(431) Baskerville of Woolley Grange and Crowsley Park

Baskerville of Woolley Grange and Crowsley Park 

The Baskerville family who lived at Malmesbury, Bradford-on-Avon and Calne (all in Wiltshire) from the 17th to the 19th centuries claimed descent from Philip Baskerville, the third son of Sir Walter Baskerville (d. 1505), kt., of Eardisley (Herefs), who moved to Salisbury in the early 16th century. This is entirely plausible and may well be correct, but the suggestion in Burke's Landed Gentry that John Baskerville (d. 1681), with whom the genealogy below begins, was the grandson of Philip - who was born about 1490 - is not really tenable. John Baskerville may be identifiable with the child of that name baptised at Malmesbury in 1617, in which case his father's name was Richard, but it has not proved possible to push this lineage any further back with satisfactory evidence. The social status of John and his immediate descendants seems to have been that of yeomen and clothiers occupying a middle station between the landowning gentry and the peasantry, but over time the profits of the clothing trade and prudent marriages made them rather wealthier, and the family began styling themselves 'gentleman' from the early 18th century.

John Baskerville's eldest son, John Baskerville (1649-1732), settled at Burton Hill on the outskirts of Malmesbury, but not apparently at Burton Hill House, which was occupied by the Hungerford and Estcourt families at this period. By 1675, John had become a Quaker, and this remained the family's religion for the next two generations. The excellent record-keeping of the Quakers shows that John had four sons who survived to adulthood, namely John, Ezekiel, James and Thomas. John and James became clothiers in Bradford-on-Avon and Calne respectively, while Ezekiel Baskerville (1681-1736), who was the eldest son to survive his father, inherited the Burton Hill property and Thomas (1687-1756), the youngest son, became a leather merchant in London before retiring to Surrey.

John Baskerville (1678-1730) was probably already settled in Bradford-on-Avon when he married Ann Webb there in 1701. At some point he purchased a small 17th century manor house called Woolley Grange outside the town, but this may have been a little later. In 1710, John married for a second time, and produced four sons and four daughters. Only two of the sons survived to adulthood, and the elder, Joseph Baskerville (1713-56) became a woollen draper in London, leaving Thomas Baskerville (1717-79) to inherit Woolley Grange and his father's clothing interests in Bradford-on-Avon. Thomas was brought up in a Quaker household, but later left the Society of Friends, perhaps on his marriage to a non-Quaker in 1741. He had two sons and five daughters, but once again the eldest son was not the principal heir. The career of his eldest son, Thomas Baskerville (1743-c.1782) is somewhat obscure, but he was left some urban property in Bradford-on-Avon by his father. Burke's Landed Gentry suggests he was a soldier, but this seems to be based on a confusion with his near-contemporary, Lt-Col. Thomas Baskerville (1735-1817) of Poulton House near Marlborough, who appears in a previous post. Thomas Baskerville senior's younger son was John Baskerville (1745-1800), who was a clothier, and it was he who inherited Woolley Grange. He married Hester, the daughter of Nicholas Webb of Norton Court (Glos), a wealthy Gloucester merchant, and produced two sons, John Baskerville (1772-1837) and Joseph Baskerville (1773-1812), neither of whom married. He left his estate to his widow, who died in 1819, and then to his son, John. When John died without issue in 1837, he bequeathed his property to his cousin, Henry Viveash (1793-1877) of Calne, on condition that he took the name Baskerville.

Henry Viveash (the name is pronounced Vy-vash) was the eldest surviving son of Oriel Viveash of Calne, clothier, and his wife Sarah, the daughter of Thomas Baskerville (1717-79), and had pursued a career with the East India Company in Madras (India), where he was a member of the Board of Revenue. In such a position he may well have accumulated a substantial capital on his own account, but on receiving the legacy from his cousin he returned to England. He did not, however, occupy Woolley Grange, which was at first leased to his brother, Charles Baskerville Viveash (1799-1863) and then to Capt. Septimus Palairet (d. 1854) (who remodelled the house considerably in the late 1840s), before being sold in 1864. Instead, Henry Baskerville (as he became

Farleigh Castle, Farleigh Hungerford: rented by Henry Baskerville, 1842-45

in 1838) chose to rent a house in Cheltenham, and then Farleigh Castle at Farleigh Hungerford (Som.), while he looked around for a grander estate to purchase. In 1845 he found what he was looking for in Crowsley Park near Shiplake (Oxfordshire), and he moved in shortly afterwards. He was quickly assimilated into the county elite in his new home, becoming a deputy lieutenant in 1846 and serving as High Sheriff in 1847-48. 

In 1839, Henry Baskerville married Mary Anna Burton (d. 1888), whose father had been a doctor in Madras and was no doubt known to Henry from his years in India. They had two sons and four daughters, of whom the elder son, John Baskerville (1839-1927) inherited Crowsley Park, while the younger, Henry Joseph North Baskerville (1861-1941), had a very chequered career. After a traditional education at public schools and Cambridge, he married Edith Peskett, the daughter of a house painter from Chichester, in 1886. The couple separated at some point in the 1890s, with Edith returning to live with her father, while Henry found a new partner in Lilian Hayward (1883-1971), the daughter of a policeman from Mitcheldean (Glos), with whom he went on to have five children. Henry and Lilian lived as husband and wife - and appear as such on the 1901 and 1911 censuses - but there had been no marriage (and if there had been it would have been bigamous and invalid). This would have remained a very minor scandal had not Henry, at some point in the first decade of the 20th century, been ordained as a minister of the Free Church of England, and in 1910 made incumbent of Christ Church, Broadstairs (Kent). He filled this role for five years, but in 1915 something happened that caused the church authorities to deprive him of his living and pack him off to lead a mission church in Birmingham. Since he was evidently on excellent terms with his congregation (who presented him with a purse of gold sovereigns when he left the parish) it seems likely that his marital status had come to the attention of the church and caused his demotion. He continued, however, to live with Lilian, and as soon as his first wife died, in 1932, he married her, although under English law this did not legitimate their children.

John Baskerville (1839-1927), who inherited Crowsley Park, pursued a more orthodox career in the army, retiring as a major in 1868, and later commanded the Oxfordshire Hussars, with the honorary rank of Colonel. He succeeded his father in 1877 and became a JP and County Councillor, and from 1890 a deputy lieutenant. Like his father, he married a doctor's daughter, and produced two sons and two daughters. His elder son, and the heir to Crowsley Park, was the historian Geoffrey Baskerville (1870-1944), whose trenchant and revisionist book on the dissolution of the monasteries appeared in 1937. He inherited Crowsley Park in 1927 and lived there with his mother, who died in 1939. Soon afterwards, Crowsley Park was requisitioned by the Government for the use of the BBC. The Corporation was principally interested in the park, which despite the proximity of the town of Reading offered good conditions for monitoring overseas telecommunications, with limited electrical interference. After the war, the Corporation retained the park and built a new building to house its monitoring service staff, but the family returned briefly to the house in the person of Geoffrey Baskerville's younger brother, the Rev. Humphrey Baskerville (1879-1952), another childless bachelor. On his death, the estate was sold and the BBC was able to acquire the freehold.

Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

A medium-sized manor house, dated 1665, irregularly gabled and with tall square ashlar chimney stacks set diagonally in groups of two and three. The house was considerably restored and added to by Captain S.H. Palairet in about 1847-50, probably to the designs of George Phillips Manners of Bath (who is thought to have designed Christ Church Schools in Bradford, opened in 1847 and paid for by Palairet). 

Woolley Grange: an engraving of 1888 by Samuel Loxton of Bristol.

The two-storey front elevation of rubble stone with ashlar dressings has gabled attics, each with a two-light casement window, and all the gables have unusual and attractive pierced spear-head finials. Beneath the two left-hand gables are a pair of 19th century two-storey bays with balustraded parapets and stone mullioned windows on each floor. The square porch is set approximately centrally in the facade and has a room over it and above that another balustraded parapet. The doorcase is in the form of a moulded segmental arch with keystone and imposts, and inside the porch is a carved oak ceiling with the date "1665" over the inner doorway. To the right of the porch is a plain bay, with three-light stone mullioned casements with drip-moulds on the ground and first floors; it seems likely that the bays to the left of the porch were originally similar in form. To the right again is a slightly taller projecting bay with a large gable and a single-storey bay window which seems to match those on the bays to the left of the porch, and therefore probably also dates from the 1840s. 

Woolley Grange: the main front today

A lower gabled wing on the extreme right of the front elevation has a restored three-light oriel window with a shallow embattled parapet. There is a late 19th century conservatory on the extreme left of the frontage and the side elevation at this end has three gables and some original mullioned windows and drip-moulds. At the rear there is a single-storey flat-roofed extension incorporating a porch made up from older sculptural fragments, which is reminiscent (in a simpler way) of the garden porch at Crowsley Park (for which, see below). In the mid 20th century the house was used as a maternity home, and it was converted to an hotel in 1989. The road from Bradford-on-Avon to Woolley Green originally ran immediately past the house but was moved further away when the house was restored in 1860.

