One of the tasks we are able to complete from home during lockdown is the typing up of old lists. Many of our collections are catalogued, but were done so so long ago that the catalogues only exist in a paper format. This means that if people are able to visit our search room they can search the collection and identify useful material within it, but it’s more difficult for our remote users and people unable to visit, which is currently everyone, of course. So, by typing up the lists we can upload them into our electronic system. They can then be searched online, although, of course, the material itself remains only in its original format in the strongrooms.
One such list I have recently been typing up is the Orde family of Nunnykirk papers. The Ordes were a relatively well-to-do eighteenth-century family from the Morpeth area. One prominent member of the family was Admiral Sir John Orde. He had a successful Navy career and was governor of Dominica, in the Carribean, between 1783 and 1793. But, he is perhaps best remembered today for his quarrel with Horatio Nelson. In actual fact, Orde doesn’t appear to have had any issue with Nelson, more so with his superiors who appointed Nelson over him, Orde felt unfairly. So much so, that Orde actually challenged his commanding officer, John Jervis, to a duel. The offer was never accepted and was ultimately withdrawn. Frustratingly, the collection only has a few items relating to Sir John Orde’s naval career.
However, a large section of the papers relate to a great interest of the Orde family, horse breeding. Sir John Orde’s half brother, William Orde, owned an estate at Nunnykirk and his son, also William Orde, greatly renovated it and rebuilt Nunnykrik Hall. The Orde’s employed John Dobson to design the new building. William also established a stud farm and he and his nephew enjoyed huge success breeding racehorses.
One of their most successful horses, mentioned in the collection several times, was called Beeswing. Her success brought with it huge popularity. She competed in fifty-seven races and was placed lower than second only once. She even won the Ascot Gold Cup of 1842. She won the Newcastle Cup a total of six times and was put out to pasture after winning the Doncaster Cup for the fourth time. Beeswing was so famous that a small village in Dumfries and Galloway actually changed its name from Lochend to Beeswing in her honour.
Hopefully making the catalogue of this collection available online will allow people to explore the papers with greater ease and uncover more about these, and other stories of the Orde family of Nunnykirk.
Is anyone able to advise me if Nunnykirk was know as Orde Hall in about 1930? Was the resident then Colonel Orde?
Hello, we will pass your enquiry on to our researcher.
Hello, do you have any knowledge of any of the Orde family marrying an Adamson around 1660-70?
Thank you
Thank you for your enquiry. Could you please email us at archives@northumberland.gov.uk
Do any of the newly listed Orde papers relate to the Fenwicks who occupied Nunnykirk from at least 1536 to the early 18th century?
Thank you for your enquiry. We have received your email.
My great-grandmother was the youngest daughter of William Orde and she wrote a very lively memoir. “The first eighteen years of my life were spent at Nunnykirk, surely the most adorable old home imaginable, and perfect paradise for children. It was a large, rambling house with long passages, a big hall in the middle, lit by a sky-light in the dome… etc.” She also goes on to describe the horses. Please PM me if you would like the rest
Absolutely want to hear more!
Hello Joan,
I have been researching an Orde family for decades. A William Orde married Hannah Winship in Hartburn in 1732. The Winships had land and farms in Corbridge. William and Hannah went onto to live as tenant farmers in the Hainings in Elsdon. They were obviously at a considerably lower status than the Ordes of Nunnikirke but I can’t help think there is a connection. Any information concerning the Ordes would be very welcome.
Kind Regards Pamela Sharp
Hello.
I have two volumes of Oliver Cromwell letters and speeches written by Thomas Carlyle.
The dedication inside is written by b w Swithinbank to C W Orde on leaving Eaton. December 1903.
Frank520lowe@btinternet.com
Are these of interest?
Regards
Frank
Hello, could you please email archives@northumberland.gov.uk & your email will be passed to an Archivist. Thank you.
Hi Joan,
We now live at Nunnykirk (currently renovating the hall) and I would absolutely love to read her memoirs. Is there a copy online anywhere ? Or a printed copy available for purchase?
Kind regards,
Lindsay
My mother Eleanor was the cook the Orde family in 1969-72 we lived at Nunnykirk, she previously was the housekeeper to Pamela Fenwick/ Bainbridge. Of Kirkwhelpington. I remember Rory Bainbridge their son helping in the gardens before Art College. I remember the beautiful gardens.
Thank you for your message.
A Thomas Ward, Esq. died in Hexham and was buried there on the 11th Jun 1794.
His abode was given as Nunnikirk.
As this was 23 years after Ann Ward married into the Orde family and ownership of Nunnykirk passed to them, is it known if other branches of the Ward family still lived there after all that time ?
Hello, please email your enquiry to archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you