Norton Villa by Wendy Cope

More: Landmark Houses >

More: Articles by Wendy Cope >

More: Norton, Mumbles >

NORTON VILLA

This house was built before 1802 when it was mentioned in the Swansea Guide and it may already have been the property of Henry Andrews, formerly a Captain in the 24^th Regiment of Infantry who came from Lincolnshire.

In June 1807 the adjoining estate of West Cross House was for sale and Henry bought it. He moved his family into West Cross and let Norton Villa.

At All Saints church in July 1828, one of Harry’s daughters, Harriet Sophia, reputedly a self willed young lady with a fiery temper, married John Harry Hammond Spencer, who was only just past his 21^st birthday. As part of the marriage settlement the young couple were given West Cross House and Henry moved to Norton Villa. Unfortunately, the marriage was not a happy one. His second son, Alfred, followed his father’s profession and was appointed 2^nd Lieutenant in the 21^st Foot in 1834 while another son went into medicine. Henry died in 1838.

In 1842 Henry’s widow, also Harriet Sophia, left Norton House for a time and it was offered to let furnished for two years. Possibly she went to live with one of her children. She did not return and in 1845 her furniture and effects were sold.

Charles Andrews, Henry’s eldest son, acting for his mother, let the house again. They had a succession of tenants. In 1850 C. B. Mansfield lived there. He was later clerk to the Local Board of Health. He was followed in 1851 by R.T. Ridge. He owned a racehorse and hunter called Elvino which he offered for sale in 1848 as an 8 year old for £100. It did not sell and he advertised each March for the next 14 years that it would be available at Norton Villa to serve the mares of gentlemen and farmers.

It would seem that Harriet Sophia returned to Norton Villa some time in the 1850s as she was taxed there. She paid for a carriage and one horse and for a manservant for the 1856-7 tax year. She died at Norton Villa at the end of 1857, aged 81. Another notice in 1859 advertising that the house was to let bore Miss Andrews name. John Allen, an agent in the copper works, took the house but left in 1864. He was an older man whose son was feted for winning a rifle shooting competition in Lancashire. Allen was followed by Philip Henry Beer, a solicitor, who was in residence when his son George was baptised at All Saints in August 1868 but by August 1871 when his daughter Ellen was baptised he had moved to Alexandra Terrace. In 1871 the tenant was Thomas Pyers Mostyn.

The next tenant was Walter Masters who brought his new 18 year old bride to live here in 1874 or early 1875, but she was not happy and left her husband to return to London on 25th October 1875. He discovered where she was living in New Street Pimlico, and that she was visited there by Mr Hamilton, who stayed overnight. Divorce proceedings were undertaken and a decree granted in July 1876.

By 1880 Edward Evans, a man of independent means, lived at Norton Villa with his family. In 1891 John Angel, a colliery agent, his wife and daughter were there for the census and another colliery agent, Irishman Dennis O,Sullivan followed him by 1894 and stayed until 1903. David Thomas was there by 1905. At this time Norton Villa still belonged to Elizabeth Andrews but by 1910 it had been sold to Spencer Thomas who lived at the Villa himself. In February 1930 there was a fire at the house when floor boards at the top of the stairs were set alight by an electrical fault leaving Mr Thomas with a bill for £75.

Like the other big houses in the area Norton Villa was used by the army during World War Two and in the late 1940s it became a clinic serving the Oystermouth area and was the place where mothers collected the government orange juice and cod liver oil for their toddlers. It was demolished in 1992 and a new clinic and surgery was built for the doctors of the Mumbles Medical Practice who had previously been at Glyncerrig in Newton Road.

The new clinic was officially opened in October 1994 by Professor

Bernard Knight (third left).

Drs. Glanville Hughes Jones, Adrian Lloyd, Kevin Hockridge,

Neil White and Tracey Jones. Dorothy Rees (practice manager).

21^st May 1808

TO BE LET

For three or six months

Norton Villa, about three miles and a half from Swansea, a most pleasant and desirable situation for a small genteel family.

