Brook Lawn

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Holt, Denbighshire, Wales, United Kingdom

The history of Brook Lawn, Common Wood, Holt

1871 Census^[1]

Name	Relationship	Condition	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth place
John Pate Stevens	Head	Married	Male	36	Farmer	Cheshire, England
Martha Stevens	Wife	Married	Female	37	-	Cheshire, England
Mary Pate Stevens	daughter	-	Female	8	-	Denbighshire, Wales
Emma Rowe Stevens	Daughter	-	Female	7	-	Denbighshire, Wales
Owen Rowe Stevens	Son	-	Male	7	-	Denbighshire, Wales
Maria Rowe Stevens	Daughter	-	Female	3	-	Denbighshire, Wales
Fredrick W Stevens	Son	-	Male	1	-	Denbighshire, Wales
Moses Stevens	Father	Widower	Male	74	Annuitant	Scotland
John Jones	Servant	Married	Male	30	Farm Servant	Shropshire, England
Jane Edge	Servant	Unmarried	Female	22	General Servant	Cheshire, England
Elizabeth Gibson	Servant	Unmarried	Female	13	1858	Nurse Denbighshire, Wales

John Pate Stevens was a farmer of 33 acres

13th February 1875 Announcement of the death of John Pate Steven aged 37 at Brook Lawn near Holt son of the Late M Steven esq of Holt and grandson of the Late Mrs Pate of Chester.^[2] Martha Steven (nee Morris - they married in 1858) was his widow he left under £800

18th August 1877 - sale of the Cornish Hall Farm and 2 other farms (which Include Brook lawn)
MESSRS CHURTON, ELPHICK, AND CO. have the honour to announce that they are instructed by the proprietor to SELL BY AUCTION, at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, on Wednesday, August 29th, 1877, at One for Two o'clock p.m. most punctually, in the lots set forth in the printed particulars of sale, or in such other and in such order as the Agents of the Vendor may determine upon at the time of sale, and subject to such conditions as will then be produced, very extensive and highly important Freehold ESTATES, known as the Cornish Hall Farm, and two other Farms, small Tenements, Garden and Accommodation Lands, Cottages, &c., &c., in and near to the contributory borough of Holt, in the county of Denbigh, about four miles from the important market town of Wrexham, comprehending in the whole upwards of 364 acres of capital Land up to and having frontages to excellent turnpike and. other roads, in the several occupations of John Hughes. James Parry, Joseph Davies, Josiah Challenger. William Davies, Mrs Dale, Mrs Wilderon, and others, all yearly tennants. at moderate rentals (each of whom, for the purpose of this sale are under notice to quit ). Cornish Hall consists of a very Large substantiali erected Dwelling-house and an extensive range of Farm Buildings, approached from the Holt and Wrexham turnpike road, and the other farms and tenements have suitable erections upon them. The Lands in and near to Holt are of very superior quality and admirably adapted for market gardens. The Lands at Burton, near Gresford, are very prettily situated, and present sites for the erection of small dwelling- houses. The property will be subdivided into 24 distinct Lots, for the convenience of purchasers. The respective tenants will kindly show the lots. N.B.—Printed particulars, with plan, may be had, with any other information, upon application to Messrs Messiters, solicitors, Wincanton, Somerset; or from Messrs Churton, Elphick, Roberts, and Richardson, the auctioneers, Chester.

1st September 1877 On Wednesday last, Messrs Churton, Elphick, and Co. offered these estates by auction, at the Grosvenor Hotel, in Chester. The property belonged to a family of the name of Peck, resident in Somersetshire, who have possessed it for nearly two centuries. A very large company was attracted to the sale, nearly all of whom were regaled by M. Philip R. W. Peck with a substantial luncheon, a the hotel, previous to the commencement of the sale^[3]

