Fascinating history behind terraced properties

The row of red brick properties in Station Road, Henley, known as Caxton Terrace, has long been subdivided into flats, but their original conception was somewhat different.

By direction of the trustees of the will of the late Mr John Mosdell Wigmore, Harriett Wigmore (widow) and Thomas Octavius Higgs (vendors), six dwelling houses and a corner shop within Railway Station Road (now known as Station Road) were placed into auction.

Thus on Thursday, August 11, 1887, at 4pm prompt, auctioneer Mr William Thomas Hews (15 Hart Street) stood before bidders, his gavel ready to be knocked down to the highest bid.

Numbers two and three Caxton Terrace were to be offered as one lot initially, and if not sold as separate lots, these fine town houses very recently built, indenture of conveyance of the land on which they stood made 19th day of March, 1879, between Great Western Railway Company (GWR retaining rights, if found, to mine minerals) and Robert Owthwaite, builder, landowner and proprietor of the Royal Hotel, died October 1887.

The properties, boasting an impressive entrance hall, lofty dining room, drawing room, three bedrooms and additional servant’s bedroom (a domestic servant, at the beck and call of the servant bell pulls fitted throughout, no doubt required to lay fires in the “Register Grates” and clean the ironwork within), kitchen, scullery, cellar, with cemented floor, under the whole house, water closet on half landing, with further water closet outside the back door. With a bay window to the frontage, stove heated rear conservatory, splendid garden and back entrance, not to mention marble mantels and ornamental cornices, slated roof, hot and cold water on ground and top floors, gas supply and connection to the public sewers.

With the advantage of being built within the last two years, numbers two and three tenanted by Mr R Wright and Reverend W Chapman, both on a rental of £40 per year. Numbers 4 to 7, of a similar standard, being completed within the last 15 months, offered as ready for immediate occupancy.

Number 8 Caxton Terrace, a most desirable 15ft double fronted shop and dwelling house at the corner of Railway Station Road, with a return frontage to Queen Street of 104ft. With entrance hall, sitting room, drawing room, 20ft by 11ft commercial room (sale of wine, beer or spirits strictly prohibited), three bedrooms, dressing room, attic, kitchen, scullery a “walk out” balcony and garden.

The first business to occupy number 8, “Caxton Dairy”, was proprietor one Mr Daniel Hayes, also a provider of “carmen”, a role which involved a man (sometimes a woman) conveying and delivering goods, most likely transported into Henley via goods trains, by way of a cart pushed by hand, or pulled by a solitary horse. — Yours faithfully,

Elizabeth Hazeldene

Henley