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Properties

Oak Lawn

Woodside

In 1865 The Rev. Edward Croften purchased about 8 acres of land on which the house is built on a 1000-year lease from Robert Stayner Holford, comprising of Chapel Corner Copse, Chapel Corner Field and Service Berry Copse. The rent was £60 quarterly, plus £5 for each dwelling other than the main one.

The lease imposed certain obligations, to pay the expenses for the road improvements and maintenance, and not to use the property as a Lunatic Asylum nor for burning brick earth or for making bricks or tiles. (There were at that time several brick-yards in Wootton). The lease also prohibited the use of any building within 100 yards of the boundary for shops, stores, public houses or manufactories.

Edward Crofton was given the right to construct a land drain at least 6 feet deep, which would pass through Shore Copse and emerge at the Eastern end of the Creek, near Westbourne Cottage. He would also have the right to enter the copse for the purposes of repair.

Robert Stayner Holford specified that any dwelling should be made from the finest material and was to have a value of at least £600. This was to be what we would call an upmarket dwelling.

1875 lists Frederick Kilburn Esq. as in residence1

In 1876 the lease was sold for £1440 to Frederick Beach who unfortunately died in the same year and was inherited by his sister Mary Anne Wearne. On her death it passed to her trustees who leased it to William Way and Edward Foster.

In 1888 the property is listed under the owner/tenant of Colonel Thomas George Cuthell2

June 1901 saw the purchase of the lease by James Wilson, who almost immediately transferred the lease. 24th June 1901 by a conveyance between William Robert Lloyd Jones and Lady Eva Cecilia Margaret Wemyss.3

12th July 1920 Lady Wemyss sold the lease to Rear-Admiral Reginald Maurice James Hutton D.S.O., C.B., C.B.E. He was also churchwarden for many years at St Edmunds.

1978 the lease was again sold this time to J. M. Redmond.
1982 saw the lease once again change hands, this time to Ken Haywood.

3. Note: Family tree under Randolph Gordon Erskine-Wemyss.

We are indebted to Mrs Loughlin for the following old newspaper extracts concerning Oak Lawn: -

The Times Monday 15th May 1871.

Messrs Francis Pittis & Son are instructed to Sell by Auction at Yelf’s Hotel, in Ryde, on Monday May 22nd next at 3 o’clock precisely, a charming Residence situated on the coast in the parish of Wootton, in the Isle of Wight, and known as Oak Lawn, containing inner and outer hall, three handsome reception rooms 15 ft high, four principal bedrooms and dressing rooms, two servants bedrooms, store rooms, two water closets, two stair cases; a pretty lodge entrance, capital stabling for four horses, fitted up in the most approved style, carriage-house, harness room, lofts and enclosed yard. The water supply is excellent, the drainage good, and the site dry and healthful. The elegant Furniture may be taken at a valuation if desired, and early possession may be had.

The Times Saturday 18th October 1873

“Oak Lawn, Wootton, Isle of Wight, within four miles of Ryde and Cowes-Very Superior Household Furniture, comprising, in the reception rooms, Brussels, velvet pile, Axminster, and Turkey carpets, mahogany, rosewood and walnut wood loo, card, extending, dinning and occasional tables, elegantly carved sideboard and dinner wagon, chairs, couched, and sofa in morocco, brilliant mantle glasses, costly clocks and ornaments, drawing-room suite in walnut wood, including couches, chairs, and settees. The sleeping apartments are replete with every requirement, embracing brass and iron. Arabian and French bedsteads, patent spring mattresses, duchesse toilet tables and washstands winged wardrobes, chest of drawers, and other article; carved oak hall furniture, kitchen requisites, dinner, desert and tea services, plated articles, garden implements, stable requirements, capital boat with masts, sails etc. complete12ft carpenters bench, tools and sundry out-door effects. Mr. G. C. Edwards {Auctioneer} is instructed to sell by auction on the premises, on Tuesday, 4th Nov for 12 precisely, the whole of the excellent Household Furniture and effects”

Newspaper article from an unknown source and date. It has to be assumed that this is the sale of the actual house prior to the above furniture sale.

A delightful Marine Residential Property, known as Oak Lawn situate on the west and preferable side of the island, in the Parish of Wootton, four miles from Ryde, and one from Osborne.
Mr. G.C. Edwards is instructed to Sell by Auction, at the Mart, Tokenhouse-yard, near the Bank of England on Thursday, Oct 9, at 1 for 2, the desirable residence known as ‘Oak Lawn’, surrounded by eight acres of beautifully-wooded land skirting the sea. The house, stands on elevated ground, commanding very extensive land and sea views, is approached by a wide carriage drive, with lodge entrance, and contains on the ground floor handsome entrance hall, dinning room, library, drawing room and excellent offices; on the first floor are six bed chambers, dressing rooms and two w.c’s: capital stabling for four horses. The property is well placed for yachting, as a yacht can at all times lie at anchor immediately opposite the house, and be wintered in Wootton Creek adjoining. The Property is held on lease for 990 years, or thereabout, at a very moderate ground rent.

Sources:
1. Post Office Directory 1875
2. Pike Blue Book - Wootton General Directory

Link:
http://www.thepeerage.com/p1087.htm External link image

This page was last edited on: 26th January, 2022 17:50:41

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