Blake House (27-31 Horn Street)

Blake House with the porch which was replaced in 1938. All early photos show the brickwork rendered over and painted.

Blake House (known from 1937 as Tinker's Corner) had its origin in property which was allocated as freehold to the Chamberlain of St Albans Abbey, and apparently sold off before the Dissolution. The land had a "messuage" associated with it which in the 16th century wasn't necessarily where Blake House is (there doesn't seem to be a house there on the 1599 map).

1556: Survey of the manor
Richard Dele held freely in dower of Agnes his wife a messuage with 60 acres of land and meadow with appurtenances situate in the vill and fields of Winslow aforesaid, formerly in the tenure of Robert Adam, as appears by deed given in the Easter term in the first year of the reign of the late King Edward the Fifth [1483], to have and to hold the premises aforesaid for himself and his heirs in perpetuity, paying in respect thereof 2s 6d yearly at Michaelmas only.

Soon after this it was acquired by the Paxton family of Barton Hartshorn. There is no mention of Winslow in the will of John Paxton of Barton (CBS, D/A/Wf/4/247, 1558). Edmund was the brother of Roger Paxton (CBS D/A/We/11/302 1558) and William Packeson (CBS D/A/Wf/9/289, 1582), neither of whose wills mentions Winslow either, so probably it was Edmund himself who acquired the property.

1591 (proved 1597): Will of Edmund Paxton of Barton Hartshorn, yeoman (National Archives, PROB 11/89/95)
He left to his son Edmund (inter alia):
All my landes messuages tenementes and hereditaments whatsoever with all and singuler their app(ur)tenancs profits and com(m)odities scituate lyinge and beinge in Winslowe Shipton and Granborrough

1599: Salden estate map
Freehold in Winslow: Edmund Paxton 50 acres [probably a mistake for 60]

This wasn't a single block of land, but consisted of strips scattered around the open fields like the copyhold land which made up the rest of Winslow. Edmund appears to have been succeeded by his son John Paxton, baptised at Newton Purcell in 1597.

1610: Schedule of lands and tenements

John Paxton		Composic(i)ons present	Fynes hereafter
	One Mess(ua)g(e) lx acres of land	xx li	vj li
	One ancient Cottage	x s	v s

John Paxton didn't have any children baptised at Winslow and wasn't buried there himself, but tax returns indicate that he was a resident by 1625. He probably had the future Blake House built or rebuilt for him to live in. As he was mainly a freeholder he doesn't often feature in the manor court records dealing with copyhold property. His "freehold close" is mentioned in 1619, and he often served as a juror in the 1640s and 1650s. He had some copyhold property in the High Street, and is also referred to as a neighbour:

1645: manor court
Alice Kynaston widow surrendered a messuage in Winslow and part of the yard adjoining up to the "pearetree" of John Paxton, and a close of pasture containing 2 acres. To her own use for her life, then to Edward Kynaston her son. Rent 13½d, fine 5s.

1654: manor court
Alice Kenaston widdowe did surrender All that Messuage which is behind the Messuage wherein the said Alice dwelleth & the yard so far as Mr Paxtons peare tree & 2 acres of land & 2 yerdes on the backe side of the said Messuage. To the use of Alice for terme of her life and after her decease to the use of John Kenaston.

1656: manor court
John Paxton & Joane his wife did surrender All that west parte of their home Close as it is now staked & bounded out Conteyninge by Estimacion Threescore and Three foote in Length & seaventeene foote in breadth & lyeth next the now dwelling house of Richard Worsley towards the East. To the use & behoofe of the said Richard Worsley. Richard desireth to be admitted. Fyne 6d, heriott nothinge for that they have other Customary Lands there. [l. margin:] Rent 1d.
  Richard Worsley did surrender All that south parte of his home Close as it is now staked & bounded out Conteyning by Estimacion Threescore and Three foote in Length & seaventeene foote in breadth & lyeing next the Land of John Paxton towards the North. To the use & behoofe of the said John Paxton. John requested to be Admitted. Fyne 6d. [l. margin:] Rent 1d. This exchange of land was apparently reversed in 1683.

John had evidently been succeeded by his son Edmund Paxton by 1660. Edmund's son Thomas was baptised at Winslow in 1658. John's widow Joan Paxton of Winslow made her will in 1667 but it only mentions moveable property.

1660: Court of Survey
There are Freeholders in Winslowe Mannor Edmund Paxon...

