To Let - Who else has lived at Watnall Hall?

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The Rolleston family of Watnall Hall have not been its exclusive custodians. The hall has been their main family seat since around 1530 but for various reasons, it's been leased out to other tenants over the years. This article explores who they were and what they did...

TO BE LET...

October 1892 - Watnall Hall is up for lease (again)

Watnall Hall timeline
1972 - Houses built on former site of hall and gardens. Rolleston Crescent and Lancelot Drive.
1962 - The hall is demolished by Sissons of Langley Mill after almost a decade of decay.
1957 - the government decide not to buy the hall for the nation, sealing its fate.
1954 - the hall and contents are sold at auction. The hall is bought by local builder Frank Sisson. 
1945-54 - Hollygirt School - the Nottingham girls' school, based on Elm Avenue, use it for dormitories and perhaps a little teaching. 
1949 - Lady Maud Rolleston dies ending the Rolleston occupation at the hall since c.1530
1941-45 - RAF Watnall - in WW2 the RAF requisition Watnall Hall for WAAF officers' mess (combined accommodation/eating/entertaining). Lady Maud lives in an upstairs wing.
1941 - Sir Lancelot Rolleston dies, the last of the male Watnall Rolleston line since c.1530.
1932 - Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud celebrate their Golden Wedding by giving a dinner for 100 friends and tenants at Watnall Hall
1900 - Sir Lancelot Rolleston and Lady Maud move back to the hall after returning from their Boer War service in South Africa and remain until their deaths.


1897 - Judge William Cecil Smyly Q.C. a County Court Judge on the Northern Circuit from 1895 to 1902 is living at he hall with his wife⁵
1892 - the hall is advertised (above) for lease
1889 - Xmas 1891 Robert Goodall Hanson³ of Hanson's Brewery is living at the hall. In 1901 he builds his family home Cloverlands on Newdigate Road. Both Smyly and Hanson raised funds for the Women's Institute in Watnall and bought the old chapel for them⁵.
1889 - Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud move out of the hall to Edwinstowe House (in Edwinstowe) when he is made Master of the Rufford Hunt. Shortly after they move to Wellow Hall near Ollerton where they stay until 1900.
1882 - Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud get married in Devon. Her family is living in Torquay.

Sir Lancelot Rolleston and Lady Maud - Wedding 1882

1881 - Sir Lancelot, aged 34, young, free and single after university, is back at Watnall Hall. He is interviewed for a country house book.
1871 - the hall is leased to Mansfield quarry owner Robert Charles Lindley⁴, his wife and children - two of whom had been born at the Hall.
1869 - Sir Lancelot (aged 22) is chair of the Greasley and Underwood Agricultural Society and talks about his intention to return to the hall after University
1862 - Col Rolleston, Sir Lancelot's father, dies in Brighton. The 14-year-old Sir Lancelot is at boarding school in Berkshire and inherits the hall and estates. 
1861 - The hall is leased out to timber merchant Henry Burstall and his family.
1855 - Ichabod Charles Wright the banker and translator of Dante's Inferno is living here¹. He's listed as the hall's resident in the 1855 Post Office directory and he's still here in February 1857 as mentioned in the business section of the Nottingham Journal newspaper.

Post Office directory for Watnall in 1855

1854 - the hall is empty and advertised to let. The elderly Col. Rolleston and family have moved down to Brighton. Possibly for health reasons. He'd resigned as a Notts MP in 1849. 
"Notts Guardian p.4 “To be LET, Furnished, with immediate possession, a very desirable RESIDENCE, with Coach-Houses, Gardens, Stables, and Pleasure Grounds, and either with or without FIFTY ACRES OF EXCELLENT GRASS LAND adjoining the Mansion. Also a good range of Shooting may be enjoyed with the Mansion, if required. Watnall Hall stands on a commanding position, and is situate within Six Miles of the town of Nottingham. Application to view the same may be made at the Hall and for further particulars apply to Messrs. PERCY, SMITH, and GOODALL, Solicitors, Nottingham. June 29th, 1854.”

Colonel Lancelot Rolleston MP 1838
(father of Sir Lancelot)
1851 - Colonel Lancelot Rolleston MP and his second wife (Sir Lancelot's mother Eleanor), and his new young family (Sir Lancelot is aged 3) are living in some style at the hall with a large retinue of servants. His first wife had died in 1844 and he re-married aged 61 in 1846.
1841 - no one resident at Watnall Hall and just 3 servants holding the fort. Col Rolleston's first family is actually by now much eroded, with his young son dead and the last of his 3 daughters now married off, it's likely he and his wife with a few servants have decamped to London while he is on duty as MP.
1840 - Col Lancelot Rolleston MP and his first wife Caroline are at the hall. His brother Christopher who is living at the estate cottage at Crow Hill dies. From here back to c.1530 an unbroken chain of Rollestons lives at the hall.

1802 - Launcelot dies and his younger brother Christopher takes over with sons Lancelot (the MP) and Christopher (possibly illegitimate).
c.1764 to 1802 - Launcelot Rolleston the "nervous" uncle of Col Rolleston MP is in residence. Member of the prestigious Markeaton hunting club of Francis Mundy, all of whom were painted by the famous portrait painter Joseph Wright of Derby. He was born and probably stayed in Aston-on-Trent where his father John was vicar. He inherits on his father's death and moves into Watnall Hall after the death of "the old madam" probably Rosamund.
1751 - Rosamund Rolleston, widow of Lancelot, and founder of Bogend School is ruling the roost after the death of her husband.

c.1690 to 1749 - Christopher Rolleston - the old Elizabethan hall is rebuilt around this time in Queen Anne style to give us the familiar hall we now see in photographs. Parts of the old hall remain as the servants wing. As a young man, from 15 to 21 years old, he was placed under the care and tutelage of John Bellamy of Worksop and would have grown up in rarefied aristocratic surroundings of Welbeck Abbey. On 23 Sept 1693, at age 23, Christopher married at Weston upon Trent, Hannah Holden, daughter of prosperous barrister Samuel Holden⁶ of Aston on Trent. It was an excellent prestigious marriage for the Rollestons who featured in Samuel Holden's will. They resided at Watnall, where they produced a substantial family of 6 sons and 4 daughters, of whom their eldest son Lancelot Rolleston succeeded to the estates. 
1632 - the original Watnall Hall and tithe barn/church is depicted on the Rampton tapestry map of Nottinghamshire.

1632 - the old Elizabetan Watnall Hall and a mysterious church
 shown on this tapestry map of Nottinghamshire

1592 - Lancelot Rolleston (the first) is living at the hall. He's the first of many Lancelots in the family tree. He's involved with management of the ancient hunting rights in Sherwood Forest.
1590 - Anthony Rolleston "of Watnall" born c.1560 he was the youngest brother of Lancelot the first. There's strong evidence to suggest he was an "intelligencer", an Elizabethan spy, reporting from France and Spain in the 1590's to agents of the Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth's favoured spymaster. 
1530 to 1854 - An unbroken chain of Rollestons remain resident at Watnall Hall
1530 - Raulfe Rolleston of Lea in Derbyshire marries Margaret, daughter of Richard Bingham of Watnall around this year. They inherit the estate. He is the first Rolleston at Watnall and they are the grandparents of Lancelot the first. The 39-year-old Henry VIII is king.

1530 - Raulfe Rolleston (3rd from the right with his siblings)
arrives in Watnall from Lea in Derbyshire to marry into the Bingham family.
Picture is from his parent's tomb in Ashover church. 


1500 - Watnall Hall's medieval tithe barn is built sometime around now.
1450 - Judge Richard Bingham, eminent Chief Justice of the Kings Bench² owns the hall and manor followed by several more generations of Richard Binghams. Henry VI is king and the tower of Greasley St. Mary's church is built, the same one that is still standing today. Judge Bingham's first wife Helena has the oldest known memorial still existing at the church, a brass plaque on a window sill in the chancel dated 1448 or "Mccccxlviii". He died 22 May 1476 and has a memorial at St John the Baptist Church, Middleton, Warwickshire.
1446 - first recorded mention of a hall at Watnall owned by the Bingham family who have been lords of the manor for several generations. 
1350 - Watnall manor is owned by the Wollaton family who sell it to the Binghams. Edward III is king and down the hill at the palatial Greasley Castle, Nicholas de Cantilupe is at the height of his powers. Just 7 years earlier he had founded Beauvale Priory. 
 


c.1937 - Sir Lancelot (aged 90) and Lady Maud
in the rose garden at Watnall Hall after 55 years of married life 


Launcelot Rolleston in 1762 by Joseph Wright of Derby
(uncle of Colonel Rolleston MP)

Rev. John Rolleston c.1750 - married into the prestigious Burdett family
(father of Launcelot)

Christopher Rolleston c.1700 when the "new" Watnall Hall was built
(father of Rev. John)

 
More detailed biographies of the various tenants can be read in the notes below along with links to other articles about Watnall Hall and the Rollestons...


Notes and sources

More tales about the hall... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/search/label/Watnall%20Hall

Tales from the Rolleston family tree... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-rollestons-of-watnall-family-origins.html

Lost fortune of the Rollestons... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-lost-fortune-of-rollestons-lords-of.html


1 - 1855 at Watnall Hall was Ichabod Charles Wright (11 April 1795 – 14 October 1871 was an English scholar, translator, poet and accountant.[3] He is best known for his translation of important works of Italian literature, notably the works of Dante's Divine Comedy. (source 1881 Jack's Notts houses bio)... "The late Mr. Ichabod Charles Wright, whose Christian names the Colonel bears, joined his father in the banking business in the year 1825, after he had become a fellow of his college. In the year of his entrance into business he married the daughter of the first Lord Denman, who afterwards became Lord Chief Justice of England. His after life was spent most industriously between business and study. He translated the “Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradise” of Dante, which translations were published by Messrs. Longmans, in 1833, 1836, and 1840. A second edition of these translations was published in 1845, and their value may be gathered from the verdict of a critic who, writing in one of the leading journals said: “Lord Denman may well be proud of his son-in-law, who has converted into his lordship’s vernacular one of the grandest works of the human imagination, making the English peasant familiar with the loftiest dreams of genius that ever swept the eyelids of the Italian poet. These translations may be placed amongst the worthiest of the kind we possess in our own language.” In 1841 Mr. Wright published “Thoughts on Currency,” and in 1847, “Evils of the Currency,” subjects on which he was well qualified to write. In 1865 be published a translation of the Iliad of Homer in blank verse, which may take its place with the translations of Pope and Lord Derby. Mr. Wright’s last issue from the Press was in 1857, and consisted of a selection from the Psalms, in verse, which was written when he was partially blind. Of this distinguished and respected gentleman, whose remains were laid in Carrington Churchyard only nine years ago, Colonel Wright is the eldest son, and it is more than probable that to his early training are now due, in a measure, those qualities which have made him so popular in this town, and which leave such a pleasant impression upon those with whom he comes in contact" Ichabod Charles Wright died on 14 October 1871 at Heathfield  Hall, Burwash, Sussex.[4] 

He had resided in Stapleford Hall but died in the home of his eldest son, Charles Ichabod Wright (born 1828), a politician and Conservative Party MP.

The Devon connection??? 1881 - Charles Ichabod Wright (now called CIW) (born 1828) was living at Watcombe Park, Torquay near Newton Abbot at the same time as Col Rolleston and Lady Maud were married (Newton Abbot is on the cert). Lady Maud's family were living in Torquay at the time too. CIW's father used to live at Watnall Hall in 1855. Did they meet through CIW? What's the shared Torquay Newton Abbot link.

Richard Bingham
of Watnall
2- Judge Richard Bingham - Around 1530 in Watnall Chaworth, the chief landowner is Richard Bingham, one of a long line of Richard Binghams going back several generations including his grandfather "Judge Bingham" the eminent Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. Judge Bingham's first wife Helena has one of the earliest memorials in Greasley church from 12th February 1448 which is written in Latin on a small brass plate on the north window sill of the Chancel. How's your Latin?... 

"Hic jacet Helena qui fuit uxor Rici Bingham militis unus justicarum de Banco dni regis qui obit xii die mensis ffebruarii ao dni Millium ccccxiviii Cui aie ppiciet dues an". 
"Here lies Helena, who was the wife of  Richard Bingham, knight, one of the Justices of the King's Bench, who died on the twelfth day of the month of February, Anno Domini 1448. May god have mercy on her soul" (NB - assuming the xiviii is actually XL VIII).

The Binghams had bought their Watnall land 100 years earlier from the Wollaton family⁷and their documents make the first mention of a "manor house" in Watnall possibly the building that became Watnall Hall. Within the manor house is an oratory, a small chapel for private worship, where Richard's parents John Bingham and Elizabeth Charnells were married in 1446. A book of medieval deeds for Watnall Chaworth from Beauvale Abbey⁸ mentions local manorial court dates around this time... "Courts Baron of Richard Byngham, gent., on Thursday next after the feast of St Peter ad Vincula, 13 Edward IV [1473], Monday next after the feast of St Luke the Evangelist 11 Henry VII [1495], 9 December 15 Henry VII [1499], Wednesday after the feast of St Michael the Archangel 17 Henry VII [1501], 12 May 17 Henry VII [1502], and Thursday after the feast of St Juliana the virgin, 23 Henry VII [1508]; Rental of Richard Byngham's tenants in Watnall," 

c.1460 - Court of the King's Bench - Judge Richard
Bingham is one of the judges on the back row

The Bingham's and the de Cantelupe's were significant local employers too as you would expect as leading local families. During William de Cantilupe's murder trial, his staff, who were all implicated in the plot to kill him, had previously been employed by the Binghams. 

3 - Robert Goodall Hanson 
Robert Goodall Hanson, J.P., Cloverlands, Kimberley, near Nottingham; born at Nuttall, Nottingham, 1843. Chairman of Hansons Limited, Kimberley Brewery, near Nottingham; J.P. for Nottinghamshire; member of the Nottinghamshire County Council for the Kimberley Division since formation; Chairman of Basford Board of Guardians from 1882 to 1900; Chairman of Basford Rural Sanitary Authority and Basford Rural District Council from 1878 to present time; a director of Moore and Robinson's Nottinghamshire Banking Company; is a somewhat noted breeder and exhibitor of shire horses.

1891 Kelly’s Directory - Watnall Hall is described as “ancient brick building, in mixed Elizabethan and Jacobean styles, the property of Lancelot Rolleston esq J.P. is now occupied by Robert Goodall Hanson esq. and stands in a park of about 6o acres.” Lancelot Rolleston’s residence is in Edwinstowe “Edwinstowe house, Lancelot Rolleston esq. J.P.”

Hanson was born in Watnall in 1843 (J/A/S Basford) while Mary Ann Banner was born in Greasley in 1846 (J/A/S Basford). they were married in 1865 (A/M/J Basford) and according to the 1911 Census completed by the widowed Mary Ann, they had had 13 children of whom only 11 survived. Eleven children were named on the census returns from 1871 onwards: Annie Eliza birth registered 1867 (J/F/M Basford, Eleanor Sarah b. 1868 (O/N/D Basford), William Banner b. 1869 (O/N/D Basford), Robert Adolphus b. 1872 (A/M/J Basford), Henry b. 1873 (J/A/S Basford), Frederick Walker b. 1876(J/A/S Basford), Gertrude b. 1878 (O/N/D Basford), Phoebe Frances b. 23 September 1880 (O/N/D Basford), Marian (or Marion) b. 9 November 1881 (O/N/D Basford), Frank Stephen b. 12 January 1884 (J/F/M Basford) and Sydney b. 1885 (A/M/J Basford).

