Spear Hall
SPEAR HALL was built in 1765 for William Bricknell. It was an area of two acres adjoining Portswood Road on its eastern boundary. The southern edge ran parallel to Avenue Road and northern to Gordon Avenue. The western boundary took an uneven line following the modern Livingston Road to the junction with Earls Road then south till Avenue Road.
In 1773 this notice appeared in The London Chronicle after the death of William Bricknell:
“To be sold by auction, by Mr. Miller, on Wednesday 16th May on the premises at twelve o’clock.
That most desirable freehold dwelling house garden and paddock, well known by the name of Spear Hall, late the property of Mr. Bricknell deceased; distance from Southampton one mile, which commands a most delightful and extensive view of the river, New Forest and Isle of Wight. The house consists of four parlours, dining room, six bed chambers, and three servants rooms, a large kitchen, cellars, and other convenient offices; two coach houses and stabling for six horses. The garden is laid in a genteel taste, with gravel walks, shrubbery etc., and planted with the choicest fruits the whole containing about three acres and planted round with firs. And on that and following days, will be sold all the household goods, linen, and china, of the late Mr. Bricknell, consisting of clean useful furniture, a neat single horse chaise with iron axle tree and steel springs.
The house etc. may be viewed at anytime before the sale, and further particulars may be had at Mr. Miller’s, No. 12, The High Street, Southampton.”
On the 1846 map it can be seen surrounded by fields and trees. By 1871 the development of the estate shows the grounds of Spear Hall are surrounded by new housing except on the western boundary which appears to be an orchard. It was demolished in or shortly after 1887. This allowed for the extension of Alma Road (previously only running from The Avenue to Cambridge Road) so that it linked The Avenue to Portswood Road and also for houses to be built within the eastern and southern boundaries of the grounds.
The following residents of Spear Hall appear in street directories and accounts of the time:
1765 William Bricknell
1773 Thomas Orton
1802 George Farhill
1814 Charles Day
1850 William Lindsell
1853 Rev. Russell
1859–1868 George Lungley
1868–1887 Mr and Mrs Selby
Spear Hall was demolished about 1887
In 1773 this notice appeared in The London Chronicle after the death of William Bricknell:
“To be sold by auction, by Mr. Miller, on Wednesday 16th May on the premises at twelve o’clock.
That most desirable freehold dwelling house garden and paddock, well known by the name of Spear Hall, late the property of Mr. Bricknell deceased; distance from Southampton one mile, which commands a most delightful and extensive view of the river, New Forest and Isle of Wight. The house consists of four parlours, dining room, six bed chambers, and three servants rooms, a large kitchen, cellars, and other convenient offices; two coach houses and stabling for six horses. The garden is laid in a genteel taste, with gravel walks, shrubbery etc., and planted with the choicest fruits the whole containing about three acres and planted round with firs. And on that and following days, will be sold all the household goods, linen, and china, of the late Mr. Bricknell, consisting of clean useful furniture, a neat single horse chaise with iron axle tree and steel springs.
The house etc. may be viewed at anytime before the sale, and further particulars may be had at Mr. Miller’s, No. 12, The High Street, Southampton.”
On the 1846 map it can be seen surrounded by fields and trees. By 1871 the development of the estate shows the grounds of Spear Hall are surrounded by new housing except on the western boundary which appears to be an orchard. It was demolished in or shortly after 1887. This allowed for the extension of Alma Road (previously only running from The Avenue to Cambridge Road) so that it linked The Avenue to Portswood Road and also for houses to be built within the eastern and southern boundaries of the grounds.
The following residents of Spear Hall appear in street directories and accounts of the time:
1765 William Bricknell
1773 Thomas Orton
1802 George Farhill
1814 Charles Day
1850 William Lindsell
1853 Rev. Russell
1859–1868 George Lungley
1868–1887 Mr and Mrs Selby
Spear Hall was demolished about 1887
– F.B.
© Bevois Mount History
© Bevois Mount History