Brockenhurst Lodge

Belonged to the Bowden-Smith family from 1779 until it was demolished in 1886 and replaced with Careys. Mrs Bowden-smith: ‘This was a nice comfortable old house, probably 250 years old. Mr. Bowden-Smith’s father came there about 1779. J. Cary, Esq., in the 11th year of Charles the Second’s reign, claimed the office of Riding Forester of the New Forest. He says also that he has an ancient messuage and nine acres of land in Brockenhurst. He mentions all his claims, pasture, firewood etc.etc. We do not know for how long or how many Careys lives [sic] there. The Bowdens are a very ancient family from Cornwall, and those who are still alive are Roman Catholic priests.... The old house was near the road and very quaint for inone [sic] of the attics there was a hiding place in the floor large enough [sic] to conceal a man.’