NewBeaupre1915

New Beaupre House is a two-storey, double pile late Georgian house, with later mid 19th century wings to the southeast and northwest ends. The house was built in the 1820s for Daniel Jones a lawyer and philanthropist of Llantwit Major. Richard Basset soon took up residence in New Beaupre, the house built by Daniel Jones a short distance from the old ancestral mansion. It is a Grade II listed building.

The Bassetts

During the 16th and 17th centuries the Bassets took an active role in the official life of the county, six of them serving as Sheriffs during this period. However, the family’s support of the Royalist cause in the Civil War in the 1640s led to financial ruin, and after a period of retrenchment the family estates in Beaupre (including the manor of St. Hilary) and Llanblethian were sold in 1709 to Christopher Brewster. In 1755, by which time the mansion at Beaupre was only partially occupied by a tenant farmer, the estate was purchased by Thomas Edmondes of Cowbridge who considered the old house too ruinous for his purposes and who built a new prestigious house in the village for himself and his family - the Manor House (now a Nursing Home).

The Beaupre part of the estate was sold off by Llewellyn Traherne and his sister to Daniel Jones in 1797. [See below for details of Daniel Jones] He was a wealthy solicitor who endowed Cardiff Royal Infirmary and although married, he died childless in 1841, leaving Beaupre to Richard Basset, thereby re-establishing the link with the Basset family. Richard Basset soon took up residence in New Beaupre, the house built by Daniel Jones a short distance from the old ancestral mansion. After Richard Basset’s early death at fifty one, the property passed to his wife then to his nephew, Major William Bruce, who later assumed the name of Basset. The Bassets, Trahernes and Edmondeses all retained links with St. Hilary until well into the 20th century, although the major landowners were the Bassets and the Saundersons, relatives of the Trahernes.

According to the 1851 census, Caroline Gould had moved to St Hilary, near Cowbridge, Glamorgan from Somerset where she appears to have spent the rest of her life. She was recorded as a female servant, aged 25, born Yeovil, Somersetshire working at Beaupre House for the widowed Frances Bassett. There were four other servants.

In the 1861 census she was living in the village with her husband, John Williams (34) and sons George (5) and John (4) - all born in St Hilary. Intriguingly, Caroline has now gained three years and is recorded as being 38. She also gives a birthplace of Compton in Dorsetshire. John Williams was a mason and one of the numerous Williams in the village. According to the National Burials Index a John Williams aged 43 was buried at the Church of St Hilary on March 7 1870.

By the 1871 census, Caroline was widowed but still living in the village at age 47, a seamstress. Her sons were still with her: George (15) an apprentice draper, John (14) a laborer (sic), and William (8).

In 1881, the census shows her as 60, again born Yeovil, Somerset and a seamstress living in the village of St Hilary. Two sons remain with her: John (24) a gardener and William (18) a carpenter (apprentice). Also in the house is David Walters (37), a lodger and widowed labourer, born Babcary, Somerset. (See David Walter - Babcary and Swansea).

In the 1891 census she is still in the village, living on her own as a seamstress aged 70 and giving Yeovil as her place of birth.

A Caroline Williams died in the Bridgend and Cowbridge registration district in March Quarter 1899 aged 79. According to the National Burials Index she was buried at the Church of St Hilary on 15 March of that year .

In the Cardiff Times (12 January 1866) it was reported that "the village bells of this unusually quiet little place (St Hilary) sent forth their merry peals on Tuesday evening, acknowledging the arrival of Major Bassett, from India, to take possession of the beautiful little mansion and estate at Beaupre. This estate formerly belonged to the late Daniel Jones, Esq., founder of the Cardiff Infirmary, afterwards to Capt. Bassett, thence his beloved and amiable widow, deceased, and now in the possession of the present heir. May be live long and enjoy the good qualities set forth by his ancient family."

On 2 July 1909 the Glamorgan Gazette reported that the property failed to get a purchaser. “The historic residential, sporting, and agricultural estate known as Beaupre was offered for sale by Messrs. Stephenson and Alexander at the Mart, High-street, Cardiff, on the afternoon of the 25th inst., together with a number of other properties in the Vale of Glamorgan near Cowbridge. The property was divided up into 11 lots, but at the outset the first seven lots, including "New Beaupre," Howe Mill Farm, and Old Beaupre," were offered together. They were withdrawn, however, at £25,000, and then offered separately. It is not often that a. property of such associations as the Beaupre Estate is brought under the hammer of the auctioneer, and it must have been painful to Mr. D. T. Alexander to confess that the result was most disappointing ”.

