Lords of the Manor 1066 – 1930

The Lord of the Manor was the most important person in village affairs, he collected taxes for the King, dispensed justice and governed the lives of the peasants who worked for him.

Pre-Norman Conquest

Tochi
The Domesday book (1086) tells us that before the Norman Conquest Tochi, a Norseman, was Lord of Osgodby.

Post-Norman Conquest

William Mallet
Following the Norman conquest of 1066, King William divided the land between his followers. Robert, Count de Mortain, King William’s half brother, was given large amounts of land across England as Tenant in Chief, including Osgodby. Robert gave some of his manors in Yorkshire (including Osgodby) to William Malet.

William was a Saxon, who was related to William the Conqueror through marriage and is thought to have fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings. Following the battle William Malet was charged with the burial of King Harold. He was made Sheriff of York in 1068 and was responsible for building the first motte and bailey castle at York.

Although William Malet was not Lord of the Manor at Domesday, a later Charter indicates that he had been Lord of Osgodby between 1066 and his death in 1070.

Fossard Family

The street “The Fossards” is named after Nigel Fossard and his family, who were Lords of Osgodby Manor, however, it is located on land which wouldn’t have been part of the Manor of Osgodby, but would have been located in the Manor of Barlby. Domesday records Barlby as being under the Lordship of Ralph Paynel.

Nigel Fossard
Nigel was born around 1040 near Doncaster. He held 95 manors in Yorkshire, but his main residence was Mulgrave Castle near Whitby. It is thought he was responsible for building 5 castles in Yorkshire, including Aughton, where he would likely have stayed when visiting his manors in the East Riding.
In 1088 Robert, Count de Mortain, rebelled against King William II and was exiled in 1090 when all his lands were forfeit. Osgodby with Cliffe were given in soke to the Bishop of Durham’s manor of Howden, with Nigel Fossard remaining as Lord of both Manor’s. Nigel died around 1120.

Robert Fossard
It is thought Robert had some difficulties in inheriting his father lands, as they were in the hands of the King, in 1129 and Robert had to pay a fine to regain them.

William Fossard
William fought on the side of King Stephen at the ‘Battle of the Standard’ on 22nd August 1138, one of the major battles in the war for the throne of England between Matilda and her cousin, Stephen. In 1141, William was captured at the battle of Lincoln, again fighting for Stephen.
Between 1154 and 1160, William made a crusade to Jerusalem.
When he died around 1162, his lands were put into trust for his young son, William, who was made a ward of William Grosse, Earl of Albermarle. .

Paynel & de la Pomeray Family

Jordan de Hameldon/Jordan Paynel/Jordan de Augoteby
It is thought that Jordan de Hameldon was Jordan Paynel, younger son of Ralph Paynel and second husband of Gertrude Fossard, daughter of Robert Fossard. It could be that William Fossard had put the manor of Osgodby in the hands of his brother-in-law whilst he was away on crusade, or on his death. It doesn’t appear that William’s son, William, inherited Osgodby as Jordan de Augoteby is named as Lord of the Manor in 1166 and 1204. These dates are some time apart and Jordan, husband of Gertrude Fossard, would have been quite elderly, so it is possible that the Jordan Paynel referred to is the younger son of Alexander Paynel (another son of Ralph Paynel) and Agnes Fossard (sister of Gertrude).

Dyonise & Samson de la Pomeray
Dyonise Paynel, daughter of Jordan Paynel, married Samson de la Pomeray. In 1206 they gave some of their lands in Osgodby to Drax Priory. Together with their son, John, they are also responsible for granting 3 bovates (45 acres) of land in Osgodby to the Knights Templar of Temple Hirst. A document of 1223 shows Isobel & Peter de Maulay confirming the Manor of Osgodby as being under the Lordship of Dyonise & Samson de la Pomeray. After Samson’s death, Dyonise marries John de Spinetto and he confirms with Dyonise all the lands previously given by Dyonise, Samson and their son John.

John de la Pomeray
John was the son of Samson de la Pomeray and Dyonise Paynel and had inherited the Manor of Osgodby by 1243.

