High Status Servants at Chiswick House
Val Bott to give talk for the Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society
Housekeeper Chiswick House, John G Crace, 1853 V&A 3815.65-1953
April 11, 2025
Val Bott is to be the speaker at the next meeting of the Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society.
She will be talking on the subject “High Status Servants at Chiswick House in the 18th Century”.
Val Bott began exploring the wills of 18th century Chiswick residents as a means of identifying friends and neighbours of the Hogarth family. Amongst them were some senior servants who were sufficiently well off to make wills. These helped her to identify their roles in the Devonshires’ household, their possessions, family details and friendships, revealing some charming personal information.
This will be an in-person event at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4 at 7.30pm on Monday 14 April. Note that this meeting is taking place on the second rather than the third Monday of the month to avoid a conflict with Easter.
Following technical difficulties at previous meetings, there will be no live broadcast, but you will be able to view the presentation afterwards (a recording and the slides) if you sign up via Ticket Tailor – click on the blue button on the booking page.
The society’s membership secretary, David Bright, will be taking new subscriptions and renewals by card at the meeting (please note that the new sub is £15 per person or £20 for two at the same address). There will also be local history publications on sale by cash or card, including James Marshall’s remarkable Centenary History of the Great West Road at £25 per copy.
The society would be delighted to hear from any members who would like to join the committee or who be prepared to help with the technical side of running meetings. Contact Honorary Secretary, Katie Hinchliffe, at katiehinchliffe@gmail.com.
Future meetings of the society .
Monday 19 May - Annual General Meeting
The business meeting will review the year and receive the financial report. It will be followed by an illustrated talk (details to be announced). Journal 34 will be published that evening and distributed to all paid up members.
Spring 2025 - Sanderson's Archive visits
Following Caitlin Stracey's talk in November, she has agreed to host tours of newly restored Voysey House and the company archive for B&CLHS members. Dates have still to be agreed; members will be sent booking details nearer the time.
Membership of the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society ensures that you receive details of the Society’s programme of talks and outings and entitles you to a copy of the annual Journal. From time to time there are opportunities to join a small research group or assist with a local history project.
Meetings, usually on the third Monday of the month, take place at Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, off Dukes Avenue opposite Chiswick Library. The membership year runs from January to December and the annual subscription costs £15 or £20 for two people at the same address .
If you wish to join, either come along to one of the meetings, or print off, complete and send the membership form with your details and cheque for payment, or if you wish to use your credit or debit card through PayPal, click here but also send an email to membership@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk giving your name, address, phone number, and confirmation that the society may contact you by email in the future.
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