RIDGE AND GUNNER COLLECTION

The papers consist of a survey of Thomas Ridge's land in Portsea Island 1795; a volume of plans of the estate of John Ridge in Fratton, Buckland, Kingston and Stamshaw 1860; deeds relating to land in Stamshaw, Portsea, Kingston, Portsmouth and Buckland dating from 1685-1885. Estate management papers containing: labourers wage books 1744/5-1746; papers relating to the estate of Sir Thomas Ridge 1763-1774; papers relating to estates of John Ridge and Thomas Ridge in Portsmouth 1768-1843; investment papers of Thomas Roger Ridge and Major Edward Jervoise Ridge 1797-1807, 1818-1834; papers concerning the estate of Major Charles John Ridge 1820-1829; Porstea Rentals 1833-1837; papers of William Pearce, agent for Ridge Portsea estates 1825; correspondence to Gunner re Ridge Portsea estate 1834-1857; vouchers 1847-1858; correspondence concerning tenants and sale of property by John Blanchard agent to Ridge Portsea estates, to C. J. Gunner 1842-1857; papers in Chancery concerning dispute between Brighton and Chichester Railway and Ridge estate over payment for land 1845; sale particulars 1849, 1872-1911; valuations of Ridge Portsea estate 1850-1900; papers concerning Ridge Sussex estate 1746, 1816-1821, 1867-1870, 1881; mortgage account book for Gunner family 1842-1859; photographs and miniature of Ridge family members c1870-c1820

<p>See Everitt (11A/22/19) for descent of Ridge family through 17th and 18th century. Its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and there are certainly errors in the later stages.</p>

• <famname>Ridge family of Portsmouth</famname>
• <famname>Gunner family of Bishops Waltham</famname>

After the closure of Gunners the solicitors around 1970 this collection was unfortunately scattered. Some has come from the Gunner family and the rest has been purchased from two other sources. All three have now been re-combined under the Gunner deposit number.

The Ridge family of Portsmouth were brewers and held extensive lands scattered throughout the common fields of Portsmouth & Portsea. In the 18th century they also acquired extensive estates at Kilmeston near Alresford and at Fyning, Rogate, Sussex. In 1815 all these estates devolved on the children of Thomas and Mary Ridge, one of whose daughters, Lucy Matilda, married William Gunner, solicitor of Bishop's Waltham.