The house
The history of St. John's House really begins with a man named John Imber who was captain of Lord Bolton's watch station at Yarmouth.
The history of St. John's House really begins with a man named John Imber who was captain of Lord Bolton's watch station at Yarmouth.
He had two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth. Ann married a man named William White of Newport, but Elizabeth married one Thomas Paterson of Conduit Street, London, and while married to him had a daughter also named Elizabeth.
He had two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth. Ann married a man named William White of Newport, but Elizabeth married one Thomas Paterson of Conduit Street, London, and while married to him had a daughter also named Elizabeth.
However, her marriage to Paterson was to be only her first for, after his death, she married a George Ross, Esq.
However, her marriage to Paterson was to be only her first for, after his death, she married a George Ross, Esq.
George Ross owned a parcel of land called Troublefield, which took its name from Turberville, the name of a family who had owned it some hundreds of years earlier. This Troublefield was part of the medieval manor of Preston.
George Ross owned a parcel of land called Troublefield, which took its name from Turberville, the name of a family who had owned it some hundreds of years earlier. This Troublefield was part of the medieval manor of Preston.
When George Ross died there was no surviving issue from his marriage to Elizabeth Imber and so he left the land of Troublefield to her daughter by her first marriage, Elizabeth.
When George Ross died there was no surviving issue from his marriage to Elizabeth Imber and so he left the land of Troublefield to her daughter by her first marriage, Elizabeth.
This Elizabeth in 1766 married Colonel William Amherst of Argyll Street, Westminster, and it was he who built the house of St. John's in about 1769 on the land she had inherited, naming it after St. John's in Newfoundland where he had been governor. It was a marine residence built of stone in Georgian style as a place suitable for spending summers.
This Elizabeth in 1766 married Colonel William Amherst of Argyll Street, Westminster, and it was he who built the house of St. John's in about 1769 on the land she had inherited, naming it after St. John's in Newfoundland where he had been governor. It was a marine residence built of stone in Georgian style as a place suitable for spending summers.
When he died on the 13th May, 1781 the house passed to his son, William Pitt Amherst. This Amherst had little interest in St. John's and the estate was twice let, firstly in 1782 to a gentleman named Samuel Leeke and secondly in 1793 to Sir Archibald Macdonald.
When he died on the 13th May, 1781 the house passed to his son, William Pitt Amherst. This Amherst had little interest in St. John's and the estate was twice let, firstly in 1782 to a gentleman named Samuel Leeke and secondly in 1793 to Sir Archibald Macdonald.
Sir Archibald Macdonald was a man of great importance being Attorney General from 1788 to 1792 and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer from 1793 to 1813 when he was created a baronet.
Sir Archibald Macdonald was a man of great importance being Attorney General from 1788 to 1792 and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer from 1793 to 1813 when he was created a baronet.
He also had connections with the Ryde, or Ride as it was then, area. Firstly, his wife was Lady Louisa, daughter of the Marquis of Stafford and her sister married Dr. Edward Vernon, Archbishop of York, and their tenth son was Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt of St. Clare, the Island's M.P. from 1852 to 1857. Secondly, Sir Archibald's son, Leevison, was buried at St. Helens on 6th November 1792. Sir Archibald left the house in 1796 when William Pitt Amherst sold the house to Edward Simeon of London.
He also had connections with the Ryde, or Ride as it was then, area. Firstly, his wife was Lady Louisa, daughter of the Marquis of Stafford and her sister married Dr. Edward Vernon, Archbishop of York, and their tenth son was Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt of St. Clare, the Island's M.P. from 1852 to 1857. Secondly, Sir Archibald's son, Leevison, was buried at St. Helens on 6th November 1792. Sir Archibald left the house in 1796 when William Pitt Amherst sold the house to Edward Simeon of London.
