4 Holywell Street dates from the early eighteenth century but has been altered. It is owned by Merton College.
It is a Grade II Listed Building (1047264), with the following description:
No 4 SP 5106 NE 6/221 12.1.54. II GV 2.
House. RCHM 217. Early C18 and altered. Narrow three-storeyed stuccoed timber-framed front with a moulded wood band at the second floor and a moulded eaves cornice above which is a small stuccoed parapet. The ground floor has one C18 type sash window and the front doorway has a reeded wood frame and a bracketed hood. In the first floor is a splayed bay window with C18 type sashes. The second floor has two sash windows in moulded wood frames.
Mrs Sarah Moss was the proprietor of this house until her death in late 1844. The following auction advertisement appeared on 11 January 1845:
A compact and comfortable DWELLING HOUSE, No. 4, Holywell-street, Oxford, containing three sitting rooms, five bed rooms, kitchen, wash-house, scullery, cellars, and other conveniences; with yard and garden behind the same, inclosed with walls. The premises, which are in good repair, and of which early possession may be had, are held by lease under Merton college for 40 years, from the 10th of October 1834, at the rent of 3s.
The next occupant was Charles Luker, a cook at All Souls College. There was an auction of his furniture held here on 15 August 1854, as he was leaving Oxford.
The grocer James Patey, a servant of Merton College and later a grocer, lived here from at least 1861 until his death hre at the age of 86 on 30 November 1878. During his tenure, the house was advertised for sale on 19 December 1868:
The desirable LEASEHOLD RESIDENCE, No 4, Holywell-street, containing good cellar in the basement, two sitting rooms, pantry, kitchen and scullery, paved yard, and garden, on the ground floor; bow-windowed front room, two bed rooms, and water closet, on the first floor, and three bed rooms over, the whole in the occupation of Mr. Patey.
This Property is held by lease for 40 years under Merton College, from October 10, 1848.—Quit Rent, 3s.; Land Tax, £1 1s. 0d.
Planning application to change Nos. 4 & 5 from dwelling houses to student accommodation approved in February 1968 (68/19835/A_H)
4 Holywell Street in the censuses
1841
The 1841 census for Holywell does not give house numbers, but it is possible to deduce where people listed that year lived by examining directory entries between 1839 and 1842 and later censuses
Miss Sarah Moss (45), independent, lived here with her servant girl and a younger independent man who presumably lodged with her.
1851
Charles Luker (36), now described as a college cook (at All Souls College), still lived here with his wife Martha (37) and their children Henry (9), Augustus (7), George (5), Fanny (4), James (2), and Martha (6 months). They had one servant.
1861
James Patey (68), a grocer, lived here with his wife Elizabeth (64) and their grandson Charles (12). They had one servant.
1871
James Patey (78) still described as a grocer, was living her with his wife Elizabeth (75) and their grandson Charles Patey (21), who was now a grocer's assistant. They had one female servant.
1881
Clara Collins (45), a widow described as independent, lived here with one domestic servant.
1891
Miss Emily Farrant (54), a coal merchant, lived here with her widower brother Edward (53), who was a hosier's manager, and one servant.
1901
Edward Farrant (63),described as a shop assistant to a hosier, still lived here with his unmarried sister Emily (64). Although she was described as a coal merchant and an employer, her brother was now listed as the head of the household. They had one general servant.
1911
Miss Emily Farrant (74), a coal merchant, was once againdescribed as the head of the household. She lived here with her widowed brother Edward (73), a retired outfitter, and one servant.
1921
Miss Emily Farrant (84), now described as a retired coal merchant, was still here with her widowed brother Edward (83), and both were described as retired coal merchants. They had one servant.
1939 Register
The research worker and university teacher John Z. Young lived here with his wife Phyllis and their two children, plus a domestic servant.
Occupants of 4 Holywell Street listed in directories etc. |
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1758 |
Mr Spindler |
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1772 |
Mrs Bull |
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By 1841 to |
Miss Sarah Moss |
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1846–1854 |
Charles Luker |
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1852[?] |
James Patey |
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1861–1878 |
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1880–1 |
Edward Collins (died here aged 69 on 18 November 1880) Clara Collins (1881) |
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1884–1926 |
Edward Farrant with Miss Emily Farrant, coal merchant to 1916 Just Miss Farrant by 1905 |
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1926 |
William Simpson |
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1927–1930 |
Gavin Rylands de Beer, M.A., D.Sc. |
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1933 |
No listing |
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1935–1949 |
John Z. Young, M.A. |
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1952–1954 |
John Michael Wallace-Hadrill |
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1956–1967 |
Revd Charles Stephen Conway Williams, M.A. Mrs G. Williams (1962–1967) |
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1968 |
Change of use of two dwelling houses to students’ accommodation. Alterations and conversion into one property with No. 5 next door (68/19835/A_H) |
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Today |
Merton College annexe (with No. 5 next door) |
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