Friday, June 6, 2008

Hillfield Hall

On Thursday May 29th, we drove from Cardiff, Wales, to Solihull, England (a southeastern suburb of Birmingham). The timing was very appropriate, because it was Dave's mom's birthday, and the reason we went to Solihull was to track down a home of her ancestors. Hillfield Hall was built for William and Ursula Hawes in 1576. It remained in the family until the 1660s, at which time it was owned first by the Feildings, and later by the Greswolds.

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More recently, it became a nightclub (1964) and then a restaurant (1974), and now it has been converted into apartments. The main house was divided into 3 units with a total asking price of 2 million pounds (4 million dollars). To the left, with a side entrance, is The Tower.

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In the middle is The Manor, and to the right is The Hall. Above the main doorway remains the Latin inscription Hic Hospites in Caelo Cives (Here we are guests, in Heaven citizens), along with the initials of William and Ursula Hawes, and 1576.

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Perpendicular to the main house, these existing buildings were also converted into 3 residences. Back when the house was a restaurant, at least some of this property was a bar called The Stable, so you can probably guess its original use....

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New housing was built on the rest of the land, for a grand total of 19 units. It would be fun to live there now, but it would be even more exciting to go back in time and see Hillfield Hall in 1576!

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting the information on Hillfield Hall. I had been searching to discover the current use of the property without luck until I found your site. My Father, Steve Hawes, visited Hillfield Hall years ago when it was a restaurant. I would like to visit as well, and knowing the current use of the Hall will help in planning a trip. I have some information on the Hawes family in the US which I will be happy to share with anyone that has an interest. Conversely, if anyone who reads this posting has information on the Hawes family in England, I would apprecitate your sharing it with me. Regards, Ed Hawes, Charlotte, NC

Anne Pratt Slatin said...

Ed, I am a descendant of Edmund Hawes, as well. I live in upstate NY, amd would be pleased to share information with you. The photographs you posted were superb! Thank you!

Anne Pratt Slatin
78 Main St.
Stamford, NY 12167
plimothplantation2003@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I am a direct descendant of Richard and Ann Hawes and would love to share information! I can be reached at sweetness1969@comcast.net

Sarah Hawes-Hernandez

Unknown said...

I am a direct descendant of Richard and Ann Hawes and would love to share information! I can be reached at sweetness1969@comcast.net

Sarah Hawes-Hernandez

Unknown said...

I am a direct descendant of Richard and Ann Hawes and would love to share information! I can be reached at sweetness1969@comcast.net

Sarah Hawes-Hernandez

Anonymous said...

I am a descendant of Edmund Hawes and live in Southern California. I will be visiting England in August 2015 and I am so pleased to have found this blog. Hopefully I can extend my vacation and visit Hillfield Hall. Would have loved to view the interior but just seeing it will be a treat.
LynnHaws54@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Just discovered that my great great grandfather's sister worked as a servant at Hillfield Hall in the 1850s or 60s. Her name was Hannah Nicholls, she was born in 1830, and she came from a village near Stoke Prior. I'm really thrilled to be able to find photos of the hall! Must visit one day, from here in Australia.

Mary Ames Mitchell said...

Hey there, I am also a descendant of William and Ursula Hawes through Edmond who emigrated to America. Thrilled to find your blog and all the photos. I learned about the house from the book written in 1912 about the Hawes family by James William Hawes. He did a superb job of researching the Hawes family in England. The book can be downloaded as a free GoogleBook at https://books.google.com/books/about/Edmond_Hawes_of_Yarmouth_Massachusetts.html?id=xK9RAAAAMAAJ

I have the line charted on my family tree. I am updating the Hawes line now and will post a revised version in a day or two.
The Hawes line is on page 180. I hope it is OK to include your photo of the house. I will credit it of course.

http://www.maryamesmitchell.com/Genealogy/familyTrees.html

Unknown said...

I worked and lived there in 1975 as captain in the super elegant restaurant, the place was packed at all times, had an amazing year.

Lynn Russell said...

I am a descendant of Edmund, Edward Hawes and Eliony Lumbert. I have been researching my family and really enjoy finding info! Lynn Lyda y Russell lruss921@gmail.com

Christine Carmichael said...

I worked at Hillfield Hall, 1974-75. I was only 14/15, and had to spend all my time dodging the inappropriate advances of older male members of staff! That was the 70s for you I guess...

Christine Carmichael said...

I expect we knew each other then - I was there 1974-75

Christine Carmichael said...

I worked there too, 1974-75. I expect I knew you! Do you remember Mr Blay, the manager? And Mrs Woods, the housekeeper?

Anonymous said...

I am a descendant, through marriage, of a family that lived in Hill Field Hall in the 1800's. I do not know if they owned it or rented it or what. I have a pencil drawing of it done by my husband's great great grandfather, John Battin. His wife was Maria Louisa Tooze Battin. They and their children all left England and immigrated to Troy, NY. I am just curious about the hall. Friends of ours visited there when it was still a restaurant not too many years ago. They could not go inside since they had no reservations. I have an old pencil drawing of it done by John Battin when he was fifteen years old. His proportions are not perfect but it is definitely the same facade. I was amazed to find photos of the old home online and to learn that it still exists. I did not know how old it was until now. It is fascinating to read this history.
dcveeder@yahoo.com