Jordan de la Pomeray/Jordan de Osgodby
By 1276, Jordan, son of John de la Pomeray was Lord of Osgodby Manor and was also known as Jordan de Osgodby, suggesting he may have been residing in the Manor.

De Osgodby Family

Robert de Osgodby
Robert de Osgodby is named as “Dominus de Osgodby” in 1284. He was the son of Adam de Osgodby, possibly a younger brother of Jordan de Osgodby. In 1302 Robert was granted a Charter by King Edward I for a weekly market in Osgodby, on Wednesday, an annual 3 day fair at the beginning of September and free warren of the Manor in recognition of services rendered to the King by Robert’s son, Matthew.

Adam de Osgodby, Master of the Chancery Rolls & King’s Clerk, was another of Robert’s sons who rose to high office. On 3 separate occasions being given custody of the Great Seal of England.

Robert de Osgodby
The Manor was next inherited by Robert’s son, Robert, who had two daughters Emma and Cecily. Emma died without having children, so the Manor went to her younger sister. Cecily married Hugh Turnyll and they had a son Ralph, who sometime before 1392 alienated (transferred) the Manor to William Ketteringe.

William Ketteringe

William was Secretary to the Duke of Lancaster. In 1392 he seems to have been planning a trip abroad and gifted the Manor of Osgodby to several people, in trust, with instructions on who should inherit the Manor on his death.

The next record of the Manor is 1409, when Henry and Elizabeth Randolf sell the Manor to John Strech, Alan de Newark and Richard de Holme, these in turn sell their shares to others and there are many transactions in title and land throughout the early 15th century. It can only be assumed that Elizabeth was an heir of William Ketteringe, as there is no information about how the couple acquired the Manor of Osgodby.

By 1430 Sir Robert Babthorpe, Lord of Babthorpe, and either his son or brother, William Babthorpe, had bought the Manor and lands in Osgodby.

Babthorpe Family (Lords of the Manor 1430-1620)

Sir Robert Babthorpe (1430 – 1436)
Sir Robert is thought to be the first Babthorpe Lord of the Manor of Osgodby. He was born in 1365, the son of Thomas Babthorpe and Joan de Osgodby. He was the first of his family to be knighted, was Comptroller of the King’s Household, compiler of the Agincourt Roll, and one the executors of the will of Henry V. He died in 1436 when the Manor of Osgodby was inherited by his youngest son, William, whilst the Manor of Babthorpe went to his oldest son, Ralph.

William Babthorpe (1436 – 1443)
William was Attorney General from 1419 to 1428 and also Baron of the Exchequer. The family were loyal to the house of Lancaster and many of them served in government office or fought for the Lancastrian army in the Wars of the Roses. He died in 1443 and is buried at Clerkenwell Church, London. His will of 21 October 1442 left the manor of Osgodby to his great nephew, Thomas

Thomas Babthorpe (1443 – 1478)
Thomas had problems with Thomas Hagthorpe and his brother, Richard, who believed they were the rightful heirs to the Manor and lands. They attempted to take land and rents from the tenants in Osgodby, forcing Thomas Babthorpe to take legal action for trespass which after some years of dispute ended in arbitration.

The Hagthorpes claimed they were descended from Isobel de Osgodby, daughter of Robert de Osgodby (Snr) and that she had inherited lands in Osgodby from her father. They also claimed that because her neice Emma had died without an heir, she should also have inherited the Manor from her brother, Robert de Osgodby (Jnr). However, Isobel and her husband, Thomas Hagthorpe, had sold all their interests in Osgodby in 1387 and Emma’s younger sister Cecily had inherited the Manor which had been alienated by her son, Ralph Turnyll. The land and Manor had subsequently been bought by the Babthorpes and Thomas Babthorpe produced deeds and documents of purchase to support his claim. The arbitrators found in favour of Thomas Babthorpe and the matter was finally settled in 1459.
Thomas Babthorpe was a canon of York and in his Will dated 1478 he conveys the Manor to trust for William Babthorpe, son of his brother Robert.