1st September 1877 SALE OF PROPERTY.—Mr Peck, who is the owner of several farms in this town and neighbourhood having come to the determination to sell them, sent to all his tenants notices to quit, which caused considerable anxiety. Wednesday day appointed for the sale, and we are glad to learn was the that things turned out more favourable than was anticipated. Cornish Hall and Cornish Farm, occupied respectively by Mr John Hughes and Mrs Wilcoxon, were bought in. Mrs Dale bought the farm of which she and her ancestors have been occupiers for more than a century. Mr James Parry bought the farmhouse, out- buildings, and portions of the land. The remainder was purchased by Mr S. Dale, Dee Side, and Mr Morris, Esp Hill. Josiah Davies's house was bought by Mr Richard Williams, Frog Lane; and Mr Josiah Challoner, letter carrier, bought the plots of gronnd which were in his occupation. Happily, all the anxiety has now been dispelled, and the tenants have began to breathe in a freer atmosphere. The property was very judiciously sub-divided into 26 lots by the auctioneers, Messrs Caurtoo, Elphick, and Co., 24 of which were sold under the hummer, realising very satisfactory prices the land in the borongh of Holt fetching from £120 to £150 per statute acre, and those nearer to Cornish Hall, on the Wrexham and Isycoed roads, from£40 to £70 per acre. We understand that the two lots left unsold may now be treated for privately. The auctioneers having authority to sell at a reasonable price, there are several applicants, and we have no doubt they will soon be disposed of.^[4]

14 June 1879 Advert Messrs. Churton, Elphick, & Co; Sale of excellent Household Furniture, Glass, China, Linen, Blankets, Carpets, Kitchen Range, Culinary Utensils, and other effects, AT BROOK LAWN, near Holt, Denbighshire, about four miles from the Gresford and Rossett Stations on the Great Western Railway, and about five miles from Wrexham. MESSRS. CHURTON, ELPHICK, and CO., beg to announce that they have been favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late Thomas Morris, Esq., to Sell by Auction, ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH, 1879, commencing at Eleven a.m., punctually, the whole of the valuable HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, appertaining to Dining, Drawing, and Breakfast- rooms, and several Bedrooms, including two sets of excellent mahogany dining tables, pedestal sideboard, several sets of mahogany and walnutwood single chairs, double and single-headed couches, lounging chairs, oak and mahogany hall tables, rosewood cheffionniere, walnutwood, mahogany, and rosewood loo, card, Pem- broke, and occasional tables chimney glasses, hand- some ebonized and walnutwood China cabinets, with m ormolu mountings square pianoforte, an assortment of excellent Brussels and tapestry carpets and hearth rugs, oil cloth, several sets of capital iron French bedsteads, spring and hair mattresses, wool and flock mattresses, feather bolsters and pillows, mahogany chests of drawers, wardrobe, dressing and wash tables, with marble tops dressing glasses, excellent portable chest of drawers, an assortment of cut glass, china dinner, dessert, and tea services; bed and table linen, blankets and counter- panes. window curtains, braes pole cornices, kitchen range, culinary utensils, and other effects. N.B.—Catalogues may be had from the Auctioneers^[5]

