Weddington Castle
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TIMELINE 4 - Post-Adderley History

This section covers the period through to the final demolition of the Castle in 1928.

LIPTROTT family hold Weddington

 

c1797 - 1803 AD

 

Samuel Whalley living at the Castle. His son (b.1800) was Sir Samuel Whalley, later MP for Marylebone (121,122)

 

 

 

Estate passes to Amice, 2nd daughter of Rev. Philip Bracebridge (Thomas Liptrott's cousin) Amice married George Heming of Jamaica. They later had a son, Samuel Bracebridge Heming (1)

 

 

PLACE family own Castle, HEMING family hold Weddington

 

1803 AD

 

Nearby Lindley Estate passed to Samuel Bracebridge HEMING, his
family retained it until 1856 (97)
 

1804 AD

 

Rev. Samuel Bracebridge HEMING took over estate (1)

 

1805?-9? AD

 

Robert LUGAR, architect, re-designed WEDDINGTON HALL or CASTLE incorporated the older house. It became a stone-faced building, possibly Attleborough Sandstone, similar to Arbury Hall. The north and south Lodges may have been built at this time or modified from older buildings. The grounds of Weddington Castle were landscaped, possibly by a disciple or assistant of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. On the 1811 O.S. map they are shown with ornamental lakes and a boating river course (29,61,88,89)
 

1806 AD

 

Part of south Weddington subject to Enclosure (20)
 

1807 AD

 

Brayley Map showed Weddington Road (75)

 

1808 AD

 

Smith Map showed Weddington Road (79)
 

1811 AD

 

Weddington population: 67 (29)
 

1811-14 AD

 

Ordnance Survey map Weddington, it is spelled Wedington (43)

 

1813 AD

 

Nuneaton Diary mentioned a plank across the River Anker, it was the bridge and was frequently swept away by floods (21)
 

1815 AD

 

Isaac SWINNERTON of Weddington owned a sawmill in Nuneaton (29)

 

1817 AD

 

24th Nov. Henry DEWES born
 

1818 AD

 

2nd Jan Nuneaton Diary. “The Bridge across the river leading from the top of Abbey Street to Wedingtonnewly erected and ground raised at the expense of Mr Place. [i.e. Weddington Meadows Bridge] Lionel PLACE kicked a workman and broke his leg" (21)

One of the driest springs and autumns on record. Langley Map shows Weddington Road (78) November.Mr. Finch widened road to church. Lionel PLACE had owned Weddington Castle (Hall) for some years. Said to have paid £30,000 (21)
 

c.1818 AD

 

The Grove and Grove Cottages built (29)
 

1820 AD

 

Church figured in Aylsford picture collection without a spire, and only the tower (1). See drawing in St James Church Picture Gallery.
 

1821 AD

 

Weddington population: 91 (34)
 

1822 AD

 

28th Feb. Weddington Farm auctioned 196 Acres for £13,500 (29)
 

1826 AD

 

Lionel PLACE elected Sheriff of Warwickshire (21)
 

1827 AD

A 'Martin Leggatt' is noted as being a resident of Weddington Hall in this year (according to the book: "Records of the Woodmen of Arden from 1785" which detailed members of the historic 'Woodmen of Arden' archery club, based at nearby Meriden).

1831 AD

 

Weddington population: 69 (34)
 

1832 AD

 

18th Feb. Mary Green (aka Polly Button) brutally murdered by John Danks (aka Joe Danks) in WeddingtonFields. Danks was arrested by Nuneaton’s first policeman, Constable Haddon

9th April. Danks publicly hanged in Warwick
 

1834 AD

 

NEW INCUMBENT Rev. George SANFORD until 1872 (81)
 

1838 AD

 

Lionel PLACE died and was buried at St. James, aged 72 (49)
 

1841 AD

 

Weddington population: 77. John ARNOLD at The Lodge; James WARD a servant at the Castle (29,34)
 

1843 AD

 

7th Aug. Auction Sale at Weddington Castle comprising furniture, library, paintings. William PULLIN (Auctioneers) (29) You can view the Auction Catalogue here.
 

