Thrale history

Streatham Park, Streatham, Surrey, England

Tree: UK Thrale family

Notes:

Purchase

Ralph Thrale MP purchased 89 acres of land (19 freehold and 70 copyhold) - earlier farmland called "Moorfields" - from the local Lord of the Manor, the fourth Duke of Bedford. It was rumoured that the sale price was a ten-year supply of ale and porter for the Duke’s home, Woburn Abbey.

Location

The estate was six miles from London on the edge of the common between Streatham and Tooting in a district which then was green and rural. The land that formed Streatham Park is now bounded by Tooting Common to the north, Thrale Road and West Road to the west, and the London to Brighton Railway to the east. Extending along the northern border of the park was a double avenue of trees. The Duke of Bedford had first planted Dutch elms, but when Ralph arrived, he matched them tree for tree with English elms. Dutch elms were popular with William III, but it became apparent that it was not good timber, so Mr Thrale often spoke of his father's good sense. Of course, all the elms succumbed two hundred years later to Dutch elm disease.

The area is still known as Streatham Park today.

The house

1730 construction

Streatham Park, or sometimes Streatham Place, was built by Ralph Thrale MP in 1730. A sweeping drive of a hundred yards led from the lodge gates to a compact three-story brick house, which stood at the side of the present lodge at the corner of Aldrington Road. Initially, a comfortable but unremarkable country home facing Tooting Bec Common due North, standing about 90 yards back from Tooting Bec Road, it lacked a spacious parlour, library, extensive lawn, pond or summer house.

On the Morning of this Day twenty seven years ago I first opened my Eyes in this House, to wch my Mother, myself, my Uncle & distant Relation the Rev: Thelwall Salusbury who had married us—were brought by Henry Thrale to reside. And what a House it was then! a little squeezed miserable Place with a wretched Court before it, & all these noble Elm Trees out upon the Common. Such Furniture too! I can but laugh when it crosses my Recollection. Yet how serious and how thankful should every Thought of my heart be, at the Remembrance that every Year has produced some singular Improvement, & that here I am, blessed with Health to enjoy all that has been done by both my Husbands for my Satisfaction and Comfort. Poor Piozzi has sure enough, a little over-done the Business; & put us into a little Distress for Money, to pay these last Bills: which amount to no less than two thousand Pounds.

Hester Thrale, Thraliana, 12 October 1790

1771-1773 extension

As the Thrale family’s wealth grew, the house underwent substantial enhancements, particularly between 1771 and 1773. These included the addition of a library and several rooms, along with a white stucco exterior that lent it a striking, elegant appearance.

Ultimately, it became a large white building of three floors, featuring a central main block with a pedimented front, flanked by two low extensions with balustrades on both sides, and a distinctive right wing with curved proportions.

Ground floor

The rooms on either side of the entrance hall were bedrooms. They faced north and did not get the sun. The left wing had two more bedrooms, one of which was Dr Johnson's.

Next door to the bedroom was the famous library. Henry Thrale fitted this up, requiring a rational, readable, well-chosen collection. He already had a few books but felt the need to cater for the more sophisticated readers who were now frequenting his home. He gave Johnson £100 to buy the books he thought necessary. The library obviously contained works by Johnson, including the Dictionary, Shakespeare, and the Lives of the Poets, as well as bound copies of The Rambler and The Idler. It had works by the various other members of the Streatham Circle - Fanny and Charles Burney, Reynolds and Giuseppe Baretti.

Also on the ground floor was a servants' hall, the housekeeper's room, the butler's pantry and the laundry.

Upper floor

The upper floor of the house had the bow-windowed room which faced west - probably the master bedroom - with a 5ft four-poster bed, a dressing table, a commode with four drawers, a washing table, a night table, a swinging glass, six black japanned chairs and an antique cabinet. The sale cataloguer referred to the cabinet as 'very curious'. It had an upper part containing eleven drawers and a cupboard enclosed by folding doors finely inlaid, and four drawers under. It would not have been in the correct room since it belonged toQueeney, given to her by Johnson to hold the curios - shells, fossils, and minerals - he had intended to collect for her on his travels, although twice (in 1772 and 1773) Johnson apologised for not finding much. The cabinet still exists at Bowood House. This room was connected to a front dressing room.

