A drawing from the May 22, 1896 issue of "The Building News" that shows the house after its huge 19th century additions (demolished in the 1960s)
The house from a circa 1914 postcard
Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.
House & Family History: Between 1804 and 1843 Maer Hall was the seat of Josiah Wedgwood the Younger, son of Josiah Wedgwood the Elder, who founded the famous pottery that bears his name in 1759. Wedgwood the Elder’s daughter, Susannah, was the mother of the great naturalist Charles Darwin, who was a frequent visitor to Maer Hall, where he reputedly made some of his early geological and botanical studies. And it was at Maer that Darwin proposed to his first cousin, Emma Wedgwood, daughter of Wedgwood the Younger. On January 29, 1839, Charles and Emma were married at St. Peter’s, the parish church that overlooks the house.
Architect: John Pepper
Date: 1802-03Architect: John Webb
Date: Circa 1805Architect: James Francis Doyle
Date: Mid-19th century
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 799
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II
Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: William de Mere, 13th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Josiah Wedgwood the Younger, 1802-43. William Davenport, 1843-69. Frederic James Harrison, 1892-1915; Harrison family here until circa 1960.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No