Ashdown House, Forest Row, East Sussex

The Sphere February 12, 1955 – page 268

STATE AID FOR A REGENCY MANSION[i]: Ashdown, in Sussex, Receives a government Grant for Urgent Structural Repairs

AN HISTORIC SUSSEX MANSION WHICH HAS A LINK WITH THE UNITED STATES:  Ashdown House[ii], near Forest Row, was built in the late eighteenth century by Benjamin Latrobe the architect responsible for part of the Capitol, in Washington [iii].

Among the latest recipients of Government grants for urgent repairs is Ashdown House, in Sussex.  It is one of the two works in this country[iv] of Benjamin Latrobe [v], whose name is better known in the United States.  He finished Ashdown[vi] in 1791, five years before he emigrated.  It is a fine example of early Regency.  It consists of a square main block which the architect added to a partly-seventeenth-century gabled building.  One of its best features is the porch of stone columns with Ionic capitals.  Inside the entrance an elegant staircase leads to a lobby, with columns, on the first floor.  Ashdown is now a preparatory school for boys [vii] [viii].

Financial help is being given towards eradicating dry-rot and other repairs.  Ashdown benefits by the scheme administered by the Minister of Works under the terms of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act of 1953.  Each year he is allowed  £250,000 to allocate to historic buildings in Britain for repairs or maintenance.  In making the grants he is advised by three committees, for England, Wales and Scotland respectively, whose members are public figures or architectural experts.  So far the grand total of buildings thus assisted is 114 at a cost of £285, 000.

[photo captions] Below –

A GRACEFUL EXAMPLE OF A REGENCY INTERIOR: Columns form a lobby on the first-floor landing of Ashdown House.  Above them is a plaster dome with coloured coffers.  Below the landing the porch projects into the entrance hall.  Benjamin Latrobe, the architect, emigrated to America in 1796 five years after he had completed this building.  The Government grant is towards the cost of repairs and the eradication of dry-rot.  Ashdown is now a preparatory school for boys.

On left –

THE COLUMNED PORCH: The front entrance is semi-circular, with stone columns with Ionic capitals and enriched bases of terra-cotta.  Under its roof is a domed ceiling, with finely-decorated reliefs.

THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF ASHDOWN HOUSE: On left – Latrobe’s masterpiece is in the center.  He added it to a seventeenth-century gabled stone building, which is behind.  The chapel is on the left of the picture.  On right—The entrance hall and staircase are among the best interior features.  Latrobe became surveyor of public buildings to the American Government in 1803.  Besides the south wing of the Capital, he designed the cathedral in Baltimore.

---

[i] This is a misnomer. The Regency period started in 1811, twenty years after Ashdown House was built.

[ii] British Listed Buildings: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-296058-ashdown-house-school-forest-row-east-sus

[iii] Read more about Latrobe’s work on the Capitol here: http://www.aoc.gov/architect-of-the-capitol/benjamin-henry-latrobe

[iv] Hammerwood Park, near East Grinstead is the other private house built by Latrobe. See: http://www.hammerwood.mistral.co.uk/

[v] Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe (May 1, 1764 – September 3, 1820- Wikipedia Biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Henry_Latrobe

[vi] Ashdown House was built by Latrobe for John Trayton Fuller (1743-1811) John ”Mad Jack” Fuller’s first cousin.

[vii] Ashdown House preparatory school official website is here: http://www.ashdownhouse.co.uk/

[viii] Unfortunately, Ashdown House School has been mired by allegations of neglect and abuse see:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2688344/Former-headmaster-prep-school-attended-Boris-Johnson-Damian-Lewis-arrested-suspicion-child-sex-offences.html

Brightling Observatory For Sale in 1953

Sussex Express & County Herald, Friday October 16 1953 - Page 10

Brightling Observatory Is For Sale

Brightling Observatory, built by "Mad Jack" Fuller over 140 years ago, is for sale again.  It was built on the site of a beacon by Fuller, who was the Squire of Brightling, and a Sussex M.P. from 1801 to 1812.
Some time ago it was sold to the Gypsum Mines by the Squire, Mr. T.P. Tew, and later resold and redecorated for the use as a private residence.  It was recently bought by Mr. Grinling of Fair Court, Wadhurst.
The Observatory is almost s well known as the celebrated Brightling Needle nearby, which also owes its origin to Fuller, who died in 1834.
It stands, as if in answer to Fuller's Sugar Loaf "Folly" as testimony to the deeper side of Fuller's character as a cultivated gentleman and a patron of science.
Designed by the great architect Sir Robert Smirke, who built the British Museum, the observatory was erected in 1810, being intended by Fuller for the use of he eminent astronomer, Herschel whose bust could be seen inside the building for many years.
The astronomical instruments were removed about 1908, and the building used as a reading room and later converted into a cottage.

