Tithe Map 1844
Killagorden has always been a fascination for me, especially when I was young. What was up that long drive on the back road from Idless and Polquick? It seemed to me that many Idless villagers spoke of it in somewhat hushed tones which enhanced the mystery for a child. When walking or later riding my bike, around Idless, I would go over the little bridge at Scawswater, go hurriedly pass the old Mill which was derelict then (we used to think it was haunted) and then pass the lodge at the entrance to that long drive. We wouldn’t dare venture up the drive.
So, I decided to research the history of the House.
The Early History
Most of Idless itself is in the parish of Kenwyn, but Killagorden is in the parish of St Clements, the boundary between the parishes being the River Allen.
June Palmer, in her book entitled Idless and the River Allen, included detailed information about the early history of the Duchy Manor of Moresk, which included Killagorden.
Quoting from June’s book:
… the Gregor family held the lease (for Killagorden) from the Duchy, and Francis Gregor is mentioned in Hearth Tax list of 1662 having seven hearths – a plan made for them (the Gregor family) of the property in 1788-9 by Alexander Law – had on it a house apparently square in shape but it is not clear whether this is the house that stands there now which is thought to have been built at the end of the eighteenth century.
Later, It was occupied by Alexander Allen who was married to Mary Clark, the niece and heiress of her uncle John Bland, one of the best-known builders in Truro in the eighteenth century. One wonders therefore if John Bland may have been responsible for rebuilding this house which was then given the new name of Rosedale.
This notice was in the Royal Cornwall Gazette of the 27th June 1807:
Rosedale in Cornwall
To Be Let at Back Rent
For a term of 14 years from Michaelmes Next
The Tenement of Rosedale, in the parish of St Clements.
Within a mile of Truro, about 44 acres of arable and pasture land,
well watered and fenced, whereon is a good dwelling-house,
garden and orchard, and convenient out-houses,
now in the possession of Alexander Allen Esq.
A survey will be held for letting the sale on Tuesday the 7th day of July next
by 6.00 o’clock in the afternoon, at the Red Lion, kept by John Blight, in Truro.
For a view, apply to the Hind at Rosedale, or the Hind at Bosvigo, and for
particulars to Mr J W Chilcott, Attorney at Law, Bosvigo, near Truro.
Note. The house may be made convenient for a genteel family, which the
proprietor will be willing to do.
Proper preparation is made for a Wheat Tillage, and the Lent corn is well seeded.
Travern Moors, about five acres, are proposed to be let with the above Tenement.
One Concern Dated 19th June 1807
The Tom Family
Philip Sandy Tom was born in Treviller (?), St Columb Major in 1791. In 1817 he married Charlotte Philippa Truscott of St Dennis.
Philip Sandy’s father was John Tom, born 1760 and his mother was Mary Sandy, born 1762. They are both buried at St Protus & St Hyacinth Church Bisland.
Philip and Charlotte had seven children, the first being Charlotte Truscott Tom who was born in St Clements in 1819.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that by 1819, Philip Sandy and Charlotte Philippa had moved from the St Columb Major area to Rosedale, St Clements, Truro. The property was probably leased by them at that time.
- Charlotte Truscott Tom, died in 1907, she never married.
Philip and Charlotte’s other children were:
- Mary Hawkey Saunders Tom, born 1820, married Edmond Henry Casey Esq, DL1803–1873 and went to live in Dublin.
- Philip Sandy Tom, born 1821 (see below)
- Sophia Tom, born 1823, died 1905, she never married.
- Daniel Tom, born 1824, died 1861. He was a Captain in HM 89th Regiment of Infantry. He left all his property to his elder brother, Philip Sandy Tom.
- Amelia Tom, born 1826, died 1907. She married John Richard Paull of Bosvigo an attorney and landowner and went to live at Bosvigo House.
- George Tom, born 1831, died 1857 (in Dublin). He was a Captain in HM 59th
Amelia Tom Sophia Tom (possibly seated)
Philip Sandy Tom died in April 1835 and was buried in Kenwyn Churchyard on 18th April 1835. His wife Charlotte died in 1885 and was also buried in Kenwyn on 4th April 1885, her abode is stated as Trehaverne.
Their inscription reads:
In loving memory of Philip Sandy TOM who died Apr 15 1835 aged 44 years
Charlotte Philippa TOM who died Mar 31 1885 aged 89 years
Edmond Henry CASEY (the son of Mary Hawkey Casey) who died Aug 11 1869 aged 22 years in Donahies Co Dublin.
