Rowland Crewe ALSTON J.P. M.A. [4061]

  General Notes:

Rowland was J.P. Lord of the Manor and Patron of the living of Odell.
Educated at Brighton and Peterhouse College Cambridge, B.A.
1876. Lived at Harrold Hall, Bedfordshire.

Rowland Crewe. Alston. College:PETERHOUSE Entered: Michs. 1872
Born: 14 Feb 1852 Died: 12 Jan 1933 Adm. pens. at PETERHOUSE, Oct. 1, 1872. S. and h. of Crewe (1848), Esq., of Odell, Beds. B. Feb. 14, 1852. Matric. Michs. 1872; B.A. 1876. School, Brighton College. Adm. at the Inner Temple, Nov. 23, 1877. Of Odell Castle, Beds. J.P. Lord of the manor. Patron of the living and owner of almost the whole village with which he and his ancestors had been associated for over 300 years. Twice married and had issue. Died Jan. 12, 1933, aged 81. Buried at Odell. Brother of Vere S. (1872). (T. A. Walker, 541; The Times, Jan. 13, 1933; Burke, L.G.)
Cambridge University Alumni

55 ALSTON, Rowland Crewe (1852-1933) [Who Was Who May 2003]
Categories: Biography Summary: Details: ALSTON, Rowland Crewe, JP; eldest son of late Crewe Alston, and 1st wife, Mary, eldest daughter of late Rev. Hugh Speke, Dowlish Wake, Somerset; born 1852; married 1882, Mary Elizabeth, only daughter of late Richard Alison Johnson, JP, Woolton House, Lancaster; one son three daughters. Education: Brighton; St Peter's College, Cambridge (BA 1877). Work: Lord of the Manor of Odell; Patron of one living. Heir: son Rowland [late Coldstream Guards; born 1888; married 1910, Dorothy, eldest daughter of late C. G. Pym]. Address: Odell Castle, near Bedford. Clubs: Arthur's Wellington. Died: 12 January 1933
Ref: Know UK CD - Colin Fenn

Bedfordshire
Magistrates for the County 1890
Rowland Crewe Alston Harrold Hall Bedford
Kellys Directory Bedfordshire 1890.

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service: Orlebar Archive
F H Orlebar (1869-1951) (nee Bourne)
Diary and account Book of Faith Orlebar, Hinwick House
FILE [no title] - ref. OR 2344/3 - date: January - December 1894
Tim Alston's lesson in Butter Churning 5 September 1894
"I had heard from Miss Wormald, who half promised, but does not quite like doing so, to let her servant speak for Mr Alston in Court of Law" (probably Alston v Alston Divorce Case) 12 September 1894 end of Ruth and Robin's visit 21 September 1894
Ref A2A

Damaging the Wood.
Charles Hoddle, shoehand, of Wollaston, was summoned for damaging underwood to the extent of 6d, the property of Mr R Crewe Alston, at Odell, on September 19. Edward Kennedy said that he saw the defendant breaking the underwood as he gathered the nuts. There were two others beside defendant, but they gave false names and addresses. Fined 1s and the costs 7s 6d. (This type of activity was regularly reported)
Bedfordshire Times and Independent 25 October 1901.

In 1907 Rowland Crewe Alston sold Harrold Hall to Arthur Cecil Tyrrell Beck JP MP [Liberal, Saffron Walden] for L9,000 [X604/28]. Five years later Beck and Florence Mary, his wife, with their mortgagees sold the Hall back to the Alstons - specifically to Alexander Rowland Alston, Leslie Ruthven Pym and Herbert Wykeham Lydall as trustees for Rowland Alison Alston of Turvey Abbey and Dorothy Mildred, his wife for L6,000 [Z528/2]. Interestingly this conveyance notes a restrictive covenant of 1907 against building in Church Field.
In 1927 property in Harrold was valued under the Rating Valuation Act of 1925; every piece of land and building in the country had to be valued to determine the rates to be paid upon it. The valuer visiting Harrold Hall [DV1/R49/71-77] noted that the owner was Captain Alston RA and the occupier E.Arkwright - rent, fixed in 1921, being L200 per annum. He remarked: "Shown around by butler"; "Holme oak right opposite front door and terrace"; "Absolutely plain front".
The hall was built of stone and slate, facing south with a: "Nice stone terrace. Very poor ought to be a good porch". The front hall measured 16 feet by 18 feet, the north facing lounge hall 18 feet by 30 feet ("good"); there was a lavatory [in the sense of a place to wash] and wc. There was a small conservatory measuring 17^1/2 feet by 8 feet ("unused"), then, through a passage to the south-east, a smoking room measuring 23 feet by 17^1/2 feet ("unused"). There was also a south drawing room with parquet floor measuring 20 feet by 29^1/2 feet ("very nice room") and a south dining room 29 feet by 18^1/2 feet ("very good room"). Through a door lay the servants' quarters comprising a butler's pantry, a safe ("very good"), a service hatch ("from kitchen to corner of Butler's Pantry direct to Dining Room - very good"), a south kitchen measuring 23 feet by 18 feet ("bad), a scullery ("fair"), back stairs, a door to an old cellar and, down a stone passage, a brushing room, knife room, drying room and the back door to the servant's hall ("fair"). There was also a store room, a larder ("good") and, of course, the aforementioned cellar.
Ref: http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/archivesandrecordoffice/communityarchives/harrold/harroldhall.aspx