William Babthorpe (1478 – 1501)
William was the third son of Sir Robert Babthorpe. He was only 15 when his uncle Thomas died and had to wait until he was 21 to inherit the Manor of Osgodby. In 1500 he conveys Osgodby to trust in order to secure a life-interest in the estate for his wife Christina, with reversion to his eldest son, William, who was 11 years old. In 1504, his wife marries William Beddell who paid 40/- for the wardship of young William Babthorpe then aged about 11.

Sir William Babthorpe (1514 – 1555)
Sir William followed a career in the legal profession. When King Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church and became head of the Church of England, Sir William followed. He attempted to put down the uprising, known as the ‘Pilgrimage of Grace’ in 1536. He held a number of public offices, including membership of the Council of the North, Steward of Beverley, Constable of Wressle Castle and Keeper of the East Riding Rolls. In 1535 he was appointed to survey the chantries of the East Riding and in 1539 was charged with valuing the property of Selby Abbey, making his money by trading in monastic property. He was made Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Edward VI in 1547 and was a member of Parliament for Yorkshire in 1547 and 1554. On his death in 1555, the Manor of Osgodby went to his son William.

Sir William Babthorpe (1555 – 1581)
Sir William married twice, firstly to Barbara Constable of Everingham and secondly to Frances Dawnay of Snaith. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1560. However, in 1564 he seems to have reverted to Catholicism as he and his wife, Frances, were called before the Royal Commissioners and ordered to take Holy Communion at Hemingbrough Church, which they did. Osgodby Hall was allegedly built in 1580, if this is correct then William must have been responsible for its construction. He died in 1581, leaving the Manor in trust for 10 years to pay his debts and legacies and to raise 400/- as a portion for Mary Babthorpe, one of his daughters. After 10 years the Manor went to his son Ralph.

Sir Ralph Babthorpe (1591 – 1613)
Sir Ralph was born in 1555. He was knighted by James I at York on 17 April 1603. His wife, Grace Birnand, was a devout Catholic who convinced her husband to return to the Catholic faith and the family were known for recusancy, fined and sometimes imprisoned. Ralph provided a home for a young relative, Mary Ward, who stayed with the family in Osgodby for six years. Two of Mary’s uncles, who were also related to the Babthorpes, John and Christopher Wright, were involved in the Gunpowder Plot and executed. Ralph and Grace fled to London and then to Belgium to avoid further persecution and fines, leaving the Manor of Osgodby in the hands of their son William. Ralph died in Louvain, Belgium in 1618.

Sir William Babthorpe (1613 – 1620)
Sir William was the last Babthorpe Lord of the Manor of Osgodby. He took over the Manor when his parents fled. He sold the estate to a relative, Guy Palmes, in 1622 to flee abroad himself. ending his life in battle as a captain in the Spanish army in 1635.

Palmes Family (Lords of the Manor 1620 – 1668)

Sir Guy Palmes MP (1620 – 1653)
Sir Guy Palmes was born circa 1580 son of Sir Francis Palmes of Ashwell and Lindley. He was educated at the Inner Temple (admitted 1597). He had homes in Lindley, Huddersfield and Ashwell, Rutland where he was MP and was knighted in 1603. Made High Sheriff of Rutland in 1615, 1617 & 1625 and High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1622. He was a Protestant who advocated tightening of the recusancy laws, possibly because of the difficulties he experienced in his purchase and tenure of the Manor of Osgodby due to the recusancy debts incurred by the Babthorpes.

In 1620 when purchasing the Manor from William Babthorpe, a Catholic, Sir Guy was careful to withhold two thirds of the agreed purchase price of £3000 until he was satisfied that all outstanding arrears of recusancy fines were paid, and alternative provision had been made for annuities due to Babthorpe’s younger brothers. Palmes discovered two other debts before completing the purchase in 1622, and secured a discount of £450. However, once William Babthorpe had dissipated his remaining fortune, his assurances were useless, and his creditors soon began distraining his former estates for their arrears. Sir Guy claimed to have spent over a £1,000 in clearing William Babthorpe’s debts, and in fending off the attempts of a Richard Bowes who had bought another of Babthorpe’s properties, to make him share responsibility for further debts. As late as 1639, Sir Guy was contesting the attempts of William Babthorpe’s younger brother, Thomas, a seminary priest, to claim arrears of his annuity.

