WELCOME TO THE 300th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF JAMES PAINE’S BIRTH
Researched, written HERE AT and presented by CUSWORTH HALL John Dabell.
1 • Tonight focus on just one of the houses James Paine was associated with.
2 Celebrate the tercentenary of James Paine’s birth By bringing the development and history of the Georgian manor house and gardens at Hickleton to a wider audience The house, gardens and parkland dominate this small village.
3 Investigate the start of James Paine’s involvement at Hickleton during the building of the Georgian Hall Look at Victorian alteration to the Hall and Edwardian Garden development But first a quick overview of the earlier Elizabethan house. 4 There had been an earlier manor house built c1580 Complete with ice house and dovecote It sat at the side of the highway to Doncaster next to the church.
5 Little is known of the Elizabethan garden – indeed even if one existed On the map to the west was a parcel of ground labelled Nursery, Orchard, Cherry Garth and Maple Flatts Was the garden piecemeal throughout the village?
6 From this 1750s garden design plan I had a clear picture of what the original building was like, although no evidence the four pavilions were ever built Godfrey Wentworth replaced this draughty old house (shown bottom right) with this brand new Georgian one.
MS/DEP/Wentworth Woolley Hall/M38 reproduced by kind permission. Brotherton Library, Special Collection, Leeds University. 7 The Wentworth’s now of Hickleton had expanded their Woolley Hall holdings making them rich Who was the person responsible for the Georgian house being built George Wentworth wrote an account of the family in 1890s said a painting of Mr & Mrs Godfrey Wentworth by Sir Joshua Reynolds used to hang at Woolley Hall Now a copy hangs there he states No trace of this in 2002 However a chance find on the internet located the original to Yale University After a few frantic emails I was able to purchase a slide copy. Painted by Reynolds in 1763 – divorced 1758! 8 In his Memorandum Book Godfrey records: “April 1745, I laid the first stone of my new house at Hickleton. Got into it with my family, September 1748”.
9 Tree ring dating (Dendrochronology) confirms this Main house roof beam produced a date of 1744 and a summer felling (Ruth Morgan, YAS Journal Vol. 51, 1979) At the time the only date known was Pevsner’s 1730s.
10 In 1761 he records ‘I suppose my house building and stables etc., with my garden layout, levelling, walling, planting etc., might cost me in the whole near £10,000 Who started the building work is unknown (Platt?) But a plan was drawn by John Carr of York. 11 Fairly wealthy from his lands in Woolley, Royston, Cold Hiendley, Darton, Staincross and Hickleton etc. Godfrey was in a position to spend money on the latest architectural fashion – a Palladian pile. George Platt had been one suggestion but he died of consumption November 1743! 12 John Carr, born in 1723 into a mason’s family at Horbury West Yorks Carr worked building the enclosing wall at Chevet Park for Sir Lionel Pilkington In 1745, aged 22 he produced a plan for GW at Hickleton Hall Godfrey Wentworth married Dorothy Pilkington of Chevet Hall, so this is more than a chance encounter.
NPG 4062 © National Portrait Gallery, creative commons license.
13 Plan drawn for Godfrey Wentworth Esq. dated 1745 by John Carr. R.I.B.A Image Library own the copyright to this image, click on link below to view and/or purchase your own. https://www.architecture.com/image- library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/designs- for-hickleton-hall-for-godfrey-wentworth-hickleton- yorkshire-floor-plans/posterid/RIBA65903.html But the completion and decoration is by James Paine.
14 • The Metropolitan Museum, New York confirms this • For a copy of the Builder’s Dictionary for 1734 has a MS List of Seats and Architects inserted, confirming James Paine at Hickleton Hall.
New York Metropolitan Museum of Art photograph ©Arad Mojtahedi non-commercial use allowed.
15 •Part of a plan from 1749/50 drawn by T or F Richardson to show the planned garden layout. What is interesting here is that it shows Hickleton Hall as a single building with typical Palladian pavilions to four corners, Nostell and Kedleston both had two.
•Window Tax returns for 1769 show Godfrey paying tax on 81 windows – a quick count on the central block and wing gives a total of 74 – so it is most likely that only the main block was built in the period 1745-1748. 16 Photograph showing Barnburgh Cliff quarry of magnesian limestone strata repeated in the Hickleton Estate quarry further west – the most likely place of stone for the hall. 17 Probably born in Andover in October 1717 Worked on Nostell Priory for seven years as supervising builder c1737 Enlarged Heath House, Wakefield 1744-5 Took over Hickleton Hall c1745-48 All this while building the Mansion House at Doncaster. Public domain
18 Closer look at John Carr’s Plan reveals two major changes as the build progressed Can we identify where James Paine took over The first is a structural change on the Principal floor For these two rooms were made into the library.
