Formerly 4 Merstham Terrace

Built late in 1868, this mid-terrace house was first owned by James Hall, probably James Hall of the Hall brothers who founded Hall & Co. Ltd. They were originally Building Material Contractors and up until 1864 were based at the Merstham Chalk Pit. Their father, George Hall supplied the 'Merstham stone' used in the new London Bridge . This house was known as 4 Merstham Terrace.

This is James Hall (1814-1890) reproduced from a portrait by Ethel Hall

1869-1872: Bartholomew Courtenay Gidley was the first known tennant of this house. He was a Wine Agent and lived with his wife, mother, 2 daughters and a servant.

Residents in 1871: Bartholomew Courtenay Gidley age 35, b.1836 Somerset; Alice Gidley age 26, b.1845 Peckham; Alice J C Gidley age 3, b.1868 Pechkam; Mabel F Gidley age 1, b. 1870 Sutton. Charlotte Gidley age 60, b.1811 Somerset; Sarah Bunker age 19, Servant b.1852 London .

1876-1879: Rev. Jones Marmaduke Bergin. He was Minister for the Baptist Church in Sutton High Street and lived in the house with his wife and 4 children. His wife died late in 1878 but he re-married very shortly after in June 1880 to Caroline who was aged 26.

Residents in 1878:Jones Marmaduke Bergin age 38, Baptist Minister, b.1840 Ireland; Kate Muggridge Bergin age 33, b.1845 Ireland; Thomas G Bergin age 6, b.1872 Weston-Super-Mare; Kathleen Bergin age 4, b.1874 Sutton; Margaret Bergin age 3, b.1875 Sutton.

This is a photograph of the old Baptist Church which stood on the corner of Hill Road and the High Street until 1934 when it was bought by Shinners Department Store. They demolished the building and expanded their store which eventually became Allders. Church's Directory wrote of Rev. Bergin "...continues his ministrations to this congregation, and his earnest labours are deservedly appreciated".

In 1882 the terrace of 5 was owned by J Tressider.

In 1879 it was assessed for taxation purposes as having a maximum annual rental income of £28. A rateable value of £24 was fixed which was £3 more than 3 of the other houses in the terrace. The property also attracted an annual 'Lighting Rate' of nine shillings and fourpence halfpenny!

1887-1891: Elise Muller. Elise was a Language Teacher, probably German as she was a German subject. Her son and 2 daughters were also German subjects and living with them they had a French Teacher as a boarder and a 16 year old servant.

Residents 1891: Elise Muller age 46, Language Teacher b.1845 Hamburg; Helen Muller age 15, Scholar b.1876 Germany; Mast. C Muller age 13, b 1878 Germany; Miss R Muller age 8, b1883 Germany; Bertha Cauchebeux age 32, b1859 France; Harriet Wheatley age 16 Servant, b.1875 Wycombe.

On 12th July 1898 the house along with the other 4 in the terrace was connected to the mains sewerage system.

1894-1915: Sarah Ann Bignall. She was a widow and was living in the house with boarders and her neice. She was born and brought up in Tewin Hertfordshire where her father was a carpenter. In 1881 at the age of 36 she was a live in domestic cook for Mr John Robertson a Scottish widow and Wine Merchant at his home 'The Cottage' Banstead High Street. She stayed as his cook for more than 10 years until his death in 1892. It may be assumed that he left her a tidy sum in his will as she was now living on her own means.

In 1902 the house, along with No. 26 which were both previously owned by the executors of J Tressider, were now owned by the Perpetual Investment Building Society. By 1912 the freehold of this property and No. 30 were now owned by R Stables.

1901 Residents:Sarah Ann Bignall age 56,b. 1845 Lewin Herts; Martha Sophie Chessec age 15, b.1886 Switzerland; Edmund J R Boyle age 27, Schoolmaster b.1884 Kingston; John William Hook age 31, Schoolmaster b.1870 Warwickshire.

1919: G Arlblaster

1920-1921: Miss E Messenger

1922-1946: Arthur Edmund Orchard was originally just the tenant, but by 1928 he had purchased the freehold.

1935: Arthur Edmund Orchard A L Richardson . K Essam

1938-1952: Arthur Edmund Orchard owned the house and lived here until 1952 when he moved to Alberta Avenue in Cheam. However, he continued to let out rooms in the house.

The rateable value of the house in 1943 was £23 (which it stayed at at least until 1952) and the local rate paid was £12 5s 4d.