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Archiver > PENNINGTON > 1998-03 > 0890342115


From: William Pennington <>
Subject: Re: [PENNINGTON-L] Pennington London home
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 16:15:15 -0500


Thanks for the trivia concerning the Penningtons in England. I have long
wanted more info on these Penningtons, especially the ones at Muncaster.At
03:41 PM 3/19/98 EST, you wrote:
>To continue our English Pennington homes:
>
>In Ordnance Survey's 1988 book, Guide to Historic Houses in Britain, p. 42:
>
>SOUTHSIDE HOUSE - Wimbledon Common, London SW19
>
>"This is a pleasant, sturdy house with a long Classical facade crowned by two
>pediments, square dormer windows and a clock tower. It was built for Robert
>Pennington, who had shared Charles II's exile in Holland and evidently
>acquired a taste for Dutch architecture. When the plague carried off his
>small son, he left London with his wife and daughter, and retired to Holme
>Farm at Wimbledon, which was then still a village several miles from the
>capital. In 1687 he called in Dutch architects to build Southside House,
>incorporating the farm building in the structure; this accounts for the
>asymmetrical placing of the front door and clock tower. Two very large
>niches, one on each side of the front door, were filled with statues of
Plenty
>and Spring, which are still in place; the faces are said to be likenesses of
>Pennington's wife and daughter. Southside House remained a family home over
>the centuries with only one set of major building alterations (in 1776); and
>Pennington's descendants lived there until after the Second World War. The
>interiors include a great deal of 17th-century furniture and a range of
>memorabilia connected with the Penningtons. The "musik room" was prepared
>for the entertainment of Frederick, Prince of Wales, who stayed at Southside
>House in 1750, and later visitors included one of history's most famous
>"menages a trois", Sir William and Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson. Southside
>House was damaged during the Second World War, after which it was restored to
>its late 17th century condition."
>
>Notes: Southside House is located on the South side of Wimbledon Common near
>Crooked Billet inn. Ordnance Survey Grid TQ2370, on OS Map 176. It is open
>01-Oct to 31- Mar (except Christmas and Easter), T, Th, F 1400-1700, by
>written appt. at other times. Advance permission for photography is
required.
>
>Hope you enjoy this!
>Dot Wilson Duncan
>Tampa, Florida
>
>
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>
>Pennington Research Association Web Site
>http://users.aol.com/SPRIVETT/prahome.htm
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William Pennington()

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