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{{Short description|Historic estate in Devon, England}}
[[File:Bowden House - Totnes - geograph.org.uk - 42158.jpg|thumb|200px|Bowden House, Ashprington, Devon]]
{{distinguish|text = the historic [[Bowden, Yealmpton|Bowden estate]] in the parish of Yealmpton in Devon, England, nor the [[Bowden, Stoke Fleming|hamlet Bowden]] in the parish of Stoke Fleming in the South Hams district of Devon, England}}
'''Bowden''' is an historic estate in the parish of [[Ashprington]], near [[Totnes]] in Devon, England. The present mansion house known as Bowden House is a [[Listed building|grade I listed]] building and, having been modified over many centuries, is composed of various building styles, with an emphasis on English Baroque and Tudor.<ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-426815-bowden-house-totnes-devon#.VTEj_5O-sqc Listing text]</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Bowden House
| native_name =
| native_language =
| image = [[File:Bowden House - Totnes - geograph.org.uk - 42158.jpg|300px|]]
| caption = Bowden House
| type = [[Manor house]]
| locmapin = Devon
| coordinates = {{coord|50.4172|-3.6884|region:GB|display=inline,title |format=dms}}
| gbgridref =
| location = [[Ashprington]]
| area = [[Devon]]
| built =
| architect =
| architecture = [[Tudor architecture|Tudor]] and [[Georgian architecture]]
| governing_body =
| owner = The Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd
| designation1 = Grade I
| designation1_offname = Bowden House
| designation1_date = 7 January 1952
| designation1_number = {{Listed building England|1236034}}
| designation2 =
| designation2_offname =
| designation2_date =
| designation2_number =
| designation3 =
| designation3_offname =
| designation3_date =
| designation3_number =
| designation4 =
| designation4_offname =
| designation4_date =
| designation4_number =
| designation5 =
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}}
'''Bowden''' is an historic estate in [[Ashprington]] parish near [[Totnes]] in [[Devon, England]]. The present structure, known as "Bowden House", is a [[Listed building|grade I listed]] building<ref name=ref1>{{NHLE |num=1236034|desc=Bowden House |accessdate=12 December 2022}}</ref> and is built in a range of styles, mainly [[English Baroque]] and [[Tudor architecture|Tudor]], reflecting the range of periods it was built and edited over.


==History==
==Origins of the name Bowden==
Bowden was occupied by the de Braose family in 1154 but there remains no visible evidence of this period. The core of the current building likely originated from construction done for Thomas Giles (or Gyles, or Gylles) who acquired Bowden in 1464. About one third of a large Tudor mansion built for his grandson, John Gyles, in the beginning of the 16th century remains and was incorporated into the current building. Evidence of the original layout of Thomas Giles's construction is found in the existing cellar walls and the southern outer courtyard walls. The Giles Family lived at Bowden for about 250 years.
Two possible derivation have been put forward as to the roots of the word Bowden. Bowden’s elevated, yet sheltered, location would match the combining of the words ‘Boga’ and ‘Dunne’ - a phrase meaning ‘the crest of a hill’ or’ rounded hill‘ an explanation put forward and favoured by Humpreys (2003) . Considering that the original access route from Totnes was an eastern approach going straight over the hill this would seem to be appropriate. A second proposition derives the origin from the word ‘Bodeton’, in which ‘ton’ - from the Anglo Saxon ‘tun’ - means enclosure, farmstead or village, in this case belonging to someone named Bode or Bude (Fanthorpe, 1999) - again there is no further evidence to support this latter derivation.


