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Summary:

Earliest information: <1470
Original estate: ?Hungerford
Common Rights? Yes (Frontage 47ft + 20ft = 67ft; 4 horses or 8 cows)
Date of current building: 18th century, with late 19th century re-fronting (confirmed from photographic evidence).
Listed: Grade II

Thumbnail History:

This property was the family home and practice of the three generations of doctors in the town - Drs. Barker. In the late 1920s Ernest James bought it and built a large seed and corn mill in the grounds. This was completely destroyed by fire in June 1960. Now used by estate agents and a variety of other professionals.

Description of property:

From Listed Building records: House, now offices. 18th century, with 20th century front. Slate roof, modillion eaves cornice, red brick front with stone moulded architraves and channelled quoins, band at first floor and top of plinth. Three storeys. Three glazing bar sashes, central door under stone portico of two Doric columns and pilasters, frieze with triglyphe and moulded cornice. Interior: 18th century panelling and staircase to hall and ground floor rooms.

Photo Gallery:

uhs-008 c1935
uhs-008 c1935

19 High Street, Kennet House, c1933

img_0597
img_0597

19 High Street, Kennet House, Apr 2010

p1280840
p1280840

19 High Street, Kennet House, Jan 2007

19941000 Paul Burrough at 19 High Street
19941000 Paul Burrough at 19 High Street

Paul Burrough and Gardner Leader at 19 High Street, Oct 1994.

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, Apr 2010

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, c1933

- Paul Burrough and Gardner Leader at 19 High Street, Oct 1994.

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, Jan 2007

Timeline:

<1470 Sir Walter Hungerford, previously Walter Farley.

c1470 (NH T/S pp. 4 and 6) Robert Tukhyll junior. 1¼ burgage late Sir Walter Hungerford, previously Walter Farley q.r. 10d (+ in Sandon Fee, John Tuckhyll holds certain lands in Sandon called Farleys late Sir Walter Hungerford 6s 8d). These two holdings, both in the Tuckhyll family and both deriving via Hungerford from Farley, have a combined q.r. of 7s 4d.

Note: Much of these records by Norman Hidden appear to relate to "Farley's Lands", and not necessarily to the property that is now 19 High Street. See V.C.H. Berks IV p.190 re Ponzardesland and Ralph Farley. These lands would seem to be in the area of La Hulle.

1552 (NH T/S p.5) John Clydesdale holds 1 tenement with a parcel of land called Farley's land late in tenure of Thomas Togell and now in tenure of William Cannye, q.r. 7s 4d. [Cannye is not a name which occurs elsewhere in Hungerford, but a William Cannon, King's tenant (i.e. not a freeholder) is listed in the 1552 muster]

1573 (NH) Ralph Hatt is tenant by indenture to Thomas Hidden als Cliddesdale of 1 tenement, garden, backside, with 1½ acres meadow in Woodmarsh, ½ acre pasture in Church Croft, 33 acres of arable in Sandon Fee (viz. 16 acres in the Breach, 5½ acres in Home Field, 5½ acres in Middle Field, 2 acres in Pidden, and 4 acres in Westbrooks, q.r. 7s 4d. (NB Some of these seem more like Priory lands?-HLP)

1609 (NH) Thomas Cannon holds from John Hidden als Clidsdale as his freehold 1 tenement and backside, with 1½ acres of meadow in the Woodmarsh, ½ acre pasture in the Church Croft and 30 acres arable, q.r. 7s 6d.

1617 (NH) Hocktide Court Book: John Clidesdale sold to John Austin.

1616 (NH) F of F (Berks) 14 Jas I Mich.: where the property is described as a messuage, garden, orchard, with 24 acres land, 2 acres meadow, and common pasturage in Hungerford, Sandon Fee, and Woodmarsh.

1617 (NH) Will of John Austin of Shalbourne Eastcourt yeoman (7 Dec) probate 8 May 1618, bequeaths this and other property to his daughter Elizabeth (reversion to Alice). On 14th January 1617/18 Elizabeth married Vincent Smith junior in Hungerford by special licence. 

Vincent Smith died 1627 (his wife was then Margaret), so the Vincent who married Elizabeth Ashton will have been Vincent junior, who receives the bequest of a chantry barn (P.C.C. will probate 1629, Thomas, son and executor).
No Smith appears in the Hocktide Court Book until 1629 when Thomas Smith was admitted. Smith appears on a list of free suitors in 1630, 1640. He died 1645, and in his will leaves a bequest to his son-in-law Nicholas Burch. [The Thomas Smith who remains in the freeholders lists and awards of 1650 is his son].


