Gainsborough Trees

Query #4 - Gainsborough Trees

17/06/1933

Various trees round Bath, more particularly oaks, have been styled "Gainsborough" trees. One is situated at Lambridge, one on Hampton Down, one at Shockerwick, and another—a sycamore-in a field on the Warminster Road, just before St. George's Hill walking from the city. The latter tree has in the first week of this month been felled to clear the space for building plots. Can any of your readers add to this list, or can they give the exact position of the Gainsborough oak on Hampton Down, as it known to me only by a water colour drawing? E. A. R., Bath.

Replies

24/06/1933

There was one standing in a field attached to Bridge Farm, Bathford, on the opposite side of Messrs. Moore and Sons' Garage. It was an elm with large spreading branches and short trunk. It was blown down in 1892 and was purchased by me from the owners, the Misses Briscoe, on condition that I made them a table from a portion of it. This was done and kept by them with the painting in their drawing room at Briscoe House, Bathford. At their deaths, which occurred 1899 within a few weeks of each other, the painting and table passed into the possession of their nephew, a Rev. Gibbs. F. W. Cannings, Church Street, Bathford.