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Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House

Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House

Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House

On visiting the Harris Museum, after its recent reopening, I noticed a large print of a photograph that I was already familiar with on the wall.  I think it's the one that Lancashire County Council have in their Red Rose Collections.


A view of the River Ribble from Whinfield House in Ashton-on-Ribble
A view of the River Ribble from Whinfield House in Ashton-on-Ribble

It is a view of the River Ribble from Whinfield House in Ashton-on-Ribble.  It is looking (south) east, of the drive of Whinfield House and a sailing ship moored on the river.  The  photograph is credited to the Preston Camera Club, which was once part of the Preston Scientific Society.  It was taken in 1862. 

The first time I saw it, I recognised the gateposts, as they are still there now.  Information on the Preston Digital Archive also confirmed that.  


The Gateposts on a view of the River Ribble from Whinfield House, Ashton-on-Ribble
The Gateposts on a view of the River Ribble from Whinfield House


The text accompanying the photo on the Preston Digital Archive says that they have been moved slightly from their original position.  However, that seems unlikely to me.  Whilst the walls either side have been remodelled, the gate pillars and the heavier section of wall either side seem to be original and in the same location as seen on old photos.  It would have been quite involved moving them and to what end?


A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House
A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House


A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House
A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House


A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House
A Stone Gatepost belonging to the former Whinfield House


Looking at the photograph and comparing to how things are today, the moored sailing ship would be very close to where the McDonald's is today.  Probably more specifically parked on the A583 around here: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GVMHn1NXPDb45Cus6


This is the location of the River Ribble before it was diverted to make the Dock Basin in 1884.  The Albert Edward Basin of Preston Dock opened in 1892.



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Whinfield House was once the home of Henry Newsham Peddar.  The house was later occupied by Edmund Robert Harris.  They are the only evidence remaining of Whinfield House. 



Whinfield House


Whinfield House was built by the Pedder family on their Ashton estate overlooking the River Ribble. The Pedders made their fortune by founding the Old Preston Bank, but in 1861 their wealth came to a sudden end when the bank ran into debts, causing a national scandal. The bank had to be closed and the Pedders had to sell their estate and its contents in order to pay off the bank’s debts.


Whinfield, Ashton upon Ribble, Preston. The Seat of Henry Newsham Pedder Esq.
Whinfield, Ashton upon Ribble. The Seat of Henry Newsham Pedder



The Harris Family


On Wednesday, May 30, 1877, the Preston Guardian newspaper announced the death of local solicitor and former Prothonotary* for Lancashire, Edmund Robert Harris aged 73, He had died the previous Sunday morning at his residence, Whinfield House, Ashton-on-Ribble.

* The Prothonotary is the Chief Clerk of the Civil Court



Whinfield Mansion. The Home of Edmund Robert Harris
Whinfield Mansion. The Home of Edmund Robert Harris


For several years he had failing health and had been forced to relinquish the more active duties of his life. During the early Spring of his final year his health had seemed to take a turn for the better. However, towards the end of May he caught a chill and suffered a bronchial condition, leading to his death.


Edmund Robert Harris - A Former Resident of Whinfield House
Edmund Robert Harris


The Harris family connections with the town of Preston began in 1788, when the Rev Robert Harris BD** was appointed headmaster of Preston Grammar School, which in those days was in Stoneygate, Preston. On average, the school had forty scholars and the new headmaster received an annual salary of about £100.  He also resided in a house on Stoneygate.  This building survives in the form of Arkwright House. 

** BD stands for Bachelor of Divinity.


The son of a goods carrier, he was born in Clitheroe in 1764 and was educated at Clitheroe Grammar School and at Sidney College, Cambridge. He soon became a member of the inner circle of the gentry, as his select membership of Preston’s Oyster and Parched Pea club confirmed.

On the death of Rev Robert Harris, the Vicar’s wealth was distributed among his sons, Edmund Robert and Thomas Harris. When Thomas Harris died in 1875, Edmund, already a successful lawyer, inherited the entire family fortune.

Edmund Robert Harris preferred to walk the secluded paths of life rather than tread the thoroughfares that lead to fame and glory. He had already shown his benevolent nature by providing the money for the Harris Infectious Ward, a crucial part of the town’s Infirmary.

Edmund made his will twelve months before he died and rumour was rife as to the money would go.  Practically the whole of the fortune was devoted to religious, educational and philanthropic causes. He bequeathed a gift of £122,000 to build The Harris Free Library, Art Gallery and Museum. Preston Corporation provided the site adjacent to the Market Place for £30,000 and furnished it with the books of the existing Free Library and of Dr Shepard’s reference library.

The art collection and museum from the old Literary and Philosophical Institute was also centralised and the Corporation agreed to maintain the building and its contents.

A further £100,000 was used to establish the Harris Orphanage, which opened in Fulwood, in 1888 while the third main beneficiary of £78,000 went to the Harris Institute and Technical College, now the University of Central Lancashire.

All in all, with bequests to servants, clerks and friends, the fortune of one of Preston’s greatest benefactors amounted to more than £300,000.


Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House
Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House


Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House
Stone Gateposts belonging to the former Whinfield House



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Further reading and sources of information


River Ribble from Whinfield House, Ashton-on-Ribble

Lancashire County Council - Red Rose Collections

https://redrosecollections.lancashire.gov.uk/view-item?i=214810


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The Ribble from Whinfield House 1862

Preston Digital Archive

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/4121879623/


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Whinfield Mansion. Home of Edmund Robert Harris

Preston Digital Archive 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/4018968567


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The Harris Charity can help young people under the age of 25 years who live in Lancashire

The History

https://www.theharrischarity.co.uk/the-harris-charity/history/


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Whinfield, Ashton upon Ribble, Preston - The Seat of Henry Newsham Pedder Esq.

Image taken from the History of the Borough of Preston and Its Environs in the County of Lancaster, By Charles Hardwick 1857. 

Preston Digital Archive

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/4062980932/


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Edmund Robert Harris (circa 1804 – 1877) | T. W.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery 

Art UK (the Public Catalogue Foundation)

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/edmund-robert-harris-c-18041877-152460


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Arkwright House.  Formerly known as Arkwright Arms. A town house that was built in 1728 

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1279775


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Lancashire Sheet LXI.9. Ordnance Survey map. Revised: 1909, Published: 1912

National Library of Scotland

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17.3&lat=53.76364&lon=-2.74131&layers=168&right=ESRIWorld



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Labels:
Location: Pedders Ln, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2, UK

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