More on Thomas Smith:

Thomas Smith, gentleman.
Inquisition taken at Marlborough, 28th August 14 Charles I [1638], before William Morse, gent., escheator, after the death of Thomas Smith, gent., by the oath of Robert .... Thomas Waldron, Thomas Stephens, Walter Stretch, William Smith, Richard Kingsman, William Smith, junior, William Woodley, Stephen Johnson, William Withers, gent., Christopher Lippyate, Richard Webb, Richard Mortymer, William Stanmore, John . . , . . Holloway, and Nicholas Leyland, who say that Thomas Smith was seised of the capital messuage and farm of Yatesbury; of 2 messuages, 2 cottages, 2 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, 40 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow, 40 acres of pasture, 6 acres of wood, 20 acres of furze and heath and common of pasture for 20 beasts and 100 sheep in Ham, Cleeves Pepper, and Cottmarsh ; 8 messuages, 2 barns, 3 gardens, 3 orchards, 150 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, 20 acres of wood, and 20 acres of furze and heath in Soley, West Soley, and Chilton alias Chilton Folliatt; 8 messuages, i cottage, i toft, 1 curtilage, 6 barns, 8 gardens, 140 acres of land, 16 acres of meadow, 46 acres of pasture, 36 acres of wood, 4 acres of furze and heath and common of pasture for all beasts in Eastgarston, Woodland Eastgarston, and Bockhampton, co. Berks; 1messuage, 2 virgates of land in Eastbury, Chepinge, Wycombe, Lambourne, and Blagraves, co. Berks; 1 messuage and 2 virgates of land in Offington alias Uffington, co. Berks; 2 messuages and 1 virgate of land in Lamborne Woodland, co. Berks; and 2 messuages., 2 curtilages, 2 gardens, 1 acre of .meadow and common of pasture for all beasts in Hungerford, co. Berks.

So seised, a fine was levied in 3 weeks from Michaelmas, 8 Charles I [1632], of the said premises between Francis Seymour, knt., plaintiff, and the said Thomas. Smith, and Mary his wife, deforciants, to wit, the said Thomas and Mary acknowledged the same to be the right of the said Francis as those which he had of their gift, and the same remised to him and his heirs for ever: which said fine was had in consideration of a marriage then lately solemnized, to wit, on the 4th August then last past, between Charles Seymour, esq., son and heir apparent of the said Francis Seymour and Mary, daughter of the said Thomas Smith, to the intent that the said Charles and Mary, after the last day of March, in the year 1635, should take for their natural lives, if the said Thomas Smith so long should live, out of the premises above mentioned an annuity of £200; and also to the intent that after the death of the said Thomas Smith the said Mary his wife, should take an annuity of £30 out of the premises. As to all the said premises after the death of the said Thomas Smith, to the use of the said Charles Seymour for his life; and after his decease, to the use of the said Mary the daughter for her life; after her decease, to the use of her heirs by the said Charles Seymour, if she should die before the said Charles; and afterward to the use of the heirs of the said Charles by the said Mary if the said Charles should predecease the said Mary; and for default, to the use of the said Charles and Mary and their heirs for ever; which said uses are specified in an indenture dated last day of August, 8 Charles I [1632], made between the said Thomas Smith and Mary his wife of the one part and the said Francis Seymour of the other part.

After the making of the said indenture and fine, to wit, on the 2nd day of February, 10 Charles I [1635], the said Charles Seymour attained the age of 14 years., and within the space of one month, that is to say, on the 26th day of February in the said year, agreed to the said marriage at Marlborough, and the said Mary, being then aged 12 years and more, consented to the same, whereby the said marriage became absolute and indissoluble.

The said Charles and Mary still .survive, but have no issue.

The premises in Yatesbury are held of the King as of his Duchy of Lancaster, by knight's service, to wit, by half a knight's fee, and are worth per annum, clear, 100s. The premises in Ham, Cleeve Pepper, and Cottmarsh, are held of Francis Goddard, esq., as of his manor of Cleeve Pepper, by fealty, suit at court, and the yearly rent of 10s., and are worth per annum, clear, 20s. The premises in Soley, West Soley, and Chilton are held of the King as of his honour of Wallingford, by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not, and are worth per annum, clear, 30s. The lands and common of pasture in Eastgarston, Woodland, Eastgarston and Bockhampton are held of the King as of his honour of Tutburie, co. Stafford, by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not, and are worth per annum, clear, l0s. The premises in Eastbury, ..Cheping, Lamborne, and Blagroves are held of John Clerke, esq., of his manor of Eastbury, co. Berks, by fealty, suit at court, and the yearly rent of 13s 1 ½ d., and are worth per annum, clear, 5s. The tenements in Offington are held of the King as of his honour and castle of Windsor, co. Berks, in free socage, by the yearly rent of 18d., and are worth per annum, clear, 5s. The lands in Lamborne Woodland are held of — Lord Craven as of his manor of Lamborne, co. Berks, by fealty, suit at court, and the yearly rent of 53s 6d., and are worth per annum, clear, 6s. 8d. The premises in Hungerford are held of his [sic] manor and borough of Hungerford,. co, Berks, in free and common socage, by fealty, suit at the court called the Hocktide Court, and the yearly rent of 12d., and are worth per annum, clear, 2s.
Thomas Smith died at Marlborough,. 13th November, 13 Charles I [1637]; the said Mary, now the wife of the said Charles Seymour, is his only daughter and next heir, and on the 3rd day of July last past was aged 16 years and not more.

The said Mary, late the wife of the said Thomas Smith, still survives at Marlborough.