In 1626, Palmes steward, William Bosvile, offered to lease the demesne lands at £90 per year. Palmes gave Bosvile a lease to be signed by his son Brian Palmes, but Bosville allegedly altered the terms of the lease and when Sir Guy considered selling the property in 1628, he refused to surrender the lease in the hope that he could buy the estate at a discount, or at least to obtain compensation for the improvements he had made. The case dragged on into the 1630’s but the disputes with the Babthorpe’s creditors worked in Sir Guy’s favour and helped disrupt Boville’s possession of the Estate.

In 1635, Sir Guy conveyed Osgodby to his son, Francis, subject to his own life interest in the property. At the start of the Civil war, Francis Palmes was a captain of horse in the Kings army, implicated in the first army plot of May 1641. Sir Guy’s other son, Bryan was MP for Stanford & Aldborough and was accused of delinquency by Parliament after he raised a regiment in support of the King. In 1643 the Palmes’ estates were sequestered by Parliament because of their Royalist links and Sir Guy had to pay a hefty fine in 1646 to regain them.

Sir Guy died in 1653 and his son Bryan inherited his estates, however, Bryan only outlived his father by a few months, when Osgodby was put in trust to secure portions for Bryan’s 4 daughters.

William Palmes

It is not certain when William inherited Osgodby. He had large estates in Malton, which he inherited from his wife’s family and was the Whig MP for Malton. He had money problems and in 1660 took out a small mortgage on Osgodby with George Aislaby, a former resident of the village. One by one William sold off his family estates to pay off debts, Osgodby was the first of these, being sold in 1668 to Sir Jeremiah Smyth.

Smyth Family (Lords of the Manor 1668 – 1704)

Sir Jerimiah Smyth
bought the Estate in 1668. He was an interesting character who already had land in Hemingbrough and Newhay and in 1667 was living at the Provost’s house next to Hemingbrough Church.

He was born in Canterbury, the third son of a Hull ship owner & merchant. and married twice. His first wife Francis died in 1656, and their child died 1659. His second marriage was to Anne Pockley and they had four children, George, Francis, John and Jane. He was knighted in 1665.

It is thought Sir Jeremiah Smyth fought in Cromwell’s New Model Army during the Civil war and then went on to become a sea captain who became nationally famous during the Anglo Dutch Wars of 1652-1654 and 1665-1668.

In 1653, he was Captain of the frigate “Advice” and fought so successfully that he was promoted and given command of a superior ship, the “Mary” (62 guns). In 1665 the second Dutch War began and Sir Jeremiah was again promoted to be Second in Command of the English Fleet under the Admiral Gorge Monck, Duke of Albemarle. He fought in the battle of Lowestoft, and in 1666 he was “Admiral of the Blue Squadron” in the Four Days Battle and the St James Day Battle against the Dutch Admiral De Ruyter. It is said he fought gallantly, losing 99 men and most of his officers but captured an opposing ship. The Dutch recovered for a raid on the Medway in 1667 during which the English Flagship , the “Royal Charles” was sunk and the closeness of the enemy to London probably brought the war to an end.

During this time, Sir Jeremiah had moved his squadron north to the Baltic to harass Dutch commerce and evidently capturing many prizes from the enemy. With his share of the prize money, he was able to purchase Osgodby Hall estate.

He retired from active service, and was appointed Controller of Victualling Accounts 17 June 1669 – 24 November 1675. He died in 1675 in Clapham and is body was brought to Yorkshire to be buried in the chancel of Hemingbrough Church.