It is not known why he bought St.John's but he must have been pleased with it because in 1797 he employed the famous landscape gardener, Humphrey Repton, who was involved in work on Kew Gardens in London, to lay out the grounds of St. John's. Repton was then in partnership with John Nash, an architect, and he visited St. John's while on the Island planning Nash's gardens at East Cowes Castle. Repton was one of the first landscape gardeners to use rhododendrons as there were only fifteen species known to English nurserymen at the time and he used them at St. John's. Even today the grounds contain some beautiful rhododendrons.
It is not known why he bought St.John's but he must have been pleased with it because in 1797 he employed the famous landscape gardener, Humphrey Repton, who was involved in work on Kew Gardens in London, to lay out the grounds of St. John's. Repton was then in partnership with John Nash, an architect, and he visited St. John's while on the Island planning Nash's gardens at East Cowes Castle. Repton was one of the first landscape gardeners to use rhododendrons as there were only fifteen species known to English nurserymen at the time and he used them at St. John's. Even today the grounds contain some beautiful rhododendrons.
During his ownership Edward Simeon appointed a John Hunt as bailiff and a Mrs Mary Locke as housekeeper. When he died aged 54 on 14th December, 1812 he left in his Will £200 each to John Hunt and his wife, together with all the pigs on hand at the time of his death. To Mrs Locke he also left a sum of money.
During his ownership Edward Simeon appointed a John Hunt as bailiff and a Mrs Mary Locke as housekeeper. When he died aged 54 on 14th December, 1812 he left in his Will £200 each to John Hunt and his wife, together with all the pigs on hand at the time of his death. To Mrs Locke he also left a sum of money.
Apparently Edward's marriage produced no children for he left St. John's House to his nephew, Richard Godin Simeon, who took on St. John's in 1813, and on 8th April of that year married Louisa Edith Barrington, eldest daughter of Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington of Swainston, near Calbourne.
Apparently Edward's marriage produced no children for he left St. John's House to his nephew, Richard Godin Simeon, who took on St. John's in 1813, and on 8th April of that year married Louisa Edith Barrington, eldest daughter of Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington of Swainston, near Calbourne.
on 26th September, 1833, Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington died and his five daughters were co-heirs to his Estate. Louisa was left Swainston and therefore her husband, Richard, now Sir Richard, became master of two Estates on the Island.
on 26th September, 1833, Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington died and his five daughters were co-heirs to his Estate. Louisa was left Swainston and therefore her husband, Richard, now Sir Richard, became master of two Estates on the Island.
It seems unlikely that Louisa was left much else for, nine years later, Richard Godin Simeon was raising two mortgages of £15,000 each on the Estate of St. John's, part of the money being put up by his nephew, Sir George Baker. By this time the Estate consisted of 313 acres as he had added a considerable amount of land himself. After another nine years he raised a mortgage of £8,000, making a total of £38,000.
It seems unlikely that Louisa was left much else for, nine years later, Richard Godin Simeon was raising two mortgages of £15,000 each on the Estate of St. John's, part of the money being put up by his nephew, Sir George Baker. By this time the Estate consisted of 313 acres as he had added a considerable amount of land himself. After another nine years he raised a mortgage of £8,000, making a total of £38,000.
On his wife's inheritance of Swainston it appears that Sir Richard lost interest in St. John's other than as a source of income as it was let to a number of gentlemen from 1834. The first was the Reverend J. Fowler until 1839 when his place was taken by E. Grossmith, Esq., who in turn was followed in 1841 by J. Fazakerly, Esq. In 1843 Sir Richard himself moved back until 1852 when the house was let to Augustus Frederick Hamilton, Esq., who stayed until 1861.
On his wife's inheritance of Swainston it appears that Sir Richard lost interest in St. John's other than as a source of income as it was let to a number of gentlemen from 1834. The first was the Reverend J. Fowler until 1839 when his place was taken by E. Grossmith, Esq., who in turn was followed in 1841 by J. Fazakerly, Esq. In 1843 Sir Richard himself moved back until 1852 when the house was let to Augustus Frederick Hamilton, Esq., who stayed until 1861.