Shortly after purchasing the house in 1704, Nicholas Trist enlarged it by adding ranges to cover two sides of the original building. However, he likely retained part of a north cross wing and the [[Tudor architecture|Tudor]] hall. In the 18th century, the hall became the main kitchen, with ovens and a massive chimney being added to the west side.
==Listing Description==
Bowden House was given a grade 1 listing in 1952, being one of less than 10,000 such building in the UK and so is in the same category as [[Windsor Castle]], [[York Minster]] and [[Blackpool Tower]]. Bowden House is thus considered of exceptional interest and of national importance. The Register of Listed Building provides the following description:
5180 GREEN LANE ---------- Bowden House (Formerly listed as Bawden House and Outbuildings of Bowden House) SX 85 NW 8/5 7.1.52. GRADE I Listing NGR: SX8014358848 Circa 1509 manor house built for John Gyles, remodelled with new south-east and south-west fronts circa 1700-04 for Nicholas Trist. 2 storeys. South-east facade, symmetrical with central entrance; 5 bay with fenestration 2:1:1:1:2. South-west facade, also symmetrical with 5 bays and fenestration 2:2:1:2:2. Hipped Welsh slate roof with rendered stacks. Devonian limestone ashlar with pilasters carrying entablature and parapet, plain 1st floor band. Architraved sash windows with glazing bars. Main entrance with architraved doorway, console bracketed entablature with pulvinated frieze and ½ glazed door (garden entrance with similar doorway with pediment): early C19 glazed porch. C16 range at rear with original doorways to former screen's passage; original main entrance (now internal doorway) of granite with arched head, moulded square surround with carved spandrels and hoodmould (similar doorway reused in C19 stable range. 3-light mullioned window with cavetto mouldings and hoodmould over former rear entrance. Early C19 stable block adjoining C16 range with arcaded stable yard. Symmetrical stable block with honey-comb brick treatment to 1st floor hay lofts, possibly for ventilation. Outbuildings incorporate doorway (see above) and other carved fragments from the C16 house. Interior Former Tudor hall, later the kitchen, retains a moulded plaster ceiling decorated with rib work and part of figured frieze; open fireplaces, one with early C18 mantle. C18 front room with earlier C17 panelling (brought from elsewhere in the old house) and similarly a fine carved chimneypiece with elaborate coat of arms and crowned supporters inscribed below Holophernies and Judith with date 1585. Elaborate C18 plasterwork to entrance hall including doorcase, niches, chimney- piece etc. Naturalistic classical ceiling. Medallion of Charles I dated 1735. Large panelled room over entrance hall. Fine mid C18 open staircase with open string, closely spaced, turned balusters, column newels and swept, moulded handrail.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1236034|title=Bowden House|website=National Heritage List for England|publisher=Historic England|accessdate=4 July 2016}}</ref>


In about 1800 Bowden was bought by the Adams family, who owned it until 1887. Their main contribution were the layout of the roofs of the current building. The ceiling in the 18th century south entrance hall carries a shield of arms of 'Adams of Bowden'. [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Sir Nikolaus Pevsner]] comments that it is "one of the few examples in the country of an essay in Baroque taste, the details rather better than the sum of the parts, as seen so often in provincial work. An early C18 date seems likely for most of the decoration, although some of the embellishments may be later, among them the arms of the Adam family, owners of the house from c. 1800, which appear on the ceiling.'<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |title=The Buildings of England: South Devon |date=1952 |publisher=Penguin Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GhfqAAAAMAAJ |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref>
==Descent==
{{clear}}


===Juhel/Vautort===
==Architecture==
[[File:Fig 1. Bowden House as viewed from the South.jpg|thumb|Bowden House as viewed from the South]]
Bowden is not mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086, but it is thought to have been within the large royal manor of [[Chillington]]. A part of this manor was Harberton, granted by [[Henry I of England|King Henry I]] to Roger de Nonant. It later became the ''[[caput]]'' of the [[feudal barony of Harberton]] whose barons were the Vautort family. The Barony of Harberton received half of the lands stripped by the king from [[Juhel de Totnes]] (died 1123/30), first [[feudal barony of Totnes|feudal baron of Totnes]], before he became [[feudal baron of Barnstaple]]. Amongst the holdings of the barony of Harberton was ''Bothon, Bodeton, Boghedon'' (Bowden).<ref>Thorn & Thorn, part 2 (notes), Chapter 1, entry 34</ref>
Bowden House was begun as a manor house of c.1509, of which a range to the rear and several chimney stacks remain. It was remodelled with new south-east and south-west fronts c.1700-04 for Nicholas Trist. It has later alterations such as an early 19th century glazed porch and stable block, which is attached to the remaining 16th century range. Outbuildings incorporate fragments of the 16th century house.


[[File: Bowden house ground floor plan.png|alt=Ground floor plan of Bowden House|thumb|Ground floor plan of Bowden House]]
===de Bowden===
In 1314 Bowden was [[Feudal land tenure in England|held]] from the feudal baron [[overlord]] by John ''de Bowdon'',<ref>Pole, p.293, [[Regnal date]] 8 Edward II</ref> whose family took their name from the estate.