New Beaupre as a 1st World War Auxiliary Hospital

During the First World War the house was used as a Red Cross convalescent hospital .

On 15 October 1915 a public meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall to consider the question of opening a Red Cross Hospital for Cowbridge and district.

On 21 January 1916 it was reported that Mr P. Thurston Bassett, the owner of Beaupre House had let the premises with its extensive grounds to be used as an auxiliary hospital, at a nominal rental of £52 per annum. Mr Byass of Llandough Castle, who received a requisition from the war office to provide further accommodation for wounded soldiers generously held himself responsible for the rent. Following a public meeting a fully equipped hospital emerged. Everything needed had been given voluntarily. On the day that the hospital was opened for inspection it was called ‘Pound Day’ i.e. all visitors were asked to bring a pound of something, such as tea, cocoa, butter etc. During the afternoon there were crowds of visitors. No-one came empty handed, and the institution benefited largely by the day’s proceedings. The honorary secretary and quarter master is Mrs Chard, the commandants Mrs Shepherd and Mrs Williams, Llantwit with an excellent staff of Red Cross Nurses. The decorations were carried out by Mr W.J Davies

On 25 August 2016 Glamorgan Gazette reported the following:
There will be a pound day in aid of Beaupre Red Cross Hospital on Wednesday August 30th. All contributions will be greatly received at the hospital between 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock or at the depot in Cowbridge .

On 2 March 1917 the Glamorgan Gazette reported that:
On Saturday evening last, at the Town Town Hall, Cowbridge, an entertainment was given, to which the wounded soldiers from the Beaupre, Ash Hall, Southerndown, Pontyclun, Bridgend and Coytrahen Hospitals had been invited. After the soldiers had taken their seats, the doors were opened to the general public, and so great was the rush for seats that the hall was crammed in a very few moments. The programme was one which has seldom been excelled in Cowbridge. The artistes were all new to the town. Professor Charles Oswald (conjuror and ventriloquist, of the Inner Magic Circle, London) mystified and delighted the audience with his really remarkable powers, but, indeed, every item on the programme was well deserving of the appreciation shown. Miss Gwen Morgan, contralto; Miss Irene Price, elocutionist; Mr. Herbert Pockson, humorist; and Miss Hilda Simon, accompanist, were all tip-top. http://cymru1914.org/en/view/newspaper/3886937/5/ART45

NewBeauprePatients     NewBeaupreNurses


And in the Glamorgan Gazette Siftings was the following:
We hope that the proceeds of the cinema show given by the Vicar on Friday last to provide little extras for the wounded soldiers at the Beaupre Hospital came up to expectation. The show was certainly "one of the best," the object worthy of support as long as the war lasts and as long as we have these wounded heroes among us, so long must we re- member our duty towards the boys who have done so much for us. To spend sixpence or a shilling for such an object, and to get two hours' amusement in the bargain, is not to invite haggling over creeds, doctrines, beliefs, religions, professions, etc. We are/just members of a mighty Empire, with one God, one King, one flag, and one object.


Notes

In 2016, Lucy Griffin sent an email through the St Hilary website to say that she has lived with her family at New Beaupre house from 1954 -1967 and that she was trying to find childhood friends. They lived at Erw Vain house just outside the village and there were 4 daughters Wanda, Juliet, Michelle and Carey. She believed they had moved to Buckinghamshire. They always had lots of animals. She was interested to hear from them or anyone else that knew her and said that she still holds St Hilary in her heart and visits when she is in Wales

Caroline Arnold (nee Vaughan) replied to Lucy with the following message:
Hi Lucy. I remember you and your family. I used to go to school with your brothers John and Michael. I remember your Mum and Dad they used to breed Boxer dogs. Also you had a sister Pam. I also remember Wander and her family. I think we all remember our childhood growing up in St Hilary, such happy times. I moved back to the village in 2002 to look after my Mum. Then we left in 2009 and are now living in Lanzarote. Good to hear from you.

A message from Christine Frederick on 13 May 2020: "I believe that my grandmother (Florence Frederick) late of Rose Cottage which stood in what is now the rear car park of the Bush and latterly of number 1 Church Crescent) met my grandfather, Evan whilst he was convalescing in New Beaupre. He inflated his age to enlist into the army – he was only 13-14 but said that he was 16-and after his recovery change his name slightly to re-enlist. You could say he was a pretty determined kind of chap!"

