Mary Hare History - Arlington Manor before 1947

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Arlington Manor is a large country house 3 miles north of Newbury, Berkshire. It was bought by the trustees of Mary Hare Grammar School on 22 September 1947 for £21,400. Since those days, the price of property has risen considerably. In 2007, a large country house in a 100 acre estate in Berkshire would now cost upwards of £5 million.

The Manor was built in 1859 by John Dyne, a manager of a company of over 30 builders. The owners were as follows:--
1859-1879 Edgar Corrie and Margaret Corrie
1879-1905 Sir Francis Jeune and Lady Mary Jeune
1905-1947 Colonel James A. Fairhurst and Eva Louise Fairhurst


1859-1879 Edgar Corrie and Margaret Corrie
Edgar Corrie was born 22 June 1787 and he married Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Aston Byrom of Moor Hall, Cheshire. He worked as a merchant at one time based in Liverpool. The Corrie family is descended from the Scottish landed gentry, and further back into Norman baronetage (Baron Robert de Courci, b. 1006). Edgar and Margaret had nine children.

References:--
http://www.thepeerage.com/p6351.htm
http://www.corriebusinessgroup.com/research/corrie.php

For Sale advertisment 1879 For Sale advertisment 1879

On 27 June 1879 the manor was sold by auction to the next owner, Francis and Mary Jeune.


1859-1905 Sir Francis Jeune and Lady Mary Jeune
Francis Jeune was born 17 March 1843. Educated at Harrow School, and graduated from Oxford University. He embarked on a career in law, as barrister, then made a judge in 1891. In 1894 he was the President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division. He married Susan Mary Elizabeth Stanley (widow) 17 August 1881. He had one son by this marriage. In 1891 Sir Francis was created 1st Baron St Helier of the Island of Jersey. Sir Francis was also resident in 79 Harley Street, London, where he died 9 April 1905.

His wife, Mary Jeune, held a reputation for being a "society hostess", and received many important visitors. She was also involved in charitable work in London, including a holiday fund for poor children, and a "Rescue Home". She died 25 January 1931.

The Strand magazine published an article on Sir Francis Jeune, and his country residence Arlington Manor in 1894. Here are some quotes from the article describing the Manor:--

"About a couple of miles from Newbury - rich in reminscence of the troublesome times associated with the Cromwellian regime - is Arlington Manor. It is a substantially-built country manison - built of a peculiar spieces of Bath stone - and no matter from which of its four sides you view the outlook, it is 'as fair as fair can be'."

"Perhaps , however, the view from the veranda is the finest. The lawn is immediately before you; a little series of valleys and hills rise and fall until all is lost in the blue line of hills miles away..."

Photos show the Manor as it was in 1894:--

Arlington Manor front view 1894 Arlington Manor front view 1894

Outer Hall 1894 Outer Hall 1894

Inner Hall 1894 Inner Hall 1894

Drawing Room 1894 Drawing Room 1894

Dining Room 1894 Dining Room 1894

Study 1894 Study 1894

Cat Randolph 1894 Cat Randolph 1894

Three Dogs 1894 Three Dogs 1894

Pets Burial Ground 1894 Pets Burial Ground 1894

Sir Francis Jeune 1894 Sir Francis Jeune 1894

Sketch of Sir Francis Jeune 1894 Sketch of Sir Francis Jeune 1894

Lady Jeune 1894 Lady Jeune 1894

Children 1894 Children 1894

Sir Francis Jeune's Father 1894 Sir Francis Jeune's Father 1894


After the death of Sir Francis Jeune in 1905, Arlington Manor was sold by auction to the next owner, James Fairhurst, a barrister:--

For Sale advertisment 1905 For Sale advertisment 1905

References:--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Jeune,_1st_Baron_St_Helier
http://www.thepeerage.com/p5621.htm
http://www.defreitasbooks.com/illustrations/illVanity/vanitylaw6.html


1905-1947 Colonel James A. Fairhurst and Eva Louise Fairhurst
James Ashton Fairhurst was born 1867.

"By 1923, he was the Hon. Lieut. Col and High Sheriff for Berkshire. His recreation was hunting, fishing, and shooting. He was the last owner-occupier of Arlington Manor and its premises until his death on January 8th 1944."¹

He was also a keen golfer, and financed the building of Crookham golf course.

It is thought that Lady Jeune continued to reside in Arlington Manor until at least 1925.

References:--
http://www.newburygolf.co.uk/historyinphotos.html
¹"Through Eyes Not Ears", page 32 (Anthony J. Boyce & Elaine Lavery, 2005, publ. British Deaf History Association, ISBN 1-902427-20-3)


1947 Mary Hare Grammar School
Two publications announced the move into Arlington Manor in 1949.

Silent World November 1949 article part 1 Silent World November 1949 article part 1

Silent World November 1949 article part 2 Silent World November 1949 article part 2


Teacher of the Deaf 1949 article Teacher of the Deaf 1949 article

Researched by Tony Boyce, Victor Markham, Neil Alderman, Mr. Alan Treasure.
Arlington Manor photographs by Elliott & Fry, 1894, published in Strand magazine, volume 7, 1894.
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