Its interior contains its former Tudor hall, later converted to a kitchen, which retains a moulded plaster ceiling decorated with rib work and part of a figured frieze. There are open fireplaces, one with early 18th century mantle. In the 18th century front room there is earlier 17th century panelling, believed to be brought from elsewhere in the old house and a fine carved chimneypiece with elaborate coat of arms and crowned supporters inscribed below Holophernes and Judith with the date 1585. In the entrance hall there is elaborate 18th century plasterwork, with a medallion of Charles I dated 1735. There is a mid 18th century open staircase.<ref name=ref1/>
===Pomeroy===
[[File:PomeroyArms.png|thumb|200px|Arms of de la Pomeroy, feudal barons of Berry Pomeroy, Devon: ''Or, a lion rampant gardant gules armed and langued azure within a bordure engrailed sable'']]
The de la Pomeroy family were [[Feudal barony of Berry Pomeroy|feudal barons of Berry Pomeroy]],<ref>Sanders, I.J. English Baronies: A Study of their Origin and Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960, p.106</ref> seated at [[Berry Pomeroy Castle]] near Totnes, built by ''Radulfus de Pomerei'' (Ralph de Pomeroy), from La Pommeraye, Calvados, Normandy,<ref>Sanders, p.106, note 9</ref> listed in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as holding ''Berie''<ref>Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) Domesday Book, (Morris, John, gen.ed.) Vol. 9, Devon, Parts 1 & 2, Phillimore Press, Chichester, 1985, part 1, chapter 34, entry 48</ref> in [[demesne]] with 57 other manors.
*Henry IX de la Pomeroy (1416–1481), whose second wife was Anna (or Amy) Cammel, daughter of Robert Cammel of Tittleford, Dorset, and widow firstly of Henry Barrett of Whiteparish, Wiltshire<ref name=V607>Vivian, p.607 pedigree of Pomeroy</ref> and secondly of Thomas Gyll of Loddiswell, Devon. ''"A succession of records suggest that she brought Bowden to the Pomeroy's, along with 3 generations of chancery suits brought by the Gyll heirs"''.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes See]</ref>
*Thomas Pomeroy (died 1493), 3rd son by his father's first wife Alice Raleigh.<ref name=V607 /> He was in possession of Bowden after 1487.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes See Pomeroy Connections website]</ref> In 1491 he entered into a bond summarised as follows:<ref>1491 deed: Devon Heritage Centre (South West Heritage Trust) 312M/TY120 [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/0efb28fd-19a1-4f78-8e42-d69f5c86db29]</ref>
::''Thomas Pomerey de Bowden, Esq., to William, Prior of Tottenesse and Convent. In £100. To abide the arbitration of Richard Lord Bishop of Exeter on all causes depending between them.''
:He married Agnes Kelloway (died 1518), great-grand-daughter of his step-mother Anna Cammell, and daughter of John Kelloway, son of John Kelloway of Sherborne, Dorset, by his wife Johanna Barrett, daughter of Henry Barrett of Whiteparish, Wiltshire, by his wife Anna Cammell.<ref name=V607 /> In 1478 John Kelloway settled various lands on his daughter Agnes and her husband Thomas Pomeroy.<ref name=V607 /> The [[Inquisition post mortem]] of Agnes states her to have died seized of Bowden Manor in Totnes Magna.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes Text see Henry VIII Series II. Vol. 34 (65) Inquisitions post Mortem]</ref>
*Richard Pomeroy (fl.1531) of Bowden and of Rousdon, Devon, son and heir, who married Eleanor Coker, daughter of John Coker of [[Mappowder]] ("Maypowder"), Dorset.<ref name=V607 /> An heraldic escutcheon showing the arms of Pomeroy impaling Coker (''Argent, on a bend gules three leopard's faces or'') existed at one time in Bowden House, as recorded in a [[Roll of Arms]] made by Sir George Carew.<ref>Sir George Carew’s Roll of Arms, number 625: ''Ar. on a bend g. 3 leops’ faces de or. This coate standeth impaled with Pomeroye in Bowden House by the name of Cauker. (Cawker, Coker. This is Mr. Gyles his house at Bowden, impalled with POMEROY by the name of Cawker, q. by the Ea. of Hartford''[https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes]. Possibly George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes (died 1629), noted as an antiquarian</ref> Richard Pomeroy had a son Henry Pomeroy, who married Agnes Huckmore, daughter and heiress of William Huckmore. The marriage settlement commences: ''"in consideration of a marriage to be had, celebrated and solemnized between Henry Pomerey, son and heir apparent of Richard Pomerey of Bowdon, esquire, and Agnes,
daughter of the said William Hokemore"''.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes Quoted in the inquisition post mortem of William Huckmore]</ref> Richard Pomeroy sold Bowden to John Giles (died 1552/3) of Totnes and his son William Giles.


