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CodeP/0065
Dates1881-1955
Person NameThornhill; Noel (1881-1955); High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire (1941); of Diddington Hall
SurnameThornhill
ForenamesNoel
TitleHigh Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire (1941)
Epithetof Diddington Hall
ActivityNoel Thornhill (1881-1955) was the last of the line of uniquely Diddington-based Thornhills, as after his death and that of his widow the lands which were traditionally the property of his line of the family have been united with those of the branch which maintained ownership of the ancient home of the Thornhills at Fixby Hall. Comparatively little is known of his life due to the age of many of the most useful sources. What is known is that his early life was likely spent in Ireland as dictated by his father's appointments within the church. He likely had the kind of expensive education which others in his family enjoyed, but very little is known until his inheritence of the family estates by which time he was almost fifty years of age. He continued in the traition of local government service which many of his predecessors had undertaken, holding the office of High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire in 1941 and potentially serving in other capacities such as Justice of the Peace or Deputy Lieutenant. A letter dating from 1917 suggests that at this time he was serving as a Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards, meaning that he likely fought throughout the First World War. Records of the auctions of his property refer to him as Captain Noel Thornhill, which must refer to the most senior rank he attained.
RelationshipsFather: Francis Herbert William Thornhill (1851-1914)
Mother: Helen Georgina, daughter of Rev. Charles Thornhill of Milesdown, co. Louth
Spouse: Cecily Thornhill (d.1970) maiden name unknown
Children: None
Linked entries in the catalogue
RefNoTitle
KED/3928/1/13Thornhill estates: copy vesting assent
KED/4169/1/18/209Sale for Captain Noel Thornhill deceased
KED/3928/1/11Thornhill estates: inventory of Diddington Hall
KHAC0/405Advertisers - News
KED/3928/1/9Thornhill estates: valuation of plate
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/1/11Receipt book, flower and vegetable sales
KPH/101/77Diddington, Captain Thornhill.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/1/10Account book - fortnightly wages, overtime,insurances, postage etc.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/4/73Abstract of Title of Arthur Edward Priestley, Esq., to freehold pasture land in Offord Darcy, Huntingdonshire, 1879-1944
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/5/96Correspondence, Maule and Sons on behalf of A.J. Thornhill Esq. regarding the purchase of the property mentioned in 5103/95 [4 items]
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/4/72Particulars, Conditions and Agreement for Sale for two pieces of arable land in Offord Darcy, Huntingdonshire, between Arthur Edward Priestley, Esq., and Noel Thornhill Esq.
KED/4169/1/24/14Laurels Farm, Fenton, extending to 265a., for sale by order of executors of late Captain Noel Thornhill
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/14/191Power of Attorney
KED/3928/1/10Thornhill estates: schedule of estates
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/123Certificate of Redemption of Fee Farm Rent That Stella Blandy of Jura, P.O. Settlers Transvaal Province in the Union of South Africa, Widow, has received the Fee Farm Rent from Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Huntingdonshire, issuing out of lands at Boxworth, Cambridgeshire
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/124Reconveyance of part of the Boxworth estate
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/158Conveyance (Duplicate) of Thornhill Square and Thornhill Crescent, Islington
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/4/69Assent by Noel Thornhill and Edward Lambert Gosling [as5109/68] vesting two cottages in Offord Darcy, Huntingdonshire, in Noel Thornhill Esq.
KED/4169/1/19/82Sale for executors of Noel Thornhill Esq., deceased.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/1/9Account book, fruit and vegetable sales
KED/3928/1/12Thornhill estates: return of rents
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/6/98Manor of Fenstanton and Hilton with the Memb
ers: Compensation Agreement
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/118Vesting Assent of the Boxworth Estate by John Norman Heathcote of Conington Castle, Huntingdonshire, Esq., as Special Representative of the late A.J. Thornhill, deceased, in favour of Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Huntingdonshire, Esq.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/11/161Purchase of Fee Farm Rent, Cross Hall, Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire, by Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Buckden, Huntingdonshire
KED/3928/1/17/17Diddington Hall, auction of 'furnishings of the Reception Rooms, Halls, Billiards Room, Principal and Staff Bedrooms', comprising furniture, pictures, drawings, prints, books, pistols &c. For auction by Dilley, Theakston & Beardmore by direction of executors of late Captain Noel Thornhill
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/122Deed under the hands and seals of John Norman Heathcote of Conington Castle, Huntingdonshire, Esq., and Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Huntingdonshire, Esq. declaring that they are discharged from the Trusts of the Compound Settlement affecting land in the parish of Boxworth, Cambridgeshire.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/4/68Assent by Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Buckden, Huntingdonshire, Esq., and Edward Lambert Gosling of 13 George Street, City of London, Esq. as Personal Representatives of A.J. Thornhill, deceased, vesting lands and premises in Offord Darcy and Buckden in Noel Thornhill Esq.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/121Authority to execute a deed of discharge
KAcc148/5/G/335Sale Catalogue of Diddington Hall, Buckden, Hunts. Auctioneers: Dilley, Theakston and Beardmore, of Huntingdon and St. Ives.
KED/3928/1/17/18Diddington Hall, auction of 'furnishings of the Reception Rooms, Halls, Billiards Room, Principal and Staff Bedrooms' as in ED/3928/1/17/17, marked in pencil on purchase slip 'Johnson: Dilley & Co'
KED/4169/1/17/254Sale for Noel Thornhill Esq.
KED/4169/1/18/225Sale for Executors of N.Thornhill Esq., deceased
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/4/70Compensation Agreement
KED/3928/1/17Sale particulars of many properties in Huntingdonshire, etc., sold by firm
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/156Surrender of 173 Hemingford Road, Islington, Middlesex
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/120Declaration re trustees of the Boxworth estate
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/5/97Manor of Buckden with the Members: Compensation Agreement
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/14/192Indemnity against death duties arising on the death of the late Arthur John Thornhill
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/1Volumes relating to Thornhill Estates in Middlesex, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire, Diddington Hall estate accounts 1944-1955 and details of the gardens at Diddington Hall and flower shows 1926-1939
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/5/95Covenant to Surrender a parcel of land in West Field, Buckden, Huntingdonshire
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/9/119Deed of Appointment
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/154Assent by Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Buckden, Huntingdonshire, Esq. and Edward Lambert Goslng of 13 George Street, City of London, Esq. as the personal representatives of Arthur John Thornhill late of Diddington Hall, deceased, vesting leaseholds in the Borough of Islington, London, in Noel Thornhill Esq.
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/153Authority to execute deed of discharge
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/157Declaration [copy] by Noel Thornhill of Diddington Hall, Buckden, Huntingdonshire to the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada re policy no 562971 - Trustees of St. Andrew's Mission - that the Company has the right to produce the documents [5109/155-156] which remain in his possession and safe custody
KAcc148/UNCAT/5109/10/152Appointment of trustee
KED/3928/1/17/16Fenton. Laurels Farm comprising Georgian-style residence &c., two service cottages and 265a. For auction by direction of executors of late Captain Noel Thornhill
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