Daniel TOM who died Dec 19 1861 aged 37 years late Capt of the 36th and 89th Regt.
On 2nd September 1834, Philip Sandy Tom made a Will which was proved on 20th July 1835. The Will is five pages long and beautifully handwritten but not easy to decipher.
Office copy Will of Philip Sandy Tom, gentleman of St Clement:
Bossogan in Colan and all lands in Kenwyn and St Clement, to son Philip Tom. Leasehold tenement at Treliver in St Columb Major to son Daniel Tom.
Brother Daniel Tom and nephew Thomas Treloar, junior and wife Charlotte Philippa Tom, £14000 in trust, moiety for son Daniel, after his death to testator’s sons George and Philip, moiety to son George, after his death to testator’s sons Daniel and Philip.
£8000 to trustees in trust for daughters, £500 to brother Daniel, £50 annuity to wife Charlotte, and all household goods. Made 1834, proved 1835.
According to the tithe records dated 1844, the land and dwelling known as Rosedale was owned (not leased) by Philip Sandy Tom – presumably this was the son who inherited the land from his father as in the Will above. A few fields were occupied by a Richard Tiddy. The occupier of a few plantation areas was Philip Sandy Tom and the occupier of the remainder, including the homestead, was Charlotte Phillippa Tom.
Philip Sandy Tom, the son, married Mary Jane Susan Ann Yescombe on 17th December 1868 on the Isle of Wight. Philip was 47 and Mary was 23. After marriage they lived at Rosedale House with their two daughters Lillian Charlotte Anne, born 1869 (who it appears, was one of twins, her twin sister, Adelaide Anne died a few weeks after birth) and Beatrice Mary, born 1872.
In 1871, Charlotte Philippa Tom is living at Bosvigo House with her daughter Amelia, as is her unmarried daughter Sophia.
In 1881, Charlotte Phillippa Tom is living at Trehaverne House with her unmarried daughter Charlotte Truscott Tom.
Charlotte Philippa Tom died on 31st March 1885 at Trehaverne. She is buried in the family grave in Kenwyn Churchyard.
Philip Sandy Tom died in 1885.
TOM Philip Sandy Esq.
Personal Estate £5,436 18s 10d
5th August. The Will with a Codicil of Philip Sandy Tom late of Rosedale in the Parish of St Clement in the County of Cornwall Esquire who died 4 July 1885 at Rosedale was proved at Bodmin by Mary Jane Susan Ann Tom of Rosedale widow the Relict the sole Executrix.
His wife, Mary Jane S A Tomn (note the spelling) died in 1921. Their daughter, Beatrice Mary died in 1910.
It is curious that the spelling of the surname of Tom is Tomn on the Will of Beatrice but not on the Will of Philip Sandy Tom. It is also spelt Tom on the 1881 census but Tomn on the 1891,1901 and 1911 census.
It is on the 1891 census that the house is first listed as Killagorden rather than Rosedale.
In 1911, the farm now known as Killagorden Farm was still called Rosedale Farm and John Hitchens, farmer, and widower, lived there with his family.
In 1921, Richard Henry Bennett, farmer and his family lived Rosedale Farm.
In 1939, when Ashley Semmens was the farmer, the name had changed to Killagorden Farm but the small cottage next door was still called Rosedale.
The inscription on the gravestone had the surname spelt Tomn. One wonders why the spelling of the surname changed or was changed intentionally.
Monumental Inscription Details for Kenwyn – Parish Church (Ref: Loc No C249)
Tomn Beatrice Mary 16 Apr 1910
Tomn Mary 1 Jan 1924
Tomn Philip S 4 Jul 1885
Inscription:
Philip S TOMN of Rosedale Truro born May 4 1821 died Jul 4 1885
dearly beloved daughter Beatrice Mary TOMN died Apr 16 1910
Also of May TOMN died Jan 1 1924
Philip and Mary’s surviving daughter, Lillian Charlotte Ann, inherited Killagorden when her mother died.
A fuller account of the life and achievements of Lillian Charlotte Ann Tomn is the subject of another article.
Lillian Charlotte Ann Tomn married Charles Matthew Knowles on August 10th 1904.