Then came a smaller middle bedchamber and left bedroom, again each with a four-poster bed.

On the same floor came the drawing room carpeted with a Brussels carpet measuring 24ft by 18ft, with two couches and twelve chairs. Next was the dining parlour. It had a mahogany table 15ft long with circular ends and fourteen mahogany chairs, and a 7ft mahogany sideboard. The meals at Streatham were grand. Johnson wrote of a meal of roast leg of lamb with spinach, sirloin of beef, turkey, followed by figs, grapes and peaches. Amongst numerous prints pasted on the walls of the parlour, we learn that one was Hogarth's Modern Midnight Conversation. Both rooms had anterooms leading to the hall and staircase.

The upper story of the central block presumably housed servants, children's bedrooms and the nursery. There is a painting by Zoffany of Queeney in a nursery situation with Belle, Mrs Salusbury's spaniel.

Kitchen gardens, orchard, dairy & poultry yard

The kitchen gardens, scullery, orchard and greenhouses - to the West of the house, extending to Green Lane (now Thrale Road) - were surrounded by fourteen-foot-high brick walls. Fanny Burney, in her first visit, recorded her astonishment at the quantity of grapes, melons, peaches, pineapples and nectarines she saw daily at the table. There was also a dairy and poultry yard, which were both overseen by Hester, her special project, and she looked after chickens, turkeys, geese and peafowl. Henry prided himself on being the owner of the most extensive gardens in England at that time. Bordering one side of the old estate is the present Thrale Road, and the railway now bisects what was once the kitchen garden.

Grounds

The approach drive to the house was relatively short and had a lodge at the entrance. This survived the demolition of the house and stood at the entrance of the earliest road cut into the new development.Posts in a 1905 postcard view may be part of the original Thrale villa entrance.

The grounds were elegantly planted, with a two-mile-long circular gravel walk (added by Hester Thrale), shrubbery and a ha-ha. An extensive meadow was later created, separated from the adjoining heavily wooded park by a three-acre lake. There is a reference to Johnson swinging on the gate of the courtyard as he read Mémoires de Fontenelle.

Lake & island

Henry oversaw the creation of a 3-acre lake, which incorporated an island, drawbridge and boat. Baretti invited the girls to cross the drawbridge over this and incurred the wrath of Hester, fearing they could have drowned in the lake. In winter, the lake was used for skating. Johnson contented himself with being allowed to water the laurels on the island. One existing road, Ullathorne Road, corresponds with the island.

Life at the house

The vast grounds, of course, gave the Thrale children ample space to play. Mrs Thrale used to summon the children home with an ivory whistle. YoungHarry had climbed every tree around.

Streatham looks divinely itself; my present Master has been an admirable Steward for my past Mistresses, who I hope will approve his Works, tho’ I’m told they always censure mine. Our Nursery Garden, Shrubbery &c. is in the finest Order I ever yet saw them; & the House has an Appearance of Gayety never attempted in Mr. Thrale's Time. Constant Company, elegant, expensive and tasteful Furniture; splendid Dinners and fine Plantations.Mr Piozzi is a capital Manager

Hester Thrale, Thraliana, 3 January 1791

On Queeney’s 27th birthday, Hester Thrale reflected on the improvements at Streatham Park since Queeney's birth in 1764 …

Here was then neither Lawn, nor pond, nor Shrubbery without doors; nor Eating Parlour, Drawing Room or Library within—but a little Brick House with four Walls, & there a Gate. The Park divided into Fields or Closes, & all the Pleasure Ground Common.

Hester Thrale, Thraliana, 17 September 1791

Johnsonian connections

Dr. Samuel Johnson lived here in his own apartment as part of the Thrale family from 1765. Henry Thrale's Streatham Park home became the focal point of the Thrale’s social life, and a country retreat for Samuel Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds and other distinguished members of Thrale’s intellectual and artistic circle.