Castle Blaze
80 Year Old Squire as Firefighter
Fire broke out this morning at Odell Castle, the residence of Mr R C Alston, 12 miles north of Bedford. It is one of the oldest country seats in Bedfordshire.
It has been in the possession of the Alston family for at least 300 years, and contains valuable antique furniture.
In recent years however it has not been occupied, its owner the present head of the family, Mr Rowland Crew Alston, who is 80 years old and a Justice of the Peace having moved into a bungalow in the village of Odell of which he is Squire.
The estate gardener acts as caretaker, and he discovered the outbreak shortly after 10 AM. The villagers at once organised a firefighting party, but they were unable to cope with the fire, and an urgent call was sent for the Bedford Brigade.
When the Brigade arrived the South West wing of the castle which is more of a country mansion than a castle, was well alight, but as a good supply of water was available, the flames were prevented from spreading.
Soon after noon the outbreak was definitely under control, and by 2:30 it was practically out. The South West corner of the Castle was badly damaged.
Among those who helped to fight the fire was Mr Alston himself.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 24 February 1931.

Death of Owner of Odell Castle.
An Ancient Family.
The head of the well-known Bedfordshire family of Alston, Mr Rowland Crewe Alston, died yesterday (Thursday) at his present residence a bungalow in Little Odell, at the age of 81. For many years he resided at Odell Castle, the historic old mansion at Odell which has been in the Alston family for over 300 years, but he removed to the bungalow on the grounds of health over two years ago, and a few months later a destructive fire caused serious damage to the Castle. Last year the work of restoration was begun and it was stated in the Sharnbrook district that Mr Alston had expressed his intention of going back there to live, but in November the restoration work was discontinued. Mr Alston's death, in spite of his great age, was unexpected, and it may have been due to the prevalent influenza, from which most of the residents of the bungalow, including Mrs R C Alston are suffering.
Mr Alston who sat regularly on the Sharnbrook bench of magistrates up to recently, was one of the best-known men of North Bedfordshire. He was a convinced Conservative in outlook and was regarded by some as living behind his times. He opposed all change, and in recent years had been engaged in a fight with the Bedford Rural District Council over the housing conditions in his village. A Council housing site was acquired by compulsory powers, and Council cottages were recently built and occupied by tenants of some of Odell's old property. For many years he was a familiar figure in the neighbourhood, which he used to range on horseback. One of his regular rides was to Sharnbrook on bench days. This and his holding of the office of Churchwarden of Odell were his only public duties, for he abhorred the democratic developments of his day and the local governing bodies that came in their train. He tilted with the county council some years ago over the question of Yelnoe Lane, which runs through the Odell estate, and his recent opposition to the Rural District Council's ideas was another example of his reaction to 20th century ideas.
The late Mr Alston was the eldest son of Mr Crewe Alston and of his first wife, Mary, eldest daughter of the Rev Hugh Speke, of Dowlish Wake, Somerset. He was educated at Brighton and at St Peter's College Cambridge, where he took his B A degree in 1877. He married in 1882 Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Alison Johnson, of Woolton House, Lancaster, and had one son and three daughters. His heir, Mr Rowland Alston, was born in 1888 and served in the Coldstream Guards. Mrs Rowland Alston was a daughter of the late Mr C Guy Pym, Conservative member for Bedford at the beginning of the century. The two surviving daughters are Mrs Boycott and Mrs Coles. In later life Mr Rowland Crewe Alston married again and he leaves a widow and a young son and daughter.
Mr Alston occupied Odell Castle for just over 20 years. On his first marriage he came to live at Turvey house and later moved to Harrold Hall. In his younger days he travelled abroad and at one time owned a ranch in America. He was a keen follower of the Oakley hunt, and this together with shooting were his favourite pastimes.
At Odell Mr Alston was Lord of the Manor, patron of the living, and owner of practically the whole village, with which he and his ancestors had been associated for well over 300 years. Recently he had appointed a new incumbent to succeed the late Rev J J McNair at the Parish Church, whose walls bear Alston memorial tablets dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. His burial will take place in the ancient family vault in the churchyard, but at the time of writing the date and time had not been fixed.
Bedfordshire Times and Independent 13 January 1933.