The marriage which has been arranged between Miss Lillian Tomn, lecturer in Economic History in the University of London, and Mr C R Knowles L.L.B. of the Middle Temple, Midland Circuit, barrister-at-law, will take place in St Mary’s, Paddington, on August 10th. The officiating clergyman will be the Rev. W Cunningham D.D., Canon of Ely, and vicar of Great St Mary’s, Cambridge.
The Knowles Family
Charles and Lillian had one son, Francis William Cunningham Knowles, who was born on 23rd November 1906. The family only spent holidays at Killagorden.
Lillian became the first female Professor of Economic History at LSE and the first female Dean of Faculty in the University of London.
Her husband, Charles Matthew Knowles, became an attorney at law attached to the Home Office.
In June Palmer’s book, she included the account of memories of Mr C Cargo’s aunt, Mrs Geach (then Miss Edgecombe) who was a kitchen maid for the Knowles family at aged 16. Lillian and Charles’s son was affectionately known by all the household as Master Willy. The account mentioned that Mrs Knowles died soon after Miss Edgecombe started at Killagorden. Her husband, Mr Knowles continued to work in London but spent vacations at the house. She remembers that at one dinner party two guests of Mr Knowles were Charles Henderson (Penmount) and A. L. Rowse, both down from Oxford for the vacation.
Lillian Knowles died on 25th April 1926 as a consequent of an operation. She is buried in Kenwyn Churchyard
Inscription:
Lilian Charlotte Ann KNOWLES MA LLM (Cantab) Litt D (Dublin)
Born 9 Oct 1870 who died 25 Apr 1926 aged 55
Professor of the University of London, wife of
Charles Matthew KNOWLES and daughter of
Philip Sandy TOMN
When Lillian Knowles died, the ownership of Killagorden passed to her son, Frances Willam. His father, Charles Matthew Knowles, continued to work in London and stay at Killagorden for holidays.
On 1st March 1930, Charles Matthews Knowles married Mary Hannah Frances Ivens, an eminent surgeon in Liverpool and a distinguished WW1 doctor in France. They married at Liverpool Cathedral. Charles and Frances were lifelong friends and Frances was godmother to Charles and Lillian’s son, Francis William who attended their wedding with his wife.
When Charles and Frances retired, they lived at Killagorden. Francis died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro on Feb 6th, 1944 and is buried in Kenwyn Churchyard.
Monumental Inscription Details for Kenwyn – Parish Church (Ref: Loc C135)
KNOWLES Frances Ivens 1944
Inscription
In loving memory of
Frances Ivens KNOWLES 1870-1944
Charles Knowles died in November 1944 and is also buried in Kenwyn Churchyard.
At the time of the death of Charles, his son Francis William C Knowles, a Major in the British Army, was a prisoner of war: he was captured in Singapore.
Major Francis Willliam Cunningham Knowles POW Liberation Questionnaire
It is interesting to note that one of Major Knowles Camp Leaders is listed as Lt/Col Toosey. This was one of the real-life leaders of the military POWs of the Japanese, who built bridge 277 of the Burma-Siam Railway, the spans of which cross the lazily winding Khwae Noi at Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
It is the building of the bridge that is the subject of the film Bridge over the River Kwai. It should be noted that some of the events in the film are not strictly correct. Neither is the portrayal of Lt Col Philip Toosey, who provided the inspiration for Lt Col Nicholson portrayed by Alec Guinness in the 1957 film. The men who served under Lt Col Philip Toosey, said he would not have collaborated with their captors as Lt Col Nicholson did in the film.
After the War
Killagorden “had been empty for some time” after the war. This was probably after Charles Matthew Knowles died in November 1944.
As can be seen above, Francis William Knowles, who inherited the property, did state his address as Killagorden on his Liberation Questionnaire.
I expect it took a long time for Francis William to recover from his long and arduous experience as a POW in the far east. At some point in time, Francis William went to live in Studland, Swanage, Dorset, and died there on 21 June 1985.
John Julian & Co Ltd held a sale of “Furniture, Effects and Agricultural Implements” at the house on the 27th January 1954. There was a long list of items including some Hepplewhite dining chairs and other antiques. (West Briton Jan 1954)
A neighbour who came to live at the farm with his family when he was a child provided this information:
“After the war. the house remained empty for a number of years, and the estate which consisted of our farm (Killagorden Farm), Polquick Farm and Killagorden House was presumably still in the ownership of the Knowles’ son. In 1953, all the properties were sold separately, and we then bought our farm.
