Fortescue House

Built on land later occupied by Regal House, giving its name to Fortescue House School

1770-1038

"In 1870 it became the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage, and then Shaftesbury Homes in 1878"

Fortescue House was built in about 1770 in the London Road where what is Regal House now stands, possibly by the 2nd Baron Fortescue. The land on which it was built may have formerly have been occupied by a playhouse (see Twickenham Theatres).

It was owned during the 19th century by the Chapman family (see Edward Chapman II). In 1870 it became the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage, and then Shaftesbury Homes in 1878 (see Sir Walter Alcock and Wellesley House). It remained thus until 1937, shortly after which it was demolished. The Regal cinema was built on the site (see Local Cinemas), to be replaced in its turn by Regal House.

Chronology

1770 *Lord Fortescue. Either Matthew Fortescue of Castle Hill (1719-85), 2nd Baron, or Dormer Fortescue Aland (d1780) of Credan >1780
1779 House badly damaged by fire.
1781 Mrs Bearford
1783/4 Empty, late Lord Fortescue (Samuel Lewis)
1786 Mr Dutton
Miss Dutton’s Female Boarding School (mentioned by Joseph Farington in 1804: 20 ladies @ £200pa)
Mrs Lewis, ditto
1818 Joshua & Edward Chapman, copyhold of Syon Manor
1841 Charlotte Clark (b1791), teacher + 29 children (5 boys) from 6 to 15 + 5 female staff all aged 20
1846 Messrs Chapman (146 on Warren map)
Dr Henry Nicholson
M Raymond de Vericour
Rev James Balfour
1851 George Scott (b 1812) , Henry Dixon, Schoolmasters and 16 pupils
1857 Henry Dixon (1802-1857). Henry’s wife Selina (nee Burney) was the daughter of William Burney, founder of the Royal Naval Academy at Gosport
1860 George Rumsey, Boarding School
1870 Metropolitan & City Police Orphanage
1872 Walter William Alcock
1878 Shaftesbury Homes > 1937
1919 Samuel Holloway, Superintendent & Mary Jane Holloway, Matron
1938 House demolished