..Homepage | The Collection | The Artist | Contact | Links | Further Reading           Near Seckford Hall. Large water-colour 6.5 x 11 inches | Cat: 00034             Late Period. This Elizabethan Mansion a mile west of Woodbridge is now a hotel. It was built by Thomas Seckford, a lawyer, a member of Parliament & a major benefactor. The town is greatly indebted to him. School, hospital, library and almshouses all owe their existence to his charitable giving. It was also he who built the Shire Hall on Market Hill and the Woodbridge Abbey near St Mary’s Church. The Churchyard daughters were much indebted to the Seckford Charity after their father’s death in 1865. Provenance: From an album made by Thomas Churchyard for Emma Churchyard, passing on her death in 1878 to Bessie, then in 1913 to Harriet. On her death in 1927, it was put up for sale in Woodbridge by Charlie Churchyard. The album which had contained this painting was purchased by Agnes Shaw (nee Airy), passing intact by descent until sold and split for the bi-centenary exhibition 1998 David Messum, Cork Street, London. Cat. no 49.     .   ..