Image ID: 04967

The White House, Millgate

Courtesy of Brenda Smith

Millgate
Newark on Trent
England

Flooding in the garden of the house, from the river Trent. Bernard Martin, Chartered Architect, wrote of the house: The main part of the building probably dates from the mid-18th century, but who first occupied this substantial mansion on the banks of the Trent remains a mystery. It is mentioned in the 1772 Trent Navigation Act and in the early 19th century the house was offered for sale or rent. It was a dwelling ideal for a family with social aspirations. It brought with it a walled garden stretching down to the river and stocked with fruit trees, as well as two acres of pasture land, and area which included the present Millgate Field. Whether the elaborate Georgian-style internal fittings date from this period, or were part of a later restoration, is unknown. The house was considered ideal for a 'private gentleman', or a someone engaged in a 'mercantile trade'. Indeed, the subsequent owner of the house was a trader, a man called John Clarke, farmer, coal merchant and wharfinger, occupied the house in the first half of the 19th century. His wife, Mary Ann Clarke, was still living in the house as a widow in 1861, described as 'landed proprietor'. The next occupier was Thomas Earp, a maltster and partner in the Trent Brewery, established on Millgate in about 1850 (the Cooper's Yard housing development now stands on the site). Earp was politically successful , had a strong interest in politics and was an alderman, mayor and Liberal MP for Newark. He was also Chairman of the Governors of Magnus School, and gave his name to Earp Avenue, on which the present school stands. The next owner was Enos Smith, who lived there from c 1920 until the Second World War. He kept an impressive household, a steamboat and even a vineyard in France, with which he stocked his wine cellars. He used to open his garden to the local boy scouts for their jamboree, and his wife raised funds for the needy of the neighbourhood. After the war the house was occupied by several families as a result of the shortage of money to support large households. In 1950 SPD Food Distribution Ltd occupied the house, and later, in 1961, British Waterways and Trent Hire Cruisers were based there. In 1998, the building was still owned by British Waterways. (Information taken from 'The White House, Millgate, Newark: Brief History, by Bernard Martin)

Date: 1928 - 1929

Organisation Reference: NCCE000681

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