Edmund Paxton served as a juror at the manor court from 1662. In 1662/3 he paid Hearth Tax for 4 hearths, presumably on Blake House. In 1669 he and his wife Mary mortgaged 16 acres of copyhold land. Edmund, apparently a widower, began to sell of pieces of land in the 1680s and sold all his copyhold land in 1683:

1683: manor court
Edmund Paxton gent. and John Norman [the mortgagee] surrendered all Edmund's lands in the parish of Winslow containing 40 acres (except a land at Hawkslow shooting to Addington Hedge, the land of William Lowndes gent. south). 3 acres are in the Home Close near the messuage in which Edmund now lives. To the use of Thomas Blake of Ambersden gent., who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine £4.

Edmund was churchwarden in 1684 but apparently left Winslow after that. He must have sold his house and 60 acres of freehold land to Thomas Blake in 1683 or 1684.

Blake House and its surroundings as established by the Blake family (shown on 1880 map)

Thomas Blake (1649-1709) was originally from Charlton-on-Otmoor. He was living in Winslow by 1688 when he was churchwarden. For full details, see the Blake family page. With 60 acres of freehold and 40 acres of copyhold land he was the biggest landowner in Winslow after William Lowndes.

1709: will of Thomas Blake, yeoman (proved 1711)
It doesn't mention the house and land. The copyhold or "customary" part passed to his only surviving son Thomas Blake II (1688-1762), and presumably the freehold part did so too.

1710: manor court
Thomas Blake gent. died since the last court seised of 43 acres of customary land (40 acres acquired from Edmund Paxton in 1683; 2 acres acquired from Nathaniel Anderson clerk; 1 acre acquired from Richard Worstley). Heriot [blank]. Thomas Blake, his son and heir, of full age, sought admission. Rent 10s 9d, fine 86s, heriot a gelding worth £7.

Thomas Blake II (1688-1762) had a very large family (16 children in all; click here for details) and had to provide for several sons. Part of the home close of Blake House became a tannery run by his son John (1718-61) (see the Tanneries page for the later history of the site). Another son Robert became a baker at 8-10 Horn Street.

1761: will of Thomas Blake II, gentleman (proved 1762)
The will doesn't mention his house and land in Winslow which passed to his eldest son Thomas Blake III (1715-1784).

1767: Winslow Enclosure Award
Thomas Blake III owned 86 acres of freehold and copyhold land before Enclosure . This was consolidated as a block of 47 acres (click here for details) near Blake House: it was west of Granborough Road and on both sides of Claydon Road, including what is now Demoram Close and Chiltern Court. He also owned the block of land south of Horn Street and east of Granborough Road:
Garden and orchard belonging to his dwelling house in Great Horne Street
Two home closes of pasture and two gardens belonging to a messuage and tanyard now in the occupation of Richard Norwood

This photo from 1931 shows Blake House and adjoining buildings (centre foreground, to the right of the road) and the home closes behind it

1780: will of Thomas Blake III, gentleman (proved 1784)
He left a widow Elizabeth (1744-1824). He put all his property in Winslow in trust until his two daughters Mary (1771-1810) and Elizabeth (1774-1856) were 21. Mary married Thomas Emerton in 1794 and Elizabeth married George Jones (1771-1834) in 1794, both at Wicken where they had presumably gone to live with their maternal uncle Thomas Bradbury while Robert Gibbs became tenant of Blake House.

1781: Land Tax
Thomas Blake (owner & occupier) £6 9s 6¼d
Thomas Blake (owner), George Carpenter (occupier) 15s 10d [this refers to other property in Horn Street which belonged to Sarah Carpenter by 1805]

1786: Land Tax
Widow Blake (owner), Robert Gibbs (occupier) 4s 4d + £6 17s
Widow Blake (owner), George Carpenter (occupier) 17s 1¾d

1792: Sun fire insurance policy, Michaelmas (LMA, 11936/379/586331)

William Blake of Shippon [sic] in the County of Bucks, Yeoman & Thomas Bradbury of Wicken in the County of Northampton in trust for the Children of Thomas Blake of Winslow in Bucks deceased
On their house in Winslow aforesaid in tenure of Robert Gibbs Brick pannel’d & tiled not exceeding one hund’ & seventy Pounds	170
Two Barns adjoining separate thatch’d not exceeding thirty P(oun)ds	30
Barn & Stable adjoining separate thatch’d not exceeding fifteen P(oun)ds	15
House separate in tenure of George Carpenter Tanner Brick & tiled not exceeding one hundred Pounds	100
Two Barns adjoining separate thatch’d not exceeding fifteen Pounds	15
Brewhouse separate Brick & tiled not exceeding twenty Pounds	20
Barn separate thatch’d not exceeding twenty Pounds	20
Kilnhouse separate Brick & tiled not exceeding ten Pounds	10
Cottage Gatehouse & Stable adjoining thatch(e)d not exceeding twenty P(oun)ds	20
All situate in Winslow aforesaid	----
	£400

After the two Blake sisters married, a settlement was evidently reached by which Elizabeth and her husband George Jones came to live at Blake House.