Descent: sold to John Baskerville (1678-1730); to son, Thomas Baskerville (1717-79); to son, John Baskerville (1745-1800); to widow, Hester (d. 1819); to son, John Baskerville (1772-1837); to cousin, Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) (1793-1877), who leased 1846 to Captain Septimus Henry Palairet (d. 1854); sold 1864 to Samuel Beavan (fl. 1866); sold to Buddle Atkinson (d. 1880); to widow Clara, later wife of John Bell Simpson... sold c.1905 to Percy Kendall Stothert (fl. 1905-17); sold to Lt-Col. Harry F. Darell (fl. 1920-27); sold 1927 to Charles Goschen (d. 1939); to widow, Beatrice Goschen (fl. 1942) who let 1941 to Wiltshire County Council for use as a maternity home.

Crowsley Park, Shiplake, Oxfordshire

Crowsley Park: entrance front in 2010. Image: Shaun Ferguson. Some rights reserved.

Crowsley Park is a long, narrow house built probably by Francis Heywood in the early 1730s to replace an earlier farmhouse. It is built of red brick and presents a ten bay front on the entrance front and thirteen bays on the garden side, which is about eight feet wider. John Atkyns-Wright remodelled it in about 1800, adding a Gothic-style battlemented porch and corner turrets. Henry Baskerville made substantial changes before 1852, and more limited alterations followed in the late 19th century, probably including the extraordinary porch on the garden front, which is made up from fragments of older carving, 18th century mouldings, urns, and a pair of neo-Jacobean corbels. 

Crowsley Park: garden front in about 1870. Image: Elizabeth Clifford/Historic England.

Crowsley Park: the porch on the garden front in 1956.
Image: Historic England.

In 1844 the house included a large stone-paved entrance hall, library, drawing and dining rooms, and (on the first floor) six principal bedrooms. The house preserves a fine staircase with twisted balusters and carved treads, and much 18th century panelling, shutters and plasterwork. There is also a handsome curved back stair of c.1800. The house was neglected in the mid 20th century when Geoffrey Baskerville seems to have been short of money, and it was requisitioned by the Government in 1942 and given to the BBC, who occupied the house and built a signals-receiving station in the park. By 1970 the house was in very poor condition, but it was subsequently restored by Hugh and Beeban Morris, who took a twenty-year repairing lease, demolished the servants’ wing and restored the rest. Much additional work was done to the house from 1995 onwards by a later lessee, the clothing designer Jeff Banks, including the conversion of outbuildings to domestic use.

The chief ornament surviving from the 18th century park is a grotto built into the hillside south-east of the house. This has a stone front with three niches over the entrance, and inside a single rib-vaulted chamber with niches in the partly shell-lined walls. The Baskervilles planted thousands of trees, forming avenues and a fine arboretum, which included some sub-tropical exotic planting. During the period of neglect in the mid 20th century, the arboretum grew into an almost impenetrable jungle with a humid micro-climate, in which the long-forgotten sub-tropical plants not only survived but grew to a size rarely seen in the UK. When Hugh Morris began to force a way into the jungle with a small tractor in the 1970s this remarkable world was rediscovered.

Descent: Crown granted c.1570 to Thomas Crompton; sold to Bennett Winchcombe and Humphrey Purcell; sold 1595 to John Mochett (d. 1605); to widow Margery Mochett (d. 1623) and then to his nephew John Cooke; sold 1627 to Peter du Bois; to widow, who sold 1660s to Abraham Otger... Peter Otger sold 1732 to Francis Heywood (d. 1747), who built the house and enlarged the estate; to brother William Heywood (d. 1762); to nephew John Crew (d. 1788) and sisters Mary Wright (d 1780) and Elizabeth Fonnereau (d. 1777) as co-heirs; reunited by Mary’s daughter Mary Wright (d. 1793); to nephew, John Atkyns-Wright MP (d. 1822); to widow Mary Atkyns-Wright (d. 1842); sold by order of Chancery in 1845 to Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) (1793–1877); to son, John Baskerville (1839–1927); to son, Geoffrey Baskerville (1870-1944); requisitioned in 1942 for BBC, who later bought the freehold. The house was occupied by the Rev. Humphrey Baskerville until his death in 1952, and leased from 1970-90 to Mr & Mrs Hugh Morris and from 1995 to Jeff Banks (b. 1943). 

Baskerville family of Woolley Grange and Crowsley Park

Baskerville, John (1617?-81). Possibly the son of Richard Baskerville and his wife, baptised at Malmesbury, 19 August 1617. He may also be the John Baskerville of Malmesbury who was licensed by the Bishop of Salisbury as a teacher, 1662. He married, about 1646, Rebecca [surname unknown] (fl. 1682) and had issue:

(1) An unnamed child (d. 1648); probably died in infancy and was buried at Malmesbury, 20 July 1648;

(2) twin?, Mary Baskerville (1648-61), baptised at Malmesbury, 7 January 1648/9; died young and was buried at Malmesbury, 2 August 1661;

(3) twin?, Rebecca Baskerville (b. 1648), baptised at Malmesbury, 7 January 1648/9;

(4) John Baskerville (1649-1732) (q.v.);

(5) Thomas Baskerville (b. 1652; fl. 1724) of Malmesbury, baptised at Malmesbury, 23 April 1652; living in 1724;

(6) Francis Baskerville (1654-1729), born 17 December 1654 and baptised at Malmesbury, 9 January 1654/5; clothier of Malmesbury; married, 1687, Bridget Baldwyn of Yatesbury (Wilts), and had issue one daughter; buried at Malmesbury, 24 March 1728/9; will proved 12 July 1731;

(7) Joseph Baskerville (b. 1656), born 9 December 1656 and baptised at Malmesbury, 5 January 1656/7;

(8) An unnamed son (b. 1661), born 21 April 1661; probably died in infancy;

(9) An unnamed son (d. 1663), probably died in infancy and was buried 8 September 1663.

He lived at Malmesbury.

He was buried at Malmesbury, 3 November 1681; administration of his goods was granted in 1682. His widow was living in 1682 but her date of death is unknown.

Baskerville, John (1649-1732). Eldest son of John Baskerville (1617?-81) and his wife Rebecca [surname unknown], baptised at Malmesbury, 23 October 1649. He married 1st, 22 August 1675 at Slaughterford (Wilts), Elizabeth Wallis (d. 1700) of Slaughterford (Wilts), and 2nd Ann [surname unknown] (d. 1732), and had issue:

(1.1) John Baskerville (b. & d. 1676), born 4 June 1676; died in infancy and was buried 6 June 1676;

(1.2) Rebecca Baskerville (b. 1677), born 12 April 1677; married, 1698/9, Charles Robins (fl. 1731) and had issue one son and two daughters; living in 1731; 

(1.3) John Baskerville (1678-1730) (q.v.);

(1.4) Ezekiel Baskerville (1681-1756) of Burton Hill (Wilts), born 17 March 1680/1; died unmarried and without issue, 12 August and was buried at Lea and Claverton, 15 August 1756; will proved at Malmesbury, 15 December 1756;

(1.5) James Baskerville (b. 1683), of Calne (Wilts), born 2 April 1683; married, before 1714, Jane [surname unknown] and had issue three sons; living in 1717;

(1.6) Elizabeth Baskerville (b. 1685), born 19 May 1685; married, probably after 1717, Henry Franklyn, and had issue one daughter; living in 1756;

(1.7) Thomas Baskerville (1687-1756), born 31 January 1686/7; leather-seller in London, and later of Merstham (Surrey); died without issue, 8 August and was buried at Reigate Quaker Burial Ground (Surrey), 13 August 1756; will proved 23 August 1756.

He lived at Burton Hill, Malmesbury.

He died 20 August and was buried at The Lea Quaker Burial Ground, 24 August 1732; his will was proved 25 October 1732. His first wife died 14 March 1700. His second wife was buried at The Lea Quaker Burial Ground, 6 February 1731/2.

Baskerville, John (1678-1730). Second but eldest surviving son of John Baskerville (1649-1732) and his first wife, Elizabeth Wallis of Slaughterford (Wilts), born 7 July 1678. Clothier. A Quaker in religion. He married 1st, 19 June 1701 at Comerwell Quaker Meeting House, Anne Webb (d. 1701) of Bradford-on-Avon (Wilts) and 2nd, 6 July 1710, Rachel (c.1685-1744?), daughter of Joseph Sargent of Calne (Wilts), and had issue:

(2.1) Mary Baskerville (b. 1711), born at Calne, 12 June 1711; married, after 1729, Thomas Farmer (fl. 1752);

(2.2) John Baskerville (1712-34), born 5 September 1712; died unmarried and without issue, and was buried in the Quaker burial ground at Lavington (Wilts), 7 July 1734;

(2.3) Joseph Baskerville (1713-56), born 24 July 1713; woollen draper of Tinley (Wilts) and Fenchurch St., London; married, 11 September 1735 at Bristol, Mary (1715-66?), daughter of Thomas Farmer of Bromsgrove (Worcs), ironmonger, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 2 April and was buried at Bunhill Fields, 9 April 1756; will proved in the PCC, 10 April 1756;

(2.4) Rachel Baskerville (1716-20), born 30 October 1716; died young and was buried in the Quaker burial ground at Comerwell (Wilts), 18 July 1720;

(2.5) Thomas Baskerville (1717-79) (q.v.);

(2.6) James Baskerville (1721-22), born 2 July 1721 and died 9 November 1722;

(2.7) Rachel Baskerville (b. & d. 1723), born 11 October 1723; died in infancy, 6 November 1723;

(2.8) Elizabeth Baskerville (b. 1728), born 17 August 1728; married John Stafford (d. 1780) of Bradford-on-Avon and later of Winchester (Hants), clothier, and had issue three sons and four daughters; death not traced.

