History
SH in Exeter
As Daniel Defoe said, visiting Exeter in the 18th century, “‘tis full of gentry and good company, and yet full of trade and manufacturers also.”
The Georgian terraces of Southernhay lie at the heart of the bourgeoise city. While Southernhay House stands out because of its detached grandeur, the main terraces were the work of two local builders from 1789 onwards: William Hooper and Matthew Nosworthy - whose portrait hangs on the first floor at Southernhay House.
We like the fact that the terraces were built by the middle class builders who were destined to live in them, together with the staff, the doctors, lawyers and artisans who looked after them. Between 1800 and 1840, the city doubled in size.
You can read more about the changing professions and people who lived and worked in Southernhay House here!
Captain William Kirkpatrick 1754-1812
THE FIRST OWNER OF SOUTHERNHAY HOUSE
William enjoyed a stellar career in the East India Company, which he joined in 1771. He was promoted to Captain by the time he was 27 and Major at 36. In 1793, William was despatched as envoy to Nepal to mediate between the Nepalese, Tibetans and Chinese; his facility for languages lead to his nickname “the Orientalist”. The first European to reach Nayakote, where the Nepalese Rajahs then held court, William mapped his journey: an original etching of the route hangs in reception at Southernhay House, with William’s portrait.
William’s nemesis was the mystic, warrior-king Tipu-Sultan. The two mens’ histories were intertwined. Tipu adopted the tiger as his personal emblem, branding everything with tigers and dreaming of them at night. You’ll find plenty of reminders of both mens’ passions at Southernhay House.
Why Exeter?
William’s personal life was complicated, as was the case for many gentlemen of the time. In India, William had become close to Sir John Kennaway (1758-1836), part of an ancient and still strong Devon family. On leave from India in 1784 with his two Anglo-Indian children, William spent a happy month with the Kennaway family at their home, Escot House near Exeter. The memory lingered when the time came to retire: William’s sweet correspondence with John is captured on the lighted bar window at Southernhay House.
Read the full story when you stay or visit us!