OBITUARY
The Times 13 January 1933 pg 14 col B.
Mr R. C. Alston.
Mr Rowland Crewe Alston, JP., of Odell Castle, near Edward, who died yesterday, was lord of the manor, patron of the living, and owner of almost the whole of the village, with which he and his ancestors had been associated for over 300 years. Mr Alston sat regularly on the Sharnbrook Bench of magistrates till recently, though he reached the age of 80 in February, 1932. He opposed all change, and in recent years had been engaged in a contest with the Bedford Rural District Council over the housing conditions in his village. A council housing site was acquired by compulsory powers and council cottages have recently been occupied.
Mr Alston was educated at Brighton and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1877. He married, in 1882, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Alison Johnson, of Woolton House, Lancaster, and had one son and three daughters. In later life Mr Alston married again, and he leaves a widow and two young children. His heir, Rowland Alston, was born in 1888, and served in the Coldstream Guard's. He lives in London and his wife was a daughter of the late Mr C. Guy Pym, Conservative member for Bedford. In 1930 on account of his health Mr Alston moved from the Castle, one of the historic buildings of Bedfordshire, to a bungalow at Little Odell, and in the following year great damage was done to the Castle by fire. Last year restoration work had begun on it, but this was stopped in November. Mr Alston first came to live in the district after his marriage 50 years ago, when he took Turvey House. After that he went to Harrold Hall, and over 20 years ago went into residence at Odell Castle. He was a fine horseman, and up to recent years a regular follower of the Oakley hounds.

His Grave in Odell Churchyard reads "Rowland Crewe Alston born February 14 1852 died January 12 1933"

Local Wills.
Mr Rowland Crewe Alston, JP, of Odell Bedfordshire, left settled land of the value of £21,332.
Bedfordshire Times and Independent to February 1934.

Alston Rowland Crewe of Cox's Close Odell Bedfordshire died 12 January 1933 Probate (save and except settled land) Birmingham 2 April 1935 to Catharine Alston widow and Leonard Gibbard Stileman-Gibbard MA of no occupation. Effects L2752 2s 1d. Former Grant PR January 1934.
National Probate Calendar.
*

  Research Notes:

A2A Ref Bedford RO DV1/R/49 re Alston houses refers to a survey carried out on the 17 Feb 1927 of Odell castle and buildings in occupation R C Alston who advised part of the house was being pulled down, there was no electricity on and the house contained at least 11 brms. The surveyors comments include "dreadful entrance, kitchen tiny poor, bathroom awful, grounds very poor not kept up in anyway, place quite unlettable impossible to value say L.100"

Kellys Handbook of the Upper Ten Thousand 1878 - Crewe Alston. J.P. Beds. Venn House Ughbourough Ivybridge South Devon.

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service:
Agricultural Officer (Land Agent) and Smallholdings/County Farms Estate Archives
Catalogue Ref. AO
Creator(s):
Bedfordshire County Council, Agricultural Officer
Bedfordshire County Council, Land Agent
Agricultural / Legislative matters
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts - ref. AO/A4
Applications for Possession
FILE [no title] - ref. AO/A4/1/1 - date: 1921-1925
Roland Crewe Alston of Odell Castle, Odell for land occupied by William Solesbury

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service:
BEDFORD RURAL DISTRICT - PLANS
Catalogue Ref. RDBP
Creator(s):Bedford Rural District Council
PLANS
FILE - Plan (2), Letter (3). Bungalow, Moat Farm, Odell. Owner - RC Alston; Builder - Estate office Odell - ref. RDBP 1/770 - date: 27 September 1924
FILE - Plan and Letter. Site and drainage plan for bungalow, Odell Estate, nearly opposite Mad Dog, Odell. Owner - Miss JB Alston, Odell Castle; Builder - Edgar Clayson, of C Clayson and Sons - ref. RDBP 1/851 - date: 6 June 1925
FILE - Plan and Letter (3). Leanto extnsn. to factory, Odell. Also included a bundle of letters re effluent from factory with protest by Mr Alston 22 Jul 1929 - 10 Dec 1930. Owner - The Odell Leather Co.; Builder - A Kirton and Son, Nthmptn - ref. RDBP 1/1430 - date: 3 May 1930
Ref A2A

In the Bedfordshire Times and Independent of 23 October 1931, page 8 a notice of Compulsory Purchase Order of Land under the Housing Act was published giving notice of the acquisition of 1 acre of field more or less in Horsefair Lane Odell owned by Rowland Crew Alston. (At a public hearing reported in the Bedfordshire Times and Independent of 22 January 1932 the Rural Council sought further land in Odell, it argued that housing in Odell was of a very poor standard. Rowland continued to refuse to sell any of his land for new public housing, arguing that he had vacant houses for rent.)