1795: Land Tax
Widow Blake (owner), George Jones (occupier) £6 17s
Widow Blake (owner), George Carpenter (occupier) 17s 1¾d

1798: Posse Comitatus
Farmers: George Jones + 2 horses, 1 cart

1805: Land Tax
Jones & Emerton (owners), George Jones (occupier) £6 17s

1814: Land Tax
George Jones (owner & occupier) £6 17s

1820: manor court [original entry not yet checked]
Edward Emerton [son of Mary & Thomas Emerton] & Elizabeth his wife [daughter of George & Elizabeth Jones] and George Jones & Elizabeth his wife surrendered to trustees (Daniel Grace & Robert Corbett) the copyhold land from Enclosure and various other copyhold property including "copyhold part of a piece of pasture ground called the Home Close adjoining the freehold messuage heretofore of Thomas Blake now of George Jones".

Thomas Jones (1800-57), second son of George & Elizabeth, now moved into Blake House. He left in 1832, probably because he inherited other property from an uncle (see his will).

1823: Land Tax
George Jones sr (owner), Thomas Jones (occupier) £3 0s 9½d
George Jones jr (owner), George & Newman Jones (occupiers) 13s 8d [this refers to The Bull]
Presumably the rest of the property had been sold.

1832: Land Tax
George Jones (owner), late Thomas Jones (occupier) £3 0s 9½d: house & land

1832: Northampton Mercury, 15 Sep

TO BE LET, FROM YEAR TO YEAR, OR FOR A TERM, With Possession at Michaelmas next,

A GENTEEL FAMILY RESIDENCE, in excellent repair, situate in the Market Town of WINSLOW, Bucks, with yard, garden, barns, stables, and other suitable Buildings, and about 37 ACRES of LAND, lying very convenient for occupation therewith, of which a very small portion is fertile Arable, and the remainder exceedingly rich Pasture Ground.
   The tenant may also be accommodated with a further quantity of Pasture Land, containing about 28 Acres.
For a view of the premises, or to treat for the same, apply (if by letter, post paid) to Mr. GEORGE JONES, sen. Winslow, the Proprietor; or to Messrs. WILLIS & SON, Solicitors, of the same Place.

It appears that Blake House was let separately from the land at this point.

1833: Register of electors
George Jones sr, freehold house & land (occupier: William Woolhead)

1841: Census
George Hinde, minister, 38 + wife, 2 daughters, 1 servant

1851: Census
The entries for Horn Street aren't in a clear order and it's uncertain which one refers to Black House.

The Jones family probably returned to Blake House in 1852 when Robert Williatt Jones (1818-89), youngest son of George and Elizabeth, married Ann Barbara Brise (1831-1902) at Swanbourne, or in 1856 when he sold 20 Horn Street where he and his mother had lived. His second name came from his paternal grandmother, whose family was very prominent in North Bucks.

1853: Musson & Craven's Directory
Jones Mrs. Elizabeth, Horn street
Jones Robert, farmer and grazier, Horn street

1857: manor court
Surrender: Daniel Grace of Winslow lately a schoolmaster and now a farmer on 15 Jan, for £200 in full by apportionment, as surviving trustee of Thomas Jones of Winslow farmer
Admission: Robert Williatt Jones of Winslow farmer
Recites surrender of copyhold land in 1820, now in the occupation of R.W. Jones

1861: Census
Horn Street

Robert W.	Jones	Head	married	42	Landed proprietor	b. Winslow
Ann B..	do	Wife	married	30	Wife	b. Stewkley
Robert W.	do	Son		7	Scholar	b. Winslow
Jane	Holt	Servant	unm	20	General servant	b. Maids Moreton

1864: Post Office Directory
Jones Robert Williatt, yeoman, Horn street

1866: Buckingham Advertiser, 21 April
  BUILDERS are invited to tender for certain alterations and additions to the residence of R. W. Jones, Esquire, at Winslow.  Drawings and Specifications may be inspected at my Offices, in Leighton Buzzard, where tenders are to be addressed to me, properly endorsed, on or before Tuesday, May 1st.  The lowest tender will not necessarily be accepted.
                                                               FREDERICK GOTTO
The Cross, Leighton Buzzard,                                                Architect.
                  April 17th, 1866.