Augustus Frederick Hamilton, Esq., lived in the area for some time and died on the 17th March 1871 aged 83 at Wilmington House, St. John's Park. He had been an Attorney in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta, and when he died left in his Will £500 to the poor of the parish of St. Helens, which then included the St. John's area.
Augustus Frederick Hamilton, Esq., lived in the area for some time and died on the 17th March 1871 aged 83 at Wilmington House, St. John's Park. He had been an Attorney in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta, and when he died left in his Will £500 to the poor of the parish of St. Helens, which then included the St. John's area.
As early as 1833 land was put out to lease and by 1840 East Hill Road was laid out with the building of villas beginning shortly afterwards. When Sir Richard Godin Simeon died on 4th January 1854 the Estate was receiving £260 per year in rents, and in the same year St. John's Park began to be laid out as we know it today.
As early as 1833 land was put out to lease and by 1840 East Hill Road was laid out with the building of villas beginning shortly afterwards. When Sir Richard Godin Simeon died on 4th January 1854 the Estate was receiving £260 per year in rents, and in the same year St. John's Park began to be laid out as we know it today.
On the death of his father John Simeon became Sir John, Bart. and inherited the Estates of St. John's and Swainston. As he had little interest in St. John's it was rented out firstly to Mr. Hamilton who had already been there for some time and then in 1861 to Sir Edward Westby Nunn who owned two seats in County Wexford, Hill Castle and St. Margaret.
On the death of his father John Simeon became Sir John, Bart. and inherited the Estates of St. John's and Swainston. As he had little interest in St. John's it was rented out firstly to Mr. Hamilton who had already been there for some time and then in 1861 to Sir Edward Westby Nunn who owned two seats in County Wexford, Hill Castle and St. Margaret.
In 1862 Sir John came back to the house in which he had been born, until 1864 when it was let to Mrs. Helen Gladstone, sister of the famous liberal Prime Minister for a couple of years. She had previously lived at the Priory between St. Helens and Seaview for some time. As Sir John was Liberal M.P. for the Island for some years it is possible that Mrs. Gladstone heard of St. John's from her famous brother. (In Victorian times some spinsters were called Mrs. usually as a mark of respect). She was still living at St. John's in 1866 when it was owned by Henry Thompson.
In 1862 Sir John came back to the house in which he had been born, until 1864 when it was let to Mrs. Helen Gladstone, sister of the famous liberal Prime Minister for a couple of years. She had previously lived at the Priory between St. Helens and Seaview for some time. As Sir John was Liberal M.P. for the Island for some years it is possible that Mrs. Gladstone heard of St. John's from her famous brother. (In Victorian times some spinsters were called Mrs. usually as a mark of respect). She was still living at St. John's in 1866 when it was owned by Henry Thompson.
In 1858 £34,000 was still outstanding on the mortgage raised by Sir Richard Godin Simeon and the leasees began to wonder exactly who owned St. John's and how valid their leases were, so that in 1861 the Estate was the subject of an Act of Parliament, the 'Sir John Simeon's Leasing Act'. This Act cleared up the matter by confirming the leases already granted and allowed Sir John to grant still more leases. By the time the Act was passed the Estate was receiving £760 per year in rents.
In 1858 £34,000 was still outstanding on the mortgage raised by Sir Richard Godin Simeon and the leasees began to wonder exactly who owned St. John's and how valid their leases were, so that in 1861 the Estate was the subject of an Act of Parliament, the 'Sir John Simeon's Leasing Act'. This Act cleared up the matter by confirming the leases already granted and allowed Sir John to grant still more leases. By the time the Act was passed the Estate was receiving £760 per year in rents.
In the time of Edward Simeon the grounds of St. John's were bounded by Appley Rise and what is now Marlborough Road and extended to the present site of St. Johns Station in the west and Westridge Garage in the south. However, Simeons had been losing much land to housing estates such as St. John's Park and in 1865 Sir John decided to sell the remainder by auction.