Part of the furniture may be had at a fair valuation; but if the premises be not previously let the FURNITURE together with a small Rick of HAY will be SOLD by auction on Wednesday the 25^th of May next. To begin at 10 o’clock in the morning.

Further particulars may be had on the premises.

20^th December 1834

Mr Alfred Andrews, second son of Capt. Andrews of Norton Villa, near Swansea, has been appointed Second Lieutenant in the 21^st Foot, or Royal Ninth British Fusiliers, vice M’Gregor, promoted. Gazette.

5^th February 1842

TO BE LET, READY FURNISHED

For a term of two years

Norton Villa, distant from Swansea four miles, and may be entered into on Lady Day next; a very pretty Cottage Residence, replete with every convenience, and fit for a small genteel family. The house, which has a Veranda in front, commanding a full view of the bay, consists of a vestibule, dining and drawing room, kitchen,servants’ hall, store closet and larder, four comfortable bedrooms, and lady’s morning room, with underground cellars; and detached from the house is a large back kitchen and wash house, with laundry over, which if not otherwise required, might be converted into a good sleeping room for servant men, four stall stable, coach house, coal and shoe house, dog kennel and spacious yard; with an excellent Kitchen and Flower Garden, well stocked with the choicest fruit and flowers. Within five minutes walk of the sea and high road leading from Swansea to the Mumbles, where public conveyances pass daily.

The situation is undeniably beautiful, with extensive views of the opposite coast of Somerset and Devon, and in a respectable neighbourhood.

A field also may be had if required immediately adjoining the garden.

Applications to be made to the Editor of The Cambrian, and a view of the Premises any day from twelve until four (Saturday and Sunday excepted)

1^st March 1845

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

By Mr Geo. Turton Stroud on Thursday March 13^th 1845

The household furniture and contents of Mrs Andrews who is leaving Norton Villa. Mahogany tables, sofas, chairs, Kidderminster carpets, Brussels hearth tongs, kitchen requisites, fenders, fire irons, mahogany sideboard.

The sale to commence at 11 o’clock a.m. Catalogues may be had at the office of the Auctioneer a week before the sale, No 2, Nelson Terrace, Swansea.

11^th August 1848

FOR SALE

A highly bred Irish horse called ELVINO. The horse, eight years old, winner of 18 places including the Ascot Stakes. A very showy bay, excellent with foxhounds, a clever fencer. Ran with the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds.

To save trouble, sell for £100. May be seen at Norton Villa.

14^th October 1859

TO BE LET

UNFURNISHED FROM CHRISTMAS NEXT

NORTON VILLA containing four bedrooms, a dressing room, drawing room, dining room, housekeeper’s room, kitchen, pantry, china closet, water closet and underground cellar. The outbuildings consist of a green house, a four stalled stable, coach house, cow house, back kitchen with man servant’s sleeping room, coal house and poultry house.

A good walled garden stocked with the most choice fruit and flowers. A small field will be let with the house.

For particulars apply to Miss Andrews.

Notes of other events at Norton Villa found in the Cambrian newspaper-

23 Dec 1837 Death of Mary, eldest daughter of Nathaniel Worsley

13 Sep 1850 Birth of a son to C. B. Mansfield

24 Oct 1851 Sale of furniture of R. T. Ridge

20 Nov 1857 Death on 14^th Nov aged 81 of Harriet Sophia, widow of Henry Andrews of West Cross.

11Nov 1859 Furniture sale 9 Nov 1860 Capt J. F. Allen, son of J. Allen of Norton Villa wins rifle competition at St Helen’s, Lancs.

Assessed government taxes – Year ending April 1857

Mrs Andrews – Norton

Rent or annual value £20 Duty 15 shillings

Male servants over 18 1 “ £1 1 shilling

Carriage driven by 1 horse 1 “ £2

Horses over 13 hands 1 “ £1 1 shilling

Total £4 17 shillings

She did not have a dog or armorial bearings.