Laurel Cottage and Toad Hall Research Canon John Ayers July 2026
The Laurels and Toad Hall, Middlehill (courtesy Carol Payne)
People sometimes call their houses by exotic names, such as Shangri-La, Dunfishin, or (Rebecca's) Manderley. You might think that Toad Hall was similarly named about the time of Kenneth Graham’s 1908 novel “Wind in the Willows” but you would be wrong. Laurel Cottage and Toad Hall are historic listed Georgian houses in Middlehill, built on the perimeter of Middlehill Common as a single dwelling with a different name. In the case of Toad Hall, this is not mentioned as a name until modern times. The story of the properties also gives an insight into the families who controlled and developed the later Victoria village.
Allen’s 1626 map of Middlehill Common marked with a Tree of Life (courtesy Wilts History Centre)
The Allen map shows the shape of Middlehill Common in 1626, virtually identical to the 1968 map below. Some properties existed on the north side of the Common but nothing on the south side. Unlike modern roads which separate areas for animals and wildlife, medieval trackways were just earth paths tending to provide pathways to allow people and animals to ingress wild areas. Nonetheless the lack of evidence of enclosure on the south side of the Common seems to indicate that this area was unaffected by attempts at settlement until later periods.
The Laurels (courtesy Carol Payne)
Georgian Construction
The existing buildings appear to have been built about 1796 when William Northey (lord of Box and Ashley Manors) granted the lease of a plot of land to James Fudge senior (1753-1826), mason, his wife Elizabeth, nee Brown (1763-), and their young son James junior (1787-1861). The lease only covers the land but there is reference to the ground adjoining his house … situate at Slobb Lane near Middlehill.[1] The reference may suggest different houses but it may be that James Fudge was already building the house before the legal lease document could be completed. The lease refers to two plots of land, one of about 8 luggs (40 square metres) created from a garden holding occupied by Thomas Wilshire, and another plot also 8 luggs now occupied by Farmer Tanner. All of this suggests that James was the actual builder of the property.
It was simply a commercial arrangement for the Northey family with James paying a premium of 20 shillings for the land, perhaps some due to Wilshire or Tanner to exit their occupancy. In addition, James Fudge owed ground rent to the Northeys of one shilling per annum and was liable for a fine of 8 guineas if he terminated the lease. James Fudge was a skilled man, a mason, who came from Colerne and settled in Box after his marriage to Elizabeth (known as Betty) in 1786. He volunteered for the Box militia in 1803 when the threat of a Napoleonic invasion was imminent. He had several children aged between 5 and 17 years.
James Fudge senior died in 1826 and William Northey in 1827. The death of both trustees required a new lease to be drawn up, which eventually took place in December 1827. This gives further interesting details.[2] The freehold of the property was held by Rev Edward Northey but he relinquished his entitlement in favour of his sons, Edward Richard and William Brook Northey. The sons let the property lately taken out of pasture occupied by Farmer Tanner to James’ widow, Elizabeth, for a term of 99 years. There is a further reference on the life of Hester Harding (1801-), spinster of Box. At first this seems confusing until a year later when James junior married Hester Harding of Box.
The property involved was recorded as two several pieces or plots of garden ground … and also those two several cottages or tenements, meaning that the property had been divided into separate dwellings at that time. We might speculate that the second property was occupied by the son or that it was rented out to provide an income for Elizabeth.
The existing buildings appear to have been built about 1796 when William Northey (lord of Box and Ashley Manors) granted the lease of a plot of land to James Fudge senior (1753-1826), mason, his wife Elizabeth, nee Brown (1763-), and their young son James junior (1787-1861). The lease only covers the land but there is reference to the ground adjoining his house … situate at Slobb Lane near Middlehill.[1] The reference may suggest different houses but it may be that James Fudge was already building the house before the legal lease document could be completed. The lease refers to two plots of land, one of about 8 luggs (40 square metres) created from a garden holding occupied by Thomas Wilshire, and another plot also 8 luggs now occupied by Farmer Tanner. All of this suggests that James was the actual builder of the property.