Daniel Jones (1754-1851)

Daniel Jones was born in 1754 to Anthony Jones of Llantwit Major and Mary Jones of Colwinston. He was baptised on 11 July and had a brother Anthony (b. 29 June 1753). The family appear to have been yeoman farmers as they owned land and his mother brought land into the family. His father died on 29 September 1755 aged 24 years old when Daniel was just 14 months old – so presumably his mother (1728-1809) and his paternal grandfather, also a Daniel Jones, who lived until 1767, were the prime influences of his early life. His brother Anthony (1753-1815) went into the church and Daniel went into law. It is likely that Anthony attended Cowbridge Grammar School since he went to Jesus College Oxford where he achieved Matrix 1770 aged 17, BA in 1773 and MA in 1776. This suggests that he attended Cowbridge Grammar School because there was a link between the school and the college.

As a young man Daniel was articled to a solicitor in Cardiff and ascribed his success later in life to the education he received there. From land records and his will Daniel appeared to be something of a wheeler and dealer in land and property and when his grandfather died he inherited more land
In 1796 he married Louisa Nicholl of the Ham and took up residence in Woodford House, Llantwit Major.

In 1797 he purchased Beaupre, an estate of 500 acres in St Hilary – from Llewellyn Traherne and his sister in law Anna Maria Edmondes. Llewellyn’s wife Charlotte had died the previous year. Thomas Edmondes of Old Hall, Cowbridge, Charlotte and Anna’s grandfather had purchased Beaupre in 1755.

In 1834 Daniel was Acting Vice Chairman of a committee to establish the Glamorgan and Monmouth infirmary. On 13 December it was reported that he proposed to invest £2,000 for the benefit of the infirmary provided that the building could accommodate at least 40 people and that the total cost be no less than £3,000. This was the first of a number of bequests which are noted on ceramic tiles mounted on the wall of the portico.

Daniel died in London in September 1851. His obituary was as follows:

“On the 19th alt at his lodgings, 8 Norfolk Street, Strand, London, Daniel Jones Esq of Beaupre in this county, a magistrate and one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the county in his 88th year. The almost princely munificence of this gentleman to the infirmaries of Cardiff and Swansea wil cause his name to descend in posterity, accompanied by feelings of veneration for the mind which conceived and dictated so noble an expression of benevolence. His private charities which were known to very few but the recipients, were also extremely numerous and liberal."

His remains passed through Cardiff on Saturday evening last, where every denomination of profound respect was observed on this occasion. The whole of the shops and many private residences had their shutters closed and a number of the most respected inhabitants met the funeral procession and attended it through the town, the church bells tolling, as they had done for some days previous, in muffled peals, adding much to the solemnity of the scene. Although the infirmary at Cardiff was built at his sole expense, it is understood a handsome additional bequest has been provided in the will of the lamented donor. Peace be to his names”.

The funeral took place in Llandow and was officiated by Rev W Bassett.

Daniel Jones plaque2 002

Plaque dedicated to Daniel Jones in St Hilary Church

In his will Daniel left his major estate of Beaupre (five hundred acres) to Richard Bassett of Windsor, a Lieutenant in her Majesty’s Core of Engineers and son of Colonel Thomas Bassett also of Windsor. He also left him property in Llanblethian, Cowbridge and a property with 132 acres at Monknash.

CRI 002

Plan for new CRI building 1881 - Architect: James, Seward & Thomas - This building is intended to replace an existing structure erected for a similar purpose about 35 years ago by the munificence of Mr. Daniel Jones, of Beaupre .


Sources

Source of above information: http://www.islandguide.co.uk/genealogy/williams-st-hilary.htm accessed 12 May 2018
Glamorgan Gazette 2 July 1909 http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3875663/3875669/60/New%20beaupre%20auxiliary%20hospital%20%20cowbridge (accessed 27 September 2018)
GGAT 144; Casualties of War: Hospitals and Welfare Facilities http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/first_world_war/reports/FWW_Casualties_of_War.pdf (accessed 27 September 2018)
Glamorgan Gazette 21 January 2016 (accessed 27 September 2108)
http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3886415/3886423/102/red%20cross%20nurses%20new%20Beaupre%20cowbridge
Glamorgan Gazette 25 August 2016
http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3886694/3886702/70/%20Thurston%20Bassett%20New%20Beaupre%20auxiliary%20hospital