1871: Census
Blake House [this is the first record of the name being used]

Robert W.	Jones	Head	married	52	Landowner, own occupation, 155 acres, employing 4 men & 3 boys	b. Winslow
Ann B.	do	Wife	married	40	Wife	b. Stewkley
Robert W.	do	Son	unm	17	Farmer's son	b. Winslow
Eliza	Bailey	Servant	unm	21	Housemaid	b. Bletchington, Oxon
Sarah	Hanson	Servant	unm	19	Cook	b. Princes Risborough

1876: Harrods Directory
Jones, Robert, farmer, Horn Street

1877: Letter from Robert Williatt Jones jr.

Blake House
Winslow
June 1st 77

Dear Charles,
I am afraid that all those tender speeches that you whispered into the ear of a fair one a year ago to-day at a place known in the vulgar tongue as “Holton Wood” you have not performed.
  Mr Bell & John Kingham came to Eustaces Sale on Wednesday.
What very bad weather we are having.  The crops look bad & the barley is going off fast.  I do not know when their [sic] will be any grass fit to cut, it must grow first.  Mama is in Leicestershire, has been there a week.  Papa is going to fetch her home next week.  I shall if all be well & the weather favourable come to the Athletic Sports at Aylesbury on Thursday  We washed the sheep yesterday.  The tegs do well that we had from Mr Tug[?] & do not seem at all lame now that they are rested.  Mr Frederick Denchfield seems very poorly, his shoulder I think pains him a good deal.
I am going down to see him when I have posted this letter so that you must excuse more.  Hope I may see you on Thursday.  With kind regards to Aunt (trusting her eyes are better) & yourself.

Believe me
Yours & c
Robert W. Jones

Address:
Mr C.T. Adams
Frederick A.H. Bull Esq., Westlington Farm, Dinton, Aylesbury

"Aunt" was Harriette Sophia, nee Brise, wife of Mr Bull who was an land agent and farmer; they married in 1874. She previously lived at Westington Farm with her first husband. Charles Adams, originally from Burcott House, Wing, took over Bull's business after he died in 1880, got married in 1882 and later lived at Stoke Mandeville and Wendover. He was evidently a close relative of the Brise family: his brother Henry Augustus Adams was Harriette Bull's executor in 1900, and Robert Jones' funeral service (see below) was taken by his cousin Rev. Frederick Adams. There is no apparent reason for the envelope and letter to have a black edge.

1881: Census
Blake House

Robert W.	Jones	Head	married	62	Farmer of 220 acres, employing 6 men & 4 boys	b. Winslow
Ann B.	do	Wife	married	50	Wife	b. Stewkley
Robert W.	do	Son	unm	27	Farmer's son	b. Winslow
Sarah H.	Curtis	Visitor	married	40	Annuitant	do
Florence E.	Perkins	Niece		10	Scholar	b. Old Stratford
Sarah	Kingham	Servant	unm	21	Cook	b. Longwick
Emily A.	Shelswell	Servant	unm	18	Housemaid	b. Shulford, Oxon

1886: Bucks Herald, 23 Jan: marriages
At the parish church, Daventry, on the 20th inst., Robert Williatt, only child of Robert Williatt and Ann Barbara Jones of Winslow, Bucks, to Rebecca, fifth daughter of Joseph and Sarah Goodman of Drayton Grange, Daventry.

1887: Will of Robert Williatt Jones of Winslow, gentleman, made on 10 Feb

• Appoints his wife and son executors.
• To his wife: all farming stock in Winslow, all household goods, money and shares in the London and County Bank, London and Westminster Bank and Union Bank of London, and an annuity of £150 to be paid by his son frm his estates at Great Horwood.
• All freehold and copyhold estates in Winslow to his wife for her life, then to his son.
• To his son: all estates in Wappenham and Whitfield, Northants and at Great Horwood, and all farming stock at Great Horwood.
  10 Feb 1887. 
• Witnessed by Thomas Price Willis & William N. Midgley.
• Proved by Ann Barbara Jones the surviving executor on 28 Dec 1889 at the Principal Probate Registry.  Gross value of personal estate £2,372 8s 11d