Pictures of Harrold Hall: http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/archivesandrecordoffice/communityarchives/harrold/harroldhall.asp

British History Online
Stevington Manor
. . . . . In 1623 Sir Samuel Tryon and his wife Elizabeth alienated the manor to George Tuke, (fn. 55 ) who in 1636 conveyed it to William Alston. (fn. 56 ) It thus became attached to Odell (q.v.), with which parish its history is henceforward identical. In July 1873 two portions of this estate, described as 'the Manor Farm, 246 a. 24 p., and fishing in half the river,' and 'Burley Farm, situated at Pickshill,' were advertised for sale, and became the property of the Duke of Bedford. (fn. 57 ) This farm became later the property of Mr. F. C. Higgins of Turvey, who recently sold it to Mr. Cauvin of Bedford. With these exceptions, the manor of Stevington has remained in the Alston family, and is at present the property of Mr. Rowland Crewe Alston of Odell Castle.
Ref: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42380
*

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, The Rectory Teversall NTT. Rowland is described as Roland pupil aged 9 scholar born Odell

2. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, Harrold Hall BDF. Roland is recorded as head of house married aged 39 living on own means born in Odell BDF

3. Alston v Alston: Divorce, 1894.
Divorce Court File: 16503. Appellant: Mary Elizabeth Alston. Respondent: Rowland Crewe Alston. Type: Wife's petition [wx]. Covering dates 1894
The National Archives, Kew

DIVORCE CASE, ALSTON v. ALSTON, MARTEN AND GOODWYN.
This case came before the President of the Probate and Divorce Division on Thursday, it being the petition of the husband, Mr. Roland Crewe Alston, for the dissolution of his marriage with the respondent, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Alston, on the ground of her alleged adultery with the two co-respondents Major Marten and Captain Goodwyn.
Mr. Pritchard, who appeared for the petitioner, said that this was a suit for a divorce brought by the husband against his wife. The misconduct alleged was with the co-respondents Major Marton and Capt. Goodwin. The case was originally in the special Jury list, but an application had been made to discharge that order.
The petitioner married the respondent, who was then a Miss Johnson, on Aug. 17th 1882. He was entitled to some property in Bedfordshire, while the respondent was a lady of fortune, being in receipt of nearly £8,000 a year, and there were three children of the marriage. They lived at Harrold Hall, Bedfordshire. Owing to the respondent's extravagant habits in 1890 it was arranged that they should go to India to travel with a view of retrenching expenses.
The respondent, it appeared began to prefer the society of other gentlemen to that of her husband. He spoke to her about it, and there was a violent scene. Subsequently they went to Cairo and stayed at the Continental Hotel, where Mrs. Alston made the acquaintance of Major Marten, who was connected with the police there, and afterwards Captain Goodwyn. Marten was staying at the same hotel, and while the husband was away on shooting trips it was alleged he misconducted himself with Mrs Alston. It appeared that Mrs. Alston afterward sent Captain Marton a scarf-pin, and he thereupon wrote her a long letter in endearing terms, which letter was afterwards found among Mrs. Alston's bed linen at an hotel. This letter was of such a character that it could not be read in open court, but his Lordship would see that it pointed clearly to adultery having been committed at Cairo.
In 1893 they left Egypt, but by different routes, he coming part of the way on a bicycle. When he came home he found Major Marton at Harrold Hall, and after remonstrating with her, the co-respondent left the Hall. Subsequently the petitioner went to Holland and during the time he was away Capt. Goodwyn stayed at Harrold Hall, no other gentleman being there except Mr. Alston's father.
On one occasion the nurse heard the footsteps of a man late at night going from the bedroom where the captain was sleeping in the direction of Mrs. Alston's bedroom and the same footsteps were heard returning from the lady's room to the bedroom about 5 o'clock in next morning.
Later on, the respondent stayed at the Pump Room Hotel, Bath and Captain Goodwyn stayed there at the same time, she passing as his sister. On the husband's return in July 1893, there was a violent scene between Mr. and Mrs. Alston which ended in her leaving her husband. There was a family consultation and Mr. Alston went abroad. On his return in March 1894 his wife absolutely refused to see him; after that there were negotiations for a deed of separation but they did not come to terms.
In July 1894 the respondent filed a petition of judicial separation against her husband on the grounds of his alleged cruelty, which charge the petitioner denied. The petitioner having given evidence bearing out the learned counsel's opening statement, Mr. Charles Coles, Chief of Police in Cairo, proved the handwriting of a compromising letter addressed to Mrs. Alston, which was found at the Grand Hotel to be that of Major Marton. Albert Witton, formerly valet at the Grand Hotel, who found the letter, also gave evidence as to seeing Mrs. Alston on the afternoon of June 18 1893, go into Capt. Goodwyn's room and remain there for some time.
The manager of a firm of Bond Street Jewelers stated that in May 1893, Mrs. Alston ordered a moonstone scarf-pin from his firm and that the parcel was sent to Captain Marton at Cairo. The letter which referred "inter alia" to the pin was then put in. The President. - Must I read all this; there are 26 closely-written pages? (Laughter) Mr. Prichard called his Lordship's attention to certain marked passages in a "copy". Mr. Spearman, however, objected to the letter going in, on the ground that it was not evidence against either Mrs. Alston of Captain Marton. The President said this same question had been raised before him in the "Burke" case, and he had decided that under similar circumstances such a letter was admissible.
Here the lady after receiving this letter had received the writer as her guest. A nurse in Mr. Alston's service having spoken as to Captain Goodwyn's conduct when he was visiting Mrs. Alston at Harrold Hall. The President said he had no doubts as to either case. The letter clearly showed that the writer had previously misconducted himself with the lady, and she had afterwards received him at her house.
There would be a decree 'nisi', with costs against both co-respondents and an order for the custody of the children. On application of Mr. Pritchard, an order for costs was made against the respondent as well.
Bedfordshire Times 10th August 1895
The Times 9 August 1895

4. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, Harrold Hall BDF. Rowland is recorded as head of house a widower aged 49 living on his own means born Odell.

5. Census: England, 2 Apr 1911, Odell Castle BDF. Rowland is recorded as head of house aged 59 a widower the owner of the estate, born Odell. There are no other family recorded as living house.

6. Rowland Crewe Alston: Harrold Hall.
Rowland live much of his life at Harrold Hall moving to Odell after the death of his father.
Harrold is the next village to Odell approx 1.5 miles in distance.

Harrold Hall
The house was built on the site of Harrold Priory by Francis Farrar between 1608 and 1610. Farrar was the eldest son of Ralph Farrar, a London grocer. Ralph had bought the site and buildings of the former priory in 1558 when the twenty one year lease of its first tenant, John Cheney, expired. Ralph died in 1560 and his property was divided between his two sons, Francis, according to a later marriage settlement getting "the mansion house or syte of the late Priory of Harrold". For many years it was accepted that this was in the west of the village where The Mansion now stands but recent research has shown that this house was a mansion built by the Greys as Lords of the Manor of Harrold whereas the priory lay, as one might expect, next to the church.

In the 19th century medieval tombstones of a type that would have been used for nuns, now in the church, were found in the grounds of the Hall. The Bedfordshire Mercury for 14th May 1887 relates: "A stone coffin, seven feet long and about three wide, has recently been found by some men employed by Mr.G.Osborne, contractor, while digging in a shrubbery at Harrold Hall; and Mr.R.C.Alston has taken charge of it". There is no indication as to what happened to the monastic buildings and some may have been adapted by Farrar to form part of the Hall, certainly the stone would have been reused.

The house stood immediately south-east of the church in the area where today's Hall Close is laid out. It had three storeys and was built in the common E shape with the front facing south towards the River Great Ouse. It was built of rubble stone and faced in ashlar. The entrance porch rose the full height of the house and was built of Weldon stone, the finer points being the work of a master mason from Northamptonshire called Thomas Grumbold. As the valuer in 1927, quoted below, says, the overall effect must have been similar to Hinwick House. The impressive porch was, however, destroyed in 1816 when a large two storey addition with flanking wings turned the E into a rectangle.

After Francis Farrer's death in 1616 the house passed to his son-in-law Sir Thomas Boteler but he leased the Hall out and one tenant, around 1625 was Margaret Mordaunt, daughter of Lord Henry Mordaunt. When she left in 1653 Sir Oliver Boteler became tenant on an eighteen year lease.

Around 1680 Richard Orlebar was tenant and probably died there in 1690; his inventory survives in The Orlebar Chronicles and names the rooms as shown on the plans aboveas: the great parlour; the hall; the little parlour; the best chamber; a room leading off the best chamber; the red chamber; a room leading off the red chamber; the dining room; the little closet; the painted room; the garret; the maid servant's room; the chamber at the stairs head; the men's chamber; the kitchen; the pastry room; the dairy; the washhouse; the brewhouse; the cheese chamber; the cellar. It is likely that the ground floor consisted of parlour, hall, little parlour, kitchen and pantry; the first floor had a dining room and two chambers; the top storey had a men's chamber for the male servants and a separate chamber for the maids with another chamber at the head of the stairs.

In 1702 the husband of Mary, daughter of William Boteler, sold Harrold Hall to Anne Joliffe of Harrold, widow (her monument is on a wall of the chancel of the church. She died in 1732 leaving all her property to her niece, Anne Alston, who married a famous physician, Richard Mead. She died in 1762 intestate and without issue and her property descended to her nephew Sir Thomas Alston of Odell.

The Alstons generally leased Harrold Hall out, to a Mrs.Lee in 1777, for example and between 1797 and 1815 to Lieutenant-Colonel Garstin of the Bedfordshire Militia. In 1816, however, it was lived in by its owner and it was he who built the centre block referred to above.

