HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
HOW CUERDEN HALL FUNCTIONED
Wyatt described these rooms in his September 1816 letter:
A full set of Wyatt’s original plans for the early 19th century survive that show the uses of each space within the redesigned Hall. These, along with Wyatt’s letters, provides a valuable insight into how the house was intended to function in the early 19th century.
‘I perhaps may have been led into a larger extent of accommodation in the offices than I was at first aware of, but I conceive not more than is essential to comfort, and I hope you will think the whole is compact and conveniently arranged.’
The ground floor plan shows clearly the addition of the Hall and Billiard Room to the east of the historic core. This room functioned both as a reception room as well as a billiard room, being the first room of entry from the principal entrance. Facing east, a Drawing Room was inserted with a Library to the south. The Dining Room was located to look out of the south elevation over the garden terrace. With the exception of Mr Parker’s Room to the west of the Hall and Billiards Room, the original house and new accommodation to the west serviced the household. The formal rooms in the new East Wing were the centre of activity in the early 19th century house. Despite increasing informality, dinner remained a formal ritual and involved assembly in the drawing room before proceeding to the dining room where dinner was served. Women would then retire to the drawing room leaving the men to smoke and talk. The dining room became a masculine territory and the drawing room feminine. This was also reflected in it decoration. The library was an informal living space and study. As well as its vast collection of books, usually in bespoke cases, it served as a comfortable, relaxed sitting room for the owner of the house. The social parts of the house rather than the private were the dominant force in the 19th century, with intimate house parties being used to celebrate events, such as a coming-of-age or a hunt. Contemporary newspaper reports illustrate some of the social gatherings that took place at Cuerden Hall. In addition to Mr Parker’s Room, in the original core of the hall was the Butler’s Room and associated Plate Room and Bedroom, Servants’ Hall, Still Room, Housekeeper’s Room, Stores and steps down to the cellar in the location of the existing arcade. To the west of the house in Office Court, was the Kitchen, Scullery and Coals along the north range, Scale Room, Steward’s Office, Wood Ashes and Charcoal Store along the south range, an octagonal Dairy in the southeast corner of the court , and Larder , Knife Room, Chart Room, Boot Room and Pantry in the east range. The west side was enclosed with a wall with a central opening, and a colonnade ran along the east range with a Game Larder attached set within the courtyard.
At first floor, this arrangement was continued, with a series of bedrooms and dressing rooms arranged around the principal staircase. Not all the rooms in Office Court were two storeys, and the kitchen was designed as a double height space –both factors that limited the accommodation within this part of the house at first floor level.
Their birth places are of course included and it is interesting to note that they have come from every corner of England and Wales and even the Isle of Man. Only one is recorded as having been born in Cuerden, It is not possible to sear how many servants lived out and how many were employed at one time. In the Census Returns apart from a coachman and groom in 1861, no outside staff are included. The 1881 Returns shows that Thomas and his wife had moved into Cuerden Hall from their former house at Charnock Richard and were to live there for the remainder of their lives.
The servants hall, butlers and housekeepers room and ancillary functional service rooms were typical of the period with a hierarchy between the butler, housekeeper and lower staff. The housekeeper had responsibility for the house maids, cleaning and linen and the butler over footmen, plates and drink. The butler was close to the dining room with the kitchens further removed to keeps smells from the gentry end of the house with the ‘baize door’ marking the separation of servants and family. The Census Returns provide a glimpse of the occupants of Cuerden Hall during the mid-19th. century. In 1841 the Hall was closed up and left in the care of a bailiff, presumably the family were abroad. In following 30 years the Parkers were in residence with their un-married daughter Emily and their youngest unmarried son Frederick living at home in 1851. Ten years later, in 1861, Frederick is married and no longer there, Emily had died the year before; however, their married son Henry is listed as staying with them. Visitors staying at the Hall on the night of the Returns are also recorded. In 1851 there are twelve visitors, including servants such as butler and footmen as well as ladies maids. Unfortunately, the copy of this return is difficult to read and closer study would be necessary to define some of the details. Consequently, it is not clear whether some of the visitors are guests or servants. From these returns the number of servants living-in are listed and the posts they occupied are listed. They include:• • • • • • •
butler coachman under-butler groom footman usher general servant
• • • • • • • •
housekeeper cook ladies maid house maids kitchen maid still room maid Laundry maids dairy maid scullery maid
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Robert Townley Parker, 19th century, Illustrated London News, portraying him as the Guild Mayor of Preston