I found, at an elegant villa, six miles from town, every circumstances that can make society pleasing. Johnson, though quite at home, was yet looked upon with awe tempered by affection, and seemed to be equally the care of his host and hostess. I rejoiced at seeing him so happy.

James Boswell, 6 October 1769 on his first visit

Samuel Johnson asked the builders to leave about 100 loose bricks as …

I can think of no better place for Chimistry in fair weather, than the pump side in the kitchen Garden.

Samuel Johnson, 24 July 1771

On Wednesday I dined at Streatham … We had a most elegant dinner, and the best of all feasts, sense and wit and good humour. Mrs Thrale is a woman of very superior understanding, and very respectable as a Wife, a Mother, a friend and a Mistress of a Family … Mr Thrale has a fruit garden and a kitchen garden that may vie with the Hesperian Gardens for fruit and flowers.

Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu, August 1777

I have now to write an account of the most consequential day I have spent since my birth: namely, my visit. Mr. Thrale’s house is white, and very pleasantly situated, in a fine paddock.

Mrs. Thrale was strolling about, and came to us as we got out of the chaise. “Ah,” cried she, “I hear Dr. Burney’s voice! and you have brought your daughter?—well, now you are good!” She then received me, taking both my hands, and with mixed politeness and cordiality welcoming me to Streatham. She led me into the house, and addressed herself almost wholly for a few minutes to my father, as if to give me an assurance she did not mean to regard me as a show, or to distress or frighten me by drawing me out.

Afterwards she took me upstairs, and showed me the house, and said she had very much wished to see me at Streatham, and should always think herself much obliged to Dr. Burney for his goodness in bringing me, which she looked upon as a very great favour. When we returned to the music-room, we found Miss Thrale was with my father. Miss Thrale is a very fine girl, about fourteen years of age, but cold and reserved, though full of knowledge and intelligence.

Fanny Burney, August 1778

I know not how to express the fullness of my contentment at this sweet place.

Fanny Burney, 23 August 1778

Johnson’s room

In July 1773, Samuel Johnson’s new room - a bow windowed room above the library - was completed. The contents of this room - when sold much later - consisted of a four-poster bed, a wash table with two drawers and a blue and white ewer, a mahogany-framed looking glass, a commode, a four-drawer bureau, five chairs and a large easy chair, a mahogany bidet and a wardrobe. It was cool and airy in summer, and warm in winter. Johnson could retire there for a sleep in the afternoon until woken by the dinner bell rung in the hall. Thrale's valet would help him dress decently and supply a newly frizzled wig.

Summer House

Streatham Park featured a summer house, loved by Johnson who did much of his writing there. It was here he corrected the proofs of the Lives of the Poets and where, on 9th August 1781, he vowed to spend eight hours a day in 'some serious employment' - so that he may 'yet be useful and be daily better prepared to appear before my creator'. As a start he intended to study Italian for the next six weeks.

It is this day given me by God to see my first born offspring, my dear Hester,—sixteen Years old— virtuous in Heart, prudent in Behaviour, pleasing in Person, & accomplished in Knowledge…

We always have a Dance on her Birthday for the Servants, and they shall have it this Year too—in spite of past Sorrows. Mr Johnson’s Birthday is the next day to hers, & we keep them together, &. fill the Summer House with Food, Fiddles &c, today being Sunday, the Balls must be tomorrow & Tuesday. Sure nothing will ever happen that will keep me from rejoycing on the 17: & 18: of September, the Birthdays of my Daughter & my Friend.,—.

Hester Thrale, Thraliana, 17 September 1780 on Queeney’s16th birthday

In 1826, the summer house was moved by Susannah Arabella Thrale to her home at Ashgrove in Knockholt, Kent. In 1962, it was bought in a tumbledown condition by Mr. W.H. Wells who presented it to London County Council (The Times newspaper 5 May 1984.) In 1968, after restoration it was relocated to Kenwood House.

