Exhibition: The History of Walton Hall

Owners of Walton Hall: The Pinfolds

Fanny Maria Pinfold returns to Walton

Following her discharge from Hurst House in December 1892, Fanny Maria returned to Walton Hall in 1893. It appears from a variety of reports in local newspapers that she was an immensely popular figure in the area largely due to her kindness and generosity towards her tenants at Walton. In 1897 an account of Walton’s half-yearly rent audit was reported in the ‘Bucks Herald’. Although Fanny Maria did not attend the meeting it was noted that, “After the audit Miss Pinfold most generously entertained all her tenants, farm and cottage, to a sumptuous dinner provided by Host and Hostess Lightfoot – the primest joints possible were provided in the shape of sirloin of beef, leg of mutton, with vegetables, plum puddings, tarts, cheese, followed with an abundance of fine strawberries, grown by the Host”.

At the gathering, the rector of Walton, Rev. George Wingate Pearse proposed a toast to Fanny Maria – “…who had done so much (and especially of late), in this village, in beautifying the farm homestead, the Pine Tree, and renovating the cottages. I trust she may be spared to live long and enjoy good health. I ask one and all to join with me in drinking the health of Miss Pinfold. One regret only was felt, viz., the absence of the lady herself, so that she might have heard and seen how heartily this toast was responded to, followed by the hearty singing ‘For she is a jolly good lady, etc’.” 

The Lightfoots were the proprietors of The Pine Tree Inn (owned by the Pinfolds) which once stood close to Walton Manor on the Walton estate. There had been an inn on the site since the 1700s although its name had changed over the centuries. In the early to mid-nineteenth century it was called The Angel and the first of the Lightfoots to be listed as landlord was John Lightfoot in 1838. His son - also named John - became landlord after his father and ran the inn with his wife Martha. John died in 1856 and after his death, his widow Martha continued to run the inn. It was first called The Pine Tree Inn on the 1861 census. In 1875 Martha transferred the licence to her son William Lightfoot. He continued to run The Pine Tree Inn with his wife Elizabeth (née Eastman) until 1909.

The first photograph on this page is The Pine Tree Inn taken in about 1905. The second shows the Lightfoot family outside the Inn c.1891-1892. The photograph shows William Lightfoot standing behind his wife Elizabeth with a dog on her lap. Standing beside him from L to R are Thomas Bonner (nephew) Ellen Frances and Margaret Lightfoot (daughters). Elizabeth Lightfoot's mother, Elizabeth Eastman, is sitting beside her daughter. A detailed account of the history of the inn can be read on The Woburn Sands Collection archive website here. 

The following descriptions of suppers which Fanny Maria provided for her tenants were recorded in the ‘North Bucks Times and County Observer’. In July 1898: “Supper – On Friday a supper was given by Miss Pinfold, Walton Hall, to the men employed at mowing and haymaking on her estate. About thirteen sat down to an excellent repast consisting of roast beef and mutton, plum pudding, fruit tarts &c., and previous to commencing Miss Pinfold thanked those present for helping to get in the hay.”

In July 1899: “Haymakers at Walton – Through the kindness of Miss Pinfold an excellent supper was given to the haymakers at Walton Hall on Wednesday… During the progress of the meal Miss Pinfold visited the supper room, and in a few well-chosen words expressed her pleasure at seeing them all again and hoped each one would do justice to the good things provided and spend a pleasant evening. Miss Pinfold’s health was proposed and enthusiastically responded to by the company present. After supper songs and dancing followed, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem”. There is an image on this page of hay makers on the Walton estate. The photograph was probably taken in the early 1900s. 

During Walton’s rent audit held in June 1901 at the Pine Tree Inn, parson Mr Bodley asked the company “…to drink to the health of their respected lady at Walton Hall, Miss Pinfold. He spoke of the many kindnesses shown to the people of the village; to many she was a real Sister of Mercy, causing at Christmas-time rays of sunshine to enter many homes. Her generosity was not confined to the village; many went to Walton Hall and did not go in vain. Miss Pinfold possessed a very tender heart, and they all hoped that God would spare her to live at Walton for many years to come…”