Newton Old Hall …………….Some historical notes
- 1550 -1605 During this period Priest Holes were introduced in order to hide Catholic Priests. It has been claimed that a priest hole exists in Newton Old Hall, which would date the building to that period or earlier.
- 1551 Lady Anne Sheffield admits Richard and Anthony Richardson to a house in Blackwell, believed to be Newton Old Hall
- 1554 Lady Sheffield makes Richard Richardson her Bailiff for her Derbyshire lands
- 1616 Richard Richardson and 3 others buy 3 parts of the manor of Blackwell
- 1638 John Richardson Yeoman of Newton licences the marriage of his son John to Agnes Snowden
- 1670 Hearth Tax record shows Richardson family taxed on 7 hearths, so a large home.
- 1672 Licence granted for Simon Nowell to preach at the house of John Richardson of Newton; Presumably in the chapel which existed in the North Wall of the Old Hall Grounds.
- 1758 Duke of Devonshire’s map of Blackwell shows Newton Old Hall and grounds as owned by Mrs Richardson, “Mrs Richardson’s Free”, as well as other properties in parish, including a farm occupied by Jedediah Strutt, where he developed his “ Derby Rib “ machine.
- 1778 Following the death of Mrs Carew Richardson, her heirs sell the property in Blackwell. The sale documents described it as ‘a freehold estate for sale together or in parcels’
- 1778 Current thinking is that Newton Old Hall came into the ownership of William Downing (1733-1795), and was passed in his will to his brother Matthew, father of Martha who had married her cousin William (1779-1857), who thro Martha became owner at some time between 1812 and 1839. More on the Downing family in the link below.
- 1815-1838 Mrs Jenkinson, widow of Sutton surgeon, in occupation, renting from Downings
- 1832 Burial of Martha, wife of William Downing at Newton Old Hall. William and Martha had married in Barrowby Lincolnshire in 1809 and were cousins, both carrying the surname Downing.
- 1855 Burial of Ann Downing, sister of Martha, and cousin of William, at Newton Old Hall
- 1857 Burial of William Downing at Newton Old Hall. “His express wish to be there interred.”
- 1858 Ownership of Newton Old Hall passes to William’s grandson, William Downing Adlington of Skegby
- 1861/71/81/91/1901 Censuses shows Hall is rented to a farmer George Booker and family; and possibly others in multi occupancy
- 1904 Newton Old Hall up for sale. The sale particulars only list The Old Hall and the ruins of a chapel in the north wall. It is thought that a sale was not made, but extensive improvements were made by the Richardsons between 1904 and 1911 to enable the property to be rented by and eventually sold to Mrs Mary Augusta Compton Salmond.
- 1906 Newton Old Hall Properties are up for sale at the George and Dragon Inn; The Old Hall itself is not included.
- 1913 Believed to have been purchased by or for Mrs Salmond, prior to or following her separation from her husband Walter.
- 1912 -1938 Mrs Salmond very active in work for distressed ex-servicemen, earning an O.B.E as well as the nick name “Little Mother”.
- 1940 Mr Thomas Cotton buys and thoroughly renovates Newton Old Hall, and rebuilds Old Hall Cottage. Newton builder Fred Stone is employed to undertake the demolition and rebuild.
- 1966 Following the death of Mr Cotton, Newton Old Hall is sold to Mr Albert Gautier.
- 1979 Newton Old Hall is sold at Auction to Mr and Mrs Quilliam.
- 1985 Newton Old Hall is sold to Mr and Mrs Radford.
- 2024 Newton Old Hall is sold and awaits restoration, perhaps as it reaches it’s 500th Birthday!
( All above based upon research by Tony Mellors and David Coates, Blackwell 2023.)
The Downing Family and Newton Old Hall
To Hilcote Hall