26th July 1879 Important Sale of Two Compact Residential Estates, known as "ESP HILL" and "BROOK LAWN," with the Out-buildings and Lands belonging thereto also sundry pieces of accommodation Land near thereto, and other Lands, recently part of the Cornish Hall Farm, situate on the road from Holt to Wrexham, extending in the whole to about 178 statute Acres, sub-divided into several convenient lots. MESSRS. CHURTON, ELPHICK, & co. respectfully announce that in consequence of the death of the late proprietor, Mr. Thomas Morris, they are instructed to Sell by Auction, at the Gredington Arms Inn, in Holt, On MONDAY, the 11th day of AUGUST, 1879, at One for Two o'clock p.m. most punctually, in the lots set forth in the printed particulars of Sale, or in such other and in such order as the agents of the vendors may decide upon at the time of Sale, and subject to such conditions as will then be produced, the undermentioned extremely valuable FREEHOLD ESTATES, viz. The commodious well-arranged FAMILY RESI- DENCE known as "Esp Hill, situate near to the borough of Holt, and within convenient distance of several meets of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn's and the Cheshire Hounds, with the extensive range of out- buildings belonging thereto, pleasure and kitchen gardens, and the very superior Lands surrounding the same. Also, the large and convenient RESIDENCE, situate about half-a-mile from Esp Hill, known as BROOK LAWN, which has recently been much enlarged and improved, together with the Stable, Coachouse, and other Outbuildings belonging thereto; excel1 ent;Gardens and several pieces of Land adjoining. These residences are within a short distance of the River Dee, which affords excellent fishing. Also, several Pieces ? or Parcels or Accomodation LANDS, known as the CROXTON FIELDS'" the PAVEMENT FIELDS, the COMMON, the "SLANG," and thelli" BURGESSES' ALLOT- MENT. Also, several Pieces or Parcels of Land, formely part of the Cornish Hall Farm, situate fronting Francis-lane, leading from Holt to Wrexham, containing in the whole about 178 STATUTE ACRES, together with a small DWELLING HOUSE (now used as a boat-house), known as River Cottage, situate on the banks of the river Dee, in the village of Farndon. Mr. Sturgeon, the farm baliff at Esp Hill, will show the lots. Plans and particulars may be had at the several Inns at Holt, Farndon, and Wrexham; and, with any further information which may be required, at the offices of MEGARE. WALKER, and SMITH, Solicitors; or from the Auctioneers, Messrs. CHURTON, ELPHICK, ROBERTS, and JiWHARDSON, all of Chester. ^[6]

2nd August 1879 Sale of Property - On Monday 11th Inst Messrs Churton Elphick and co auctioneers Chester are to offer for sale "Esp Hill" and "Brook Lawn" situated near Holt. These two residences are most conveniently arranged and are replete with every accommodation as residences. They are surrounded with fertile land and are in every way nice little estates. ^[7]

23rd October 1880 A lengthened and and animated discussion arose in connection with the claim of Phillip Peck, owner of Cornish Hall estate. It transpired that he had sold the estate to certain parties, and on this ground Mr Humphreys contended that his right in the land had terminated. The estate went from the vendor and invested in the purchaser; the vendor was to have the right to the rent and profit up to a certain time but, added Mr Humphreys, as soon as he signed the contract he lost the freehold. The vendor and purchaser entered into contract, say on January 1st, the purchase money was not to be completed till March 21st, the vendor then parted with the property. That was the law as expounded by Mr Humphreys, and the Revising Barrister had to admit that it was an exceedingly doubtful case. Ultimately he decided that Mr Peck was entitled to the franchise.

1881 Census^[8]

’’’Name’’’	Relationship	Status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth place
Martha P Stevens	Head	Widow	Female	41	Farmer	Chester, Cheshire
Thomas P Stevens	Son	Single	Male	21	Woolen draper	Holt, Denbighshire
John F Stevens	Son	Single	Male	20	Farmer's son	Holt, Denbighshire
Mary P Stevens	Daughter	Single	Female	18	Farmer's daur	Holt, Denbighshire
Emma R Stevens	Daughter	Single	Female	17	Farmer's daur	Holt, Denbighshire
Maria R Stevens	Daughter	Single	Female	11	Scholar	Holt, Denbighshire
Fred W P Stevens	Son	Single	Male	10	Scholar	Holt, Denbighshire
Beatrice H Stevens	Daughter	Single	Female	9	Scholar	Holt, Denbighshire
John Eastwood	Visitor	Single	Male	21	-	Chester, Cheshire
Julia Leech	Boarder	Single	Female	78	Annuitant	Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
John Woolley	Servant	Single	Male	13	Farm servant (indoor)	Radnorshire, Wales

25th March 1882 Advert A WIDOW LADY who has a larger house than she requires situate near Holt, would take the entire charge of two children.—Address, Mrs STEVEN. Brook Lawn, Holt, near Wrexham. 708c^[9]

18th October 1884 Advert for In-calf Cow, belonging to Mrs Stevens, Brook Lawn, Holt.^[10]

1891 Census^[11]

Name	Relationship	Marital status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth place
Edward Bellis	Head	Married	Male	42	Farmer	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales
Emma Bellis	Wife	Married	Female	42	-	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales
Jane Bunnell	Visitor	Single	Female	15	-	Birkenhead, Cheshire, England