===Giles===
==Ownership==
*John Giles (died 1552/53), who in 1542 with his son William, purchased from Francis Knollys for the sum of £800 the manor of Ashprington. Also with William in 1543 he purchased from Richard Pomeroy premises in ''Magna Totnes'', Bowden in Totnes, Tybecombe, & Asprington. The purchase was not without legal difficulties as at some time between 1544–51, with his son William and with Richard Pomeroy, he brought a lawsuit in Chancery against "Nicholas the grandson & heir of John Carsewell, Esq, & William Webber (Webster) his father-in-law, 'a grete captayne and rebell in the late commocyon in the weste partyes', for detention & forgery of Deeds relating to messuages & lands called Bowden".<ref>National Archives, Kew, ref:C 1/1253/33-43 [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7498414]; see [https://sites.google.com/site/pomeroyconnections/bowden-in-totnes-notes]</ref> He was a merchant in Totnes, a Mercer and Merchant Stapler, reputed to have been the wealthiest man in Devon in his time. He was Mayor of Totnes in 1517-18 and in 1529 was elected the first [[Member of Parliament]] for the Borough of Totnes.<ref>[http://pigott-gorrie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/giles-family-of-totnes-in-devon.html See]</ref> He married Ellinor Towkerman.<ref name=V409>Vivian, p.409</ref>
*William Giles of Totnes, who together with his father purchased the estate.<ref>Pole, p.293, who makes no reference to his father</ref> He married Joane Blackall, daughter of John Blackall (''alias'' Blackaller) of Totnes.<ref name=V409 />
*John Giles (died 1606), son, who married Agnes Stucley, a daughter of Sir [[Hugh Stucley]] (1496–1559) of [[Manor of Affeton|Affeton]], Devon,<ref name="Pole, p.293">Pole, p.293</ref> [[Sheriff of Devon]] in 1545.<ref>Vivian, p.721, pedigree of Stucley</ref> He purchased the adjoining estate of [[Sharpham, Ashprington|Sharpham]] also in the parish of Ashprington, from Edward Drewe.<ref>Risdon, p.167; [[Todd Gray (Devon Historian)|Gray, Todd]] & Rowe, Margery (Eds.), ''Travels in Georgian Devon: The Illustrated Journals of The Reverend [[John Swete]]'', 1789-1800, 4 vols., Tiverton, 1999, Vol.4, p.103</ref> He was buried at nearby [[Dean Prior]], Devon.<ref name=V409 />
*Sir [[Edward Giles]] (1566–1637), son, MP for Totnes, of Dean Court, [[Dean Prior]], Devon, possessor of Bowden at the time of the writing of the manuscript on the history of Devon by Sir [[William Pole (antiquary)|William Pole]] (died 1635).<ref name="Pole, p.293"/> He was knighted in 1603 and married Mary Drewe, daughter and heiress of Edmond Drewe of Hayne, [[Newton St Cyres]], near Crediton, Devon, and widow of Walter Northcote (1566–1587), younger brother of John Northcote (1570–1632) of Uton and Hayne, Newton St Cyres, the latter who was ancestor of the [[Northcote Baronets]] and the [[Earl of Iddesleigh|Earls of Iddesleigh]]. He died without children and was buried in St George's Church, Dean Prior,<ref name=V409 /> where survives his monument erected in 1642.<ref>Pevsner, p.333</ref>
*Richard Giles (1581–1648), first cousin, son of William Giles (died 1581), 2nd son of William Giles and Joane Blackall. He married Dorothy Carew (died 1662), daughter of "Peter Carew",<ref name=V409 /> possibly Peter Carew of [[Bickleigh Castle]], near [[Tiverton, Devon]].<ref>Vivian, p.136, Peter Carew of Bickleigh by his wife Elizabeth Chudleigh had a daughter named Dorothy, whose brother Sir Henry Carew was born in 1599</ref>
*Peter Giles (died 1653), son, who died unmarried.<ref name=V409 />
*Edward Giles (died 1669), younger brother, who married Mary Burthogg (sister of [[Richard Burthogge]] (1637/38–1705) of Devon, a physician, magistrate and philosopher), by whom he had a daughter Elizabeth Giles (died 1663/64), who predeceased him<ref name=V409 /> and another daughter and sole heiress Mary Giles who survived him, the wife of Sir Richard Gipps (1659–1708), Knight, of Suffolk.<ref name="Risdon, 1810 Additions, p.380">Risdon, 1810 Additions, p.380</ref>