Image rooms at Harrold Hall in 1957

The 1841 census gives an idea of the numbers of staff employed at the Hall - the tenant and his wife were away, but their daughter was present:

Elizabeth Rodel - female - Governess - not born in Bedfordshire
Elizabeth Magenis - female - 12 - not born in Bedfordshire
Jessy Roach - female - 45 - F[emale] S[ervant] - born in Scotland, Ireland or foreign parts
Phoebe Davis - female - 36 - F[emale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire
Sarah Edwards - female - 35 - F[emale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire
Mary Irvine - female - 48 - F[emale] S[ervant] - born in Scotland, Ireland or foreign parts
Elizabeth Carter - female - 20 - F[emale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire
Samuel Sharman - male - 30 - M[ale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire
John Barnside - male - 25 - M[ale] S[ervant] - born in Scotland, Ireland or foreign parts
James York - male - 15 - M[ale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire
William Richards - male - 25 - M[ale] S[ervant ] - not born in Bedfordshire
George Youle - male - 21 - M[ale] S[ervant] - not born in Bedfordshire.

In 1865 the Hall was leased to Edward Marsh Harvey and the inventory of 1865 survives:
Housekeeper's Room: linen press; grate; 2 cupboards in pantry; 1 cupboard in closet;
Servants' Hall: cupboard; green stand; grate;
Kitchen: dresser and shelves; smoke jack; kitchen range with trevits; boiler; brass tap; roasting jack; complete hot plate and stoves; oven;
Scullery: partitioned copper with copper lid; grates; doors and frames to each; dresser; plate rack; snickstones;
Larder No.1: dresser and shelves; bacon rack; frame and hooks;
Larder No.2: dresser and shelves;
Butler's Pantry: linen press; linen press removed to stables; cupboard; grate;
Hall: 14 large family portraits; granite slab table; stove and piping [latter item crosed out and annotated "usless";
Drawing & Dining Rooms: Register stove; grates;
Library & Study: Register stove in each;
Staircase: 2 presses or closets;
Bed & Dressing Rooms: Register stoves to each [11 in all];
Attics: 2 cupboards; 4 grates;
Cellar: barrel stands; bottle rack;
Dairy: swing shelf; slab;
Passage leading to library: large glazed book case

Harvey terminated his lease in 1871 but Mrs.Harvey continued it.

By using directories one can determine a partial list of those living at Harrold Hall between 1839 and 1928 as follows:

1839: Colonel J.H.Lethbridge;
1847-1861: Major Richard Magenis (also McGuinness and M'Genis);
1864: Mrs.Magenis;
1869-1877: Mrs.Harvey;
1885-1898: Rowland Crewe Alston;
1910: Arthur Cecil Tyrrell Beck JP;
1914: Rowland Alison Alston;
1924-1928: Captain Esme Arkwright.
PK1-6-32 Harrold Hall estate sale plan - 19th century

Image Harrold Hall Estate sale plan 1907.

In 1907 Rowland Crewe Alston sold Harrold Hall to Arthur Cecil Tyrrell Beck JP MP [Liberal, Saffron Walden] for £9,000. Five years later Beck and Florence Mary, his wife, with their mortgagees sold the Hall back to the Alstons - specifically to Alexander Rowland Alston, Leslie Ruthven Pym and Herbert Wykeham Lydall as trustees for Rowland Alison Alston of Turvey Abbey and Dorothy Mildred, his wife for £6,000.
Interestingly this conveyance notes a restrictive covenant of 1907 against building in Church Field.

In 1927 property in Harrold was valued under the Rating Valuation Act of 1925; every piece of land and building in the country had to be valued to determine the rates to be paid upon it. The valuer visiting Harrold Hall noted that the owner was Captain Alston RA and the occupier E. Arkwright - rent, fixed in 1921, being £200 per annum. He remarked: "Shown around by butler"; "Holme oak right opposite front door and terrace"; "Absolutely plain front".

The hall was built of stone and slate, facing south with a: "Nice stone terrace. Very poor ought to be a good porch". The front hall measured 16 feet by 18 feet, the north facing lounge hall 18 feet by 30 feet ("good"); there was a lavatory [in the sense of a place to wash] and wc. There was a small conservatory measuring 17½ feet by 8 feet ("unused"), then, through a passage to the south-east, a smoking room measuring 23 feet by 17½ feet ("unused"). There was also a south drawing room with parquet floor measuring 20 feet by 29½ feet ("very nice room") and a south dining room 29 feet by 18½ feet ("very good room"). Through a door lay the servants' quarters comprising a butler's pantry, a safe ("very good"), a service hatch ("from kitchen to corner of Butler's Pantry direct to Dining Room - very good"), a south kitchen measuring 23 feet by 18 feet ("bad), a scullery ("fair"), back stairs, a door to an old cellar and, down a stone passage, a brushing room, knife room, drying room and the back door to the servant's hall ("fair"). There was also a store room, a larder ("good") and, of course, the aforementioned cellar ("small")