Wall put back in on this Victorian plan
19 It’s fair to assume that James Paine made this alteration opening up two rooms into one south facing library Pairs of columns and beams support the load in middle of Library Ceilings to each side are different patterns (I think the build was at least up to the Principle Floor).
20 Library ceiling to the east side of columns
21 Detail of library ceiling to the west side of central columns Fine plasterwork nearly 270 years old John Carr’s plan shows the room divided Looks like his plan was the one executed but altered by James Paine.
22 Another clue is the detail to top of main staircase landing Compared to John Carr’s plan shows another alteration. 23 James Paine has taken over supervision and architectural input The house was partly built, discussions taking place with Godfrey Wentworth for future plans The house was to be expanded so this main part would be made ‘more grand’ by bringing the staircase to the top floor.
24 Paine finished the full height staircase with a grand ceiling at the top.
25 •Inside detail - first picture – column to stairwell •Second picture – detail of handrail terminal – is this the original one 26 •I want to come back to this balustrade in the Victorian/20th century period. • Peter Leach identifies Paine’s embellishments to include a splayed window surround and a liberal display of cornice-strips above the heads of the first-floor windows. Carr’s plan shows square window surrounds.
• This was followed by four projects of 1749-50 which have in common the use of the three-sided bay window at Wilsford Manor and Ormsby Hall in Lincolnshire and Cusworth and Wadworth Halls near Doncaster. The second phase here was the three- sided bay extension further consolidating Paine’s work.
27 James Paine designed a grand fireplace for the large entrance hall (see photograph in James Paine’s biography by Peter Leach p154) Still surviving today (2013)in its original position, now the sitting room, altered in the Victorian period The fire place has tapered pilasters and a pedimented centrepiece to the mantle shelve, surmounted by a roundel containing a bas-relief, resting on an acanthus flourish Another, more plain, fireplace from Hickleton is now at Woolley Hall in the music room. 28 •Interesting building between the stable block and the later additions to the Hall •Described as a garden or bath house and attributed to James Paine •Viewed from the west and much altered.
29 •Inside, the Northern part is circular •Leading to the conclusion it was a bathing area •There are four niche’s where the four corners of the room are •The floor is below ground level where it would be ideal for holding water •Used from mid nineteenth century until 1980 by the Halifax family as the brew house for the Hickleton Brew.
30 • Showing details of layout and use as a bath house.
31 •Photograph shows the stable block elevation shown on the 1750 plan has blind arcading and empty niche - typical of Paine’s work •This facade faced the house, the other side is rubble built with stone, probably from the earlier house. 32 •This stable block work is attributed to Paine because of his association with John Billington, carpenter of Foulby, near Nostell, Wakefield •A letter to Godfrey Wentworth who was in London from his agent Jo Box at Hickleton says ‘J Billington has finished the Hunters Stable except for putting the circles behind the stands’ dated at Hickleton 31st January 1749. 33 •Godfrey found the house too small for his needs, for he seems to have decided straight away, to commission Paine to add a single storey wing to the north of the original build •This West elevation still shows the three-bay window, another Paine feature, comprising of a sitting room and ballroom on the East. 34 A plan of the single storey wing, with servant accommodation underneath James Paine’s wing had splayed windows at both the East and West elevations.
35 Inside, the sitting room with delightful sash windows has fine views over the west garden But also a view of the servants wing through the right-hand window.
36 •Ballroom ceiling which Pevsner states ‘with Victorian decoration.’ •Puzzled for a while about this heavy Victorian ceiling – more later.
37 •Shows both the ballroom/sitting room extension of the second phase and the two-storey servants/kitchen wing of the third phase.
38 Its still open to debate who designed and built the third phase It fairly certain that it was done in the 1770s Godfrey Wentworth had been living at Hickleton since the house was built His main residence until his death in 1789.
39 Godfrey Wentworth was indeed satisfied with his new and extended house for it became his main home for the rest of his life.
First phase; central part built 1744-1748 to John Carr’s plan and completed by James Paine
40 Second phase; single storey symmetrical wing added 1749- 1751, not long after Godfrey first moved in by James Paine Third phase; two storey servants wing added 1772-1774, by Paine? 41 What evidence is there for the Georgian garden layout? This plan drawn by T or F Richardson, with a copy for G Torne
There is an oval pond in the same place as this one An outcrop of limestone is still a feature today But the group of buildings (on the left) have gone.
