Originally known as Barton House, Baysgarth House and its adjoining parkland has paid a prominent role in the history of Barton upon Humber over the centuries.
Baysgarth’s full origins are unknown, however, it is believed the House (an earlier timber framed structure) was possibly part of Bardney Abbey in the Middle Ages. The current house mostly dates to 1730 – 1750, however the first known owner was a Thomas Naylor of Glentham in 1557.
By the early 17th century the property had passed to a William Rande of Barton upon Humber who in turn sold it, in turn to John Dighton and Henry Sandwith, “Gentlemen of Barton upon Humber” in 1614.
After that the property was sold by Elizabeth Chapman, sister of Henry Sandwith, to Richard Nelthorpe who already owned Scawby Hall. He bought the property for his son Richard although it eventually passed to his eldest son Edward who in turn released the House to his second son Goddard (later Sir Goddard).
Goddard lived at Baysgarth from 1682 until his death in 1703 leaving the property to his grandson, Sir Montague who died 18 years later leaving one child Henry who died seven years after his father.
The estate then went to the younger brother of Sir Montague, Henry. When he died in 1746 Baysgarth passed to his son Sir John who only occasionally lived at Baysgarth and on inheriting Scawby Hall moved there, permanently selling Baysgarth and his other Barton property in 1792 to William Graburn.
After William Graburn there was a succession of owners. Thomas Nicholson acquired it in 1818 and sold it to John Preston (after whom Preston Lane is named) in 1825. After his death in 1844 the house and park was bought by John Wilburn Lunn from neighbouring South Ferriby in 1846 and he and his wife lived here until their deaths.
When Mary Lunn died in March 1886 Baysgarth was inherited by her friend and companion Hannah Embleton who died in 1889.
Barrister Robert Wright Taylor, who was born in Barton and whose father Robert lived at New Hall on Newport, bought the property in early 1889 months before his marriage to Clara Louisa Hodgson, daughter of Bradford industrialist George Hodgson in August of that year.
Primarily based in London where Taylor was in chambers, Baysgarth was used as a country retreat. Their children Clare Ermyntrude Magdalen (Ermyn) was born in 1891, and George Robert Marmaduke Stanbury (Stanbury) in 1895.
After the declaration of World War One Stanbury, by January 1915, had enlisted in the Lincolnshire Artillery. In September 1917 he was wounded at Ypres and died on September 20 in hospital and was buried in Mendingham British Cemetery. A memorial to him is affixed to a gate pier at the Preston Lane entrance to the park.
Four years later his sister married Thomas Ramsden Norfolk landowner Thomas Ramsden and made her home at Middleton Towers.
Clara Taylor died in December 1928 and just three short months later Robert, unable to live without his wife, committed suicide at his London home leaving a letter saying “I can no longer support loneliness in my life without my beloved wife. I hear her calling and I go to join her.”.
A year later their daughter gave the house and park to Barton Urban District Council for use by the townspeople and it has remained in public ownership ever since.
After a short period of closure, North Lincolnshire Council declared Baysgarth House a community asset and leased the Georgian House to new custodians The Ropewalk, along with £450,000 of council support to protect this important landmark. Baysgarth House will now undergo an ambitious restoration programme led by the team to transform it into a vibrant community facility that will benefit all residents and further boost Barton’s reputation as an important visitor destination.