In the time of Edward Simeon the grounds of St. John's were bounded by Appley Rise and what is now Marlborough Road and extended to the present site of St. Johns Station in the west and Westridge Garage in the south. However, Simeons had been losing much land to housing estates such as St. John's Park and in 1865 Sir John decided to sell the remainder by auction.
A recent map showing the extent of the estate at the time of the auction.
On the 19th and 20th September, 1865 the auction comprising 169 lots took place at Ryde Town Hall. It was conducted by Messrs Driver of London. Lot 1 was the ground rent of the houses on both sides of the Strand; Cleveland Lodge, Dover House, etc., Lot 40A was Sturbridge House in 14 acres built by Mr. Robert Yelf on the site of a cottage known as Little Appley (it has now reverted to its former name of Little Appley), Lot 74 and 75 were Troublefield Farm and Lot 70, with just 16 to 20 acres of its former 313 left, was St. John's House. The house was sold to H. Thomspon, Esq., later to be Sir Henry, for £12,900 and the sale was completed on 7th March, 1866. It seems he may have bought the house as an investment as there is no record of his living there, indeed the house was empty for a time.
On the 19th and 20th September, 1865 the auction comprising 169 lots took place at Ryde Town Hall. It was conducted by Messrs Driver of London. Lot 1 was the ground rent of the houses on both sides of the Strand; Cleveland Lodge, Dover House, etc., Lot 40A was Sturbridge House in 14 acres built by Mr. Robert Yelf on the site of a cottage known as Little Appley (it has now reverted to its former name of Little Appley), Lot 74 and 75 were Troublefield Farm and Lot 70, with just 16 to 20 acres of its former 313 left, was St. John's House. The house was sold to H. Thomspon, Esq., later to be Sir Henry, for £12,900 and the sale was completed on 7th March, 1866. It seems he may have bought the house as an investment as there is no record of his living there, indeed the house was empty for a time.
Henry Thompson's ownership was to last just five years because on 27th May, 1871, he sold the house to John Peter Gassiot and his youngest son Sebastian for £13,000. Although there were only 20 acres left with the house J.P. Gassiot called in Mr. W.B. Page of Southampton to landscape the grounds and in October 1871 an addition was made to the house in the form of a right wing. This work was undertaken by a Mr. Binfield Bird of Cowes.
Henry Thompson's ownership was to last just five years because on 27th May, 1871, he sold the house to John Peter Gassiot and his youngest son Sebastian for £13,000. Although there were only 20 acres left with the house J.P. Gassiot called in Mr. W.B. Page of Southampton to landscape the grounds and in October 1871 an addition was made to the house in the form of a right wing. This work was undertaken by a Mr. Binfield Bird of Cowes.
On 27th June, 1877, J.P. Gassiot's youngest daughter, Anne Wright Gassiot, married General Henry Carr Tate, R.M.A. at St. John's Church and the house was given to her presumably as a wedding present. On 15th August her father died at the house.
On 27th June, 1877, J.P. Gassiot's youngest daughter, Anne Wright Gassiot, married General Henry Carr Tate, R.M.A. at St. John's Church and the house was given to her presumably as a wedding present. On 15th August her father died at the house.
The following year Mrs. Carr Tate's brother Sebastian, now Captain Gassiot, R.N., was living at the house but only for a short time and General and Mrs Carr Tate lived at St. John's until the General's death in 1901.
The following year Mrs. Carr Tate's brother Sebastian, now Captain Gassiot, R.N., was living at the house but only for a short time and General and Mrs Carr Tate lived at St. John's until the General's death in 1901.
Mrs. Carr Tate lived on for some years and at her death willed the house to her nephew, the Rev. Thomas John Puckle, M.A. The Estate was now valued at £3,930, this drop in value since 1871 may have been due to a decline in the demand for property in Ryde. He resigned his living at St. Peters in Barnsley and took up ownership of St. John's House on Valentine's Day, 1913 and there he lived until his death there in December 1920.
