The Early History of Barkham Square

When Barkham - A History was published in 2000, no records were thought to survive which showed when Barkham Square was built, or by whom. The minutes of the 1751 manorial court (Court Baron) merely record the sale of "a certain freehold messuage called the Square" by Charles Gery, gentleman, to the Rev.d Witting Colton since the previous Court Baron in 1738, when there was no mention of the property in the manorial survey conducted at the same time.

Since the history was published, more light has been shed on the origins of Barkham Square following the discovery at the Public Record Office of the existence of law suits against Charles Gery in 1730 and 1750. Thanks to Gery's apparent propensity to get involved in litigation, we now have a clearer picture about his connection with Barkham and the building of the Square. The following supersedes page 90 of the history.

By 1716 some 600 acres in the parish, including Barkham Farm and the land which was subsequently to become the Barkham Square estate, had been sold by William Waterman I (who purchased the manor of Barkham in 1700) to John Davenport II of Chelsea.

In 1743 Charles Gery purchased 525 acres from John Davenport IV, and took-up residence at Barkham Farm, the moated homestead on the site of the mediæval manor adjacent to the parish church. To finance the purchase, Gery borrowed £600 from Elizabeth Lingard of Middlesex and £300 from William Hollingworth of Suffolk, secured by mortgages over Barkham Farm and 167 acres. Gery had been associated with Barkham since 1717 when he purchased the right to an annuity of £400 per annum which was secured on Barkham Farm and other property. Gery subsequently borrowed £2,000 on the security of the annuity, but failed to make the necessary payments, resulting in more litigation from 1732 to 1742.

In 1745 Gery borrowed a further £1,500 from Joseph Bishop, distiller, of Holborn, secured by a third charge over the same property. Bishop's mortgage was subsequently re-financed by John Peck, apothecary, of the City of London, in 1748, who advanced a further £500 to Gery.

It seems Barkham Square was built by Charles Gery at some time between the 1745 loan and October 1749, when he agreed to sell 96 acres on the west side of Barkham Street to the Rev.d Witting Colton (retaining Barkham Farm and 120 acres on the north and east sides).

Curiously, it seems (according to auction particulars nearly a century later) that the house was never finished. It is conjectured that Charles Gery found the Barkham Farm homestead too small and lacking in modern eighteenth century comforts and decided to build himself a new house on his land on the opposite side of Barkham Street, but ran into financial difficulties (notwithstanding the further advance of £500 in 1748) and was forced to sell the new house and half his remaining estate in Barkham.

The purchaser, Witting Colton, was a wealthy Georgian cleric, who was vicar of Reading St Giles from 1730 until his death in 1755, and also Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral (1727-1755).

After Colton had agreed to purchase the 96 acre estate in October 1749 for £1,737. 4s., Gery disclosed that the land was mortgaged with the rest of his estate at Barkham to John Peck for £2,000, and asked Colton to lend him £600 to be secured on Barkham Farm, so he could redeem Peck's mortgage. Colton at first refused, but since his purchase of the Barkham Square estate would be frustrated if Peck's mortgage was not paid-off in full, he reluctantly agreed.

Despite the exchange of contracts, little progress was made in completing the sale, primarily because of a dispute between Gery and Peck as to whether Gery should also pay three month's interest to Peck because he had not given six months' notice of redemption. Eventually, Gery appeared to relent, and a completion meeting in Reading was arranged in April 1750, which Colton attended bringing £2,368. 4s. 6d. in cash. Unfortunately Gery once again baulked at paying three months' interest to Peck, and walked out of the meeting "in a passion" without having signed anything.

Witting Colton became increasingly exasperated, particularly since he had been in possession of Barkham Square, and managing the property, since Michaelmas 1749, and the cash he had withdrawn from his bankers was not earning any interest. Furthermore, the mortgagee John Peck was threatening to take legal action to eject Colton and his tenants.

Witting Colton therefore instituted proceedings in the Court of Chancery against both Gery and Peck, successfully seeking specific performance of his contract for sale with Gery and an injunction against Peck restraining him from taking any legal steps to eject Colton and his tenants. The subsequent purchase was completed by the trustees of Witting Colton's marriage settlement for his second wife, Mary Peck.

