37 to 39 New Road Linslade
37 and 39 New Road October 2008
39 New Road was known as Clarendon Villa, being adjacent to the Clarendon Hotel. It was owned by Thomas Birdsey until his death. In 1897 Birdsey's executors let 39 New Road to Alexander Goodman the younger for £17 per annum [BML10/44/95], he was given notice to quit the following year and a dispute about dilapidations ensued. The new tenant was Robert Anthony Dunleavy, the station master, at a rent of £18 per annum [BML10/44/95].
37 and 39 New Road, and other property in Linslade, were later owned by H.T.E.Birdsey and were sold by auction in 1922, following his death. He also owned the Clarendon Hotel next door. The sale particulars [BML10/44/46] describe the houses as: "A pair of roomy, brick-and-slated VILLA RESIDENCES, being Numbers 37 and 39 New Road, Linslade. Each house contains: -
IN THE BASEMENT:
ON THE GROUND FLOOR:
- Entrance Passage.
- Dining Room, fitted with marble mantelpiece and grate.
- Drawing Room, similarly fitted.
- Scullery, fitted with Sink and Copper.
- Pantry.
ON THE FIRST FLOOR:
- Two Bedrooms.
- Landing.
- W.C.
ON THE SECOND FLOOR:
Three Bedrooms.
They are let on monthly tenancies to Mr.W.Allen and Mrs.Kemsley, at rents producing £63 12 shillings per annum…The frontage to New Road is about 32 feet. There is a right of way to the backs of each from Church Road over Lot 2 [stabling in Church Road]". The houses were sold to a J.Lucking for £540.
In the 1901 census the properties were occupied as follows:
37 New Road:
- Alfred Blake, 51, solicitor's clerk, born in Melksham [Wiltshire];
- Alice Blake, wife, 42, born in Egham [Surrey]
39 New Road:
- Robert A.Dunleavy, 48, station master, born in Sudbury [Middlesex];
- Annie Dunleavy, wife, 54, born in Northchurch [Hertfordshire];
- Harrold S.Dunleavy, son, 21, railway clerk, born in Harrow [Middlesex];
- Alice Dunleavy, daughter, 18, born in Buckingham