MEM21906 - Northmoor House, Dulverton (Monument)

Northmoor House was built in 1859, by John Arthur Locke, for his bride, Adele Caroline Drewe. The site was allegedly the choice of Mrs Locke. John Arthur Locke was a scion of the Locke family whose fortune came from lead manufacturing in Newcastle upon Tyne. The couple went on to have 8 children together at Northmoor. [1] In 1874 the estate was purchased by Frederick Wills, later 1st Baron Dulverton of Northmoor. His wealth originated in tobacco production, as a founding family of the Bristolian Imperial Tobacco Company. He was an MP for Bristol North and elevated to the peerage in 1897. Frederick made multiple alterations to Northmoor, building the stable block with its clock tower, the staff accomodation and ancillary cottages. Photographs survive showing the house in earlier periods of use and occupation. [2,3] The Northmoor Estate was sold at auction at the Caernarvon Arms Hotel, Dulverton, in August 1926 on the death of its then owner, Roger Marriott-Dodington. His oldest son had been killed in action in World War I, and his younger son later established himself in Kenya, naming his property there "Northmoor Estate" in homage to the family home. The property particulars state that the estate at this time comprised 1182 acres, and described it as a "very atttractive residential and sporting property." The house is described in detail, with reference to entrance lodge with enclosed vestibule, entrance hall, double drawing room, dining room, library or smoking room, boudoir, study, gun room, flower room, "gents' WC", butler's pantry, 13 bed and dressing rooms and on the second floor 3 servants' bedrooms accessed by a separate staircase leading from the kitchen and ground floor "domestic offices." Hot and cold water is supplied to the bathrooms and sinks, and two boilers provided hot water for the radiators and the hot water system respectively. The water itself was accessed from springs on the estate, and the particulars proudly state that the house and stables are lighted by "ELECTRICITY: from the Dulverton Electric Lighting Company's Supply and the Post Office Telephone is installed." Reference is also made to the stables (with a three bedroom flat for a "stud groom") and additional cottages associated with Northmoor House, as well as a tennis court and two kitchen gardens. [4]