In 1871 Robert (27) a brewer, and his wife Mary (25) were living in Greasley with their three children, Annie (4), Eleanor (2) and William (1). They employed two female domestic servants.

1881 - The family was still living in Greasley ten years later (Newdigate House). Robert gave his occupation as 'wine and spirit merchant and brewer' adding that he employed 16 men and 2 boys. He and his wife now had eight children: Annie (14), Eleanor (12), William (11), Robert (8), Henry (7), Frederick (4), Gertrude (2) and Phoebe (6 months). Two live-in servants were employed.

1891 - The family home was still in Greasley (according to Kelly's Directory they were living at Watnall Hall ) in 1891. Robert still described his occupation as wine and spirits merchant but gave the added occupation of farmer. All eleven of the children were at home on the night of the census: Annie (24), Eleanor (22), William (21) a brewer, Robert (18) an assistant brewer, Henry (17) a law student, Frederick (14), Gertrude (12), Phoebe (10), Marian (9), Frank (7) and Sydney (5. Robert and Mary employed three female domestic servants, a cook and two housemaids.

From J Lee booklet… The Women's Institute chapel - in 1897 the chapel was purchased by Judge Smyly and Robert Hanson of Kimberley for £60, in what would appear to have been a rather generous gift to the community. In the same year, the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee took place. There was a children’s party at the Institute and general merrymaking in the village, part sponsored by Judge Smyly, who was living at Watnall Hall and who organised other fund raising activities for the Institute.
Lee, J M. A Brief History of Watnall (Brief Histories, North Nottingham Book 2) . UNKNOWN. Kindle Edition.

By 1901 the family was living in their new home of 'Cloverlands' in Kimberley. Robert had retired from business and his sons Robert and William were managing the business. In the home on the night of the census were Robert (57), Mary (55), Robert (28), a brewer, Frederick (24) an auctioneer, Gertrude (22), Phoebe (20) and Marian (19). Annie, Eleanor and William had married while Sydney (15) and Frank (17) were boarders at Repton School, Derbyshire; Henry has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census.

Robert Goodall Hanson died two years later on 17 March 1903. His widow continued to live at 'Cloverlands' and at the time of the 1911 census four of her children were in the household on the night of the census: Frederick (34) an auctioneer, Gertrude (32), Sidney (25) a malster, and her married daughter Marian Hodges and her husband Leonard Cliff Hodges (30), a mining engineer, and their daughter Sheila Marion (1, b. 7 October 1909). Mary employed five female domestic servants.

Mary Ann Hanson died on 14 July 1926. Her son Frederick continued to live at 'Cloverlands' until his death 1936 when the property was sold.

Of their children:

Annie Eliza married Thomas Draycott Hancock on 21 June 1893 (A/M/J Basford) at Kimberley Holy Trinity church. Thomas Hancock was the manager of the Kimberley colliery which was owned by Colonel Seely.

Eleanor Sarah married Robert Dick Fraser on 10 August 1898 (J/A/S Basford) at Kimberley Holy Trinity Church. she died on 23 November 1948; she was then living at Auchendoune, Dunblane, Scotland.

William Banner was married by 1901; his wife, Elizabeth Cockburn was born in Scotland. In 1901 they were living at Nuthall House, Nuthall, Nottingham, with their two children Dorothy Mary Tullis (3) and William Gordon (b. 25 September 1900). Also in the household on the night of the census were three female servants. William was described as a 'brewer employer'. He died on 14 May 1930; he was still living at Nuthall House. His wife, Elizabeth survived him; she died on 1 March 1931.

Robert Adolphus married Maud (b. Glasgow) in about 1901 and in 1911 they were living in Beauvale, Greasley, with their three children, Robet (7), John Keil Tullis (6) and Helen Rosemary (7 months). They employed four domestic servants. Robert died on 25 August 1938; he was still living in Beauvale. His widow Maud died in 1968 (September Nottingham) aged 88.

