The original Link House was situated on the eastern end of the Estate, built in about 1881/82 and named Link House by a devotee of golf, possibly a Mr Prior, who leased the land in 1882 from James Taylor Esq.
24 June 1882 the Link House plot was leased to R.C. Prior 99 years
The building was a large 7 bedroomed gentlemen’s residence, with large garden, lawns and a small enclosure of arable land. A very popular lodging house.
In 1906 Mrs Marion Molesworth (died 8 October 1921) lived in Link House. She was the wife of Reginald Molesworth (brother of George Mill Frederick Molesworth a well known and distinguished gentlemen of Westward Ho!)
During WW2 it was occupied by the Americans and later became derelict. It was at one time considered to be turned into a Nursing Home. In 1967 the property was demolished to make way for flats. The second phase was completed in late 1980’s making 48 flats and garages.
Census records:
1871
| House | Name | Age | Occupation | Where born |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Villa | Robert PRIOR | 57 | Head builder (employing 20 men, 12 boys) | Devon, Powderham |
| Mary A | 63 | Wife | Abbotshowm | |
| Ann ESSERY | 40 | Daughter in Law, Dressmaker | ||
| William T GEONSAN? | 40 | Grandson, Scholar | Bideford | |
| Elizabeth Harris | 13 | Domestic servant | Northam |
1881
| House | Name | Age | Occupation | Where born |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne Terrace | Richard C PRIOR | 42 | Bideford | |
| Sarah PRIOR | 42 | Winsford Somerset | ||
| Montague PRIOR | 13 | Bideford | ||
| Mary Ann PRIOR | 11 | |||
| Emma PRIOR | 8 | |||
| Fanny PRIOR | 2 | Northam | ||
| Ann EMERY | 54 | unmarried | Abbotsham, Devon | |
| Harriot MOUNCE | 13 | Northam |
The site in 1985:
Completed:
