Reference
Z528
Title
Gift from Mr Davis of Bromham.
Introduction:
These papers relate to property held by Edgar Clayson of Harrold, builder. His father built a number of villas in Sharnbrook (UN 636) and Edgar Clayson bought Manor Farm, Daisy Farm and Harrold Park Farm by 1935 (Z528/18). James Day had bought the estate from Lady Lucas in 1918 and auctioned these farms in 1925 (Z528/16), so it was probably then that Edgar Clayson purchased them. In 1928, with a partner Frank Chappel, he bought the Colworth House estate, using the trees for railway sleepers (UN 636)
In 1938 Clayson purchased the Harrold Hall estate and the Chellington Meadows opposite, from the Alston family of Odell Castle (Z528/6) He rapidly parted with the Chellington section but kept the Harrold Hall estate, borrowing money on the security of it in 1939 and 1941 (Z528/9 7 12). The Harrold Hall estate was auctioned in 1949 and probably the major part sold off then. Clayson still kept some land as there was a further sale in 1955.
Clayson had sold the actual house at Colworth and 15 acres to C. Damoglou on 31 July 1930 (UN 636). By 1936 (Bedfordshire Commenced Directory), Lord Melchett was recorded as living at Colworth House (he bought it in 1935), but Edgar Clayson was still described as being one of the principal landowners in Sharnbrook. Over the next few years Melchett bought out Clayson and restored the estate to something like its former size
Date free text
c 1890-1955
Production date
From: 1890 To: 1955
Level of description
fonds