He lived at Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon, which he bequeathed to his widow for life and then to his youngest surviving son, Thomas. He also left a bequest of £50 for wainscoting and repairing his house at Woolley.

He died in the lifetime of his father, between 29 January and 24 March 1729/30; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 March 1729/30. His first wife died 26 December 1701. His widow is said to have died 13 March 1744.

Baskerville, Thomas (1717-79). Third son of John Baskerville (1678-1730) and his second wife, Rachel, daughter of Joseph Sargent of Calne (Wilts), born 7 March 1716/7 and registered at Lavington (Wilts) Quaker Meeting. Gentleman clothier at Bradford-on-Avon. He married, 21 April 1741 at Great Chalfield (Wilts), Anne (d. c.1787), daughter of Thomas Dyke esq. of Bradford-on-Avon, and had issue:

(1) Thomas Baskerville (1743-c.1782), of Bradford-on-Avon, baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 27 April 1743; sometimes said to be an officer in the army but this appears to be a confusion with his distant kinsman, Lt-Col. Thomas Baskerville (1735-1817) of Poulton House near Marlborough (Wilts); although the eldest son he was not his father's principal heir; he probably died between 1779 and 1786 as he is mentioned in his father's will but not in his mother's will, but his burial has not been traced;

(2) John Baskerville (1745-1800) (q.v.);

(3) Ann Baskerville (1747-98), baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 23 June 1747; died unmarried and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 18 September 1798;

(4) Rachel Baskerville (1750-79), baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 10 August 1750; died unmarried and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 19 October 1779; will proved in PCC, 2 November 1779;

(5) Elizabeth Baskerville (1753-1826), baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 8 August 1753; married, 13 March 1782 at South Wraxall (Wilts), Thomas Todd (d. 1827) of Tunniside, Lanchester (Co. Durham), an official of the General Post Office, and had issue two daughters; died at the house of her son-in-law in Cheshunt (Herts) and was buried at Cheshunt, 3 June 1826;

(6) Susannah Baskerville (1759-1822), baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 29 June 1759; married, 26 August 1779 at Bradford-on-Avon, Henry Headley MD (c.1756-1838) of Calne and later Devizes (Wilts), apothecary and physician, but had no issue; buried at Devizes, 2 January 1822;

(7) Sarah Baskerville (1761-1830) (q.v.).

He inherited Woolley Grange from his father in 1730, and came of age in 1738. He was also the residuary legatee of his uncle, Thomas Baskerville of Merstham in 1756.

He died 4 September and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 9 September 1779; his will was proved in the PCC, 30 September 1779. His widow was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 22 December 1787; her will was proved 27 December 1787.

Baskerville, John (1745-1800). Second son of Thomas Baskerville (1717-79) and his wife Anne, daughter of Thomas Dyke of Bradford-on-Avon (Wilts), born 30 March and baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 1 May 1745. Clothier at Bradford-on-Avon; JP and DL for Wiltshire. He married, 17 October 1771 at Bradford-on-Avon, Hester (1743-1819), daughter of Nicholas Webb of Norton Court (Glos) and Gloucester, merchant, and had issue:

(1) John Baskerville (1772-1837) (q.v.);

(2) Joseph Baskerville (1773-1812), of Woolley Grange, born 6 August 1773 and baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 15 March 1774; died unmarried, 7 October, and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 14 October 1812.

He inherited Woolley Grange from his father in 1779. He left his estate to his widow for life, with remainder to his sons.

He died 15 March and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 21 March 1800; his will was proved in the PCC, 26 May 1800. His widow was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 16 December 1819; her will was proved 11 April 1820.

Baskerville, John (1772-1837). Elder son of John Baskerville (1745-1800) and his wife Hester, daughter of Nicholas Webb of Norton Court (Glos), born 22 July and baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 26 July 1772. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Woolley Grange on the death of his mother in 1820, but lived latterly in Bath. On his death his property passed to his cousin, Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) (1793-1877) (q.v.), on condition that he took the name Baskerville.

He died at Bath (Som.) 20 December and was buried at Bradford-on-Avon, 28 December 1837; his will was proved 5 February and 7 March 1838.

Baskerville, Sarah (1761-1830). Fifth daughter of Thomas Baskerville (1717-79) and his wife Anne, daughter of Thomas Dyke of Bradford-on-Avon (Wilts), baptised at Bradford-on-Avon, 27 November 1761. She married, 21 April 1788 at Calne (Wilts), Oriel Viveash (1763-1836) of Calne, clothier, second son of Simeon Viveash, and had issue:

(1) Catherine Anne Viveash (1789-92), born 6 March and baptised at Calne, 7 April 1789; died young, and was buried at Calne, 31 January 1792;

(2) Samuel Viveash (1791-1830), born 19 January and baptised 14 February 1791; clothier in partnership with his father at Calne; Treasurer of Calne Turnpike Roads; died unmarried in London, 25 November, and was buried at Calne, 3 December 1830;

(3) Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) (1793-1877) (q.v.);

(4) Oriel Viveash (1795-1863), of Calne (Wilts), born 6 January and baptised at Calne, 6 March 1795; articled clerk to John Merewether of Calne, attorney, 1811; East India Company's solicitor for the Madras presidency, 1835; after his retirement he lived in a hotel in London; died at Ealing (Middx), 25 January 1863; will proved 29 April 1863 (effects under £25,000);

(5) Anne Viveash (1796-1819), born 16 December 1796 and was baptised at Calne, 11 March 1799; died unmarried and was buried at Calne, 2 July 1819;

(6) Charles Baskerville Viveash (1799-1863), born 27 January and was baptised at Calne, 11 March 1799; articled clerk to John Merewether of Calne, 1815 and to John Blackstock of London, 1819; qualified as an attorney and solicitor and practised in London in partnership with Thomas Wootton until 1829; he then emigrated to Tasmania (Australia), but returned to the Bradford-on-Avon area and occupied Woolley Grange in the early 1840s; about 1846 he moved to Ealing (Middx) and was apparently again in practice in London; he married 1st, 19 April 1824 at Overton (Wilts), Ellen (d. 1842), eldest surviving daughter of Henry Tanner of Overton (Wilts), and 2nd, 22 March 1845 at St Marylebone (Middx), Susan (1812-96), daughter of Henry Gammon of Georgeham (Devon) and widow of Thomas Grimshaw, and had issue one son and one daughter by his second wife; died at Ealing, 6 February 1863; will proved 27 April 1863 (effects under £14,000);

(7) Eliza Susannah Viveash (c.1802-56), born about 1802; lived in the family house on The Green, Calne; died unmarried, 14 January, and was buried at Calne, 19 January 1856; will proved in the PCC, 13 February 1856;

(8) Hester Viveash (1804-46), born 12 February and baptised 29 February 1804; married, 15 October 1829 at Calne, William Tanner (1801-1845) of Overton (Wilts) and later of Colyton (Devon), farmer, and had issue at least three sons and two daughters; she and her husband and family emigrated to Swan Lake, Western Australia in 1830-31, returned in 1835, went out again in 1838 and returned finally in 1844; for details of their property holdings see this page; on both their outward journeys they led large parties of emigrants; she died 31 August, and was buried at Colyton Unitarian Church, 5 September 1846.

She and her husband lived in a house on the Green at Calne (Wilts).

She was buried at Calne, 20 January 1830. Her husband died 30 April and was buried at Calne, 7 May 1836; administration of his goods was granted 2 November 1836.

Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) 

Viveash (later Baskerville), Henry (1793-1877). Second son of Oriel Viveash (1763-1836) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Thomas Baskerville of Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon (Wilts), born 6 January and baptised at Calne (Wilts), 28 January 1793 'by a dissenting minister' and 7 April 1793 into the Church of England. Educated at Haileybury College, 1809-11; a civilian official of the East India Co. at Madras, 1811-38, and latterly a member of the Board of Revenue. JP for Wiltshire, Somerset (from 1842) and Oxfordshire; DL for Oxfordshire (from 1846); High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, 1847-48. He assumed the name and arms of Baskerville by royal licence, 5 March 1838. He married, 14 February 1839 at Cheltenham (Glos), Mary Anna (d. 1888), second daughter of John Standfast Burton esq. of Cheltenham (and formerly of the Madras medical establishment), and had issue:

(1) John Baskerville (1839-1927) (q.v.);

(2) Mary Anna Baskerville (1841-1900), born 6 May and baptised at Cheltenham, 23 June 1841; married, 1 December 1863, William Dalziel Mackenzie (1840-1928) of Fawley Court (Bucks), son of Edward Mackenzie of Fawley, civil engineer and contractor, and had issue two sons and four daughters; died 15 November 1900;

(3) Jessie Baskerville (1842-1920), born 30 August 1842 and baptised at Farleigh Hungerford (Som.), 15 May 1843; married, 17 June 1862, Maj-Gen. Edward Harding Steward (1835-1918), son of Samuel Steward, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 13 December 1920; will proved 4 February 1921 (estate £383);

(4) Helen Jane Baskerville (1843-1919), born 5 December 1843 and baptised at Farleigh Hungerford, 9 November 1844; married, 14 October 1865 at Shiplake, Col. Edward Philippe Mackenzie (1842-1929) of Downham Hall, Santon Downham (Suffk) and later of 14 Sussex Sq., Brighton, son of Edward Mackenzie of Fawley Court (Bucks), and had issue one daughter; died 3 October 1919; will proved 8 November 1919 (estate £7,564);

(5) Florence Emma Baskerville (1853-1912), born 7 July 1853; married, 22 July 1874 at Kensington (Middx), James Lynam Molloy (1837-1909), Irish songwriter and composer, and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 9 December 1912; will proved 21 January 1913 (estate £3,024);

(6) Rev. Henry Joseph North Baskerville (1861-1941), born 26 January and baptised at Shiplake, 11 March 1861; educated at Rugby, Radley and Clare College, Cambridge (matriculated 1881); married 1st, 1886 (sep. before 1901), Edith (1866-1932), daughter of Charles Thomas Peskett of Chichester (Sussex), house decorator, but had no issue; after his separation he lived as husband and wife with Lilian Julia Mary (1883-1971), daughter of Henry Hayward of Mitcheldean (Glos), policeman, by whom he had issue five children; he became a minister of the Free Church of England and incumbent of Christ Church, Broadstairs (Kent), 1910-15, but was dismissed in 1915 (perhaps because his marital status had come to light) and sent to run a mission church in Birmingham; after his first wife's death in 1932 he was legally married to his common law wife; he died 13 March 1941.

He inherited Woolley Grange from his cousin, John Baskerville (d. 1837) but leased it out and sold it in 1864. He rented Farleigh Castle at Farleigh Hungerford (Som.), 1842-45 and purchased Crowsley Park (Oxon) in 1845. 

He died 6 February and was buried at Shiplake, 10 February 1877; his will was proved 11 April 1877 (effects under £25,000). His widow was buried at Shiplake, 11 February 1888; her will was proved 10 May 1888 (effects £13,114).

Baskerville, Col. John (1839-1927). Elder son of Henry Viveash (later Baskerville) (1793-1837) and his wife Mary Anna, second daughter of John Standfast Burton of Cheltenham (Glos), born 9 November and baptised at Cheltenham, 18 December 1839. Educated at Eton. An officer in the army (Cornet, 1858; Lt., 1860; Capt. 1861; Maj., 1868; retired 1868) and subsequently of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars (Maj. by 1882; Lt-Col., 1885; Hon. Col., 1888; retired 1892). JP and DL (from 1890) for Oxfordshire; County Councillor for Oxfordshire, 1895-c.1910. A freemason from 1859. He married, 15 July 1869 at Ledbury (Herefs), Caroline (1846-1939), daughter of William Charles Henry MD FRS JP of Haffield House (Herefs), and had issue:

(1) Geoffrey Baskerville (1870-1944) (q.v.);

(2) Clara Juliet Baskerville (1871-1937), baptised at Harpsden (Oxon), 1 November 1871; a Sister of Mercy at Clewer (Berks); died in London, 27 September 1937;

(3) Maud Lucy Baskerville (1873-1959), baptised at Rotherfield Peppard (Oxon), 28 May 1873; married, 24 January 1912 at Shiplake, Rev. Walter Capel Young, rector of Fawley (Bucks), 1907-47, son of Henry Thomas Young of London; died 4 April 1959; will proved 23 June 1959 (estate £12,615);

(4) Rev. Humphrey Baskerville (1879-1952), born 22 February and baptised at Shiplake, 16 April 1879; educated at Wellington College, Oriel College, Oxford (BA 1902; MA 1905) and Cuddesdon Theological College; ordained deacon, 1905 and priest, 1908; curate of Wantage (Berks), 1905-06, St John, East Dulwich (London), 1906-09 and Chislehurst (Kent), 1909-10, but was thereafter apparently unbeneficed, although he again acted as a supernumerary curate while living in Hove (Sussex) between the wars; moved to Crowsley Park after his brother's death; died unmarried, 29 February and was buried at Shiplake, 4 March 1952; will proved 9 June 1952 (estate £34,851).

He inherited Crowsley Park from his father in 1877.

He died 11 January and was buried at Shiplake, 14 January 1927; his will was proved 3 May and 28 October 1927 (estate £99,755). His widow died aged 93 on 6 October 1939; her will was proved November 1939 (estate £31,700).

Baskerville, Geoffrey (1870-1944). Elder son of John Baskerville (1839-1927) and his wife Caroline (d. 1939), daughter of William Charles Henry MD FRS JP of Haffield House (Herefs), born 23 August 1870. A midshipman in the Royal Navy, 1886-90, then an officer in the Royal Fusiliers (2nd Lt, 1890; Capt.; ret. by 1894). Subsequently educated at Christ Church, Oxford (BA (1st class, Modern History), 1898; MA 1901). A member of the Oxford Diocesan Conference of Clergy and Laity, 1909-12. He was an historian, working as an independent scholar and as a researcher for the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Chichele Lecturer in the University of Oxford, 1914; Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Author of Medieval England (1924), English Monks and the Suppression of the Monasteries (1937) and contributions to historical journals and festschrifts. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Crowsley Park from his father in 1927. The estate was requisitioned by the Government for the use of the BBC about 1942.

He died 22 July 1944; his will was proved 10 February 1945 (estate £56,080).

Principal sources

Sir N. Pevsner & J. Sherwood, The buildings of England: Oxfordshire, 1974, pp. 737-38; Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Wiltshire, 2nd edn, 1975, p. 137; VCH Oxfordshire, draft text for Shiplake manors and estates, 2016.

Location of archives

Baskerville family of Crowsley Park: deeds and family papers, 1781-1925 [Oxfordshire History Centre, OA/E/7]

Baskerville, Geoffrey (1870-1944): historical notes relating to his work on the suppression of the monasteries, 20th cent. [Bodleian Lib., Oxford, MSS. Eng. misc. c. 634-7, d. 962-72, d. 1021, e. 902-31]

Coat of arms

Baskerville family of Woolley Grange and Crowsley Park: Argent, a chevron gules between three hurts.

Can you help?

• I should be most grateful if anyone can provide photographs or portraits of people whose names appear in bold above, and who are not already illustrated.
• Any additions or corrections to the account given above will be gratefully received and incorporated. I am always particularly pleased to hear from members of the family who can supply recent personal information for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 24 September 2020 and updated 5 June 2021. I am grateful to Isha Drew for a correction.

(425) Barton of Swinton Park, Stapleton Park, Saxby Hall and Caldy Manor

Barton of Saxby Hall etc. 

This family trace their descent from William Barton (c.1533-88) of Prestbury (Cheshire), who was claimed to have been a younger son of Andrew Barton (d. 1549) of Smithills Hall. However there is strong evidence against such a straightforward connection between the two families, since no son of this name appears in the pedigree of the Smithills branch of the family supplied to the herald's visitation of 1567 by Andrew's eldest son, Robert Barton (c.1524-80). Furthermore, the will of William Barton (d. 1588) refers to a living brother Robert, whereas Robert son of Andrew died eight years earlier. William's status seems to have been that of a yeoman, and Francis Barton (c.1555-1636), his eldest son, was described as such. His son, William Andrew Barton (1579-1658), began the process of moving his family into the gentry class by buying the Deanswater estate at Woodford in Prestbury from the 1st Viscount Savage in 1616, but he had a large family and his property was dispersed among several sons in the next generation. Deanswater passed to his youngest son, Francis Barton (1635-79), and from him to his son George Barton (d. 1723), who towards the end of his long life made it over to his son George Barton (1702-38) and moved to Stockport (Ches.). The genealogy below begins with the younger George, who had four sons. The eldest two received lands and continued to be farmers, but the younger two (George Barton (1731-89) and Henry Barton (1737-1818)) went into partnership in the burgeoning Manchester cotton trade as fustian manufacturers. It was the wealth they generated that catapulted the family into the upper echelons of Manchester society and enabled them to invest in landed property. 