1844 AD

 

London North Western Railway negotiated land purchase for new route with the PLACE and HEMING family (29)
 

1845 AD

 

Tithe Apportionment for Weddington stated Sophia PLACE as land owner. NEW INCUMBENT Rev. Samuel Bracebridge HEMING. John ATKIN, Robert SWINNERTON, Joseph ROBOTTOM farmers (19)
 

1847 AD

 

27th Nov. Henry Arthur DEWES born (son of Henry Dewes)
 

 

DEWES / HEMING / COOPER / KAY / HALL owners or occupiers, a complex succession atWeddington 1845-1873
 

1849 AD

 

90 Acres of woodland in Weddington (1) Rev. Samuel Bracebridge HEMING became Lord of Manor until 1856 (1).
 

1850 AD

 

Stage coaches/wagons came via Abbey Green to Church Farm, horseshoes and cartwheel tyres could be fitted at their forge. The journey continued by the track at the side of the Church to Caldecote and beyond (oral evidence only) Lawyer Henry DEWES of Weddington Castle made extensive repairs. Dewes was buried at Caldecote: born 24th November 1817, died 23rd May 1910. Wife Helen Jane died 27th October 1863 aged 42. Son Henry Arthur DEWES born in Foleshill 27th November 1847, died 7th June 1873 (33)
 

1851 AD

 

Weddington population: 54 (28,29,34)
Approx. 30 people attended a church service (29)
 

1854 AD

 

Geological Survey : Mapped Weddington (44) Weddington Wood cleared to make way for a farm, near the Watling Street (29) William COOPER at Weddington Castle, Robert SWINNERTON at The Grove (29)
 

1856 AD

 

Rev. Samuel Bracebridge HEMING died. Advowson passes to Rev. Bracebridge Heming HALL. G.SANFORD remained Vicar (1)
 

1857 AD

 

PLACE family papers contained a dated parchment instructing that Weddington Castle and Estate be disposed of (70). Isaac SWINNERTON buried at St. James, aged 85yrs (48) Churchwarden accounts - Holly and church cleaning 6s 0d. Jenning's bill for draining churchyard £3 5s 8d. Lighting Fires 15s 0d Wine for sacrament 8s 0d, Jenning's bill for repairing stove 10s 0d, Clay's bill for grates for churchyard £1 5s 10d, Handley's bill for pipes and bricks 18s 9d (65)
 

1858 AD

 

Dated plaque by Catherine SANFORD wife of Rev. G. Sanford noted restoration of font (48)
 

1861 AD

 

Weddington population: 74. Census: William COOPER, clerk without care of lands lived at WeddingtonCastle. KAY owned the Castle (33) - you can view the Auction Catalogue of the sale where KAY bought the Castle here.
 

1863 AD

 

Isaac SWINNERTON buried at St. James, aged 40yrs. Son of Isaac and Ann Swinnerton (68) 27th Oct. Helen Jane Dewes died, wife of Henry Dewes, buried at Caldecote. Henry Dewes later remarried (SophiaDewes)
 

1864 AD

 

6th Aug. Auction at Weddington Castle, catalogue of contents produced 
 

1865 AD

 

Henry KAY of Weddington Castle was buried at St. James, aged 56 yrs (68)
 

1866 AD

 

F.H. KAY owned Weddington Castle (33)
 

1868 AD

 

Mrs. KAY at Weddington Castle, R. Swinnerton at The Grove, also a grazier, Geo. SANFORD a farmer, John CROFTS a farmer (29,33)
 

1869 AD

 

August: Ashby Railway line under construction, River Anker overbridge was piled with greenheart wooden piles. Contractor Barnes & Beckett of Rochdale, contract valued at £171,900 (47)
 

1871 AD

 

Weddington population: 84 (34)
Elizabeth KAY died, wife of Henry KAY. Aged 61 yrs (68)
Frederick Henry KAY owner of The Castle.