It was simply a commercial arrangement for the Northey family with James paying a premium of 20 shillings for the land, perhaps some due to Wilshire or Tanner to exit their occupancy. In addition, James Fudge owed ground rent to the Northeys of one shilling per annum and was liable for a fine of 8 guineas if he terminated the lease. James Fudge was a skilled man, a mason, who came from Colerne and settled in Box after his marriage to Elizabeth (known as Betty) in 1786. He volunteered for the Box militia in 1803 when the threat of a Napoleonic invasion was imminent. He had several children aged between 5 and 17 years.
James Fudge senior died in 1826 and William Northey in 1827. The death of both trustees required a new lease to be drawn up, which eventually took place in December 1827. This gives further interesting details.[2] The freehold of the property was held by Rev Edward Northey but he relinquished his entitlement in favour of his sons, Edward Richard and William Brook Northey. The sons let the property lately taken out of pasture occupied by Farmer Tanner to James’ widow, Elizabeth, for a term of 99 years. There is a further reference on the life of Hester Harding (1801-), spinster of Box. At first this seems confusing until a year later when James junior married Hester Harding of Box.
The property involved was recorded as two several pieces or plots of garden ground … and also those two several cottages or tenements, meaning that the property had been divided into separate dwellings at that time. We might speculate that the second property was occupied by the son or that it was rented out to provide an income for Elizabeth.
Middlehill Common looking towards Middlehill House and the Spa illustrated in 1789 (unknown attribution)
Middlehill Common
There is no reference in these leases to the Common, possibly because the lord of the manor did not want to draw attention to the rights of others. But it is clear from early maps that the Common was well-established as a grazing area for nearby residents. Allen’s 1626 map above shows a Tree of Life in the area, not a physical tree but symbolic of the importance of the area. Although the colours have faded badly on the map, the field appears to have been coloured yellow and some areas beyond the footpath on the south side suggest that originally the Common may have been larger. Properties are shown on the north side of the Common in the location of Middlehill House and barns (although the origins of the present house are a century later).
In early times, roads and trackways were often used to give access into fields for animals and wildlife as well as people, not for separating areas as nowadays. So the Common may have reduced in size through enclosure or adoption for farming. The extent of the Common has since remained in its present size as can be seen in this 1968 submission to define the area.[3]
There is no reference in these leases to the Common, possibly because the lord of the manor did not want to draw attention to the rights of others. But it is clear from early maps that the Common was well-established as a grazing area for nearby residents. Allen’s 1626 map above shows a Tree of Life in the area, not a physical tree but symbolic of the importance of the area. Although the colours have faded badly on the map, the field appears to have been coloured yellow and some areas beyond the footpath on the south side suggest that originally the Common may have been larger. Properties are shown on the north side of the Common in the location of Middlehill House and barns (although the origins of the present house are a century later).
In early times, roads and trackways were often used to give access into fields for animals and wildlife as well as people, not for separating areas as nowadays. So the Common may have reduced in size through enclosure or adoption for farming. The extent of the Common has since remained in its present size as can be seen in this 1968 submission to define the area.[3]
Middlehill Common Provisional Register, 1968
Victorian Developments
A third lease was recorded in 1837 when William Brook Northey granted the property to James Fudge junior, tailor of Middlehill, on the old existing terms. This lease suggests the name of the road was Slop Lane (possibly pronounced as Slope, a reference to the steepness of the road going north). The nineteenth century Ordnance Survey maps all mention the buildings as a single-named property, The Laurels; the property we now call Toad Hall was simply part of The Laurels premises.
The 1840 Tithe Apportionment gives a wonderful overview of people and properties in Box. James Fudge was recorded as the owner and occupier of plot 238 House and Garden (The Laurels and Toad Hall). He was also the owner of other land now just to the east of Middlehill Tunnel: plot 349 House, shop and garden occupied by John Blissett and Thomas Bath; plot 355 House, Outbuildings and Garden occupied by George Poulsom; and plot 351 Orchard and Pasture also occupied by George Poulsom. In 1851 the next-door house in the census was unoccupied. As his family grew up, it seems likely that an entrepreneur like James junior let out the unwanted part of his house, although it was still the same property and retained the old name, The Laurels.
