Sandford House, The Street, Charmouth (1844-1958)
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The site of Sandford House today
Sandford House on the corner which was demolished in 1958 by the Council to widen Lower Sea Lane.

an extract from Reginald Paveys Notes on Sandford House:
"Sandford Cottage" stood on the corner of Sea Lane. The first owners that I have notes of are George Hodges and his sister Ellenore 2nd daughter of John, the butcher. At the beginning of this century it was occupied by Miss Baxter and her niece Margie, who told me that she was descended from the old Saxon Kings in England and from Malcolm III in Scotland and the French King Pcpin le Bref. On the unofficial side, her grandfather Pierre de Ilaceritz, private secretary the Tzarina of Alexander II, was the son of a Russian Duke and a German Princess. The Tzar was extremely angry with the princess into a convent and took the baby himself to be brought up almost like royalty. Maceritz's son married a Scotswoman and Margie was born in the Winter Palace, but her mother could not endure life at the court and with the Tzar's permission withdrew with her children to Switzerland. Her mother died in Italy and her father was drowned when the "Mohigan" was wrecked in 1898 off Jersey. When Miss Baxter left,"Sandford Cottage" was owned by Mrs.Birkett whose daughter married Colonel Campbell Little. When the Colonel retired they lived in the house for many years, and Captain Brock Birkett R.N. lived with them. Mrs Little exhausted her strength during the 1939-45 war by her work for the British Legion and W.V.S, and died suddenly in 1949, Col. Little died shortly afterwards in 1958 and the house was purchased by the Dorset County Council and pulled down to improve the entrance, to Lower Sea Lane".

 
List of Vistors for 6th October 1876 in the Bridport News shows Miss S. G. Henning staying at Miss Hennings (Littlecote), D. Sillar Esq. at Clarence Villa ( Carrum) and R.S.C. Sillery and family at Sandford Cottage.
Last Will of Eliza Henning, Spinster of Charmouth. 1852. She appoints brother, John Henning of Weymouth and Charles Castlemain Esq. to be her Executors. I give my dwelling house with all its appurtenances in which I now reside in Charmouth to my niece, Sophia Nares Henning, daughter of my late brother, Charles Masterman Henning for her natural life. After her decease in trust for all her children or child. If she does not have children it will go to the daughter of her brother, my nephew, Edward Nares Henning. I give to her the sum of £50. Give to my servant, Elizabeth Dimond the sun of £200, if living with me at the time of my death......

1851 Census:
shows Eliza Henning, aged 64, A Fund Holder with Elizabeth Diment, aged 30, a House Servant, which would have been Littlecote.
A House Uninhabited.
Louisa Griffith Unmarried , aged 55, Born in Gittisham, Devon and Mary Lane, Srvant, aged 55 from Warwick.
William Greenslade, Clergyman, Born in Guernsey.
John Hodges, Butcher.
1855 Directory with an Entry for the Miss Goddards.

1861 Census:
shows Martha Sophia Henning aged 58 born in Whitchurch, Dorset is living in Littlecote
Unoccupied House
Sarah Duck aged 33 a Teacher
Mary Goddard aged 50 Fundholder, Louisa Goddard, Sister, aged 48, Fundholder, both born in Salisbury.
John Hodges aged 50 Butcher

1871 Census:
shows 2 Unoccupied House
Richard James aged 35 Late Captain in Militia
Louisa Goddard aged 60 Annuitant
John Hodges aged 60 Butcher

1881 Census:
Sandford Cottage - Unoccupied
LIttlecote: Martha P.Henning.Unmarried, aged 78, Lady, born in Whitchurch. Harriet Norris, Visitor, unmarried, aged 68, Lady, born in South Petherton. Louisa Haines, married, aged 50,Servant born in Ilminster. Maria Trin? Unmarried, aged 16, Servant, Rocombe, near Lyme.
Clarence House (Carrum): shows George Mortimer (aged 38) originating from Morchard Bishop in Devon as a Merchant employing 9 hands. He is married to Mary Ann (aged 38) from the same village. His wifes sisters, Shura and Louisa Reed are Drapers Asssistants and her brother, Henry is a Working Jeweller. He employs Henry Radford and George Ashton as Grocers Assistants.

1891 Census shows James Hounsell renting Sandford
William Boteler is at Beech House
Alfred Stanton is a Butcher at Winton House.

Edward Birkett, aged 68,living on Private Means.Frances Birkett, aged 53, Margery De Beauvoir Birkett, aged 24 Annie Colliepriest, aged 27.