28th September 1895 Report that the revision Court revised the list of voters for Holt Polling District includes
The Conservatives successfully supported the claim of Mr W.R. Wilbraham who had purchased the property known as Brook Lawn, Holt^[12]

5th October 1895 Brook Lawn, Rossett road now in the occupation of Messrs Bellis Brothers has been acquired by Mr R. Wilbraham, jam manufacturer of Liverpool, who intends to take up his residence there in the spring^[13]

2nd March 1901 Contests will take place in the following divisions... List includes
Holt Mr Edwin Bellis (C) Farmer, Frog Lane, Holt and William R. Wilbraham (L), Gentleman, Brook Lawn, Common Wood, Holt - the retiring member was Mr Bellis^[14]

20th March 1901 NEW COUNTY COUNCILLOR - The new County Council member for Holt, Mr W. Robartes Wilbraham, Who succeeds Mr E. Bellis, is the youngest son of the late Mr Roger Wilbraham of Delamere House. Mr W.R. Wilbraham was privately educated at Brasenose College, Oxford. It is interesting to recall that when Mr Gladstone was Chancellor of the Exchequer his father acted as his private secretary, and was held in high esteem by both Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone.^[15]

1901 Census

Name	Relationship	Status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth place
William R Wilbraham	Head	Single	Male	29	Farmer	Willaston, Cheshire, England
William Penketh	Servant	Married	Male	58	Farm bailiff	Isycoed, Denbighshire, Wales
Mary Penketh	Servant	Married	Female	54	Housekeeper	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales

22nd August 1903 HOLT, DENBIGHSHIRE. Valuable Freehold Farm to be SOLD BY AUCTION by m/rESSRS. JONES AND SON, at the Wynn- ?TjL stay Arms Hotel, Wrexham, on THURSDAY, September 10th, 1903, at three o'clock in the after- noon, subject to conditions to be then produced and read, a compact FREEHOLD FARM, known as "Brook Lawn," Holt, situate one mile from Holt, three miles from Rossett, and four miles from Wrexham, on the road leading from Common Wood to Rossett, containing 43 acres 3 roods 24 perches or thereabouts, in the occupation of W. R. Wilbraham, Esq.. which will be sold in one lot or two lots as may be decided at the time of Sale. LOT 1.—The excellent HOUSE, FARM BUILD- INGS, and Eight Enclosures of LAND, comprising 39 acres 3 roods 6 perches or thereabout.. The House contains three entertaining-rooms, kitchens, scullery, &c., four bedrooms, two attics, box-room, and w.c. There are also Premises adjoining which have been converted into a Cottage for a workman. The Buildings comprise shippons for KJ cattle, stabling for three horses, harness-roorr. coach-house, granary, two pig styes, calf kit. &c. A hay bay with galvanised roof and large wood shed with galvanised roof forming hen house are included in this lot. I The Land is in good heart and of splendid quality. LOT 2.—A FIELD, adjoining Lot 1. ha%-inll l an extensive frontage to Common Wood-road, com- prising in the whole 4 acres and 18 perches or there- abouts. Particulars, with plan. can be obtained at the Offices of Messrs. BIRCH, CULLIMORE & DOUGLAS, Solicitors, White Friars, Chester or the Offices of the AUCTIONEERS, Wrexham and Llangollen.^[16]

23rd September 1903 PROPERTY SALE - On thursday Brook Lawn, the residence of Mr W.R. Wilbraham, who is leaving the neighbourhood, was offered for sale by auction by Messrs Jones and son of Wrexham and was purchased with upwards of 40 acres of adjoining land for £2,250 by Mr. James Parry of Esp Hill^[17]

30th December 1903 Mr W.R. Wilbraham, who has represented Holt on the County Council for the past three years, is about to leave the neighbourhood and will not seek re-election at the expiration of his term of office next March.^[18]

