Gregory Gregory Esq. arrives

Posted on March 11, 2015 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary

“Gregory Gregory, Esq. of Hungerton, arrived at his residence near Grantham on Friday week, after a three years’ residence in France and Italy. He is about to commence the erection of a splendid mansion on his estate at Harlaxton, of the Elizabethan style of domestic architecture. Mr. Salvin is the professional agent whose designs have been adopted.”

Stamford Mercury, Friday 11 March, 1831

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Gatehouse doors

Posted on March 3, 2015 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary
Gatehouse door (Photograph: Linda Dawes)
Engraving by the door of the Gatehouse (Photograph: Linda Dawes)

An engraving by the Manor Gatehouse door (inside the McCarthy flat) says “1863 March 3 This door hung by J Coy”. James Coy, Joiner, (1830-1907) is listed as living in Gregory’s Alms Houses in the 1861 census, with wife Mary Ann (step sister of Elizabeth Sandilands, house keeper for Gregory Gregory at the Manor) and son William. James spent his life at Harlaxton and is buried, with Mary Ann, at Harlaxton Church.

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Annual rejoicing of the Manor, 1843

Posted on December 29, 2014 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary
Snowy gazebo by Linda Dawes, 2013

Snowy gazebo by Linda Dawes, 2013

“The twelfth annual rejoicing at the progress of this magnificent building took place on Saturday evening … at the Golden Lion Inn, Harlaxton, where a treat was given by Gregory Gregory, Esq. to the workmen and others employed, amounting to one hundred. After the usual loyal toasts, health and long life to the worthy proprietor and respected friend to the labouring classes” was drank in the most enthusiastic manner by all present. The chair was filled by Mr. John Howlson, supported by Mr. Laing of Stoke Rochford; and Mr. Wilson, builder, of Grantham, acted as vice. The evening was spent in the most harmonious manner, all being highly delighted with the annual treat so generously bestowed by Mr. Gregory.” Stamford Mercury, Friday 29 December, 1843

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Christmas Eve at the Manor

Posted on December 22, 2014 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary

Harlaxton Christmas“The fine old English gentleman who owns the splendid mansion and fine estate of Harlaxton Manor*, with his usual liberality, gave to each of his labourers on Christmas eve, roast and boiled, according to the number in family.”

Grantham Journal, Saturday 1 January 1858

*George Gregory

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Miss Reynard goes visiting

Posted on December 4, 2014 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary

The sighting of a fox running behind the Lion Terrace in the Manor gardens earlier this week brought to mind the following:

On Saturday 24 September, 1870 the Grantham Journal reported “On Friday last, Mr Chatterbrook, the house steward of Harlaxton Manor discovered, concealed in a small closet used by the housemaids to keep their pans, brushes, etc., a fine fox. It appears to have effected an entrance by way of the kitchen, and after causing considerable commotion in the cooking department, left to pay a visit to the knights of the broom, where it was discovered some time after by Mr. Chatterbrook, who got the assistance of the footman, and succeeded in chasing Miss Reynard to her proper elements. The same fox has been seen in the neighbourhood for some time past, where it has caused considerable annoyance to the domestics of Harlaxton Hall.”

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Haunting the Manor

Posted on November 18, 2014 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary
Photography: L. Dawes

Dining Room Landing (Photography: L. Dawes)

A Grantham Journal article relating to a visit to the Manor in 1859, describes a painting hanging in the corridor adjoining the Grand Dining Room or State Dining Room as it is now known as.

“One likeness of an infant heir to the estate is singular from its having been taken after death; it bears the following writing:- “Daniel Deligne infant, octo dierum obit, secondo die Februarij. Anno Salutis, 1621. – Stilo Anglia.””

Roughly translated: the infant of Daniel De Ligne, 8 days old, 2nd February 1621 – English style.

Mrs Delves Broughton refers to this baby in her 1906 Ladies Field article. Daniel De Ligne purchased the original Manor in the village of Harlaxton in 1619. Before the birth of their first child, Daniel and his wife Elizabeth received a prophecy that the baby would die from an accident before its first month. They were so alarmed that when the little girl was born they carefully chose a nurse and gave her strict orders never to let the baby out of her sight. By the second week the nurse was so worn out with anxiety that she fell asleep holding the baby in her arms whilst sitting by the fire. She awoke to find that the baby had slipped out of her arms and into the fire.

There are rumours that a crying baby haunts the manor, but this event would have taken place in the old manor house.

References

Broughton, Delves Mrs., 1906. Beautiful homes: Harlaxton Manor, Lincolnshire. The Ladies Field, March 10, p.14-17

Reminiscences of a visit to Harlaxton Manor House. The Grantham Journal, Saturday May 28 and Saturday June 4, 1859

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Theed’s marble bust of Mr Gregory

Posted on November 13, 2014 by harlaxtoncollegelibrary

In an article in The Grantham Journal dated 1859 the writer gives a detailed recollection of a visit to Harlaxton Manor. At this time the Manor was open to visitors on Mondays “through the kindness of George Gregory, Esq.”. A conspicuous object in the “Baron’s Hall” (now known as Great Hall) was an exquisite marble bust by W. Theed, Esq, artiste of the “Newton Statue” which can still be seen today on St Peter’s Hill, Grantham. The marble bust bears the inscription “Gregory Williams Gregory, who caused this mansion to be erected 1830-1854.”

By 1875, according to another article in The Grantham Journal, the marble bust of Mr. Gregory had been relocated to the gardens. This article first appeared in the Journal of Horticulture in the same year, in which there is a beautiful engraving of the formal gardens.

Detail from photograph appearing in The Ladies Field, March, 1906

Detail from photograph appearing in The Ladies Field, March, 1906

Somehow the bust appears to survive the spectacular Gregory Heirlooms sale at Christie’s in 1878, as Mrs Delves Broughton refers to its presence in her article for The Ladies Field in 1906.

“Facing the house on the south side a broad flight of steps leads upwards from the formal garden, and here, in an open space at their summit, is a marble statue of Mr. Gregory Gregory gazing down with sightless eyes at all his wonderful creations.”

What happens to the bust hereafter is a mystery. It does not appear to be in the 1937 Contents Sale Catalogue, so one hopes it has remained in the Pearson-Gregory family.

References:

Reminiscences of a visit to Harlaxton Manor House. The Grantham Journal, Saturday May 28 and Saturday June 4, 1859

Harlaxton Manor. The Grantham Journal, April 17, 1875

Harlaxton. Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener, April 1, 1875, p.258-9. Available online at: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/37840#page/270/mode/1up [accessed 13 November 2014]

Broughton, Delves Mrs., 1906. Beautiful homes: Harlaxton Manor, Lincolnshire. The Ladies Field, March 10, p.14-17

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