Henry qualified as a solicitor and may have been a partner in the firm of Walker and Hanson, solicitors, of Low Pavement, Nottingham, and was joint executor of various of his siblings estates including that of Robert in 1938. No other records have yet been found for Henry although a Henry Norman Hanson, solicitor, acted as executor for Phoebe (1951) and Frank (1956). and may have been Henry's son.

Frederick Walker did not marry and continued to live at 'Cloverlands' until his death on 23 April 1936. He had served in the Royal Garrison Artillery during the war, including service in France. At the time of his death in 1936 he was a partner in the Nottingham firm of Walker, Walton and Hanson, auctioneers and valuers.

Gertrude did not marry and died on 9 February 1929; she was still living in the family home, 'Cloverlands'.

Sydney died in WW1 and is on the NCC roll of honour

Phoebe Frances did not marry. It is likely that she continued to live at 'Cloverlands' until it was sold in 1936 after the death of her unmarried brother, Frank, in 1936. In 1939 she was living at Holly Lodge, Southwell; she employed a cook, parlourmaid and housemaid. Phoebe was living at the Manor House, Oxton, when she died on 28 March 1951.

Marian, married Leonard Cliff Hodges (b. 23 September 1880) at Kimberley Holy Trinity Church on 17 December 1907 (O/N/D Basford). In 1911 Marian and her husband and their daughter were living at 'Cloverlands', Kimberley. At the time of the 1939 Register Marian and Leonard were living at Bamburgh Hall, Doncaster, with their daughter Sheila; Leonard was a colliery managing director. Marian may have died in 1971 December Ledbury Herefordshire), aged 90.

Frank Stephen married Grace Phillips (b. 12 April 1886) in 1910 (J/A/S Nuneaton, Warwickshire) and in 1911 they were living near Coventry where Frank was a mining engineer and assistant manager of a coal mine. Also living with them was Grace's younger sister, Effie Eileen Phillips (14). Frank and Grace employed one domestic servant. Frank also served in the war and was awarded the DSO and the MC: Nottingham Evening Post, 2 January 1918: ‘Military Honours. Acting Lieut-Colonel FS Hanson MC, is the fifth son of the late Mr RG Hanson, of Kimberley, he was in the Territorial force for some years and was employed as a mining engineer in Warwickshire.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). In 1939 Frank and his wife were living at The Lodge, Stratford on Avon; Frank was described on the 1939 Register as a retired mining engineer, director Standard Motor Co. Ltd. Frank died on 6 January 1956; he was then living in Bognor Regis. His widow died in 1961.

4 -  ROBERT CHARLES LINDLEY, son of Charles Lindley, was born at Mansfield, on the 7th of January, 1824. His first connection with engineering was in the early days of railways, when he was engraged in the construction of the Ashford and Sandwich line, now forming part of the South Eastern Railway. He was afterwards employed for three years in Denmark, and was responsible for the laying out of most of the first-made railways of that country. On returning to England, he was employed by Messrs. Grissell and Peto, the Contractors, on the foundations of the New Houses of Parliament. During the progress of this work, Mr. Lindley’s interest was greatly aroused in the controversy as to the kind of stone proposed‘ to be used in the superstructure. As a result of his inquiries and investigations, he was induced to embark in the purchase of quarries at Mansfield, Notts, and the last thirty years of his life was spent in developing the use of the stone they produce, the Mansfield stone being now known as one
of the best in England for engineering and building purposes. Mr. Lindley died on the 6th of June, 1887. He was elected an Associate on the 1st of April, 1845. 