R. SWINNERTON at The Grove (33).

Also the 1871 census makes reference to an unmarried housemaid at The Grove, aged 23, by the name of Jane White (who was born in Chilvers Coton of parents John and Susan White of Heath End).
 

1870-72 AD

 

John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales mentions an n 'E. Lees, Esq.' as living atWeddington Hall:

"WEDDINGTON, a parish in Nuneaton district, Warwick; 1 mile N of Nuneaton r. station. Post town, Nuneaton. Acres, 911. Real property, £2,155. Pop., 74. Houses, 10. W. Castle is the seat of E. Lees, Esq. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester. Value, £278. Patron, Mrs. Hall. The church was built in 1733."  (123)

1872 AD

 

NEW INCUMBENT Rev. Richard Samuel Bracebridge Heming HALL (81)
 

1873 AD

 

Advowson passed to Rev. Richard Samuel Bracebridge Heming HALL (1,48) Robert SWINNERTON buried at St. James, aged 60 yrs, he lived at the Grove (29)

1st Aug. Nuneaton-Ashby Joint Railway line open for goods traffic (47)

1st Sep. Nuneaton-Ashby Joint Railway line open for passenger traffic (47) Frederick H.J. KAY ownedWeddington Castle : acreage 122Ac 1R 1P valued £401 9s (92)

7th Jun. Henry Arthur DEWES died, buried at Caldecote.
 

1874 AD

 

21st Feb. Nuneaton Chronicle: Messrs Cookes & Sons have received instructions from F.H. Kay Esq (in consequence to him having sold the Estate) To arrange for sale by auction, On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th days of March 1874 (113). See here for details.

 

 

SHAWE family hold Weddington
 

1874 AD

 

14th Mar. Nuneaton Chronicle: Sale advert for 2.00pm 16/3/1874 by John Sands, for ROUGH FARM. The whole of the livestock, implements etc. on the above named farm, consisting of 3 in-calf cows, 2 yearlings, 4 in-lamb ewes, 2 Tegs, 2 6-in wagons, 2 carts, turnip cutter, chaff machine, sheep and pig troughs, ladders, and greater part of the neat and useful household furniture, comprising mahogany sideboard, dressing and toilet tables, bedsteads, bedding, and a general assortment of household furniture etc. 
SHAWES occupied Weddington Castle (33)
Dempster HEMING, son of George Heming of Weddington, buried at St. James, aged 96 (68)
Frederick H. KAY at Weddington Castle; Sarah SWINNERTON at the Grove; G.W.TAYLOR at Grove Cottages (33)

 

1875 AD

 

Henry Cunliffe SHAWE inserted three windows in church nave (48)

 

1876 AD

 

Capt. Frederick Henniker lived at the Grove
 

1881 AD

 

Weddington population: 81 (34)

 

1881 AD

 

Church again restored for £1,600 by S. FOX to a plan by A. BLOOMFIELD (33) Some accounts say the whole tower was built then, this disagreed with Aylsford picture of 1820.
 

1883 AD

 

Stained glass window placed in St. James' Church dedicated to SHAWE'S son (33)
 

1885-6 AD

 

Ordnance Survey re-mapped Weddington (43) 1886. The only remaining woodland was in the Castle grounds (33)
 

1891 AD

 

Weddington population: 100. Census:
Charles PENDRY at Gardners Cottage.
Alfred FRENCH at the Grove,
David BLYTHE at Wardens,
Henry BADGER at The Lodge,
Henry Cunliffe SHAWE at Hall (29,34)
 

1900 AD

 

30-31st December. River Anker flooded (32,38)
Capt. Alfred Crofton French lived at the Grove (113)
 

1901 AD

 

January: Local report on flood prevention measures needed for the local rivers, including more weirs (37,38)
Weddington population: 106 (28,29,34)
 

1902 AD

 