Henry Barton (1737-1818) left a personal estate valued at £160,000 when he died, making him one of the richest men in Manchester. At some point late in the 18th century he purchased the Swinton Park estate in the parishes of Swinton and Pendlebury, about four miles west of the city. He evidently bought the estate from James Watson, who may have been a friend, business partner, or distant relative, for his youngest son was given the middle name Watson and three of his sons married three of the daughters of a John Watson of Preston (Lancs). The Swinton estate already included two substantial houses, known as Swinton House and Spring Wood, and Henry seems to have lived at the latter while Swinton House became the home of his eldest son, John Barton (1770-1831). John was a partner in the family firm, but was also involved for a time in Robert Owen's Chorlton Twist Co., which operated the New Lanark Mills near Glasgow until 1811. Perhaps using the capital released when this business was wound up in 1811, John purchased the Saxby Hall estate in north Lincolnshire in 1814, and he was almost certainly responsible for building a new entrance front on the house there. He seems subsequently to have divided his time between Swinton and Saxby. When he died in 1831 he left both estates to his only surviving son, John Watson Barton, who had been educated as a gentleman and was never actively involved in the cotton industry, although some of his capital may have been invested there.

Despite having inherited two estates, John Watson Barton (1798-1840) purchased a third in the 1830s. This was Stapleton Park near Pontefract in Yorkshire, which became his principal seat, while Saxby and Swinton were both let and Swinton House was sold a few months before his death. The attraction of Stapleton was almost certainly foxhunting, for the estate lay in the renowned hunting country of the Badsworth Hunt. The house was also much larger and grander than either of the places he inherited. Sadly, he did not live to enjoy the amenities of the estate for very long, and when he died at the end of 1840 his only son and heir, John Hope Barton (1833-76) was a child of seven. He was sent to Eton and Oxford, served in the local Yeomanry Cavalry, and was Master of the Badsworth for seven seasons from 1869 before dying in the hunting field at the age of forty-three, albeit of natural causes rather than an accident. Once again, the estate was in the hands of an only son who inherited as a child: indeed, Henry John Hope Barton (1873-1951) was even younger than his father had been. As he grew older, his mother engaged a tutor to prepare him for Eton and Oxford, a clergyman's son with the rather splendid name of Frank Sumner Utterton Hatchard (1861-1920). Hatchard, who had political ambitions and later tried several times to get elected to parliament, was only twelve years older than his charge and twenty years younger than his employer. Nonetheless, an attachment developed between Mrs Barton and Hatchard, and in 1887, when Henry was at the impressionable age of fourteen, they were married. One can imagine only too vividly how upsetting this home background may have been for the young man, but he seems to have survived it, took his degree from Oxford, joined the Yorkshire Dragoons and in due course came of age, married and produced a family. Either when he came of age or when he married, his mother and stepfather moved out of Stapleton Park to a substantial villa in Pontefract. Just before the First World War Henry relocated to Saxby Hall, and during the War he made Stapleton available to the Government as an emergency hospital, of which his wife acted as Commandant. When it was vacated in 1919 he sold the Stapleton estate, although in the glutted land market of the post-war years it can have realised only a fraction of its longer-term value. Henry and his family continued to live at Saxby until his death in 1951, and for a few years afterwards they retained the estate, but in 1955 it was sold.

On the death of Henry Barton (1737-1818), his own house on the Swinton Park estate, Spring Wood, passed to his youngest son, Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861), who was in business as a calico printer in Manchester. In 1832 Richard bought the manor of Caldy on the western side of the Wirral peninsula in Cheshire, which was then a remote and undeveloped property. He converted the existing 17th century farmhouse into a neo-Tudor house, which was perhaps intended at first as a holiday home. Richard was succeeded by his elder son, Richard Barton (1821-81), who was a barrister not a businessman. He sold Spring Wood in 1865 and further developed Caldy Manor as a permanent residence. His widow, who succeeded him in the estate, converted part of the house into an Anglican chapel. When she died in 1890 the estate passed to his younger brother, Alfred Barton (1824-93) and when his wife died in 1894 it passed to a first cousin once removed and her husband, Canon E.A. Waller (1836-1910), who sold it in 1906. The property was then divided, with the land being sold for suburban development, while the house remained in private ownership until the Second World War, later becoming a hospital and then a care home.

Swinton House, Swinton, Lancashire

There seems to have been a house on this site since the 17th century, and Swinton Park is marked on 18th century maps. In the late 18th century it was in the possession of James Watson, from whom it is said to have been bought by Henry Barton (1737-1818). It seems likely that James Watson was a near relation of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), three of whose daughters married Henry's sons in 1795, 1803 and 1817. When Henry acquired the estate, it already included both Swinton House and Spring Wood, and Henry himself occupied the latter. His son, John Barton (1770-1832), a Manchester cotton manufacturer 'who by his talents and industry raised himself to the highest station among the merchants of his time, and was a deputy lieutenant for the county of Lancaster', lived at Swinton House and may have remodelled the house. In 1831, the house passed to Barton's son, John Watson Barton (1798-1840), who lived in greater style at Stapleton Park (Yorks) from 1833 and rented the house out to tenants including Hugh Hornby Birley, who was in residence by 1837. 

Swinton Park: the estate as shown on the 1st edn. 6" map surveyed in 1845.

After J.W. Barton's death in 1840, his trustees sold the estate to James Atherton (d. 1876), who probably altered the house. Atherton's wife died in 1874 and between then and his own death two years later he sold the park for £16,000 to a speculative builder from nearby Eccles called Joseph Speakman, who divided it into large plots for the building of substantial villas. Some of the money from the sale of the land was applied to doing up the house, which was described in 1876 as 'a capital and picturesquely situated Family Residence, with three entertaining rooms, ten bedrooms, bathroom, two kitchens, butler's pantry, laundry, cellars, and the usual offices', and it was stated that 'the house has just been considerably altered and improved, and can be ready for occupation in two or three weeks'. Other amenities included a stable and coach-house, two cottages, and 'a good flower and kitchen garden' with a conservatory and vinery. By then, James Atherton had died, and his unmarried daughter, Eleanor Alice Maude Atherton (1843-1901) moved into the house herself and lived there until her death. Unfortunately, no photograph of the building has yet been traced.

The environs of the house became steadily more suburban in the late 19th century, and after Miss Atherton's death it stood empty until in 1904 it was leased to the City of Manchester Education Committee, which bought the freehold in 1906. They repurposed the house as a special school for disabled children, and it remained in use for this purpose until 1937, when the school was relocated to Mobberley Hall in Cheshire. By then the setting of the house had been further compromised by the construction of the East Lancashire Road, and Swinton House was demolished soon afterwards. The site was developed as a small (perhaps municipal) housing estate: Atherton Road stands on the site of the house itself.

Descent: James Watson sold to Henry Barton (1737-1818); to son, John Barton (1770-1831); to son, John Watson Barton (1798-1840) who leased it to Hugh Hornby Birley (fl. 1837-40) and sold it in 1840 to James Atherton (d. 1876); land sold for building villas, 1875 and house advertised for sale 1876 but apparently not sold and occupied by Eleanor Alice Maude Atherton (1843-1901), leased in 1904 and sold 1906 to Manchester Corporation for use as a school for disabled children which moved out in 1937; demolished soon afterwards and the site redeveloped for housing.

Stapleton Park, Darrington, Yorkshire (WR)

The estate lies between the villages of Darrington and Womersley. There was no doubt a manor house here from medieval times, but our first information about it seems to be the assessment of the house at 10 hearths for the 1672 Hearth Tax. It is shown on a county map of c.1720 as standing just north of the River Went, nearly a mile to the south of the position that it occupied by the time it next appears on a map in c.1750. It seems certain, therefore, that the house was rebuilt on the new site by Samuel Walker (1695-1754) and not, as was stated in Neale's Views of Seats, by Edward Lascelles, who bought it in 1762. The appearance of the first house on the new site does not seem to be recorded, but the 1750 map suggests that it stood in a well-timbered landscape, and Edward Lascelles talked in January 1763 about his intention to extend the park and to 'enlarge the Clumps…in front of the House - I mean to make them appear as one Wood'.

Stapleton Park: the house and park shown on a county map of 1771.

He perhaps undertook these works under the guidance of Richard Woods, who worked at the other Lascelles seats of Harewood and Goldborough at this time. He also remodelled the hall to the designs of John Carr, although it is far from clear exactly what Carr did. Masons, carvers and roofers were all employed in 1762-64, but from the surviving papers it does not sound like a complete rebuilding. What was certainly new was the staircase, which later became the avowed model for one at Campsall Hall (Yorks WR). On balance, the evidence suggests that Carr enlarged or remodelled the house built by Samuel Walker. He also did some further work later for Lord Stourton, which may have included rebuilding the stable block (characteristically Carr) as well as estate walling.

Stapleton Park: an enlargement of a view of the house which appears in the background of a painting of Edward Petre's colt 'Sir John' by J.F. Herring. The painting is dated 1822 but the view of the house must be based on an earlier drawing, for it shows the west and south sides before the Greek Revival alterations of c.1815-21.

Stapleton Park, Darrington: east front after the early 19th century alterations, from an engraving by J.P. Neale, published in 1821.