There were numerous changes of personnel in the 1860s and 70s. When James junior died on 2 March 1861 he was called a Gentleman, as was his son and executor, John Fudge of Middlehill (but not the joint executor, his son-in-law James Harding, carpenter of Bath). James’ widow Hester lived in the house for the rest of her life; in 1871 with her daughter-in-law Agnes (1831-1901), widow of carpenter James Fudge, who fell off scaffolding whilst standing on stone bricks only a few years after their marriage.[4] When Hester died in May 1877, the whole house would normally have been divided between the surviving children.
A third lease was recorded in 1837 when William Brook Northey granted the property to James Fudge junior, tailor of Middlehill, on the old existing terms. This lease suggests the name of the road was Slop Lane (possibly pronounced as Slope, a reference to the steepness of the road going north). The nineteenth century Ordnance Survey maps all mention the buildings as a single-named property, The Laurels; the property we now call Toad Hall was simply part of The Laurels premises.
The 1840 Tithe Apportionment gives a wonderful overview of people and properties in Box. James Fudge was recorded as the owner and occupier of plot 238 House and Garden (The Laurels and Toad Hall). He was also the owner of other land now just to the east of Middlehill Tunnel: plot 349 House, shop and garden occupied by John Blissett and Thomas Bath; plot 355 House, Outbuildings and Garden occupied by George Poulsom; and plot 351 Orchard and Pasture also occupied by George Poulsom. In 1851 the next-door house in the census was unoccupied. As his family grew up, it seems likely that an entrepreneur like James junior let out the unwanted part of his house, although it was still the same property and retained the old name, The Laurels.
There were numerous changes of personnel in the 1860s and 70s. When James junior died on 2 March 1861 he was called a Gentleman, as was his son and executor, John Fudge of Middlehill (but not the joint executor, his son-in-law James Harding, carpenter of Bath). James’ widow Hester lived in the house for the rest of her life; in 1871 with her daughter-in-law Agnes (1831-1901), widow of carpenter James Fudge, who fell off scaffolding whilst standing on stone bricks only a few years after their marriage.[4] When Hester died in May 1877, the whole house would normally have been divided between the surviving children.
In an attempt to tidy up all these changes, a new 95-year lease was granted in 1878 by George Wilbraham Northey, recently appointed joint lord of Box Manor on the death of his father.[5] It granted John Fudge, draper, continuity of lease for a further 95 years on payment of £9, subject to the usual Northey restrictions that the premises were not to be used for the trade or business of a publican, licensed victualler or beerhouse keeper or permit to be carried thereon any noisome or offensive trade or occupation. But more changes ensued to alter the situation again. Next door (probably part of The Laurels) lived Alfred, Alfred’s wife Ellen, their four children and one servant.