1889: Buckingham Advertiser, 27 July
INTERMENT OF THE LATE MR. R. W. JONES.-
The ceremony of interring the mortal remains of the late Robert Williat Jones Esq., of Blake House, took place on Friday last, the service being conducted in the Congregational Church by the Rev. John Pither, with a very short service at the grave.  Among those who attended to pay the last token of respect were – Messrs. A. S. Midgeley, J. Elley, J. Hathaway, A. Clear, Geo. King, W. H. French, S. Jones, T. Jones (Kettering), Rev. J. S. Poulton, Mr. T. P. Willis (legal adviser), Messrs. E. J. French, D. Grummitt, and A. J. Clear (deacons), &c.;  Mr. A. G. Stevens, and Messrs. Matthews Bros., were undertakers.   Mr. R. W. Jones was the representative of an extremely old Great Horwood family, the Williatts, and of an old Winslow family the Joneses.   He was of a quiet unassuming disposition, taking of late years but little part in public affairs, but at the same time ready to assist either with his purse or with advice in anything that conduced to the welfare of Winslow, while charitable objects always found him a ready supporter.  From his boyhood upwards (with one break only) he had attended the Congregational Church, and in politics he was a decided Liberal.

1889: Centre for Bucks Studies, Geo. Wigley
D/WIG/2/1/21: Valuation of Blake House [R.W. Jones, Esquire, deceased]

Blake House was the last working farmhouse in the centre of Winslow, but after the death of R.W. Jones senior it became a private house and then a hunting box.

1889: Buckingham Advertiser, 10 Aug
  Sarah Ann Bates was charged with stealing on the 22nd July, at Winslow, two pairs of cashmere stockings, the property of her mistress, Mrs. Ann Barbara Jones, of Blake House, Winslow.- The following evidence was taken:-
  Emily Barbara White said - I am a single woman, and reside with my aunt, Mrs Jones, at Winslow.  The defendant was servant to my aunt, and entered her service about the 3rd of June, and left on Monday, the 22nd July last.  After she had left I missed two pairs of black cashmere stockings, belonging to my aunt.  They were marked with red silk.  I gave information to Sergt. Pitson.  The stockings produced are my aunt’s, and I value them at 5/-.
  Sergt. Christopher Pitson said - I am Sergt. Of Police at Winslow.  On the 2nd of August I received information of this charge.  I saw the prisoner in Winslow, and told her I had come respecting three pairs of stockings missing from Mrs. Jones’.  She denied any knowledge of them.  I brought her to the police station and gave directions to take off the stockings she was wearing.  I then charged ber with stealing two pairs belonging to Mrs. Jones, and one pair belonging to Miss White.  She said the others were in her box.  On Saturday I got possession of the box belonging to her from Winslow station.  The box was opened, and she took one pair out herself, and said they belonged to her mistress.  She then further admitted she had put the other pair into a drawer in Mrs. Jones’ kitchen.
  Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.  She also pleaded guilty on the charge of stealing one pair of cashmere stockings, of the value 2/-, the property of Emily Barbara White.
  Emily Barbara White said - I live with my aunt, Mrs. Jones, at Winslow.  Defendant was servant there, and left on the 22nd July.  After she had gone I missed a pair of black cashmere stockings, marked with white cotton.  Those produced by Sergt. Pitson are my stockings, and are worth 2/-.
  Sergt. Christopher Pitson stated - I am Sergt. of police at Winslow.  Having apprehended the prisoner on another charge I found the stocking I now produce marked with white cotton.  She was wearing it.  The fellow one was handed to me by Miss White, having been taken from the drawer in the kitchen at Mrs. Jones’, where defendant said she had put it.
  It was stated by Sergt. Pitson that defendant had behaved extremely bad.  Mrs Jones had given her a black dress, and paid her fare home to Banbury after she had fraudulently purchased a hat and a pair of kid gloves for herself and had them charged to her mistress, but instead of going home she had come to Winslow and had been leading an immoral life.
  She was sentenced to two months’ hard labour.

