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Introduction
This work is based on Whitby Old Hall which was first built in 1637 and was later demolished in 1962. I shall be telling you about the family who owned it, the events that took place there, and more. I hope this work satisfies your curiosity regarding the building, and that you find it enjoyable, interesting and useful.
Below, there are maps showing the location of Whitby Old Hall (this one is an extract fom the Whitby Estate Map of 1881)
Whitby Old Hall
Whitby Old Hall was built in 1637 and was situated between Old Hall Drive and Vale Road in Ellesmere-Port. Old Hall Drive was given its name because it was the original entrance to the Old Hall. The house was originally owned by a family called Grace who were incredibly wealthy and also owned the 41 acres of land which surrounded their home (Whitby Old Hall). It was made of red brick and had a thatched roof and many different luxurious rooms. In 1905 the roof was being replaced, as it let in too much cold and a remarkable discovery was made! More than one thousand coins - Guineas - were found in the beams from the reign of King George II! The mystery of how they got there, or if there were any other treasures in the house will most likely never be revealed. Unfortunatly, the hall was later demolished in 1962 and was replaced with another house nearby with the same name as the previous one (Whitby Hall). This house was also owned by the Grace family. The hall can still be seen in Whitby Park today. However, a wall of the original hall still remains today and can be seen in Old Hall Drive.
The Grace Family
The Grace's were incredibly wealthy people, but were still admired not just for their riches, but for their generosity. In approximately 1903, the Grace's organized a special type of fair called a Fete which was so popular, that the Graces made it an anual event (something that takes place each year). It was held for the first time on Saturday 6th of September. The Fete consisted of a variety of activities, which included fancy dress competitions, jazz competitions, baby shows, and even a decorated floats competition. Members of the public paid a small fee of 6 pence for an adult or 2 pence for children for admission to the Fete. Winners of the many competitions won a prize of around £1 for first prize and a prize of 10 pence was awarded to people who came second place. Also, each driver of a horse-drawn carriage would recieve a gift of five shillings for their troubles. The Fete was a highly enjoyable event with a merry assortment of activities, and everyone enjoyed the day very much.
Unfortunately, the following month, on October 10th, Miss Susannah Egerton Grace, John Grace senior's only daughter died, leaving his son John Grace, the last member of the Grace family. When Susannah died, she was just aged ten. The Grace Family in 1881 John Grace was a magistrate and happily married. He was born in Whitby and in 1881, he was 64 years old. J.E Grace was John Grace's wife. She was born in Poulton and was 54 years old. John Grace was named after his father and was unmarried at the age of 29, he alike his father, was also born in Whitby. Susan E. Grace was 28 in this year, she was unmarried and was born in Whitby Thomas Grace was 21, he was unmarried and was born in Whitby Ann J. Grace was John Grace senior's younger sister and was 62 years old. She was born in Whitby. Mary Joinson was the Grace's waitress and was 29 years old. She was born in Ince Sarah Persival was the Grace's cook and she was 18 years old. She was born in Whitby.
Whitby Estate 1871
1872
1938
1981
Original Old Hall marked in red, New Hall labelled as Municipal Offices
Whitby 'New' Hall (the present hall)
Above, there is a picture of Whitby Old Hall, which was to be replaced by another house that also shared its name. The original hall is now commonly reffered to as the "Old Hall" in order to tell the two halls apart. The new hall, was also owned by the Grace family. The house was built c.1860 for John Grace and the senior family. The hall was built in the centre of 42 acres of land, and also on this land, there were two ponds, gardens, stables and farming land. The ponds and gardens were not built with the hall, but were added some time later for decoration. John Grace never had a front garden to the hall, preferring for some land to be unspoiled so that he could look upon it. Sadly, John Grace had two brothers who were really quite jealous of their brother and his hall. Knowing that he treassured his unspoiled view, they built long rows of houses all through Stanney Lane, which blocked off his natural land. Quite understandably, John Grace was angered by both his brothers deeds and planted rows of trees along his driveway so that he couldn't see the intruding buildings. John Grace had died in 1932, and in 1933 the land was opened as a public park.
The Whitby Hall is now occupied by the Action Transport Theatre and some parts also belong to the council to serve as offices.
TIMELINE WHITBY OLD HALL
1637- the Old Hallwas first built
1860- The new hall was built
1881- personal information was recorded on the family
1903- the Grace's orgonised a Fete & Susannah Grace died
1905- thousands of Guineas were found in the roof of the Old Hall
1924-31-Thomas Wilkinson Grace was a conservative MP for the Wirral
1929- John Grace died
1931 - Local Council purchase Whitby New Hall and grounds
1933 - land was opened as a public park
1962- The Old Hall was demolished
2007- The Whitby Hall can still be seen today!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I can't do a proper bibliography, as none of the books that I read were particularly helpful. None of them had any more information that I already had. So instead, I would strongly suggest to all budding researchers that if you're looking for information on the Old Hall, then visit the public Library. Asking a teacher is always a good thing to do as well. But above all, talk to people who live in the area that you're researching, because they might know a lot more than you'd expect. I myself, got loads of information from none other than one of my former primary school teachers, who actually lives in the house where the remaining wall of the Old Hall still stands today! I'm extremely grateful for all her help!
Rebecca McHugh 9H 2007
Whitby Hall and Fete
Whitby Hall was the second building to bear this name, the other one was known as the Old Hall. The Hall was situated between the Stanney Lane,Vale Road and Old Hall Drive where the two semi-detatched houses now stand. When the houses where built in about 1800’s, the senior part of the Grace family moved there both halls were in Parish of Stoak.
In about 1903 The Grace’s decided to organize a Fete (fair) . The Fete was so successful it became an annual event. The Fete held in 1903 was on Saturday 6th September. The admission for adults was 6 pence and 2 pence for the children. In the Fete there were competitions of all sorts like sports, flower shows, baby shows, jazz competition, prizes for fancy dress and decorated floats; the prizes were usually £1 for first prize, 10p for second prize and each driver of a horse-drawn lorry received
a gift of about 5 shillings.
The procession would form at Cambridge Road School and proceed to Whitby Hall via Wellington Road, York Road, Whitby Road to the Sportsmans Arms and then turn to Vale Road into Stanney Lane and then to Whitby Hall.
Andrew Merrick
(Year 9 2001) (using Looking back at Ellesmere Port by Pat O'Brien)
Ellesmere Port Library
Reference Library
Ellesmere Port 1795-1960 by T.W. Roberts
Yesterday's Wirral No 9 Ellesmere Port to Bromborough by Ian & Marilyn Boumphrey.
Looking back at Ellesmere Port by Pat O'Brien
The old photographs Ellesmere Port compiled by Pat O'Brien
Ellesmere Port Council
Ellesmere Port Boat Museum
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