Feltham, Hanworth and Bedfont

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The History of Feltham Lodge—Past and Present

The original Feltham Lodge was built between 1754 and 1800 for Mr John Cole Steele, who lived there until 1802. He owned a lavender shop in Catherine Street, near the Strand in London.

One Friday night Mr Steele travelled by coach to Hounslow from his shop and walked across Hounslow Heath towards his home when he was brutally murdered. The following day, when Mr Steele did not arrive at his shop, his brother-in-law set off to find him. He went to the barracks in Hounslow to ask soldiers if they could help him in his search. The soldiers found Mr Steele's body in a ditch on the north side of the Staines Road, close to the barracks. He had been struck on the head.

For many years this road was the haunt of highwaymen and robbers. It was one of the main roads out of London, and the part which crossed Hounslow Heath (which was of course much bigger in those days) was a hazardous place, being isolated and pitch black at night.

The murderers were not found until 1806, when a man named Hanfield was about to be transported for stealing a pair of shoes. Hanfield confessed to being with two other men called Haggerty and Holloway, who had murdered Mr Steele. Haggerty and Holloway were arrested, tried and hanged. On the day of the execution outside Newgate Prison in 1807, a crowd of 30,000 people gathered to watch the scene. When the execution was over, there was confusion in the crowd and over 31 people were crushed to death and over 40 people were injured.

In the year 1845, some forty years after, another tragic accident happened, described by local historian Mr F. Clive-Ross in his book "The Church of St Mary the Virgin, East Bedfont". Mr Clive-Ross noted an entry in the burial register for September 19 1845 - "Georgiana Charlotte Theobald, Feltham, Middlesex. Sept 19th. 29 years. Killed by a fall from her horse - buried by order of the Dept. Coroner for the County of Middlesex". Mr Clive-Ross continued "Mrs Theobald was a widow and lived at Feltham Lodge, in Harlington Road West, Feltham. She left a six year old daughter. She is described as being 'well known in the sporting world', and had been on a business visit to Twickenham with a gentleman friend named Brittle, and a groom, William Higgs. On her way back she went into a field belonging to a Mr Humphries, a farmer at Hanworth, in order to exercise her horse, as she said the roads were too hard. About half way back across the field her horse, Woodbine, fell down, and the pummel of her saddle breaking, she was pitched about a yard before it, falling on her head. Two surgeons were summoned from Hampton but they pronounced her case hopeless. She was taken home, her hair was cut off and leeches applied, but she never recovered consciousness, and died the following morning.)"

Another report of Mrs Theobald's unfortunate death was made in "The Times" of September 16th 1845 :- "Yesterday afternoon, Mr Mills, deputy Coroner for West Middlesex, and a jury of 13 unhabitant house-holders of the county, assembled in the drawing room of Feltham Lodge near Hounslow to enquire into

the circumstances connected with the melancholy death of Mrs Georgiana Charlotte Theobald, age 29, a widow lady, lately resident as above, and well-known in the sporting world, who was killed by being thrown from her horse on Friday last".

Records of all the owners of the old Feltham Lodge were burned during the war and have melted into a solid block. However, from an inventory preserved from the fire, the following can be made out :-

July 12th 1861.*Conveyance Charles Moss Esq. and others to ****Edwin Williams Esq.

April 12th 1867.*Conveyance Mr Edwin Williams to Mr John ****Tharatt.

Sept 11th 1879*Mortgage Mr John Tharatt to William Reid Esq.

Sept 9th 1882**Reconveyance William Reid Esq. to Mr Thomas ****Woodward.

**___________________________________

THE PRESENT LODGE

In 1882 plans for the present lodge were drawn up and in the same year the old building was demolished. The new lodge, standing in some 6 acres, was built in 1888 by Mr Whiteway, father-in-law of the late Mrs Whiteway, whose son, until the recent renovations, lived in the house. The owners of the house had their own vegetable patch, a pond and a croquet lawn. At the front of the Lodge, either side of the entrance gates were large lamps, part of which can still be seen. The stables and the coach house are part of the original property and are almost certainly those known to Mrs Theobald.

In the grounds there are several large old trees, including a cypress and a mulberry. It has been said that during the building of the houses in Beckett's Close and Field Road, Mrs Whiteway was concerned about the health of some of the trees that had been on her property and would put a hose over the brick wall to give them a good watering.

Members of our Age Concern also remember enjoying garden parties given by Mr & Mrs Whiteway on the lawns.

Lavender Court, a development of 29 sheltered flats run by the London Borough of Hounslow, was built next to Feltham Lodge in 1986. Feltham Lodge was renovated at the same time for the use by Age Concern. Most of the original features have been retained including what was though to have been the Japanese leather wallpaper which is, in fact, discovered to be the first Lincrusta wallpaper, as well as wood panelling, mosaic flooring in the hall and beautiful ceilings and fireplaces. Visitors to Feltham Lodge can also see what were the kitchen quarters and back stairs. Unfortunately, the glasshouse/conservatory leading off the main activities room could not be kept. The billiard room against which the conservatory once stood is now a communal room for the residents of the sheltered unit and visitors to Feltham Lodge. The gardens, shared by the residents of the unit and visitors to Age Concern are tended by the London Borough of Hounslow, and Age Concern volunteers and staff.

An information booklet describing the work of Age Concern is available and any member of staff will be pleased to show visitors around the building.

Thanks to the Local History Society, and volunteers Harjit Singh and Mrs C Graham who helped in the research.

Feltham Lodge in winter
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