1889: Northampton Mercury, 7 Sep
  DEATH OF MR. R. W. JONES.- In our obituary column will be found a notice of the death of Mr. Robert Williatt Jones, of Charwelton Hall, near Byfield.  The circumstances is a peculiarly melancholy one, considering that only six weeks before Mr. Jones attended the funeral of his father (Mr. R. W. Jones) at Winslow, as chief mourner, and was then, to all appearance, in robust health; but he was taken ill, and, after suffering for a few days, died on Sunday, August 25th, at the comparatively early age of 36.  Mr. Jones spent his life at Winslow until about six years ago, being thoroughly liked and respected by all who knew him, and very deep sympathy is felt for his mother in being bereaved of both her husband and only son in so short a space of time.  The interment took place in Winslow Churchyard on Wednesday, August 28th, and was conducted by the Rev. Frederick Adams, of Burcott Wing (cousin of the deceased), and Rev.- McRinnen, of Byfield.

1889: Principal Probate Registry, 28 Dec
Administration of the personal estate of Robert Williatt Jones of Charwelton Hall, Northants, granted to Rebecca Jones the widow. Value: £8,197.
In 1901 and 1911 Rebecca Jones was living in Norham Road, Oxford with two daughters, Annie Barbara Jones (b.1887) and Ellen Margaret Williatt Jones (b.1889).

1891: Census
Horn Street

Anne Barbara	Jones	Head	widow	61	Living on own means	b. Stewkley
Emily Barbara	White	Niece	single	22		b. Oxford
Henry Arthur	White	Nephew	single	21	Grocer's assistant	b. Oxford
Rebecca	Phillips	Servant	single	18	Housemaid	b. Adstock

1894:  Bucks Herald, 22 Sep
On Wednesday much pleasurable excitement was aroused amongst many of the inhabitants by the marriage of Miss Emily Barbara White, niece and adopted daughter of Mrs Robert Williatt Jones, of Blake House, Winslow, with Mr Herbert Walter Adams, youngest son of the late Mr Henry Chas. Adams, of Burcott [he was the brother of Charles Adams who received the letter transcribed above]. The ceremony took place in the parish church at 2.30, the edifice being well filled with spectators… a merry peal of bells announced the completion of the ceremony, and Mr & Mrs Adams and party returned to Blake House for the wedding breakfast, at which numerous guests were present.

1901: Census
Blake House

Anne Barbara	Jones	Head	widow	71	Living on own means	b. Stewkley
Emily Barbara	Adams	Niece & visitor	married	32		b. Oxford
Lucy	Mumford	Companion	single	31	Companion	b. Boarstall
Edith Annie	Campbell	Servant	single	18	General servant	b. Swanbourne

1902: Bicester Herald, 25 April
  OBITUARY.- We much regret to record the death of Mrs. Ann Barbara Jones, which occurred at Blake House, on Tuesday evening.  Deceased was the widow of the late Mr. Robert Williatt Jones, of Winslow and Great Horwood, and was descended from one of the oldest families in the neighbourhood.  Owing to failing health she had not been able to come out in public for some time, but she was greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends and relatives.  Her only son, Mr. R. W. Jones, died at Charwelton (Northamptonshire), some time back, but she leaves some grandchildren.

1902: Buckingham Advertiser, 3 May
  FUNERAL.- The interment of the late Mrs. R. W. Jones, of Blake House, took place on Saturday afternoon last, at Winslow Churchyard, the service being held at the Congregational Church, of which deceased was a member and conducted by the Rev. J. G. Evans (pastor).  Among those present to pay a last token of respect were the following relatives and friends:- Mrs. Williatt Jones (daughter-in-law), Mr. H. White (nephew), Mr. Herbert Adams and Mrs. Herbert Adams (niece and adopted daughter), Mr. Emerton (brother-in-law), Miss Perkins (niece), Mr. C. T. Adams, Mr. H. A. Adams, M.A., Miss Mumford, Mr. and Miss Willmer; Mr. and Mrs. Wigley, Mr. S. P. Wigley, Mr. C. Colgrove (Swanbourne), Dr. Kennish, Mr. H. Bullock, Mr. E. A. Illing, Mr. A. J. Clear, Mrs. Evans, Miss Lawrence, Miss I. M. French, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Turney, etc.  The hymn “For ever with the Lord” was sung at the service, Mr. Coxhill presiding at the organ.  Messrs Matthews Bros. were the undertakers

1902: Oxford Probate Registry
Probate of will of Ann Barbara Jones of Blake House, Winslow, granted to Herbert Walter Adams, farmer and Herbert Bullock, solicitor. Effects £1,454.

