15 & 16 Holywell Street probably date from the end of the sixteenth or beginning of the seventeenth century, but they were remodelled in the eighteenth century. The ground floor was refronted in rubble in 1970. They are owned by Merton College.
They form a Grade II Listed Building (1047268) with the following description:
Nos 15 & 16 SP 5106 NE 6/212 12.1.54. II GV 2.
House and two shops. RCHM 208. Probably originally one C16-C17 building remodelled in C18. Three-storeyed stuccoed timber-framing on cellars with a modern brown tiled hipped roof and modern red brick stacks. The ground floor has recently (1970) been refronted in rubble. No 16 has a single gable and the back of No 15 has two gables. The first floor has a double sash window in a plain frame in No 15 and No 16 has a sash window in a moulded frame with an architrave. The second floor has one sash window in No 15 and No 16 has a modern two-light casement window.
There seems to be some confusion between the numbers 15 and 16 in the nineteenth century, with neither listed in Hunt's Directory of 1846. No. 15 on the right with the larger window remained a shop until the 1960s, but No. 16 on the left appears to have been a shop for a period.
On 17 March 1849 the auction of the leasehold property at No. 16 (presumably 15?) with the adjoining tenements in Carter's Passage (later known as Park Passage, (by direction of the executrix of the late William Carter) was advertised in Jackson's Oxford Journal, promising an aggregate rental of £73 a year:
in one lot; comprising a DWELLING HOUSE, known as No. 16 [15?] Holywell Street, containing, on the ground floor, front shop and small sitting room, and two bed rooms over, with wash-house and cellar; also SIX TENEMENTS adjoining, with wash-houses and small gardens attached, situate in Carter's-yard, Holywell-street, with a right of way to the Parks; in the occupation of Messrs. Kitchen, Poole, Prior, Quarterman, Vickers, and others, all respectable and punctual tenants.
This Property is held by one lease under Merton College, Oxford, for a term of 40 years, from Lady Day, 1838, subject to the following out-goings:—Land tax, 1l. 13s. 7d.; quit rent, 16s.; total, 2l 9s. 7d.
On 21 November 1868 the auction of No. 16 (together with the six cottages behind) was again advertised in Jackson's Oxford Journal:
The FRONT HOUSE, with Shop, No. 16 [15?], and SIX COTTAGES in the rear, with Garden to each, and two detached wash-houses, water closets, and privies, with the city water laid on, adjoining Park Passage, in the several occupations of Messrs. Hounslow, Smith, Drury, Hughes, Stapleton, Miss Mallam, and Mrs. Robins, old and punctual tenants, paying a rental of £72. 14s. per annum.
This Property is held by lease from Merton College, for a term of 40 years, from Michaelmas 1852, subject to a reserved rent of 15s. 9d., and Land Tax £1 14s. 3d.
15–16 Holywell Street in the censuses
1841
No. 15
Hard to identify.No. 16
Probably the house occupied by the independent gentleman William Carter (80), but listed out of sequence
1851
No. 16½ [possibly No. 15]
Thomas Daly (46), a Royal Artillery pensioner, lived here with his wife Mary (29) and their children John (7) and James (9 months) and a nurse-child, Mary Jones (8 months).No. 16
Edward Peake (21), a carver & gilder, lived here with his wife Eliza (24).
1861
No. 15
Jane Godfrey (57), a laundress, lived here with her sons Charles (33) and Ebenezer (27), who were college servants, her daughter Jane (19), also a laundress, and her servant Caroline Akers (39), who is described as a laundrymaid.No. 16
John Green (32), a master tailor employing two men, is described as married, but was alone in the house on census night.
1871
No. 15
No listing.
No. 16
Benjamin Hounslow (37), a boot closer, lived here with his wife Jane (39) and their children Benjamin (15), who was a college servant, Jane (12), and Samuel (7). The enumerator amended 15 to read 16, showing the ongoing confusion with the numbering.
1881
No. 15
Frederick C. Collins, a cowkeeper & dairyman employing one man, lived here with his brother Arthur), who was described as a dairyman and presumably worked for his brother. Both were single.No. 16
Benjamin T. Hounslow (47), a grocer, still lived here with his wife Jane (49) and their children Benjamin (25), who was a butler, Jane (24), and Samuel (17), who was a cabinet maker’s apprentice).
1891
No. 15/16 (listed as 15)
William Tollett (45), a tailor, lived here with his wife Elizabeth (36) and their children Louisa (12), Reginald (10), Winifred (5), Melville (3), and Florence (eleven months). Both William & Elizabeth Tollett died here in March 1898.No. 16
Benjamin Hounslow (59), a grocer, lived here with his wife Jane (60).
1901
Nos. 15/16 (listed as 16)
Jane Reeve (37), an unmarried general grocer, lived here with her widowed mother Sarah (79), who was living on her own means.
1911
Nos. 15/16 (listed as 16)
Arthur Carter (38), a shopkeeper, lived here with his wife Elizabeth (36), who assisted in the business, and his daughter May (18), who was a teacher.
1921
Nos. 15/16 (listed as 16)
Elizabeth Carter (46), the widow of Arthur Carter, now ran the general shop here on her own. Her daughter May (29) now kept house for her, and the Balliol student John Edgar Maxwell-Hyslop boarded with them.
1939 Register
No. 15
The wireman (electric light & power) George J. Gray is listed here with his wife Amy.No. 16
The widowed shopkeeper & confectioner Martha Carter was listed here with Florence Carter and three young people who are likely to have been lodgers.
Occupants of 15–16 Holywell Street listed in directories etc. |
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No. 16 (left) |
No. 15 (right) |
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1758 |
Mr Hern |
Mr Hern |
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1772 |
Mr Attewell |
Mr Vincent |
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1851–1852 |
Edward Peake |
Thomas Daly (16A, but probably No. 15) William Blay |
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1861 |
John F. Green |
Mrs Jane Godfrey |
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1866 |
Thomas Higginson, paper hanger, & Mrs Higginson, feather dresser |
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1871–1881 |
Benjamin Hounslow |
E. Collins in 1871 |
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1884 |
J. Carter |
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1887 |
Mrs Walton |
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1889–1899 |
Thomas Fenemore, with William Tollett, tailor 1889–1898 (moved from 95 when it was demolished by New College)
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1901–1905 |
Miss Jane Reeves |
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1914–1916 |
Arthur Carter Mrs Elizabeth Carter |
E. W. Attwood, ironmonger & gas & hot water fitter (also at 14 & 14A ) |
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1921 |
Cox & Co. |
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1926–1960 |
George J. Gray & Son |
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1962–1966 |
C. N. Spencer, general store |
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1967 |
Malcolm A. S. Moore |
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1970 |
John L. Barton |
Homefinding accommodation agency |
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1972–1976 |
No listing |
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1991–1995+ |
Merton College annexe |
Wykeham Coffee House |
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Today |
Edamamé Japanese Restaurant |
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