Basford House, Seymour Grove

Built in 1860 for Henry Beecroft Jackson, retired merchant and director of a plate glass works (1861 census). Jackson died in December 1884 and was buried at St Paul’s, Kersal Moor.  He had come to Manchester aged 14, entering the firm of his uncle, Jonathan Jackson, a calico manufacturer and dyer. About 1836 he joined the firm of William Crossley, (cousin of James Crossley) of York Street, Manchester, shipping merchant, upon whose death in 1841 he succeeded to the business. This he expanded to a considerable extent, amassing a large fortune - one estimate being £250,000. Among his speculative ventures was the funding for two years of a gold mining expedition to British Columbia, led by his friend “Captain” John Evans. He may also have helped to finance Bessemer in the development of his inventions. At the time of his death he also had business interests in Hawaii. He married Jemima Mander of Wolverhampton, the sister of Charles Benjamin Mander and Samuel Small Mander, the founders of Mander Brothers, varnish and paint manufactures.

In 1914 the then owner, James Nuttall, of Hale, offered to lend the building to the local branch of the British Red Cross for conversion into an Auxiliary Hospital. The Hospital was opened on 28 October 1914, providing accommodation for twenty patients with ten more beds added during April, 1915 in order to meet the requirements of the increased number of wounded soldiers coming to Manchester.

Seven wards were provided, together with mess room and day room, staff room, kitchens, etc. The hospital closed at the end of the war after which the Stretford Division of the Red Cross decided to form a District Nursing Service. A Trust was founded in 1919, purchasing Basford House in 1925. Stretford Urban District Council also became involved as part of their War Memorial Scheme, the need for a hospital in the district becoming increasingly apparent. Stretford Memorial Hospital, a lasting memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War opened in 1925 the building having been adapted to provide a female ward block and a maternity unit. In 1930-1931 a two-storey male ward block was added to the designs of Percy Howard (qv see under Stretford Memorial Hospital).

The Stretford Council paid for a number of maternity beds to be maintained. Patients were admitted upon recommendation by their own medical practitioner, who would continue to attend them in the hospital. Patients paid for their treatment, but their ability to pay was taken into account. The hospital joined the NHS as an acute hospital in 1948. It was closed between 1983 and 1985, at which time it reopened as a Geriatric Hospital. This hospital closed in October 2015 and the building remains unoccupied (2020) 

THIS EVENING. Basford House Seymour Grove. 

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION. By Mr. J. MASSEY HEWITT, at the Grosvenor Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester. at six o'clock, subject to conditions 

All that Detached Family Residence known as Basford House situated in Seymour Grove, Old Trafford. The site contains 7,931 superficial square yards or thereabouts, and will be sold for the residue of a term of 990 years by an indenture dated the 12th day of May. 1860*. made between Sir Humphrey de Trafford on the one part and Henry Beecroft Jackson on the other part, subject to the payment of a yearly rent of £42 18s 3d. thereby reserved and to contain covenants therein contained. RICHARD HANKINSON & SON. solicitors, Queen's Buildings Ridgefield, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 8 May 1894 page 3]  

* The date is not completely legible. However, the following entries appear in directories etc. which would appear to confirm a date of 1860 

BASFORD HOUSE, Seymour Grove, Old Trafford—TO BE LET, this exceedingly Good Family HOUSE, standing in well-planted grounds. with full-grown forest trees on the boundaries: It contains large entrance hall, 3 entertaining rooms, billiard-room with lavatory, ample offices, 5 bed and 1 dressing rooms. bath, etc. 2 good attics and extra bathroom, cellared throughout; motor house; kitchen garden, well stocked with fruit trees: small greenhouse; the house has recently been beautified throughout and is in excellent order. Early possession if desired. For order to view apply E. MELLER, SONS. & SPEAKMAN, 22. Cooper-street. [Manchester Guardian 26 July 1910 page 2]

Directory Entries
1853        Henry Beecroft Jackson 16 Ardwick Place
1861        Henry Beecroft Jackson Chorlton Lane Old Trafford
1863-1884    Henry Beecroft Jackson Basford House Old Trafford. (Directory entries etc)
1888-1894    James William Jones, (1854-1894) chemical manufacturer and colliery proprietor) Basford House Seymour Grove
1895        William G Thompson, aniline dye manufacturer, Basford House 126 Seymour Grove
1903        No entry for 126 Seymour Grove in street directory (assume unoccupied)
1909        No entry for 126 Seymour Grove in street directory (assume unoccupied)
1911        James Nuttall, Basford House 126 Seymour Grove

• Sir John William Alcock (1892–1919), aviator, was born at Basford House Cottage, on 6 November 1892, the eldest son of John Alcock, a domestic coachman and later a horse dealer, and his wife, Mary Whitelegg.
• Andy Roy Gibbs, of Bee Gees fame was born at Stretford Memorial Hospital on 5 March 1958