The first tenant of Barkham Square after Witting Colton's purchase was Henry Osman junior, a farmer from Shinfield, to whom Colton leased the "new built messuage" and about 100 acres in 1751 at £85 per annum for 21 years. The lease must have been surrendered, because in 1759 Witting Colton's widow, Mrs Mary Colton, leased the same land to William Campbell for 17 years at £95 per annum. Whether Campbell resided at the Square is not known, but it seems unlikely that he farmed the estate himself as in the lease he is described as an apothecary in London.

It seems that relations between Gery and Colton remained acrimonious. At the 1751 Court Baron Gery was "presented" (i.e. reported) for illegally enclosing land next to the churchyard, for removing stiles and foot bridges, and for "stopping up the ancient and customary footways leading from Barkham Square to the Church there and also from the Heath".

When Charles Gery died, without direct heirs, at Barkham in February 1755, he directed his executors to sell all his property for cash. Barkham Farm (120 acres) was offered for sale by auction, and was purchased by the Colton trustees for £2,100. Ownership of Barkham Square and Barkham Farm was therefore reunited after having been separated for five years, and was to remain in the same hands until 1913, when the Bear Wood estate was being broken up.

David French

Barkham Farm - A Snapshot from 1724

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the largest farm in the parish was Barkham Farm (subsequently Church Farm, now Church Cottages) adjacent to the parish church.

By 1710 the tenancy of Barkham Farm was held by Peter Philp, who served as churchwarden in 1710-12. He and his wife Elizabeth occupied the farmhouse with their sons John and Philip and daughters Hannah and Hester. Peter Philp again served as churchwarden in 1717-18.

A unique insight into life at Barkham Farm at this time is provided by the probate inventory of Peter Philp, who died in 1724, and by his will, both of which survive at the Public Record Office.

Peter Philp was a wealthy farmer by contemporary standards, and when he died in 1724 his personal estate was valued at £1,135. 7s. 6d., a very large sum in those days.

Tudor, Stuart and early Georgian probate inventories can be a fascinating source of information, typically containing exhaustive lists of the deceased's possessions (even itemising cutlery) room by room and in outbuildings, thereby providing a picture of what it was like inside the house. Peter Philp's inventory was unusally long, being a narrow sheet of parchment 2 ft. 8½ in. in length.

The inventory reveals that on the upper floor of the farmhouse and adjacent outbuildings were the hall chamber (with one bed), the milk chamber (used for storing sheets etc.), the pantry chamber (one bed), the kitchen chamber (one bed), the brewhouse chamber (one bed) and the mealhouse chamber (with four beds).

On the ground floor the rooms and outbuildings comprised the hall, the kitchen, the old granary, the buttery, the pantry, the milkhouse, the old brewhouse and the new brewhouse. There was also an inner cellar and an outer cellar, although these were not in use at the time of the inventory except for the storage of a few drinking vessels.

Despite his wealth, most of which was tied up in livestock, crops and grain, the 1724 probate inventory (like the surviving 1559 probate inventory of a previous tenant, Richard Symes) reveals that Peter Philp was very much a working farmer, and there were few home comforts at Barkham Farm, although the values in the inventory indicate that his personal possessions were high quality.

The only furniture in the hall (i.e. living room) was two tables, a couch, one cupboard, twelve chairs (almost certainly wooden), andirons, a fire shovel, tongs and fender, one pair of stilliers, a looking glass and a very early alarm clock. As for table ware, there only appear to have been 12 pewter plates and 11 pewter dishes in the farmhouse. There was, however, a warming pan which would have hung by the fireplace in the kitchen.

Barkham Farm extended to over several hundred acres, straddling either side of Barkham Street. (Barkham Square had not yet been built). The probate inventory shows that it was a "mixed" farm. At the time of the inventory (30 December 1724) there were 106 acres under winter wheat and 13 acres of turnips for cattle feed. The livestock on the farm included 30 cow "beasts", 161 common sheep, 90 fatting sheep, 10 cart horses, 10 colts, 13 hogs (including four fatting hogs) and 24 pigs.

At his death, Peter Philp's barns were well filled with grain and other produce, including French wheat (10 loads), red beans (12 quarters), oats (40 quarters), 10 quarters of maslin (a mixture of wheat and rye), wheat (17 loads and 8 quarters), barley (45 quarters), hay (55 loads @ 18 cwt.) and clover hay (13 loads).

