Fonds MEA - Meade of Earsham

Earsham Hall was designed and built by John Buxton who sold the property to Col. William Windham (1674-1730) during the 1720s. On his death it passed to his son, William (1706-1789). William had no direct heirs and so he bequeathed the Hall to his nephew, Joseph Windham Bowyer (1739-1810); he too died without issue and so under the tenor of William Windham's will the property passed to his great nephew, Sir William Windham Dalling (1775-1864). Sir William died without legitimate issue and he bequeathed the estate to his nephew, Captain John Meade (1812-1886) whose father, General Robert Meade, had rented Earsham Hall from Sir William. The property then passed through the direct male line to Captain John Percy Meade (1847-1919) and Major John Windham Meade, the depositors' father.