42 • Francis Richardson worked in the shadow of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown • Francis Richardson produced many proposals for Northern clients including Cannon Hall near Barnsley • His early style was at the cutting edge of garden design • He is linked with new shrubbery designs emerging in the 1750s
• He would present a patron with a survey, and then a plan showing his intended improvements, both drawn with exquisite draughtsmanship • His name is not well known for he seems to have been unsuccessful in obtaining a commission from his proposals • He may have been lucky here at Hickleton. 43 •He was buried in the newly created vault under Hickleton Church by the side of his daughter who died the previous year •This vault was removed in 1983 to make way for the underpinning structure to save the church from collapse. 44 As five male servants were in a room called the servants hall Ball of fire came down the chimney and hit the range Then onto the floor and out of a window, then burst in an explosion as loud as a cannon The room was instantly filled with fire and smoke All the servants escaped without harm The walls and ceiling were black with smoke and retained a sulphurous smell for several days.
45 Anna-Marie, eldest daughter and co-heir of Godfrey Wentworth, married Sir George Armytage of Kirklees Hall, Brighouse in 1760 Both die before Godfrey Wentworth His grandson Godfrey inherits and changes his name to Wentworth- Wentworth.
46 Godfrey Wentworth-Wentworth lives at Hickleton in his minority Marries Amelia, dau of Walter Ramsden Beaumont Hawksworth who changed his name to Fawkes in 1786 Moves into Woolley Hall on his marriage in 1795 Hickleton Hall is rented out to Francis Hawksworth, a family member Godfrey W-W carries on improving all his estates In 1814 the Wentworth, Rishworth and Chaloner bank was formed.
47 This early 19th century map shows Godfrey’s garden development Plot 169 is marked ‘new gardens’ and became the Georgian Walled Garden The one above as ‘Nursery’ where plants were ‘brought on’ Plot 134 probably Francis Richardson's garden. 48 In AD1800 Godfrey bought 18,500 trees From Withers and Speechly [of Newark] To stock the new garden and nursery at Hickleton They were 1 and 2 year old plants Total cost was £32 14s 6d.
49 Image supplied by National Library of Australia. Out of copyright. This plant was growing at Hickleton in the 1810s Recorded in 1820 in the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London Watercolour painted by Adam Forster (1848-1928) in 1917 A native of Australia, shows just how keen Godfrey was to propagate the latest fashionable plants available It was first described in 1804 by James Edward Smith, founder of the Linnean Society. It entered Blandfordia Nobilis (Common cultivation in 1803 as a glasshouse name Christmas Bells) plant in England
50 Throughout Yorkshire and indeed England specialist gardeners were developing their skills and providing trees, shrubs and plants brought in by plant hunters, allowing Georgian gardens to develop and flourish What other plants were Blandfordia Nobilis (Common adorning the gardens here name Christmas Bells) at Hickleton?
51 In 1825 the Bank collapsed Fortunately the Woolley estates had a foresighted settlement on them However Hickleton was not included The 140 year association with the Wentworth family came to an abrupt end. 52 Hickleton is purchased by Sir Francis Lindley Wood of Hemsworth Hall in 1828 Hemsworth Hall is now surrounded by the comprehensive school He married Anne Buck, dau. of Samuel Buck, the Recorder of Leeds.
53 Charles Wood Sir Francis Wood came to live at Hickleton in 1830 His son Charles Wood came and shared a ‘joint household’ They immediately began a program of upgrading the gardens Planting a shelter belt of trees to the West.
54 When Sir Francis died in 1846 Charles inherited Charles began a program of restoration and alteration that was to last well into the 20th century Charles was raised to the Peerage as Viscount Halifax of Monk Bretton in 1866 on his retirement from the Government Vanity Fair cartoon pictured him with a caption ‘falling off his horse and into a Peerage’ as a hunting accident forced his retirement. 55 • First major building work was to add a matching south wing •This was in the shape of a conservatory, walkway and a viewing area • A Portico was also added making a more formal east front entrance. 56 • Conservatory, walkway and bastion added • Portico built where original steps had been 57 This photograph shows the raised terrace under the library windows, bordered by a balustrade, on the south side Classical urn and box parterre best viewed from the upper storeys Workmen were here for over a year in 1858.
58 •The existing hall was converted to a sitting room and given an oak floor •Portico was converted to form an outer porch/entrance hall and designed by George Frederiick Bodley in 1887(Catalogue of works by Michael Hall) • To the front was added a corridor connecting conservatory to the entrance hall and the dining room extended to balance the facade.