1902: Bucks Herald, 30 Aug      
TO BE LET, with Immediate Possession, a very desirable RESIDENCE or HUNTING BOX,  overlooking the Quainton and Pitchcott Hills, with GARDENS, STABLING & COACH-HOUSE,  distinguished as “BLAKE HOUSE,” situate at WINSLOW, with its Station on the L. & N. W. Railway, from whence London is reached in about 1½ hours, and close to Winslow Road Station on the Metropolitan Railway.
  The House contains Dining and Drawing Rooms, seven Bed Rooms, and the usual Domestic Offices.
  For further Particulars and orders to View, apply to MR. GEO. WIGLEY, F.S.L, Land Agent and Auctioneer, Winslow.

1903: Kelly's Directory
Lloyd, Llewellyn, Blake house

1911: Bucks Herald, 5 Aug
  Our contemporary, The Bazaar, gave an engraving in its last issue of a very fine old oak court cupboard or Dower Chest, the property of Mr. Llewelyn Lloyd, whom so many of our Winslow readers will remember as the recent genial occupier of Blake House.  The cupboard was made in 1666 for Mr. Lloyd’s ancestress, Mary ap Francis ap Hugh ap Gryffydd, of Siamber Wen.  It is in splendid condition and was greatly admired by all the Winslow people who saw it.

1907: Buckingham Advertiser, 2 Nov
Colonel Gosling has taken Blake House, Winslow, and is having the stabling enlarged.

1910: Survey
Occupier: E.A. Gosling
Owner: Mrs R.W. Jones
House & gardens, buildings and agricultural land, Horn Street

1911: Census
Blake House, 10 rooms

Edward Lambert	Gosling	Head	single	39	Stockbroker	b. Offley, Herts
Louisa Ann	Lloyd	Servant	single	48	Housekeeper	b. Kentish Town
Lilian	Brown	do	single	23	Housemaid	b. Poplar
Samuel Leonard	Sharratt	do	married	31	Valet	b. Tamworth
George Evin [=Eben]	Hamp	do	single	26	Groom	b. Winslow
Garnett	Haskett	do	single	16	Groom	b. Marnhull, Dorset
Lionel	Tucker	do	single	25	Groom	b. Hockliffe
William James	Turvey	do	single	22	Gardener	b. Brackley

The head groom, Leonard Turner, lived next door at Blake Cottage. Read more about him.

1911: Buckingham Express, 5 Aug (Winslow RDC)
Plans of additions and alterations to Blake House, Winslow, were passed.

1914: Assessment (TNA, IR58/2346)
Situation              Horn Street
Description         House, Garden &c
Extent                   AC   1 – 2 – 9               
Gross Value: Buildings   £50
Rateable Value: Buildings    £40
Occupier              Edward Lambert Gosling
Owner                  Mrs RW Jones 30 Norham Road Oxford for self & 2 daughters
Interest of Owner            Freehold
Occupier’s Tenancy, Term            7 years                  from      Sept 29 1907
Actual Rent                         £60
Any other Consideration paid     £60 allowed by L to T to alter stabling & do necessary repairs
Outgoings – Land Tax, £ 1 – 10 – 0           Paid by Landlord
Who pays (a) Rates and Taxes (b) Insurance                       (a)   T     (b)   L.
Who is liable for repairs                                                 L (outside)          T (inside)
Owners Estimate              [by] Geo Wigley & Sons, Winslow
Site value deductions claimed     Yes
[red] ON FORM 37
Particulars, description and note made on inspection      8.12.14
A Brick Stuccoed & Tiled Residence – Small Hall: Smoke Room: Dining Room: kitchen, small scullery: pantry:
[red] Since 1909 Brushing  room small cellar & Sitting Room for HK over Brushing room
4 Principal Bedrooms: Bath: W.C. & 2 Attic Rooms                                                              
See outbuildings 6 A 2 R 36 P
Valuation – Market Value of Fee Simple in possession of whole property in its present condition £2100
Deduct Market Value of Site under similar circumstances, but if divested of structures, timber, fruit trees, and other things growing on the land  £160 per acre                                                          £1080
Difference Balance, being portion of market value attributable to structures, timber &c.             £1020
Divided as follows:-
Buildings and structures                                            £1000
Other things growing on land                                    £20
Description of Buildings
Conservatory & small greenhouse
Timber & Corrugated Iron   Potting & D[....] Sheds
Brick & Tiled       Cottage 2 up & 2 down & backplace
Brick & Slated    3 Boxes
Brick & Tiled       3 Boxes & Dog Kennel
Timber & Corrugated Iron            2 Looseboxes
Brick & Slated    E.l. Com Room & 3 bay shed
D(itt)o                   Range 2 Boxes, 1 stall, loft over
Harness Room, 2 Looseboxes
Coach House, Strapping Room with bedroom over                               
ASSESSABLE SITE VALUE             £1080
If Agricultural land, the value for Agricultural purposes including/excluding Sporting Rights   £600

