Binstead
Memories of the Tattnall family of Wellwood, Quarr Hill, Binstead
By Sylvia Victoria May Brimson
These notes were left at Wellwood by the above lady who died in 1994 and wished the information to be preserved, and in accordance with her wishes we have added the information to the web site.
The family consisted of Col., Mrs. D. Tattnall, Mr. Archibald, Miss Sarah (known as Nina) Miss Diana (known as Dovey) and Miss Mary (known as Bunty).
On leaving the army and returning to Wellwood built circ 1820?, Col. Tattnall brought with him his batman Mr. William Read an islander and my grandfather to be his coachman and groom. The family kept a Brougham and a Victoria. The lodge was built for him and his and he lived there until his death. During the time that William Read worked for the Col. he became Captain of Binstead Boy’s Brigade (see article entitled Wootton Carnival October 1897, sub section Thursday 5th September 1903).
Mr Archibald was a member of the Isle of Wight Hunt and his sisters Miss Nina and Bunty took a great interest in Binstead and its people. Miss Dovey was an invalid and was wheeled around in a Bath wheel chair.
The family all visited Osborne when Queen Victoria was in residences, both Miss Nina and Bunty were very friendly with Prince Beatrice who often visited Wellwood. All the Tattnall family had a great love of wild life and the grounds of the house were a sanctuary for rabbits and red squirrels that were fed on nuts. Miss Bunty had a small bungalow in the garden where she made fruit jellies for friends and grew pot plants; she also had a large aviary of canaries.
The house gardens were very beautiful; the terrace at the back of the house was edged with Dorothy Perkins roses all festooned together a picture when all in bloom. Behind the terrace was the orchard with masses of daffodils, narcissi, crocus and hyacinths, all growing wild under the trees. In the corner of the orchard was a small cemetery with tiny headstones devoted to each of their dogs. Adjacent to the orchard was a large vegetable garden together with two greenhouses. There were numerous wells in the grounds of the property, from which the house Wellwood took its name. Mr. Arthur Barton was the gardener and his timetable was such that I always knew where to find him. In the field beyond the garden was a row of planted flowering cherry trees; a tree had been planted above the grave of each of their horses as they died.
When cars replaced the carriages, Mr Cecil Dyer became the chauffeur. Miss Nina was the last of the family to die in 1941 aged 88 years.
I shall always remember Miss Nina and Bunty {my godmother} with great affection and the lovely garden and field where I played as a child; alas it has all been built on.
Research as revealed the following information about the family; -
Archibald Hamilton Tattnall born in Glasgow 1820. In the 1851 census he is shown as Captain in the 92nd Highland Regiment.
Married Diana Williams born 1826, of Ivy House, Sun Hill, Cowes, at St Mary’s Church, West Cowes, Apr-June 1850. Note, she was born a British subject in France.
First child was a daughter called Elizabeth Williams, born March 1851, no other information has been found.
The 1871 census has him living at Wellwood with his wife, son and three daughters.
The census of 1881 lists him as a Lt. Colonel {retired] of the 92nd Highlanders and 2nd Lanark Militia, still living at Wellwood.
Died Ryde, 1893, age 73 years, see obituary below.
The 1901 census shows Diana now aged 74 years still living at Wellwood as head of household. Her son and three daughters are still living with her apparently all unmarried.
Diana age 92 years died in Ryde 1919 {Jan-Mar}.
Children
Diana Williams (Dovey), born Isle of Wight, Apr-June 1854, and died in Ryde, 3rd February 1923 aged 69 years.
Archibald, born 1862, no record found of birth, {overseas?}. A quiet person who liked photography. Died Ryde, 22nd February 1931 aged 69 years.
Mary Henrietta (Bunty) born 1857, birth recorded as Scotland, Died Ryde, 9th Jan 1938 aged 81 years.
Sarah Hamilton (Nina) born 1853, no record found of birth {overseas?}. Died Ryde, 12th February 1941 aged 87years.
Records show that the family always had three servants, [domestic, housemaid and parlour} together with coachman/chauffeur and a gardener.
Obituary
Lt. Col. Tattnall, 1820 – 19th January 1893
This death at the age of 73 years was announced at Wellwood, Quarr Hill, Binstead, Ryde on Thursday 19th January.
It is reported that he caught a chill while attending a funeral of a friend, he recovered but had a relapse at a tableaux being held at Osborne House and this developed into pneumonia. He was chairman of the management committee of the Royal Isle of Wight Infirmary and County Hospital and deeply involved in the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
The funeral was held at Binstead Church on Monday 23rd January, the body was in a polished oak coffin with black fittings and the brass plate read, “Archibald Hamilton Tattnall died 19the January 1893 aged 73 years”. A Scottish tartan covered the coffin and the chief mourner was his son Mr Archibald, a 2Nd Lt. in the Lanark Militia. There were over 60 mourners present at the service including many senior military officers and nurses from the Royal Infirmary.
In addition to family flowers there was a wreath bearing the inscription “A mark of respect from Prince Henry of Battenburg” there were many other wreaths and flowers from people of note. On completion of the service and at the request of the deceased the coffin was carried from the house to the grave by ten gardeners working in the village for which each received the sum of 10 shillings.
Note; - The Colonel and his wife Diana, are buried next to the childrens graves, I was unable to take a photograph as the grave is obliterated by brambles in October 2010.
Source: Obituary: IOW County Press Jan 1893
This page was last edited on: 26th January, 2022 17:50:49
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