59 Charles Lindley Wood inherits on his fathers death in 1885 He marries Lady Agnes Elizabeth Courtney of Powderham Castle, Devon In 1868 became president of the English Church Union Wrote widely on church matters Was leading church layman on Anglo-Catholic Re- union.
60 •His religious convictions led to the conservatory being converted into a chapel. 61 To balance the east front the dining room three-bay window was altered to match the chapel facade and a coat of arms added completely changing its Georgian appearance This is when and why the Victorian ceiling was installed.
62 To come back to the staircase There is an interesting little story That may amuse or horrify any architectural historian.
63 Second Viscount didn't like the Georgian design wrought ironwork So he set on the local blacksmith J. T. Darmon & Sons to renew it This was undertaken in 1931, less than three years before he dies So the original work by Thomas Wagg is now lost.
64 Thomas Wagg, blacksmith, also worked on the staircase and balustrade at The Mansion House, Doncaster and at Nostell Priory house We can compare the Georgian work of 1747 with that from 1931 Here is Doncaster Mansion House staircase also by Thomas Wagg
65 Maybe, Halifax found his work to ‘flowery’ with its leaf ornament? J T Darmon’s work is certainly solid – maybe even more masculine! There were over 90 sections to make - with help from his two sons Reg and William and others. Reg Darmon continued the business on his fathers retirement.
66 The 2nd Viscount carried on improving the whole of his estate Work to improve the gardens had been on-going since the 1830s Seen here in the early 20th century.
67 During the late Victorian and Edwardian period Halifax employed Francis Inigo Thomas (1866-1950)to produce a formal garden to the south and east front and rework the west garden Pupil of Sir Ninian Comper, apprenticed to G F Bodley Comper records that Thomas designed/worked © East Sussex Archives reproduced by kind permission on the gardens at Hickleton. 68 The formal garden spilled out into the parkland He was an architectural garden designer.
69 Adding a matching pair of summerhouses on the east front.
70 •The east front was changed from an informal entrance….
71 •To an architectural formal design 72 An early postcard view of the west garden, showing the large terrace wall, formal paths, an oval pond and young planting of trees and shrubs.
73 Small architectural details are added to great effect The fashion during the Edwardian Period was of formal Italian-looking masonry landscaping, consisting of terrace walls, balustrades, summer pavilions, and ornament such as obelisks, urns and statues, all contained within their own groupings.
74 Part of this was to lower Barnburgh road where it passes the east front, so traffic couldn’t be seen from the Hall. Indeed working with and complementing the house in its setting as the next sequence will reveal.
75 o The formal relationship of the Hall to the new garden is achieved by the curved walls extending from the house, thereby establishing three separate gardens.
76 oThe axial design lines can be followed through the gardens: oThe centre of the east garden and avenue of trees beyond, through the entrance hall and down the terraces to the oval pond.
77 oTwo parallel lines running N to S on both sides of the Hall through gateways into the park, through avenues which terminate in statues.
78 o Further cross lines in the east and south gardens – connecting the two garden pavilions to the east, cross axis through the terraces and the cross path in the southern garden parallel to the Ha-Ha wall. o Finally the avenue known as ‘Broadwalk’ connecting the Hall to the Georgian gardens.
79 The 2nd Viscount Halifax died on the 19th January 1934 His son Edward inherited The 3rd Viscount became 1st Earl of Halifax in 1944 In 1947 he put the entire contents of Hickleton Hall up for auction The Hall first became a junior part of St Hilda's boarding school for girls from 1949-1960 It was a ‘Sue Ryder Care’ home from 1961 until it closed down September 2012.
80 The early manor house at Hickleton was a timber-framed structure, location unknown A large Elizabethan Hall was built by Francis Rodes and occupied for 80 years by the Jackson’s; and for a further 60 years by the Wentworth’s Godfrey Wentworth commissioned a Georgian Hall and John Carr of York produced a detailed drawing in 1745 James Paine took over the building work almost immediately Francis Richardson may have provided a garden design in 1750 The Halifax family greatly altered the Georgian house, employing in 1887 George Frederick Bodley Francis Inigo Thomas landscaped the garden during the late Victorian and Edwardian period.
81 The Manuscript List in the Builder’s Dictionary for 1734 leave no doubt of his involvement Two of James Paine’s regular workforce, J Billington, carpenter and Thomas Wagg, blacksmith have work recorded here James Paine’s architectural style is incorporated into John Carr’s plan; blind arcading, empty niche, liberal use of cornice strips above windows, use of the three- bay window and of course internal finishes – his style of fireplace.
82 • Now empty and boarded up with a planning application for change of use
83 THE END
•Hickleton Hall awaits its fate or fortune 84