Mrs. Carr Tate lived on for some years and at her death willed the house to her nephew, the Rev. Thomas John Puckle, M.A. The Estate was now valued at £3,930, this drop in value since 1871 may have been due to a decline in the demand for property in Ryde. He resigned his living at St. Peters in Barnsley and took up ownership of St. John's House on Valentine's Day, 1913 and there he lived until his death there in December 1920.
February 1920 saw the death of Mr. Maurice Chessell, formerly a gardener at St. John's, who had spent nearly one hundred years in the area and was one of the first worshippers at St. John's Church. Born in 1832 we are given some idea of what life was like for the ordinary man in Victorian and Edwardian times by the fact that he had never been in a railway carriage and had only visited Portsmouth once.
February 1920 saw the death of Mr. Maurice Chessell, formerly a gardener at St. John's, who had spent nearly one hundred years in the area and was one of the first worshippers at St. John's Church. Born in 1832 we are given some idea of what life was like for the ordinary man in Victorian and Edwardian times by the fact that he had never been in a railway carriage and had only visited Portsmouth once.
On the 28th February, 1921, the house passed to the Rev. Puckle's sister Elizabeth Dorothea and her husband Harold de Vaux Brougham, (its value now being £5750) until his death in the 1930s. His wife continued to live at the house until World War II and was joined at some time by Miss Gladys Johnston, a niece of Brougham's and a manager of Gassiot School.
On the 28th February, 1921, the house passed to the Rev. Puckle's sister Elizabeth Dorothea and her husband Harold de Vaux Brougham, (its value now being £5750) until his death in the 1930s. His wife continued to live at the house until World War II and was joined at some time by Miss Gladys Johnston, a niece of Brougham's and a manager of Gassiot School.
On 11th October, 1945, the Estate was acquired by a property firm Orten Estates Limited whose registered address was Baker Street Station, Marylebone, London, NW1 for £8,500. They held St. John's for nearly two years before selling the land to the Isle of Wight County Council for £12,000 on 16th July, 1947. The Diocese of Portsmouth now owns the buildings with the IW Council having responsibility for maintenance.
On 11th October, 1945, the Estate was acquired by a property firm Orten Estates Limited whose registered address was Baker Street Station, Marylebone, London, NW1 for £8,500. They held St. John's for nearly two years before selling the land to the Isle of Wight County Council for £12,000 on 16th July, 1947. The Diocese of Portsmouth now owns the buildings with the IW Council having responsibility for maintenance.
St. John's became Ryde Church of England Secondary Modern School in 1947, its first floor being a flat for the headmaster, Mr V.P. Evans and his wife and family until 1954. The rest of the house was used as classrooms and the basement as a P.E. area with two classrooms, and was also the area where school dinners were eaten, the dinners then being delivered every day. The present library area contained a staircase to the top floor.
St. John's became Ryde Church of England Secondary Modern School in 1947, its first floor being a flat for the headmaster, Mr V.P. Evans and his wife and family until 1954. The rest of the house was used as classrooms and the basement as a P.E. area with two classrooms, and was also the area where school dinners were eaten, the dinners then being delivered every day. The present library area contained a staircase to the top floor.
The school became known as Bishop Lovett after the first Bishop of Portsmouth and in 1970, shortly after the arrival of headmaster Mr J.M. Longhurst in September 1969, schools on the Island were reorganized to implement the comprehensive system of education and Bishop Lovett became Bishop Lovett Church of England Middle School for children aged 9 - 13, which it remains today.
The school became known as Bishop Lovett after the first Bishop of Portsmouth and in 1970, shortly after the arrival of headmaster Mr J.M. Longhurst in September 1969, schools on the Island were reorganized to implement the comprehensive system of education and Bishop Lovett became Bishop Lovett Church of England Middle School for children aged 9 - 13, which it remains today.
It is interesting to note that the school has adopted the same motto as that of the Amhersts: Constantia et Virtute.
It is interesting to note that the school has adopted the same motto as that of the Amhersts: Constantia et Virtute.