It is interesting that Samuel Pepys notes in his diary “Lay long, and this morning comes  Sir Jer. Smyth  to see me on his way to Court, and a good man he is, and one that I must keep fair with, and will, it being I perceive my interest to have kindness with the Commanders”

(Acknowledgement: we thank Rex Mings for his research)

On the death of Sir Jeremiah, the Osgodby Hall and Estate passed to his eldest son George Smyth.

George Smyth
George married Lennox Harrison, heiress of Acaster. Following the death of George in 1681, the estate was inherited by his eldest son Harrison Smyth.

Harrison Smyth
Known as mad, lame Smyth, because of his disabilities, Harrison was helped by his mother Lennox in managing the estate. Harrison died in 1696, unmarried, leaving Osgodby to his younger brother Jeremiah.

Jeremiah Smyth
Jeremiah was only 18 when he inherited and quickly got into debt, spending large amounts and not paying mortgages. In 1697 he demolished his grandfather’s former home, the Provost’s House in Hemingbrough, and according to the Hemingbrough Parish records, used the stone from this to rebuild Osgodby Hall. In 1698 he marred Mary Skinner, daughter of a Hull alderman and her dower was set on Osgodby. Debt eventually caught up with young Jeremiah and following legal action against him in 1704 the Courts ordered Osgodby to be sold. Jeremiah died in 1714, aged 37 and is buried in Hull Minster.

Burdett Family (Lord of the Manor 1704 – 1785)

John Burdett was the son of William Burdett a Master Mariner of Whitby. John was a practising Barrister at Law of Furnivall’s Inn and served for several years as a Chancery Barrister in London. He was involved as a plaintiff in the case of Jerimiah Smith ordering the sale of Osgodby Manor. John purchased the Manor of Osgodby ten days after the court case of Jerimiah Smith 0n 23 March 1704.

The Osgodby Hall deeds show that on 10 August 1736, an Indenture was made to Robert Linskill and John Farside, Trustees as marriage settlement of his brother Richard Burdett and his wife Idomia Cecil Twisleton (married 9 February 1722 Saint Stephen Walbrook and Saint Benet Sherehog,London). John also bequeathed his Osgodby copyhold land of the Manor of Temple Hirst to his sister Ann.

On retirement John lived at his country home in Sleights. He died on 4 April 1737 and buried in Egton, Yorkshire.

Richard and Idomia had two children, Elizabeth (20 November 1723) and Charlotte. (15 October 1725) born at the family home of Esk House, Sleights, Whitby. He died and was buried at Egton on 13 May 1744, and by virtue of the entail of the marriage settlement, the Manor descended to his eldest daughter Elizabeth.

Elizabeth married George Ridley 13 November 1740 at Yarm.

On 13 June 1755, their daughter Elizabeth Cecil Ridley was baptised at St Sampson’s, York and she married Charles Quist by License on 22 April 1772 at St John St Dunstan, Cranford. Charles was a “foreigner” and by Private Act, 16 George III in 1776 was naturalized which would enable him to enjoy the entail of the marriage settlement of 1736. The Deeds of Osgodby Hall and Manor show that on 30 January 1776 a Common Recovery was made which broke the 1736 entail and the Estate reverted to fee simple. this enabled the estate to be sold to someone else, to be mortgaged or settled in a new way. On 11 February 1777 a Mortgage of £4,000 on the Osgodby Estate was made and on 17 June 1778 a mortgage of £3,000.

Following the death of George Ridley, Elizabeth married by License Thomas Francis Pritchard on 8 October 1778 at St Marylebone, Westminster. On 31 July 1781, Thomas was granted a Royal Licence and Authority to assume and take the name of Burdett.

Thomas built-up debts until his affairs were irremediably involved. The Estate Deeds show that an Appointment was made and included the Creditors of Thomas.

The Estate and Manor was sold to George Dawson in 1785

Dawson Family 1785 – 1861

George Dawson (Lord of the Manor 1785 – 1808)

George Dawson was baptised at St Mary’s Castlegate, York, on 25 May 1733, son of Captain George Dawson and Dorothy Heaton.