:'''[[John Giles (died 1553)|John Giles]]''' (or Gyles, or Gylles) MP (c.1487-1553) to son
===Gipps===
::'''William Giles''' (c.1507-1581) to son
*Sir [[Richard Gipps]] (1659–1708) of [[Great Whelnetham]], [[Suffolk]], was [[Master of the Revels]] at [[Gray's Inn]] and a historian of the county of Suffolk. In 1704 he sold Bowden to Nicholas Trist (1668–1741).<ref name="NK"/>
:::'''[[John Giles (died 1606)|John Giles]]''' MP (d. 1606) to son
::::Sir '''[[Edward Giles]]''' MP (1566-1637) to first cousin
:::::'''Richard Giles''' (1581-1648) to son
::::::'''John Giles''' (d. 1676) to kinswoman
:::::::'''[[Richard_Gipps#Marriage_and_children|Mary]]''', wife of Sir [[Richard Gipps]], who sold 1704 to
:'''Nicholas Trist''' (1668-1741) to son
::'''Browse Trist''' (c.1699-1777) to son
:::'''Hore Browse Trist''' (c.1736-80) to brother
::::Rev. '''Browse Trist''' (c.1742-91) to three daughters, who sold c.1800 to
:'''[[William Adams (1752–1811)|William Adams]]''' MP (1752-1811) to son
::'''William Dacres Adams''' (1775-1862) to son
:::Rev. '''Dacres Adams''' (1806-71) to son
::::'''William Fulford Adams''' (1833-1912) who sold 1887 to
:Sir '''[[Mortimer Singer]]''' (d. 1929) who sold 1895 to
:The '''Harvey''' family who sold c.1914 to
:'''Montague Bush''' who sold to
:'''Robert William Campbell-Davidson''' (fl. 1923) ca. 1920 let to
::Col. '''Partridge''', requisitioned for use by US Army in WW2, used as special school, then sold c. 1965 to
:'''Ayles''' family, who sold in 1976 to
:'''Christopher & Belinda Petersen''', who sold in 2000 to
:Mrs. & Mr. '''R. Taylor''', who sold in 2005 to
:'''Jan Mosbacher''', who sold in 2014 to
:The '''Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd'''.


The Bowden House Community, who are the present owners and residents of the building, are a [[cohousing]] ''"group of families and individuals developing conscious, authentic and eco-mindful living within a culture of singing, working, eating, gardening, celebrating and learning together"''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bowdenhouse.co.uk/about/4586305018# |title=Bowden House Community website |access-date=2015-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417174601/http://www.bowdenhouse.co.uk/about/4586305018# |archive-date=2015-04-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bowden House is owned by the Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd., which is in turn the joint property of its residents.
===Trist===
The Trist family owned Bowden for several generations<ref>Risdon, 1810 Additions, p.380; Pevsner, p.195</ref> until about 1800.<ref name="Pevsner, p.195">Pevsner, p.195</ref>
*Nicholas Trist (1668–1741), who in 1704 purchased Bowden from Sir Richard Gipps.<ref name="NK"/> In 1722 Nicholas Trist effected major alterations to the mansion house, which produced the surviving Georgian east and south fronts.<ref name="Pevsner, p.195"/>
*Browse Trist (c. 1699 – 1777), son<ref name="NK"/>
*Hore Browse Trist (c.1736-80), son<ref name="NK"/>
*Rev. Browse Trist (c.1742-91), brother, who died leaving three daughters as his co-heiresses, who in about 1800 sold Bowden to William Adams (1752–1811), MP.<ref name="NK"/>

