Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Milland House

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Milland House

Milland House from across pond.

Driveway to Milland House

The Rev. John Moore Heath at Milland House

Rev. John Moore Heath - 1808 - 1882

Watercolour view of Milland House in 1867

Watercolour view of Milland House

Watercolour of a garden scene from the front steps at Milland House

Watercolour view of Milland House from the Beech Tree

Watercolour of the Clear Pond and steps at Milland House 1867

Clear Pond at Milland House - 1867

Saturday 8 August 1857
Sussex Agricultural Express
Magistrates' Clerk's Office, Aug 5.. - Present: Thos. Arnold Davis Esq.
Mary Harding, a young girl of about 14 years of age, was brought up in custody charged with having, on the 28th July last, feloniously stolen and taken away, a gold ring of the value of £1, three pairs of trousers, valued at 5s., one neck tie at 1s., one cape at 1s., the property of her master, Capt. Thomas Arundel Lewis, and one pair of  muslin sleeves, valued at 1s., the property of the Rev. Henry Glasson, clerk.
Prisoner, who had been in the service of Capt. Lewis, at Milland House, as nurse girl, but a fortnight, had nothing to say in her defence, and on the requisite depositions being taken down, she was fully committed for trial at the Chichester sessions, on the 22nd Oct. next.

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1857
John Moore Heath

In 1857, he bought Milland House with 25 acres of land, near Liphook, Hants. At that date the Portsmouth line had only reached Godalming Station, whence a two-hours coach drive over the Punchbowl line and Hindhead landed us near the house, two miles beyond Liphook. This isolated district was then typical of a bygone period, abounding in quaint old world characters. Among them was a certain "wise woman," a herbalist, who rode about with a supply of "simples," herbal remedies, and prescriptions, handed down no doubt from a remote period. Among the cottagers her reputation stood higher than that of any medical practitioner, but of these, it must be admitted, the nearest lived seven miles away. There was also the Mummers, who visited the houses at Christmas, fantastically attired, and gave performances of pantomime, recitations, fights with wooden swords, and so forth. One of them would enter exclaiming "Here comes I, Oliver Cromwell," etc. These rustic actors were the successors of the Mummers of old time. the churches and services of those days were decidedly archaic, according to present notions, the high pews had not been improved away, the parish clerk was still flourishing, choirs were unknown, and some of the clergy were of a very peculiar type.

After spending the summer of each year till 1865, he applied to the Bishop of London for the appointment of a Curate in charge, and made Milland his permanent home in that year. His deputy was Rev.W.D.Maclagan, afterwards well-known as Bishop of Lichfield, and Archbishop of York, who had charge of Enfield till July 1869, and the Vicar resigned the living in 1870

Milland was a remote, old-fashioned country house of antique appearance, and difficult of access, arranged in a style that would now be considered out of date. It contained a brewery, bakery, servants hall, and billiard table, but no bathroom, and the upstairs service of hot water was unknown in 1860. Here he lead the life of a student, and took pleasure in scientific recreations, viz.: an observatory, the compilation of barometric tables, and records of rainfall, most carefully worked out for a long series of years. He much enjoyed continental travel, and in 1863 visited Rome, Naples, etc. in company with J.C.Moore. Like his father, he was very fond of building, and spent large sums in alterations and improvements on the house and grounds, which were not unfrequently again altered or swept away in subsequent years. Indeed, for a long period, a band of workman was more or less employed about the place, entailing considerable disorder in the house, and discomfort to the family. His visitors comprised relations, besides some old school and Cambridge friends; but unhappily, owing to severe deafness, he was, to a great extent, deprived of the pleasure of social intercourse, and found the reception of visitors a great effort. He was a fine rider, and rarely missed this daily exercise.

The house was built by Peter Bettesworth in 1584, and was completely destroyed by fire November 6th, 1901. The interior contained a very fine staircase in oak, of Jacobean character, and the drawing room was fitted with some oak panelling of the same character and date. Two perennial fountains adorned the lawn, and good trout fishing was to be got in the ponds for those who understood the art. Altogether, it was a charming place of great natural beauty, but too much surrounded with trees, and built in a hollow; the rainfall too, was very heavy.

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Saturday 8 February 1868
Morning Herald, London
University of Cambridge Election. Mr Beresford hopes London Committee, British Hotel, Cockspur St. Deputy Chairman - Sir Thomas Watson, Bart., M.D., LL.D., 
First List - - - -
Heath, Rev. J. M., M.A., late Fellow and Tutor of Trinity, Milland, Liphook.

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Milland
Tuesday 4 November 1869
London Evening Standard
Liphook - Milland House - Freehold - On the Borders of Hants and Surrey. - A fine old Elizabethan Mansion, with modern improvements, standing high on sand and gravel soil,in about 25 acres of magnificently wooded and picturesque grounds, and commanding views of great beauty; there are extensive out-buildings, stabling, long carriage drive, ornamental lake, and fountains fed by springs, five cottages, and productive gardens. In one lot.

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Friday 17 March 1876
Hampshire Post and Southsea Observer
Wanted, a strong, active, and steady Man-Servant, suited to an invalid, and the work of a single handed place. Quiet family. State references and wages - Address M.H. Milland House, Liphook, Hants

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Wednesday 5 November 1879
Daily News London
Estate Exchange Report
Nov.4 - By Mr S.B.Clark, at the Mart - Hants - Liphook, the residence called Milland House and 25 acres, freehold, - sold for £7,300

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Friday 7 November 1879
Hampshire Post
Milland - Sale of Milland House -

On Tuesday the sale of this important property took place at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, London, Mr Samuel B. Clark being the auctioneer. The first bid was £6,000, and after a spirited competition, the property was finally knocked down, for £7,300, to Le Chevalier Robert Whitehead, a gentleman at present resident in the Isle of Wight; the fixtures on the premises realizing £135 additional. 

