Buildings and Residences

Jan

2021

3 Paragon Buildings, Cheltenham

For nearly twenty years a number of the Marten family lived in Cheltenham, in a place they called ‘Lamberhurst’. It was in fact part of a Georgian Terrace in Bath Street called 3 Paragon buildings. Significantly, it was very close to Cheltenham College, the boys’ school. Continue reading →

Jan

2021

George MacPherson of Edinglassie Lodge

George MacPherson was born on 28 May 1851 in Edinglassie Lodge, Aberdeenshire. He became an Ironmaster and industrialist based in the West Midlands, living in Lloyd House, Penn. Continue reading →

Nov

2018

Villa San Giorgio, Taormina

Colonel Thomas Bradney Shaw-Hellier moved to Taormina in Sicily and lived there for the last four years of his life from 1907 to 1910. There he built the Villa San Giorgio with his friend the leading Arts and Crafts designer C. R. Ashbee. It is now known as the Ashbee Hotel. Continue reading →

Oct

2018

The Cottage, Upton, Near Andover, Hampshire

Noel and Molly Downing bought The Cottage, Upton in Oct 1945 for their retirement. It had six or seven bedrooms and for the next twenty nine years the house welcomed a number of guests – old friends and family that came to stay or just visit for the day. Noel died in Oct 1965 and Molly in Sep 1974. Continue reading →

Oct

2017

52 Selborne Road, Ilford

52 Selborne Road was the home of the William Henry Morgan and his extended family between 1928 and 1950. It was just around the corner from 129 Empress Avenue, where the family had lived from about 1914 until 1928. Continue reading →

Apr

2014

Henrietta Frances Marten

Henrietta Frances Anne Marten was born on 26 Apr 1857 in Penn hall, Staffordshire, the eldest daughter of Henry John Marten. She was known by the name Nettie. Her mother died when she was only five. Continue reading →

Mar

2014

Parkhill House Dyce

Parkhill House in Dyce Aberdeenshire was the home of Florence (Dolly) Crombie, nee Showell. Continue reading →

Jun

2010

Llanbrynmair

The Downing family, notably William Edmund Downing, had an association with the village of Llanbrynmair in Montgomery from about 1890 to 1910. Continue reading →

Mar

2010

The Lloyd House

The Lloyd House in Lower Penn briefly came into the ownership of the Evans family as a result of Charles Evans marrying Sophie Marsh of the Lloyd in 1804. The Lloyd or Lyde was a mediaeval manor but seems to have changed hands many times. Continue reading →

Oct

2009

Spout House, Smethwick

The Spout House, Smethwick, was probably built in the early 1700’s and was demolished in 1937. It was situated on the corner where Londonderry Road meets Taylor’s Lane. Continue reading →

Feb

2009

The Wodehouse, Wombourne

The Wodehouse is the house at the heart of an ancient estate in Wombourne, Staffordshire. It was acquired by Samuel Hellier in the early 18th century and as the favoured residence out of London was largely developed by the Hellier family. Continue reading →

Jan

2009

Downing’s Malthouses

The Downing’s Malthouses are still standing undeveloped in Gloucester Docks. Continue reading →

Jan

2009

Stourton Hall

Stourton Hall is a large mansion in Kinver, west of Stourbridge. It is given as the residence of Walter Showell, the brewer, in the 1901 census. He died at the property shortly afterwards on 31 Jul 1901. Continue reading →

Jan

2009

Elm Lodge

Elm Lodge Hagley was the home of William Edmund Downing (WED) and his family from about 1894 until the death of his widow, Hannah Pitt Showell in 1941. Continue reading →

Jan

2009

Tan-Yr-Allt, Llandudno

Tan-Yr-Allt was the holiday and later retirement home in Llandudno of Thomas Lee Downing (TLD) and his wife Ida Mary Downing. Continue reading →

Jan

2009

Penn Hall

Penn Hall was rented by Henry John Marten in the 1850’s and was the birthplace of most of his children including his daughter Floss. There is a good description of its history on the Wolverhampton local history web site. Continue reading →

Dec

2008

The Green House, Tettenhall

The Green House Tettenhall is the three storey building pictured on the right and still stands today in the centre of Tettenhall to the west of Wolverhampton. Continue reading →

Dec

2008

Holly Lodge

Holly Lodge in Smethwick was a substantial residence built in the early 1860’s by William Downing on the back of his successful malting business. Continue reading →

Dec

2008

Broadway House, Plaistow

In 1800 Broadway House was one of the largest houses in the centre of the village of Plaistow. Continue reading →

Dec

2008

The Birches, Codsall

The Birches Codsall was the residence of Henry John Marten and his family from about 1875 onwards. The family moved there from Parkfield House in Wolverhampton, having lived in Penn Hall up until about 1860. Continue reading →

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