The house on the cliff edge known locally as “ Spooky House“ or even “Haunted House”! and probably built in the mid 1800. The property was owned by a family called Nixon or de Courcey Nixon who came from Limerick, Ireland and it was in this family’s name for many years.
Brinsley de Courcey Nixon was born in County Limerick, Ireland about 1825 and his occupation at the time of the 1881 Census was given as a Banker in London. Brinsley’s father – Horatio Stopford Nixon, 1787 – 1838 from Cavan, Ireland and was married on 3rd May 1824 to Charlotte Fergus b.1782. Strathore Fifeshire Ireland.
Brinsley de Courcey Nixon was born 5th May 1825 and married on 30th June 1864 in County Limerick Ireland a Caroline Mary GOOLD (GOULD) 1830-1875. He married again on 6th October 1877 in County Limerick Ireland to Francis Evelyn HAMPTON born abt. 1830 London.
The 1891 Census of Northam – Seafield shows the following:
NIXON Lottie – head – Y12 (Y= Born in County)
NIXON Elizabeth – Daugh – Y11
NIXON Fergus B – Son – Y10
NIXON Edward H – Cousi – Y10
NIXON Brinsley – Son – Y5
Luscombe Anna H – Servant – 35 Y Governess
Rodgers Joseph – Servant – 24 Y Butler Employee
Tindale Jane – Servant – 19 Y Kitchen Maid
Mounce Mabel – Servant – 17 Y House Maid
Hoar Emily – Servant – 19 Y Nursery Maid
Kelly’s Directory of 1897 shows the property still in the name of Brinsley de Courcey and the 1901 Census shows the property let to another family – as follows:
William J Pursey – head – 33 Postman postal worker
Elizabeth A – wife – 35 – born Frithelstock
James E – son – 4 – Northam
William H – son – 1 – Northam
Harriet m in law – Widow – 57 – Taunton
Elizabeth Bragg sister – 28 – Uphill
In 1906 the property is shown as being in the name of the son Lieut. Furgess Brinsley Nixon who later became a major with the R.Innis.Fus. – Medals awarded 31st May 1918. On 10th Nov.1903 Gladys Elizabeth Nixon – abt. 1880 – 1960 married Hugh Grosvenor 2nd Baron of Stalbridge born on 5th May 1880 – died on 24th December 1949, on of Richard de Aquila Grosvenor, 1st Baron of Stalbridge and Eleonor Francis Beatrice Hamilton Stubber.
During WW2 the Americans were billeted at Seafield and the surrounding area. Gladys died on 21st March 1960 and as far as our research shows there were no children, and the property was sold, the new owners of Seafield made it a Bed and Breakfast establishment, and it is still owned by the same family.
I heard it had been left to a chap who previously rented rooms in Westward Ho on condition that he lived there, and that he and his sister shared the house but never got on with each other. Apparently he has since died, which is appears evident as previously the lawn was always nicely mowed and is not now, and the lady lives there alone. It’s such a shame it can’t be restored.
@Rose Arno….Unfortnately the house has been vandalised over recent years. Windows have been smashed on the front of the house and recently the old lady who lives there placed a sign in the window asking “Please don’t throw stones”. About 2 years ago I overheard some teenagers bragging how they’d broken in through the front door one night thinking it was empty…and they were shocked to find someone living there.
Seafield House will always be a talking point, it’s become an iconic part of the Westward Ho! history. Respect to the lady who lives there.
Thanks for your comment, it has not been vandalised but is in need of some renovation.
Im doing a school project about the history of westward ho and one of the things im including in it is seafield house. This was really helpful and seafield house is a beautiful property which doesnt deserve to be vandilised.
Seafield House is still lived in by an elderly lady who cannot afford to have repairs done. She is the owner of the property, has lived there since she was nineteen and has too many memories of her family life there to leave. She loves the place.
Fallen in love with the property, can’t understand why stones have been thrown at the windows. Would love to visit and learn from the owner about the reality of living in such an amazing and historical property!x
very interested in the house offering my services to help to restore house to its former glory please email either way. would love to look around to see the extent of the work involved, seen the house today 20/07/2011 fantastic property
Brinsley de Courcey Nixon built the house as holiday home. He was the founder of London & Provincial Bank and in 1870 a financial backer of John Hughes the Welsh industrialist who founded the city of Hughesovka (now Donetsk) in the Ukraine and modernised Russia’s iron and steel industry. Nixon’s youngest son Brinsley spent time in Hughesovka where he met and later married Elizabeth the niece of John Hughes.