Ashfield, 11 Elmfield Avenue, Leicester

 

 

Ashfield was constructed on a site that had been acquired at auction in 1858 by John Howcutt JP (1814-1885), a seed and oil cake merchant and grandson of John & Elizabeth Howcutt of Cotes de val. The house was presumably completed by 1860, when John sold his former residence at Granby Street. The 1861 census gives John’s address as “London Road”, probably because Elmfield Avenue was not yet adopted and includes a cook, two housemaids and a groom as the resident staff.

 

In 1871, John and his family were accompanied by a nursemaid, cook, housemaid, ladies maid and coachman. John was still living at Ashfield with his family and three resident servants in the 1881 census, the coachman having moved to Ashfield Cottage.

 

John's wife, Susan (1820-1900), remained at Ashfield for the rest of her life.

 

Ashfield stands in grounds of about two acres in the Stoneygate area. The house cannot be seen from the road.