Sometime after 1984, the summer house was destroyed by fire. A replica of the summer house was built by a Johnson enthusiast in 1999.

Tenancy and decline

After Henry Thrale’s death, the Thrale family lived in Grosvenor Square and Streatham Park was leased in two periods:

• 1778 - April 1790 and
• 1795 - 1828.

Prestigiously, in September 1782 the tenant was Prime Minister Shelburne.

Gabriel and Hester Piozzi returned in April 1790 and departed again in 1795. Much damage was done during the first 7½ years it had been rented.

In April 1790, Gabriel and Hester Piozzi returned to Streatham. On account of the damage, £2,000 was spent on restoration, which was completed by the time of their seventh wedding anniversary when the Piozzi’s threw a grand party.

On the Morning of this Day twenty seven years ago I first opened my Eyes in this House, to wch my Mother, myself, my Uncle & distant Relation the Rev: Thelwall Salusbury who had married us—were brought by Mr. Thrale to reside. And what a House it was then! a little squeezed miserable Place with a wretched Court before it, & all these noble Elm Trees out upon the Common. Such Furniture too! I can but laugh when it crosses my Recollection. Yet how serious and how thankful should every Thought of my heart be, at the Remembrance that every Year has produced some singular Improvement, & that here I am, blessed with Health to enjoy all that has been done by both my Husbands for my Satisfaction and Comfort. Poor Piozzi has sure enough, a little over-done the Business; & put us into a little Distress for Money, to pay these last Bills: which amount to no less than two thousand Pounds.

Hester Thrale, Thraliana, 12 October 1790

After 1795, having decided to make their home at Brynbella, Gabriel and Hester Piozzi attempted to deed Stretham Park to their daughters. Upon the daughters' refusal, they sought to let the property.

You would not know poor Streatham Park, I have been forced to dismantle and forsake it; the expenses of the present time treble those of the moments you remember; and since giving up my Welsh estate my income is greatly diminished. I fancy this will be my last residence in the world, meaning Clifton, not Sion Row, where I only live until my house in the Crescent is ready for me … The village of Streatham is full of rich inhabitants, the common much the worse for being spotted about with houses.

Hester Thrale, 1821 to Fanny Burney after the lease ended

By the time of Streatham Park’s decline in the mid-nineteenth century, the local population had risen tenfold. In 1811, Streatham’s population numbered just 2,729. Around this time, regular coach services commenced running to Westminster.

Sale

Contents

The famous library portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds were sold by Hester Thrale in May 1816. After Hester died in 1821, the other library contents were sold in Manchester on 17 September 1823.

Michael Shepley (1825-1828)

In 1825, the property was sold to Michael Shepley for £30,500, and the deeds of sale included the following plan …

Sir Henry Meux (1828-1841)

In 1828, Streatham Park was sold to Sir Henry Meux, a brewer. Meux continued to live at the house until he died in 1841.

Sir Henry Meux Jr (1841 - 1852)

Upon his death, the house passed to his son Sir Henry Meux.

Metropolitan Board of Works (1852)

In 1852, Sir Henry Meux Jr leased Streatham Park to London’s Metropolitan Board of Works. Between 1852 and 1856, the Metropolitan Board of Works used the property as a public park, open to the enjoyment of the residents of London. They made some improvements to the park during this time, including:

• laying out new paths and walkways;
• planting trees and shrubs; and
• providing seating and shelter for visitors.

They used Streatham Park for public events, including concerts and fetes.

In 1856, the Metropolitan Board of Works acquired full ownership of Streatham Park.

Demolition & redevelopment 1863

In May 1863, the Metropolitan Board of Works demolished the house and sold the demolished materials. The site of the estate was replaced by a combination of a public recreational park and a residential area of housing known as Streatham Park.

London County Council 1946

In 1946, the houses came under the control of the London County Council.

Address : Latitude: 51.422192314568, Longitude: -0.16983678962402