===Adams===
[[File:AdamsOfTunstallDevonArms.PNG|thumb|200px|Arms of Adams of Tunstall: ''Or, a lion rampant<ref>lion rampant ''gules'' per Burke, 1838, p.444, ''sable'' per Vivian, p.9</ref> between six cross crosslets within a bordure engrailed sable''<ref> Vivian, p.9</ref>]]
*[[William Adams (1752–1811)|William Adams]] (1752–1811). Bowden was acquired in about 1800<ref name="Pevsner, p.195"/> from the Trist family by the merchant [[William Adams (1752–1811)|William Adams]] (1752–1811), MP for [[Plympton Erle (UK Parliament constituency)|Plympton Erle]] (1796–1801) and for [[Totnes (UK Parliament constituency)|Totnes]] (1801–1811),<ref>[[History of Parliament]] biography [http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1790-1820/member/adams-william-1752-1811]</ref> who made it his seat.<ref name="Risdon, 1810 Additions, p.380"/> He was the eldest son of William Adams of Totnes by his wife Mary Chadder, daughter of William Chadder. In 1774 he married Anna Maria Dacres, daughter of Richard Dacres of Leatherhead, Surrey, by whom he has 2 sons and 2 daughters.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[History of Parliament]] biography</ref> He was made a freeman of Totnes in 1779, of which borough he was three times elected mayor, and was appointed to the honourable position of recorder in 1807. He was probably a partner in the Totnes General Bank of Adams and Company.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The armorials of Adams appear in the plasterwork of the main reception room of the east front.<ref name="Pevsner, p.195"/> He was descended from the same family origin as [[Nicholas Adams (died 1584)|Nicholas Adams]] (died 1584) of [[Townstal]] (''alias'' Tunstall), [[Dartmouth, Devon]], [[Member of Parliament]] for [[West Looe (UK Parliament constituency)|West Looe]] 1547, and four times for [[Dartmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Dartmouth]], twice in 1553, and twice in 1554. Nicholas Adams was from an ancient Somerset family formerly seated at Charlton Adam, 4 miles north of [[Ilchester]].<ref>Burke, 1838, pp. 434–4, ''Adams of Bowden''</ref><ref>Vivian, p.9, pedigree of Adams of Tunstall</ref>
[[File:WilliamDacresAdams (1775-1862) BySirThomasLawrence.JPG|thumb|William Dacres Adams (1775–1862), portrait by his friend Sir [[Thomas Lawrence]] (1769–1830). Berger Collection]]
*William Dacres Adams (1775–1862), eldest son and heir, Private Secretary to two Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, namely Pitt the Younger, 1804–06 and the Duke of Portland, 1807-09. He was [[Commissioners of Woods and Forests|Commissioner of Woods and Forests]] (1811–1834). He married the daughter and heiress of Mayow Wynell Mayow (died 1807) of [[Mayow Park|Old House, Sydenham]], Kent. He inherited from his wife the Old House estate which he made his seat. He allowed Bowden to be occupied by his younger brother, Lt-Gen. Sir George Pownall Adams (1779–1856) during his lifetime.<ref name=NK>[http://landedfamilies.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/30-adams-of-bowden-house-totnes-and-old.html Nick Kingsley, landedfamilies.blogspot.co.uk]</ref>
*Rev. Dacres Adams (1806–71), eldest surviving son and heir.<ref name="NK"/>
*Rev. William Fulford Adams (1833–1912), son, who in 1887 sold Bowden to Sir Mortimer Singer (died 1929)<ref name=NK />

===Singer===
*Sir [[Adam Mortimer Singer]] (1863–1929), who purchased Bowden in 1887, was the eldest son of the American [[Isaac Merritt Singer]], founder of the [[Singer Sewing Machine Company]], the latter who in 1873 built [[Oldway Mansion|Oldway House]] in [[Paignton]], Devon, later greatly expanded by his son and Sir Adam Mortimer's brother, Paris Singer, in imitation of the [[Palace of Versailles]].<ref>Pevsner, p.839</ref>

===Descent c.1914-1990===
In about 1914 Bowden was purchased by Montague Bush, who sold it to Robert William Campbell-Davidson (fl. 1923). In the [[Second World War]] it was requisitioned for use by the US Army, and was later used as a special school. In the ca. 1965 it was purchased by Ayles family who in 1976 sold it to Christopher and Belinda Petersen, who sold in 2000 to Mrs & Mr R. Taylor; sold 2005 to Jan Mosbacher; who sold in 2014 to Bowden Housing Cooperative.<ref name="NK"/>

