Reference
X567/31
Title
Vellum bound book on front cover "AVSTIN CANNONS, BEDFORD. P.W.W. 1889" written on flyleaf:
"A record of doings at Austin Canons, Kempston, in the county of Bedford, begun by Paul Williams Wyatt, first vicar of St Leonard's, Bedford 1889"
[Deposited as of 22/01/2014]
[see Mic 231]
Date free text
1889 - 1964
Production date
From: 1889 To: 1964
Scope and Content
contents:
Account of site of house and its erection. It stands on a part of Kempston Grange estate in Kempston. Land was purchased in November 1889 by Paul Williams Wyatt from Mr Arthur Stephen Thornton, son of the late Mr Harry Thornton of the Grange. Boundaries given. Grange now owned by Mr James Harold Howard. Part of the field called "Paradise" - walking grounds of monks of Cauldwell Priory
Grass land 14 acres 30 perches; plantation 3 roods 9 perches. When planting poplars along east dyke the foundations of an old stone wall were found.
In gravel pit dug for building house were found bones of prehistoric animals, but no implements
Building began early March 1890, and completed end of 1891. Occupied last week July 1891. Architect Mr Henry Young from designs by the owner, builder Mr Samuel Foster.
architecture: stone from ?Weldon quarries which became known about three years before commencement of building. Present quarry started again by Lord Winchelsea. Doors in courtyard suggested by those at Apethorpe. Mantelpieces suggested by those at the Toft, Sharnbrook. Materials as far as possible local. Stucco under gateway work of friend Mr George Frampton, and tablets and shields cut under his direction. Lettering from Weston Underwood Churchyard and Ramsbury in Wiltshire. Shields Wyatt arms; St John of Jerusalem; cross of St Leonard's Hospital. Tablet in Court Yard "The Lord preserve thy going out and thy coming in". On west front of house "Now is yesterday's tomorrow".
Brief account of Caldwell or Caudwell Priory from Lysons. Site granted in 1563 to Thomas Leigh, whose descendants continued there till 1620. Site for Howard's implement manufactory.
East plantation was commenced at Austin Canons November 1889
On Ascension Day 1890 a cupressus Lawsaica planted by Mr Alderman Hurst, aged 90 in February of that year.
Drought during summer of 1890 in Bedford and neighbourhood.
During building of the house scarcely a half day lost before building roofed in.
From November 1890 to January 1891 a long and severe frost.
Small orchard by Kempston Road planted in spring of 1891.
Two floods in October and in December of 1891. During latter 3 herons in lower meadow.
Management of land, 1889-1899 [had Dexter heifers].
Account of trees planted by various friends, and other plantations, and of their growth.
Birds: herons, fieldfares, kingfishers, swallows and martins, rooks, partridge, wild duck, plovers.
July 1890 all residents in St Leonard's parish were invited to an outdoor gathering.
1914. Fields occupied by 1 and 2 Highland Engineers, who stayed till spring 1915. Followed by Welsh Signal and Field Company's mess huts, rifle range, pits and roads. Relinquished for a short time in 1916. Then training battalion through 1917. Fields reoccupied for War allotments during 1918-9.
1921 sown with oats and grass.
September 1939. Officers billeted at Austin Canons. Air raid shelters dug in upper field.
Used as Visitors book for Austin Canons 1891-1942 (with notes as to signatories) and for Old Oaks 1950-1964 (Old Oaks or Old Oak Cottage, Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire,) purchased 1949 by R B Hervey Wyatt.
Among signatories:
mayors of Bedford: Joshua Hawkins, George Hurst, James Coombs, F A Blaydes
headmasters of Bedford School and Bedford Modern School
Guy Pym M.P. for Bedford 1895
Lord Ampthill, on laying foundation stone of St Leonard's Hospital 3 June 1892
Bedfordshire gentry: members of Russell family
Alwyne, Bishop of Ely
William Woodfine Marks, Clerk of the Peace
Rudyard and Caroline Kipling; Samuel Gardiner historian; Jane M Strachey; Philippa Strachey; William le Queux
Level of description
item