Milland House is a remarkably fine property, having been built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and being an excellent speciman of the Tudor style of architecture. It is beautifully situated on the slope of a hill, at the base of which is an ornamental piece of water, wherein, from certain points of view, the reflected image of the noble front of the mansion forms a remarkable inverted picture. 

The peculiarity is charmingly reproduced in photographs. The hills and valleys around are finely wooded, and the locality is a favourite one with artists. There are handsome pleasure gardens around the house, with lawns, terraces, walks and shrubberies in great diversity. 

From the upper grounds springs of water descend and supply jets d'eau and fountains in various parts of the gardens. 

The house comprises, on the ground floor, a spacious entrance hall, billiard-room, library, dining and drawing-room and concervatory. All these apartments are panelled with fine oak carving; and the ceiling of the principal rooms are also carved oak. 

Especially noticeable for the richness of its carvings is the grand staircase, which is understood to be from the designs of Inigo Jones. It is a masterpiece of construction and ornament; and is well worthy the reputation of that great architect. The upper floors contain sixteen bed-rooms and dressing rooms. The domestic offices are on a scale suitable to a mansion of this class, and comprise servant's hall, butler's pantries, kitchens, bake house, sculleries, dairy storehouses and other outbuildings of various kinds, with a courtyard. 

There is also a large kitchen garden with forcing pits, and residence for gardener. The stables are equally large and commodious. Beyond the gardens stretches an extensive lawn, prettily dotted here and there with timber; hence the views from the house and terraces are varied and delightful. 
It is in all respects a most attractive residence, comfortable as to its arrangement, splendid as to its position, and salubrious as to its locality.

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Friday 5 December 1879
Hampshire Post and Southsea Observer
Liphook - Milland House, within two miles of the Liphook Station - Sale of surplus Furniture and Effects.

Mr Samual B. Clarke having sold the freehold of the above valuable property, is instructed to sell by Auction, on the premises , on Wednesday, December 10th, 1879, at One o'clock precisely, the remaining portion of the Furniture and Effects, chiefly by Messrs Gillow and Co., including capital oak extending table, massive pedestal sideboard, set of 14 chairs; excellent billiard table and fittings, well-made oak bookcases, bedsteads, bedding, chests of drawers, washing stands, and usual bedroom appendages; sundry kitchen effects; a stack of fine meadow hay, a quantity of harness, a well built brougham, by an eminent make, &c., &c.
My be viewed on the day prior to and the morning of sale, and catalogues may be had on the premises; at the Royal Anchor Hotel, Liphook; the King's Arms and the Angel Hotel at Godalming; and the Auctioneer at his Offices, 8 New Cavendish St, Portland Place, London. W. 

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Friday 5 December 1879
Hampshire Post and Southsea Observer
Auction Sale - On Wednesday next, Mr John S. Clarke, will submit for sale, in lots, the surplus furniture left by the late owner of Milland House. An opportunity will thus be afforded to those who have not yet seen this fine old mansion. Catalogues and conditions of sale may be had at the Royal Anchor Hotel.

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Fire at Milland- 1899

Rapid flight of the inmates –

The most destructive fire that has occurred in this neighbourhood for many years broke out on Tuesday night, or early on Wednesday morning, in Milland House, the residence of Mr. C. Quentin.

It was not until after the inmates, Mr. and Mrs. Quentin, with their children and servants, had retired for the night that the fire was discovered, a nurse giving the first alarm.

The place was aglow when they made their escape from the building, hurriedly, in their night attire. The many valuables, some of them being priceless, had to go with the wreck; but Mr. Quentin did manage to save one or two cups he had, with his yacht, won, and prized.

From the time of its first discovery to the end was but three hours. It was, fortunately, a calm night, or the new racquet court, noble trees, and outbuildings, would have been endangered.

The house was purchased by Mr. Quentin some time ago from Mr. Macdonald, the latter occupying it with his wife and two daughters for some years.

Mr. Whitehead, of torpedo fame, was the immediate owner, the latter securing it at a sale by auction at Tokenhouse Yard.

Mr. Quentin had spent a considerable amount of money in improving the house and its near surroundings. It is stated that everything was fully insured; but the inconvenience and loss to Mr. Quentin will be very great, and much sympathy with him in this sad disaster is expressed in the neighbourhood.

The Fire Brigade at Petersfield received the call, and, arriving at the scene of the outbreak as early as possible, were promptly at work. There was a plentiful supply of water; but the house being semi-timbered, no part of it could be saved, and the place was gutted.

Milland House, situate two miles from Liphook and six from Petersfield, was formerly the residence of the Rev. J. M. Heath, patron of Milland. [‘both patron and rector’ corrected] It was picturesquely situate below the hill, and presented a pleasing and irregular outline of quaint gables. It was of tolerable antiquity, and suffered much from alterations.

The interior contained a very fine staircase in oak of Jacobian character, and said to be the work of Inigo Jones. There was also some good oak paneling of the same character and date. The situation of the house is marvelously beautiful; and the view from the garden front scarcely surpassed in the southern part of England.