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by Peter Lee
In the mid 19th century The Wash Brook, which today runs in culvert down Queens Road and into the River Anker, was then almost entirely open from Queens Road to the River. It formed a boundary alongside one side of the garden of Bridge House, which got its name from the bridge, which spanned the brook on the main road. The Wash Brook also formed the parish boundary of Chilvers Coton with Nuneaton. Chilvers Coton was peculiar in that it had a boundary almost in the town centre of its adjacent parish
Bridge House was a superb example of Georgian architecture. Few people will remember it today, many will recognise what a very great pity it did not survive beyond the 1920's.
One hundred and seventy years ago it was the home of Rev. Hugh Hughes, curate in charge of Nuneaton Parish Church, Rev. Hughes was the model for "Mr. Crewe" in George Eliot's "Scenes of Clerical Life" The Rev. Hughes originated from the village of Tynymynedd in Denbighshire and married Sarah Warden, the only daughter of Joseph Warden of Nuneaton. He died in 1830. The house passed through the family to the Clays who were related by marriage.
Bridge House was for many years the residence of Mr. John Warden Clay, general linen and woollen draper at nos. 9 & 10 The Market Place. .
John Warden Clay was born in 1821, son of Elizabeth Warden of Fillongley and James Clay of Nuneaton. He went to the same school as Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) and the only memories we have of their mutual school days was when John Clay engaged in snow balling our young future authoress during one winter school time episode. I guess this might have been permissible because John Warden Clay was remotely related to Miss Evans through her mother's line. The school they both attended would have been "The Elms" in Vicarage Street, (then called Back Lane) to which the business classes sent their children for a private education. His father James Clay was a Linen and Wool Draper for many years in the Market Place. His son took over the business before 1850. John married twice and with his first and then Catherine (his second wife?) had seven boys and three girls, which followed them into their successful business. One of his sons Mr. Charles Clay later owned premises at No. 4 The Market Place.
In 1878 it was said that John Warden Clay held the ancient high office of "High Constable". His 1881 household also included two servants, his cook Miss Ellen Allen of Stockingford and housemaid Adeline Poxon of West Bromwich in Staffordshire.
He was a leading townsman of his day being secretary of the Nuneaton Institute of which he was a founder member. The Institute was the forerunner of the Free Library. After his death a bronze tablet was erected in his honour and this is still in existence today but not on public display. He was also a deeply religious man, and was responsible for laying the foundation stone of the Congregational chapel in Coton Road where the family had a private pew.
It was said of him that "The sterling qualities of his heart and mind shone out with conspicuous brightness as a beacon on a hill."
John Warden Clay died in August 1904 aged 83, a great old character in the history of Nuneaton, much loved within the community. His wife continued to live at their family home, Bridge House, for some years but regrettably the property with its beautiful garden was sold and shops, which are still there, built on the site around 1922.
The family are now scattered to the far corners of England and the last we heard grandchildren were living in Leamington Spa and Hove. One great grandchild was Mr. Frederick Gibberd C.B.E. F.R.I.B.A. designer of the reconstruction plan for the centre of Nuneaton in the 1960's as well as Nuneaton Library and Dempster Court flats. Another was Mr. H.Pitt, Dean of Worcester College, Oxford.
Where are all Mr. John Warden Clay's many descendents today I wonder?
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