In November 1749, George applied to the Court of Directors of the United East India Company to become a Writer at one of their factories. From his papers of application, one of his referees was W Watts who had trained George in accountancy. His sister, Dorothy also confirmed he had “learnt writing and Merchant Accounts”. George was appointed as a Writer on 24 October 1750.

He married Isabell Charlton on 17 October 1761 in Madras, India and their son George was born in 1763.

Following a very successful career in India, George returned to England in 1775, and on 3 August 1785, George purchased the Manors of Osgodby and Barlby.

On 14 December 1808, an Indenture made a Deed of Gift and Release of the Manor of Osgodby and Hall, together with the Manor of Barlby to his son George.

George died on 23 August 1812 and was buried on 28 August 1812 in the Chancel St Mary Bishophill Senior, York

George Dawson (Lord of the Manor 1808 – 1832)

George was born in India in 1763. He was a Lieutenant in the First Royals. On retirement, he accepted the appointment of Major of the North Riding Militia and deputy lieutenant. He married Elmira Reeves, daughter of John Reeves Esq of Aborfield House, Berkshire on 4 April 1793 at York St Michael Le Belfrey They had three children, Elmira Catherine Philadelphia (1795 – 1872) George Pelsant (see below) and Isabel (1804 – 1862)

In December 1808, his father had settled Osgodby Manor and Osgodby Hall on George and his heirs, Sir Francis Wood being appointed Trustee.

On the death of George on 30 April 1832 his residence was Brighton, Marlborough Place. He was buried at Arborfield.

George Pelsant Dawson (Lord of the Manor 1832 – 1861)

George Pelsant Dawson was born 22 July 1802 in Thirsk. He inherited the Manor of Osgodby and Osgodby Hall on the death of his father George in 1832. He matriculated (formally entered) Worcester College, Oxford University on 16 October 1822. In 1827 he joined Lincoln’s Inn as a barrister at law. At that time he was living at Arborfield Hall Estate Berkshire (he had inherited the hall via his mother’s family). He demolished Arborfield Hall in 1832 and commissioned a new hall in 1837 and sold it in 1842.

George married Susan Jane Dod on 26 July 1827 in Burnham on Sea. They had 8 children; Elmira Susan (1828 – 1908) Adelaide (1830 – 1831) George (1832) Pelsant Henry (1833 – 1858) Charlton (1835 – 1904) Edward Conyers (1837) Fanny Maria (1842 – 1911) Blanche Isabel Lillie (1845 – 1928).

In 1841, George and his family were living in Frogmore Road, Windsor. By 1845, the family had moved to live at Osgodby Hall. In 1861, his son Edward was at the Hall with his father and a farmer of 160 acres.

Osgodby Hall had been heavily mortgaged, and in 1861 George along with others with financial interest in the estate was sold. He died on 2 June 1872 in Lymington.

Riley Briggs (Lord of the Manor 1861 – 1913)

Riley Briggs was born 14 April 1832 in Leeds, the only surviving son of Emanuel Briggs Esq (born 1804 Colchester) and Hannah Riley (born 1808 Rawcliffe, Goole) . His father was a Flax Spinner in Leeds. Riley was educated at boarding school in East Keswick, and by 1851 was living with his parents in Hunslet, Leeds.

On 20 August 1856 he married Amelia Alice Ingram at Barton upon Humber. In 1861, on behalf of Riley, his father purchased the Manors of Osgodby and Barlby, including Osgodby Hall. Riley and Amelia moved to Osgodby to live in the hall circa 1862. He continued with his father’s business as a Flax Spinner in Leeds.

As Lord of the Manor, Riley continued to expand the Estate and purchased other free hold properties and land. Riley was active in the local community being appointed a local councillor and a Justice of the Peace. Riley organised village sports days and events in the grounds of the hall.