Image Jacobean staircase at Harrold Hall in 1957

Up the main stairs ("glorious oak staircase" "very very nice oak staircase") lay a wc ("old fashioned"), a small bedroom, a bedroom over the smoking room measuring 18½ feet by 21 feet, a "very nice light landing & passage", to the housemaid's cupboard and a bathroom ("bad"); then up seven stairs to a south bedroom over the drawing room measuring 20 feet by 19½ feet, a dressing room with a bath and lavatory ("Hot and cold") and a basin ("very good"). There was a south bedroom over the dining room measuring 18 feet by 19 feet and a dressing room "or large cupboard"; a door led to the servants' bedrooms. There was a south work room or nursery ("good"),a maid's room and back stairs and stairs to the second floor, a box room, a north bedroom over the pantry measuring 12½ feet by 18 feet, a north bedroom over the hall measuring 12½ feet by 15 feet ("used a store") and a north bedroom over the hall measuring 12½ feet by 17 feet.

Again up the main stairs lay the second floor comprising a wc, two rooms ("locked") used by Alston, a door to the billiard room ("locked") and then up back stairs to a boxroom, the maids' bathroom and wc, an old billiard room, a lounge ("Slope on roof one table reserved to Alston") measuring 52 feet by 18 feet, a small library, two maids' rooms, a box room, a servants' bathroom and wc ("general state of repair very bad").

Outside lay a boiler, a stone and corrugated iron coalshed, a stone and timber old coachhouse ("now unused"), an earth closet, a large barn ("Used for wood only"), a large coachhouse with a loft over, ("three pairs of doors, would hold 4 cars") with an inspection pit used for two cars, three loose boxes used for dogs, an engine room, a battery room, a loose box ("coke"), another loose box ("store"), a further loose box ("fuel") and another ("coal"), a four bay open shed by the entrance, a large walled kitchen garden ("good"),two heated glasshouses measuring 12 feet by 53 feet and 32 feet by 16 feet, a lean-to, an old stone and tile potting shed, a gardener's room and a store room ("all very poor"), a wood and thatch boathouse ("derelict"), a pumphouse ("E.motor") and a water tower in kitchen garden. The valuer remarked: "Grounds not too big but very neglected, run down to river. Nice terrace lawn in front of House. 2 nice yew hedges. Good entrance. Nice bay tree and stone terrace in front of House. Whole place sadly neglected".

The valuer remarked about the property in general: "Very old House much neglected. Very much like Hinwick House. Electric light but old central heating system not used now. Not quite fully occupied. Top floor is reserved to Landlord (except for maids' rooms and bathroom) & contain his furniture. House quite well planned. Grounds join Church only 35 yds from side door to Church. Back entrance is also way to Church so not private. North Elevation overlooks Church". His final remark: "Shown over by young butler who soon disappeared & left us alone"

Image Carlton Road showing part of entrance to Harrold Hall about 1920

In 1934 the Alston family looked to sell Harrold Hall and its land as well as their land and property in Odell. Harrold Hall was Lot 40 in the Odell Castle estate sale catalogue and was described as: "A Valuable, residential and Historical Property known as HARROLD HALL, HARROLD formerly the MANOR HOUSE…comprising Residence, grounds, Islands, Paddocks, Cottage, Stabling the whole extending to an area of about 11 acres 3 roods 1 pole THE TUDOR RESIDENCE is pleasantly situated facing South, overlooking the River Ouse and is in the centre of the Oakley Hunt. It is approached from the main road by a drive passing between an avenue of matured trees. It is constructed of stone with slated roof and the accommodation provides: - On the Ground floor

OUTER HALL about 18 feet by 16 feet 6 inches fitted with oak wainscoting of a height of about 5 feet. The panel doors leading from the Outer Hall are of old oak. Nearby is a Cloakroom and W.C.
INNER HALL about 30 feet by 18 feet with oak beam ceiling, open fireplace with carved oak chimney piece.
MORNING ROOM about 22 feet 9 inches by 18 feet. the floor is of oak parquetry.
DRAWING ROOM about 30 feet by 20 feet is decorated in the Adam style with panelled walls, moulded chimney piece and cornice fitted with large built-in cupboard and oak parquet floor.
DINING ROOM about 30 feet by 18 feet 6 inches. The first floor is approached by principal and secondary staircases, the principal being A FINE OLD JACOBEAN STAIRWAY OF CARVED OAK.
On the first floor are Seven Bedrooms and Two Bathrooms, W.C., also Housemaid's Pantry and Store Room. The sizes of the Bedrooms are 20 feet by 20 feet; 21 feet by 18 feet; 19 feet by 18 feet; 18 feet b y12 feet 6 inches; 17 feet by 12 feet; 15 feet 6 inches by 12 feet 6 inches and 13 feet by 12 feet. Approached by the secondary staircase are the Housemaid's Lobby, Day and Night Nurseries with Nurse's Bedroom.