By the time of the 1911 Census Brook Lawn was occupied by George William Parry and his wife Mary who were living there with their children ^[19]
His Father James Parry had bought the property in 1903^[20] when it was sold by the previous owner William Robartes Wilbraham
Interestingly Mary's parents - and possibly she herself - had been servants of William R Wilbraham at the same house in 1901^[21]

1921 Census^[22]

George Parry	Head	Male	1869	51	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	Farmer
Mary Parry	Wife	Female	1879	42	Flint, Flintshire, Wales	Home Duties
Elsie Parry	Daughter	Female	1903	17	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	P T Teacher
Edith Parry	Daughter	Female	1904	17	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-
William James Parry	Son	Male	1906	15	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-
Mary Parry	Daughter	Female	1908	13	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-
Ruby Parry	Daughter	Female	1909	11	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-
George Parry	Son	Male	1911	9	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-
Alice May Parry	Daughter	Female	1919	2	Holt, Denbighshire, Wales	-

The entry for 1939 Register Brook Lawn, Holt shows they were still here, though the record has been mis-transcribed^[23]

George Parry	19 Apr 1867	Male	Dairy Farmer (Own Account)	Married
Harry Parry	14 Apr 1879	Male	Unpaid Domestic Duties	Married
William J Parry	21 Feb 1906	Male	Farm Tractor Driver	Married
Freda A Parry	06 Mar 1909	Female	Unpaid Domestic Duties	Married
A May Jones (Parry)	22 May 1919	Female	Dairy Work	Single
George William Parry	18 Mar 1927	Male	At School	Single

Harry must be Mary as the 1921 census gives her date of birth as either April/May 1879 which would fit with 18th April and she was baptised on the 1st of May.^[24] The image of the record clearly states Mary and F (female)^[25]

Sources

1. ↑ England Wales and Scotland 1871 Census Archive reference RG10 Piece number 5651 Folio 124 Page 1Transcript Image
2. ↑ Wrexham Guardian 13th February 1875 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3853395/3853403/47/
3. ↑ - Wrexham Guardian|date=1877-09-01|accessdate=2022-12-05|publisher=William Garratt Jones & John Hamlyn
4. ↑ - Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register|date=1877-09-01|accessdate=2022-12-05|publisher=George Bayley
5. ↑ https://hdl.handle.net/10107/3855049|title=Advertising - Wrexham Guardian|date=1879-06-14|accessdate=2022-12-05|publisher=William Garratt Jones & John Hamlyn]
6. ↑ Wrexham Guardian 26th July 1879 page 1 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3855105/3855106/1/
7. ↑ Wrexham Guardian 2nd August 1879 page 6
8. ↑ Wrexham Sub district Holt Archive reference RG11 Piece number 5510 Folio 28 Page 10 Schedule 497 Record set 1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcript
9. ↑ Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register 25th March 1882 page 4 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4589545/4589549/16/
10. ↑ Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register 18th October 1884 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4591708/4591709/3/
11. ↑ 1891 England Wales and Scotland Census Wrexham Holt Ref RG12 Piece number 4611 Folio 21 page 1 Schedule 6 Transcript
12. ↑ Wrexham and denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire, Shropshire and North wales register https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4594052/4594057/63/
13. ↑ advertiser
14. ↑ The North wales Times 2nd March 1901 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3818191/3818197/74/
15. ↑ The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales 20th March 1901 page 8
16. ↑ Cheshire Observer 22 August 1903 https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4247918/4247922/46/
17. ↑ The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales 23rd September1903 page 3
18. ↑ The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales 30th December 1903 Page 3
19. ↑ https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1911%2FRG14%2F33997%2F0435%2F2
20. ↑ The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales 23rd September1903 page 3
21. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9BX-8DN : 21 May 2019), William R Wilbraham, Holt, Denbighshire, Wales, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Holt subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
22. ↑ https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1921%2FRG15%2F27656%2F0349%2F01
23. ↑ https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcriptid=TNA/R39/7600/7600A/007/27&expand=true
24. ↑
25. ↑ https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=TNA%2FR39%2F7600%2F7600A%2F007&parentid=TNA%2FR39%2F7600%2F7600A%2F007%2F27