Gracefield

Research by Joan West

The land upon which Gracefield was built had been acquired by John Carter Dell in 1823 at the time of the Enclosures of Princes Risborough. See John Carter & Elizabeth Dell

John and his wife Betsy had been living at and running the stores at the later named Vine Cottage for his father Thomas (Thomas Dell Jnr. & Mary,nee Carter) of Speen Farm. When his father's mortgagees forced him to sell up in 1838, John's brother Joshua (Joshua Dell born 1801) purchased the stores and John and Betsy moved to Gracefield, which had by then been built.

John Carter Dell died in 1840. Click John Carter & Elizabeth Dell for John and Betsy's history.

Somewhere in the vicinity, John had had built and consecrated in 1838, a private chapel for the Primitive Methodists. (The exact spot has not yet been proved)

Betsy Moved to live with her sons, and her daughters stayed at the house.

1871 Census. Oliver James Grace, 37, Curate of Saunderton

Between 1877 and 1880 a cottage was built in the grounds called Gracefield Cottage in which the gardener lived. See Grace Cottage

25th September 1907. Research note by Laurence Rostron. The Marchioness of Ely sold the contents of "Gracefield", Lacey Green, in a public auction in September 1907 having already "disposed of the residence".

The following advertisement was published in the Bucks Herald :-

By Messrs Winkworth & Co. Auction Wednesday 25th September 1907 at 11.30 for 12 o'clock By order of the Most Noble the Marchioness of Ely, "Gracefield", Lacey Green, Princes Risborough, Bucks.

The whole of the Excellent Furniture and Outdoor Effects, comprising :-

Clean Bedsteads and Bedding. Well made Mahogany and Pitchpine Bedroom Suites. Walnut-wood Drawing Room Suite. A Cottage Pianoforte by Collard & Collard. Several pieces of genuine Old English Furniture including Bow-fronted and Queen Anne Chests of Drawers and tables, grandfather's Clock, handsome Spanish Mahogany sideboard and Dining Chairs, Turkey, Brussels and other Carpets, Silk, Damask, Cretonne and Rep Window Curtains, Chimney Glasses, Clocks, and Ornamental Items, Few Oil Paintings and Prints, Services, China, Glass and Cooking Utensils and numerous Outdoor Effects

Viewing. The goods may be viewed the day previous to the sale and catalogues may be had of Mr. H Grover at the Railway Hotel, Princes Risborough; Messrs Winkworth, 22 Preston Street Brighton; or at the Auctioneers, Messrs Winkworth & Co, 12 & 48 Curzon Street, Mayfair, W.

3rd October 1907. Lease

Margaret Emma, the Most Honourable the Marchioness of Ely. leased to Annie Gertrude Elin, the above property for 14 years the house Gracefield, the coach-house and stable abutting on the private road into the public road with free liberty of ingress, egress and regress, with or without horses, carts and carriages.

28th February 1911 Conveyance

Annie Gertrude Elin, the present tenant, purchased from Margaret Emma, the Most Honourable Marchioness of Ely, subject to the lease of 3rd October 1907, for £3000, the premises known as Gracefield, together with the pieces of land adjoining, of 4 acres, 30 poles. Also the Right of Way to the Coach-house with adjoining stable, opposite The Black Horse public house, at Idle Corner.

The life of Miss Elin was researched by Laurence Rostron For her full life history see Annie Gertrude Elin. click Laurence & Linda Rostron for more about Laurence.

For her years at Gracefield in Lacey Green see Miss Elin, Gracefield, Lacey Green.

Newspaper report. On 16th December 1942 Eliza Bayman Carter then a tenant of Miss Elin suffered the loss of a large amount of silver. The discovery was made the following morning by Mrs Carter. The police are investigating.

1946 The executors of Miss Elin conveyed to Eliza Bayman Carter for £5,000, 4 acres, 30 poles with dwellinghouse and the stables and outbuildings known as Gracefield.

4th May 1949 Death of Mrs E B Carter.

1949 Sale plan of Gracefield. House within land cross hatched.

10th October 1950 The executors of Mrs E B Carter conveyed Gracefield to Phyllis Maud Jourdan for £2,750. (click Hans & Peggy Jourdan for he life story of the Jourdans).

Hans and Peggy Jourdan moved into “Gracefield”. Peggy had bought the house and less than an acre of land from the executors of Eliza Bayman Carter, the widow of Harold Carter, (click Harold Edward & Eliza Carter for more about the Carters)

In 1952 Peggy was able to purchase most of the rest of the estate, apart from Grace Cottage and its garden, which Hans bought in 1964.   They had two sons, Martin and Tom, and Martin moved into Grace Cottage when he married and considerably enlarged it.

Hans and Peggy lived at Gracefield 26 years   Hans was the Chairman of Parker Knoll’s “up – market” furniture factory in High Wycombe and one time Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers.   Peggy took an active interest in the community, as did Hans as opportunity arose.

28th January 1952. P M Jourdan conveyed to Harry Floyd the meadow land called Clarks Platt.

Hallmark August 1992. Planning Application. Fellingof 3 trees and works to 6 other trees - Gracefield, Main Road, Lacey Green