived at Sunnyside because in the 1911 census it was owned by Joseph Fry (68), a Valuer who lived in 15 rooms at Sunnyside, with a companion for his wife and two servants.The problem with Patrick's conclusion is that The Lodge has a date-stone of 1903 and the main entrance of 1902, so the present building exterior is turn of the century. So for his conclusion to be correct we would need to explain how the house was repeatedly rebuilt during the 1800s.
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Cheney Court
Patrick Robertson continued his research with comments about Cheney Court, a nearby residence to Middlehill House: Up above us was a beautiful old Jacobean place called Cheney Court belonging to the Northeys, again cousins by marriage. They had been there for many generations and sold it since this war. The last owner Armand Northey received a knighthood and lost the house - a useless exchange ! We know that Cheney Court is not the property illustrated by Martha's daughters because Fanny Shaw drew the Court in a separate illustration dated 1850. Clearly it is a different building, more of an estate which now houses a corporate educational complex owned by Linguarama including swimming pool, golf course and tennis courts. Right: Fanny Shaw's illustration of Cheney Court, close to Middlehill House |
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Heleigh House and Ardgay
Opposite Spa House, across a small valley, was another largish house. In the Hicks' time the Goddards lived there. They gave birth to the late Lord Chief Justice Lord Goddard. And I think that I explained previously that Clement Pennruddock, our solicitor's mother, was a Hicks. It was for this reason that Clement had Lord Goddard as his godfather plus my father, I believe.
Clara's illustration of the Middlehill house does not appear to be Heleigh House which was modernised before 1850 and has been fully investigated by Martin Devon. Nor was it Ardgay House which is a different style altogether. Martin Devon concluded, The large house across the small valley from Spa House was formerly known as Shrub Hill House. The house was reduced in size in the 1950s by demolition of the service wing and was renamed Ben Mead after the name of the field in which it stands. It was occupied for many years by Dr Donald Taylor.
Opposite Spa House, across a small valley, was another largish house. In the Hicks' time the Goddards lived there. They gave birth to the late Lord Chief Justice Lord Goddard. And I think that I explained previously that Clement Pennruddock, our solicitor's mother, was a Hicks. It was for this reason that Clement had Lord Goddard as his godfather plus my father, I believe.
Clara's illustration of the Middlehill house does not appear to be Heleigh House which was modernised before 1850 and has been fully investigated by Martin Devon. Nor was it Ardgay House which is a different style altogether. Martin Devon concluded, The large house across the small valley from Spa House was formerly known as Shrub Hill House. The house was reduced in size in the 1950s by demolition of the service wing and was renamed Ben Mead after the name of the field in which it stands. It was occupied for many years by Dr Donald Taylor.
Heleigh House (courtesy Martin Devon)
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Ardgay House (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Alcombe and Coles Farm
In her house search, Martha had written that she wanted to be near to Box Church (presumably within very easy walking distance), so houses like Coles Farmhouse and Alcombe Manor look too far away as well as facing the wrong direction. You can read more about the history of these two houses and make up your own mind in Tudor & Stuart Mansions.
In her house search, Martha had written that she wanted to be near to Box Church (presumably within very easy walking distance), so houses like Coles Farmhouse and Alcombe Manor look too far away as well as facing the wrong direction. You can read more about the history of these two houses and make up your own mind in Tudor & Stuart Mansions.
Alcombe Manor (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Coles Farm built after 1646 (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Middlehill House
At the beginning of this research, the most likely identity of the house in the illustrations was Middlehill House. But the architecture seems wrong and Patrick gave it only a sparse mention, clearly not believing that his great grandmother, Laura Shaw, had lived there.
At the beginning of this research, the most likely identity of the house in the illustrations was Middlehill House. But the architecture seems wrong and Patrick gave it only a sparse mention, clearly not believing that his great grandmother, Laura Shaw, had lived there.
Middlehill Common illustrated in 1789 (courtesy Mike Lyons) shows left to right: Middlehill House Cottage, Middlehill House, an unknown house later demolished, Longridge House and Spa House (adjoining), then further on the right just in view several cottages, once service accommodation to grander properties.
There was only one other house on the Common, called Middlehill House, belonging to great friends of ours called Erskine. She was strangely enough a Robertson of Straun. It was bought after World War 2 by the two Harper sisters who put into it all their old father's beautiful furniture. He was old Dr Harper, a great friend of my father, and collected pictures, furniture etc all his life.
Never accepted fees, only antiques! His brother was Gen Sir Montague Harper.
Miss Harper was a Justice of the Peace and lady Mayor of Bath. Her story is fascinating and she is one of the most important women to have lived in Box. We are going to tell her story in the next issue of the website.
Never accepted fees, only antiques! His brother was Gen Sir Montague Harper.
Miss Harper was a Justice of the Peace and lady Mayor of Bath. Her story is fascinating and she is one of the most important women to have lived in Box. We are going to tell her story in the next issue of the website.
Middlehill House (courtesy Humberts Chartered Surveyors)
But, as we can see from the picture above, Middlehill House is Georgian, not Elizabethan, and its view looks down to St Thomas à Becket, not the uphill view as shown in Fanny's drawing.
Conclusion
So we come back to deciding which house Martha Shaw and her daughters lived in between 1850 and 1854. The answer we have is Don't know. In the spirit of a true Community History website, can any of our readers help to provide the answers that fit all the clues provided by the Shaw and Robertson families?
If so, please contact us via the Contact tab.
So we come back to deciding which house Martha Shaw and her daughters lived in between 1850 and 1854. The answer we have is Don't know. In the spirit of a true Community History website, can any of our readers help to provide the answers that fit all the clues provided by the Shaw and Robertson families?
If so, please contact us via the Contact tab.