Brighting Observatory Sale

The Sussex Express and South Eastern Advertiser
Friday, May 23, 1919 - Page 1

Thursday, May 29th, 1919

THE OBSERVATORY, BRIGHTLING, 

MESSERS, 

E. WATSON & SON

Have received instructions from the Owner (who is giving up housekeeping), to SELL BY AUCTION on the premises as above:-- Brass and iron French bedsteads, feather beds, mattresses, mahogany-frame marble-top and other washstands, mahogany and painted chests of drawers, mahogany wardrobe, toilet tables and glasses, toilet ware, deal linen chest, mahogany dining table, deal-top dining table and other ditto, writing table, mahogany-frame dining chairs in leather, spring-seated easy and other chairs, sofas, china cabinet, Windsor chairs, pier glasses, pictures, fenders and fire irons, patent mangle, wash tubs, quantity of earthen and glass ware, a useful assemblage of domestic and culinary utensils, quantity of gardening tools, etc.
Sale to commence at 1.30 p.m.
No Catalogues.  Auction and Estate Offices, Heathfield (Phone No. 11).

Fullers who obtained Game Certificates

Sussex Advertiser September 12, 1825 - page 4

GAME LISTS, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, Persons who have obtained Game Ceritficates for the year 1825 List (1) General Certificates at £3 13s 6d each [In List (2) Gamekeepers, not being assessed servants, at £3 13s 6d each and  List (3) Gamekeepers being assessed servants at £1 5s each, a gamekeeper for Brightling is not listed.]

Fuller Capt. J.T. Wartling[i]; Fuller John, esq. Brightling[ii]; Fuller Major G. Heathfield[iii]; Fuller William, Cowfold; Fuller Hugh, Portslade; Fuller Joseph Selmeston; Fuller A.E. esq. East Grinstead[iv]; Fuller Captain R.H. ditto[v]; Fuller Rev R.F. ditto[vi]; Fuller James Little Horsted; Fuller John, Uckfield; Fuller Thomas, Cliffe Lewes. 

Sussex Advertiser September 07 1835 - page 1

GAME LISTS COUNTY OF SUSSEX Arranged and Published by Harry Winton, Surveyor, Brighton

Persons who have obtained game certificates for the year 1835.

List (1) General certificates at L3 13s 6d each

Fuller, A. E., esq.[vii] Brightling; Fuller, John Street; Fuller, J.T.[viii], esq Wartling

---

[i] Captain John Thomas Fuller was christened on 25 Jun 1788 in Heathfield, Sussex. He died on 25 Sep 1850 in East Hoathly, Sussex. He married Emily Carthew in 1813 in Heathfield, Sussex. He was Jack Fuller’s second cousin once removed.

[ii] John “Mad Jack” Fuller

[iii] Major George Fuller was christened on 21 Nov 1756 in Heathfield, Sussex. He died on 6 Apr 1839. He was buried on 11 Apr 1839 in Hooe, Sussex.  He was Jack Fuller’s second cousin.

[iv] General Sir Augustus Elliot Fuller MP was born on 7 May 1777 in East Grinstead,Sussex. He was christened on 2 Jun 1777 in Heathfield,Sussex. He died on 5 Aug 1857 in Clifford Street, London. He was buried on 12 Aug 1857 in Llangadwaladr, Anglesey, Wales. He married Clara Meyrick on 5 Sep 1801. He was Jack Fuller’s first cousin once removed and one of his two principal heirs.

[v] Captain Rose Henry Fuller RN was born on 8 Feb 1789 in Heathfield, Sussex. He was christened on 14 Mar 1789 in Heathfield,Sussex. He died on 27 Oct 1860 in Dawlish, Devon. He was buried on 5 Nov 1860 in Starcross, Devon. He married Margaretta Jane Sheffield on 24 Nov 1831 in East Grinstead, Sussex.  He was Jack Fuller’s first cousin once removed.

[vi] Rev Robert Fitzherbert Fuller was born on 11 Aug 1794 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He was christened on 20 Oct 1794 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He died on 22 Aug 1849 in Leamington, Warwickshire. He was buried on 28 Aug 1849 in Leamington, Warwickshire. He married Maria Ursula Sheffield on 16 Oct 1827 in Lingfield, Surrey.  He was Jack Fuller’s first cousin once removed.

[vii] General Sir Augustus Elliot Fuller MP was born on 7 May 1777 in East Grinstead,Sussex. He was christened on 2 Jun 1777 in Heathfield,Sussex. He died on 5 Aug 1857 in Clifford Street, London. He was buried on 12 Aug 1857 in Llangadwaladr, Anglesey, Wales. He married Clara Meyrick on 5 Sep 1801. He was Jack Fuller’s first cousin once removed and one of his two principal heirs.

[viii] Captain John Thomas Fuller was christened on 25 Jun 1788 in Heathfield, Sussex. He died on 25 Sep 1850 in East Hoathly, Sussex. He married Emily Carthew in 1813 in Heathfield, Sussex.

Fuller an "excellent shot"

British Field Sports, Embracing Practical Instructions in Shooting, Hunting, Coursing, Racing, Cocking, Fishing, &c.; with Observations on the Breaking and Training of Dogs and Horses; Also the Management of Fowling Pieces, and All Other Sporting Implements. London: Printed for Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, Paternoster-Row, 1818

"John Fuller, Esq. of Rosehill, Sussex, an excellent Shot, in beating for Partridges, sprung nine Land Rails, five of which were killed by Mr. Fuller, two by Mr. P. Willard, and one by the Game Keeper", page 260.

Note:

• Land Rail is another name for Corn Crake (crex crex).