The second floor is approached by principal and secondary staircases and the accommodation provides: - Billiard Room, four Bedrooms, Box Room, Servants' Bathroom, 2 W.C.'s and Housemaids' Sink.

THE DOMESTIC OFFICES of the residence comprise: - Butler's Strong Room, Servants' Hall, Butler's Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Larder, Store Room and Cellarage, Outside are: - Coke, Coal and Wood Stores and Furnace Room fitted with boilers for domestic hot water supply and central heating. THE STABLING and other Outbuildings are principally built of stone with tiled roofs and include 7 Loose Boxes, Engine and Battery Rooms containing electric light plant, Garage for 3 cars, harness Room, Barn, Cow Places, Piggeries &c.

WATER SUPPLY, LIGHTING, HEATING &c. The water is obtained from a well, being pumped to tanks in the House roof. Lighting is by private electric light plant but public supply is available and drainage is to cess pit. Central heating is installed.

Near the Outbuildings is a stone and tiled SIX ROOMED COTTAGE.

THE GROUNDS are tastefully laid out, contain a large number of ornamental and other trees and are bounded on the South by the River Great Ouse. The walled-in Kitchen Garden contains a large number of full bearing fruit trees. In the Kitchen Garden is the Pump House together with peach House, Greenhouse, Potting and other Sheds".

It looks as if the place did not sell as in 1938 it was conveyed by Alexander Rowland Alston, Leslie Ruthven Pym and Herbert Wykeham Lydall to Edgar Clayson. It was then uninhabited and became a barracks for the Pioneer Corps during World War Two [Bedfordshire Magazine volume 17 page 175].

The place was put up for sale by auction on 17th August 1949. The particulars added the following information to the 1934 catalogue:

The Outer Hall wall above the wainscoting were decorated with mouldings in the form of lions, griffins and other heraldic beasts. the open fireplace had a stone chimneypiece above which were mouldings in the form of Atlantes flanking the initials "E.R." and a large Tudor Rose;
the Inner Hall had an open stone fireplace with a carved oak chimneypiece;
the Drawing Room was described as: "facing almost due south and lighted by three large windows overlooking the Grounds and River. This room is decorated in the Adam style with panelled walls, moulded chimneypiece and cornice decorated with mouldings in a design of acanthus leaves";
"Off a back Landing and approached also by a secondary stairs: SEWING ROOM or DAY NURSERY (S) about 20 feet by 20 feet, with Georgian "duck's-nest" fireplace and marble surround…".
The place sold but the purchase was deferred until March 1950. After a small time as a private residence the Hall was destroyed, in what now appears an act of vandalism, in 1961. The Jacobean oak staircase was supposed to be installed in Cecil Higgins Museum Bedford but never reached its destination. Instead it is in the former Saint John's Rectory in Bedford, now the Saint John Ambulance Headquarters. The cast iron pillars and gates transferred to the entrance to The Mansion. The site of the house and its grounds were developed into Hall Close - a road of unexceptional executive homes.

The building accounts of Harrold Hall have survived and were transcribed and edited by John Weaver in Volume 49 of the Bedfordshire Historical Records Society publications called Miscellanea [1970]. He also drew the floor plans which are reproduced here, with the alterations of 1816 shown by dotted lines.

Ref: Bedfordshire Archives. https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Harrold/HarroldHall.aspx

7. Rowland Crewe Alston: Family groups in life and death, 1921.
Odell Family 1920's
L to R Rowland, Temperance on knee, Catherine McK, behind her Rowland Alison , young Crewe, Muriel - Rowlands wife, Aunt Beatrice (Tim)

Family on Terrace at Odell 1921
Standing L to R: Rosamund (Buddy) Alston, Catherine Alston (2nd wife of Squire), Muriel mother of Buddy, Dorothy wife of Rollo and at the end Aunt Tim.
Seated. L to R: Temperance, Sarah daughter of Rollo, Rowland known as the old Squire, Crewe and Lynette another daughter of Rollo.
(Kind permission of Temperance Alston Payne)

The Alston grave site Odell Churchyard.

Rowlands inscription. "Rowland Crewe Alston born February 14 1852 died January 12 1933"

8. Odell Castle: Fire, 1931.
Odel Castle as it was in the 18th C after the fire in 1931, rebuilt as it is today 1998

Rowland married Mary Elizabeth JOHNSON [4062] [MRIN: 1397], daughter of Capt Richard Alison JOHNSON [24612] and Lucy HEATHFIELD [24613], on 17 Aug 1882 in All Hallows Allerton West Derby LAN. (Mary Elizabeth JOHNSON [4062] was born about 1864 in Tiverton DEV.)

Rowland next married Catherine McKECHNIE [6387] [MRIN: 2140] on 23 Dec 1916 in Odell BDF. (Catherine McKECHNIE [6387] was born on 17 Sep 1890, died on 3 Oct 1945 in Odell BDF and was buried on 8 Oct 1945 in Odell BDF.)