===Bowden House Community===
Bowden House Community, present day owner and occupier of the Bowden Estate, is a ''"group of families and individuals developing conscious, authentic and eco-mindful living within a culture of singing, working, eating, gardening, celebrating and learning together"''.<ref>[http://www.bowdenhouse.co.uk/about/4586305018 Bowden House Community website]</ref>
As part of this community Bowden House itself is owned by the Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd. and is shared by its residents.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
*[[John Burke (genealogist)|Burke, John]], ''Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank but Uninvested with Heritable Honours'', 4 volumes (1833–1838), Vol. 4, ("Small Paper Edition"), London, 1838, [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VxdVAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA443 pp.&nbsp;434–4, ''Adams of Bowden'']
* [[John Burke (genealogist)|Burke, John]], ''Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank but Uninvested with Heritable Honours'', 4 volumes (1833–1838), Vol. 4, ("Small Paper Edition"), London, 1838, [https://books.google.com/books?id=VxdVAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA443 pp.&nbsp;434–4, ''Adams of Bowden'']
* [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner, Nikolaus]] & Cherry, Bridget, ''The Buildings of England: Devon'', London, 2004, pp.&nbsp;195–6, ''Bowden House''
* [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner, Nikolaus]] & Cherry, Bridget, ''The Buildings of England: Devon'', London, 2004, pp.&nbsp;195–6, ''Bowden House''
*[[William Pole (antiquary)|Pole, Sir William]] (died 1635), ''Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon'', Sir John-William de la Pole (ed.), London, 1791, p.&nbsp;293, ''Bowedon''
* [[William Pole (antiquary)|Pole, Sir William]] (died 1635), ''Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon'', Sir John-William de la Pole (ed.), London, 1791, p.&nbsp;293, ''Bowedon''
*[[Tristram Risdon|Risdon, Tristram]] (died 1640), ''Survey of Devon'', 1811 edition, London, 1811, with 1810 Additions, p.&nbsp;166, Bowden, Ashprington
* [[Tristram Risdon|Risdon, Tristram]] (died 1640), ''Survey of Devon'', 1811 edition, London, 1811, with 1810 Additions, p.&nbsp;166, Bowden, Ashprington
*[[John Lambrick Vivian|Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L.]], (Ed.) ''The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620'', Exeter, 1895, p.&nbsp;409, pedigree of Giles of Bowden
* [[John Lambrick Vivian|Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L.]], (Ed.) ''The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620'', Exeter, 1895, p.&nbsp;409, pedigree of Giles of Bowden

{{coord|50.4172|-3.6884|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}


[[Category:Historic estates in Devon]]
[[Category:Historic estates in Devon]]
[[Category:Country houses in Devon]]
[[Category:Country houses in Devon]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Devon]]
[[Category:Grade I listed houses in Devon]]

Latest revision as of 09:05, 8 December 2023

Not to be confused with the historic Bowden estate in the parish of Yealmpton in Devon, England, nor the hamlet Bowden in the parish of Stoke Fleming in the South Hams district of Devon, England.

Bowden House
Bowden House
TypeManor house
LocationAshprington
Coordinates50°25′02″N 3°41′18″W / 50.4172°N 3.6884°W / 50.4172; -3.6884
AreaDevon
Architectural style(s)Tudor and Georgian architecture
OwnerThe Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameBowden House
Designated7 January 1952
Reference no.1236034
Bowden, Ashprington is located in Devon
Bowden, Ashprington
Location of Bowden House in Devon

Bowden is an historic estate in Ashprington parish near Totnes in Devon, England. The present structure, known as "Bowden House", is a grade I listed building[1] and is built in a range of styles, mainly English Baroque and Tudor, reflecting the range of periods it was built and edited over.

History

[edit]

Bowden was occupied by the de Braose family in 1154 but there remains no visible evidence of this period. The core of the current building likely originated from construction done for Thomas Giles (or Gyles, or Gylles) who acquired Bowden in 1464. About one third of a large Tudor mansion built for his grandson, John Gyles, in the beginning of the 16th century remains and was incorporated into the current building. Evidence of the original layout of Thomas Giles's construction is found in the existing cellar walls and the southern outer courtyard walls. The Giles Family lived at Bowden for about 250 years.

