Monument record FHM 016 - Felsham Castle

`A mansion, called the Castle, the seat of the Reynolds family, was pulled down about the end of the 18th century, and a farm house erected on the site' (present `Mausoleum House')(S1)(S2). Main house shown (not named) on Hodskinson 1783 map (S3) and on Bowen's 1755 map where ownership given as `Reynold Esq' (S4). Mansion called `The Castle' pulled down and materials sold (circa 1791). Also listed (the `farm house' which replaced it?) as divided into 4 tenements in 1844 (S5). Note remains of stone facing pillars at Castle Farm (FHM 007) and Grange Farm. Described by (John) Wesley as one of the grandest houses he had ever seen (S2).
Brick Mausoleum remains at TL 9454 5675 built for only child of Mr Reynolds, circa 1755 (S5). Size of original lands, gardens & outbuildings not known but delineated on HER map to include stables and Mausoleum site. A note by Sir John Cullum states, "John Reynolds, esq, who lived in the capital mansion in this parish ... was buried in a mausoleum which he had erected in a field at the back of his house. He died in August 1759, aged 85, and left his estate to a Dr Scott of London ... (S7). Kirby states `There is a neat mansion here, being lately the seat of the late Mr Reynolds, and now of Dr Scott' (S8).