| Description | This area was the initial core of the estates the Jesses owned and developed.
Thomas Jesse purchased the Kings Arms Inn and adjacent property in Castle Street early in the 19th century. He built 75 and 76 Upper Jesse Place on part of this site. His nephew, also Thomas, built 76-79 Upper Jesse Place in 1861.
They owned a number of houses in Castle Street (some known as Jesse Place), and the residence then called Castle Hill House (on the north side of Castle Hill; the former King's Arms Inn) by 1834. By 1840 they also owned Albert Terrace. Jesse Terrace in Waylen Street was built on part of this estate c.1872-1874.
Castle Hill House was divided into several houses in the 1830s, with each wing let separately, generally for relatively short periods (sometimes on a weekly tenancy). E J S Jesse resided at part of Castle Hill House, 154 Castle Hill, after inheriting the estate. The whole of Castle Hill House was converted into flats in 1912.
In 1880 they acquired Castle Hill estate, on the opposite side of Castle Hill, including the Castle Hill residence [later Yeomanry House]. Part of this site was developed with houses being built along the north side of Castle Crescent c.1884-1886. The principal house was called Ascham House in c. 1905, and let to the Berkshire Yeomanry, and known as Yeomanry House by 1917.
Please note that properties in Castle Hill are often described as being in Castle Street, and the numbering continues from Castle Street. |