This estate covered a considerable area in the
parishes of Ash, Ridley and Meopham. Much of it must have been in
the Manor of Holliwell or Hodsoll. We cannot learn much about it
until early in the 18th Century when it was the
property of the Fletcher family. There are a few earlier documents
dealing with parts of it. It remained in the Fletcher family for
well over 100 years. In 1885 it was sold in 7 different lots.
When the Fletchers first had this property, the big
house was known as "Rands House". The greater part of
the estate was in Ash and Ridley, it included two home farms, the
inn known as "The Green Man", the bakers shop (now a
general shop and post office), the house "Greenfields",
with a forge attached, the whole of "Pettings",
"Cooks Farm" (part of this farm was in Meopham),
"New Street Farm", "Horns Lodge", The Haven
with "Haven Cottage", "The Malthouse" (then 5
cottages) and several other cottage properties. Before 1885
brick-making and lime burning was carried out in part of the home
park.
The present house, "Holywell House" was built by Michael
Deane Fletcher on the site of the old one. The bricks for this
house were made on the estate, but many of the old bricks were
included in the structure. |
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At the 1885 sale we learn that Mr
Amos James Fletcher, a cousin, bought some of the estate and in
1887 it is recorded that Mrs Fletcher left her considerable
property around Hodsoll Street to the Reverend David Lamplugh of
Yalding Vicarage, who in 1893 commenced to part with the
properties.
The description of Holywell House grounds in the sale
catalogue of 1885 reads as follows:- The pleasure grounds which
are tastefully laid out, are studded with ornamental shrubs and
timber, the gardens are well stocked with flowers, vegetables and
thriving fruit trees, and have the convenience of Greenhouse and
two Hot houses fitted with furnaces, complete Heating apparatus,
etc., with Potting shed and Fuel Store".
A Mr Hole then had the house and park for a short
time, he was followed by Mr Gore. In 1902 Mr Raoul Hector Foa
acquired Holywell Park Estate and added to it, by a series of
purchases, the following farms:- Ridley Court Farm (present
occupier by Mr Howie), New Street Farm (present occupier Mr
Clements), Eldridge Farm (occupied by Mr Johnstone), Black Horse
Farm (occupied by Mr C.B. Wood), Dairy House Farm (occupied by Mr
A.R. Lucas), Pond Farm and Ridley Poultry Farm. |