The inventory gives the impression of an efficiently run farm, making extensive use of up-to-date husbandry techniques to improve yields (including fertilisation with dung, ashes (80 loads in stock), chalk (70 loads) and lime).

The farm also boasted an impressive array of equipment, including 3 dung carts, 2 hogg hutches, 3 ploughs, 11 harrows, 2 drilling ploughs, a water cart, 1 tub of tar, 1 pitch kettle, 8 milk cisterns, 3 cheese presses and 2 malt mills.

Most of the activities at Barkham Farm seem to have been relatively large scale, as reflected in the probate inventory by:

- 3 cwt. (336 pounds) of cheese;

- 28 lb. of honey;

- 24 lb. of tallow (for candles and soap);

- 24 dozen bottles (presumably empty);

- 11 flitches of bacon and two hogs in salt (valued at £17).

Whilst both the water from the well behind the farm house and the milk from the dairy herd would have been of questionable drinking quality, the farm was well equipped to brew its own beer. Apart from a new brewhouse, the inventory lists 5 quarters of malt, 120 pounds of hops and hop poles worth £5. 10s. It seems probable that there was an orchard and that cider was produced, since there was an apple range, an apple mill and 10 bushels of apples.

In his will Peter Philp specifically gave his wife Elizabeth the use of "one ffeather Bed Bolfter and one Pillow Rug and two Blankets One pair of Curtains and Vallence Bedsted and two pair of my beft sheets One boyling pot two pewter difhes Six pewter plates One ffire shovell Tongs and doggs and four of my beft Chairs".

The lease of Barkham Farm passed under Peter Philp's will to his son John, who served as churchwarden in 1728-29 and 1737-1740. The parish registers record the baptism of Sarah, daughter of John and Ann "Phelps", in 1730. Although two generations of the Philp family lived in Barkham from about 1710 to 1730, this is the only family entry in the parish registers and no other records survive about the contribution of the Philps to the life of the parish.

David French

The Rebuilding of Barkham Church 1859-1887

The middle of the nineteenth century was marked by the building of a large number of new churches better to serve the growing urban population of Victorian Britain as well as the modernisation or rebuilding of many existing churches. Dr Samuel Wilberforce, the great reforming Bishop of Oxford 1845-1869, was a leading proponent of the new church building movement.

The population of Barkham had risen from 185 in 1801 to 274 in 1851, and it was felt that the old fourteenth century (mainly) wooden church (with seating for 117) was too small and dilapidated for the needs of the parish and the church was rebuilt (with seating for 159) on the site of the mediæval church in 1859-1861. The cost of rebuilding the parish church was £1,400. The principal benefactress was Mrs Charlotte Clive of Barkham Manor, widow of Henry Clive MP (who died in 1848), although surviving correspondence indicates that there was difficulty in finding other donors.

The old church was pulled down in 1859, and the following (composite) account of the laying of the corner stone of the new church by Mrs Clive on 18 October 1859 appeared in the Reading Mercury and the Berkshire Chronicle.

'The corner stone of this church was laid on Tuesday last by Mrs Clive, that estimable lady handling the trowel and mallet in true masonic style, assisted by the architects, Messrs. Clacy and Son, of Reading, and the builder, Mr Hollis, of Wokingham. Suitable prayers were offered by the Rev. E. St John, the [rector], and the Rev. A. Roberts, curate, the school children joining in singing anthems. At the conclusion of the interesting ceremony, the clergy and numerous friends accompanied Mrs Clive to her residence, and partook of an elegant déjeuner. The workmen engaged in the building were provided with an excellent dinner at [The Bull] by the kind liberality of Mrs Clive, who is also a large contributor to the building fund'.

Unfortunately, no record was made of the old building, which was 'encumbered with a gallery', before it was demolished, although a sepia photograph of the old church survives and hangs opposite the entrance of the present church. P.H. Ditchfield (rector 1886-1930) was later to bemoan its pulling down by 'the Goths and Vandals of the nineteenth century'. (There is a drawing of the old church in 1835 by H.W. Burt on page 39 of Barkham - A History).

The rebuilding took about 18 months, and the consecration of the new church by Dr Wilberforce took place on 15 March 1861.