Inq. P.m. 14 Charles I, pt. 2, No. 152.


Timeline, cont'd:

Burch sells "land late Thomas Smith" to Thomas Robinson in 1659?

In 1676 rent roll the property is distinguishable – "Walter Bosley for his house and Frayes land q.r. 7s 6d"

In 1753 it would seem to be Mr (?Dr) John Sherwood's q.r. 2s 6d [possibly the lands have been severed from the tenement?]

John Sherwood, Batchelor of Physic. Born at Gilbornes, Sutton Courtney, 28 July 1666. Died 25 May 1730.
Also Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Nicholas Pottenger of redding, Esq., born 9 Feb 1660, died 30 April 1732.
Also Thomas, youngest son, born 1 July 1705, died 28 Dec 1708.
Also John Sherwood (the apothecary) son of above John and Elizabeth, died 13th March 1754, aged 53 yrs.

1753-61 (QR) Mr John Sherwood for his house, q.r. 2s 6d And for his house late Webb's, q.r. 2d [=GWR]

1774-80 (QR) Thomas Knight for house late Sherwoods, q.r. 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, q.r. 2d [=GWR].
1781 (CL) illegible, crossed out first entry ? Wm L…..
1795 Thomas Knight for house late Sherwoods 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, q.r. 2d [=GWR].
1805 (QR) Peter Knight for house late Thomas Knight 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, later James Hall, q.r. 2d [=GWR].

1807 (CL) James Hall for Mr. Knights House

1818 (QR) Peter Knight for house late Thomas Knight, 2s 6d. And for his house late Webbs, later Elizabeth Coxhead q.r. 2d [=GWR].
1819 (EA) Knight
1832-1836 (QR) Peter Knight for house late Thomas Knight
1841 (CS) John Lidderdale (60) Captain Army.
1847 (CL) Peter Knight (owner), Mrs. Lidderdale (occupier)

1847 Dr Richard Barker (wife Anne, and eight children). (Previously he had been in 104 HS then College House, 130 HS).
1851 (CS) Richard (Hemstead) Barker (41) MRCS, GP, Lic of Apothecary's Co. (son of Dr Richard Barker) (wife Elizabeth Ann and 8 children), moved from 130 HS to 19 HS. Practiced until his death in 1875. [See "The History of Medicine in Hungerford", by Dr Hugh Pihlens]
1861 (CL) Richard H. Barker.

1875 Dr Richard Henry Barker (son of Richard Hemstead Barker)
1861 (CL) Richard H. Barker
1861 (CS) Richard Barker (51) MRCS.
1871 (CS) Richard Hempstead Barker (61) MRCS & LSA, surgeon and General Practitioner.
1881 (CS) Elizabeth Barker (69) widow; Richard Barker – son (33) surgeon.
1896 (CL) Richard Henry Barker
1902 (T&M Register) Richard Henry Barker (owner)
1910 Richard Henry Barker retired from practice.
1914 (CL) Richard Henry Barker

1923 (T&M Register) Alfred Palmer Morewood (ocucpier until 1928)

Late 1920s Ernest Frank James (lived in flat above with his wife, James offices below). Later moved to west side of Salisbury Road (where Crooks are now [1985]) Ernest James had started milling in Chilton Mill c.1910, later moved to use the old Platt Brewery premises behind Manor House, before buying Kennet House in 1931.
1932 (T&M Register) Ernest Frank James (owner & occupier)
1932 "Great Western Mills" opened.
1932 (QR) James "house formerly Thomas Knight's afterwards Peter Knights", q.r. 6d.
1939 (Blacket's) E.F. James (James & Co.)
1947-56 (CL) Ernest Frank James, Kennet House.
22 June 1960 "Great Western Mills" destroyed by fire.

1963 (CL) Norman Ernest James, Kennet House
1968 (T&M Register) James & Co (Hungerford) Ltd (owners until 1971)
1968-1970 (CL) Void

c.1970 Ground floor premises became used by separate businesses

1972 (T&M Register) Alan Robert Putt (owner)
1973 (T&M Register) Alan Robert Putt (occupier)
1976-1983 (CL) Alan Robert Putt, Kennet House

North side:

1978 Kennet House – gifts

1983 Gardner Leader, solicitors

2004 Graham Pritchard, optician (north end of ground floor) (until Jan 2006)

May 2007 Edward Jones, IFA [American Investment Company]
End 2009 Edward Jones closed.

Mar 2010 Fare Wise Travel (moved from 115 High Street)

South side:

1978 Walter Hall and Partners – estate agents

1984 (CL) Alan Robert Putt
1985 (CL) Alan Robert Putt

1990 (CL) Burrough & Co, estate agents (Paul Burrough).
2000 (CL) Anthony Paul Burrough
2005 (CL) Anthony Paul Burrough

Jun 2006 Humberts Estate Agents. (Paul Burrough continued as consultant)
12.1.2009 Humberts closed the Hungerford branch – all business transferred to Marlborough branch.

Jul 2009 Russel Marshall (Estate Agent) moves here from 48c High Street.
2011 (CL) Anthony Paul Burrough