5 -  SMYLY, His Honour William Cecil KC - was a judge on the Northern Circuit from 1895 to 1902.
Born 2 January 1840 Dublin. Died 4 March 1921 aged 81. 3rd & youngest son of John George Smyly QC., DL of Dublin. Harrow;Trinity College, Cambridge LLB, 1863. Captain, Cambridge University Boat Club, 1862-1863; Captain, First Trinity Boat Club, 1861-1862.AAS. I. 29 May 1861. Call 26 January 1865. 4 St James’s Square, Manchester, 1876-1879; 5 King’s Bench Walk, 1879-1880; 3 Temple Gardens, 1881-1895. Silk 1891. County Court Judge, 1895-1915, (Circuit 19, Derbys., 1895-1902) and (Circuit 40, Bow & Shoreditch, 1902-1915).WW.

1897 – Judge Smyly and his wife were living in Watnall Hall
At the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897 a Judge Smyly and his wife were living in Watnall Hall, as a newspaper report in the Kimberley & Eastwood Advertiser states that Lancelot Rolleston had to obtain his permission to hold a Grand Fete in the Hall grounds at that time. Both the Judge and Lancelot Rolleston were Trustees of the Victoria Institute building in the village, so presumably they were on friendly terms, and had agreed a leasing which suited both parties. The reasons why he was letting Watnall Hall again are unknown, but it must have been for convenience rather than financial reasons, one feels. After all, his marriage had supposedly made him a reasonably wealthy man.
From J Lee booklet… The Women's Institute chapel - "in 1897 the chapel was purchased by Judge Smyly and Robert Hanson of Kimberley for £60, in what would appear to have been a rather generous gift to the community. In the same year, the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee took place. There was a children’s party at the Institute and general merrymaking in the village, part sponsored by Judge Smyly, who was living at Watnall Hall and who organised other fund raising activities for the Institute.  It seems hard to disagree with the conclusion reached by Gwen Shaw in her booklet on the chapel, that the building became known as the “Victoria Institute” from about this time, and the plaque on the front would appear to confirm this. In 1927, Lady Maude Rolleston, together with a group of other ladies, founded the Watnall Victoria Women’s Institute and she was its first president. Her husband was already a Victoria Institute trustee and, in 1928, ownership of the Institute passed outright to the WI. Lady Maude and other WI members became its first WI trustees and the building has been in the hands of the WI ever since."
Lee, J M. A Brief History of Watnall (Brief Histories, North Nottingham Book 2) . UNKNOWN. Kindle Edition.

He was from County Tyrone in N.Ireland of the Camus of Tyrone family...
His father was JOHN GEORGE SMYLY QC DL (1797-1866), of Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, and Castlederg, County Tyrone, a barrister, espoused, in 1828, Eliza, daughter and co-heir of SIR ANDREW FERGUSON Bt, of Castlederg, County Tyrone (by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Alexander, and niece of the 1st Earl of Caledon), and had issue,
JOHN GEORGE, his heir;
Andrew Ferguson (Very Rev), Dean of Derry;
WILLIAM CECIL, succeeded his brother;
Elizabeth Ferguson; Ellen Belissa.
The eldest son,

JOHN GEORGE SMYLY (1829-1912), of Camus and Castlederg, County Tyrone, Major, Derry Militia, died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

HIS HONOUR JUDGE WILLIAM CECIL SMYLY KC (1840-1921), of Camus and Castlederg, County Court Judge at Bow and Shoreditch, who married, in 1884, Alice, only daughter of Samuel Brooks, of Watford, and had issue,
CECIL FERGUSON, b 1884;
Alexander Ferguson, b 1886;
Alice Eileen; Sylvia Mary.



CAMUS HOUSE, near Strabane, County Tyrone, was built ca 1870 on the site of an earlier dwelling. This is a three-bay, two-storey house, located to the east side of Lisky Road. (also known as The Grange).

6 - In 1762–63, Joseph Wright of Derby exhibited a set of six portraits that were commissioned by Mundy. Each of the portraits subjects were dressed in the attire of the Markeaton Hunt, which consisted of yellow breeches and a blue coat over a scarlet waistcoat. These paintings were hung at Markeaton Hall. The subjects of these commissions included old school friends like Harry Peckham and relatives like his brother-in-law, Francis Burdett and Launcelot Rolleston whose mother was Dorothy Burdett). 

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