Edge Hall, Cheshire, England

Description

A country house with a timber framed core, standing on a moated site, it was encased in brick in about 1700. The front dates mainly from 1721, and there have been later alterations and additions. It has two storeys, and is in six bays, with two gables to the left of the entrance, and three to the right. The entrance is recessed, and has a brick parapet with stone balusters. Above the entrance is an octagonal open cupola with a hemispherical roof and a ball finial. The doorcase has Corinthian pilasters supporting an open pediment. On the rear are bow windows. Inside, the hall contains an Ionic screen, and in the dining room is an elaborate chimneypiece.

History

Found in the Hundred of Broxton, Cheshire, Edge Hall was held by the Dod family from Cadwgan Dot in the reign of Henry II and possibly as early as Saxon Times. Thomas Helsby, in 1882, described it's great antiquity and eclectic architecture making it's origins difficult to ascertain.
Members of the Dod family associated with Edge Hall include Thomas Dod and his eldest son, born 9th July 1754, Thomas Crewe Dod (1754-1827). Thomas the younger married Anne, daughter of Ralph Sneyd of Keele, Staffordshire and they had eight children: Thomas (died 1810 unmarried), John Anthony (died 1821 unmarried), Charlotte, Louisa, Anne, Harriott, Frances Rosamond and Soby Rebecca.

Due to the untimely deaths of both sons Edge Hall passed through Frances Rosamund and her husband Reverend Pelly Parker to their youngest daughter Frances Lucy Parker and her husband Charles Wolley who took the name Wolley-Dod by Royal license in 1868 and was still living in 1882. Frances Lucy Wolley-Dod died aged 81 in 1909.

Lieutenant Douglas Kirk Wolley Dod of King's (Liverpool) Regiment (12th Bn.) died on 25 Sep 1915 aged 18. He was the son of Francis & Annette Mary Wolley Dod, of Edge Hall, Malpas. His memorial can be found at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France.