MF10: History of Manor Farm, Shalden

Looking East along Shalden Lane, c. 1930, Manor Farm on the left

The property now called Manor Farm was known as Gregory's Farm until 1847 when it became part of Shalden Manor Estate which was subsequently divided again in 1930. The oldest part of the farmhouse which exists today is the central timber framed section which is thought to date from the 15th century. Part of the house now stands upon a disused well, which may be of older origin, possibly 13th century.

The origin of the name ‘Gregory’s Farm’ is that of the Gregory family who held the farm from at least the early 16th century (The will of John Gregory, of Shalden is dated 1554). The family held the farm until the sale to John Wood, Esq., Lord of the Manor of Shalden in 1847. The extent of the land farmed was significantly greater than today and in 1810 a plan of the Estate of Thomas Gregory, Esq. is produced showing a total of 247 acres, mostly to the South East of the farmhouse (now Holme Farm) and some of the fields on the lane toward Shalden Green including two strips of land which probably date from feudal times. The plan also seems to indicate that the Old Forge was part of the farm complex, along with some large farm buildings where an avenue of Beech trees now stand.

Plan of the Estate from 1810

In the Hampshire Subsidy Assessment of 1586 William Gregorie is assessed on lands for £3/4s whilst William Kingsway, gent. paid £12/16s for the Manor, these are largest two assessments in the parish.

In the Hearth Tax of 1665, William Gregory is assessed on a total of 5 hearths, whilst Thomas Crowcher, who presumably held the Manor, was assessed on 12. 

Based on these two early records it is speculated that the farm was the principal yeoman’s farm to Lord of the Manor during the medieval period.

In 1631 there is a royal grant to William Guidett of Herriad, gentleman ‘for the marriage (and the value of the marriage) of William Grigorie, late son of John Gregorie deceased and now a royal ward’. It includes a schedule and valuation of the land to which William Gregorie is entitled including property in Shalden of ‘messuage and 50a. land, ½a. meadow, 10a. pasture with appurtenances called Gregories Farm; 20a. land called Shrubb; late part of the manorial waste; 10a. land called Bradnam, held of the king from the honour of Leicester as part of the duchy of Lancaster’ [Ref 44M69/B37]

In 1677 Thomas Crowther of Shalden, yeoman, leases land to Ann Lewkenor for 7 years referred to as ‘the capital messuage called Shalden and land called Todberries, Pigeon House Mead and Hop Garden’ [see below, 1841 Tithe map reference under parcel 61 and 64].

Dates of Wills and Inventories of the Gregory family of Shalden are as follows:

John Gregory, 1554 [Ref 1554B/046]

William Gregory, 1604 [Ref 1604A/26]

William Gregory (senior), yeoman, 1688 [Ref 1688A/047]

Stephen Gregory, 1716 [Ref 1716AD/038]

Thomas Gregory, 1745; William Gregory, 1778; James Gregory, 1795; Dolly Gregory, 1828 [Ref 17M48/296]

In 1710 there is a marriage settlement between Thomas Page of Shalden and Dinah Bristow of Alton with a conveyance of a dwelling house in Shalden to Samuel Wise of Alton. The property ‘abutts on to a hop garden belonging to William Gregory on the north west, the highway from Shalden to Alton on the west, William Knight's land on the east, and William Gregory's land to the south.’ [Ref 4M51/378] and [Ref 901.7/8 Alton Museum]

In 1729 there is a transfer of land (60 acres) between William Gregory and Thomas Crowcher and Katherine, his wife. [Ref 17M48/263-264]

 In 1765 a map is made showing the extent of Fishers Lands, in Shalden, then held by William Gregory. [Ref 4M51/379]

In 1780 James Gregory of Greywell, gent. enters into an annuity contract for a house and land in Shalden with an annual value of £32. In 1784 James Gregory above leases 'a house and 140 acres' in Shalden. [Ref 17M48/274-275]

In 1807 there is a lease between Thomas Gregory, gent, of Odiham only son and heir of James Gregory, deceased and others [Ref 17M48/285] and further leases by Thomas in 1810 [Ref 26M54/34] and 1820. In 1841 Louisa Leonora Grinham is shown as the occupier of 222 acres belonging to Thomas Gregory Esq.

In 1846-47 the Gregory family enter into various legal proceedings to sell the farm to John Wood, Esq.  [Ref 17M48/295] There is a declaration of Henry Holding of Shalden, yeoman concerning holdings in Shalden belonging to Thomas Gregory, with plan attached - stated to be a copy of the tithe award, 1841 [Ref 17M48/299] 

During this time in 1859 Richard Grinham is shown as the farmer of Gregory's Farm in the Hampshire Gazetteer.

In 1930 the Farm, along with the Shalden Manor Estate, is transferred by trustees of John Gathorne Wood to Miss Gertrude Mary Wood, who sells the farm to Albert Edward Bechely Bechley Crundall in April 1931.

In 1932 Albert sells his interest to Alexander Crundall.

In 1951 Alexander Crundall sells the farm to Dorothy Gordon Yair Wilson, wife of John Henry George Wilson

Country Life advertisement, 1951

In 1958 the farm is purchased by Cecil John Manaton Ommanney

Shortly after there appears to be a transfer to Walter Burns Drysdale and Helen Drysdale, who later sell the farm to Sir Richard George Kitchener Way.

In 1986 the farm is sold by Sir Richard to Olaf Joachim Winkler and Susan Elizabeth Joyce Winkler Von Stiernhielm

In 2016 Luke Gregory Ward Howard Taylor, the present owner, purchased the farm and wrote this history.

Country Life advertisement, 1966