Beachborough Park Estate - Kent |
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Beachborough Park has been in the Brockman and Drake-Brockman family since its first owner Henry Brockman, purchased it from George Fogge in 1570. Since that time it had been passed down from father to son until James Brockman (1696-1767). James being a bachelor, bequeathed his Estate including Beachborough to his nephew the Rev. Ralph Drake who had already married Caroline Brockman. Their first two children had been born and they were also living at Beachborough by the time James resolved to leave then his estate. A quote from James Brockman's 'Reflections', London 1764 substantiates this, ... "As my family has been of some standing at Beachborough where I have principally resided near forty years, I am desirous to have the house continue to be inhabited by one who may prove to be a useful Member of Society in general, and to the neighbourhood in particular. I have therefore now plac'd the Revnd Mr. Ralph Drake there, who having a promising Issue and both he and his Wife being of my nearest relations, I intend no other than to leave the whole of my Real Estate to him or in his Family......" The Promising Issue referred to here by James Brockman was Rev. Ralph and Caroline's first son, James, as Julius was not yet born. James Brockman died in 1767 and an Act of Parliament was later passed in order to allow Rev. Ralph Drake to inherit the armorial bearings and surname Brockman, which then saw the Brockman surname changed to Drake Brockman. Hence, the Drake Brockman descendants continued to inherit the estate from hereon. As far as is known, the last Squire who lived at Beachborough full time was Francis Head Drake-Brockman (1851–1931). It's known he was there with his family at the time of the 1901 Census. We also know that the buildings were sold perhaps in circa 1936, which was well before the 1950's fire that destroyed the central wing. During WW1, Beachborough was known as the Queen's Canadian Military Hospital. It was also used as an American military hospital during WW2 and then later as a private school for boys. The land surrounding Beachborough was still owned by William (1882–1970) the son of Francis Drake-Brockman right up to the time of his death. As William was a bachelor, it's believed his sister Winifred who married Capt. Benjamin Arkle inherited the land in 1970 and then sold it. Here in Western Australia, many family farms and homes were named after areas surrounding Beachborough Park or used derivations of these names. Some examples include the suburb of Beechboro in Perth, named after the Kent estate but spelt differently, Beachgrove in Busselton, Seabrook at Northam, Cheriton at Gingin, and Newington Park at Yerecoin to name a few. Today Beachborough Park is owned by Gordon Wallis and is run as a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) and is visited by family members from around the world. Make sure that if you ever stay, you sign the Brockman/Drake-Brockman visitors book. |
| Beachborough Photos |
Photo 1: Etching of Beachborough Park estate during the life of William Brockman (1658-1741) |
| Photo 2: Beachborough Lake- another etching of this scene had the rowing boat replaced with a yacht to give the impression the lake was larger than it actually was |
| Photo 3: A Edward Haytley painting "View of the Temple Pond at Beachborough", 1744-46 - painting housed at the National Gallery of Victoria |
| Photo 4: Another Haytley painting "The Brockman family at Beachborough", c.1744 - painting housed at the National Gallery of Victoria |
| Photo 5: Beachborough during WW1 when it was known as the Queen's Canadian Military Hospital |
| Photo 6: Photograph of Beachborough taken in circa 1936 |
| Photo 7: A modern water coloured painting by Michael Richardson of the original Beachborough estate |
| Photo 8: Beachborough Park today after the fire destroyed much of the house. The restored house is only two floors high and is missing the middle of the original house. |
| Photo 9: Family descendants at the old the main entrance to the house (Back L-R) Hugh and Symon Drake-Brockman (Front L-R) Robert, Sorrel and Alan Jackson |
| Photo 10: The knoll at Beachborough. |
| Photo 11: Map to locate Beachborough |
| Photo 12: Map of the locality near Beachborough |