Headstone of Alfred Fudge in Box Cemetery (courtesy Carol Payne)
|
Alfred decided to buy out his siblings and to continue living in his home. Alfred was a commercial traveller sometimes for the Browning family, millers at Box and Drewetts Mills, sometimes in the wine trade.[6]
The year before his death shows something of his character when he helped set up and administer a trust for the widow of Thomas Hughes, killed at Box Railway Station.[7] A dinner for railway employees was instigated by his kind-hearted influence .. given by the good people of Box showing their appreciation of the readiness and civility of the railway employees in their care for the general safety and comfort of the public.[8] Alfred died suddenly at the young age of 41 in 1881, leaving his wife Ellen with five children all at school. He had made a will in 1870 leaving everything to her. It is worth taking a brief detour to consider the role of Alfred’s older brother John Fudge who was nominally the tenant of the property under the terms of the 1878 lease. The lease was solely concerned with the land, whilst Ellen had inherited the physical building. This was the legal situation until 1925 when copyhold tenure was abolished in favour of freehold tenure. |
|
Box Post Office John Fudge (who was sometimes confusingly called James) rose to prominence in the 1870s. In 1881 he was described as Draper, Postmaster and Assistant Village Overseer in the census. He had married Sarah Elizabeth Brokenbrow (1841-1910) in 1869 and set up home in the centre of Box village in the Market Place. At this premises he ran a draper’s shop and took over Box Post Office duties at this shop in 1878. In 1882 a curious legal case was brought by Frederick J Lander, draper at Lilstock, against A Mortishead, inland revenue officer, who lived at The Laurels, Middlehill, for non-payment of 3 guineas for a tweed suit.[9] John died suddenly in 1883 leaving a young family of 6 daughters and an infant son.[10] John’s wife Sarah took over the running of the Post Office in 1885 and had moved the business out of the Market Place premises to Lilstock on the Bath Road by 1901. It was the start of a dynasty for Box Post Office with (H)ester Maud and her younger sister Leonora taking it over from 1911 until 1947, followed by their nephew Richard Fudge, the son of her younger brother. Right: John Fudge who ran the Box Post Office (courtesy Margaret Wakefield) |
|
The Properties Divided
Following Alfred Fudge’s death in 1881, the needs of his widow Ellen were to manage her young family while earning an income for their survival. For a period, she moved out of their home and let The Laurels building in two parts. In 1891 one part was let to Harriet Oatley, widow, and her family, and lodgers including John Toy, railway station master. The adjoining property was occupied by Henry Drinkwater, railway engine driver, and his family. It was short-term arrangement and Ellen Fudge returned to The Laurels about 1891 when Harriet married John Toy (who adopted her children and moved the family to Corsham). There followed several short-term lets in part of the property, whilst Ellen and her unmarried daughters, Ada Frances and Kate Emma lived in the smaller part.
In 1901 the occupier was Harry Sawyer GWR signalman; in 1911 it was William Harry Say, agent for cattle feed, and his family; in 1921 Eileen Mary Hedge and a servant. Ellen Fudge stayed in part of the property with her unmarried daughters until her death in 1921. Shortly before this in 1918 she made a will leaving The Laurels to Ada Frances and the lease of the property to Kate Emma for the unexpired term. In this way, the two daughters had to agree their interest in the house before it could be sold.
Following Alfred Fudge’s death in 1881, the needs of his widow Ellen were to manage her young family while earning an income for their survival. For a period, she moved out of their home and let The Laurels building in two parts. In 1891 one part was let to Harriet Oatley, widow, and her family, and lodgers including John Toy, railway station master. The adjoining property was occupied by Henry Drinkwater, railway engine driver, and his family. It was short-term arrangement and Ellen Fudge returned to The Laurels about 1891 when Harriet married John Toy (who adopted her children and moved the family to Corsham). There followed several short-term lets in part of the property, whilst Ellen and her unmarried daughters, Ada Frances and Kate Emma lived in the smaller part.
In 1901 the occupier was Harry Sawyer GWR signalman; in 1911 it was William Harry Say, agent for cattle feed, and his family; in 1921 Eileen Mary Hedge and a servant. Ellen Fudge stayed in part of the property with her unmarried daughters until her death in 1921. Shortly before this in 1918 she made a will leaving The Laurels to Ada Frances and the lease of the property to Kate Emma for the unexpired term. In this way, the two daughters had to agree their interest in the house before it could be sold.
Toad Hall (courtesy Carol Payne)
Naming the Properties
On her mother’s death in 1921, Kate Emma Fudge stayed in the property working as a lace and blouse buyer at the department store premises of Jollys at College Green, Bristol. She was the last of the Fudge family to live there and in 1933 she died there. The residue of the lease of the whole house now or late occupied as two houses was assigned to her nephew Brian Alfred Fudge in Sussex and her niece Molly Kathleen Fudge in Brighton on the payment of £300 to the Northey family. She intended that the larger of the two houses (then in the occupation of Captain Simmons) should go to Brian and Kate Emma’s residence should go to Molly.
Brian and Molly sold their leasehold interest in The Laurels to Florence Mabel Lauderdale of Bath for £500, and she bought the freehold from the Northey family in 1934 together with an additional piece of land to the north-west.[11] The conveyance referred to the whole of The Laurels building; still no mention that part of the building had a separate name.
