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Nathaniel Bond 1st of Creech Grange Dorset

  • Writer: noellb
    noellb
  • Mar 1
  • 7 min read

Updated: Mar 3

Creech Grange is a historic Manor House located in the picturesque village of Steeple, Dorset, England, beautifully situated at the foot of the scenic Purbeck Hills. This remarkable structure was originally constructed in the year 1539 by the influential Sir Oliver Lawrence, a prominent figure of his time who came into possession of the land following the significant and transformative period known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, which took place between 1536 and 1541 under the reign of King Henry VIII. This event marked a pivotal moment in English history, as it led to the disbanding of monastic communities and the redistribution of their lands, allowing individuals like Sir Oliver to acquire substantial estates and fortunes.

Interestingly, Sir Oliver Lawrence is also recognized as an ancestor of George Washington, the esteemed first president of the United States. This connection adds an intriguing layer to the history of Creech Grange, linking the manor to a pivotal figure in American history and illustrating the far-reaching implications of English land ownership and lineage.

Over the years, Creech Grange Manor underwent several changes in ownership and structure. In 1691, the estate was sold to Nathaniel Bond, marking a new chapter in its history. Unfortunately, the passage of time has not been kind to the original structure, and only fragments of the original Manor House remain today. This deterioration can be attributed to various historical events, most notably a devastating fire set by Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. This conflict, which raged from 1642 to 1651, saw many historic buildings suffer damage, and Creech Grange was no exception.

In addition to the fire, significant alterations were made to the manor in the 19th century, particularly in 1846 when the original frontage was demolished and replaced with a new façade designed in the Tudor architectural style. This renovation was part of a broader trend during the Victorian era, where many historical buildings were updated or remodelled to reflect contemporary tastes, often at the expense of their original designs and features. As a result, while Creech Grange Manor retains its historical significance, much of its original character has been lost to these changes over the centuries, leaving behind a fascinating but fragmented glimpse into its storied past.

Creech Grange Dorset
Creech Grange Dorset

Nathaniel Bond 1643 -1707 was the son of Denis II Bond, M.P. and Lucy Lawrence, daughter of William Lawrence; he was born on 14th June 1643 in Luton, Dorset, England. He married Elizabeth Churchill on 21st Dec 1667, and secondly Mary Williams on 3rd August 1675, daughter of Lewis Williams of Shitterton.


Nathaniel and Mary had two sons:


  1. Denis Bond, of Creech Grange 1676 - 1747, M.P of Dorchester, Corfe Castle and Poole. M Leonara Sophia Colt, Widow of Edmund Bummer and daughter of Sir William Dutton Colt, no issue.

  2. John Bond I of Tyneham 1678 - 1744, M.P of Corfe Castle, M Margaret Williams, daughter of John Williams of Harrington, had issue.


Nathaniel was educated at Oxford University and awarded a fellowship at All Souls Collage,

He matriculated from Wadham College in 1650, graduating B.C.L in 1654, and incorporated LL.B Cambridge Univerity in 1659.

He then proceeded to the Inner Temple, where he was called to the bar in 1661 and began his career in law he was a barrister and king serjeant.

In 1679, he became a member of Parliament for Corfe Castle and, in 1681, served as the representative for Dorchester.


The History of Parliament, British, Political Social & Local History, Ref Volumes,1690 - 1715

Author: Paula Watson:

Nathaniel Bond 1643 -1707

A Whig lawyer, Bond had failed to get a seat in the Convention and did not stand in 1690; but he was returned in 1695 for Dorchester, where he had property and family connexions. An interest in matters of trade and finance is indicated by his committee nominations. He was forecast as likely to support the Court in the divisions of 31 Jan. 1696 on the proposed council of trade and signed the Association promptly. Granted three weeks’ leave of absence on 14 Feb., he returned to Westminster in March and voted for fixing the price of guineas at 22s. In October he assisted in the management of the bill for further remedying the ill state of the coinage. On 25 Nov. he was one of the Whigs who voted against the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†, possibly out of professional scruple. The remainder of Bond’s parliamentary career as recorded in the Journals comprised nothing more than an occasional appointment to committee and two leaves of absence (5 Feb. 1697 and 1 Feb. 1698). Listed as a placeman in July, he was also noted in September as a courtier who had been ‘left out’ of the 1698 Parliament. Indeed, Bond had made no attempt to retain his seat. Although never returning to Parliament, he continued to play some part in local politics, particularly at Poole where he had been chosen recorder in 1699. At Queen Anne’s accession, he lost his place as King’s serjeant. Bond died on 31 Aug. 1707 and was buried at Steeple. His son Denis later sat for several Dorset boroughs.


