There are many fine houses in the Bideford and Northam districts, Victorian and  older – although they have been much modified. Knapp House is one of the foremost. The placename Knapp is fairly common in Devon and refers to a hill or ridge. Bideford Archive has several documents relating to various sales or lettings of the property.  

The Historic Monument record tells us that there has probably been a house on this site since the 14^th century and the record lists owners and occupiers since then. These include John Benson (1634-1719), who leased Knapp in 1702. His son Thomas was the scoundrel who tried to defraud the government by undertaking to transport convicts to America but instead dropped them off at Lundy. By 1838 a merchant named James Gould owned Knapp House and its associated farm.

The current building is dated at 19^th century to Edwardian.

Knapp House is also mentioned in the Archives collection of The Bideford Gazette newspapers. In 1857 the whole contents of the house and farm were to be sold by auction. 

In the 1850s, moving house was not an easy feat. There are many instances of whole contents being sold. People emigrated, many moved to a different part of Britain and it was easier and cheaper to sell up and refurnish a new property than to try to transport everything. In his excellent book on St Nectan’s Church in Stoke near Hartland, Stephen Hobbs gives an example of removal costs. In 1884 new windows were ordered for the church and glass was to be transported from Sunderland. The cost from Sunderland to Bristol was £33 and 18 shillings. It was transported from Bristol to Barnstaple (presumably by ship) and then the sloop “Sprightly” took it to Hartland Quay where customs dues of one shilling were paid.

The Knapp sale announcement in 1857 lists every item and gives us a fascinating insight into what was needed to live comfortably in an early Victorian house and farm. It is tempting to list the whole contents but a summary will have to suffice. Included are all the livestock for a small mixed farm, crops, manure and cider making equipment. From the house are tables, sideboards, carpets, four poster beds and bedroom chamber sets. And for transport, all manner of carts and carriages and associated tack.  

The Archive’s next job is to try to find the story behind this sale.