Lord Stourton was a Roman Catholic, and in about 1800 he sold Stapleton to another leading Catholic, Robert Edward Petre (1743-1801), 9th Baron Petre. In 1809 the house came to his younger son, the Hon. Edward Petre (1794-1848), and after coming of age in 1815 he undertook a further transformation of the house in the Greek Revival style, which had been completed by about 1821. An obscure designer called William Cleave of Brewer's Green, Westminster (Middx) (who appears in trade directories as a timber merchant) is recorded as making 'great alterations' and exhibited 'a south-east view of improvements made at Stapleton Park' at the Royal Academy in 1820. He seems to have enlarged the house by one bay to the south and replaced the original porch with a new entrance front and porch on the south end elevation of the Carr house. He also removed the central pediment on the west side of the house and replaced it by a smaller label on the parapet, and lowered the window sills on the ground floor of the east front. 

In 1829, the house had 'a suite of elegant apartments on the entrance floor' which consisted of a library 36x22 feet and dining room 40x27 feet separated by an ante room on the east front, and two drawing rooms hung with French silk on the west front. There was also a Catholic chapel, with a fine painting of the Crucifixion over the altar. At the same time as Cleave was altering the house, further work was done on the grounds 'under the superintendence of Mr. Payne', who has not been identified.

Stapleton Park, Darrington: the south (entrance) and west fronts of the house in about 1890.

Stapleford Park: the south and east fronts, c.1894. Image: Historic England.

Shortly before the First World War the house was let, and in 1915 it was offered to the Government as a VAD hospital, which Mrs. Barton herself managed as Commandant. The house was put up for sale by the Barton family in 1919 and was in part dispersed at auction. 

In 1921, a dismantling sale of the mansion was held and by April, when "10,000 tons of brick rubbish and dressed stone" was for sale it had evidently been demolished. The site was sold to the government in 1937, with a view to building a new mental hospital for south Yorkshire on the site, but, no doubt because the Second World War caused plans for a hospital to be abandoned, nothing was ever built here. The estate was sold off in 1958. Today only the stable block remains on the site, while one of the lodges survives as a rather forlorn diner at the Darrington service station on the A1.

Descent: Sir Robert Scargill (d.1531); to daughter, Margaret (b.1513), wife of Sir John Gascoigne of Cardington, who sold 1574 to John Conyers of London... John Savile (1556-1630), 1st Baron Savile of Pomfret; to son, Thomas Savile (1590-c.1659), 1st Earl of Sussex, who sold to James Greenwood (c.1603-70); to son James Greenwood (c.1641-1713), who sold after 1690 to Samuel Walker of York; to nephew, also Samuel Walker (1695-1754); to daughter, Elizabeth, wife of William Rawstone; her trustees sold c.1753-56 to John Boldero (1713-89); sold 1762 to Edward Lascelles (1740-1820), later 1st Earl of Harewood; rented from 1782 and sold 1789 to Charles Philip Stourton (1752-1816), 17th Baron Stourton; sold c.1800 to Robert Edward Petre (1742-1801), 9th Lord Petre; to son, Robert Edward Petre (1763-1809), 10th Baron Petre; to brother, Hon. Edward Petre (1794-1848); rented 1833 and sold 1838 to John Watson Barton (1798-1840); to son, John Hope Barton (1833-76); to son, Henry John Hope Barton (1873-1951) who sold 1919; demolished 1921.

Saxby Hall, Saxby All Saints, Lincolnshire

Saxby Hall, Saxby All Saints: the house in the 1950s.

The house turns its back on the village street and the symmetrical early 19th century entrance front with shallow two-storey bows either side of the entrance doorcase faces west across an oval lawn to a view over the vale of Ancholme. The entrance front, with its pretty veranda wrapped around the ground floor, was built for John Barton (1770-1831), but behind it is an earlier, probably 18th century house, three rooms deep and stretching back to the street. On the left is an early 19th century wing and on the right a still later wing of 1935, added for Henry John Hope Barton (1873-1951). In 1845, when the house was advertised to let, it had a dining room, drawing room, breakfast room, and seven bedrooms with dressing rooms attached, as well as service accommodation. Today, the house has an open well staircase with ramped and wreathed handrail and plain balusters, and the main rooms have moulded cornices. The estate of 2,500 acres was sold in 1955 and the house is now operated as a wedding venue.

Descent: sold 1814 to John Barton (1770-1831); to son, John Watson Barton (1798-1840); to son, John Hope Barton (1833-76); to son, Henry John Hope Barton (1873-1951); sold 1955...

Caldy Manor, Cheshire

An irregular, neo-Jacobean house of red sandstone. At the core there is said to be a 17th century farmhouse which formed the centre of the estate when it was bought by Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861) in 1832. He converted it into a substantial house for occasional use, and the initial conversion is said to have been done by Robert Bushell Rampling (perhaps a relative of his mother), but little of this is visible now after many later alterations. Barton's son, Richard Barton (d. 1881) employed W. & J. Hay to make additions in 1864, and the central room on the principal front (facing the gardens) contains plasterwork dated 1877. At the south end of the building is an irregular courtyard separated from the village street only by a stone wall, and closed on the east by a wing which was converted into a chapel by C.E. Kempe in 1882 for Richard Barton's widow Elizabeth, whose father, Sir Benjamin Heywood, was a noted church builder in Manchester. The chapel was dismantled again when a school in the village was converted into a parish church by Douglas & Minshull in 1906-07, but its tower remains. 

Caldy Manor: the house in 1905, before the Edwardian enlargement. Image: Historic England.

Caldy Manor: the garden front of the house today, after the Edwardian enlargement and later changes.

The northern end of the house was remodelled in 1907 by Sir Guy Dawber for Alexander Percy Eccles, a Liverpool cotton-broker. Dawber created a new entrance front, and added a 'Wrenaissance' style great hall and a billiard room, as well as altering some of the existing rooms. The house was separated from the estate in 1906, when the estate was bought by a company formed for the purpose, which developed Caldy as an up-market residential suburb. The house remained in private ownership until the Second World War, when it was adapted as a hospital, and the interiors were further compromised when the house was converted into a care home in 1985.

Descent: sold 1832 to Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861); to son, Richard Barton (d. 1881); to widow, Elizabeth and then to brother, Alfred Barton; to cousin, Rev. E.A. Waller, who sold 1906 to Alexander Percy Eccles... sold for conversion to hospital after WW2; sold c.1982 and converted into a care home.

Barton family of Swinton, Stapleton and Saxby

Barton, George (1702-38). Third son of George Barton (d. 1723) of Deanswater, Woodford, Prestbury (Ches.) and his wife, baptised at Prestbury, 11 August 1702. He married, 8 November 1724 at Colne (Lancs), Lucy (1696-1779), daughter of Oates Sagar of Catlow (Lancs), and had issue*:

(1) Richard Barton (1725-98), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 21 September 1725; inherited the Deanswater estate from his father in 1738; married, 3 February 1766 at Wigan (Lancs) Jane Ashurst (d. 1766) but had no issue; died 15 May 1798 and was buried at Prestbury, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument; will proved at Chester, 1798;

(2) John Barton (1730-54) (q.v.);

(3) George Barton (1731-89) (q.v.);

(4) Henry Barton (1737-1818) (q.v.);

He inherited Deanwater from his father in 1723. At his death the property passed to his eldest son.

He died between April and June 1738. His widow was buried at St Ann, Manchester, 20 July 1779.

*At least one other George Barton had children baptised in Manchester during the 1720s and 1730s, and since the registers do not normally record the names of the mothers it is not possible to be certain whether any more of these children belonged to this George Barton; it seems probable that they did.

Barton, John (1730-54). Second son of George Barton (1702-38) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Oates Sagar of Catlow (Lancs), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 9 February 1729/30. He married, 28 May 1753 at Manchester Collegiate Church, Sarah (1727-1807), daughter of Jeremiah Bradshaw of Darcy Lever (Lancs), and had issue:

(1) James Barton (1754-1816), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 14 July 1754; fustian manufacturer and merchant in partnership with his uncles George and Henry and later a calico printer in partnership with Thomas Stott and William Wright (Barton, Stott & Wright); inherited the Deanswater estate from his uncle Richard in 1798; married, 8 January 1787 at Manchester Collegiate Church, Dorothy Ann Nowell, and had issue two sons and two daughters; died at Hope Green, Adlington (Ches.), 6 September and was buried at Prestbury (Ches.), 10 September 1817.

He lived at Hope Green, Adlington (Ches.).

He was buried at St. Ann, Manchester, 22 August 1754. His widow died 20 May, and was buried at Manchester Cathedral, 23 May 1807; her will was proved at Chester, 14 October 1808.

