This building, which is currently occupied by Mia Stanza, is at 7 Beam Street in Nantwich. It was previously called the Manor House.
It’s curious why this property was called the Manor House, as there are no early records of any manors existing in this area.
In 1792, the owner and occupier was Charles Bate, who was a lawyer. A Mr & Mrs Bate are shown there in 1820, possibly a son of Charles.
Dr Thomas Williamson lived here, from 1830-1840. He was noted for his work as Medical Officer for the Local Board during the epidemic of Asiatic Cholera which swept the town in 1832.
James Hall’s History of the Town and Parish of Nantwich records that Charles Mare also lived at Manor House in the early part of the 19th century, the earliest reference to Charles Mare there is in 1834. Charles Mare was the son of Mathew Mare of the Broomlands in Hatherton, a retired potter who died in 1814. Charles Mare was a shipbuilder in Liverpool and his business failed in the sum of £500,000. He built the Playhouse in Dog Lane, in Nantwich, early in the century. The County Gentlemen would see a play there in the evening after watching the Horse-races in Nantwich in the afternoon. After the Playhouse closed, it was partly demolished in 1840. Charles Mare died at Nantwich in 1838, aged 51.
This map shows the Manor house on the Tithe Maps:
A Catherine Beckete owns the nearest field 234, which is occupied by Samuel Cliffe.
Bagshaw’s Directory of 1850 records that Catherine and Ann Beckett lived at Manor House and according to Jackson Curry, Mrs Beckett and her two daughters were to be seen driving around the district in a carriage and pair with a coachman in attendance. The Directory also refers to a Thomas Becket who died in 1827, he arranged for his pew, in the south aisle or Nantwich Church, to be let and the yearly proceeds be distributed in bread. The pew was let for £2. 5s. per annum. Is Thomas Becket related to Mrs Becket and her two daughters, if so could he have lived at Manor House?
Catherine Beckett is also shown as the occupier of the Manor House, in the 1851 census. On this 1851 map, the red arrow shows where the Manor House is:
You can also see a surgery, next door to the Manor House.We think where Piece Meal Café currently is:
would be the old access to the stables.
The garden is large and seems to be laid out to a design with many pathways. Jackson Curry states that apparently there existed an entrance to the grounds from Wall Lane and there still is the profile of a gateway, which forms part of the cottages number 32 and 34 Wall Lane:
The location of the gateway in Wall Lane suggests that the grounds would have extended at least as far as the present School House in Manor Road.
In 1869 a surgeon, Dr William Mathews lived at the Manor House.
In the period around 1878, Manor House had large garden with double gates positioned on the site of the present Manor Road entrance. The railings are still visible in this 1906 picture:
Dr William Mathew had a son, Frank Mathews (born around 1862), who also became a doctor and practised there.
By the time of the 1901 census Dr Richard Timmis Turner was operating the practice.
You can read more about these doctors and other Nantwich doctors in this booklet:
https://nantwichmuseum.org.uk/product/nantwich-doctors
In 1911, John Newton was the occupier, his profession on the 1911 census is shown as Professor of Music.
In 1913 the Manor House Girls’ Club met there.
Kelly’s Directory of 1914 records Richard Timmis Turner M.D. as Medical Officer of Health for Nantwich Rural District Council. Another book ‘Within Living Memory’ by Sid Simpson stated Dr. R. T. Turner, a true-blue Tory, lived in the rather imposing Manor House and immediately opposite lived Mr. Wood a staunch Liberal. After Election time when the fervour had subsided these two gentlemen were quite good friends. Kelly’s Directory of 1914 records Thomas Wood as a Leather Merchant.
Jackson Curry mentions that the daughter of the occupier in the 1920’s described the interior or the house at time as on a grand scale, typical or the Georgian and Victorian period. The rooms were large, and a grand staircase, capable of taking three or more people abreast, led to the upper floors and a stained glass window gave light to the landing. There were several rooms on the first floor, including a large bathroom and a back staircase down to the kitchen and servants’ area. An arched gateway (now a café in Beam Street) led to the coach house and stables.
Kelly’s Directory of 1939 refers to Nantwich Working Men’s Club and Institute Ltd. Manor Road. Dorothy Vaughan’s book confirms that part of the house was used for this purpose.
In the 1939 Register, the occupier is shown as a widow, called Annette Perkins. Also in the property is a John W Bennett, whose occupation is described as A R P Office.
Since World War Il the house was altered inside, to suit commercial interests, and became the Mews Shopping Arcade, and an Age Concern Office.
In 1972 the premises are occupied by Alec Pearson, who is described as Furnishers. In 1978 the premises are occupied by Don Bradbury, who is also described as Furnishers.
In 1989, and 1995, the premises are shown as being vacant.
Do you have any memories of the Manor House? If so, we’d love to hear from you..