On her mother’s death in 1921, Kate Emma Fudge stayed in the property working as a lace and blouse buyer at the department store premises of Jollys at College Green, Bristol. She was the last of the Fudge family to live there and in 1933 she died there. The residue of the lease of the whole house now or late occupied as two houses was assigned to her nephew Brian Alfred Fudge in Sussex and her niece Molly Kathleen Fudge in Brighton on the payment of £300 to the Northey family. She intended that the larger of the two houses (then in the occupation of Captain Simmons) should go to Brian and Kate Emma’s residence should go to Molly.
Brian and Molly sold their leasehold interest in The Laurels to Florence Mabel Lauderdale of Bath for £500, and she bought the freehold from the Northey family in 1934 together with an additional piece of land to the north-west.[11] The conveyance referred to the whole of The Laurels building; still no mention that part of the building had a separate name.
Modern Owners
In modern times the two properties have had different owners and can be separately identified. In February 1948 Florence Lauderdale sold eastern section (still called The Laurels) to Edward Gray, civil servant, and his wife Eva Annie, who took out a mortgage to buy it. On Eva’s death in 1952 her heir Edward Arthur Warner Gray sold the house to Margaret E and Jean A McLellan of Bath for £2,725 in 1953. Jean married Antony Burdett in 1957 and Margaret married William S Haynes in 1964. The sisters sold The Laurels to David and Kate Lyons in 1966, who lived there for 10 years until selling to Martin and Lucy Ashley in 1976. At this point The Laurels was renamed Laurel Cottage to emphasise that it was a single residence, not related to the adjoining property. By 1986 Laurel Cottage was let to Janet Myee Burnett and Captain d’Antrobus.
The adjoining property was called Toadstool when Florence sold this part of the building to William Robert Weston on 31 October 1941. It is unclear if the reference was to fungi or saddlestones. William Robert Weston (1909-) was the works director of Williams, Ellis & Co (rubber manufacturer at Quarry Hill, Box). He moved out of his parent’s house in Bath and the same year he married Daphne Hacket from Ashley.[12] The Box Rubber Mills factory went into administration in 1950 and the Westons may have left Toadstools at that time.
In modern times the two properties have had different owners and can be separately identified. In February 1948 Florence Lauderdale sold eastern section (still called The Laurels) to Edward Gray, civil servant, and his wife Eva Annie, who took out a mortgage to buy it. On Eva’s death in 1952 her heir Edward Arthur Warner Gray sold the house to Margaret E and Jean A McLellan of Bath for £2,725 in 1953. Jean married Antony Burdett in 1957 and Margaret married William S Haynes in 1964. The sisters sold The Laurels to David and Kate Lyons in 1966, who lived there for 10 years until selling to Martin and Lucy Ashley in 1976. At this point The Laurels was renamed Laurel Cottage to emphasise that it was a single residence, not related to the adjoining property. By 1986 Laurel Cottage was let to Janet Myee Burnett and Captain d’Antrobus.
The adjoining property was called Toadstool when Florence sold this part of the building to William Robert Weston on 31 October 1941. It is unclear if the reference was to fungi or saddlestones. William Robert Weston (1909-) was the works director of Williams, Ellis & Co (rubber manufacturer at Quarry Hill, Box). He moved out of his parent’s house in Bath and the same year he married Daphne Hacket from Ashley.[12] The Box Rubber Mills factory went into administration in 1950 and the Westons may have left Toadstools at that time.
Conclusion
The story of Laurel Cottage and Toad Hall replicates many other properties throughout Box. The Northeys had a business model for exploiting their estate which they used for over a hundred years based on selling the right for others to build residential properties without themselves incurring any expenditure. For many years the ground rent on the freehold reversion was sufficient to maintain their lifestyle until massive inflation in the twentieth century made the model unviable.
The continuity of ownership by the Fudge family meant that the naming of houses was unnecessary. When this constancy was eroded by two World Wars, the post office needed house names or numbers to deliver letters.