“During the Knowles’ period there was presumably a large staff and the gardens were all really beautiful with a walled garden and several ponds including ponds along the long drive against the field. The gardener at that time was a Mr Woodridge, he lived in the lodge at the bottom of the drive.
“When the Knowles family sold up, the house was bought by a Mrs Jenks and Mr and Mrs Turner. They had a chef, two housemaids called Violet and Valdris who were Swiss. They entertained a lot and held balls etc.
“Their gardener also lived in the lodge, his name was Costas Pocious, known as George and there was also an odd job man called Jimmy Wild (he had come from a mental institution in Plymouth). He lived in one tiny room in the lodge and wasn’t allowed in any other part of the house. He was not treated very well by George. Jimmy was around 19 years of age but with a mental age of around 9 or 10, he enjoyed playing with us younger boys.
“Costas (George) won some money on the football pools and bought a small farm at Allet where I bailed hay for him but he always argued about the number of bales etc and tried to pay less.
“After their time, the house was empty for quite a while and became quite derelict and the gardens and driveway very neglected. Then it was purchased by Mr and Miss Clarke, he spent a lot of money doing it up, with a never-ending stream of tradespeople, who would do what he had asked, then he wouldn’t like it and he would have it all taken down or altered again, both in the house and the garden. Miss Clarke was very eccentric and artistic and painted much of the woodwork in the house in colour detail, i.e. moulding around the ceilings etc.”
The Clarkes
According to local knowledge, John Clarke and his sister Agnes came to live at Killagorden in the early 1960s. They were an interesting couple and quite eccentric in their ways. It has been said by many locals that the famous star, Katharine Hepburn, came to visit the Clarkes. It was also said that John Clarke was in the film industry and maybe that was the connection between him and Katharine Hepburn.
From research this is the information I have found:
A company called the Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Company was started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1897 but was renamed the Autocar Company in 1899 when it moved to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia.
In 1903 the president was Louis S Clarke and the secretary (Louis’s brother) was John S Clarke Sn who was the father of John Semple Clarke Jn (born 1899) and Agnes Clarke (born 1895) who came to live at Killagorden.
John S Clarke Sn and his family lived at 801 Yarrow Street, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA. Their house is now part of Bryn Mawr College and is the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
John S Clarke Sn continued to live near Bryn Mawr (in Merion) and died there in 1954 and is buried in Bryn Mawr. Louis S Clarke (brother of John S Clarke Sn) moved to Palm Beach, Florida, and died there on January 6, 1957.
I cannot find any reference to John Semple Clarke Jn being in the film industry. He did travel a great deal as a student visiting many European countries in the 1920s and 30s, by ship. However, Katharine Hepburn attended Bryn Mawr College from 1924 – 1928 which is where she started to act. Her mother also had attended Bryn Mawr College. In December 1928, Katharine married Ludlow Ogden Smith, a college acquaintance. Perhaps, Katharine or her mother were long term friends of the Clarke family. Katharine was known as a very private person so maybe when she was working in London, she came to Killagorden for some privacy rather than staying in a hotel.
It is said that Mr Clarke and Miss Clarke lived very private lives, but Mr Clarke was polite and friendly when he was out and about.
His sister, Agnes, was a prolific artist and painted the woodwork and furniture in the house, some of it eighteenth century French antiques, in bright greens, blues and pinks.
John Clarke had been in the US Marine Corp in WW1 but did not see active service.
As I said, he travelled a great deal in the 1920s and 30s. His travels began in 1922 when he was a student.
As well as European Countries, including England, he also visited, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
On January 25th1954 John and Agnes travelled from Southampton to New York. On the list of passengers, John is listed as divorced, but I cannot find a marriage record for him. John and Agnes’s father, John S Clarke Sn died on 6th September 1954.
On 26th December 1954, John and Agnes arrived back in Southampton and their address in England is stated as Alvescot, a small village in Oxfordshire. The property, Exstable, is still there.
On a UK & Ireland Incoming Passenger List 1878-1960 for John Clarke, he is listed as a gardener and Agnes is an Artist.
John died on 26th March 1974 aged 74.
CLARKE, John Semple of Killagorden Truro died 26 March 1974
Probate Bristol 31 May £219041
I cannot find a burial record for him in Truro but maybe he was cremated.
Agnes Clarke died on 17th September 1977. I cannot find a burial record for her but maybe she was also cremated.