Shortly after purchasing the house in 1704, Nicholas Trist enlarged it by adding ranges to cover two sides of the original building. However, he likely retained part of a north cross wing and the Tudor hall. In the 18th century, the hall became the main kitchen, with ovens and a massive chimney being added to the west side.

In about 1800 Bowden was bought by the Adams family, who owned it until 1887. Their main contribution were the layout of the roofs of the current building. The ceiling in the 18th century south entrance hall carries a shield of arms of 'Adams of Bowden'. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner comments that it is "one of the few examples in the country of an essay in Baroque taste, the details rather better than the sum of the parts, as seen so often in provincial work. An early C18 date seems likely for most of the decoration, although some of the embellishments may be later, among them the arms of the Adam family, owners of the house from c. 1800, which appear on the ceiling.'[2]

Architecture

[edit]
Bowden House as viewed from the South

Bowden House was begun as a manor house of c.1509, of which a range to the rear and several chimney stacks remain. It was remodelled with new south-east and south-west fronts c.1700-04 for Nicholas Trist. It has later alterations such as an early 19th century glazed porch and stable block, which is attached to the remaining 16th century range. Outbuildings incorporate fragments of the 16th century house.

Ground floor plan of Bowden House
Ground floor plan of Bowden House

Its interior contains its former Tudor hall, later converted to a kitchen, which retains a moulded plaster ceiling decorated with rib work and part of a figured frieze. There are open fireplaces, one with early 18th century mantle. In the 18th century front room there is earlier 17th century panelling, believed to be brought from elsewhere in the old house and a fine carved chimneypiece with elaborate coat of arms and crowned supporters inscribed below Holophernes and Judith with the date 1585. In the entrance hall there is elaborate 18th century plasterwork, with a medallion of Charles I dated 1735. There is a mid 18th century open staircase.[1]

Ownership

[edit]
John Giles (or Gyles, or Gylles) MP (c.1487-1553) to son
William Giles (c.1507-1581) to son
John Giles MP (d. 1606) to son
Sir Edward Giles MP (1566-1637) to first cousin
Richard Giles (1581-1648) to son
John Giles (d. 1676) to kinswoman
Mary, wife of Sir Richard Gipps, who sold 1704 to
Nicholas Trist (1668-1741) to son
Browse Trist (c.1699-1777) to son
Hore Browse Trist (c.1736-80) to brother
Rev. Browse Trist (c.1742-91) to three daughters, who sold c.1800 to
William Adams MP (1752-1811) to son
William Dacres Adams (1775-1862) to son
Rev. Dacres Adams (1806-71) to son
William Fulford Adams (1833-1912) who sold 1887 to
Sir Mortimer Singer (d. 1929) who sold 1895 to
The Harvey family who sold c.1914 to
Montague Bush who sold to
Robert William Campbell-Davidson (fl. 1923) ca. 1920 let to
Col. Partridge, requisitioned for use by US Army in WW2, used as special school, then sold c. 1965 to
Ayles family, who sold in 1976 to
Christopher & Belinda Petersen, who sold in 2000 to
Mrs. & Mr. R. Taylor, who sold in 2005 to
Jan Mosbacher, who sold in 2014 to
The Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd.

The Bowden House Community, who are the present owners and residents of the building, are a cohousing "group of families and individuals developing conscious, authentic and eco-mindful living within a culture of singing, working, eating, gardening, celebrating and learning together".[3] Bowden House is owned by the Bowden Housing Cooperative Ltd., which is in turn the joint property of its residents.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Historic England. "Bowden House (1236034)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (1952). The Buildings of England: South Devon. Penguin Books. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Bowden House Community website". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.

Sources

[edit]
  • Burke, John, Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank but Uninvested with Heritable Honours, 4 volumes (1833–1838), Vol. 4, ("Small Paper Edition"), London, 1838, pp. 434–4, Adams of Bowden
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus & Cherry, Bridget, The Buildings of England: Devon, London, 2004, pp. 195–6, Bowden House
  • Pole, Sir William (died 1635), Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon, Sir John-William de la Pole (ed.), London, 1791, p. 293, Bowedon
  • Risdon, Tristram (died 1640), Survey of Devon, 1811 edition, London, 1811, with 1810 Additions, p. 166, Bowden, Ashprington
  • Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895, p. 409, pedigree of Giles of Bowden
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