'This church, which has been re-built from the design of Messrs Clacy and Son, architects, Reading, and erected under their superintendence by Mr Hollis, builder, of Wokingham, was consecrated yesterday by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, the ceremony being witnessed by a large congregation, comprising the clergy and principal families in the neighbouring districts, in addition to the residents of the village. The special service appointed for the ceremonial of consecration having been performed by the Right Rev. Prelate, assisted by the Rev. E. St John, rector, and the Rev. A. Roberts, curate, a very impressive and suitable discourse was delivered by the Right Rev. Lord Bishop, with his accustomed eloquence ... At the termination of the service, the Lord Bishop, the clergy, and a numerous and distinguished party, the architects, churchwardens, &c., partook of luncheon elegantly served at the residence of Mrs Clive, Barkham, when that estimable lady, who truly is of those who "do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame," received the hearty congratulations of all present on the successful result of her liberality, the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop being pleased to pass a high encomium [praise] on the architectural beauty and appropriate style of the church. The building is of flint and free stone, of Gothic character, with the entrance at west side, under the tower, and with its well proportioned spire, tapering amidst the fine old cedars and other trees, is as pretty a rural church as can be wished. The interior is open to the roof, the framing resting on carved brackets, and the lofty chancel arch supported by dark stone columns, is very effective. The seats are open benches, the reading desk of oak, and pulpit of stone, carved with scriptural emblems ...'

Mrs Clive's contribution is reflected by the replacement of the hexagonal font in the old church by a new circular font of light-coloured stone, decorated with winged cherubs and the griffin crest and motto from the Clive family arms (see page 88 of Barkham - A History). A plan of the new church may be seen at http://www.churchplansonline.org

The Rev. Ditchfield used to like to recount the story of the parish clerk, Elijah Hutt, who one Sunday whilst Barkham church was being rebuilt decided to attend Morning Service at nearby Finchampstead (where the Rev. Edward St John was also rector). He arrived late, just when the rector, reading the first lesson from I Kings 19 asked 'What doest thou here, Elijah ?'. According to Ditchfield, Elijah respectfully responded 'Please, sur, Barkham church is undergoing repair, so I be cumed 'ere !'.

It seems, however, that the new church was less than well built, and within 20 years the building was in need of substantial repair. Mrs Clive died (aged 89) in 1874, and the role of principal benefactor of the parish passed to John Walter III of Bearwood, chief proprietor of The Times.

The 1880's also marked the high point of the Bearwood estate, which in 1883 extended to 7,054 acres (11 square miles).

In 1887 John Walter rebuilt the whole of the eastern end of the church, including the altar and vestry, and added north and south transepts, at a cost of £1,800. Instead of flint stone, the walls of the new chancel were constructed of grey Portland stone with Bath-stone facings. The old barrel organ was also replaced.

The church was very crowded for the dedication of the new chancel on 27 April 1887 as it was followed by a confirmation service for 92 candidates from Barkham and 5 nearby parishes. The following account appeared in the Reading Mercury.

'On Wednesday last the Bishop of Oxford visited the village of Barkham to hold a Confirmation and to dedicate the new portion of the Church which has just been completed. It consists of a chancel, two transepts and vestry, which form a very handsome and well-proportioned structure. Twenty-six years ago a new church was built in place of the old building, composed principally of wood, wherein the people of Barkham had worshipped for many centuries ... Although a new church was built so recently, the workmanship was so inferior that there was great danger of the total collapse of the chancel, and the condition of the nave is not much better. With his usual liberality and munificence, Mr Walter, of Bearwood, on whose estate nearly the whole of the village of Barkham is situated, undertook to rebuild the chancel, and to add the new transepts which form such an important and valuable addition to the church ... Very few churches are so firmly and substantially built, and few exceed the beauty of its proportions. The roof is a particularly good piece of work. All the building has been done by Mr Walter's workmen, under the superintendence of Mr Deacon and Mr Teakle ...

The service commenced with the dedication; after which the Confirmation Service was proceeded with, the Bishop giving two most able and instructive addresses to the candidates, who numbered 92 - 50 males and 42 females ... The collection for the new organ fund amounted to £8 18s. The choir sang with accuracy, taste, and feeling, both at the morning and evening services, and were well supported by the excellent playing of Miss Ashby, who presided at the harmonium. Mr Wood, the choirmaster, deserves great credit for the way in which the choir acquitted themselves. In the afternoon some of the choirmen from Arborfield joined in the service. After the service a large number of visitors proceeded to the Rectory for tea. We may remark that the decorations of the church were very carefully and tastefully arranged.'

David French