1924: Buckingham Advertiser, 22 Nov
The death of Mrs. Rebecca Williatt Jones, of Norham Gardens, Oxford, closes a long connection with the Winslow district. Mrs. Jones was the widow of Mr. Robert Williatt Jones, of Blake House, Winslow, and Charwelton Hall, Northants, the last male descendant of a very ancient family in the district ... Mrs W. Jones was buried at Winslow last week.

1924: Oxford Probate Registry, 29 Dec
Probate of the will of Rebecca Jones granted to her two daughters, both spinsters. Effects: £8,872. [Presumably she had already sold Blake House to E.L. Gosling.]

E.L. Gosling (d.1960) married in 1927 Lady Mary Constance Hamilton FitzMaurice, daughter of the 7th Earl of Orkney (d.1950). The photo of her on the left from the National Portrait Gallery was taken in 1923.

1929: Buckingham Advertiser, 15 June
Wanted, good single-handed COOK 40-45 years of age. Apply, the Lady Mary Gosling, Winslow.

1934: Centre for Bucks Studies, Geo. Wigley
D/WIG/2/9/697: Correspondence about compensation for Blake House and land, Winslow, required to widen Tinkers End Road, with plan
E.L. Gosling v Buckinghamshire County Council

1935: Centre for Bucks Studies, Geo. Wigley
D/WIG/2/9/942: Papers relating to sale of Tinkers Corner (formerly Blake House) in Winslow, including report, valuation and letter, 1940, also sale particulars dated 1935
Owners: E. Gosling, then Countess of Lathom

Marie Xenia de Tunzelmann (1893-1974) married in 1927 as her second husband the 3rd Earl of Lathom (1895-1930). She was the author of two books on French painting. The portrait on the right is by Arthur Ambrose McEvoy.

1937: Buckingham Advertiser, 28 Aug
POLICE CONSTABLE PROPOSES GUESTS’ THANKS.
  To celebrate her birthday, the Right Hon. The Countess of Lathom, who came to reside at Tinkers Corner, Winslow, in February, and is now in Austria, entertained her domestic and outdoor staff and invited several other residents of Winslow on Saturday.
  About 40 guests sat down to a sumptuous supper and several others had been invited, but were away from home.  There was dancing to the music of Mr. Lampitt’s radiogram and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent.
  Mr. H. Owen, the butler, made the capital arrangements, assisted by other members of the staff, and at the close of the evening a vote of thanks to the Countess was proposed by P.C. Newbery, Winslow’s senior Police Constable, who was among the guests.
  A “Fade Away” Waltz, which caused much interest and amusement, was won by Miss Winifred Lane and Mr. Reginald Stonell.
  A telegram of congratulations was sent to the Countess by the guests.

1938: Buckingham Advertiser, 17 Sep
Plans submitted to Winslow RDC include: new porch to Blake House, Winslow

1939: Hillier's Almanack
Tinkers Corner, Horn Street: Countess of Lathom

1939: Leighton Observer, 19 Sep
[Evacuation report] Winslow Hall has a large contingent of mothers and babies, and Lady Lathom has housed another group.

1941-42: Farm Survey

1942: Centre for Bucks Studies, Geo. Wigley
D/WIG/2/9/1000: Papers relating to possible sale of Tinkers Corner in Winslow, including inventory of fixtures, list of items to be removed and correspondence
Vendor: Countess of Lathom
Possible purchaser: W. Selby Lowndes

1942: Sale of furniture, 23 Nov
By direction of the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Lathom, Tinkers Corner, Winslow

1943: The closes were ploughed up for Col. Selby-Lowndes to grow oats and potatoes (read more).

1944: Sale of garden tools and equipment, 6 April
36 Horn Street, by instructions of the Countess of Lathom

1946: Oxford Telephone Directory
Selby-Lowndes, Lt-Col. W, Tinkers Corner

Blake House with the porch installed in 1938 and the brickwork exposed while the rendering was replaced (1981)

1951: Obituary and will of Lt-Col. William Selby-Lowndes of Tinker's Corner