Riley and Amelia had the following family: Emily Kate Briggs (1857 – 1914) Mary Ann Briggs (1859 – 1926) George Manuel Briggs (1860 – 1914) Frederick R Briggs (1862 – 1906) His wife Amelia Alice died at the age of 37 in 1873. Both his daughters, Emily and Mary Ann, married and had families. His youngest son Frederick, did not marry, and was Manager of the Briggs Humber Brick and tile Works, New Holland. In 1906, on his way to return home to Osgodby Hall, he had a fatal accident. The inquest into his death recorded a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Riley never remarried, and died at the age of 81 on 21 August 1913. The Manor and Osgodby Hall estate were left in Trust to his son George. He sadly died the following year on 5 June 1914. A family plot is in Barlby Parish Churchyard. On Riley’s death, Trustees had been appointed, but it was not until 1919 when the Manor and the estate was finally auctioned.

George Emanuel Briggs 1913 – 1914

George was the surviving son (his brother Frederick having died in an accident) of Riley Briggs and inherited the Estate from his father. Sadly, George died one year after the death of his father.

The Estate remained in the custody of the Trustees of Riley Briggs will, until the Estate was sold in lots in 1919.

Arthur George Hopper Esq (Lord of the Manor 1919 – 1927)

Arthur George Hopper was born in Gosforth, Northumberland in 1866 and died  28 August 1929 at his  home Larchfield in Barkston Ash. 

In 1917, A G Hopper took out a lease and lived at Osgodby Hall with his wife and family. 

On 31 December 1919, he purchased Osgodby Hall (83 acres 3 roods and 6 perches) , together with the Manor of Osgodby,  Home Farm (253 acres 2 roods 18 perches)  and with  two cottages  from the Trustees of Riley Briggs at a cost of £13,375.

In 1920, he sold part of Home Farm land to the East Riding County Council, and in 1924 sold the Home Farm (202 acres) to John William and Clara Johnson.

Mr Hopper was well known in the district and was admired for his fairness and integrity.  The family organised garden fetes and sports days for the residents of Osgodby in the grounds of the hall.

In October 1927, the Osgodby Hall and estate, together with the Manor,  was sold to Sir Charles Wilson. 

A G Hopper  was a Director of the Olympia Oil and Cake Company, an East Riding Magistrate and an East Riding County Councillor. 

As a memorial, the Directors of the Olympia Oil and Cake Company (OCO) built a new room as a library extension to the OCO Institute the “Hopper Memorial Library”. 

Sir Charles Henry Wilson MP (Lord of the Manor 1927- 1930)

Sir Charles was born 13 January 1859 in Bransby, Yorkshire. After completion of his schooling at Easingwold, near York, he joined the staff of the North Eastern Railway Company as a clerk.  Later he became an accountant and established his own business in Leeds. 

Charles married his first wife Victoria Alice Renton (1859-1919) on 12^th January 1879 in Knaresborough.  Their children were Charles Percy (1879-1922) and Victoria Alice (1896 –

In 1890 he was elected Conservative councillor for North of Leeds and 17 years later was made an Alderman and proceeded to the position of Leeds City Council leader, a post he held for 20 years.

After the death of his wife Victoria in 1919, he married Elizabeth Anne Parvin Hill (née Garnett) on the 24^th June 1920.

In 1923 he was knighted for ‘public and political services in Leeds’ and made a Freeman of Leeds.  On 26^th July that year he won a by-election at the age of 64, becoming a Conservative Member of Parliament for Leeds Central, a post he held for six years until he retired at the 1929 general election.

He bought the Manor of Osgodby with 84 acres and the Hall on 12 October 1927. Sir Charles had ambitions to develop Osgodby as a “model village”. Sir Charles was instrumental in bringing the “Railway Carriage” to be used as a club room for the Girl Guides. He secured land on which to put a former pre-fab Chapel as a social centre to be open 7 day a week. This centre is the Osgodby Village Institute.

Sir Charles died 30 December 1930 and was buried in Skipwith Churchyard. In his will Sir Charles over-estimated the value of his estate and made liberal provision for his wife and other dependants. Probate was accepted as £35, 270 but there were many charges set against this, and he died “a poor man”. A fund was set-up for the benefit of his family and the citizens of Leeds were asked to contribute to the fund as a mark of recognition of the 40 years civic duties Sir Charles had give then city.