Both John and Agnes were wealthy people. In her Will, Agnes left money and a property in Truro to two of her employees and two other local people. She also bequeathed money to several animal charities and some very valuable paintings to the Tate Gallery.
A number of paintings have been left to the Tate Gallery in London by Miss Agnes Clarke of Killagorden House, Idless, Truro, who died on September 17, leaving £397,874 gross, £378,885 net.
The paintings are Dogs and Hare, by James Hamilton, 1706, Dog by J Seymour, and Horse by J Seymour.
There was also a Portuguese painting of St Agnes, unnamed.
Miss Clarke left £20,000 and 11, Grenville Road to her employees, Mr and Mrs William Johns and £1,000 each to Dr A Le P Avenell of Lemon Street, Truro, and to Mr Fred Harris, caretaker of St Mary’s Chapel, Truro.
With the exception of another bequest of £100, the remainder of her estate she left equally to the Mid-Cornwall Branch of the RSPCA, Dr Barnardo’s, the World Wildlife Fund, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Cats Protection League. (Agnes Clarke Will West Britan 22nd Dec 1977)
This report about the Clarkes of Killagordon appeared in the West Briton of the 5th January 1978, below. I am not sure how accurate it is as I cannot find information to corroborate many of the details:
The Secret Life of a Rich Recluse
The secret life of a wealthy American woman who lived just outside Truro as a virtual recluse is gradually being uncovered by her two former employees. One of the few guests to the Idless home of Miss Agnes Clarke, they have revealed, was film star Katherine Hepburn.
Miss Clarke died, aged 82 last September, and left nearly £400,000. During her last few years she spent little money on herself.
Miss Clarke, whose Will was reported to the West Briton of December 22, left four paintings to the Tate gallery.
She lived at Killagordon House, Idless, and the only people with whom she shared her secret life were Mr Arthur Johns and his wife Kathleen, who worked for Miss Clarke for six years.
They live at Killagordon Cottage, next door to the large country house and as more of the family documents are unearthed, they are learning more about Miss Clarke’s former luxurious life.
Mr Johns, who with his wife has been left £20,000 and a house in Truro, said Miss Clarke and her brother John, who died in 1972, were eccentrics.
“They lived like hermits,” he said, “but at one time they had a luxurious mansion at Palm Beach, Florida”.
Miss Clark, who died at a nursing home at Penair, Truro, was the last surviving member of the rich American family which founded the Autocar Company in 1897.
When her brother was alive they ate little more than leeks sprinkled with wheatgerm and ice cream said Mr. Johns, but after the death of her brother, Miss Clarke did take a little more interest in life.”
The house, together with about 11 acres of land, was bought in a derelict condition in 1952.
The Clarkes spent a lot of money having the property renovated. They lived in separate wings.
It is now painted sky blue, Miss Clarke’s favourite colour and, according to Mr and Mrs Johns, all the furniture, most of which is antique, has been painted white and given a marbled effect by Miss Clarke.
Few people ever visited the house but one regular guest was Katherine Hepburn, she used to bring all her food with her.Miss Clarke’s brother was involved in the film industry and after he died, her companions in the house were four cats which, said Mrs Johns cost £200 each.
Although she lived in a strange manner, the Johns described Miss Clarke as a lovely person.
Mr Johns said she was very clever and studied art in New York and Paris.
He said that he thought the couple originally came to England when their father remarried.
The property is to be sold and five charities will benefit.
In March 1978, the contents of Killagorden were advertised for sale and the house and cottage were up for sale in the West Briton on the 16th in the same month.
By the end of April 1978 Killagorden had been sold:
Killagordon, a large country house near Idless hamlet, Truro, the home of Miss Agnes Clarke, who died last September aged 82, has been sold by Messrs W R Cornish of Truro for £80,000 to a local businessman. The contents of the property were sold by auction last month. (West Briton 27th April 1978)
Sketch of Killagorden 1993 from June Palmer’s book Idless and the River Allen,
It is understood that the house is still in the ownership of members of the family who bought it in 1978.
Susan Alecia Coney (nee Phillips)
Although I was never very interested in history at school, it is now a big part of my life. I enjoy both the research and writing about it. Initially, it was about my family and their involvement in the community but this sparked a more general interest in Cornish history, of its people and places. I have been involved in a number of projects relating to Truro and have enjoyed this opportunity to record the results for future generations.