John I Bond of Tyneham 1678 -1744 was the son of Nathaniel Bond of Creech Grange MP and Mary Williams 1641 - 1728.


John II Bond of Creech Green MP 1717 -1784 was the son of John I Bond of Tyneham MP and Margaret Williams 1688 -1775.


John III Bond Of Creech Grange MP 1753 -1824 was the son of John II Bond of Creech Grange MP 1717 - 1784 and Mary Dummer 1717 - 1787.


Nathaniel Bond, 2nd of Creech Grange.

Nathaniel Bond, 2nd of Creech Grange and Luton Steeple Rev, 1804 -1889 was the son of John III Bond MP 1753 - 1824 and Elizabeth Lloyd 1765 -1846; he was husband to Mary Hawkesworth 1815 -188.

Children of Nathaniel and Mary Bond.

  1. Leonora Sophia Bond.

  2. John Bond.

  3. Nathaniel Bond.

  4. Dennis William of Luton Grange Bond.

  5. George Hawkeswoth Bond.


Nathaniel of Creech Grange and Luton Steeple was 3rd great-grandchild of Nathaniel Bond 1st of Creech Grange he Inherited Creech Grange from his father John Bond III of Creech Grange.



Nathaniel Bond 2nd of Creech Grange and Family
Nathaniel Bond 2nd of Creech Grange and Family

William Beetham’s 1848 portrait of the Bond family at Creech Grange Dorset. Measuring 10 by 14 feet, it now on display at the Dorset County Museum. Towards the end of the 19th century, Bond family members were amongst the founders of the Dorset County Museum. Nathaniel Bond is depicted leaning against a gabled porch, Nathaniel, seen in profile, looks with pride and obvious affection towards his wife and family. Nathaniel met his wife Mary (1815-1881), the daughter of Mr J Hawkesworth, a landowner of Forest, Queen’s County, Ireland, on 13 August 1835 and proposed to her nineteen days later at Forde Abbey. Beetham shows her wearing fashionable ringlets and dress with petticoats. She gazes affectionately at her husband and completes a triangle of familial warmth by supporting the hand of their oldest child, Leonora Sophia. Aged eleven, she wears a white sprigged-muslin dress tied with a pink silk sash, pantaloons and pumps. As if to emphasise their closeness, her mother has taken one of the flowers from Leonora’s basket to wear in her décolletage. Kneeling in the foreground at his mother’s feet is Denis, aged six, playing with a skittish dog which has a white glove in its mouth. Standing behind Denis is ten-year-old John Bond, holding the saddle of the horse. John leans protectively against the bridled horse on which his youngest brother, George, is mounted. Completing the family group on the far left of the portrait is eight-year-old Nathaniel, holding the horse’s reins.


In the year c1740, Denis Bond, of Creech Grange 1676 - 1747, M.P of Dorchester, Corfe Castle and Poole., being the resident of Creech Grange took it upon himself to build a Folly (an Arch) on Ridgeway Hill Known today as Bonds Folly and also as Creech Grange Arch Dorset.



Nathaniel Bond 1st of Creech Grange MP 1634-1707



Further Reading:

Country Houses of Dorset, by Arthur Oswald.

West Country Historic Houses and Their Families, by Eric R. Delderfield.

Bond Family of Creech Grange, The National Libary Archives.

The History of Parliament, (Research.)

Bond Family of Creech Grange, Steeple 1224 -1961, Dorset History Centre.




Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

 
 
 

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