Ordnance Survey re-mapped Weddington (43)
12th Dec. 6.00pm. King Edward VII passed through Weddington on train to see Earl Howe at Gopsall (37)
 

190? AD

 

John Brindley and his family came to farm at Church Farm
 

1905 AD

 

Stained glass window to Isaac, Elizabeth, Sarah and Robert SWINNERTON (48)
 

1906 AD

 

Advowson passed to Rev. Bracebridge Lindsay HALL, NEW INCUMBENT (81)
 

1907 AD

 

Reredos carved and installed in the Church commemorating Alfred FRENCH (48)
 

1909 AD

 

November. Church dedicated altar screen for Richard Samuel Bracebridge Heming HALL (48)
 

1910 AD

 

23rd May Henry DEWES died, buried at Caldecote (113)
 

1911 AD

 

Weddington population: 102. Henry C. SHAWE died and was buried in St James' churchyard. His son Henry N. Pole SHAWE inherited the estate but went to live in The Grove (33,34), although 'Kelly's 1912 Directory for Warwickshire' lists his address as Weddington Hall in that year.

 

c1912 - 1915AD

 

Records show that Captain Geoffrey J. Shakerley is resident at Weddington Hall. Read more about CaptainShakerley and see a photograph in a PDF document by clicking here.

 

1916 AD

 

Henry Nigel Pole SHAWE set up a Red Cross hospital at the Castle, being equipped after March 1916. Mrs.SHAWE was Vice-President of Nuneaton Branch and Rev. Bracebridge HALL was Volunteer Aid Detachment Commandant. Wards were sponsored by collieries and brick companies. Mrs Fowler in charge of Castle (37,38,93)
Stained Glass window to Henry Cunliffe SHAWE.
Henry Nigel Pole Shaw lived at the Grove (33)
 

1918 AD

 

Red Cross withdraw from Castle (37)

 

1919 AD

 

The Castle was put up for auction but failed to find a buyer (37,38)
 

1920 AD

 

Henry Myatt farmed at Tom Thumb Farm. Walter Reid at Church Farm (113)
 

1921 AD

 

Weddington population: 87 (34)
 

1922 AD

 

Percy H. HOWE bought the Castle from Henry Pole SHAWE for £7,000, agents were Nixon, Toone and Harrison. He wanted to convert it into luxury flats (33,37,38)
22nd September: Weddington Castle (Hall), plans published to convert it into flats and to build houses on the estate lands.
Accurate details of room sizes.
A brief description: entrance hall 22' x 11' with polished Oak floor; 
Library 29' x 19' polished Oak floor, marble chimney piece, etc. 
The gardens gravel walks studded with 4 old cedars, rose garden, glasshouses, vinery, greenhouse and peach house (37,38)
 

1923-4 AD

 

November to July: Weddington Castle converted to flats. The plans for houses are extensively discussed at meetings. Numerous objections on the necessity for housing and inadequacy of sewerage arrangements (37,94)
 

1925 AD

Eleanor Grace Wolferstan, daughter of Henry Cunliffe Shawe, died in Statfold, Staffs.

1926 AD

 

2nd January: Heavy floods at Weddington (37,94). See photo here.
 

1928 AD

 

6th July: Notice of sale, Castle to be demolished (38)
19th October: Castle Demolished. It is rumoured that the rubble was used to build Castle Road on, with some possibly going to the Countess Road area according to the late Frederick Reeves. However, an alternative account (recounted by local historian Peter Lee in 2012), suggests the Castle stonework was labelled, dismantled block by block and shipped to America. 

Example of sale items:
Fine Old Oak Staircase, 
Italian carved Marble Mantelpieces.

Auctioneer James Styles & Whitlock.
Some of the house contents are believed to be in America.
The stone crest of arms was preserved in Numbers 1 and 3 Shawe Avenue.

 

One of the terracotta lions from the entrance of the Castle turned up nearly a century later in 2011 - see here for details.

 

(c) Alan F Cook 1992 and (c) John Brookes 2011
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