DiCamillo Companion
England

Melrose Hall (West Hill)

  • Built / Designed For: John Anthony Rucker

    House & Family History: J.A. Rucker was a banker, merchant, and owner of plantations in Grenada that were worked by enslaved people. He was a co-founder of a bank, Dorrien, Rucker & Carleton, that ultimately, through later buyouts and mergers, became a part of the Royal Bank of Scotland. In 1863 the Royal Hospital for Incurables (today Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability) took over Melrose House. It appears that the late 18th century house been incorporated into the larger hospital complex.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: Until the mid-20th century part of the house's former park housed a working farm that grew produce for the meals of the hospital's patients.

  • Architect: Lancelot Brown

    Date: 18th century
    Designed: Landscape

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    Architect: Jesse Gibson

    Date: Circa 1790
    Designed: House for John Anthony Rucker

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  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 2008
    Reference: pg. 426
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 9780300125085
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Not Listed

    Park Listed: Not Listed

  • Past Seat / Home of: John Anthony Rucker, 1791-1804; Daniel Henry Rucker, 1804-48.

    Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Hospital / Care Home / Recovery Center

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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