The story of Laurel Cottage and Toad Hall replicates many other properties throughout Box. The Northeys had a business model for exploiting their estate which they used for over a hundred years based on selling the right for others to build residential properties without themselves incurring any expenditure. For many years the ground rent on the freehold reversion was sufficient to maintain their lifestyle until massive inflation in the twentieth century made the model unviable.
The continuity of ownership by the Fudge family meant that the naming of houses was unnecessary. When this constancy was eroded by two World Wars, the post office needed house names or numbers to deliver letters.
Fudge Family Tree
James senior (1753-1827) mason, married Elizabeth (Betty) Brown (1763-) on 3 September 1786. Children included:
James junior (1787-1861), tailor, married Hester Harding (1800-1877) from Alcombe in 1828. Children included:
Alfred Fudge (1840-1881) married Ellen Pocock (1842-1921) in 1865. Children:
Fudge Family at Box Post Office
John (sometimes known as James) Fudge (1831-1883) married Sarah Elizabeth Brokenbrow (1841-1910). Children:
James senior (1753-1827) mason, married Elizabeth (Betty) Brown (1763-) on 3 September 1786. Children included:
- James junior (1787-1861);
James junior (1787-1861), tailor, married Hester Harding (1800-1877) from Alcombe in 1828. Children included:
- Elizabeth (1828-) married Joel Smith in 1850
- John (1831-1883), draper and postmaster, married Sarah Elizabeth Brokenbrow in 1869
- James (1833-1871) buried in Shropshire but recorded in Box Cemetery records. He married Agnes Stewart in 1868
- Emma (1835-) married Oliver Andrews in 1869
- Alfred (1840-1881), trained as grocer’s assistant, later commercial traveller in wine trade, married Ellen Pocock
- George (1841-1923), stone cutter, married Charlotte (1842-1901) and lived in Bath.
Alfred Fudge (1840-1881) married Ellen Pocock (1842-1921) in 1865. Children:
- Harry Alfred (1870-) married Elizabeth Amelia Bond in 1900
- Frederick James (1873-1931) married Lilian Maud Catherine Case (1869-1961) in 1899
- Ada Frances (1867-1948), never married
- Mary Ellen (1867-1929) married Joseph George Hooper in 1901
- Kate Emma (1869-1933 died at The Laurels), never married.
Fudge Family at Box Post Office
John (sometimes known as James) Fudge (1831-1883) married Sarah Elizabeth Brokenbrow (1841-1910). Children:
- Hester Maud (1870-1951) Box postmistress, never married
- Agnes Louise (1872-1901), never married
- Eva Amelia (1872-1971), never married
- Alice Emmeline (1875-1961) married Frank Wiltshire in 1917
- Leonora Mildred (1877-1964), never married
- Margaret (1881-)
- John (1883-1949) married Deborah Goulstone Tanner in 1908 and Elizabeth Wootton in 1949. He served in the Royal Engineers in WW1. Children include John (1914-) and Richard (1916-).
References
[1] Lease dated 1 April 1796
[2] Lease dated 31 December 1827
[3] Middlehill Common Provisional Register, 1968
[4] Shrewsbury Journal, 25 January 1871
[5] Lease 31 December 1878
[6] Bath Express and County Herald, 29 July 1879
[7] The Bath Herald, 29 November 1880
[8] The Bath Herald, 14 January 1881
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 30 March 1882
[10] The Trowbridge Chronicle, 1 December 1883
[11] Conveyance, 15 January 1934
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 November 1941
[1] Lease dated 1 April 1796
[2] Lease dated 31 December 1827
[3] Middlehill Common Provisional Register, 1968
[4] Shrewsbury Journal, 25 January 1871
[5] Lease 31 December 1878
[6] Bath Express and County Herald, 29 July 1879
[7] The Bath Herald, 29 November 1880
[8] The Bath Herald, 14 January 1881
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 30 March 1882
[10] The Trowbridge Chronicle, 1 December 1883
[11] Conveyance, 15 January 1934
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 November 1941