Barton, George (1731-89). Third son of George Barton (1702-38) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Oates Sagar of Catlow (Lancs), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 22 November 1731. Educated at Manchester Grammar School. Fustian manufacturer in Manchester, in partnership with his younger brother and nephew James. He married, 7 August 1759 at Upper Langwith (Derbys), Jane (1737-88), daughter of Rev. Michael Hartshorne, vicar of Langwith, and had issue:

(1) Susannah Barton (c.1760-61), born about 1760; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 28 October 1761;

(2) Michael Barton (1761-66), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 14 December 1761; died young and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 10 September 1766;

(3) Lucy Barton (1763-1848), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 17 October 1763; married, 19 November 1787 at Manchester, Thomas Stott (1759-1805) of Manchester, calico printer, and had issue five sons and three daughters; lived latterly with her son, George, at Eccleshill Hall (Yorks WR); buried at St Luke, Eccleshill (Yorks), 27 June 1848;

(4) George Barton (1765-67), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 29 November 1765; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 21 January 1767;

(5) Richard Barton (1767-71), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 30 October 1767; died young and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 27 September 1771;

(6) Jane Barton (b. 1770), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 7 February 1770; probably died young;

(7) John Barton (b. 1772), baptised at St Ann, Marchester, 4 January 1772; probably died young;

(8) Sarah Barton (b. 1773), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 16 April 1773; married 12 October 1795 at Llandeilo (Carmarthens.), Rev. Dorning Rasbotham (d. 1804), rector of St Mary, Manchester, son of Dorning Rasbotham, the Lancashire antiquarian, and had issue one son (who died young);

(9) Althea Barton (1775-1808), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 20 March 1775; married 3 September 1792, Dr Joshua Wolstenholme Parr (1763-1810) of Liverpool and Pentre Parr, Ffarifach (Carmarthens.), chemical manufacturer, son of John Parr of Liverpool, merchant, and had issue two sons and two daughters; died at Pentre Parr, July 1808.

(10) Henry Barton (1779-1858), born 8 March and baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 8 April 1779; an officer in Royal Lancashire Militia (Capt.); lived at Carlton Hall, Carlton-in-Cleveland (Yorks NR) and Mount St John, Thirsk (Yorks NR) and later at Bebington (Ches.); married, 5 March 1801 at Tynemouth (Northbld), Margaretta (1784-1875), daughter of Thomas Tinley of North Shields (Northbld), and had issue; died in Rock Ferry (Ches.), 24 July 1858; will proved 26 January 1859 (effects under £300).

He lived in Manchester.

He died suddenly, 5 September and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 7 September 1789; his will was proved at Chester, 23 November 1789. His wife was buried 31 January 1788.

Barton, Henry (1737-1818). Fourth son of George Barton (1702-38) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Oates Sagar of Catlow (Lancs), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 7 November 1737. In partnership with his brother George and nephew James as fustian manufacturers in Manchester: he was one of the early cotton manufacturers and at his death left a substantial fortune. He married, 9 October 1769 at Manchester Collegiate Church, Mary (1747-1804), daughter of Joseph Bushell of Neston (Ches.), and had issue:

(1) John Barton (1770-1831) (q.v.);

(2) Mary Barton (1772-1853), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 25 July 1772; married, 8 September 1794 at Manchester Collegiate Church, John Baldwin (c.1771-1821) of Ingthorpe Grange (Yorks), and had issue one son and one daughter; lived latterly at Little Burlings, Knockholt (Kent); died at Knockholt, 2 September 1853; will proved in the PCC, 22 October 1853;

(3) Henry Barton (1774-1807), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 11 June 1774; cotton manufacturer in Manchester in partnership with his brother John; married, 6 September 1803 at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), Elizabeth (b. 1782), daughter of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), and had issue one son (Henry Barton (1806-52) of Rangemore (Staffs), whose daughter Louisa Mary (1840-1919) and her husband, Canon Ernest Alured Waller (1836-1910) inherited Caldy Manor in 1894); buried at St Peter, Manchester, 3 May 1807;

(4) Richard Barton (d. 1776), probably born in 1776; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 15 September 1776;

(5) Lucy Barton (1777-79), baptised at St. Ann, Manchester, 19 November 1777; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 22 January 1779;

(6) Sarah Barton (1780-1868), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 25 September 1780; married, 13 September 1803 at Eccles (Lancs), Robert Robinson Watson Robinson MD LRCP (1777-1866) of Preston (Lancs) and later of Swinton Park, physician, and had issue; died 25 December 1868; administration of goods granted 15 March 1869 (effects under £300);

(7) Elizabeth Barton (1783-90), baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 28 October 1783; died young and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 21 November 1790;

(8) Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861) [for whom, see below, Barton family of Caldy Manor].

He purchased the Swinton House and Ward Hall estates in Lancashire 'about the end of the 18th century' and lived latterly at Spring Wood on the Swinton estate.

He died 26 October, and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 2 November 1818; his will was proved in the PCY, 1820 (effects under £160,000). His wife was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 7 March 1804.

Barton, John (1770-1831). Eldest son of Henry Barton (1737-1818) of Swinton House, and his wife Mary, daughter of Joseph Bushell of Neston (Ches.), born 8 August and baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 24 August 1770. He joined the family business (Henry & John Barton & Co.) as a wholesale merchant and cotton manufacturer 'and by his talents and industry raised himself to the highest station among the merchants of his time'. From 1799 he was in partnership with his brother Henry and the philanthropist and social reformer, Robert Owen in the Chorlton Twist Co., which purchased the New Lanark Mills near Glasgow for £60,000 but was dissolved in 1811. He was a Governor of the Manchester Infirmary by 1795 and a member of the Manchester Board of Health from its inception in 1796. DL for Lancashire (from 1803). He married, 5 May 1795 at Preston (Lancs), Margaret (k/a Peggy) (1775-1823), daughter of John Watson of Preston, and had issue:

(1) William Henry Barton (b. & d. 1797), baptised at St Paul, Manchester, 19 August 1797; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary, Manchester, 29 November 1797;

(2) John Watson Barton (1798-1840) (q.v.);

(3) Mary Elizabeth Barton (1800-70), born 30 March and baptised at Manchester Collegiate Church, 11 May 1800; married, 2 October 1823, Thomas Heywood (1797-1866) of Hope End (Herefs), banker, antiquary, chairman of Worcester & Hereford Railway Co., 1840 and High Sheriff of Herefordshire, 1843, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 12 May 1870;

(4) Sophia Barton (1803-40), born 19 May 1803 and baptised at St Mary, Manchester, 19 January 1804; married, 9 April 1828 at Eccles (Lancs), Lt-Gen. Jeremiah Taylor (1789-1862) of Fern Hill House, Cropthorne (Worcs) and later of Prestbury Lodge (Glos), and had issue two sons and three daughters; buried at Lyme Regis (Dorset), 17 September 1840; administration of her goods (with will annexed) granted 25 January 1841;

(5) Margaret Barton (b. & d. 1806), born 19 March and baptised at St Mary, Manchester, 8 April 1806; died in infancy and was buried at St Peter, Manchester, 26 April 1806.

He inherited the Swinton House estate from his father in 1818 and purchased the Saxby Hall estate (Lincs) in 1814. He enlarged Saxby Hall soon afterwards.

He died 11 November and was buried at St Peter, Manchester, 19 November 1831; his will was proved in the PCY, March 1832. His wife died at Swinton, 22 February 1823 and was buried at Saxby All Saints, where she is commemorated by a memorial.

Barton, John Watson (1798-1840). Only surviving son of John Barton (1770-1831) and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), born 20 August and baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 28 November 1798. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1817; hon. MA 1821). An officer in the North Lincolnshire Yeomanry Cavalry (Lt., 1831). JP (by 1826) and DL for Lindsey and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire. He married, 28 January 1830 at St Cuthbert, Edinburgh, Juliana (c.1810-88), second daughter of James Hope WS of Moray Place, Edinburgh, and had issue:

(1) Mary Jane Barton (b. 1830), born at Swinton House, 11 November 1830 and baptised at Saxby All Saints, 11 December 1833; unmarried and living in 1871;

(2) Julia Sophia Barton (1832-1903), born 5 June 1832 and baptised at Saxby All Saints, 11 December 1833; married, 21 September 1864, Rev. Charles Augustus Hope (1827-98), rector of Barwick-in-Elmet and canon of Ripon Cathedral, youngest son of Sir John Hope of Craighall (Fife), 11th bt., and had issue two sons (of whom John Augustus Hope succeeded to the Hope family baronetcy in 1918); died at White House, Inveresk (Midl.), 1 March 1903; will confirmed at Edinburgh, 22 April 1903 (estate £6,440);

(3) John Hope Barton (1833-76) (q.v.);

(4) Margaret Barton (1835-70), baptised at Saxby All Saints, 16 September 1835; married, 8 September 1859 at Darrington (Yorks WR), Rev. Charles Warren Markham (1835-96), rector of Aughton (Lancs) and later of Saxby All Saints (who m2, 26 August 1873 at Holy Trinity, Chelsea (Middx), Elizabeth Harriet (1834-1901), daughter of Lt-Col. John Barnett, and had further issue one daughter), only son of Lt-Col. Charles Markham, and had issue four sons; died 29 November 1870;

(5) Louisa Barton (1836-1916), born 5 October and baptised at Darrington, 17 October 1836; became a Sister of Mercy in the 1870s; died at House of Mercy, Clewer, Windsor, 19 July 1916; will proved 8 September 1916 (estate £1,184);

(6) Caroline Barton (1838-1916), baptised at Darrington, 5 June 1838; married, 10 January 1867 at Darrington, William Clayton Browne (later Browne-Clayton) (1835-1907) of Browne's Hill (Co. Carlow) and had issue three sons and nine daughters; died in Dublin, 24 September 1916; will proved 23 October 1916 (estate £1,696);

(7) Frances Barton (1840-1917), baptised at Darrington, 14 May 1840; died unmarried, 5 January 1917 and was buried at Saxby All Saints.

He inherited Swinton House and Saxby Hall from his father in 1831. He leased Stapleton Park from 1833 and purchased the freehold in 1838, and sold Swinton House in 1840.

He died 22 December 1840; his will was proved in the PCC, 19 January 1842. His widow died at Harrogate (Yorks WR), 25 October 1888; her will was proved 21 December 1888 (effects £7,209).

Barton, John Hope (1833-76). Only son of John Watson Barton (1798-1840) and his wife Juliana, second daughter of James Hope WS of Moray Place, Edinburgh, born 3 October and baptised at Saxby All Saints, 11 December 1833. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1852; BA 1856; MA 1864). An officer in the 1st West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry (Cornet, 1853; Capt., 1861; retired 1874); JP and DL for West Riding of Yorkshire; High Sheriff of Yorkshire, 1863. Master of the Badsworth Hunt, 1869-76. The painter John Atkinson Grimshaw may have been a friend of the family as he painted a number of views in and around Stapleton Park in the 1870s. John Hope Barton married, 30 April 1872 at St Mary, Bryanston Sq., London, Florence Mary Annabella (1842-1924), daughter of Henry James Ramsden of Oxton Hall (Yorks), and had issue:

(1) Henry John Hope Barton (1873-1951) (q.v.).

He inherited Saxby Hall and Stapleton Park from his father in 1840 and came of age in 1854.

He died, apparently of a stroke, while hunting at Askern (Yorks), 20 March 1876, and St John's church, Wentbridge (Yorks WR) was erected in his memory; his will was proved 13 May 1876 (effects under £25,000). His widow married 2nd, 26 October 1887, her son's tutor, Frank Sumner Utterton Hatchard (1861-1920) of Hillthorpe, Pontefract (Yorks WR), son of Rev. Thomas Goodwin Hatchard, but had no further issue; she died 24 August and was buried at Wentbridge, 27 August 1924; her will was proved 2 February 1925 (estate £26,584).

Barton, Henry John Hope (1873-1951). Only child of John Hope Barton (1833-76) and his wife Florence Mary Annabella, daughter of Henry James Ramsden of Oxton Hall (Yorks), born in Chelsea, 25 February 1873. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1890; BA c.1893). An officer in the Yorkshire Dragoons (2nd Lt., 1891; Lt. by 1895; retired 1899). JP for West Riding of Yorkshire and Lindsey; High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, 1913. Master of the Badsworth Hunt, 1905-23. He married, 27 June 1903 at Swillington (Yorks), Emma Alice OBE DGStJ (1878-1964), daughter of George William Lowther of Swillington House, and had issue:

(1) Marjorie Florence Hope Barton (1905-85), born at Stapleton Park, 6 March and baptised at Darrington (Yorks), 9 April 1905; married, 21 October 1930 at St George, Hanover Sq., London, Cdr. Thomas Stanley Fox-Pitt RN (1897-1985), second son of William Augustus Lane Lane-Fox (later Fox-Pitt), and had issue two daughters; died at Chapel Farm, Gidleigh Park (Devon), 12 August 1985; will proved 10 September 1985 (estate under £40,000);

(2) Diana Hope Barton (1907-98), born at Stapleton Park, 5 March and baptised at Darrington, 7 April 1907; died unmarried aged 91 on 28 September 1998 and was buried at Saxby All Saints; will proved 4 December 1998;

(3) John George Hope Barton (1908-56), born at Saxby Hall, 5 October and baptised at Saxby All Saints, 1 November 1908; served in Second World War as an officer in the Coldstream Guards (2nd Lt., 1940; Capt.); periodical publisher; married, 5 January 1944, Mary Alice (b. c.1905), actress, daughter of William Collins of Bottineau, North Dakota (USA) and formerly wife of Oliver Charles Wakefield (1909-56), but had no issue; died in London, 13 November 1956 and was buried at Saxby All Saints; will proved 7 December 1956 (estate £230,123);

(4) Alice Juliana Hope Barton (1911-2002), born 23 September and baptised at Saxby All Saints, 22 October 1911; died unmarried aged 91 on 11 November 2002 and was buried at Saxby All Saints;

(5) Robert Henry Hope Barton (1920-2004), born 28 October 1920; educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge; served in Second World War as an officer in the King's Royal Rifle Corps (2nd Lt., 1941; Capt.) and later a farmer at Eyston Smyths Farm, Belchamp Otten (Suffk); married, 10 January 1948 at St Paul, Knightsbridge (Middx), Diana Mary (1924-2018), daughter of Air Chief Marshal Sir (Henry) Robert Moore Brooke-Popham, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 17 January 2004 and was buried at Saxby All Saints; will proved 17 September 2004.

He inherited Saxby Hall and Stapleton Park from his father in 1876 and came of age in 1894. He sold Stapleton Park in 1919. Saxby Hall was sold after his death in 1955.

He died 20 September 1951; his will was proved 21 December 1951 (estate £50,879). His widow died 5 March 1964; her will was proved 28 July 1964 (estate £5,132).

Barton family of Caldy Manor

Barton, Richard Watson (1788-1861). Youngest son of Henry Barton (1737-1818) and his wife Mary, daughter of Joseph Bushell of Neston (Ches.), baptised at St Ann, Manchester, 29 July 1788. Calico printer in Manchester. He married, 7 October 1817 at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), Mary, daughter of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), and had issue:

(1) Richard Barton (1821-81) (q.v.);

(2) Alfred Barton (1824-93) (q.v.). 

He inherited Spring Wood, Swinton Park, from his father in 1818 and purchased the Caldy estate on the Wirral (Ches.) in 1834 and developed an existing farmhouse into Caldy Manor.

He died 16 November and was buried at Pendlebury (Lancs), 22 November 1861; will proved 20 December 1861 (effects under £30,000). His wife's date of death is unknown.

Barton, Richard (1821-81). Elder son of Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), born 25 December 1821 and baptised at St Peter, Manchester, 1 January 1822. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1840), Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1842; BA 1845; MA 1848) and the Inner Temple (admitted 1845; called to bar, 1849). Barrister-at-law. JP for Cheshire; High Sheriff of Cheshire, 1875. He married, 12 February 1850 at Eccles (Lancs), Elizabeth (1821-90), eldest daughter of Sir Benjamin Heywood of Claremont (Lancs), banker, and had issue:

(1) Reginald Heywood Barton (1850-51), born at Caldy Manor, 15 December and baptised at West Kirby (Ches.), 28 December 1850; died in infancy, Jan-Mar 1851.

He inherited Spring Wood and Caldy Manor from his father in 1861, but sold the former in 1865.

He died 17 April 1881; his will was proved 27 September and 1 December 1881 (effects £24,451). His widow died 27 January 1890; her will was proved 24 April 1890 (effects £37,650).

Barton, Alfred (1824-93). Younger son of Richard Watson Barton (1788-1861) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Watson of Preston (Lancs), baptised at St Peter, Manchester, 13 October 1824. He married, 30 July 1857 at Eccles (Lancs), Ellen (1839-94), daughter of Robert Brandt of Pendleton, barrister-at-law, but had no issue.

He inherited Caldy Manor from his elder brother in 1881. At his death it passed to his widow for life and then to his first cousin once removed, Louisa Mary (1840-1919), the wife of Canon Ernest Alured Waller (1836-1910), who sold 1906.

He died 11 May 1893; his will was proved 26 August 1893 (estate £66,192). His widow died 14 May 1894; her will was proved 30 August 1894 (effects £78,194).

Principal sources

Jones' Views of the Seats, Mansions, Castles etc. of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of England, 1829, p.29; C. Hartwell, M. Hyde, E. Hubbard & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Cheshire, 2nd edn., 2011, pp. 199-200.

Location of archives

Barton of Saxby Hall: estate papers, chiefly for Saxby, 1855-1941 [Lincolnshire Archives, 1 Barton]

Coat of arms

Azure, on a fesse between three bucks' heads cabossed or, a martlet gules between two acorns leaved proper.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide or point me towards a photograph of Swinton House, or any further information about the early history of the property?
• Can anyone provide information about the ownership history of Saxby Hall since 1955?
• I should be most grateful if anyone can provide photographs or portraits of people whose names appear in bold above, and who are not already illustrated.
• Any additions or corrections to the account given above will be gratefully received and incorporated. I am always particularly pleased to hear from members of the family who can supply recent personal information for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 28 July 2020 and was updated 29 July 2020. I am most grateful to Sir Nicholas Mander, bt., for sharing his genealogical notes on this family with me, and to Lizzie of Wallwork History for advice on Swinton House.