This photograph shows the house of Sir Frank Brown on Norton High Street in 2009. Courtesy of Norman Kidd. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photograph shows the house of Sir Frank Brown on Norton High Street in 2009. Courtesy of Norman Kidd.
My grandmother, then Beatrice Kirby, was a servant at the Priory from the age of 12 until she married.
I think my maternal grandmother ( Mary Ellen Guest aka Nelly) lived in Hallifield Street and was also “in service” with your relative.
Sir Frank Brown was Chairman of Purfleet Chalk Quarries Ltd., in the Grays-Thurrock area of Essex. In 1921 he wrote a testimonial for my grandfather, Edward G. Haylock, who lost his job there as Works Manager.
I know this is an old thread but I wonder if anyone can help… My Great Grandmother was a servant for Frank Brown. The 1911 census says she was living with them at 59 High st Norton, This is now The Highland Lad… did they live there before moving to the Priory?
I seem to recall that the letter box had 59 on it and this was crossed out and 75? inscribed on it. Mind I may be wrong!
Wilkinson – known as “Muttonhead” by Nellie’s brother Dennis – once poured sulphuric acid on the the tops of the Priory garden walls, which he had previously greased, the aim was to prevent scrumping. Some local boys suffered mild burns and the police were called. Wilkinson was told off by the police but no action taken. This would have been in the mid- to late Seventies.
Doris, the scullery maid, had worked in the priory since she was nine. I believe her name wasn’t Doris but that’s what scullery maids at the Priory had always been called. On finding – in 1971 – that the house was supposed to be haunted, she said: “If I’d known that, I’d never have worked here so long.”
Nellie once went into Woolworths to buy some thread; a shop she considered very much beneath her. When the assistant said: “That’ll be sixpence, love.” She replied: “I am NOT your ‘Love'”.
Mr Wilkinson was man servant to Sir Frank Brown for over 45 years and on the death of Sir Frank he became odd-job man at the Priory.
One of his many stories is that Miss Nellie was a ‘rebel’.
When ladies of the gentry travelled in carriages or were driven by car, Miss Brown had her brother teach her how to drive and in the 1960s when women were becoming drivers Miss Brown went back to pony and trap.
Miss Brown was patron of both Stockton & Thornaby Hospital and Royal College of Nursing with The Priory holding annual open days and fetes.
Only Gentry could enter by the front door, servants and tradesmen used the Tradesmans entrance in Priory Walk. The only exception was the florist who delivered the magnificent ‘Table-Centres’ via the front, thus letting the village know of forthcoming celebration.
A large grape/orangery was situated on the north wall of the garden and in 1979, when the house was for sale, the derelict building almost roof-less had a massive grape vine among the fallen slates and brick-work. The Browns ‘Pet-Cemetery’, with inscribed stones, still stands in the Priory garden. On Miss Browns death Mr wilkinson retired to The Fox Alms Houses.
It was ‘Nellie’ Brown, not Maggie. Yes she was a strict Magistrate, I know. I had occasion to be in front of her for a misdemenour which I never committed. Letting off a firework before bonfire night. I was with a group of 4 children. A policeman lodger heard the bang and caught us and because I was the tallest he decided to take my name. Miss Brown took no notice of my ‘not guilty’ plea and I was fined 10/- (50 pence in todays currency). I wouldn’t care but she could have been caught herself on every occasion she drove her little Morris Mini because she always had her yorkshire terrier on her knee whilst driving.
I remember Nellie Brown she used to have an old alpine 2 seated sports car pale blue it had the interior covered with the original plastic from the factory I used to service it when I worked at Fairfield garage for many years. Wish I had it now would be worth a few pennies these days.
Ah yes! I remember a very high brick wall guarding the orchard at the back, very few could climb it, but the apples were the best in town. “Maggie Brown’s Orchard”
I remember the Priory very well. Miss Brown lived there, she was a very strict judge in the juvenile court. Once a year they held a huge garden party for special guests. In the attic there was a huge model railway. A friend of mine Peter Rowebotham was allowed in as his mother worked as housekeeper there; I think the priory is now a retirement home; Miss Brown was Sir Frank Browns sister.
My grandmother, Kate Alexander, worked for Lady and Sir Frank Brown as a Parlour maid. She said that Lady Brown liked everything just right and she even used to check that the servants ate properly as well. Kate started work early in the morning and sometimes worked till she went to bed, which could be late if there had been special dinners or parties.
Hi Ann I know this is an old thread but we are researching the history of the Priory (as we are the new owners) and wondered if you had any old photos or information from your grandmother, Kate Alexander ?
I have a photo of my grandmother with 2 other maids and a male servant. It doesn’t show any property only a wall behind with ivy on. I think she said the coachman was called Copsey, and the cook was sent to France to learn how to cook French food, her name was Ethel Duffy. My grandmother died in 1991 age 99 so it’s a long time ago.